There are a couple of songs that I remember vividly the primary time I heard them (or saw them, if the video was my introduction). Outkast’s “Elevators (Me & U)” and Juvenile’s “Ha” immediately come to mind – each songs have had such an impact on my life that I even remember where I used to be when these songs became a component of my life. Black Star “Definition” that is one other one in all those records. The video aired on “Rap City” the summer before my sophomore yr of school in 1998, and as I sat on the couch, I immediately knew two things: 1) I used to be going to buy any album by these two rappers, Mos Def (now Yasiin Bey) and Talib Kweli released; and a couple of) Mos Def was

Some artists just have that something, that elusive quality that makes you are feeling like you are looking at a star. Mos Def was one in all those cats. From the opening bars: “From the first to the last, the message is passionate, the whole, not the half, the vocabulary, not the math…” I felt that he was a rapper I needed to know more about and wanted to hear more from. Black Star’s debut album “Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star” released on September 29, 1998 (the most important release date in hip-hop history) didn’t disappoint. Both songwriters and producer Hi-Tek created an album that received critical acclaim. While I liked it, I didn’t prefer it, but it surely kept me waiting for what I (and everybody else) knew on the time. There was no way Mos Def would not release an album soon. The streets were asking for it.

And then, within the late summer of 1999, the primary single was released, “SM. Fat ass. Wait, did Mos Def, a rapper who could do almost anything lyrically, make a record that was flawless for each men and ladies? Yes. Yes, he did it. Have you ever heard a record that managed to tick all the best boxes instantly? He had rhythm, rhyme, life, ease of reference and the flexibility to work on the dance floor. Mos released the one, which became an fast classic and stays so to at the present time.

In 1999, it was the Mos Def experience. When Black on Both Sides was released in October 1999 – on October 12, to be precise – Mos had someway managed to release an album that was overly black, political, entertaining, rooted in real experiences, conspiratorial, respectful, offended, optimistic and prophetic. .

(*25*)Lifestyle

introductory disc, “Don’t be afraid of man” which borrows each its title and beat from Fela Kuti’s 1977 song and album of the identical name, opens with Mos’s statement and warning concerning the state of hip-hop, with Mos simply stating that whatever happens to people that is what what is going on to occur with hip-hop. These words ring more true in 2024 than I believe even Mos expected 25 years ago. Music reflects community and environment much more today with the appearance of social media than it ever did in 1999.

Black on Both Sides is an album filled with such moments. Many provisions are still valid in 2024. “I have” talks about how easy it’s to get robbed on the road if you happen to’re not being attentive, and unfortunately that is a lesson that many rappers have yet to learn. “Mr. Nigger” is a reminder that irrespective of what you achieve in life, society still prefers to see Black people as lower than ever possible. “Water of the New World” is made for the conspiracy theorist in all of us and you recognize what, the Internet has made conspiracy theories a component of on a regular basis life, the difference is that many conspiracy theories haven’t got that much reach.

The point is that Mos Def’s album, a classic by any definition of the word, can also be incredibly timely because Mos selected to focus on the human experience of being a black man in America and, in some cases, use real-life examples to make it work. It deals with the appropriation of black culture through music, specifically rock ‘n’ roll, and it is a conversation we’re still having and one which shows no signs of ending. Pop culture has borrowed and outright stolen black culture for profit, and it has been going on for so long as black art has been able to be commodified. Certainly, the material of the album shouldn’t be modern, but the whole lot in a single place and with such a transparent way of conveying the actual production – well, Mos Def is one in all the few who created an inventive work that has a lot power in a single package.

Surprisingly, thanks to the samples and production decisions made, the album doesn’t feel dated either. Sure, there are signs that the album is not recent, but there’s not a single mention of social media on the album. But someway that does not detract from the album’s impact. Just like most classic love songs omit words and phrases that might indicate their date, “Black on Both Sides” does this and I feel like I could introduce this album to someone in 2024 they usually might think it’s something recent. That’s a feat in itself. All while being Black on each side, a nod to the phrase “give me five on the side of the Black hand.”

“Black on Both Sides” is timeless hip-hop. It’s math.

Have you ever thought of trying something latest? Or do you transcend what others expect of you? Well, you are not alone. There are times in life when, after living a certain way for thus long, you are feeling like doing something more. To be seen as more. Sometimes this implies starting over and making a latest identity for yourself. Lucille O’Neal can relate to this.

The world may know Lucille O’Neal because the mother of NBA Hall of Famer and beloved personality Shaquille O’Neal and her three other children. But when she became synonymous along with her eldest son’s achievements, Lucille was inspired to indicate those that there was more to her.

This became the inspiration for her 2010 memoir, that highlighted the private battles, triumphs and realities of motherhood. O’Neal just updated her book with a brand new title .

“We have been in the spotlight since 1992 and everything that was said was not true. So when the opportunity came for me and our family to tell the truth, this was one way to do it,” he says.

Part of her truth is being honest about her own journey and the way her faith has carried her through many ups and downs.

