SEE THE VISION......BE EXPOSED TO REAL
1
2
PERIHPERAL MAGAZINE
SEE THE VISION......BE EXPOSED TO REAL
3
featured
artist
mykee
Q: Global Rhythmz: You recently had a performance in Delaware! Were you excited? Tell us about it…
A: Mykee: Yeah, it was fun. It was cool…Me and my group were the only performers. It was suppose to be someone else but they couldn’t make it, because they were stuck in traffic. It was three other group members, they don’t rap, but they are my boys! My Father sponsored a “Back To School Bash”. We gave away free food, book bags & free school supplies for the kids. There was a radio station there & I gave out 200 copies of my songs, flyers with my name on them & follow me on Twitter (@RealMykee)…stuff like that.
Q: Global Rhythmz: How did you find Hip Hop as a passion?
A: Mykee: I used to rap with a couple of my friends…I started dancing…We use to watch MJ & Chris Brown. It’s something that we liked to do. In doing that we formed a group… Dancing is all we knew how to do. Then I was like we should rap…I mean I didn’t think I could really rap, but I just tried…putting some rhymes together & stuff like that. Eventually we started saying oh shoot we got something here! Then I started to branch off. My Dad started seeing me writing downstairs…My cousin use to be a gospel singer. My Dad knew all that he knew by working with him…so my Dad was like alright if this is what you want to do I’ll support you.
Q: Global Rhythmz: When you started writing, what was the first rhyme you wrote? How was that experience?
A: Mykee: I actually remember the day. Me & my friends we use to call ourselves the “Swag Boys”. Every time we went to a party we were the life! It started jumping when we got there! First we started saying “Life of the Party!”… then thought...this could be a song. It wasn’t great…but when I actually took my time to write & I knew I had potential.
Q: Global Rhythmz: How do people receive you now, as far as your friends & your family?
A: Mykee: My Brother doesn’t think I’m bad! Every time I get the big head he sits me down, but that’s just my Brother. My Fam sees that I’m trying to be positive & not like a lot of other rappers. My pastor wants to hear my music. He’s interested in it. I don’t have to change anything, because I make music for everyone. A lot of friends have grown a respect for me.
Q: Global Rhythmz: Now, during the summer time do you have time to work or you just do your music?
A: Mykee: Well, I think of it as I have three jobs! From the morning to about 2pm I’m at my Dad’s office. Rapping is not my main thing…Not depending on rap to be successful. I could become a dentist & take over the practice.
4
PERIHPERAL MAGAZINE
FEATURED ARTIST : MYKEE
Q: Global Rhythmz: What do you do there?
A: Mykee: I’ve been assisting for four weeks. I take patients to the back & help with setup. I’m learning right now to get ahead for school so I will have a background.
Q: Global Rhythmz: What are your second and third jobs?
A: Mykee: Music…I write when I come back home…Hang out, practice with the boys if we got performances. Writing is when I vibe by myself. I still include my friends though. I also work at my Godfather’s boxing gym. I have a class with my Godbrother & eleven year olds. We work them out & teach them the boxing skills. I don’t do this every day though.
Q: Global Rhythmz: When do you get to socialize, make time for yourself?
A: Mykee: Sunday’s after Church I do something. Usually on Monday & the weekends when I’m not performing, or doing music videos….I only go to the gym Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday, so Monday I get to hang out with my friends.
Q: Global Rhythmz: Do you ever get times when you get nervous, because rapping is different from dancing?
A: Mykee: Actually when I was dancing I really never got nervous. At my school we were a part of the talent show & I did a dance routine. I kind of did rap the same way! I wasn’t nervous. When I first got on stage I was nervous. I just took the nervousness & flipped it. After that I was straight! I would loosen up after a song starts to play.
Q: Global Rhythmz: For those just meeting Mykee…what would you like to leave them with?
A: Mykee: I want to be positive. I want people to like my music & enjoy it. I’m about being positive, giving back to the community, & making the world a better place! Make sure you follow this Young Star in the making. His debut mixtape will be releasing soon entitled “Mykee to Success”. To learn more about Mykee, check out his website, Global Rhythmz, Facebook, and Twitter!
