WCN Transmedia Group in Association with the Africa Heritage Society’s International Goodwill Ambassador Oscar J. Webb announced The CIVIL RIGHTS TO PLATINUM RIGHTS MOVEMENT. Forwarded to my attention was this article filed by Mr.Raynard Jackson: Could he have hit the nail on the head. Isn’t it time to move forward and create new opportunities for financial growth Join The Africa Heritage Society Today and subscribe to this blog for more information. IT’S HERITAGE TIME.
Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (www.excellstyle.com) & USAfrica Magazine (www.USAfricaonline.com).
July 21, 2011
Raynard Jackson
As the two supposed premier civil rights groups gather this week and next for their annual conventions (the N.A.A.C.P and the National Urban League, respectively), I want to challenge their agendas and then pose a few questions for them to answer.
When civil rights are discussed in the media, you never have the reporter define what civil rights are? When you see Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton described as civil rights leaders, what does that really mean? Who made them leaders and what is their leadership based on?
How did civil rights come to mean protections and rights based on sexual preference, gender identity, and illegal status in a country?
If civil rights theory is based on the protection of the individual and his rights; how do you then explain the constant demand for inclusion in the definition of civil rights by all kinds based on group identity?
So, now you have groups like the N.A.A.C.P. and the National Urban League expending precious political capital on extraneous issues like: equal rights for illegal immigrants (they want illegals to have every right that citizens have—access to social programs, driver’s licenses, in state tuition for colleges and universities, etc). What sense does it make to give benefits to members of a certain group (American citizens) and then to allow someone who is not a member to get the same benefit? That’s insane!
Can you imagine a non-member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame demanding the same benefits as a member? They would be run out of court if they petitioned the courts for such a benefit.
Are civil rights a “universal” right and who defines what those rights are?
There are a lot of Muslim women in the Middle East that don’t want women to be able to dress like a “modern” woman, or have the right to vote. A perfect example is Saudi Arabia. While there is some demand for reform, there is significant support for the status quo. Who’s right?
The N.A.A.C.P. and the National Urban League have both lost their way. They have strayed way off course from their original vision.
Could this be, unlike the days of old, why high profile professional athletes have no relationship with these groups? Could this be why people like me will never join these groups? They are both arms of the Democratic National Committee (though they both claim to be non partisan).
If you go to both of their websites and look at who is paying for their conventions; it’s the who’s who of white corporate America.
But, why is there no financial support from any of the most successful Black businessmen in this country? People like Earl Graves (publisher of Black Enterprise, Dave Stewart, CEO of World Wide Technology, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, former N.B.A. great, etc.)
If you can’t get support from within your own community, how then can you make the case for someone else to support you? In other words, do you have “skin” in the game?
Maybe there is a reason for this lack of support. Maybe these groups are not saying or doing anything that is relevant to these individuals or companies.
Political or financial capital tends to go where there is a need and where there is some hope of a return on investment. What do these corporations get in return, other than “race” insurance?
While the Black unemployment rate continues to climb above 16 %, these groups are fighting to legalize 7 million illegals who are going to compete for low-skilled jobs with the very people they claim to represent.
While the Black family is disintegrating right before our eyes, these groups are focusing on gay rights, though the Black community does not support this.
The first Black president has totally ignored his own community, but yet these groups remain silent. They seem more concerned with White House invitations and photo-ops, not a substantive agenda.
If these two groups disappeared tomorrow, would our community be any worse off? Maybe at the margins, but not in reality.
So, while these groups are spending millions of dollars for their conventions, what is the relevance of these groups to our community if their mission continuously moves further and further from its core purpose? In the military, this is called “mission creep.”
I fully believe organizations must evolve to remain relevant; but you can’t allow the organization to morph into something that is not part of the core mission. Are they about civil rights are about pursuing a liberal agenda?
I will get a lot of heat for posing these questions, but I hope we can be civil, right?
