by Diontae Bussey | Nov 5, 2021 | Latest, Music News |
Cardi B proves that Hip-hop is alive and well.
Cardi B’s rapping career in Hip-Hop hit its all-time high in April of 2018 with the release of her debut album titled “Invasion of Privacy.” Coming from a very tough background, from living poor to becoming one of Hip Hop’s most prominent artists, promises to make for an exciting documentary. Cardi B is a rapper, singer, and songwriter from New York. Her star is shining now after a long wait.
Story of Cardi B
Cardi B has made her way to the top of hip-hop without fear or apology. Cardi, who is baldly breaking up with the norms for women rappers, spoke about her unusual way of winning male fans. Cardi B never compromised her character for male acceptance.
Cardi B’s success story
Cardi B is a rap sensation from New York who has no problem shaking off the stereotypes of female MCs. Her style, raw humor, and confident attitude have been rewarded with a successful music career. Since releasing her first studio album, Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B has risen to be one of the most talked-about public figures on social media.
The unimaginable journey she took to get to where she is today
Cardi B speaks about her journey and how it’s been filled with adversity and obstacles. Cardi B has come a long way since her breakout single ‘Bodak Yellow. Cardi B weathered multiple storms and conquered her worst fears en route to rap supremacy.
Cardi B self-funded her career and never took a shortcut to achieve Hip-Hop supremacy. Working day and night tirelessly pursuing greatness created a unique self-empowerment mentality.
What the critics say
Hip-hop is known for its sense of humor, unfiltered attitude, and creative double-meanings. Cardi B rose to fame in the genre with her raunchy verses, contagious personality, and fearless persona. The journey of Cardi B reads like a Hollywood movie in our modern era. Rising from the depths of poverty, racism, sexism, and violence, Cardi B is the definition of American Hustle.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
by Pharron Fields | Jun 12, 2021 | Latest, Social Justice |
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Darnella Frazier documented George Floyd’s murder as a 17-year-old.
Her courage in recording George Floyd’s murder at the age of 17 set her apart for generations.
Known for filming the murder of George Floyd, Darnella Frazier has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize.
As a result of Darnella Frazier’s courageous record of the murder of George Floyd, whose video sparked protests around the world, the Pulitzer Prize Board honored him for his work on Friday (June 11).
When Darnella Frazier was 17 years old, Floyd was murdered inside a convenience store run by Cup Foods. A number of witnesses begged Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin to spare Floyd’s life.
Chauvin’s murder trial saw Darnella Frazier testify about Floyd’s final moments. During Chauvin’s 9-minute kneeling on his neck, his knee was firmly planted on his neck. She also stated that several bystanders pleaded with officers to check Floyd’s pulse, but they declined.
In addition, she admitted that she regretted not doing more about Floyd’s case. Her testimony was, “I have been apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more, for not physically interacting with him, for not saving his life for many nights.”.
Frazier, however, clarified that it was unacceptable. Chauvin (the captain) should have done that.”
In the aftermath of Chauvin’s conviction for unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter, Frazier released a statement. “I cried so hard,” she wrote. “During the last hour I was tense, my heart was racing, and I had anxiety that was bursting. I’m told that he’s GUILTY on all three counts!!! THANK YOU GOD. THANK U THANK U THANK U THANK U.”
The justice has been served,” she declared. “George Floyd, we have done it!”
We congratulate Frazier on receiving the Pulitzer Prize.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
by Jonathan P-Wright | May 5, 2021 | Editorial Pick, Latest, Music News |
Certain people really inspire my soul and enable me to strive harder for the things I want most out of life. On a cool, brisk Thursday night in Miami, I’m standing on the balcony of my Trésor Ocean View Junior Suite with Lil’ Kim’s “Slippin” track blaring through my SMS Audio wireless speakers. As I transcribe her lyrics in my mind, I gently nod and cosign the truth within the context of her pinpoint delivery. Trust is the most dangerous and valuable commodity in the world. Kimberly Jones has never had a problem speaking the truth and dealing with the aftermath. Before the Grammys, platinum plaques, diva/icon status, Kimberly Denise Jones was expelled from home and running the heartless streets of Brooklyn.
Jones was born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, the second child of Linwood Jones and Ruby Jones (now Ruby Jones-Mitchell). She has one older brother named Christopher.
