Views from the 6

Views from the 6 is the fourth studio album by Canadian rapper Drake. The album is set for release on April 29, 2016 in connection with the labels the labels OVO Sound, Young Money Entertainment, Republic Records and Boy Better Know. This album has been highly anticipated by fans, both nationally and internationally. He has heightened the expectations of his listeners. The artists since his previous album has dropped mixtapes with Atlanta rapper Future, Drake has been popping per usual.

This album has been waited on since last year, and based on his songs “work”, “sweeter man” and his most recent track, “ controlla”  and its caribbean approach coupled with his sentimental songs that was on If You’re Reading this it’s too Late, you never know what route he is going to go. That's what his fans find intriguing about him as an artist, not to mention his vocals. Drake has become an extremely diverse entertainer as he fits the expectations all while breaking the boundaries sets for rappers. “ Drake stands for DO. RIGHT. AND. KILL. EVERYTHING.” And that's exactly what he’s doing. Killing the rap game.

This album hopefully will be a great start to a summer full of good music from Drake ending with his annual OVO Fest in his hometown Toronto.  “Summer 6teen”

Black Privilege

There is no such thing as "Black Privilege" those two words don't even sound right being put together. There will never be a way to make up for the way that African Americans were treated no matter how much they may try and cover it up. There have been instances in history that has proven that so be so. Whites will always be inferior in the judicial system and it is up to us as Black people to become unified and not allow this supremacy to continue. This article "It's time to talk about black privilege" is a complete and utter JOKE! We have never had anything handed to us. Everything that we have we work for and still continue to be viewed as the "victim" The fact that some believe that Blacks are privileged is an insult. Give me ten reasons as to how whites "struggle" and I could give you a hundred of the stop of my head. We struggle in the workforce, in the music business, movies, modeling industry, fashion industry, CEO's, business owners, college. The list goes on and on. Luckily we are able to come together and cope and work to become better as a unit. But the fact that we even have to do that is absurd! We live in a society that proves that no matter how credible and how qualified you are there will be a moment where you will be judged based on the color of your skin. This is reality.  Whites need to stop trying to flip the script. We will NOT forget what racism has done to us and our ancessstors  This whole "black privilege" thing is a tool used as a distraction. But  we will not be distracted, we will move on and continue to fight for equality between the blacks and whites.  The article brought up the topic of black history month. Black history month is sacred and widely celebrated in the African American community and should be able to be celebrated unappologetically. Let us have our month. They see us happy and try and take it from us. Whenever there is an advancement they try and shut it down. So when they brought up having a talk about black privilege, I in return say, that there aint nothing to talk about.

KING: WE ARE KING

A Music Masterclass..

KING, A female R&B group gifted with a distinctive sound which engulfs its listeners with their soft, and sweet 3 part harmony. The artists Paris, Amber and Anita weave their voices together to form a true masterpiece.

The album’s flow, maintains a consistent vibe throughout which makes up for the 5 to almost 7 minute long tracks.

“The Right One” A true finger snapper and mood lifter allows you to be engulfed in the intricacy and complexity yet smoothness of the voices coupled with the percussion instruments and bass that blast through with the singers’ deep alto. “ Red Eye” a personal favorite in two words can be put as Ethereal Perfection. This track is a blend of sensual but innocent love between two adventurers. Closing your eyes and just envision an exotic woman summoning her man into the tropical forest to just explore. "Supernatural" the trios vocals are dominant over the instruments up until the 2 minute mark. If you were to listen to this song then listen to a live performance it would be difficult to distinguish the two. Their voices are truely remarkable.

If Ledisi, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu were to form a  group this would be it. “ Love Song” and “In the Meantime”, captures that essence and familiarness of those artists. In “Hey”, they inspire listeners to take a break from the outside world and just get in tune with themselves. Just vibe along with the music and be happy. Very uplifting and groovy ,“ The Greatest” Not really something that one will typically sing along to unless you had some serious vocals but nonetheless a great listen.

