Tag Archives: alicia keys
We Remember World Aids Day-We Want Everyone to ‘Act Right’
Today December 1 2010 is World AIDs Day with its theme being Act Aware.. Last year the theme was Universal Access and Human Rights. With so many things bombarding us ranging from lack of jobs, unemployment benefits not being extended political strife and the latest Lil Kim diss toward Nicki Minaj, thinking about HIV and AIDs may not be top of mind… This morning we wanted to remind folks as to what’s happening..In many of our communities this dreaded disease is still impacting us in ways that are incredibly impacting. The leading cause of death among young people is HIV and AIDs. The primary culprit is lack of medical care and access. Here in the US the primary culprit is woeful ignorance. That has got to change.
First lets start with this song from Michael Franti called ‘Positive’. It was a song done back in 1994 and was proceeded with a request for urban radio stations all around the country to pay tribute to World AIDs day by giving a moment of silence. Sadly many of the urban stations in the big cities where HIV and AIDs was impacting us the most refused. Fortunately, we can share this ground breaking song here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG94nBlcLYg
On a side note wanna give a shout out to West Coast pioneer Captain Rap who put out the song Bad Times back in 1983.. For many of us it was the first time we heard the word AIDs in a rap song. He talks about it in the third verse and how doctors were afraid to treat victims of this new disease. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QPUazhwYdg&feature=related
For this World AIDS Day 2010 a number of high profile artists are staging ‘digital deaths‘ in which they log off line and won’t come back on until money is raised for the organization Buy Life. They include Usher, Lady Gaga, P-Diddy, Usher and Serana Williams to name a few. The goal is to bring awareness to those in younger generations who are constantly being challenged by videos, TV shows and celebrity sex tapes that leave one with the impression that unprotected sex is ok.
For example, the recent sexually charged video by Raheem Devaughn ‘Single’ has everyone buzzing as he performs oral sex on a partner. While its no doubt tantalizing and being widely viewed, one has to ask does it leave those who are young, sexual active and impressionable with the wrong message that everything is a-ok with no consequences. The startling statistics say we need to raise awareness in a big way.
Below is a a video from Alicia Keys who is also one of the celebrities participating in the digital death series. Will her message be as widely viewed as some of the sex charged videos?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86nv_mTf0OQ&feature=player_embedded
Facts About HIV and AIDs Every One Hip Hop Head Should Know
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person’s broken skin or mucous membranes*. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/qa1.htm
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome:
Immune Deficiency means a weakness in the body’s system that fights diseases.
Syndrome means a group of health problems that make up a disease.
AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. If you get infected with HIV, your body will try to fight the infection. It will make “antibodies,” – (chemicals that are part of the immune system that recognize invaders like bacteria and viruses and mobilize the body’s attempt to fight infection special molecules to fight HIV.
A blood test for HIV looks for these antibodies. If you have them in your blood, it means that you have HIV infection. People who have the HIV antibodies are called “HIV-Positive.”
Being HIV-positive, or having HIV disease, is not the same as having AIDS. Many people are HIV-positive but don’t get sick for many years. As HIV disease continues, it slowly wears down the immune system. Viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria that usually don’t cause any problems can make you very sick if your immune system is damaged. These are called “opportunistic infections.”
http://www.aids.org/factSheets/101-what-is-aids.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qarXfMLnIp8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylmmkQWd22s&feature=player_embedded
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV transmission can occur when blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluid or breastmilk from an HIV-positive person enters the body of an HIV-negative person. HIV can enter the body through a vein, the lining of the anus or rectum, the lining of the vagina and/or cervix, the opening to the penis, the mouth, other mucous membranes — such as the eyes or inside of the nose — or cuts and sores. Intact, healthy skin is an excellent barrier against HIV and other viruses and bacteria.
Worldwide, the most common way that HIV is transmitted is through sexual transmission, including anal, vaginal or oral sex with an HIV-positive person. HIV also can be transmitted by sharing needles or injection equipment with an injection drug user who is HIV-positive, or from an HIV-positive woman to her infant before or during birth or through breastfeeding after birth. HIV also can be transmitted through receipt of infected blood or blood clotting factors.
http://www.globalhealthreporting.org/diseaseinfo.asp?id=277
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TDq5IC8ibM
Does having HIV mean you’ll die?
