Over the past ten years a majority of the top ten songs on the Billboard charts has been consistent trendsetters. Songs that have saturated radio airwaves by the masses are placed in constant rotation to enthrall us. These songs appeal to a certain audience that often allow those in the music industry to capitalize on the opportunity to gain new fans of the most popular genres of music today. But some of these genres of today music have lost the luster for true music lovers, that they often resort to the classic CD’s from their youth just to hear music they deem as good music.

But what is considered “good music”? According to industry executives, “good music” is “any music that can capture the attention of an audience.” However; for the demographic of listeners in their mid twenties to mid thirties, “good music” is music that’s worth listening to many years after, and whose lyrics has meaning and depth.

So if the music industry has released nothing but “good music” over the past ten years, then why is it that the demographic of listeners in their mid twenties, thirties and older doesn’t find it worth listening to?

After further discussion with Atlanta’s LS Muzik Group, a company representative says, “most of the music that is released today has a certain appeal that reflects the trend set during that time. If at that time, snap music or crunk music is the sound that’s in, then that’s what the trend will follow. It is rare that you’d find “good music” [from the likes of] a Neyo, R. Kelly, Usher, Mary J Blige, Anthony Hamilton, or Musiq Soulchild to name a few. Not including good folk, rap, country, gospel, blues, jazz, or alternative rock music from some great artists who are worth listening to also. But out of the few named, there’s really not that many artists today that has potential for longevity. These artists are force fed to the consumer just to make record sales. We truly doubt half of them will be around to play sold out arenas in the next ten years.”

Hoping to bridge the gap between the two demographics of listeners in their mid twenties to mid thirties, the company looks to bring back good music that is worth listening to by adapting the Motown approach by signing good talent and releasing heartfelt songs with meaning.

Although the idea to bring back good music is what LS Muzik Group intends to do, there’s still that certain group of listeners the company may struggle to gain. Mainly because the music industry have already captured the attention of this group over the past ten years with music that has a sound of its own, a sound that has captivated them with what LS Muzik Group deems as over synthesized sounds. It is unclear however, as to how the company plans to win over that demographic, when all they know is what the music industry have force-fed them.

And because of this, the dividing line between the two demographics has left a void in the music industry, simply because true music lovers aren’t as fascinated with listening to over synthesized sounds that has little to no substance. This has crippled record sales over the past ten years.

In spite of the clever marketing initiatives by the music industry to capture true music lovers, the effort hasn’t been significant enough to impact their decisions to enjoy listening to the music released today thereby causing most of the music released today to barely go gold or platinum. This is all due in part not only to the Internet, but because true music lovers in their mid twenties, thirties, and older who enjoy good music, are not buying what is most popular today. But if what’s popular is Trey Songz or Chris Brown, then how is it that either of the two artists survives in such an industry where their level of success or failure is dictated by their marketing, and not their music.

“Record companies have gotten somewhat smart on how they market and release artists. Their idea to market and release Chris Brown or Trey Songz on the same Tuesday as they would Robin Thicke or K Jon isn’t the same. Simply because record sales for Chris Brown or Trey Songz may be slim for the first week of release, that marketing and releasing Trey Songz against K Jon on the same date would immobilize their sales goal of going gold or platinum, against a more likely artist that can, who has a more mature fan base of true music lovers who enjoy listening to good music,” says one industry executive.

This scenario is all too common in the industry today, whereas album release dates are rescheduled all due in part to industry executives being aware of the competition. Often times that competition is welcomed in what appears to be a rivalry to see who can out sell the other, as with the Kanye West and 50 Cent release in 2007. Rivalries such as this makes for clever marketing that will often propel record sales through the roof the first week of release, causing artists to go platinum. However at what cost to record companies? “Record companies can pay millions of dollars to market an artist all at the expense of gaining a few true music lovers. The gamble is to win the few they think will be loyal followers. While hoping the artists does their part to deliver good music to keep them [the fans] loyal.”

But with dismal record sales on the rise, artists are struggling to deliver good music to keep true music lovers devoted. Long gone are the days of the Motown Sound, Disco, P-Funk, and New Jack Swing era that we’ve all grown so accustom to that has found its way in music today through the practice of “sampling”; that most artists have lost all sense of creativity to produce almost anything remotely appealing to true music lovers. In order to win them over without the over synthesized sounds, they must sample or take portions of music from great artists like Teddy Pendergrass or The O’Jays just to get their attention.

So how can music get a fresh revitalization to capture the attention of true music lovers? Well according to LS Muzik Group, “bring back live musicians and artists who feel passionate about love and family values.” This could well be true, being that everything in heavy rotation on the radio is all about sex. “Where are the family values in the songs we hear today, there aren’t any. Most parents today don’t want their children listening to the radio, mainly because all they’re hearing is about sex.” From Trey Songz “Invented Sex”, to R. Kelly’s “Number One”, songs like these have saturated commercial radio and have left somewhat a bad taste in the mouth of true music listeners.

However artists like R. Kelly who has a solid fan base of loyal true music listeners, releasing songs like “Number One” is often well taken, being that an artist of his caliber is able to release just about anything and go platinum.

The musician in R. Kelly has allowed for him to survive in an industry that lacks creativity. Yet, he manages to stay in touch with his fan base while adjusting his talents to accommodate both younger and older audiences with songs like, “Number One”. But can the same be said of an artist [like a] Trey Songz? “Trey Songz is a talented artist; however, his fan base of course is entirely different from that of an R. Kelly or Robin Thicke not only because of the way he’s marketed, but also how he appeals to an audience that doesn’t understand good music. But considers what he sings to be. Keep in mind we are talking about a group that may not have even grew up listening to “good music” from the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s.”

Because of this lack of understanding, Trey Songz is able to sustain a fan base based entirely on his talents as a singer, songwriter and producer and thereby, creating music that his record label deems worthy of marketing and releasing to his fans. It is this group of listeners who are twenty-five and under, the music industry caters to without a second thought of catering to the older audiences. Why is this? It appears that a majority of the top ten songs on the Billboard charts is created by artists who themselves are twenty-five years of age and under, and who are basically creating music just for their age group. This has allowed for teenagers and young adults with a great deal of disposable income to spend their earnings from part-time jobs, birthday and holiday money on music, thereby pumping a small breath of life into the industry to keep it a live. So what’s going to happen once this age group gets much older and mature? Are they likely to even consider listening to Trey Songz or Chris Brown ten years from now?

The combination of good marketing combined with good talent can make artists such as Trey Songz a huge success because of the trend set in the industry today. Allowing record companies to capitalize off their talents now, and possibly tomorrow, depending on the terms of the artist-recording contract. Whereas in the days of Motown-“good music” was all it took to propel the success of an artist. It was imperative that Berry Gordy developed and released artists he knew could create “good music” that’s worth listening to many years after. This process of artist development became a critical element in the music industry up until 2000, when record labels took the time to develop an artist for longevity.

But if the trend has been set in motion to follow music that’s been hot for over the past ten years, then going against what the industry is doing to bring back “good music” with great lyrical content, is what LS Muzik Group looks to do and pave a way of their own in the industry.

With a well driven team of professionals and a roster of talented musicians and singers like Mr. Tao Jones and Jackie Watson who seek to change the direction of music released in the industry today, it is likely that “good music” can make a major comeback in commercial radio.

But what would be the downside to all of this? One major downside would be discovering more artists like Mr. Tao Jones and Jackie Watson who have the passion to write and sing “good music”. The other is how to reach the demographics twenty-five and under who are captivated with what they’ve heard on the radio for the past ten years. To this group of listeners, growing up in an era where music is either sampled or synthetically created is all they know to be good music. However not understanding where the music they’re listening to originally derived from.

Music from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s is now considered old school to this younger audiences, which today has all become obsolete, leaving room for a younger hip sound that’s all synthetically created like fast food. So what was once old, is now new again.

Take Monica’s “Everything”, a melodic rendition of Denise Williams, “Silly”. This is a classic example of an artist who feels passionate about love and family values, has great talents, a solid fan base, and understands that the industry needs “good music”. However with the odds against her to accommodate her fans, record label, and a younger audience who thinks her music is old school, it is difficult for Monica or any artist of her stature from 70’s, 80’s and 90’s to make a comeback.

