We Got Next: @ArtAboveReality Interview with @MyCultureSpeaks

My Culture Speaks - http://www.myculturespeaks.com

Earlier this month I got the chance to talk with an up and coming entrepreneur about a few great ideas. One of them he mentioned was “MyCultureSpeaks” an up and coming community site that features the latest in everything entertainment. Check the interview below with MyCultureSpeaks own Curt Bryant.

What is MyCultureSpeaks?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): MyCultureSpeaks is an online magazine that explores Fashion. Music. Movies. Sports. News. Not a blog…

I know a lot of people compare it to blogs because that’s what they are used to, but what differentiates what you guys do from the traditional blogger?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): When I look at a majority of blogs, I see the opinion of the blogger and most are local. Nothing against local blogs, but i wanted to have more mainstream material. We try to give information about popular topics that the average reader wouldn’t know.

Who is your fan/customer? Who do you gear MyCultureSpeaks toward?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): Our demographic mainly focuses on viewers that are into pop culture. We don’t focus on a certain race, because Culture is not a race it’s a quality in a person.

So if you could describe MyCultureSpeaks in one word, what would it be?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): Quality.

Nice. How is MyCultureSpeaks providing information to the community different from traditional mediums?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): We look at the “popular topic” (ex. Kanye West) and we tell you how powerful his management his, spotlight him on the red carpet, and tell you what he has been working on.

What has creating the business of MyCultureSpeaks done for your confidence in creating future business?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): Well i always had the confidence to explore and create future business. MCS opens hundreds of doors for me. I have met designers, musicians, stylist, make-up artist, actors, etc. Just a plug for some many ventures.

What has been your biggest challenge for MCS?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): Just picking the right entries to go on there. Staying relevant with the viewers.

What do you have to do to overcome that challenge and make MyCultureSpeaks as successful as it’s going to be?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): The most important thing is to stay consistent, just staying relevant with the viewers. To inform our audience on the things they love the most.

What are your immediate career goals for MyCultureSpeaks?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): To be one of the most viewed sites in the world!!! And not only have success on the web but through events and in the community.

Have you guys participated or participating in future events to bring MCS’s focus to the public?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): Not yet, we are only a month in lol….It’s in the making.

What advice do you have for people who want to form their own businesses?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): Confidence. Faith. Patience.

How can fans-to-be gain access to everything MyCultureSpeaks?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): Log on check us out, On twitter follow me @cbtheone and follow the team @_CDiddy, @KyliaT, @Jonny_JBMC and @MyCultureSpeaks.

Aiight last question. Lol What should fans look forward to seeing from MyCultureSpeaks in the future?

Curt (MyCultureSpeaks): Just consistent with the information that we are giving them. Not to get into gossip or rumors but actual information that may better their situation in their business.

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One on One: @ArtAboveReality chops it up with @AcePorter

Antoinette Hunter for ArtAboveReality

Brooklyn, NY – July 2011

1. What made you want to get into this field of rapping?

Ace Porter: I was inspired by great artist such as Jay Z, Big, 2Pac, etc.

2. What are some of the challenges that your face with trying to become a part of the music industry?

Ace Porter: Just knowing that in a room of ten hot spitters, maybe one will make it. That’s if they meet the right people, but for now I just out work them all and pray one day it will pay off. Labels aren’t the same these days; you have to get help to make it.

3. What do you know now that you didn’t going in?

Ace Porter: Relationships and dedication are the key and everything in this game.

4. What advice would you give to people who want to follow in your footsteps?

Ace Porter: Follow your heart, live for your dream and never chase money.

5. How has being a part of a business/a brand given you confidence for future business ventures?

Ace Porter - www.aceporter.com

Ace Porter: It’s a great way to market yourself. I feel like my music is bigger than just being a rapper. My hustle for music is very humble but yet aggressive. It’s a great learning process, im around a lot of businessmen so I pick up a lot of their good habits.

