Think Group Media Newsletter Just Think... Vol.5

Just Think Vol.5: The Female Hip Hop Artist

By A.Evans
http://twitter.com/AdotEVANS

As I sit and watch What Happens in Vegas I begin to think of how successful Queen Latifah has become starting out as a female hip hop artist evolving into a phenomenal actress model and spokeswoman. There are other female artist who have benefited from the platform hip hop provides when attempted to elevate one's career. Unfortunately, there are several female mc's who have never really reaped the benefits or plateau as Latifah. This got me to thinking about the rise of the female mc and where are the leaders of the new school?

Have you noticed?

The female MC has come a long way but appears to be fading into obscurity. From Roxanne Shante to Jean Grae, Hip Hop has seen its share of female MC's who could hold their own. It appears the height of the female MC was reached with artist like Lil Kim, EVE, Foxy Brown, Charli Baltimore, Remy Martin, Da Brat, and Lisa Left Eye Lopes (ironically have all done prison time). Their confidence, and lyrical abilities enabled them to be considered some of the best female mc's to grace the mic the way predecessors like Monie Love, Miss Melody, Yo-Yo, Salt-N-Pepa, and MC Lyte did. The difference between female mc's of now and of old is definitely the lyrical content "the sex sells" strategy is totally apart of the female mc repertoire especially with southern artist like Trina, Khia, and Jackie-O. Since the skater culture and nerdy image is dominant in hip hop, where is the nerdy female mc? Where is the girl influenced by Jean Grae? Where is the next generation?


Calling all Newcomers...

It's been almost a decade since we've had a new dominant female giant to claim her crown. As we embrace male newcomers every day in hip hop, I'm led to ask where the new female MC's are. When will we witness a female MC to epitomize a mogul in the sense that Diddy, and Jay-Z have? Queen Latifah and EVE would appear to fit that mold, however in this era of hip hop we have yet to witness the next huge female mc. Where is the female Lupe Fiasco? Where is the female Asher Roth? What happened to songs like "Ladies Night" with all female talent on the track? Where are female mc's? Where is the next EVE, Lil Kim, Foxy or Da Brat?


What Do You Think?


Marketing Buzz of the Week
By Max Rivers
http://www.Twitter.Com/MaxRivers

Hip-Hop Icon Dana Dane Turns Author - Releases First Novel

Many of you may already know this Hip-Hop icon via his legendary status in the music industry. His album, Dana Dane with Fame., was certified gold, which led to a Soul Train Award nomination. Since then, the classic Hip-Hop pioneer has been known as someone with the ability to move with the times. He spent six years as an on-air personality at Sirius Satellite Radio, a producer of a six-part mini-series entitled Da Stuy, and just released his must read debut novel, Numbers., under the .Nikki Turner Presents. imprint distributed through One World/Random House. Dana Dane has many great things in the works as he continues to tour the nation with other Hip-Hop icons who have made classic music which set the trend for today's sound.

Hip Hop Legend and one of rap.s greatest storytellers, Dana Dane, have just completed his first novel, Numbers. The book is published by urban author, Nikki Turner, under the Nikki Turner Presents imprint through One World-Random House. The scheduled release for Numbers is February 24th 2009. The story is a fictional drama that delves into the psyche of the fast money myth in the hood, and addresses the question, "Can you truly get out once you have gotten in the street hustle game?" Numbers is sure to entertain Hip Hop fans and avid readers alike.

"I grew up reading books by Donald Goines and actually named myself after the writer Iceberg Slim.
It's nice to see Dana carry on the tradition of great
street-based novels! This book will sit right next
to the other classics! Love it!"
-Ice T

"I'm proud of Dana! He has delivered a street
classic! I could feel each character. A great story!"
-Slick Rick

Please check us out next week as we give you our full interview with Dana Dane.

Be sure to check out www.danadane.com for all future tour dates and project updates.

Click on book cover for more details

Real Talk: Sentiment of Women Hating Women
By Cedric D. Shine
http://twitter.com/NativeNotes

Chris Rock once said that the people white women hate the most are "white women". While he said this for a humorous effect, I'm wondering if women of all cultures share the sentiment of women hating women. I say this because right now I am disappointed in the lack of a collective voice of women fighting against the institutionalized rapings of women around the globe.

Afghan law appears to let a man to have sex with his wife even when she says "no"

headline appeared over several news outlets this week but I have yet to see female bloggers, or women celebrities in the media make this a topic a priority. I'm sure some have, but not enough. Not surprisingly, responses were lackluster a few months ago when it was widely known that women in Darfur, girls as young as 6 and elders as old as 60 were being raped as a tool of war. Where is the outcry? Where is the fight for humanity for women across the globe that are enduring this horrific set of circumstances?

It took Rihanna getting beat up by Chris Brown to bring domestic abuse to the forefront. Do we really need more stories about young girls being raped before we begin to speak out against the rape of women around the world? The fact that one nation would think to legitimize the rape of it's women while others use it as a tool of war further shows the lack of value we place on women as an international society. It starts with me, it starts with you, let's start discussing rape not only as it affects Americans, but women of the world.

