Lou Reed Dead At 71, Rolling Stone Reports

Legendary musician Lou Reed has died, Rolling Stone reported on Sunday.

He was 71

Reed is best known for his work as guitarist, singer and songwriter for the Velvet Underground, and his solo career. Reed had a profound impact on American culture, introducing avant garde rock and pop art to mainstream music. His work with Andy Warhol is noted as one of the most important collaborations in contemporary culture.

His cause of death was not immediately revealed.

Though the Velvet Underground saw limited commercial success in the 60s, their popularity grew tremendously in the subsequent decades. Rolling Stone named their eponymous album the 13th greatest of all time.

In 1996, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Born in Brooklyn in 1942, Reed spent most of his childhood on Long Island. Reed identified as bisexual and received electroshock therapy as a teenager.

He married artist Laurie Anderson in 2008.

Earlier this year, he received a life-saving liver transplant after experiencing chronic liver failure. Reed was open about his addiction to drugs and alcohol in his music. In one of his most well-known songs, “Heroin,” he wrote: “Heroin, be the death of me/Heroin, it’s my wife and it’s my life.”

The Comeback of the Century: Please Help Donate

One nearly died, the other is fighting Lupus. Timothy Rhyme and Nay The Producer (First Dirt) are trying to make the Comeback Of The Century, literally.

Timothy Rhyme nearly lost his life on July 18, 2011.  He bled out internally and almost met the man upstairs.  Since that traumatic day, he has bounced back like James Blake.  Shortly after his recovery, he moved to LA to be closer to his daughter, got into CSUN, has made some significant strides in his music career, and kept his focus on helping people.

Nay The Producer was diagnosed with Lupus August 2012.  She spent the entire month  of October 2012 in the hospital. This flare up was so severe it caused fluid in her lungs, fluid around her heart and two blood transfusions. To go from a self reliant, hard working woman, to needing the assistance of a walker and cane to do menial things has put her in a hard spot.  Regardless, she keeps fighting and hasn’t let this unrelenting disease stop her from moving forward.

  Both have seen their lives be flipped upside down and completely altered forever.  This campaign is an attempt to raise funds to put together an amazing album but it subconsciously is touching the warrior spirit that we all have.  Some people would have let their circumstances get the best of them but Timothy Rhyme and Nay The Producer would not let defeat be a word that described them in this story. 

 This campaign is important for several reasons.  Not only will it allow Tim and Nay to tell their story.  But it will allow them to inspire others and show other people in similar predicaments that there is some hope and that they aren’t alone.  Music is one of the most powerful tools in lifting a persons spirit and this is one of the main objectives of this album.  In a world where most of the messages in music are about “cool” stuff and a glamorous life, Tim and Nay attempt to show that you can still make good music with a good message.  

If you have ever faced a challenging time in your life and just wished you had that little nudge to get you to the next step, this is your chance to be that to someone else.  This is your chance to be apart of the Comeback Of The Century!

What Your Generosity Will Fund

Through experience, Tim and Nay have figured out how to release a successful album.  They each have years and years of experience in this industry and have seen the formula first hand.  The main components are:

1.Mixing / Mastering

2.Album Cover Design 

3.Music Video

4.Distribution

5.Promotion

6.Merchandise

We budgeted every penny and used fair estimates of making sure we didn’t sacrifice quality.  If we are going to ask people to invest in us we want to make sure that their money is used to create the best product possible.

If for some reason we are unable to reach our goal.  Your investment will still be used for this album.  We might have to cut some corners and go the cheap route on some of the extra costs but either way it will go into the final album.

The Impact

Tim and Nay are really hoping to set a tone in the hip hop world.  They are consistently breaking down barriers when it comes to music arrangement and content within the hip hop community.  To be able to release this album in the manner they would like to would mean that the younger generations will have a new message to relate to.  In a world where negativity and self destructive tendencies reign supreme, this is a breath of fresh air to those that are looking for more honest depictions of the world they live in.

In the end, Tim and Nay hope to inspire future artists, students, and people in general to not be afraid to be themselves. They want to show that you can be yourself and still be successful. That you don’t always have to conform to what you see on TV to gain some notoriety.  

The impact will hopefully be felt for generations to come.  And when the next generation feels like they’re down and out they can be reminded that Tim and Nay made the Comeback Of The Century and so can they.

Other Ways You Can Help

We understand that times are hard and that you might not feel comfortable giving some strangers your hard earned money.  Rest assured that you even reading this has helped our cause and for that we are grateful. If you believe in this campaign and want to help in some other ways you can:

Get the word out to your friends and family and make some noise about our campaign.

Show someone that you might think would be inspired by this story.

