Letters to Haiti

From npr

When they heard I was going to report in Haiti after the massive earthquake, fifth-graders from Amylynn Robinson’s class asked if I could deliver some messages to any children I’d meet. Their letters included drawings of flowers, hearts and rainbows. And they began simply:

“Hello Haiti, nice to meet you.”

“Dear Buddy … ”

“Hi there, I’m a child as well.”

“Dear friend, I am your friend. I wrote this letter to tell you I care about you.”

The children wrote about their school, Balboa Magnet Elementary, a public school in Northridge, Calif., in Northern Los Angeles County, which was the epicenter of a magnitude 6.7 earthquake in 1994. Although these 10-year-olds were not alive then, many say they’ve heard stories about the damage in California. So they were sympathetic to kids coping with the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti.

“Because they were one of the poorest countries in the Western atmosphere, it shocked me greatly,” Issac Choi said.

“I was like, oh, my gosh,” said Joon Lee. “Their buildings were made out of rocks. Many people died, and I feel so sad for them.”

Help In A Different Form

Matthew Del Castillo said they thought writing letters to children in Haiti might cheer them up.

So they wrote about their best friends, sports and their hobbies.

“My hobbies are gymnastics, drawing, computer games and reading,” wrote Liliana Manamino. “I’m a total bookworm, but I’m not shy. I have a wild imagination and I’m not afraid to share what goes on in there. My favorite flower is a rose, and I really do believe in a lot of stuff like vampires and fairies.”

Mc Donalds Presents: WordSpit

(New York, NY) – It takes more than talent to be the face of a national radio and television campaign and WordSpit has it. His charisma, energy and talent landed him the opportunity to be the new face of a national McDonald’s commercial which premiered on Tuesday. Marketing executives handpicked the lyricist through a Dollar Van Demos showcase, where artists perform inside a dollar van with real passengers; which also became the concept behind McDonald’s dollar menu breakfast campaign. “It made sense to collaborate with Dollar Van Demos,” said Rob Jackson, director of marketing for McDonald’s.
WordSpit’s undeniable talent was recognized as early as the third grade, and he has been perfecting his craft ever since. WordSpit began to gain major recognition through different social networks, creditable media outlets and publications including; The New York Daily News, THESOURCE.com, AllHipHop.com and 2DopeBoyz.com.
In addition to working with McDonald’s, WordSpit has released a highly anticipated mixtape titled The Coolest BBoi Stance, which can liven your day with “Hello, Good Morning” or take you on a journey through a “Poets Haiku” with his heartfelt lyrics. “People come up to me and say ‘I love that song’, says WordSpit referring to his certified hit, “Joystick Madness.”
For more information visit WordSpit’s official website www.wordspitwashere.com

J.Period & Uncle Ralph McDaniels: March 9

New York, NY (Tuesday March 9, 2010) – Whether remixing Lauryn Hill, Q-Tip, K’NAAN or Nneka, J.Period Mixtapes have been hailed for their “cinematic” quality, weaving remixes, interviews, and sound bytes into mixtapes that play like movies. Now, J.Period joins forces with another visual storyteller, hip hop’s undisputed video king, “Uncle” Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box, The Bridge), to push these boundaries even further with the March 9: Video Remix Collection.

Since March 9, 2007 (the 10th Anniversary of B.I.G.’s passing), J.Period has paid tribute to Brooklyn’s Finest each year with a new installment of the March 9 Project, co-produced by DJ G Brown. Named 2008’s “Top Street Albums” by MTV, March 9 re-imagines classic B.I.G. verses over different musical landscapes, wondering: what would hip hop be like if B.I.G. were still alive? Now, pairing exclusive March 9 remixes with B.I.G. music videos, J.Period & Ralph McDaniels offer a glimpse of what that might look like—a thrilling optical illusion: B.I.G., alive on celluloid, performing new versions of classic tracks in a way you’ve never seen or heard before.

On March 9, 2010, J.Period and “Uncle” Ralph were pleased to present the first installment of the March 9: Video Remix Collection: “Flava in Ya Ear (March 9 Video Remix),” a club-shattering blend of old and new that will have you pressing the rewind button… repeatedly. Then tonight, join J.Period & Ralph McDaniels as they premiere additional videos from the March 9: Video Remix Collection at Diddy & Mr. Cee’s B.I.G. Tribute at The Lab in Brooklyn, NY!! And later this month, tune in as BET’s “The Deal” premieres March 9: Video Remixes as part of its own B.I.G. tribute. Want the latest? All March 9: Video Remixes and original remixes will be available throughout the month at: www.jperiod.com/march9

“I’m thrilled to be working with a legend like “Uncle” Ralph, who is still so passionate and creative after 25 years in the game,” says J.Period. “Ralph’s vast knowledge of hip hop makes him the perfect collaborator for what I do. Teaming up to pay tribute to B.I.G. felt like the perfect way to spark that collaboration.”

