Brian- (professional skateboarder) my son celebrating his second birthday
Tom-Tom (Legendary Party Promoter) – JCSU Homecoming Alumni Party. It was the best one in 15 years.
Troy Veale- the October 1st Friday @ Cans
K. Figgz- when I got my $10,000 check from Akon!
Cutti Boi- winning artist of the year at the QC Music Awards
Sketch – My birthday party at club Ice, I like birthdays!
Ka Zar – OBAMA!
Passion-(Owner, Joseph’s House of Threads) July 9, 2009 5:16pm the moment I woke up from surgery and the doctor told me they removed all the caner.
Nikki B- working at WUFO Radio Station
KeKe (The Thurobreads) – doing our party with WUFO Radio,
It went down!
Lil Sleep- when I finally left my bad management alone and I rocked at “Da Roc Fest” I made em look like beginners!
DJ Cat XXX- being named the 3rd dj in the city on the WUFO top ten list
DJ Chuck T- when me an Spike Lee got into a debate about Obama

Luckbone- (rap artist) my birthday party

Ty
Stats aka Da Hitmaker – Doing a show with OJ Da Juiceman & Rick
Ross @ Backstage nightclub. Da Juiceman picked us up, rode us around
all day with him. Then Rick Ross came out, the females came thru….it
was on an poppin then

Big Brown aka Beatties Ford Rd Rick Ross – when I met Rick Ross

DJ Q Mix- graduating from college

Vanessa- being interviewed for the tv show “Hung”

Kevin/No ? Entertainment – when the artists from both Carolinas came together for my Carolina Artists Magazine photo shoot.

80 Geez – my birthday, I like to buy my moms a gift on that day, to thank her for having me.

Rah
Rizzum- most definitely the final production of my first album, and
finding out that I am going to be a father again to a baby girl! I
always wanted a girl.

Tiny T- when Michael Jackson died

King Carter – makin the cover of The SHOWCASE Magazine

Maintain
Your Sexy

SheKnows Beauty & Style Divas

Valentine's Day is here, and although it is, in fact, a commercial holiday, it'd still be a lot of fun to show your love on the special day. Stoked for the special night but don't know how to prepare? Don't slack - get lingerie ready by following these simple tips. And remember, this advice applies to other romantic nights of the year, so use them as necessary.

Buy Something New

Hello, Fire my Desire Boutique, I Candy, and Secrets Lingerie. It's time to purchase some sexy in the form of pretty lingerie. Before the romantic evening, ask your man what he likes. Who knows, he may want you in a football jersey. Or, like most men, he'll probably ask to see you in lace and chiffon. It's good to communicate expectations beforehand so he can grow in anticipation and you can plan ahead. Visit your favorite lingerie store (if applicable, that is) and get something you know not only he will like, but you will love to see yourself in.

Groom Yourself

This goes without saying - don't forget to shave, trim, wax what you need to. Depending on yours and/or your lover's preference of hair, of course, groom accordingly so there are no surprises during the romantic night. If you're feeling a little frisky, consider a special design on your you-know-what, like a heart or star.

Stay Away from Junk

Newsflash - salty foods make you bloated. So stay away from potato chips, fast food, and ramen noodles for a week before your fab fling. Consuming foods with a lot of sodium will only add water weight, making your tummy look bigger than it normally is. Stick with natural foods before your romantic night. Shop at Wholefoods and farmer's markets. Eat salads with light dressing and lots of whole grain pastas, rice and bread. Doing so will make your body sexier than it already is!

Set the Mood

To sex up the room, you'll need two manipulate two important things: the lighting and aroma. Give your bedroom or living room that romantic glow it doesn't normally have.. Instead of using plain old tealight candles, consider PartyLite's Scents of Illumination. These unique translucent solid frangrance-filled wine glasses will hold tealight candles. It really provides a nice touch to your wine setup and table setting. You can get them in scents like champagne pear (if you're having white wine) and Tuscan vineyards (if you're having red wine).. They retail for $32.95 each or you can get two for $62.95 at www.partylite.com. You can also get the tealights there for $9.50 for a dozen.

Own Your Sexy

No matter what you do to get ready for the lovely day - whether you groom, eat right, and dress sultry - your sex appeal won't go very far if you don't own it. After you follow the steps above, it's very important to know, remember and maintain how sexy you are. Once you and your lover are "in the moment," just enjoy yourself, each other and the night. Then, repeat every day if possible to keep that love alive. Valentine's Days, anniversaries and honeymoons aren't the only occasions for fun loving.

The Anti-Valentine’s Day party actually makes some people grateful Cupid hasn’t set them up on a hot date for the night.

Valentine’s Day is a couple’s day. They exchange flowers, candy and cutesy stuffed animals. Even the candy is lovey-dovey, from heart-shaped Sweet Tarts to the little candy hearts bearing such phrases as, “I Love You,” “Hug Me” and “Be Mine.” But what about those people who aren’t in a relationship on Valentine’s Day? What are they supposed to do when their coupled friends are out soaking up the love?

There’s always the Anti-Valentine’s Day party, a chance to have some significant-other-free fun (and maybe even find that one true love). But the Anti-Valentine’s Day Party is more than bitterness. It’s a real bonding experience for those who are left out on this day. When V-Day comes around, those unattached tend to feel a little abandoned. And what fun is it when you get flowers or a gift from your parents? Everyone wants to feel as if they are a part of a bond between close friends.

The Deep Meaningful Ritual Party

Be my Valentine…not! This party can be anything from a relaxing spa party to doing facials on each other, to a night on the town with just the guys. It’s a chance to bond with friends, share past experiences and take your mind off of your single status.

“My girlfriends and I got together with a big bottle of wine last Valentine’s Day,” Christina Sage, a senior at Monmouth University said. “We went to our friend’s house to have a big bonfire. We burned everything we had from past boyfriends,” she explained.

Sage continued, “We felt it was good day to just let loose all the bad memories we had from past relationships. It was a combination cleansing/starting-off-point for us.”

The Generic, Any Day Party

You don’t need a holiday to have an excuse to throw a party. But Valentine’s Day is not excuse not to throw a party. It doesn’t have to be a ritual. Getting a lot of people together to party can be just as meaningful as a few close friends getting together. It gives you the opportunity to meet a lot of other single people.

“A few of my friends and I decided that Valentine’s Day was just a load of bull to promote flower sales and send everyone to the dentist due to the high dosage of sugar. So we decided to get all of our single friends together and have a party to not celebrate Valentine’s Day,” said junior Amy Costanza a junior at Syracuse University. “We had a blast.”

How did Amy and her friends pull it off? “We kept it pretty simple. No decorations or anything like that. Just some loud music, good food and some games for when the conversation started to lack. We played Twister, pool, foosball … that sort of thing,” she explained.

Justin Neslon- A.K.A. Prestige Da Don. Born 2-26-88 in Rock Hill, SC, and raised in the same streets that made who I am today. A Rock Hill representative. While growing up I didn’t have much as a child-just my Mom, and my 2 brother’s. That’s what gave me the determination to do something with my life. It was whatever with me –I had to do what I had to do. I started rapping in 1999 with a couple of people that I grew up with. We played around free styling, and using a computer to make mix cd’s- trying to make something out of nothing. The feedback that I was getting back from the freestyle mix tapes was incredible-everyone wanted to hear my music, but I was focused on making money. An artist by the name of Te-lay A.K.A. Nino gutta helped me focus on my career. I didn’t even know what 16 bar’s was-all I knew was that I sounded good. From 2007 to 2008 was when I branched out and really started getting focused with the industry. I then bumped into many artists such as Brain Dead, and Money Mon. They gave me more pointers about this rap game – and with that push more people started listening to what I had to say. Many people are behind me in helping my movement such as King, L-Dog, Lil Boss, and Lil Roc these are some of the people that brought more producers around me and that’s what really got me focused. Everyone told me that I needed to make commercial tracks- but I’m not doing this for that. I’m doing this for the streets, and the streets love me for that. All I wanted to get was a nationwide feel of this industry. I started doing shows around the Carolina’s – from local to the South Carolina music awards. This is what is keeping my vision alive, and that vision is to let the street’s know that I am real.

