This track needs to be in your MP3 player immediately...


Please, visit his Myspace and show some LOVE!
To top it off...
The REAL Flashing Lights video by Kanye West

HEY PEOPLE!

For next 8 weeks we are running the Who Is Big Urban? Campaign. So our readers can get more intimate look into the lives of the Big Urban Staffers.

And this week it starts with me! My Music, My Life, My World!

So WHO IS MR. SYKES?


I'm a Blogger and a picture is worth a thousand hits....or something like that, right?

So this is a little photo journal I put together, lets start with what's important to me:










My Family:
I come from a really big family so they are really important to me... And even though I don't get to spend as much time as I'd like with them. when we get together is always fun






MY FRIENDS: There are very few people I call friend, so these people are really special to me...




And these are a few of MY FAVORITE THINGS....

I got some time to chill with Brooklyn born rapper T-Eazy. This dude is two mixtapes deep and definitely making a buzz in the New York hip-hop scene. He was really down to earth and I felt like was talking to an old friend.

Mr. Sykes: You’ve been rapping since you were 14 so how as your style changed from then ‘til now?

T: It’s changed drastically; it’s gotten better and better, perfecting my craft doing what I do. Of course the more you do something the better you get at it, keep going the better you are at it. I’ve been doing it since I was 14, I mean doing as far as not just saying I rhyme. I mean doing it was far as going on stage and performing and having a CD, moving and things of that nature. But of course with each Mixtape that drops your marketing ideas become better, your flow, your delivery, everything is just going up…

Mr. Sykes: So Hip-Hop is a movement so how are you moving the movement?

T: I’m bringing great Hip-Hop back into the Hip-Hop world, industry, the community. A lot of people are just doing cliché, which is cool I’m not knocking anybody get your money baby. But what I’m doing is just delivering great music, and delivering it with a consistent flow. Hard lyrics, just that Brooklyn swagger…

Mr. Sykes: So what’s the best song you’ve written so far? Best track you’ve done?

T: Let me say this, I’ve got different songs that get different reviews. And as far as me I feel that…On my last Mixtape “7-1-8 Wit’ Me 2nd dose” hosted by DJ Joker. I had a song on that called “Never Let You Go” Featuring Neat Streetz produced by my man M-Extra…I would say that it was good song because it got a great response, we performed it great everywhere, touched everyone. Neat Streetz is featured on the song but I wrote her verse. So I wrote from a female perspective, so for me that was something different for me (Mr. Sykes: as far as input goes) Yeah I just showed that it was a great song.. I think it was good concept, but I still deliver great consistent music on different levels.

Mr. Sykes: Who are you listening to right now?

T: T-Eazy! [Laughs] My Mixtape just dropped April 22nd so I’m still fresh out, so I’m still banging me. But you know definitely you gotta still listen to people, you gotta know what’s out there. But I really don’t listen to the radio all day everyday that’s not what I do…

Mr. Sykes: So what your favorite place to go?

T: Studio, that’s where I create all the magic at!

Mr. Sykes: Music matters to you because?

T: Because it’s genuine and it’s pure… you there’s a lot of people that do it for money, some probably just do it for fame. Some people just do it for whatever reason that there may be. But I do it because I love to do it, and that’s the art that I create. I touch people on different levels, different emotions, song topics, and still create that good music the only way I could do it.

