pay (22)

12354267488?profile=original

Buffalo, New York native and Black Soprano Family (BSF) artist, ElCamino, locks in with his blood brother King Ralph for a new album titled "No Weapon Formed Against Me."

The project's lone feature comes courtesy of Fuego Base

Available on all streaming platforms.

Buy/Stream: https://orcd.co/nwfam23

iTunes/Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-weapon-formed-against-me/1701872952

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7HqZ2QQH3VaCfnE1MwlqNj

© 2023 Anti Gun Violence Co.

Tracklist:

1. My Brother
2. Chess Moves
3. The Way It Goes Ft. Fuego Base
4. Stay Away
5. Love Me or Hate Me
6. You Already Know
7. Pay Attention
8. Dance With Us

Follow ElCamino @elcaminosway
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elcaminosway/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elcaminosway

Follow King Ralph @son.of.aking
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/son.of.aking/

Follow PaperChaserDotCom @PaperChaserDotCom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperchaserdotcom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperChaserBlog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paperchaserdotcom/
Website: https://www.paperchaserdotcom.com/

#ElCamino #KingRalph #NoWeaponFormedAgainstMe

Follow Me

Follow Us On TwitterFollow Me On YoutubeLike MY Facebook PageConnect With Me On LinkedinConnect With Me On Google+Join My WebsiteFollow Us On Instagram

Read more…

12354265301?profile=original

Video After The Jump

Seventh Child releases official viduals for "Pay You Homage" featuring Og Tvck. This is the last single before the album “Hells Palsy" drops on 8/28/23.

Available on all streaming platforms.

iTunes/Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/pay-ya-homage/1697443333?i=1697443334

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7mAM7fqJ16oEaZOPkzWB9u

© 2023 Prosperity Records / Kasketsharp

Produced by Q-Mystik @q_mystik
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/q_mystik/

Directed by Visuals By Faces @faces270
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faces270/

Follow Seventh Child @seven_hester_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seven_hester_/

Follow Og Tvck @ogtvck
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ogtvck/

Follow PaperChaserDotCom @PaperChaserDotCom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperchaserdotcom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperChaserBlog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paperchaserdotcom/
Website: https://www.paperchaserdotcom.com/

#SeventhChild #OgTvck #PayYaHomage #HellsPalsy

Follow Me

Follow Us On TwitterFollow Me On YoutubeLike MY Facebook PageConnect With Me On LinkedinConnect With Me On Google+Join My WebsiteFollow Us On Instagram

Read more…

12354145699?profile=original

A New York jury on Tuesday found former President Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s, but not liable for her alleged rape.

The jury awarded her $5 million in damages for her battery & defamation claims.

Asked on their verdict sheet if Carroll, 79, had proven “by a preponderance of the evidence” that “Mr. Trump raped Ms. Carroll,” the 9-person jury checked the box that said “no.” Asked if Carroll had proven “by a preponderance of the evidence” that “Mr. Trump sexually abused Ms. Carroll,” the jury checked the box that said “yes.” Both allegations were elements of Carroll’s battery claim.

The 6 men & 3 women also found Trump had defamed her by calling her claims a “hoax” and “a con job.”

Carroll sued Trump accusing him of battery & defamation in Manhattan federal court last year, alleging he raped her in the dressing room of a Bergdorf Goodman department store near his Fifth Avenue home in 1995 or 1996. 

Trump, first as president & then as a private citizen, called her account a fiction that she concocted to boost book sales & has said the writer is “not my type.” He did not testify in the case, but portions of his videotaped deposition from October were played for the jury.

The verdict was required to be unanimous.

#donaldtrump #donaldtrumpliable #ejeancarroll #ejeancarrollvsdonaldtrump #donaldtrumpvsejeancarroll #donaldtrumptopayejeancarroll5milliondollars #civillawsuit #sexualassault #defamation #defamaionlawsuit #Presidenttrump #journalist #author #ellemagazine #askejean #melaniatrump #ivankatrump #donaldtrumpjr #erictrump #esquire #snl #saturdaynightlive #playboy #hughhefner #vanityfair #donaldtrumpsexualassault #cutthecheck #payup #theatlantic #newyorkpost

Source: NBC News

Follow Me

Follow Us On TwitterFollow Me On YoutubeLike MY Facebook PageConnect With Me On LinkedinConnect With Me On Google+Join My WebsiteFollow Us On Instagram

Read more…

12354230095?profile=original

OneShotAce is back like he never left with a new album titled "Big Threat."

