They’re upset because they say the stores would back into their property lines. The group wants Trader Joe’s to come to the Gate City, just in a different location.

“Take your development somewhere else,” said Mark O’Connor, co-chair of the Friendly Coalition. “We have plenty of shopping here already. We already have two grocery stores, and 100 shops at Friendly Center. How much more shopping do we need?”

Greensboro Zoning Commission leaders also add that Regency Centers development leaders have had limited contact with them about the proposed plan.

Criminal justice professors are taking aim at drug and gang-related activity in North Carolina. A group from North Carolina Central University said it’s an issue that continues to drive violent crime in our communities.

“I was involved in a gang because I was looking for a family. I was a part of a very abusive relationship and I was only 12-years-old,” said Jakayla Hart, a youth ambassador for “Campaign 4 Change.”

These words are far too common in the world of crime.

“I never wanted to be a drug dealer, but it seemed like something I had to do to survive,” said Stephen Barrington, program director for “Campaign 4 Change.”

Some turn to criminal activity as a means of comfort, protection, a sense of belonging.

“Both gang activity and drug activity are both problems here in North Carolina, typically because the two go hand in hand,” said Dr. Michaux Parker, Professor of Criminal Justice at NCCU.

Parker says it’s no surprise to see a pairing of drugs and gangs.

“For the most part when you’re looking at large scale drug trafficking or distribution or selling operations. You can’t do that kind of thing by yourself. You have to have a criminal organization to facilitate those kind of things,” said Parker.

Parker’s research shows in two rural areas of North Carolina, the need for excitement was the main reason for gang involvement for about 70 percent of gang members, whereas the need for money and belongings was around 40 percent.

His research also shows, most kids who go down the path of related activity are between 10- and 12-years-old, an age of vulnerability.

“When you’re at that age you have yet to create a concrete sense of who you are, so it’s easy for somebody to come in and tell you who you are and tell you who you’re going to be,” said Hart.

However, times have since changed for Jakayla.

“The first part of the change was a change in environment,” said Hart.

Now, only five years later, she has college scholarships on the horizon and dedicates her time encouraging other kids to overcome the same challenges she faced.

“Take advantage of every opportunity. Take every moment and do something with it,” Hart said.

Parker also says the best way for someone to get out of a gang is to steer away from gang related culture as well.

Source

Police have issued an arrest warrant for Christopher Herrera Posada of 1444 Sedwick Road and say he may be driving a gray Honda Civic.

Police think Posada shot Jose Fernando Garcia, 47, at the home on Sedwick Road at about 7 p.m. Monday. Police say they found Garcia lying inside the house and that he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police ask anyone with information on Posada’s whereabouts to call Investigator Rogers at 560-4440, ext. 29336, or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.

Source

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies to Wake Technical Community College’s main campus this morning after a caller reported a man on campus with a gun.

Wake Tech’s website reports the lockdown issued while while the sheriff’s office investigated the report has been lifted.

Initially it had said its main campus would be closed until 1 pm with no one allowed on or off campus until then. People may now come and go from the campus at this time. Classes will resume at 1 p.m.

The sheriff’s office has not confirmed that there is a gunman on the campus.

Source

Eleven men have been charged with running a multimillion-dollar cigarette trafficking and money laundering operation in North and South Carolina.
Federal court documents unsealed last week detail the charges against the men, who were arrested in November.
The documents say the men bought 6,800 cases of Marlboro cigarettes at half their market price from people they thought had stolen the merchandise. In reality, they were undercover law enforcement officers.
Investigators say the men also helped launder money given to them by the undercover agents.
Black market cigarettes are often funneled from states with lower taxes to states with higher taxes, where they’re sold at a discount.

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The Wayans brothers released this hood classic in 1996 spoofing popular movies: Juice, Jungle Fever, South Central, Higher Learning, Do The Right Thing, Poetic Justice, New Jack City, Dead Presidents, Friday, Boyz N the Hood and Menace II Society. It was written by Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Phil Beauman and produced by Keenen Ivory Wayans. Don’t Be A Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood grossed close to $40,000,000.

