STOP THE VIOLENCE

I've been a little thrown since the murder of Derrion Albert was caught on video. I specify caught on video because, had it not been taped it probably wouldn't have made headlines. I've been going back and forth in my mind on whether or not I should write about this tragedy. I asked myself, what difference would it make if I did write about this? I still don't have that answer, but I do know that I will never find it if I don't speak out. It seems clear to me after watching the video that this type of thing is so common that no one thought twice about taping it. I have read so many comments about why someone would tape the death of another human instead of helping. Clearly this person did not know what the outcome would be. If you pay attention you'll notice that there were a lot of people passing by or through and no one seemed afraid or disturbed by what was going on around them. It seemed to be commonplace. Second, what do you think would have happened if someone had stepped in? There would have been 2 casualties instead of one. You can't honestly watch that video and think that anyone other than those responsible could have stopped that.


What's worse than all this is the fact that senseless acts of violence like this occur everyday and the only tears of sympathy those victims receive are from their mothers. What's worse than that is the fact that the problem is rooted deeper than anything we can fix anytime soon. Focusing specifically on the black community, the problems that plague us our so systemized into our very existence that we aren't even aware of most of them. I wish I could go into the details of how self hatred, emasculation and violence have been programmed into our people since our ancestors were brought to this country. Break the black man in front of his woman and she will know that he can't protect her. Rape the black woman in front of her man and he'll know that he can't protect her. I'm paraphrasing of course, but it's not off base at all. Anyone who can, should at least take an introductory level African American Stuides course. Things will become so much clearer.


I'm not pointing fingers or placing blame or even suggesting that this is all "The Man's" fault. The Man did not hit Derrion with that 2 by 4 and The Man did not beat him to death. Misguided, hopeless and hurt young men did that. Misguided because they knew no other way of expressing their anger and aggression. Hopeless because they couldn't have had dreams for their future to risk their own lives in such a brawl. Hurt because at the end of the day hurt is what drives most people to the edge; the point of no return.


From the second after I saw that video I've wanted to do something, ANYTHING at all. But I haven't been able to figure out what. I could donate money, but what would that really accomplish? Yes, it could help Derrion's family with his funeral and other expenses that they are too grievous to attend to right now but it won't change what happened. Honestly, this isn't just about Derrion anymore. This is about him and all the other countless youth who have lost their lives to violence. This is about those youth who don't know anything other than to act out in violence; and to me that's the saddest part of this story.


So, I've decided to no longer be silent. I've decided that as long as I'm silent, as long as anyone is silent, then we aren't much better than those people committing these acts. You never know how many people your voice may reach. You never know whose heart your words may touch. I pray that my voice and words reach and touch at least one person before my time is done on this earth. I pray that they may help someone to think twice about their actions. I pray that they may encourage someone to speak up and out.


My thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to Derrion's family and friends; and to the family and friends of those who have lost someone to senseless violence and to those who believe that violence is the only way to survive.

Say it with me: STOP THE VIOLENCE

PRESS RELEASE: TJ'S DJ'S

It is in the best interest of any and every artist, DJ, and other that frequents this blog to read the following press release.

TJ’S DJ’S CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE WITH STARS AND TASTEMAKERS

TALLAHASSEE – On October 21-23, 2009 TJ’s DJ’s Inc. will be celebrating its 15 year anniversary in Tallahassee, Florida during Florida A&M University’s homecoming with various events and celebrity attendees.

The celebration will begin with the Tastemakers Got Talent Show 3 & Tweet Up on Wednesday, October 21. The following day on Thursday, October 22, TJ’s DJ’s presents the Tastemakers Only DJ/Music Conference at The Moon nightclub (1105 E. Lafayette St.). Within this event will be the TJ’s DJ’s Beat Battle 6 for new and eager producers to test their skills along with a section for models to be discovered rounded out with panels filled with industry experts to teach the music industry to those willing to learn. In addition, there will be an opportunity for new artists to have their music heard and critiqued live on stage during the Frequency Feedback section. Plus of course, new and established stars will grace the Showcase stage and after party set to keep the Tastemakers entertained all evening.

Friday, October 23 marks the day for TJ’s DJ’s to accept its role within the community by configuring the Peace In The Streets Celebrity Kickball Game to combat violence in the streets.
TJ’s DJ’s was established in 1994 as an outlet for DJs in the North Florida region to receive music directly from record labels in exchange for feedback. Since its inception, TJ’s DJ’s has grown to break and have its fingerprints on numerous of today’s music stars and influenced thousands of behind-the-scenes leaders called Tastemakers through its website HYPERLINK "http://www.tjsdjs.com" www.tjsdjs.com which has generated an average of 20 million hits per month, its quarterly Tastemakers DJ/Music Conferences, its annual TJ’s DJ’s/OZONE Awards Weekend, and ability to find diamonds in the rough and tell the music world about them. A few of TJ’s DJ’s successes included T-Pain, B.o.B, David Banner, Rick Ross, Plies, Pretty Ricky, DJ Smurf (Mr. Collipark), Lil Jon, Khia, and many many more!

What is the secret to TJ’s DJ’s longevity and success? “It’s all about relationships,” according to TJ’s DJ’s CEO TJ Chapman.

For more information about, sponsoring, or registering for the TJ’s DJ’s or the 15th Anniversary:
850.878.3634 or TJsDJs.Info@Gmail.com

This not anything you want to be sleeping on.

I LOVE THIS PLAYLIST

SOOOO, I wanted to make this a mixtape for you all to download... some things fell thru, but I'll try again sometime in the future. Anyways, I think it's a pretty mean playlist so I had to share it with you all.

