Not All Hip Hop Is NEGATIVE...

For anyone who has ever said, Hip-Hop is all negative, degrading to women and non-uplifting, I have to throw an SSD Flag immediately.

There are certain artists that don't get as much promotion because of "big business" determining what the difference between good music is and what generates large revenue.

Honestly, if you promote anything well enough, eventually it will be revered as good, so I refuse to believe the only content in music that sells in Hip-Hop would be that of a negative background.

*sidenote. We all know that big business controls the world and the truth can possibly be blindsided by what will actually bring in more revenue.

Hence, the Lakers winning back to back titles in the NBA Finals championship of course in 7 games AGAINST the long time rival Boston CELTICS. You already know people will tune into the NBA next year to see a possible rematch...

...The New England Patriots football team winning the Superbowl the same year the terrorists attacked the twin towers and AMERICA in 2001 would make more people pay attention to the NFL...

...And by former President Bush going to war in Iraq even though the war was against Bin Laden and Afghanistan, I really always wondered was that war really about the control of Oil and NOT protection from terrorists? Hmmmm, coincidence??

Obviously, I have no proof of any of this, but my point is big business will always play precedent over perhaps what could be considered as the truth.

Without going to deep, I want to just bring awareness to a certain hip-hop artist and album that may be one of the greatest works of HIP-hop art of all time.

Of course it won't get the same recognition as most mainstream hip-hop artists because big business and rap executives will glorify rap in the way that "sells" by artists talking about all the negative aspects of life.

I know that life is up and down, I just want to challenge people to look for both sides and not just accept what is put in front of you, which is that all hip-hop is negative which is completely not true.

Chicago Hip-Hop artist/actor Common has an album called Be in his archive that to me is remarkably one of the greatest hip-hop albums and its NOT full of KILL EM, SHOOT EM, SELL DRUGS AND WOMEN ARE B'S AND O'S...

Just make sure you check all avenues before you accept something as is. There may be something underlying that you completely miss. Do what your mom used to tell you and don't judge a book by its cover.

Really? Who Cares...

As always, I woke up to my morning news updates to see what's new around the world and I was really shocked as to find out what is considered news. I thought News meant, it was NEW!!?!

Yes, the oil spill in the gulf is still leaking at an undesirable rate.

Yes, The Lakers are still world champions since clinching game 7 against their rival Boston Celtics on Thursday.

Yes, Jon Goselin still is divorced and still has 8 kids.

Yes, Tom Cruise is "walking the fence", toying with insanity by his consistent pitches about Scientology.

I mean, what is News anymore? All these things happened days ago. Its like News really isn't news anymore its a Dead Horse alert. The media continues to UPDATE information as if it happened 30 seconds ago when in fact it really isn't news.

And then when the media does update real news, a lot of times its not even important, relative, POSITIVE or conducive to a healthy lifestyle.

It all seems to be full of fluff, negativity or gossip that neither uplifts or empowers are society, leaving us desensitised with immoral values and beliefs because of the "if it bleeds it leads" syndrome.

One of the reasons why I started stopsellingdreams.com is because I was tired of accepting what people in the media broadcast to us as news.

The truth is, yes I have a degree in journalism, so I was taught to seek out YOUR truth, meaning do your research and don't accept what people, media or naysayers give you.

Ask questions and find out your answers that make sense to you not just because someone "credible" told you so. What makes that outlet credible? Especially if the content they are speaking about is he said she said based material anyway.

I say all that to say this: This morning I ran across an article on yahoo entitled "The Most Disliked People In Sports". Which makes me think, who writes this stuff? Who really controls what is cool and what is not?

I mean honestly, this is a perfect example of how the media tries to control who and what is cool and what is totally unacceptable.

Truth be told, Michael Vick did a crime, paid his debit to society and still has to deal with the boos and hisses.

Why, because he funded an underground dog fight? People have done worse things in life and been greeted with more sympathy, compassion and forgiveness.

Who are we to judge? Most people or lets see, the same people that put these celebrities on a pedestal are the same ones who break them down.

Really, to be a star you are one successful triumph and one mistake away from being great or being the worse thing on the planet. Look at Ron Artest!

This is the same person a few years ago ran in the stands at an NBA game an assaulted a fan. Now hes a favorite because he was a phenomenal player in the Finals. SSD!

Believe me, I know everyone deserves a second chance, I'm just saying please media outlets, let ME choose who I should like and hate. Thanks.

Summer Sundays @ Kress Hollywood

Power 106, radio host Yesi Ortiz and Ridiculous Entertainment have teamed up to bring Summer Sundays in Hollywood at the Kress Night club.

Working in Hollywood is pretty cool and bringing me one step closer to the goal.

Anyway, make sure you check here for updates and news concerning Summer Sundays, because you know with Ridiculous Entertainment Power 106 FM there are sure to be celebrity cameos throughout the summer.

Kress Summer Sundays Pics Here.

