Da Riddler

Nneka - Victim of Truth

2010-01-08T12:00:00.000-06:00

Nneka is a Nigerian-German hip-hop/soul singer and songwriter. Her lyrics reflect much of her history and life in Nigeria as well as her time spent in Western Europe. Her songs stress the issues of capitalism, poverty and war and are often loaded with moral and biblical messages and references. Check out her 2005 Debut album "Victim of Truth."

Download "Victim of Truth" Here

Geno Young - Ghetto Symphony

2010-01-06T16:45:00.009-06:00

Geno began playing violin and piano at an early age. He cultivated his talent at the Arts Magnet High School where he walked the same harmonious hallways as Roy Hargrove, Erykah Badu, and Norah Jones.

After contributing his genius to several hits,Geno had plenty to offer his first solo project . "The Ghetto Symphony" dropped in 2004 and has received extraordinary reviews from acclaimed music sources and is available worldwide. One of the most versatile artists in soul music today, Geno is bound to write new chapters in the history of soul artistry. He is a singer in the mold of the classic soul singers of our time, fusing passion with precision and old soul with new style. Prepare to be a part of this soul brother's finest chapter yet, the one that will be written by the soul that he shares with you.

Download "Ghetto Symphony" here

Yahzarah aka Purple St. James

2010-01-06T13:00:00.000-06:00

Dana Nicole Williams is an example of such wonder. Barely standing 5 feet tall, the District of Columbia born singer and songwriter is a modern day superhero. Known to most as YahZarah, she possesses the ability to move mountains with her music. Her sweet, butterfly-like voice has been recognized in groundbreaking musical compositions with Little Brother, Nicolay, and Erykah Badu to name a few.

This super chocolate sensation has much more than meets the eye. It seems as though she has been struggling to contain her magnanimous alter ego persona, which goes by the name of Purple St. James, from unleashing herself onto the world. But it's too late. Purple St. James has made her introduction, and it's nothing we can do about it except enjoy the ride. Purple St. James is the bold, daring, sexy, funky, unapologetic soul side to YahZarah.

Purple St. James has been called upon to bless the stage with outstanding artists such as Prince, Floetry, Musiq Soul Child, Chaka Kahn, Donnie, Amel Larrieux, Anthony David, Goapele, Talib Kweli, Rahsaan Paterson, Raheem Davaughn, R Kelly, J. Davey, Common, Bilal Oliver, The Roots, Erykah Badu and others.

Download Her EP "The Prelude"

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 2: Return Of The Ankh

2010-01-01T12:00:00.001-06:00

With six albums, four Grammys, and critical and commercial success, Erykah Badu is a familiar figure in the music industry. She certainly seemed comfortable with the press as she recently stood before a room full of critics, musicians, and record label executives. Dressed in rain boots, sweat pants and a grungy long-sleeve thermal top, Badu gave the assembled listeners a preview of her coming album, “New Amerykah Part II (Return of the Ankh),” due out Feb. 23.

The sound of the 11-track long “New Amerykah Part II” is a throwback to her 1997 debut, “Baduizm,” with a more acoustic feel than the digital one she favored on her last album, 2008’s “New Amerykah Part 1: 4th World War.” The topics too, are a stark contrast to her last release. “’New Amerykah Part 1′ was me looking at what was going around me politically, socially,” Badu said. “['New Amerykah Part II'] was looking at what was going on inside of me and other women.” Badu’s personal life since her last release has had some dramatic changes, including the birth of a baby girl in February of this year.

“New Amerykah part II” features long-time collaborator ?uestlove of the Roots, who plays all the drums on the album, and Roots keyboardist James Poyser. One of the album’s standout tracks, “Out of My Mind Just In Time (Undercover-Over-Lover)” is a bare-bones duet between Badu and Poyser.

One of Badu’s newest songs, “Jump Up in The Air,” isn’t on the album. It will be released to major music Web sites and feature different versions with ten different rappers, with each rapper’s collaboration released one at a time. While Badu did not reveal all ten of her musical partners, she did say that one version will feature one of the most popular rappers in the world right now: Lil Wayne.

