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Contributing Writers: Mr. Urban
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Kee Le’se
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Contents:
Urban TYMES: July Summer Issue!
“I’m Just Sayin”
pg--9 Diamond of the Month Tangi pg-12 fashion & Swagger Summer’s Chic and Breeziest Basic Essentials by: Tami McLean pg-18
Mr. 704
Spoken Word
Reppin’ the QC to the fullest!!! Pg 14
Kee Le’se Pg-21
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Charlotte's first "Multicultural Literary Lounge!"
Address: 2424-112A North Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205 ¡ Phone (704) 377-8989 Website http://www.redat28th.com http://www.twitter.com/ RedAt28th Hours Mon: 6:00 pm -2:00 am Tues - Sat: 12:00 pm -2:00 am Sun: 6:00 pm—2:00 am
Red@28th hosts a wine bar, spacious seating, an outdoor patio, live entertainment and new & used books. Specialized books include cultural studies, top sellers, alternative lifestyle, classics, activism, politics, New Age, Religious, African American history and African American children books. Red@28th offers a welcoming environment with vintage and traditional furniture. Free parking and free Wi Fi is also available for customers. Red@28th has a smaller space which hosts Hub Hookah Lounge and is available for small engagements including seminars, corporate meetings and book clubs. Red@28th hosts regular events, including booksignings, storytelling, relationship forums, the "Change Series," and much much more.
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“I’m Just Sayin” By Dani the Poet
The constant chatter in the lives of people I meet is about relationships. Everyone wants to know why marriages aren’t lasting, couples are fighting, and families don’t stay together. And I find myself asking a couple of questions… Where’s the “soul” in our food these days? Have the “Big Mama’s” of our families disappeared? Who is the glue determined to keep us together no matter what the cost to themselves? And while I know these are questions with different answers depending on the family, I think we can all agree that there is something lacking for the majority. Times have changed; the standards of society seem to only increase with the passing of every year, and I wonder what “chasing the dream” has cost us. Have we sacrificed the things most important to us for our grind? Is there any soul left in our families? It may sound trivial; a little idealistic, but I watched the movie Soul Food today and found myself reflecting on this subject quite emotionally.
I watched that baby cry at the state of his family, and I felt that way about most families today. We have lost balance. We have forgone accountability for complete acceptance and I’m not sure that it’s been the best thing for us. Should we be striving for a balance? Where are the lessons of our grandmothers? Do we have any appreciation for their struggle and sacrifice to hold families together that we now willingly allow to fall by the wayside? Can there ever really be too much effort involved in the restoration, rebuilding, and solidification of relationships? I don’t know about you, but I miss the joy and love of a close family. See, I’ve found that even families that have tradition and spend time together around the holidays are missing that emotional bond with each other. We have become surface people. And I’m not sure if it’s because we’ve watched the pain of the Big Mamas and determined that we don’t want to feel it or if it’s because we’ve become so focused on achieving greatness, success, and prosperity that we have forgotten what it is to be blessed with nothing. Simplicity feels good. When all you have to focus on is pouring your love into the babies God blessed you to raise, feeding their hearts and souls… can we really replace that with what’s in our bank accounts or what we drive? I’m just asking. I know that some of you may be reading this and thinking: who is she to talk? She grinds as hard as we do and I would have to agree. I let the accolades, appreciation, and apparent affection from people who read and support my work to replace the need for the love that I’m actually missing in my personal life. How’s that for honesty? Here’s the thing though… I’m not the only one. I wonder how many of us are substituting applause, pats on the back, or promotions for the love we should be giving and receiving in our families. I would venture to say a significant number of us.
points because they are all that matters. They are my greatest responsibility. And I have to believe that my being a good steward of them, everything else will come. Now, we aren’t all the same. Some can’t cook. Others don’t shop well. But we all have our place in our families… that spot designed for no other than you. So, whatever that is – fill it. Take your position and play hard because our families are the most important team we can play on. Understand that you will lose some games, players will get injured, and you will occasionally (maybe even frequently lol) wish you could be traded to another team, but there is nothing like your family. Let’s put some “soul” back in our food, take care of the Big Mamas we have, and remember to execute the lessons our past generations have taught us.