“Mister Chameleon” gives readers Erykah Badu "teas" as they metaphorical lyrics give listeners a taste of their creativeness.   They give excellent and almost identical live performances as there recorded. Truly talented group of women.

Every layer reveals itself with a lush and exotic feel which it almost irresistible for listeners.

Anti

After selling more than 54 million albums and 210 million tracks across the world. Rihanna is the youngest solo artist to score 21 singles on the billboard charts and is on an all time “high”. Taking hold of the fashion industry while still topping the charts. Rihanna has released her eighth studio album entitled “Anti” on January 28th, 2016. Anti captures Rihanna as an artist and an individual, the carefree island girl, wavy in all her ways.  Taking listeners “on a trip”, vibing with the “stoned goddess”. This is the REAL Rihanna.

After a 4 year gap from her previous album “Unapologetic” that was released in 2012 Anti signifies the shift of Rihanna as an artist and allowed her boldness to come out and release work that went against the expectations.  She was able to mix and master her caribbean side and couple it with her edgy side, which we were able to get a taste of in some of her previous works like, “Hard” and “What Now”. She highlights her ability to bring out her creative and soulfulness that was hinted in “FourFiveSeconds”. She still hasn't lost touch of her provocative and sassy approach in “Sex With Me” but she balances it well with the theme of longing for affection in “James Joint”, “I’d rather be smoking weed whenever we breath every time you kiss me
, don’t say that you miss me, 
just come get me”

Anti is one bumpy, non-stop ride, engulfed with twist and turns. “Same ‘Ol Mistakes” serves as a unexpected and extended detour as Rihanna gives listeners the overlapping, angelic soft cross of vocals. Which favors the artist Alina Baraz & Galimatias song  Drift,  almosts puts listeners in a meditative state as they just vibe.

Of course Rihanna gives something for the Navy to “bubble”, “kotch”, and “dutty wine” to. One of the most popular and already frequently played of her tracks, “Work” is a more caribbean feel that features Drake. This is their third song they've done together and definitely gives a pop reggae groove.

Overall, Rihanna has left her fans with a feeling they’ve haven't really experienced from her before. Raw and transparent. Her honesty in the album is what developed a connection between her and her fans. Her lyrics are relatable and that is what her fans wan to hear. And even sparked some new listeners because of her versatility. After closely analysing and listening, her album deserves an 8/10.

white privilege II

Macklemore's, White Privilege II was shared with listeners with intentions to highlight how the rapper feels in the midst of Black Lives Matter Movement. This track was created during a sensitive time so of course there are going to be some controversy and questions proposed, Like, “ how can a WHITE 32 year old rapper from Seattle Washington possibly know the struggle or even speak on what’s going on in the lives of BLACK people?” Macklemore was able to answer that in great detail through the intricate sounds and rhymes of his part 2 single. . Each line as a wake up call, acknowledging the issue white giving his own personal take. Macklemore geared this song mostly towards white kids to show them “ Hey I get what you’re feeling all uncomfortable and whatnot.” But simultaneously poses the question to the listeners “what are we going to do about it?” The work pushes 10 minutes with a vocal collab with singer, Amila Woods really sets the tone for the track. Serves as an eye opener for all races, Gives a narrative and white POV approach which was creative. There was definitely a shift within the track as the artist takes the listener on a trip through his own personal lens. He also references what seems to be personal experiences with fans and how he had interpreted those interactions. Even those who may not even be “fans” of his music can either relate or at least respect his effort.

White privilege is defined as “a term for societal privileges that benefit white people beyond what is commonly experienced by non-white people under the same social, political, or economic circumstances.”  What’s your stance?