“In order to survive in the music industry today, an artist who once were in high demand during those days, would have to readjust their talents to accommodate the trend today in the industry. This doesn’t necessarily mean change the style of music that made them successful for years, but do what it is they do best while incorporating a younger hip sound that will appeal to both audiences.”

However not all artists can readjust and appeal to a younger audience. Artists like Monica are learning that the industry has changed dramatically over the years with an all-new sound that has made it somewhat complicated to adjust to, making it difficult to comeback. But often times an old school artist can return like they’ve never left and go platinum. Take Charlie Wilson, former member of the famed G.A.P Band or George Clinton architect of the band Parliament-Funkadelic, these artists have set a perfect example on how to readjust their talent in rap music to accommodate the trend of the industry to reach the younger audiences. It is this adjustment that Charlie Wilson and George Clinton were able to comeback with rap artists like Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube.

Although this strategy may have worked for Charlie Wilson and George Clinton-it is by far a long shot that other artists of 70’s, 80’s and 90’s can achieve. Because of the generation gap within the music industry, it is clear that fans are divided between what’s considered “good music” and what’s not. Therefore making it difficult to bridge the gap. And if record executives continue to overlook this issue, artist they consider as today stars will suffer immensely with record sales in the coming years, leaving them with a short term musical career. Here today, gone tomorrow.

When I was young I thought, "I am bad! When I grow up I am going to be a gangster like Al Capone or Bumpy Johnson." I never thought about being a gentleman. I heard through the grapevine about guys like Frank Miller and Herman Fontaine who controlled the numbers racket. I also heard tales of loan sharks who broke kneecaps or took personal property and for collateral if a borrower couldn't afford to pay the money they got into debt for. My first encounter with gangsters was the street gangs now referred to as gang-bangers by sociologists and tele-journalists alike. We used to fight rival members of so-called gangs which lived in one of the city's five housing projects. The Bennett Homes rumbled against my crew, the East Side Press. On the west end of town, the William Penn Projects fought against The McCafferty Village Boys, usually over girls. And in middle town, the Lamokin Village or the LV, as it was called, fought it out with the Highland Gardens or the gang from the Fairgrounds.

I recall as a young boy, gentlemen older than me who were always accompanied by the most beautiful women on their arm. They drove the biggest cars and wore the finest threads that money could buy. They were the Black Mafia and I idolized them and tried to mimic their every move.

The way they walked, talked and dressed impressed me so much that I could hardly wait to grow up to be just like them. The Black Mafia consisted of a boss, an underboss, a capo and lieutenants that governed over the ranks of soldiers who were managed by a captain or skipper. There were different factions or families and a commission or body of bosses that decided how the whole outfit would be governed.

My next experience came when, as a teen-ager, I used to run numbers. Of course, I didn't know what I was carrying on the little slips of paper. All I knew was that I wanted to earn my own money. When I asked my parents for money they almost always said, "No, we don't have any extra money this week, Son." They were forced to budget their meager finances which had to cover food and the water and electric bills, rent and other daily living expenses. Our family had grown very quickly from just me as an only child to four children. Then from six we became eight kids until my immediate family reached its peak when I was the eldest of ten children, six boys and four girls. So, when I was asked to take some papers with numbers scribbled on them to Mr. Jones, by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Green would pay me, I jumped at the opportunity without asking any questions.

Suspicions began to arise when the cops would raid the houses I made my routine visits to. Usually, though a stack of cash had the amazing power to get cases thrown out of court or mysteriously make paperwork disappear conveniently before a racketeer's case was tried. Those gentlemen were the role models of real-life gangsters who engaged in very civil and polite conversations with other gentlemen. They seldom lost their tempers because a gentleman is never violent but smart enough to hire someone else to handle the messy work for him. Work which often included violence, extortion, and whenever necessary, the need to lay somebody down for a long night's sleep.

It was only business. The black mob of my youth didn't differ much from the legitimate companies I came to work for later in life. If someone belonged to the outfit they followed a hierarchy, were held accountable for their actions and represented the family they belonged to with dignity, loyalty and a sense of pride. Everybody looked out for one another in those days. This was especially important when renegade crooks tried to muscle in on the family's action without following the proper protocol.

Today, things have changed and what I did not know then I am humbled to say I have lived to discover that all that the gangster's lifestyle is depicted to be by the media who cash in off of "gangster-rap", much of it full of derogatory comments about women as well as the public's perception of that lifestyle as being somehow glamorous is non comparable to living a productive citizen. To the next generations who subscribe to magazines like XXL or the Source and listen to rap music that glamorize the gangster life I assure you it is nothing like what really happens in reality. Often times the powers that be in entertainment and television depict the two in stereotyped roles. This is often hard or impossible to discern because after all this is big business where image is everything. Some of the original gangsters are now doctors, lawyers, scholars and politicians through the lives of their children and descendants. Their legacy lives only in the imagination of those who characterize them today in tales of murder and mayhem or via the songs that can be heard daily across the airwaves of ones favorite radio station.

Likewise, it is ironic that some of today's professing gangsters came through the lineage of those reputed to be gentlemen in society. For instance, I wonder how many people know that Alfonse "Scar-Face" Capone was the son of hard working immigrants from the Ellis Island exodus who operated a legitimate business when they first came to this county. The syndicate and underworld of today, one would think, does not advertise or record themselves in studios to be blared across radios all over America. If real gangsters did this there would be no need for law enforcement to gather intelligence. Then, prosecutors would not have to earn living building cases against alleged organized crime if all they had to do was buy a compact disc or read a book in which all the explicit and juicy details were laid out.

Real gangsters, in my day would never expose themselves on recordings then pay a criminal defense attorney the proceeds from their illegal activities to defend them in a court of law.

And despite this fact, every popular rising gang-star in hip-hop music today wants to be the next "50-Cent". The gangsters of today would do well to realize that there is no longevity in crime. The ill gotten gains accumulated through much of their own blood, sweat and tears usually go to lawyers, bail bondsmen, prison commissaries, funeral parlors, hospitals and the law enforcement agencies or tax bureaus and district attorney's offices that seize their assets through forfeiture hearing then buy or sell them for pennies on the dollar. And yet the federal, state and local governments still consider them as drug traffickers or smugglers and pass legislation through sentencing guidelines to sentence them accordingly. The majority of so-called gangsters '' of today don't have anywhere near enough capital to invest in legitimate business entities and get out of the drug game.

Of course, each of us is free to choose our own path in life. We have been deluded somehow by a mindless media to believe that this gangster lifestyle is somehow in the pursuit of happiness, liberty and the American dream. However, if a young man or woman of African or Hispanic descent gets arrested and has to call home collect or they hustle to turn fifteen cents into a dollar then they are probably not a gangster in the true sense of the word to begin with. Here's a little secret I would like to share with all aspiring and would be gangsters.

It takes the guts and the grit of a true gangster to support the seed they bring into this world even when they refuse to sell drugs, in spite of the peer pressure or the deceitfulness of ill-gotten gain, because they realize the risks involved and that getting caught means that they will abandon their child or children not if but when they end up in prison if not another sad statistic.

It takes the courage and creativity of a true soldier to apply the street smarts they have acquired in the drug game to get off the broadways to destruction in order to walk the straight and narrow road less traveled and return to school for their GED or to attempt earning college degree. Often I hear people say that we as Americans should not be over in Iraq fighting a war that is not ours to fight but these same people fail to differentiate how we are dying and commit genocide in the wars that are fought daily in urban areas of blight and poverty where drugs are bought and sold. Children are born addicted, in poverty and to face a grim future of neglect and abuse. Of course, it is difficult having wads of cash one day and then suddenly applying for assistance because they have flipped the script and decided that they will no longer be part of the problem but rather part of the collective solution. I have witnessed young men who were just as addicted to the lifestyle of this sub-culture as the addicts they peddled their street pharmaceuticals to.

However, if they don't make the decision to change their lives then society and fate will. If not now then there may never come an opportunity to do so. Now, this very moment, is all we are guaranteed in life. Not to decide to take action is also a decision. Sometimes, we have a hard time distinguishing what's easy from what requires strength and courage. To pull a trigger and take the life of another human only requires the physical stamina that a boy of ten years of age can muster up. It also requires one to act impulsively and think later. Sadly though, when the act of murder is committed in our streets to prove that a man is a gangster there is little, if any, time to think.

