|  | Hip HopTruth | | Hip Hop & Truth stuck together cuz they GO together! |
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 Anyone who can spell Wu-Tang or who has seen even one preview for the new "Karate Kid" starring Will Smith's son Jaden Smith (and that is everyone - because surely everyone has seen one preview) - so anyone and everyone has at least one example of the connection between hip-hop and action, especially martial art action movies. There are several other connections but that is a subject for another write-up. The purpose of this write up is to provide feedback, some review of, and key-take aways on The Last Airbender.
Above we mentioned Jaden Smith, and his father, extremely successful hip-hop star Will Smith recently said that you should strive to produce art that will inspire someone, or basically make them a better person because they came in contact with your art. For that reason, we cannot say enough great things about The Last Airbender!! For a movie that I completely expected to dismiss, it not only changed my mind but catapulted itself to the forefront of my favorite hand to hand combat action series movies, at a stretch it is actually approaches the path of "The Matrix" and "The Lord of the Rings" triologies.
Now for integrity's sake and to set aside my own personal favorite parts I must admit that most people will say "do not put this movie anywhere near the category of The Matrix or Lord of the Rings" but it has made its way to my list of personal favorites following in the spirit of those two great series.
So - if so many people may not see the greatness we see, then what is so great about The Last Airbender?
- Faith - we LOVE how the main character Aang played very well by Noah Ringer relies on his Faith & Meditation at every hard turn. Unlike many of us, whenever Aang was faced with adversity or conflict he quickly resolved that he must find a place to meditate and seek divine guidance. How well so many of us would do to follow this example instead of seeking the opinion of all the most likely haters who surround us on a daily basis?! (Proverbs 3:5, Psalm 118:8) Next time you have a big issue - do like Aang, look up and look within. Find a quite place to ask all the questions you have out loud (go ahead and do it, don't feel silly, if you find a quiet place no one will see you anyway) ask all the questions to Him above, then visualize the answers you want, breathe them in...and watch your life change.
- Talent - Noah Ringer played the stoic part of Aang quite well, he showed all of the necessary parts this complex character needed and did well in the action sequences too. He was able to be confident, child like, a protector and afraid as needed - well done Noah!
- Nuance - the manner in which fighting using the elements was presented in this movie was both novel and put simply? "It was hot". This movie was was fast paced without being predictable, and reflective for audiences new to the "Avatar" cartoon franchise upon which it was based without getting caught up in overdoing flashbacks. Finally it was straight forward enough for young viewers to understand and appreciate the plot and lessons contained within without losing all of the complexity necessary to entertain adult audiences.
- Special Effects - simply put they were great. The effects were believeable, they were not overstated, they were impressive, artful, and fit well within the context of the rest of the movie without overpowering the plot.
M. Night Shymalan, we loved this installation of what will hopefully be the first of a trilogy - and feel very confident saying that parents of young hip hop heads as well as action movie fans everywhere can choose The Last Airbender as a their next movie choice with a clear conscience and an open mind ready to reflect on the obvious life lessons therein afterward. Have fun, reflect, prosper & be inspired!
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- John Legend's words, not his hairline - don't be distracted by nonsense!! He gave a great call to action, a call that, if responded to, can upgrade YOUR community. Not only should those with great wealth and money look at how they can influence positive change - we should all look at the choices we make and how we choose to spend our time, are there better choices that you can make? Make time to help someone else - today :-)
- The message in the Gospel segment on Haiti - no matter how bad we *think* things are in America, most of us have no experience with the level true suffering that our brothers and sisters are experiencing in Haiti - imagine, listening to your mother, or child die three feet from you in the rubble, imagine sleeping in rain, mud and bugs...your entire family dead and dumped in a ditch, forever, and at the same time you are hungry, thirsty and sick...we have great reason to be thankful and Praise God - praise Him that you breathe clean air and access to clean water...then please take this encouragement to use the many non-profits, school resources, church ministries and other things that are here to help you live your BEST life - don't take these things for granted! Your life does not have to be dictated by your environment. Video here >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Umo5dEQ8d0
- Diddy's tenacity! - throughout his performance I kept hearing "Let's work" even with all his fame and fortune this man is still focused on working hard everyday - please don't believe the hype that successful people just lounge around going to parties all day - many of the artists on stage last night have less free time than you (assuming you don't work 80 - 120 hours per week) - school, work, and chores provide a great opportunity to practice doing what you don't want to do today so that you can have anything you want tomorrow
- Kanye is human - Kanye gave an awesome performance, we hope that he will continue to do well. We encourage everyone to remember that this extremely talented young man is possibly still in mourning as it is obvious that he was so very close to his mommy, so enjoy the great things to come from him but allow him to still be human, meaning allow him to possibly make mistakes (hopefully not big one's Kanye, for your own sake) - but still allow him time, space & to find his footing again - encourage him to be that positive awesome leader that he has the capacity to be for our community. He once told me personally that he basically isn't aiming to say hey let me be everyone's role model - maybe he isn't but we kinda wish he would! - - Glad to have you back Kanye.