Gerogia Anne Muldrow

2010-01-01T12:00:00.000-06:00

If you haven't heard of Georgia Anne Muldrow I suggest that you take a listen. Muldrow is the daughter of the late jazz musician Ronald Muldrow. Most know for her collaboration with Erykah Badu in “Master Teacher.” Her early work involved collaborations with the Platinum Pied Pipers, Sa-Ra, and J*DaVeY. She is known for playing the majority of instruments featured on her recordings. Her vocal style and musical accompaniment often are free-form in nature. Check out her video to “Roses” from here 2009 album Umsindo.

Carlitta Durand - The Doug and Patty EP

2009-12-31T12:00:00.001-06:00

I believe a proper introduction is due. Carlitta Durand toured with Foreign Exchange when they fist established their live road act. Most prominent adding a layer of heavenly on the Nicolay Shibuya CD, the intro track to the third Little Brother album, “Get Back” (Sirens), on the Buckshot & 9th Wonder (”Go all out”) single and (man listen) from “ The Formula” their 2nd collaboration together. All though no longer involved with FE she just this holiday weekend dropped the free gem “The Doug & Patty EP” along with Vaughn Garcia. Its really worth the download.

>>>>>>>>>>Download "The Doug & Patty EP<<<<<<<<<<

Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea

2009-12-31T12:00:00.000-06:00

Corinne Bailey Rae will release her new album titled The Sea on February 2, 2010.The album will be released after a gap of two years following the death of her husband, Musician Jason Rae. Confirmed tracks from the album include "I Would Like To Call It Beauty", "The Sea", "Are You Here?", "I'd Do It All Again", "Paris Nights/New York Mornings", "Paper Dolls" and "Closer". Below is the Video for the single “I’d Do It All Again” hope you enjoy.

The Foreign Exchange Gets A Grammy Nomination

2009-12-28T12:00:00.003-06:00

I would like to congratulate The Foreign Exchange on their Grammy award nomination for Best Urban/Alternative Performance with their single “Daykeeper” featuring Muhsinah from their 2008 album “Leave It All Behind.” The Foreign Exchange consist of singer/rapper Phonte Coleman from the Hip-Hop duo Little Brother and Dutch producer Nicolay. Check out their video for “Daykeeper” below and give them some support.

J*DaVeY Boudoir Synema: The Great Mixtapes

2009-12-28T12:00:00.002-06:00

J*Davey is back with their most anticipated mixtape Boudoir Synema: The Great Mixtapes. The EP includes 5 new tracks and can be downloaded for free via their Bandcamp page.

Download Boudior Synema: The Great Mixtapes

Push By Sapphire

2009-09-23T15:43:00.010-05:00

Performance poet Sapphire unflinchingly probes the consciousness of an all-too-real teenager from a severely abusive household. Push opens to find Precious? Fat, unloved, illiterate, deeply confused, routinely raped by her father, and physically and emotionally molested by her mother?enduring her second incestuous pregnancy.

Crawling from self-hatred and violent loneliness to determination and, occasionally, hope, Precious enters a pre-GED program, learns to read, bears her second child, and breaks from her parents, all under the inspiration of Blue Rain, her steadfastly encouraging and apparently tireless new teacher. Precious's name loses its irony but soon takes on a dark new meaning as she learns the extent of her father's abuse. Written as an internal monologue and journal entries by Precious, with her rudimentary spelling skills and abrupt transitions, Push is compelling, graphic, and occasionally facile but disturbing and not soon forgotten.

The books has been adapted into a screen play which premiered at the Sundance Film Festivalwhere it won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize for best drama, as well as a Special Jury Prize for supporting actress Mo'Nique. The film's title had been changed to Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, which was confirmed soon afterward by the film's distributor Lionsgate. The change was made to avoid confusion with the 2009 action film Push.

Allison Harvard from America's Next Top Model

2009-09-10T15:55:00.014-05:00

In threads featuring her more zombie-like states, she is referred to as Creepy Chan or Tussin Chan. In threads featuring her softer, innocent side, she’s called Cute Chan.

Allison Harvard (AKA Creepy Chan, Tussin Chan, Cute Chan) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1989. Pictures of this very big-eyed person started popping up on 4Chan in late 2005. The photos there feature a range of looks, usually landing somewhere between Fiona Apple in the video for Criminal, to Genie the wild child. Allison Harvard’s own photos and drawings take on the cliche of heroin chic and add a whole new layer of weirdly interesting macabre beauty.

