November – The Chokklit Shop

November⁰⁷ – Create the Fairytale Love story on NottHeads.com

Fairytale Love

Click to read “The Chokkklit Shop“

Are you having the romantic life you have always wanted and imagination?

Welcome to the club that has many members who feel and live exactly the way you do! Romance is always simple and carefree when it is being acted out in our imaginations. We can come up with the most unbelievable and breathtaking ideas and play scenes that make the best romantic movies look amateur. The only catch to all this however, is that they are developed in our fantasies and stay there, without ever actually taking place in our real lives. Why is that? Why is it so easy for us to fantasize about the most amazing romances, but can never find such romances that really exist? Does it just not happen? Is there no such thing?

Relationships

I believe, I live the fairytale love story of my own. There is no such thing as a Fairytale love dream come true.. until you create its existence. That’s right, you carry the key that will open the magical door to making all of your romantic dreams come true. What did you expect to find out? That someday an invisible wand will be waved over you, miraculously bringing you and your meant to be honey together? Well, if that is what you are counting on and waiting for, prepare to keep on waiting!

November column includes:

• Creating that Fairytale love
• Learn from Happy Couples

Love

Click to read “The Chokkklit Shop“

Chokkklit Shop – Message Board

Don’t forget to come by the new African American Relationship & Love message board. This site promotes strong relationships from the inside, out! It gives people an opportunity to discuss critical relationship issues that keep us (the black community) from loving and healthy long-term relationships. So you got another love TKO….come by discuss it….vent, offer suggestions, or get advice from mature adults who have been there or vibe with others in the same place you are!!!

Black Love still exists and this Husband and Wife team are bound and determined to prove it!

http://chokklitsoul.proboards59.com

Tell everybody about it!!!!! PUHHHLEAAASE???

Chokkkk

D2Nott – What I See – Summer 07

Summer⁰⁷ WISee

Reprinted from NottHeads.com – Posted by D2Nott, July, 2007

Louis Armstrong

Finding your niche and staying consistent takes a discipline all on its own. Once mastered, the sky is the limit. I am thankful to have the chance to portray to others what I see. I only see so much from my perspective, (the good, the bad and the truth), but brave enough to share it with the world in this column. Having recently celebrated my birthday, a year gone by, a little wiser and smarter, I’m still getting better with time. During Black Music Month, Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World was playing in the background; “I see skies of blue, and clouds of white, the bright blessed day, the dark say’n goodnight, and I think to myself, what a wonderful world. “That Armstrong classic reminded me of how music has shaped society.

TI - King of Da South

“It’s ironic kind of shit that we buy man make us iconic; Threat to corporate America, that why they runnin’ from it; How could they be so ignorant look at what Hip-Hop done done; It’s allowed us to run a business, legitimated our moneys; Got us out the ghettos, relocated our mommies I made it all the way here, ain’t no way you takin’ it from me; So excuse me Oprah honey; I’m sorry really I promise; But niggas, bitches, and hoes do exist I’m just bein’ honest” T.I. feat Eminem – Touchdown.

Know What I Mean

In a day and time where rappers are legitimating (not a Jesse Jackson ebonic-intellectual creation; check the dictionary: in accordance with established rules, principles, or standards) money and getting wealthy off selling water, when most black men don’t make it to their 30′s without a criminal record, Michael Eric Dyson has a new book chronicling the challenges to be successful in today’s America. Georgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson has called on two of hip hop’s biggest names for his latest book entitled “Know What I Mean? Reflections On Hip Hop.“

According to the author, the book focuses on hip-hop’s international exposure, use of politics and gender relations, among other topics. Dyson’s book opens with an introduction by Jay-Z and an outro written by Nas. “Know What I Mean? Reflections On Hip Hop” hit stores on July 2nd.

Read More… Summer WISee

Other content of interest

• Michael Eric Dyson – Know What I Mean
• Dyson – Today Show interview
• Record Label Deal – Are You Ready?
• Road To Rap Game Riches

The Chokkklit Shop

“The Chokkklit Shop“ 

Chokkklitsoul, or Chokkklit for short, brings Chocolate greetings to you.  I am a 30 something year old aspiring writer from the Midwest who enjoys writing about love and relationships.  My endeavor is to write and publish books one day soon!  I was invited to Nottheads to add diversity and spice and to talk about my favorite subjects “Relationships” and “Love”.  I will “Keep it real” and be completely candid with any discussion or dialog presented.  Rather than shy away from certain topics that make most of us blush, I dig in to the core to get answers and open up the dialog so that problems will have solutions and we can all get to living and loving with zero inhibitions in the way.  

