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October 18, 2006

THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE DEAD...

MJ on WWW.THEINDUSTRYCOSIGN.COM

1,000,000 THANKS TO BIG CED WHO HIT ME UP ABOUT THE "WISE WORDS" COLUMN AND TO EBONY UNDERWOOD AND BILAL ALLAH FOR THEIR CONTINUED "COSIGN" AS WELL...>

Wise Words: Miranda Jane

Written by BIG CED - THE INDUSTRY COSIGN!

Monday, 16 October 2006

Miranda Jane
Urban Music Consultant
Las Angeles Consulting
Santa Monica, CA

"Not everyone can be an O.G., however everyone should strive to be a G - a Gentleman/Gentlewoman, a Gladiator, a General, and a Gracious human being."

"Don't simply CALL yourself a writer - a writer writes."

"Be respectful toward everyone, until they cross you, but never expect to receive recprocity in this. Respect yourself, and those who deserve your respect."

"Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years! I've got tattoos older than some of these kids."

"All money ain't good money."

"I love my job, and your company is wonderful, and I hate to leave - but when my paycheck bounces - SO DO I."

"There's a huge difference between the music business and music. Music is a creative form of expression to be spread freely throughout the atmosphere for all to enjoy. The music business is simply the art of war."

"Those who can't do, also can't teach. If you can't do it, how can you show me how to do it. I'll show YOU how to do it!"

"Be more like Wendy Day, everyday. Take it one day at a time, but help someone on every single one of those days that you're able. If you never helped anyone, who would help you if you were down."

"Video killed the radio star."

"The top tier media are there for two reasons – to gain control of your mind/attention and to thusly be able to guide you toward purchasing products and spending money. And I don't just mean magazines - media includes radio, television, entertainment conglomerates AND the liquor companies that own them."

"Walk like a general. Don't be a soldier of fortune."

On being a woman in the music business...

"There's a fine line between a journalist, being a fan, and being a groupie - male or female."

" I challenge the women who are taking their clothes off for the camera to tell the directors, producers, and stylists on these videos to say “NO” in a loud, clear voice. If more of the video model contingent were willing to fight for style and class, rather than lay down and take what is given to them, I think a change could be made."

"Our stories, must be told in order to counter-balance the negative imagery of women that’s forced on the world. If we do not raise our own individual voices, we will not be recognized and we will continue to be marginalized and stereotyped."

"I’ve noticed that men will mistreat/victimize women who are willing to remain silent in the face of their abuse, or with women who enable these behaviors. In the workplace each individual woman has to decide for herself how much she is willing to endure, and she has to make a conscious decision to confront someone who crosses her line of endurance. Of course there are certain individuals who continue to extend their disrespect, and we have every right to choose not to work with someone after we've realized that they are a lost cause."

"Finally, when you’re faced with a situation where you have to fight or flee, and you don’t feel up to either choice; take your anger out through creative means. And in the workplace, if things are getting too hectic to maintain, update your resume, go on interviews, develop a firm handshake, and always go where they offer you more money."

Miranda Jane was born into the music business and the art form, daughter of renown Jazz bassist and producer, Buell Neidlinger and Jazz drummer, Deborah Fuss. She's worked in the Hip Hop field since the age of 13, and she is now 32 years old. She has A&R'd projects for MF DOOM/Madlib "Mad Villain" and Bay Area upstart TRUNKS. Former editor of STRESS - NY's Illest Magazine, Complex Magazine, and The Source. Her freelance writing has been featured in the L.A. Weekly, RIME Magazine, Elemental Magazine, Mass Appeal, TRACE, and many other publications. Also a co-founder of the first-ever all-elements celebration of women in Hip Hop - B-Girl Be, along with Rachel Raimist and Intermedia Arts in Minneapolis, MN. Miranda has consulted to many artists in the industry with regard to marketing, promotions, radio, television, press/publicity, and A&R - Thirstin Howl III, Tragedy Khadafi, Saafir and Hobo Junction, C-Rayz Walz, Joker the Bailbondsman, Self Scientific PMD, Hit Squad, Hieroglyphics, and many others. She's the former general manager of Angeles Records, an L.A.-based label owned by DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill, seasoned music executive and MC Aaron "Chace Infinite" Johnson, and DJ Khalil (Self Scientific/Aftermath). She currently works at The Gary Group in Santa Monica, CA in the Media/Television advertising department. In her "spare" time she blogs at http://pyramids2projects.blogspot.com

