Four-twenty is an unforeseen holiday that I never pictured would have so much of an impact in the United States of America during my lifetime. Even while celebrating Easter Sunday, people will continue to take their puffs of smoke on the herbal drug as celebration for the cannabis culture. Too me, it has always been unpredictable to determine how fast this cannabis movement would develop. While growing up, I always assumed that marijuana would be illegal. As I’m seeing growth in the support to push this “drug” for legalization, I can now make assumptions for when I believe weed will be fully accepted into society. Times are truly changing when something that had such a bad connotation becomes praised in the mainstream media.
I know most of you are probably “waking and baking” this morning as a celebration for 4/20, but who’s celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, today? Every time a group of smokers mentions what day Easter falls on, they’re taking notice that it falls on an important day for them. It’s a smoker’s celebration on the Lord’s day?! “OMG! We’re going to be high at church!” Dang, soberness for the Lord was immediately thrown out of the window. Ha-ha! The hype for 4/20 is officially “off-the-chain” when people are looking to smell like the plant while praising Jesus Christ in church.
The holiday which should have rightful ownership is Easter. It’s the day we we’re all promises life after death. The celebration has been apart of people’s lives since the beginning of time. Why should it change now? Well that’s what I believe. I’m a christian. My day is starting with the Bible not a blunt because I respect my Lord first before some cigarillo full of weed. I glorify his blessing for dying for me before the blessing of the “natural” plant to my lungs, which over the years the plant has been manipulated by man to give an extra kick of THC for your body, so is it really all that natural? I will not forget about Jesus this day.
I know many other people won’t forget about him this day. I just hope the respect for God isn’t lost in your festivities today. You may smoke all you want but remember which choice is a true priority in your life; which rules over you? At the end of the day, you should know what is the most important to you. So what will it be?
What are you doing today? Are you waking up to a blunt or a bible? Let me know in the comments below.
The Maryland Live Casino’s Rising Star Live contest for best vocalist ended March 31st. Contestants entered in this singing competition for a chance to win $10,000 and studio time with Wright Way Studios in Baltimore. Though the chance to enter has surpassed us, Maryland Live is still in the mists of narrowing down their contestant pool. As for Doc’s Castle Media, we’ve continued to accept submission from contestants until April 10th.
One of Maryland Live Casino Rising Star contestants is below…
My name is Alaina Delucia, I am a newly 21 year old and this is me singing Hurt by Christina Aguilera!
Beautiful voice! You’re very welcome. Thank you for showing Doc’s Castle Media support by submitting your contest video to us. I wish you the best of luck in the competition. I’ll be rooting for you!
Congratulations to Akintunde Ahmad for being accepted into multiple Ivy League colleges with a GPA of 5.0. He’s able to do anything he puts his mind to, and so can many others do the same. I’m proud but this shouldn’t be taken in such a surprising tone.
Akintunde is black, obviously. I believe that’s majority of the reason for how he made the news this month for being accepting in such prestigious schools. I’m upset that his skin color has to be the reason. Come on now, there are so many white children who achieve this goal yearly, but it’s when a black male reaches this level of success the world stops.
See what the media portrays us as? See what the world does to black people? They highlight our success like we’re incapable of achieving a goal as being accepted into these select few of colleges. There’s so much that should be said about how the media molds people’s perceptions of black people because not only is it making us proud to see something like this happening, it highlights that there are so very few black people doing it.
There has to be a way to keep black people motivated to showcase to society their possibilities. Times where there use to be civil freedoms that we once would fight for are often forgotten in my generation and it’s sad. What’s more sad is the fact that we know there’s a lack, and people continue to not make an effort to change society’s views. We glorify ratchet mess and seek only to get faded off substances while continually digging us a hole to indulge further into our poverty. Someone please elaborate on how this is a good thing to see everyday?
Blacks need more people like Akintunde in the media achieving positivity so that there will be others who will be inspired. I want to hear more positive success stories!
This is your time to shine. If you know of anyone who’s achieving something positive in their life, comment below with their experiences. Lets change the medias perceptions of us starting today!
“The early bird catches the worm” may be one of my most favorite phrases to say. I wake up saying the quote each morning to keep me motivated in completing my daily tasks. Sometimes I may slip up but what brings me back to tackling my duties is that quote, which is my daily Tweet on Twitter that many of my followers Retweet as motivation for themselves. I like helping keep others stay motivated, and as they’re motivated by that morning quote, they’re bing backs become my Popeye’s spinach.