Now, I’m not psychiatrist or an expert on relationships to say that least, but I feel pretty confident in saying that at the core of us we all want the same thing. The question is how do we go out getting it? Who’s going to take that first step, risk possible hurt and rejection, maybe embarrassment in an attempt to repair, regenerate, and reestablish the crucial elements that are absent in our families? Will it be the man who has determined to take his place at the head and lead the people he loves back to the table for Sunday dinner? What about the woman who knows that by simply placing herself in the kitchen and sowing her love in the oven that those sweet aromas will bring everyone home where they belong? Will the job fall upon her? Or will it be the babies that bring us to our senses? Do they have to cry tears of despair in order for us adults to figure out that we are failing them?? Someone pretty wise once said, “Out of the mouths I’m Just Sayin’ of babes” and I wonder if we’re listening. Or are we too busy chasing our dreams to realize that we are neglecting our futures? I’ve recently made some changes in my If you have a topic of discussion, or would own life in effort to find some balance, get like to hear more from Dani things in proper order, and make sure my babies are happy. My only fear and greatVisit her at: est hope is that I haven’t waited too late. So, today… I’ll finish this article, head to http://www.thisisdani.com the grocery store, clean my house, cook http://www.gigsalad.com/Dani_charlotte for my babies, and spend some “love http://wwww.danithepoet.blogspot.com building time” with them. It won’t be anyhttp://www.twitter.com/danithepoet thing spectacular or grandiose, but I http://healedbuthurt.blogspot.com hope it will create memories and teach http://www.myspace.com/tcooky them lessons they can pass down to their families long after I’m gone. And while this may not be something I can do every single day, I am determined to do it enough to make a change, to build bonds where there are none and strengthen our weak
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Artist Spotlight On ~
Mr. 704 The City is Listening……………. By Mr. Urban
I got the chance to interview Mr. 704 prior to his trip to the BET awards. As we talked, I got a lot more than the artist trying to make it big and get the bling. I heard from him the love of the business, the need to show the world that the QC has talent, and that his fans are paramount to his success…….
The history of Mr. 704 aka “Ol Koon”, is one of a native wanting to represent his city. “We really don’t get the light and recognition we deserve” he states. Formerly of the group “Fenced In” he went on to produce solo projects such as “Ain’t Taking No Losses Volume 1” with DJ Drop and “Money, Mixtapes and Moves” hosted by DJ Head Bussa. He saw then that being involved in music totally a part of the process to grow. “I was always hands on, from production, to writing, I always did that!” He believes that through his music, people can know him, “basically they will see that this cat is real” Mr. 704 says, “and through that people will able to support me, the stories I tell and other artists here in the QC.”
I told him that I did some homework on Mr. 704, and how people are responding to his form of music, which has that smooth southern drawl and hints of Bun B. With fans as far as DC hailing his music as the next “thing” I asked him what was the creativity behind one single Church Music? “Church Music came about when I went to LA to shoot this movie, me and two other artists reppin Chi-town and ATL, Loch and Paradice came together and formed “Area Code.” “Church Music was a lyrical, laid back single showing the street side.” Another single that has gained mad reviews is Lately, which was written during his time in LA. This single he states “showed a different side to me.” “I think this song helped me, because it showed everyone that maybe he’s a different type of artist.” “I also think that doing stuff like this shows the versatility we have,” he says. “When someone sees your game in another city, they see how serious you are.” He states “That’s what helps the movement.”
He’s working on a piece that is for the ladies titled Dreamin. There is no stopping right now. “I’m not a thug, definitely far from it” he says. “I wasn’t impoverished or had a hard upbringing, I chose the streets, and through my music I want to give it to them real. He also mentions giving back to those streets, his community, his state through various projects from giving away Wal-mart giftcards to those in need in Fayetteville, NC due to the recent storms, to gas cards giveaways, to developing a program with a local organization to teach neighborhood youth how to swim. His dream for the future, to create “Southside Day “a day that represents his Nations Ford Rd area through free food, fun, community involvement and a free concert. “Fans make it happen for us,” he says “you getting the chance to give back with anything that helps.”
“When someone sees your game in another city, they see how serious you are.” “That’s what helps the movement.”
But his work doesn’t stop there. The formation of FIE, (Fenced In Entertainment) was a necessity. Along with Jermaine “Carolina Maine” Johnson, their goal is to create an entity that “keeps the negativity out” he says. “ “Not a locked up, jailhouse mentality, but keeping it positive and good vibes that know what’s up and knows the streets.” They’ve been in it for a while and Mr. 704 states “I wanted to go into business with some I know, someone I knew would have my back.”
For those getting into the business, he imparts some words of advice.” Invest in yourself and anything that can help to make it happen and promote it” he says. “You can’t make anyone else invest in you unless you invest and believe in it.” The QC already has their eyes on Mr. 704, now its time for the world to see NC at its finest.
For more information on Mr. 704, FIE, and this His view on loyalty is steady as well, as he talked movement: about Mr. Swerveaholic, “the humble, hype man,” he says. “He got something for them, he says, and he cool about being on until we get him out there for Website: http://www.Mr704FIE.com Booking information: Jermaine “Carolina Maine” everyone to see!” “That’s part of being independent, gotta have everything in order, because it’s an equal Johnson: FIECEO@gmail.com Press Contact: Tangi Davis, imerge1@aol.com opportunity for everybody.” “Shout out to Duncan (704) 777-9206 Hines too.”
What are his next projects? After just getting back Request his single Lately on your local radio stations, and check out Welcome to Charlotte on iTunes! from a stint in the ATL and Columbia, next the BET awards, a release party in July at Club 935 here in Charlotte, and then a visit to Houston, Oklahoma City, Shreveport, LA and then to Dallas TX. But it doesn’t stop there, as Mr. 704 will return to Columbia, SC for a event featuring Sean Paul and the Youngbloods.
THIS HERE IS NC FLAVOR...
