American Teacher.

CV.

sleep.

Wish more people knew about Fashawn.

"I'm Stevie Wonder with his vision back."

LOL.

nine eleven.

wants.

twelve bar "keep bouncing" t-shirt. 

stuck in my head.

the man behind the man.

These are our heroes

Meek Mill.

I like Philly rappers; Black Thought, Beans, Peedi, Young Chris. Meek Mill is no exception. I picked up his latest mixtape the other day but haven't given it any burn yet. He was all over that Self Made album, so I'm expecting this mixtape to be solid.

watch.

Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne (Documentary) (2011)

kids.

10th grade. I'll never forget the first time I saw this movie. I was in awe. It was so real. It was so raw (literally). To be honest, even for a little mischievous teen like myself, it was a little alarming. I thought, "wow, kids in New York really do this shit?!" From that moment on, I knew that I would have to make a trip to NYC. I wasn't fascinated by the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, none of that shit. I wanted to go to NYC because of this movie. Because I saw kids skateboarding in the street. Because I saw kids getting high in public. Because I saw an amputee bum on the subway singing catchy tunes. Because I saw a dude get beat with a skateboard until he was unconscious. Because Rosario Dawson is so fucking beautiful. 

This movie will remain a classic. 

RIP Casper.  

Are you listening?

Jay Z is the greatest to do it. This is just another example of why.

8 hours in Brooklyn.

coming soon.

my new project coming soon...the sovereign space:

independence
freedom
art
music
fashion
no boundaries.

back home: mermaids and dragons.

makes me wanna travel.

before i die i want to...

find forever.

what do you wanna do?

otis redding.

ghetto dreams.

where's it from??

siblings.

I used to want a little sister.

the future.

Casey veggies is only a teenager and that's scary.

late pass.

For some reason, I decided not to listen to Frank Ocean. It could be my increasingly narrowing attention span or it could just be that I was more focused on all things Rick Ross and all things Kendrick Lamar. Either way, Frank Ocean's nostalgia, ultra slipped through the cracks and I'm upset it took a 8 hour car ride for me to finally get acquainted with this album. Months ago, I ignored all the hype that surrounded this project and continued listening to the blissful sounds of Rick Ross. Poor decision. This album is tough. Vocally, Frank is soothing and at moments throughout very commanding. But as I've grown older I've become less moved by the vocal oohs and ahhs and more attracted to the poignancy of the pen. Frank Ocean is an incredible songwriter. Whether its the honesty exposed on "We all try" or the overall ease at which he makes words come to life on "American Wedding"; it's evident that Frank has talent behind that pen. Novocane has gained national attetnion and he just had 2 guest spots on one of the biggest albums of the past 10 years. Frank Ocean is on his way...

words to describe...

black elite.
sophisticated ignorance.
ostentatious.
matter-of-fact.
late registration ft. jay-z
art.

inspiration.

kendrick.

You couldn't pay me to miss this. Sidenote: Vashtie. That is all. 

the best song of the year so far.

This song has been out for about a week now and it's the only thing rivaling Kendrick Lamar's Section 80. This is magic. 

Black Milk x Jack White "Royal Mega" 

a song for assata.

as told to dream hampton...

how do you define

bjork.

Her music is unique and she's about to do something that will potentially change the landscape of the music industry. Bjork will release the first "ipad album".

From yahoo music:

 "Each of the album's 10 songs will be paired with a separate interactive program designed by an eclectic group of programmers ranging from medical professionals to high school students. While a song is playing, users will be able to futz with the corresponding app, manipulating the music while also watching it unfurl before their eyes in colorful shapes via one or two visualization modes. Artists have mused on the idea of a "living album" before, but this is the closest approximation we've encountered yet."

electric wire hustle.

old song. new video. from one of my favorite albums.

liberian girl.

black is beautiful. but we already know that. 

the world according to kendrick lamar.

"Pistol music it saved my life, y'all be callin' it hip hop, I be callin' hypnotize.".

