Yesterday I spoke with my cousin who's locked up for quite sometime. My voice cracked and my sould ached when I told him I missed him and hope he'd been staying up. And shit, he sounded more optimistic than I did on the phone. He seemed more in tune with his spirit than a lot of people out here in these streets. But I knew if he had his way, he damn sure wouldn't be in there.
I thought about how the hell it is that he's surviving in prison. And how the hell anybody can survive that life. Damn. I don't think that life is for anybody. And in every jail cell around the world, there is a soul waiting for a breakthrough. There is a fragile mind in an idle state. And there is a human; caged like an animal and controlled by man.
And I'm very certain that it is the penal system that has destroyed a lot of our families, from all over, of all kinds. It is the penal system that took some of our daddies, raped so many of our men, and turned out too many of our mothers. In my opinion, it is this very system that has brewed hatred, racism, socioeconomic differences, homosexuality and a financial crisis. And these things have us all behind bars, locked away from what's real; outcasted from the truth.
On the surface of things, society says we need jails. We need laws that say when someone screws up to the highest level, there needs to be some sort of sought consequences. But looking inside the penal systems make me wonder what it is that "law" is taking away from "criminals"? And what is it that both are bringing back to our society? The penal system, I believe, has locked away a lot of hope and caged many of us as wingless birds. Birds that will never be able to take flight in a sky that may always resemble hues of gray.
Dead or in prison-that's where most say our young generation will end up. And if you ask me, there is no difference. Because a prison can kill your spirit as if you've met death. And although some come out with a better understanding of life, sometimes more in touch with their spirituality or just more cognizant of reality...time was still stolen from them. And time can never be replaced.
Love,
Vee
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
LOVE the way you MOVE it, Got ME in A TRANS: EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE with WALE
King. He deserves the title.
Wale is damn sure one of the hottest in the music industry right now. And as of lately, his music has many cities on lock…including Chi City.
Just a few weeks ago, on May 14th, Wale Folarin graced Chi City with his sexy presence and draping dreads. He performed that night at MGM Grand, 2230 S. Michigan. And that night will most definitely go down in history as one of Vee’s best. My purpose: to work…and play.
So I did.
I arrived at little after 10:00 p.m. The night was about as young as me. With me were two of my best friends, one who just so happens to be one of Wale’s biggest fans. We shared excitement but my heart was happier for her that night. But once we received our VIP wristbands…our excitement was equivalent. And Vee was ready to put in work.
As a product of D.C., Wale was born to Nigerian parents. So what does this tell Vee? That the man’s a hustler…and he doesn’t stop…
And Wale has not stopped since 2006 when he released his first hot single “Shake It”, which became popular in D.C. Afterward; he began to record music for a regional audience and got discovered by producer Mark Ronson who signed Wale to Allido Records in 2007. Under this label, Wale released several mix tapes and the press began to recognize his talents.
In 2008, he signed to Interscope Records and debuted his album Attention Deficit. And once he got our attention, he never lost it. He is currently signed on with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group.
And now…like the press did a few years back…I’ve recognized his greatness. He showed his ass in Chi City that night, and I am forever grateful to have been in his presence. And even more grateful to share the moment with you. Below are exclusive videos of Wale in Chi City…From Vee to You…
Love,
Vee
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
LOVERS and FRIENDS
Friends. How many of us have them?
This title "friend" is used so loosely in our society. And I can't tell you how many damn terms we've made up to define it: Besty, Boo, Homie, Ace...but what are the qualities of a true friendship? And shit, do you yourself have these necessary qualities?
I'll never forget this quote I read years ago that said "A true friend is someone who knows everything about you, and they're still your friend." Damn right. Because even when a true friend knows your most shameful secrets and witnessed you at your lowest, they won't deny you. They will still love you. They'll be there. Even when they don't want to. You never have to question their trust, you never have to explain your faults. You're straight up with them, and they're straight up with you.
