Author: Isabelle

As Summer holidays are approaching, I’d like to share some original and interesting walks through the French Capital with you. You might be keen on choosing Paris as your touristic destination.
I’ve always loved Paris. When I get the chance to travel there, I have a few areas of preference (not everybody might agree with my choice, but well…)
I once had a quite stressful day in Paris and really needed to break from any negative thought…so I followed my intuition, took the Metro and descended at Sentier.
Sentier is located in the 2nd area of Paris. It is an interesting luxury shopping area. However, the most interesting oasis of peace I found here is a hidden street, that resembles quite a little paradise. It is called rue Montorgueil. There you will find beautiful fruit and vegetables, many traditional bakers, cheese, fish, all excellent quality produce.

I could also mention a wide range of Cafes, but my favorite of all is certainly Planet Sushi, a very modern Japanese styled Cafe, with a soul-jazz musical atmosphere and very friendly waiters/ waitresses.

Rue Montorgueil is truly a haven of peace and if you’re lucky, you might find some musicians playing the guitar or saxophone in the middle of the street.
Although some people might priviledge some more comfortable Parisian areas, I’m also very fond of the popular ones like Barbes. (18th area)
“Besbar” like many of its inhabitants affectionate to call it, is a very interesting shopping area, if you’re looking for cheap mobi phones or cheap clothes. There you will also find the notorious Tati shop.
But what I like most is the mixity of population. Another interesting area, very close to Barbes is Chateau Rouge (18th area). Chateau Rouge is a black ghetto in the middle of the Capital. In this very lively and animated area, you will find loads of African products and an African market too.
If you like long boulevard walks, you definitely gotta visit Montparnasse (14th area). This very pleasant area also has some nice parks that are worth your visit.
I could mention a lot of other places, but the ones I mentioned above are definitely my favorites. Check them out when you get the chance!
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
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Read the original article here.
Groovevolt.com has learned exclusively that Eminem’s Shady clothing line will likely soon be a thing of the past. After a series of financial and creative ups and downs, and a prolonged sales slump, the Shady clothing line may soon be closing its doors.
Recent firings of key brand executives have done nothing to squelch the rumors that the brand will soon be a memory. Groovevolt’s sources, who asked to remain unnamed due to their proximity to the situation, say that the remaining honchos in the company are staging early-level talks to throw in the towel on the brand.
The Shady camp has refused to comment despite repeated requests, but industry insiders told Groovevolt.com that this talk is unsurprising, since there has been an attempt to phase out the brand for some time. “The company has been in talks with many investors but no one seems interested, including Eminem,” a source said.
The line, which was launched in 2003 by Nesi Fashion Brands – the same firm that created Rocawear – has had numerous problems over the past two years. A 2007 joint venture with Jay-Z and Rocawear (produced by Iconix Brand) did not meet expectations, and, as a result, the Shady brand made an unsuccessful transition from high-end retailers like Macy’s to lower-end concerns like Burlington Coat Factory and Kohls.
According to the same insiders, all attempts to bring the brand back to its “perceived” former glory have been unsuccessful and the brand is now in the process of shutting its doors. “This just adds to the list of successful musicians with unsuccessful clothing lines,” an industry insider said.
Groovevolt will update this story as more information becomes available.
–Ambre Nicholson, Contributing Editor

