Kevin Liles remains one of the most respected names in the music industry because of his ability to constantly create success around himself and others. Always the hustler, Liles even expanded into the reality TV world with such projects like The Michael Vick Project and Monica: Still Standing.

Yesterday, Liles was apart of a panelist on N.A.I.M.C’s “New York’s Behind the Lens” discussing the role, importance and future of reality TV shows. Fellow panelists included Banks Tarver (who helped create I Want To Work For Diddy) and Jessica Morgan (executive producer of A&E’s Find & Discover and Sell This House). It’s always dope when you can get this type of talent in one room to discuss topic pertinent to the landscape of the industry. For as bad of a rap as reality shows get nowadays (a lot deserve it), hearing some of the industry’s more elite and respect names speak on them is always an invaluable experience.

Kevin Liles speaks to a question about how he got started in production. For Kevin the answer is about telling the truth of the characters who are portrayed. Everyone’s truth isn’t the same (nor should it be), but the truth must be recognized for the sake of authenticity. He also discusses an early conversation he had with Will Smith about transitioning from rapping to acting.

Liles also discussed his next foray into the reality TV world – this summer’s show centering around his newest client, Trey Songz, and Young Jeezy during their times on Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 tour. Look for that to air directly after The BET Awards in June.

I know, I know. This is likely the most cliche’ post of all the Mother’s Day related propaganda you’ll see today. Especially with “Dear Mama” embedded. However, in my sole opinion, there isn’t a song out there that describes the bond between a mother and her child(ren) like this song. It is one of those records that still manages to hit a nerve over 15 years later. If you ever wondered what love “sounded” like, this was the shining example. I’ll spare you the rest of my ramblings about how I believe this to be the greatest song ever penned. It isn’t about that.

Hopefully, by now, you’ve called your mother, grandmother, wife, sister – whatever – and wished them something they honestly deserve 365 days a year. If they have passed away, all respects and prayers in their memory are sent out. And if you happen to be a father raising your kid(s) alone, Happy Mother’s Day to you as well. With all the nonsense going on in the world today, being a good parent become that much more important.

Seeing as how this is my vehicle to speak to “the world,” from the bottom of my heart, Happy Mother’s Day to each and every mother – living and deceased. It’s a job that doesn’t pay, has long hours and is stressful as all hell. And that comes on top of lugging us around for nine months. I’m sure that was fun.  Regardless if you’re told this the other 363 days of the year (hopefully you receive this same love on your birthday, too), here’s to you.

You are appreciated.

It never fails. I always manage to get the 25th and 26th mixed up with Eazy E’s passing. E was one of those intriguing, one-of-a-kind artists. He was a hustler, an icon and, if you listen to the right story, he was a snake too. He also openly used ghostwriters and was still accepted by most. I won’t run through the entire story because it’s one of those tales where you always leave something out every time you try to tell it. Just Google the N.W.A. split and go from there. Or better yet, watch “Beef.” From what I remember, it was a pretty good breakdown. Regardless, at the end of the day, Eazy was/is a legend who opened the door for a boatload of rappers after him. Many of which surfaced long after he passed (Game, Jeezy, Freddie Gibbs, etc).

Yet, in my own personal way, I’ll pay homage to the guy by running through some old footage. If you’re not familiar with Eazy and his work, consider this a crash course.

The kids love Eazy, and he loved ‘em back. Donning the famous “Compton” fitted hat, Eazy was particularly quiet during this interview. He didn’t say too much, but he spoke volumes. E was one of those people who let people make their own decisions. He was going to be him regardless, which isn’t the easiest trait to master. Side note, it was hard not to concentrate on those gigantic earrings the interviewer was wearing. God bless the ’90′s. He also did that crazy trick kids used to do with their eyes back in the day.

I’ll always thank Eazy for putting people on to Cleveland long before LeBron. One of the first cassette tapes I received was the “Crossroads” single. Not the album, just the single (flip the tape over and it was the instrumental). Either way, I must pay homage to Eazy for ultimately putting me on to Bone Thugs. Those were the days when I used to walk around with a walkman thinking I was grown by listening to explicit music. Then my mom found it and tore the tape apart. I guess I can thank Eazy for that too.

Even after Cube left, N.W.A. kept their head about water for a little while longer. This was one of my favorite post-O’Shea tracks. It was laid back, but 100% gangsta. Plus, Dre ripped it. Yeah, remember when Dre rapped and dropped albums? Eazy didn’t have a verse on this, but I really just needed a reason to post this video. I haven’t listened to efil4zaggin in a minute. That may need to change.

