We've Moved!

www.21hustle.com

The New 21st Century Hustle Dot Com

Some of you may have noticed that there is a new site at www.21stcenturyhustle.com that asks for an invitation to join...That is temporary while we build out the new site. The new Hustle site will go live at 8 a.m. April 21, 2008.

For now, to access the blog and info regarding the Magazine go to:
www.21hustle.com

The Blind Leading the Blind!

The Blind Summit Theatre’s Low Life examines the interesting people and strange characters in a bar. There are alcoholics, depressed men and lusty ladies. There’s even a visit from the plumber to unclog a pipe. What makes this production different is that it’s done with puppets. Ok, a puppet show for adults? I had to see it. There were six scenes in the production: a three-foot-high Kevin Spacey look alike mistakes his wife for a dog; a cleaner gets lost in a romantic novel; Bud, the action hero plumber, tries to fix a leaking pipe; "Investigation into Murder!" — The Afternoon Movie, A Jack Belane Mystery; Mildred drinks to forget; and Kevin finds himself the last man at the bar. The show was great.

I left thinking how there are unlimited hustles. These folks took the skills they had, acting and puppet making and created a unique experience that people pay to see. That’s using what you got to get what you want. I mean, when was the last time you went to a puppet show, for adults? If someone can put on a puppet show and travel the world expressing themselves and being paid, I can do anything, and so can you.

-Zaccai Free

www.solarpub.com
www.zfreeland.com
www.onecommonunity.org

BROOKLYN:An Old School Rent Party--TONIGHT

A very fitting sign of the American economy AKA "The Drought":

The Office of New York City Council Member LETITIA JAMES, & KEVIN POWELL presents...

An "Old-Fashioned" Rent Party for Poet/Brother MO BEASLEY

Thursday, March 20, 2008 at Frank's Lounge - 660 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (between South Portland and Lafayette Avenue)

6:00 pm until 10:00 pm - $20 donation or more - ($20 gets you in and we'll feed you, but you gotta buy your own drinks!)

to the readers outside of New York(Especially you guys with Euros and Pounds), you' can chip in too!

the contact info is:
Mo Beasley
Performing Poet • Author/Playwright • Educator
646.322.7121
mobeasley@thelovestorm.com
www.thelovestorm.com
www.mobeasley.com

Memories of the Rent Party

-image by Goldi Gold

Now most of us don't remember the days of the Rent Party, and what that meant economically. People were doing what it took to keep the roof over there head, while at the same time bringing their community together for a common cause.

I found a great rent party testimony by ERNIE PANNICOLI , photographer & author of Who Shot Ya? He takes us into his heartfelt memories of the Brooklyn Rent Party via an unofficial James Brown eulogy. (via dallaspenn.com)

Growing up in Brooklyn there was one thing you could count on in the late 60’s and early 70’s and that was every weekend, especially around the end of the month was a rent party. For those of you who are too young or too privileged to know what a rent party was it was simply a means to get up the rent. Usually for a couple of bucks and BYOB (bring your own bottle) the party would start around 11pm and last and last and last. It ended around dawn or earlier if there was a knife fight (usually over a woman who would leave with another man not involved in the fight) or folks were too drunk or tired to dance any longer. Most of the places, women and people are a blur to me now, but the one thing every rent party had to have was a DJ (no not a Grandmaster Flash, Grandwizzard Theodore or Grandmaster Caz, this was before Kool Herc showed us what a DJ was in Hip Hop style).

The rent party DJ’s were cats with a record player, two or three large, loud speakers and a ton of LP’s or 45’s (damn it, not the guns 45’s were small 45rpm records). And if they ever wanted you to come to another rent party in their apartment again they better have a lot of James Brown music and they better have his best known jams and they damn well better have his latest stuff. It was believed in Brooklyn at that time that James Brown did an album a month and that every album had 12 cuts and that at least 5 of the 12 were hits and at least 12 of the 12 were danceable. If you could not dance you also better get out the way or learn to dance or at least look cool trying to dance. And only the very elite, the top of the top would even try to copy any dance moves from the master himself James Brown.

This was long before MTV, BET or even music videos. Folks would go see James Brown live and in a week whatever new steps he would create would be known, copied and built upon from coast to coast. We felt sorry for people outside of Brooklyn and knew the only place that danced as good, fought as hard or had as much soul in the world was Brooklyn. We also knew that wherever James Brown was born, raised or lived his soul was from Brooklyn and the music he made was especially made for Brooklyn. I learned to make out, dance and fight in Brooklyn and the music that always seemed to be in my head was James Brown. Today Heaven just became a hipper more soulful place, right now it probably sounds like a rent party in Brooklyn. Those rent parties are why I put James Brown at the front of my book “Who Shot Ya?

