Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Nov. 21, 2013, edition 1 / Page 8
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Hip hop frum page XI visual platform to pro mote artists and assist them with branding, and it's been really well received by hip hop - artists." Unlike other outlets ' that highlight the genre. The Real Planet Hip Hop, J which Leonard launched i a year ago, filters all of its { content, rejecting any ? thing that he feels is neg ? ative or harmful. { "We care about what J the public sees," Leonard i declared. "We have ethics _ and we're going to con tinue to stay ethical because we have a mes sage and that message is not to objectify women and promote violence on our site. We don't want to demean our people or any other race either. That's what is so important - that we filter all videos that are sent to us." By highlighting "authentic" hip hop, which he defines as hip hop that doesn't stoop to negative imagery, Leonard hopes to change the way the world views hip hop music and the black community. "I felt like there was not enough awareness to promote authentic hip hop and I wanted to be the one to promote the movement, especially since I'm in the field as an advocate for women," said the Detroit native. "I felt like somebody really needed to take a stand." Leonard, a former deejay and lifelong fan of hip hop music, will be the first to admit that the genre has some major issues when it comes to its portrayal of black women and black culture. "I don't think it's a good thing," he said of the direction that hip hop is moving in. "I think we've lost the essence of real hip hop. It used to be about having fun and par tying and now I think it's about objectifying women. Now, it's about jewelry and cars." As a case manager for Offender Services and a Strong Fathers facilitator for Family Services Inc., Leonard says he has wit nessed the harmful effects that negative attitudes about women can have on families and societies. "I think in general, people still relate to the hip hop culture and I think those guys who haven't been exposed to positivity in their homes, they use hip hop to sort of fill that void of the role models that they lost," he stated. "I think they look up to Rick Ross, to Lil Weezy." The site, which has over 1100 likes on Facebook, features arti cles on secular and Christian hip hop artists, from Raekwon to Sho Baraka. Leonard is also working on a hip hop inspired clothing line that is slated to debut in stores next year. Like the maga zine and Web site, the messages displayed on his apparel will be exclu sively upbeat. "We're staying true," declared the father of one. "Everything that we do, that we produce, will be positivity." Rapper Corwin "Mayne 1" Pyles said being featured on The , Real Planet Hip Hop has been beneficial to his career as a musician. "Right now, my main focus is just getting my music heard," said the Twin City resident. "It's a major challenge for any hip hop artist in North Carolina." While not all his lyrics are strictly opti mistic, Pyles said he hopes his listeners will recognize the positive message that can be found in his music. The 28-year-old said he believes Hip Hop Planet is filling an important niche in the hip hop com munity. "I like it. I think it's needed," remarked Pyles, who released his latest mixtape, "#Solid," in January. "1 think it brings more balance. It shows artists that you don't have to be a certain way, you can be loyal to the essence of hip hop and still get notoriety." Greensboro native Ethemadassassin said Hip Hop Planet was a good outlet for his music, which chronicles his jour ney from the streets to college at North Carolina A&T State University. "It's like street music with a message," said the longtime lyricist, who released his third solo album, "Soul on Fire" in September. "...My whole message is there's more to (life) than just the street." Though he has since moved to the West Coast to pursue his music career in earnest, the Los Angeles resident main tains ties with Leonard and The Real Planet Hip Hop. "I'm all for anything that people would consid er unconventional, that people are trying to make a go of to make it suc cessful," he remarked. "1 think it's good because 1 think a lot of that kind of hip hop is definitely being dwarfed by music that does otherwise. If you go to any Top 40 acts and listen, to the music, there's really not a lot of inspiration in it. None of it is trying to really uplift any thinking ... it's just all of these superficial things." Like many of the artists it represents. The Real Planet Hip Hop is on its way up, Leonard said. "I feel good about the progress that 1 've made so far," Leonard said. "There's still a lot of work to do; there's still a lot of exposure that Planet Hip Hop needs to really promote authentic hip hop. but I'm definite ly up for the challenge." For more information about The Real Planet Hip Hop, visit http://www.therealplan ethiphop.com. Submitted Photo Winston-Salem's own Mayne 1. Local arts magnets earn Kennedy Awards SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Diggs-Latham Elementary School and Reynolds High School are two of the