“I lost my identity when Shaquille got drafted into the NBA. People didn’t know who I was or they just called me Shaq’s mom. I’m more than Shaq’s mom; I also have other children. So this book is more than just a memoir; it became my testimony,” he says. “I’ve been through some things and I wanted people to know that God all the time has a plan for us. I now have a platform where I can speak out on a wide range of topics and I’m very completely happy to share it. I can encourage and motivate people. I’m not attempting to be perfect. But I do know that what God did for me, He can do for you too.

shares his extraordinary life journey. The creator and motivational speaker reveals her whole self in probably the most authentic way. This includes her experience entering motherhood as a teen, coping with drug addiction within the family, and coping with the pain of divorce. It also involves pursuing your passions later in life.

“Being a mother of kids who play basketball or enter the world of entertainment brings plenty of reflection. Who am I without all this attention on family? That’s why I tested myself again,” she says. “Apart from all of the things happening around me, I began to take a look at Lucille. You can lose yourself on this process, and when you don’t end up, you will not know who you might be anymore.

She adds, “So I started encouraging myself, praying, and remembering the lessons my mother taught me. She always told me to hold my head up and be proud of who I was. Now I tell my kids to be real, stay true to who you are and try to work towards something bigger.”

And the work she did. After successfully raising 4 children, including a superstar, she accomplished her higher education, began public speaking and have become fully involved in philanthropy. She finally had a likelihood to forge her own identity, in her own way.

“Parenting is tough because, to start with, you do not know what you are doing. I used to be a mother on the age of 17 and I had no idea about it. If it weren’t for my grandmother and mother, I probably would not have learned many staple items about being a mother,” she says. “I believe being a mother is a special gift. You must do every little thing in your power to nurture your child and the gift inside him. Sometimes this requires putting things on the back burner. When Shaquille was born, I had not graduated from highschool, but I all the time desired to go to school. It took me 30 years to get there. I tell everyone that he blessed me because he paid for my college education.

The creator encourages other parents by sharing her overall journey. While nurturing their kid’s dreams, they shouldn’t ignore their very own.

“I tell mothers, fathers and all women who want to make a change to never let your dreams die,” says Lucille. “If you hold on to your dreams, they are going to eventually come true. Then you discover out that one dream turns into one other dream, and that dream turns into one other dream.

Kim Kardashian is reportedly still having problems together with her ex-husband, Kanye “Ye” West, over his current wife, Bianca Censori. The billionaire businesswoman is said to be upset by Censori’s provocative attire and behavior in front of the 4 children she shares with West.

Gossip website In touch reports that Kardashian, West and Censori’s fighting situation has turn into “toxic” and apparently the SKIMS founder is considering taking legal action against Ye and Bianca.

“Kim is furious. She would very very like to involve a lawyer on this case, but there is little she can do unless Bianca is arrested,” says the portal, which is not named by an anonymous source. “It’s terrible and Kim is convinced that Bianca and Kanye are deliberately attempting to mess together with her.”

West began dating Kim in April 2012, when the “Keeping Up With the Kardashian” star was still legally married to then-NBA player Kris Humphries. The Yeezy founder and reality star hosted her own wedding ceremony in May 2014 in Florence, Italy.

After eight years of marriage, the Hollywood heavyweight once referred to as KimYe finalized their separation agreement in November 2022. The former couple shares 4 children together: North, 11, Saint, 8, Chicago, 6, and Psalm, 5 ).

Just a month after Ye’s divorce from Kardashian, he married Bianca Censori with a “confidential marriage license” in a personal ceremony in December 2023, Daily mail reported.

Censori faced significant backlash throughout their relationship for steadily wearing near-nude outfits in public. In March 2024, the Australian model was seen wearing neon green tights, which she wore pulled right down to reveal the upper a part of her butt, and a nude bra while out with Ye in Los Angeles.

Reports suggest that the fact star is concerned that North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm will not be in a “healthy environment” while within the care of their father and his spouse. The children recently traveled with West and Censori to listening events for the rapper’s “Vulture 2” album in Asia.

In Touch’s source says Bianca beat out North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm because “there are no rules” when the youngsters are together with her and Ye. The children apparently love being with the couple and get whatever they need.

“If Kim says something critical, they defend her, so it’s not like she can even bring up the fact that Bianca is completely naked in front of them, even in public,” an anonymous spokesman said. “She’s been begging Kanye to do something about it, but he loves annoying her so she can’t get anywhere with him.”

The insider also claimed that Kim K contacted Censori directly to deal with her concerns in regards to the Australian architect’s role in raising her children. However, this apparent “last hope”, an attempt to steer Bianca to refrain from wearing seductive glances around the youngsters, failed.

During a visit to South Korea on Aug. 24 with West and his three children, Censori shocked some observers by appearing more covered up. This decision can have been a results of the Asian country’s strict laws prohibiting nudity.

The subdued outfit was perceived as a departure from the norm for the pinnacle of architecture of the Yeezy brand. By the time the Westa clan went on a shopping trip to Japan on September 19, Bianca had gone back to wearing a good nude tank top with no bra.

The possible tension between Censori and Kardashian over her fashion decisions is probably not the one battle occurring inside Ye’s immediate family. Censori is reportedly “disgusted” with Ye’s hygiene, especially his “dirty” breath resulting from wearing a titanium and platinum grill.