A human life is ended right there on the spot and another life ends eventually within the perimeters of a little square foot area called a prison cell. It is a sad drama that is unfortunately all too familiar to us today as parents and American citizens. In some cases, life after a homicide may include visits from friends and family while in jail, mail on birthdays, and even yard, or block out. However, the cold hard reality is that in the final analysis anyone serving a life sentence for murder in Pennsylvania is going to spend the rest of his or her natural life locked up behind bars. People will be born and people will die within a lifer's family. Children will become adults and parents themselves. Divorce and remarriage is not uncommon at all. In other words, it may seem like the world revolved around them when they lived the gangster 'life but if they are the unfortunate soul who stands before the judge's bench when that dreaded sentence, "Life in Prison", is pronounced they will eventually change their view as the world continues to turn in spite of their absence.

But someone, undoubtedly will argue, "Man, I know plenty of hustlers who got their grind on, sold drugs until they got signed to a record label or started their own independent label or launched a clothing line; and now they are millionaire celebrities. " For those who formulate such thinking and defenses or rebuttals please consider the following problems with such irrational thinking. For anyone currently incarcerated within America's criminal justice system then they would know how much one makes as an inmate working anywhere in prison.

Just compare those who die in jail or end up doing life in prison to those who successfully got out of the drug game and lived to write a book or lyrics about their story. Just do the math and the answer becomes self explanatory. Of the magazines that are purchased by our young people today with the gangster turned gentleman featured on the cover and perpetuates the great deception that a life of crime pays that is enough to raise a red flag. Or one simply need look around their environment to see if there are any A&R reps, producers and publishers tearing down prison walls to find them. In the eyes of many, even their peers and significant others, they have simply ceased to exist.

The government name ascribed to them at birth when they were assigned a social security number by the same government has been converted to a number. They are now a product, and not the gangster, more less, the person they once thought they were. It does not seem to require a great deal of intelligence for one to chose between the life of a gangster and the life of a gentleman. Yet the strange truth is that it is a decision young man and woman has to wrestle with each day on a national, maybe even a global scale as our economy and political and religious leaders fail us miserably. If one is considering this question from a prison cell then maybe they have got a little bit of time to think it over and maybe they are still fortunate enough to decide what they really want to do with the rest of their natural lives before it is too late and they join the untold numbers who congregate in the prison yard of regret exchanging war stories of what they could have, should have and would have done if only they had one more chance.

Finally, we have come to the crossroad of decision to make a change or to remain the same want-to-be-gangster headed down a one way street that leads to a dead end. One must spend time to determine the steps it will take to achieve ones goals and the initiative it will require to put ones individual plan into action. Knowledge is only power if applied. Then at least one will have the knowledge at ones disposal to empower oneself to succeed. The power that we seek to make this vision a reality we already possess.

Oftentimes out of excitement we share our endeavors, ideas and good intentions with the wrong people. In so doing, both well meaning and sometimes folk out of jealousy will attempt to talk us out of our confidence because the bold demonstration of courage and creativity it takes to transform your life frightens them. It forces them either to examine their own lives and follow our example or in the alternative if they are comfortable in their complacency they will make every effort to hinder us.

Remember, people can either help us go forward or hold us back. There is no middle ground. So, you do wisely by achieving your desired level of success and then when someone asks you how you were converted from a gangster to a gentleman, you can do like I am doing today, Sell your game plan, and not tell your game plan! Now that's gangster!

The Danny Trejo Interview

(*Pre-Interview Note- Before starting the interview I tell Danny that I try to ask some different questions than he may be used to, to which he replies “that’s cool, but if I don’t like the questions…” and he picks up a knife on the table we were sitting at and makes stabbing gestures towards me. It was definitely done in a humorous way, but let’s be serious, this is Danny Trejo!!!! Even when he’s being funny he’s scary!)

TIS: After 25 years in the business, you’re still a completely humble guy. What do you attribute this too?

DT: I think it’s where I came from and the people I keep around me now. If you look at the people in Hollywood who are having trouble, they almost always have special interest people around them who are only making money from them, and don’t give a shit what they’re doing as long as they are still working. People like Paris, Lindsay & Tom Seizmore… but my friends, they don’t give a fuck. They’ll tell me “Fuck you, don’t be an asshole”. They’re just straight up. I’ve got, hmm, I don’t want to say real gangsters around me, but I’ve got people who’ve had lives, you know? My friends Craig, Mario & Max, they’re all ex-convicts, so if I get bitchy (laughing), they’ll say “Fuck you, were you that way in the joint?” So it was like having this life before I got into the movies which helped me understand that not everyone is supposed to get me a cappuccino, like they do on a movie set. People in this business honestly believe people are supposed to get them a cappuccino, and they often have no respect or manors. On a movie set things are geared to make you think you’re really the shit and everything depends on you… it’s all about you. The reality though, is that the movie business is a “we” business, not an “I” business. So I don’t give a fuck what kind of star you are, you need to realize that that extra, or that boom mic operator is helping your movie.

That’s what I find funny about Robert Rodriguez’s movie. He calls me the lead in Machete and I’m like, what the fuck? We’ve got Robert DeNiro, the lead-iest man in the world, Jessica Alba, the lead-iest lady, Michelle Rodriguez and Lindsay. Lindsay was a sweetheart on the set, the problem is that she grew up in this business, so she really believes everyone is supposed to do the same thing when she is in the streets, as when she’s on a movie sey and that’s not how it is. Shit, the paparazzi love her because they know their going to get a finger and sell that picture for a thousand dollars. Michelle Rodriguez, same thing. So leading man my motherfuckin ass. I’ll still run and get a cup of coffee for DeNiro if he asks me.

TIS: That wasn’t you’re first time working with DeNiro right?

DT: Right, I did Heat with him and he was totally cool then too. We treated each other with nothing but respect. You get what you put out.

TIS: You may be the most candid actor in Hollywood. The documentary Champion, which chronicles your life, goes in-depth about your rather colorful past (Danny interjects- “haha, San Quentin is colorful), covering your criminal history, drug addiction, and gang affiliation etc. It then goes on however to talk about your conviction to helping others through speaking engagements at penitentiaries and juvenile halls. Can you tell me about the importance of that in your life?

DT: Absolutely, you have to do that. Acting is just a job. I’m exactly the same as that lady bringing us coffee, and I have to remember that. My real job is helping others and you don’t get paid for that. Again, if you look at the people in Hollywood who are heavy partiers, they’re selfish, self-centered and egotistical. This business is made to destroy you. I’ve had trouble with stars before when doing karate movies and shit because all of the sudden they think they’re bad asses and are like “hey motherfucker, I grew up on the streets” and I’m like yeah, but two Broadway shows a week doesn’t count, bitch(laughter). That was pretty good huh?

TIS: You have me scared (laughter, sort of). There is a very powerful scene in that documentary where you visit your old prison cell in San Quentin. You’re obviously very emotionally affected, but have trouble putting your experience into words. Now that you’ve had time to process it, can you tell me what your experience was like being back in that cell?

DT: I was a sad, angry, vicious person, and right now, I immediately start thinking about my kids, because anytime I remember that guy, I think about my kids. I never want my kids to see me like that. I never want my kids to see me willing to do whatever it takes to stay on top, like the decision to kill somebody being as easy as the flip of a coin, like just fucking kill him, you know? I never want to see that person. Like with arguments, the bottom line was always murder. Nobody gets killed when they’re happy. It always starts with an argument, or a debt. It starts with a simple thing like a pack of cigarettes, but then the mind takes over and you start to think the guy is trying to make you look bad and all of the sudden you’re willing to kill this guy over a simple argument, and that’s why I won’t argue anymore. I won’t argue with anybody. People try to argue with me and my first thought is, am I willing to kill this person? Because that’s the bottom line. So when people come at me they can’t win, they think they can, but they can’t. I’ll just walk away.

The old me, that person, he’s gone, and now I’ve got these three beautiful kids who are depending on me, though they’re actually not kids anymore. My daughter Danielle is 20, and she’s an actress. My son Gilbert is 22 and he’s producing a movie called Skinny Dip, with Franky Latina. He’s 22 and producing this fucking movie! I was 22 and sitting in San Quentin. So he’s producing a movie and it’s funny because he said hey dad, I got you a role, but you may have to audition, and I was like “you little shit”. Then there’s my big boy, Danny Boy, and he’s into electronics and used to do the guidance systems for missiles, but now works for me. And so life couldn’t be better. I couldn’t fuck it up with an argument, you know?