SEE THE VISION......BE EXPOSED TO REAL
5
6
PERIHPERAL MAGAZINE
B
efore we get into the topic, let’s first define the word “Great”. Most people use it interchangeably with “Best”, but each word has separate meanings. To call someone the “Greatest” is to say they have changed and/or transformed their original, intended purpose and transcended to a higher level in comparison with their peers. To call someone the “Best” is to say they are at the top of their game. “Great” refers to everything as a whole. “Best” refers to the few aspects or qualities that are being judged. Let’s look at an example.
SEE THE VISION......BE EXPOSED TO REAL
7
“Tupac had
his own style…he didn’t sound like anyone that came before him. That is Greatness.”
8
PERIHPERAL MAGAZINE
WHY TUPAC IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME In Boxing, Muhammed Ali is considered by most as the Greatest Boxer of All Time. But, if you ask many Boxing historians they wouldn’t vote for him as the “Best Boxer of All Time”. Most would give that title to Sugar Ray Robinson or Joe Louis. But ask yourself why? What is the difference? The answer... Culture. No one would ever argue that Muhammed Ali wasn’t a beast in the ring. But his legacy goes DEEPER than the boxing ring. He fought during a time of political and societal un-rest. During a time when America was warring, not only with other countries but with itself. His persona, ethics, and rebellious nature struck a chord in not only Americans, but other countries. That is Greatness. That is Tupac. Tupac had his own style…he didn’t sound like anyone that came before him. That is Greatness. His versatility is un-paralleled. Before Tupac, most hip hop albums were mono-chromatic. Meaning, if you bought a Gangsta Rap album, you could rest assured that you would get 10-12 songs of pure chaos. The same held true for Lyricists, “New Jack Swing”, “Party Rap” etc. But Tupac was a Poet first, Rapper second. Including Eminem, there has yet to be a Rapper to truly perfect every single style all wrapped up in one person. In one album, he could make you Dance – “California Love” Laugh – “What’z Ya Phone #” Cry – “Life Goes On” Get Crunk – “You Can’t See Me” Get Lyrical – “Got My Mind Made Up” Pimp – “How Do You Want It” Get Political – “Wonda Why They Call U Bitch” Think about Life – “I Aint Mad At Cha” Think about Society – “Shorty Wanna Be A Thug” Swag out – “Picture Me Rollin” Romantic – “Heaven Aint Hard To Find”
Hop wasn’t as international as it is now. Tupac was the first Rapper to have two #1 albums in a row in the Billboard’s top 200 albums chart. According to Forbes, by 2007 Tupac had sold over 75 million albums worldwide making him one of the best selling artists in the world. But the accomplishments that really bother fans are the ones judged by his peers...especially in Hip Hop. MTV ranked him as #2 Greatest of All Time…VH1 had him at #3. Which I find interesting because most, if not all, polls done by fans have him ranked at #1 including MTV’s “22 Greatest MCs of All Time” as voted by viewers and Vibe Magazine’s poll. The Rolling Stone magazine has him ranked as #86 on their “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” list which ranks all genres. And though I would still fight you on the fact they ranked “Run DMC” and “Public Enemy” ahead of him…there’s nO F@#$%N way Eminem and Dr. Dre should be ahead of Tupac. That’s a bad joke. Tupac’s Legacy goes deeper and further than the sound booth. How many other rappers…check that…musicians can you say that about? That is Greatness. In Hip Hop, there isn’t a Rapper born or alive from 1990 until now that doesn’t have Tupac’s DNA in their music, whether they admit to it or not. Until very recently, no artist could compare to Tupac’s international fanbase. As I travel to different countries in Europe and Latin America there are 3 t-shirts I’d bet you a plane ticket you will see: Che’ Guevara, Bob Marley, Tupac Shakur. There are Tupac murals all around the world. You would expect them all around California, but did you know about the one in Sierra Leone, Africa (posted above)? You expect to see a tribute outside the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Georgia, but did you know there is a statue that greets guests outside the entrance to the MARTa Museum in Herford, Germany?