In March of 2009, Allison Harvard joined the cast of America’s Next Top Model for their 12th season. On the May 6, 2009 episode of America’s Next Top Model, Celia was sent home and Allison had the top photo, making her one of the final three models. In the finale on May 13, 2009, Allison was passed over as America’s Next Top Model, coming in at number two behind Teyona Anderson.

Many ANTM fans have hypothesized that Harvard is faking her fascination with blood in order to gain attention. Her Flickr page would seem to support claims of having a fascination with blood.

Check out her work HERE

Police Shootings

2009-09-07T20:03:00.005-05:00

It's become so commonplace to hear that a black man was shot by a police officer. You never hear about white people being shot by cops. It seems that police officers have a natural instinct to shoot/kill a black man, even if he hasn't committed a crime! Only thing needed is a presumption that a crime has been committed or looks like a crime may have been done or even look like a crime may happen to take place and it (The shooting) is a preventive measure.

And it is in part racial, because minority cops have no problem shooting other minorities! Is it acceptance by their white peers that makes them feel like they can or is it the Police Department's way of training and teaching how to handle minorities? I can't ever recall hearing a black officer shooting a white 'suspect' without probable cause. %#&@$!, EVEN WITH probable cause! That's probably cause the punishment will be harsh for shooting a white person than it is for killing a black one! Wait! There is usually no punishment for a cop killing a black man. Maybe this is why there is no restraint when a police officer pulls a weapon on a black man.

What scares me most is that it can realistically happen to me! I've had cops draw guns on me before and for no legitimate reason other than me being a dark skinned black man. And please don't question a police officer! This is justification for them to 'use force'. I have seen white people get pulled over, yelling at cops for stopping them and then be allowed to leave without even a warning! I've NEVER been arrested but you would think I was a known criminal whenever a cop stops me. Although I wouldn't go as far as saying I hate cops, I can and will say that I don't trust ANY police officer because there are many people in jail railroaded by the system in the name of racial injustice!

Cops should be placed on a higher standard because they are 'trained' to uphold the law yet they are also breaking the law because they feel they are ABOVE the law! Why are cops given 48 hours to come up with a perfect story to tell based on the crime they've committed? When a suspect is arrested, they aren't given ANY time before they are questioned! Police officers who commit blatant acts of lawlessness should NOT be given ANY privileges!

The Police Department should be run by an independent and neutral entity to ensure that when a police officer shoots a black man or is involved in any questionable activity, we will be ensured of a thorough investigation, as opposed to the police clearing their own officers.

Alice In Wonderland Meets Three Six Mafia

2009-07-30T09:32:00.006-05:00

While surfing YouTube looking for a Three 6 Mafia track to groove to this morning, I came across this CRAZY video. It was created by a University of South Florida student as a class project. I must say the clip is pretty entertaining, and if you are wondering she did recieve an A.

Paul Dateh

2009-07-29T10:15:00.011-05:00

In the age of MySpace and YouTube, a multi-million dollar industry is sinking into the ground as record labels can no longer state that they are the only path to fame. These days, it is all about self-commodification, and if you think you’re the next Rihanna then the test of your ability doesn’t come in the form of a producer stamping YES or NO on your career potential. The test of your ability is measured in Youtube video hits, and for one musician from Los Angeles, California, the numbers don’t lie. His video "Hip Hop Violin with Inka One" has already received over three million hits, and he has been rated #8 as the ‘Most Linked Video’ on the web. Paul Dateh’s sound is totally unique, mixing his classical violin background with his college Jazz voice training and a love for hip hop into something that no one can really describe other than "the next Miri Ben-Ari". I became a Paul Dateh fan after hearing a few of his songs online, as I’m always fascinated by those who can take two seemingly opposite genres of music and fuse them together. I guess after watching those Youtube videos a few times, his face and his music stayed in my mind.

Paul’s love of hip-hop has certainly shaped his musical style. Drawing from influences like A Tribe Called Quest, Atmosphere, and Blueprint – the latter being a group he just came back from a European tour with - he’s hoping to collaborate with more DJs and artists in the years to come. For now, he’s busy working on his first album, which is amazing considering the publicity he has gotten without having made a record yet. And in this case, Paul is continuing to do things his way.