TIS: So I hear you have a punk rocker in your family, and you’re a self professed “punk rock dad”? Can you tell me a little about that?

DT: Haha, yeah. My son Gilbert used to have a band called The Dead Reagan Tour, which he and some friends started and were influenced by bands like Suicidal Tendencies.

TIS: Very cool.

DT: Yeah, so one day I drove onto the set of a movie I was working on and was bumping one of Gilbert’s songs. Unbeknownst to me, the director and producer were really into punk, so they came over to my car and asked if I was listening to Suicidal Tendencies and I told them no, that it was my sons band. The name of the song he wrote was “No More Meds”, which is about all the kids at school that the parents are putting on medication because they don’t want to deal with them. So we were doing a movie with Tom Seizmore’s daughter, and there was a scene where she was trying to escape from a hospital because someone was trying to kill her, and she was all medicated up, so they asked if they could use the song because it was a perfect fit, and it worked out great! Shit, I can’t remember the name of the movie though.

But then a bunch of the guys in the band were getting loaded and my son wasn’t into it so they broke up. It’s funny because I was literally like the roadie. I used to rent vans for the guys to get to shows and finally said fuck it, I’ll buy a bus. So I went and bought a Greyhound bus, problem was though, when I bought it, I put myself as the driver and that’s how it showed up on the insurance, so all of the sudden I was their driver/roadie. My son used to joke that his band had the only roadie that people would ask for autographs. We had such a blast though. I loved watching my son on stage. He’s really good. He’s actually writing a song right now. That fucker’s really smart. My Daughter is the same way. She’s training right now with a girl named Tanya Fairfoot, who’s a great little actress, and Danielle is just really doing her thing. She’s awesome.

TIS: Very nice. So while we’re on the topic of music, who are you listening to these days?

DT: I like R&B and oldies. I actually did a thing with Kid Frost who is a rapper, and I’ve done a lot with Baby Bash. I’ve got a singer and she’s going into the studio to do a song with Scoop DeVille, who is Kid Frost’s son. Her name is Alicia and she is going to be awesome. I also have a magazine coming out called My Mag, and I’m also opening up a restaurant called Trejo’s in Huntington Beach, which will have awesome Mexican food. I also have a film coming out soon called Vengeance.

TIS: I saw something about that online. Who else is in it with you?

DT: Jason Mewes, Baby Bash, Techn9ne, Diamond Dallas Page, Rashad Evans, Houston Alexander and 50 Cent. Fucking everybody is in it.

TIS: Wow, quite the lineup. Can you tell me how you relax in your free time?

DT: I love old, vintage cars. I’ve got a 1936 Dodge Touring Sedan right now and there’s only five of them registered in the world, and I absolutely love working on it. It’s gorgeous. Big G’s Automotive over in Inglewood is working on it for me right now. In fact, I forgot I need to ask them a question so I’m going to call them real quick.

TIS: Yeah, do your thing.

DT: (As he’s calling he continues on…) I’m building a Machete bike which is fucking gorgeous man. I wish I could show you pictures of it. (He then connect’s with Big G’s Automotive…and we continue after he’s done). Yeah so they’ve got the Dodge up on blocks right now. It’s going to be like a Limo. Very shiny black, and it’s going to be the Machete car. It’s going to have rhinestone Machete’s in the trunk and shit.

TIS: Nice, very bad ass.

DT: Yeah.

TIS: You hold the honor of having the most recognizable tattoo in the world, as voted by International Tattoo Magazine. Can you tell me about the origin of your chest piece and what criteria ITM used to deem it the most recognizable tattoo in the world?

DT: Ok, so I have a friend Harry “Super Jew” Ross. We’ve been a great friends since around fourteen years old. We used to rob the same places down in San Fernando Valley. We both ended up in San Quentin on different charges and started it there. He did the outline, but shortly after I got kicked out. It was like a scene from West Side Story, because there I was, leaving on the bus in chains, and Harry is standing outside yelling “don’t let anybody touch it, I’ll be there!” and I’m yelling back “Ok, I won’t”. I went over to Folsom and about three or four months later, he showed up and we did a little more. It was his first big piece. About three months or so after that, there was a big riot in Folsom and they shipped me over to Soledad. Harry was almost finished with it and we had another West Side Story moment as I was leaving, “let me finish it Danny”, “ok, I will”. And so he ended up in Soledad and we finished it up there. From there he went back and finished his time in Folsom.

TIS: That’s an amazing story. And how did ITM decide it was the most recognizable tattoo in the world?

DT: Basically because of all the movies I’ve been in. That reminds me, do you remember the tattoo that George Clooney had in From Dusk Til Dawn?

TIS: Yeah, the one going down his neck?

DT: Yeah, well that was obviously fake, so I’d give him shit about it on the set and say, go ahead George, time to put it on” (laughter).

TIS: Nice, sticking it to him. Did you really rob a liquor store with a hand grenade?

DT: Hahaha, where did you get that?

TIS: You said it on your Champion documentary, unless I misheard you. *Note- I went back and re-watched the segment. Danny did say he robbed a liquor store with a hand grenade but in his defense, he was such a gangster, it has to be tough to keep all the thievin straight.

DT: We had different weapons. We definitely robbed them with semi-automatics and other various weapons, but I’m not sure about hand grenades. I know I was caught with a hand grenade before. But shit, I don’t even remember. Who knows?

TIS: Any word on the Machete sequels, Machete Kills & Machete Kills again?

DT: Robert (Rodriguez) definitely wants to do them. The feedback, along with how well the movie has done vs. what it cost to make, makes it a given, you know? So it’s just a matter of when we’re going to do it, not if we’re going to do it.

TIS: Cool, so we can look forward to it in the future.

DT: Yes. Robert said if it makes five dollars he’d do the sequel, and It’s made a lot more than five dollars. I keep texting him “it’s made a lot more than $5”. We actually just finished doing the new Spy Kids movie.

TIS: Nice, when’s that coming out?

DT: Probably around Christmas time. I also have a movie called Blacktino coming out, and one called Ranchero. I have Harold & Kumar’s Christmas, the third installment in that series coming out too.

TIS: Wow, you are definitely a busy man. How many movies have you done this year?

DT: Oh man, I don’t know. Maybe around 17.

TIS: Wow. So there is an amazing kill scene in Machete where you take 3 heads off at once? Did you have any input on that or other kill scenes?

DT: That particular scene was all Robert.

TIS: Did you have any input on any of the other scenes or was it all Robert?

DT: Basically, Robert and I will just talk. If you come up with an idea, and Robert likes it, he’ll take it and when he’s done, there’s no way you’re not going to be impressed. Robert is just so brilliant. He is easily one of the smartest guys I know. I’ve done nine movies with him and I just love the way he shoots. He knows what he wants, so he’ll do it and get it. With other directors, they only have an idea of what they want, and then they’ve got to see it. So they’ll do eight, nine, ten takes before they see it. But with Rodriguez, he comes from an editing background, so it doesn’t take that long.

He has a book called Rebel Without A Crew and I see every director I’ve work with, who’s read it, utilizing time. While we’re shooting one scene, the other scene is already being set up. So as an actor, I don’t have a lot of fucking time in the trailer doing nothing, you know? It’s great because you keep the energy and momentum up, whereas with a lot of directors, you shoot and then you go back to the trailer and sit around on the phone or playing solitaire or whatever.

TIS: It’s cool to hear that after seeing his movies. It definitely explains a lot. So in closing, I was wondering if you could tell me about your understanding of God and the significance of that in your life?

DT: Ok, listen… There is no significance of God in my life, God is my life. I would not be, without God. I am supposed to be dead. In 1968 I was in the hole going to the gas chamber, but there was a divine intervention. And in knowing that, for me to get upset, or be mad, or angry, is like slapping God in the face. So here I am. I didn’t make a deal with God, because you can’t make a deal with God. He put me here to talk to kids and to talk to drunks and help addicts. He gave me this “job” which makes it a lot easier to get through to people. Let’s say you and I go on a speaking engagement, to a bunch of rowdy kids. When you go out there, the first thing you need to do is get their attention, which is basically impossible, and then you need to keep their attention which is also impossible because they have the attention span of a gnat. The most important thing to them is what is happening on Friday night or what girl their going to try and grab some tittie from, because that’s just their whole world. So then you have to show them you’re cool, which is impossible because our cool (sober people in recovery), is not their cool. The blessing that God has given me is that when I walk on campus, I’ve already got their attention.

