“Black In America” Lives On

CNN “BLACK IN AMERICA” DOCUMENTARY GOES TO DVD

Columbus, OH – Although the recent CNN “Black In America” series did not exactly receive rave reviews, it will be released on DVD on September 2nd. Hosted by reporter Soledad O’brien, the documentary attempts to address the various stereotypes and challenges that African Americans face.

When originally aired, the program attracted over 2 million viewers and generated tons of dialogue on urban radio shows. It even inspired one company (Lee Moss Media) to launch BlackInAmerica.com as a social network that allows African Americans to meet and interact with each other to share opinions, ideas, and solutions

Dante Lee, co-founder of Lee Moss Media, comments, “Many people were dissatisfied with the documentary that CNN produced. However, one thing is for sure: the program reactivated a much-needed conversation and awareness about the issues that Black America faces.”

Lee adds, “I think the release of the DVD will further this even more.”

To purchase the “Black In America” series on DVD, interested ones can pre-order it on Amazon.com or download it from iTunes. Once released, it will also be available at Wal-Mart, Target, and other major retailers. The DVD will retail for about $26.99.

To join the free social network that compliments the program, visit:
www.BlackInAmerica.com

COMEDIAN T.K. KIRKLAND, DJ JULIO AND ACTRESS PORSHA COLEMAN HOST THE 2ND ANNUAL WEST COAST HIP HOP REGIONAL AWARDS ON OCTOBER 25, 2008

It’s hip, it’s hot and it’s back!! The 2nd Annual West Coast Hip Hop Regional Awards will honor the best in the West on Saturday, October 25, 2008, starting at 6:30 pm at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in the downtown area of Los Angeles, CA. According to Miss SKG, Founder and CEO of the West Coast Hip Hop Regional Awards, “The purpose of the Hip Hop Regional Awards goes deeper than honoring top artists who have made significant contributions to the industry. It’s also about promoting diversity in the hip hop genre, educating the public on the work of rap and hip hop pioneers and to diminish the negativity associated with hip hop and rap. Additionally, the organization hopes to implement after-school music programs and initiate scholarship programs so students can pursue their dreams in college.” Combining hip hop and politics at the 2nd annual event, the organizers have come up with outstanding honorees which cover both ends of the spectrum. As such, honorees will include Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks, Eight District and many others. Tributes to Latin Hip Hop as well as artists Snoop Dogg, Above The Law and King Tee are part of the dinner show. Encompassing health issues that impact the community, the organizers plan to bring newfound awareness to Sickle Cell Anemia, during the program. The West Coast Regional Awards will take place over a two-day period, beginning Friday, October 24, 2008, with a Meet and Greet event from 5:30pm- 1 am, hosted by Crooked I, 40 Glocc, Coniyac and Western Union. Industry executives and artists may rsvp for this function by contacting meetngreet@westcoast hiphopregionalawards.com. DJ Spinderella will DJ during the party, which will be sponsored by Fortune Vodka and XXL Magazine. The following evening, the dinner show will begin at 6:30 pm, and will include Glasses Malone, Colby O Donis, SKG, feat Lil Flip, Problem, Strong Arm Steady feat Talib Kwalie among the mainstream and underground artists, producers, DJs, video and radio personalities who will be feted at this inaugural event hosted by actress Porsha Coleman, Julio G and comic T.K Kirkland.

 

 

You may visit www.WestCoastHipHopRegionalAwards.com for more information, or contact Cynthia Horner, Cinnamon CHIPS, 732 202-8246, cynthiamhorner@yahoo.com or Octavia Bostick, 714 808-2840, thawrite1@gmail.com.                        ABOUT THE WEST COAST HIP HOP REGIONAL AWARDS: The Hip Hop Regional Awards’ mission is to empower the minds of artists and to honor them for their accomplishments musically and for their contributions to the community. They also seek to impact society by educating the public on the validity and need for positive images associated with the genre.

Francine Lucas Sinclair Pens a Book to Ease the Minds of Children of a Parent in Jail

Yellow Brick Roads Organization founder, Francine Lucas Sinclair has written a book to help the young children of incarcerated parents understand why they have been left behind.  “Daddy Be Good” was written for kids four to seven years old, to explain where there parents are and how making the wrong choices may have gotten them there. 