Testing positive for HIV means that you now carry the virus that causes AIDS. It does not mean that you have AIDS, nor does it mean that you will die. Although there is no cure for AIDS, many opportunistic infections that make people sick can be controlled, prevented or eliminated. This has substantially increased the longevity and quality of life for people living with AIDS. Bottom line, HIV/AIDS is not the same death sentence it was say 25 years ago. People are living long healthy lives with HIV and AIDS. The sooner you start to become aware and the more you know about the “virus” the better your chances are delaying the effects of the disease.
http://www.aids.org/info/aids-hiv-positive-will-i-die.html
Conscious Daughters and Paris-Caught Up
http://www.guerrillafunk.com/mp3/all_caught_up.mp3
Do I have to tell everyone that I’m HIV positive?
No. Who you tell your status is your own business. They only people that need to tell are anyone you are going to have unprotected sex with. Not disclosing your status is punishable by law. Any person who exposes another to HIV by engaging in unprotected sexual activity is guilty of a felony, when the infected person: 1) knows he/she is infected; 2) has not disclosed his/her HIV-positive status; and 3) acts with the intent to infect the other person with HIV. The felony charge is punishable in the state prison for three, five, or eight years.
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/AIDS/Documents/RPT2002AIDSLaws.pdf
How do I protect myself and my partner from contracting HIV?
Getting tested, knowing your status and limiting risk-factors for contracting the virus like sharing needles or having unprotected sex with other people, is the best way to protect yourself and your partner. Many health advocates suggest getting tested at least 3 to 4 times a year and more depending on the person’s sexual behaviors.
Can you tell someone is HIV positive just by looking at them?
No. A person living with HIV may look healthy and feel good just like you. A blood test is the only way a person can find out if he or she is infected with HIV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6DCubdIgO8
By Davey D • Posted in 2010 Daily News, Essential videos to peep • Tagged Aids awreness, alicia keys, bad times, Captain Rap, Conscious Daughters-Caught Up, Davey D Hip Hop news, Davey D- world AIDS day, We Remember World Aids Day-We Want Everyone to 'Act Right', world aids day
Alicia Keys: ‘Gangsta Rap’ Created to Convince Black People to Kill Each Other
As you read this story about Alicia Keys including the actual Blender article, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First and foremost we all know that the tensions stoked between Pac and Biggie which led to the infamous East vs West Coast War was heightened by publications like Vibe Magazine. Key writers like Kevin Powell who penned some of those inflammatory articles at the time have gone on record to say the way they covered things was a mistake.
Second we already know that Pac and Biggie were under constant surveillance by police. We certainly don’t need to talk about the rogue Rampart Police division in LA and their admitted street gang affiliations..
Lastly and perhaps most importantly keep in mind as you read this article where Alicia Keys says that she believes the government has hand in some of thse rap conflicts and that she wishes to start recording more political songs, that Alicia Keys was under surveillance by the government several years ago when the Republican Convention came to town. Do y’all remember that? Her, Jay-Z , P-Diddy and LL Cool J were all under surveillance with the supporting documents from the actual agencies (NYPD) that have been since released and declassified confirming these assertions.
At the time these surveillances took place NYPD stated that Keys and her co-horts came under surveillance because they participated in a protest rally around the time of the Republican Convention. They feared that artists of her caliber would bring more people out and hence they became a security threat. In addition the fact that they may have openly talked about civil disobedience or anarchist type actions served as a trigger. Folks need to sit back and marinate on that for minute.
Once you digest that keep in mind that Alicia Keys says she’s been reading books by and about the Black Panthers and other Freedom Fighters including Assata Shakur. Couple that with the fact that she’s been to China and just got back from Africa and she is now speaking out and saying she wants to start doing political songs and you can see and understand that she may soon start catching heat.
This morning on Fox 5 News in new York, anchor Reid Lamberty took the extraordinary step to call Alicia Keys ludicrous for making such remarks after he reported the story. He then went on to quip that even rapper Ludacris would find her remarks ludicrous. He then went on over the objections of his co-host to try and explain how when and where and how gangsta rap was invented. The biggest irony to this is that it was on that very same Fox News 5 that I first heard about Keys being under surveillance by NYPD back in 04. How soon they forget…
NEW YORK – There’s another side to Alicia Keys: conspiracy theorist.
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter tells Blender magazine: “‘Gangsta rap’ was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other. ‘Gangsta rap’ didn’t exist. ”
Keys, 27, said she’s read several Black Panther autobiographies and wears a gold AK-47 pendant around her neck “to symbolize strength, power and killing ’em dead,” according to an interview in the magazine’s May issue, on newsstands Tuesday.