TIS: That would be true.

DT: Yeah, you know what I mean? Maybe someone of George Clooney’s stature would too, but they don’t do this, they’d rather be saving motherfuckers in Somalia or Afghanistan or adopting babies from wherever the fuck. But right here, in the United States our kids are dying. They’re shooting each other and killing each other, but hey, let’s go save the kids in Somalia or some fucking place? This is the blessing that I’ve got It’s the blessing that he’s given me. It’s inspiring to hear teachers and principals tell me that I’ve done in forty five minutes, what they’ve been trying to do an entire semester. When people clap for me I say, don’t clap for me, clap for what God has done.

TIS: That’s so admirable. Being in recovery myself, it means a lot to hear that!

DT: Yeah man. Thank you!

TIS: So anything in closing?

DT: Yeah, I’m going to be in Salt Lake City at The Bay doing “The Machete Massacre” at their Haunted House. It’s the largest Haunted House in the country. I’m really excited about it! I’ll be there Friday Oct 29th – Sun Oct 31st. And that’s it. I’ve already mentioned everything else I have going on.

TIS: Right on Danny, thanks so much.

DT: Thank you man, this was cool!

Just beginning coin roll hunting? It’s a popular activity for the coin aficionado and for bullion stackers alike. Hunters go their local banks and purchase boxed up rolls of coin at the prospect of making big on bullion metals or rare varieties, the possibilities are endless. Cents yield lots of copper, nickels provide a nice and steady array of nickel content, but which denomination outside of that provides the most bang for you time? First of all, hunters need to have the knowledge how deep dimes, quarters, and half dollars potentials are. The following are quick pros and cons of each denomination and your possible returns on your money.

Dime Rolls – Probably the easiest denomination to obtain in larger quantities and will yield more individual pre-1964 silver coins than others. Traditionally dime boxes come in either $250 or $500 groups. Finding silvers by searching edges in Brinks clear wrappers or by breaking bank wrapped rolls on the ends will allow hunters to re-wrap them in the same wrappers. Silvers come up frequently at a rate of 1-5 or more for a full case, which will build up your smaller bullion stacks. On the other hand, the downsides are substantial and could cost more in time. And how this works out is that these coins are small, if you have to re-wrap $500 worth of them using new wrappers, it could take lots of time. And the amount of silver you find is quite small compared to quarters or half dollars. One 90% silver dime at today’s prices are worth about $2.27 ea. in melt value.

Quarter Rolls – Quarters are more readily available at the banks and they will usually carry plenty of cases because there is high demand among its merchant services. If a hunter is fortunate enough to buy Brinks boxes that have “clear wrapper” rolled coins, that will help anyone spot pre-1964 coins real easy by looking for the pasty white edges. This will in turn eliminate the need to reroll them and all is needed is to return the rolls to a designated dump bank. But beware, like the dimes, lots of foreign coins that size are also found in quarter boxes. Canadian quarters are one such find and these generally exhibit the white edges that are indicative of silver finds. Another negative to searching quarters is that since the advent of the state quarter program, these quarters have seriously watered down rolls of clad as billions were minted from 1999-2009. Ultimately, this makes breaking into quarters for silver a difficult undertaking with less and less to be found.

Half Dollar Rolls – What makes searching rolls of half dollars so appealing is that there are tons of silver to find. Even with the climbing spot prices of silver, these 50 cent pieces contain the highest content of silver and will get you the most for your money. If anyone is lucky enough to come across older customer wrapped rolls, it’s easier to find some older Walking Liberty and Franklin halves which are extremely desirable in the numismatic community. Aside from the pre-1964 90% silvers to be found, there is also a bracket of 1965-1970 half dollars that contain 40% silver. A little bit less, but still worth twice the amount in silver than two silver 90% dimes combined. A huge advantage! So what if any, are the downsides to searching half dollars? The negatives are few and far between. The biggest negative is the general availability.

Banks traditionally don’t carry full boxes of halves because they are tough to store and get rid of. The fed reserve charges banks a fee for returning and purchasing large quantities of unwanted coin, in this case all the clad halves. So this makes it a challenge to go to any bank and order some. Lots of tellers just won’t allow ordering of cases, or they might charge you a fee for ordering. Moreover, some banks have laid the stipulation out that you can’t return the unwanted rolls to the same bank. One more issue that’s a growing trend, is that everybody is searching halves.

It’s the quickest way to hoard silver and provides the most return out of any other denomination available. I’ve found larger metropolitan areas are hardest hit because of the increase cost of living expenses. All in all, searching halves is worthwhile endeavor when they can be located.

I d like to point out that Proof has marked hip hop history. I still miss his absence in the game.

NB: the list of tracks and songs mentioned in this article is non exhaustive…forgive me for the ones I might have omitted.

Deshaun Holton was deeply rooted with the Detroit scene. Eminem and D12 s overwhelming success, Proof always busy schedule never changed the man he was. Down to earth, heartfelt, true to his roots, Proof always kept his underground work with local artists active and worked hard towards getting Detroit hip hop on the map.

Deshaun Holton was the kind of person who would not let fame affect his behavior towards other people. He didn t feel too proud to talk to a former friend nor a fan who d cross his road in Detroit or anywhere else.

Within a decade and despite all his detractors might object against him, Big Proof has done more than many artists during their whole career.

1996:

Big Proof might not be as notorious as Tupac, his underground work resembles the hidden part of an iceberg: there is more to discover than you actually think. In fact, Proof s musical work goes back to 1996.

Working together with DJ Head (D12 s former DJ), the talented artist released a mixtape called the WEGO mixtape. 5ELA s Yester Years EP is also the fruit of a collaboration with Thyme and Mudd, who formed 5 ELA with Proof.

Deshaun Holton also had a special connection with the notorious Trick Trick and his Goon Sqwad group. The same year, another CD entitled From Death came out as the product of a common collaboration.

In 1996, Proof also released a Jay Dee produced song called Da Science.

1997

Proof concentrated on working with his D12 fellows on the D12 Underground EP, a remarkable piece of work that is characterized by a combination of astute, crazy, filthy rhymes and the frequent use of dark instrumentals such as the bass.

1998

In 1998, Proof and his D12 fellows were actively working with Slim Shady on the Slim Shady EP.

On his already busy schedule, Deshaun Holton added some good quality work with hip hop dedicated artists of 5 ELA, Thyme and Mudd (Proof was also a member of the group named above). The trio gave birth to several underground jewels like The Album That Time Forgot and 5E Pt 3.

Proof and Bugz also united their lyrical efforts on deceased artist Bugz underground classic, These Streets EP. These Streets EP is, by the way, very popular in Detroit City.

1999 to 2000

The years that followed kept Proof very occupied. Eminem s overwhelming fame, the constant touring, kept Proof very active on the scene, as Eminem s hype man.

2001

Regarding D12, one could barely think of 2001 without thinking of the Devil s Night album. Major success followed with the release of the album.

During the same period, Detroit s Dirty Dozen released the Detroit What! Mixtape. Glory, fame and acclaim didn’t change Proof, who never ever neglected his local hip hop scene.

In 2001, Proof also combined some intense musical efforts with his long term friend Kevin Bailey, also known as Dogmatic.

Promatic originated from the combination of both artist s names: Proof plus Dogmatic equals Promatic. Both artists released the Promatic LP the same year.

2002

If you were already a Proof fan or listener in 2002, parts of his projects were available and downloadable on his former website, Big Proof Dot Com. One of those projects was the Electric Coolaid Acid EP.

2004

Sometimes, it feels so lonely at the top. Fame can alter the taste of simple pleasure and force you to do things that you like less, but that are requested by the music industry.

Deshaun sometimes felt like his entry into the mainstream sphere had left a sour aftertaste in his mind. In I Miss The Hip Hop Shop, a brilliant mixtape that includes many local Detroit collaborations and productions, Big Proof expressed how much he regretted the golden age of hip hop he experienced at Maurice Malone s Hip Hop Shop.