BuzzFeed presents a youtube video which gives people a plethora of other motivating hacks to starting their day the productive and right way. If you’re caught doing these things, you might just be a morning person.
Do you do any of these hacks as your kick start your morning routine? Leave your comments below.
The Blogger’s Rundown has yet to come to a halt. I had the chance to interview one of Baltimore’s inspiring promoters as an addition about his event promo blog Alumni Marketing Group, which is stated on the AMG Facebook page as “an entertainment marketing guide connecting young professionals and artists globally through Social Media.” While interviewing founder Cortez of Alumni Marketing Group, I learned he’s someone that has a passion to help those who might not have an opportunity, like many of Baltimore’s “A-list” artist, at exposure to an audience. Alumni Marketing Group is different from previous blogs I’ve featured on Doc’s Castle Media because Cortez provides a service unlike the others. He’s work is more active in event management while his sites showcase what is expected at his events if someone should attend.
As I’ve talked with Cortez, we discussed how Alumni Marketing Group began, what his initial goal for his AMG blogs is, what the two most popular events hosted under Alumni Marketing Group are, and what to look forward to from his company. His company, along with his blogs will amount to change tremendously in the art scene. I can’t wait to see what new things will come out of what he’s doing for this city.
Doc: Where did the idea to create a blog for the Alumni Marketing Group start?
Cortez: The idea involved just being on social media and being able to utilize social media applications so it could help me put my brand out to an audience that I’m targeting. So essentially, what I did was brand myself using the Alumni Marketing Group’s network, and I was able to use different search engines so I can be able to publish the content that I distribute to my readers and audience.
Doc: Are you the only one involved with the updating of your site?
Cortez: Yes, I’m the sole proprietor of everything.
Doc: Oh, alright. Do you plan on bringing anymore people on?
Cortez: Certainly. That’s what a brand is. It’s Alumni Marketing Network. I’m always looking to bring on new people to the team.
Doc: Okay, so I’m aware that you have two blogs. You have a Blogspot and a Tumblr. Is there a specific reason for why you have two?
Cortez: I’m using two to capture different audiences. Social media is one of the trends now. I think anyone who’s involved in small business should have it.
Doc: Do you get most of you followers from Tumblr because I know a lot of people who use Tumblr? Is that where you post the most?
Cortez: Yeah, I would say I post the most frequently on Tumblr. Blogspot, I usually update sparingly.
Doc: So I guess Tumblr would be your primary?
Cortez: Certainly, that where I do most of the posting.
Doc: What kind of events do you promote on your blog?
Cortez: Right now, my sole service line is individual artist showcases. That involves scouting local talent where I’m able to give them the platform to showcase their music. Addition to doing the showcases, I’m also involved with the visual arts aspects of entertainment. So I work with local film makers, as well, and help them scout talent and promote their casting calls.
Doc: I don’t really know too much about the directors or videographers scene but that’s nice to hear that it’s people out there.
Cortez: Yeah, certainly. Baltimore, I think, is one of the most upcoming… Well, we’re late in terms of where we’re at in the entertainment industry. But I think Baltimore is on the rise in terms of providing these types of things for the urban community.
Doc: So do you promote events outside of the Alumni Marketing Group? I know you do the Monumental Mondays. Do you do anything else other than your Monday showcase?
Cortez: I also do a Saturday event. It’s once a month. I call that the Saturday Spotlight, where artist also have an opportunity to come out to the venue. It’s more so like a happy hour event but if artist would like to showcase, they’re more than welcome to come out. I try to do it at least once a month.
Doc: So Monumental Monday’s is every Monday?
Cortez: Yes, when we originally started it, it was a weekly event. But I was still building the brand and we had some minor setbacks. So I had to cut back from doing it weekly. Monumental Monday’s started in September 2013. So we ran it from September to December weekly; every week. Then we cut back in the beginning of the year because of the turnout. But now, at this point we’re starting to do it weekly again.
Doc: and then the Saturday event is monthly?
Cortez: Yes, Saturday’s event is what I try to do once a month. It’s a daytime event. That’s one of the trends that’s going on around the town now.
