The Break – Straight Outta Compton

In this episode KC, Chris, Toria, Leisha, Darius, Shelby, and The Other Chris come back from a Black Is Field Trip to see the new film Straight Outta Compton. They discuss the film, the impact NWA had on the culture, growing up in Los Angeles, reality rap, gangsters vs villains, Eazy-E being a revolutionary, police brutality, glorification vs identification, No Vaseline, writing your own lyrics and more.

Please leave your comments and feedback below, or you can contact us via Twitter: @BLACKISONLINE; Facebook: Black Is Magazine; Email: kc@blackisonline.com; Hotline: (323) 455-4219.

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Turn My Headphones Up – No. 6 (’94 Hip Hop)

In this episode it’s all about hip-hop joints that came out in 1994.

Tracklisting:

Outkast – Call Of Da Wild

The Notorious B.I.G – Everyday Struggle

Redman – Can’t Wait

Pete Rock & CL Smooth – In The Flesh

Digable Planets – Jettin’

Common – Nuthin’ To Do

Warren G – This D.J.

Organized Konfusion – Why

Saafir – Can You Feel Me

The Beatnuts – Hit Me With That

Jeru The Damaja – Brooklyn Took It

Gangstarr – Mostly The Voice

Nas – It Ain’t Hard To Tell

Please leave your thoughts below. You can also reach out via: Email – thebrotherslehman@gmail.com; Twitter – @BrothersLehman; Voicemail – (323) 455-4219.

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The Jam – Ep 17 w/ J*Davey

On this episode of The Jam we get reacquainted with Brook D’Leau and Miss Jack Davey aka J*Davey. This duo has been sorely missed from the music scene and gave us one of their first interviews as they prepare to roll out new material. They plan to take their fans back under their wings and guide them on a journey, as they themselves have been through journeys individually and as a group.

I first meet Brook and Miss Jack some years ago as they were preparing their major label debut. Brook and Jack jumped through multiple hoops getting their album done and endured countless fans and friends asking “When is the album coming out?” and each time promising “Soon.” At long last “New Designer Drug” hit the scene and quenched the thirst of their hardcore fan base. And just like that, they seemed to disappear. During that time Brook was working with Miguel helping do music direction for his tour, and Miss Jack became a mother to a baby boy. For a few years they were individuals, and people wondered with bated breath if they had broken up. Well fear not! J*Davey is back!

In this episode we ask a series of questions from getting the history clear on how they formed, being part of the “New West” movement of the late 2000’s, and navigating the music industry with mentorship from the likes of Sa-Ra and Questlove of The Roots. And of course the question, “Where’s the new album?”, as well as how ladies can catch Brook’s attention.

Other topics include: 5 layer dip, meeting J Dilla, if music were the ideal man, sliding in DMs, and events that would be in the Sex Olympics.

Contact Us:
J*Davey
Twitter: @WEareJDaVeY
Merc80:
Twitter: @Merc80
Black Is:
Twitter: @BLACKISONLINE
Email: kc@blackisonline.com
Hotline: (323) 455-4219

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The Break – The Issue of Color, Part 2

In this episode KC, Chris, Toria, Tash, Darius, The Other Chris and Jamie continue their discussion on issues of color, including identity issues at a young age, skin colors being “in season”, finding a dark skin pop star and color issues within families.

Please leave your comments and feedback below, or you can contact us via:

Twitter: @BLACKISONLINE

Facebook: Black Is Magazine

Email: kc@blackisonline.com

Hotline: (323) 455-4219

Find us on StitcheriTunes, TuneIn & SoundCloud!

The Jam – EP 16 w/ DJ Monalisa Murray

I am often known between my friends for having a pretty good knowledge on music and having a fairly large storage of random facts. But whenever I don’t know something, the first person I go to is Monalisa Murray. She is a walking encyclopedia of music knowledge, which makes her an even more skilled DJ. Some years ago when I first interviewed her I called her the “Patron Saint of Music”. She would be just about everywhere at every great music event, and everyone from the security guard to the headline act on stage would greet her with open arms and a smile. She has worked in various capacities in music and her genuine support for people and serious love for music is what allows others to trust her sense of taste and standards. If Monalisa digs it, you can bet others will too. I wouldn’t doubt that there are some higher-ups that look to her for direction whether she knows it or not.

In this episode Monalisa shares a wealth of stories from her lineage of native Los Angelenos, to dancing on Soul Train, doing music promo, and meeting some of the key figures that would influence music for years to come as she witnessed their growth. Whether it was Wu-Tang, J Dilla, Busta Rhymes, she has seen various levels of the game. She shares sage advice to those looking to break in, and we have a great time trying to stump each other with our jam picks!

Other topics include: “That’s my part!”, KFC vs Subway, Freestyle Fellowship, The Good Life, music video cameos, songs that should die, 90s girl fashion, and saving souls.

Contact Us:
DJ Monalisa
Twitter – @Monalisa7872
Merc80:
Twitter – @Merc80
Black Is:
Twitter: @BLACKISONLINE
Email: kc@blackisonline.com
Hotline: (323) 455-4219

Find us on StitcheriTunes, TuneIn & SoundCloud!