“Don’t quote me, boy, I ain’t say shit…” It’s not the official video, but this is one of the best Hip-Hop songs of all time. Tell me who doesn’t start nodding their head when they hear, “Woke up quick, at about noon/Just thought that I had to be in Compton soon…” Plus, as we all know, this was the inspiration behind Game, Jim Jones and Cam’s tribute some decade and a half later.

One of the greatest diss records of all time. And that’s about all I’m going to say. Just click play.

Also known as the video that started it all. Cube not only had one of the hardest intro bars EVER, but this ushered in a new era of Hip-Hop. Rap was never the same and gangsta rap was born. Wu Tang wasn’t nothing to f#ck with, but N.W.A. weren’t pushover either. An entire culture was exposed to the country and from this album we ultimately saw movies like “Boyz N The Hood” and “Menace To Society.”

Rest In Paradise, Eric “Eazy E” Wright. Hip-Hop’s “Original Gangsta.”

Time passes. People pass. But memories don’t. Like November 22 in politics or April 4 in civil rights, March 9 and September 13 are two dates which will forever live in infamy. It never fails to cause that same sense of pride and sadness each year. If you’re still living under a rock, March 9, 2010, marks the 13th anniversary since the murder of Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. Depending who you ask, the name Biggie Smalls evokes acronyms of “G.O.A.T.” or “K.O.N.Y.” Regardless, “icon” is pretty much the settled upon title.

But with the pride and joy that comes with listening to his music, comes the depression of still unanswered questions. I was 10 when ‘Pac died and 11 with Biggie. I still remember hiding my cassette tapes of Ready To Die and Me Against The World under my bed from my mother. I knew the music was great, but it was only over time I’d understand the significance of their murders. I’ve got books on the subject, as well as DVD’s. In a sense, both Pac and Biggie’s death were horrible realizations of some of their lyrics. Like my big homie Gotty said, Pac seemed to embrace death while B.I.G. seemed to enjoy the finer things in life (even though he knew an early death was a very possible reality).

My grandmother always tells me how she wishes she could really find out what happened to JFK, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Not comparing the two groups for their service to American culture, but my generation feels the same way with our two slain rappers. For as long as I live and as long as music remains a fabric of my being, I’ll always wonder. I’ll always wonder if the persons who actually pulled the triggers are still alive. And if they are, do they honestly understand the impact of their actions? We, as a culture, had apart of our innocence taken away. And, truthfully, we’ve never really gotten it back.

As with anyone  lost in a violent manner, questions always loom because death isn’t always logical. Maybe in some weird, higher power calling, these two men were supposed to taken away early. Their names are still regular mentions in the rhymes of the game’s biggest stars. We still miss them I guess is what I’m trying to say. The whole “martyr” belief is great and valiant to an extent, but then I realize it’s children who lost fathers and mothers who lost sons. Big’s daughter won’t have her dad to give her away at her wedding while his son has to teach himself how to be a man. And Pac never had the opportunity speak to his “first-born.” Sometimes we’re trained to forget behind the music are real life consequences.

To this day, murder investigations are still “ongoing.” That’s fancy talk for “we don’t give a f*ck.” Well, I, and millions of others, do. I just pray that someday we’ll all know what actually happened in Vegas on the night of September 13, 1996, and Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. Until then, we’ll never have closure and wounds that will remain unhealed.

It’s unbelievable.

 

 By now, it’s already been let out the bag T.I. has been in the studio recording new music since his release to a halfway house in Atlanta. With that in mind, the anticipation to hear that musicd often comes in the form of one question? What will he talk about now that he’s out? The question is only going to increase in frequency as Tip nears a full release date. The official LP will more than likely surface during the latter part of this year. However, since the public’s hunger for music is where it’s at, an official mixtape wouldn’t be a bad idea. A “Gangsta Grillz” sounds even better.

Think about the situation when the first one dropped. It was 2004 and Tip was released from prison still riding from the success of his last album, Trap Muzik, before he was incarcerated. DJ Drama‘s “Gangsta Grillz” movement was still young, but was gaining momentum as rap’s premiere mixtape line. The two teamed up for Down With The King and the buzz surrounding T.I. and ”Grillz” was never the same. In a successful sense, of course.

Now, at the current moment, Tip is preparing to be reunited with the freedom of ”normal” life. He’s still riding off the success of a critically-acclaimed last album prior to his incarceration, Paper Trail. Only this time, Drama’s “Gangsta Grillz” is one of the most coveted co-signs in rap and T.I. is vastly considered one of the “elite” artists. 

