Gotham Ville, Illinois.

View Gotham, Illinois in a larger map This is my final news item for my Intro to Interactive Media class. This Blog entry is about 3 major items that have been highlighted on my map. One is about a Man that was critically wounded in a Humboldt Park shooting. Maybe I should express more about the matter, but its pretty much open and shut. The second story is about how Cook County Board President put Mayor Rahm Emmanuel on blast about how he and the Police Chief are handling the shootings in the city. And last and certainly the LEAST; the 3rd story is about local Chicago embarrassment entertainer "Chief Keef", and how he had an interview filmed of him at a gun range....Can you say Duhh?? You're on probation DUMMY!!

@JoeBlacula Presents - Sylva Maria @SylvaMaria8

Sylva Maria

Click here to download Crash Landing

“Crash Landing” is brought to you from the uniquely chameleon styled mind of Chicago Artist Sylva-Maria.  Also known as Star, Rasta Child Morning, and The Lioness, Sylva-Maria uses Crash Landing as a bridge to a new era is Music.  Labeled by Sylva-Maria as ’Rhythm & Rhyme,’ her manner of sonic projection leaves nothing to be wanted no matter what genre of urban music you prefer.  

https://sylvamaria.com/

When ‘Star’ emerges, you are hit with bars from a talented lyricist.  Tracks like ‘Promise’ and ‘Note to Self’ from Crash Landing deliver classic Hip Hop with metaphoric bars stimulating any listener.  ‘Real Fire Spitters’ featuring Kadar is meant to guarantee her position as someone who knows how to lay down bars. 

Always incorporating melody into every thread of her music, ’Sylva-Maria’ is the songstress that adds the R&B element to every song.  Her sound and her voice is not your normal take on R&B.  There is a rough passion that hollows out her soul when she turns her words into melodic representations of her thoughts.  

http://www.gowherehiphop.com/node/21423

What is masterfully evident when ‘Rasta Child Morning’ settles in on the Mic’, is Sylva-Maria’s Jamaican heritage.  With her father being born and raised in Jamaica, and her American mother having a genuine passion for the culture, Reggae is a big part of Crash Landing.  Tracks like ‘Keys To The City’ and ‘Trippin’ infuse Jamaican Patios with common Hip Hop, giving it a blended sound of her two cultures.  Using her father, Reggae Artist Michael Black on the hook for the track ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ gives a trail to her lineage.  ’Too Experienced’ is laid over an energetic island style rhythm, bringing together the singer Sylva-Maria, with the rapper Star, providing an exact mesh of what Sylva-Maria is all about.  

https://sylvamaria.com/

When needed, Sylva-Maria draws even more energy into her music by featuring members from her Crew, “The Knights of The Mic.”  Being diverse in sound is a consistent theme in any Sylva-Maria project, and her Crew only adds more to that sound.

https://sylvamaria.com/

As a single Chicago girl with no children, Music is Life for Sylva-Maria. Crash Landing has the soul purpose of exposing the world to intelligent, heart-felt music with a meaning.  Sylva-Maria’s views on Religion, Love, and Life are represented equally in her music to not only educate people on who she is, but to have others have a point of view to relate to.

All photos taken by @ladonnaraeh

WTH?? Starz "Fires" Boss After ONLY Two Seasons!!

Starz has canceled Boss after two seasons, Entertainment Weekly reports.....What the hell maaan....I'm really getting sick of this!!

 "After much deliberation, we have made the difficult decision to not proceed with Boss," the network said in a statement. "We remain proud of this award-winning show, its exceptional cast and writers, and are grateful to Kelsey Grammer, Farhad Sarafina and our partners at Lionsgate TV."

   Despite the show's low ratings, Grammer won a Golden Globe award for his portrayal of the Chicago politician.

 I dunno what the hell is going on with our Chicago based TV shows!! I'm wondering if the rest of the world just doesn't wanna watch about how corrupt our politicians and police are here in this great city. This canceling Chicago based TV shows, from what I can remember goes all the way back to Chicago Hope, next would be, The Chicago Code, The Playboy Club, Mob Doctor just got yanked off of FOX, and now Boss!!

  I'm actually pissed because I ACTUALLY LIKED THE SHOW!! They were shooting all over the city, and the acting was top notch! The sets that they used were excellent! If I didn't know the process of how movies are made, and how convincing that the designs of sets can be, I would've thought that they were filming on the 5th floor of city hall here in Chicago. Plus the storyline about the mayor slowly losing his mind, but wanting to maintain his powerful grip.....man it was deep!! 

   But as I watched, I noticed just how....REAL...the subject matter was, and I wondered actually how long this show was gonna stay on the air. I had this theory of why when they would open up the mayors office door on the 5th floor, it always seemed to cover up Mayor Harold Washington's face on the wall. In my mind, they were trying to cover up the fact that our beloved Mayor was murdered in his mayoral prime. After a while, they started slightly showing his face and I eased up a lil bit. The stories just seemed to be tellin a little TOO much of our business, and I hoped that it wouldn't get yanked. NOPE!! They yanked it!! 

   I'm starting to feel that actor Troy Garity is a bad luck charm. He played the white barber in the 1st Barber Shop movie with Ice Cube. Ice Cube makes a sequel, and it SUCKED!! I still supported the movie because it's a Cube flick, and it's Chicago. I mean, c'mon man! That's a no brainer. But then Garity shows up in The Playboy Club; The Playboy Club gets cancelled. Are we starting to see a pattern here people? Good lookin out for Garity for clearly staying here for the past few years. I'm sure he has his options. Why? Because he's Jane Fonda's son, and he's not from here that's why!!

The series also showcased the growing talents or rapper Clifford "TI" Harris. I've always been a fan of his music, and his "Family Hustle" series on VH1 is a favorite in the Whitaker household. I forgot the name of the character that he played, (Trey Rogers) but he played a shady cat, that lived in an undisclosed area of the city, and was the go between from the politicians and the hood dwellers. Once again another example of "Keepin it TOO damn real"!

Sanaa Lathan

And what about Sanaa Lathan?? Aint it hard enough for black actresses in Hollywood? She had a major role and played a major character on Boss. I'm guessing that she's happy that she still has her gig on "The Cleveland Show" on FOX. 

A special shout out to Chicago's own Karen Aldridge, who has gone from playing a doctor on BOSS, to playing a doctor on Chicago Fire. Keep up the great work! Holla at me so I can give you a well deserved interviewed.

  

 I'm very happy to have 2 great seasons that I can order on DVD, and watch em when I feel like it. For me to say that i'm hoping that they bring it back would be just plain ole stupid because they just don't do that anymore. So as of lately i've started watching Chicago Fire on NBC. It's decent, but it mos def aint BOSS! I'm gonna show support because i'm a media student at Kennedy King College, and i'm all about supporting local media activities that would employ my peers. 

The 10 Greatest Ghostwriters in Hip Hop

Allegations that Stic Man and Jay Eletronica contributed some writing to Nas’ Untitled LP has added another chapter to hip-hop’s never-ending ghostwriting saga. Though initially billed as a cardinal sin, it’s been prevalent in hip-hop from the start. Grandmaster Caz famously penned lyrics on The Sugarhill Gang and Big Daddy Kane earned stripes for writing half of Biz Markie’s debut, Going Off, including classics cuts like “Vapors” and “Biz Is Going Off.”

Over the years ghostwriting has become somewhat acceptable when provided for non-traditional rappers. Clearly, moguls like Diddy and Jermaine Dupri were too busy closing deals and producing to write for themselves, so their use of writers-for-hire was tolerated. It’s what’s made the Nas claims so controversial. Under no circumstances should such a prolific wordsmith lean on any kind of lyrical aid.

It's important to point out that the extent of stic. man and Jay Elec's alleged writing is still unclear. Both spoke up in Nas' defense, but their response wasn't explicit enough to put the issue to bed. It's pretty common for MCs to borrow a line or two from time to time. Could this be the case? Cormega's been on record saying that he lent Nas his famous, "I'll be flooded with ice so hell fire can't scorch me," on The Firm's "Affirmative Action." The rest of Nasty's verse was all his.

For now, Esco's alleged ghostwriting fiasco remains a mystery. What has been confirmed, however, is that God's Son has historically been assisting other rappers. He’s written for Dr. Dre, Will Smith and Diddy, and God knows who else isn’t on record. Plenty more MCs have serviced their bars for cash over the years. 

10. Royce da 5'9" (Tie)

Known Clients: Dr. Dre, Diddy
Nickel-Nine infamously contributed to Dr. Dre’s 2001 album (“The Message”), but his manager violated the first rule of ghostwriting: thou shall not speak. The Detroit MC’s behind-the-scenes man blabbed to the media and the good doctor quickly rebuked their pass to the land of D-R-E. Despite the hiccup, Diddy later hired Royce for his poison pen. There's been murmurs that Royce will be contributing to Detox as well.

