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Kulture January 17, 2018
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WSU quarterback’s suicide reminds us why mental health is so important in college

Suicide is currently the second most common cause of death among college students according to the American College Health Association (ACHA).

This time it took Washington State University quarterback, Tyler Hillinski, who was found dead in his apartment from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

It was after Tyler didn’t show up for practice Tuesday (Jan 16th) when officials were sent to his apartment looking for him. The 21-year-old was found next to a rifle and a suicide note when they arrived to the scene, according to ESPN.

Washington State coach Mike Leach said in a statement:

“We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Tyler’s passing. He was an incredible young man and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him was better for it. The entire WSU community mourns as thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”

Experts estimate over 4,000 Americans between 15-24 commit suicide every year and according to an ACHA study in 2002, 1 in 12 college students has actually made a suicide plan.

College is the perfect breeding ground for all the symptoms of suicide — students are young, away from home for the first time, they’re living with strangers, far from their support systems, and working under intense pressure – especially when you’re an athlete.

Hilinski was projected to be the starting quarterback going into next season. He started Washington State’s Holiday Bowl loss to Michigan State and played a significant amount in the loss to Arizona.

Interim athletic director John Johnson said,

“The tragic news today surrounding Tyler Hilinski is devastating to all. Tyler was a tremendous individual, great friend and teammate, and he will be deeply missed. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”

He continued,

“Earlier tonight, the football team was brought together and informed of the tragedy. There, they were met by campus and department counseling and psychological services, including athletics’ on-staff clinical psychologist and a licensed mental health counselor, along with WSU Athletics medical team. The university will continue to coordinate and provide ongoing counseling care for all student-athletes as long as needed.”

The suicide rate among young adults, ages 15-24, has tripled since the 1950s but that doesn’t mean those numbers have to stay that way. There is help, like that from Mental Health America, that offers services, advice, and encouragement for students just like Tyler.

The grief of a death is indescribable, one can only hope for peace for his family in this time of loss.

atlanta January 15, 2018
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Who is Hoodrich Pablo Juan? The next star to blow out of Atlanta

One does not simply break out of Atlanta as a hip-hop star.

While it may not seem that way, with decades of dominance dating back from Goodie Mob and Outkast to Killer Mike and Future, because hip-hop has become Atlanta’s number one cash crop, it’s tougher than ever.

That’s why Hoodrich Pablo Juan cannot be overlooked.

A little over a week ago, just three months removed from dropping his Designer Drugz 3 album, Hoodrich Pablo Juan came back swinging with his newest offering Rich Hood.

The album adds to his already building momentum and solidifies him as the next to blow out of Atlanta.

The 28-year-old rapper has long been apart of the Atlanta hip-hop scene but really broke in 2015 with his debut mixtape, Designer Drugz.

The tape, assisted by heavy hitters like Migos, Peewee Longway, and Jose Guapo, instantly put him on the forefront of the Atlanta music scene and he has not looked back since.

Moving to Atlanta at the tender age of 3 must have been destiny for HoodRich, who seamlessly ingratiated himself to the city’s workaholic mentality a la Gucci, Future, and others, dropping tape after tape with hardly any time in between.

But it wasn’t until after seven solo mixtapes and eight collab projects later that the “We Dont Luv Em” rapper was finally singed to Gucci’s 1017 Eskimos early last year and has not stop grinding since.

Citing Boosie, Gucci Mane, C-Murder, and Pimp C as influences, it’s clear Juan has a low priority for lyrical wordplay. At the same time however, it’s just as clear that he has a nose for the groove that artists spend careers trying to get a pulse of.

Pablo Juan raps almost in a low-whisper, gliding over one stomping 808 to another as if subwoofers were guiding him. His uncanny ability to select the right cadence, hook and beat, mixed with his braggadocious bravado brings together a sound that has gotten the city’s attention.

