FuzionZoneRadio.com

TANK Returns With An Emergency

2010-10-21T00:16:00.002-04:00

TANK returns to the R&B scene with his 1st hit single release "Emergency" from off of his new album entitled "Now or Never" to be released nationwide on Dec 14th. TANK also recently returned from overseas where he performed for U.S. Soldiers and Department of Defense (Federal Government Employees) stationed over at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, as well as, in Iraq. His single, Emergency, is available via digital download on iTunes.

First Lady Michelle Obama Caught Fashion Recycling

2010-10-20T23:27:00.001-04:00

First Lady Michelle Obama has recently been spotted by Huffington Post recycling one of her outfits during a weekend spent at Camp David and then later in Ohio. Fashion recycling is a regular thing that many people have already learned to do on their own but now has become a chic fashion trend and even challenge for those who have more to try to force themselves to buy less in an effort to conserve money and eliminate unneccessary waste.

Around the same time frame that First Lady Michelle Obama was caught recycling her outfit, the Today Show aired a show segment all about fashion recycling and how one of their own staffers took up the fashion recycling challenge by wearing only 6 items or less in various styles for a period of 30 days.

The challenge was inspired by a website called Six Items or Less who calls the challenge an "experiment". Another popular website that encourages "women" to spend less time shopping and more time doing more productive and meaningful things in their lives is The Great American Apparel Diet.

Now that First Lady Michelle Obama has publicly been caught fashion recycling, I wonder will women all over the nation start doing the same?

To Give or Not To Give, That is The Question

2010-10-20T23:13:00.004-04:00

You may have heard me tell this story many times before but I felt to bring it up again especially during these cold weather months. In Miami-Dade County, FL and even in other U.S. Cities/States - citizens have banned together to push to making it illegal to give homeless people food, money, etc. on the street. The reasoning is because you are aiding someone to both stay in the situation they are in and teaching them they can survive off of the generosity of others. The other issues that were raised included personal safety when being approached by someone with a mental illness, along with, the spreading of sickness and disease from not being able to wash and stay clean on a regular basis.

Some of my friends and I share similar views about the plight of homelessness in America. If you are someone who has always felt indifferent or believe it's not something you can relate to, you may want to think again. These past few years alone with the sudden and national spike in joblessness, more families and individuals found themselves seeking emergency shelter and government assistance. In places like Nevada, police are even assigned to patrol "tent cities" where a massive amount of men, women & children live year round.

If you remember what happened in Haiti recently then you are also aware that after tent cities were created and went up, bands of men were moving around during the late night hours amongst these tented communities stealing food, clothes & water and raping children and women of all ages.

Homelessness is a different experience or state of being in the lives of the many men, women and children who do not have a home to go to. Often we are taught to look away, look down or frown upon the plight of others who maybe less fortunate than ourselves. Most people even believe that the homeless population that exists is like a plague.

The truth and reality is that as a society we ourselves have evolved into a plague. We are infected with the disease of selfishness vs selflessness and we are egotistical because deep down inside we are saying that it will never be us in those situations when the reality is that one day it can be any of us in the exact or even worse situation than the people we chose to eradicate from our communities instead of providing assistance or temporary solutions to help those who can and desire to, get back on their feet.

When all of these food drives and requests for donations go around at your job, church or infront of your local store, I urge you to think two, three, four or even five times about whether or not to give because if you take the time out to realize it could be you one day, wouldn't you want the person on the giving end to think and feel the same?

To give or not to give, that is the question.

Written By: Violet B

Ciara Unleashes Her Basic Instinct

2010-04-17T18:20:00.002-04:00

Grammy Award winning R&B singer Ciara has a new album project coming out entitled "Basic Instinct" which will be her fourth album release in her career. The music video, for the first single "Ride" featuring Ludacris, will premier on Wednesday, April 21, 2010. Producer and singer The-Dream will be assisting with most of Ciara's next album project. Ciara also recently signed on with Adidas to be their new face in an upcoming advertisement campaign that will be launching soon.

Ciara's first album “Goodies” as a solo artist included producers Jazze Phae and Lil Jon which sold over 3.5 billion records worldwide. Her second album Evoluntion would sell over 1.5 million records worldwide. Her third album release "Fantasy Ride" did not do as well as her previous albums.

