Saturday, October 31, 2009

Teachers and Students



Applied Scholastics International is a non-profit, public benefit organization formed in 1972 by educators from colleges, universities, and both public and private schools.
The mission of Applied Scholastics International is to provide effective education services, training and materials to educators, parents and students to enable individuals to learn how to learn and become self-motivated lifelong learners.
Our training programs and continuing education courses provide teachers and educators the skills and strategies they need to teach students to overcome study barriers and learn how to learn. Applied Scholastics has trained more than 100,000 teachers and educators in Study Technology who in turn have educated 28 million students in Study Technology.

The Applied Scholastics network comprises over 800 schools, literacy and training centers and tutoring groups in 67 countries in North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Europe.
Based on L. Ron Hubbard's extensive educational technology, Applied Scholastics programs enable individuals to handle the literacy and education of the children and people in their communities.
Want more information? click here

Friday, October 30, 2009

Tommy and Friends







Every Monday Tommy gathers up all his friends for a football celebration at Pins in Studio City, CA. If you're ever in the area drop in to see him.  Always surprise celebs in the house. $20 at the door.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Bossy

I've been really thinking about the dynamics of relationships and just wanted to throw a few things out there. Ride w me if you can and if you can't, abort ship now!!

If you've ever cheated in the relationship you are now in
A) it will never be the beautiful union it can be
B) you will never trust because you can't be trusted

Ok, so if you're still reading and you fit the profile, you got some courage so let's keep rockin'.

Come clean! Have a sit down and make it right. The key is when you've cheated you no longer stand your ground with anything. Your man/woman can now walk all over you without reason because you're too scared to stand up with all that guilt you're wearing.

Take responsibility for your relationship and if ain't worth you being honest and faithful....get out!!!
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Monday, October 26, 2009

Flavor for Fashion


Once upon a time there lived a small time designer who cut expensive bags up for a living and revamped the fabric to create extremely stylish clothes for extremely eccentric artists.  Everyone stood in line and paid big bucks to have their wardrobe sewn before their very eyes. If the outfit called for extravagant measure it could take a while before you could pick your items up. I'm sure if you look back in the hip hop history books you will find many of mcs and djs dressed in this type of gear.  Eric B and Rakim for instance wore suits made of black velour, leather and Gucci emblems. 



Meet Karl Kani who once played assistant to Harlem's own designer Dapper Dan.  Since starting out in the mid 80s Karl has gone on to have many internationally known clothing lines.  Most recently he created a line that was disappointingly short lived called LIVE.  I was fortunate enough to visit him at his showroom and studio in Los Angeles, CA. I was given a couple of pairs of jeans and about half a dozen t shirts.  I love the feel and look of both the jeans and the tshirts however most will never experience the touch of LIVE.  I'm not sure what became of LIVE but Karl Kani undoubtedly moved on and is currently working on yet another unforgettable line.  When one exude talent and style the way Karl does there's never too much time to sit idle. Kudos to Karl and much success always.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Moments of a lifetime



I met Doug E Fresh sometime after hearing his music.  His energy was unforgettable and I was definitely inspired by his style and work ethic.  Still he is one of the hardest working men in show biz performing at least 250 days out of the year on stages all over the world.  He is truly the world's greatest entertainer!!

What I adore most about my friendship with Doug E is our long talks.  If Doug E and I pass one another in a hallway of a hotel before a show it's guaranteed we are both going to be late.  It's not often in this biz I can speak to someone so candidly and freely about whatever.

The most memorable moment I have of Doug is him calling me immediately after he had heard me as a guest on a radio show.  We were both in the midwest sharing a performance bill with a couple of other artists.  He heard the show and called me right away.  We talked for moment, catching up and then he asked out of the blue, "Were you upset with anything at the radio station?" and I said, "No, why?".  He waited for a second and I could tell I was in for something and he continued, "well if you're happy to do the show let the listeners know."  I totally got it, just from those few words.  What Doug was saying was to relax and let the listeners in radio land know that I had a personality but most of all that I was happy to be there in their city and that I was going to do my best to give them a great show. From that moment on I dropped the stern Brooklyn hard rock mentality to truly be myself and if that involved being goofy from time to time so be it.  I really lightened up and began to gel with the people who were buying my music and supporting my concerts.