Available on all platforms

Buy/Stream: https://orcd.co/bigthreat

Features include Benny the Butcher, Moneybagg Yo, Buellerthegaud

Features include Big T Productions, 1KG, SD Beats, Sypooda, Paris Beuller, Arellone, Only1Maku, Desro.

Tracklist:

01. Threat (Prod. Big T Productions)
02. Blocks Ft. Moneybagg Yo (Prod. 1KG)
03. All On Me (Prod. SD Beats)
04. Slide Ft. Buellerthegaud (Prod. Paris Beuller)
05. Mixed Fumes Ft. Benny The Butcher (Prod. Sypooda)
06. Killin’ This Shit (Prod. Only1Maku and Desro)
07. Late Session (Prod. SD Beats)
08. Money Conversation (Prod. Arellone)
09. Slow Flow (Prod. SD Beats)
10. Pay Off (Prod. Paris Beuller)

Follow OneShotAce @oneshotace
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Oneshotace
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneshotace/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OneShotAceFBL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneShotAce617/
Website: https://oneshotace.com/

Follow PaperChaserDotCom @PaperChaserDotCom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperchaserdotcom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperChaserBlog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paperchaserdotcom/
Website: https://www.paperchaserdotcom.com/

#OneShotAce #BigThreat

Follow Me

Follow Us On TwitterFollow Me On YoutubeLike MY Facebook PageConnect With Me On LinkedinConnect With Me On Google+Join My WebsiteFollow Us On Instagram

Read more…

12354118878?profile=original

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Infowars host Alex Jones and his company were ordered by a judge Thursday to pay an extra $473 million for promoting false conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook school massacre, bringing the total judgment against him in a lawsuit filed by the victims’ families to a staggering $1.44 billion.

Connecticut Judge Barbara Bellis imposed the punitive damages on the Infowars host and Free Speech Systems. Jones repeatedly told his millions of followers the massacre that killed 20 first graders and six educators was staged by “crisis actors” to enact more gun control.

“The record clearly supports the plaintiffs’ argument that the defendants’ conduct was intentional and malicious, and certain to cause harm by virtue of their infrastructure, ability to spread content, and massive audience including the infowarriors,” the judge wrote in a 45-page ruling.

Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the Sandy Hook families, said he hopes the award sends a message to conspiracy theorists who profit from lies.

“The Court recognized the ‘intentional, malicious ... and heinous’ conduct of Mr. Jones and his business entities,” Mattei said in a statement.

On his show Thursday, Jones called the award “ridiculous” and a “joke” and said he has little money to pay the damages.

#alexjones #alexjonessandyhook #alexjonesorderedtopay #infowars #conspiracytheorist #lies #falsehoods #hoax #radical #rightwing #crisisactors #adamlanza #masshooting #massmurder #guns #gunviolence #attemptedmurder #sandyhookelementary #sandyhookmassshooting #men #women #children #kids #sandyhookvictims #sandyhookvictimsfamilies

Follow Me

Follow Us On TwitterFollow Me On YoutubeLike MY Facebook PageConnect With Me On LinkedinConnect With Me On Google+Join My WebsiteFollow Us On Instagram

Read more…

12354103695?profile=original

Kim Kardashian has agreed to pay a $1.26 million fine after federal regulators said she unlawfully promoted a cryptocurrency on Instagram without disclosing the sum she was paid for the promotion, Securities and Exchange Commission officials announced Monday morning.

Federal regulators said the reality TV star failed to disclose she was paid $250,000 to publish an Instagram post about EMAX tokens, a crypto asset offered by EthereumMax.

She shared the post in June last year, asking her millions of followers: “ARE YOU INTO CRYPTO??? THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE BUT SHARING WHAT MY FRIENDS JUST TOLD ME ABOUT THE ETHEREUM MAX TOKEN.”

The post included a link to EthereumMax’s website, which had instructions for potential investors to purchase EMAX tokens, the SEC statement said.

In doing so, she violated the anti-touting provision of federal securities law, it said.

Kardashian agreed to pay $1.26 million in penalties, which includes her promotional payment & to cooperate with the commission's investigation “without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings.”

