#MsLMstatus: Alicia Keys To Direct A Movie On Lifetime Network (March 27th-April 2nd)

Alicia Keys is about to add to her resume by getting behind the camera for the Lifetime network. The R&B songstress has signed-on as one of four directors in a new omnibus film about breast cancer. Entitled ‘Project Five,’ it will also feature segments helmed by Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and ‘Monster’ director Patty Jenkins.

According to the network, the short films will each present a different comedic or dramatic story surrounding breast cancer. All sections will then be mixed together for a final movie that has at least one interconnected story arc. One more director will be announced during filming to make five total segments directed by major female artists and celebrities.

“I’m a big fan of this amazing group of powerful and creative women,” said Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager at Lifetime. “It’s an awesome feeling to be able to give them such a strong platform to do what they do best — entertain and tell great stories — so that we educate viewers about breast cancer through these films of courage, love and hope.”

The film’s script is also a group effort. Writers so far include Stephen Godchaux (‘Dead Like Me’), Jill Gordon (‘My So-Called Life’), Howard Morris, Deirdre O’Connor and Wendy West (‘Dexter’). As filming has yet to take place, there is no set date for the effort to hit TV screens, but many are anticipating a release for October’s breast cancer awareness month in 2012.

-The Boombox

#MsLMstatus: Shakira Helps Rebuild School In Haiti (March 27th-April 2nd)

Shakira’s Pies Descalzos Foundation, along with the Interamerican Development Bank, will help in rebuilding one of Haiti’s historic public schools, The Elie Dubois school, by contributing $800,000 for reconstruction and new supplies. After the school was destroyed in last year’s earthquake, the Haiti government was in desperate need for financial assistance to rebuild the public school. Both Shakira and the IDB believe that reconstructing the school will help transform Haiti’s entire educational system. “I am convinced that the only thing that will change the fate of Latin America and the Caribbean will be governments placing themselves at the center of the investment towards a quality education for all boys and girls, from birth and thereon in,” said Shakira.

#MsLMstatus: Samantha Brea & Boston School Students Demand To Be Taught Sex Education! (March 27th-April 2nd)

#MYOL News: UCONN Wins 14 Straight; Big East Champs & National Champions! (March 27th-April 2nd)

The run the the UConn Huskies have made this post-season is the greatest run in NCAA basketball history. Coming into the 2011 Big East Championships, UConn was ranked 9th in the conference and had to do what was almost impossible to win the Big East Championship which was win 5 games in 5 days. No problem, the Huskies geared up and got it done behind their leader and Big East Championships MVP Kemba Walker! The Huskies carried that momentum into the NCAA Championships and won 4 games in a row putting them in the National Championship game. As I write this blog there is 5:49 in the game, Oriahki just got an And 1 dunk and UConn is up 44-30. To many people it may be a shock that UConn is in the national championship game and even though I did not predict that they would win the Big East Championship as a #9 seed and possibly a National Championship, I'm not surprised. 

The first reason is because of the heart of their leader Kemba Walker who has been the best player in college basketball all year next to Jimmer Fredette. Secondly, is the 3 Massachusetts ballers (Oriahki, Napier and Coombs) along w/ the freshman phenom and next great UConn SF, Jeremy Lamb.

Alex Oriahki

I've see Alex play since he was in 4th grade as he played with my little brother and we are from Lowell, MA. The same passion and intensity that he plays with today on national TV and in this National Championship game is the same since he was a little kid. It was just way more out of control as he use to get heated whenever fouls were called on him (I got video footage). Alex has always been a great kid, humble and he deserves everything he has coming to him in the future. He controlled the paint with blocks, rebounds and garbage buckets tonight. He has done the little things for UConn all season and it has become the most important factor in UConn's victory tonight.

Shabazz Napier

I'va also seen Shabazz since he was young as he use to always been on the sidelines dribbling with his little afro and glasses back in the day while us other guys use to play when I'd go ball in the Bean. Everyone always new that Shabazz would be the next great point from Boston and Mission Hill after Will Blalock (Iowa State, Detroit Pistons, NBDL and currently Greece). This year he has come in as a freshman and allowed Kemba to move to the SG position at times and ran the squad. Big shoutout to Shabazz who is also a humble kid, its well deserved.