Get More From T-Eazy @ http://www.myspace.com/ngdafuture

Click Here to post a Myspace Bulletin or a Facebook Note On this post

In downtown Brooklyn I approached Long Island University, strolling into the building fashionably late. I was immediately thrusted into excitement as I entered the theater in the Paramount Gymnasium. The flashing lights and bright fashion designs captured the spring night, blossoming with bright ideas that embarked on artistic expression. Among the large group of diverse onlookers I found a spot to sit. The crowd was pumped up with excitement and helped the models and musicians fuel the fire to the event. The fashion slash music event tittled The Blends of Brooklyn was Sponsored by LIU's Student Government Association and was hosted by Amanda Diva. I also had the chance to see Amanda Diva MC and perform. She used her rap skills and singing ability to create a soulful sound that highlighted the fashion presented on stage. The latest trends in urban, couture, punk, cultural wear, and after work attire were showcased. The performances and DJ Mix echoed throughout, coloring the room with sweet sounds of urban hip hop. These urban influences were the canvas of the clothing fitted on each individual model. The beautiful women showed of their curves while the guy's held their own looking fit and fresh. While the models strutted and danced across the stage I was able to catch another musical performance by Game Rebellion. I have to say I am really satisfied that I didn't miss their performance. The show was free but I would pay anything to see them perform again. A bit of rock and rap, they used a synthesizer, and harmonized singing to create their music. The band has a unique and diverse quality and sound .With dreads flaring and vocals blaring this group is something to watch out for in the future. The lead vocalist Netic gave an outstanding rap performance to end the bands set. He expressed his opinion and ideas voiced through the suggestion of recent social hardships. Other performances were Noel Gourdin and Casely. My night was complete and I walked away with a sense of enlightenment and need to express my own creativity. Thanks to LIU, those who participated and Amanda Diva for a wonderful fashion show. Be sure to look out for more postings on shows in and around NY.





"Creativity is a natural extension of our enthusiasm." ~ Earl Nightingale
www.myspace.com/drivecar
~Carly Adiva

*crowd in uproar*

*Jay-Z stands center stage in silence*
"You know, for a second..I thought we were in the mothafuckin Hamptons...New York City, make some NOISE!"
Naturally, for the first night of the Heart of the City tour, Mr. Brooklyn himself had to demand his respect.

Friday, May 2nd was opening night for Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige's "Heart of the City" tour. If you consider yourself a living citizen of New York City you would have been well aware of the sold out shows. New York's dynamic duo opened with "Can't Knock The Hustle" sending Madison Square into immediate uproar as they stepped out in complimentary silver outfits.




Mary took her half of the show next, doing naturally all the crowd favorites from her first couple albums. The whole crowd swayed to "Not Gonna Cry"; They passed overstuffed blunts to "You're all I Need"; They caught the Holy Ghost with Mary to "No More Drama" and held their hearts to "You Remind Me" and "Take Me as I Am". All in all, Mary put on her usual scream fest that we all love and adore. She forced you to reconsider what drives her on stage to a point of what resembles sheer madness-the Holy Ghost? Her life? Or a return to drugs?


"Flashing Lights" by Kanye West was a nice surprise-Now, of course, he didn't appear much to audience dismay, he's currently in Texas doing his own, "Glow In The Dark" tour (Coming to the Garden on May 13th). The stage became swallowed in black as the beat dropped, with strobe lights-very "Glow In The Dark" tour-esque,

She closed her set by shutting the stage down with "Just Fine"-accompanied by pyrotechnics and fireworks that were enough to blind people and singe off all synthetic hair weaves.
While, Hov's set was......
Hov's set.........

OPRAH was in the first row on the show, so I think these photos should make sense to you:

He did an EXCELLENT freestyle about the current stage of America and Obama.....

And Mrs. Hov naturally made a guest appearance. She ran on and did a little booty shake to "Crazy In Love" and ran off.




Memphis Bleek also showed his face, DESPERATE for a check:


All in all, I give Hov an A- in review....
It was a great, but typical Hov show with the addition of the politics..




Whether you came for the Queen of Hip-Hop and R&B, an American Gangster, or whether you wanted those "heroin tracks" one thing will always remain the same...
Baby you like....Hov.

Love,

Your neighborhood friendly,

This past Thursday 4/30/08 I attend a town hall meeting at Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. I was a little late at but I had the feeling I didn't miss much. The energy in was still and sober as I entered. The we're people of all backgrounds: Black, White, Hispanic, even a few Asian people. Which showed the impact of gentrification throughout North Brooklyn, which played out in different ways within the span of the meeting.










A Time To Heal & Act: A Town Hall Meeting On The Sean Bell Verdict.

The meeting was moderated by April Sliver (left) of Akila Worksongs she's done a lot of great work in the Bed-Stuy, East New York, Fort Greene sections of brooklyn and the entire country and is just generally a great sister.

It was an open forum and there were panelists also, but all we're allowed to speak and ask questions.