She also agreed to not promote any crypto assets for 3 years, according to officials.

“This case is a reminder that, when celebrities or influencers endorse investment opportunities, including crypto asset securities, it doesn’t mean that those investment products are right for all investors,” SEC Chair Gary Gensler said. “We encourage investors to consider an investment’s potential risks & opportunities in light of their own financial goals.”

An attorney for Kardashian said the star is “pleased to have resolved this matter with the SEC.”

#kimkardashian #kimkardashian1milliondollarfine #kimkardashianscryto #kimkardashiansecfine #crypto #cryptocurrency #kimkardashianfinedbysec #sec #securitiesandexchangecommission #kimkardashainig #promotion #settlement #cryptoassets #investors #kanyewest #kendalljenner #khloekardashian #krisjenner #kourtneykardashian #travisbarker #kyliejenner #travisscott #devinbooker #tristanthompson #investments #onemilliondollars

Source: NBC News

Follow Me

Follow Us On TwitterFollow Me On YoutubeLike MY Facebook PageConnect With Me On LinkedinConnect With Me On Google+Join My WebsiteFollow Us On Instagram

Read more…

12354004057?profile=original

Video After The Jump

Off of Jadakiss' 2007 mixtape "The Predator Is Back."

Cop that: https://www.discogs.com/release/4888478-Jadakiss-The-Predator-Is-Back

Follow Jadakiss @jadakiss
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadakiss/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Therealkiss

Follow The Lox @thelox
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelox/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelox

Follow Sheek Louch @realsheeklouch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realsheeklouch/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/REALSHEEKLOUCH

Follow Styles P @realholidaystyles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realholidaystyles/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealstylesp

Follow PaperChaserDotCom @PaperChaserDotCom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperchaserdotcom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperChaserBlog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paperchaserdotcom/

#Jadakiss #TheLox #PayAttention

Follow Me

Follow Us On TwitterFollow Me On YoutubeLike MY Facebook PageConnect With Me On LinkedinConnect With Me On Google+Join My WebsiteFollow Us On Instagram

Read more…

12353601669?profile=original

Video After The Jump

Queens, New York emcee Focus the Truth delivers yet another new visual from his stellar "Immortal" album. This one is for a banger titled "Dear Father."

Produced by V Don

Shot and edited by Trypta Media

"Immortal" is available now on all streaming platforms:

https://song.link/immortal
Spotify: http://tiny.cc/spotifyimmortal
Apple Music | iTunes: http://tiny.cc/itunesimmortal
FTT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/focusthetruth

Follow Follow the Truth @focusthetruth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focusthetruth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusthetruth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/focusthetruth
Official website: https://focusthetruth.com/

Follow Trypta Media @tryptamedia
Website: https://www.tryptamedia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tryptamedia/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/tryptamedia

Follow V Don @vdonsoundz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vdonsoundz/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VDONSOUNDZ
Website: http://vdonserioussoundz.com/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/vdonsoundzserious

Follow PaperChaserDotCom @PaperChaserDotCom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperchaserdotcom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperChaserBlog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paperchaserdotcom/
Website: https://www.paperchaserdotcom.com/

Follow Me

Follow Us On TwitterFollow Me On YoutubeLike MY Facebook PageConnect With Me On LinkedinConnect With Me On Google+Join My WebsiteFollow Us On Instagram

Read more…

12353494901?profile=original

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving is making sure WNBA players can sit out the season and not stress about a paycheck.

The Brooklyn Nets star is committing $1.5 million to supplement the income of players who choose not to play this season, whether it be because of coronavirus concerns or social justice reasons.

The funds will come from the KAI Empowerment Initiative that Irving launched Monday. It will also provide players with a financial literacy program created by UBS.

Irving said that with the help of WNBA players Natasha Cloud — who chose to sit out — and Jewell Loyd, he connected with several WNBA players who discussed with him the challenges they faced in deciding whether to play. The season began Saturday and will be played entirely at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

He decided to help with the financial burden in a league where the top annual salary is a little more than $200,000.

“Whether a person decided to fight for social justice, play basketball, focus on physical or mental health, or simply connect with their families, this initiative can hopefully support their priorities and decisions,” Irving said in a statement.

Players such as Cloud and Atlanta’s Renee Montgomery opted against playing for social reform reasons, though it’s unclear how many will qualify for Irving’s program.

To be eligible, players must provide insight into the circumstances surrounding their decision and not be receiving salary support from any other entity. An opt-out for medical reasons must be connected to the coronavirus pandemic.

Players can get information at www.kaiempowermentinitiative.com. They need to apply by Aug. 11 and recipients will be notified on Aug. 24.

Irving is not with the Nets for the restart of the NBA season as he recovers from shoulder surgery. He has been outspoken about social justice issues and recently produced a TV special calling for action in the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician who was shot eight times in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 13 by plainclothes officers serving a narcotics search warrant without knocking at her apartment. No drugs were found.

WNBA players wore Taylor’s name on their jerseys during opening weekend.

Follow Me

Follow Us On TwitterFollow Me On YoutubeLike MY Facebook PageConnect With Me On LinkedinConnect With Me On Google+Join My WebsiteFollow Us On Instagram

Read more…

12353340496?profile=original

Video After The Jump

Queens, New York has a deep history of birthing elite emcees. Focus the Truth has emerged as the next artist capable of being added to the list.

Peep his new music video for "Pay to Play" featuring Elle Simone and Vo and you'll see what we mean.

This is off of Focus' "Immortal" album, available now!
https://focusthetruth.com/immortal
https://focusthetruth.com/store

You can purchase the single "Pay to Play" here:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/pay-to-play-feat-vo-elle-simone/1497769720?i=1497770230

Video directed by Altrac Productions @altracproductions
Website: http://www.altracproductions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altracproductions/

Produced by Smoking Indoors @smokingindoors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokingindoors/

Follow Follow the Truth @focusthetruth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focusthetruth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusthetruth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/focusthetruth
Official website: https://focusthetruth.com/

Follow Elle Simone @scrubdaddii
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scrubdaddii/

Follow Vo @wu_vo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wu_vo/

Follow Me

Join Our Facebook Fan Page Follow Us On Twitter Follow Me On Youtube Like MY Facebook Page Connect With Me On Linkedin Connect With Me On Google+ Join My Website Follow Us On Instagram
Read more…

12352913290?profile=original

Video After The Jump

J Stone is one of the most exciting artists coming out of the West Coast. Signed to Nipsey Hussle's All Money In, No Money Out imprint, Stone is etched in the memory of fans following his featured appearance on Nipsey's song, "All Get Right," as well as his solo projects.

Today he releases an official music video for his banger titled "Unfadeable" off of the 2017 "Written in Stone" album. Cop it from iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/written-in-stone/1353124775

Follow J Stone online:
https://twitter.com/iminfantjstone
https://www.instagram.com/jstone_allmoneyin/

Follow Me

Join Our Facebook Fan Page Check Us Out On MySpace Follow Us On Twitter Follow Me On Youtube Like MY Facebook Page Connect With Me On Linkedin Connect With Me On Google+ Join My Website Follow Us On Twitter Follow Us On Instagram
Read more…

12352904077?profile=original

Los Angeles rapper and All Money In, All Money Out recording artist, J Stone, is back with a new Mike and Keys-produced banger titled "Don't Give a Fuck Pt. 2" featuring Nipsey Hussle and Philthy Rich.

Follow Me

Join Our Facebook Fan Page Check Us Out On MySpace Follow Us On Twitter Follow Me On Youtube Like MY Facebook Page Connect With Me On Linkedin Connect With Me On Google+ Join My Website Follow Us On Twitter Follow Us On Instagram
Read more…

12352901291?profile=original

Video After The Jump

J Stone is one of the most highly anticipated artists coming out of the West Coast. Signed to Nipsey Hussle's All Money In, No Money Out imprint, Stone is etched in the memory of fans following his featured appearance on Nipsey's song, "All Get Right," as well as his solo projects.

Today he releases an official music video for his banger titled "On My Own" off of the "Written in Stone" album. Cop it on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/written-in-stone/1353124775

Follow J Stone online:

https://twitter.com/iminfantjstone

https://www.instagram.com/jstone_allmoneyin/

Follow Me

Join Our Facebook Fan Page Check Us Out On MySpace Follow Us On Twitter Follow Me On Youtube Like MY Facebook Page Connect With Me On Linkedin Connect With Me On Google+ Join My Website Follow Us On Twitter Follow Us On Instagram

Read more…

12352671283?profile=original

Video After The Jump

This music video for "All Get Right" from Nipsey Hussle featuring J Stone was originally supposed to be released when Neighborhood Nip's "Crenshaw" mixtape dropped back in 2013, but the editor got locked up and was unable to finish it until now.

