Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Panhandling: Big Business? PART II

Looks can be deceiving, again.

If you read my article entitled "Panhandling: Big Business" then you're familiar with my reluctance in giving up my hard earned money toward solicitation. 

If you read "Looks Can be Deceiving, Confusing Too" then you're familiar with the fact that looks can be--and will be, deceiving. This particular article sort of intertwines the two aforementioned articles.

The other day I had the pleasure of witnessing a seemingly new method of solicitation.  It was a young African-American high-school student asking for money to fund the overwhelming expense of his high school debate team [ I won't mention his high-school].  He was just a kid--possibly 16 or 17 years old. He was well spoken, well dressed--and when I say well dressed, I mean his pants were not sagging.

Regardless of his clean cut appeal, I remained reluctant to give him money, here's why;

1. I didn't have a dollar. 

2. In the back of my mind, I was sure it was a scam... 

Nothing about this young man's general appearance or demeanor made me believe he was a con artist, in fact, he looked like an actual student--a good one at that. The single instance that fed my growing  suspicion was when an older gentleman gave the boy about five dollars toward his "collection". The look out on this boy's face was less appreciative, but more, surprised. I figured maybe this "young debater" was possibly debating about his new scheme and how he actually made a quick five dollars [from one person] off of it!

Then I had a second thought--as I often do. Maybe that surprised look was a look of shock. It was quite possible that this student was in awe that a fellow New Yorker Would give somebody this much money [ five dollars is a lot in the panhandling world ]

Overall, either this kid was a good actor, or his school was truly having a budgeting problem. Maybe he is actually a member of the debate team. But once again, I remain skeptic. 

Riding the New York City trains have made me skeptic, shit, living in New York City has made me skeptic. From kids who wear more expensive clothes than I do trying to sell me Jolly Ranchers, to middle aged women with their fictitious tales of their poverty stricken families. All these things have made me untrustworthy, they have made me question every monetary decision I make, with regards to the homeless.

The thing that's really a shame? That with my growing skepticism I may fail to see the people who really need my help. Not everything is a scam, I know this--but I'm sort of losing my focus.(K*W)

KASUAL BRANDY TWITTER BEEF!?

BRANDY


Apparently Brandy got into it with a fan earlier today on Twitter. A little somethin' somethin'. Check it out!



to which Brandy replied.:



to which the fan said:



Brandy:

LOL Brandy is not to be fu**ed with!

SHE MIGHT HAVE COINED A NEW TWITTER PHRASE TODAY...

"GIRL BYE!"

LOL...PEACE(K*W)


Sunday, March 20, 2011

kASUAL VIDEOS: GEORGE WATSKY "I GOT THIS LOVE"



THIS IS AN INTERESTING VIDEO I RECENTLY CAME ON ACROSS, ENTITLED "I GOT THIS LOVE"


IT'S BY THIS KID FROM CALI NAMED GEORGE WATSKY


WATSKY IS A SPOKEN WORD ARTIST WHO GAINED INTERNET FAME WITH HIS VIRAL VIDEO: 

"PALE KID RAPS FAST" (BELOW)

ITS PRETTY ILL. ENJOY KASUALLY :) 



KASUALWORLD!!!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

WHERE ARE YOU!?!: LAURYN HILL


LAURYN, R&B--SHIT...MUSIC IN GENERAL NEEDS YOU BACK, 100%!!


REMEMBER THIS!?!



I, AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS ARE WAITING ON YOUR FULL FLEDGED RETURN!!

"How you gon' win when you ain't right within
How you gon' win when you ain't right within
How you gon' win when you ain't right within
Uh uh Come again"


 ...WAITING ;)

WHERE ARE YOU!?!: D'ANGELO





D'Angelo, R&B music needs you back!


REMEMBER THIS!?



STOP FUCKING UP!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

kASUAL VIDEOS: PUSHA T "COOK IT DOWN"

              




NEW MUSIC FROM PUSHA-T


>>"COOK IT DOWN"<<




                   


ENJOY KASUALLY!!!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Meet Malik Rashad!!!

Malk Rashad, looking toward the future.
I would like to introduce you all to MALIK RASHAD! Malik is  a Hip-Hop artist who has ventured toward  the modelling industry, and is someone you all should get to know! I had a chance to sit down and interview Malik, and he has some very interesting things to say. I got his take on Hip-Hop--and music in general, we discussed his past and also his future, check it out! Kasually!

Jay Rasean: What's up man? What's your name? rather, what do you prefer to be called?..do you have any aliases?                                                                                Malik Rashad: Malik Rashad aka "Mo Betta"                                                                           
JR: Where do you hail from?
MR: Bed-Stuy do or die Brooklyn baby!
JR: Being from Brooklyn, and also being an artist, are you influenced by Biggie? how about Jay-Z?
MR: Of course, without question I'm influenced by them, but I'm influenced by a lot of others too--Pac, Nas, Black Thought [The Roots], Andre 3000. As an artist, I'm influenced by music period, all genres--not just Hip-Hop.