Another of her theories: The bicoastal feud between slain rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. was fueled “by the government and the media, to stop another great black leader from existing. ”
Keys’ AK-47 jewelry came as a surprise to her mother, who is quoted as telling Blender: “She wears what? That doesn’t sound like Alicia.” Keys’ publicist, Theola Borden, said Keys was on vacation and unavailable for comment.
Though she’s known for her romantic tunes, she told Blender that she wants to write more political songs. If black leaders such as the late Black Panther Huey Newton “had the outlets our musicians have today, it’d be global. I have to figure out a way to do it myself,” she said.
The multiplatinum songstress behind the hits “Fallin”‘ and “No One” most recently had success with her latest CD, “As I Am,” which sold millions.
Below is an excerpt from the Blender article where she made her comments about gangsta rap… You can peep the entire article here;
http://www. blender. com/articles/default. aspx?key=21056&pg=0
On As I Am, during the fem-powerment jam “Superwoman,” Keys belts out the caucus-ready refrain, “Yes I can,” and, indeed, there’s something Obama-esque about her. She’s of biracial parentage, raised by her mom, Terri Augello (Italian-American, actress), after her dad, Craig Cook (African-American, university chef), left the scene. She has tapped her mixed heritage to bridge multiple constituencies: She can duet comfortably with Ludacris, John Mayer or a holographic Frank Sinatra (as she did at this year’s Grammys). “I’ve always been good at maneuvering between worlds,” Keys says. Like Obama, she won a crucial Oprah endorsement early on when Winfrey built a whole episode around Songs in A Minor. And she preaches a uniting, post-racial vision of humanity. (Remember those “I Am African” ads with Gwyneth Paltrow and David Bowie wearing face paint? They were for the AIDS charity to which Keys is an ambassador.) In her music, themes of optimism, fidelity and self-actualization are so broadly, rousingly articulated that nearly anyone can feel their own stories are being belted back at them.
Keys’s first mature musical love, after she’d taken down her New Kids on the Block posters, was Marvin Gaye. “He talked about everyday things: life, the street, the struggle-I was like, Wow, you can just write about what’s happening,” she says. Nevertheless, Keys scrubs her lyrics of contemporary references and slang so they’ll sound more like the ’60s and ’70s sounds she reveres. Her insistence on authenticity verges on the reactionary (“there was so much more good music 40, 50 years ago”), but from the way she sidesteps the TMZ vortex and still manages to sell “tonnage,” there’s something refreshingly uncynical about her, too.
There’s a knock on the hotel-room door, and a minder enters with a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich: lunch. We’ve been talking about Keys’s early jones for the Notorious B.I.G. “My favorite Biggie song is ‘Me & My Bitch,’” she says, licking a stray globule of jam off her finger. “That title doesn’t make you think he’s speaking about the love of his life, but he is. She throws his shit out the window, she flushes his drugs down the toilet-she’s crazy! But if you grew up like that, then you understood, that was love in that world. ”
We ask what other gangsta rappers she liked. And that’s when Keys drives a steamroller through the wall.
“‘Gangsta rap’ was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other,” she says, putting down the sandwich. “‘Gangsta rap’ didn’t exist. ”
Come again? A ploy by whom?
She looks at us like it’s the dumbest question in the world. “The government. ”
Add another line to her résumé. Alicia Keys: piano stroker, budding actress… and conspiracy theorist? This is the side of her that doesn’t square with the media-trained pro-the side your mom probably doesn’t know about when she hums “No One” on the way to Walgreens. This Alicia pores over Black Panther autobiographies (“I’ve read Huey Newton‘s, Assata Shakur‘s, David Hilliard‘s …”). This Alicia says Tupac and Biggie were essentially assassinated, their beefs stoked “by the government and the media, to stop another great black leader from existing.” This Alicia wears a gold AK-47 pendant around her neck, “to symbolize strength, power and killing ’em dead.” (“She wears what?” her mom asks Blender. “That doesn’t sound like Alicia. “)
No matter how many records she sells or Super Bowls she opens, Keys still doesn’t feel she quite belongs in the mainstream. She likes to think talent transcends prejudice, but she knows that if her skin were darker, she’d have a much harder time crossing over. “I’ll always be an outsider,” she says.