Jason Derulo @ Stingaree

Jason Derulo stopped by Stingaree recently, performing his hits Riding Solo and Whatcu Say. The crowd was definitely feeling the energy and the VIP area definitely had a few playmates getting the party started. Playmate Kayla Collins made a cameo appearance while hanging out with Jason after his performance.

*photos courtesy of J Public Relations

The Big Time...Big Dreams Realized

Dreams are only fulfilled when you wake up and go get them. I am proud to say that I believe if you really want something you can have it. I have seen people realize their dreams over and over again first hand.

Yes, if you didn't know, this is the exact reason I like Drake so much because he believed in himself and strived for perfection even with the odds stacked against him.

He is a rapper that's Jewish, from Toronto! Hey, anything is possible if you believe!

Its just patience and perseverance that people lack in why they don't reach the mountain top. The journey doesn't just stop once you make it either.

Its a hard road once you get there because even after you make it to the promised land, now the cost of living goes up.

But the trials and tribulations are definitely worth it if you can truly look back and say you set a goal for yourself, looked straight ahead, didn't let anyone hinder your progression and accomplished it.

For once in this struggle, journey and up and down pattern called being an artist, there is always a good story that happens IF you choose to remain positive throughout the experience.

I know it sounds bad, but someone always has it worse then you and just think, how many people are making a living or even a single dollar for that matter, from what they truly love?

One of my colleagues Dominique Laurina has done the inevitable. A few years ago she moved to LA to finish what she started in San Diego which was make the big time for modeling.

I remember I shot this G-Star Raw fashion show she was in while still living in San Diego when she told me she was moving. Awesome!

Now, of course me knowing my friend, she will be humble and tell you that she hasn't made it and she's still working and blah blah blah. Forget that!!! If you work hard like she does, enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Anyway, how many models do YOU know being featured in a fortune 500 ad? And she loves Apple too. HA!

Check her out on facebook and tell her "ISH TOLD ME to say congrats!"

Although she's a big deal so if she doesn't know you, she may not add you for privacy reasons. What!!!? I'm just saying!

You know I Love you Dominique!

If Dominique isn't a positive motivational factor for artists everywhere, we might as well ALL quit and go back to working at the drive-thru permanently.

I refuse that! So from me personally, thanks to Dominique for inspiring myself and artists all over! Lets Get it!

Oh and Dominique, could you please update your site for the people every once in a while please!

Or at least for me. Thanks.

Unforgettable...

Confession time. If you really know me, you know I am a huge fan of Beyonce. But if you REALLY know me then you know, if I am a true Beyonce fan, then Aaliyah would be my obsession.

I am and still have been one of the biggest Aaliyah fans ever since '94 when I cut school with KB to buy her single on CASSETTE. Quit playing with me! HA..

Recently, I’m sure a lot of you caught the Drake U-stream video with this mysterious Aaliyah Sample and knocking beat in the background. It was unforgettable right? Well I think Drake knew that, because the song has leaked and it is a SMASH!

The song is called Unforgettable featuring Young Jeezy with Aaliyah’s melodic voice sampled in the background. When I heard the unfinished song with the acapella sample on the ustream, tears came to my eyes because well that’s what her posthumous voice does to me.

If this song is a sample of how Drake’s album will be, God help the rest of the industry because they may not eat…Only Time will tell.

RIP Baby Girl!

Special shout out to DJ Ironic for Finally putting ME onto a new Drake song…you got one on me! But this was a good one because he knows how much I love Aaliyah. LMAO!

Drake - Unforgettable featuring Young Jeezy

*photo courtesy of 2dopeboyz.com

Battle Of The Sexes...

If you have ever watched Black Entertainment Television and have any bit of intelligence, you must have noticed time and time again that BET continuously chooses to ignore the positive elements of a genre known as hip-hop or urban culture by ONLY showing the commercial side of urban culture that demeans Black entertainers and entertainment.

Allegedly, this side of hip-hop is what sells hence they continue to push it. The same mentality can be flipped because if you continuously push ANY product it will eventually sell. So in hindsight, if they pushed the positive, the positive would sell.

This repeated strike against the genre that only shows stereotypical hip-hop cultured videos while passing on the elite, conscious, uplifting artists that can possibly change the way hip-hop culture is viewed in the mainstream is a direct slap to my face, personally.

As a true fan of hip-hop culture, I have listened to many facets buried in the genre, so I know every hip-hop artist doesn't rap about a materialistic lifestyle such as the having money, cars, clothes and oh-no's...

Someone that has a warped one-sided view of hip-hop should listen to artists such as Lupe Fiasco (his debut single Kick, Push was speaking intellectually on how he grew up a skateboarding kid, not an inner-city, gangsterfied thug), Mos Def, Talib Kweli and even Nas from time to time.

If you are from Middle America and not in tune with urban culture you will only be aware of mainstream media and its contents. Hip-hop is very much mainstream now, but people will only hear what is pushed into the mainstream.

