Mohamed Ali: The linkage between Unemployment and Terrorism

When faced with difficult circumstances, ones natural instinct and response is to run; run away and never look back. Mohamed Ali, in his speech on Ted.com, entitled The Link Between Unemployment and Terrorism, he explains that terrorism may be eliminated if we provide opportunity for the youth to be something different. In this situation, with unemployment rates and the surrounding circumstance of violence and fear, the only thing for many young children and youth in many Mogadishu, Somalia the only thing to do is to stay, and become stagnant, or become involved in terroristic activities. Mohamed Ali, spoke about the foundation of many youth in Mogadishu, and the daily life of a young person living in fear.

While many believe that foreign countries are dangerous, Ali believes that there are beautiful things that come out of small unhopeful cities, and that there is hope for the youth of Mogadishu to become rich and prosperous, as long as we and everyone recognize that there needs to be contributions to help. The unemployment rate in Mogadishu is what is driving the cases of violence, or the string of suicide bombers. The youth are being sucked into believing that the only way that they can make sure that their family has money, is to join in on terror attacks, and sacrifice themselves for a payoff for their families. This, as Ali explains, is not what his city should be like, or any city at that.

One of the major things that we all can start doing in our own cities, as well as for Ali in Mogadishu, is to make sure that we are encouraging and educating the youth on what opportunities are available to them. There has to be a push in mentorship opportunities, and resources for the youth to understand how they can not only work for a person to make an income, but that they can become their own boss and be an entrepreneur. Many young people in his native city are unaware of the possibilities that they have, if they find out what they are successful at, and maximize that potential. Ali speaks about encouraging those around us to become better, and not to just be what we see. It sounds familiar because that is how many urban cities operate around the United States.

When unfortunate circumstances surround us, the new question to consider is are we going to run, or are we going to make the best out of the situation that we are presented with. Be something different, and be great.

My driving force behind my career, is to help make people better. I have a passion for working with the youth in my community, and after hearing this inspirational story, there is a chance to save if not one, but many by offering guidance and mentorship. Although this post has nothing to do with the music industry, it has to do with change, and change can only start if you realize that it is necessary. 




"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

Entertainer Etiquette 101

Etiquette seams not to exist anymore when it comes to many entertainers in the industry; or really has it ever. In recent months, we have seen a public display of violence towards paparazzi from Justin Bieber and Kanye West just to name a few, with results of injuries to others, and full blown disrespect and videos going viral on the web (Justin Bieber nightclub attack). We can ask ourselves, who’s their security? Why are the paparazzi getting so close to them? Or we can just make the assumption that the paparazzi should respect these entertainers, because they deserve their privacy. WRONG! It’s their job. So how should an entertainer act in public? I mean, they only have fans as young as 2-years old recognizing their songs and they need to be positive while in the limelight.

When looking up proper etiquette for entertainers, I came across something that is extremely true, and it’s a golden rule for anyone. As a person, whether an entertainer or not, you have your reputation to protect, you have an image to maintain. When people see you for the first time, they remember the impression you left on them; make it a good one. Many times an artist, forgets this golden rule of life, and tends to go about doing things their own way. Doing so is why we constantly hear about them in the media doing the unbelievable, or what is made to be unbelievable because of who they are (Kanye West - Excuse me Taylor).

Regardless, entertainer or not, there is a right and a wrong way to handle yourself when you are looked up to by different individuals. There are no solutions that I can provide, but I can give advice and it’s to watch your surroundings! You never know who will be there to record your ridiculous antics and whose blog site you will be put on next!

Twirk (n.)

Twirk Miley! Twirk! Even as I’m typing this newly added word to the American language, my MacBook and Microsoft Word still does not recognize it, but that is beyond the point. Miley Cyrus has lost the last bit of her mind this week! She is now “twirking” and also has become a rapper, according to new song released by super producer, Mike WiLL Made It.

If I were a Miley Cyrus fan, I truly would be wondering who her publicist is, and who also is managing her! Hannah Montana, once good girl, has truly gone BAD! What the heck happened to the sweet and innocent little girl from Disney Channel? Is this all just a publicity stunt, will it ever end; or is this truly who Miley is?

In the latest controversy surrounding the video for the single “Wrecking Ball”, Miley had to go on the defense about her scene that was filmed nude. She appeared to be crying, and many fans and curious minds wanted to know if it was caused from her breakup with ex-fiancé Liam Hemsworth, but in the Rolling Stone interview she admitted that her tears were caused by her dogs death………… I’ve never been attached to an animal, but I know a lot of people who have, and pretty much I can sympathize with her.

What confuses me the most about Miley is just the shaved head and the sticking out of the tongue. It’s just something that I’m not used to her doing. Last I knew, she was trying to party in a car, driving around the USA. We always knew she had some type of rhythm in her from that song, and that she did like some type of rap. She told us that “a Jay-Z song was on” when she turned on the radio, so she put her hands up!

New cassette worth being played? Sticking with the crew she’s hanging with including Mike WiLL, Juicy J, and Wiz Khalifa, I think so!

Twirk Miley! Twirk! 

"23" NEW SINGLE

"Wrecking Ball" Tears

USA Today

"Party in the USA"

Leeking, the Intra Personal, "Nothing Was The Same"

With Drake's latest album obsession, entitled "Nothing was the same" dated for release on September 24, 2013; the HATE is still on for the R%B/Rap community. Drake, whose been know for taking shots lately in the community for coming out with music that will "make you return to your ex", has been the star of local cartoon pictures on istagram, and trending topics on twitter. What makes Drake so popular, one may ask? Is it his rhyming skills, his "light skin" appeal to many female fans, or his uniqueness that draws a person near, during the most interment times of his life thought an obsession francization and of a female, or loneliness through a dark room, fantasizing about this blog or another? We never know.

One thing that we know about Drake is that he does it for the fans, and personally coordinating the first ever shows Drake performed after knee surgery at Slippery Rock University in 2010, he does it for the fans! Fans and their opinions are what matters. Making it “Big” has never been a concern of Aubrey Gram’s worries, but making it past his own success is what he has always dreamed of. This album he has made, like many, has taken nothing but the saying of “blood, sweat, and tears”, to be completed. Pure raw talent is what it takes to have an album leaked amongst millions of fans, but to hear the other millions say that they are waiting for the deluxe edition to be released on iTunes or through Target Dedicated fans is what it takes to be in this music industry. Reason why he proves why “Light skinned rappers” are still alive in this industry! The next Jay Z, I think so!


-Audrey
-----Play The New Cassette...


Drake Album Leak!
Nothing was the same