It was about time witty people like Saul Williams raised their voices to combat a commercial, capitalistic hip hop that is only motivated by the greed of money.
Like the brilliant emcee dared to point it out, while many others would have remained silent on the subject, because of their own commercial interest, hip hop’s state of mind is first and foremost a rebellious state of mind.
Should we remind folks that hip hop was born to support black people’s fight against racial discrimination in the late 60’s, mainly because the US government’s mad housing policy had left loads of people homeless? In its essence, hip hop has never ever been advocating capitalism.
It has never praised big cars, nor did it take pride in dumb artist gold diggers with zero knowledge of what this musical genre is all about.
The truth is that the hip hop industry is run by a bunch of corrupt clowns whose one and only goal is to make “big chips”. Some of them would even walk on the dead for the same purpose.
When Nas claimed that hip hop was dead, he reached a certain amount of disapprobation from commercial hip hop listeners, who didn’t mind to tell the rapping genius to “get lost”, implying that he did is time and was too old to understand the current age of hip hop.
The music industry is corrupt, many artists in the business are all rotten.
A bunch of suburban morons are trying to imitate a culture they have no idea about. A bunch of spoilt suburban girls are supporting commercial labels, thinking they are “hip hop” just because they dress hip hop and listen to some commercial driven (c)rap.
Violence is breaking out everywhere. Not so long ago a rapping battle in Detroit turned into a bloody crime area. People are blaming it on hip hop culture, as usual.
Each time the word hip hop is mentioned, loads of misundertandings occur.
So who is going to save hip hop culture?
Only the pure, the brave-hearted, the dedicated underground emcees, those who don’t deny hip hop’s African roots.
Take it how you wanna, but those words are inked from a hip hop dedicated rebel’s pen!
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

I am dead serious. If you’re a commercial hip hop driven listener, please skip this.
Saul Williams made some insightful comments about the current state of hip hop. Listen to what the brilliant emcee and poet has to say.
Feel free to comment, but ALWAYS in a respectful way. You are entitled to your opinion, but please remember than any insulting comment towards the artist or myself will be promptly removed.
Thank you.
Isabelle

I once made a quite complete Eminem family tree from both sides, that totally recalled the artist’s Scottish roots…but this is the most accurate info I ever found.
Credit to William Addams Reitwiesner for his precise and complete work:)
Have a look. Feel free to comment.
N.B: any obsessive comment will be promptly removed…this is in NO WAy an invitation to stalk the artist nor any of his family members!

Our contemporary world seems to be lost into a desperate quest for happiness. Yet it seems the more desperate we are to pursue and catch a glimpse of happiness, the more it is actually vanishing from our all day reality.
French poet Paul Fort seems to summarize it very well in his short poem entitled Le Bonheur (Happiness) in which it clearly appears that the more you run after it, the more likely it is to escape.
Many people confuse material wealth, a concept of comfort, stardom, glory, glitter, admiration from other people with happiness.
Let me tell you: if you are seaking happiness within material possessions, you are very likely to be disappointed for good. Aren’t spoilt kids the unhappiest human beings on earth? In appearance, they have nothing to complain about, but the truth is, that the more you have, the more you will want.
Jesus, in his simplicity, told people that there are more blessings into the act of giving than to receive. Which is actually true: there is no such pleasure for somebody to please others around you. A glance of joy in somebody’s eye can illuminate our whole day.
Western countries are often being told that they are happier than Third World Countries. Don’t be so sure of it. Without denying great difficulties and the misery developing countries are often facing, I’ve seen more smiles from African folks on live TV reports and on magazines then the ones I actually acknowledge from passants in the streets of the cloudy City of London, for instance.
Happiness has nothing to do with our wealth, nor is it linked with external cicumstances. Happiness is a state of mind.
I am not telling you that it is easy to be happy, nor am I trying to say that you can be permanently happy. But you can merely try to be content with what you have.
Stop contemplating the half empty glass is a great step forward.
My own secret of “happiness” relies in the very simple pleasures life has to offer, like sitting at a Café’s terrace after a hard day’s work. I then like to watch the sun going down while smelling the taste of a good quality Columbian coffee.
Writing is another of my secrets of “happiness”. Writing in itself makes me feel unique. The feeling of freedom that overwhelms me then is close to the concept of happiness. Also, there is no such pleasure than helping and pleasing readers through my articles. When I manage to do it, I feel accomplished.
The very truth is that there is no recipe for happiness. There will always be rainy days followed by the shiny ones. All we can do is trying to get close to the concept by a positive attitude towards life.
Don’t look for happiness. Simply live your life to the fullest…do what you can and try to be happy!
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Two tracks from D 12’s brand new mixtape are currently available. I had the chance to listen to Biggest G, that features Akon, thanks to D 12 lover who posted a link on the comments section.
Good news, dear readers. You’ll be able to download You Never Know, thanks to Da Shady Spot:)