Kendrick Lamar deserves his own genre -- human music, as he would call it. Music about the human experience that transcends race, religion or gender. It's not a revolutionary idea but with the amount of honesty and passion displayed in his debut, Section 80, it's worth noting that Kendrick Lamar comes with a purpose. Section 80 is human music. Section 80 is art; a cohesive and perfectly executed concept album. It plays out like an eloquently written dissertation on the ills, vices and shortcomings of the hip hop generation. The generation that Kendrick has deemed Section 80 is a product of the "Ronald Reagan Era". A period in American history characterized by the pretentiousness of yuppie culture and the introduction of crack cocaine to black communities nationwide. It is upon this sharp contrast that Kendrick builds his own explanation for the behavior and motives of this generation. He uses his experiences growing up in Compton, California as the  backdrop for the story. Listen to Kendrick Lamar. He raps with a pace of urgency as if he's obligated to speak to the world. It's too early to call Section 80 a classic, but we can call it what it is -- human music.

rich and black

two of the greatest.

listen.

nikki ntu - pelican fly

drake - dreams money can buy

mellowhype - elephunkcircus

mckenzie eddy - mannequins

lykke li ft. tyler the creator - i follow you

buddhism.

"in buddhism we have relative truth and absolute truth." -dalai lama

innovate.

the people at google get it. make life simple. through google chrome, the countless apps and now google+, being productive and having fun on your computer is simple.

yes please.

black music.

brass connection - dupont circle - washington, dc

fifteen years.

still cinematic. still classic.

in defense of lebron james.

"With the same sword the knight you, they goodnight you with." - Jay-Z


Betrayal is the first word that comes to the minds of most Americans when you mention the name LeBron James. By now the story has been told ad nauseam. The media has dissected and scrutinized LeBron's every move since his decision to trade in the harsh Cleveland winter and "take his talents" to sunny South Beach Miami. In the wake of "The Decision", he left behind a city of angry, bitter fans and a vengeful and extremely spiteful owner. Since then he's become public enemy number 1. A target for ridicule. The most hated man in America. So when that final buzzer of the NBA finals sounded, just about every person outside of Dade County, cheered, laughed at and applauded LeBron James' failure. Not the Miami Heat. Not Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, but LeBron James. LeBron James, the villian. The small city of Cleveland erupted with feelings of vindication and the moment the media had anxiously waited for arrived, "I told you so."

Just a year ago LeBron was the media darling. A gifted phenom that made an incredible leap from playing basketball with teenage boys to banging bodies with grown ass men. But today he stands alone with his potential legacy marred by immature decisions and poor crunch time performances. But why does the world hate LeBron James? Most people cite the hour long "Decision" special. They called it ostentatious and arrogant claiming LeBron's ego had become too big for his "crown". But what is never mentioned is how the same media that criticized "The Decision", hounded LeBron since the moment he signed his initial contract; badgering him about whether he would stay in Cleveland once said contract expired. For 7 years, LeBron handled the constant questioning, trying his best to deflect media distractions. The type of distractions that can cost a team the invaluable "team chemistry". So why are we appalled and more importantly surprised at LeBron for deciding to make his announcement on primetime television? The media asked for it. LeBron is still a young player with a lot to learn about how to conduct himself and his business. He should not be vilified for his decision to leave a team that didn't have the key pieces for winning a championship. He did what any honest, hard working American would do. He left his job in Cleveland for a better opportunity in Miami. Isn't the goal to win a championship?! Why are we upset that LeBron and his buddies called for winning "not four, not five, not six, not seven" championships?! They want to build a dynasty and deserve to do so. Should he have came to Miami and said "hopefully, we'll win a championship"?!

It's going to be a LONG offseason for LeBron James and he knows it. He's been humbled. He's going to be haunted by this years finals collapse until he finally holds up that Larry O'Brien trophy. But, let's not forget how much talent is on that floor when #6 decides to tighten up his laces and play ball. He has 7 years in the league, 2 league MVPs and he's only 26 years old and that's scary.

skip the charades.

just speak plain.
i'm the one that's acting like i'm so strong.
you're the one that's acting like nothing's wrong.

life is...