Topics for discussion range from love, relationships, intimacy, insecurities, inadequacies and how to make your relationship the envy of all relationships.  I will ask for suggestions and feedback and all that I ask is that you dig deep, be honest, and let the Chocolate flow.  

In a loving, long term relationship myself, the man of my dreams, the love of my life, “The Curve” will be featured in many of my writings…he inspires me.  I have finally found a meaningful, loving, and happy relationship in my own life which has been the fuel and driving force for me to speak openly and candidly about strategies that work.  To learn more about me and “The Curve” visit www.chokkklitsoul.wordpress.com .  Strap on your seat belt, get ready for the ride of your life…

Welcome to The Chokkklit Shop. 

Coming July 20^th – www.nottheads.com

Road to Rap Game Riches

Get your pen and pad out, I don’t have to tell you, just listen to the words; better yet write them down.  Hip Hop Education – Lesson from the book Ludacris; Ludacris spells it out in the lyrics of the track “Tell It Like It Is”. 

Artist: Ludacris f/ Karma BridgesAlbum: Release TherapySong: Tell it Like it Is 

[Karma] Daddy is that your car on TV? 

[Ludacris]

You better believe it is babyNow go in the other roomIt’s about to be some grown folks talkin here, okay?

All right  Yeah, things ain’t always what they seem or cracked up to be (okay)

Like all these fakin ass rappers in this industry (tell ‘em!)

Talkin ’bout what they got and they ain’t got a damn thang

How you own three cars but you don’t own your own name? (woo!)

Get your business right boys, the first class is in session (okay)

Get a entertainment lawyer in the music profession (hey!)

Start up your own company, trademark the name

That’s gon’ run ya about a grand so start savin your change

(DTP!)Open a bank account quick and then follow these steps (uh-huh)

Sign yourself TO yourself and start signin ya own checks (woo!)

Hit the booth and start recordin at the speed and needwhatever gets your juices flowin, could be speed or weed (what else?)

Get it mixed and mastered (hey) pressed up and plastered (okay)

Sell it to your whole hood out the trunk, ya bastard!

Show all the non-believers what you destined to be (hey!)

And in just a couple years you could be rich like me! 

[Chorus: Ludacris]

But I can’t hold my tongue –

I’ma tell it like it isThis biz ain’t all fun –

I’ma tell it like it isGive it to you straight, no chase –

I’ma tell it like it is

Look you straight in yo’ face and

I’ma tell it like it isI can’t hold my tongue –

I’ma tell it like it isThis biz ain’t all fun –

I’ma tell it like it is

Give it to you straight, no chase –

I’ma tell it like it is

Look you straight in yo’ face and I’ma tell it like it is 

[Ludacris]

See mostly all your favorite artists got some serious problems (yup)

Their money could be the problem but money can’t solve ‘em (nope)

Some get addicted to drugs and flat out lazy (woo)

Some taste a little fame and go flat out crazy (woo!)

I’m close cause those close wanna live off my fame (yup)

And that type of shit ALONE’ll drive a nigga insane (crazy!)

Not to mention all the vultures, the scandalous promoters (okay)

Crabs’ll try to sue you, magazines’ll misquote ya

Most of these label heads, they don’t care nothin about ya (nah)

If you stop sellin records they’ll act like they don’t know yaIt’s hard mixin business with pleasure so don’t play

Me and my crew argue and fight like every other DAY (for real!)

Rappers ain’t above the law but our life is so fastthat we got a special task force of police on our ass (true that)

All that, and this is really just the start of it (just the start of it)Hip-Hop!

You really wanna be a part of it?  If you want this lesson with sound effects, go buy the album!  These words should not go in one ear and out the other.  If you want to be in the music business, then educate yourself, so you know what to expect and what to do when you get there. Other Articles of interest: 

• Record Label Deal – Are You Ready?

• Hip Hop Economics – You Buyin

• The Sale of Crack Music Has Been Temporarily Postponed

• NottHeads Music Marketing

The Sale of Crack Music Has Been Temporarily Canceled

The sale of “crack music” as Kayne would put it, has been temporarily postponed, but not canceled. The sale of mixtapes which use to be an underground thing, hit the clubs, then the flea markets, then the streets; has allowed DJs’ to become popular off of someone else’s creative property without having to pay taxes or royalties. This is the wake up call; wake up, crack music sells, but the BOSS MAN wants his cut. The Hook-Up for DJs’ and artists, an underground market for the streets, the mixtape format feeds a need for both the artist and the streets. Well the record business is hitting back.