Qoute of the Day-

"Remember, things come to those who wait--but only things that are left behind by those who hustle."
-Barry Farber in Entrepreneur Magazine

read entire article

That's what I'm Talking bout!!! You are now free to start your day!!

Quote of the Day

"Going down is better that coming up."

This a a quote I heard going down the steps into the subway station in New York, as I was stuck behind two women "slow strolling" and complaining about climbing steps and life in general.

And the thing is they are right!! Coming up is hard work. You need focus and discipline. You have to take every painstaking step until you get were you are trying to go.Going down on the contrary feels great!! That is until you hit the bottom and realize that you gotta come up again. Going down is so good they event got slick slogans for it... "Ball til you Fall" "Ride it til the wheels fall off." and my favorite from a old school radio promotion for a club in South Florida "Party til' ya broke."

Over here its all about coming up.

GGC NEWS: Lebron x Vogue=A Gracious Stylist

We are happy for Lebron "Billy(as in Aspiring Billionaire)" James as he graces the March cover of Vogue, but more so for his stylist Rachel Johnson.

Its a fitting career highlight for Rach, who over the past 8 years, worked at a neck break pace supplying freshness to Hip Hop's elite including Pharell, Ja Rule, Jamie Foxx, etc. Here at the Hustle we are especially proud since weknow Rach from her college days, when she was the vintage clothes connect, slanging leisure suits to all of the FAMU hipsters.

Congrats Rachel keep doing our thing!!

The Come Up

It all started when...My interest came very early because my mother is a fashionista. I inherited it. She would take me to Bergdorf's, we'd go to thrift stores, she just shopped... I have this picture in my office from the 2^nd grade that my mother framed; it's this girl --everything she had on was cut from construction or foil paper - she had gold hoops, bangles, cuffs and boots -- so many accessories! I was on it back then too.

My first break was... Simultaneously assisting two stylists who hired me a day apart, Sybil Pennix with Boyz II Men and June Ambrose on this NBA fashion show. Those were my first jobs; that was seven and a half years ago.

I've worked for Andrea Lieberman and with Tameka Foster, Usher's wife. I was with her for two-and-a-half years. I learned everything, as far as running the business is concerned, from her.

My breakout project was.. Ja Rule, when he was hot and rocking the Burberry. I was with him when he could do no wrong, that kick-started everything for me.

(READ RACHEL'S FASHION TIPS SOHH.COM)

Z Free: Green is the New Black?

Green is everywhere. Caring for the environment, also known as “being green”, has become a lifestyle and an industry. The changing weather patterns, threatened animal and plant species are forcing us all to take a closer look at our life on this blue, green planet Earth. Are we responsible for our action here? If we all contribute to the polluting of the planet, will we all contribute to its healing? If so, does race matter? A glance through most yoga magazines or a visit to many health-oriented activities reveals a lack of color. No, not colorful clothes, but people of color, melanated blacks and browns. On Feb. 28, 2008, Uptown Magazine presented “People of Color Don’t care About the Environment”. The night provided a wonderful opportunity to hear from some on the leading edge of including new faces and voices into the work of re-connecting man and nature.

The panel discussion was led by Simran Sethi, host of Sundance Channel’s The Green, and included Jarid Manos, environmentalist author of “Ghetto Plainsman”, Ludovic Blain, Racial Justice Entrepreneur, Omar Freilla of Green Worker Cooperatives of the South Bronx, Audrey Peterman, founder –Earthwise Productions and Sharon Levine of Concrete Safaris.

Opening with music by Marques Tolier and Rex Detiger, the discussion covered a wide range of areas. Some Key thoughts were: “The environmental movement is about all people.” (Simran Sethi); “We get the benefits of technology while the burdens go to poor people of color”(Omar Freilla) who are more likely to live near dump sites, electrical plants, water treatment facilities and the like; “The violence people do to the Earth mirrors the violence people do to each other.” (Jarid Manos); “Educating people about the environment is actually educating people about themselves.” (Sharon “Mac” Levine).