@NipseyHussle @ImInfantJStone @djvip510

12352672077?profile=original

Follow Me

Join Our Facebook Fan Page Check Us Out On MySpace Follow Us On Twitter Follow Me On Youtube Like MY Facebook Page Connect With Me On Linkedin Connect With Me On Google+ Join My Website Follow Us On Twitter Follow Us On Instagram
Read more…

12352133685?profile=original

Nipsey Hussle delivers more new music to kick off the week. He links up with G. Perico for "Basic Instinct." The track was produced by Mars & Mike + Keys. Give it a listen up top.

12352134481?profile=original

Follow Me

Join Our Facebook Fan Page Check Us Out On MySpace Follow Us On Twitter Follow Me On Youtube Like MY Facebook Page Connect With Me On Linkedin Connect With Me On Google+ Join My Website Follow Us On Twitter Follow Us On Instagram
Read more…

12352070470?profile=original

Video And Pics After The Jump

Nipsey Hussle and YG brought people of all colors together in South Los Angeles on Sunday, April 4, as they shot the music video for "FDT (Fuck Donald Trump)."

The LAPD eventually showed up and shut everything down, but by that time enough footage had been shot to complete the visuals, according to TMZ.

Peep the scene below.

Instagram video and photo credits to @YG @Mkaykush @jtwothree_ @gotthathiphop1 @4.8jayy @mosaicc_ @mynameshb @oc.ruckus @nipseyhussle

12352070681?profile=original

Follow Me

Join Our Facebook Fan Page Check Us Out On MySpace Follow Us On Twitter Follow Me On Youtube Like MY Facebook Page Connect With Me On Linkedin Connect With Me On Google+ Join My Website Follow Us On Twitter Follow Us On Instagram
Read more…

12351417075?profile=original

12351417463?profile=original

Video After The Jump

Protesters took to the streets on Friday, March 6, after a 19-year old black man was shot five times by police in Madison, Wisconsin.

Cops responded to a call that Tony Robinson had committed battery earlier. When an officer arrived at his apartment he said he heard a disturbance inside. The cop forced his way into the apartment and reportedly got into a struggle with Robinson. During the fight the unidentified officer was reportedly hit in the head. He then drew his weapon and fired.

12351417679?profile=original

Tony Robinson (right) was a recent graduate of Sun Prairie High School

12351418260?profile=original

Police Chief Mike Koval

"In the context of mutual combat in that sense, the officer did draw his revolver and subsequently shot the subject," Madison Police Chief Mike Koval said.

12351418454?profile=original

Hours after Anthony Robinson was fatally shot by a Madison police officer, his grandmother, Sharon Irwin (second from the right), and aunt, Lorien Carter (pictured with the megaphone), asked the crowd at Williamson Street to keep demonstrations peaceful. 

Police said they did not know if Robinson was armed, but initial indications are that he was not.

The officer on the scene administered CPR immediately after the shooting. Robinson was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

State law mandates that an independent investigation be conducted. MPD froze the scene until the state Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation arrived,according to The Daily Cardinal.

12351418287?profile=original

"You're not protecting us, you're killing us!" Robinson's grandmother, Sharon Irwin, shouted at police as the protests continued into early Saturday, according to The New York Daily News.

16123642073_8ae92f930d_b.jpg

Protesters chanted "Black Lives Matter" and "Justice!"

Robinson's aunt, Lorien Carter, said the family wasn't allowed to see Robinson's body in the hospital because it was considered "evidence." 

"He wasn't referred to as 'his son' or 'your son,' just 'evidence,'" she said.

16717696906_e501e99f53_b.jpg

16121290954_0e109cc2e0_b.jpg

16742524462_55604aae4a_b.jpg

Sources: New York Daily News, Associated Press,, Nico SavidgeDaily Cardinal

Follow Me

Join Our Facebook Fan Page Check Us Out On MySpace Follow Us On Twitter Follow Me On Youtube Like MY Facebook Page Connect With Me On Linkedin Connect With Me On Google+ Join My Website Follow Us On Twitter
Read more…

12351250886?profile=original

Nipsey Hussle is preparing to drop his new album entitled Mailbox Money later this month. To get fans warmed up he releases a new song, "50 Niggaz," produced by 1500 or Nothin and Mike & Keys.

