Spiritual Street Sessions #1 w/ FM #RainCrew UK by Stefani #SXSTV

A new series ! Art is the purest and most effective form and means of transformation. These sessions are my way of showing another layer of depth and drive behind the many talented spirits I meet! More sessions to come. This concept is not bound to any particular event or any type of artist.



1spir·i·tu·al
adjective \ˈspir-i-chə-wəl, -i-chəl, -ich-wəl\
: of or relating to a person's spirit

1spir·it
noun \ˈspir-ət\ the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.

Video and edit by Stefani Sarah during IBE 2014
https://www.facebook.com/pluis.sarah

Stream Willow Smith’s 3-Track Mixtape ‘Interdimensional Tesseract

Willow Smith drops off a 3-track mixtape



Healing human light bodies with vibrational melody within the chaos of society. - Just for ambient vibes

Writer At War: Kendrick Lamar’s XXL Cover Story

Writer At War
Kendrick Lamar in his own words.
Images Tom Medvedich

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Winter 2014 issue of XXL Magazine, on stands now.

A lot of times in interviews, people ask me things like, “How does it feel now? What have you bought your mom and your pops and family?” Nobody ever really asks about what it’s like trying to adapt to fame and money and how much of a depression it can make for you. How much of a depression it could put you in knowing that so many kids hang on to your words. I can’t make a song like “i” without being in that dark place. “i” comes from going overseas, going to New York, being in L.A. and hearing kids saying, “Kendrick, I was gonna kill myself last week. Section.80, good kid, m.A.A.d city saved my life.” Or “I was gonna kill myself tonight until I came to your show.”

I believe that they are telling the truth. At first I wasn’t so sure, maybe it was just they were excited to meet me. But then they showed me their wrists and had all these different scars from when they tried to take their lives but failed. Or I look into their eyes and their pupils are dilated and they on all these types of meds and drugs, it’s a whole different story to me. That’s when I learned that while I’m making music for myself, drawing from my own experiences and conflictions and battles within myself, this teenager listens to every word I say. And that’s spooky.

I think one of my biggest battles within myself is embracing leadership. You always grow up and you hate the term “role model.” You would say, “I don’t wanna be a role model. I don’t want none of that.” But in actuality, you are the biggest role model. It’s impossible to fight the title of role model. Especially when the type of music I make is so personal. People feel like they can relate to me or that they are me. They feel like they know my whole life story even though we from different worlds. So when I go out and meet them in public, I don’t get a response like, “Kendrick, will you sign this real quick?” Or, “I wanna just take this picture with you.” No, they want to have full conversations. I find out that they live their lives by my music and that right there is something.



When I try to soak it all in, that’s the only thing that kind’ve scare me, feel me? Life is sad in general and I’m meeting these different people every day. It kind’ve snaps me back into reality outside of what I do. Outside of the girls, outside of the cars, the money, it really ain’t that important when you meeting somebody that’s still in the struggle. These the people that live their lives in dark spaces, every day , you know, and they use my music as some sort of tool to keep going, almost like a Bible, you know? These kids feel like they got nothing to believe in but they see me and say, “Kendrick, I believe in you. I believe in your music.” And what happens it puts me in some type of space where it’s almost like some type of worship or responsibility, but I know it. I can see it.

“Anything I say or do, I don’t take back, I don’t regret.”

I think one of my biggest assets is not knowing how famous I am. Or even excluding the word, I hate the word “famous.” I’m aware of it. I know people treat me different because of it. And the more I am aware of that and play into it, the more I become detached from the real world. So it’s really about balance. The more somebody opens the door for me and I walk through without acknowledging that they opened the door for me, the more I become separate from others.

I had a talk with Lauryn Hill and she said, “Try to completely throw away your ego.” How many times can you throw away an ego, you know? It’s tough. It’s something we all battle with. I battle with it all the time and the idea of being in all these places—the big spots, all the events, the lights—it’s all for your ego. It’s all for your own confirmation to be like, okay, I’m somebody. But truthfully, you’ve always been somebody. You don’t need the lights.