Although the hall was far from packed those who did attend were invigorated and motivated by the wide range of programs and activities presented by the panelists. I left agreeing with Jarid Manos who said, “ In the midst of so much devastation we can still celebrate . . . we grow as a society if we work to take care of others.” Others includes nature and the people we see every day.

www.solarpub.com
www.myspace.com/zaccai
www.thoughtsmagazine.blogspot.com

Muhammad Speaks: Global Grind v.s. Global Grind

We've been getting a lot of calls and emails regarding Russell Simmons' website globalgrind.com, from people who know our brand 21st Century Hustle: Global Grind Culture,



Yes the name was "inspired" by us

No we are not affiliated with it



Its simple- we created a concept that we called the Global Grind Culture and a nameless employee of Russell's "took" a liking to the sound of that. She's actually someone I know and met with regarding my brand... Yet she sat on our myspace page for months (myspace.com/globalgrind) and soaked up game. Then Russell and crew created a web 2.0 platform. As they sat around the boardroom table looking for names for this platform, the "nameless" one, threw global grind into the mix.

Russell liked that and ran with it...

Now tell me what the F____ am I suppossed to do.... Like Rocko said....

" You just Do You....Imma do Me!"



.....Now that we covered that let's get back to the regularly scheduled hustle.

In Motion,

Mr.Muhammad

For more info on what The Global Grind is click HERE.

The Chronic Machine

Cali gets the world's first Marijuana Vending Machine.

"My Commitment" :Business For a 19 year-old

Note from a reader in the Philippines, who gives his experience as a young entrepreneur just getting started.

In my experience about what they call “business”. I started my business career when I was 18 years old approximately 4 months ago. I entered business, but in my first up to third month of doing my business I found it really really really hard. I’m a boy from Philippine and everybody thought that Philippines people are like a dust in very huge floor what we call earth. But in my mind something comes to strengthen my business career. I put it in this way: 1.) APGF 2.) DWYW 3.) NOCSM. These are the idea and feelings that comes and always produce by my mind when I’m doing my business.

1. APGF – Always Put GOD First (because since I was birth in this world called “EARTH”, my parents always go to church every Sunday and I raise and live with teaching about GOD…)

2. DWYW – Do What You Want (never force yourself in the things you do not want instead, focus on what you want and believe you want it)

3. NOCSM – No One Can Stop Me (When an idea comes in my mind I make an act on it, even the whole world try to stop me, I do whatever it takes to done my idea and show it to the world)

This is MY RULE and anyone who going to apply this in their life. Be aware of what you decide because there are no exceptions when you see an idea in your mind. Put a big consequence and make it BIG like your life or loved ones…

Emmanuel P. Gacuma

Student, Entrepreneur, Duelist, Gamer

Dasmariñas, Cavite, Pilipinas

Hustle Quote: Goldi Gold

"Absolute freedom does not exist; what does exist is the freedom to choose anything you like and then commit yourself to that decison."-Paulo Coelho
From Goldi Gold http://www.myspace.com/goldigold

Who Wants to Be America's Next Top Lawyer?

There was a good read in the New York Times yesterday called "The Falling Down Professions." It sums up how the "status" professions are not as attractive as they once were. And how “There used to be this idea of having a separate work self and home self...Now people just want to be themselves. It’s almost as if they’re interviewing places to see if they fit them.”

“The older professions are great, they’re wonderful,” said Richard Florida, the author of “The Rise of the Creative Class: And How It’s Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life” (Basic Books, 2003). “But they’ve lost their allure, their status. And it isn’t about money.”

OR at least, it is not all about money. The pay is still good (sometimes very good), and the in-laws aren’t exactly complaining. Still, something is missing, say many doctors, lawyers and career experts: the old sense of purpose, of respect, of living at the center of American society and embodying its definition of “success.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/fashion/06professions.html?ex=1357275600&en=e6188de13887a970&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Rick Ross Charities Inc. Partners with NFL San Francisco 49er Pro-Bowler, Running Back, Frank Gore and 21st Century Hustle Magazine to Launch Pre-IPO

Muhammad Ross

Venture Philanthropy Paves the Way for Community Development

October 29, 2007 (Miami, FL) For the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, Rick Ross Charities Inc., will distribute dozens of turkeys to families in the Miami community who are in need. This will take place Saturday, November 17, 2007 in Miami Gardens, Florida at the new franchise Hip Hop Grub Spot.™

Rick Ross Charities Inc. takes on urban community development through venture capital and is aiming to set an example for others to follow suit. By giving back to his community with concrete objectives, he is setting a standard. With the success of the 1st Annual Rick Ross Be Out Day this past August, it was confirmation that the organization is blazing that path to initiate change in the community.

