Rappers with a Degree: Kidz In The Hall

More college educated MC's from Chicago on the mic, hitting the ground running using potent lyrics that are more common to home ground for most college students. In just the past few years we have witness some of the illest rappers of time come from the Chi-City ranging from Common, Kanye, Lupe and now Kidz In The Hall, evidently the Chi is definitely where its at when your looking for lyrics with intellectual knowledge behind them.

Not only do these artists have a great lyrical ability they both hold Ivy League education which means that yes they graduated and these young men see the rap game as a place where young educate black men can prevail and still have an education to back it. Many would say that they took the formula that got Kanye started in his career by using nice lyrics, dope beats, and great charisma and delivery.

This is also not your average rap group being that they serve as a duo that both have lyrical skills in making anybody with any sense want to listen and explore their lyrical content. Although they are both still young in the game their sound does not show it as for it seems as if they have been in the game for years ahead of time. So it looks like the future for these Rawkus Records label signees is heading for the long haul and will bring much success their way with their new leading single "Wheelz Fall Off". Check out the Video and see how these brothers are taking it from the Ivy League back home to the Chi.

Potential Merger Between Google & Yahoo!

Just recently it was found in advertising news that there might be a potential merger between the powerhouse search engine companies, Yahoo and Google. Although both of them have not yet fully committed to this possible merger, there has been test lasting up to two weeks in which Yahoo will deliver Google ads right next to Yahoo’s search results. Some people looking in on the situation truly believe that if this merger becomes official it will definitely give Google an effective monopoly over search engine websites and that it would not be healthy for marketers or the overall internet economy. Not only will this merger effect economy or the search engine industry but it will also effect communications via advertising, marketing, and new media.

Moreover, Google is not the only company trying to merge with Yahoo but, Microsoft has even offered Yahoo $31 a share to acquire their company. For the folks at Yahoo there is a very big decision to be made and one that can change the face of online searches forever. After asking a Microsoft general counsel about the issue he summed it up by saying, “This would make the market far less competitive, in sharp contrast to our own proposal to acquire Yahoo. We will assess closely all of our options.” Therefore, this is definitely a big deal and one that will leave one company extremely happy.

Although we all know Yahoo and Google as being the premier search engines that we have learned to love to use it the ever were to merge and create a long-term deal, many people will believe it would be short-sighted on Yahoo’s part for doing so. Also if Yahoo decided to do this and give up search ads, it would hurt Yahoo’s ability to sell integrated marketing buys over the existence of its company. For this reason, this decision that will be made by Yahoo will greatly impact the Internet world.
After much thought and reflection I truly believe that Yahoo should stand-alone and continue to be its own company. For I believe that if Yahoo merges with either Microsoft or Google they will be very dissatisfied with their decision and probably regret ever making the decision in the first place. Although its very visible that Yahoo would like to expand and build to its company I would definitely advise them to be more innovative and build on to their company with originally creative ideas to bring more traffic to their site again. This it would allow them to keep their site to themselves, not promote another company, and have more creative freedom in their expansion for the future.



Therefore, there are many great things that can come of this merger for communications and many terrible things that can happen, depending on what the decision makers decide to do in a matter of time. So hopefully we will be able to know soon exactly what it is Google and Yahoo decides to do and it will directly impact the communication world because it will change the way we use search engines definitely. Additionally, if it were up to me I would tell the people at Yahoo to suck it up and continue to slowly build their company until it is as great as Google is in the search industry besides just helping Google create a monopoly.

The Legacy of Notorious B.I.G. Tribute

Not many artists in this business can lay claim to the title “Greatest of all time” and even be considered to be in touch with reality. Even fewer can be taken seriously if it is known they are in perfect mental health, however there are a few exceptions in the history of Hip-Hop. The late Brooklyn born Christopher Wallace is one of the select few that can even be acknowledged by the Hip-Hop community as one of the Greatest Rappers ever to touch a mic. Today Koncrete Messages would like to pay tribute to the self-donned Notorious B.I.G. AKA Biggie Smalls would change the face of Hip Hop and take the world by storm with his extremely potent, superior written rhymes that would bring on platinum hit after platinum hit.

Biggie was born May 21, 1972 in Brooklyn’s Bedford Stuyvesant to Voletta Wallace, and from the beginning showed signs of potential talent. Biggies initial dream was to become a graphic designer and with his scholastic abilities did not seem like something too far from his reach. Eventually he would become intrigued with local thugs and hustlers, and soon the allure of the street life became too much for Chris to turn away from.