POINT OF DISCUSSION
While the opinions expressed in this article that of Raynard Jackson we hope this post will be a forum to start the discussion for Self Empowerment, Self Determination, and the fulfillment of our respective callings as individuals, corporate citizens, and organizations It’s Heritage Time!! Jay O’Conner Chairman & CEO WCNTV.
Looking forward to stepping back to a Old Fashion Block Party with folks from St. Albans, Queens, Springfield Gardens, Laurelton, Queens Villiage Shout out if I missed you. Senator Malcolm A Smitt and LL Cool J Presents JUMP and BALL 7. Worth checking out this Summer.
Senator Malcolm A. Smith and LL COOL J Presents JUMP AND BALL 7 in Hollis Queens “Lets have a Old School Block Party”
WCN Transmedia Group has learned that LL Cool J will join Senator Malcolm A. Smith for Jump And Ball 7. In my home town of St Alban‘s and Hollis Queens. The world will be taking notice soon at the innovation, creativity, comedy and global music from all the movers and shakers that come out of Queens, NYC. Baby. Family Get the word out that its time for what would appear an OLD SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY. Volunteers Wanted, I bet Corporate Sponsors are Wanted. Calling on Retailers bring your time talent and giveaways to make this a great event. Now we all remember how we do this. Bring A Dish, Meet new and old friends and be prepared for the 2012 Election. We all know that America is facing its greatest challenges. It takes Leadership. Its Time to learn and teach our Children about our heritage. The United Nations adopted UN Resolution 64/169 The International Year for People of African Descent. Yet Have you heard about this. Do you understand what your Heritage is? Its time for We The People to take a stand. It’s time to go from CIVIL RIGHTS TO PLATINUM RIGHTS. subscribe to this Blog to keep up with the latest information including the”2011 SONGS FOR AFRICA Tour” which will be brought to your by The Africa Heritage Society.
Check out some of the greatest music on earth in this post and I hope at this event. LL Cool J Take it away!!
LL Cool J
Early life
LL Cool J was born and raised in Queens, New York City, the son of Ondrea (née Griffith) and James Smith.[2] He started rapping at the age of nine. His DJ later was known as Cut Creator. In his youth, LL Cool J performed in the church choir, participated in the Boy Scouts, and delivered newspapers. At age 16, by using a mixing table purchased by his grandfather at Sears,[3] Smith produced and created demos and sent them to various record companies, including Def Jam Recordings.[4] Under his new stage name, LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James),[5] Def Jam released his first record, the 12″ single “I Need a Beat“.[6] The single sold over 100,000 copies. The success of “I Need a Beat” helped lead to a distribution deal with Def Jam and Columbia Records in 1985.[7] Soon after, he dropped out of Andrew Jackson High School to record his debut album.
{{Main|Radio (LL Cool J al Radio was released to critical acclaim, as LL was one of the first rappers to use conventional song structure to make pop oriented rap.[8] “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and “Rock the Bells” were singles that helped the album go platinum with 1,500,000 sales.[citation needed]
“I Need Love” was the second single from LL Cool J’s second album, Bigger and Deffer. The song, released in the fall of 1987, reached #1 on the R&B/Hip Hop charts, #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and #8 in the UK Singles Chart. The single won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap – Single in 1987.[2] “I Need Love” was ranked #13 on the 100 Greatest Rap Songs.[3]
WCN Transmedia Group has learned that LL Cool J will join Senator Malcolm A. Smith for Jump And Ball 7. In my home town of St Alban‘s and Hollis Queens. The world will be taking notice soon at the innovation, creativity, comedy and global music from all the movers and shakers that come out of Queens, NYC. Baby. Family Get the word out that its time for what would appear an OLD SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY. Volunteers Wanted, I bet Corporate Sponsors are Wanted. Calling on Retailers bring your time talent and giveaways to make this a great event. Now we all remember how we do this. Bring A Dish, Meet new and old friends and be prepared for the 2012 Election. We all know that America is facing its greatest challenges. It takes Leadership. Its Time to learn and teach our Children about our heritage. The United Nations adopted UN Resolution 64/169 The International Year for People of African Descent. Yet Have you heard about this. Do you understand what your Heritage is? Its time for We The People to take a stand. It’s time to go from CIVIL RIGHTS TO PLATINUM RIGHTS. subscribe to this Blog to keep up with the latest information including the”2011 SONGS FOR AFRICA Tour” which will be brought to your by The Africa Heritage Society.