"We believe the best way to stop the violence, crime, and broken homes in the community are through creating jobs, university economic partnerships with urban youth entrepreneurs, and sound business opportunities for investors through Hip Hop," says Rick Ross, Platinum selling rapper from Miami [Slip N' Slide/Def Jam Recordings].

Denise Fonseca Gomes, CEO of HBCUEntrepreneurs.com Inc. and the co-creator of "Hip Hop Grub Spot" states, "Venture capital is missing in Hip Hop right now. What you find in Hip Hop is a strategy to create artists [rappers] as brands, then approach major corporations to use these brands to market products and services for product placement opportunities. We are offering venture philanthropy as an alternative to this industry practice as a more profitable long-term solution." Gomes goes on to say, "The Hip Hop industry will allow you to believe that Hip Hop consumers just buy music to dance to. [Hustlin'] showed it was bigger than music. Many in the global Hip Hop community supported Rick Ross because they wanted to see how spending $20 on an album or $.99 for a ringtone or download changes urban society-- they can see that with Hip Hop Grub Spot™ and Rick Ross Charities Inc."

Hip Hop Grub Spot™ is a Hip Hop themed, healthy fast-food establishment which incorporates, young executive/entrepreneur training, in-store video gaming with support by Hip Hop artists and professional athletes. It will also retail magazines, dvds, mix-tapes and apparel; while serving fast, fresh, healthy grilled meats, vegetables, smoothies, and energy drinks created for the franchise by PepsiCo and Sysco Foods. The menu items also incorporate the names and likeness of some of today's hottest hip hop acts. The flagship location will be located in Miami Gardens, Florida and is open to sell 100 locations in three months.

NFL Running Back, San Francisco 49er and Pro-Bowler Frank Gore states, "I bought Rick Ross' album in 2006 because I identified with "Everyday I'm Hustlin" and I wanted to support an urban entrepreneur from Miami that went through the same struggle I did as a young black male from the inner-city. I knew that once Rick Ross made it, he would be in a position to help others. I am also in the process of starting a foundation to make it possible for urban youth entrepreneurs to attain the, "American Dream" of homeownership, college education, and owning your own business."
Ali Muhammad, Founder of 21st Century Hustle and former Vibe Magazine Executive adds, "There has always been a segment of hip hop culture that firmly identifies with the fundamental principles of the American Dream, and is not afraid to live accordingly. Rick Ross belongs to that group that embodies the spirit of capitalism and philanthropy."

Rick Ross Charities, Inc is currently accepting donations to further its cause as well as corporate sponsorship alliances. For more information, on both Rick Ross Charities, Inc and Hip Hop Grub Spot™, please contact Melissa Sessoms at sessomspr@gmail.com or (305) 772-6825.

New World Order pt3.5:

When we talked about netflix dooming movie gallery video stores the other day we posed the question was Blockbuster next. However, uner further inspection Blockbuster has launched its own version of online video rentals and is actually shaking netflix up!!

from inc.com

When it launched in 1998, Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) threatened to make the video store obsolete. Boasting quick turnaround and no late fees, the DVD-rental-by-mail company, which is based in Los Gatos, California, zoomed to nearly a billion dollars in revenue. Now, however, the company finds itself losing market share to a resurgent Blockbuster (NYSE:BBI), which began offering a cheaper DVD-by-mail service last year--one that also lets users pick up new DVDs at any of the company's 5,000 stores. In a bid to keep up, Netflix matched Blockbuster's lower pricing this summer, only to see its stock price drop. Can the onetime matinee idol find its way back into the limelight? We asked some entrepreneurs what they would do if they ran Netflix. read the responses

Mr.Untouchable

New World Order pt 3:Death By NetFlix

Movie Gallery, the second-biggest video rental chain after Blockbuster, said yesterday that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an effort to cut debt and reorganize.

Is Blockbuster next? Do we need the Video Store anymore? Remember VHS ?

The Donald Kicks Ass(Again)

In promoting his new book "Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life" The Donald is to the Learning Annex, what Diddy is to club promoters! Big Money at the door! Except The Learning Annex is giving "some" of it back(sorta)

From the NyTimes

Several hundred people have gathered outside the Barnes & Noble on the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 46th Street for a book signing by the real estate developer Donald Trump. The line extended outside the store and down Fifth Avenue and around the corner onto 46th Street. But it wasn’t clear if they were truly fans of Mr. Trump’s writing or responding to a large ad in Metro New York today, which proclaimed, “Donald Trump Is Giving Away Money.” Well, in fact, it was not Mr. Trump giving away the money, but rather the Learning Annex, the continuing education company where he teaches large “wealth expos.”