LAS SCANDALOUS '06 STYLE





IT STARTED OFF AS A NORMAL, EVERYDAY WEEKEND IN L.A. TAKA-BOO SWOOPED BY THE CRIB TO PICK ME UP, SHE HAD THE GIRLS, THEY WANTED TO SEE THE BUTTERFLIES AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM. BET.
SO WE HIT THE CORNER AND MADE OUR WAY SOUTHEAST. THE CLOSER WE GOT TO THE MUSEUM, THE MORE BURGUNDY AND GOLD WE STARTED TO SEE. NO, IT WASN'T A BUNCH OF WAYWARD BLOODS ROCKING KOREAN-SWAP-MEET CHAINS AND MEDALLIONS...IT WAS THE OTHER RED & GOLD MEAT. THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CENTRAL. TROJANS, THAT IS. SO 'CAUSE OF THE COT-DAMN FOOTBALL LUNACY, NOT ONLY WERE THE GIRLS CRYING 'CAUSE THEY WEREN'T GOING TO GET TO SEE THE DAMN BUTTERFLIES; ME AND TAKA-BOO STARTED SEEING THESE OUT-FUCKING-RAGEOUS SIGNS FOR PARKING. $40 PARKING. $65 PARKING. THEN, THE MOST STUPID SHIT I'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME, $80 PARKING. SEE, WE EVEN TOOK A PICTURE.

OH BUT WAIT, IT AIN'T OVER, YOU M'FUCKAS. ON OUR WAY BACK MORE NORTH AND WEST TO THE OTHER MUSEUM, THE LACMA SHIT, WE HIT THE GAS STATION ON CRENSHAW AND VENICE. THE OFF-BRAND ONE WITH THE CHEAP-ASS GAS. I WENT IN TO PAY, AND I NOTICED A SIGN TAPED ABOVE THE BULLET-PROOF-GLASS ENCRUSTED LICKASTOWE CASH REGISTER. THE SIGN HAD TWO SURVEILANCE PHOTOS AND IT READ "WANTED FOR BEER THEFT PLEASE CALL L.A.P.D.". LOOK, I EVEN TOOK A PICTURE OF IT. I WANTED TO STEAL THE SIGN SO DAMN BAD, SO I COULD COME BACK INCOGNITO AND SEE THE SIGN OF THE PRINTED-OUT SURVEILANCE PHOTOS OF ME STEALING THE BEER-THEFT SIGN READING "WANTED FOR BEER THEFT SIGN THEFT, PLEASE CALL L.A.P.D.".

BUT IT'S NOT '92 ANYMORE, I'M NOT OUT ROLLING WITH BIG CUERVO AND BIG LEFTY IN THE REGAL OR THE MALIBU CLASSIC. TAKA-BOO IS OUTSIDE WITH HER BABIES IN THE STATION WAGON, AND I HAVE A PLAIN OLD REGULAR JAY-OY-BEE I HAVE TO BE AT EVERY MORNING BEFORE 9 A.M.

