The world of entertainment has taken the globe completely by storm, affecting every aspect of our lives from politics to education. As a result, youngsters are being drawn to the industry at consistently increasing rates. Tha Journal Magazine is a collection of material that will tell the story of some of the greatest history our culture has ever experienced. Enjoy as THA JOURNAL MAGAZINE shows you the world through the eyes of the Atlanta Entertainment Society!
Welcome back to tha Motion Sickness T.V. Series!! For some, I know its has been a while since you have seen the last episode of Motion Sickness TV. For others, you may have never had a chance to experience the behind the scenes view of the Motion Sickness Ent life. Well it's back in the new and improved, version 2.o{more on 2.o later in Tha Journal Mag}. Also known as WM$E TV, this insight brings you a detailed look into the life of your favorite East Atlantan, Stone Mountain headquartered dance group: MOTION SICKNESS ENT!!! The above episode gives you, the viewer, a sneek peek of what you will be experiencing this season on the internet's hottest video series...WM$E T.V.{Invading A Screen Neer You!!!}
Despite the hordes of publicity and hype surrounding the Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama, the magnitude of this campaign may not be completely realized. I admit that I neglected to reflect on this situation and wholeheartedly appreciate the groundbreaking campaign our country is spectating. Nevertheless, as I peered at the screen of my cell phone this morning, I realized the date read August 28, 2008; the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. On this day in 1963, over 200,000 civil rights supporters gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom to experience what would become nothing less than one of the most defining moments of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. risked his life on a daily basis to fight for the rights of citizens all over the world. This remarkable phrase is constantly recited and in turn often loses its emphasis. To fully understand the immense load of pressure our Civil Rights Superhero was weighed down with, consider a life in his shoes:
You work hard all your life studying and attending school despite all the adversity piled sky high against you. You overcome the odds [drugs, racism, lack of opportunity, etc.] and obtain admission to one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the country. With seemingly insurmountable obstacles remaining in the path to your dreams, you struggle to turn up your intensity and strive to successfully matriculate through the rigorous courses of a college education. Finally, you obtain the highly sought after undergraduate degree and by the grace of God find the strength, determination, and utilize pure intelligence to achieve the greatest, most elite academic accolade, the doctorate degree.
You are now at a major checkpoint in your life when you are introduced to a person who will eventually become your lifelong friend, supporter, and the perfect candidate to join in the union of parenting four beautiful children. At the height of your journey with nearly everything you could ever want, you set out to fulfill your niche in the world despite the expected opposition the world will throw back at you.
As you fight with all your heart to right the wrongs of a society so corrupt with unjust politics and a philosophy based on racial segregation, you are greeted with a bombardment of hate. After everything you have worked so hard for, and after all the struggles you have endured to get to this point in your life, the world around you reveals its hideous face and resents your message with violent attacks, ignites bombs at your doorstep, harasses your wife with death threats in the midnight hour, and place your precious children in grave danger.
Would you maintain the fight and continue to place everything you worked for in jeopardy? Not to mention the lives of your beloved family. Or would you abandon the message of equal rights for individuals not yet born?
These are the types of situations and decisions Dr. King was faced with, and despite all the sacrifices (ultimately his life) he had to make, he continued to fight for the rights we take for granted.
In the midst of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, where the spotlight is focused on a 47 year-old black man, I can only imagine the amount of excitement and jubilee Dr. King would be feeling. When King Martin empowered the massive audience with his unfathomable dream of desegregation it appeared to be just that, merely a dream. Nevertheless, today I write this essay only hours previous to Barack Obama (a man who 45 years ago could not drink from the same water fountain as his white peers) taking the stage at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado to accept the Democratic Presidential Nomination.