Literally, I can count my true friends on only one hand. Some I don't even talk to as often as I'd like. But it doesn't matter. Because a true friend is never distant, and if their true, yall will always pick up right where yall left off. And if they're in my crew, they've been around for quite sometime. My advice: keep your crew small, and your problems should remain small.
But many people have this one problem: EVERY DAMN BODY IS THEIR FRIEND. When indeed, this is not the truth. Because we all know that everyone who smiles at us, talks to us and claims to be down for us, just don't have our best interest at heart.
It all boils down to this: Be a blessing to receive a blessing. Be a good friend and you shall reap real friendships. Don't take your friends for granted and use the term carefully...Like our hearts, friendships are delicate. And once broken, they are very difficult to mend.
Love,
Vee
This title "friend" is used so loosely in our society. And I can't tell you how many damn terms we've made up to define it: Besty, Boo, Homie, Ace...but what are the qualities of a true friendship? And shit, do you yourself have these necessary qualities?
I'll never forget this quote I read years ago that said "A true friend is someone who knows everything about you, and they're still your friend." Damn right. Because even when a true friend knows your most shameful secrets and witnessed you at your lowest, they won't deny you. They will still love you. They'll be there. Even when they don't want to. You never have to question their trust, you never have to explain your faults. You're straight up with them, and they're straight up with you.
Literally, I can count my true friends on only one hand. Some I don't even talk to as often as I'd like. But it doesn't matter. Because a true friend is never distant, and if their true, yall will always pick up right where yall left off. And if they're in my crew, they've been around for quite sometime. My advice: keep your crew small, and your problems should remain small.
But many people have this one problem: EVERY DAMN BODY IS THEIR FRIEND. When indeed, this is not the truth. Because we all know that everyone who smiles at us, talks to us and claims to be down for us, just don't have our best interest at heart.
It all boils down to this: Be a blessing to receive a blessing. Be a good friend and you shall reap real friendships. Don't take your friends for granted and use the term carefully...Like our hearts, friendships are delicate. And once broken, they are very difficult to mend.
Love,
Vee
Monday, May 2, 2011
Put it in a LOVE SONG: EXCLUSIVE Coverage of the 2011 Chi City Record Pool
If you weren't there that day, you should've been.
It was a gathering of the hustlers, the entrepeneurs, the believers. It was April 23rd, the day of the Chi City Record Pool. The location: Adrianna's on Chicago' South Side. The purpose: to network...and put in work. And of course, that's what Vee was doing...
Some of the dopest producers and artists were in the building. DJ V-Dub, Shawnna, DJ Don Cannon...to name a few.The movings of burnt CDs and business cards were well in rotation. The starving artists were there, hungry. Taking necessary steps to live out an undefined destiny in their music.
I smelled the ambition in the air. And I felt the connection made between each dreamer.
My purpose: to bring the day to you. And if you are a starving artists, making beats, hosting battles and pushing your mixtape, this piece is especially for you. I hope that what I have captured will inspire you to take your music to the next level...
Below are videos captured from this year's Chi City Record Pool...From Vee to You...
Love,
Vee
It was a gathering of the hustlers, the entrepeneurs, the believers. It was April 23rd, the day of the Chi City Record Pool. The location: Adrianna's on Chicago' South Side. The purpose: to network...and put in work. And of course, that's what Vee was doing...
Some of the dopest producers and artists were in the building. DJ V-Dub, Shawnna, DJ Don Cannon...to name a few.The movings of burnt CDs and business cards were well in rotation. The starving artists were there, hungry. Taking necessary steps to live out an undefined destiny in their music.
I smelled the ambition in the air. And I felt the connection made between each dreamer.
My purpose: to bring the day to you. And if you are a starving artists, making beats, hosting battles and pushing your mixtape, this piece is especially for you. I hope that what I have captured will inspire you to take your music to the next level...
Below are videos captured from this year's Chi City Record Pool...From Vee to You...
Love,
Vee
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