Neo Soul Saturday

Consisting of rapper/singer/songwriter Phonte and producer Nicolay, The Foreign Exchange came together via the online hip-hop community Okayplayer.com in 2002. After trading files through Instant Messenger for over a year, Nicolay (living in his native Holland at the time) and Phonte (a Raleigh, NC resident) completed their debut album before they ever met each other in person. The album, Connected, was released in 2004 to positive reviews, and was praised by legendary DJ’s such as DJ Jazzy Jeff, King Britt, and DJ Spinna for its inventive mix of hip-hop, R&B, and electronica.


Their sophomore album, Leave It All Behind (2008) found The Foreign Exchange much closer in geography (Nicolay becoming a resident of Wilmington, NC), but located much further from their hip-hop origins. On the strength of their exhilarating live show and several nationally programmed music videos, Leave It All Behind became the group’s most successful album to date, culminating in a Grammy-nomination for the album’s first single, Daykeeper.

Authenticity, released on October 12, 2010 on +FE Music, is The Foreign Exchange’s third album.

I had the great pleasure of seeing this group perform a few weeks ago. If you ever get the opportunity to catch them live, please do so.
 For more info on this talented group, click on this link to visit their website The Foreign Exchange.



*bio courtesy of thelast.fm.com*

Got Swag?

No blog to read!

Just want to show off this picture of the President!

That's all!

Carry On!

Occupy A Plan, THEN Occupy Wall Street

As the Occupy Wall Street movement celebrates it's two month anniversary today, I have two questions;
What has this movement accomplished?
And what exactly is the strategy of the movement?
Does anybody know?
Anybody?
Going once, going twice.........
That's exactly what I thought!
Nobody can tell me the objectives of this movement and what steps are being taken to reach those objectives.
I understand and agree with the concept behind the Occupy movement, but for the last two months all I've seen are images like the image posted above.
Question: How is that working out for you?
My suggestion is to pick a leader, write down your demands and get behind a candidate you can put in office that will support your agenda.
Just an observation from my chair here in The Board Room.

Wishing Heavy D "Peaceful Journey"

Earlier this week we lost a true hip hop legend.
When Heavy D stepped on the scene in the late 80s, he represented something that we had never seen in hip hop; A big man who could charm the ladies and move just as smooth as he could flow.
One of my favorite Heavy D joints was this one:

My roommate and I used to blast that song and the entire "Big Tyme" CASSETTE in our dorm during our freshman year at Alabama State University.
Even though that was a long time ago, his music can still move a crowd today just as it did in 1989.
And you know what?
He moved that crowd with a positive message and without spitting cuss words all over the place.

Here's wishing you a "Peaceful Journey" Heavy D.

Don't Fall For The Herman Cain Okie Doke

A few months ago I told you there would come a day when Herman Cain would try to make himself out to be a victim of racism in hopes of making blacks sympathetic to his campaign.
It's a strategy to snatch as many black votes away from the President as possible.
YES.......he and other conservatives think blacks are that stupid.
Well, we're not which is why the allegations of this particular woman aren't sitting right with me.
Not that I don't believe Herman Cain is guilty of the allegations of sexual harassment.
I do!
Nobody pays someone $35,000 for nothing as he did the first accuser.
But this allegation sounds unbelieveable and made up.
In fact, it sounds TOO unbelievable and TOO made up!
It sounds like someone paid this woman to come forward and publicly accuse him of sexual harassment- only to later have her be exposed as a liar.
Thus giving him the perfect avenue to acknowledge something he said didn't exist-racism in America.
Thus allowing him to have an open discussion on race. 
Thus allowing him to talk to many black voters.
Thus allowing him to do what he set out to do,
cipher off black votes from the President.
I may be wrong about this woman, time will tell.
But regardless if I'm wrong or not, please don't fall for the Herman Cain okie doke!