For the first time in the eventful history of the United States of America, an African American individual has an outstanding possibility to sit at the head of the U.S. Government as THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT OF THE USA!!! We are witnessing history in the making. Today tells a story that will be relived a thousand times over, generation after generation. Today sets the plot of a story we will tell our children and our children's children. There is no doubt in my mind Dr. King would be amazingly proud of the progress we as a black people have made. However, now is not the time to get a least bit comfortable. As the reverend stated in his world renowned speech,
"This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy." -Dr. Martin Luther King
Although we have made tremendous strides, the Dream is far from complete. Racial injustice is very much alive. This is clearly evident and illustrated in the following chart from the article, "States and Black Incarceration in America" in Gibbsmagazine.com. This chart reveals the devastating percentages of black individuals incarcerated throughout the United States. Although blacks comprise inferior percentages of the populations in many states, we dominate the population percentages of the prisons in these same states.
State, Black Pop, Black Prison Pop.
Georgia29%64%
Ohio12%52%
Iowa2%24%
Minnesota3%37%
Wisconsin6%48%
Illinois15%65%
Missouri11%45%
Arkansas16%52%
Louisiana 33%76%
Mississippi36%75%
Alabama26%65%
Tennessee16%53%
Kentucky7%36%
Indiana8%42%
Michigan14%55%
South Carolina30%69%
North Carolina22%64%
Virginia20%68%
Pennsylvania 10%56%
New York15%51%
Delaware19%63%
Connecticut9%47%
New Jersey13%64%
Rhode Island 4% 30%
Less than two years ago, the Jena 6 incident in Jena, Louisiana served as a more direct and explicit reminder of the ever present realization that racism still exists. We may never be able to change the hearts of the individuals who continue to uphold this lost cause; however, we must continue to strive for a better tomorrow and unite to fight for the rights and opportunities that Dr. Martin Luther King fought to death for not too long ago.
In King's final days previous to his assassination, he delivered his "I See the Promised Land" speech. It appeared as if he knew his time had come. Regardless if he knew it would be his last speech or not, he left us with a few inspirational words of encouragement that still spark fires in the hearts of people from all nations, ethnicities, backgrounds, social classes, and every corner of the Earth. In the closing words he stated,
"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult daysahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."
I had a chance to sit down with one of the greatest promoters in the ATL entertainment district, Mr. Johnathan McGuire. Many of you may know him as the Infamous YRD CEO. You may have seen him at one of your favorite clubs or events with a mic in his hand, calling shots. Many of you have encountered this young mogul so often, you feel a personal connection. However, as I discovered upon sitting down with this budding entrepreneur, there is much more to learn about the businessman we all know as SLIM!
Sit back and relax as yours truly takes you on the journey through the life and times of Slimothy McGuire!
Turtle: 10 years ago, did you imagine you would be this successful? Why or why not?
Slim: “I mean, yeah I knew I would be successful; but I had NO idea I would be doin this! [laughing] Most people don’t know bruh, I just turned 20, meaning 10 yrs ago I was only 10. I was always real big on sports, music, and just the regular stuff but I had no idea I would be a promoter! Ambition and determination have been two of my strongest attributes, so I knew whatever I chose to do I would be successful!”
Turtle: How did u get into the entertainment industry and what about it intrigued you?
Slim: “In high school I used to run with a camp called A.O.R Entertainment (a dude named Justin Khaler's entertainment label; he produced War With God on Ludacris’s Release Therapy). I was their official DJ. The group that he was pushin was called the Street Goons aka Da Squad, so I was their DJ too. I dropped their first mixtape as well as hosted for them and all. They really kinda put me into the game. From there I went to Morehouse as a DJ. I interned at 107.9 in their promotions department. Later I joined a company called CEO (Chief Entertainment Officials) as the Street Team Director and worked my ass off for about 2 months. I Left CEO because I wasn’t making any progress and Prophecy Events took me in as a host. I did my thing for a while as a dj and hosting and ended up the dj and host at 714 with a guy named Chad Hampton (now CEO of Black Executives). I saw that I was becoming the driving force and had the freshmen in the AUC on lock so I broke off and started my own company! That’s the abriged version [laughing]…A LOT OF DRAMA WAS INVOLVED!!! Trust me!"
Turtle: What would you tell others who aspire to follow in your footsteps?
Slim: "DO NOT do it for the cash, the street cred, the fame, or the girls, cuz all that comes with HARD ASS WORK…but do it for the passion. That cannot be made, its something that has to be there from the beginning. Don’t get into this industry and play around cuz you will lose a lot of money, time, and respect. If you are serious, take your time and do what it takes to make sure you and your company are ready to handle the rigors of this industry. Consistency, Perception, Timing, and Quality are the 4 things you must focus on!"