" This rap game is my life, and I take it serious."

From Kilamanjaro’s on Thursday nights where Nikki B is the host, all the way to club Faces where the ladies perform their hit single “Thurobread Riders” these are two of the hardest working female independent artists.

SHOWCASE: Hey ladies, how’s it going?

Nikki B & Enique together: We good Miss Myra, how are you?

SHOWCASE: I’m doing well, thank you for asking. So ladies, tell everyone where you are from.

Nikki B: We are from right here in Charlotte, NC

SHOWCASE: How long have you two been rappin?

Nikki B: I been rappin off an on now for about 8 years and started taking it seriously now for about 3 years.

Enique: I actually sing, and I’ve been singing all my life, and I’ve been singing with Nikki now for about 3 years.

SHOWCASE: What made you start doing what you do?

Nikki B: I have always enjoyed entertaining. And I always liked to rap.

SHOWCASE: What about you Enique? Who inspired you?

Enique: I have just always loved singing. And me and Nikki were friends and she was rappin one day. So while she was rappin I started singing to it, and there it was.

SHOWCASE: Nikki, has anyone influenced you and your style of rap?

Nikki B: Yes, a lot of people. Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, Gucci Man,

SHOWCASE: Enique, anyone specifically who has influenced you?

Enique: I can’t think of anyone specifically because there has been so many.

SHOWCASE: I’ve heard your single “Thurobread Riders”. It’s good. How are you getting it out there?

Enique: Well, we are consistently at the open mics. We perform as much as we can, and we go to support the other artists as well.

Nikki B: Yeah that’ true. We support the other artists because it’s not about one person or group. I wish that more of the independent artists here in Charlotte would understand that when one of us gets on all of us could get on. We could be bigger than Atlanta if we work together. No disrespect to Atlanta. They got they shit together by working together. All I’m saying is we need unity like they seem to have.

SHOWCASE: I have heard that quite a bit. Everyone says something about it but no one seems to do anything about it. Are you ladies trying to do something about it?

Nikki B: Actually we are. Right now I’m working on a Queens of the QC mix tape. I am trying to get all the female artists in Charlotte to get a track on the cd. So I am at least trying to bring the female artists together.

Enique: It’s gonna come together too cause a lot of the artists have gotten back with us already and they are excited about it.

SHOWCASE: Well I’m glad to hear that. Ladies thank you for your time. Anybody you want to shout out?

Nikki B: I want to shout out my whole family, Miss Beatties Ford, Ms Pecan, and all the independent artists in Charlotte.

Enique: I want to shout out to my family, my classmates at CPCC, and all the independent artists.

SHOWCASE: What made you want to be a DJ?

DJ Q Mix: As a child, I was always intrigued by watching records spin while listening to them being played on my mother's stereo. When i was five years old, I went to my brother Charles wedding reception. Our other brother, Brian, was the DJ. When i saw him playing one record after another, continuously with two turntables instead of one, it was almost like i had an awakening. Between watching him DJ, and watching music videos and live performances of Jam Master Jay(R.I.P.) DJing for Run-DMC, I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up.

SHOWCASE: How long have you been a DJ?

DJ Q Mix: 14 years

SHOWCASE: How difficult was it to start once you decided to do it?

DJ Q Mix: It wasn't difficult for me. I started off with two turntables i purchased from a flea market. They were not the best turntables, but they carried me through my early stages of learning the basics of mixing and scratching two records. I was only 13 at the time so all i could do was stay at home and practice. Until i turned 17, got a car and my drivers license.

