LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: NIGEL HENDERSON on ESSENCE.COM

It's been awhile since there has been a Local Spotlight feature but seeing that I found out this bit of information I had to get this post up.  I've known this young man since he was a 4th Grader and I've seen him come along way.  He was holding down the entertainment realm for years...even while he was in ATL he had fingerprints in Los Angeles.  His newest venture in life has him taking on the cooking world...but I can tell you this: He's good at it!!!  Essence has a feature "Men Who Cook" and he was featured awhile back.  This was to set the tone as I was informed today that he will receive another article in 2010.  Proud of you sir...keep it up.  You can go here to read the article.

ETHAN LADER presents ARE YOU HAPPY by DAYS DIFFERENCE

Days Difference "Are You Happy" Director: Ethan Lader from ethandirector on Vimeo.

Ethan Lader who directed plenty of videos that I've posted here is back with another one, this time for Universal Motown's Days Difference. The video is for a song called Are You Happy. Check it out and if you want to see more of Ethan's videos for people like J*DaVeY, Pac Div, etc go here. Also Ethan did the video for the song "Trick'n" which has been as high as #4 on 106 & Park. Congrats Ethan.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT - ARICKA X C'EST LA VIE: QUCK FIX MAGAZINE

So I was checking out C'est La Vie's quick fix magazine online and I noticed it was DOPE, and then as i continued 'flipping' through it I noticed the homie Aricka (up top) was modeling for some of the shoots, and she made the cover. So I had to post it so you could see her and two so you can check out the dope magazine C'est La Vie did. Whattup Amy? Whattup Ray?

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT (kinda) - J DUBB

This isn't the typical Local Spotlight. I didn't get to interview him (just yet) but while glancing across the Five Four Clothing blog I noticed my contact over there was the "Look of the Week". So I figured why not share that shine with ya'll as well. J Dubb is the marketing director over at Five Four, and he keeps me laced with all the latest news (like the warehouse sales) I bring to ya'll. And if I didn't know of these things I wouldn't be dipped as cool as I am from time to time, lol. Just kidding...but anyway check Five Four's blog to get an idea of wha they have going on with the "Look of the Week"

THE BLOOD THEY SHED - LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

This won't be the local spotlight in the normal sense of me having a small interview to turn into a post...but this is more of a post paying ode to a great individual talent right out of Los Angeles.  Aaron White I've know probably since 1995 or 1996 just from various intermingling social circles.  I saw him at talent shows, dances, SAT Prep courses, etc...and over time we saw each other at various things from house warmings, bday parties, community outreach events, etc...I know he had been heavy in the arts and had a show that traveled to various parts of the US.  The show actually started right in my backyard: LEIMERT PARK.  And I missed these shows...and I still kick myself in the @$$ for it.  Well the show garnered much critical acclaim, rave reviews and more.  So when I came across this youtube clip at Mr. Billups' spot...I had to repost here.  Some of the Eazee Street audience should recognize this talented individual.  If you want more info or would like to contact Aaron click here.

MAMA I MADE IT (Sort of...) - EAZEE GETS BLOGGED

So today is mom's bday...and ironically her son (one of your favorite "bloggers") gets blogged about today.  I've had homies send me shout outs...but it feels pretty good to actually get a write up (small but cool) about myself, my endeavors and my blog.  I'm not into promotion of myself (personally) on my blog but I thought this was worth mentioning.  My fam Ken Billups launched his blog today and surprised me with his first Community Spotlight being me...so check my writeup  over there NOW!!!  Ken Billups is very active within the local community with various programs that benefit the youth.  It is that passion to help, serve and create change that makes him a valued colleague.  So check out his blog everyday after you leave here (or include him among your blog stops) and see what he has cooking.  Expect a good amount of substance and thought provoking posts that relate to our Los Angeles communities and beyond; as well as some more informal thoughts of a young man residing in LA.  Thanks again Ken.  And be on the lookout for Ocean's LA & their 3rd Annual Holiday Gala(website up soon).  The grand upscale event raises money for Ken's non-profit: CLIMB Inc.  This non-profit creates several programs to assist inner city youth in Los Angeles County.

J. Madison x Fall Out Boy

I local spotlighted Mr. Madison here...well looks like he's on the move again. He was a participant in Fall Out Boy's forum about voting and politics as part of their Artist of the Week coverage on MTV. Check it out. Hats off to my boy J. Madison aka J Skillz

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT : SPECIAL EDITION - Kellie Hawkins

So every now and then I skim through the Wave newspaper, well i didn't last week and now I'm kicking myself in the a$$. My mom pointed out an article on the front page...lo & behold it's a good friend that I go back years with. She basically has become an executive director for the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women. She is the youngest woman and the first African American to hold this position. Congrats Ms. Hawkins (can't call you Kellz anymore). Had to highlight this because we don't give enough acknowledgement to local movers and shakers that aren't in entertainment or sports...politics are just as big kids. Ask Obama!!!