With a whole lot more to come!!!!
Fashion & Swagger ~ Summer’s Chic and Breeziest Basic Essentials
and the natural fragrance flattering the night’s summer breeze. Your skin needs to be protected, nourished, exfoliated, hydrated and from the inside out. The skin requires these procedures to help maintain being your body’s first line of defense. Ultra violet rays, are your skin’s biggest enemy during the summer months, no matter your complexion it has to be protected with SPF. (SPF, mostly are sold with tint moisturizers, so no flaky foundation ladies!). Taking care of the skin you are in, will give you a renewed presence! Trust me, everyone will take notice! Hands and feet are the summer’s most neglected, for some! There is nothing more appealing than a man or woman with well groomed hands and feet. These two says a lot about a person’s character, lifestyle and health. Manicures and pedicures are unisex! (Yes, I said it… and saying it again, UNISEX!). Hands and feet extend the statement of pride and value in oneself and health. Both are inexpensive and can be done at home or at the salon. Hands and feet are the body parts we utilize the most; putting them on display with elegance is a sure way to start the summer, with coolness.
Summer’s Basic Trendiest Essentials For Hair-
How the Basic Essentials Can Make Any Outfit Look Refresh and Cool Tami McLean
With the summer temperatures soaring faster than gas prices, everyone wants to look chic and cool with the bare necessities. The summer’s basic essentials for pulling together style for envy are hair, skin, hands and feet. Haute flowing hair, gorgeous glowing skin, clean and well groomed hands and feet will compliment any summer’s outfit. It’s guaranteed to bring out the inner diva and hustler with maximum swag and sex appeal. Minimizing the basics with splashes of high voltage pops of color for electric sizzle or natural neutral tones will keep you looking fresh and light.
A messy bun or ponytail to keep hair light and free off the neck is the best way to stay cool. For a more dramatic long hair look, comb a roller set from the crown backwards, letting the curls fall loosely and free. SUPER SEXY! The asymmetrical cuts with long bang and or shaven on the side are super chic. Side swept the bangs for a clean sassy chic look. For a more dramatic look, with short hair, curl the bang in layers away from the face and then comb towards the face after finishing. Just enough body to get somebody!!!
SkinSt Ives Body Wash in Cucumber Melon (refreshing and light scented) Neutrogena Body Wash (prevents body acne) Ambi Body Wash (helps maintain and even skin tone)
Haute hair is a NEED and MUST, for women especially African
Body Glow-
American women. Summer is the time to keep hair clean, light, and touchable (yes, touchable, even with a weave!) Protect your hair from the sun, excessive heat, and other pollutants by washing and conditioning your hair. Many products available are now designed to suit your hair needs. Most relax hair strands get dry in high humidity resulting in breakage. However, between beauty salon visits keeping your hair moisturize can prevent damage to the hair follicle and breakage. Remember, ladies hair maintenance must be maintained even with a weave. Treat your own hair as delicate as your weave! Yes, wearing a weave requires maintenance; if you are unsure of how to care for your weave, ask your stylist before installing. Some hairstyles are not suitable for all wearers! (I say it with L-O-V-E, muah) The largest organ of the human body; is often taken for granted, THE SKIN. The skin is the most valuable and important accessory for summer; who doesn’t want to bare it all! Everyone wants clean and clear skin for the summer. It gives off the radiance of inner beauty, the majestic glow of any hue,
St. Tropez Self Tanner Carol’s Daughter Skin Browning Jergen’s Body Glow (Want better results, get a light spray tan from a tanning salon, reduces the appearance of cellulite and other blemishes, Shhhh!)
Hands and FeetNatural and Splashes of Color (neither are wrong this summer, it depends on U) Well Groomed – Manicure and Pedicure Colors- Natural, Neutral or Pops of Two Toned Colors.
Til next time!!!!
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My Arsenal Breathin life into a creation that not many believed, Rock bottom is an understatement..... A smile away from depressed A meal away from famished A generation away from homeless None the less, I’m still squeezin No. Sorry. Not at this time rings out as freely as air…… Fine lines and silver strands of wisdom threaten to catch an early flight & land on me. But its ok, I'll be alright cuz I’m reloading He’s so rambunctious and to me he’s forever precious. But please, please, PLEASE Sit still for mommy... ‘cause I’m a LIL tired & my head KINDA hurts, & my heart is ONLY HALF broken. But with the breath in me I refuse to succumb to defeat, letting you know my struggle. Lock and loading my weapon Eyes are
Refuse to believe it could receive GODSSSSPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED I’m ready on the left, ready on the right Cant sleep at night. I'M PRAYIN Bills beyond past due. I'M PRAYIN Car wont start. I'M PRAYIN eelin the death 1 to many times of a broken heart I'M PRAYIN Switch to Full-Burst 1 shot 1 kill baby (sighs) Trouble don’t last always, But only by you reversing them & puttin trouble in its OWN hearse. All black everything really doesn’t have to mean the death of me. Because my arsenal is manufactured by grace, producing the best of me. (smiles) He really sees the best in me. ……...BULLS EYE
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