I try to think about that. Also, I like to look at old pictures and think of things from back in the day that kind of draws me back to where I came from. I think a lot of times when artists are in so much of the now, they only think of what’s ahead of them, which is cool. But I look at pictures of the small little apartment that I come from in Compton and things like that. And it always trips me out when I get too far out there where I’m missing phone calls or not responding to text messages on time or my peoples is hitting me, my moms is and I can’t get back to her. Sometimes you on the go and you forget about those little things.

It’s definitely a gift and a curse when you make music as personal as I make it. Of course you get the kids out there that say that they relate to you and this song saved their lives, and you helped them with their assignment for this and that. And then at the same time, your privacy is not respected. And all entertainers go through it, but moreso the ones that make very personal music, because it’s not just me you’re focusing on now when I’m out in public, but also on individual characters that I’m talking about in my music. So that’s a whole other ballgame and it’s just something that I’ve gotta accept.

“When I’m completely drained of inspiration, that’s when I’m finished with the project.”

I think the way it is, the positive aspect of me gaining more listeners and giving them some type of motivation and relatable effect, it’s more than running from somebody snapping a picture of my mom’s van that was on my album cover, that she actually still has. I’d never think that would happen, but it’s happened plenty of times to where she has to hide the van now. She can’t drive that thing no more. And she’s old school, she wanna drive it. But I never want them to be in this type of world, because not everybody can handle it. I think the average person wouldn’t be able to handle the day-to-day. It’s a lot of things you gotta deal with. So me doing that, it’s just a piece of me. I gotta find balance and try not to really get too frustrated over it.

I’d be lying to you to say I knew good kid, m.A.A.d city would be as successful as it has been. In the beginning I was very doubtful. Once I was done, the jitters hit me so fast. I was so confident in making it, because I was like, “This is it, man. Nobody heard this story and if you heard it, you heard it in bits and pieces but I’m finna put it to you in a whole album—from Compton, from the hood, from the streets—it’s a whole other perspective and light, I’ma go back and do the skits just like how Biggie and Dre and Snoop and ’Pac did it. And I’ma tell my story.” Then I wrapped up with it and said, “Man, what’s on the radio right now? I don’t think they doin’ skits and things like that.” I don’t know if the people are gonna understand what I’m talkin’ about on this album because it’s almost like a puzzle pieced together, and albums ain’t been created like this in a long time. Albums that actually still reach the masses, at least.



My whole outlook on being signed was to have an actual massive commercial successful album. This is what you think as a kid. You don’t know nothing about creative process and things like that. So I didn’t know how blessed I was to actually go and make an album that I can create and control 100 percent. When I was done with it, I was like, “Man, these people believe in me like this? They let me just do this whole thing by myself like this? I don’t know. Y’all sure I’m right?”

I was nervous because I didn’t think the people would understand it. And I get a call from Pharrell. He said he had a copy of the album and it’s amazing. And I was like, that call was right on time because that was when I was feeling super insecure about it. Pharrell said, “Never feel that way again. When that little negative man come behind your head, always follow your first heart, and that was your first heart, to put the album out like this.” This is his words verbatim, he said, “Watch what’s gonna happen.”

“I believe in this theory that when you get success and you get fame and money, it makes you be you times ten.”

When I come up to certain artists, artists that I’ve always looked up to, and they can recite my records that wasn’t the single, that puts me in a space where, okay, this is a person I always respect and to get their respect back was almost like confirmation for me. I always thought confirmation would be having a lot of money, and things I could do for my family. Because that was what we was taught when you come from these urban neighborhoods, you was taught that having money was success and that’s all you see, all you know. So once I got the money and everything else that comes with it, I felt like I wasn’t satisfied. I’m looking around like, this is great security, but I don’t even spend it on myself, I spend it on my loved ones. That makes me feel good knowing I can support somebody that’s in need. But at the same time, I’m feeling like, okay, what’s after this? So what I realized was, my greatest fulfillment of accomplishment was having somebody that I looked up to for so many years and knowing that I put in that same dedication and work and them saying, “Thank you.” And them being able to recite them lyrics.