But how? Because he was a Poet first, Rapper second. He wrote from the heart. Not only what he saw and experienced, but what he felt and couldn’t say any other way. In the same hour, he could write a song like “Hit Em Up” and then “Dear Mama” because he was that complex. He was consistent in his values and they never wavered from album to album, including posthumous music. Nowadays the music industry is all business and about sales. So people tend to compare him to other rappers using those criteria. But if you do, you have to place everything in its proper perspective. During Tupac’s era there were no digital downloads. Hip Hop artists didn’t have million dollar recording budgets. They didn’t have six-figure Marketing budgets either. But even more importantly, Hip SEE THE VISION......BE EXPOSED TO REAL
9
10
PERIHPERAL MAGAZINE
WHY TUPAC IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
How many How many their lyrics? Thoreau, or
rappers can you name that have Harvard Symposiums about them? other rappers can you name that have College Professors teaching That is reserved for poets such as Edgar Allen Poe, Henry David Ralph Waldo Emerson. Add Tupac Amaru Shakur to that list.
Still not convinced? Refer back to the definition of “Great” and “Best”…now consider this: On Wednesday, June 23, 2010, Tupac was inducted to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. They chose “Dear Mama” as one of only 25 important recordings chosen by the Library of Congress for preservation due to the song’s cultural and historical importance. Ok, I have one more for you… Almost exactly eleven years after its posthumous release, Tupac’s 1998 hit “Changes” was selected by the Vatican (yes as in THE Catholic Church) as one of their “12 Favorite Songs”! It was the first time the Catholic Church officially recognized the work of any popular American artist. Tupac and “Changes” were included with the likes of “Don Giovanni” by Mozart, the Vatican’s own “Advocata Nostra,” featuring the voice of Pope Benedict XVI, and “After The Rain,” by Dame Shirley Bassey.
Tupac Shakur is the “Greatest” Rapper of All Time.
SEE THE VISION......BE EXPOSED TO REAL
11
12
PERIHPERAL MAGAZINE
When Pusha T released his latest track ‘Exodus 23:1,’ Lil Wayne took it as a diss directed towards his label, and released a diss track of his own titled ‘Ghoulish.’ In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Wayne now says he does not have any issues with Pusha T. When asked about what he has coming up musically and the status of his beef with Pusha T, Weezy responded, “I just finished recording my ‘I Am Not a Human Being II’ album. And we’re starting to work on the Young Money album. ... It really wasn’t no beef, you know. It was just me. I just reacted. Just a reaction, a simple reaction. I don’t apologize for it because I’m human. But it was just my human reaction. I don’t take it back. But there’s no beef. Beef is a whole different thing. ... I’ll move on.” Wayne also stated that even with his many business dealings, music will always remain his primary focus. “I can honestly say my music is always going to be greater than my business side. Because I’m naturally a musician. And I don’t have to get paid, I don’t even have to have businesses. I will still do music. So that will always be my greater thing. ... Business is business. And music is life.”
SEE THE VISION......BE EXPOSED TO REAL
13
JAY-Z SUED OVER ‘DECODED’ BOOKFOR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT, INVASION OF PRIVACY Jay-Z is being sued for invasion of privacy and copyright infringement after a man has come forward stating portions of Jay’s 2010 book, “Decoded”, were works stolen from him. “In 2009, my personal computer was compromised, resulting in my personal work to be used in Jay-Z’s book Decoded which was released in 2010,” said White in his lawsuit against Jay. The lawsuit contends that the book “contains various expressions/colors/phrases, which correlates to my work. After contacting or attempting to contact the co-author, I got no reply.” In addition to Jay-Z, White is also suing Dream Hampton and Random House, who is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. Amazon describes the book “like no other: a collection of lyrics and their meanings that together tell the story of a culture, an art form, a moment in history, and one of the most provocative and successful artists of our time.” Mr. Carter has yet to respond to the allegations.
14
PERIHPERAL MAGAZINE
There is no signing new
doubt shoes,
that but
sneaker companies did Adidas take
have to be very creative when deit to far with their latest design.
The JS Roundhouse Mid closely resembled shackles that were present during slavery, prompting many to protest the sneaker and the company. With the mounting pressure, Adidas pulled the plug on the sneaker and released a statement. “The design of the JS Roundhouse Mid is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott’s outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery,” Adidas said in the statement. “Since the shoe debuted on our Facebook page ahead of its market release in August, adidas has received both favorable and critical feedback. We apologize if people are offended by the design and we are withdrawing our plans to make them available in the marketplace.”