ANYWAY, I DIGRESS. WE FINALLY GOT TO LACMA AND THE FASHION EXHIBIT WAS NOT THAT BULLSHIT. EVEN MEN WERE LOVING THE DRESS DESIGNS. WE SPOTTED THE GNARLIEST HIPSTER-BOY T-SHIRT EVER - IT READ "THE EGO HAS LANDED" WITH SOME FRED PERRY OLIVE-BRANCH DESIGNS AND A TINY LITTLE EAGLE LOGO. KILLER, FO'SHO.
THEN ON THE CORNER OF WILSHIRE AND FAIRFAX, IN THE OTHER LACMA PART THAT USED TO BE O.G. ORBACH'S (WHAT YA'LL KNOW ABOUT THAT, ZODY'S AND OKI-DOG?!) WAS THE BEST MUSEUM EXHIBIT EVER. THERE WAS ALL KINDS OF GRAFFITI, AUTHENTIC AND OTHERWISE, REPRESENTING L.A.

IN GLASS CASES THERE WERE STRANGE EXAMPLES OF GRAF PARAPHENALIA, AND THERE WAS A TV SHOWING FOOTAGE OF THE BELMONT TUNNEL BEING DESTROYED BY BULLDOZERS OWNED BY THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES. I SPOTTED MY BIG CUZZO'S HOMIE HYDE K.G.B. IN THE VIDEO WATCHING THE CARNAGE.

SO WHILE THE GIRLS MADE COLLAGES, AND TAKA-BOO CHOPPED IT UP WITH WHO-KNOWS-WHOM ON THE CELLIE; I TOOK A FEW MOMENTS TO GRAB A MARKER AND PUT UP ALL THE HOMIES FROM L.A. WHO REPPED IT AS GRAF ARTISTS AND MCS AND DJS AND BBOYS; AND WHO ARE RESTING IN PEACE. I PUT UP BIGGA B TOO 'CAUSE HE ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE CULTURE.

WHEN I THINK OF ALL THOSE NAMES - G-NICE K.I.L., SK8 C.B.S., BIGGA B, DJ ROB ONE, PROBLEM K.I.L., SCOUT ONE K.G.B., AND DJ DUSK - I HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES, GOOD AND BAD, BUT NONE OF THEM, NOT ONE, WAS A GANGBANGER. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE ATTENDED THIS EXHIBIT, BUT I HOPE THEY GLEANED THE CORRECT LESSON FROM IT, WHICH IS THAT GRAFFITI IS AN ART FORM, TAGGERS SHOULDN'T BE VILLAINIZED, AND NOT EVERYONE WITH A CAN OF PAINT OR A PAIR OF BROWNIES ON IS OUT TO KILL YOU OR SNATCH YOUR POCKETBOOK.

ANYWAY, THE L.A. I KNEW AND LOVED AIN'T DEAD. THE HOMIES AREN'T DEAD, THEY CAN'T BE, THEY'RE JUST IN ANOTHER REALM RIGHT NOW, PARTYING HARD. I CAN ALMOST HEAR THEM BUMPING EGYPTIAN LOVER AND THE L.A. DREAM TEAM. I CAN ALMOST SMELL THE KRYLON FUMES (HEY, MAN, WE AIN'T HAD NO MONTANA BACK THEN!).

I LOVE IT HERE AND I'M IN NO RUSH TO LEAVE THIS PLACE, BUT I'M READY IF I DON'T GET TO GO. SO THE NEXT TIME YOU CORNBALL BO-HIPSTER-HO FASHIONISTA BITCHES IN YOUR CUSTOM KICKS AND THE GEAR YOU BOUGHT AT A-LIFE POP $1200 BOTTLES AT THE CLUB AND DJ AM IS ON THE WHEELS OF STEEL, POUR OUT SOME OF THAT FOR MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO GAVE THE STYLE TO THE PEOPLE YOU BOUGHT THE STYLE FROM...OR I WILL SNATCH YOUR POCKETBOOK.
THIS IS FASHIONISTA ASSASSINA RIGHT HERE. O.G. L.A. TO THE HEART. DOWN AND GONE.
- LA MUNECA