Doc: Oh really? Daytime events?
Cortez: Yeah, they call them Day Parties.
Doc: Oh, I’ve never been to any day parties so I probably come to that. Do you have any important events that people should know about in the month of April?
Cortez: Right now, I’m working with a local film maker by the name of Frankie Jones. He’s one of the guys that I’m a subordinate of. I’m helping promote his casting calls for his films. He’s actually trying to do a short film monthly.
Doc: Every month? Really?
Cortez: Yeah, every month. He’s doing short films to help build his brand. So be on the lookout for casting calls on the blog or from our street team. We’ll be putting the word out for talent to come in and cast for these positions.
Doc: Okay, how do people notify you for permission to perform at your shows?
Cortez: I’m best reached by email. I have a heavy social media presence. If you’re on social media through Twitter, you can find us by the hashtag #MonumentalMondays or you can use the hashtag #MonumentalMusic.
Doc: Can people submit events to you? If they had an event, do you post it on your blog to promote their event, or do you do solely your events?
Cortez: Well, at this point, I’ve networked with people around the city. But I’m willing to build relationships with other people, like event host and planners. But at this point, I haven’t received submissions for other events because we haven’t built a solid foundation in terms across promoting each other’s events.
Doc: What is your most popular event that you throw?
Cortez: At this point, it’s Monumental Mondays because we’re branding ourselves not just in Baltimore. We’ve reached a market and have had artist perform from as far as California. So I think it’s one of our most notable events at this time. It’s a great opportunity for these artists to showcase their talents to our followers and listeners.
Doc: Thank you for interviewing with me.
Cortez: No problem, thank you.
To see Cortez’s Alumni Marketing Group blog, visit amnep.tumblr.com.
Saturday, March 29, 2014 marked the first American Basketball Association tryouts for Baltimore city’s new team, the Baltimore Hawks. The turnout of the tryout was bigger than expected. Over 30 prospects attended this Saturday to compete for a spot on the professional basketball team. Such event would have you proud to see a group of guys pursuing a career in what they dream.
I had to the opportunity to chat with both owners of the Baltimore Hawks. As I spoke with the power duo for the team, Gregory Brown and Quentin Harper, they discussed with me their expectations for the players.
Even as a spectator, it was easy to find those who were hungry for their opportunity to shine. Strong-willed players put in work to be noticed for a shot that could change their future, for they knew the decision was in the team officials’ hands. As I watch these men condition, I spotted a few individuals with heaps of determination. For readers to get an understanding of the possible talent, I interviewed Dominic Thompson, Jason Sharp, Dashawn Bradshaw, and Lamar Bentley. Listen to the audio below.
One quality the Baltimore Hawks expects their team members to have as perseverance for excelling in this sport is a strong mental. Players need to be able stand out in times of adversity. Many of the prospects were able to do this while also showing great collaboration in teamwork. While players seemed to struggle with a task, others were generous in showing respect through applauding to support one another. It was extremely encouraging for others to learn to not quit and to do their best, though this may be a competition for a position on a team. By simply watching these guys, I was encouraged do my best. I had to “Turn Up” for my interviews. Ha-Ha! They were so hungry for the opportunity. Who could help but be inspired by the positivity.
There definitely is potential in this city. Baltimore will have a great future with players that keep the drive and determination to reach success. The Baltimore Hawks will make sure of it.
There’s another chance for players who didn’t come out to the first team tryouts. Come out to St. Francis Academy on Sunday, April 27, 2014 to get your spot on the Baltimore Hawks roster. More details at www.baltimorehawks.com.
Did you read about Energy Drive Motivation Management’s basketball exposure camp coming to Baltimore? Listen to the interview with the owner of EDM on Doc’s Castle Media.
I spent my weekend the natural way at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore for the 2014 Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo. It was a great experience to be a part of something so empowering, especially when I’ve never been to such an event. I had to wake up early Saturday morning to do my hair. I had to look fly.
I took it upon myself to attend the expo because I am a natural hair gal, myself. I spend hours of my time perfecting my natural curly bush. So I felt it was my duty to not miss out on this chance to learn some new hair tips and purchase some new goodies for this nappy head. I was in there in no time, accompanied by two of my lovely friends, one of them being the beautiful Karyn of NaturalHasStyle, a hair blog on Instagram that showcases all hairstyles natural.