- T.I.'s Road to Redemption - T.I. is back and doing his thing, remember that you can go positive and land on top - we hope that the same T.I. who helped young men find their path, make better choices, walk away from lives of crime and who encouraged young women to see their true value beyond what some rap songs say about them (SMH) - we hope that that T.I., the road to redemption T.I. will continue to become a force in media and our communities to push positive social change for our young people. We also hope that other rappers and celebrities follow suit and put their own "road to redemption" efforts to work, our young people need to know that what they hear and see on T.V. is not how life should be lived, that going after solid positive things is cool, and that most of these rappers are happy that they don't have t sell drugs or their body to make ends meet - our young people need help and encouragement to find better paths! We hope that T.I.'s "Dead and Gone" was true for him.
- Overall: The show went well, we love the local heros segment (see, helping your community instead of poisoning your community is HOT!), we also loved mostly clothed performances, re-enacting poetry from Love Jones instead of "it's gunz & I hate you Jodi" from Baby Boy like last year, we loved feeling like this is an awards show and not a minstrel show, thumbs up, hoping this is "doing better because they know better" More on the hottest heros can be found here: http://betawards.bet.com/articles/local-hero-geoffrey-canada
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 According to the mothers of his children, ex-wife Antonia Carter, Lauren London and Nivea get along well and focus on doing so for the happiness of their children with famed rapper Lil Wayne.
"At this point it's not about none of us," Toya said in an interview. "It's about the kids and I would go beyond for my daughter just to put a smile on her face. I would do whatever to have her around her brothers and just be cool and cordial. That's what people don't get... I been knowing Nivea for a long time and Lauren's been around for a long time. We just never really talked like that until [her] baby was born... It's not like I want Wayne. Some of us are really over him. We just put that to the side. We having time with the kids with their daddy. The whole situation isn't ideal so we just gotta make the best of it. 'Oh I don't like having my kids around her?' Nah. He just lucked up to have baby mothers that are just not on no real ignorant stuff." (VIBE)"
We at hiphoptruth.com hope that more men and women in our community will also focus on what the kids need, things like a great relationship with both parents and a real relationship with their brothers and sisters. Next time someone gets heated at their "baby daddy", "baby mama", or his other "baby mama" just pause or walk away or write down your feelings about what the kids really need out of the situation and give it to the other person - try to be honest and try not to focus on hate. Focus on suggesting solutions toward what the kids need and try to keep your emotions out of it. If you are really heated then it may be best to address the matter, whatever it is at a later time after you cool down.
Remember - the kids will usually be charged to see both parents and their brothers and sisters at the same time. Kids often get scared or very sad when adults that they love argue (even if they don't show it). And there are a lot of things that everyone can do together:
- Barbecue
- Watch a movie
- Birthday parties
- Go to church
- Go to the mall
- Play games - video, board, cards, outside
- Let all the kids go to the same Vacation Bible School (also usually free break for parents - holla!)
Apparently Lil Wayne, Nivea, Toya, and Lauren have something that seems to work for them and their kids, when Nivea's healthy son was born Toya and Lauren wished Nivea well with congrats on Twitter.
