Rappers In The Limelight : March 4th 2015

There are 4 MC’s that are worth the time , worth the effort , and worth the money. Whether or not you like Hip-Hop , I promise that you’ll feel differently before the end of this article. I’ve learned the music is a release and expression of who or what an individual is. Today , we explore that statement through these reviews. Keep in mind that I only promote the best .


Optometrist – Super Rhymes (Released 2006 , Positronic Records)

Take a ride down the block with Optometrist from Staten Island. A vignette of lyrical style mixed in with artistry and dope rhymes. The album in a nutshell is everything that you would expect from a Self Made artist : bars , imagery , passion , heat and fire. In this album , he blows the roof off hip hop , challenging others to get their bars up and stop perpetrating on the mic as duly noted in “ Super Rhymes “ , “ Me” and ‘ Page Rampage “ Not only does he rap , but he also produces his own material as noted on the back cover of the album. Definitely a classic today , as it was when it dropped 9 years ago. Make sure that you cop his latest album Boombox Material on CD Baby.com

Poynt Blank -  Point Of No Return (Released 2011 , Independent)
If you look at the album cover , it appears at first glance that this is a album full  of unworthy images dealing with sex , drugs , and alcoholism. On the contrary , isn’t that what hip hop’s about. However , there is the phrase “ don’t judge a book by it’s cover. While most hip hop music is about bravado , Poynt Blank comes different on this album. In a nutshell , the album serves as a beacon of light to those who are on the verge of giving up hope. The songs are written in the form of a mere mortal soul who has been through hell back , but through the power and faith of God was able to overcome and stand victorious. More intriguing than the songs is the actual artwork. It’s almost reminiscent of the end days prophecy in the book of Revelation. If you look closely , in Blank’s left hand there is darkness , in the right…..a sword. A must listen for anyone that is going through. You can also reach out to Poynt Blank via you tube or his facebook fan page.


James Lion  - The Resume (Released 2014 , Independent)

No stranger to the music scene , James Lion(pronounced Lee-own) has definitely put in his work for “ The Resume “. Originally from St Louis Missouri , Lion moved to Atlanta to further his music career , and now resides in New York.  This EP by far is one his best projects. Chronicling the life of Lion and his dream to make it big , despite the obstacles that he faces from day to day. It’s an inspiring piece of work , and a testament to the hearts of those who never give up. The relentless spirit of a warrior. Be sure to visit jameslionmusic.com for more material .

Paranormal – Vendetta Doctrine (Released 2013 , The Wizard Factory , Bronx NY)

A truthseeking and all telling book about the infiltration and indoctrination of humans by the governmental powers through the voice of hip hop. The word Vendetta is loosely translated as a blood fued ( when one opts to get back revenge for a lost family member ) , but in this case…..it translates on a larger scale. The album explores such issues as minimum wage , unfair treatment from police , diseases , the media , last day prophecies , and the insatiable need for people to gain all the world , but never achieve it , through a false sense of belief via mind control and images. The doctrine set by Paranormal is to get people away from the totalitarian powers that be , and educate themselves about the evils that lurk. Get the album online before it’s too late : Amazon , CD Baby.

EMPIRE : WAS IT REALLY WORTH IT ?