With DJ Johnny Juice behind the mixing and producer Oren Yoel spearheading one of the tracks, there is certainly an anticipation buzz among Paul’s 6,000 YouTube subscribers and even beyond the online world. With free publicity like this, Paul isn’t necessarily looking for, or needing, a record label backing.

Paul’s a firm believer in making his music available to anyone who wants to access it. He stated in an interview with Trace Magazine "If you really like my music, but for some reason you can’t pay for it, I’m not going to punish you for that. But if you want to buy a CD, I’m not going to punish you either! Buy my CD and take it home!" The inner workings of the music industry are shifting at lightning speed, so there is no telling when record labels, along with cassette tapes and CDs, might become a thing of the past. All I know is, if something is genuinely good, like Paul Dateh’s fierce violin skill and songwriting ability, people are going to love it regardless of whether it’s on a Columbia Records vinyl or downloadable on Fairtilizer. In any case, if you want to check out Paul’s stuff, hit up Pauldateh.com for upcoming shows and more info on his new EP releas

BET (Buffoon Entertainment Television)

2009-07-01T08:56:00.020-05:00

When I turn on the to BET nowadays this is what comes to mind. A modern day minstrel show full of Coons and Buffoons, and it seems that BET doesn't mind with the current lineup of new shows scheduled to air. (e.g. Tiny & Toya and Frankie & Neffie). What happen to the old BET? I remember Teen Summit with Ananda Lewis; BET is also where I also saw my first greek stepshow.

BET did not air Coretta Scott King’s funeral on it’s station. BET claimed it wanted to offer viewers a different kind of experience by posting a live webcast on it’s website of the funeral where viewers could access it "at work, at home, traveling, and at school". Likewise, the four major networks; NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX all broadcast their own live webcasts on their respective websites. But these stations as well broadcast the funeral on television. C-SPAN and CNN also aired the funeral live.

This reason alone proves that BET is the epitome of trash on television. And not to equate the struggle of blacks with Coretta Scott King, but there would be no BET without her. BET felt that viewers would prefer to watch women shaking their rumps in music videos rather than some funeral for a beloved civil rights leader.

BET is not black entertainment television. It does not represent the views and ideals of the millions of Blacks in the United States collectively. The station has no right to such a name as it falsely identifies itself with Black people as a whole.

BET also has a constant habit of dumbing down its viewers. In 2004 BET refused to play the music video Shopping Bags (She Got from You)", claiming that De La Soul was no longer relevant to their audience. BET remained unyielding and in 2005 gave North Carolina group Little Brother, the same dubious honor, this time citing their reason for not playing the video to "Lovin' It" as it being "too intelligent for their audience". The network, however, relented upon this decision some several months afterwards.

BET supports the miseducation of the African-American. Every show that could have provided real and legitimate positive inspiration in a person’s life has been removed(unless it is a gospel show). Teen Summit which dealt with teens’ and their everyday issues was killed. ‘BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley’ was likewise murdered. BET is more interested in shows that show lite pornography.

BET is at the head of these modern day minstrel shows. There must be a demand on the part of Black-Americans for better programming on BET. We need more shows that accurately depict the state of Blacks in America. Blacks must not be complacent with the garbage that currently is broadcast daily into their homes. A network that claims to be for Blacks and reflect their lifestyles has to be something that everyone can be proud of. It has to be actively working to disprove the many negative stereotypes that currently exist against Blacks. As it stands, BET is an embarrassment to Black America. There must be a movement of Black people, and others, that lets those in charge of BET know that we are unsatisfied with the quality of programming that currently airs on their station. Until then, BET will continue to be an embarrassment to Black America.

Top 10 Reasons the BET Awards Made Me Want To Vomit

2009-06-29T15:12:00.006-05:00

I know I am very hard on REGGINS (If you don't know what a Reggin is, spell if backwards), but there is a war going on outside between intelligent, educated, driven Black Americans. BET is a Reggin's greatest weapon in their war on intelligence.

The only reason that I watched this BET Crap is because of the tribute to Michael, which is all Buffoon Entertainment Television has been bragging on since Michael went into a coma! So needless to say BET struck a mighty blow for COONERY! So in order to try and fire back, I proudly present the Top 10 Reasons the BET Awards Made Me Want To Vomit:

10. The muth@$#% sound man: How in the world do you leave a night dedicated to (arguably) the greatest musician of the past 40 years up to someone who obviously took a correspondence course and got a D- in turning up microphone volume. Some of these performances sounded incredible to my imagination because I had to strain to hear them.