Men Lie.....Women Lie.....Numbers Don"t

For years, the image of the black woman in the media has always been a sensitive topic. Whether it's a music video, roles in a movie or let's say.............reality tv, the concern for many is that the image of the black woman has been and is still being distorted and misrepresented. I believe that's one of the many reasons a certain segment of people in our country had/has a problem with Michelle Obama. But that's another blog for another day.
Sunday night was the night BET showed their annual BLACK GIRLS ROCK special.
It's a show dedicated to highlighting and recognizing the many hats that black women wear.
The CEO
The Actress
The Entertainer
The Activist
The Harvard Educated Business woman
All of those things show the diversity of the most beautiful creature that God ever created;
The Black Woman!
Here, check it out.
(video courtesy of The Root)

(I didn't see the entire show but the parts I saw I loved.)
As I was saying, it was a celebration of the diversity of black women and the many hats they wear.
But out of all of those hats and titles, maybe the hardest is that of a HOUSEWIFE!
A housewife is a mother, a wife, a homemaker.
She's in charge of maintaining the home, taking care of the family, making sure the checkbook is balanced, the bills are current, etc. etc
She has to do all of this while at the same time being able to maintain the ability flip the script at any moment and walk into a workplace if she needs to or wants to.
That's the example of a REAL HOUSEWIFE!
But judging from the early numbers of the Nielson ratings, many people-women (BLACK women)
think THIS is what a "Real Housewife" does.
(video courtesy of Bravo TV)

Please don't misconstrue this blog as me trying to judge you for watching this form of entertainment.
That's not my intent.
My intent is to simply point out to you that if you want to dispel the myths and stereotypes.
If you want people to stop looking at you crazy when you walk into a department store.
If you want people to stop thinking you are a bunch of loud, golddigging drama queens,
SUPPORT SHOWS LIKE BLACK GIRLS ROCK and "REED BETWEEN THE LINES" with the same enthusiasm you support RHOA!
The early numbers for Sunday night shows that while BGR did well, it trailed RHOA by an almost three to one ratio.That means for every woman that watched the positive images of beautiful black women, there were three others watching the negative images of women who have silicone, boob jobs, butt implants no talent and sleep with married men to get what they want in life.......sorry, I meant these beautiful black women.*side eyes*
I hate to say that many women of color are more concerned with entertainment than substance, but as that great philosopher (Jay-Z) once said,
"Men lie...women lie....numbers don't."

Trick Or Treat

So, did you go trick or treating last night?
No?
Why not?
Because Halloween is "of the devil" and Christians don't/shouldn't celebrate the "devil's holiday"?
Really?
When did all of this start?
It's always been that way?
Hmmm......that's interesting.
My grandmother and great-grandmother (R.I.P. to both) were two of the most religious, saved, filled with the holy spirit women EVER and not once when I was growing up do I recall them saying, "Halloween is the devil's day."
In fact, my grandmother's birthday was October 31st and she enjoyed celebrating her birthday by giving candy to kids dressed in Halloween costumes.
So again I ask you, when did all of this start?
*listening to your explaination and shaking my head*
I don't get it.
I don't get how people-(mainly Christians) can be so adamant about this, yet be silent on homelessness, the murder rate in our community, the lack of educational funding in many of our public school systems.......etc. etc.
Aren't those things evil and "of the devil" too?
Shouldn't the same type of tenancity you use when fighting off the evil spirits of a man made holiday or criticizing those who celebrate it, be used to fight off the evil injustices in our community? 
Just a thought........
Sometimes people can be so heavenly bound that they're no earthly good.


*This site is still not allowing me to interact with the followers of this blog. (Gotta get a new computer guy).But if you would like to discuss this or any other blog, please join us on FB.*

Stop The "Domestic" Violence

In honor of National Domestic Violence Month, I want to share something with you.
Have you ever wondered how the cycle of domestic abuse is passed from one generation to another?
Well, watch this video;


*long deep breath*

I don't know where to start. It's bad enough that our children live in a world where pimping  is viewed as some kind of glorious lifestyle. Where groups like Three Six Mafia can win an Oscar for a song called, "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp".
Where in that same movie a song called, "Whoop That Trick" can soar to number one on the billboard charts.
But when you have someone encouraging his son to film his mother getting beat, it takes it to a completely different level.
Other than learned behavior, I can't understand why a coward  man will put his hands on a woman.
I also can't understand how a woman will stay with a man after he hits her for the first time.
But at the risk of sounding ignorant and insensitive, I'll keep my thoughts about that to myself.
If you know anyone who is being physically or verbally abused, please speak out and get them some help. Or else, you may end up like this:

Sunday Praise & Inspiration

Neo Soul Saturday

It's the return of Neo Soul Saturday here in The Board Room.

This week's featured artist is Zo!

