Beyonce 1+1 Dress Rehearsal for American Idol

Sometimes you need perspective. You’ve been right in front of greatness so often that you need to step back and see it again for the first time. This is the dressing room rehearsal for American Idol. NO MICROPHONE. No effects. – Andy WarHOV (aka Jay-Z)

NFLPA: Breaston's Impact Extends Beyond Field, Into Community

Former University of Michigan and current Arizona Cardinals wide receiver/kick returner Steve Breaston uses his creative talents to raise money for at-risk youth in his hometown of North Braddock, Pa.




On May 14, 2010, I Miss You, Inc. (IMU) released a special-edition Steve Breaston T-shirt to raise money for the Steve Breaston Foundation and support IMU’s mission of making communities better. “I Am What It Is” is a shirt that reflects a poem Breaston wrote specifically for this project based on his experiences growing up in North Braddock, an eastern suburb of Pittsburgh.

In collaboration with David Merritt, a former University of Michigan basketball player and owner of IMU, Breaston constructed an original written piece that inspired a unique shirt design to be part of IMU’s summer line. Breaston was inspired by the community work that Merritt does with his shirt company, as he wanted to showcase his creativity while giving back to his community.

An initiative that Breaston is currently working on is creating a center similar to the Boys and Girls Club where kids can go to study. When Breaston and his brother were growing up, they had access to a Boys and Girls Club in North Braddock that has since closed. With support from the Steve Breaston Foundation, he hopes to promote positive images of the community that raised him.

Breaston has enjoyed writing since junior high school, and when Merritt asked him to create something for his community, Breaston was already in the process of writing. When he finished his poem, he knew he had created something that people in his hometown could relate to and understand.

“It’s fun understanding that you can do something for people that supported you growing up and have always been by your side,” he said.

Breaston chose apparel as the platform to help raise money for his foundation because he believes that it is a noticeable form of expression. What message is Breaston looking to send with the “I Am What It Is” T-shirt?

He said, “It’s more just about giving back. I love where I’m from and I love the people in North Braddock. I’m glad they support me and what I do, not as a football player, but as a person.”

The goal of Breaston’s foundation is to set up after-school programs that promote education and fitness. He believes these programs, along with a supportive community, will help steer kids in a positive direction, just as the programs in his community did for him.

Breaston is looking forward to creating another shirt design for Merritt’s campaign, as well as reaching out to many kids in Arizona by hosting a skateboarding event. Fans can expect Breaston to “just do a little something different and get close with the kids out there in Arizona.”

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“I Am What It Is”
I don’t regret what I did and I’m not shameful for where I’ve lived. Remembering how I took cookies from under the babysitter’s lid.
I am what it is, a product of Red Nerds and overflowing pop fizz, red stains on my shirt as I played games around the church... Wiffle balls in the lots where I slid in rocks instead of dirt, for this felt good it never hurt... Grilled government cheese is how my parents made it work, with these memories I go to work...

Or Zips’ corner store, where a bag of fish was 25 cents and not a nickel more, add a quarter and that’s what you can get a pickle for, and sure there were a few pickles I got into... But few questioned the things that I might do...

Even if I did, but I fight through because they reminded me that I was in reach of what’s under my eyelids...

My dreams, the reason there are more than eleven on my team. For my little league friends in heaven know what I mean, and by any means, I will show the light of my birthplace, the community that showed me that victor is not always the one who stands in the first place, the basis on why I’m here in the first place...
For these memories are what I'm worth,

And for what it's worth, I think about them first.

-Steve Breaston

VIDEO: K'naan "Wavin' Flag"

Last year, while "THE KRU" was in the studio, K'naan stopped by and graced us with his presence. I had heard of him, but wasn't too familiar with his music, but Krucial spoke highly of him and was definitely inpired by this young artist.

We were heavy on IT'S SO KRUCIAL - KYTE.TV that time and K'naan decided to stay and joined us while we went "LIVE" with the fans -- played us "Wavin' Flag"; and a few others from his album Troubadour. The album is honest, deep and rich with words. I was definitely a fan after that and so was the rest of THE KRU. (If you haven't picked it up, I suggest you do. You will not be disappointed.) Now a year later, "Wavin' Flag" is the official song for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The honor is definitely well deserved, and I couldn't be more happier that this young poet/rapper/musician/activist/..... is being recognized globally for his talents. CONGRATS K'NAAN!!!! For more information on K'naan go to K'NAAN WEBSITE and follow him at @IAMKNAAN

VIDEO: K'NAAN "WAVIN' FLAG"

K'NAAN "Waving Flag" -Celebration mix- Dir: NABIL from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

HERE IS HE ORIGINAL VIDEO:

K'NAAN "Waving Flag" album version from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Diggy Simmons "Flow Stupid"

I was impressed by Diggy's flow. The kid got skills....but where did that voice come from? I was definitley impressed. You would have thunk *yes I said thunk*. The kid is definitely growing up and into his own. But the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. He displayed this confidence about him that you rarely saw on the episodes of "Run's House" on MTV. Rev Run has definitely got to be proud of this, but I wonder how Jojo is feeling....considering.