"There's nothing new under the sun, its how you do it, how you present it" -Malik

JR: That's good, helps to be versatile in the ever changing world of music. What are your favorite 3 songs out right now?
MR(Thinking) What's out right now? (laughs). I honestly only listen to the radio when I get in somebodies car. I like Kanye's new album, TI...hold on I gotta look and see what I have in my phone...
JR: No need! Even better question. What do you think of the new class of rappers right now? People like Whiz Khalifa, J.Cole, Wale, etc.
MR: I like J. Cole. Kid can definitely rap and has something to say. I honestly haven't really got into Whiz, Wale, but rather than diss 'em i'll just say its not for me.
JR: Understandable.
MR: I think business wise we've gotten so much more savvy and on point. Unfortunately its taken a lot away from the music. A gift and a curse ya know? Now beats and image or characters are what the masses feed into.
JR: I know exactly what you mean, like a double edged sword?
MR: Exactly but who am I to tell another man how to eat?


JR: Ha true...Well, how would you do it different? What can you offer to the hip-hop game?


MR: Honesty, lyricism, content, intelligence. I'm the everyday around the way dude who's been some places and seen some things and everything I am goes into my music. Everyone likes to say 'oh I'm bringing something the game has never seen' *laughs* no you're not.There's nothing new under the sun, its how you do it, how you present it...I relate on different levels with different people. You might hear me talking about some world issues on a track then I'll talk about being a fly ass Brooklyn boy ya know? 




MRI get called a 'throwback' a lot and that's a big compliment because lyrics are what made me fall in love with hip-hop. There used to be a feeling you got when you heard certain joints and you could remember where you were and what you were doing and the 1st time you heard it. I try to provide that feeling in my music. Plus, Ladies say my music is sexy...so that's always a good thing *Laughs*
JR: Ha, definitely! You said you were in love with music. How old were you when you 'caught' these feelings?
MR: When I fell in love with music?!? Damn man, probably as a toddler! I mean I think music is food for the soul. We all came up with parents or family playing music around the house, dancing around enjoying life, music is the universal language--Maybe from the womb!
JR: Early start huh? Who was the first artist you remember hearing? How 'bout the first song?
MR: Damn!
JR: I know, it's a hard one
MR: Yea it is...I remember as a snot nose singing 'Mr. Telephone Man' by New Edition messing the words up because I only knew the chorus--and my aunt recording it *Laughs*
JR: Definitely remember singing that too, thanks to my big sis... 


JR: You go by Mo betta, does the classic Spike Lee Joint[Mo Betta Blues] have any influence on you picking that name?
MR: I started out as Mo Betta, now I'm going by name Malik Rashad, but so many people know me by Mo Betta I just let it rock. The movie definitlely was the inspiration behind it. I started out as a producer and my boys were trying to come up with names for me but they were bugged like the arsonist, the chemist wild...*laughs*. One day I was watching it [Mo Betta Blues]and I was like 'I'm going into my Mo Betta Blues' and they were like 'that's you to a t your smooth, your sound is soulful that's you!' and Denzel's [Washington] name was Bleek in the movie and my lil' sis couldn't say my name when she was younger so it came out as Bleek instead of Malik so it was a definite fit.
JR: Its funny how things work out. Gotta love it when a plan comes together.
MR: *Laughs* yessir


JR: You're a man with many hats! A rapper, a producer and now a model..how did you get into modeling anyway?
MR: Yea man you have to be these days. Last year my manager says Wilhemina [Modeling Agency] is having a open call for fitness models, I didn't get it but that's how I got open to the modeling world. Then a few photographers asked me to do some shoots, etc. Funny  story; I was away at college in the gym working out and a lady approached me and asked if I worked for Wilhemina and that i had a good look and if I ever modeled. I said no. She said 'We're were having a open call out here (I was in St.Louis at the time) tomorrow, I want you to come out' I was like I'm going home tomorrow for summer and she was like where are you from I told her NY she said well we have offices out there too, and then she gave me her card. 


...I had no idea about how big Wilhemina was in the modeling world so I drove out there with my boy and they told me to come back for another date. I went back to the car told my boy 'I'm not with it let's get outta here back to the hood' Everybody's like Wilhemina what were you thinking, but I didn't know. But everything happens for a reason.


JR: Exactly, but nothing wrong being skeptical You never know about certain things.
MR: Yea man like my grandmother says everything happens "In God's time"
JR: Smart woman! Sticking to the subject of "model"...When you reach a certain level of fame, Will you aspire to be a Role Model? or would you do what you want, when you want regardless of the potential impact you may have on your fans?
MR: I feel like Charles Barkley man I am not a role model *laughs* But nah I'm not perfect and Lord knows I've done things and will do things that people won't agree with or might be flat out wrong, but I do feel a certain sense of responsibility to try and be a better man and get it right everyday not only for fans but first and foremost for my sisters and brother and my niece and nephewI think that all we can do everyday is to try to get it right and be better. You have to stand for something be a man with principals.
JR: I like the barkley reference, but yeah man I feel you on that.
JR: Well man its cool talking to you on the very first Kasual World interview! Very informative. I like to end my interviews with this question: 



Overall, what do you have to offer this Kasual World of ours?