"We talk," she said in an interview. "We have a great relationship. He's a great father. He tells [our daughter] about [his other kids], so I just go along with the flow. I'm good with all of [his children's mothers]. I try to keep the kids cool because they're all in the same situation, so we don't have time for any drama." (E! Online)"
Apparently before "going away" Lil Wayne talked to he and Toya's daughter everyday after school so much that his daughter will miss it while he is gone so now they have a call arrangement worked out. Fellas if you want Lil Wayne's swagger and bling, we hope you will want his strong daddy relationship with your kids too. Talking to your kids everyday, knowing what they are learning, and listening to is important - teaching and protecting your kids is very cool, so like Nike, just do it!
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 On March 7th 2010, Monique won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in "Precious". We give big congratulations to Monique on her win and cheer on the simple quote that she shared in her acceptance speech: "Sometimes you have to forego what's popular in order to do what's right".
This message is so very relevant to the hip hop community! Everyday you are invited to do what is easy or popular in order to make money or in order to simply have fun but at Hip HopTruth.com we want to congratulate Monique on her success and point out her example. In order to become an academy award winning actress Monique has had to work tirelessly and put in countless hours during film shootings, re-takes, meetings and more - the road to fame and fortune is paved with hard work and sacrifice. We are certain that there are times when Monique would have rather hung out with her husband or just sat home to play mommy with her twins but the motivation to do what was right and LEGAL causes her to get up, catch early morning or late night flights and grind so that she can make moves, move mountains & hustle legitimately - congratulations Monique!!
Congratulations to you & your family for your award and your talk show success, we encourage you to continue to be a positive example for beautiful women & precious boys & girls everywhere.
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 As this segment goes on, I am listening to his lawyer expand upon how breaking the glass is not abuse but vandalism...I am listening to his mother say that she has never seen anything like this out of him before and I am listening to him say how much he apologized to Rihanna...and while listening one wonders about what the final point of their answers in the interview will be, there is a lot of talk about how this isn't really like him...but the truth is "this" happened. He did this.
His mom says that she told Rihanna that she was very unhappy about what happened to her and that Rihanna told her that she was O.K.
Chis Brown said that he went on the jet ski's at Sean Diddy Combs house during the turbulent media storm with Rihanna so that he could "rekindle the friendship with his friend". When asked, he said that Rihanna never asked him why he abused her and that he doesn't know why he did what he did. Chris said they left as friends. What do you think - has Chris Brown shown enough ownership and true remorse? Are people simply being over critical of him?
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 WORKing in hip hop clothing & fashionWe have the scoop from marketing & sales executive who has represented and presented notable brands such as Roc-A-Wear, Bigg Snoop Dogg, Ruff Ryders Dirty Denim, Da Link Went Wear from the Las Vegas M.A.G.I.C. show to midwest show rooms and the Chicago Niles show.
So if you want to work in hip hop fashion here are...
5 Ups:
1. Exclusive Fun & Parties - 3 words... off the chains! The parties are exclusive, starstudded, open bar, invite only (you can't pay your way in) and basically in two more words they are "like that" and if you are in the upper ranks of a notable Hip Hop line's design or sales team you easily find yourself on the V.I.P. list for them.
2. Close team - clothing lines are often close knit teams working together, their staff is not as large as many other brands that have the same notoriety. Working together can feel a lot like being in a small family.
3. Realism with longevity - setting the goal of working in high level or business to business sales for a Hip Hop clothing line is a more realistic or more attainable goal than being a rapper your career can also last a lot longer than the career of most artists
4. Variety - the fashion industry is fast paced & constantly changing which leaves very little opportunity for anything like boredom.
5. Business - unlike promoting parties, tours, or many other music related venues to make money; the nature of hip hop fashion is not as heavily dependent on hard to manage artist appearances which is a great up in entertaiment
5 Downs:
1. Continuity - the hip hop line only lasts as long as the artists that it represents, you always have to have your eye on your next gig, and the cut throat nature of some reps & staff members can also mean that others are constantly eyeing YOUR current position
2. Smaller team, smaller resources - you might have to be your own support staff. There is no room for a "that's not my job" mentality.
3. Hip Hop's work really is your LIFE - work days can start 4:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 a.m. so you really need to be ready to give up all your chill time to work, especially when their are fashion shows, trade shows, or artist appearances that you need to work - practice your being able to give up chillin' for your grind now, turn off the t.v. & hit those books!