SEE THE VISION......BE EXPOSED TO REAL
15
T
he world stood still on the evening of Saturday February 11, 2012; our beloved Queen of Pop Whitney Houston died. The unexpected death was a shock to millions all over the world. Whitney Houston left a legacy of seven consecutive number one hits off of that includes the hit Dolly Parton classic a cover of “I Will Always Love You”, numerous Grammy awards, countless phenomenal performances, unforgettable acting roles in hit box office movies such as “The Bodyguard”, 200 million records sold worldwide, turning a live rendition of the national anthem into a billboard radio hit and who could forget about that powerhouse voice that made you get goosebumps whenever she opened her mouth to sing. Whitney Houston’s death touched millions who looked up to the icon as an inspiration. There will never be another model, singer, actress, beautiful being overall prolific entertainer like the now late Whitney Houston. Whitney Elizabeth Houston born August 9, 1963 in Newark, NJ grew up in a household full of musical background and influences. Her mother Cissy Houston, a notable Gospel singer in the community of Newark, NJ, legendary singer and cousin of Whitney Houston the soothing Dionne Warwick and God Mother queen of soul Aretha Franklin were some of the many influences in Whitney Houston’s career. Growing up in Newark, NJ’s New Hope Baptist Church, it was in that church people would come in contact with the most extraordinary, improbable gift God can bless anyone with and that was her voice. When Whitney Houston sang it like angels sighing in your ears; beautifully notes perfected throughout the room. Whitney’s distinct voice is one no one in this world can copy or even come close to having. Many don’t know before Houston’s sky rocket career she started off a model and became the first African American female to appear on the cover of Seventeen Magazine in the early 1980s. Whitney Houston signed to Arista records in 1983 under the wing of notable president of Arista and who would become an important figure in Houston’s life; Clive Davis.
CAREER
Two years after signing with Arista Records, Whitney Houston’s self-titled debut album “Whitney Houston” was released in 1985. The first US single to jump Houston’s career off the album was the soulful ballad “You Give Good Love” followed by her first number one single “Saving All My Love for You”. With the constant success of her follow up albums Whitney and I’m Your Baby Tonight with such top charting songs like “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”, “So Emotional”, “I’m Your Baby Tonight”, “My Name Is Not Susan” and “All The Man That I Need” Houston was on the ride of her life all while captivating the hearts of all around the world. All while on her rising success, Whitney Houston found time to fit a love life with the ladies eye candy in which she penned the king of r&b, Bobby Brown of the rnb group sensation New Edition. The two married in 1992 and a year later followed the birth of their baby girl Bobbi Kristina. Acting was introduced to Whitney Houston when she starred alongside Kevin Costner in the blockbuster hit The Bodyguard following the phenomenal soundtrack in which Houston penned sixtracks and signed on as executive producer on the album that reached outstanding numbers selling over a million copies in its first week of release. A beauty and natural on the big screen, Houston participated in Waiting To Exhale, The Preacher’s Wife and Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella alongside young rnb songstress Brandy Norwood. From the years 1998 – 2005 and more than a handful of grammys under her belt as well as incomparable achievements Whitney Houston went on to release three albums within those years; My Love Is Your Love, Whitney: The Greatest Hits and Just Whitney which continued to put Whitney Houston on top of the charts knowingly becoming a household name and paving a way for young inspiring singers out there.
