Bleeding Sea

My heart…Thump. Thump. Thump.

A delayed beat burdened by a solemn ache.

You ever felt an ache? An obstinate, continuous pain that fails to cease

A rebellious throb…My heart contaminated by such sudden dismay.

You remember when you used to love me?

Remember when you left me?

I remember when you flowed back to me like a lucid wave.

You breezed my skin & caressed my heart; soothed my lonely, despaired soul that threatened to transform to a cold river.

You ever walked on ice? Felt it crack like glass under your feet?

Cold & hard yet vulnerable & malleable

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Ice -cold. That’s my heart you stepping on!!!

Why’d you do that? Leave me at the front door of your house

Crying buckets of flowing rivers falling like hopeless rain drops

Drip. Drip. Drip.

You ever seen a heart bleed? It’s a sad thing to see-a young girl so blinded by a used –to-be love that all she does is cry & bleed.

No, she don’t always cry. Most of the time she’s smiling. Wearing a mask of a healed broken heart. But she knows no such thing.

If she’s not crying, she’s bleeding.

Her heart pouring down like a sad sea. By the time the sun rises it freezes over then begins to crack like an ice pack

Click. Clack. Click.

You see her crying? Bleeding like a wounded soldier.

Somebody hold that girl! Stop them invisible tears!! They say.

I almost forgot I always talking about me.

You remember when you loved me then left me cold & bleeding by the sea?

The Black Dream

Who Am I? Classified, Dignified, Portrayed Condemned. Who? I?

I’m not confined to a field of erratic, inane dreams scattered like dead leaves

Destined to Blow away into world of uncertainty & subliminal ambiguity

Who? I? Not Me?

He says I’m BLACK, Impertinent. Destined to Fiasco & Death. Limitation & Incarceration & she says I am inadequately less than she. She blinks & quivers at my proximity. She doesn’t say, but she thinks I’m pre-destined to her welfare system, the ghetto & the government’s section of eight counts of “you’re poor”

They stare me up and down with profound enmity. Wishing & waiting for an epic down fall. A stereotypical failure that will impede, destroy & mislead a courageous yet “precarious” dream

I have to maintain. Not for he & not for She

But for him. The one who protected & believed in the Acceleration & ameliorating of that dream. That one dream that he never Knew. But he still believed.

I’ll rise above a statistic & tenaciously transcend any repulsive wish for a disruptive mislead.

I’ll do it. Not for he & not for she but for her who stood in the crowd and risked her life just to hold her fist & cry “I’m Black & I’m Proud”

She believed, He Dreamed. Why shouldn’t we?

Nina Jazz

She floats in the bar like a silent dream. Her dress flowing freely in the alcohol congested room.

The bar quickly grew loud with quietude as everyone became perplexed by her magnetic elegance

The caramel skin guy-the one with the goatee-stops in mid-position-his pool stick in his right hand, tightly positioned around the width. The man-the one who came in depressed over his flailing finances-set down his fifth glass of Hennessey straight. The heart surgeon at the end of the bar-the one perpetually poisoned by loneliness- lost focus on his solitary confinement, soon as his eyes fell upon the silent dream that softly glided into the room.

The DJ glanced up from his turn tables. Two records in his right hand. His eyes confounded by her stunning presence. The lights were dim, inconspicuous, but her brown skin glowed luminously, vivid & radiant. The music that played above subtly seemed to halt compliantly to her dignified vicinity. The room became profoundly noiseless but her beauty sang a song.

It was poetic . Soothing & soft like Jazz, Calm & Serene with a melancholy tune.

Nina’s melody placated the heart surgeon’s solitude~calmed the depressed & broken man who found temporary solace in Hennessey. As she glided placidly through the smoke infested bar you could hear her graceful song, the blowing of the saxophone & the gentle pressing of the piano keys. Her voice imaginary but lovely, emotes a pain of sorrow & consolation.

Nina’s jazz is Divine. You hear her song? It’s all over the room. Ubiquitous & delightful~ You could hear her it in her African made hips and in her honey coated complexion. It traveled through the wells in her cheek bones, blew through her hazel pupils, emanated from her elegant fragrance. Everyone heard Nina’s Jazz. It’s soft like blues & smooth like Mother’s bedtime melody. Placid. Poetic. Do you hear her song?

Loko No More

Written: December 1, 2010

The FDA has is striving to put an end to the sales and legal distribution of the well-known Four Loko beverage which has become widely prevalent to consumers all over America.



The infamous Four Loko drink has become overly popular since its launch in Ohio in 2006. Since then, the drink has been linked to many alcohol related injuries, deaths, and black outs. The beverage is considered to be a toxic concoction of alcohol and caffeine. The amount of caffeine included is believed to be the equivalent of three shots of espresso, while the amount of alcohol is believed to be about 12% in most states-the equivalent of four beers. The drink is carbonated and consists of sugar, natural and artificial flavoring. The drink also has four other ingredients- hence the term “four loko”: caffeine, taurine, guarana, and wormwood. The drink is available in a variety of flavors including orange, blue raspberry, fruit punch, watermelon, and a few others.