Take “The 9 + Z6NE” off his Rich Hood tape for example. Somehow he managed to piece together a song that can easily be a studio album single, club banger, and street anthem all at once; this also goes for “18K” off the same album.

You give Hoodrich the right instrumental and he brings the persona and point of view that will carry the entire song.

With his work ethic, I’m positive were going to hear from Hoodrich Pablo Juan again before the year’s out. It’ll be interesting to see how he pushes his sound and how far he goes.

Kulture January 11, 2018
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No, Oprah shouldn’t be president: Why we as a country must strive higher

The Golden Globes are not usually known for making headlines as it’s just the appetizer to the awards season but this past Sunday at the 75th annual Golden Globes, things went a little different.

For starters, many were sporting black to empower and show support for women’s voices in the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns, so there was already a different energy about this particular ceremony.

Then, there was Oprah.

Upon receiving the Cecil B. deMille Award, an honor that celebrates contributions to entertainment, the queen of daytime television and first African-American woman billionaire, gave a speech that was so stirring, it was almost… presidential.

https://youtu.be/fN5HV79_8B8

Back when she was at the height of her legendary career it was a fact said that whenever Oprah spoke, people listened and Sunday night was no different.

Those who were in attendance gave a prolonged standing ovation while those at home rushed to Twitter shower her with praises.

https://twitter.com/JohnStamos/status/950204663516692482

That’s when it dawned on me: the Trump effect goes far beyond the oval office, he’s completely reshaped how we view the position of president forever.

This is no dig at Oprah, to say she’s one of the most accomplished living Americans is an understatement and she has more than enough resources to make it a race. But to be so inclined to resort to talk show hosts after what we’re experiencing under a reality show star, does not speak well to how we regard our public service offices.

What’s even scarier is that she’s seriously entertaining it.

Monday, two of her “close friends” told CNN she was “actively thinking about it” and  Winfrey’s longtime partner Stedman Graham told the LA Times:

“She would absolutely do it.”

The idea that Oprah is the one that will get white women (53% of whom voted for Trump) to come across the aisle to dethrone Trump is inconceivable. Furthermore, many Black women feel that the call for their help is insulting when issues concerning them remain at the back of lawmakers’ minds.

April Rains, who coined the successful #OscarsSoWhite campaign, pointed out such the night of the awards:

“Stop begging strong Black women to be president: Michelle, Oprah, whatever. It’s weird. And Lord knows when Black women try to lead, y’all attempt to silence and erase us. So how would that work, exactly?”

What’s most frustrating is that there are Black women already in public service — like Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Georgia State Rep. Stacey Abrams — who would be much better candidates and who are more deserving of the spotlight.

Whatever happened to our expectations? Is experience, a deep knowledge of policy, and a law degree asking too much? I’m with everyone else. I want to see Trump out of office, too, but we should be mindful of the culture we perpetuate when we flippantly suggest high government positions be occupied by those lacking the credentials.

It’s highly unlikely that Oprah will run in 2020 but the real objective is to keep this same enthusiasm when it comes time to go out and make our voices heard election day.

10K80 January 10, 2018
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2018 is going to be the year of The Rock (just like 2017 was)

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson cleared $65 million at the box office last year, rounding him out as one of the top two highest grossing actors for the second consecutive year in a row.

Back-to-back finishes as one of the top two highest earning actors, at a glance, makes a lot more sense for a host of other names in Hollywood before it does for Dwayne Johnson, but it’s a run that the late great film critic Robert Ebert saw over a decade ago.

Collider

After the Rock’s 2003 performance in The Rundown, which featured a brief cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger, he wrote:

“Whether The Rock will rival Schwarzenegger’s long run as an action hero is hard to say,” Ebert wrote. “But on the basis of ‘The Rundown,’ he has a good chance.”

Now with the success of Jumanji, which scored an impressive $37.3 million last weekend, beating out The Last Jedi for the fourth consecutive week, it’s clear that such is the case, in a major, major way.