I think the first time I played “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” for Andre 3000 was before it came out. I never share my album while I’m creating. I think that the situation with Andre was one of those things where he was in the studio with Dre and Dre was like, “Play some stuff .” I can’t say no to Dr. Dre. But me creating music, I never really play music for anybody, even people inside the camp because it can almost sway your creative process 100 percent. So along with that, I cut off everything on the radio; I really just duck off from music. Because I’m gonna be influenced and I don’t want to be. That has always been my process. I just feel like, it’s really the only prized possession that I actually can control, you know? It’s selfishness for sure, but it’s my selfishness and I own it.

I know a lot of people that go around and play music to get approval because some are not so confident in the things they do. But with me, personally, I can only speak for myself, this is me. Anything I say or do, I don’t take back, I don’t regret. That’s how I was feeling at the time and that’s how y’all gonna get it, and I own it. Love me or hate me, I own it. It is what it is. And that’s how I look at it.



From 13 years old to the time I was 21, I was in a mode of mastering how to be a rapper. Like a rapper’s rapper, using my tongue as a sword, a fuckin’ barbarian. That’s all it was about, slaying words. So when I turned 21, 22, somewhere around there, I got into a mode where it became more of a writer aspect for me rather than just being a rapper ’cause this is around the same time where cats weren’t putting out mixtapes anymore. They was putting out full bodies of work and wasn’t even signed to a major label. So by that time, that’s when I started developing and actually constructing my music from a writer’s point of view. good kid, m.A.A.d city was probably one of them albums that you could unfold out into a book and read it. And that’s how I treat everything. Everything is critical like that from here on out. It’s the art of writing.

“So you ask yourself in the midnight hour, ‘Who am I? Is this really what I’m supposed to be doing? How did I get here? Why am I doing this? What’s my responsibility?’”

This is more than just music for me. This is actually a piece of me. I’m obsessed with it. And that’s how I take it. When I make my music, it comes from a genuine space where I’m already spreading myself wide to the world. So during my process in creating it, that time is for me, personally. That’s for my heart, those are my memories that helped me up with these lyrics and get inspiration. That was my memories. Taking those inspirations and going into that booth, that’s something that I hold dear.

When I’m completely drained of inspiration, that’s when I’m finished with the project. When I start maybe trying to tamper with things that I shouldn’t tamper with, I’ve already had done, that’s when I’m done and I know I’ve exhausted inspiration. That comes with not wanting to actually rush the process. I always want to put it down to the last idea, and once I’m drawn away from it, that’s when I say, okay, let’s take all these pieces—they might not even be songs—let’s take these pieces and construct it. So what I want to say, and how I want to execute it becomes clear.



It’s the best part because the things that I say on my records—this is another reason why I don’t just play records for people—you won’t necessarily get it until it’s constructed. I know what type of artist I am. I’m not an artist that’s gonna give you a single and say, “This is what my album’s gonna sound like, go sell it.” That’s not me. I’m just not that artist to give you one or two songs here and there and run with it. Everybody has their own niche. With mine, I just own it, and I know that’s exactly what that is. And I wanna keep that lane. I don’t want to jump in somebody else’s lane and try to do their moves because it may not work for me like it worked for them. So I stay where I feel like I’m inspired.

What’s crazy to me is that I feel the same energy now that I felt before my first album. I know there’s lot of pressure for me on this new album but it don’t necessarily scare me. It’s almost confirmation, like, go in there and challenge yourself just the same way you challenged yourself the fi rst time. Because I remember going to radio stations and them telling me this: “Dr. Dre had Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem, you seen what Eminem did, right? Yeah, uh huh. Kendrick Lamar, he from the West Coast, and Compton, too. Dre from Compton, you see the legacy he left. Yeah, so I hope that album is good. Matter fact, you got the weight on your shoulders right now.”

Thank you for that. Let me get in the studio now since you just put the battery in my back.