10. Rick Ross (Tie)

Known Clients: Trina, Diddy, Dr. Dre
Ricky Rozay’s resume includes gold albums, crew construction and block bangers. But before Ross became the Bawse, he was the employee: double R wrote rhymes for his former label-mate, Trina, and rumors about that the Miami MC put in work for Trick Daddy. Although he didn’t exactly deliver his, Ross’ work helped launch Slip-N-Slide into the mainstream. Who knows nann now?

9. Grandmaster Caz

Known Clients: Sugarhill Gang
He may not possess a litany of credits, but Caz, undoubtedly, has the ghostwriting credit—he penned the rhymes behind hip-hop’s first breakout hit, “Rapper’s Delight.” Technically, GMC didn’t ghostwrite since his book of rhymes was stolen. However, years later he received the acknowledgement he long deserved.

8. Sauce Money

Known Clients: Diddy
Sauce Muthafuckin’ is an MC with bars sharper than Ludacris’ hairline. The one-time Jay-Z cronie took ghostwriting efforts to new heights when the crafty wordsmith won a Grammy for penning Diddy’s tribute to his fallen friend, B.I.G, “We’ll Be Missing You.” It’s a feat unmatched, still.

7. Big Daddy Kane

Known Clients: Biz Markie
King Asiatic Nobody’s Equal was suave on the mic, but the Brooklyn MC was also devastating with a pen. Kane crafted classics for himself, but he also increased the value of his Juice Crew brethren Biz Markie’s catalog. “Vapors” was one of the few gifted Biz’s way from BDK.

6. Nas

Known Clients: Will Smith, Dr. Dre, Diddy, Foxy Brown, Jermaine Dupri
Despite being embroiled in a controversy this past week over allegations that he, himself, used ghostwriters on his Untitled album, Nas has a history of penning hits for others, most notably his former labelmate, Will Smith. The Queens poet put in writing duties for Smith on the Tinsel Town titan’s Big Willie Style album, contributing “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It,” “Miami” and more. He also put in work for Dr. Dre (“Watcher”), Diddy (“I Need A Girl”), Foxy Brown and Jermaine Dupri. Whether he needed help to be more radical or not, one thing’s certain: Esco is more than able to cover that fly shit.

5. The Notorious B.I.G.

Known Clients: Lil' Kim, Lil Cease, Diddy
Biggie didn’t keep his twisted genius all to himself. He shared some with Lil’ Kim too. It’s best exemplified on Kim’s classic debut, Hard Core. Big ’s contributions weren’t always officially credited, but his being Kim’s mouthpiece was public knowledge. Kim’s “Queen Bitch” reference track would later surface. Hearing Big Poppa rhyming, “Got buffoons eating my pussy while I watch cartoons” was priceless. And Kim, delivered it flawlessly. The Black Frank White would also write for Lil’ Cease and Diddy, but nothing comes close to the blueprint he’s laid for Kim’s legendary career.

4. Jay-Z

Known Clients: Memphis Bleek, Foxy Brown, Dr. Dre
Jay-Z’s ‘96 debut, Reasonable Doubt may not have struck platinum until much later, but the God MC earned a plaque that same year for his writing contributions to Foxy Brown’s Ill Na Na. He’d previously written for Fox on RD’s “Ain’t No Nigga” and penned Memphis Bleek’s verse on “Coming of Age.” He arguably topped himself when he ghostwrote Dr. Dre’s “Still Dre” three years later. Not only did Jigga Man pen from Dre’s perspective as if the Good Doctor wrote it himself, Brooklyn’s own captured West Coast life as if he was bred in Compton. Only a select few have been fortunate enough to benefit from Mr. Carter’s pen. He doesn't share his sharp bars anymore—that we know of—but for the right price he can certainly still make your shit tighter.

3. Ice Cube

Known Clients: N.W.A
Eazy-E may have been the mastermind behind N.W.A, but Cube’s lyrics are the reason the influential Los Angeles group became known as the world’s most dangerous group. In addition to writing his own rhymes, Cube shared ghostwriting duties throughout the Panic Zone EP and Straight Outta Compton—at times writing for Eazy, Dre and even MC Ren. Yea, yay!