Jamaal Coombs

Yeah, I've seen Jamaal play since young too! He also played with my brother on AAU teams. Even though he was not as big of a part in tonight's win he played well during the season and had a couple big games. Next year he will be playing a bigger role on the route to trying to repeat as National Champions! One place that I absolutely know Jamaal has really helped the team is in the locker room as he also a great kid and a comedian.

Congratulations to UConn, especially Kemba and the 3 boys from MA$$ and a big shout out to their families who have been their to support them through years and years of basketball. I've never seen Shabazz, Jamaal or Alex's mothers miss a game and I know they're in Houston wildin' out right now. This past year was extremely difficult as basketball has been my life since I was young but to see these guys win a Division 1 National Championship definitely makes it easier and gives me motivation to make this lane in my new focus, music and entertainment! Congrats again and Alex that "Harlem Shake" had me rolling, Bazz got his own dance and Mal you definitely need to come up with one! But seriously enjoy this time fellas and don't settle, work hard to get better and win it again next year!

MA$$ Ballers and #BABC Alumni!!!

#MYOL News: Division 3 5'10" White Kid Wins NCAA Slam Dunk Contest (March 27th-April 2nd)

#MYOL News: Rocksmith x New York Flagship Store Grand Opening (March 27th-April 2nd)

Rocksmith Tokyo is Japanese street couture blended with New York City swagger. The ultimate Mixtape of classic and futuristic cuts, fabrics, music styles and attitudes. After the birth of the brand in 2002 on the Tokyo club circuit, The Life Entertainment partnered up with NYC based Kilo International to take the goods worldwide. Today you can find Rocksmith at select retailers around the globe. 

First and foremost I want to give a shout out to the big homie Joshua Johnson (@hiphopbook), Director of Marketing for Rocksmith Tokyo in NYC who extended an invite to the event. Unfortunately, I couldn't not make it to NYC on Friday but I'm sure the even was a success. As a fashion line, Rocksmith is the hottest new brand on the Hip Hop scene. With endorsement and promotion from new artists like Wiz Khalifa, Big K.R.I.T., Mac Miller, Cyhi The Prynce and others, Rocksmith is truly the clothing line that is representative of this new era in Hip Hop. Not only are the clothes hot but the marketing and strategic execution of the brand is truly genius. 

Happy Birthday and Rest In Peace Marvin Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984)

Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a four-octave vocal range. Starting as a member of the doo-wop group The Moonglows in the late fifties, he ventured into a solo career after the group disbanded in 1960 signing with the Tamla Records subsidiary of Motown Records. After starting off as a session drummer, Gaye ranked as the label's top-selling solo artist during the sixties. Because of solo hits such as "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)", "Ain't That Peculiar", "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and his duet singles with singers such as Mary Wells and Tammi Terrell, he was crowned "The Prince of Motown" and "The Prince of Soul". His work in the early and mid-1970s, including the albums What's Going On, Let's Get It On, and I Want You, helped influencing thequiet storm, urban adult contemporary, and slow jam genres. After a self-imposed European exile in the early eighties, Gaye returned on the 1982 Grammy-Award winning hit, "Sexual Healing" and the Midnight Love album before his death. Gaye was shot dead by his father on April 1, 1984. He was posthumously inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2008, the American music magazine Rolling Stone ranked Gaye at number 6 on its list of The Greatest Singers of All Time, and ranked at number 18 on 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

New Book "Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention” Author & Historian Manning Marable Dies At 60 (March 27th-April 2nd)

Manning Marable, an influential historian whose forthcoming Malcolm X biography could revise perceptions of the slain civil rights leader, died Friday, just days before the book described as his life’s work was to be released. He was 60.

His wife, Leith Mullings, said Marable died from complications of pneumonia at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. She said he had suffered for 24 years from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease, and had undergone a double lung transplant in July.