Between the HBO show Ballers, The Fate of the Furious, Baywatch, and Jumanji, one would assume The Rock was making up for lost time. But according to him, it’s that kind of relentlessness that creates those types of opportunities.

In an interview with Vanity Fair  last year, he spoke on just that.

“It’s hard work and gratitude. You have to be focused, and you don’t come to the table with an ego. Once you reach a level of success, it’s about never taking anything for granted and showing gratitude. I am lucky to surround myself with smart people who are willing to take risks and willing to fail with me. I don’t have all the answers, and they’ve helped me. You also have to believe in yourself. When you start doubting yourself and start being someone else, things won’t work.”

While jumping onto already successful franchises like, The Mummy, Fast and Furious, and G.I. Joe helped add to The Rock’s cache and overall grossing power, pushing his range to play in movies like Race to Witch Mountain, Tooth Fairy, and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island showed he was willing to fail to be the type of movie star he is today.

The Rock Oscars GIF by The Academy Awards - Find & Share on GIPHY

Dwayne Johnson had all intentions of going pro when he went to Miami to play college football and while at the peak of his wrestling years he had no clue he was going into the movie business.

No wonder why he approaches the film industry like he has nothing to lose — he broke into Hollywood as an outsider. It was his failures that helped fuel the star he is today.

There are not many actors that can juggle multiple big budget feature films in a calendar year if they wanted to, let alone getting the opportunity to feature in them, making The Rock’s run that more legendary.

With a new year underway The Rock is up to it again.

The Rock Oscars GIF by The Academy Awards - Find & Share on GIPHY

As of right now, he has a staggering 15-plus, projects in his slate. With his recipe of humor, action, and big budgets. there’s a strong possibility he can finish as the highest grossing actor – or top two — again for the third consecutive year.

It seems like the key to dominating Hollywood is to never stop, and if he keeps cracking out these hits, I don’t see why he would.

big baller brand January 9, 2018
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LaVar Ball is no Kardashian: What the NBA has wrong about the BBB CEO

LaVar Ball is no Kardashian.

The comparison, made by Golden State Warrior head coach Steve Kerr, came on the heels of the NBA’s reaction to a LaVar Ball interview with Jeff Goodman where he accused Lakers head coach, Luke Walton, of not having control of the team anymore.

Being that Walton is a former assistant on the Warriors staff and someone Kerr considers friend, he decided to stand up for his pal but ended up throwing LaVar Ball under the bus in the process.

“Somewhere, I guess in Lithuania, LaVar Ball is laughing at all of us. People are eating out of his hands for no apparent reason, other than he’s become like the Kardashian of the NBA or something.”

The issue is that LaVar Ball is nothing like a Kardashian. While both attract headlines, cameras, and have built a brand around their family, LaVar is everything but negative, which is what that other family lives off of.

From Kim Kardashian releasing a sex tape, Kendall Jenner’s abysmal Pepsi ad to the family’s fixation on the superficial, saying LaVar or his family resembles the Kardashians is nothing short of disrespectful.

Kerr was one of many who took overt offense for ESPN giving LaVar Ball a platform. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, went as far as to call the ESPN article “a disgrace” and LaVar Ball’s comments an “ignorant distraction.”

Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy wasn’t too happy either.

On Monday, Van Gundy threatened to not do pre-game meeting or in-game interviews with ESPN during the network’s broadcast of a Pistons game on January 19th. saying their decision to give Ball a platform was “cheap (expletive)” and “a cheap shot” and said they “showed total disrespect.” He said “I got a problem with ESPN deciding that’s a story.”

Kerr, Carlisle, and Van Gundy all are right in that the media has been voracious in their coverage of the Balls, but the sensationalism of click bait is as old as the profession itself.

Tim Tebow received as much, if not more, annoying coverage for months on end at alarming rates! To the point where then ESPN President John Skipper admitted that he told producers to scale back their coverage.

