Heavy Mentalist

Fans of 80s and 90s hip hop were shocked today to hear that rapper Heavy D passed away of unknown causes. Known throughout his career as a “positive” rapper, Heav was one of few such rappers to earn and maintain respect amongst more “hard-core” emcees because of his cool street wise, yet intelligent demeanor.

Heavy D was also known for his dance skills, which defied most people’s thoughts about how big boys could get down and incorporated live dance in his stage shows with his group Heavy D & the Boyz.

A dancer in the group who is also deceased, Trouble T Roy, was the inspiration for the Pete Rock and CL Smooth Song, “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)” after his untimely demise from falling off a stage.

Heavy D, born Dwight Arrington Myers was also known for incorporating a ragga chanting style into his raps, which was a reflection of his Jamaican background. Later in his career he had several acting stints including roles in Tower Heist and The Cider House Rules.  Continue reading...

This post might seem a little TMI but I’m writing it in hopes that this information will help women and girls worldwide live better lives. In many countries, girls’ educations are hindered because they don’t have access to menstrual pads which would enable them to go to school during their periods. This is a problem that can be remedied somewhat with products girls can make themselves.

Quick story: The other night, my period came. It was early. It happened in the wee hours of the morning, and being short on monthly supplies I felt a sense of panic for a moment before I had an idea: turn to the internet and see how you can make something in a hurry to use!

After all, I thought, women had to use something before the invention of modern menstrual products…maybe if I do some research I can make something similar to period protections that were used in the ‘ole days.

What I found astounded me. Not only did I find literally hundreds of patterns, design ideas and ways to construct homemade menstrual pads—and tampons!—I found entire communities of women who have been doing this for years for several reasons.  Continue reading...

 

Last night to the horror of the world, the state of Georgia killed death row inmate Troy Davis for the murder of police officer Mark MacPhail. Davis’ supporters believe that no physical evidence tied him to the crime which saw Davis sit on death row for 22 years.  Continue reading...

Did Nicki Minaj lie about her sexuality to sell CDs?

The rise of Nicki Minaj made some think they were seeing the unthinkable:  the mainstream acceptance of an openly gay rapper.  But for this former drama student at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, is her “gayness” just an act?

In songs like “Go Hard” from her Beam Me Up Scotty mixtape, Minaj claims she “only stops for pedestrians, or a real real bad lesbian.” In a 2009 interview with Vlad TV, Minaj is asked how men should approach her to which she replies, “I like girls to approach me…” because they have “fun parts I can squeeze.”

With homophobia heavy in hip hop, hearing Minaj openly proclaim her appreciation for same sex sex is a breath of fresh air for many gay rap fans who’ve always listened to popular rappers only discussing male/female relationships, and sometimes openly promoting violence against them.  Continue reading...

I miss hip hop like this! And I miss queen Latifah like this–bold and fierce on the mic, totally controlling shit! Oh where, oh where have our strong female rappers gone?

Various parts of this song’s lyrics and its chorus have been sampled in other hip hop songs over the years. This track is from her first album, 1989′s All Hail the Queen. Currently, Queen Latifah is no longer making rap music, she is a Covergirl spokeswoman, model, actress, producer behind the VH1 show Single Ladies, etc., etc., etc…I’m happy for her success, still part of me misses Queen Latifah, the rapper!