The Paradox of Social Progress By Danielle Sheree http://twitter.com/Danielle_Sheree I got to work this morning and went about my usual routine; poured myself a cup of coffee, sat at my desk and logged on to check my Facebook. Fifteen new updates says the little red flag that pops up so conveniently in the bottom right hand corner. I check my news feed and notice Sarah and Mike are no longer listed in a relationship. Sarah's status seems to imply that Mike may have cheated... again! I go to her wall to write her a perky, yet sincere comment to suggest that she is better off and that was when it hit me, social networking has officially taken over our lives....

The Good: I myself have to admit I am addicted. I don't think I go a day without logging onto my Facebook or Twitter, and who is to say that's a bad thing. Through social networks such as Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter, we are able to connect with people all over the world from old friends and business connections, to old flings and new loves. In fact some of the most trafficked sites beyond FB and Myspace include online matchmaking sites such as eHarmony and Match.com. Internet dating sites, once seen as meeting grounds for casual sex or for losers, have become a great gateway for those who have a hard time meeting people. In fact, Match.com estimates it has helped 200,000 people find loved since the site launched in 1995, and eHarmony estimates that 10,000 to 15,000 new people join daily. Yet I have to wonder, statistically speaking, how many relationships have been ruined by social sites as well? Is having access to someone's everyday life a plus or a problem; and when do you stop and realize... I have become a cyber stalker. The Bad: Let's face it, in this day and age, nothing is sacred. Personally, my biggest issue with social networking sites is that our lives are put on display for all to see. Employers, government officials, and my father all have access to my life. The sad part is that I keep posting info anyway. I suppose that deep down; we all have a desire for others to take interest in our lives. Many of us post pictures in hopes that someone will comment and confirm our already embedded thoughts like "Damn You're Fly". However, I must ask, to what extent should we parade ourselves in front of the masses? The Socially Ugly: I went to my younger sisters profile page a few days ago and in her picture she is bent over and sticking out her behind and holding up what seemed to be her middle finger. When I called her up to ask her what she could have possibly been thinking. She laughed and said "only my friends can see my page". I shook my head and thought to myself, what if Michelle Obama had been on Facebook at 19? Would President Obama be able to explain after they pulled up a 30yr old picture of the first lady elect in a purple bikini on her knees perched in the sand? It seems many of us have forgotten that for every action... there is a reaction and so I leave you with this... Is your profile a direct reflection of you, or are you a reflection of your profile? Artist of the Month: DJ Christion Terror Squad/We Are The Best Records For more information and bookings visit DJ Christion at http://www.myspace.com/Djchristion13 Born in the early 80's in Tampa, FL, DJ Christion has been a music lover since birth. Born to Bronx natives, the half Cuban half Puerto Rican DJ Christion has long been influenced by New York culture and music. "I remember the first time I saw a DJ live" Christion looks back, "It was at a graduation party in the Bronx". Young Christion, whose cousin was working on becoming a DJ, began taking an interest in the art form. Listening to Funkmaster Flex & DJ Kid Capri, Christion was set on mastering the turntables. Using his sister's radio, which had a record player on top, Christion would spend hours practicing scratch techniques. His willingness to try new records and his ear for good music landed Christion at several local nightclubs. Spinning at Studio 7, Club XS and several other Tampa hotspots, Christion was becoming a crowd favorite. Developing a microphone and club presence to go along with his turntable skills, Christion began learning how to move any kind of crowd. Rocking Hip-Hop and Reggae clubs, Christion's diverse style attracted all party goers, but it was Tampa's infamous Club XS where he'd make a great acquaintance. "I met DJ Khaled at [Club] XS when I was 17". Khaled, who was already a member of Terror Squad and a DJ on Miami's 99 Jamz, became a close friend and mentor for Christion. Tampa's Urban Radio even with the addition of the R&B driven 95.7 The Beat, was dominated by CBS' Wild 98.7 FM. Not wasting time, Christion immediately pursued a position at Wild. After applying for several months, maintaining his club jobs and still putting out mixcd's, Christion finally earned a spot as a DJ on Wild. Using his keen business sense, Christion began marketing himself again. "I was doing every party I could" he remembers. After a solid year at Wild, Christion threw a birthday bash to remember. The party which boasted guests such as, DJ Khaled, Smitty, Acafool, Cool and Dre, and Rick Ross, filled the Ybor City club to capacity that night. Armed with a grocery list of affiliations, from being a member of Fat Joe's Terror Squad, Turntable Assassins, and DJ Khaled's We the Best team, Christion remains hungry. "Ambition, Loyalty, and the thought of what can be are what keep me moving". Working to expand his number of spots on radio and get booked all over the world, Christion also remains true to his street grind. Gearing up for the release of his new CD series, DJ Christion continues working on being the best at his craft. "I haven't stopped grindin' since I was 16 and I'm not stoppin' anytime soon... I'm blessed to be living my dream and I have to many goals to break!" For more information and bookings visit DJ Christion at http://www.myspace.com/djchristion13

Don't Waste Ink...Think Sincerely, Steve Canal CEO Think Group Media, Inc. www.ThinkGroupMedia.com