“I think his legacy is that he was both a scholar and an activist,” she said. “He believed that history could be used to inform the present and the future.”

She said Marable’s latest book, “Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention,” will be released Monday.

Two decades in the making, the nearly 600-page biography is described as a re-evaluation of Malcolm X’s life, bringing fresh insight to subjects including his autobiography, which is still assigned in many college courses, to his assassination at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan on Feb. 21, 1965.

The book is based on exhaustive research, including thousands of pages of FBI files and records from the Central Intelligence Agency and State Department. Marable also conducted interviews with the slain civil rights leader’s confidants and security team, as well as witnesses to his assassination.

Blair Kelley, a history professor at North Carolina State University, called Marable’s death a “devastating” loss for black historians.

“I can’t believe he died before the book came out. He really deserved the opportunity to be celebrated for his groundbreaking scholarship,” Kelley wrote on Twitter. “He touched so many of us as an activist, scholar, historian, political scientist, publisher, mentor. Truly a great man.”

Benjamin Todd Jealous, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said in a statement that Marable’s “contributions to the struggle for freedom of African Americans will never be forgotten.”

“Dr. Marable brought one of the keenest intellects of our age to the contemporary conversation on race in America,” he said.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, on May 13, 1950, Marable wrote in his book, “Speaking Truth to Power,” that he was born into the era that witnessed the emergence of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as nonviolent movements in the South struggling to break the back of white supremacy.

But he was the child of middle-class black Americans, he wrote, his father a teacher and businessman, his mother an educator and college professor.

He watched from afar as blacks in the South rebelled against segregation and racial inequality, and as a teenager found his emergent political voice writing columns for a neighborhood newspaper.

-ABC News

Hip Hop History: “Everything Must Go” Starring Will Ferrell & Biggie’s Son (March 27th-April 2nd)

Hip Hop History: Rest In Peace DJ Megatron (March 27th-April 2nd)

Hip Hop #MYOL EXCLUSIVE: ENORMOUS -P&V (March 27th-April 2nd)

"This one's for my Beasts all around the world/#Swankin' hard, feeling like you look/my get money bottle to the face n*****/success for my no need to hate n*****"

"If you can't dig it, then it aint for you/pardon the #Swank,

this is what we do/I'm blowing up like you thought I would/I'm blowing up like you though I would"

"Pockets heavy and they deep, so we do it big/ENORMOUS, BIG/ENORMOUS, BIG/ENORMOUS, BIG/to Infinity and Beyond, #Swankin/to Infinity and Beyond, so we do it BIG, ENORMOUS"

"We Winning, Charlie Sheen/Mo' Money, Mo' Mo' Money, 

Haaaahhh/Join The Nation, I Love My Team"

"Shorty do it BIG, gigantor/stepping in them heels she leave the footprint of a dinosaur/Jurassic, #Swank mastered/we movin' mountains while these n***** movin' backwards"

  

Hip Hop CLASSIC MIXTAPE: #Returnof4eva - Big K.R.I.T. (March 27th-April 2nd)

Download "Returnof4eva" Mixtape Here...

#Pointgod Watch: Derrick Rose Another MVP Performance w/ 30 pts and 17 asts (March 27th-April 2nd)

I don't mean to take anything away from the teams that made the Final Four or National Champions in the last 3 years but this is just a reminder that Derrick Rose who's the lead MVP candidate would only be a senior in college in this 2010-11 season. Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette are great college players but they can't even compare to Derrick Rose. Not only when it comes to natural talent and ability to play the game but Rose just has that "it" factor that has allowed him to carry the former franchise of Michael Jordan to #1 for the first time since the greatest player of all-time retired. He has also beat out the recent 2-time league MVP Lebron James and dominates games offensively. Once Rose really becomes a seasoned veteran and learns to dominate on the defensive end as well he has the potential to become one of the greatest point guards of all-time. Next year would've been his true rookie year and putting up 30 points, 17 assists as well as getting W's is purely dominate.