I thank Doug for calling me that day because he didn't have to.  I thank him for keeping it true and loving me enough to hit me up like a big brother and tell me exactly what he was thinking.  He put years on my career by sharing those words with me.  That's a village.....

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

MY Birthday

Throwbackkkkkk!



On October 11th a few friends and a lot of family showed up in Miami to help celebrate the occasion and while most thought it had to be the big 40 for such an event, it still was not...lol. But when that day comes, I'm sure all will know ).

This shot was taken upstairs in the VIP section of Live. Just before this pic Mario sang a beautiful happy birthday to ya girl!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Saturday, October 17, 2009

A Little bit of FAITH

Faith Renée Evans was born June 10, 1973. She is a singer-songwriter, record producer, actress and author. Born in Lakeland, Florida and raised in Newark, New Jersey.

Evans moved to Los Angeles in 1993 for a career in music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B. Sure, she became the first female artist to be signed to Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment label in 1994, on which she released three platinum-certified studio albums between the years of 1995 and 2001.

What is stated above is certainly told in her new memoir entitled "Keep the Faith" but then there's so much more. Faith keeps us invested in the read just by keeping it so damn truthful. In this book she lays it out and apologizes for nothing. I personally love her courage and her extreme work ethic that has gotten her to where she is now. Great read.
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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Congratulations From The Recording Academy President/CEO

Dear Recording Academy Member:

Today the Senate Judiciary Committee considered our major legislative initiative, The Performance Rights Act. As I've written to you many times before, the bill closes the "corporate radio loophole" and makes terrestrial radio play by the same rules as Internet and satellite radio by compensating the performers of the music they play.

It's been a long road to get here, with many Academy members testifying before Congress, flying to Washington to lobby, and sending literally thousands of emails. Last week, we asked Academy members from the states of key Senators to weigh in with their support. Hundreds of you did, and your voices were heard loud and clear--the Committee voted to APPROVE the measure.

With May's successful House Judiciary vote behind us, today's vote was the final committee action before the bill can be considered by the full Congress. While there is much work left to get final passage, today's historic vote marks the most significant progress on a nearly 80 year quest for performance rights for artists. Congratulations on this important victory and a special thank you to the Recording Academy members who called their Senators in the past week.

Kind regards,
Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy

------Original Message------
From: Member Services
To: Lyte
ReplyTo: MemServices@grammy.com
Subject: Congratulations From The Recording Academy President/CEO
Sent: Oct 15, 2009 10:07 PM

Dear Recording Academy Member:

Today the Senate Judiciary Committee considered our major legislative initiative, The Performance Rights Act. As I've written to you many times before, the bill closes the "corporate radio loophole" and makes terrestrial radio play by the same rules as Internet and satellite radio by compensating the performers of the music they play.

It's been a long road to get here, with many Academy members testifying before Congress, flying to Washington to lobby, and sending literally thousands of emails. Last week, we asked Academy members from the states of key Senators to weigh in with their support. Hundreds of you did, and your voices were heard loud and clear--the Committee voted to APPROVE the measure.

With May's successful House Judiciary vote behind us, today's vote was the final committee action before the bill can be considered by the full Congress. While there is much work left to get final passage, today's historic vote marks the most significant progress on a nearly 80 year quest for performance rights for artists. Congratulations on this important victory and a special thank you to the Recording Academy members who called their Senators in the past week.

Kind regards,
Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy


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Changes

I truly believe our ability to change at a moment's notice will determine how successful we can become. When one becomes rigid and afraid of the slightest change is when the downfall is near. It's called being prepared for whatever changes may arise and having ample time to restructure the plan so that it benefits YOU.