Turtle: Who do you look up to or take advice from?
Slim: "I definitely look up to DreamTeam Entertainment, Plush Blue, AG Entertainment, Jay-Z, Michael Jordan, and Bill Gates. Those last 3 are the undisputed, absolute best at what they do and that is what I aspire to be in the industry."
Turtle: Who and/or what keeps you focused?
Slim: "My son, Jadyn Elijah Latimore, my father, fear of failure, my addiction to this industry, my team, my brand, the vision I have for myself, and the everlasting pull and drive to be able to sit at the top!"
Turtle: Where did the name [Young Rich and Dangerous] come from?
Slim: "I was sittin in my room bruh [laughing] and I was listening to my all time favorite rap group as a kid, Kriss Kross! I was actually trying to think of a name for my company and I came across their song, “Young Rich & Dangerous”, and I just went from there!!! [LOL] Oh yea I definitely had the name BEFORE Jermaine Dupri’s book, just in case people were wondering! [LOL]"
Turtle: What are your goals for the future?
Slim: "My main goal for the future is to become the Nation’s #1 Concert/Tour Promoter as well as the host of a major network TV show (i.e. BET’s 106 & Park, MTV’s TRL…). I will continue my parties forever though. That is my stepping stone and passion that got me into the industry!"
Turtle: I understand you have various groups under YRD Ent. Who are they and what are their roles?
Slim: "Yezzir! I have the flyest dance group in GA, Motion Sickness Entertainment, and Snap Squad which is like my street team. I have an official street team also but Snap Squad (as well as Motion Sickness) are their own entity. They work beside YRD in helping with promotion, execution, and holding down the events. If it weren’t for them I DAMN sure wouldn’t be where I am now. They are great additions to the YRD empire!"
Turtle: Are you looking for any additions to your team?
Slim: "A few interns who are willing and ready to learn the game are ALWAYS welcome, but right now im not looking for any members to add to the roster! Nevertheless, I am always open and ready to catch that next young gunna with the heart and spirit just like mine to take under my wing. I'll say this, I'm not looking, but if you find me then “IT IS WHAT IT IS!”
Turtle: What does a day in the life of Slimothy McGuire consist of?
Slim: "I'm not even gonna say all that cuz we will be here forever…I'll do it like this – Emails, Texts, Contracts, Pickin up flyers, Delivering flyers, paying people, meetings with club owners, radio stations and labels, celebrities, facebook, myspace, phone calls, team meetings, eating (most of the time), zero sleeping, parties, spending time with my baby boy and my girl (even tho she hates the time everything else takes up) and answering everybody's questions about parties! Non-stop!!"
Turtle: Who are you voting for in the 2008 election?
Slim: "Obama all the way! Not cuz he's black…but because of his platform and what he can do for our country…(do your research and stop watchin BET yall)."
Turtle: Whats is your favorite alchoholic beverage?
Slim: "I actually stopped drinking recently because I like to be in the correct state of mind at all times. My status has just sky rocketed this summer to the point that any moment can be a networking or business opportunity. BUT, when I was getting down like that…PATRON ALLLLLLL DAMN DAY SHAWTY!!"
Turtle: What are three things people probably dont know about you?
Slim: "Unlike just about any black person I know, [chuckles] I played soccer for 12 years of my life and if I wasn’t promoting, I would probably be in the MLS (Major League Soccer). I was a private school kid up until high school (I'll keep it real wit ya). I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [lol] not GA…but I moved here with my family right after I turned 2 so I'm a DSGB till death!!!"
Turtle: Name one of your talents not related to your profession.
Slim: "I’m a mean ass cook! [lol]"
Turtle: I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down with me, but before I let you go, do you have any shout outs or special thanks?