First of all , I would like to say that I am truly disgusted and disappointed at the pilot episode of #Empire. You know months before a show airs , they show you previews of what it's going to be like. The promos on FOX had everyone on the edge of their seats , and just a few days ago....someone was happy , mentioning the fact that this was first time that FOX had aired a black show/drama in years (NEW YORK UNDERCOVER AND LIVING SINGLE , AND MARTIN WERE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ONES IN THE EARLY BROADCAST YEARS OF THE NETWORK). I too anticipated the release of this show and was ready to be wowed. I loved the opening scene. Here we meet Lucious , the owner of Empire Records...trying to pull emotion out of one of his artists for a song. A few minutes pass by and we become introduced to his sons at the breakfast table. 2 are musicians , and the other is a successful lawyer for the the label. What I didn't expect to see was that bots scene ( I turned my head before it happened). It's already bad enough that they want to force homosexuality on young minds from the age of 6-15 , but why did it have to be on a black show. This is strictly supposed to be about the Empire and nothing less. I was turned off by it , but I had to bypass that moment , and continue on to the story. Also in the opening scene , we become introduced to Lucious right hand man. Now I don't remember his name because I just wasn't paying attention ( lol). Back story is that they've known each other since the age of 14. Now that Lucious is a big time record exec.....he treats the guy like trash. Next , we become introduced to Cookie. 17 years ago she went to jail , in place of her husband for making drops (drug trafficking) . 17 years later , she comes out in a real nice designer suit....crazy....but it's what she wore when she came in. Cookie comes in , and tries to Deebo her way back into the company. The history is that she helped to start up Empire Records with the $400,0000 she saved up from using packages. Remember when I mentioned Lucious's sons , well let me give them to you in full detail. Jamal Lyon : the 2nd oldest ( played by Jussie Smollet , best known for his role as one of the Jericho kids with his own real life brothers and sisters in the late 90's TGIF show " On Our Own ) is a talent artist signed to his father's label. He and his father have a strained relationship , due in part to his lifestyle. While performing on stage at a club , he reminisces about the time his father put him in the garbage......because he played dress up in his mother's clothing while some family members had came by. His mother is the only one that truly has love left for him , and in turn wants to manage him. She also despises his lifestyle as well. Hakeem Lyon is the youngest child of the family , and also signed to to Empire Records. Unlike his brother , he and his father seem to get along...but they have differences. Like when his father gives him a song to record , but in when he goes into the studio to record it , it's garbage. Hakeem enlist the help of Jamal to hook up a track. His father goes crazy for it instantly and loves it , but despises the fact that Hakeem helped out during the song writing process. Oh one more thing , he despises the fact that his mother got locked up when he was a baby , causing him to have abandonment issues. Since his mom was never around , he never really got a chance to know her. He has no regard for her , and resents the fact that she shows up at the family's house. The second she steps foot into the house , she gets rid of his barber and they get into a heated argument. He gets in way over his head and calls his mother out of her name , and she in turn slaps him in the face , then proceeds to beat him with a broom. Last but not least in Andre Lyon. Unlike his two youngest brothers , his relationship with his father is pretty good. He grew up able to attend college and became a lawyer. He is married and has a good job as an attorney working for his father's record label. Unlike the baby of the family , Andre welcomes his mother back home with open arms , and has no resentment or anger towards her for the life that she chose. He seems to be well adjusted. And here is a surprise that some of you probably didn't expect. I happened to see this during the previews for the last few days , but Malik Yoba has a starring role on the show as Lucious's business partner and friend Vernon Turner. He also knew Cookie back in the day as well. In the excitement of all the things that were taking place , Lucious's right hand man comes over to his house to extort money from him. He threatens that if he doesn't cough up the cash , that he will more than likely go to the authorities and rat on him for the murders that he did back in the day when he was a drug dealer. Lucious agrees and meets homie at a undisclosed spot. Now that's all that I'm telling you. To be honest , I probably won't watch this show again , but for some of you guys....this is what you'll have in store. Gabourey Sidibe finally has her first starring role in television , and Tasha Smith appeared tonight with a unspoken role. Other stars to expect are Macy Gray , Courtney Love , and Naomi Campbell. Man , television has changed so much since the late 90's. Nothing is authentic or real anymore. I realize that it has been a long time there has been a successul black sitcom on network telelvision ( and please don't put TP's shows up there , because they are not any better) . To be honest , Power is looking better. Did they steal the concept of the drug dealing part : YES , are they in the same line of work : NO. Be the judge for yourselves. If you did not get the chance to see the pilot , you might want to go to the FOX website , or wait till someone puts it online.