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 Derrick T Lewis | Jun 1, 2021 | Black Girl Magic, Business News, Latest, Trending |
The Black Economic Alliance has teamed with Wells Fargo to launch a fund that aims to expedite the growth of black business owners and entrepreneurs. The project is known as the Alliance Entrepreneurs Fund or BEA fund.
This $50 million BEA fund will provide capital funding to small businesses that are founded by African Americans. Wells Fargo has also agreed to support this effort with a $20 million commitment over the course of the next five years.
Owning a business has proved to be one of the top ways to obtain generational wealth in America. However, too few African American entrepreneurs have been able to obtain the financial resources necessary to launch and sufficiently grow a business. The Black Economic Alliance powered by Wells Fargo will work to provide Black-owned businesses with the support needed to succeed, which will, in turn, result in the hiring of more Black workers and added investments into black communities and businesses.
The BEA powered by Wells Fargo will also reportedly recycle all of its returns to support the ongoing operations in black businesses.
Black businesses, in particular, have been hit hard by Covid-19. In a press conference, President Joe Biden made a statement reporting that 400,000 Black-owned businesses have shut down nationwide since the start of the pandemic.
The Black Economic Alliance powered by Wells Fargo will provide capital loans in exchange for an equity stake and will also offer straight loans to Black startups. The recipients of these loans and investments will be selected through an application process which will take place later this year. The BEA will accept applications from all eligible African American entrepreneurs.
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 5, 2021 | Latest, Editorial Pick, Trending |
On Wednesday March 31, New York became the 15th state to permit recreational marijuana use, which preceded Oregon and Washington State by a day later in going this month. The legislation was signed the day after the bill was passed in Albany by the New York governor Andrew Cuomo on the eve of its effective date. According to Governor Cuomo, this bill will result in an estimated of to have the addition of approximately 60,000 jobs and a total of $350 million of annual tax revenue.
As for the new rules on this issue, the maximum amount of cannabis adults that can legally possess, the allowable limit of three ounces of marijuana is raised while the use of it is allowed in places where it is permitted, while it is a man’s home has been submitted.
A maximum of three plants is permitted while it is being grown. Funds to benefit that is provided for new bills for the cities affected by the war on drugs are making commitments to put money back into neighborhoods formerly devastated by the war on marijuana.
Of which class, roughly 40% of new tax revenues from drug sales will be used to benefit African-American, and minority communities will be erased, and previous marijuana convictions would be removed.
The media has reported that JAY-Z, who has recently started his own Monogram brand, seems to be high on the stories He told The Grio, “It is incredibly exciting that (to him) for the Empire State of Mind that the state is considering legalizing marijuana.
JAY heralded that it is a long-overdue opportunity for New Yorkers, the cannabis industry, and a very important opportunity for social equity and social justice.
“I’ve seen first-hand the harm that has been done to the black and minority communities because of the drug war in the streets of New York, which are littered with generations. Today, I am delighted to see that my home state is helping pave the way for a new and fair cannabis market in a profitable and healthy direction.”
The business opportunities for medical marijuana businesses in the state are virtually endless. Hov has created a parent company that has become one of the most notable American marijuana players to help narrow the distribution gap between the haves and have-haves by adopting a comprehensive strategy. This will be Mr. Carter’s new position as CEO of The Parent Company and will call for him to push forward an ambitious initiative that has already committed to invest $10 million into Black and other minority business leaders of social equity. two percent of the parent company’s profits will also be allocated for diversity purposes
Steve Allan, CEO of The Parent Company, said, “JAY-Z has been extremely helpful to us in getting us started.” He says Jay-Z gets it in his conversation with Jay, and Allan supplied additional information to The Grio about Jay’s awareness that he comprehends the mission of addressing his viewers. Of course, this is only to say, JAY-Z is making the most of it in our social venture.
After reading about the JAY’s experience with regard to the War on Drugs, a quote from Jay is above the application form on Parent Company Social Ventures’ site says, “We were the ones most negatively affected by it, and America has built a successful billion-dollar business from our misfortune. I want to do something in a concrete way, so I decided to expand the concept to something more substantial. Individuals who are considering investment opportunities with The Parent Company can apply online directly here.
RESULTSANDNOHYPE Magazine and MUZIQUE Magazine are closely following this story.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Mar 13, 2021 | Latest, Music News |
Today, Amazon Music and She is the Music (SITM) makes an announcement today that H.E.R. and Jazmine Sullivan would become the next featured artist for ( Group Thread: not pictured ) on March 12, which was led by host, Music Journalist Sowmya Krishnamurthy, who later revealed how women have decided to break the industry which would lead the upcoming generation.
During an Episode with H.E.R and Jazmine Sullivan in Group Thread: not picture, they would later talk about their recent collaboration on Jazmine Sullivan’s new Album “Heaux tales” helps in making women understand that women can also have the power to shape the Music Industry.
The founding member of the SITM, Alicia Keys, and co-founder Ann Mincieli would later join Krishnamurthy for a brief discussion this month. The episode of Group Thread: not pictured also kicked off this 5th of March, sharing the Grammy Award winner new single “pay your way in pain” and also the new Album Daddy’s home which was discussed by St. Vincent and partner and Co-Head of World Wide Music Samantha Kirby Yoh. They also went ahead in talking about the important roles women play in the Music Industry and how they can further increase their fields in areas like audio Engineering, songwriting, etc.
With further discussion, it is with no doubt that this impact would help push the desire of women all around the world in setting their goals and achieving them in the Music industry. RADIOPUSHERS are reporting on this developing story.
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