It's Business

The show was successful tonight. All of the booked guests attended. I had difficulty booking a gun-toting minor, but Tone Capone booked Money Morri, a 17-year old Blood from Brooklyn. It was really disappointing to hear him speak. He honestly felt that it was ok to carry a gun to defend himself. Who are his parents and why isn't he in school? Sometimes, I feel like my people do not understand the value of education. Until we educate ourselves as Black people, we will continue to be narrow-minded and think on "our block" instead of having a worldly perspective.

I am working on some interesting shows in the upcoming weeks, including "The State of Hip-Hop." Any suggestions as to who I should book? I think that Nas would be a good guest, and Saigon because he's a loose cannon. I heard Nas' new untitled album is classic, by the way-it's about time. I was in the studio with him once, and it seemed like he was very impressionable. I remember him asking, "I just want to know what people are feeling?" If you live your life to please everybody, you end up losing yourself. Hopefully, this album is a revisitation of his 1993 self-classic.

Today, I had to be a polite jerk to a few people. I honestly feel that people take my kindness for a weakness. As soon as you do that, if we are working together, the DJ hat comes off, the jerk in me surfaces, everything has to be in writing, and all free knowledge ceases. I think people forget that my education cost over 300k and that's not present value, and whatever I tell you is worth about $350 per sentence. When I was a VP at Deutsche Bank, I had the white boys intimidated so I learned to dumb down because that is the game if I want to move up fast, but don't let my down to earth personality get you twisted. I hate throwing paperwork in people's faces, I would rather nuture the relationship, but it seems like in this industry, everything has to be in writing because people have convenient memories and always want some shit done for free. I am not mad at the barter system, but for free? Honestly, you don't want me to start pulling out my contracts-I have some contracts that these industry cats have never thought of and literally have everything cornered if that was my aim. Remember your lawyers only tell but so much so you can keep coming back-I have access to and know where to find everything! Knowledge is POWER. I think I am a very humble person and rarely throw my educational background in someone's face, but sometimes I have to remind people of who they are dealing with. Sorry, I am having a Kanye moment.

I am headed to bed. I have a meeting in the morning.

This Week on Street Soliders

I don't know if I mentioned this but I am currently working on HOT 97 (behind the scenes) with Street Soldiers with Lisa Evers on Sundays from 9-10pm. This week's show is about gun violence in New York City. I booked Harlem Mothers Save, a organization of women whose children's death were the result of gun violence, and Paul Martin, a former prosecuter, to be guests on the show. I tried to get a representive from the National Rifle Association ("NRA") to participate, but I received no response.

Unfortunately, gun-related crimes are increasing. I truly believe that this is due to the bad economy. People are hungry. I heard through the grapevine that there is a drug drought. I presume the drug trafficers cannot afford airplane fuel due to rising gas prices so drug dealers are now robbing people instead.

Next week's show is about the city of Paterson banning hip-hop clothing. In fact, I have to book the councilman who advocated the ban. I would love to hear is rationale.

My event planning company is organzing a birthday party for AJ Crimson and Estelle on August 18, 2008 at Origine. Stay tuned for the details.

Otherwise, I had a wonderful weekend. It feels good to be surrounded around positive people.

I am excited!

Ok, I am excited. The working out is paying off or should I say that I am seeing results. By the way, the gym is always empty when I go because everyone put in their work during the winter time. I really thought I was going to have my four-pack regardless of what I ate or drink. Everything in life requires maintenance, I see. I am giving myself October 1st to get right. I think the main reason that I am seeing results is that I stopped eating red meat, chicken, and hog moss (lol) plus I am lowering my carb intake along with my all natural supplements.

Robyn said she has a picture of me from 2007 that will continue to inspire me (Thanks, Robyn). I remember that night-one of the chicks from a R&B group that shall remain nameless kept on staring at me and I couldnt figure out why, LOL.

This week has been eventful. I am now on the commitee for the Justo Mixtape Awards. The goal with the Awards is to make it classy. Ok? That will take some time. The majority of hip-hop DJs are inherently ghetto, but let's give it a try. I know I shouldn't stereotype, but...