During an interview with John Ourand of SportsBusinessDaily.com in 2012, Skipper said of Tebow, “we didn’t handle this very well.” According to Skipper, while Tebow is still a short-term ratings boost, he is worried about the long-term effects of getting “over excited about one story and hyping it.”

While Tebow’s Dad did not make a controversial statement about his coach, it shows that ESPN is consistent with how it handles trending topics.

LaVar Ball may not make the best shoe — Big Baller Brand recently received an “F” from the Better Business Bureau — he may not communicate the best way, and he probably is over the top, but discrediting him as a distraction because the media can’t get enough of him is unfair, especially over an opinion that analysts will say live on air.

LaVar is only going to go away when the news stops making him news, and as much as they hate to admit it, that isn’t happening anytime soon.

Just ask the 100K people watching some teenagers play basketball in Lithuania on Facebook right now.

chicago January 9, 2018
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Who Is Valee’? The Chicago rapper everyone’s going to be talking about

Don’t sweat it if you’re unfamiliar with Chicago southside rapper, Valee’.

Though he’s five projects in, owns his own distinguishable sound, and has an organically grown fanbase, the 30-year-old rapper has only been making music seriously for three years.

Much like his arrival on the music scene, Valee’s journey to becoming an artist sort of came out of nowhere.

In an interview with Noisey last summer, he spoke on how he found music and how it’s become an obsession since.

“I’m in the house, bored, one day about four years ago, and I’m like, ‘I think I’m going to go and get a game system.’ But on the way to get to the game system, I make a detour and go to Guitar Center.”

Soon after his life was never the same. Valee’ continued,

“I began just staying in the house, tucked away with my head down making music while going to nightclubs, the out south strip clubs and spent my time getting to know the security, DJs. That became like a full-time job, and it paid off.”

Film 📸 @patrickmpabon

A post shared by Valee’ (@valee) on

With a home studio and the all the time in the world, Valee’ has been able to shape, reshape, and grow his sound at his own pace. With production coming from either himself or St. Louis producer ChaseTheMoney, Valee’ has found the recipe.

For example, how he was able to repurpose and repackage his first mixtape 12:12 by coming out with 12:12 Again a short year later. Between those two projects he dropped two more, 1:11 and 2:22, further mastering his craft.

Valee’ cites Project Pat, Three Six Mafia, and Kanye West as musical influences but he definitely has his own sound despite the influence of those aforementioned artists. His raspy, low-tone voice is more 21 Savage-esque and the simplistic melodies of both his beats and hooks take after a Chief Keef or even Gucci Mane.

His most successful song, “Shell”, encapsulates Valee’s lethargic approach in a nutshell. When you first hear the self-produced track you’re welcomed by trap drums, light chimes, and an infectious hook you just want to nod your head to. It’s Valee’ through and through.

What you’ll gather upon coming across Valee’ is that he’s not chasing fame, clout or notoriety. The attention he’s amassed comes from little to no public appearances despite being in a city known for its open mics and a strong performance scene.

He’s not worried about being seen; only heard — and it’s paid off.

Valee’ and ChaseTheMoney dropped a joint album titled VTM this past September, continuing the chemistry they’ve built together from 12:12. 

Given the rapper’s work ethic — he’s averaging two projects a year — it’s safe to he’s one to look out for in 2018.

In the meanwhile, peep Valee’s body of work thus far. Don’t say we didn’t put you on first.

african american January 9, 2018
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Nipsey Hussle and Deray feud highlights issues of masculinity, Blackness

It’s safe to say that the outrage over H&M’s reveal of their ‘The Coolest Monkey in the Jungle” hoodie yesterday was both loud and warranted.

The retail brand faced extreme scrutiny, with everyone from LeBron to Questlove weighing in on the matter. H&M lost collaborating partners like The Weekend due to this egregious misstep and lack of oversight.