So why not team up for a Down With The King pt. 2? Sounds about right. Not only does it satisfy the anticipation for new music from Clifford, but could result in great exposure for other artists on Grand Hustle. Young Dro, Big Kuntry and most definitely B.o.B. could ride shotgun. The possibilities are, in fact, endless.

In a perfect world, it would happen. In reality, Drama’s schedule and/or The King’s desire to do another mixtape are big factors. So who really knows if this could actually come to fruition? It would have Hip-Hop in a frenzy though.

“Everything is worth it. The hard work, the times when you’re tired, the times where you`re a bit sad…in the end, it`s all worth it because it really makes me happy. There’s nothing better than loving what you do.”

The combination of death and time is difficult to understand and even more difficult to place in context. Death, being the hardest part of life for those who loved the deceased, is only healed by time. Yet and still, whenever an anniversary approaches each year, it is always met with astonishment that so much time has elapsed since that person passed away. This is one of those times.

Today is Aaliyah‘s birthday (Sade‘s as well). Had the legendary, insanely beautiful songstress survived her August 2001 plane crash, she would have been 31 years old. It’s difficult to imagine how much more she could have accomplished, but the thoughts are nothing short of breathtaking. She accomplished so much at such an early age. In a lot of cases, a burnout is imminent, but her music barely an eerily resemblance to wine. It grew better with age.

Today, Alicia Keys and Beyonce’ are considered the creme de la creme when it comes to female performers in the R&B realm. With her music, her personality and her acting prowess, Aaliyah surely would have been the first to crossover to this plateau. She was the first artist for the 2000′s to reach that level of success. And she handled it the same way her she handles her entire career, with elegance and poise. Thirty-one is still a young age in all walks of life. That can’t be stressed enough.

It’s beautiful and depressing at the same time to ponder what Miss Haughton‘s career and legacy would have and should have amounted to. So many classics yet to be recorded and so many more awards to attain. It’s just crazy it’s been damn near nine years since music lost an icon and heaven gained angel.

As a rapper, one’s goal is to reach the proverbial mountaintop of their profession. Well, Lupe Fiasco did. Literally. Along with Kenna, Santigold, Jessica Biel and several others, the group braved the trip and found themselves at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest point and one of the largest mountains in the world.  The expedition was known as “Summit On The Summit.”

Obviously the group wasn’t climbing strictly just to say they climbed a mountain. The mission was to raise awareness for the global clean water crisis. Through no fault of our own, it is often easy to take clean water for granted. This isn’t true for many parts of the world, especially in many nations in Africa. We’ve all seen the commercials with young kids forced to live in the worst type of poverty imaginable. In many cases, even clean water is considered a luxury which is beyond difficult to comprehend.

This is a change for hip-hop. What Lupe did may come off as simply “climbing a mountain.” When you take into account he risked his life by braving the elements for a cause that benefits the world and not just his musical career, respect has to be given. By no means am I saying every artist needs to perform acts like this. What I am saying is, hip-hop needs to embrace this and broadcast it to the public as a positive because the next time a rapper is arrested and the media tears down our music YET again, we can at least show the commendable efforts of our culture.

As an African American business woman it is often difficult to juggle my career as well as my love life. Whether some women’s standards are considered too high or not enough for others, it takes tremendous effort to find the right match.

In a recent ABC News Special the private of successful black women are addressed and has produced some shocking numbers.

According to ABC 42% of black women have never been married doubling that of white women. Furthermore there are 1.8million more black women than there are black men. However even if one man did marry one black woman it would leave 1 out of 12 women who are never going to wed.

Guest speaker comedian and actor Steve Harvey believes that while there are slim pickings of successful black men in society, there are still some good ones out there. He argues while it is always good to have standards, sometimes the best thing to do is compromise.

“You’re a corporate exec; does he have to be a corporate exec?”

To hear more on the black woman’s plight check out the video

Living life is so much easier than reflecting on it.

Losing someone close, whether it be a family member or friend, is something one can never truly prepare for, let alone expect. Losing them during the Christmas season only adds to the burden. Unfortunately, the family of Chris Henry will forever associate this time of the year with death. It seems so cliche’ to say “prayers go out to his family”, but it’s true, they do. Nothing you say or do can replace that person being here in the physical form. While pictures and old videos may speak a thousand words, “the present” is just that, a present. It’s indescribable.