The recent crack down on the mixtape market culminated with the arrest of DJ Drama and DJ Don Cannon in Atlanta on Racketeering charges. It was the Record Industry Association of America that initiated the raid with the assistance of the Feds. What’s going on in the Hip Hop industry? DJ Drama has a close association with TI, Lil Wayne and other heavy hitters, was about to release a new album. Is this just a publicity stunt or is there some deeper meaning to this entire fuss? On the real tip, what is really at play is that the record industry has realized that a tremendous amount of money is being transacted via the mixtape format and they want a cut! The artists that are from the streets got their first buzz in the industry through distributing music on the mixtape format. Those are not people screaming about the mixtape business. You are more likely to hear a Hip Hop artist complain about illegal downloads more so than a mixtape being sold. Most of the known and trying to be known artists all are familiar with the mixtape market and use it. If there is a demand for music, a market will be created, that’s the way it works with any product. So this arrest of a high profile individual will not stop the sale of mixtapes, it will just help to mutate the business to some other means of distribution. The DJ Drama arrest is just to put everybody else on notice. Once you get hooked on crack, there is no substitute; mixtapes available on the QT! What do you think??

Other Article Relating to Hip Hop:

• Record Label Deal – Are You Ready
• Freestyle Battle – Young Greedy vs Frost
• Hip Hop Economics – You Buyin

• Music Marketing

• Hood Rat Radio

• D2Nott – What I See

The New York Times – reported the following:

The police, working with the Recording Industry Association of America, raided his office, at 147 Walker Street in Atlanta. The association makes no distinction between counterfeit CDs and unlicensed compilations like those that DJ Drama is known for. So the police confiscated 81,000 discs, four vehicles, recording gear, and “other assets that are proceeds of a pattern of illegal activity,” said Chief Jeffrey C. Baker, from the Morrow, Ga., police department, which participated in the raid DJ Drama (whose real name is Tyree Simmons) and Mr. Cannon were each charged with a felony violation of Georgia’s Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization law (known as RICO) and held on $100,000 bond. …As mixtapes have grown more popular, they have also grown easier to purchase, despite that official-sounding declaration — “For Promotional Use Only” — printed on every one. Sites like mixunit.com specialize in selling them, and big record shops and online stores have followed suit. As of yesterday DJ Drama was sitting in jail, but dozens of his unlicensed compilations were still available at the iTunes shop. …It also seems clear that mixtapes can actually bolster an artist’s sales. The most recent Lil Wayne solo album, “Tha Carter II” (Cash Money/Universal), sold more than a million copies, though none of its singles climbed any higher than No. 32 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. That’s an impressive feat, and it’s hard to imagine how he would have done it without help from a friendly pirate.

NottHeads

Record Label Deal – Are You Ready?

Record Label Deal – Are You Ready?

Like basketball players you can find good talent in any city and on virtually every street corner. The reality is that only a select few make it to the big times of riches and renown. The NBA dream for many has been transformed into the Hip Hop illusion. But if you think you’re ready and have the skills to make it big, and then make sure you are ready to do business. Record labels are in the business to make money, so you need to have your eyes wide open. Here are some quick systems checks to put you in position to sign that big deal.

Have the right tools:

• Good music (talent and experience)
• Look signable (look like you can make the label money, local buzz)
• Professional looking demo package (CD, Bio, photos, press clippings)
• Will your music sell?

Locate A&R Representatives:

• Try to contact directly
• Ask clubs, radio stations, other artists, make connections
• Showcases (perform often)

Get an A&R Representative to listen:

• They are accepting unsolicited demo submissions
• They are interested in your style of music
• You have the correct name/address to send the package attention to

Know what to do when you get an offer:

• Get a good entertainment lawyer
• Know what you want out of the deal (do some homework)
• Know where you want you career to go
• Ask questions

This is just a brief list of the efforts that an artist that wants to be signed should be doing. Sometimes luck is being prepared for an opportunity. Good talent and work ethics can take you far. Look for other articles, comments and interviews http://www.NottHeads.com.

Renaissance and Revolution are both about changes for the masses, based upon an education of history to make a new art forms and societal influences. To be educated is to be armed, not as an assurance of outcome, but as a guide to work through the challenges.

Other music related articles:

• Record Deal Math
• The Sale of Crack Music Haas Been Temporarily Canceled
  
• Milwaukee Hip Hop on Steroids
  
• Music Marketing

NottHead

http://www.nottheads.com/