Aside from her professional singing career, she founded her own dance talent agency called UDT (Universal Dance Talent) to help place dancers with work opportunities and give them the experience and exposure they need for long-term professional careers.

The Full Exposure of Erykah Badu: Not Just a Window Seat

2010-04-04T23:07:00.002-04:00

Turns out that Erykah Badu's music video for Window Seat wasn't exactly authorized with the City of Dallas in Texas. The neo-soul singer walked through downtown Dallas stripping an article of clothing every other block until she reached the area near the assassination of President Kennedy and collapsed onto the sidewalk as if having had been shot.

None of the people who were walking around the area, including parents of children who were there and saw the singer fully exposed, had come forward as a witness for police to be able to press charges against the singer. After the release of the now infamous "Window Seat" video, the police says they have a witness and will be mailing her a misdemeanor with a fine of $500 attached to it. She will not be picked up on warrant, arrested and taken to jail and will be able to decide whether or not to pay the fine or to show up in court.

The release of Badu's controversial music video was days before the March 30, 2010 release of her latest album project entitled "New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh".

Stefan The Scientist: Inspiring Environmental Awareness & Spiritual Growth

2010-04-04T23:04:00.001-04:00

Stefan The Scientist began his production, gospel rap & gospel reggae music career in 1994 where he launched his his first reggae/hip-hop Marlin Award winning group. Through the years, he has worked behind the scenes as a producer for a variety of established Bahamian reggae artists. In late 2004, he collaborated with Nashville based Christian hip-hop legends and pioneers "Grits" and co-wrote their hit single "Hittin Curves" winning his first Dove Award with Grits in 2005.

Aside from being an international award winning producer and gospel reggae artist, Stefan is an accomplished environmentalist who works in the field of science promoting creative educational tools to inspire and encourage people to learn more about serious environmental issues in today's society. Stefan directs and founded a non-profit organization named "Solomons Minds" which is instrumental in helping him to accomplish this goal. Stefan The Scientist really is a scientist so to say. He has earned a Bachelor's Degree in both Chemistry and Biology, as well as, a Master's Degree in Environmental Science.

Stefan The Scientist will be releasing his next album project in July 2010 entitled "Origins".

T.I. is Back

2010-04-03T21:53:00.002-04:00

Since one of down south's favorite bad boy's has been home since March after his release from a federal halfway house on felony weapons possession charges, T.I. has been keeping a some what modest and low profile not being seen publicly participating in too many social engagements and mostly communicating with fans via the use of his official website.

T.I.'s next upcoming album release is slated for August of this year and still remains to be titled. The first single released early from the project is "I'm Back" which is being sold online via Mp3 download from his official website. T.I.'s next album project will be released around the same time as the crime thriller movie he has a role in and also executive produced called "Takers" starring Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Hayden Christensen, Chris Brown and Zoe Saldana.

T.I. is also the spokes person for the K.I.N.G. Foundation launched by his record company Grand Hustle Records. The acronym stands for Kids In Need of Giving and helps to provide support to low-income families with emphasis on basic needs for children and family support programs such as youth mentoring and intervention, community outreach and scholastic enrichment.

The 50th Law: Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent

2010-04-03T21:47:00.005-04:00

Curtis Jackson is not the average run of the mill aging rap artist fading away from the spotlight. The music industry may take his often public and highly vocalized opinions about himself and others as a much needed vacation but the last thing Curtis Jackson is doing is sleeping. In these past few years alone, he's tried his hand at acting, authored books: an auto-biography, a joint book project with Robert Greene (author of the 48 Laws of Power) and co-authored a crime/drug book, created a reality tv show featured on MTV, launched a successful social networking website named after himself, created a clothing and shoe line, released vitamin enhanced drinking water purchased by Coca-Cola that earned him well over $1 mil, branded actual platinum after his rap iconic name and has even written, directed and starred in his own movie that he released in 2009 as part of the album purchase, of the same title, Before I Self Destruct. A lot of people are both hating and sleeping on 50 cent not even realizing that he's 2nd in line, according to Forbes, as the next wealthiest rap artist after Jay-Z.