I started out DJing events for my highschool. Then I started DJing events for my classmates families.

SHOWCASE: How are you different from other DJ’s?

DJ Q Mix: I like to mix music continuously. Without any silence between songs. I don't scream and talk over the music much at parties. Just a little bit. Most DJ's do that to "hype the crowd up". My selection of music and the way i mix hype the crowd up without me talking all over it. Sometimes I even mix in sampled lines from movies and T.V. shows. I just keep the party going all night. My mixtapes are the same way.

SHOWCASE: Are you an old school DJ with the turn tables or is it all computer for you?

DJ Q Mix: I'm an old school DJ with the traditional vinyl record playing turntables.

I still carry a couple of crates of records. But I've also incorporated the use of DJ programs

on my computer for downloading and mixing new music from industry and independent artists that are not available on vinyl records.

SHOWCASE: How has being a DJ evolved from when you first started until now?

DJ Q Mix: I started in 1996. A time where vinyl records were pressed exclusively for DJ's using

the traditional turntables. Either you had skills or you didn't. Now that its nearly 2010, most traditional DJ's have abandoned crates of records and turntables for CD players and computers.

These items have computerized cueing, beat matching and mixing features. Although these features are convienient for the traditional DJ, its allowing the new DJ's to be lazy.

SHOWCASE: Who are some of the people that inspired you to do what you do?

DJ Q MIX: My brother Brian, Jam Master Jay, DJ Magic Mike, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Funk Master Flex.

SHOWCASE: Is there any advice you can give to up and coming DJ’s?

DJ Q MIX: Practice your mixing, blending and scratching everyday you can. Make some mixtapes to showcase your true talents. Network as much as possible. If you can't afford the monthly "dot com" website fees, promote whatever social networking site you have a page on. Know what you are worth and don't settle for anything, go for what you really want.

SHOWCASE: How can people contact you for a booking?

DJ Q MIX: I can be reached for booking at 704-277-2674. quintillion1982@yahoo.com myspace.com/quintillion and blackplanet.com/quintillion

by Xio Lani

What is it about the black woman that has become so shameful? When did she become the epitome of what we do not want the future to be? There are many with answers, but it turns out there is no one more knowledgeable than the black man, especially the ones who are reasoning why they are not with a black woman. From being too abrasive, too lazy, having too many kids and then not giving a “brotha” a chance, black women are viewed as being hard and drama.

As the U.S. census says, black women are the “undesirables” of the American society. Is she undesirable because she chooses to stand by her man, sacrifice for her children, work hard and refuse to wait to be told what her options are? Or is it because she wants her man to know that despite what the world says and does, he is worthy. She wants her children to know what it means to have every opportunity available to them, even if it means bloodying her hands. She works hard because it is in her, that natural tendency to persevere.

The truth is, the black woman does it all. And even after doing it all, she still does not see the value in herself. The black man is blamed for not valuing her and turning his attentions, mostly once he has made a great living for himself to white women or women whom he has been told by society is the cream of the crop after they have been propelled to success by the black woman.

The strength and inner beauty that encompasses black women is what invokes the fear of others. When they show their passion, they are called ghetto. When they show their love, they are called desperate. When they show their intelligence, they are called confrontational. When they show any of these in combination with each other or any of their other strengths, they are called a threat.

For while they fill every place, from the boardroom, the classroom and now the White House, the very characteristics they are faulted with are the very attributes that built this country.

It was the black woman who raised and fed white children of privilege and came home and instilled in their sons and daughters a sense of pride. She works hard to be given half the opportunities as the next minority woman. The history of the black woman in America has conjured up this ghastly image of someone who is unapproachable and who wears a ghastly cloak of ignorance she should be ashamed of and she has not failed to act the part.

Today, as we face corporations and organizations being lead by black women, people need to see past the caricatures of the mammy with the apron, pickaninnies and large, slow bodies to see the beautiful, agile and brilliant women who have and do pave the roads that support not only her family, but a nation.