The Panelists were:

City Council Member, Letitia James (right) (The 35th Councilmanic District, Brooklyn NY)

A powerful sister, and an amazing speak and she give most people in the crowd a reality check. That is just isn't about the life one young brother, it's about the lives of all our young black men. She voiced how she is afraid for her 17 year old nephew, who like many of us, may wear his Jeans low from time to time, or have on a hoody, or be out late at night. She spoke generally about community accountability. And really moved me and I felt what she had to say.







Community Activist & Hip-Hop Artist, Ashanti Baptiste (Fort Greene Young Film Makers)

This brother briefly spoke on how young black men are often generalized if they speak a certain way or dress a certain way. And this fear and mis-conception among the people that police our communities creates situations like the Sean Bell murder! And being an artist and a young man from the streets mentoring other young brothers that are likewise, they are targeted.

Chair of The Fort Greene Association, Ursula Hegewisch
Was one of only two white people on the panel, and honestly I don't remember what she said. Because she read what she had to say from a paper, and it sounded a little rehearsed and I really didn't connect. Don't get me wrong she is a strong community leader and what she had to say was surely valid it just didn't register with me.


Reverend David Dyson, (left)(Pastor of The Lafayette Presbyterian Church)

The other white panelists, a terrific man of God and I have to attend one of his services when I get a chance. Spoken on his largely mixed congregation, the Sunday after the verdict was delivered how the tone and the aura of the pew had changed. People had questions and needed answers. And how his church is taking a stand on this great injustice.


Laurie Combo, (right) Founder & Executive Director of (The Museum Of Contemporary Diaspora African Art [MoCADA])

A very heartfelt speaker, she spoke on how "We are the people, We've Been Waiting for" loosely quoting Fredrick Douglass. She explained how she started her museum from the ground up soon after finishing school, and wanted to quit and leave so many times. And how black people have become accustom to disappointment and failure and how she had personal responsibility to follow through with the project. No matter how hard to was, in aneffort to end this trend by being an example ( in which she has successively done so). Which relates to the Sean Bell movement in that, we just can't let this slide because of an ill judged verdict, this has been the way for to long. And it is important to be an army of one. these were encouraging words for me being a young black entrepreneur.

Community Activist & Author, Kevin Powell (left)(2008 Democratic Candidate for Congress)

Actually spoke first, and he let us know that people were text messaging him asking, why were white people present at the meeting. And how some people felt that they shouldn't be here, that this wasn't their fight. Powell immediately condemned these messages as pure ignorance. He said, "White people have been in Brooklyn before I was born, and they will be here after I'm gone." This was not the subject of this gathering nor was it relevant. We need these people as much as they need us, we are community and therefore all in the same boat. We have to stand together if this is to end once and for all.

After all the panelist spoke, people were allowed to approach the mic and ask questions and vent their feelings on the matter.

A lot of what was said by the audience was EXTREMELY irrelevantly and hurtful jargon. I was shocked at how some seeming educated people could be so ignorant and closed minded. I was at the point of tears a few times!

Some people spoke on largely on gentrification in the area, and how since there are more white people in the community police violence would only continue to rise.

Others spoke on there own personal agendas and irrelevant personal experience with the NYPD.

In fact the only relevant comments or questions raised that I can recall are:

A gentleman asked a question about the probability of special prosecutor for police that commit these types of acts actually being created.

That is what law makers and community activist are trying for.

Another gentleman brought up the fact that there is no type of psychological screening processes for those that would like to become police officers in New York City.

(So without a screening process of this nature in place, we could have a bunch of trigger happy people with hidden agendas walking the streets in uniform.)

One women spoke on creating a master directory of community groups, and organizations (yellow pages of sorts) So people have resources at their hands when these event occur.

Kevin Powell, stated that will soon be in creation with the contact information collected at the town hall meeting.

All and all my opinion is, the time for action is now! This is greater than just one life taken. It's about the lives of millions of inner city men of color. And the fact that this has happened not ONCE but THREE times, and the perpetrators (New York City Police Men) came off nearly scott free on all occasions!

When will it end? When it's me shot coldly in the streets, by the people that are supposed be protecting me! Or when it's your father, your brother, your son, your nephew, your cousin, your husband?


The greatest asset you have in this country is your voice! Use it! Make calls, write letter, join a march, post a blog, a Myspace bulletin, a note on your Facebook! It will make a difference.

For more infomation on this movement and updates on the case and the Bell family please visit: http://www.justiceforsean.net