Maybe more hidden from the public’s eye, former NWA member Arabian Prince aka Professor X is nevertheless a very valuable emcee.
Let Arabian Prince introduce you into his world…his alias Professor X will teach you a dance lesson.
Something To Dance is a a very rhythmic track made of an inventive and rich musical background. It has the typical NWA flavor, yet it is an original composition of Arabian Prince’s own.
With his instrumental knowledge, Arabian Prince handles his beats with an amazing dexterity, while the keyboards’ funky flavor will increase your thirst for a powerful dancefloor demonstration.
Panic Zone combines an astute use of oriental and electronic sounds, mixed up with scratches. The song is truly a pleasure for your ears. Arabian Prince’s dark voice gives the track its full “Panic Zone” dimension. He’s taking over with pride. Follow his crazy rhythm.
Electronic instrumental knowledge is compulsatory in NWA’s world. Arabian Prince knows how to do it. Syllables dance while your body evolves on the dancefloor. You can’t resist to this!
Curious to hear a little bit more from Arabian Prince?
The 2006 released Statix track will allow you to appreciate Arabian Prince’s full mastery of electronic beats. His dark, cosmic voice will certainly seduce you. Move along with him, let the music take entire possession of your universe.
Discover more about the talented artist here.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Author Donna Kshir (pronounced Shear)recently teamed up with MMA world champion Mark Bailey to write his life story, but writing Bailey’s life story wasn’t their only mission. Bailey was abused as a child, as he revealed to Kshir in “My Life’s Fight as told to Donna Kshir.”
Bailey’s turbulant and violent childhood later turned into an adulthood plagued by drinking, crime, and more violence, ultimately leading to prison. Kshir tells the story of the life Bailey lived before he found God, and how he turned his life around to become a MMA world champion fighter.
Bailey is well known in the ring, as he participated in over three hundred fights, held the World Fighting Championship title twenty-seven times, is a five-time shoot fighter of the year and has won over five hundred and fifty grappling fights. Kshir adds, “Bailey’s greatest honor was being a 2007 MMA Hall of Fame inductee.”
As revealed by Bailey on his myspace, for each book purchased a portion of the book sales will go towards domestic violence to help stop women and child from being abused. To help fight the fight “My Life’s Fight as told to Donna Kshir” is currently available online at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and target.com.

The Miami hip hop group carries a solid passion for hip hop. LFMG’s enthusiasm spreads like a pandemic virus, with their contaminating rhythmic tracks and their well thought rhymes.
Hip Hop 101 gets started on a quite dramatic violin background that is enhanced by a hip hop dedicated spirit. Words flow with a well mastered dexterity. Listen to the emcees’ beautifully handled rhymes, let them take you away for a ride into a world in which syllables do matter. The flow delivery is impressive too. I totally loved the track!
Mega Man is built on some intentionally repetitive words. Cadenced drum beats work together with keyboard sounds. Let the talented emcee create their Mega Man blast.
Chiefin’ Til Da Day is constructed on a softer musical background. Again, the group’s wonderful flow delivery needs to be underlined. The song is embued with a definitely Rastafarian spirit. Happy 420 for the marijuana friends!
Dayz Turn To Nights is introduced by some massive tuba sounds, followed by some rhythmic drum beats. Symphonic violin sounds will soon take over the whole instrumental background accompanied by some soft male vocals, creating an overall romantic atmosphere. Again, the emcees are totally convincing in their way of handling lyrics and flow delivery.
Discover more about LFMG’s impressive performance here.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved