Hip Hop: American Rapstar - Big K.R.I.T. (March 13th-19th)

"An A&R once told me “you can determine the worth of a song within 15 seconds of it playing” With complete nutter lack of the fact that it takes takes all 3 minutes and 40 seconds of a song to comprehend what I’m sayin’, It aint a single if it don’t fly, It aint a hit if it don’t ride, Now he couldn’t tell me the components of a smash but the ringtones were at their alltime high And a rappers only as big as his chain, the flashier the better"

"And understand the difference between a n-gga and the King that I am/Gotta keep ya finger on the trigger/Pac died, Biggie died, they aint found a killer/Momma say she worried ’cause I rap about the Government/And how the Church caked up while other people out there struggling (its real though)/I just call it how it is foe/I’m breathing for a reason, what you here for?"

#MsLMstatus: International Women’s Day Marks 100 Years! + #MsLMstatus Definition (March 6th-12th)

A decade ago International Women’s Day was disappearing. Activity in Europe, where International Women’s Day actually began, was very low. Providing a global online platform helped sustain and accelerate momentum for this important day. Holding only a handful of events ten years ago, the United Kingdom has now become the global leader for International Women’s Day activity, followed sharply by Canada, United States and Australia. 2011 will see thousands of events globally for the first time. Suffragettes campaigned for women’s right to vote. The word ‘Suffragette’ is derived from the word “suffrage” meaning the right to vote. International Women’s Day honours the work of the Suffragettes, celebrates women’s success, and reminds of inequities still to be redressed. The first International Women’s Day event was run in 1911. 2011 is the Global Centenary Year. Make everyday International Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding!

In the 100th year of Internationals Women's Day I want to give a clear definition of what #MsLMstatus means. #MsLMstatus is hashtag that I use on Twitter (@makeyourownlane) to show love and appreciation for all the motivated, educated and beautiful women in the world, inside and out (more importantly inside). There is no clear definition for #MsLMstatus but I created this hashtag off the brand that I've created Lane Makers Entertainment. The motivation comes from all the beautiful women that have influenced my life starting with my mother. She is a wife, mother, sister, daughter, career woman and so much more but I always want to celebrate her and woman like her. There is nothing wrong with celebrating and encouraging women because they are the ones who support us when no one else will. The #MsLMstatus distinction is made not to seperate women Lane Makers from men but to show special appreciation to the women that take care of their families, make their own lanes and advance humanity! #MYOL ladies!

#MYOL News: Bill Clinton Teams Up With Drake For New Fundraiser (March 6th-12th)

Funds raised during the evening will benefit The Clinton Foundation’s Millennium Network, which encourages young students and activists under the age of 45 to get involved with the work of The Clinton Foundation, to address global challenges like climate change, childhood obesity and economic development at home and abroad. President Clinton will open the fundraiser with opening remarks, Drake will close the event out with a performance. Does this mean we will see a more politically active side from Drake? With his mixed background and feel good lifestyle, Drake could be a major advocate for the Democrats and President Obama in 2012 presidential elections. Either way Drake continues to make his own lane and history as he only has one album out and is killing the game! Drizzy #MYOL!

Hip Hop History: RIP Christopher "B.I.G." Wallace & Shaq ESPN Tribute To B.I.G. (March 6th-12th)

There will never be a better lyricist, MC, entertainer and artist than Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace ever again. These days new artists ae hitting the scene and the spotlight at 25 and with all of B.I.G.’s accomplishments he didn’t live to see past 25 years old. To remind you this is the time where 2Pac, Wu-Tang, Nas and many other icon figures in the rap game were dropping albums and Hip Hop classics that Biggie was the king of the rap game. All those artists that I mentioned were threatened by Biggie, his music, movement, etc. almost 15 years later and its like B.I.G. continues to live on as the music he made in his early 20s is still better than EVERYBODY who is putting out NEW music now. Truly the “Greatest Rapper of All-Time”! RIP B.I.G. you were an example of dreams coming trueand your influence over Hip Hop and more importantly the ghetto will never be forgotten!  