Ralph echoes this sentiment: “It’s been a pleasure working with J.Period. What he creates is more than just a CD, or mixtape. He’s like a documentarian. The collabo on this March 9 project is gonna be crazy…”

J.Period released the March 9: Video Remix Collection on the heels of a featured role in Activision’s blockbuster DJ Hero (2009’s #1 ranked video game), and a stirring collaboration with Nigerian rising star, Nneka, called The Madness. Released in December to rave reviews (Beyond Race Magazine’s “Top Albums of 2009”), The Madness has already earned over 80.000 plays/downloads. Indeed, 2009 marked a banner year for J.Period downloads, with his 5 mixtape tributes (Q-Tip, Kweli, K’NAAN, Nneka, MJ) earning over 800K downloads throughout the year.

To anyone that knows hip hop, Ralph McDaniels needs no introduction. For over 25 years, no name has been more synonymous with hip hop videos than “Uncle” Ralph, legenadary VJ and creator of Video Music Box. Since 1984, “Uncle” Ralph has directed over 200 music videos for hip hop icons including Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Ice-T, and Blackmoon, worked on countless hip hop films (associate producer for Juice), and truly earned his moniker: “The King of All Videos.” In recent years, Ralph has also seized on technology to create groundbreaking audio/visual DJ sets that draw from his vast video archive, performing at clubs and arenas around the world. This video-mixing technology was key in the creation of the March 9: Video Remix Collection.

The March 9: Video Remix Collection launched yesterday, March 9, 2010 at www.jperiod.com/march9 and will features a new video each week this month, culminating in the release of a full-length video mixtape, the March 9: Video Remix Collection, scheduled for release in April. And with the blueprint laid out, look out for more upcoming collaborations between J.Period & Ralph McDaniels in the future!

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For All Press Inquiries, Please Contact::
Tasha Stoute
Strong Arm Media
press@jperiod.com
tasha@strongarmmedia.com
516-650-7725j

Kidz In The Hall: Land Of Make Believe

Hip Hop alternative duo Kidz In The Hall (K.I.T.H) new album, Land Of Make Believe, out on March 9th in all physical & digital retail outlets! Additionally iTunes is featuring “Jukebox” as the free single of the week and BET’s 106th & Park premiered “Jukebox” yesterday at 7PM EST. K.I.T.H are currently on a 20 city tour called the Crowd Control Tour alongside 88-Keys, Izza Kizza and Donnis.

ESPN SportsCenter will be continuing to feature Kidz In The Hall ’s latest single “Take Over The World” ft. Colin Munroe and co-produced by Just Blaze. Land of Make Believe also features MC Lyte, Marsha Ambrosius, Amanda Diva, Chip Tha Ripper, Donnis, Tim William and Russoul.

Melding Hip-hop, R&B and Pop/Rock, the album is “Extraordinary music for ordinary people” comments Double- O, DJ of K.I.T.H. A sonic department from previous albums, The Land Of Make Believe dares to push the boundary between who you are, who you think you are and the constant struggle getting to where you want to be. This album allowed K.I.T.H to reflect and analyze both strengths and weaknesses redefining their goals and aspirations. Naledge, MC of K.I.T.H comments, “the moment we have worked for has come to a crossroad.  We’ve never taken time to look ourselves in the mirror and analyze what this industry has made us. As a lyricist, I used this album to serve as a soundtrack to my aspirations and to my downfalls, but also as a chance to evaluate who I am as a man compared to whom I envisioned myself to be.”

Click Here To Purcase

For more dates see below:

Wednesday – 3/10/10 – Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection Live

Thursday – 3/11/10 – Pontiac MI – Cro Foot/Pike Room

Monday – 3/15/10 – Enid, OK – The Underground

Thursday -3/18/10 – Austin- TX – SXSW

Friday – 3/19/10 – Austin – TX – SXSW

Sat – 3/20/10 – Austin – TX – SXSW

Wednesday – 3/24/10 – Denver, CO – Cervantes

Thursday – 3/25/10 – Murray, UT – Murray Theater

Saturday – 3/27/10 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club

Thursday – 4/1/10 – Seattle, WA – Studio 7

Friday – 4/2/10 – Portland. OR – Berbati’s Pan

Founded on the grounds of Ivy league school University of Pennsylvania, 2008 was a big year for hip-hop alternative duo Kidz In The Hall.  After the release of their critically acclaimed album, The In Crowd, it propelled them into MTV’s TRL & BET’S 106 & Park limelight with key tracks like “Drivin Down The Block,” and “Love Hangover” featuring Estelle. Later success landed them a global Reebok campaign around the brand’s Classics campaign remixing & shooting a video for Special Ed’s “I Got It Made” which featured in over 500 footwear locations nationwide. From there fans saw them on every stage with Gym Class Heroes, MURS, N.E.R.D., The Clipse and heard them on numerous video games including EA Sports Madden 09, NBA LIVE 2010, Rockstar Game’s Midnight Club LA and Activision’s Pimp My Ride 2.