October 17, 2006

It's the Carter...Shawn, That Is


"Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has been appointed co-brand director of Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser Select. The rapper, who is currently the president of Def Jam Records, will develop future strategic marketing and advertising for the beer brewer and also participate in Budweiser Select planning sessions to provide insight on different brand programs. Jay is the first celebrity to ever participate in the development in one of the company’s beer brands. He’ll take part in new ads for the beer company including one which includes scenes from his new video for “Show Me What You Got,” shot in Monte Carlo and Nice, France. All of the ads cross-promote his new album Kingdom Come, which drops on November 21st." (from MTV Radio Facts, media types email Bridget.Bland@mtvstaff.com to subscribe to this newsletter...)
Also, from the lovely gentlemen at www.allhiphop.com, "Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter is teaming with ESPN Original Entertainment to create a scripted boxing series titled Hit Men. Hit Men will focus on the lives of a multi-cultured group of struggling athletes who work out at The Hit Men Boxing Club, a gym that is run by former boxer Frank Cerrones. According to ESPN, the series is executive produced by Jay-Z and Def Jam. The pilot episode was written by John Eisendrath (Beverly Hills, 90210, Playmakers) and will be shot in Louisiana starting in the first week of December."

I'm really proud of Hov. He just rocked shows in Africa and all over the world, after he'd sworn he was retired. Every time I watch "Fade to Black" I'm inspired by his work ethic. When I see the money being spent on The Roots, I get a tingly feeling in my chest because I know that Jay is over there fighting for them to win. He's so dope his own A&R's are leaking his album...and he's their BOSS!! I'm not always proud of him, like when he records songs like Big Pimp'n where he's really advocating being a trick while promoting the image of being a "pimp". But still, he's done more than anyone else I've ever known of coming from the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, New York. Love to love you, Hovito. Grand opening...grand closing? You know the difference between a Bitch and a B.

MJ

R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop & dead prez Address the FCC - NYC 10/19


Join R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop and M1 at The Town Hall Meeting on Diversity and Ownership of the Media

Thursday, Oct. 19th, 2006 at 6 pm The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College East 68th St. (between Park and Lexington) New York City

As a show of solidarity and unity, R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop is asking everyone coming under the banner of Hip Hop culture to wear something red.

Directions: Take the 6 Train to 68th/Hunter College or the F train to the 63rd Street/Lexington Ave.

Visit us: R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop

Present Your 2 Minute Testimony!

Make your voice heard on issues of ownership, localism and diversity in the media. Prepare a two minute testimony to read at the event on how these issues effect your organization, constituencies and your communities.

M1's Lyrics from "Turn Off The Radio" by dead prez

"What's on the radio, propoganda, mind control And turnin it on is like puttin on a blindfold Cuz when you bringin the real you don't get ro-tationUnless you take over the station. And yeah I know it's part of they plans To make us think it's all about party and dancin And yo it might sound good when you spittin your rap But in reality, don't nobody live like that.""Platinum don't mean that it gotta be hot. I ain't gotta love it, even if they play it a lot. You can hear it when you walk the streets, How many people they reach, how they use music to teach. A "radio program" ain't a figure of speech. Don't sleep, cuz you could be a radio freak."

Join R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop (Representing Education, Activism and Community through Hip Hop) and M1, of Hip Hop group dead prez, on Thursday, October 19th, 2006 at 6 pm for a Town Hall Meeting/Public Hearing on Diversity and Ownership of the Media with FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, community leaders, media representatives and concerned citizens, at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College in Manhattan.

Join us as we speak out and provide testimony to the FCC on behalf of our members and the greater Hip Hop community. This is an occasion to show solidarity and represent real Hip Hop culture and music. We will focus on ownership as opposed to reform. The FCC should be granting licenses for new Hip Hop radio stations. We need it! We should already have it! We need to demand it! We go there to claim our space within the larger Media Reform/Justice Movement that claims to be left and progressive but in essence excludes people of color and Hip Hop from the conversation and the planning of activities.