I want to be clear, ALL hip hop music does not degrade women, talk about selling drugs or talk about negative aspects of life. Although, hip-hop does hold a direct reflection of some artist’s background and how they grew up, it should in no way be the voice of a whole genre.

That’s like saying McDonalds is ONLY known for selling French Fries. What about the Burgers, Apple Pies and Orange Hi-C? There are many facets to that business and the same goes for hip-hop.

It’s a dirty game because the voice of some hip hop is definitely the mirrored image of how they perceived life, living throughout a less fortunate, poverty stricken environment, but I despise how some people relate only this side to the genre. Education is the key.

I believe people born with a silver spoon do very much need to hear that side of life because if you never knew there are people less fortunate than you then how can you learn to appreciate your blessings. i.e. Trading Places.

It seems that BET has yet once again stepped on toes and dropped the ball yet again by banning Ciara’s Ride video but choosing to continuously run Trey Songz videos, The Neighbors Know My Name and Invented Sex.

To me, that is an oxymoron of monumental proportions and I say an SSD flag should be thrown! This gesture to show a male sexually explicit video but not a female version of the same magnitude is not only sexist but contradictory in the same breath.

In Trey Songz videos respectively, they are both very illicit and subliminal with half naked implied nude sex scenes all while containing strong sexually powered, lyrical content.

What does that say to one of BETs prime target audience of 13-25? It’s okay for them to show a half naked man talking about wanting sex, but if a 2010 sexually empowered woman wants to discuss her sense of sexuality its wrong?

Now what’s interesting is these videos are both very steamy, very sensual and sex driven, so of course discretion should be exercised on both, but to ban one over the other is just nonsense.

Truthfully, the song title "Ride" is implied to that of riding a beat on a track while "Invented Sex" is blatant and forthright. I mean really? Come on, who has a crush on Trey Songz at BET, seriously!?

Not to mention, since we are going there, I am a man so why would I want to see Trey Songz in proactive scenes!!!? I want to see Ciara.

But then again, like I said before, BET concentrates on what sells and I guess the BET prime target audience is FEMALE 13-25. Hmmmmm SSD!

Rihanna - Rockstar 101

Red carpets, backdrops, flashes, cameras, velvet ropes, celebrities, pretty PR Girls, standing on VIP couches, Bottle service, shades in the club, and blackberry/iphones scattered over the cabanas after a night of insanely, overly excessive fun sounds like something straight out of a video shoot.

The truth is I actually live that lifestyle but most definitely on a mighty small scale. As I watch these new visuals to one of my favorite songs on Rihanna's new album, she actually might have me beat by just a little bit as she sings in her new video Rockstar 101 featuring legendary guitarist Slash.

When I first heard this song off of Rated R, I automatically started relating to my antics with some of my California peeps, but in reality I still have a long way to be a rockstar and that's why I continuously take notes from Rihanna in this song.

Rhianna's new video is very rockstar-esk, yet artistic and reminiscent of a young Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince combo back in the day, i.e. the "I'm a star and I know it" attitude.

Honestly, I can't be mad because when you work hard towards a goal and accomplish your dreams, you should be entitled to a different lifestyle as a celebration.

I mean you can and should still remain humble because it could easily be taken from you, but you still should take advantage of the candy store while you're in there!

Oh well, it is what it is...The Life.

Here's the video.

Rihanna - Rockstar 101

*video courtesy of http://justjared.buzznet.com/

Chris Brown - No BullShhhhh...

Chris Brown has some new visual heat for the ladies. The new video and song is called No Bullshhhh. I know some people are torn on how they feel about Chris, but you have to admit he has courage to continue to make a comeback.

I think he deserves a second chance because no one is perfect and if no sin is truly greater than another, than all of us should take a page out of the "cast the first stone" handbook. For me, I'm not a judge, I am a photographer so I will continue doing my job.

No Bullshhhhh is a very vivid, very steamy video which some have already passed it off as a Trey Songz style knock off, but people have been making steamy videos way before Trey Songz or Chris Brown. SSD flag on that one.

Anyway, thanks to www.necolebitchie.com/ for the video heads up.

Chris Brown - No Bullshhhhh

Playmates, Blondes & Brunettes...Oh My

DJhere brought about a fun time this past Friday at Hardrock Hotel's 207 Nightclub. Playboy Playmates Jamie Edmondson and Heather Rae Young hosted the night as the club literally popped bottles with models!

DJhere and the playmates hosted a contest for the battle of supremacy between the hottest group of blondes and the hottest group of brunettes.

The winner of the contest received a cabana with bottle service at Hardrock's Sunday Intervention Pool Party. Not a bad prize for being hot.

To be honest, I was working so I saw first hand, the brunettes beat the pants of the blondes that night. HA! Sorry but I guess everyone, not just blondes, can have more fun if you have friends to share the night with.

Anyway, check out the photos here.

*photos courtesy of ISH for www.djhere.com