4. All that glitters - no matter what your title you may need to do serious grunt work on a very regular basis. Setting up & getting ready for events starts early in the morning and requires all hands on deck to get clothes hung, boxes broken down, clothes steamed, ironed, floors swept after unpacking, etc. on time. (More proof of even less room for a "that's not my job mentality")
5. C.O.D. - if you work in sales everything is paid on delivery and the business cycle can be seasonal so even if you write a lot of orders hiccups in shipping can mean that you don't get paid for your efforts the seasonal nature of fashion can also keep your paper in a bit of flux
Things to keep in mind from Hip HopTruth...
- A marketing degree can be a great first step to working in sales and/or promotions for a hip hop clothing line, it actually got that exec.'s foot in the door so study hard.
- College Internships are the next great step to getting into the ranks of Hip Hop fashion
- Tenacity and drive is constant in the business that means that others can try to take your spot by any means necessary - the best defense for this is to be honest & forthright in your business dealings and loyal to the lines you are currently working for
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 Being a tour D.J.We have the scoop from a bonafide tour D.J. who has performed with some of the nations most successful rappers in some of the largest venues.
So if you want to be a D.J. here are...
5 Little Known ups:
1. You are the backbone of the show - you make sure that the performance moves along the way it should
2. You sometimes get just as much play as the artist performing
3. Not only are you backstage, You are backstage VIP - nuff said.
4. You get to hype up the crowd & control the crowd (this is also a responsiblity, be up for it)
5. If the artist is big enough (i.e. national act - T.I., Luda, Kanye, etc.) you can get paid very well
5 Little Known downs:
1. You are responsible for setting up all of your equipment
2. Making sure you are at sound check to "make sure " everything sounds right & is hooked up correctly
3. Even if you are tired and the event doesn't coincide with your schedule you still have to work & be on point
4. After the performance, when everyone is going to the after party you have to tear down all of your equipment & move it to a safe secured place (unless you pay someone to do it)
5. After it's all said and done you might not get paid a lot of money or at all
Bonus things to think about from Hip HopTruth.com:
-Tours are not consistent, until you have enough money to cover bills for at least a year you should have a "day job" or back up work to make money when nobody is touring or when the people who are touring don't want to tour with you
-Being a Tour D.J. is a good opportunity to promote yourself or your mixtapes
-If the tour gets cancelled you are out of a job & need to look for new income
-Tour schedules are tight - you should start practicing being extra punctual, good at time management skills & able to work when you don't feel like it RIGHT NOW (feel free to use your current job, school, studying, housework, whatever your current responsibilities are for practice)  |
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? Did you know...?
- A lot of newer or smaller artists end up making about 40 G's per year, mega-stars will definitely make more than that but for many 2-3 hit phenom's a lot of that money fronted by the label gets ate up by videos, promo costs, house rentals, etc. you know, "the lifestyle" (or more accurately "the image")...artists make money on tour, its work, you have to work so don't think they get to lay around all day, if you want to be successful start practicing working hard everyday at something now - source interview: conversation with Interscope exec., reconfirmed by several other exec's/legends
- That technically even NFL stars have a 9 - 5 or more like 8 a.m. to whenever...? That's right they are up bright, early, & generally on time for daily team meetings (it sounded a lot like getting up & out on time for class) - source, interview with Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina Panthers Wide Receiver
- What you see on T.V. is not real life. The job of these artists is to make money...their job is to entertain you. That isn't them or their life that you see... -source, interview with Emanuel Lewis & his good friend Slick Rick
- One A & R said the path to success is to get up everyday, make a list of everything you have to do that day...(all your responsibilities...) and don't stop until it's all done. - source, interview with YoungBloodz Mgr. & V.P. of Jazzy Phe's Sho Nuff records
Did you know...>>we are always adding more about the Hip Hop Truth of life in Hip Hop & rap so check back!
Until then we leave you with, the moral of the story --> practice your tenacity, strong work ethic & willingness to do what you have to in the area of your current responsibilities now...Yup!
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 On July 16h President Obama addressed the NAACP for their 100th anniversary and boy did he say some things that our community needs to hear. He thanked freedom fighters and the NAACP for paving the way for him and he also issued a bit of a call to action. If nothing else it was definitely a call to addressing this thing called life & raising our children with the correct attitude.