6. What inspires you to keep doing what you’re doing and why, even when faced with negativity and discouragement?

Ace Porter: It’s my love, my passion for good music and of course my fans and supporters. Everybody is not going to like you, or your Music. It’s apart of life as an artist, as long as you stay true to you and your music… do you.

7. What are you currently working on/any projects (Mixtapes…? Songs…CDs) you are excited about?

Ace Porter: I’m working on my debut album, don’t have a title yet or date. My mixtape “Just Getting Started” Is out now on ACEPORTER.COM and you can get exclusives and news from there.

8. What makes you so unique from the next person that’s trying to do what Ace Porter does?

Ace Porter: I do all type of music; I don’t think any artist is doing what I do. The way I tell stories with the live band aura.

9. Tell me something about you that people won’t see from your music?

Ace Porter: Sometimes I feel like people don’t see my message in my music, because of how I look.  My goal is to inspire people to live for your dreams and never give up on me no matter what. We all can turn our dreams to reality

10. What are some things you want “us” your audience to look out for in the future coming from Ace Porter?

Ace Porter: My Album and this new series I will be acting in called “Assassin X” coming soon.

11. If people wanted to hear some of your music, where can they find you? (Website, Twitter, YouTube, Blog site, Facebook?)

Ace Porter: ACEPORTER.COM has everything!

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@ArtAboveReality at The U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition

The U.S. Open Sand Castle Competition, a set on Flickr.

July 24, 2011 – Imperial Beach, CA

Let’s just start the article off by saying if you never been to this competition before,PLEASE (especially if you have little ones) make this a part of your summer vacation one of these years. The scenery was some of the most amazing, creative and inspiring stuff I have ever witnessed. People of all ages flocked to Imperial Beach (in San Diego/Approx. 6 mi from Mexico border) for this yearly festival. As you can imagine, the beach was filled with over 30,000 people all enjoying the sights, sands and the variety of vendors displaying their culinary and creative talent. I will definitely be back to this event annually, especially when its my chance to have little ones that would enjoy it just as much as I did. (Huge Kid Smile). I didn’t get a chance to stay to the end because of the anticipated traffic, so I didn’t get a chance to see who won. But if I were judging, It would take a bribe for me to pick the winner because they all were equally amazing!!

Via Flickr:
The U.S. Open Sand Castle Competition

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Is President Obama not taken as serious as our previous presidents?

Image via Wikipedia

Jasmine Roston for ArtAboveReality

June 16-17. 2011 – San Diego, California

Recently it seems  everywhere you look our President Obama is being mentioned.  With his undeniable poise and distinguished charm, he continuously captivates us.  I take a look back at the personal hype many of us in the urban community experienced upon his campaign, election and inauguration, thinking “this is  truly change in the form of ultimate success!”  I still see him in such an endearing regard such as a catholic sees the pope.

But do we all see him in the respectful light? Does the world’s media see him with as high of a standard as we do? When I heard that the president was getting a basketball court in the white house, I was skeptical at first.”  There must be another way of connecting “, I thought,  but eventually I felt it was a secure move, and honestly as long as the youth are listening and connecting, there is hope, period.

He has even been known to tweet and even attend occasional sports events.   Is our president being addressed as “popular culture”, first, rather than “professional”?  Why are we allowing the merge of “hip-hop” and mainstream media to push our focus towards the less important issues while disregarding our nations economy…. the new president elects, the plan on safely returning our troops home and out of  Iraq, let alone the failing education system as a whole.

My question to us all is, Why does it seem like the respect line is not as defined with president Barack Obama?

Are things are taken lightly on all levels then? I recently stumbled on a very disturbing taping of MSNBC the “Morning Joe“, where reporter  Mark Halperin stated “I thought he was kind of a dick yesterday,” with what seemed to me as a subtle smile on live television, when referring to President Obama.

Washington Monthly‘s Steve Benen noted that the Morning Joe crew was probably upset that Obama didn’t appear “docile and conciliatory” towards Republicans in Congress.