In 1991 a tape was sent in to The Source magazine by a fresh new talent who called himself The Notorious B.I.G. The tape, which ended up giving Biggie the Unsigned Hype competition spot for, the magazine eventually won. This tape eventually came by the way of Uptown Records producer Sean “Puffy” Combs who immediately contacted biggie and singed him to his newly formed label, Bad Boy Entertainment. In 1992 Biggie had a song out that got a lot of attention. The song "Party and Bullshit" was the song that first got peoples attention toward biggie and his amazing rhyming ability.

B.I.G. eventually became a multi-platinum superstar. Biggies CEO and friend Puffy had been at the heart of East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry, which was headed by Puffy’s, N.Y. based Bad Boy Entertainment going against the notorious Suge Knight and his company, the L.A. based Death Row Records. What eventually raised the stakes for this rivalry was Biggies former good friend and rapper 2pac who in late 1995 signed to Death Row after posting bail paid by Suge Knight himself. The set up couldn't have been better if it was written for a blockbuster movie, Biggie on dominating East coast label: Bad Boy and 2Pac, who believed that Biggie was the one who set up 2Pac's shooting in 1994, on the dominating West coast label: Death Row. Tragedy was the only outcome anyone could see from this... They were right. On September 7th, 1996 2Pac was shot on the Las Vegas strip and died a week later. If that didn't strike enough grief in the hearts of the Hip-Hop world, just 6 months later another tragedy hit.



Therefore we pay tribute to Christopher "B.I.G." Wallace was shot and killed on March 9th in Los Angeles 11years ago. All of the music nation was stunned by the loss of two of the only artists that could have laid claim to the title "Greatest of all time" 

Not too long after all the tragedy Biggies sophomore album Life After Death hit the streets and became an instant classic in the eyes of the Hip- Hop elite. The Source gave the albums a 5-mic rating which is a very rare occurrence, the singles from the album dominated the radio, and the album itself would go on to be certified Diamond (10x Platinum). This album too brought on awards. R and B album of the year from billboard, another MTV VMA, Spin magazine named him the artist of the year, and multiple times Life After Death was named album of the year. An undoubtedly Hip-Hop classic which included the hit singles "Hypnotize", "Sky's The Limit", Mo Money Mo Problems", and "Fucking You Tonight" to name just a few. As said before Biggies death was a vicious shock to the entire music industry and sent shock waves around the world.



The Notorious B.I.G.'s public funeral, however, was anything but peaceful. Thousands flooded into his Brooklyn neighborhood to catch a glimpse of his hearse, jumping on cars and clashing with police; ten people were arrested. A private funeral held earlier was more cordial, with Queen Latifah and members of Public Enemy and Naughty by Nature in attendance.

Till this day the case of Biggies murder has not been solved. Voletta Wallace still searches for the murder(s) and the answer to the most important question: "why?" All over the world, the B.I.G. fans tend not to remember that a great man was taken from the Hip-Hop world, but more so that he brought an extremely prosperous and positive presence to Hip-Hop itself. For that he may very well be the greatest of all time.

America's Best Dance Crew: Thriller Edition

After watching some of the best dancers on tv right now I thought it would be great to share with the rest of the world. On the America's Best Dance Crew tv show it features dance groups/teams from all across the nation that receives challenging task to tackle while fighting for their spot on the show for another night. Since I've been watching this show the illest crews in my opinion is the Jabbawockeez, they definitely have the complete package when it comes to dancing. This is ranging from acrobatics, ticking, popping, breaking, precession, style, and uniqueness.

In the video below you can watch a full episode of the show paying tribute to one of the best dancers in the world "Michael Jackson". These teams are also willing to take it to the next level while performing wild and crazy stunts just to make it to the top! Also take notice to the judges which consist of Lil Mama, Shane Sparks, and JC [Former Member of NSYNCE) as they commentate on what they witness during every performance. ENJOY.

Tragic "Juvenile" Delinquent: Kills Immediate Family

The former Cash Money Records rapper Juvenile four-year-old daughter was murdered by her 17-year-old brother. It was later founded out that not only did he murder his baby sister but, he went on a killing spree murdering his 11-year-old siter and his mother whom stayed in the Gwinnett County section of Georgia. After a police investigated the area after a neighbor reported hearing gunshots by a house near by he found the bodies inside of the house on Feb. 28th. Anthony Terrell Jr. turned himself in, although he has not yet admitted to the police the location where he placed the weapon (a gun) with which he used to kill his immediate family. The police officer, David Schiralli, who is the spokesman for the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department said, "We do not have a motive at this time," in reference to the murders. Although Terrell is a sophomore at Central Gwinnett High School, he was charged with three counts of murder and three counts of aggravated assault and is being held at DeKalb County Jail.