 

Co-written by British author, Alison Henderson, the book gives a unique prospective and offers alternative answers to questions children may have as to where their parents have gone.  Daddy Be Good brings a simple dignity to a devastating event that will change the life of an innocent child.

 

Using colorful illustrations and non threatening dialogues, the book tells the story of a family of bees that work together to produce honey.  The main character is the son bee, Beegood.  After a day of rain the road closes and the father bee makes a decision to break the rules of collecting honey and is sent to “The Place of Time Out”.  It is now up to the mother bee to explain to Beegood where his father has gone and how they as a family must deal with his absence. 

 

The moral of the book encourages family togetherness, love, unity and acceptance when a parent is away due to incarceration.  “What we wanted to do was demonstrate to the children in a non threatening, visually appealing way to choose the right paths in life so they may never go wrong”, says Lucas Sinclair on why she wrote the book.

 

Lucas Sinclair is the ideal author for this book and especially this topic.  She herself was a child of both parents in prison.  There has always been media attention on the inmates, the system or the morality of the institution and the story of her own father, Frank Lucas, and the film of his life, American Gangster has thrust both him and Lucas Sinclair into the spotlight.  But there are not many materials for children to view that can open a dialogue with the family or other children of incarcerated parents to help them understand what may have happened to their parent.  As Lucas Sinclair says, “its not easy for a three year old to understand why daddy or mommy are gone from their lives so abruptly, how do you prepare a child for that, you can only hope to clean up the aftermath”.

 

Daddy Be Good is available at www.yellowbrickroads.org.  Orders placed now will be delivered in November.

 

About The Yellow Brick Roads Organization

 

Yellow Brick Roads is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated and committed to providing a safe haven for children of an incarcerated parent(s).  Our goal is to give the children a voice to express their feelings, thoughts, dreams and fears.  We will provide guidance, life skills classes, academic support, activities and counseling opportunities in a structured and welcoming environment to ensure that each child succeeds with the confidence needed to share their voices with each other, their communities and especially their parent(s). 

 

It is our responsibility  to instill into each child of an incarcerated parent that they are not criminals, judged or forgotten.  We believe every child should have the opportunity to live a full-filled and prosperous life despite their circumstances.  Yellow Brick Roads steps in for the children where the parent’s left off and when society has let them down.

 

About Francine Lucas-Sinclair

Currently a mortgage broker living in Atlanta with her husband and two young children, Francine Lucas-Sinclair is the founder of the Yellow Brick Roads Organization.  Incorporated in January 2008, Lucas-Sinclair has dedicated herself to redirecting, guiding and supporting children of an incarcerated parent(s).  Born to Frank and Julie Lucas, Lucas-Sinclair is no stranger to the penal system as it pertains to her parents who both spent years in the system on drug charges.  The actions and reactions of her parents shaped her childhood, but it was the support and love of outside entities that make her the women she is today.

Duck Down Records Signs B-Real To Solo-Deal

B-Real Preps “SMOKE N MIRRORS” 

In a continuing effort to expand their talented roster of artists, Duck Down Records has just announced a new album deal with B-Real, of Cypress Hill for his first solo album debut, “SMOKE N MIRRORS,” in stores January 27th, 2009.

“Smoke N Mirrors” features SNOOP DOGG, DAMIAN MARLEY, BUCKSHOT, SEAN PRICE and SEN DOGG, of Cypress Hill. Production includes tracks from DJ Quik, Fredwreck, Scoop Deville, and B-Real himself for Audio Hustlerz, Inc. B-Real is currently on the ROCK THE BELLS Tour with Nas, Tribe Called Quest, Method Man, Ghostface, Immortal Technique, Kidz In The Hall and more.

B-Real is the latest addition to Duck Down Records, who just recently announced a group project with KRS-ONE & Buckshot, that will be in stores in 2009, along with upcoming projects from DJ Revolution, “King Of The Decks” (September 16th) and a re-united Heltah Skeltah, comprised of Rock and Sean Price, aka Ruck, who, after ten years, are releasing their third album, “D.I.R.T.” (Da Incredible Rap Team), on September 30th. Following this project is Sean Price Presents Ruste Juxx “Indestructible” in stores October 28th.

 

These titles come on the heels of Duck Down’s recent success with 9th Wonder & Buckshot’s “The Formula” Album, and Kidz In The Hall’s album, “The In Crowd,” who recently filmed a video for their second single “Love Hangover” featuring Estelle. 