According to the FDA and many police officials, the potent drink evokes the “blackout effect” on many individuals. It is also stressed that while under the influence of the beverage, many people feel compelled to handle volatile tasks such as drinking and driving. The alcoholic/ energy drink is believed to be responsible for many incidents that took place in Washington, Michigan, Utah and Oklahoma. It is said that in these states, citizens were hospitalized after drinking the beverage. Thus, these four states recently banned the legal distribution of the drink. However, since then, many other states, including Maryland and New York, have abolished the sales of the Four loko as well.


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration began to assert that the alcohol and caffeine levels concocted in the drink are hazardous. In November, manufacturers of the Four Loko beverage announced that they will remove caffeine and the other stimulants from the drink. However, the drink is still viewed as toxic and held under considerable suspicion by the F.D.A.

Officer Down

Police department officials assert that a clothing law that governs plain-clothed officers to wear the color of the day or week may be implemented so that other officials can identify them. This law is prominent in other cities and states. However, on duty officers are forced to remain in uniform at all times until the further review of the prospective law is taken place.



“We want to make sure that we’re using plainclothes officers in the safest manner possible” said the Baltimore Police Department’s chief spokesman, Anthony Gugliemi.


The police officers who opened fire on Officer William Torbitt Jr. , 33, mistaking him for a armed civilian, have been identified as Officer Latora Craig, nine - year veteran; Harry Dodge; 11 year -veteran; Harry Pawley; a 17-year veteran; and Toyia Williams; a 13-year veteran.


Police state that Officer Torbit was on duty, and responded to a fight call that was taking place outside of the club. It is said that Officer William was the first to respond to the call. Torbit strived to break up the brawl and was attacked and forced to the ground. Torbit then retrieved his gun and shot one of the civilians. As soon as Torbit wounded the civilian, four uniformed officers opened fire on him. Though these officers work in the same district as Torbitt, they did not recognize him. 41 shots were fired in total by the officers. The gun ramble ended in the death of Torbit, and a 22-year old civilian, Sean Gamble, and four others wounded. Police believe that Gamble was killed by the eight shots that Torbit fired.


Police are striving to decipher if Officer Torbit was in the right for opening fire on Gamble. However, Gulgielmi asserts that surveillance cameras reveal Torbit being attacked by civilians. Police supervisors also said that it is not certain whether Gamble is the initiator of the brawl. However, it is known that Torbit and Gamble did have an altercation.


Nonetheless, the shooting has served as a disastrous and tragic shock to the police department and the city of Baltimore. Mayor Rawlings-Blake has referred to the shooting as “a tragedy that shook us to our deepest core."










The funeral services for Officer Torbit will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

I Came Up, I Warmed Up, The Next Up

"If They Don't Know Your Dreams, Then They Can't Shoot'em down"

Anyone who knows me knows that I have an un-yielding love for Real Hip-Hop. Yes, there are certain songs that I will drop it low to in the club, but would never listen 2 outside of the party scene. There are a few artist whose songs I blast when a foul mood, but at the end of the day, I have no respect for these so called "rappers" who lack originality and real talent. I’m sorry; I can't get with the bubble gum theme songs that have become overly prominent in the rap industry within the past few years. I had almost given up, and didn’t believe that another artist would come around and grace the Hip-Hop world with originality, reality, clever lines, and still be able to move me after their first album. Until one day in 2009 I was introduced to "The Warm up”. I had never heard of J. Cole a day in my life, but after listening to a few tracks on Cole's second mix tape, I was sold!!! I fell in love with the fact that he could rap so passionately about harsh reality, dreams, failures, death, etc. and flow incredibly as well...I felt his pain in "Can I live" could relate to being harassed by Sallie Mae in "A Dollar and A Dream Pt II" laughed at his cleverness in "Light Please" and completely fell in love with the outrageous theme in "Dreams" ft Brandon Hines....I listened to "The Come Up" (backwards I know) and realized this dude had become one of my fav artists. Then, one day I hear he had a record deal.

















Last Year Mr. Jermaine Cole was signed to Jay-z’s label "Roc-Nation" which now consists of Wale, Rihanna, and a few other talented artists. The day I heard that my secret had been found by the industry, I was somewhat disappointed simply because Most artist transform to commercial, bubble gum talents once they leave the underground world. Ultimately, I began to wonder if Mr. Cole would be another rap statistic in my book. However, I held on to my hope that Jermaine would keep his unique style and adept talent once "Who Dat" came out in the summer...I heard a few other underground songs that I respected in the meantime BUT on Friday, November 12, 2010 J. Cole's HIGHLY anticipated mix tape "Friday Night Lights" dropped...I had been patiently waiting, and wondering what this third album was going to bring me. I was teased when I heard " Looking For Trouble" featuring Kanye West. I can accurately assert that J. Cole destroyed, and lyrically Murdered his verse. "Never say Im better than Hov , but I'm the closest One" My fav verse from this song...mainly because this statement is 100% true. I was impressed once I was finally able to hear the full version of "Before I'm Gone" on Thursday. The song is a representation of truth and brutal honesty. On this tune J. paints a vivid picture of growing up as a poor child with a notebook and mind abundant with dreams and determination… then his transformation to the middle class, to having money and becoming a rapper who has made it. "I got dreams bigger than your whole team" After listening to this soulful, poignant song it has become my favorite...