I thought I was going to win Best Rap Album at the Grammys. I put a lot of work in on my album and the biggest thing for me is knowing that it was basically an underground album. It didn’t have big No. 1 records on it and there wasn’t really any commercial hits. It was great songs and I think the message behind it reached as many listeners and believers as a super mainstream album. So for me, when you’re saying, “rap,” that would be my definition of something that deserved an accolade. Yep.

I found out a lot about myself in these past two years. It’s scary. I know more about myself now than any other point of my life. I believe in this theory that when you get success and you get fame and money, it makes you be you times ten. I was a pretty shy and to myself type of person as a kid. And now 15 years later I’m in front of people every day, tens of thousands of people. So that makes me more of a recluse. That makes me not come outside of my world on the outskirts of L.A. and bounce around different places and things like that.

“What I do is for a greater purpose and we all need money and things like that to survive, but the energy around some of these spaces, it can draw you into a crazy place.”

So you ask yourself in the midnight hour, “Who am I? Is this really what I’m supposed to be doing? How did I get here? Why am I doing this? What’s my responsibility?” It’s a real trippy thing, you feel me? And I think it’s something that nobody can understand; only an artist can. Things change for you with success when you get money. I noticed when people started treating me a little bit different, the people that I cared about the most, my close friends and family. The artist don’t necessarily change, it’s usually the people around them. Their expectations of you can sometimes be out of control. You can do one thing that can trigger something mentally in them that makes them think that you don’t care about them or you don’t fuck with them no more when that’s not the case. You’re just more focused on what you have to do because it’s bigger.



The moment I start seeing change in people around me, that’s when I know something is a little bit different. Then there’s tension in the air that I probably can’t necessarily deal with at the moment. ’Cause when the industry don’t understand me, and the business don’t understand me, these are the people I can run to. What happens when I can’t run to them?

Artists just get paranoid in any situation and circumstance. I’m always paranoid. I’m already a person who thinks a lot; sometimes I may overthink things or think too much. So when you’re put into a space where you feel like you can’t necessarily trust your close ones, that can do some whole other crazy thing to you psychologically. Seriously. All you got is you and God at the end of the day.

The hard time for me was probably when I was on the road. It’s almost like you go on the road and you’re gone for two years. And this place you’ve known your whole life, these people you’ve known your whole life, everything is different when you come back. And you feel like, damn, your sanctuary is now on that tour bus. That dirty, stinky, smelly tour bus. And that’s one thing, among numerous other things, that have been hard sometimes. To the point where people are pulling for you left and right, where you feel like you don’t have control over your own life. Over your own well-being.

What I do is for a greater purpose and we all need money and things like that to survive, but the energy around some of these spaces, it can draw you into a crazy place. And I’ve seen and heard some of the greats go out because of it. And I’m saying this right now to let everyone know, it’s real and you have to be mentally steady 100 percent in order to keep doing it at a high level and still maintain your sanity.

A Day In The Life of Bboy Ben | Supercrew x Jabbwockeez

A Day In The Life of Bboy Ben | Supercrew x Jabbwockeez

Another Quality Production from our Homie JSixproduction at: Facebook



www.facebook.com/JSixProduction

Click here if u like Bboyworld: https://www.facebook.com/bboyworld

More Clips:
http://www.bboyworld.com/
http://www.youtube.com/ronatoune
Director J-Six Production

BOYZ II DEM | VINYL DESTINATION

BOYZ II DEM | VINYL DESTINATION

To cap the year off, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Vinyl Destination crew take you to Vietnam where the fellas take a stroll through the Vietnam War Museum and are confronted with some of life's truths.

We Gotta Pray | Alicia Keys

We Gotta Pray | Alicia Keys

SoXDay | A film by Austin Vesely & The Social Experiment

SoXDay | A film by Austin Vesely & The Social Experiment

"Sox Day" Directed, shot, and edited by Austin Vesely (http://twitter.com/AustinVesely)
The Social Experiment: https://soundcloud.com/chancetherappe...