9. T-Pain: I don't even know where to begin. This reincarnation of Stepin Fetchit not only embarassed all of us by that waste of precious metal he calls his "BIG ASS CHAIN". Yes I know it's his money, but there's a time and a place for everything, and (I know it was BET) this wasn't it. He had a great-looking Michael shirt on that no one could see because it was eclipsed by his coon medallion. Then, to add insult to injury, when accepting an award, this buffoon decided to drink out of a plastic red cup. REALLY?!? How classless.

8. Zoe Saldana: Why in the world would you go out to present an award with the legendary Nichelle Nichols (The Original "Uhura") from Star Trek and embarrass the very legend who paved for you by telling the WORLD that Nichelle is in the restroom? That was so classless and unladylike. Yes Zoe, you can STILL GET IT, but you need some etiquette lessons.

7. Soulja Boy: No I didn't expect him to pay tribute to Michael Jackson, nor did I expect him to be able to SPELL Michael Jackson, but the performance was lackluster at best. Not unlike the Reggins, the use of pyro didn't distract me from how much you sucked.

6. Tiny and Toya: This is why I stopped watching Bamboozled Entertainment Television in the first place. All you have to do to be a success is let a a rapper get you pregnant and you get a reality show? Way to go BET! This is going to set us back 350 years.

5. Frankie and Neffie: See Number 6, except for the fact that instead of having a baby by a rapper, One is the crack addicted mother of a lackluster (although good-looking-in-a-hoodrat-sort-of-way) R&B singer and the other is a sister who is the Black version of Khloe Kardashian - sort of looks like the chick you wanna bang but she got the shallow end of the gene pool! Horrible!

4.The Censors: These idiots couldn't bleep their way out of a wet paper bag! I counted 2 sh*ts and they beeped out h*? SMDH.

3. Debra Lee: The New head of BET is such a pioneer! No one thought that BET could sink any lower than Bob Johnson's level of coonery and you proved us all wrong! Moron! I bet you think you've done something substantial, but you have only managed to embarrass us on an international stage due to the fact that CNN has been covering this abomination!

2. Joe Jackson during the pre-show, you were an opportunist, plugging a new record label and YOUR CHILD'S BODY ISN'T IN THE GROUND YET! You, sir, disgust me more than the collective casts of all 800 seasons of College Hill. You should be ashamed!

1. Drake's performance of "Every Girl In The World": This was okay until they brought those little girls onstage! How Canadian and pedophile-like of you. We tolerated that nonsense with R. Kelly and he's a musical genius.

Dawn Okoro

2009-06-24T23:39:00.004-05:00

Artist Dawn Okoro emphasizes her eye for color, shape, and the womanly figure. Her use of shadow and light within her pieces are incredible and it brings the form of reality to her paintings with bold lines, and warmly lit colors. If you want to study color theory, just take a look at her paintings, from rich monotone reds, and greens with a splash of contrast, Dawn creates original creations that would make any room pop.

Born in Houston, Texas, Dawn Okoro holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

You can purchase her work in person or you can purchase online by emailing her about a particular piece or for a price list.

Who is J*Davey?

2009-06-24T14:17:00.011-05:00

J*DaVeY is female vocalist Briana Cartwright (who performs under the name Jack Davey) and male producer Brook D'Leau. Yes! Jack is a girl and Brooke is a boy. The music is a mix of neo-soul, electro-fuck, alternative hip-hop, and jazz. Their sound is quite unique.

J*DaVeY independently dropped the double-disc The Beauty In Distortion / The Land Of The Lost on Interdependent Media back in 2008. However, they are currently signed a major-deal with a division of Warner Brothers Records.

On the The Beauty disc "Private Parts" and "No More" are so unabashedly Prince they make me blush. "Camera (Gangsta)" is fearless but check out "Mr. Mister (The Future Screw Mix) nothing like electronica screwed.

The Land holds its own with the sexy "Rock The Dancehall" with Kardinal Offishall, "Just Because" featuring Phonte from Little Brother and a live 2006 performance of "No More" at the Temple Bar in Santa Monica.

J*DaVeY is the future of electro-funk and soul. They are a cross between Erykah Badu and Prince. Definitely be on the listen.