Shei Atkins: R&B Legend In The Making

2009-11-12T14:29:00.003-05:00

Shei Atkins is a native of Houston, TX who grew up in the historical and once flourishing predominantly African American community that in time transitioned into an impoverished urban community known as the "Four Four" (44 Acres Homes). Shei Atkins childhood was colorful, fun and filled with cherished memories as she came from a strong Christ fearing and musically inclined family. Shei can recall singing as far back as she could start speaking from imitating songs from the radio to eventually singing in her church choir as a child. At the age of 19, Shei Atkins would marry her childhood sweetheart, Drathoven, who is also her producer.

Although her first official start in the music industry was in 1997 with Houston based rapper Lil O, it was short lived, due to a series of unfortunate events including the death of Ann Tillman (co-founder of Destiny's Child) her musical trainer. Years later, Shei Atkins would sign with SoulMuzick Recordings headed by Crazy C & Madd Hatta of KBXX Radio where she first appeared on SoulMuZick Recordings 2003 compilation cd entitled Street Gospel Vol. 1.

With her unique and versatile urban style, Shei Atkins music continues to widen and grasp audiences of all ages in the R&B and faith-based music markets especially reaching young girls and women who can relate to her messages of self-esteem, self-worth, self-love, relationships, healing, faith and more. Shei Atkins discography includes her first debut album release Shei Atkins Life in Stereo (2004) followed by her sophmore album The Lita Mae Show (2006) and her third album project a 2-disc cd Girl Talk (2007).

During the release of Shei Atkins 3rd album Girl Talk, she toured with Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child in Europe, did a remix with Tank for his song Please Don't Go and had Lil Flip of Houston, TX as the guest rap artist on her track Trunk Bangin' from off of the album.

Rob Young: Never Left The Industry

2009-11-12T14:17:00.002-05:00

Rob Young is a native of North Carolina who sings, writes and produces his own music, as well as, collaborates with other music industry professionals and artists. Although his first solo debut album is not slated to be released until the end of 2009, Rob Young is no stranger to the industry.

During his youth, he and a few close friends in high school, formed their own entertainment company which produced and released several albums and a short film. During this period in his early professional music career, he and his fellow group mates graced the stage with artists such as Ja Rule, Pastor Troy, Lost Boys and Fatman Scoop, as well as, being afforded the opportunity to work with Black Sheep’s Mista Launge.

Just as quickly as he and his friends were experiencing a rise in their careers, it suddenly ended when various members of the company and group decided to part ways. After this heavy heart breaking blow, Rob Young re-grouped and refocused on a plan of action for what he wanted to do most.

With his down to earth, feel good R&B music, Rob Young is surely going to be a much welcomed addition to the already popular lists of R&B artists who many listeners can relate and grow with.

Afeni Shakur Donates 2Pac Writing Collection to Atlanta University's Library

2009-09-30T21:22:00.004-04:00

Afeni Shakur has handed over more than 150 of her son's items, ranging from rough drafts of lyrics and poems to a photocopy of his contract with Suge Knight and Death Row Records. The rapper's collection will be part of the archives at the library on the campus of the Atlanta University Center, which comprises the historically black universities of Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University and the Morehouse School of Medicine.

The library also houses The Martin Luther King Jr. Collection. Shakur's records are expected to be available for research in the fall of 2010. "We need to read history from the source," Afeni Shakur said. "It gives people the opportunity to judge him objectively. What we want to do is educate."

Other items include the rapper's handwritten playlists of "All Eyez on Me" and "The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory"; letters he wrote to his family when he was in prison in 1994; and some of his personal items returned to the family after his death.

Afeni Shakur says she has never read any of her son's notes. "I haven't touched them one bit," she said. "I have not been able to. But I think when the library makes them available, I think I can go with my family and might able to do it for the first time."

Shakur was one of rap's best-selling artists, becoming an even bigger star after his release from prison in 1995 with his multi-platinum selling album "All Eyez on Me." He was shot to death while riding in a car with Knight in Las Vegas a year later.

"Tupac's collection provides this generation to see primary documents," said Loretta Parham, CEO and library director. "It's the opportunity for them to relate something from the past to now."