2005

Maturity comes with age and experience. From there you can look back at your mistakes and try to improve yourself. In Grown Man Shit Proof started squashing a bloody beef with his long term rival, acid rapper Esham. But Proof didn t limit his reconciliation attempt to words on a tape: his reconciliation with Esham actually happened at his last birtday party on October the 2nd, 2006.

In Grown Man Shit, Proof also puts some insignificant local haters in place and astutely ridicules them in a well written song, with loads of humor.

2006

In 2006, Proof released his Searching For Jerry Garcia LP, a CD that he had been working on for at least three years before its release. In Searching For Jerry Garcia, Proof reveals his incessant quest for real artistry, showing how much it is difficult to be a real artist, in all senses of the term.

The same year, Proof s Hand 2 Hand mixtape, a beautiful compilation of numerous Detroit talents also came out.

Before his tragic death, in March 2006, Proof did a last album, within 24 hours that is entitled Time A Tell. The album, that includes some collaborations with underground emcee Intrinzik hasn t been released yet.

During his whole career, Proof has been collaborating with numerous local Detroit talents. Among them, the notorious Trick Trick and his Goon Sqwad, Jay Dilla, Hash, Purple Gang, Woof Pac, 5 ELA, Dogmatic, Royce Da 5.9, Slum Village, Malaki The Most Hi, Twiztid of Psychopatic Records and many more.

On a national scale, Proof has also worked with numerous influent mainstream artists such as B Real of Cypress Hill, 50 Cent, Nate Dogg and Method Man.

Deshaun Holton s short life is the testimony of his true love for hip hop. A love nobody can erase from the face of the earth.

Have you ever been involved in a conversation process that seemed to flow effortlessly as you and your party seamlessly exchanged information?
On the other hand have you ever been involved in the same type of exchange and felt like you were beating a dead horse? The conversation seemed to be hitting a brick wall while you and your party had no rapport?

These terrible conversation traps happen all too often, especially in the business community. It seems that while we get caught up in our hectic, fast-paced day, the rules of effective communication get lost or forgotten. The most important rule I teach my students in our communications seminar is the importance of constantly reviewing and practicing "the basics."

My research into the communication field clearly demonstrates that there are 8 cardinal mistakes made in communication. Although they are common sense, they seem to have been forgotten. These 8 mistakes can cause problem solving to falter, relationships to crumble, hurt feelings, and violate rapport. Let's review all 8, and as a rule of thumb try to keep them "sacred" as we interact with others on a personal and professional level. My goal in this article is to enhance your communication abilities and at the same time make you shine in front of others.

1. Not listening – Notice that this mistake is listed at number one. It is a very common error for your mind to wander occasionally and for you to lose track of what someone was saying. For this mistake you politely apologize and move on. Deliberately not paying attention will cause a massive problem in your relationships. The most important goal of a communication process is to exchange information and at the same time build stronger relationships. If your goal is to climb the corporate ladder, make the big sale, mediate conflict, or build better relationships with your family – became a better listener.

2. Interrupting – This mistake is easily resolved by simply re-learning our manners. It's not polite to interrupt others while they are speaking. It demonstrates that you are a poor listener with a damaged self-esteem. It demonstrates your lack of concern for the person speaking, and also sends a signal to others that you are rude. This mistake will cause you to lose credibility quickly!

3. Criticism in Public – This is one of the fastest ways to annihilate your credibility, destroy your integrity, violate rapport, and lose friends. Please remember what I'm about to say now because it's crucial: "Even if you are God Almighty, you have no right, nor the authority to criticize any human being in public." Anyone who has had any basic training in people skills understands that all criticism MUST be done in private. Criticism must also be carried out with a goal to build the persons self esteem while at the same time correcting a behavior. Therefore, during a criticism process keep your focus on the behavior or situation, never the person or personality traits.

4. Sarcasm & Ridicule – Where criticism is usually aimed at a personal behavior; sarcasm and ridicule is usually a negative remark made directly about the person. It is always rude and used to create some type of mockery, harm or hurt feelings. If your communication goal is to create interconnectedness, rapport and build self-esteem, then avoid sarcasm & ridicule at all costs – especially in public.

5. Talking Down – Like sarcasm, ridicule, and criticism; this is another cardinal communication problem. It sends a message to the listener that you are smarter or more intelligent than they are. It conveys that you are above them in every way, while at the same time hurts feelings. The most important thing to remember is that talking down also conveys the message that your self-esteem is severely damaged. There are two ways to have the tallest building in the city: First – build the tallest building, or second – knock everyone else's building down. How do you want to be remembered – as a builder or a destroyer?

6. Pompous Word Usage – Large words used in a conversation that you know the listener will not understand. These include all types of jargon, slang, lingo and "50 cent words used in a 10 cent conversation." Pompous word usage is one of the fastest ways to turn a listener off. It creates a terrible separation between you and your listener. There are two types of people who use pompous words: First is the person who is so highly educated they know of no other way to express themselves. Second is the person who is simply trying to impress you. Remember it is extremely obfuscating to promulgate any type of complex or lengthy lexicon.

7. Gossip – I was brought up to never talk about anyone behind their back. Never say anything about anyone that you would not say to their face. Most of all when you gossip about others, you are not defining them, you are defining yourself as someone who needs to gossip. And everyone who has witnessed your gossip now knows you are "that" type of person. The avoidance of gossip does nothing but make you look good!

8. Making Yourself More Important than the Listener – As far as I'm concerned this final cardinal mistake of communication neatly sums up the last seven. You are well on your way to rock solid communication skills and healthy relationships if you approach everyone as if they are your equal. The fact is – they are!

I mentioned earlier that the most important rule I teach my students in our communications seminar is the importance of constantly reviewing and practicing "the basics." Doing the "opposite" of these 8 are the basics. It's proper and polite conversation at its finest. Remember to keep them "sacred" as we interact with others on a personal and professional level.

I wish you luck & success!

Most of us don't even bat an eye when we refer to rappers by the names of some of the world's most notorious drug lords and mobsters. The fascination with the gangster lifestyle has become a fixture for these artists and building these names are vital to their career.

But what is the purpose of renaming yourself after someone who has already existed and infamously at that? Why would you want to live up to someone else's name and reputation?

Perhaps naming themselves after the gritty figures will bring them the same respect and fear of those who held the name before them. Maybe these gangsters are whom they truly look up to as these infamous people did have more money than most of us would see in a lifetime.

One of multi-platinum rapper Nas' names was Nas Escobar, whose real name is Nasir Jones. He named himself after the Columbian drug lord, Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria, who became so rich that Forbes Magazine named him the the seventh richest man in the world. This status is a far cry from where Nas lived in the projects in Queensbridge and quite possibly, which could be his reason for choosing such a name.

Noreaga, a platinum solo rapper as well as half of rap group Capone-n-Noreaga, named himself after the infamous military dictator of Panama, Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno, who was detained as a prisoner of war and tried on counts such as money laundering and drug trafficking. He is currently serving a seven-year sentence in Paris.

Even historic figures are included. King Tut, known as the Pharaoh of Egypt, was worshipped as a god. Two men in the hip hop industry have renamed themselves after this king.

This first is Walter Johnson, who is more popular for being involved in Tupac Shakur's shooting in 1994 rather than the music business. Johnson was killed in January of 1997. The second is more well-known as a music figure. Darnell Brittingham, a rapper among Camron's group Dipset, also renamed himself as King Tut. Recently, he made news for allegedly stabbing a female and then shooting himself just forty eight hours after being released from prison.

Real or fake, rappers seem to name themselves after the most notorious characters. One of the arguably best rappers, Notorious BIG, referred to himself as the black Frank White, who was a drug lord in the movie, King of New York

Scarface, solo rapper, member of rap group Geto Boys, and former president of Def Jam South, named himself after the ultimate gangster movie, Scarface. It is a remake of the 1932 movie portrayal of gangster, Al Capone.

Al Pacino who plays the main character, Tony Montana, gives a riveting performance about the ultimate come-up and his character is revered as a symbolic figure on how to rise from nothing. It is no wonder that a lot of rappers who came from poverty make constant references to Montana. Lines from the Scarface are constantly repeated in hip hop songs from artists as Lil 'Wayne and G-Unit. Fat Joe has gone so far as to get a tattoo of Al Pacino as Tony Montana.

It seems as though many rappers name themselves after leaders of crime families, especially the most recognized name of all, John Gotti.