As a diehard sports fan, it’s always painful to hear news like this, especially considering the fact the untimely passing of Sean Taylor is still relatively fresh. Sure, Henry had his mistakes off the field and at times could have even been seen as ignorant, but like death always manages to do, it’s trivial in the grand scheme that is life. Fans lost a player. Players lost a teammate (brother). Parents lost a son. And a young woman lost her groom-to-be. Whatever the “domestic situation” was that led to this, it’s none of my (or your) business. Fact of the matter is, he was only 26 and was in Charlotte planning his wedding which was to be in March. Yeah, 26. Around the same age as a lot of people who frequent this site (including myself). It serves as a lesson we’re reminded of each time a person passes. Just because you’re young doesn’t mean you can’t die and just because you’re old doesn’t mean life is over. We’re all living on borrowed time.

But, of course, we all know that. It’s nothing like a reality check to perform a self evaluation. In closing, however, I’d only like to say we here at KarenCivil.com extend our prayers to everyone who had the chance to truly know Chris Henry. Rest in peace.

 

 

During the 1970′s, Title IX helped change the landscape of America culture for women in sports and education. For better or worse, the the law has done more good than bad. However, one aspect of society where its impact hasn’t been felt (and it wasn’t supposed to) is Hip-Hop. Clearly a male-dominated industry, there have been exceptions to the rule such as Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Remy Ma and Trina. With the decade nearing a close, the face of female rap at the moment happens to be Young Money’s, Nicki Minaj. Her lyrics have garnered her respect, most notably from Lil’ Wayne, in the form of several mixtapes and a group album due out this month, but the argument against her is her look and persona. Ironically, it is female MC’s who have a problem with the way she is portraying herself.

“I don’t do the Barbie thing — that’s her thing,” LoLa Monroe said in an intervew. “I really don’t agree with it, that’s basic. It doesn’t make sense to me because first off, you’re basically saying I’m jacking somebody who has never been known to have their style all throughout their career. She’s never been set to have her own style. It’s always been set to say she’s jacking Lil’ Kim to Foxy [Brown] and now Lil Wayne. So how can I be jacking somebody or using somebody’s style if they never been known to have their own style. That part never made sense.”

“Another thing, it kind of comes from Wayne is in the foundation of my music and what I’ve listened to him for years and years. So you can hear his styles in my music. And you know, that’s her mentor and that’s somebody whom she’s under and so she’s known to sound like Wayne. That’s all they say about her now. I believe the similarities may have come from that but besides that, I have my own style, I have my own lane. She does what she does, ya feel me?” said Monroe.

With Nicki being the most visual, it has garnered negative responses from not only Lola, but Nikki D and Jha Jha as well. Again, the problem lies with sex overshadowing mic presence, something which can be argued in either direction.

“She’s [Minaj] not an MC. She’s an artist. She’s an entertainer. There’s a difference. She can go out there and open her mouth and say whatever but people ain’t listening to her. They looking at her. And rapping is about the skill. It ain’t about your fat ass. It ain’t about your set of titties. It ain’t about that long-ass weave,” said Nikki D in an interview with XXLMag.com.

Looks and sex appeal aside, two underlying issues expose the true issue detailing the lack of estrogen in Hip-Hop. One, apparently, is lack of business knowledge.

“You can’t come into this business thinking you can attack other girls and thinking you’re going to go somewhere. You can’t come into this business thinking it’s all about music. This is a BUSINESS,” said Nicki in an August interview with VladTV.  “I didn’t do this for attention. I did this because I wanted to explore this business and take it to where the guys took it as a businesswoman.”

The second issue happens deal with the fact that while some female artists may have abundant amounts of lyrical skill or marketing prowess, none have managed to capture the artistic balance which the artistic and commercial balance Lauryn Hill, arguably the greatest female MC, encompassed in the late 1990′s. She managed to become a voice for women that men could, in fact, relate to and appreciate. Her music spoke of struggle, good times and perseverance. In essence, it was her soul which allowed her to garner and maintain that same adoration for well over a decade.

Only a few weeks away from the start of a new decade, the future remains cloudy for the forecast of female rap. There is respect with veterans Lil Kim, Trina and Remy Ma (who recently started her own Twitter account…from prison). However, the mainstream identity undoubtedly rests on the shoulders of Nicki Minaj. Until a femcee manages to perfect the L-Boogie blueprint, there will always remain a cloud of doubt. And, the lack of unity has to stop. Part of becoming a respected entity is showing a unified front.