Help us go viral.

Tell people in power.

Tell school officials about our empowering goals.

Go to www.firstdirt.com and purchase other music.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/comeback-of-the-century

Miley Cyrus admits marijuana use: ‘Weed is the best drug on earth

Miley Cryus has been revealing quite a bit of herself lately, including her thoughts on recreational drugs.

Miley Cyrus has taken it a step higher.In a new set of quotes released from Cyrus’ in-depth interview with the Oct. 10 issue of Rolling Stone magazine, the 20-year-old singer delves into her use of recreational drugs.

The former “Hannah Montana” starlet told the edgy mag that “weed is the best drug on earth,” and other substances such as cocaine and MDMA, also known as molly, don’t really hold a candle to marijuana

“One time I smoked a joint with peyote in it, and I saw a wolf howling at the moon,” Cyrus told Rolling Stone contributing editor Josh Eells.

“Hollywood is a coke town, but weed is so much better. And molly, too. Those are happy drugs — social drugs. They make you want to be with friends. You’re out in the open. You’re not in a bathroom.”

“I really don’t like coke. It’s so gross and so dark. It’s like, what are you, from the ’90s? Ew,” she added.

Despite her slam on the ’90s, she did tell Rolling Stone that her controversial music video for “Wrecking Ball,” in which she strips completely nude, was inspired by an icon from the decade, Sinead O’Connor and her video for “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

“I wanted it to be tough but really pretty — that’s what Sinead did with her hair and everything.”

The 20-year-old singer hopes her ‘Wrecking Ball’ video inspires artists 30 years from now. She hopes they say: ‘Yo, you remember that Miley Cyrus video? We gotta do something like that.’ 

O’Connor was not naked, but she was bald.

Cyrus admitted that she knew there would be backlash from her choice to ditch her clothes for the video version of the intense ballad.

“I think people are going to hate it. They’re going to see my ass and be like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe she did that,'” she said.

“And then when we get to the bridge, they’re gonna have a little tear and be like, ‘F–k you!’ I think it will be one of those iconic videos, too. I think it’s something that people are not gonna forget. Hopefully an artist 30 years from now will be like, ‘Yo, you remember that Miley Cyrus video? We gotta do something like that.'”

Cyrus is well aware that she is a far cry from her days as a Disney darling, especially with her recent antics including her salacious MTV Video Music Award’s performance and her countless revealing photo shoots, however, she did say being a rebel can be emboldening.

“There’s something empowering about what I’m doing right now. Especially having short hair, don’t care. I think it’s empowering for girls,” she said.

“Because there’s not one thing that defines what beauty is.”

Cyrus goes on to address her love-hate relationship with the constant media attention surrounding her

“I said I was going to take a year off before I made this record. But it’s hard to take a break. It’s almost depressing when you’re not working. You’re so used to people calling your name, and that energy, and when you don’t have it anymore … That’s why I never complain about people wanting autographs or pictures. Because if there were a few days where no one asked, I’d probably be like, ‘What the fuck’s going on?? Do people not like me?’”

Cyrus continued on about the Catch-22 of fame

“I hate the paparazzi — but when they’re not sitting there waiting for you, you’re like ‘Who’s bigger news? Who are you trying to get a picture of?’”

Rock The Bells Cancel Festival Dates in Washington, D.C. & New York

A source confirmed that both remaining dates would be cancelled due to poor ticket sales in the final two locations, and that the festival will take a $3 million loss over the shows and refund all tickets.

After having just announced the act lineupfor Rock The Bells in Washington, D.C. this weekend, it looks like festival organizers are cancelling the shows due to poor ticket sales.
According to the Washingon City Paper, representatives at RFK Stadium where Rock The Bells was scheduled at have confirmed that the shows have been cancelled for September 28 and September 29.

Ticketmaster has also removed ticket sale options from Rock The Bells in New York, which was scheduled for October 4 and October 5 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.As of press time, Rock The Bells have not released a statement regarding the cancelled shows. 

According to Ticketmaster (shown above), the streets and Twitterverse, fans in Washington, D.C. will not be “rocking the bells” with Kid Cudi, J Cole, A$AP Mob orWu-Tang Clan at RFK Stadium this weekend.  Sources say the annual concert was reportedly cancelled due to poor ticket sales.

,Although Chinyere Hubbard, the vice president for communications and marketing of Events DC, RFK’s operator hasconfirmed the cancellation, we’re still waiting on an official statement from Guerrilla Union (the promoters of Rock The Bells).

Also, speculation looms over the New York dates (Oct 4-5th) but we find it hard to believe that promoters can’t sell tickets in New York.
We send our regrets to anyone in the DMV area who had their mind set on seeing Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s hologram.  