NBA: Lamar Odom Reaches 12,000pts For His Career (March 27th-April 2nd)

#MsLMstatus: Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Rhianna & More To Help Raise Money For Japan Relief (March 20th-26th)

Music from the hottest artists around has been compiled into Songs for Japan, an all-star album created to raise money for earthquake relief efforts. Available today on iTunes, the 38-track digital disc includes Nicki Minaj’s “Save Me,” Eminem’s “Love the Way you Lie (ft. Rihanna),” Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” and Cee Lo Green’s “It’s Okay.” The download is $9.99; a physical double disc will be released next month. The charity album is a joint effort between Universal Music Group, Sony Entertainment Music, Warner Music Group and EMI Music.

More than 10,000 people have been declared dead, according to Japan’s National Police Agency. Proceeds from Songs for Japan will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society to assist survivors.

John Lennon, “Imagine (Remastered)”
U2, “Walk On”
Bob Dylan, “Shelter From the Storm”
Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Around the World (Live)”
Lady Gaga, “Born This Way (Starsmith Remix)
Beyonce, “Irreplaceable”
Bruno Mars, “Talking to the Moon (Acoustic Piano Version)”
Katy Perry, “Firework”
Rihanna, “Only Girl (In the World)”
Justin Timberlake, “Like I Love You”
Madonna, “Miles Away (Live)”
David Guetta, “When Love Takes Over (feat. Kelly Rowland)”
Eminem, “Love The Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)”
Bruce Springsteen, “Human Touch”
Josh Groban, “Awake (Live)”
Keith Urban, “Better Life”
The Black Eyed Peas, “One Tribe”
P!nk, “Sober”
Cee Lo Green, “It’s OK”
Lady Antebellum, “I Run to You”
Bon Jovi, “What Do You Got?”
Foo Fighters, “My Hero”
R.E.M., “Man On the Moon (Live)”
Nicki Minaj, “Save Me (Clean Version)”
Sade, “By Your Side”
Michael Buble, “Hold On (Radio Mix)”
Justin Bieber, “Pray (Acoustic)”
Adele, “Make You Feel My Love”
Enya, “If I Could Be Where You Are”
Elton John, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me”
John Mayer, “Waiting On the World to Change”
Queen, “Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)”
Kings of Leon, “Use Somebody”
Sting, Steven Mercurio & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, “Fragile (Live in Berlin)”
Leona Lewis, “Better In Time”
Ne-Yo, “One In a Million”
Shakira, “Whenever, Wherever”
Norah Jones, “Sunrise”

#MsLMstatus: Elizabeth Taylor Passes Away (March 20th-26th)

Liz Taylor, was an English-born American actress. She gained early fame as a child actress and was later recognized not only as a talented and award-winning film star, but also for her glamorous lifestyle and her extraordinary beauty, as most evident in her unusual and striking violet eyes. Her much publicized private life included eight marriages, several life-threatening illnesses, and decades spent as a social activist championing the cause of AIDS awareness, research and cure. A two-time winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress, Taylor is considered one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age. The American Film Institute named her seventh on its Female Legends list.

Elizabeth Taylor devoted consistent and generous humanitarian time, advocacy efforts, and funding to HIV and AIDS-related projects and charities. She also was one of the first celebrities and public personalities to do so at a time when few acknowledged the disease, organizing and hosting the first AIDS fundraiser in 1984, to benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles. With over 30 years of active participation she was involved in raising more than $100 million and expanding public awareness: to fight the pandemic disease; confront its discrimination; and to expand research, treatment access, education, and government funding.

#MYOL News: LeBron James Now Does Furniture For Kids!! Home Court By LeBron James!!! (March 20th-26th)

Home Court by Lebron James (Homepage), Click Here...