Check out some of the greatest music on earth in this post and I hope at this event. LL Cool J Take it away!!
LL Cool J
Early life
LL Cool J was born and raised in Queens, New York City, the son of Ondrea (née Griffith) and James Smith.[2] He started rapping at the age of nine. His DJ later was known as Cut Creator. In his youth, LL Cool J performed in the church choir, participated in the Boy Scouts, and delivered newspapers. At age 16, by using a mixing table purchased by his grandfather at Sears,[3] Smith produced and created demos and sent them to various record companies, including Def Jam Recordings.[4] Under his new stage name, LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James),[5] Def Jam released his first record, the 12″ single “I Need a Beat“.[6] The single sold over 100,000 copies. The success of “I Need a Beat” helped lead to a distribution deal with Def Jam and Columbia Records in 1985.[7] Soon after, he dropped out of Andrew Jackson High School to record his debut album.
{{Main|Radio (LL Cool J al Radio was released to critical acclaim, as LL was one of the first rappers to use conventional song structure to make pop oriented rap.[8] “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and “Rock the Bells” were singles that helped the album go platinum with 1,500,000 sales.[citation needed]
“I Need Love” was the second single from LL Cool J’s second album, Bigger and Deffer. The song, released in the fall of 1987, reached #1 on the R&B/Hip Hop charts, #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and #8 in the UK Singles Chart. The single won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap – Single in 1987.[2] “I Need Love” was ranked #13 on the 100 Greatest Rap Songs.[3]
After acting in The Hard Way and Toys, LL Cool J released 14 Shots to the Dome. The album had three singles (“How I’m Comin'”, “Back Seat” and the strangely titled “Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings”) and guest-featured labelmates Lords of the Underground on “NFA-No Frontin’ Allowed”. The album went gold.
Mr. Smith (1995)
LL Cool J starred in In the House, an NBC sitcom, before releasing Mr. Smith (1995), which went on to sell over two million copies. Its singles included “Doin’ It” (that samples “My Jamaican Guy” by Grace Jones) and “Loungin” (that samples “Who Do You Love?” by Bernard Wright). Another of the album’s singles, “Hey Lover“, featured Boyz II Men sampling Michael Jackson‘s “The Lady in My Life,” which eventually became one of the first hip hop music videos to air on VH1[citation needed]. The song also earned him a Grammy Award. Yet another single from the album, “I Shot Ya Remix”, included vocal work by Foxy Brown.
In 2000, LL Cool J released the album G.O.A.T., which stood for the “greatest of all time.” It debuted at number one on the Billboard album charts,[9] and went platinum. LL Cool J thanked Canibus in the liner notes of the album, “for the inspiration”.
10 (2002)
LL Cool J’s next album 10 from 2002, was his 9th studio (10th overall including his greatest hits compilation All World), and included the singles “Paradise” (featuring Amerie), “Luv U Better“, produced by The Neptunes and the 2003 Jennifer Lopez duet, “All I Have“. The album reached platinum status.
The DEFinition (2004)
LL Cool J’s 10th album The DEFinition was released on August 31, 2004. The album debuted at #4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, and others. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced “Headsprung,” which peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single was the 7 Aurelius – produced, “Hush,” which peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100.
LL Cool J in concert at the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix, Arizona.
In July 2006, LL Cool J announced details about his final album with Def Jam recordings, the only label he has ever been signed to. The album is titled Exit 13. The album was originally scheduled to be executively produced by fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.[10]Exit 13 was originally slated for a fall 2006 release, however, after a 2 year delay, it was released September 9, 2008 without 50 Cent as the executive producer. Tracks that the two worked on were leaked to the Internet and some of the tracks produced with 50 made it to Exit 13.