Zo!(n) — 1. Metro Detroit-born, Metro DC-based musician/producer Lorenzo Ferguson. 2. An exceptionally talented multi-instrumentalist who claims the piano/keyboard as his primary instrument, but is self-taught on the bass guitar, the drums, and most recently the guitar. 3. A Musical Architect who utilizes all sound elements to form original compositions that can be classified under no single genre of music.


Though largely known for his solo work, Zo! has collaborated with a variety of artists from the likes of Finale, Slum Village, Asylum 7, YahZarah and Sy Smith to Asheru, Kev Brown, Platinum Pied Pipers, Little Brother, and The Foreign Exchange. In 2004 he teamed with producer Waajeed of the Platinum Pied Pipers (PPP) to play keys on the lead single “Stay With Me” featuring vocalist Tiombe Lockhart, which appears on their debut album Triple P.


Zo! released his highly anticipated solo project SunStorm. So far the collaborating artists include: Phonte, Sy Smith, YahZarah, Rapper Big Pooh, Darien Brockington, Lady Alma, Jesse Boykins III Carlitta Durand, and Monica Blaire. SunStorm was released July 27, 2010 under The Foreign Exchange Music imprint. Zo! has also recently contributed keyboard work to producer/musician Nicolay’s 2009 release, Shibuya: City Lights 2 (“Shibuya Station” and “Wake Up In Another Life”) and production (“Shadow”), keys work, and bass playing (“Why Dontcha Call Me No More”) to YahZarah’s new album, The Ballad of Purple St. James.

info courtesy of Neo Soul Cafe

Ladies, Beware Of The New Hustle

Question: How many of you are on facebook or twitter?
*looks around the blogasphere, counts hands*
Ok, that's about 98% .
Cool, so most of you should be able to relate to this post.
Ladies, do you know someone that's always sending out tweets or facebook posts telling you how you should be treated in a relationship?
You know, stuff like this:
 "A real man wants to make love to your mind, instead of your body."
" If a man can't love you when the lights are on, don't let him make love to you when the lights go out."
" Ladies, if you have to ask if you're the only woman he's seeing, you're not the only on he's seeing."
"Your MAN introduces you to his family, your BOYFRIEND, introduces you to his boys."
Ok, the last one was MINES, but you get the point.
This is the new hustle and here's how it works:
The dude starts posting things that you and most women want to hear.
Then the next thing you know, you're going to their page and sharing their tweets or posts everyday.
Then you're sending private messages.
Then you're meeting for dinner.
Then you're meeting for drinks.
Then you're having sex with them.
Then you're complaining because he's not calling you back.
Then you're putting him on blast on social media outlets.
Then you're stalking him.
Then you're trying to key his car.
Then.......oh my bad, my bad.......got carried away.
* flashbacks* smh
Some of you may ask, "Mod, how do you know all of this to be true?"
Glad you asked!
Here's how I know!
Years ago, someone told me the following:
"You can't play and a former player, you can't hustle a former hustler, and you can't BS a former, BS'er."
And as someone who has been all of the above, I can spot it when I see it.
Normally, I wouldn't knock the next man's hustle but this mess is getting out of control and must be stopped!
But there's also another angle to this hustle.
Some of these dudes are trying to deflect attention away from the fact that they have no interest in women at all!
Ok, I better leave that one alone.
All I'm saying is, "Ladies, beware of the new hustle".

A Farewell To One Of My Heroes, Rev.Fred Shuttlesworth

My heart is heavy right now as I mourn the lost of one of my heroes, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.
Long before there was a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there was "that crazy preacher from Bethel Baptist Church".
He was the spark that ignited the fire that started the civil rights movement-and that fire was "A Fire You Can't Put Out."
I can tell you how in 1956 he tried to integrate the Birmingham Police force during a time when black folks weren't allowed to share the same sidewalk as a white person.
I can tell you how he had his home bombed, his church bombed and his life threatened on a daily basis.
I can tell you how he bravely walked through an all white crowd and tried to enroll two black kids in an all white elementary school.
I can tell you how the following year, he was almost beaten to death for trying to get his sons into all white Phillips High School, (the school I graduate from in 1989).
I can tell you how he embodies the spirit of an entire city.
I can tell you how he inspired people like myself to speak my mind boldy, without fear or hesitation.
I can tell you about the many awards he received during his 89 years of living.
I can tell you what I think his greatest accomplishments are.
I could go on all day and night about Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.
But my attempt to put into words what he meant to me, my city and our people wouldn't do his memory justice.
Therefore, I will let you hear from the man himself- my hero, the late Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.