About 10 years ago I remember hearing many older people who use to watch the NBA in the 80's & 90's complain about how there is too much money in today's game and how commercialism has taken over basketball. At that time I was 14 and couldn't really comprehend what was being said and apply it to the things that I was seeing on TV. I was already part of the target market that was unconciously being affected by the commercials and indirect advertisements during the games. Now that I am older and have a much better understanding, I see that what was just the beginning of an issue back then is like a disease in today's game. Although it takes away from the game it also allows branding and marketing opportunities for today's athletes getting paid amounts of money that we have never seen before. So with the power of branding oneself it allows these athletes to become self-sufficient and make business decisions for their careers in a business environment rather than being just another pawn. I think there is a thin line though. I believe that many athletes today are worrying about branding themselves and getting endorsement deals as their priority over being the best player they can be. This year Lebron has released news about a cartoon coming out, his Nike "Rise" commercial where he addresses many nay-sayers and now children's furniture. The question is when does Lebron have all the time to do these things and is it taking away from his first priority, an NBA Championship?

#MYOL News: Chad Ochocinco Try Out For MLS Soccer Due To Lockout (March 20th-26th)

#MYOL News: MTV's When I Was 17-Wiz Khalifa & "Rolling Papers" (March 20th-26th)

Buy Wiz Kahlifa's Debut Album "Rollin Papers" Here...

Wiz Khalifa is not the first Hip Pop star ever and his road to riches is no different from the stories of many "overnight" success stories. He was underestimated for  long time as he was credited for his music by Rolling Stone in 2005 as an artist to watch. He wasn't performing for the Pittsburgh Steeler at the AFC championship back then, have Amber Rose on his arm or even have a major buzz of today even a year ago. Many people think that "overnight success" literally happens over night. For 5 years after that Rolling stone article Wiz was on the grind and in the meantime he really got a handle on his brand and started operating as a business. Music, clothing line and innovative ideas for future development. Over time Wiz's music got better and his brand stronger which made him gain many fans and people who weren't paying attention before to take a second look. If there is one thing I truly respect about Wiz is he did it his way. He has been very strategic behind the moves that he has made in the game so far. I do enjoy some of his music but for the most part I'm not an avid Wiz Khalifa fan. Whether or not you like Wiz's music you have to respect his hustle. Strategically, making a song for his hometown and indirectly the Pittsburgh Steelers, starting his own rolling papers company and turning down Drake's offer to go on tour were all brilliant marketing ideas that have helped get him to where he is today. To be honest I'm not usually an advocate for an artist like Wiz but I truly respect his strategy, marketing and when he wants to really get lyrical he has the ability to do that. Respect to Wiz, he made his own lane!

#MYOL News: #HappyBirthdayTwitter!! Twitter Turned 5 on March 21, 2011!!! (March 20th-26th)

5 years ago the Hip Hop game was "Going Down" with Young Joc and "Hustlin" with Rick Ross while Jay-Z dropped "Kingdom Come" and Nas claimed "Hip Hop Is Dead". In the NBA Dirk Nowitzki was MVP, Brandon Roy was the Rookie of the Year and the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Championship over Lebron James and uh Lebron James. So there's probably the worst year in Hip Hop as well as the NBA. Even with that year being corny, there was one little social network that was born that is a social media priority in viral marketing today. Twitter has grown into a self promotion priority for celebrities, brands and want to be's. I must admit that I was never into Twitter when it first came out and I didn't get an account until the summer of 2010. Big shoutout to Twitter, follow me @makeyourownlane and we'll see if Twitter can keep its popularity at the same level for 5 more years! Happy Birthday Twitter!

Hip Hop History: Guru Tribute Announced (March 20th-26th)

The family of rapper Keith “Guru” Elam has announced the details of a celebration of the Gangstarr founder’s life to mark the one-year anniversary of his death. On April 21st, Revive Music Group will mark their 5th anniversary as well during a celebration dubbed the Revive Da Live Big Band Tribute G.U.R.U. and the Jazzmatazz Legacy. The big band tribute to the rapper will be directed by pianist Marc Cary and trumpeter Igmar Thomas, while a variety of special guests will hit the stage during the live, musical production for Guru. Guru’s nephew Justin Elam-Ruff will debut The X Label G.U.R.U. clothing line, which like the event, will benefit a trust fund set up for Guru’s son, K.C. Elam. The Revive Da Live Big Band Tribute to G.U.R.U. takes place April 21st, 2011 at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City. Guru passed away from complications of cancer on April 19th, 2010 at the age of 48.