As a child, Jones attended Queen of All Saints Elementary School in Brooklyn. At the age of nine, her parents separated, and Jones was raised by her father, with whom she had a tumultuous relationship.
After being kicked out of her house by her dad, Jones dropped out of high school and alternated between crashing with friends and living on the street.
I changed the track selection to “Quiet” from her Naked Truth album. The beat is pulsating throughout my suite, and I can visualize Lil’ Kim staring into the eyes of her judge without blinking. No fear. Straight Brooklyn! In the early stages of her life, Kim would freestyle with ease and fantasize about having her moment.
I change the track selection again to the song “Durty” and Lil’ Kim starts off saying:
Lil’ Kim stay hot pull up with my nigga in the 80-foot yacht man this hatin’ don’t stop
Real recognize real you studio gangstas kill me
I know my vet’s in the game got to feel me
‘Cause from the gate I brrrr-raaa down the door
Like Eddy Murphy, I gave it to you raw
Two-piece bikini, Fendi mink draggin’ on the floor
Kim been the first lady since I dropped Hard Core
A lot of these hoes livin’ vicariously through me
‘Stead a doin’ them, they’d rather do me
Watchin’ them is like a Broadway play
Sittin’ next to the Queen is the closest they’ll ever get to Brooklyn
Why y’all frontin’ you know who the best be?
I’m the reason why the game so sexy
The originator, the trend creator
Bitch, you dun know you haffa respect me
I’m so lit right now from that intro verse! How can you not treasure the words and unapologetic flow of the real Queen Bee? Purely undeniable.
Jones attended Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School for two and a half years. Many of her friends also went there, and she would often skip school to hang out with them.
Since her schoolwork wasn’t being completed, the decision was made to transfer to Brooklyn College Academy to finish her remaining year and a half of school. It was the same school that fellow rappers Nas and Foxy Brown also attended.
While struggling through her personal life, Jones met The Notorious B.I.G. (real name Christopher Wallace), a key figure in both her personal and artistic life, mainly once Wallace had gained popularity and influence relationship with Bad Boy Records.
In 1994, B.I.G. was instrumental in introducing and promoting the Brooklyn-based group Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included Jones, who was only nineteen. The group’s first and only album, Conspiracy, was released on August 29, 1995, and debuted at number eight on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 69,000 copies in its first week of release. Three hit singles came from Conspiracy: “Player’s Anthem” (peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 2 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart), “I Need You Tonight” (No. 43 R&B, No. 12 Rap), and “Get Money” (No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 R&B, No. 2 Rap). The R.I.A.A. certified Conspiracy gold on December 6, 1995. “Player’s Anthem” and “Get Money” were certified gold and platinum easily.
In the middle of the wolf pack, Lil’ Kim was still the lone wolf, and the world was now taking notice of her gift. After a year with Junior M.A.F.I.A., Jones began a solo career by making guest performances on R&B albums and recording her debut album, Hard Core, released in November 1996. The album debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, the highest debut for a female rap album at that time, and No. 3 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums, selling 78,000 copies in its first week of release.
Hard Core was certified double platinum by the R.I.A.A. on March 14, 2001, after being certified gold on January 6, 1997, and platinum on June 3, 1997. The album’s lead single, “No Time,” a duet with Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart and was certified gold by the R.I.A.A.
The next single, “Crush on You,” reached No. 6 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the rap chart. A remix of the album’s track “Not Tonight” saw Jones team up with Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat, and Left Eye of T.L.C. The song was part of the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence movie Nothing to Lose, nominated for a Grammy Award, and certified platinum. Lil’ Kim is the definition of self-made. On June 27, 2000, she released her second album The Notorious K.I.M. The album marked a new image and revamped look for the rapper.
It debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, selling 229,000 copies in its first week. It was certified platinum by the R.I.A.A. four weeks after its release. Kimberly Jones survived the sophomore jinx, and her success continued to exceed all public expectations. In 2001, she teamed up with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa to remake “Lady Marmalade,” which was initially written about a bordello in New Orleans and performed by the group Labelle (which included diva Patti LaBelle) twenty-five years earlier.
The song was recorded for the Moulin Rouge! film soundtrack, released in April 2001, and stayed No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. The song also went to No. 1 in fifty countries around the world.