The Learning Annex gave each of the first 100 people in line a $100 bill. According to the ad, the next 200 people were to get $50 each and the next 1,000 people were to get $10 each, for a grand total of $30,000 given away. (Here’s a tip of the hat to the Media Mob for taking note of this.) However, as this post will explain, in reality less than half of that money (all the $100 bills but only some of the $50 and $10 bills) was actually distributed....

...Bill Zanker, president and founder of the Learning Annex, said he decided to hand out money at the event in hopes it could inspire people.

“Donald changed my life [READ: MADE ME A WHOOOLE LOTTA $$$]and I try to change other people’s lives,” he said.[READ: COME TO MY "WEALTH EXPO" AND MAKE ME A WHOOOLE LOT MORE!]

He said he handed out $100 bills to the first 100, $50 to the next 100 and $10 to the next. “It was fun,” he said. “People were so happy.”

JD's Big Week

Jermaine Dupri is on a major push right now to get those much deserved props, with an Autobiography in stores, and a AD campaign with Courvoisier.the Ad campaign



The Book; "Young Rich and Dangerous." you can check some excerpts here.

I think Jermaine should get more props as a producer, however I think the only thing he is missing is the "change the game" moment. He's the best at doing the hottest of what's hot, but he hasn't done what the Dre did for Gangster, or what Diddy did for the R&B x Hip Hop movement, or what Quincy did for Thriller. But Don't count him out all he needs in one change the game moment and he could get what he's looking for--RESPECT! But you definitely can't hate on his hustle. For, if he doesn't pump his own shit the critics definitely won't.

For the record: I always said they wrongly credited Cash Money Records BG and Weezy for giving us the word Bling! That goes to JD...

24K Gold Macbook Pro

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Cut The Check:QD3 Strikes Deal With The Weinstein Company

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--QD3 Entertainment, the leading independent producer and aggregator of high quality urban content for multi-platform distribution, announced today a multi-year output deal between its affiliate Digerati Holdings LLC and Genius Products LLC, a leading independent home entertainment distribution company that is owned by The Weinstein Company and Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB:GNPI) to produce and distribute original home video titles and feature films. Under the deal, QD3 Entertainment will produce approximately two original titles per year for distribution by Genius Products and may also work jointly with Genius Products to acquire completed or nearly finished urban related titles for sole distribution under the QD3 Entertainment brand. The parties will create films focused on redefining and representing urban culture.

The first QD3/Genius title, already in production, is "Who Shot Ya," an unflinching documentary examining the prevalence of violence in hip-hop, featuring prominent rappers discussing their personal experiences being shot. The film will also tackle the larger issue of gun violence and its disproportionate impact on minorities.

Quote of the Day

“I've been an employment lawyer for 15 years, and probably the single biggest misperception about the law is that an employer has to have a reason before they can fire you," says Paula Brantner, the program director for Working America, a community affiliate of the AFL-CIO that advocates for nonunion workers, and offers an “Ask-a-lawyer" service on its Web site that fields many inquiries about questionable firings.

“Most people don't know you can get fired for anything," she says. “They think they have rights they don't have."

From the article, FIRING LINES : CAN YOU REALLY GET CANNED FOR WEARING TOO MUCH PERFUME? DRINKING THE WRONG BEER - AND IT HAPPENS

Read Article at the NYPOST.COM

Thinking Caps

Strictly for those who have their mind on their money....NEW ERA has produced new 59Fifty baseball caps named CURRENCY, with a pattern of overlapping bills from many nations. There are two versions available. The embroidered symbols for the Japanese YEN and the European Union’s EURO adorn the front panels. These are available at select NEW ERA retailers now.
From our friends over at StrictlyFitteds.com

FREEZE!!

Good News! You will soon be able to freeze your credit reports, making it more difficult for identity "teefs" to open accounts in your good name. This is a much better solution than say, keeping credit so bad that the "Teefs" can't open accounts anyway.

All three credit reporting agencies recently announced plans to let consumers freeze their credit files. Credit freezes provide security at the cost of convenience: access to credit reports and scores is prevented without the consumer's express authorization, making it difficult to open new accounts or lines of credit. Freezes are considered one of the best, albeit drastic, ways to guard against identity theft.