4th Annual “Western Awareness Conference” in Los Angeles Sept 28th-29th

The Western Awareness Conference remains the largest educational urban music convention on the west coast. In its first year (2010) WAC attracted just over 2500 artists, producers, DJs, executives and attendees as a one day event. This number would grow to 5,000 attendees by its third year as a one day event. This year even more artists, labels executives and entertainment lawyers have already been confirmed.Los Angeles, CA — Black Fridai present The 4th Annual Western Awareness Conference Sept 28th- ‐29th, 2013 at the LA Convention Center.
Pre-Register at:
WACLives.com
4thAnnualWAC@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/WesternAwareness/info

The U.S. Army Gets Tough On Tattoos In A Reversal Of Policy: Bull Shit

Tattoo-covered soldiers, their ink showing even in uniform, became a common sight over the last decade, reflecting both changing styles and the relaxed standards used to boost enlistments, but with the wars almost over and the Army preparing to downsize, body art is on the way out.

Almost immediately after taking his post in 2011, Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler began talking about tightening the Army’s uniform and grooming policy. Those changes, which have been a source of speculation and debate among soldiers since they were first announced, have just been confirmed by Chandler to include restrictions on tattoos that will roll back the more lenient guidelines used during the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The incoming policy will prevent new soldiers who have tattoos that reach below their elbow or their knee or above their neckline from enlisting.

The initial wave of reaction on military blogs and social media has been largely negative. Many commenters cite the tattoo standard as antiquated and a poor indication of a soldier’s ability to perform the job. Others say body art has become a large part of the Army’s own culture, resurrecting an argument that surfaced when rumors of the new tattoo policy started circulating in 2011.

While the changes are unpopular with some, they have not come as a surprise. Chandler has stated his ideas openly and encouraged discussion. When he asked for feedback on his Facebook page In 2011, many wrote in to voice their support, singling out neck tattoos in particular as looking unprofessional and citing the need for uniformity of appearance.

The most divisive aspect of Chandler’s original proposal in 2011 concerned the fate of soldiers who had been allowed to enlist with tattoos that would be prohibited under new restrictions. At the time, the possibility that those soldiers might be forced to remove their ink or leave the Army was not ruled out. But the new rules take a more moderate position on the issue, in what may be a concession to the negative reaction within the ranks at talk of combat veterans being penalized or forced out for having tattoos that were allowed when they signed up.

Serving soldiers who were recruited under the current policy would be grandfathered and allowed to keep their tattoos as long as they do not contain any racist, sexist, or extremist words or symbolism.

Upon the adoption of the new system, all soldiers would be required to self-identify tattoos to their unit leaders. Those whose tattoos violate the policy under which they were recruited would be required to pay for tattoo removal themselves, Chandler said.

Chandler said tightening the grooming code was an effort to promote recognition of soldiers’ individual achievements rather than having them stand out for their appearance.

Some observers have noted the Army’s habit of changing its policies depending on its recruiting needs. The previous change was in 2006, when the Army loosened requirements on tattoos during the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan war efforts. Under those regulations only tattoos that covered the face or head were banned.

This time around, the policy shift comes amid U.S. government preparations to downsize the military as troops withdraw from Afghanistan and the looming prospect of severe funding cuts to the armed services.

Budget cuts first enacted in 2011 have finally started straining Army resources. President Obama’s Budget Control Act of 2011 projects $487 billion in military spending cuts over the next decade. As a result, this past June, Gen. Ray Odiernoannounced that the Army will cut 80,000 active-duty troops over the next five years, which constitutes the largest reduction in combat forces since World War II.

The changes to the tattoo rules are part of a larger review and reconsideration of Army dress code, as Chandler solicited veterans’ input on a variety of concerns such as earrings for women in uniform.The policy changes are expected to be approved by Secretary of the Army John McHugh within 30 to 60 days, Chandler said.

C.O.B: CIRCLE OF BOSSES

The Circle of Bosses (C.O.B.) is a network of people that amass prosperity and happiness by reinventing the term “boss” into a life elevating philosophy – meaning that an individual, without being cut-throat, can be the “boss” of his/her destiny.With the fruits of labor the doors to success become wide open. No matter your income or social status we all share the same connection, we want success. C.O.B is the next BIG EPIC movement in the Music, Film, Television, & New Media industries. You better get our rookie cards now because the price ain’t coming down.
Affilaties – Crooked I, Horseshoe G.A.N.G., Coniyac,,The Doobie Brothas, Sauce Tha Boss, SlaughterHouse Shady Records, COB Clothing Collection, One2, Treacherous Records @DIGQUAM

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aYSk3fJYk4w