Troy Alexander (my manager) and I's new event planning company is throwing AJ Crimson's Birthday at Origine on August 11th-Estelle to host the party. Of course, I will djing.

I decided to postpone the 90's party to the 27th of August at Origine which will be a Miss DJ Crew and DJ Shogun production. We need some more female DJs in the crew. Suggestions, anyone?

A major light bulb went off the other night. I set another list of goals, and it is time to put them in action.

Time to Get Back to Work!

I had a great weekend. My night in DC was very eventful. I got lost in DC on the way back from the club-long story. In the midst of surfing the streets of DC, I stopped at a Chinese food restaurant because me and J were starving. This had to be the most ghetto sight that I have ever witnessed. People were hanging out in front of the restaurant on the stairs and the chinese restaurant owner was serving alcohol at 4 a.m. in red plastic cups over the counter. As he poured each cup, he stared at the front door (hilarious).

Last night, I went to the Brand Jordan Party at the Marquee. Beverly Bond, DJ Premier, and DJ Shogun were on the 1s and 2s all night in different rooms. The same usual suspects were there Busta Rhymes, Fabulous, Mashonda, and Mel Testamark, etc. I guess I am starting to realize how small the industry is. Everytime I go out which is not often these days unless it is DJ related, I see the same people. I want to start meeting new people-people who are enterprising on a level that I could never imagine.

DJ Shogun let me get on the turntables to close the night. That was cool (Thank you Shogun for the opportunity).

Today, I didn't get up until 3 PM, and I am happy as hell.

There are alot of events tonight, but I think I should stay in the office and do some work, and of course hit the gym.

DC Bound

It's Friday morning, and I feel good. I have to catch a plane to Washington, D.C. in a few. While I have some time off, I thought I should go visit my family.

Family is truly important. When I was younger, I definitely feel like I took my family for granted. But as my mother and grandparents are aging, I realize that they are not going to be here for forever.

Four years ago, I made a decision to go to New York to pursue my goals, leaving my family behind. Moving forward, I have to make an effort to visit my family at least four times a year.

My grandparents were so excited to see me. One of them said that, "She was in her glory with me by her side." This trip made me want to work harder. I can't wait for the day when I can spoil those who have helped me be who I am today.

Headed to Denver.

My night was eventful in Detroit. I am always hungry especially since I am lifting weights. The trainers in the gym said I go hard. I was surprised by that comment because I have not seen the results that I want, but in time. I just have to stay consistent.

I took a ride to Dearborn, MI with my new D-town driver, Carlos. Dearborn has a huge Middle Eastern population. Can I get some grilled shrimp and some hummus, please? I ordered shrimp, but they keep on giving me meat. Was that a sign that I need to revert back to my meat-eating ways? I have a friend that compares meat to crack-I think that is hilarious. I have not reached that point yet, but meat is definitely calling me. Being in Denver, around my family and pork ribs is definitely going to be a test of my discipline and focus.

I started my position at HOT 97 as a guest booker for Street Soliders (Thanks, Tone Capone and Rich Rose). I am very interested in doing radio, and I have to start somewhere. Plus, this position will give me some time to get my cutting and scratching skills up to par. I was a guest on Street Soliders last year so this new endeavor is quite ironic.

I was trying to book Flava Flav to host my 90's party, but he wants this ridiculous amount of money. Does he know it's a recession? I have a few other options that I am going to explore.

When, I am in Denver. I definitely am going to hit up every club and event planner in the city.

Stuck in Detroit

I was headed to Denver, and couldn't get on my flight. I was being my normal, silly self to the ticket agent, and she called the hotel and got me a room. I am in some hotel near the airport in the middle of nowhere. I hit up DJ Black, amd he said I can do a set. For the past month, I have observed a great DJ by pure coincidence. As a new jack DJ, I plan to use all of his advice and rock this party. The club is called Club Envy.

I will be in Denver tomorrow. I got a few offers to do sets there as well, and intend to take advantage of the opportunities while I visit my family. It's July, and I am still on my mission.