Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is the American hip-hop artist that is currently sweeping the internet. His latest mixtape Overly Dedicated has been getting worldwide attention. Not to mention the huge buzz off his new album Good Kid, Mad City to be released October 22, 2012.

Overly Dedicated features a mix of various underground and conscious rappers. The mixtape also includes many “indie” (Independent) artists like Jhene Aiko and Ab-Soul. Popular tracks off the mixtape “Opposites Attract”, “Ignorance Is Bliss” and “Average Joe” appear to be his testament to life, love and the hood. The Compton California rapper describes his music as not catering to Blacks or Whites but simply everyday life music. “Opposites Attract” is Lamar’s testament to love where he exposes the one fact that “We hate people that love us, love people that hate us”. “Ignorance is Bliss on the other hand appears to “glorify gangster rap and street crime but keeps repeating the line that “Ignorance is Bliss” hinting to the fact that we know not what we do”. “Average Joe” describes his position in relation to his experiences in his hometown. While there is violence and crime all around him he is just another man, affected by life. Kendrick Lamar’s music is very well- rounded and has something for every open-minded listener.

 Good Kid, Mad City is already getting nationwide airplay with the single “Swimming Pools (Drank)”. Kendrick Lamar has a somewhat unorthodox sound with a new and interesting feature in each song and video. He is an artist in the highest sense of the word, detailing both the good and bad of his world. His west-coast sound is filled with beats and lyrics that make you bob your head and think at the very same time. Check out all his music and news at kendricklamar.org.  

Ever since I heard of something called a feminist or womanist, I knew that was something I wanted to be. I wanted to burn my bra in protest like the women on T.V. I wanted to stand for something and not stand alone. I wanted to join a sit-in/rally or march for equal rights. As a younger woman I knew I had much to offer. I believed in my voice and still do. I believe that all women need to be heard. This is not a movement about bashing men. It is about abolishing sexism and empowering women. Sexism has existed since the dawn of time and is often perpetuated by both men and women. So this is an effort to raise consciousness of both genders. The first goal of the feminist is to create stronger bonds between fellow women. There is much truth in the phrase that "sisterhood is powerful". But we as women need to stop judging and ostracizing one another. We all fall victim to the issue of male domination and thus all have a story to share and cause to stop it. Fact of the matter is, everyone can be a part of the feminist movement and in doing so we end sexism, classism and racism. Help to raise the concsiouness!!!!!

What are the things that truly make a worthwhile relationship? We all want that fairy tale wedding/relationship but the question is how does one get there? Of course the two have to be attracted to one another but what else?? Common interests, and even if they don't share the same interests the two should respect the others interests. The number one thing that makes relationships last is communication. The ability to talk to one another open and honestly. It doesn't stop at just talking but understanding is the core. Mutual understanding is why great relationships last. Next is the ability to have full trust in your partner and in your relationship. If one is always suspicious of the other things won't last long. A good relationship takes time, work and commitment. Time to truly get to know each other. Work at blending the two together and commitment to one another. A commitment that involves putting the intrests of the relationship ahead of your own. In a nutshell it takes a lot of hardwork but two people who are truly into one another can turn that into a love that lasts. And they lived happily ever after....

In my university's attempts to try to make new tech advancements it has failed in customer service. The irony is that this summer the university put in place serveral incitives to try to improve its customer service. The issue is "Online Registration". This year the institution decided to implement a way to add your student meal plan and book coupons online. A good plan in theory that turned out to be a disaster in reality. several students including myself were unable to eat from the dining hall on our first day of classesl because the university's online incitives did not work. We were then asked to go to the business office and register the old way by standing in lines. I personally hate lines and feel that my university has failed in terms of customer service when more than half the schools population is unable to eat or buy books. The lesson here always think of your customers first and always have a back up plan in place. Students will never be prepared for the "real world" when the immediate adults around are ill prepared and treat them like second class citizens.

So it appears to me that no matter how old a woman gets, she will always encounter sexist double standard thinking from men. Equally men of any age often feel that their thoughts and actions will always be superior to a woman's, no matter her age. In any and every arena be that love and relationships, business, sports or education. Women are often the unsung heroes that go through much more than men. Our struggles are often what make us the stronger party. While men often use their " God given right" to take the lead over women it is not a blessing to play with. Women have just as much, even more sensablity than men and it's about time we take back our power. After all we as women are bearers of life. If it wasn't for us the human race could not continue. Yet men still take our presence, existence and craving for equality lightly. I myself as a conscious Queen, refuse to allow a man to control me, rule me or treat me as if I am not smarter than he. I encourage all my fellow sisters to stand up for themselves and show some self respect,self pride and self awareness. Women are the rock of the world and it's about time we speak up and take back what is rightfully ours. This is not about male bashing. This is about truth and equality for all.