Then, I heard one of the more upbeat, party/ Go Go like songs "you got it" ft Wale. I was impressed that this song is hot, yet reminiscent of a genre of music that I abhor. But I love it!! I could honestly, dance to this song in the club, and still jam to it in the car or anywhere else for that matter. "I know you gotta 9-5, I'll be your 5-9" I lovveeee this song!!! After my sneak peak of the mixed tape, I was confident that my boy Cole would deliver a grand third CD.







SO finally on Friday when I attempted to download the CD, I couldn’t because millions of anxious fans (like myself) had broke the website!! So finally once I was able to hear “Friday Night Lights”, I couldn’t stop playing "Too Deep For the Intro" ft Erykah Badu. This is yet another soulful, laid back tune that I adore. On this track Cole raps about the debauchery, crime, violence that he witnessed growing up in his neighborhood. I also admire this track for he goes on to mention going away to college while simultaneously pursuing a career in rap. (The main reason why I respect Mr. Cole) "A ill-ass nigga who just happened to stay in school”. Honestly, this track is an awesome intro to the CD for it is a lyrical depiction of the powerful, realistic, yet hopeful view of reality that is presented on the rest of the CD. Another great, yet up beat song is "It cost me a lot" I cannot stop playing it over and over again, On this track Cole reveals his lyrical skills to the nth degree...another song where he raps about coming up, the big difference being the beat to this song is the shiittt!!! I’m somewhat addicted to this track. Another great listen: "Best friend' ft Aaliyah and Missy Elliott. Originally off of Missy's "supadupafly" album with J's inclusive rap lines, this track is twice as hot and brings an R & B flow to the album thus making it more diverse. Many would assert that the track is “Commercial” but I opt to differ; the track is just proof that Cole’s style is versatile and amazingly adroit. I am striving not to make this song my #1 but it’s diligently competing with "before I’m Gone"















Another classic song on the long awaited album is”Enchanted" I love the beat and the flow is different. “Enchanted” is another smooth, respectable track that conveys the chaotic/ un-promising reality of black men in America. However, lyrically, "2 face" could give all the songs mentioned above a run for the money. Another touching portrayal of Cole's world growing up in "the Ville" (Fayetteville, North Carolina) and the many challenging experiences he faced before making it into the rap game "I feel ashamed cuz the good Lord done brought all this success to me and all I seem to focus on is all the stress on me "















But on “See World" Cole reminds us what the game has been missing for a considerable amount of years now: Pac. On this track, Cole flows to a Tupac beat while rapping about the painful, chaotic, sinful, world that we exist in...that may seem deep but if you listen to the song thoroughly Cole is verbalizing how corrupt and iniquitous the world has become. In the track he reveals a story of a five year old girl who becomes missing, then found murdered…







I honestly could ramble on and on about every track on the album! Until I discovered Cole, I had never listened to a Mix tape or album in general, where I like every single track!! Every song Cole raps on is a representation of the cruel reality that African Americans face. I honestly admire Cole’s style for he is Honest. There’s more to his music than hoes, fast cars, the night life, and he has YET to make a song that has a frivolous dance move behind it! I can speak for myself and millions of others when I say: Hip Hop hasn’t experienced such Authentic talent since Biggie and Pac. His music depicts turmoil, survival, hope, and most importantly His Ambition. One of the main reasons I respect Jermaine his songs reveal how he FOUGHT to make it in the industry.~







All and All I give Friday Night Lights Two Thumbs Up!! I know my friends and followers on twitter are tired of me commenting on how great the CD is but OH WELL! They might as well get used to it cuz I am going to have this CD on repeat for a very long time. Thank you, Jermaine for gracing the rap world with masterful and bona fide talent!! Keep doing ya thannng!!

Idle

Life Hurts, Love Stings. Tired of Living in a dream that seems to be a nightmare. They say face ur fears but what about your tears? Is it okay to cry? Sometimes I question. Ask God why am I still I alive. Been faced with a wretched reality. Almost fell. Did fall. Went through the crash and the storm, im still alive. Kinda wonder why. All i do is cry. Tired of the dismay. Kinda immune to pain, Dont feel nothing. Dont dream nothing, Dont feel nothing. Im numb. Stiff. Damn, Somethings gotta give.