We are fed up with the payola induced chokehold that corporate radio giants Emmis Communications and Clear Channel have on our public airwaves. We demand the inclusion of artists whose music would bring a balance to Hip Hop radio from pioneering DJs and Emcees from the 70s, through the decades, to today's underground and unsigned hit makers and beat makers. No one should have to pay for play! We will no longer tolerate the racist, sexist and heartless comments made over the last 18 months by shock jock style morning show hosts.
Be there Thursday! Turn off the radio! Demand what is your right! Free Hip Hop music from greedy corporations who have little care as to what poison they broadcast into our communities and into the ears of our youth!

This meeting is sponsored by the National Hispanic Media Coalition/National Latino Media Council, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Institute for Latino Policy and in partnership with Free Press, a national public policy group.R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop acknowledges the elected officials such as Councilman Charles Baron (East New York), Councilwomen Yvette Clarke (Flatbush), Councilman John Liu (Queens), and Assemblyman Ruben Diaz (Bronx) for doing the right thing.

SincerelyRosa Clemente, Spokesperson for R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop & M1 of dead prez
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=h76kgzbab.0.rvshujbab.bso96ibab.290&ts=S0212&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.HipHopLivesHere.com


BACKGROUND

Last week, the FCC began a series of public hearings on media ownership that covers issues of localism, diversity and ownership caps. This is a revisiting of a controversial issue stalled by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in the Prometheus v. FCC ruling of 2004. Many feel that lifting ownership caps will result in greater concentration of media ownership, the loss of local owners and a decline in minority ownership. Critics point to Clear Channel as an example of what happens when ownership limits are removed, Clear Channel now controls over 1400 radio stations and most provide little or no local content. More recently it was revealed that past FCC studies on local ownership were 'buried' by the previous FCC chair, Michael Power, when the results contradicted his position on the loosening the rules. Los Angeles hosted the first two meetings on October 3rd and hundreds of concerned citizens and media professionals attended and gave testimony. The FCC also has a 'Notice of Public Rule-making' in process on this issue. Media Alliance has a guide to filing public comments for NPRM Docket 06-121 at their web site (deadline Oct 23).

R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop History

R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop has been in the forefront of the Hip Hop media justice movement since 2005. Our initial call to action was in late January 2005, when commercially owned Hot 97 aired its now infamous "Tsunami Song." As other communities who were targeted by this incident began to speak out and organize against Hot 97, it became apparent that a crucial voice was missing in this public protest: the voice of the Hip Hop community. Thus, with the help of a few Hip Hop heads, artists, and community organizers, the Hip Hop Coalition was born. Since the birth of our coalition, we have been actively targeting Hot 97 for numerous offenses to the communities they claim to serve. Though we came together in response to the "Tsunami Song," it is understood that our fight against corporate media includes much more than that. It is a fight to reclaim Hip Hop culture from corporate media's co-optation, unbalanced representation, and exploitation, as well as to support and create the balance that is so direly needed on our airwaves and other public media. We assert that our efforts are to not only demand ethical corporate accountability, but also to protect, preserve, and regenerate the great legacy of Hip Hop culture by Representing Education, Activism and Community through Hip Hop.

R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop Mission Statement

R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop is dedicated to encouraging and creating fair and equal representation of the diversity of Hip Hop culture, including, but not limited to; race/ethnicity, nationality, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability. We are a pro-active body made up of activists, artists, teachers, performers, organizers, writers, educators, students, parents and individuals all dedicated to positive change within our communities. We believe Hip Hop's true legacy belongs to the people, and we strive to utilize Hip Hop as a vehicle of social and political justice to promote education, information, and empowerment for the masses, while preventing the dissemination of negative stereotypes, discrimination, and violence. For more information please visit: http://www.HipHopLivesHere.com.

INFORMATION COURTESY OF:
Christie Z-Pabon

Tools of WarA Member of R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop

email: http://us.f313.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=toolsofwar@gmail.com
web: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=h76kgzbab.0.vlljjwbab.bso96ibab.290&ts=S0212&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspace.com%2FToolsofWar