MR: Man its been my pleasure, I'm humbled and excited to be a part of this, and what I have to offer is the faith to follow your dreams; honesty, love and lil' bit of all of yaselves in what I do!(K*W)




CHECK MALIK RASHAD'S VIDEO "FLYEST SHIT"




ALSO, CHECK OUT MALIK RASHAD ON FACEBOOK!

http://on.fb.me/MOBETTABLUES

And on Twitter! at: http://twitter.com/IamMalikRashad


 Peace!




Friday, March 4, 2011

"You're ugly anyway!" - Good old rejection.


Guy is probably calling her a name. LOL

Have you ever wondered why many men seem to resort to insulting a woman after she turns down his advances? Let's keep in mind that the woman in this equation didn't display any type of negativity, or attitude, just a simple N-O. Because if she was indeed rude, then an equally rude comeback from her male counterpart is justified--but for the sake of  argument let's say she was civil when she turned this poor guy down.

I believe the root of a man's rude disposition after getting turned down arrives simply because getting rejected is a terrible, heart wrenching feeling; and is something that can deflate even the most massive egos. An what's an easy--yet tasteless remedy for a deflated ego?  To deflate someone else's.


I tend to think of most interactions between males and females as positive or negative exchanges of energy. When a man approaches a woman, and the woman is actually attracted to him, the possibility of her rejecting his offer for a "conversation" is slim to none. Assuming her primary attraction doesn't fade after he opens his mouth, the two will engage each other and exchange a positive, flowing energy.


A negative energy occurs when either the male or female is not attracted to the other and wants to refrain from further conversing. Either they are not attracted, or have somewhere to go--or both. Let's say in this scenario, the female wants no part of this encounter, but it's obvious the male is very attracted--so he pursues. Now this negative energy is flowing, and when she says NO--whether it was polite or not, the negative energy falls solely upon the male. So what happens now?

The male tries to rid himself of this negative energy. He does this by projecting negativity on this particular woman; the current object of his affection, and the cause of  his negativity. The best--but non-intelligent way for him to transfer this energy is to insult her. He will try to degrade this woman, and for that brief instance try and completely deflate her ago, just as his was.


A common phrase: "That's okay you're ugly anyway, bitch!!"

If that woman is self conscience, or has low self esteem, her feelings are now hurt--all because she didn't want to be engaged. The only outcome of lashing out against someone just because they don't wish to talk to you, is you wind up making yourself look even more unattractive. Your primary goal was to have a conversation and whatever follows. Now your advances have turned to a display of ignorance, bitterness ,and humiliation for not only yourself, but for both parties.


Not all guys are like this!


We don't all turn to ridiculing you after you reject us. Some men gracefully accept the "no", and move on about their day. Then there are others, who continue in pursuit. "Rejection, what's that?" Is what these persistent men think. Maybe they think this particular girl is "the one"; maybe their just hard of hearing, but that's another story, another article--good old persistence.


There are many options for an uninterested women facing a male caller. Ignore him, express her dis-interest by saying no, or engaging him just to get him off her back. There is alot of pressure when approaching someone on the street, for both male and females. The male has to know the right thing to say, the right way to act. The female has to also know what to say, not only this, but she has to decide if the conversation is worth having (women are the dominant factor in the creation of new relationships ). With all of these choices we as individuals have to concern ourselves with, there is little room for negativity. If the person is not interested, their not interested. Rejection is a part of life, to quote producer Swizz Beats:

"On to the next one!"(K*W)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

kASUAL MUSIC!!!: NEW SINGLE FROM WILLOW SMITH!


NEW MUSIC FROM WILLOW SMITH !! 


SONG ENTITILED " 21st Century Girl "



TAKE A LISTEN: http://db.tt/8zqtynj 




ENJOY KASUALLY!!!

kASUAL MUSIC!!!: NEW MUSIC FROM RAEKWON


ATTENTION FANS OF REAL HIP-HOP!!

 

NEW MUSIC FROM RAEKWON  FEAT. NAS!!




SONG ENTITLEDRich and Black "



TAKE A LISTEN!! http://db.tt/Vn2Cd8E







ENJOY KASUALLY!!!



WELCOME HOME DA BRAT!!!


DA BRAT

Apparently not just the male rappers have  problem with staying out of prison. ( don't forget about Remy Ma )

Female rapper Da Brat--who received a three year prison sentence after smashing a empty rum bottle over a young waitress' face in an Atlanta club in 2007, has been released from prison early and will finish out the remainder of her sentence in a work release program. Her music will be on hold while she completes this work release program, making windows!( don't laugh!) LOL

Well lets hope she successfully completes her program, and returns to her Brat Tat Tat Tat ways! Once again, WELCOME HOME!