LL Cool J partnered with DJ Kay Slay to release a mixtape called “The Return of the G.O.A.T.“. It was the first mixtape of his 24 year career and includes freestyling by LL Cool J in addition to other rappers giving their rendition of his songs. A track entitled “Hi Haterz” was leaked onto the internet on June 1, 2008. The song contains LL Cool J rapping over the instrumental to Maino’s “Hi Hater“. He toured with Janet Jackson on her Rock Witchu tour, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas City.
NCIS: No Crew Is Superior
In September 2009, LL Cool J released a song about the NCIS TV series. It is a single and is available on iTunes. The new track is based on his experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. “This song is the musical interpretation of what I felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced Marines and NavySEALs,” LL Cool J said. “It represents the collective energy in the room. I was so inspired I wrote the song on set.”[11]
Acting career
While LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”), his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie called Wildcats. He continued to work in movies from then until 1995 when he landed his own television sitcom, In the House. He starred as an ex-Los Angeles Raiders running back who finds himself in financial difficulties and is forced to rent part of his home out to a single mother and her two children.
In 1998 he had a role in the film Halloween H20. In 1999’s Deep Blue Sea, he played the wise-cracking cook on a top-secret sea base besieged by genetically-enhanced sharks. Later that year, he had a starring role in Any Given Sunday, in which he played Julian Washington, the talented but selfish running back on the dysfunctional Miami Sharks. Since then, LL Cool J has appeared in a variety of films, such as the 2002 remake of Rollerball, Deliver Us from Eva, and S.W.A.T..
In 2005, he returned to television in a guest starring role on the Fox medical drama House as a death row inmate felled by an unknown disease.
He also guest starred on 30 Rock in the 2007 episode “The Source Awards” as the hip hop producer Ridiculous, who Tracy Jordan fears is going to kill him.
LL Cool J appeared in Sesame Street’s 39th season where he introduced the word of the day, “Unanimous”, in episode 4169 (Sept. 22, 2008) and performing “The Addition Expedition” in episode 4172 (Sept. 30, 2008).
LL Cool J is currently a series regular on the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles, a spin-off of NCIS (which itself is a spin-off of the naval legal drama JAG). He portrays NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy SEAL who is fluent in Arabic and an expert on West Asian culture. The series debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were introduced in an April 2009 crossover episode on the parent show.
Other works and ventures
Fashion
LL Cool J worked behind the scenes with the mid-eighties Hip-Hop sportswear line TROOP.[12] In the mid 90’s, he also helped to launch the clothing line FUBU.
LL Cool J launched a clothing line (called Todd Smith).[13] The brand produces popular urban apparel. Designs include influences from LL’s lyrics and tattoos, as well as from other icons in the hip-hop community.[14]
Books
LL Cool J has written four books, including 1998’s I Make My Own Rules, an autobiography co-written with Karen Hunter. His second book was the children-oriented book called And The Winner Is… published in 2002. In 2006, LL Cool J and his personal trainer, Dave “Scooter” Honig wrote a fitness book, The Platinum Workout. His fourth book LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars) was co-written in 2007 with hip-hop historian Dustin Shekell and Public Enemy’sChuck D.
LL Cool J started his own businesses in the music industry such as the music label in 1993 called P.O.G. (Power Of God) and formed the company Rock The Bells to produce music. With the Rock The Bells label, he had artists such as Amyth,[15][unreliable source?] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. Rock the Bells Records was also responsible for the Deep Blue Sea soundtrack for the 1999 movie of the same name. Rufus “Scola” Waller was also signed to the label, but was released when the label folded.[16]
LL Cool J founded and launched Boomdizzle.com, a record label / social networking site launched in September 2008. The website accepts music uploads from aspiring artists, primarily from the hip hop genre, and the site’s users rate songs through contests, voting, and other community events.[17]
Personal life
LL Cool J married his wife, Simone in 1995. The couple have four children. One son, Najee (1989) three daughters, Italia (1990), Samaria (1995) and Nina Simone (2000).