Lee Bailey's EUR Web - www.EurWeb.com
http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur56330.cfm

G Baby: On The Move in Miami

2009-05-29T23:40:00.005-04:00

Bold, beautiful, steadfast and regal describes a young woman who is precious and dear to so many people’s hearts. Gifted with the ability to defy and challenge the limitations placed on rap music, in regards to whether or not it can be used to positively impact and uplift people, G Baby has truly shattered that glass ceiling. With her versatile delivery and evolving artistry, she has touched the lives of both young and old across the nation and abroad with her heart felt messages based on real life situations and the underlying truth that positive growth and change is attainable for anyone who truly wants it.

It was as a pre-teen attending a youth conference in Bradenton, Florida that she encountered a life changing experience that led her to making a vow that she would refrain from participating in the nightlife culture of clubbing, drug and alcohol use and pre-marital sex. G Baby has been a solo artist since 2003 when she joined the Spirit Network Production record label as its first artist and label princess. As she evolves and grows as both a woman and an artist, she shares the lyrics of her life, hopes and dreams with fans and listeners from everywhere as a personal desire to positively impact the lives of others through the artistry of musical expressionism.

Something that most people do not know about G Baby is that she has been featured in a variety of artists and groups songs and remixes both within the mainstream urban music industry and faith-based music industry, as well as, outside of the United States. She's also been a co-host on a local Miami, FL faith-based radio show, as well as, is a regularly performing artist for a Christian Night Club. For more info about G Baby visit her official myspace page.

Who Is Mark Arthur?

2009-05-29T23:34:00.001-04:00

Mark Arthur (PA) is evangelizing the gospel through rap while setting beats on fire for the Lord's kingdom. Mark Arthur just completed his first EP entitled Handicapped being released through his label RockSoul Entertainment headed by Lee Jerkins and home to urban inspirational singer Michelle Bonilla. Although Mark Arthur is a debut Christian rap artist, he has some kingdom heavy hitters behind him such as Mac the Duolos (Everyday Process), Tru Life (Crossmovement) and Saint Man, as well as, guest artist appearances on tracks with R-Swift and James Maccabbee. (Learn more about Mark Arthur at www.rocksoulentertainment.com or www.myspace.com/markarthur)

Pettidee: Producer, Artist & More Than a Conqueror

2009-05-29T23:19:00.006-04:00

Producer and mainstream veteran gospel rap artist Pettidee has been in the urban gospel music industry for over a decade and can boast of both Grammy nominations as a producer and Stellar nominations as an artist during the span of his musical career. A native of Jacksonville, FL, Pettidee grew up in an urban environment that is very similar to neighborhoods across America where young people are faced with hard decisions about which road to take in their lives.

During the course of his life, Pettidee experienced a number of things growing up as a youth including an unfortunate experience of child molestation and a secret battle with depression and suicide , of which, he almost took his own life had it not been for the intervention of his mother unexpectedly walking in on him. The call of the Lord on his life was undeniable. Even though he did not have a personal relationship with the Lord, he knew of the Lord.

Eventually, after a series of life changing events and revelations, Pettidee would come to establish an intimate and personal relationship with the Lord and experience a new life and passion for living. By 1998, he would emerge as a Christian rap artist and producer out of obedience to the voice of the Lord. Aside from ministering through music, he is a motivational speaker and evangelist who travels to both youth and adult correctional facilities and homeless shelters where he speaks with and ministers to youth and adults who are enduring serious life hardships.

In September 2008, Pettidee released the official video for his track entitled "All Alone" shot on location in South Africa. Both the song and the video touches on serious life matters and acts of inhumanity such as with the Darfur civil war in Sudan that has been referred to as blatant acts of genocide against African-Sudanese farmers and citizens. Pettidee’s production track record includes Grits, Antonio Neal, Urban D, 4th Avenue Jones and many more. Pettidee has performed alongside other mainstream urban gospel recording artists such as Mary Mary, Tonex, Lisa McClendon, T-Bone, Grits, J Moss, Cross Movement, Fred Hammond, Tye Tribbet, Canton Jones and Shei Atkins. Pettidee has also enjoyed crossover appeal and success amongst the secular music industry having had performed in major concerts and productions that featured artists such as Master P, Trina, T.I., Thrill Da Playa and Ruben Studdard.