This is a mere example as to why we as African Americans need to get back to loving our families and raising our children in a respectable manner to prevent instances like this from occurring. Simply because there is no reason why a child should ever get to the point of killing off his family members in an insane state, such as using violence as a way to relieve stress and anguish. We must learn from this situation and understand that life is sacred.

We here at Koncrete Messages would like to send our condolences to Juvenile's family and friends for their lost.

The Future of Music!: Janelle Monae<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Janelle Monae is one of the baddest and hottest artist on the rise and has nothing pulling her back. Just recently signed to Bad Boy Records Ms. Monae is on her way to the top with her ground breaking lyrics, unique style and lovely voice which can be a blend between opera, pop, and classical creating her own genre. Ms. Monae is from Kansas City,Kansas and has a very original style that is needed in todays music which is growing more towards "Generation X" era. Not only does this great performer do a great job at what she do but, she has a very unique style that will attract the masses not just in the USA but across the world as well.

Therefore I think P. Diddy is very excited about his newest member to his Bad Boy Empire where he is also currently working with his other two newest editions to his record label Danity Kane and Day26. Although he is working hard to keep them two groups inline he wont have to worry about Janelle Monae because she is determined and on her grind when it comes to her music career. When I asked a friend what they thought about Janelle Monae he stated, "After seeing her at the HU Homecoming Fashion Show I had to buy her CD!"...he also went on to say, "Shes like the female comparison of Andre 3000 (Member of Outkast)"

Moreover, Janelle Monae is soon to be one of the best artist to have ever picked up a mic and record some of the hottest music ever heard on the planet! When you get a chance definitely check her out and buy her album because its nothing more than straight up Crack! And when I say crack I mean addictive because once you listen to it the first time you wont even want to turn it off or put it down.


Check out one of her live performances above^^^^^^^^^

Hilary Clinton MADtv Parody: Why can't we all just get along?

Kudos to MADtv for offering some humorous relief to the current campaigns of Democratic Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Aside from the tense debates between the two candidates, people all over this country have been debating whether or not America is ready for a black man or a woman in office. This country is quickly becoming divided over the issue. This parody of Rihanna's hit "Umbrella" has been long overdue. Finally, we can laugh about the debates, campaigns, etc... Thanks to MADtv which airs on FOX.

The Hottest TV Show Intro: Fatherhood [E!]

The new Snoop Dogg show Fatherhood which shows on the E! Channel, has one of the freshest television introductions ever to be put on tv in a longtime. Honestly I think the last time there was a television intro that was as cool as The Fatherhood intro was back in the 80's when The Cosby Show was very popular lol. But furthermore the Hip - Hop Icon Snoop Dogg has proven that his television intro is one of the best yet to come and hit the tv screens across America.

The intro has a hot Hip - Hop sound and with Snoop's lyrical rhyming about his family makes it cool and fresh at the same time...therefore who ever the Executive Producers for his show knows how to entertain and cater to Snoop's cool, laid back and smooth style: to attract his fans. Therefore I believe this is one of the best TV Intros in the year of 2008 thats actually fresh and hip.

Etch-A-Sketch Genius

After watching a Guy use an Etch-A-Sketch on the news the other day it made me say wow, everybody on this earth has something that they are great at doing. Little did I know that anybody would be great at putting together compositions on an Etch-A-Sketch and actually be able to make his hobby of using a childhood toy a hustle. George Vlosich is a young and professional Etch - A - Sketch artist, who has done work for just about every kind of entertainment ranging from NBA Players to Politicians. Not only is this guy just talented but he spends about 72hrs on each piece and has even been invited to the White House to show of his great talent!



This also proves how we sometimes are around some of the greatest talent when we are running around in a mall, on a train or plane for a long trip, or simply in class/at work with them everyday. I say this to say that you never know who you are around you could be sitting next to the next big time singer, graphic designer, cook, president, etc. So be sure to treat everybody with kindness and be open to meeting people, because you just might met somebody that will change your life. With out further do be sure to check out the Video and witness some of his great talent.

THE GOLDEN 13

Have you ever heard of "The Golden 13"? Maybe not...but if not you definitely should educate yourself and pay attention. Everyday is black history for there is so many great things that black people have done and accomplish that was not recorded or written down due to racism, illiteracy because of slavery, and various other reasons. Today I want to bring recognition to one of the most intelligent men who served to be apart of The Golden 13 in the early 1940's.

The Golden 13 was station near the Great Lakes and had a lot against them because they were African American but, simply because they were determined and strong individuals they did not let anything stop them from being apart of the Navy. They stuck it out through every difficulty. Finally, the day came for the final comprehensive test of Officer Candidate School. When their test results went to the Pentagon, there was consternation and disbelief. The Golden 13 had scored the highest grades that had ever been recorded in Navy history and still stands as the best Record ever recorded in the Navy.