Carter2Carter The Mixtape Vol 1

SWAVOR OF THE WEEK

SWAVOR ALERT! SWAVOR ALERT!

This week's Swavor goes to a couple young boys by the names TK & CA$H. Now, these boys are from my hometown of Augusta Ga, but that's NOT why they get this week's spotlight. Last year sometime I was at the "I Wanna B A Star" showcase here in Atlanta, and I saw CA$H perform. Lil homie rocked the stage and he passed out his EP. I must admit I bumped it for QUITE somtime. On the EP is a song called "Fruity Colors" with TK. Now, I have never been too down with the whole fruity stupid swag stuff, but this song is on my list of jams by non mainstream artists. The duo has a song that was getting radio play back home over the summer called "Hollywood" and that is also on my aforementioned list. TK & CA$H have now been signed to DTP. Looks like Luda knows a good thing when he sees it. I'm so excited for these cats and I know they'll do big things. If you don't believe me, then check them out for yourself ----->> TK&CASH MYSPACE

~ I don't know you, you don't me. We are not friends... YOU NOT MY HOMIE~ {Hollywood}

FOREVER

The video for "Forever" by Drake, Kanye, Wayne and Eminem is out now! The song is boss of course, and the video is well, the song is boss! But really, clearly this song is going to be on the soundtrack for the LeBron documentary so that explains the video. Check it out!!!!

JAY-Z ON OPRAH

Jay is going to appear on Oprah this Thursday so check your local listings for that. Hopefully she doesn't body him like she did Ludacris a couple years back. You know she's notorious for telling her guests what it is that they actually mean.

RUN THIS TOWN/ HUNT CHRIS BROWN

Affion Crockett is notorious for his Jay-Z impressions. In this video he's a triple threst as Hov, Ye, and C. Breezey. What's a better way to start your day than a good spoof?

MTV Europe Music Awards

Jay-Z is nominated for the "Best Male" and "Best Urban" categories. The show will broadcast live on Novemember 5th. If you want to cast your vote for the Jigga Man, do so HERE

SWAVOR OF THE WEEK

So here's a little story. I was walking around Underground Atlanta a couple of weeks ago and I ran across this guy. He said "Do you listen to hip hop?" and of course I responded with an affirmative. Next he goes on to tell me about this mixtape he's selling and how he cam all the way from Dayton. So I'm like ok cool. Since it was only $1 I figured, why not cop it? So I popped it in the CD player the next day and to my complete and utter surprise, it was good! I was really feelin it. Do I listen to it daily? No. But, you wouldn't believe the amount of music I come across that is just mixed and mastered garbage, so I had to make this guy a Swavor.

He goes by the name of R. Deniro. The mixtape I purchased is titled "I'm Here". My fave tracks on it would have to be #7 "Gun 2 A Rose" and #8 "Brotherly Love" All I can do now is point you in the direction of his Myspace and let you formulate your own opinions. With that being said, check him out at http://myspace.com/nirotv

OFF THE KANYE BAN

Soooo, clearly I thought I was going to boycott Kanye West as a person and mention is name "Never No More" (look that song up if you dont know it), but after seeing him all sad and defenseless on Jay Leno, I've decided to give him a pass. It's like Hannah Montana says "Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days" and at the end of the day, Kanye is just too much of a musical genius to be denied. I just hopes he "pumps the brakes and drives slow" from now on (I'm on a roll!). We all have our rude moments, his was just on national TV. If we had to live under a the magnifying lens of the media, our slip ups would be huge too. Ye, I still "rock with you".

VMA 2009 Run Down

I know the internet has been abuzz with this since the show started last night, so I'll try not to beat the dead horse. Here's my 2 cents in a nut shell:

• Janet: That's how you do a tribute
• Kanye: I plan on boycotting him as a person. His music will remain on my iPod but I will not speak his name. He set black people back about 50 years last night. I wonder how many followers he lost on Twitter.
• Taylor Swift: I've always loved her. She deserved to win, her video was too cute.
• Lady Gaga: I've never seen so many outfit changes by someone who wasn't hosting.
• Russel Brand: ........
• Beyonce: Did the right thing
• Serena Williams: How cool was that
• Pink: Best performance of the night
• Jay-Z: He did his Jay-Z thing
• Alicia Keys: Beautiful and talented
• Lil Mama: Where did she come from? I looked down to send a text and BOOM there she is??!!
• Eminem+Tracy Morgan: Priceless
• Wale: Best publicity you could ask for. WOW!

VMAs!!!!

The MTV Video Music Awards come on tonight and for as long as I can remeber I have stayed up to watch them. Tonight will be no different! I expect an excellent show as usual AND Janet Jackson is scheduled to do the MJ tribute! I pray she finds the strength to do it. I know a lot of bloggers will be updating their sites live as they watch the show but I will not. I want to give undivided attention to this event and give my remarks tomorrow after the fact. Also, I had EVERY intention of putting up a new Swavor today, but I don't think the timing is quite right. I promise there will be a fresh new Swavor in that box next Sunday though.

Rhapsody Commercial

OK OK OK! So I'm probably going to sound so corny after this next statement but I dont care. I saw the Rhapsody commercial for Jay's Blueprint 3 and it was great. It was so simple and yet that was the genius in it. He simply reenacted photo shoots for the covers of his previous albums, for anyone who doesn't know what the album artwork for those are would be completely lost though. Either way I think this may be in my top 10 favorite commercials of all time. Check it out for yourself below. [ You can't tell me this joint isn't cool! ]