Irv Gotti, whose real name is Irving Lorenzo, used this stage last name in honor of John Gotti. Although Irv is not a rapper, he is responsible for bringing some of the most popular ones to light, such as Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule.

South Florida's very own Rick Ross has released his album, Teflon Don, which was John Gotti's nickname after being acquitted so many times. Ross has many nicknames which seem to all be affiliated within the same realm.

As the self-proclaimed "Biggie of his city" said, "I think I'm Big Meech, Larry Hoover, whipping work, hallelujah". Larry Hoover, the alleged leader of the Gangster Disciples gang, is currently serving a life sentence for drug conspiracy and extortion. Big Meech is the leader of the Black Mafia Family (BMF) and is presently incarcerated. Ross also has a song called BMF, which stands for Blowin Money Fast. The rapper has tweeted that Meech "embraces his joint and movement"

Though, not everyone is happy with Ross' many aliases. The main name we all know Rick Ross by actually belongs to a drug kingpin who ran quite a drug empire with thousands of employees. Initially sentenced to life in prison, he was released after serving twelve years. The original Rick Ross is now suing the rapper for his identity.

In addition, John Gotti's grandson, Carmine Agnello, has also expressed his dissatisfaction towards the rapper for using his grandfather's nickname, Teflon Don. In the New York Daily News, Agnello has stated, "I think he's a great artist, but you can't start calling yourself that to sell records. He wants to go for that whole image, but hey, be yourself". Gotti's grandson also added, "Only in America can you go from being a corrections officer to calling yourself Teflon Don".

It appears that some rappers have such an admiration towards these figures, they forget that the youth looks up to them and wants to emulate what they do. It also seems as they neglect to portray the other side of this life, the side where many of them spend a great deal of their lives in jail or wind up dead. A lot of them don't hear what the original gangsters they named themselves after are now saying.

The original Rick Ross alongside Frank Lucas, whose life was portrayed in the movie American Gangster, has been encouraging the youth to stay away from the hustlers. Ross has been quoted saying, "You have to think long term and know what's going to benefit you in the long run".

Lucas, who is now confined to a wheelchair, told a New York Magazine interviewer, "I have remorse". He currently tells kids to go and get their education and "stop listening to the guy on the corner with the gold chain and big Cadillacs."

Wu-Tang rapper and leader, Rza, played a detective in the movie American Gangster. He wants those that glorify these characters to remember what happened in the end. As stated in LA Focus, "Even though Frank Lucas only did fifteen years jail time, if you meet him on the streets now he's basically crippled. Life will get back at you."

Rapper 50 Cent, who named himself "after a stick-up kid from Brooklyn who used to rob rappers", made an insightful statement on this topic in the book, From Pieces to Weight. "If I was going to take a gangster's name, then I want it at least to be that of someone who would say" What's up "to me on the street if we ever crossed paths. I couldn't see Gotti or Escobar giving me the time of day. "

Hip hop music was huge in the United States just a few years ago. At one point in 2000, sales even hit a record high of over 1.8 billion USD. That was when Hip Hop R&B had over taken all other genres of music in terms of record sales. To find out why Hip Hop music sales are slumping currently, one has to rewind a little and understand how Hip Hop all started out.

Before Hip Hop got accepted into the mainstream, many Hip Hop artists pretty much stayed underground to practise their art form. No one knew Hip Hop was going to become the titan that it would develop into. When Hip Hop first began, it started out in the streets. It was a movement by people who were disadvantaged, or were ostracized by the community – they were looking for a way to express themselves and their plight. And express themselves they did.

Hip Hop music is spontaneous and witty. For example, when a battle takes place between two artists, the lyrics are never pre-written. Each competitor will be given the opportunity to rap for a certain period of time. The audience is the judge. The culture of rap is that the judging audience is never biased making it a truly democratic art form. Whoever comes up with the most original and creative lyrics will win the battle. Of course, there is an element of like and dislike. So the lyrics have to connect with the audiences as well. The final results of the battle is based on the cheers of the audience. Whoever receive the loudest cheer, wins the battle.

As you can see, Hip Hop arises out of a need for talented artists to be heard. And the artists became really good from years of practising. As they practise, the world remains largely unaware of what is happening. It wasn’t until the artists become more entrepreneurial that Hip Hop starts to take off.

Unlike other type of music, the Hip Hop community accepts was far reaching in content and profanity in the lyrics. The market finds it refreshing to hear such profanity in the records. And soon, Hip Hop music took off like a bullet with as much variety in tone as there were people. From the angry rebellious rap, to the happy its a party time songs.

The market soaked it all in mainly because they believed that the artists were just doing their thing – they were voicing repressed feelings, from lack of opportunity or showing you how to enjoy yourself and life. So record sales continued to soar. Recording artists like Eminem, 50 Cent Lil Wayne, Jay Z, T.I and Gucci Mane all did very well in the industry.

Unfortunately, the success of the Hip Hop industry has hit a turning point. In a few short years, sales for Hip Hop music begin to decline, and it continued to decline year after year. Some recording labels, once worth millions of dollars, are now near bankruptcy.

It is clear that the market has taken the time to learn about Hip Hop music and culture and have fully embraced it. After earning billions of dollars in the industry, and being widely accepted in the mainstream, what is the source of the decline in sales?

Many will argue, its all due to the Internet. The new Internet age has brought about many new opportunities along with many new threats to the old industries. Now its easier then ever to commit piracy and unfortunately the record industry has been resistant to change. Too stuck in the old mind frame and old distribution channels to fully embrace what the Internet could really mean for them.

Hip Hop artists are now being heard all over the world. There is no longer the element of distribution channels or lag from the artist to the market. Why? Because the Internet makes it instantaneous. As such old walls have been broken down where people had to wait for months or search relentlessly to be able to acquire all of an artists past works.

As such artists must continue to evolve in order to continue thriving. Perhaps it’s still back to basics. No more focusing on big marketing budgets and record label driving initiatives. Maybe what the Internet has done is take Hip Hop out of the corporate boardrooms and back to the streets where all that counts is just great rap music lyrics from the heart.

We all have fear, yet to be fearless in everything is the greatest place if you want to live fully. All of us experience being afraid, but what makes great people successful is their boldness. Most people hang on to their fears. However, life keeps moving on, even without them. So how can you deal with fear?

Is fear indeed something you are born with? What doubts keep you locked inside four invisible walls? Which life could you have if you were to be fearless? How can you have a better understanding of fear and learn how to deal with it?

To get more confidence, less pressure, and to feel powerful, the one essential element is fearlessness. When you are no longer full of stress, doubts, and concerns, you become fearless. And when you are daring in everything that you do, you feel genuinely incredible.

Each of us has something that they struggle with or something that they are afraid to do. But no matter what your concerns are, there are ways of dealing with them. Fear is often the little voice that you hear in your mind, holding you back from change, growth, success, serenity, fulfillment, and joy.

Be Fearless or Be in Fear
To be fearless or being afraid is a choice. Think about it. Your fears might limit you in many ways that you are not even aware of. How many of your fears have ever come true? Eighty-five percent of your doubts, worries or concerns never happen. So, what is the point of having such dreads in the first place?

In a way, it is funny because your brain is only trying to help you when it creates a fear reaction. Your mind is just designing a worst case scenario to get you ready for an unfortunate circumstance. Yet, it is common for any of us to get upset more than we should.

Therefore, when I recently read the book "The 50th Law" and listen to the audio, I realized that most of the time, as I took so many risks in my life, I knew how to be fearless and still am. Yet, the approach, outlook, mindset and the insights expressed in this book are a real gold mine. And even if I am not a '50 cent 'song's fan, I misjudged this man who is the co-writer.

The Law of Good and Bad Events
The book tells us that good and bad things happen to everyone in life. It is a law of nature. There are many situations which you and I do not have much control over. But it shows us that the only thing we have control over is our mindset and how we respond to our circumstances.

So, when you know how to be fearless and have a bold attitude towards life, something strange and remarkable occurs. It somehow gives you the unique ability to shape your circumstances. In our present world, we are safer than our prehistoric ancestors, so most fears should be unrealistic.

However, these fears come from situations or circumstances that have not happened or might never happen. You have false opinions and beliefs rather than being fearless. This deceitful thinking lives inside the part of you that is the scared child who wants security and comfort.