Check out Karyn’s pretty hairstyle. Her pinned up puffy Marley Twist.
The event was delightfully free-spirited because it made me proud to say the hair on my head is real and majority of the people at this event hair is real, too. There were so many beautiful black people proud of their manes. I’ve never seen so many bushy heads in one place in my life. Sometimes the ignorance I receive from people who are unaware of this natural “movement” can cloud your reality of how many people who are for it. Being around a bunch of people who don’t understand my cause to be natural might have blinded me from the many that actually care. I guess I was brought back to life.
While at the expo, I bought some goodies. I now have new jewelry and some fancy smelling Shea butter for my body and hair. Everything I bought was from local businesses. You know, I love supporting the locals.
I had to get a pic next to the sign, too. Ha!
The message constantly pushed to those who attended Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo was there is beauty in what you are. There’s power behind being natural. We are wearing our hair naturally to make a statement that we aren’t false. We’re more comfortable in being real. We’re proud of who we are. We’re letting others know that. It was very empowering and nice to see people in support of one another.
The Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo is held in the spring at a different location every year. I’ll be lurking on Google around this time next year to make sure I don’t miss it. But the current tour hasn’t ended. The next hair care expo is being moved to Eastern Shore. So make sure you mark your calendars for May 4th to attend the Natural Hair Care Expo at the Hampton Inn (address below.)
121 E Naylor Mill Road Salisbury, MD 21804
Visit the Natural Hair Care Expo website for more details.
Are you a music lover? I found another music blogger in Baltimore that could possibly address your craving needs for the love of hip-hop and R&B. I interviewed AmirahRashidah Blog’s very own Amirah Muhammad as another addition to my Blogger’s Rundown. It was a fun experience, indeed. I’ve known Amirah personally for quite some time now, and I’m pleased to say she such a wonderful person to talk to. I can always expect a conversation full of laughter when spending it with Amirah.
This interview was not like others as I had a special appearance from Shareese Williams, former beauty blogger of Doc’s Castle Media. She joined in my interview with Amirah to ask a few questions about Amirah’s love for singing. (Special audio is at the end of this post.) Amirah, Shareese, and I spoke of how AmirahRashidah started, Amirah’s plans in the future for her music blog, her participation in Janelle Monae’s Instagram contest, and her passion for the art of music alone. I learn a lot about AmirahRashidah, though I also am a contributing writer for her site, as well. It’s good to be refreshed on someone’s vision. She’ll reach a lot of success in the future. I’m definitely rooting for this one.
Doc: What’s the story behind AmirahRashidah? Where did it all begin?
Amirah: It all began in 2008. I started another blog, a personal blog, called Amirah the Uncool. Yes, I was into Lupe Fiasco. (Laughs) It became more of a blog where I posted music instead of for personal. I decided to take Amirah the Uncool to the next level by creating AmirahRashidah. I started that in 2012.
Doc: Awe, okay. What is your motive to keep AmirahRashidah going?
Amirah: So I have a huge passion for music. I sing and actually play two instruments. It’s something I’ve always loved. Eventually in the future once I get my law degree, I want to practice law and protect the rights of musicians and their work. That is what keeps me going. I have a good ole fan base and people to go to and say, “Heyyy, you need representation? I got chu!”
Doc: Right. It gives you more experience, too. So how many contributing bloggers do you have for your site currently?
Amirah: I have, right now, four. But three are active. That includes you.
Doc: (Laughs) Yes.
Amirah: (Laughs)
Doc: Are you looking to have more contributors soon?
Amirah: Yeah, I’m definitely looking to have more contributors.
Doc: Is there a way anybody can contact you about that?
Doc: In the meantime, do you accept guest bloggers
Amirah: I do. I do. They may contact that same email, as well.
Doc: So what made you decide to use your name as the name of your site?
Amirah: HA! Me and my lack of creativity. (Laughs)
Doc: (Laughs)
Amirah: I had Twitter before I had changed my blog name to AmirahRashidah and I just liked that name. It rang so I ran with it.
Doc: Okay, cool. I mean, I would have done the same thing.
Amirah: (Laughs)
Doc: I like my middle name. I use to use it a lot on stuff. So yeah definitely see what you were doing. (Laughs) Do you accept submissions from local artists?