Among those who weighed in was West Coast artist, activist, and entrepreneur, Nipsey Hussle. Yesterday the “FDT” rapper uploaded a picture on Instagram of a group of young Black boys, where, in the caption, he stressed the importance of positive representation.

What he didn’t know however was that he also offended the LBGTQ community in the process.

According to the prominent social activist and openly gay man Deray McKesson, the post was out of line and homophobic. After reposting Nipsey’s IG post to his 1.3 million followers on Twitter, the two had a temporary back and forth, which sparked an entirely different convo.

The “agenda” Nipsey is referring to is an idea shared by certain members of the Black community that the media conspires to show Black men in a light that either makes them appear too violent or feminine. It is for this reason why Nip is facing scrutiny.

While the LBGTQ community are indeed still fighting for rights, describing Nipsey’s words as “violent” and “homophobic” are a stretch.

Stating that Blacks don’t have as many straight, positive, non-violent representations may be unfounded and baseless, but it’s an observation, and it does not mean he’s against the cause.

Regardless, Nipsey chose his words extremely carelessly here. Hopefully he can realize his misstep and get back to working for his community.

chicago January 5, 2018
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Who is CupcakKe? The 20-year-old rapper who’s bringing sex-positivity back

For the longest time, the 2002 hit single “My Neck, My Back” by Khia was the dirtiest song I had ever heard. Whether on a school bus, class or from my peers, it felt like “my neck, my back, my p****, and my crack” was recited everywhere, far before I was able to listen to the song itself.

Like Khia, there has been explicit lyrics in rap for years. The Too $horts, Trinas, and Lil Kims of the world have been holding that fort down for some time now. But even still, none have made a career of it. That is, not until CupcakKe.

Tonight!

A post shared by Marilyn MonHOE (@cupcakkeafreakk) on

Born Elizabeth Harris, the 22-year-old Chicago rapper has taken the reigns from the generations before her. While Nikki Minaj will have an “eat my ass” line or a song like “Anaconda”, CupcakKe takes it to another level. She’s deadass about that life.

Her Twitter handle is @CupcakKe_rapper, her location is set to “in the hotel sucking 83 dicks” and right before her booking handle for business inquiries, she has in all caps: “PUT A SNICKER IN MY PUSSY & TWIX IN MY ASS.”

But young CupcakKe was not always this way. In fact, she started her life of rhyme  performing at churches around Chicago at the tender age of 14. It wasn’t until someone suggested she start putting her poetry on YouTube that she realized she had something special, and that’s when she let the freak out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzuvfy4jFwE&has_verified=1

She tells Rolling Stone in a July interview last year.

“It was getting 10,000 views. As soon as I decided to do something [that wasn’t] being done at the moment and started writing sexual music, it just went viral.”

What wasn’t being done and the lane CupcakKe is talking about are sex-positive raps. Much like how Weird Al Yankovic or The Loney Island use the parody and satire as vehicles for content, her’s is sex.

Take the opening verse to her most successful song, “Vagina” for example. The 2016 tune is straight forward and doesn’t hold back.

I change the thongs two times a day
Its Niagara Falls in this pussy all day
Pussy so good I’m on a trip to the bay
Soon as he put it in that nigga calling me bae

https://youtu.be/L2dpXDK0D_4

The success of “Vagina”catapulted her to internet fandom and helped her realize that she truly has an audience that fucks with her music. Additionally, the timing of her career is couldn’t be more spot on.

In the past, if CupcakKe were to approach a label with her sound, there would have been no’s across the board due to her explicit content.

Now that the only barrier to entry in the music industry is what the people like, she does not have to deal with censorship or changing who she is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD7jC-qL9h0

Since starting rap two years ago CupcakKe has released two mixtapes and two studio albums, set out on her first national tour this spring, The Marilyn Monhoe Tour, and has a guest appeared on “Lipgloss,” the final track on Charli XCX’s mixtape Number 1 Angel, released last year.