In 2009, one of Pettidee's previously recorded songs from off of his Thug Love album entitled "Never Give Up (Making Me Better)" will be featured in an upcoming movie co-starring Lil Wayne and Bow Wow entitled Hurricane Season. It’s not just about the music for Pettidee, but the message in the music. A loving father and husband,Pettidee is proud to represent a genre of music that reaches everyone regardless of age, ethnicity and religion. “The ability to share music I’m proud to have my kids listen to is important to me”, says Pettidee. Listen to the recorded program and interview with Pettidee in the FuZion Zone.

Giving Honor to The Wrong Things: The Feud Between 50 Cent & Rick Ross

2009-05-29T23:16:00.004-04:00

On April 22, 2009 John Carmanica's article on Miami rap artist Rick Ross entitled "Beyond Authenticity: A Rapper Restages " was featured in the New York Times. The article detailed the extent of the 50 Cent and Rick Ross feud which painted a very grotesque picture of the measures taken by G-Unit Records founder and artist 50 Cent to undeniably go out of his way to publicly diss and humiliate Rick Ross by any means necessary. The article also gave Rick Ross' new album "Deeper Than Rap" a good review for lyrical content, style and production work. When Rick Ross' Deeper Than Rap officially dropped, it made the #1 spot on the Billboard Charts which led to a quick question and answer segment on MTV where 50 Cent was confronted about the success of Rick Ross' new album sales and chart ratings.

The feud between 50 Cent and Rick Ross began when information surfaced about Ross being a former Miami-Dade County Correctional Officer and not a hardened criminal or drug dealer. 50 and his camp has even dubbed rap artist Rick Ross as "Officer Ricky". I'm pretty much getting sick and tired of people glorifying the shiesty things in life that are destroying us as a people, family and community instead of building us up. Like I said on the air, Rick Ross owned up to not having had lived the life of a dope boy and actually being a responsible African-American man with a j-o-b that paid his bills and put food in his kids mouths and clothes on their backs before he entered the rap game.

Music is a form of artistic expressionism, entertainment and even healing or support for some. I could care less that Rick Ross was a correctional officer and never experienced the life of a dope boy. In fact, I would love to buy him a bag of chocolate chip cookies and congratulate him for not taking the road easily traveled by so many of our young men who grow up in impoverished inner-city communities surrounded by crime and people always trying to make a quick come up.

I think this extremely immature feud between two grown, multi-talented, intelligent, successful and Blessed African-American secular rap artists needs to be squashed asap and that they both need to be more concerned about how to continue staying Blessed instead of painting the wrong picture to our young people who think its cool to be a thug, dope boy or hustler. If they focus their energies and abilities to attract this type of media hype and publicity for negative drama imagine what they could do if they put their brains together and did something that could make a positive and long lasting impact on the lives of others, especially the youth and adults who can relate to their lyrical messages and find escape, strength or motivation in the words of their songs.

Kenny Knox - Git Ghetto

2009-05-29T22:59:00.002-04:00

Life hardships, unfairly dealt hands, hurt, disappointment, abandonment and a harsh reality describes most of what St. Louis, MI native and hard core rap artist Kenny Knox has endured. Only 2 and 1/2 yrs ago, he survived being opened fired upon by a shower of bullets but everyone with him did not. A father, a rap artist, a motivational speaker and a humble and Blessed man with a burning fire to speak about the harsh realities of certain lifestyles through the lyrics that constantly pour forth from his his heart. During his special interview in the FuZion Zone we were able to drop his debut single "Git Ghetto" from his forthcoming album, along with, dropping the next previously unreleased track from his album project featuring Chingy called "Metal Banging".

Aside from his music, we were touched by his personal testimony about surviving a nearly fatal life changing event where he and the people with him were gunned down and how everyone did not make it. Not only did he have to learn to walk again, he had to learn to live again and without the presence of some of the people who were closest to him in his life. At the end of the interview he sent out two extremely powerful and loud messages to those contemplating a lifestyle in the streets or desiring to get out. Check out this extremely emotional interview in the FuZion Zone archives.