Starting November 1, Experian will allow victims of identity theft to freeze and thaw their accounts for free. Others will have access to the same services, though the charge will vary by state.

read more at the consumerist.com

First Steps

Here's something to get your day going, brought to you by Fila.

New Boondocks Trailer

The World's Most Dangerous Cartoon is Back!

Damon Dash: The Columnist!

Looks as if Dame is going to be a business columnist for Metro(the "Glocal" newspaper). I guess he understands how important it is to keep your voice being heard. Do ya thang!

His first shot at columnizing is on mixing friends and business.Read his first entry...When buds and business mix

Damon Dash: The Columnist

"The Man Who Thinks He Can"

If you think you're beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win, but think, you can't
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you will lose, you're lost;
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow's will,
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to hustle before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.


Walter D. Wintle

Speaking of B-Days

Its Mine today!! So I'm One foot in One foot out today!

The Kenny Burns Show pt 2

When it comes to personal branding Kenny Burns has managed to out do himself one more time. This time it was for his annual over the top traveling B-day celebration that will take place in my hometown---Miami.

I received the invite last night and It was a "KB Special". It came in a box that was branded Kenny Burns x Belvedere. I assumed it was a mini bottle of "Belvie." But, for KB, that would've been too simple. So I opened it up and boom. A Kenny Burns Bobblehead with the following quote inscribed at the base. "I'm here to inspire the world...Even you celebrities."-KB




This is the type of branding usually reserved for major corporations and celebs, yet again somehow KB has used his gifts to turn himself into his own Brand.

Here's a look at the save the date video. Do your thang hommie.

Favela Funky-- Battle: Vinyl War

Four years, three painstakingly-detailed sets, 28 sassy characters, a head-shaking 10,000 photos later and Terpins Greco, the 40-member Brazilian team responsible for producing Battle: The Vinyl War, is finally seeing the juicy fruits of their labor. This month and next their stop-motion animation will be shown on Brazil's Cartoon Network channel in a four-part weekly series.

The shorts, which clock in at a brief five minutes each, follow the story of a vinyl shakedown between two DJs set in the favelas of São Paulo. Though all fictional, it's the classic story of the established versus the newcomer. DJ Black Jahmantha, a man who needs no introduction, faces DJ Air, a new up-and-comer, while DJ Thiade oversees the battle. Staying true to real life scenes found in Brazilian street and hip-hop culture, famous underground hip-hop DJs King and Cia were recruited to be the voices and music behind the main characters and Thiade got to cameo as himself.

via coolhunting

Mzoli's Meat, Cape Town South Africa

Mzoli's Meat is cool hood spot, located in the township of Gugulethu, southeast of Cape Town. It has transcended its core butcher shop business to become a global tourist must see...

Mzoli's is a butchery, which doubles up as a very popular restaurant. But a restaurant with a difference - and soon we discovered it to be the ultimate social networking, user-generated business outside of Wikipedia

You start off in the butchery - choosing from a vast selection of meat cuts, Your meat is handed to you in a huge enamel bowl (secret marinate optional), which you take to the braai kings at the back of the shop for a good grilling.
Head out to the 'restaurant' section of the shop, around the corner and take a seat.

The first thing you'll soon notice is that there are no waitron staff. If you want drinks - you have to go to the house next to number 4 across the road.
You'll probably be offered a seat at the game of cards already underway and a Jack on the rocks, but if you're focussed on your mission - you'll get the beer you're after in the fridge in the kitchen
Bread (good with the marinade) can be bought at the spaza shop on the corner.

The idea is that Mzoli's supplies the meat (and a wet cloth if you're looking suitably messy) and leaves the rest to the neighbourhood business community to supply. Even the music is courtesy of restaurant goer's parked cars.

The place was packed by 2pm, with loads of people waiting for tables throughout the rest of the afternoon.


Via cherryflava

When Rehab Goes Pop

This is how you know the dope game has crossed all the way over...

via makethelogobigger

New World Order 2: Disney Crank That

The Walt Disney Company has prospered by keeping an extra-tight leash on its animated critters. Publish a comic book depicting Mickey Mouse as a sadomasochistic smoker, as a group of underground cartoonists did in the 1970s, and prepare for a not-so-magical encounter with copyright lawyers.