“Halperin’s credibility as an objective observer of political events has long been dubious, at best, but this morning’s little stunt should remove all doubt,” Benen wrote.

Update: MSNBC has suspended Halperin indefinitely.

With all this being the case, I can suggest that our countries future if left in the hands of  its upcoming generation the focus will fall short of effective due to lack of political and professional understandings of the law.  While the voice of the mainstream media and political parties run rampant.

Shedding focus on the negative less important factors when facing, the national budget, the war on terror and especially education! We spend more time on personal, non detrimental characteristics of our president, then of his plan of action for our nation, or even the true nature of his character.

I employ you all to take the time to open and elevate our minds to make a real unbiased opinion. In closing I leave you with this…

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

It say’s the “Congress shall make no law”, doesn’t say a thing about MSNBC. Halperin is a hack,  him and the rest of Joe morning crew.  If people want to watch that kind of TV they can get it full-time at Fox.   At this point, it just shows me what we can become when we  succumb  to our fears.

Sincerely Yours,

Jasmine S.  Roston

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@NewzHuddle – #MichaelJordan Video dir. by @SkoolDazeP off of #FreePills

@NewzHuddle - #MichaelJordan Video dir. by @SkoolDazeP off of #FreePills

Who’s Got Next? We think @dominreallife does…

Play: DomInRealLife - "Get By" Now!!

ArtAboveReality got the chance today to chop it up with one of West Philly’s hidden hip/hop talents. “Dom In Real Life” (@dominreallife) has started capturing the ears of local hip hop artists and fans with an arsenal of lyrics, punch lines and microphone presence you rarely find in upcoming artists. We had the opportunity to see what’s next on the plate for him and also give fans and other artists the opportunity to hear what he has to offer. Make sure yall comment and show him some love!! He is ArtAboveReality Approved! Oh, and also follow him on Twitter –> @dominreallife

• What songwriters and/or artists do you see as your primary inspirations?

There are artists who I think every rapper can reference such as Jay-Z, Biggie and Tupac. Too many artists that I grew up on to name really. My attention has been with the up and coming guys lately though. J.Cole is an amazing artist whom I’ve been keeping track of the most, followed by Wale and other guys like Pac Div, Kendrick Lamar, Dom Kennedy and a hometown guy whom I’ve respected since I heard him by the name of Pate. There are others who I listen to but those are all guys who make me feel like working that much harder to reach their level when I listen to them. Established artist are great but I like listening and tracking the growth of guys who come from the bottom to make it the most in terms of being inspired to write my own music. The main reason being is that the guys closer to the bottom are the ones with whom I relate the most. The guys that have made it and been established for a while are in a whole different realm than I am at this point so my inspiration comes from those closer to my situation.

• What do you think about the current state of hip-hop?

Hip Hop is in a good place in my opinion. I feel like the new wave of guys getting themselves established are bringing it back to actually being able to rap. By that I mean less of the gimmicks and more of the content. All of the guys I mentioned in the previous question are all examples of that. They give you lines with actual substance while also being catchy and able to relate to them. Sometimes I feel like people get too caught up in the next artist though and less focused on themselves. We could use a little more unity but it’s getting there.

• What are you currently working on/any projects you are excited about?

I am currently in the midst of putting together my debut mixtape entitled “Dom in Real Life”; which will hopefully be well received when it is due for realease. I am very excited about it. The release date that I am aiming for will either be early November or Late January. The reason being is that those months have dates which are important to me. Besides the tape, I am also working on getting my web site up and running (DominRealLife.com) which will be coming much sooner than the release date of the tape.

• Is there an artist you want to work with that you have not yet had the opportunity to work with?

I would really love to work with many of the local artists from my home town (West Philadelphia). Primarily to promote unity amongst the many talented artist that we have there and also because there are some legit talents there that I respect. In particular though I am looking forward to putting a song together with Pate of Space High productions. I am a big supporter of him and his producer Reez and I am hopeful that we can link up in the near future to put something together on my tape and even for one of their projects.