Ash Tray and Loc Dog embarked on a typical day of being black in the hood and all the mayhem that could incur there after.

Being Black On A Friday Night:
“I hate black pepper!”

Toothpick Straight Out Of Jail:
“Take me to jail, and lock me up, throw away the key, I ain’t afraid to f*ck somebody in his a**”

Ghetto Pastor & Church:
“Dont ask how come or why come the pastor have to have him a nice house, or why the pastor got him a nice car”

Staying Strapped In the Hood:
“Do we have a problem?”

Getting “Jumped” Into A Gang:
“If you fall, you better pick yo’ a** up!”

Getting Jumped In The Hood:
“But I do!”

The Love Scene:
“That’s the baby’s lunch!”

Loc Gets A Job:
“I heard ya’ll n*ggas is hiring…Wassup?”

No Positive Black Women In Movies:
“I can’t teach you how to be a man”

Doing hair in the kitchen:
“Take yo a** down to them and let them f*ck yo’ head up!”

Grandma Gets Knocked Out
“Damn them fake teeth”

Black Man Loving White Meat:
“Tap that white girl, for me”

I Got These Cheeseburgers:
“You got any spare change?”

The Man Is Out To Get Black People[Literally]
“THE MANNN…”


Leave your favorite scenes in the comments section…

WBW: Samples of History: Hip-Hop Mines Afrobeat

In celebration of his upcoming birthday (March 14th), we decided to dish out the Top Ten Quincy Jones samples in hip hop songs.

10. Jodeci – Get On Up

When Jodeci released their third single from ‘The Show, The After Party, The Hotel’, many didn’t catch the portion of Quincy’s 1981 track, “Velas,” a single off of the landmark album, ‘The Dude.’ Dalvin Degrate used the harmonica solo and other minor quirks of Jones’ jazz groove to make “Get On Up” sound richer. Anchored by a funky bassline and knocking drums, “Get On Up” helped Jodeci go platinum in a mere two months in 1995.

Get On Up

Velas

9. Jurassic 5 – Improvise

Jurassic 5 broke on the scene in 1997 as the group bringing back true school hip hop. As the second single from their debut EP, “Improvise” mixed samples from Albino Gorilla and our man, Q. Quincy’s theme song for the 1972 comic caper film, The Hot Rock, was jacked. The group’s understated use of this old theme song proved they were trying to move into the future without losing sight of the past.

Improvise:

Hot Rock Theme:

8. The Roots – Clones

The album, ‘Illadelph Halflife,’ was a departure for the crew from Philly. They went for a darker sounding record than ‘Illadelph’s’ predecessors. “Clones” served as The Roots’ first appearance in the top five of the hip hop charts back in ’96. Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson transformed a sexy jazz number evoking the feeling of July in New York City into an ill rap tune about not conforming to society’s images and remaining your true self.

Clones

Summer In The City

7. 2Pac ft. K-ci & JoJo – How Do U Want It

2Pac has always had the talent of smoothly injecting serious statements into fun party songs. On his number one single, “How Do U Want It,” Pac lays the smack down on C. Deloris Tucker, while trying to get into shortie’s cut off jean shorts. Producer, Johnny J, flipped Quincy’s 1974 bedroom jam, “Body Heat,” into a salacious tune for wannabe macks approaching women in the club. Listen to these two records and you’ll see why women would rather be with an old school mack than these new age “pimps.”

How Do U Want It

Body Heat

6. LL Cool J ft. Boyz II Men – Hey Lover

Jones’ personal recordings haven’t been the only tracks sampled from his vast catalouge. His collaborations with Michael Jackson have been sampled a fair share of times. One of the most memorable is Uncle L’s ode to crushes. The Trackmasters lifted and looped the introduction of Quincy and MJ’s romantic, “The Lady In My Life,” to continue on with LL’s rap Lothario persona. Boyz II Men add smoothed out vocals to every around the way girl’s favorite summer love song.