five schools in North Carolina that have received the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts School of Excellence in Arts Education Award. Both Diggs-Latham and Reynolds offer arts mag net programs. The award recognizes schools that have done a superior job of incorporating arts into a quality education for all students. Arts North Carolina, which ? r .? tr _j is a memoer 01 me ivenneay Center Alliance for Arts Education Network, selected the schools for North Carolina. "Diggs-Latham's faculty, staff and students are extremely honored by this prestigious award," said Principal Donna Cannon. "Our school is dedicat ed to the integration of arts throughout our curriculum. With limited resources, we have been able to reach out to the commu nity and use all internal resources to help our students achieve. The state-level awards honor and highlight schools and the role they play in providing a creative learning environment for outstanding student achievement. Competitive applications included programs that encompass arts education, arts integration and arts exposure. Karen Morris, director of arts at Reynolds, worked with the magnet program at Reynolds since it began in 2007 and became the program's director last year. At Reynolds, she said, they think that incorporating arts into academics can increase achievement while mak ing learning fun and relevant. At Diggs-Latham, the magnet program focuses on global studies and arts. Diggs-Latham has teachers who specialize in dance, visual art, choral music, band and orchestra. One of its goals is to integrate the arts into the entire curriculum, and the arts teachers col laborate with the other teachers. Cannon Memorial from page A6 constructing the site and the City of Jacksonville will be responsible for maintaining it. The project cost to NCDOT is $700,000 and it is being funded through money allocated for land scaping on the Jacksonville . Bypass project. In addition to the 273 trees, the grove will also have double knockout roses and daylilies around the perimeter. Work began on the site last week and the new trees, which were selected in great part because they bloom in October, are expected to be blooming at the time of next year's ceremony. Secretary Tata, a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, spoke at the recent 30th annual Beirut Memorial Observance Ceremony held at the Beirut Memorial Site in the Camp Lejeune Memorial Gardens. ? Right choice, I right price. \ | I Medicare Advantage plans are only available to Medicare beneficiaries Get trusted coverage at the right price from BCBSNC. ? Quality health care coverage for more than 80 years. ? SilverSneakers*1, a fitness membership at no additional cost.2 ? Strong network of contracted doctors and hospitals. Including Forsyth Medical Center, Lexington Memorial Hospital, Inc., High Point Regional Health System, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Other providers are also available in our network. Annual Election Period ends December 7,2013. Attend a meeting to learn more about our Medicare Advantage plans. Prospective new enrollees will receive a $10 gas card gift certificate as a thank you - and there's no obligation to enroll | in a plan! Cannot be 1 redeemed for cash. Mon., Nov. 25 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Hampton Inn 309 Summit Square Ct. Winston-Salem Tues., Nov. 26 10:00 a.m. Golden Corral 180 Hanes Mall Cir. Winston-Salem Mon., Dec. 2 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Hampton Inn 309 Summit Square Ct. Winston-Salem BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Smart choices for Medicare Visit us at bcbsnc.com/medicare I*Awarded to BCBSNC by the Ethisphere Institute. In 2013, companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries were reviewed and of those 138 organizations were designated as World's Most Ethical. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an HMO and PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina depends on contract renewal. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or copayment/coinsurance may change on January 1,2015. The benefits information provided is a brief summary, but not complete description of available benefits. Additional information about benefits js available to assist you in making a decision about your coverage. This is an advertisement; for more information contact the plan. 1) You must continue to pay your Part B premium. Rate is for Blue Medicare HMO Standard Plan, 2014.2) The SilverSneakers program is provided by Healthways, Inc., a third-party vendor independent of BCBSNC. 3) An authorized sales representative will be present with information and applications. There is no obligation to enroll. 4) Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a PDP plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina depends on contract renewal. ? Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ?1 Mark of Healthways, Inc. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. U7671,10/13 Y0079_6499 CMS Accepted 10302013
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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