The AIDS epidemic among African-Americans in some parts of the United States is as severe as in parts of Africa, according to a report out Tuesday.

AIDS in America today is a black disease,” says Phill Wilson, founder and CEO of the institute and himself HIV-positive for 20 years. “2006 CDC data tell us that about half of the just over 1 million Americans living with HIV or AIDS are black.”

Although black people represent only about one in eight Americans, one in every two people living with HIV in the United States is black, the report notes.

AIDS remains the leading cause of death among black women between ages 25 and 34. It’s the second-leading cause of death in black men 35-44.

Full Story: CNN

Damn I didn’t know it was that bad, that is crazy. I don;t understand how so many people can play with their lives for some moments of pleasure.

But our music isn’t about other rappers or about killing a rappers mother or shit like that! It’s about the life of 2 dudes from Queens- Lefrak and QB!!!!! I guess what I’m saying is, the blog world has 2 focus on great music right now and not so much drama!. Music makes the thug calm down not drama. CNN we made another classic! Go out and support it! Big up 2 neveright, sohh, Hiphopgame, worldstarhiphop,RealTalkNY, onsmash,allhiphop, and all the bloggers in the world!! Even those that hate and even the people who leave bad comments!

-N.O.R.E.

Unfortunately the most popular post will always be about drama, the amount of comments for those post make it very obvious. But I try to have a good mix of drama, music, politics, sexy women and etc. on the blog, am I doing a good job?

Real Talk With CNN (Part1 &  Part 2)

The witch hunt for made up past histories by rappers has now moved on to the, “Definition of Real,” Mr.Plies. HipHopDX did an extensive search to see if he was arrested for anything substantial in his life.

HipHopDX has obtained documentation from the state of Florida that lists the “definition of real” rapper’s first real run-in with the law to have not taken place until two years ago, on April 12, 2006, when Plies – real name Algernod Lanier Washington, born May 22, 1976 – would have been on the eve of his 30^th birthday and just beginning his ascension to his current status of gold-certified rap star.

But there are the occasional past tense references to what appear to be claims of his own criminal activity. One glaring example can be found during his lament on the suffering his alleged criminal activities caused his mother on “Runnin My Momma Crazy,” in which he recollects: “Remember the nights, me sittin’ up in a cold cell/I’m wakin’ ya up out’cha sleep, it’s me callin’ you from jail.” While passionate, his verse’s claim that he was ever in a “cold cell” now appears to be untruthful, as according to the FDLE’s report Plies was never in jail for any period of time prior to 2006.

Full Story: HipHopDX

Too early to tell on this one, I’m sure Plies will make a response if the story becomes popular online. Buy anyway props to Plies for creating a non-profit organization.

For the brother who:

• remembers being a “Black Boy.”
• wanted to be “The Bad Nigga” like Jack Johnson
• feels like he’s America’s “Native Son.”
• is constantly reminded he is an “Invisible Man.”
• lived by B.I.G.’s “Ten Crack Commandments”
• “seen Hoop Dreams deflat like a true fiend’s weight”
• is “Black on Both Sides”
• wanted to be “the coolest nigga”

CNN talked about us, now it’s our turn.

read more »

The Hip Hop Caucus, www.hiphopcaucus.org, and Multi-Platinum, Grammy Award Winning Superstar T.I. have joined forces to launch a powerful new voter registration and Get Out the Vote campaign that combines the power of celebrity and media with 21st century grassroots organizing tactics to mobilize and educate young people between the ages of 18 and 29, who are not in college.  The campaign slogan, “Respect My Vote!” and t-shirts were unveiled today at a press event in Washington, DC, with DJ Green Lantern, Dawn from Danity Kane, Young Berg, Maino, Wale, Young Steff, Washington Wizard Etan Thomas, Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Killieberew, Immortal Technique, Pleasure P, World Class Sprinter and Champion Michael Walton, BET Executive Vice President Stephen Hill and many others turning out to
support.

The campaign, led by T.I. will employ other celebrities, athletes and high profile influential figures to get out the vote in a variety of ways including PSAs for radio, television and online use; in person
appearances; press events; mobile and email alerts from celebrities themselves; and an aggressive online campaign. Famed photographer Jonathan Mannion has been exclusively tapped to shoot portraits of the
famous faces adoring the “Respect My Vote!” slogan and t-shirt produced by forthcoming AKOO clothing line as well as direct and produce the PSA’s. Confirmed participating talent will be announced throughout the campaign leading up to the November election.

More Info below

read more »

‘I think it’s more important for me to be in touch with who I am than in touch with the streets, per se,’ he says. ‘Being in touch with the streets, keeping it real, that’s become a lie and a cliche. I’m not hanging on the corner in the Bed-Stuy. I hate it when rappers say, “I’m keeping it ‘hood.” I’m like, “Why? What do you mean? No one’s there by choice! You’re in the hood, by choice?”‘

‘If [Barack Obama] loses I really will feel sorry and sad for the state of America,’ he says. ‘The world is watching. And the world will judge us on that. And I’m not voting for him simply because he’s black. The worst thing ever for black people would be to put someone in who wasn’t capable. I’m voting because he’s capable. What he represents to a little kid in Marcy Projects right now is to make him feel like he’s part of America. We never felt like we were part of the American dream.’

Full Article: Guardian

Who is in the hood by choice? I understand going back to your community to help build it up, but if your rich and famous you can no longer just be hanging out on the block. You should have more important things to do and there will be a lot of envious people around you in the hood.