Lane Makers Documentary: 12 February 2012

Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American recording artist, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, the Guinness World Records cited her as the most-awarded female act of all time. Her awards include two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards as of 2010. Houston was also one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos worldwide. Inspired by prominent soul singers in her family, including her mother Cissy Houston, cousins Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, and her godmother Aretha Franklin, Houston began singing with her New Jersey church's junior gospel choir at age 11. After she began performing alongside her mother in nightclubs in the New York City area, she was discovered by Arista Records label head Clive Davis. Houston released seven studio albums and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification.

In the current state of Hip Hop the name and brand has been filtered into many different directions and markets even though it never truly represents the foundation it was built on. Whether it is reality TV shows like "Love & Hip Hop" or the Ultra Hip Pop Movement/Media Outlets that claim to play "Hip Hop". Meanwhile when a Hip Hop legend like Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson started the Street King movement to help feed over 1 million starving children in Africa, it receives minimal coverage. 50 has been known to the mainstream for his gangster image and rap beefs over the years so maybe that is why no one really wants to shed light on his efforts. Lets be clear, this is what Hip Hop is truly about! Relaying a message in rhymes and stories to express struggle and letting fans take that journey with you. Hip Hop has matured immensely within the last 5-10 years. Shows like Run's House, Snoop Dogg's Father Hood, TI's The Family Hustle and most recently Jay-Z's fatherhood have been proof of that. 50 has continued that maturity in another dimension and has used his power, money and celebrity for a cause that should have been done by Hip Hop artists a long time ago. Salute to 50, truly a king for this!

- #HMIC (@TheOtherJayMYOL)