Full Story here.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT - J MADISON aka J SKILLZ

The man responsible for the some of the internets hottest west coast visuals in hip hop agreed to take a time out from his busy schedule of screenwriting, producing new tracks, creating hooks, DJ'ing, rapping, directing and on top of all that finishing COLLEGE. J Madison who grew up all over Los Angeles: Leimert Park, Inglewood, Compton, Sherman Oaks and even West Hollywood received his name J Skillz while in 5th Grade, playing of all things, capture the flag. He simply captured the other teams flag and got back to his before they did.

Across J Skills many skills he's been influenced by Gordon Parks, Spike Lee, Ernest Dickerson & Quincy Jones...all of which he considers "the greatest black people in their respective fields."  He believes he can get close to at least one of those guys one day.  After scoring big on the internet with videos for Pac Div's Paper & Taste (which Sylvia Rhone & Interscope gave a standing ovation for) as well as Dom Kennedy's Watermelon Sundae (below) J Skillz plans to keep going through to 09 with more vids & music for Dom, PAC Div, Diz Gibran and Amber Melody (of Interscope). 

As far as his notoriety, he says it still blows his mind how people from all over know his videos...J says as long as they know the name and support the products he's content not being seen.  That's cool J, but the way you're going they'll know your face and name in unison.  Keep it locked here as I'll feature more things with J Skillz fingerprints on them.

DOM KENNEDY Watermelon Sundae from Jason Madison on Vimeo.

AND NEXT THE 500th POST!!!! 

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT - FISTICUFFS

So I slipped on the local spotlight section last week...and I apologize...so I'm doing it first thing this week.  In this section I'm shedding light on some more home grown producers.  Now I mentioned these cats in reference to tracks for Miguel & Ne-Yo and they made some bangers for these young gents.  I had a chance to catch up with Brian  of the production team and he shed some light on the crew.  Thanks again B.  So in a mix of his words and mine...here is who Fisticuffs is:

2 members of the 2006 USA regional Bull Fighting Champion Team, haha...nah not really but that was the introduction I was given.  Actually they are Brian Warfield and Mac Robinson who not only produce but also write music.  The two met in their high school jazz band at LA County High School for the Arts and have built that bond into their own studio where they continuously create tracks together.  Both born and raised in LA, they were influenced from a range of musicians like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Parliament, J Dilla, Raphael Saadiq, 2 Pac, Curtis Mayfield, Bjork, NWA, DJ Quik, James Brown and many more.  They have performed shows and played on records for the likes of Diddy, Snoop, Akon, Robin Thicke, Nelly, 2 Pac and more.  They have produced and worked on projects for Ne-Yo, Teedra Moses, The D.E.Y., Trevor Horn, Jhene Aiko and most recently "One Night Stand" for Jazmine Sullivan.  Out of all the people they've worked with, they say their boy MIGUEL is "truly one of THE most talented individuals" they've worked with.  They happen to be planning a release for an all original 8 song mixtape with Miguel very soon as an appetizer for Miguel's Jive Records release in Spring '09.  

In the future Fisticuffs plans on being successful and living comfortably off of their music as well as placing a stamp in music history.  With their hard work ethic, they should make that mark.  They plan on having 2 Fisticuffs produced singles in the streets soon, so stay tuned.  To keep up with Fisticuffs, add them as a friend on MySpace: www.myspace.com/fisticuffsmusicpage

Local Spotlight (the Prequel) : Fisticuffs

Yes I know that that's Ne-Yo above...but he didn't produce this track...the homies Fisticuffs did. I mentioned them a couple weeks back when I dropped Miguel's new single Quickie, which was produced by Fisticuffs. Catching on now? So download for your pleasure. And be on the lookout for more info on Fisticuffs soon.

Not Perfect - Ne-Yo

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: MEET TRE BEATZ

I may end up liking this song Spanglish from Game's new album...cuz i just found out one of the homies did the production on it.  Shaping up to be my favorite song and I ain't even heard it yet, lol.  I met Tre through some close friends of mine...before guiding JT's music he was actually cutting my friends' hair.  Last I saw him he was macking to one of my homegirls outside of Boulevard 3, lol.  Good to see someone fulfill their dreams.  Check for him in the future, and peep the writeup on HipHopDX