As a child I was forced to do many things against my will like having to wear dresses with lots of frills and things, lol. I remember having to eat foods I wasn't fond of like squash, chicken livers and turnips...yuck. NO child should be forced to eat the likes of eggplant, zucchini and avocado!!

In any case I sum it up to this
Many of us hold on to old ways in fear of change and handling circumstances in a new way. We let opportunities slip by because we find it difficult to adjust. I think we do it because for so many years in the past we were told what the changes would be, when we would make them and what would happen if we didn't. Let's not let fear stop us from making the changes necessary to living a fuller life.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Candid interview written by HHS Atlas

Hip Hop Sisters started back in 2006. So, for the past three years I've been "Rockin' Wit' The Best" (Had to get a song quote in). It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with this legendary MC. In business I've had many questions, but it has been difficult to keep the fan in me at bay. I was trying to figure out the best way to ask those "fan" questions I had without looking too corny. So when she said she would grant me an interview for the HHS I jumped at the chance to ask.

AtLas’: You were Lana Moorer long before you were MC Lyte. What is your earliest childhood memory?

MC Lyte: My earliest childhood memory is probably refusing to wear a dress for Easter.
We were going to Playland in Rockaway, Queens with my uncle and he wanted me to wear a dress. He had a real problem that day because he was unsuccessful.

A: Speaking of childhood memories, how did you get the scar on your forearm?
I noticed it at the meet n greet

ML: Detective AtLas’ (lol). A glass window; I thought I could stick my arm through what appeared to be a broken window and I didn't see the broken glass that remained in the frame

A: Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when you first heard yourself on the radio?

ML: Yes. I was delivering packages as a messenger at the Graybar Building and heard it playing in their mailroom

A: I noticed that your early work rarely had a hook, usually lots of scratching or sampling your own voice. Was that intentional?

ML: Paperthin and what else?

A: Lyte as a Rock, 10% Dis…

ML: With Paperthin it was written before I heard the beat. I had a rhyme book and everything from the first album was from that book. So I just sat with the producers and fit the rhymes to some of their tracks. I didn't write hooks then. 10% had a hook. BEAT BITER DOPE STYLE TAKER, TELL YOUR FACE YOU AIN'T NOTHING BUT A FAKER.

A: Oh yeah... I meant cappuccino and Cha, Cha, Cha.

ML: Yeah those were the days when the lyrics meant so much you didn't even need a hook. People wanted the hook to be done so they could hear the lyrics and now it's just the opposite.

A: Do you still have clothes and jewelry from then?

ML: Yes I do. My Nefertiti earrings. My jeans with all the graffiti on them. Lots of leather outfits. I almost got into tax trouble because they didn't believe I spent that much money on leather. Then I went back and took pictures of them all and they released any intentions.


To read interview please click below

http://hiphopsisters.ning.com/profiles/blogs/atlas-chats-with-the-lyte

Saturday, October 10, 2009

STUDIO 54


A great piece on the infamous nightclub Studio 54.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Make it hot!!!

A nice smile goes a long way

This blog is all in love

To put it simple and plain more folks oughta brush their teeth a little bit harder and a little bit longer.

Teeth are in the top five when it comes to making a good impression. Ask anyone and they will openly admit you lose major points with teeth that look like you just tried to bite a plate. And if your joints happen to be on tilt at the very least make sure they are brushed and clean.

Ladies and gents pls we must carry floss in the purse or the car, nothing like some stinky broccoli chilling in between a tooth and a a hard place, lol. All joking aside, if you haven't been to the dentist in the last year, get rid of that fear and get your butt down there for a thorough cleaning. Every six months some people make the decision to not go and wind up with cavities and disease, simply put YUK MOUTHS.

Also if you are unhappy with your teeth there are all types of ways to get a new smile. Braces, retainers, caps, bridges and dentures. You name it...they have it! Do your investigation and find out how to get a brighter smile too , it'll take you places fa real!!