But the best for CupcakKe is yet to come. Now that she’s dropped her third studio album, Ephorize, the possibility of national acclaim is that much realer.

With a message that empowers women to take control of their sexuality and trap beats that bang, why wouldn’t you want to root for her?

Listen to her latest project Ephorize here:

black panther January 4, 2018
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‘Black Panther’ gets blacker with TDE now producing the entire soundtrack

Black Panther just got blacker.

In a press release this morning, Kendrick announced that he and TDE head executive, Anthony “Punch” Tiffith will be producing the soundtrack and writing scores alongside Marvel’s team for the film’s February 16th release.

Apparently Kendrick already gave us an update, too. You just had to pay close attention to the video for the single, “LOVE“.

kendrick lamar

“Marvel Studios’ Black Panther is amazing, from its cast to its director,” Kendrick said in the press release, via The Verge.

“The magnitude of this film showcases a great marriage of art and culture. I’m truly honored to contribute my knowledge of producing sound and writing music alongside [director Ryan Coogler] and Marvel’s vision.”

Comic book, movie, and lovers of culture have been anticipating the premier of Black Panther since the movie was first announced in In October 2014, with every reveal making the wait more agonizing.

Peep the official trailer for Black Panther:

The film’s black aesthetic is another reason the anticipation of there has been hype around the debut of the movie. Under an administration that is clearly at odds with the minorities of this country, Black Panther is a statement in the movie title in itself that serves as a beacon of light.

The cast is star-studded and predominantly black and includes the likes of Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), Michael B. Jordan (Creed), Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead), Forest Whitaker (Rogue One) and American Horror Story’s Angela Bassett, just to name a few. Now, with TDE, in control of the soundtrack, it’s blacker than ever. Like I said.

The details on the soundtrack are not released but if it’s anything that we’re use to hearing from the label, Black Panther might be even better than we predicted.

Peep the first song of the soundtrack “All The Stars” featuring Kendrick and SZA here.

Bruh January 4, 2018
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Trump will attend CFB National Championship game where Kendrick is performing

If I’ve learned anything during my short stint on earth, it’s that’s life writes the best dramas. Stephen King is good and Shonda Rhimes is great, but both pail in comparison to how life unfolds. And Wednesday, it seems, life had quite the script up it’s sleeves.

Yesterday AJC’s regionally-focused site Politically Georgia reported that Donald Trump will attend Monday’s college football National Championship Final game between Georgia and Alabama in Atlanta.

45’s visit to the game is not particular news — he’s a man of leisure who’s already golfed more than any President ever — but what makes this particular storyline spicy is not Trump’s incompetence as a leader but, rather, who’s performing at halftime: Kendrick Lamar.

Alright GIF by Kendrick Lamar - Find & Share on GIPHY

Although it’s unclear if the President will actually observe K.Dot’s performance, being that its a free event held outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, I can’t think of a bigger juxtaposition if he did.

Kendrick hasn’t came out and said anything but if you follow his music, interviews or even his videos, you’ll see that the Compton-raised rapper is a new-aged revolutionary.

His 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly had him and his homies squatting in front of the White House and the lead single on that album, “Alright”, has been used by African-American civil rights group Black Lives Matters during their rallies — the same group Trump deems a terrorist group.

Image result for to pimp a butterfly

There have not been any leaks as to what Kendrick is planning for the lifetime show between Georgia and Alabama yet but if it’s anything like Beyonce’s halftime performance during Super Bowl XLVII — which drew criticism of anti-law enforcement as she appeared to pay tribute to the Black Panthers — it shall be interesting.

Trump has repeatedly gone after the NFL and it’s players who decided to silently protest by taking a knee, citing it disrespect to the anthem, so players too may have something planned.

Whether Trump watches or not, I know we can count on Kendrick to deliver a performance of a lifetime. I’m just hoping life has something more radical in mind.