On This Day of June 19th 1865 ALL of the slaves were finally Freed. While the emancipation proclamation was a piece of paper that legally said all slaves were to be freed in January 1st 1863 it wasn't until Juneteenth (June 19th 1865)  that the last slaves living in Texas were freed. So If the Independence Declaration was signed July 4th 1777, no blacks living in America were free, therefore blacks have nothing to celebrate on July 4th because our people were not free. Rather we should celebrate if anything Juneteenth. While many of us are still mentally enslaved we should take this time to analyze what other things don't we know about America's History and its continued oppression against all its people. 
That is all. 

How does an entire race recover from something as terrible as slavery. An institution that was built to dehumanize an individual. Or rather can an entire race recover from such? Not in a world where no one lets you ever forget that your people were at one time slaves, then treated as less than. One huge way blacks can try to even the playing field is by obtaining an education. While millions of African Americans enroll in colleges and universities all over the world others still fail to see its usefulness. Some of them that do enter colleges, treat the school as if it owes something to them. While the public schools have failed on countless occasions to reveal the "whole truth and nothing but" in the history books, its whole purpose to educate the youth in reading writing and arithmetic seems to go unnoticed by students and parents alike. Somewhere along the line parents found school as an unnecessary commodity and students began to pick up on this habit. The result is students who continually act out and disrupt class with no regard to consequences because they know their parents either do not care are not around. " Black people, in general, seem to have their priorities ALL messed up. We are also a fearful and prideful people. When it comes to education, Blacks, again IN GENERAL, don't seem to value it. It's not a priority for them. In other cases, Blacks see the importance of education but are too lazy to pursue it or keep at it. They want instant results Finally, due to the other two examples, many Blacks don't have positive role models and/or mentors to help and inspire them." -Kara Lee.  When black children in general do not have good role models they end up like their parents in most cases, and thus continue the cycle. It is then up to us that notice this problem to do something about it. To find a way to teach our youth to prize education. Education is a gift that our people once fought for, now that it is given freely we should appreciate it and take advantage of this gift to make a better world for ourselves, our people and mankind as a whole. 

That Crap they play on the radio is not real music. The radio is slowly killing quality music. While I agree that the 90s had some of the best music of our time, there is also quality music out right now. To find it is the difficult part. One has to scour the internet and be open to different sounds and different looks. Underground artists like Dee-1, Elle Varner, K'La, K. Michele, Ashley Dubose, Jade Novah, Jermaine Riley, Jhene Aiko, Kendrick Lamar, Lauriana Mae, The Weeknd, Selah Sue, Daley and Tori Kelly have a hard time making it to the big music scene because foolish people keep voting, requesting and buying tracks that represent everyting that is wrong with the music scene. Well known conscious rap artists like Mos Def, Common, Talib Kweli, ?uestlove, The Roots, Lupe Fiasco cant get their music played because they speak the truth. Some good artists however do slip through the cracks like B.o.B, Drake, Wale, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Jay Z, Nas, but at what costs to their music. Yea they make good music and they make it to the big leagues but do their orginal sound and music begin to change?? I'll let you be the judge. But I do encourage readers not to settle for what the radio sells and i do mean sells. Those fools make money of your easy fandom so do yourselves a favor and look deeper for music that has more meaning and more base besides a good dance beat. Also Check out the artists I mentioned above and help them make it to the big leagues for having real talent. 

This  a Scottish Soul and R&B recording artist and songwriter has a voice that commands attention. This 25 year old UK superstar has been blazzing the charts and soundwaves since 2010. Her latest Album Our Version of Events is the biggest selling debut album of the UK. The Album is great from start to finish. Don Believe me? Take a listen below at the album sampler. I love her look and her sound, she has a package that sells more than just the average love. Her Videos send a message and tell more than just an average love story. The video for "My Kinda Love" describes the love between two sisters one of which is sick. The video along with the powerful voice and lyrics make a great song.   

Love is so Over Rated! Love love love. Songs. Movies. lyrics.quotes. Images. Its all too much all over the place and all unreal. Everyone crying they want love or they think they in love but really most of us don’t know what it is or how to treat it once we find it. I say let love come to you and in the mean time love love yourself your talents your imagination. Enjoy everything about you cuz noone can love you like self. once accomplishing that, when fake love comes around you will recognize it and not get hurt. When real love comes you’ll appreciate it all the more. but for now love who you are and enjoy life with yourself and good friends and since your single you can flirt your azz off with no guilt.
@Ladysmilez words of wisdom