The speech was excellent, Hip HopTruth encourages all to pay especially close attention to the last ten minutes of this speech. We also encourage everyone to use the first twenty minutes as inspiration to find the strength to apply some social responsibility. If our predecessors could find the individual strength to say no I won't ride the bus today even though it would be easier, no I won't stay home during the sit-in even though I'm afraid, no I won't be silent and do nothing while my community dies then certainly we can find the time to mentor, tutor or otherwise help young people who <b>by no fault of their own </b>were born at a disadvantage. We should also find the strength to sit down at the club when a song that disparages us is played, we should also find the strength not to purchase filth that disrespects our young girls and women. If we don't respect our women how can we respect others to? Find the strength and individual responsibility to see past the beat, he is correct we all have decisions to make, our personal decisions and actions are indeed important.
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 Will the real stars please stand up? So now we have Plaxico Burress...wide receiver for the NY Giants suspended and facing charges the latest in a rash of NFL players to receive suspension & possible correctional facility time. What is the deal?
I mean O.K. - our.com/watch?v=QdH4NkKzbv4 ).
Where is the rhyme and reason for him and so many other NFL all stars to find hisself in a world of trouble insider scoop on Plaxico is that... <!--more-->this family hero has taken on a great deal in the way of looking out for siblings, wifey & being an all around family leader in the wake of his mother's passing, getting to know papa, and finishing growing up in the NFL...but is that reason to risk a newly signed multi-million dollar contract, a strong career earned by hard work, tenacity, drive & rare talent?? Is it so bad to say - "I've got grown man's bizness that doesn't involve me carrying a gun?? I've worked very hard to become something in life, practiced, studied, passed my SAT's and more. I've sacrificed a lot, skipped parties, skipped girl time, friend time, chill time, I was working when the other guy was chillin...and because of that "I'm into big thangs"...Is it really THAT BAD to just hire a body guard? Is it cool to lose your multi-million dollar contract because you were "representin"?? Representin doesn't have a health plan, no benefits, and no paycheck - just ask "Broke Vick". This post is not out of hate - it is out of heartbreak, because it truly is heartbreaking to watch young brother after young brother who has accomplished so much when they were originally given so little...throw it all away for the sake of what...the cool? (Ode to Lupe Fiasco, check it out: http://www.youtubewhen others are able to evade that trouble everyday?
There are several fellas who are already cool for what they've accomplished in life...the hope of this writer is that Pac Man Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, Michael Vick formerly of the Atlanta Falcons, Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals, Matt Jones of Jacksonville Jaguars...and so many others will tell their friends that when it comes to illicit, illegal activity - that they don't have time for this...they have grown man's business and millions to attend to...
I also hope that the brother who is on his path to greatness...perhaps not yet famous, successful and... ridiculously papered will tell his friends the same thing, that he doesn't have time for this...that he has grown man's business and eventually millions to attend to because the truth is - you do.
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 NEWBOS <div class="image_block"><img src="http://hiphoptruth.com/media/blogs/Firstblog/Newbos.jpg" alt="" title="" width="200" height="200" /></div> Well it looked like we would finally get a bit of re-education going on in the hip hop community!
Thursday February 26th on CNBC Lee Hawkins profiled the true life aspects of being young black and a millionaire in America.
We are most impressed with Kirk Franklin's message about how our young rich actually have enough fortune among them to affect our communities - hopefully we will see more of our community embracing our ability to S.O.S. - to "Save Our Selves" and also hopefully it will not take a hurricane catastrophe to make it happen.
Unfortunately this profile did not "press" some of the more "pressing" topics affecting our culture when it came to interviews with the Cash Money crew leaders. The profile showed a lot of what we already know - that they have more bling in their mouth than most of their beloved New Orleans would need to upgrade an entire school, (over $500,000) the question that wasn't raised to Lil' Wayne and his cohorts is - "why don't we see them teaching more young people how to get out like they did?"
This documentary does however introduce an exciting focus on how our "black overclass" chooses to live, the excitement for us at Hip Hop Truth is that future efforts might focus more on harnessing that status to teach our young people how to fish instead of just bragging to them about how much fish YOU have and how good YOU'RE eating.<!--more-->
More information at the link above and purchase information is below!