So why is Disney tolerating YouTube videos that turn Bambi, Simba and Winnie the Pooh into rap stars? YouTube users started posting the videos, set to “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by the rapper Soulja Boy, about five months ago.

The postings (called mash-ups), are made by editing together snippets of animated movies and TV shows. The finished products look like music videos in which the cartoon characters do the singing. As “Crank That” climbed the music charts over the summer — the song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this month — the videos started gaining in popularity and users edited together versions using characters owned by other big media companies. A version using clips taken from Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” has been viewed more than seven million times.

Ny Times

The Boondocks Back October 8!

The second season of Aaron McGruder’s series, The Boondocks will premiere Monday, Oct. 8 at 11:30 p.m. (ET/ PT) on Adult Swim, Cartoon Network’s late-night sister network showcasing animation and live action for adults. Fifteen new episodes of the Peabody Award-winning series from Sony Pictures Television are set to air through January 2008.

The new season finds Huey, Riley and Granddad encountering a roster of characters, both new and familiar, in uproarious situations, including Granddad’s feud with Thugnificent, a world-renowned rapper who moves into the neighborhood; their friend Tom DuBois enlisting the counsel of A Pimp Named Slickback, when he fears losing his wife to R&B superstar Usher; the family’s day at the movies, where they go to see “Soul Plane 2;” Granddad’s attempt at online dating; and their experiences in taking in a family after Hurricane Katrina. Throughout the season, an eclectic mix of hip-hop artists, actors, comedians and media personalities will voice guest characters on the series, including Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Ghostface Killah, Cee-lo, Lil Wayne, Donald Faison (Scrubs), Aisha Tyler (Balls of Fury), Kym Whitley (Reno 911!), Tichina Arnold (Everybody Hates Chris), Mo’Nique (The Parkers), Marion Ross (Happy Days), Tavis Smiley, Terry Crews (Everybody Hates Chris), Bill Duke (X-Men: The Last Stand) and Cedric the Entertainer (Talk to Me). Reprising their guest roles from last season are Mos Def, Xzibit, Charlie Murphy, MTV’s Sway and Katt Williams, among others.

WestSide Hustle

The 21st Century Hustle crew is on the Westcoast this week. It will be fast times, in the fast lane getting goals accomplished with my my LA fam!! So in the spirit of the West I'm going to leave you with a piece we did in the first 21st Century Hustle Magazine on how to get it done when you are doing business on the left coast. Enjoy.


7 Things to consider while on business in LA

1. Get UP!
When your body wakes up at 4 AM PST get up!!! This will give you time to check emails, prevent fires, work out and see the sunrise. You never want your problems to have a three hour head start.

2. Navigate
Anticipate every move that you need to make for the day, and plan accordingly. LA traffic is unmerciful to the wrong turn. My thing was to rent cars with navigation and give myself an hour between meetings, because in LA Everything is an hour away.
3. Prioritize
Once I have my geographical bearings, I would set up meetings in order of convenience. I like to get my harder sells and office meetings done early so towards the end of the day I can kick it with my more casual clients. This way I could enjoy Mr. Chow with my folk (What up Tubby!)

4. Think like a Local, Act like an Immigrant
You traveled from your home 3,000 miles across the land for one reason, to get this money--Act like it. Don’t be daunted by the shallowness of Hollywood. On the surface understand they like aesthetics, but be diligent in your work and grind. Most cats just look the part-out do them with work ethic.

5. Time
LA tends to be very laid back in pace (they invented the three hour lunch) so it is easy to be hypnotized by the palm trees and mojitos. However, this casual trance will prevent you from taking advantage off all the opportunities that exist with the amount of time you have. Therefore, keep things at a go getter’s pace. This will set you apart and bring some excitement to the game.

6. Get Some Friends
This is very important when you are on the West frequently. In order to maximize your time and efforts you have to become ingrained into the economic fabric of LA. So having a network of people that can constantly keep your name buzzing is a must.

7. Smell the Roses
Find the places that inspire you and
build or steal the time to visit those places, between or after meetings.

Keep Walking

"What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step."

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Anytime I set out to do something big. I run into obstacles, dead ends, opposition, & frustration. Sometimes I want to say forget it and move on to something else, but the inner hustle is always like "come on lets try it like this, call so & so, go get that what'chamacallit." then it points me in a new direction and all of a sudden we are back on course.