 

Dru Ha, co-owner of Duck Down Records believes; “Adding another living legend in B-Real to our roster is really giving Duck Down a “dream team” line up for independent Hip Hop.” Buckshot and I have been strategic with our label partnerships mixing the right blend of emerging artists with proven veterans.  When you add the upcoming Random Axe Project (Sean Price, Guilty Simpson and Black Milk collaboration set for a 2009 release) we’re excited about our ability to continue contributing quality Hip Hop albums to the game.

 

Sean Price & Ruste Juxx Take To The Road with ILL BILL For a 54-City North American Tour:

In Support of Heltah Skeltah’s upcoming album, Sean Price will be touching down in over 50 cities across the United States and Canada. The tour begins on September 11th in Boston, MA and ends in Mid-November. 

 

Ruste Juxx will offer support for Sean Price, performing exclusive tracks off his “Indestructible” album in stores October 28th. 

 

Kidz In The Hall Join MURS on Tour:

Kidz In The Hall, who are currently on ROCK THE BELLS, continue their hectic touring schedule  and will join MURS on a 37-City Run starting October 7th. The duo will be performing music from their critically-acclaimed album “THE IN CROWD” in stores now. 

 

For more information and complete show listings please visit DUCKDOWN.COM

 

DJ Khaled’s “We Global” out 9/16

Miami radio personality, label head, Terror Squad/KOCH Records recording artist and soon, Global dominator DJ Khaled is set to release his highly-anticipated third album, We Global on Tuesday, September 16, 2008. 
DJ Khaled recently leaked “Go Hard,” the 2nd single from the forthcoming new album. “Go Hard” featuring Kanye West and T-Pain can be heard here: http://kochent.edgeboss.net/download/kochent/radiohits/go_hard_ft_kanye_west_t_pain.mp3.

 

DJ Khaled enthuses about “Go Hard,” “This is the biggest record in music right now! ‘Go Hard’ is what we doing to survive in this world. This anthem is timeless!!!! There are so many hip hop quotables on this record!!!!!”

 

The first single, “Out Here Grindin’,” is currently Top 20 at urban radio and features Akon, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Lil Boosie, Plies, Ace Hood, and Trick Daddy with production from The Runners. 

 

The “Out Here Grindin’” video co-directed by Gil Green & pLot can be seen on BET and MTV2 and is currently on the countdown for both BET’s 106th & Park and MTV2’s Sucker Free Countdown. To date, the video has already been streamed over 7 million times online. 

 

Khaled’s third and most anticipated album to date, We Global, features Kanye West, Fabolous, Fat Joe, Nas, Ace Hood, Sean Paul, Busta Rhymes, Flo Rida, Akon, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Plies, Lil Boosie, Trey Songz, Lil Scrappy , Birdman, Bun B, Pitbull and many more. 

 

Producers The Runners, Danja, DJ Nasty, The Inkredibles, Cool and Dre, Goldrush, Isaac Opus, Lu Diaz and of course Beat Novacaine, are handling production on what are sure to be the hottest tracks of 2008 on We Global. 

 

DJ Khaled was recently nominated for a 2008 BET Award for Best Collabo for his song “I’m So Hood (Remix)” feat. Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Big Boi, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne and Birdman.
XXL recently called Khaled “the gatekeeper of the Sunshine State sound.” And with good reason.

On his first two albums, Khaled helped the burgeoning Miami hip hop scene explode nationally by featuring local as well as national talent on his numerous singles/collaborations.  Khaled’s last album, 2007’s We The Best, debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 and has sold over 400,000 copies on the strength the album’s two huge hits, “We Takin’ Over” and “I’m So Hood” and its massive Remix.

 

Khaled has also sold well over 3 million combined Digital/Mobile units on the strength of “I’m So Hood” and “We Takin’ Over” and his newest banger, “Out Here Grindin’.”

 

DJ Khaled, who currently has the most popular radio show in Miami (WEDR/99 Jamz), released his debut, Listennn…The Album, last year debuting at #1 on the Billboard Independent Chart.  The album spawned 3 singles/videos including “Holla At Me,” “Grammy Family,” and “Born N’ Raised.”

 

For more info on DJ Khaled, please visit www.MySpace.com/DjKhaled.