Because of all the hostility and racism that occurred during that time it was unbelieveable that black men could do so good on the test. They (Whites) did not want to believe that it was possible for 13 young black men to achieve scores far beyond those of the young white men taking the same test to become naval officers.

The poisonous legacy of generations of Jim Crow had seeped into the WHITE American mindset. The Golden 13 were challenging that mindset, and in the process, challenging segregation, Jim Crow, and the entire status of African Americans in the United States.
The officials still did not want to give props to the Golden 13 that scored greatly on the test and a order from Washington, D.C.: made them take the test again! Although the new test was harder and tougher the Golden 13 scored higher than they did before and so they remain at the top.

So this goes to prove to you that African Americans are some of the most gifted and intelligent individuals on the planet and we will always be able to do whatever we put our minds too!

Fire In Slowe Hall - Howard University, Wash, D.C.

Currently this friday in Washington, D.C. there was a fire inside of Lucy Diggs Slowe Hall around 2:30 p.m. It was said that the fire had started simply because some girl was doing her hair and her curling iron wire had shorted and did not work anymore; so she wrapped it up in a towel [STILL HOT "Man I can't believe this"] and threw it down the trash-chute. So this had students confused as they walked out of the dorm and saw fire trucks speeding down 3rd and Elm St., located in Northwest Washington. After the firemen went in the building and put the fire out we the students still had to stand outside for about another 30mins after already being in the cold for about and hour. Check out the footage and notice how none of the students moved out of the front of the building as the firemen came to put the fire out. Man sometimes I wonder how some of these people get accepted into Howard University, like really who throws Hot Appliances in the trash yet alone down a trash-chute.

Making Da Band - When Diddy Lays the Smack Down!

I've always been a loyal Making Da Band watcher just as most other college students and like minded high schoolers in the nation. Its definitely one of those shows that will make you stop and say to yourself that I have no other choice but to be my own boss. With Sean "P.Diddy" Combs being the Executive Producer of the show for the past 3 years it really makes you think why do people still go on Making Da Band each year and act a fool knowing that Diddy is bound to put them in their place? Through out the past three seasons with the creation of Da Band, Danity Kane, and Day26: Diddy always find somebody to sh*t on and put back in their place.


Just recently Diddy called out a member (Robert) of Day26 and told him "I think you got that Bitchassness disease in you"..."That sh*t is contagious and is deadly and we don't want to catch that sh*t here at Bad Boy" Immediately Robert b*tched up and straighten up his act....but my question is this. How come these artist just dont have their act together from jump street? To me it just seems like they are just adapted to just being degraded and talked about poorly just to remember that Diddy is the one writing the checks and they have no control over whether or not they will be sent home or not.

Its halarious but horrible at the same time being that if Diddy just woke up on the wrong side of the bed or had a bad day he can just immediately sh*t on one of the members of one of his groups and send they ass home with them crying asking for a second chance! If you ask me thats where I would like to be one day, being the person that call the shoots and dont have to answer to anybody! But until then I'll keep you posted on whats going on with the Making of Da Band 4 this season throughout the year!

Special Ingredients To A Well Rounded Person

One night I was just thinking about what exactly is it that a lot of people miss that makes a separation from horrible people and extremely nice people. And I'm still not quite sure as to what to say about the situation but when I found this video on YouTube about Muhammad Ali's perspective on life it really makes you think what if people really followed this and cared for other people.

As a tribute to black history month please take note of one of the greatest boxers to have ever been in the game of boxing and take heed to what he is speaking in this video.

Paul Harris - Syracuse University

When you think of one of the illest dunkers in the game you think about Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Lebron James, and Dwight Howard.....but when you really get deep into the game of College Basketball it would be ridiculous to leave out the name "Paul Harris" of Syracuse University ... after doing some research and watching this kid play I found some footage that would make anybody instantly put him in their all time favorite dunker category.

Slam Dunk Contest - Cupcake Epidemic!

In all of my days of watching professional basketball in the National Basketball Association, I've never experienced so much commotion and excitement as the commentators had when Gerald Green #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves lit a candle in the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest in New Orleans, Louisiana. While Green was setting up his premier dunk one of his teammates climbed a ladder and lit a candle on a pink cupcake. While Greens teammate was climbing down the ladder he grabbed the ball and leaped in the air BLEW THE CANDLE OUT and still Slammed the Ball threw the rim. Take note as he dunks the ball the commentator sounds very immature as if it was one of the greatest things he has ever saw in his life repetitively saying "HE BLEW IT OUT HE BLEWW IT OUT HE BLEWW IT OUT" just like a 4yr old at their first friends birthday party. Check it out its pretty cool to see how idiotic people can be over something so small to the world!