Trials and Tribulations
Just like many of the iconic great entertainers in the industry, Whitney Houston entered a period in her career and life when she battled with substance abuse. Along with her husband Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston showed signs of erratic behavior in public appearances, award shows, and interviews ending up on the front covers of the tabloid newspapers. Family, close friends and even fans were concerned about Houston’s health and then deteriorating career. It wasn’t until 2002 when Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown sat with Diane Sawyer for an interview that would become the highest rated television interview in history. Diane Sawyer asked Whitney Houston if she had ever used crack/ cocaine or any illegal substance prior to her erratic behaviors lately in the news. Houston declined the false accusations of questions that related to her to be addicted to crack/cocaine. After the interview Whitney Houston was then in and out of court defending her husband Bobby Brown , which the media reports domestic violence between the two as also his in and out of jail stints for having cocaine and marijuana in his possession numerous times. This was a major downfall in Houston’s career which immediately scared the loved ones of singer. Luckily, Houston’s mother Cissy Houston along with longtime friend and mentor Clive Davis intervened and eliminated Whitney from the situation she was in. Trough finding strength back in her spiritual roots, Whitney Houston overcame that troubled time in her life ending her troubled relationship with Bobby Brown filing for a divorce in 2007.
18
PERIHPERAL MAGAZINE
I Look To You
A new, fresh and healthy Whitney Houston was set to go back into the studio to release another album which was later named I Look to you released August 2009. Houston’s two leading singles “I Look to You” and “Million Dollar Bill,” skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard 200 charts both entering at number one spot. “I Look to You” in its first week sold 350,000 copies giving Whitney Houston another number one album since The Bodyguard soundtrack and her first album Whitney Houston. As of December 2009 “I Look To You” has been certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of more than one million copies in the United States. In company with I Look To You Whitney Houston embarked on the Nothing But Love Tour and BET (Black Entertainment Television) honored Whitney Houston’s remarkable career and musical achievements as well as being an humanitarian on BET Honors in 2010. I Look To You proved to fans all over that Whitney Houston indeed made a major comeback when she gave an emotional performance that roared crowds during BET Celebration of Gospel; a genre in which Whitney Houston’s vocals were birthed.
Death and Legacy
February 11, 2012 at the age of 48 years old, Whitney Houston died at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The same day her mentor Clive Davis was having his annual PreGrammy Party. Prior to her death, Whitney Houston was seen days earlier spotted out at restaurants with friends and her last known on video appearance was at R&B singer Kelly Price’s Grammy Party where she performed “Jesus Loves Me” with her dear friend two days before her death. Information about how Houston died is still up for discussion, an autopsy was done the following day with results waiting to come in the near weeks. Investigators sent out an official statement detailing no criminal intent was found in Houston’s death. Whitney Houston’s death stunned the world, fans, close friends and even her family; those who didn’t take the heart-breaking news so well was Houston’s mother Cissy and her 18 year old daughter Bobbi Christina. It is reported Bobbi Christina checked in and out the hospital twice for emotional shock. In the time to be by his daughter’s side, Bobby Brown rushed from a New Edition reunion concert to the Beverly Hilton Hotel to comfort and grieve with her. At this sad and heart-breaking tragedy, the family has asked for privacy and thanks those who send their condolences. In continuation of the Grammy’s the show was SEE THE VISION......BE EXPOSED TO REAL
19
dedicated to Houston celebrating her outstanding efforts in the music industry in being a pioneer for young inspiring singers/actors this day. Jennifer Hudson, sang Houston’s The Bodyguard classic “I Will Always Love You” under a picture of the late great singer which had the audience of thousands tearing when she nailed the very first high note. Whitney Houston’s funeral arrangements were already up for discussion whether she was going to have a beautiful memorial service in California or bring her home of Newark, New Jersey. It has been confirmed Whitney Houston’s funeral will be held privately at New Hope Baptist Church, Saturday, February 18. The very same church Houston grew up in where her incredible voice was discovered. Whitney Houston was a big inspiration and role model to those all over who have dreams of being the next big star. Her legacy will live on as her songs are fans most favorite to sing at Karaoke Bars, Talent competition shows such as American Idol and X-Factor also at weddings. There will never be another voice to hit the music industry and take us by storm like Whitney Houston accomplished to do. Whitney Houston will never be forgotten, she is a staple in the music industry touching the hearts of millions. The last works Houston was scheduled to work on was releasing another album, starring and producing a remake to the classic 1976 movie Sparkle alongside Jordin Sparks which is scheduled to be released later this year. In many hearts and souls Whitney Houston will live on through all.
We Will Always Love Whitney Houston.
20
PERIHPERAL MAGAZINE
SEE THE VISION......BE EXPOSED TO REAL
21
22
PERIHPERAL MAGAZINE