All in love-AIL
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

OOPS

Monday, October 5, 2009

Brandy







WOW, seems like just yesterday I saw this young lady slowly take the world by storm.  She turned radio out with her debut record and hasn't stopped since. Word has it she is in the studio working on a new project and I am overjoyed with the thought of her taking the game once again.

In this video she takes us from the restroom in front of the mirror straight to the pews of the first row at church on a Sunday morning. GO HEAD GIRL, WE LOVE YOU!!!

Young Talent

I see young talent wherever I go and there's never really enough time to impart all the knowledge that I'd like to. So here I will state a bit of what lingers in my mind regarding young talent.

First and foremost is to acknowledge that the game isn't easy.  If it were easy not only would everyone do it,but everyone that did it would be great and not only that they would be extremely successful. It's about staying power! If it doesn't happen for you within a certain amount of time will you walk away? What if it's right around the corner? What if you're big break doesn't have plans of arriving until times get radically difficult? Guess it won't matter then because you would have given up by then, or maybe not.

This blog is to send a kind reminder to all those young talented artists...when you get in the business for the right reasons and you stay for the right reasons, you are bound to see success.  Make your reason about the love for the art. As long as you are doing what you love you will never grow tired.  You will never run out of steam but instead while your big break is waiting to happen you will grow and become even greater than you are now.

Stay humble
Stay focused
Stay true and do what God meant for you to do ....YOU

Sunday, October 4, 2009

MR Magic



I have to tell you all how truly blessed I feel to have lived during the era of hip hop where Mr. Magic had the greatest impact. He, Red Alert, Chuck Chillout and Marly Marl had NYC on lock. Well at least on regular radio. On the other end of the spectrum I cannot forget DNA and The Awesome Two who held down the am dial.

Mr. Magic and Dj Marley Marl made many Friday and Saturday nights special for me as a kid growing up in Brooklyn, NY. Everyone knows most hip-hop took place up in the Bronx and Harlem.  In Brooklyn it was mostly Reggae/Rockers music up and down the streets of Utica, Church Avenue and Flatbush.  It took a while for Brooklyn folks from the 90's to really care about hip-hop because all that was on their minds were Pinchez, Shabba, Barrington Levy and Supercat.

Meanwhile I sat in my bedroom with my boom box tuned into 107.5 and 98.7 Kiss. I switched back and forth trying to capture something on cassette that I had never heard before.In fact the beginning of my record 10% Dis that voice who hear actually belongs to none other than Mr. Magic.  We sampled it and used him to christen what we will probably go down as one of the most talked about dis records in history.

To hear Mr. Magic open and close that mic became a weekend tradition.He enlightened us all with bringing us the music that spoke to our souls. Rest in Peace my brother forever!!!!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Therapeutic ART at WORK



COMBO a collaborative animation by Blu and David Ellis

Jazz on the Grass


The Jackie Robinson Foundation announces the 4th Annual JAZZ on the Grass benefit concert scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the home of supporters Lynne and Oz Scott in Sherman Oaks, California. Approaching its fourth year on the West Coast, JAZZ on the Grass has secured the distinction as one of Los Angeles’ most premiere and exclusive events. Thanks to the incredible support of corporate sponsors, a dedicated host committee and loyal attendees, JAZZ has become the Foundation’s signature West Coast event. To date, 94.7 The Wave, American Airlines, Anheuser-Busch, Broadway Federal Bank, CBS, City National Bank, DLA Piper, ESPN Zone, Hennessy, New Era, Nordstrom, Pepsi, Save the Date and UCLA have all signed on to support this affair. To learn more about how your company can support JAZZ on the Grass or for information on how to purchase tickets, please contact the Western Regional offices at 213-330-7726

Thursday, October 1, 2009

ART that AMAZES!!

SAND WORKS



Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation (Україна має талант / Ukraine's Got Talent)
I've never seen anything like it in the world.