To Be Fearless Is Not Being a People Pleaser
I know for a fact that in the long run, it does not pay to be a people pleaser. The reason for this is that you would let go of learning how to adapt to change. To be fearless is to know your worth and stand up for your convictions, no matter what others believe.

So rather than please others, be fearless instead. If you are scared of something in life, in a small or significant way, try to think about the concept of embracing your fears, because fear is an essential element for massive growth and positive change.

As a result, if you are afraid of something like we all are, then you know you have found a goldmine. Why? Well, because it is the best place to dig for the precious stones that can get your freedom from fear, and send you spiraling on the way to become fearless.

How to Be Fearless in Everything
As I am getting older, I realize one thing for sure. I have only one life to live right now, and it will end someday, far in the future I hope. So then again, I ask myself, what is the point of living it in fear?

I have learned a lot about fear and how to be fearless in my life as a professional athlete. And I know that the difference between successful people and those who are not is that the way of dealing with their fear. Here are some different ways I used to prepare myself for significant competition and how they helped me conquer most of my fears.

Be Fearless – Reading
It is one of my favorite things to do. I even got rid of my television. When you read a book associated with your fears, it can give you answers on how to get liberated from it. I always fill my life with inspirational readings which are related to all kinds of topics. Learn to be fearless!

Be Fearless – Challenging Yourself
Unless you do know, you have to discover areas in your life where you feel fear. For me, it is speaking in front of a huge crowd. What is your biggest fear? Look at it right in the eye, and accept discomfort as you break out of your comfort zone. In this way, you can reap the great rewards of becoming fearless.

Be Fearless – Copying Bold People
You should copycat the high points of the many role models you admire. Whether it is in person, through a book, or online, you have to use these examples as mentors. It is an excellent source to battle your fears. Then feed your mind with images of what you want your future self to be like.

Be Fearless – Building Your Cluster
You need to build relationships with people who share a similar vision and worldview. Find individuals who want to work on your team or be fearless with you on your journeys. But always remember to trust and count only on yourself. You will be less disappointed.

Be Fearless – Being Uncomfortable
Yes, at times, you will look stupid, be inexperienced, make mistakes or feel vulnerable. It happens, but do not let it hold you back. We are all beginners before becoming masters. If you can let go of your fears, then you are well on your way to be fearless and live a more fabulous life. But you also need to take action.

To Be Fearless is Also Taking Action
Being scared of things sometimes is acceptable. But to be fearless, you have to take action in spite of your fear. You cannot let your concerns stop you from speaking up or acting. Actions are the most significant cure for fear.

So, '50 Cent 'has this to say about being fearless: "The key to possessing this supreme power is to assume the active mode in dealing with your fears. It means entering the very arenas you normally shy away from. the tough decisions you have been avoiding, confronting the people who are playing power games with you, think of yourself and what you need instead of pleasing others. And making yourself change the direction of your life even though such a change is the very thing you dread. "

It is truly an incredible statement in my eyes. So many people are doing the same thing, thinking the same ways, and being stuck because they are too scared to decide, take actions and be fearless to change their situations.

Tips to Be Fearless in Everything

• Think about what is the worst that could happen? I have fallen off my horse in races in front of thousands of people. There is nothing to be ashamed of! I lived. Life goes on. Better try and fail than never try at all. Be fearless!
• Let go when you experience feelings of fear because often you spend your day worrying or fear things.
• Remind yourself that it is all in your mind and that most fears never happen.
• Consider an action plan to deal with the worst case scenario.
• Realize what you can lose by staying paralyzed by fear.
• Let go of outcomes. Stay open to any possibility. If life takes you left instead of right, let it. Go with what life gives you. It might be more fun.
• Be childlike. Act for a day as if you do not know anything. See everything as a source of education.
• Be fearless and face your fear. You might be surprised to find out that it was not that bad.
• Reward yourself when being fearless.
• Take action, whatever it is. Go hard. And be fearless.

A Closing Idea to Be Fearless
A good idea, to be fearless, is to return to that mind you possessed as a child, so you can open to new experiences instead of being closed minded. Let us imagine for a day that you do not know anything, that what you believe could be completely false and learn.

Remember that everybody who has ever done something great failed over and over before succeeding. To be fearless requires a growth mindset. Nothing remains the same forever. You can change. The tips, time, actions, as well as an open mind, will help you become bolder and be more successful.

Student Loans – Not Such a Bother to Eccentrics

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“Do you really see yourself as eccentric?” asked my boss incredulously. “Yes.” I replied – “Eccentric means away from the centre, which means that I don’t follow all the other sheep.”

How it Began

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Probably it all began when I was in my teens and found a book that showed me the easy way to write essays. “Always think what everyone else will write and make your essay as outrageously different as you can.” You can get a free eBook now on the subject from studying-techniques.com

It was such fun being outrageous that it spread to my everyday life. Often the outrageous ideas I thought of made more sense than the conventional thinking.

Soon people started to accept me as an eccentric.

Immediate advantages of being a known eccentric

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* You don’t offend people. Everyone shrugs and says “It’s just Ian!”

* You can say “no” whenever you like.

* You no longer have to keep up with the Joneses. You set your own targets.

How being eccentric saves on student loans

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I had a pushbike instead of a car like all the other students. I didn’t need student loans. I set my own standards. The Joneses didn’t drive me to student loans.

When I needed textbooks I bought them second-hand, but decided for myself if the book was really necessary. After all, if I read the book in the library I wouldn’t have to pay for it, and student loans would be kept at bay.

I’m eccentric – remember? So I don’t have to follow your expensive pastimes. I chose free pastimes. No need for student loans if I keep to free. What’s that? Didn’t I get bored with nothing to do? Far from it! Four times in my life I’ve had so many pastimes that I’ve had to prune the list drastically.

Each Saturday I joined other young folk cycling round the countryside. I usually repaired their punctures, because I had the tools and it cost me next to nothing. I toured England, Scotland and Wales during my holidays with no fuel costs at all for my pushbike, so no student loans were needed.

Sports: Of course I needed some eccentric sports to keep fit, so I took up croquet, fives, table-tennis, 7-mile cross-country running, hill-walking. No need for student loans because it was all free, and so were the games that I played such as chess.

Each evening I had to make time to go out with my date, so had to push through my one-hour harmonium rehearsal, and one-hour violin rehearsal, and do my homework, and play some table-tennis, and read library books, and eat . . .

Fortunately none of that needed a student loan – even my date. Remember, I am eccentric, so my date had to go along with me, or find someone else.

I didn’t need student loans for my furniture. My boss said later that I’d furnished my entire house for less that he paid for his bed. Auction prices were so low that the main cost was in carting the stuff home.

Student union? No I’m eccentric. Horse-racing pool? No I’m eccentric. Join a student protest rally? No I’m eccentric.

Each time students were browbeaten into something expensive because “everyone else is doing it” they didn’t even bother to ask me because I was eccentric. Far from needing student loans, I saved money from my government scholarship. Then I took holiday jobs for extra money.

One day the unemployment officer showed me a job which “nobody will want”. I grabbed it immediately because it sounded different. I was working alone on a farm, 6 miles from my boss and was snowed-up most of the winter so that my boss couldn’t get through to me. It was there that I learned to trap rabbits, skin them, cure them, train dogs, cook, hand-milk cows, make cheese – well what else is there to do when you’re snowed up?

I bumped into the employment officer a couple of months later and he said “You’re not still on that terrible job are you?” I hastened to reassure him that it was great. He must have thought that I was eccentric or something.

Why does being eccentric avoid student loans?

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* I don’t mind buying seconds or second-hand from the op-shop or Salvation Army.

* Anything free is great.

* I’m not proud. People give me lifts in cars because I’m too eccentric to have one of my own. I used to hitch-hike before it got dangerous. People give me cast-off clothing – well only an eccentric would wear it!

* Naturally I hunted for a scholarship until I found one. Everyone else may have student loans, but I’m eccentric.

* “Everyone else has one” so out comes the credit card. Not me. I’m eccentric. Credit cards can charge more than one fifth of your loan per year, making them the most expensive of student loans.

* Giving gifts needs more student loans. I’m eccentric. Something for 50cents from the Salvation army can make a great gift. Keep buying through the year then wrap up your treasure trove at Christmas and hand deliver to avoid paying postage. Yes – they’ll all know what you’re doing, but “it’s just Ian” and you’re eccentric, remember?