This was a significant accomplishment for female rap and Jones, who scored her first No. 1 Hot 100 hit and became the second solo female rapper in history to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. “Lady Marmalade” also garnered Jones her first Grammy Award.
Caliente, blazing, and scorching are just a few adjectives that detail the level of demand and attention Lil’ Kim garnered during the early 2000s. She created an entirely new path for today’s MCs, both female and male, to follow: the freedom of expression in sex and music. Lil’ Kim never allowed anyone or anything to control her visual presentation or audio message to the world. She forced the hand of millions during the Grammys to accept her now-infamous purple pasty, diva/icon Diana Ross issued a physical cosign at that moment on stage.
Givenchy, Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, and more have acknowledged the feisty, fearless, and sexy Brooklynite as the Queen of Hip Hop Fashion Culture.
The sheer influence of her persona is as infectious as the melody in the Dr. Dre track “Nuthin But a G Thang.” Lil’ Kim forced mainstream America to realize that black women can be portrayed as sexy, be sexual role models, run an empire, and not be labeled as shameless or a “hoe.”
I change the track selection for the last time to “Last Day.” An emotional, prophetic, and lyrical masterpiece. Legendary epic rhymes read like this:
Besides God, what the fuck should I fear?
The only one could stop me is that chick in the mirror
I built my career on blood, sweat and tears
And I’m still here, gettin’ stronger each year
‘Cause what don’t kill me could only help build me
I guess all that dirt just made me more filthy
If being loyal’s a crime, then I’m so guilty
If you was missin’ a spine you’d still have to feel me
Some came and went but your girl is everlasting
‘Til the day I’m gasping
And niggaz droppin’ tears on my Versace casket
And I’m reunited with Big like, “Nigga, what happened?”
Shit, got drastic, I missed you with a passion
By now they should realize, I’m not the average rap chick
Ain’t nuttin’ they could do now to stop my shine
This is God’s plan, homey, it ain’t mine
When it’s my last day, then it’s my last day
But until that day you can’t take away
How they scream my name, how I pimp this game
Critically acclaimed until my last day
Kimberly Denise Jones is pop and hip-hop royalty in every aspect. The “GHOST” of Notorious B.I.G. she is and will always be. Even during her twelve-month incarceration, her rainbow of influence beamed through the walls of the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, and even the Brooklyn Bridge smiled at one point. Her infamous G status is certified in every borough in N.Y.C. and the streets are always on standby if anyone wants to rumble with the Bee!
I named this article “The Endless Royal Reign of Lil’ Kim” because on June 9, 2014, at 9:58 a.m., she gave birth to Royal Reign, and the dynasty continues. With her legacy and star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame impending, the birth of Royal Reign ensures the next generation will forever know and understand the Naked Truth of Kimberly Denise Jones.
Article was written by Jonathan P-Wright, freelance writer for R.N.H. Magazine and C.V.O. of RADIOPUSHERS
by Jonathan P-Wright | Apr 10, 2021 | Editorial Pick, Latest, Trending |
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright 4 years ago. You can read more of Jonathan P. Wright’s work in the Editorial Picks section.
Alcohol consumed during this creative process: Effen Vodka & Effen Vodka Black Cherry (inspired by 50 Cent)
Headphones used during this process: SMS Audio Wireless Sports Headphones (Carmelo Anthony Edition) and SYNC by 50 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Location: “W” South Beach, 2201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Current attire: Pushers Collective X-Label Tee Shirt, Pushers Collective Leather Snapback Hat, Ralph Lauren Tan Cargo Shorts, and my usual platinum dog tag
Music powered by G-Unit, 50 Cent, & Bryson Tiller (Ballin, Poppin Them Thangs, Wanna Get To Know You(My favorite), New Day, I’m The Man Remix featuring Chris Brown & Right My Wrongs by Bryson Tiller )
Streaming service equipped with TIDAL (High Definition)
Current Mood:
Actually pleased, corporate/Gansta mood, Get Rich or Die Trying type vibe, and hyper-focused on my new weight loss lifestyle.
It’s my last night at the “W” Hotel on South Beach, and it’s bittersweet at the highest level! I love the Miami weather, food, tropical weather, and most of all, beaches! I think this is where God created the original Garden of Eden. LOL!