Slim: "Oh yeah, most definitely my parents, all former and present YRD members, God for keeping me alive and healthy no matter how many crazy situations I get into, Grand Hustle/TrenchWerk, Durrty Boyz, Hot 107.9, all my fans, supporters, and loyal party goers, my son Jadyn Elijah Latimore, my beautiful down 4 life love, Ayonna, DreamTeam, and these streets for making it crazy hard for me! OPM Design Lab & Devlin, Aftermoney, Kream, Skyy High, Prophecy, & ALL THE DJ’s…FREE MY NIGGA DJ BLU!!!"
Tha Journal is back at it again with a Whoop Rico Update. As of late, this infamous form of dance has apparently undergone a bit of extreme maintenance. With a simple glance at the once crowd captivating maneuvers that were so heavily adorned only months ago, compared to the absolutely futuristic combos performed presently, one can adequately conclude that the Southeast's parallel to krumping has been embalmed with a boatload of futurism!!
Once upon a time, merely replicating routines from Youtube videos would suffice as an adequate Whoop Rico performance.
THOSE DAYS ARE GONE!!!
I repeat, THOSE DAYS ARE GONE!!!
Unlike snap dancers who choose to snap dance, the Whoop Rico chooses its practitioners. Those who attempt to adopt the seemingly elusive moves rarely do so successfully and result in barely slapdash performances. Only the best of the best can adequately entertain and grab a crowd with this ever changing style. Unlike snap dance, which revealed the ability of grandmothers, baby cousins, and nearly every member of the family's ability to dance, the Whoop Rico will only embarrass dancers who show any signs of weakness.
This rapidly evolving style of dance is quickly establishing its place in the dance world. Initially, onlookers grouped this very unique form in the same category as its Atlanta born counterpart, snap dance. What a horrible mistake!
Whoop Rico is in a class all its own. It serves as the Spaghetti junction where krumping, clowning, breaking, and crunk intersect. Not to mention a seasoning of various martial arts techniques, many of which are quite familiar to video game enthusiasts (Street Fighter, Tekken, Mortal Kombat, etc). Although fairly infant in its development, the Whoop Rico possesses many of the same qualities as its fore fathers. Both breaking and pop-locking are massively more intricate now than they were 15 years ago. In the very same manner, the Whoop Rico has evolved tremendously in only a matter of months. Imagine the endless possibilities the future holds for this dance born in the Southside of Atlanta.
Turtle 2.o
Stay tuned to THA JOURNAL for more updates on the WHOOP RICO and other news surrounding Atlanta's entertainment industry!
July 25, 2008 proved to be a truly memorable night of the 2008 summer. Nearing the close of an eventful season, some of the greatest names in Atlanta entertainment morphed into one colossal super-force. Although Figure 8 had built a reputation for yeilding amazing turnouts at the end of the work week, this Free .99 Friday was without a doubt a bit distinguished from all others. Those who were unfortunate enough to be absent on this night of mayhem may wonder what made this otherwise ordinary Friday evening, so extraordinary. Luckily, for those who missed out, yours truly, the one and only Turtleman will attempt to literarily replicate this astronomical experience; an experience that will last in many of our memories as an ice cold, homemade glass of red koolaid in the midst of the blazing dog days of July 2008. To the rest of us who were captured by the phenomenal vibe, join me as I relive what I would like to call “One of Many Highlights of the 2008 Summer”....
.....A week full of built up anticipation was definitely appropriate on this amazing night. With such an exuberant theme, promoters had their jobs cut out for them. As the offset colored flyer invaded Myspace and Facebook kamikaze style, party goers evacuated the monotony and abandoned all other venues to seek refuge in THE HOTTEST SPOT ON FRIDAY NIGHTS!!!
YRD, AFTERMONEY, KREAM, and BRUCE ATWATER fed the loyal patrons with a special performance by JUNEY BOOMDATA. With his hit single, Whats Up Wit Tha Pussy, rockin speakers all over the region, it was only fitting that he pay a visit to the livest crowd in Georgia.
With everyone yearning to grasp an experience of the fresh young artist, the eagerness was prolonged. Nevertheless, at the perfect moment of the perfect hour…..Mr. Whats Up Wit Tha Pussy himself lived up to the hype and delivered a truly exceptional performance. But that was only the beginning……..