Hip Hop History: Eminem, 1st Rapper w/ 2 Diamond Albums - "Marshall Mathers LP" and "The Eminem Show" (March 6th-12th)

With two top-ten and four top fifteen singles with "Without Me", "Cleanin' Out My Closet", "Sing For The Moment" and "Superman" this album is a classic. There are only 5 other studio albums that have also gone diamond and Eminem is the only rapper ever to have two diamond albums! The other albums are PAC “All Eyez On Me”, BIG “Life After Death”, EMINEM “The Marshall Mathers LP”, OUTKAST “Speakerboxx/The Love Below, AND MC HAMMER “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em”! Wow MC Hammer, that’s hilarious! Now Eminem’s “The Eminem Show” is also on that list, Eminem makes Hip Hop History almost ever week! He is officially back and on top of the game again! Just keep killing shit with those 16’s Em, Midwest stand up!

Hip Hop: Prodigy of Mobb Deep Released From Prison After 3 Years! (March 6th-12th)

The self-proclaimed H.N.I.C. and Mobb Deep legend Prodigy was released from prison after being locked up for 3 years. Prodigy and Havoc are classic for their street bangers and its been a while since there has been one out of NYC. Hopefully, P and Alchmist are cooking up something crazy, maybe HNIC 2? I hope so because I’m a big fan of the H.N.I.C. album. Either way, welcome home Prodigy and I hope you can come out, make good music and realize that a lot of kids look up to you so do the right thing for them! Thats from the #HMIC, yall will learn more about what I mean as time goes on! #MYOL

Hip Hop: Time Machine - Big K.R.I.T. (March 6th-12th)

Hip Hop: XXL 2011 Freshmen Freestyles - Mac Miller (March 6th-12th))

Hip Hop: XXL 2011 Freshmen Freestyles - Fred The Godson (March 6th-12th))

Hip Hop: XXL 2011 Freshmen Freestyles - YG (March 6th-12th))

NBA: Lakers Kobe Bryant passes Moses Malone; 6th NBA’s All-Time Scoring List! Shaq Next! (March 6th-12th)

Moses Malone is a big man that is mentioned in the same breath as some of the most of the great power forwards of all-time like Tim Duncan, Kevin Michael, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley and more but he can make an argument that he is extremely close. In the last two days, 2 of Malone’s all-time records were broken in the week of March 6^th-12^th. First Malone’s leading consecutive double-double all-time record was broken by new superstar Kevin Love and the next day Kobe Bryant passes him for 5^th all-time on the NBA’s scoring list. Kobe Bryant has been playing in the NBA since he was 19 years old and although many compare Kobe to Jordan because of the similarities in his game, their paths to the NBA couldn’t be anymore opposite. Kobe is the greatest success story from the high school to NBA draft era. With those valuable years of experience and his great skills Kobe has used that time in the NBA to become a playing legend and it is truly amazing to watch as a real basketball fan, former basketball player and basketball junkie!

NBA: Kevin Love Becomes Consecutive Double-Double All-Time Leader w/ 52 (March 6th-12th)

It's been 35 years! I’ll say it again, Kevin Love isn’t your typical NBA All-Star physically or when it comes to how the prototypical NBA basketball player looks today. Let get onw thing straight though and that is that this kid can play basketball. On Tuesday, March 15, 2011 Kevin Lobe became the all-time consecutive double-double leader in NBA history. He beat out the great Moses Malone who held the record at 51 consecutive double-doubles. This a record and accomplishment that will not be broken for a while as it takes a great amount of skill to be able to rebound as such a high rate as well as a great amount of effort to sacrifice your body every night the way Love does. Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum and others have the physical make-up to break the record but their skill and basketball IQ doesn’t compare to one of the games newest power forward Kevin Love! Congratulations to Love on breaking the record and I hope he sets and breaks more throughout his career.

#MsLMstatus: 10 Year Old Willow Smith Wins NAACP Image Award! (February 27th - March 5th)

NAACP Image Award Winners

Television

Outstanding Comedy Series: “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”


Actor in Comedy Series: David Mann-”Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns” 


Actress in Comedy Series: Vanessa Williams “Desperate Housewives” 


Television Movie, Miniseries, or Dramatic Special: “Sin of the Mother”


Actress in a Television Movie, Miniseries, or Dramatic Special: Jill Scott- “Sins of the Mother”


Actor in a Television Movie, Miniseries, or Dramatic Special: Idris Elba-”Luther”


Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Ice Cube “Are We There Yet?”


Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Sofia Vergara “Modern Family”


Drama Series: Grey’s Anatomy


Actor in Drama Series: LL Cool J “NCIS: Los Angeles”


Actress in Drama Series: Regina King “Southland”


Supporting Actor in Drama Series: Terrence Howard “Law & Order: Los Angeles”


Supporting Actress in Drama Series: S. Epatha Merkerson “Law & Order”


Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series: Rodney Saulsberry “The Bold & the Beautiful”


Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series: Tatyana Ali “The Young and the Restless”


Outstanding News/Information Series or Special: Unsung


Outstanding Talk Series: The View


Outstanding Reality Series: Sunday Best


Outstanding Variety Series or Special: UNCF An Evening of Stars Tribute to Lionel Richie


Outstanding Children’s Program: True Jackson, VP


Perfomance in a Youth/Children Program: Keke Palmer “True Jackson, VP”

Music Recording


Outstanding New Artisit: Willow Smith


Outstanding Male Artist: Usher


Outstanding Female Artist: Mary J. Blige


Best Song: “Bittersweet”-Fantasia


Best Album: “Wake Up!”-John Legend and The Roots”

Film & Literature

Literature 
Literary Work-Fiction: “Getting Happy”-Terry McMillan


Literary Work-Non-Fiction: “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindenss”-Michelle Alexander

Motion Picture
Outstanding Motion Picture: “For Colored Girls”


Actor in Motion Picture: Denzel Washington-”The Book of Eli”


Actress in Motion Picture: Halle Berry-”Frankie & Alice”


Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Samuel L. Jackson “Mother and Child”


Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Kimberly Elise “For Colored Girls”


Outstanding Independent Motion Picture: “Frankie & Alice”


Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture: “Biutiful”


Outstanding Documentary: “For Love of Liberty: The Story of America”

Documentary: William Kunstler “Disturbing the Universe”

Writing: Aaron McGruder-”The Boondocks”

Directing: Kevin Rodney Sullivan-”Modern Family”

#MYOL News: Professor Swizz To Help Students Pay Off Loans! (February 27th - March 5th)

Swizz checks in every few weeks to advise some students of NYU’s Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music. He listens to their beats, offers some insight, and assists them on making money off their craft. “The first couple are free, and then you start charging,” Swizz explains to one of his students in the New York interview. He even gives them homework that reflects real life practices – registering with BMI/ASCAP, making beat CDs, and getting airplay in public. The gems he is offering go above and beyond textbook learning. Joining the ranks of Hip-Hop artists like 9th Wonder, De La Soul, and Bun B, Swizz Beatz is another example of a successful Hip-Hop artist entering the classroom to educate the youth on the past, present, and future of the culture. For Swizz, this opportunity arrived after he gave a speech at NYU last year that blew away the faculty. So much, that he was offered a job. Now he feels it’s time to pay it forward. If Swizz Beatz’ students can become paid musicians while attending school, they won’t leave with any post-collegiate financial burden. “I have a whole new plan, knowing the scope of what I’m dealing with,” he tells New York Magazine, “where I can have these kids do music and pay off their student loans at the same time.” This plan for the students is near completion and is far more sophisticated than the plan Swizz set out for himself at 17. That plan? A rough sketch of Swizz in a DJ booth with a compass next to him, meaning he could navigate anywhere beyond where he was if he tried.



Written by Kathy Iandoli

#MYOL News: Jay-Z Talks Evolution Of His Style Over Past 20 Years (February 27th - March 5th)

#MYOL News: LeBron James Donates 1,000 Computers To Boys & Girls Clubs Nationwide (February 27th - March 5th)

The side door to the newly refurbished gym opened, a blast of sunlight splashed into the darkened corner, and 100 children began shrieking in unison. LeBron James was thrilled.  ”It never gets old,” James said. That was the reception Wednesday when the LeBron James Family Foundation and Hewlett-Packard began rolling out what will soon be 1,000 new computers to 59 different Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. At the Miami club, the roof is getting replaced and workspaces for kids are being spruced up with furniture from the HomeCourt line that James designs with girlfriend Savannah Brinson.