1st Annual Chillin On Da Corner & Beyond Film Series

Beyond Influencing Da Hood Inc has announced today the location, dates and call for submissions for the 1st Annual Chillin On Da Corner & Beyond Film Series being held this summer from June 29th – September 7th, 2010 in Brooklyn, NY.

Deadlines to submit to the 2010 Chillin On Da Corner & Beyond Film Series are:

SUBMISSIONS OPEN March 8th, 2010

OFFICIAL DEADLINE April 20th, 2010

“Our community will get a chance to see great independent films they wouldn’t normally see because they’re not mainstream films and the filmmakers also get introduced to a new potential fan base for the future and a diversified audience” says Co-Founder Ephraim Benton. ‘A Change Gon Come’ is our 2010 Chillin On Da Corner & Beyond Film Series theme; a great choice for the Bed-Stuy area. In addition, we have tons of support from within the political, independent film community and some well established film festivals that you will notice in the submissions video. Our host venue will be THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH parking lot on Tompkins and Myrtle Ave as well as surrounding neighborhood public parks.

For questions regarding submissions please contact blackberetfilms@yahoo.com

Check the website for Submission Video, Rules & Regulations. www.chillinondacorner.tumblr.com

ABOUT BEYOND INFLUENCING DA HOOD INC

B.I.D.H. is a nonprofit community-based organization that was established in 1999 to bring vital opportunities to urban areas, help change the perception and minds of young minorities in Bed-Stuy & it’s surrounding areas. Our Annual Boyz ‘n’ Da Hood BBQ was created in 1999 by a group of young men living in Tompkins Houses in Brooklyn as a way for us to give back to our community. A group of about fifteen men annually pitched in their hard earned money, donated their time and efforts to feed the neighborhood kids, parents, friends and families free of charge. In 2006, the BBQ was moved to H. Von King neighborhood park to accompany the growth and to create more of a neutral setting to welcome more racial diversity, but still keep true to our original mission. We have activities for children like face painting, drawing along with popcorn and cotton candy machines. We have many supporters that donate their time, effort and financial support in a great meaningful gesture that brings the community together in unity and look forward to the next level.

ABOUT EPHRAIM BENTON

Ephraim Benton’s appetite for becoming a driving force in Hollywood has only been enhanced by goals to become a triple threat in the entertainment industry. He is constantly developing his own projects, and has already executive produced, written, directed and starred in two short films, “Brown Paper Bags” and “3 Quarters of Face Value”. He also produced an animated documentary about the life of President Barack Obama titled “HIStory” that was released for free virally this last January.

In 2009, Ephraim Benton continued to make his mark as a versatile actor; Starting with his cameo appearance in the Oscar nominated “PRECIOUS: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire” directed by the critically acclaimed Lee Daniels. Next Ephraim gave a hilarious performance as Shawn in the film ‘Shades of Brooklyn Vol.1′ that debuted on HBO Shorts Series. Ephraim also stars in the award winning indie film, “Inside A Change”, directed by BET Award video director of the year nominee, Rik Cordero. Ephraim gives a compelling performance as Chris Price, a teenager about to serve 180 days in prison for a first-time offense. When his mother invites him home for dinner, he discovers his family is falling apart, Chris is forced to re-examine his life and how he can bring everyone together for his mother’s birthday.

Ephraim the Actor, Director, Producer, Writer and C.O.D.C & Beyond Film Series Founder is a true talent that can’t be denied. So keep watching as the bricks get cemented for a powerful empire that won’t be flying under the radar for long.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
EPHRAIM BENTON
blackberetfilms@yahoo.com

More Earthquakes: Hawaii

(CNN) — A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Hawaii on Monday evening, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake struck about 6:30 p.m. (11:30 p.m. ET) and was 19.3 miles (31.1 km) deep. The epicenter was 13 miles (20 km) southwest of the coastal region of Laupahoehoe and 189 miles (304 km) east of Honolulu, the USGS said.

There were no immediate reports of damage

SXSW 2010: G-Side

From npr

Illmatic, Nas‘ 1994 paean to and from New York’s Queensbridge projects, is considered by many to be the pinnacle of hip-hop — its Sgt. Pepper’s or Citizen Kane. So it’d be an understatement to say that the Huntsville, Ala., duo G-Side was sticking its neck out when it decided to remake the emotional centerpiece of that album, “The World Is Yours.” But in “Who’s Hood?” G-Side does justice to the original, proving that the line between the largest housing project in the country and the fourth largest city in Alabama is surprisingly thin.