You can purchase this documentary where CNBC takes viewers inside the growing class of young, self-made black multimillionaires – mostly under 40 – who have built wealth and influence in the sports, entertainment, and media industries. The journey to the black overclass, black America's new financial elite, is often filled with vast opportunity, but even greater pressure to help family and community. In one-on-one interviews with the celebrities, called 'NEWBOs,' Lee Hawkins takes us inside the experience of high-profile athletes and entertainers, discussing the implications of their sudden wealth and fame and their transition from the underclass or working class to wealthy class in a matter of a few years.
Features interviews with NBA superstar LeBron James, Major League All-Star Torii Hunter, The Williams brothers of Cash Money Records, Dallas Cowboy star Terrell Owens, billionaire entrepreneur and NEWBO pioneer Bob Johnson, multiplatinum gospel star Kirk Franklin, and television network owner Wyclef Jean.
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Everyone is buzzing about the incident that took place between Chris Brown and his girlfriend during Oscar week.
Additionally rumors are swirling as to whether or not the two are back together. A hint may come from Brown's court appearance on March 5, 2009. Rihanna's lawyer, Donald Etra, shook hands and spoke with Chris Brown in the court room after Brown's appearance before Los Angeles County Judge Kristi Lousteau on felony assault & criminal threat charges. During proceedings the judge asked Rihanna's lawyer if a no contact order was requested and the response was that Ms. Fenty (Rihanna) does not request a no contact order against Brown. Meaning that she is not asking the court to order him not to contact her. Etra, Rihanna's lawyer stood near Brown and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, during the brief hearing. Rihanna was not in the courtroom.
Brown issued a statement a week after the incident saying that he was “sorry and saddened” about the incident. Should he "take a bow" as her music video tells a boyfriend who is "only sorry he got caught" to do? (youtube video link above) If the two get back together does that send a message to abusers? Additionally - since Rihanna & Chris Brown are currently mini-icons to the Hip Hop & R&B community would it be proper to reflect upon how our music speaks about women of color as well as how our music says that women of color should be treated, what they are good for? Should we pause and reflect upon the need to check our self before purchasing music that belittles women of color because the best way to ask for more of the same is to make a purchase?
These are questions I hope you will ponder as you reflect on this situation and as you make future music choices.
For this situation Chris Brown requested and received a delayed arraignment, he also signed a presence waiver allowing his lawyer to represent him in the future, meaning that he will not have to physically appear in future proceedings until the official arraignment (April 6th) about what allegedly happened on February 8th between Chris Brown and a passenger only identified as "Robyn F." Rihanna's full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Excerpts from the he sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews detailing what allegedly happened that morning are below.
<b>According to the sworn statement:</b>
"Brown was driving a vehicle with Robyn F. as the front passenger on an unknown street in Los Angeles. Robyn F. picked up Brown's cellular phone and observed a three-page text message from a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with. A verbal argument ensued and Brown pulled the vehicle over on an unknown street, reached over Robyn F. with his right hand, opened the car door and attempted to force her out. Brown was unable to force Robyn F. out of the vehicle because she was wearing a seat belt. When he could not force her to exit, he took his right hand and shoved her head against the passenger window of the vehicle, causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion.
"Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand. He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.'s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle. Brown looked at Robyn F. and stated, 'I'm going to beat the s--t out of you when we get home! You wait and see!' "
Robyn F. picked up her cellular phone and called her personal assistant -- [who] did not answer the phone but while her voicemail greeting was playing, Robyn F. pretended to talk to her and stated 'I'm on my way home. Make sure the cops are there when I get there.'
After Robyn F. faked the call, Brown looked at her and stated, 'You just did the stupidest thing ever! Now I'm really going to kill you!'
"Brown resumed punching Robyn F. and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face. She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in [an] attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown. Brown continued to punch Robyn F. on her left arm and hand, causing her to suffer a contusion on her left triceps (sic) that was approximately two inches in diameter and numerous contusions on her left hand.
"Robyn F. then attempted to send a text message to her other personal assistant. Brown snatched the cellular telephone out of her hand and threw it out of the window onto an unknown street.