Although he spent majority of his rap career in New York City and his tribute is there I think it is very important that fans know that Guru was from Boston, MA. Roxbury is where Guru grew up and began rapping. This is a fact that is constantly overlooked both by the industry and even the upcoming artists in Boston and Massachusetts fail to recognize. Guru's "monotone style" and deep lyrics mad e many pay attention to his rhymes and learn from the stories he told on different knowledgeable subjects like "Discipline" or "Take A Look At Yourself". Guru was not only a great rapper/MC but he was also a great artist who created a groundbreaking sound and new era fro Hip Hop with his "Jazzmatazz". He was a smart, educated man who used his talents to chase his dream of being heard by millions of people. Love and respect has to be shown by Hip Hop and his hometown for reaching his goals. Above are interviews I did with Big Shug, Guru's Gangstarr Foundation affiliate and Krumbsnatcha a couple days after he had passed away. RIP Guru and MA$$ will carry on your name and contributions to the game.

Hip Hop: XXL Freshmen Concert 2011 (Video) (March 20th-26th)

Hip Hop: Dreamin-Big K.R.I.T. (Video) (March 20th-26th)

NBA: Derrick Rose Donates $1,000 To Japan For Every Point He Scores! (March 20th-26th)

Derrick Rose has led his team to a performance few could have predicted this season. His Chicago Bulls are in first place by a game in the Eastern Conference, and he’s played himself into serious contention for the league’s MVP award. He’s also taking the lead in one of the league’s charitable efforts: for Friday night’s match-up with the Memphis Grizzlies, the superstar will donate $1,000 for every point he scores to Direct Relief International, a group that helps provide medical care for those affected by the disaster in Japan. Rose, who averages 24.9 points per game, isn’t the only NBA star getting in on the charity action: the Lakers’ Pau Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge of the Trail Blazers, Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City, and many other big-time scorers have also agreed to chip in $1,000 per point, according to a Chicago Tribune report. Fans interested in joining their favorite stars in the Japan relief efforts can text “Give10” to 20222 to give $10 to Japan, or can donate directly to the Japan Relief and Recovery Fund at www.directrelief.org/Japanrelief.

NBA: Lakers Beat Suns In Triple OT! Kobe Bryant Season High 42 pts, 12 reb, 9 ast (March 20th-26th)

Many people were doubting Kobe Bryant's health this season and some even doubted whether he had the same drive he's had in the past. I can understand questioning his health but to question whether Kobe is going to give it everything he has is where many doubters went wrong. This season Kobe has really shown that he is a seasoned veteran. Since entering the league it was no secret that Kobe's goal was to try and be better than his idol Michael Jordan, hence getting his number change to 24. On his chase to his 7th NBA Finals appearance and 6th NBA final which would match MJ, Kobe is showing that he has no plans on falling short on his pursuit of his 6th championship. The Lakers have only lost one game since the All-Star break where Kobe won MVP and most recently he was one assist shy of a triple double. The Black Mamba dropped 42pts, 12 rebounds and 9 assists in a triple overtime thriller vs. the Pheonix Suns.

NBA: Blake Griffin 1st Triple-Double In 2OT Win vs. Wizards (March 20th-26th)

With all the highlights and all-star numbers from Blake Griffin many people may have thought that a triple-double was something that he had already done this season. Even though Blake is known for his ridiculous athleticism anyone who watches a whole Clipper game can tell that Griffin is much more than just athleticism. He has a quickness, touch and feel for the game that is very rare amongst someone of his size. Even in his first full year of an NBA season Griffin has shown consistent growth in his game and that is clearly evident as he recorded his 1st ever triple-double in double overtime vs. John Wall's Wizards. “It means a lot, but the best part about it was getting the win,” Griffin said after finishing with 33 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in a career-high 51 1/2 minutes.“It’s always great to keep your teammates involved and keep them going, but you also have to give credit to these guys for hitting shots. It was pretty draining. We just needed to tough it out.”