The Jam – Ep 15 w/ Selwyn Seyfu Hinds

It’s been a minute! But we’re back! 2015 it’s no games. And what a way to start the year!

Our first guest is Selwyn Seyfu Hinds.  I met this man through a great friend and even though my friend told me he worked at The Source, I didn’t really know that this man was there during my most formative years loving Hip Hop and especially responsible for my opinionated nature!  You have to understand that in the 90s, The Source was literally THE source for Hip Hop. It’s coverage was unmatched with epic covers, and seriously critical analysis of albums. You were in good standing to even get a 3.5 out of 5 mics for your album. Anything above that was an honor.  And if you got a 5?! Man listen…
But aside from that, Selwyn tells us of his upbringing in Guyana, Brooklyn, to Miami, to New Jersey, to New York again.  Through all his travels and culture shocking encounters, he keeps the patience of a saint. His travels and ability to code switch and embrace the unknown allows him to navigate through different territories, including being taken to Park Hill Projects with Wu-Tang Clan, basically being a roadie with them, and then narrowly escaping a beatdown during a time where The Source, Wu Tang, and Junior MAFIA had serious tension.  He only touches on a few stories from his first connection with The Wu, to the night Biggie was killed, to getting chewed out from the likes of Dame Dash and Lauryn Hill. He was also one of the people instrumental to Outkast’s Aquemini getting a 5 mic rating, which hadn’t been done since Illmatic. We clearly have to have him again, so stay tuned for his return with more stories.

Other topics include: Beat Street, The Hip Hop generation gap, The Wawa, and ATLiens vs Aquemini.
Contact Us:
Selwyn Seyfu Hinds
Twitter – @selwynhinds

Merc80:

Twitter – @Merc80
Black Is:
Twitter: @BLACKISONLINE
Email: kc@blackisonline.com
Hotline: (323) 455-4219

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The Break – Black Messiah

In this episode KC, Chris, Toria, Tash, and The Other Chris discuss D’Angelo, his album Black Messiah and black music.

Please leave your comments and feedback below, or you can contact us via:

Twitter: @BLACKISONLINE

Facebook: Black Is Magazine

Email: kc@blackisonline.com

Hotline: (323) 455-4219

Find us on StitcheriTunes, TuneIn & SoundCloud!

Turn My Headphones Up – No. 5

The Southern Drawl’d Angelino slows things down a bit in this episode.

Tracklistings:

The Astronotes – Eve

Haan808 – Tellin You Something

Afta-1 – Love Suite #1

Losco – When

Stwo – Her (Majid Jordan Edit)

esta – Can’t Wait feat. SPZRKT

Jarreau Vandal – Perfect For Me

Jeedeci – Freekin U (Benji B Edit)

Ta-ku – Make It Last feat. JMSN

Astronautica – All The Time

Evil Needle – Antidote

Phil Wade – Dreams of You (LAKIM Refix)

Please leave your comments and feedback below, or you can contact us via:

Email – thebrotherslehman@gmail.com

Twitter – @BrothersLehman

Voicemail – (323) 455-4219

Turn My Headphones Up – No. 4

It’s been too long. Chris is back with more music for you to enjoy. You know what to do…

Tracklisting:

Elaksi – Want You

Genius – Timeless

Moods – Flashback

C. Justice – So Good

Sango – Amor Rocinha

Quinn Kyle – The Fallout (FTB)

DJ Pound – BTPU Remix

Waldo – Kobe’s Room (Truth Be Told)

CRWN – Tell Me (Ayon Remix)

Hwood – No Good Without You (LAKIM’s Thuggish Edit)

Please leave your comments and feedback below, or you can contact us via:

Email – thebrotherslehman@gmail.com

Twitter – @BrothersLehman

Voicemail – (323) 455-4219

Facebook: Black Is Magazine

The Jam! – Ep 14 w/ Jimetta Rose

On this episode of The Jam we have the universal homegirl, Jimetta Rose. I first met Jimetta about 5 years ago at the house of some mutual friends. From the very moment she walked in she had a great positive energy and was cracking jokes almost all night. At some point I think she told me that she was a singer. Not too long after that she dropped The Barber’s Daughter and blew up after that. She was performing at multiple spots in Los Angeles. People I had just become friends with spoke her name with with great reverie. I filmed her performance at Zanzibar in LA and had no idea it would get some thousands of views so quickly. Since then she has worked with some of the greatest artists in LA including Shafiq Husayn, House Shoes, Thundercat, Flying Lotus, and more.  She has solidified herself amongst the premiere artists in Los Angeles and exemplifies the true healer spirit that I think has been missing from music for a long time.
In this episode we get to know more about Jimetta’s background and how she came to hone her craft. We talk about growing up and surviving in Los Angeles, and most especially circle around the topic of Jazz throughout our conversation. We talk about the programming happening to people through entertainment, being confident amongst the clutter of messages, double consciousness, and ratchets in the underground scene.
Other topics include: Southern roots, maturing with music, Whitney Houston’s chin, Kanye West, and guys trying to mack on Jimetta.
Contact Us:

Jimetta Rose – jimettarose.com

Twitter – @jimettarose
Merc80:
Twitter – @Merc80
Black Is:
Twitter: @BLACKISONLINE
Email: kc@blackisonline.com
Hotline: (323) 455-4219

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