Monday Nights At Nuyorican

October 22, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

This past Monday night I attempted to perform at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe open mic. With my heart set on performing “BlackMale” in promotion of my new mixtape “Carnegie Hall” and website “CarnegieKid.com” I was devastated when I found out I was too late to sign up. But devastation quickly turned to inspiration as I stayed to watch the other performers.

I’ve done dozens of showcases, and open mics around NYC but the atmosphere inside of Nuyo Rican was like none other! The diversity of the standing room only crowd immediately caught my attention. Thugs, hipsters, suits, punks, and a couple of sexy songstresses had the joint packed to the door! The unwavering support shown for each and every artist was uncanny.

The show featured gangster rap, spoken word, piano solos, breakdancing, R&B, freestyle rap, beatboxing, and almost any other artistic form of expression you can imagine. Performers from Atlanta, California, Arizona, and even a couple of international performers were kind enough to bless the stage. We were even lucky enough to hear a couple songs from the uber-sexy, immensely talented host Nisha Asansi.

Its was dope to have such an assortment of cultures, ethnicities, and musical sub-divisions together in one venue. So indicative of New York’s true spirit. Absolutely the most entertainment you’ll ever get for only seven bucks! Your summer experience in the city will be severely lacking if you don’t get to attend at least one of these shows. They’re happening every Monday from 9pm-midnight, and with there only being about five Mondays left in the summer of 2013 I’d suggest you make it happen ASAP! His Holiness The Honorable Sir Carnegeezie Kid Esquire (me) will also be there the next couple weeks so if you’d also like to witness history now is the time! See ya’ll at Nuyorican!

PUBLISHED: 7/26/13
CHECK IT OUT HERE AT HUFFINGTONPOST.COM http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/monday-nights-at-nuyorica_b_3661281.html

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RED HOOK SUMMER

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

I had the privilege of being invited to a screening of the newest Spike Lee joint Red Hook Summer, and let me be the first to tell you its nothing less than exceptional. I immediately fell in love with the young lady in the film named “Chazz”. A representation of the innocence, beauty and sincerity in our children that is too often lost to the corruption of their environment. I grew
up with so many girls who remind me of Chazz, who certainly started with good intentions but eventually succumb to the tantalization of “the hood”. With hopelessness and dejection being the norm so many of them were forced to accept the unacceptable. To live up to some ridiculous standard of “realness” that promotes complacency amongst ignorance, promiscuity, and excessive violence.

The film also addresses our relationship with the church, and the way we blindly put our faith into religion like its going to save us. As if the human interpretation of God is the end all solution to our problems. The social and economic restraints that so heavily deprive our community are actually products of tactics introduced by the church in the first place. I feel the existence of God is indisputable, but so is the presence of corruption throughout religion. Reinforcing religious guidelines is merely a strategy used by governments to control population, and it has been for thousands of years. I feel religion should be used more as a reference point than a universal law and judging from this film it seems Spike would agree.

I also love the way the film highlights the juxtaposition between the different neighborhoods and people that inhabit Brooklyn. With some of the most drug infested crime ridden areas in the nation sixty seconds away from multi-million dollar real estate the living experience here is unique to say the least. As the rapid gentrification of the inner city continues the interaction
between these different cultural and economic demographics will increase. The question is, is this a gift or a curse? Will we take this opportunity to learn from one another or to further our prejudice?

Spike’s track record speaks for itself, he continuously pushes the envelope by tackling the social and political issues that are prevalent within the African American community. Forcing us to confront the sensitive issues we so often neglect. No A list actors or multi-million dollar budgets have been associated with this film so its important that we as consumers do as much as possible to promote it! If we don’t support our own projects we can’t expect anyone else to.
So do the right thing and go see Red Hook Summer. No pun intended.

PUBLISHED 9/14/2012
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/red-hook-summer_1_b_1879664.html

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SAINTS OR SINNERS

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

Once one of the saddest franchises in NFL history, the New Orleans Saints used the addition of QB Drew Brees and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to rally them to the pinnacle of football glory. In 2010 they won the Superbowl and seemed to right the wrongs of 30 years of mediocrity. But what was a story of tremendous retribution has recently been tainted by some disturbing allegations.

Former Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams renowned for his “win by all costs” mentality may have cost the organization its integrity. From 2009 — 2011 he implemented a pay-to-injure program which awarded $1,000 for forcing an opposing player to the sideline, and $1,500 for removing him from the game completely. The NFL is one of the most dangerous and physically demanding professional sports leagues in the world, but there is an element of “controlled rage” amongst the carnage. Pain and intimidation are the building blocks of the sport, but only when displayed tastefully. The sportsmanship and camaraderie of the league creates an unwritten code of ethics. One that ensures no malicious intent be present while competing. Mr. Williams and the Saints have completely violated this code.

Nevermind the salary cap, and violations of the NFL constitution, cash incentives for purposely injuring opponents is simply and utterly despicable. A total disregard of the values and tradition of the sport. In a league where 90 percent of contracts aren’t guaranteed how could one player so willingly jeopardize the livelihood of another?

Of the twenty seven players accused of participating, Linebacker Johnathan Vilma is taking most of the scrutiny. During the 2010 NFC Championship game he allegedly placed a personal $10,000 bounty on the head of Vikings QB Brett Farve. Following a suspiciously illegal looking hit from Anthony Hargrove in the third quarter Favre was actually forced to leave the game due to an ankle injury. Hargrove was then overheard on the sideline yelling “Favre is out of the game! Favre is done! FAVRE IS DONE!” Hargrove denies ever being paid for the hit, but warranted skepticism still lingers.

As a fan I don’t want players of that caliber wearing my team’s jersey. You should be giving maximum effort on every play simply for the sake of winning! I don’t like the idea of Injurious intent or questionable cash incentives being the motivation for athletes I root for. Why is $1,500 enough to inspire such ill will anyway? The multi-million dollar contracts and signing bonuses aren’t enough?

The target on QB Drew Brees’ back will now undeniably be larger than ever, so how karma plans on punishing them might be a bit more interesting.

PUBLISHED 3/23/12
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/new-orleans-saints-bounties_b_1356142.html

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