See what it's like to be on tour with Chance the Rapper and the Social Experiment for the 23 hours a day they're not on stage. Featuring Donnie Trumpet, Peter Cottontale, Stix, Nate Fox's Back and Macie Stewart. Surf coming soon, We do this shit for fun.



Just type in: chanceraps.com

Atmosphere | Fortunate | Official Music Video

iTunes: http://bit.ly/South_iTunes
CD/Vinyl: http://bit.ly/Southsiders
Amazon: http://bit.ly/Southsiders_amz

"As a thank you to everyone who came out to the north of hell shows, we made a video."

We asked our friend Dan Monick to shoot this video on Ant's birthday, outside of our most recent Los Angeles show at the Hollywood Palladium. shout out to anyone who waited in one of the many lines to help make this tour such a fun experience. we truly are fortunate to have the most amazing fans/friends/supporters in the entire world."



Subscribe for more: http://bit.ly/RhymesayersYT

Directed by Dan Monick and Vanessa Joy Smith
DP Vanessa Joy Smith
Camera Operator Pascal Combes-Knoke
Props Master Amber Sterling
Producer Leda Maliga
VFX DaveEagle
Edited by Roman Koval
Color by Bossi Baker

Big thanks to the Palladium and all the fans.

The Faze | #ImFromMV | Documentary

The Faze | #ImFromMV | Documentary



Download Link:
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/th3faze/sets/i...
DropBox: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1...

November 9, 2014 marks the 4-Year Anniversary of #MVCL, Moreno Valley City Limits. In honor of the Anniversary, The Faze dropped his latest project along with this documentary about the city of Moreno Valley, CA titled #ImFromMV. He hopes to shine light at an overlooked city and encourage its citizens to share their talent by giving them an outlet through social media.



Be sure you voice your opinion and let us know where you're from! • 11.9.14 • The Faze - #ImFromMV #NoRules

http://www.TheFazeEra.com
http://www.Instagram.com/THEFAZE
http://www.Twitter.com/TH3FAZE
http://www.SoundCloud.com/TH3FAZE
http://www.Facebook.com/TH3FAZE
http://www.Instagram.com/3RDREPUBLIC

Brother Ali | Home Away From Home Tour | Hits The Northwest!

Buy Tickets NOW!: http://bit.ly/HAFHdates
Subscribe for more: http://bit.ly/RhymesayersYT
Listen/Download "Home Away From Home": http://bit.ly/HFAHaudio

"The first week on The Home Away From Home Tour was incredible. So many great shows, so much love. This week we hit the North West. Here's why Seattle is one of my homes away from home. We're headed to a city near you so get you tix now and we'll SEE YOU SOON.

" -Ali



Song Produced by: Brother Ali
Directed by: 1Light Films

Home Away From Home Tour
Feat. Brother Ali
w/ Bambu & DJ LAST WORD
Hosted by: MaLLY

Full list of remaining dates:
September 23 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile
September 24 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret
September 25 - Victoria, BC - Sugar Nightclub
September 26 - Bellingham, WA - Wild Buffalo
September 27 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne
September 28 - Eugene, OR - WOW Hall
September 30 - Santa Cruz, CA - Catalyst
October 1 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
October 2 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
October 3 - Las Vegas, NV - Beauty Bar
October 4 - Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones
October 5 - San Diego, CA - Porter's Pub
October 8 - Tucson, AZ - Congress
October 9 - Tempe, AZ - Club Red
October 10 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
October 11 - El Paso, TX - Sector 7
October 14 - Austin, TX - Stubb's BBQ
October 15 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
October 16 - Dallas, TX - HOB Small Room
October 17 - New Orleans, LA - HOB Parish
October 18 - Birmingham, AL - Workplay
October 20 - Orlando, FL - The Social
October 22 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall
October 23 - Atlanta, GA - Aisle 5
October 24 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
October 25 - Richmond, VA - The Broadberry
October 27 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
October 29 - Brooklyn, NY - Knitting Factory
October 30 - Providence, RI - Met Cafe
October 31 - Boston, MA - Middle East
November 1 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
November 4 - Montreal, QC - Phi Centre
November 5 - Toronto, ON - Tattoo
November 6 - London, ON - London Music Hall
November 7 - Ithaca, NY - The Haunt
November 8 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
November 10 - Columbus, OH - Skully's
November 11 - Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig
November 13 - Madison, WI - High Noon
November 14 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's

