Mary J. Blige will be hitting the big screens this Fall. She is one of the stars of the new film, Mudbound, which will air on Netflix as well as in theaters on November 17th.
Mudbound is about a family that relocated to rural Mississippi only to find themselves trying to deal with numerous issues, including racism and a relative returning from World War II. The movie also stars Jason Mitchell and a host of other amazing actors.
Make sure you check it out!
About a week and a half ago Talib Kweli released a powerful single in support of Bresha Meadows. For those not familiar with her story, she is the teenager who shot her abusive father in 2016. Click here or on the image above to check out the song, and below is a statement sent out by Kweli when he shared it.
Good morning. Spending time engaging with fans on social media has allowed me to spread information about causes and events ignored by the mainstream media. It has also made me aware of important cultural events and connected me with brilliant people who make me a better human being. It was on social media that I first learned about the story of Bresha Meadows. On July 28th, 2016, Bresha Meadows shot and killed her reportedly abusive father. She was 14 years old at the time.
The first thing that struck me about Bresha was how much she physically reminded me of my own daughter. I had a similar experience when George Zimmerman killed 17 year old Trayvon Martin, who reminded me of my son. I instantly felt drawn to these children and I felt compelled to dive deeper into their lives. Leading up to shooting her father, Bresha’s grades were slipping in school, she had run away from home and had repeatedly told relatives and authorities that her father was beating up her mom and threatening to kill the whole family.
Back in 2011, Bresha’s mother, Brandi Meadows, stated in court papers that she had been cut, suffered broken ribs, a broken nose and black eyes, and that she is 100 percent sure she will be killed. She later reconciled with Bresha’s father, which is a common occurrence in abusive relationships. To this day, the father’s relatives insist he was not nearly as abusive as he was made out to be.
Bresha obviously had a different perspective, telling authorities that the gun she killed her father with was the very gun he used to threaten the family with. After sitting in juvenile detention for 9 months and facing at the very least a very lengthy prison sentence, Bresha accepted a plea deal that will allow her to be released to a residential treatment center for 6 months and then to her family. What struck me about this case was Bresha’s age. I express myself lyrically, so a lyric popped in my head while thinking about it –
“Do you kill yourself or kill the monster thats making you suicidal, decisions to heavy for the mind of a child.”
Regardless of how you feel about this particular case, whether you feel it’s a self defense issue, a domestic abuse issue, a mental health issue or all of the above, the take away for me is that we must do a better job of taking care of and protecting our children. Our children should never feel they have to make these kinds of decisions. I see my own children in Bresha’s young face, and I want to uplift their voices as much as I possibly can. Brandi Meadows has said of her daughter –
“She is my hero. I wasn’t strong enough to get out and help us all.”
That statement got me thinking about what a hero truly is, and made me want to write a song about Bresha. My hope is that this song inspires us as a community to more closely examine the dysfunction within our own families, so that we can create solutions before young people like Bresha feel like they must take matters into their own hands. I present She’s my Hero.
Using the hashtag #FreeBresha supporters of Bresha Meadows have rallied around her, setting up a GoFundMe page for the family.
https://www.gofundme.com/BreshaM
You can find the latest updates on Bresha’s situation at https://freebresha.wordpress.com/actions/
Reggae artist Nesbeth releases the official video to his new hit song Success Story. Produced on the Foota Hype Music (FHM) imprint and featured on the Motherland Riddim, the song tells a tale reminiscent of Nesbeth’s formative years underscoring his trials and triumphs.
The video was directed by RD Studio. Click here or the image above to watch.
International recording artist I-Octane recently announced his signing with Miami based management company, Beautiful People MGT, and a recording deal with San Francisco based label “Independent Distribution Collective” (IDC). The latter set in preparation for his upcoming 2018 album.
Fans of I-Octane have been eager for a full length album since his 2014 hit filled “My Journey” which topped #4 on the Billboard Reggae Chart. Since then, the reggae star has delivered numerous worldwide top charting singles, while continuing to tour extensively.
Multi-faceted soca star GBMNutron blazes with the release of his debut international album, Calypso: The Unsung Legacy. Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and based in Brooklyn, New York, Jason “GBMNutron” Carter is a bonafide triple threat who has been igniting the Caribbean music scene for years now, first as an acclaimed producer and talented songwriter, and now as an electrifying artist.
Under the GBM Productions imprint, helmed by Kenwyn “GB” Holder and GBMNutron, the studio has been responsible for some of the biggest hits in and out of the Caribbean, with GBMNutron composing the lead single for Pitbull’s Mr. Worldwide album, “Alright” – a remix of GBM Productions’ breakout hit, “Ramajay” by Machel Montano. GBMNutron has also produced numerous soca blockbusters that have topped charts and playlists, including Destra Garcia’s “Just A Little Bit” and “Dip And Ride” (Set Good Riddim), Shal Marshall’s “Motivation” and “Party,” and his own monster jam “Scene,” just to name a few. With his flawless transition into an artist, GBMNutron has been touring throughout North America and the Caribbean, earning the hearts of fans with his energetic and captivating live performances. Now with his first international studio effort in hand, he is sure to capture the attention of fans and critics alike, across the globe.