Hey Lover

Lady In My Life

5. Juelz Santana – Mic Check

Juelz Santana has never lacked confidence. When he dropped his second album, he crowned himself as what the game was missing. Back with avengance, Santana needed an anthem to match the aggression he was coming with. Neo Da Matrix added Quincy’s theme from the “Roots” mini-series so fans and other rappers knew how hard Juelz was coming. He might have sold the least, but he managed to be most feared by most emcees. See what a Quincy Jones sample and a little aggression will do for you?

Mic Check

Roots Mural Theme

4. Kanye West ft. T-Pain – Good Life

Chicago’s native son is no stranger to sampling. The Louie Vuitton Don borrowed a few portions of Jones’ work on the Thriller jam, “P.Y.T.” If you listen closely, you can hear Michael Jackson in the background cooing,”Aww, baby.” The fact Kanye made it on this list is laugh worthy, considering the founder of Vibe Magazine dissed Mr. West by saying he was “just a rapper.” Quincy, tell us what’s good. Why ‘Ye only got a problem when you in the hood?

Good Life

P.Y.T.

3. Ludacris – #1 Spot

Ludacris is consistently one of the most underrated emcees in the game. His 2004 album, The Red Light district, featured some of his most animated rhymes to date.  The DJ Green Lantern produced “#1 Spot” is a prime example. Based on the dudes’ “Soul Bossa Nova,” made famous by the Austin Powers movies, Ludacris sent warning shots to any foe standing in his way with a smile. Sidebar: the Bill O’Reilly diss was too official.

Number One Spot:

Soul Bossa Nova:

2. Mobb Deep – Shook Ones Part II

Mobb Deep’s infamously dark delivery and hardcore street tales have made them one of the most critically acclaimed rap groups hip hop has seen. On the classic, The Infamous, Havoc sampled a frightening fragment of a cool Quincy record, “Kitty With The Bent Frame,” to give “Shook Ones Part II” the element of danger it needed to match the duo’s storytelling. Prodigy and Havoc let all the killers and hundred dollar billers know theyweren’t Wu-Tang, but they weren’t “nothin’ to  f*ck wit” either.

Shook Ones Part II:

Kitty With The Bent Frame:

1. The Pharcyde – Passin Me By

Released in 1993, “Passin Me By” found the four member crew recounting stories of school boy crushes that end in heartbreak. Producer, J-Swift sampled “Summer In The City” for this classic. “Passin Me By” will forever resonate because there will always be some guy sprung over a female. By the way, our number eight selection shares the sample. Can you hear them in both records? what’s the difference between the uses of the two songs?

Passin Me By:

Summer In The City:

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After scoring some success in the music biz, Tracey Lee went back to school and got an entertainment law degree.  He’s also getting ready to drop a new mixtape, Free Consultation Mixtape Series Vol. 1 that includes production from 9th Wonder & Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie, among others.

HOT97′s DJ Cocoa Chanelle caught up with Lee and asked him about his upcoming mixtape, working with Biggie, and his new mixtape.

Read some of the highlights below, and head over to IAmCocoa.com for the full interview!

DJ Cocoa Chanelle: You are one of the few fortunate artists who had a chance to collaborate with Biggie… What was that experience like?

Tracey Lee: UNBELIEVABLE!!! During our session, BIG taught me more about the game then I had known, at that particular time. He was the first artist that I witnessed write without a pen and paper, which inspired me to eventually write lyrics in my head (without pen, paper, Blackberry, Android, iPad, etc…lol). He was just a cool dude. His skill set on the mic is unmatched to this day. He forced me to step my game up on that record. To watch his whole process of creating the verses for Keep Ya Hands High was crazy! I am truly blessed to have had an opportunity to work with one of the greatest in the history of music! Not many can say, nor will they even have the opportunity to say that. Again I am blessed.