Connect with Brother Ali:
facebook.com/brotherali
twitter.com/brotherali
instagram.com/brotheraliisblind
rhymesayers.com/brotherali
brotherali.com

T.I. ft. Skylar Grey | New National Anthem

T.I. ft. Skylar Grey | New National Anthem



Music Video by T.I. ft. Skylar Grey performing New National Anthem. (C) 2014 Grand Hustle, LLC under exclusive license to Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment

Biz Markie | Answers The Questions

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of "Just A Friend", Biz Markie tells us (very quickly) his favorite barber shop, and his favorite hood movies from the 90s (hint: BUELLER).



SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBE_okayplayerTV

Music by:
Desert_Head

Okayplayer
http://www.okayplayer.com
http://www.facebook.com/okayplayer
http://www.twitter.com/okayplayer

OOOH KILLE'M | VINYL DESTINATION

OOOH KILLE'M | VINYL DESTINATION

Day Out w/ Adrian Younge

Influential behind-the-scenes producer Adrian Younge gave us a tour of NYC's Metropolis Vintage store in the East Village. He told us how he produces his signature vintage sound and gave us the history of Ralph Lauren's impact on hip hop.



Music by:
Portesphear Music https://soundcloud.com/ian-grindstaff
Sam Champion
Danny!

Producer: Allison Swank
Videographers:
Lance Steagall + Charis Kirchheimer (Collabo! http://collabonyc.com/)
Editor: Lance Steagall

Okayplayer
http://www.okayplayer.com
http://www.facebook.com/okayplayer
http://www.twitter.com/okayplayer

Angie Martinez | THE TRUTH w/ Elliott Wilson

On the latest episode of The Truth, Elliott Wilson catches up with Angie Martinez, who discusses her reasons behind leaving Hot 97 after two decades and joining competitor Power 105.1.

Lecrae | Nuthin | Audio

Hear Lecrae's first single off his upcoming album Anomaly! Share your thoughts with #IHEARDNUTHIN and #ANOMALY!



Facebook: http://lecrae.cta.gs/007
Twittter: @Lecrae
Instagram: @Lecrae

Dilated Peoples | Finding Focus

Pre-order Directors of Photography now and get the first single "Good As Gone" instantly via:



iTunes: http://bit.ly/DOPitunes
Amazon: http://bit.ly/DOPamazon

Pre-order Directors of Photography now via Fifth Element to get the new singles "Good As Gone" and "Show Me The Way" instantly and receive an exclusive autographed photo print, PLUS bundle your pre-order with a limited edition, Fifth Element exclusive Dilated Peoples t-shirt or zip hoodie:

Fifth Element: http://bit.ly/DOP_FE

The brand new album from Dilated Peoples, Directors of Photography, is due out 8.12.14 on Rhymesayers Entertainment.



http://rhymesayers.com/dilatedpeoples

Dilated Peoples on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dilatedpeoples
Dilated Peoples on Facebook: http://facebook.com/dilatedpeoples
Dilated Peoples on Instagram: http://instagram.com/dilatedpeoples

Evidence on Instagram: http://instagram.com/evidence
Rakaa on Instagram: http://instagram.com/therealrakaa
DJ Babu on Instagram: http://instagram.com/djbabuforeal

Rhymesayers on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rhymesayers
Rhymesayers on Facebook: http://facebook.com/rhymesayers

#DirectorsofPhotography

SOULeBrity Finals | Top 9 Cypher | #SEC20 | #SXSTV

SOULeBrity Finals | Top 9 Cypher | #SEC20 | #SXSTV



Top 9:
Animal
Maji Claire
Lily Frias
Jam
Kristine
Jermz
Aqua
Laura Avila
Taco Flavored Kisses



Winners:
Animal (Midus and Marie Poppins)
Lily Frias (Remind)