Calypso: The Unsung Legacy is jammed with 15 gems, spanning the spectrum of soca, calypso, dancehall, reggae, tropical house and island pop, making for the ultimate collection of Caribbean music from its newest global ambassador. These eclectic, fusion hits include already-massive fan favorites such as “Scene,” “Calypso,” “Only Good Vibes,” “Rock You Out” and “SOLD (Soca On Lockdown),”which are all mainstays on soca radio, playlists and platforms, worldwide. The majority of the album was composed and written by GBMNutron, with features from soca sensations Milko, M1 and Preedy, and sees additional productions from Fingas Productions, Precision Productions and Bobby Dubs.
RASTAFARI Mama ASKALE SELASSIE
EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY (WORLD) TO EMPOWER THE NATION OF RASTAFARI
In Service to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie for over 45 years proven by the fact that all her 4 birth youths were born to a Rasta Mother.
Born in Jamaica and growing in the UK since she was 10 years old, Mama Askale began her working career as a Music Publisher at VIRGIN RECORDS with Richard Branson. Here as the 1st Black employee, she was promoted to Publishing and Promotions Manager and instrumental in the establishment of The FRONTLINE Label, which produced a range of Jamaican Artistes and Producers. This brought Mama Askale in the frontline of Radio & Media Promotions in the UK (1972-1974).
As soon as Bob Marley met Mama Askale in a discussion on Publishing Rights, he invited her to Jamaica, to TUFF GONG to establish Bob Marley Music in Jamaica. Rastafari calling took a major role and accepting this invitation began a journey in Rastafari by moving to the Hills of Jamaica and working with Bob Marley at Tuff Gong until he transcended in 1981. Then travelling throughout the Caribbean Islands promoting TUFF GONG MUSIC.
As Bob Marley used to tell anyone who challenged my work, “she nuh work for Tuff Gong unuh, she work for JAH.” This is Mama Askale, working for JAH, journeying to share and spread HIM message of Love and Unity. From Jamaica and The Caribbean, to the USA establishing the Press and Publicity Dept. for RAS RECORDS (1982-1988).
The Call for Repatriation brought Mama Askale and Family back to the UK, where she re-trained as Social worker and later gaining an essential Degree in Education,” in order to monitor her children’s Education ina Babylon.” The next 2 decades were focussed on Education and travel inside Europe. In Educating the World Community, to Empower the Nation of Rastafari, Mama Askale established strong Media and PR Links worldwide. Travelling to establish the Mission of The EMPRESS MENEN FOUNDATION became a natural duty from His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie Mama will testify. Jah honoured her to travel in HIM Footsteps and meet HIM Creations.”
The Elders of Rastafari ARE the fulfilment of The Creed, according to Mama. The ANCIENTS be Fed: The ANCIENTS be clothed: The ANCIENTS be nourished: The ANCIENTS be PROTECTED and CARED FOR. Duty before they leave I and I.”
In Europe, Directors of The EMF were to be found in France, Spain, Holland, Germany, Slovenia, UK, Croatia, Finland and Denmark (when Ras Chiozo was present). The Annual EMF Ethiopian Calendar became the vehicle for the Promotion of RASTAFARI WORLDWIDE. This continues as Mama, Empress Askale Selassie returned to the Roots, The Motherland AETHIOPIA, where the mission to Educate the Ethiopian Community has become crucial as most Ethiopians have no knowledge of their great King and Emperor as DIVINE. Mama Askale has a solution. Education. Never ceasing to educate, she has now produced the 2nd Editon of the All Amharic RASWORLD Calendar for Ethiopians at Home and Abroad.
Mama Askale, is eager to SHARE and is honoured by The Promoter and Organiser of The Aarhus Reggae Festival in Denmark to come and share her experiences and indeed Ethiopian Souvenirs and much more with Reggae Lovers from a solid and welcoming Source.
Askale Selassie: Facebook
See the works unfold on Youtube
YaadNoyz Production LLC presents the “YaadNoyz Riddim.” The compilation features Grammy award-winning artist Beenie Man with “When We Blaze,” Blak Ryno, who is steadily making a come back, with “New Doctor,” Capleton aka Shango with his track “King” and a slew of others.
“YaadNoyz Riddim” is now available on Spotify, Deezer, iTunes and more. It is being distributed by 21st Hapilos Digital.