Until God calls for me, I’m keep ballin’, keep on ballin’
To my niggas and my bitches looking down on me
I know y’all see me when I’m ballin’
You know I got to keep ballin’
Till the FEDs come we ballin’ out
Y’all niggas y’all know what this about when I’m ballin’
That stash house, we in and out
We ballin’, ballin’, ballin’, we shot callin’
These are the opening lyrics to the song “BALLIN” by G-Unit, and this verse represents some of the mental fabric of the hit original tv series “POWER.” I’m sitting on the couch staring at still images of Omari Hardwick, a.k.a. GHOST, and his “eyes” illuminate my suite. His voice reverberates throughout the suite echoing power, sex, control, calculated betrayal, and triumph.
Omari Hardwick follows God’s Plan for his life, and that’s why his character is so polarizing, mesmerizing, addictive, and inspirational for the general public. I’m watching episode “1” of the season “1”, 50 Cent, and Courtney Kemp Agboh created a multi-layered viewing experience that engages everyone from the modest to the hardcore gangsters in our society. Every move GHOST makes is ultra-calculated and intended to further cement his position of power.
It’s opening night at his nightclub “TRUTH,” it’s packed full of people, and his right-hand man Tommy approaches him to provide street justice on someone. This moment’s beauty is these vital points and creates the matchless aura of GHOST and his ability to blend, recreate, and dominate each scene.
- He accesses the damage, current problem and ascertains the end result
- He kills the guy who stole from their organization, cleans himself up, jumps back into the elevator, embraces the packed house of partygoers, and returns to James St. Patrick.
GHOST’s genius is that the general audience has no idea what he’s thinking, feeling, or most of all, his next move. GHOST succeeds where most “bad guys” fail in the area of “limitations.” GHOST understands where his power begins and ends in every situation and creates mistake-proof exit strategies to ensure complete exoneration. The emotional intelligence of GHOST provides a chilling and deep introspective into the mind of a “divided soul.” The character of GHOST provides the STARZ network with a lethal competitive advantage over any other show in its lane. GHOST’s natural skillset is immeasurable and allows him to become all things to everyone within his radius.
GHOST manages the perfect balance between commitment and infidelity with Tasha (His Wife) and Angela (His love from High School & Lead attorney on the Drug Task Force pursuing his organization). Naturally, a person’s heart is divided into many pieces, and they eventually identify the pieces that belong. GHOST is always moving parts around in his heart to make the right decision at the moment.
I’m taking my second shot of Black Cherry Effen Vodka, and I’m blaring “I’m The Man” Remix by 50 Cent & Chris Brown in my suite. I turn to Season 2 and watch the episode “Three Moves Ahead,” and my eyes are paralyzed on the scene where Tommy and Lobos enter the Carlton Hotel to conduct business, and the world knows that GHOST is in the hotel. As the moment collapses, Tommy, Lobos, and his partner are captured.
GHOST is not captured, and he re-appears in the adjoining hotel overlooking the chaos and watching Angela call him repeatedly (he switched his number). Again, the writers of POWER position GHOST ideally between anxiety and the unknown. GHOST symmetrically aligns all the personalities, weaknesses, strengths, and temptations of each person in his life. The mentality of GHOST represents the “lion-heart” of every man in America.
Possessing the mental propensity to protect, kill, and administer love towards people are psychotic, unflinching, and fearless characteristics most men desire to develop. The essence & character of GHOST depicts and reflects the culture of mankind in certain aspects. Even when I examine his fashion sense, it literally freezes my mind because he’s flawless in every moment, clean-shaven, and casket sharp. My father told me that the “walk” and “dress” of a man speaks volumes about his confidence, self-purpose, and respect amongst the people in the room.
Omari Hardwick plays the role of a lifetime, creating new boundaries, destroying over-evaluated stereotypes, and showing men of all ethnicities the blueprint in balancing the mind over “POWER.” The role of GHOST is shaking up Hollywood, and respect is something you can only run from for a certain period. POWER is one of the best original television programs, and the people are echoing this message louder each year.
Sometimes in life, your arrival of greatness is disruptive, unapologetic, and incomprehensible. Hollywood has a good problem with the show POWER, and they need to pick the brain of Courtney Kemp Agboh and create another original tv series that challenges consumers’ minds. Until that happens, “THE “THE SHADOW OF GHOST” will hover over Hollywood, and you can never outrun a shadow.
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