How you feel about it? I like the original track "Made You Look" by Nas, but Diggy definitely didn't disappoint.



Could Diggy be the next young rap superstar? Would you be interested to hearing more from him? I'd like to see what else the kid could do with his lyrical skills.

From "Underneath the Sky" Mixtape Part 3

It's here kids...the new mixtape from Mateo (@Mateoonline) - Underneath the Sky Part 3. A lot of you know, I complain a lot on twitter about how we don't have many REAL musicians and artists coming out. I've been waiting for great music, and so far with Alicia Keys' The Element of Freedom to Jay-Z "Blueprint 3" and Sade's "Soldier of Love" I've started to fall in love with music again, but a new comer (not really, since he was with Myspace Music) is flourishing with his mixtape. Mateo has added to my music candy shop and I am loving the R&B rendition of Empire State of Mind to Lady Gaga and Kanye.

I remember hearing him play "Just Get To Know Me" in the studio with Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. I hadn't heard of him until that day and his voice resonated eversince. Thank you Mateo. RESPECT!!!!

DOWNLOAD IT NOW

@MATEOONLINE

Let Mateo know what you think by follow him on twitter.

Enjoy y'all!

XOXO

Jnyflower

Pras Michel presents PrAsponse to Haiti Event

Pras Michel, Edward Norton, David Blaine, Alfred Smith IV Cordially invite you to "PrAsponse to Haiti"


Tuesday March 2, 2010

THE PRINCE GEORGE BALLROOM

15 EAST 27th STREET

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM VIP RECEPTION*

7:30 PM – 11:00 PM COCKTAIL GALA

Performance by Pras Michel with Angela Severiano

Cocktail Attire

100% of Ticket sales and Donations go to Haiti
*Tickets and donations are tax deductable

VIP Reception (cocktail gala included): $1,000
Supporter: $250
Friend: $100


On Tuesday March 2, 2010 Pras Michel of PrAsperity Project will continue to bring hope to the 3 million devastated during the Haitian earthquake in "PrAsponse to Haiti." This preeminent international charity event gathers renowned leaders and humanitarians from across the world to help the millions of Haitians who now face homelessness, hunger, disease and poverty.

Grammy Award-winning Haitian-American Pras Michel of the Fugees along with David Blaine, Edward Norton, Alfred Smith IV and other distinguished guests will raise awareness and support. Hitting close to home this tragic event has compelled Pras to advocate for charity transparency and accountability. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to support their efforts of immediate and long-term recovery.
To support for a brighter future in Haiti, PrAsperity and Salvation Army will also use the proceeds to build a school near the capital, Port-au-Prince. Focusing on education will help Haiti today and tomorrow. The construction and maintenance of the school will provide employment opportunities to the local population. The children affected will learn reading, math and writing skills within their community.

Being held on March 2nd at the Prince George Ballroom in New York, PrAsponse to Haiti is the launch of PrAsperity Project's annual charity event, which will highlight the New York social season. The evening will include live entertainment, fine dining, dancing and a silent auction.

Pras Michel with Angela Severiano will perform.

Hamptons Celebrity Chef Maurizio Marfoglia of Tutto Il Giorno will offer a dinner of culinary delights. The evening’s silent auction will feature fine jewelry, sports memorabilia, celebrity items, art and watches by Audemars Piguet.

Audemars Piguet and Grand Platinum Patrons are beginning a tradition of advancing the mission of PrAsponse, to answer the call of those distressed by all forms of poverty.

To register or for more information please contact registration@prasponse.org

Beyonce Breaks More Records as Artist with the Most RIAA Certification over the Past Decade

NEW YORK, Feb. 19 -- According to The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), iconic superstar Beyonce, is the artist with the most total certifications over the past decade, with a total of 64. The certifications include cumulative album, digital song, master ringtone, and music video certifications. Beyonce also has the most master ringtone certifications for a female solo artist with 19 and the highest certified master ringtone for a female artist with "Irreplaceable" at 3x multi-Platinum. She received her very first Gold album award for her Grammy® Award winning debut solo album, "Dangerously in Love" on July 29, 2003. "Dangerously in Love" is currently 4x multi-platinum.

Last month, Beyonce broke the record for most Grammy® wins by a female artist in a single year taking home six awards, including "Song of the Year" (for "Single Ladies"). The wins brought her career Grammy® total up to 16 (13 as a solo artist and 3 with Destiny's Child.)

www.beyonceonline.com
www.columbiarecords.com
www.musicworldent.com
www.houseofdereon.com
www.dereon.com
www.beyonceparfums.com

Source: Music World Music/Columbia Records