This still has to be one of the greatest album covers ever. I need this tshirt asap.

reaganomics.

what is hip hop?

men at work.

pour out a lil liquor.

I wasn't the biggest Pac fan but I do respect his legacy. Happy Birthday. 

summer dreams

goals for summer 2011

weekend getaway

learn html/css

read a book

work out plan

140 gb ipod

dslr camera

pt job

bike

tat

#nowplaying

god bless lenny kravitz and lisa bonet.

Post Empire - Elevator Fight

work?

summer soundtrack.

This nigga is becoming synonymous with summer.  From the Westside with Love II - coming soon.

play your position.

the black hand side.

it aint hard to tell

one of the nicest, covers one of the nicest.

listen

electric wire hustle+common ft. bilal+mark ronson and d'angelo+electric wire hustle+nikko gray

single.

stop.

as if carlos boozer didn't already make me hate him after his performance in the playoffs..this seals the deal.

life lessons

undertow

"your brown eyes are my blue skys."

they came to dc back in april but i decided to go a bar to watch college basketball instead. i regret that decision.

tumblr.

it's so addictive. the nudity. the .gifs. the endless amount of reblogged pics. the fashion. it's inspiring and crippling all at once.

here's my daily tumblr visits:

40 OZ VAN NYC

Strangers Need Love

Regular Ol Ty

ghostface tesha

fuck yeah tattoos

bang.

this is what rolling papers should've sound like.

teedra moses.

teedra moses is a unicorn. mythical. she released her debut in 2004 and since then she has been seldom heard. she recently signed with rick ross and his maybach music group so maybe we'll actually get to hear something from her soon. until then i'll keep watching this video...

music is universal.

I wish I understood Spanish.

creativity is fearless.

Watch the full episode. See more FRONTLINE.

Over the summer I visited the Holocaust museum and the one thing that resonated the most with me was a quote I observed... "tyranny cannot defeat the power of ideas." This clip reminded me of that quote. Ai Wei Wei is fearless and despite the Chinese government's attempts, they just can't stop the power of a person's mind.

Inspiring.

how i feel pt. 2

how i feel right now...

mobb deep "get away" #now playing

when dreams come true.

his face is priceless. odd future is coming.

my god.

soundtrack for the next few weeks.

watch me.

latest pick up. cheap amazon find...$20

truth

easier said than done.

march madness.

Irving could return for Duke's opener

#repeat

crate diggin

Latest pick up. Vinyl collection slowly growing.

prototype.

where are you?

my 2 favorite things right now...

1. rick ross
2. make it rain

odd future.

West coast hip hop is dominating my ipod right now. Seriously. Odd Future is next. They're branding their own sound and as much as I hate to use the phrase...they're starting a movement.

rest in peace.

so appropriate right now.

yelling to the sky.

This looks really good. Am I creep for thinking Zoe Kravitz is extremely attractive? I used to be in LOVE with Denise. But who wasn't?

American premiere will be at South by Southwest this March. SXSW is on my bucket list. Got my fingers crossed for next year.

follow the leader.

Let's see what's all the fuss about.

@soundbwoy_shep.

badge of honor.

Proud Southerner.
I wear it on my sleeve.
Palmetto trees.
Sperry's.
Gold teeth.
Sweetgrass baskets.
Cobblestone streets.
Civil War caskets.
Heavily starched jeans.
Charleston,
South Carolina.

production credit.

Further reason why Ski Beatz is greater than your favorite producer.

faith.

A student of mine that has probably said all of 10 words all school year, came up to me after school last week and said "I want you to read this." I thought it was a very nice gesture from a very unlikely source. Anytime someone shares their faith, you should feel privileged (especially if they're not trying to shove it in your face). Now even though I'm not Muslim, and sometimes even question the existence of organized religion, I am going to read this with an open mind. While I may have a few questions about religion, I don't question faith. There is a superior being that is guiding us all and the sooner you acknowledge that, the sooner you'll live a meaningful life.

thank you.

"A man who won't die for something is not fit to live."

                                                -Martin Luther King Jr.