2. The D.O.C.

Known Clients: N.W.A., Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg
The D.O.C. was off to a fast start until he got into a near fatal car accident that damaged his vocal chords. The crash happened only months after the Dallas MC’s certified platinum debut, No One Can Do It Better, hit stores. He reinvented himself as a ghostwrite who contributed lyrics to N.W.A. LPs post Ice Cube and later Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s early work. He’s still part of Dre’s pen team to this day.

1. Skillz

Known Clients: Diddy, Ma$e, Foxy Brown, Jermaine Dupri, Will Smith, Willow Smith

Most MCs on the list have occasionally been writers-for-hire, but Skillz—in addition to D.O.C.— is one of hip-hop's true career ghostwriters. There's no denying his own catalog as an MC. The Virgina lyricist has five albums to his credit. But no other MC has written for such a lengthy and diverse list of clients. He even documented his feat on the controversial 2000 single, "Ghostwriter.” On the song, Skillz puts several of his high profile clients on blast—some for failing to compensate him. His label at the time, Rawkus Records, edited the names out. Though he would later perform the first verse uncensored—revealing that Jermaine Dupri, Diddy and shockingly Ma$e, had previously procured his services. It’s no secret that hip-hop’s very first crossover hit—The Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight—was ghostwritten, but Skillz’s revealing cut shed light on how common the once taboo practice had become. Skillz more recently added Willow Smith to his resume and he’s maintain a close working relationship with her dad, Will, over the years. Skillz may never put the song back out with the names in it as promised, but his confirmed client list is enough to certify him as the greatest ghostwriters to ever do it.

'Beverly Hills Cop' Reboot Taps 'Tropic Thunder' Star as Lead

Brandon T. Jackson

CBS's revamp of the Eddie Murphy movie trilogy "Beverly Hills Cop" has found its lead actor for the television series....YEAH I SAID TELEVISION SERIES!!

Brandon T. Jackson, who played "Alpa Chino" (Rawest Name EVER!!) in the 2008 comedy "Tropic Thunder," has been tapped to star as the lead character in the pilot episode.

The pilot episode will focus on Aaron, who is the son of the Axel Foley character. (Eddie Murphy) Aaron is a blue-collar police officer, who works to take down the criminal elements of the rich and famous, while trying to escape from under his father's long shadow. Sony Pictures Television is producing the project. 

 Eddie Murphy will appear in the pilot and may recur if the pilot goes to series. Murphy will also Executive Produce with Marney Hochman and "The Shield" creator Shawn Ryan, who will write the pilot and serve as showrunner.

All this time I had been wondering if there was going to be another Beverly Hills Cop movie, and here they go plotting and planning an damn TV show!! If the pilot gets picked up for a full series, ima be sure and show some support by programming it inside my DVR. I will be more than willing to at least check out an episode or 2. Other than that...I dunno mann...i'm feeling kinda suspect about the concept, but I most definitely wish Eddie and Brandon the best of luck. 

View Goins ons across the city in a larger map

This is another GOOGLE Maps assignment that is due for my Intro To Media class. This map lists the locations of 6 news events within the past week. I apologize for the fact that only one of them doesn't involve someone dying.

The 1st story is "Father killed, brother-in-law hurt after North Side hit-and-run".

The 2nd story is "Well-liked, well-respected clerk fatally shot at Gresham food mart". 

The 3rd is "Lot neighboring Obama's Chicago home for sale". 

The 4th is "2 residents, 1 firefighter hospitalized after Uptown fire".

The 5th is "Chicago firefighter dies  after fighting Southwest Side blaze".

The 6th and final story is "Wife of fallen firefighter: 'It's always in God's hands".

Welcome to Chatham Village DAMNIT!!.....

View My walk through Chatham. (The best neighborhood on the east side.) in a larger map This is another romp through my old neighborhood of Chatham Village, located on the south east side of Chicago, Illinois. I LITERALLY used to walk every square inch of this grid, and I know the areas like the back of my hand. Now, I may know the area like the back of my hand, but that doesn't mean that I would walk the area without something IN my hand, ya diig?? Meaning, these aint the best areas to decide to take a stroll through; be it day or night. My suggestion would be to have some form of "protection", or a "weapon" of some sorts. I think of it as keeping an umbrella with you at all times. It's better to have it and not need it, then the other way around. Guard your grill, and knuckle up! Please believe it!!