Much props to Gerald Green for doing something that has never been done before on the face of the basketball court!

Once again its Election Season!

Currently at Howard University many students are in a frenzy taking courses and studying to pass midterm exams but for others they are walking the campus and campaigning trying to get the student body's vote so that they may be the new HUSA Executive President, HUSA Executive Vice - President, or brand new Undergraduate Trustee, and let us not exclude the other elections that are taking place for the other various schools. Most importantly it is good to see everyone on Howard campus so involved in hanging up posters, sharping their speech skills while speaking at Speak Outs and, catering and making promises to fix just about everything that is wrong with the university. Of the top candidates in the Howard University Student Association campaign stands Abby George & Tiffany Bright, Chris Caldwell & Kim Jones, and Nick Owen & Kellen Moore. The all stand on great platforms and are willing to do whatever it takes to take on the next seat in office at Howard University.

George & Bright stands on the platform "Breakthrough" which has many efforts to try and improve and reach out beyond Howard University and make a better college relationship with the campus and the surrounding area. On the other side stands Caldwell & Jones on the platform of "The Frontline" emulating the first step and taking the challenge to better the university for the better and to improve on "The Homecoming" platform that's in place now at Howard. One of the more aggressive platforms belongs to Owen & Moore which states "Taking It Back", which is lead off the ideology of taking Howard back and making it the way it use to be by having all of the student rights and improving the universities policies to better assist the students.

In my opinion there are a lot of great candidates and you just can't go wrong either way you see it! The thing that matters most is that all of the candidates are on top of their games and in it not only for the win but for the Students as well, and thats something that is very much appreciated here at Howard University. With that being said there has been much campaigning that has already taken place in the universities Blackburn Center Punch Out, and will continue up until March 6th which is the day in which the new Howard University Student Association Executive President and Vice President will be selected.

So be sure to be involved in voting for the best candidates and make sure to set aside some time on March 6th to vote on Bisonweb, which can be accessed through the Howard University website: http://www.howard.edu

NIU Shooting leaves 6 Dead Including gunman.

At Northern Illinois University (NIU) there was a shooting this past week in Cole Hall on the campus located in DeKalb,IL. The gunman was said to be wearing all black and carrying one shotgun and two handguns in which he used to open fire in Cole Hall. After the shooting it was said that there were 18 victims transported to Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb which left 8 victims in stable condition, 6 in good condition, and 4 in critical condition and two of those victims were transported to regional hospitals. After the aftermath it left 6 students dead including the gunman.

Now in order for this stuff to stop the universities across America needs to better the security and create more awareness about these occurrences because this is not healthy for the students of these universities and have already occurred at Virginia Tech University as well. In order for there to be a change University Administrators are going to have to take it upon themselves to better the security at universities to prevent this from happening over and over again. This only leaves families, friends and love ones hurt to know that someone close to them life was taking at the drop of a dime over something that could have been prevented.

So please if you are reading this stop and remember the ones that were gunned down not just at NIU but, at all of the other Universities across the country and give their families your peace, love, & blessings.

Lucy Diggs Slowe Hall Blackout - Howard University, Wash, D.C.

Just recently at Howard University the lights and heat inside of Lucy Diggs Slowe Hall which is a dormitory at Howard University electricity went out at 3 AM in the morning. This left students frantic and in the cold and dark for hours in unsafe conditions for hours, causing many to miss class, no access to the internet, and confusion. Many of the students were not happy with the university's protocol in trying to solve the problem as they act as if nothing occurred. Students stated that there was an email sent out telling all of the students inside of Slowe Hall that if they did not want to stay in the dorm for the night, that they could go to another dorm and spend the night with a friend of the same sex. "This is a horrible way to solve a problem as a community director or administrator at Howard University.", stated a student who wished to be anonymous. "To be quite honest it was around the time for midterms and major projects were beginning to be due, so who would really want to have to leave their dormitory to waste more time?"

After about 24 hours without electricity the students that stayed in Slowe are not convinced to stay there next year and is looking forward to moving into a new and improved apartment or condo. Its sad to see the university reacting slow to the event as Bush did when Katrina hit New Orleans and therefore the administration and the office of residence life should be concerned about the procedure that was not carefully thought out in a situation like this. When I asked a student for a closing thought he stated, "Once again a rare occasion that is yet to be fix or thought about at Howard University", located in, Washington, D.C.