G-Side’s in-house producers in Block Beattaz change up the classic by borrowing the same iconic piano loop from Ahmad Jamal, but they replace Pete Rock’s soft-filtered samples with mechanical 808 drum kicks (drums are often where hip-hop draws its Mason-Dixon Line). Fellow Alabamian guest Yelawolf twists up syllables and plays close to the tone of Nas’ nostalgic self-loathing, aiming Krylon cans at the Bible Belt instead of guns at baby pictures, but G-Siders ST and Clova cast a wider net. When he was recording Illmatic, Nas was the most buzzed-about rapper on the planet. He had a major recording contract, and his idea of grandiose was Dom P and a Gandhi VHS. G-Side is a virtual unknown, and it’s already thinking internationally. “You can’t run the corners from the corners,” as ST puts it. To Nas, the corners made up the entirety of his world. G-Side’s members might run their ‘hood, but they also see the whole world from those confines.

Need A Drink at an SXSW Party? There’s an App For That

From NYT

Now here’s a killer app for the throngs of geeks about to descend on Austin later this week: TabbedOut. The iPhone application allows users to order, review and pay for their tabs at local bars. It sounds like the perfect fix for those full-to-the-gills parties SXSW is known for. Unfortunately, TabbedOut is only available at a limited selection of venues for now — just 35 in Austin, including popular SXSW party stops The Blind Pig Club, Beerland and Mohawk.

“Having just launched in January, the integration hurdle is where we are now,” said Rick Orr, CEO of TabbedOut maker ATX Innovation, in a phone interview. But the company is trying to make the most out of an influx of its exact target audience of smartphone users at crowded bars by releasing an Android app on March 15 and handing out three free tabs to all users in Austin during SXSW.

The way TabbedOut works is you store your credit or debit card account on your phone, then file your order through the app. It pops up on the merchant’s point-of-sale system for them to fulfill your order and accept your payment (right now TabbedOut is integrated with Future POS and Jumpware). Users pay a convenience fee of 99 cents.

After some delays, Lil Wayne actually going to jail? Vows to keep rapping.

From the AP

Lil Wayne has agreed to go to jail in a gun case, but it has proven unexpectedly hard to put him there.

First, the rap star’s sentencing was postponed last month so he could undergo surgery on his bejeweled teeth. Then, a fire shut down Manhattan’s main criminal courthouse while he was on his way there last week.

But Lil Wayne is finally set to be sentenced Monday to a year in city jail, as planned when he pleaded guilty in October to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He admitted illegally having a loaded .40-caliber semiautomatic gun on his tour bus in July 2007.

The Grammy Award-winning rapper, born Dwayne Carter, has been one of music’s most prolific and profitable figures in recent years. His “Tha Carter III” was the best-selling album of 2008. His latest album, “Rebirth,” was released last month.

Facing jail with his career in full throttle, Lil Wayne has prepared with a burst of work and farewell shows and videos for fans. He said in a video clip sent last week to MTV News that he shot footage for seven music videos with various artists in one night over the weekend.

He told Rolling Stone for a story last month that he planned to keep working behind bars.

“I’ll be still rapping in there, have a gang of raps ready when I come back home,” he said.

With good behavior, he could be released in about eight months.

City jail officials haven’t said where the multiplatinum-selling artist will be housed among their roughly 13,000 inmates. His lawyer has said she plans to ask for protective custody out of concern for safety, as well as his health after his extended oral surgeries.

iTunes Competition on the Way: Spotify

From npr

Although iTunes is still the Internet’s biggest music retailer, more music is still traded illegally than ever gets sold on iTunes. Now, the big labels are looking at another way to entice fans into buying music. A lot of buzz is circulating about one service in particular: Spotify. According to Ted Cohen, EMI’s senior VP of Digital Development and Distribution, it’s been a hit with more than 7 million fans overseas.

“Spotify has just completely charmed Europe with its ability to deliver to you unlimited streaming of any song you’ve ever thought of in your life,” Cohen says. “It’s a wonderful experience when you try and stump it, and everything you try and stump it with comes up.”

Spotify subscribers have access to stream more than 7 million songs from any computer with an Internet connection — and it’s free if you’re willing to listen to a few ads. It may sound like an ideal solution for both listeners and artists, but Cohen says the record companies aren’t anxious to let Spotify into the U.S.

“The rights holders are all concerned that we went from selling a $10 CD to selling a 99-cent track, and now we’re talking about a quarter of a cent per stream played by user.”

Spotify has been trying to get fans to pay 10 euros per month in exchange for an ad-free version of the service, and it has finally started to catch on since customers have been able to access the full catalog from their smart phones. Even if Spotify doesn’t take off in the U.S., Apple seems interested in pursuing streaming music. Recently, the computer giant purchased the online music service Lala.com. Analysts say that means that Apple is likely to add streaming music to iTunes.

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