Amirah: I do. I’ve actually posted a couple of submission for some local artists. I’ve done an interview for a local artist, too. I’m always looking for local artist to submit to the blog.
Doc: But with all of those emails coming to you at one time do they must have a specific subject line so that you can organize it differently?
Amirah: Yeah, with any email you send it should be like that. (Laughs)
Doc: (Laughs) I know but some people are oblivious to that. Sometimes they don’t. They just think they can contact you on anything and be like, “Hey! I got that fire!”
Amirah: I got a couple of those and I was just like, “NEXT!” (Laughs)
Doc: See? (Laughs) I like when people are specific so it can be filed somewhere nicely, you know.
Amirah: Yeah, on my website, I have a contact form. But on there I also have if you’re submitting music, make sure you email me at this email. You could use either or.
Doc: Alright. Umm, I recently saw some promotion on your Instagram about something new coming this summer to AmirahRashidah. Do mind letting us in on the scoop with what’s going on with that?
Amirah: Yeah, I’m so excited! Umm, I decided to do a video platform for AmirahRashidah, which it’s going to be called AmirahRashidah TV. I hope to have interviews mostly with local artists because they’re nearby. I’m not traveling too far. (Laughs) I ain’t getting paid for this yet.
Doc: (Laughs)
Amirah: It’ll be interviews and just random discussions about what’s going on in music. I’ll even have my guest contributors and bloggers do videos, too.
Doc: So you’re blog isn’t just for local artists. It’s for others too?
Amirah: Yeah, it’s for national artist and indie arts.
Doc: That’s good to know because people will be all over it. Do you have a favorite local artist?
Amirah: Ahh, lord! (Laughs) I so want to give the political correct answer.
Doc: (Laughs)
Amirah: My favorite local artist just might be this producer by the name of eu-IV. He does really well at mixing up R&B tracks. It’s this one track where he covered SWV’s Rain. He transformed it and I loved it. He’s one of my favorites. It’s another person. His name is Jonny Graham. He’s a Jazz musician. He plays trumpet and writes his own music. He gets people to sing on his mixtapes and albums. I like him, too.
Doc: Have you written about them on your blog?
Amirah: I’ve written about Johnny. I haven’t written about eu-IV yet. But I’m actually about to do an interview with him. Look out for one in April.
Doc: You should do a video interview of him.
Amirah: I know. If I do it then it’ll be pushed back to the summer to be on AmirahRashidah TV.
Doc: Is AmirahRashidah TV just interviews?
Amirah: It’s interviews. If we can get concert footage, concert footage.
Doc: …if it’s legal. (Laughs)
Amirah: Yes, legal footage. (Laughs) I’m not going to get in trouble for people posting stuff they not supposed to be posting. And…conversations about what’s going on within the music industry. I know you like to rant about certain things. (Laughs)
Doc: Yeah, I like to rant.
Amirah: (Laughs) So it’s a good platform for that, too.
Doc: Okay (Laughs)
Amirah: I can see you doing a video or two. “I just hate how R&B…” (Laughs)
Doc: HA! I like music rants. People listen to me. Hey, sometimes I make a lot of sense. But thank you for doing this interview with me.
Amirah: Thank you!
This is the point where beauty blogger Shareese Williams jumps in. Ha-ha!
Shareese takes the initiative to ask when Amirah will be dropping an album and doing a collaboration with her. Listen to what she says…
To view some of Shareese’s work, follow her on Instagram at @Uhhh_Shareese.
Did you read my last Blogger’s Rundown Interview? Check out my last interview with Shae of the UncommonRealist.
I’m glad to have had the opportunity to interview someone who’s working to encourage our young black men to do something positive. Enrico is working to bring back hope for a lot of young men who inspire to pursue a career in sports. Check out my interview with Enrico of Energy Drive Motivation Management as we talk of how he brings his Pro Basketball Exposure Camp to Baltimore in these next coming weeks.
Register for Pro Basketball Exposure Camp in Baltimore Saturday, April 26-27, 2014 on the Energy Drive Motivation website, www.energydrivemotivation.com.
Previously featured artist Champ The General released his music video to mixtape single “All I Know” 2 weeks ago on his YouTube channel for the world to see. The update was submitted to us to promote his show on March 24 at Monumental Mondays at The Depot located in Baltimore’s Art district, Station North. Check him out.