A Lawsuit By A Transgender Parent

In a sign of the unbelieveable times we're living in-a "transgender parent" is suing the McIntosh County Public School system in rural Georgia to allow his/her SEVEN YEAR OLD daughter to use the boy's bathroom.
Why does this "transgender parent" want his/her SEVEN YEAR OLD daughter to use the boy's bathroom?
You ready for this?
Because the "transgender parent" claimed that at the wise age of 18 MONTHS OLD, his/her daughter uttered the words, "I'm a boy."
(I promise, I don't make this stuff up)
I know, I know.
Many of you are saying, "As long as the child has a loving parent who can provide for the child, the sexual orientation of the parent shouldn't matter."

See, that right there-that type of thinking is the problem.
Everybody has become so politically correct, that people are afraid to speak out for fear of being called homophobic or insenstive.
Especially people of color-we'll read stuff like this and keep our thoughts to ourselves because,
"We've been through the civil rights movement and shouldn't participate in the discrimination of other human beings."
Yeah..........ok!
(steps to the mic)
TESTING! TESTING!
(Is this thing on?)
(It is?)
Cool!
Ummmm......look here!
I do NOT believe that God make mistakes.
But some people do, and some of those people will undergo a sex change because let them tell it, they were born with the wrong body.
And this is what this lawsuit is about.
It's a political statement by this "transgender parent" to justify their decision to have a sex change, and they're trying to use this child to make their case.
Instead of walking into a courtroom to file this frivilous lawsuit, he/she should be walking into a courtroom to determine if they're fit to be a parent.
No parent in their right mind would even consider allowing their SEVEN YEAR OLD daughter to use the boy's bathroom, let along sue a school system for that child's right to do so.
I bet this same "transgender parent" will be right back in court trying to sue this very same school system for sexual harrassment the first time a little boy puts his hand up this little girl's skirt.
Because it's going to happen, that's what little boys do. 
But that doesn't matter.
Nor does it matter that this might cause emotional damage to this child by putting her
through the scrutiny and unwanted attention she will have to deal with throughout the school year.
All because of the lawsuit of her "transgender parent". 

Farewell To McKinley "Bug " Williams

For those of you who don't know, I'm the biggest Frankie Beverly and Maze fan in the world- the whole WIDE world!!
No, like FOR REAL- for real!!
That's why I was so sad to hear about the passing of one of the founding members of the group.
McKinley Williams or "Uncle June Bug" as my brother and I called him, passed away this week.
I first experienced the Maze experience when I was only 8 years old. My dad would take us to the Southern Heritage Festival here in Birmingham and we would sit out there with all the "old folks" dancing, singing, and pretending to hit the bongos like we were "Uncle June Bug".
I've seen Maze no less than 50 times.......yes, you read correctly, FIFTY! And not one time have I ever left a show disappointed or feeling like I didn't get my money's worth.
But as a true Maze fan, I can honestly say, a Maze concert will never be the same with seeing "Uncle June Bug" on Frankie's right side.
We will miss you McKinley "Bug" Williams.

Have A Seat Mr. President, We Need To Talk.

First of all Mr. President, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us here in The Board Room.
I'm sure you've heard by now that we keeps it 100 here in The Board Room, so as one of your biggest supporters, I have to say publicly what some are saying privately.
I know you're trying hard not to come off as the "Angry Black Man" but sometimes (how can I say this?)
Ummm........let's see..........Ok.
Sometimes, Mr. President you act like a punk!
So much so that lately, I've started to question if you even have a pair.
WHOA!
WHOA!
WHOA!
CALM DOWN MR. PRESIDENT!
I didn't mean to tick you off, but honestly, that's the side of you your supporters need to see.
Example, instead of saying;
"The GOP should stop their political postering and focus on helping the American people."
You should walk right up to the mic, look directly into Camera two and say,
"All conservatives can go straight to hell!"
Then drop the mic and walk away from the podium!
I'm serious Mr. President, do it just like that.
If you do that, I promise you, people like Jim Dement (R-SC) will think twice about saying what he said this past weekend.
Wait, you didn't hear him?
He said he could care less about hearing your idiotic speech about jobs.
Seriously, that's what he said!
And that's my point Mr. President.
You're trying to compromise with people who don't even respect you as a man, let along the leader of the free world.
They've already admitted that their number one objective is to make sure you don't get re-elected.
So why compromise or try to meet them in the middle?
Mr. President, I can't begin to understand the pressure you're under-especially, being the first black president.
But your supporters want you to at least ACT like you understand that you're at war (politically).
Because if you don't, we will no longer be "Fired Up and Ready To Go", we'll be "Fed Up and Ready To Get It Over With".
And that could be a huge problem for you in 2012.

