Media Watch

the so-called jay-z effect.

While Hip-Hop is loved across the globe it still continues, at times, to get treated like a step-child. A recent New York Times article explored an odd phenomenon in crime across the five boroughs of New York City; a noticeable number of criminals are sporting the famous Yankee baseball cap while engaged in criminal activity. One shouldn't be surprised by the odd coincidence. The Yankee fitted is a popular item, worn by a cross-section of individuals from different backgrounds. While reading the Times article, I was shocked to read the thoughts of one criminologist. Frankie Y. Bailey, an associate professor at the University at Albany, described the trend as "the Jay-Z effect."


"The rapper Jay-Z has worn a Yankees cap for years — on his album covers and in his videos — and has helped turn the cap into a ubiquitous fashion accessory for urban youths (“I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can,” he boasts in one song).


Criminals might be wearing Yankees merchandise not because they are fans of the team, but because they are fans of the cocked-hat look popularized by Jay-Z and other rappers..."


Bailey's "theory" is ludicrous to say the least. The fitted cap trend did not start with Jay-Z and criminals wore Yankee caps long before Jay-Z's rap career took off. There is no need to create theories at the expense of a musical genre and cultural phenomenon. It's simply a matter of numbers, the Yankees sell more merchandise than any other baseball team. Go figure.

Politics As Usual

wings & limo rides = black vote.

I'm sure a person of color isn't one of Shreveport, Louisiana mayoral hopeful Bryan Wooley's trusted advisors. Had he attempted to hire a person of color he would have avoided embarrassment to himself and his campaign. In an ill-conceived effort to reach Black voters, the Republican candidate thought it would be a great idea to offer Black residents of Shreveport free wings and a limo ride. While I don't find his strategy offensive I think it's safe to say it was a bit racially insensitive. The way to reach out to Blacks isn't through our stomachs and stereotypes. Why should a man who is out of touch with Shreveport's black community be mayor of a city with a Black population that exceeds 50% ? It's obvious Bryan Wooley isn't the man for the job.

Say What?

the poet.

"In the name of peace they waged the wars. Ain't they got no shame?" -Nikki Giovanni

Media Watch

hard knock life.
Brooklyn bred rapper/entrepreneur/record label exec Jay-Z is gracing the latest issue of Forbes magazine alongside well-known frugal billionaire Warren Buffett. The duo met up in Omaha, Nebraska to discuss their success, business, tips on making money and giving back. Click here to read the interview. Check out the clip below.

Soul Fixin'

ain't nothing like tammi.

In case you missed it, you can watch the entire episode of Tammi Terrell's Unsung. Not familiar with Ms. Terrell? Tammi and Marvin Gaye made history as duet partners, singing classic tunes such as 'Your Precious Love,' 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' & 'You're All I Need TO Get By.' Hit play, sit back, relax and enjoy!

Random Sh*t

black music is spook music.
It's no secret that many, if not all, British rockers were heavily influenced by the gospel, blues and soul of Black America. Recently, Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant made an appearance on the Today Show where he performed and spoke of his musical influences. Not surprisingly, Mr. Plant spoke of his love and admiration for Black music. But surprisingly, he referred to Black music as "spook music."

"[British people] didn't really have the musical knowledge as you guys have [in America],....so we tapped as much American 'spook music' as we could -- as much blues -- mixed it up and nobody liked it. But the feeling of freedom was fantastic."

WTH was he thinking? The word spook conjures up scary images of ghosts, witches and a gloomy dark underworld. What exactly is the correlation between 'spook' & Black music. Soulful and inspirational are far more synonymous with Black music than the word 'spook.' I would have to think that this man and many others having been referring to one of the world's greatest gifts as 'spook music' for over forty years. Am I a bit too sensitive and overreacting? Or do I have just cause to be outraged and offended? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment box.

Higher Ground

the bishop & the boys.
"I joked and said If I was a porn star my name would be Bishop Eddie Long. Then I woke up this morning and saw a bishop with the same name." -Rapper 50 Cent via Twitter

Just like 50, many of us awoke to the news surrounding mega-church leader Eddie Long. Basically, the pastor of Atlanta's 33,000-member New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has been accused in two lawsuits of sexual abuse. The allegations of abuse come from two young men who claim the abuse took place in hotel rooms across the country. Personally, I don't know what to believe but I've have found it ironic that a lot of homophobic religious leaders, Long has been labeled by the Southern Poverty Law Center as "one of the most virulently homophobic black leaders in the religiously based anti-gay movement," have been accused and caught having homosexual affairs. Needless to say, I sincerely hope the allegations are false. I think we can all agree that if these young men are lying they will get their just rewards and if what their accusations are true Bishop Long will get his; all in God's good time.