• Where can the fans find your music? What should we expect from you in the future?

If you are looking for anything from me stay tuned to my twitter page @dominreallife for when I announce the drop of the web site and I will also be posting links to songs there as well. When the web site drops, there is where you will find all my music, videos etc. once it’s up and running. Also, stay tuned here! (artabovereality.com).

In the future from me you can expect good music and videos that are true to me and some other things that I’m working hard at but keeping under wraps right now. I want to just keep working hard and building up momentum no matter how fast or slow the grind goes for me I’m dedicated and want everyone that enjoys my music to be not only satisfied but proud of being a supporter of mine!!!

Album Review @NewzHuddle “Free Pills” The Mixtape

Im pretty sure by now you all have downloaded, burned, tweeted, and commented about the latest release from Newz Huddle. The “Free Pills” Mixtape dropped on Independence Day (July 4th) to much anticipation and fan fare. I’m here to say it was well deserved. With an assortment of producers and lyrics, Newz delivers the same flair that fans come to witness on previous tracks such as “Rhyme Show feat @SpaceHighPate and prod by. @ReezSHP and looks to continue brand the Space High Movement across Philadelphia and eventually reaching YOUR front doorstep; or web URL… Become a fan early!!! It’s officially #ArtAboveReality … Oh and also follow him too!!! —>> @NewzHuddle

Downlaod the “Free Pills” Mixtape Here…

ArtAboveReality At Mustafa Shakur Community Day

Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

ArtAboveReality’s photostream on Flickr.

ArtAboveReality At Mustafa Shakur Community Day – July 9th 2011: Here are some images from a great day in Philadelphia. The day was July 9th and the activity was the Mustafa Shakur Community Day! With supporters from all over the city, NBA Stars, local college players, old coaches and a bunch a future stars, this day was as successful and meaningful to the community as the local pool opening on the days of treacherous heat. The full article/interview coming soon on http://www.artabovereality.com. While your here checking out the pictures, follow the host of this great event on Twitter!!! –>>> @UptownStaf

The new www.artabovereality.com set to launch on July 31st!!

ArtAboveReality Launch Date: July 31st!!

Our goal is to inspire our culture through the forms of all media outlets. While going deeper to find the next “story”, we unlock an element never before seen. We can’t wait for all of our fans and followers to join in on support our community!!! This new site will showcase talent from across the globe in many different categories. Stay Tuned!! You may see a familiar face.. or three!!!  Check us out at http://www.artabovereality.com Also Follow us on Twitter: @ArtAboveReality and like our Facebook page as well!:

Jay-Z “FINALLY” releases tracklist for “Watch the Throne”

It seems like they’re FINALLY gonna come out with this album. SMH. Between this and (Dr. Dre’s long anticipated) “Detox” I am almost through with rappers making these grand proposals for albums that usually end up sounding like it was made in a weekend at your local watering hole. With hopes that Jay-Z and Kanye West can deliver a smash, fans will sit and wait patiently for August 2nd (the perceived date) and buy/download their copies. I cant wait to hear the type of response this gets. Will the 2nd go round of teaming up with an egotistic superstar pan out better than the last? (R. Kelly; Best of Both Worlds) Only time will tell that… But what yall think about it? Do you think “Watch The Throne” will be worth the wait??

Watch-The-Throne Album - Jay-z and Kanye West

The Tracklisting
1. No Church in The Wild (ft. Frank Ocean)
2. Lift Off (ft. Beyoncé)
3. Niggas in Paris
4. Otis (ft. Otis Redding)
5. Gotta Have It
6. New Day
7. Prime Time
8. Who Gon Stop Me
9. Murder to Excellence
10. Welcome to The Jungle
11. Sweet Baby Jesus (ft. Frank Ocean)
12. Love You So (ft. Mr Hudson) Bonus
13. Illest Motherfucker Alive
14. H*A*M
15. That’s My Bitch
16. The Joy (ft. Curtis Mayfield)