Thanks for stopping by The Board Room Mr. President.

Another Senseless Murder Update (Derrion Albert)

I'm sure you all have heard about the murder of Derrion Albert that took place in Chicago back in 2009.
If you haven't, check out the video:



Five people were arrested in connection with his death, including Lapoleon Colbert who admitted to kicking and stomping Derrion in the head AFTER he was knocked unconscious from a blow to the head with a two by four.
Colbert, convicted of first degree murder stood before the judge today and pleaded,
"This is my first offense, have mercy on me."
The judge had mercy on him alright, he sentenced him to 32 years in prison.
It would be nice if this sentence could deter other cowards like Colbert who roam the streets of Chicago and every other major city in this country from committing such senseless acts like the one you saw in the above video.
But unfortunately, I think nothing short of an immediate death sentence for these domestic terrorists will get their attention.

Let's pray for that this begins the healing process for the Albert family.

Sunday Praise & Inspiration

(Proverbs 18:21)

Neo Soul Saturday

Today we're spotlighting New Soul sensation, R&B singer and songwriter; Teedra Moses.
Teedra was born and raised in New Orleans and later moved to Los Angeles, California with her mother, Shirley Moses, a gospel singer, after her parents’ divorce. Moses brought a little bit of that gospel flair to her own vocal style when she began singing professionally. The final song on her debut album, “I Think of You (Shirley’s Song)”, is dedicated to her late mother.


She released her debut album, Complex Simplicity (executive produced by herself and partner Pauli Pol), on TVT Records on August 10, 2004 in the U.S. The album peaked at #158 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and reached the top ten of the Top Independent Albums chart.

Since then Teedra has gone on to write songs for artists such as Nivea, Christina Milian and Mary J blige she was also featured on two songs from Raphael Saadiq’s Ray Ray album and has had her songs showcased on Noah’s Arc a LOGO network television series.
 *bio courtesy of  last.fm*

Do You Know Your Babysitter?

I sympathize with those of you who have to find a babysitter in today's world.
If I had small children, I would make them wear a wire, install hidden cameras and invest in any other device I could get my hands on.
That may sound crazy, but you have to take those kind of measures or else your child and babysitter may end up like this:



I have no words!

Can The HBCU Network Be Successful?

Check out the picture of MY band, The Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets (Fall' 89)

AS-AS-AS-AS-U!!!
I'm SO ready for the fall and all the festivities that come with Black College Football games.
That's why I got super-duper excited (Yes, I said SUPER-DUPER), when I read that a former BET exec was launching the HBCU network.
That meant I could see the bands, the stepshows, the activities on the yard and all the other hidden elements of an HBCU.
This is something that would greatly benefit our people and serve as a recruiting tool for HBCUs at a time when they desperately need it.
But my excitement was quickly shattered by a dose of harsh reality.
As in televison reality.
As in- Reality Show reality.
Although I think this network would have some success, especially during the fall;
You and I both know that people won't support it unless it has some drama.
I'm not talking about a dramatic series type of drama.
I'm talking about
"Throwing water in your ex-wife face, women fighting each other and calling each other bit*hes after sleeping with somebody's man and talking about each other behind their backs drama.

You guys know just as well as I do, that we as a people would rather watch that stuff instead of something educational and informative.
You disagree?
Ok, let me ask you this:
You have a choice to watch the reunion show of "Basketball Wives" or the premiere night of the HBCU Network.
Which one would you watch?
Case closed!
I think the idea of an HBCU Network is brilliant. But unfortunately, if it doesn't have some kind of foolishness on it, it won't be successful.

*Just calling it like I see it*