The phrase, "It's not what you know, but who you know" is often recited in reference to business. Nevertheless, there isn't a better description of the spontaneous surprise performance that stunned even the super-powered individuals behind the success of this affair. With powerhouse promoters, you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get. Furthermore, the promoters themselves are sometimes left out the loop.
After Boomdata lit the stage up, a fresh load of liveliness was dumped into the post performance atmosphere. This new energy catapulted the whole building into a pulsating frenzy. As if the air wasn’t saturated with enough excitement, a completely thrilling rumor was leaked. Word traveled rapidly as friends shared the great news. While some disregarded the buzz surrounding this potential performance, the initial enthusiasm of others was restored.
Lo and behold, live on the stage of Atlanta’s Figure 8 moments after Boomdata performed his club banger, Hood Icon Yung LA blessed the audience with an out of this world show. The futuristic swagaholic set the place entirely on fire. While donating an up close and personal experience of his hood anthem “Ain't I”, I believe it is safe to say, no heart was left un-delighted. Yet, it is only accurate to guarantee that several party animals will migrate to this magnificent waterhole each and every Free .99 Friday.
"CNN Presents: Black In America": a six-hour television event that examines the complex issues, successes, and struggles of black men, women, and families."
One could not thoroughly document the history of the United States of America without including "colored" individuals. "Colored", meaning the numerous ethnicities that are classified as America's minority races. Although blacks occupy only a percentage of the minority groups, our history is one that encompasses a story all its own. Our tale reveals imprisonment, betrayal, slavery, disgust, triumph, alliance, victory, defeat, hope, and a seemingly infinite list of adjectives that are fused into an outstanding collection of history. Our journey has proved to be both painstaking and filled with jubilee simultaneously. As we continue to trek through the unforgiving American history, shedding blood, sweat and tears the whole way through, CNN pays us homage with their Special Report: Black In America. As a proud member of the hip hop community, I encourage all of you to tune in and "re-up" on a wealth of knowledge that will motivate and inspire you to adequately fulfill your niche in the world-renowned timeline of Blacks in America.
"These babies have done wonders for my credit score. To all the rappers and singers and ballers and shot callers: instead of making it rain, make a difference and get yourself some white kids."
-Niecy Nash/BET Awards 2008
Once a year since 2004, we as Black people have been celebrating the progress and history of the most contagious aspect of our culture, music. We congregate in vast numbers (both live in the Shrine auditorium and around various screens worldwide) to reflect on the previous year's additions to our ongoing track record of outstanding musicians. Nevertheless, African Americans aren't the only spectators tuning in to the annual BET Awards. Every year, Black Entertainment Television experiences an enormous spike in ratings on the night of its highly anticipated awards show. Despite the name of its network, BET has drawn viewers from cultures all over the world. These cultures typically watch in admiration and awe, yet individuals will exercise their personal beliefs. This is exactly what happened immediately following this year's BET Awards Show. A patron of the BET Network voiced his disapproval of comedian Niecy Nash's humorous skit regarding the adoption of white kids.
Lurkin' in the shadows of the notorious Atlanta nightlife, resides a culture all its own!!! Throughout the country and even worldwide, you can find people of all ages and ethnic groups leanin and rockin, snappin and rollin, and most recently whoopin rico.
Currently, the Atlanta dance community is taking the world by storm with a constant supply of new dances. Various artists have released hit singles that have brought this unique society out of the darkness and into the spotlight. To many, this movement started simply as a hobby and has transformed into an extremely lucrative business. Taking a look at the history of snap music and the Atlanta dance community, one could only admire the ambition, ingeniousness, and sheer creativity of such young moguls.
The pure essence of Atlanta dance is rooted in the background of our past, and appears to hold a promising role in the future. The newly founded dance, Whoop Rico, is rapidly gaining ground in the dance society. Hence the term, Whoop Rico, this intriguing form of dance captivates its audience as its performers replicate movements and antics often witnessed during a violent fight or brawl. A combination of jabs, uppercuts, and kicks in conjunction with a variety of brisk, speedy movements merge to produce the latest, most intricate, crowd captivating, soon to be world renowned dance given the elite name of WHOOP RICO!!
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