Hosted by:
CoFlo

Sponsors:
Monster Energy: http://www.monsterenergy.com
UDEF/Pro Breakin Tour: http://www.udef.org
Freestyle Session

Style Elements 20th Anniversary July 18 - 20 in San Jose, CA

For more event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/14094...

https://www.facebook.com/stylelements
http://www.secrew.com/

Common Compares Chicago of the '80s & '90s to Today

Veteran MC and Chicago's own Common sat down with VladTV to discuss his 10th album, "Nobody's Smiling," the meaning behind its title, and the difference between the Chicago of his youth and Chiraq today.

When it's comes to dropping his 10th album, Common says it feels good to be able to have that many albums under his belt, but that he doesn't get caught up in how many albums he's dropped because he knows you're only as good as your last cut. He's more excited about the new project than anything else.

The album in question, "Nobody's Smiling," is about Chicago's increasingly violent nature and the need for it to be addressed. When reminded of Chicago rapper and Chief Keef's cousin Big Glo's murder back in April, Common says that's the reason he made this album.

"I'm not happy, I'm from Chicago. I'm not happy we losing people over...people getting shot over things that ain't even necessary. I can't even act like i know every situation, why it happens, but some of it...it's become part of...a way of life. People don't value life as much as we can, as much as we should."

When asked about the state of Chicago today vs. Chicago of the late '80s and '90s when he was coming up, he says he feels it's worse now. Also, he quotes a statistic saying the murder rate was higher in his era, but the order and street code of the hood no longer exists, citing the fact that kids as young as 3 years old are being shot and killed as an example.



http://www.vladtv.com

Stanley Johnson "Work" | A Ballislife Original Mini-Doc

Stanley Johnson "Work" | A Ballislife Original Mini-Doc



Stanley Johnson is a 4 time California State Champion making him the only player in the state's history to accomplish such a feat at the highest level. We've known Stanley since his freshman year at Mater Dei when he wasn't even a starter on the team. We've seen Stanley transform for a role player to arguably the most NBA ready product in the nation today coming out of high school. You've seen the mixtapes and the improvement in his game from year to year but what you don't see is the hard work and dedication Stanley has put into his craft. Stanley's journey to his 4th state championship and becoming the player he is today is not only impressive but it should also serve as inspiration to all up and coming ball players. Stanley has a poster hanging in his room given to him by his mother and the poster reads "The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." There is no secret to becoming great at your craft, it just comes down to how hard you're willing to work.

Music Credits (In order of appearance):

Zion I -- Anymore (Intro 1) (ZionICrew.com)
Anno Domini Beats -- Anthem of Freedom (Intro 2) (AnnoDominiNation.com)
Azure -- It's So Nice (Chapter 1) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAhKR...)
L.O.B. Music -- J Dilla Common Nas Pete Rock Type Beat (Chapter 1) (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpS...)
L.O.B. Music -- You Can Do It (Chapter 1) (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpS...)
L.O.B. Music -- The Alchemist Style Beat (Chapter 1) (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpS...)
Anno Domini Beats -- My Name Is (Chapter 2) (AnnoDominiNation.com)
Sinima Beats -- Under Review (Chapter 2) (SinimaBeats.com)
Anno Domini Beats -- Brand New (Chapter 3) (AnnoDominiNation.com)
Sinima Beats -- Furious Angels (Chapter 3) (SinimaBeats.com)
Anno Domini Beats -- Dark Knight (Chapter 3) (AnnoDominiNation.com)
Sinima Beats -- Fight Music (Chapter 3) (SinimaBeats.com)
Sinima Beats -- Revolution (Chapter 3) (SinimaBeats.com)
Anno Domini Beats -- Rise Above (Chapter 3) (AnnoDominiNation.com)
Anno Domini Beats -- Path of Success (Chapter 3) (AnnoDominiNation.com)
Anno Domini Beats -- Rise Above (Chapter 3) (AnnoDominiNation.com)
Anno Domini Beats -- I'm a Star (Credits) (AnnoDominiNation.com)