Boy with a toy

Ohio, Cleveland - CNN report ,“Prosecutors say the police officer who killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice outside a Cleveland recreation center last year won't face criminal charges. Neither will the other officer who was with him.” The grand jury had decided not to indict the officers involved, officer Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback. The events that lead up to the homicide of Tamir Rice were acts of human error and misinterpretation, However! Officers are still shooting to kill. That was the case for Tamir. Prosecutors argue the fact that the officer shot Tamir only once, that was one too many. There should have been more effort. The first instinct should not be to shoot. These officers have aim, the have been trained so “mistakes” like this should not have been made.

According to USA TODAY, "He gave me no choice. He reached for the gun and there was nothing I could do," Cleveland police Officer Timothy Loehmann told a fellow officer in the moments after he shot Tamir at a gazebo outside the a recreation center on Nov. 22.” How could a 12 year old not give YOU a choice?? That is absurd! There are many ways that the two officers could have handled the situation. Officer Timothy Loehmann made a conscious decision to shoot and kill Tamir Rice 100 yards from his home.

There is nothing that can be done to bring Tamir back, but justice still needs to be served in his honor. There is surveillance video that shows how both officers had their guns drawn and aimed at Tamir immediately after exiting the patrol car. Which shows that their intentions were to shoot first and think later. That's exactly what they did, Officers are treating the lives of our Black people as expendable toys. The judicial system should not be treating this as an “oops, my fault” moment. These are innocent people's lives!

So this is what needs to be done:

First off, we need to keep all those whose lives were loss to police brutality relevant. Do not forget those names and those stories. That is exactly what they want us to do, They want us to forget, accept it and move on. We need to protect our Black males and females. Before it was primarily the Black men but now they are taking our young boys. We cannot continue to allow this happen. Keep voicing your opinion, teach the youth about what is going on in the society.

Secondly, we need to start to think and act smarter. Try not to put yourself in dangerous situations that can cost you your life. We need to start teaching the youth at younger ages how to interact with police. What to do and what not to do. This is unfortunate being as though it may seem like we are not safe in our own communities. But let’s face it, we aren't. It's been proven time and time again. With the unfortunate case of Tamir, Let's learn from this situation. Do not provide your children with fake guns or any fake weapon that can be mistaken as a real one. Better be safe than sorry.

Justice for Tamir….

Lost in the Net

Lost in the Net

Mckinley Tech v. St.John's competing at States 

Major adjustments are difficult for individuals  to overcome, but  drastic changes  for a team can impact an entire season. Starting off the season with the possibility of not having a coach is something Mckinley Tech's girls’ volleyball team had to endure. “ We were receiving mixed messages from past players and the athletic director, so we weren't clear what was going on. We didn't even know if we would even be able to play.”,  captain Andrea Cheek said. Veterans of the team continued to keep a positive mindset as the season vastly approached. Eager to meet this new coach the players were directed to the schools Spanish classroom where they spotted a petite woman with an eye catching pregnant belly. “ when I found out we were going to have a pregnant teacher as a coach I was a bit skeptical.”, Senior Erica Jones stated. What the team didn't know was that this “short,pregnant lady” as affectionately stated by the team had the drive and athleticism that could lead them to the championships.  

“This is new school for me I don't know the players or the students.However i have a passion for volleyball and the sports and leadership.” said coach Gatling

When I met the girls we had a rough beginning just about personality differences. The ability to be coachable or the willingness to be coachable.”

The season had come along and the team had gained back their confidence and triumphed through the season ultimately making it to the playoffs.

“There’s been a lot of change with the team’s chemistry. And how you guys have to work together, communication on the court.”

The shift between the team was definitely evident, but needed in order to push harder and motivate the players. Individually there were numerous personality differences. For the majority of the team this would be their last year playing so it was now or never. On the other hand there were players who have never held a volleyball let alone played on a team. “As long as they stick together communication stick together they can win championships and move onto states”, Lester predicted

And that's exactly what they did.

  The players worked hard, played even harder and went on to play in states. Ignoring all the doubts and played the best game they could.