It’s all part of the commitment James made last summer, when his hourlong “The Decision” special on July 8, 2010 — in which he said he was joining the Miami Heat — raised more than $3 million for charity. “I know a lot comes with being a professional athlete,” James said in an interview with The Associated Press. “That’s also being a role model to a lot of kids that look up to me. This automatically comes with it. And I have nothing but time for kids. I could easily be at home and just relaxing. … But the opportunity to be here and giving back to these kids, I’m happy to do it.” James mingled with the kids for a while after a short ceremony, checking out the new computers — loaded with many of the newest bells and whistles — and posing for photos. One girl won a contest to have her bedroom redesigned by James and Brinson, and outside, people waited with their cell-phone cameras poised in hopes of catching a brief glimpse of the NBA’s two-time MVP. At one of the busiest stages of the NBA season, James said he welcomed the idea of taking an afternoon away from basketball. “Kids are a huge passion of mine,” James said. “I always said when I was growing up, ‘If I ever have an opportunity, if I ever got big enough, whatever the case may be, I will always try to give back as much as possible.’” - AP

#MsLMstatus: Serena Williams Hospitalized (February 27th-March 5th)

Just days after removing a cast from her foot, the tennis star’s health took a scary turn….It is reported that Serena went emergency surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. after suffering a blood clot in her lungs. A rep from Serena’s camp told People Mag that, “doctors are continuing to monitor her situation closely.” I pray that Serena is okay and gets better soon! Serena is also a human rights activist and philanthropist in numerous different communities as she gives back to children that are less fortunate. Fans know and love her for the amazing tennis star she is but it is her heart that makes her any even better person! Not to mention she is FINE! #MsLMstatus!

2011 Oscar Award Winners

Best Picture: 
The King’s Speech

Director: 
Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)

Best Actor
: Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)

Best Actress: 
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)

Best Supporting Actor: 
Christian Bale (The Fighter)

Best Supporting Actress
: Melissa Leo (The Fighter)

Adapted Screenplay: 
Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network)

This year I vowed that I wanted to get more into entertainment, more specifically acting for TV/Film. I realize that its really going to be a full dedication to that part of the entertainment business as do not have a history in performance arts or writing/producing. This years Oscar awards made me realize that I really need to start watching more movies, studying my craft and investing more time in to being resourceful in this part of the business. I promise that next year I will have an in-depth analysis of the year in film and television! #MYOL

Hip Hop: XXL 2011 Freshmen Freestyles - Diggy Simmons (February 27th-March 5th)

Hip Hop: XXL 2011 Freshmen Freestyles - Yelawolf (February 27th-March 5th)

Hip Hop: XXL 2011 Freshmen Freestyles - Kendrick Lamar (February 27th-March 5th)

Hip Hop: 6 Foot 7 Foot - Lil Wayne ft Cory Gunz (February 27th-March 5th)

NBA: Kobe Bryant Passes Elvin Hayes For 7th Place on NBA’s All-Time Scoring List (February 27th-March 5th)

NBA: Heat Lose 24pt Lead, Lack of "Decision" (February 27th-March 5th)

It looks like “The Decision” is no longer being looked at as an exclusive interview where Lebron James lets the world know where he will be “taking his talents”. Now “The Decision” or decision(s) that can’t be made doen the stretch of a game. Lebron isn’t the only one not making great decisions as Wade and Bosh aren’t playing any better down the strectch. This year Lebron is 1 for 7, Wade is 0 for 6 and Bosh is 0 for 1 on end of he game field goal attempts. “The Decision” at the end of each game should be constructed by the coach of the team Eric Spoelstra who seems to have know idea what he is doing up to this point. Its not like the Miami Heat and Spoesltra didn’t know they were going to get or could possibly get Lebron to Miami. So I would think the question of concern would have been, who do we give the ball to for a bucket I the end of game situations. That question is one that doesn’t need to be asked if you are up 24 points in the second half. There is more than just a problem with the Heat knowing who their main man is down the stretch, there are personnel issues. Yes you have three of the best players in the league but this is a 5 man game. Ilgauskus or Dampier isn’t really ideal at the center position and neither is Chalmers or Bibby at the point guard position. Leadership is the most important component missing in the Heat locker room. Everyone knows the “Big 3” are the leaders but they can’t all be the number one leader. Miami as an organization needs to decide who their franchise player and leader is. Either Lebron or Wade is going to have to play sidekick. This is what they asked for, now lets see if the Heat can figure these “Decisions” out.

NBA: 1st NBA regular-season game played in Europe; Nets beat Raptors 116-103 in London (February 27th-March 5th)

Last week the NBA made history by having London host its first regular season game over seas. The NBA has advocated that they are looking to expand overseas, even having talks about possibly starting franchises over seas. Although I think it will be a long time before that happens, check out some history by clicking play on that video!