Follow Nipsey Hussle on Twitter and Instagram @NipseyHussle

https://twitter.com/NipseyHussle

http://instagram.com/nipseyhussle

12351251499?profile=original

Follow Me

Join Our Facebook Fan Page Check Us Out On MySpace Follow Us On Twitter Follow Me On Youtube Like MY Facebook Page Connect With Me On Linkedin Connect With Me On Google+ Join My Website Follow Us On Twitter
Read more…

12348923467?profile=original

 

Video After The Jump

Kevin "K-Mac" McCall, best known for producing and rapping on Chris Brown's "Deuces" is starting to make a name for himself as an entertainer as well. In addition to being a rapper McCall is also a singer and songwriter signed to Brown's "Chris Brown Entertainment." His debut mixtape "Un-Invited Guest" recently dropped showing his immense potential.

Check out the Edward Tran directed visuals for "F*ck You Pay Me," which appears on the tape.

 

 

 


 

Read more…

NY Daily News Reports Roxanne's revenge was sweet indeed. Twenty-five years after the first queen of hip-hop was stiffed on her royalty checks, Dr. Roxanne Shante boasts an Ivy League Ph.D. - financed by a forgotten clause in her first record deal. "This is a story that needs to be told," Shante said. "I'm an example that you can be a teenage mom, come from the projects, and be raised by a single parent, and you can still come out of it a doctor." Her prognosis wasn't as bright in the years after the '80s icon scored a smash hit at age 14: "Roxanne's Revenge," a razor-tongued response to rap group UTFO's mega-hit "Roxanne, Roxanne." The 1984 single sold 250,000 copies in New York City alone, making Shante (born Lolita Gooden) hip hop's first female celebrity. She blazed a trail followed by Lil' Kim, Salt-N-Pepa and Queen Latifah - although Shante didn't share their success. After two albums, Shante said, she was disillusioned by the sleazy music industry and swindled by her record company. The teen mother, living in the Queensbridge Houses, recalled how her life was shattered. "Everybody was cheating with the contracts, stealing and telling lies," she said. "And to find out that I was just a commodity was heartbreaking." But Shante, then 19, remembered a clause in her Warner Music recording contract: The company would fund her education for life. She eventually cashed in, earning a Ph.D. in psychology from Cornell to the tune of $217,000 - all covered by the label. But getting Warner Music to cough up the dough was a battle. "They kept stumbling over their words, and they didn't have an exact reason why they were telling me no," Shante said. She figured Warner considered the clause a throwaway, never believing a teen mom in public housing would attend college. The company declined to comment for this story. Shante found an arm-twisting ally in Marguerita Grecco, the dean at Marymount Manhattan College. Shante showed her the contract, and the dean let her attend classes for free while pursuing the money. "I told Dean Grecco that either I'm going to go here or go to the streets, so I need your help," Shante recalls. "She said, 'We're going to make them pay for this.'" Grecco submitted and resubmitted the bills to the label, which finally agreed to honor the contract when Shante threatened to go public with the story. Shante earned her doctorate in 2001, and launched an unconventional therapy practice focusing on urban African-Americans - a group traditionally reluctant to seek mental health help. "People put such a taboo on therapy, they feel it means they're going crazy," she explained. "No, it doesn't. It just means you need someone else to talk to." Shante often incorporates hip-hop music into her sessions, encouraging her clients to unleash their inner MC and shout out exactly what's on their mind. "They can't really let loose and enjoy life," she said. "So I just let them unlock those doors." Shante, 38, is also active in the community. She offers $5,000 college scholarships each semester to female rappers through the nonprofit Hip Hop Association. She also dispenses advice to young women in the music business via a MySpace page. "I call it a warning service, so their dreams don't turn into nightmares," she said. Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons said Shante is a shining role model for the rap community. "Dr. Shante's life is inspiring," Simmons said. "She was a go-getter who rose from the struggle and went from hustling to teaching. She is a prime example that you can do anything, and everything is possible."
Read more…
} Facebook Login JavaScript Example