This might surprise the Grammy committee: Last year, the New York Police Department declassified documents revealing that they’d put Keys under surveillance prior to the 2004 Republican National Convention. The department released a statement explaining that they’d targeted “those openly talking of anarchist actions.” Keys, who had spoken publicly against President Bush and donated $500 to the Democratic National Committee that year, was suddenly labeled an enemy of the state. “Hell,” she says. “Someone’s gotta be an anarchist. ”
Comments like these, even said in jest, reveal the sawed-off passions and intelligence roiling beneath Keys’s genteel surface. But, while she idolizes Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin, proclaiming that “some of the greatest artists did their best work when they got political,” she has recorded no “What’s Going On” or “Respect.” Now, she says, she’d like to find a way to balance the two Alicias. “If Malcolm or Huey had the outlets our musicians have today, it’d be global. I have to figure out a way to do it myself,” she says.
She takes a step in this direction on As I Am. She’s said that “Go Ahead” is a Dubya body slam: “What have you given me but lies, lies, lies?” she snarls. But unapprised listeners will hear it as a shimmying rebuke to a dirtbag boyfriend. “Honestly,” she says, “it’s easier for me to write about relationships.” And it’s difficult to imagine her releasing a more explicit song about politics, never mind an anarchist one, given the resistance she provoked when she tried a different kind of explicitness. Recently, she recorded her “most sexual song yet”-until now, she’s alluded to sex only obliquely in her music and frequently championed chastity. “I’m discovering my sexual side. I recorded this song-it’s supersimple: just piano, Rhodes keyboard and a kick drum. It’s so sensual. It moves you,” she says, referring to movement south of the heart. But when she played the song for Jeff Robinson, her manager, he reacted like a squirmy dad: “He popped out of his seat halfway through. He said, ‘We do not record songs like this!'”
A black Mercedes sedan glides through Copenhagen’s narrow, rain-flecked streets, taking us to the Falconer. This is when Keys tells us the singing-on-a-pyramid story. In late 2006, she was exhausted. A deadline had been set for her new album, and she was pinballing between tour dates and movie sets-playing Scarlett Johansson’s homegirl in The Nanny Diaries and a lesbian hitwoman in Smokin’ Aces. “Alicia never liked to say no,” Jeff Robinson explains. “She wanted to please everyone.” When your manager thinks you’re working too hard, you know you’ve got a problem.
“I felt empty,” Keys says. “But the last thing you wanna come off as is a damn crybaby. What the fuck you crying about? I thought you wanted this!”
“I used to say, if you’re not gonna be a bitch, I’m gonna be a bitch for you,” Erika Rose says. “She needed to get back her inner bitch.” But instead, Keys held in her feelings-loneliness, frustration, anger.
Rose remembers the moment Keys finally broke: “We were at a photo shoot, and she got this look in her eyes I’d never seen before. It was not good. She asked everyone to step out of the room, and I stayed with her. There was this lone tear coming down her face. It was five years of accumulation just starting to crack the surface. That’s when everything started to unravel. ”
“As her mom, I’d like to say I knew everything that was going on with her,” Terri Augello says. “But there came a time where she couldn’t tell the difference between talking to reporters and talking to her mother. It hurt me to see. ‘”
Finally, in a maneuver reminiscent of Dave Chappelle, Keys booked a flight to Egypt. She didn’t tell her label she was going AWOL, just bought a ticket, and 48 hours later she was in a first-class cabin, headed to Cairo by herself. She floated down the Nile in a boat, toured ancient temples, swam in the Red Sea and, yep, climbed to the top of a pyramid and started singing. “The strength of a place like that,” Keys says, “the stone, what it took to build, the time-it’s infectious. ”
“When she came back, I could see a change in her,” Robinson says. “She was at ease. Now when I do something that pisses her off, she doesn’t hold it in. She smacks me in the face. ”
At the Falconer, Keys heads for a second-floor makeup room. We’re asked to wait downstairs. Shortly, walkie-talkies crackle to life: Alicia would like some grilled salmon for dinner. Francis is dispatched. Also: Alicia is ready for us now.
When we enter, she’s wearing a white terry-cloth robe with the hood pulled low, like a boxer prepping for a bout. In an hour, she’ll take the stage, belting her way through a hard-swinging set and shouting, “I’m feeling y’all, Copenhagen!” We tell her it looks like she’s getting ready to pound someone tonight.
“I like that,” she says slyly. “Sometimes I think everyone’s too damn nice. ”
By Davey D • Posted in 2012 Daily News • Tagged alicia keys, Alicia Keys: 'Gangsta Rap' Created to Convince Black People to Kill Each Other, Black Panther, Blender, gangsta rap