"Brown continued driving and Robyn F. observed his cellular telephone sitting in his lap. She picked up the cellular telephone with her left hand and before she could make a call he placed her in a head lock with his right hand and continued to drive the vehicle with his left hand.
"Brown pulled Robyn F. close to him and bit her on her left ear. She was able to feel the vehicle swerving from right to left as Brown sped away. He stopped the vehicle ... and Robyn F. turned off the car, removed the key from the ignition and sat on it. Brown did not know what she did with the key and began punching her in the face and arms. He then placed her in a head lock positioning the front of her throat between his bicep and forearm. Brown began applying pressure to Robyn F.'s left and right carotid arteries, causing her to be unable to breathe and she began to lose consciousness.
"She reached up with her left hand and began attempting to gouge his eyes in an attempt to free herself. Brown bit her left ring and middle fingers and then released her. While Brown continued to punch her, she turned around and placed her back against the passenger door. She brought her knees to her chest, placed her feet against Brown's body and began pushing him away. Brown continued to punch her on the legs and feet, causing several contusions.
"Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.'s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Order."
Andrews closed his statement saying Brown sent her text message apologizing nine days later. The official affidavit, available below, includes detailed statement from the personal assistant mentioned above.
<a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/05/brown.warrant.pdf">
See CNN's PDF of the official affidavit & search warrant</a>
<div class="image_block"><img src="http://hiphoptruth.com/media/blogs/Firstblog//rihanna-and-chris-brown-picture.jpg" alt="" title="" width="433" height="354" /></div>
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 What we love...
What we love about Keyshia Cole is that in the show "Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is" on BET she is turning around to other young women and saying "I am not superhuman or very different from you. We perceive an overriding message to be Keyshia saying just as I had the strength & favor of God to make something of myself - you can access that for yourself." Other artists push our young people to hustle their way to the top. The difference maker is that unlike...<!--more--> The difference maker is that unlike many of her male & female counterparts in Hip Hop Soul Keyshia Cole is not afraid to say that some of the life choices she made were wrong, she is not afraid to say - "hey don't get caught up on some of the dumb stuff that I got caught up on" she is honest enough to say "hey we made mistakes, learn from them so you don't have to repeat them". On a recent episode Keyshia told a group of young woemen "Things that I go through are just like the things you guys go through and feeling like oh well if he don't like me, what can I do to make you like me but what can I do to like myself more before I got to like you". It would be so nice to see the fellas on the hip hop soul side of life say - "no I wouldn't recommend getting shot (big ups to Katt Williams for saying getting shot is not cool), prison was a horrible place that I am working hard to avoid going back to, don't slang if you don't have to (and honestly I'm glad I don't have to any more), having a wife is better than having ho's, being a business man (legally) is way more ballerific than being a snowman - here are some tips on how you can do it lil' bro".
When the show first rolled out there was a lot of less than ladylike behavior exhibited by some of her family...since then we have watched Keyshia's sister Neffe write a book (My Happiness is My Sanity), prepare for her own children's education, and challenge others to get their goals in gear. We are not saying that Keyshia or the women in her family are perfect, in fact they are quite candid in showing that they are far from it. But we love that they continue to show that a different path is available...even if you are hood, even if your mom isn't quite around, even if you have a very unorthodox rough homelife...
We love the true to life "life lessons" that she is learning and willing to share with other young women. We love that she is not just "posting". What do we mean by not just "posting"...? She is not just walking around showing off bling & fly clothes, basically saying don't you wish you were me...don't you wish you were a baller...? In fact in Keyshia Cole's show there is a lot of the exact opposite going on...in fact the theme song is her saying "I'm just like you". We love that Keyshia and her family are using the show to say, yes some of what we are was or always will be "hood" but guess what? Hood can come up, hood can respect herself, hood can get an education in life and hood can love herself enough to change her situation. Most of the women in the show have had moments to say hey - I'm so happy that I found a way to let go of baggage & love me more...learning that lesson will make our young women so much more beautiful than all the bootyshake that the rest of "rap" wants to throw at them...the message runs freely from this show over & over, we applaud Keyshia Cole for using her starpower to share it and that is what we love about "Keyshia Cole:The Way It Is".
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