Just think of it like this, if you knew you had a million dollars waiting on you 1,000 miles away and the only way for you to get it was to walk. Would you go get it? Would you wear out those Jordans going to get i? Hell yeah. Its the same in any aspect of life. You want that Job you are going to do everything you can to get that job. Resume, letters, recommendations, 2-3 interviews, scouring the net on your current job 's computer....etc. You have to put that same resolve into building your dreams.

Yet, in doing so, hard times will come, but you just have to keep walking. And at some point you'll arrive.

New World Order 1: Quarterlife Will Air on MySpaceTV

What started as a pilot for ABC three years ago, and rejected has found a broadcast home on MyspaceTv.

Emmy-winning television show creators Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz are teaming up with MySpaceTV to distribute their new online series, "Quarterlife." The first "Webisode" will air on MySpaceTV November 11.

“When Emmy award-winning producers come to MySpaceTV you know this is reaching a whole new level,” said Chris DeWolfe, CEO of MySpace. “We’re proud to offer the creative community a blank canvas and open platform to express their vision.”

Herskovitz and Zwick are the Emmy Award-winning co-creators of the TV series thirtysomething and My So-Called Life; they have also produced hit movies, such as Traffic and Blood Diamond.

http://quarterlife.com/

Fahamu Pecou: Arty Like A Rock Star

On Friday, I went to check out Atlanta Artist, Fahamu Pecou in his first NYC solo exhibit. I actually didn't know he was coming but I stumbled across them setting up the exhibit earlier in the week.I know they were bugging because I just bum rushed the exhibit as they were hanging the pieces and sipping Heineken (below).
My bad!! But I promised I'd come back for the opening on Friday.

The series that being shown now through October 6 is called "Born in Famous a satire on Pop Culture. However, by using himself as the "Art Celebrity" in all of the pieces, he also makes the statement that he too is "the shit!" I love it, he just did the Jedi Mind Trick on the world. By "observing" Pop culture obsessed with people who are famous for anything he in turn becomes famous for something. Great Plot.


SIDEBAR: Heineken needs to go ahead and do the deal with this cat!!

BORN inFAMOUS is the latest suite of paintings utilizing Pecou’s alter ego as “art celebrity”. These works consider and challenge art-world politics and issues of the black male body. Audacious, confrontational, and witty, the work appropriates the lexicons of celebrity, magazine, and fine art culture to facilitate conversations that allow the viewer to examine these traditionally separate worlds and see where they connect.

In BORN inFAMOUS, Pecou ups the ante with the swagger of a Blaxploitation anti-hero, battling a system that prides itself on tokenism and flavor-of-the-month icons. The paintings in this series cite the work and words of figures like Melvin Van Peebles and Andre 3000 (of the hip-hop group Outkast), whose ability to stay politically and socially current in their work make them relevant to a contemporary audience as they recalibrate their work and careers across genres and styles.

If you are in NYC Go See it!

September 7 - October 6
Lyons Wier • Ortt
171 7th Avenue, NYC 10011 212•242•6220
http://www.lyonswierortt.com

If you are not in NYC check him out here.
www.fahamupecouart.com
www.myspace.com/fahamu

10 Producers to Watch

Here's the full Variety list that we reported about earlier...

On the 10th anniversary of our 10 Producers to Watch list, Variety looks both forward and back. We present a new crop of producers showing great promise.

Click the links to read the stories.

Will Packer

Pablo Cruz

Doug Dey and Lynette Howell

Lee Eugene

Alexandra Milchan

Michael Roiff

Michael S. Ryan

Todd Traina

Simone Urdl and Jennifer Weiss

Orian Williams

Power Moves!!

This week Variety Magazine will announce its prestigious 10 Producers to Watch list. One of which is 21st Family, Will "Power" Packer from Rainforest Films. For those who know about this list, its a BIG Deal and for those who don't know Rainforest....They are too !! Consistently on the grind since '96, The Forest started off by shooting the extremely independent film Chocolate City, while they we're still at FAMU. With a slew of underground hits and box office successes under their belt they are poised for Hollywood longevity. Big time Congrats and much love!!! See ya at the Toronto Film Festival-Lets Get it!!

The HIT: Stomp the Yard $75 MILLY At the Box Office & #1 for 2weeks straight!


Its a celebration!! Will Packer with Stomp Star Columbus Short and Director Sylvain White

The Saviour: The Gospel took them to greater heights $17milly at the box office

The Catalyst: TROIS the underground classic! Fastest grossing African-American Indi Film. And still selling!



Below: More Underground Goodness