What made you want to get into entertainment law?

Long story (laughs). The short version is my career in the music business made me want to study entertainment law. I want to be the eyes and ears for artists that are coming into the game and don’t have a clue about the music business and recording contracts, deal points, 360 deals, publishing, etc.. This is something that I didn’t have when I signed my deal, so who better to guide someone on these aspects of the business than me – someone who not only has experience as an entertainment lawyer, but who also is an established recording artist, as well.

What can people expect from your mixtape?

My mixtape, Free Consultation Mixtape Series Vol. 1 is a recap of sorts, mixed with a peek into the future – it’s a Tray Lee journey taking you from the beginning, right up to today. Did I mention that my mixtape is free?! This is the first in a series of mixtapes scheduled for release this year; leading up to the CD entitled, Esquire. Free Consultation Mixtape Series Vol. 1 has cuts from my first CD, Many Facez, along with other songs and freestyles to remind the fans of who Tracey Lee is. I also added some new music to give the fans a taste of what they can expect to hear on Esquire, as well as future Tracey Lee projects.

Visit Tracey Lee’s website www.traceyleeinc.com for more info on his mixtape and other projects!

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Admittedly, when we first did this list back in 2008 there was one glaring omission–The Notorious B.I.G. This wasn’t because we didn’t like his voice, but I think we were trying to overcompensate for the “East Coast” bias that we’ve been accused of having from time to time. But the beauty of the Internet is that you get to do things over, make adjustments. If The Source can go back and give people Mics we sure can go back and add one of the greatest MCs of all time to a list.

So who did I bump off to make room for Biggie? Nobody.  As a voice I still think Scarface’s is one of the most unique and powerful I’ve ever heard from an MC, but I placed Biggie neck and neck with Chuck D. Read on to see why.

(Props to Big Jo at Beatlcub for sparking this topic!)

1) Scarface
There are deep voices and then there are deep voices. No disrespect to Jay Hova but if God was an MC he’d sound like Brad Jordan. His unmistakable timbre has a mix of southern gangster but holds the weight of a preacher.

2)Chuck D/ Notorious B.I.G (tie)
If Barack Obama were to lose his voice tomorrow, I’d call Chuck D to overdub all of his speeches. The authoritative bass in his vocals is both unmistakable and undeniable. The late Christopher B.I.G Wallace had the uncanny ability to adjust his voice to suit the track (think “Party And Bullshit to “Kick In The Door” to  “One More Chance (remix)” ) and over a decade after his death is the most recycled, sampled and reused voice in hip-hop–much like Chuck D’s.

3)DMX
From the canine growls of “What’s My Name” to the calm of “How’s It Goin’ Down” Earl Simmons knows better than most the power of his own voice. Unfortunately, these days he is doing more talking before a judge than before an audience.

4) Busta Rhymes
As I’ve stated before The Dungeon Dragon has a voice that spits flames (“Woo Ha”) or simply smolders (“Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See”) depending on what the beat tells him to do. But you really don’t appreciate a voice like Mr. Smith’s until you hear it live.

5) Ludacris
Chris Lova Lova’s days on the radio have made him one of the most listenable MCs in the game. Vocally, he rivals Will Smith for clarity, cross-over appeal and replay value, but brings a swagger that is uniquley his own.

6) Mystikal
A Cajun cousin to Busta’s growl, Mystikal brought a weezy twist to the scream scene. On cuts like “Danger” Mystikal takes a more musical, singy approach giving him a Scatman Crothers in a strip club feel.

7) Rev. RUN
From “Rock Box” to “Run’s House” to “Jockin’ Jay-Z” no voice has proved as enduring as Rev. Run’s.

8 ) Ice Cube

Forget bean pies and St. Ides, props to anybody that can sling “Are We There Yet?” and Death Certificate and be completely believable without altering his voice one bit.

9) Rakim / Big Daddy Kane (tie)
One of the most sampled voices in the game, Rakim seduced listeners with an easy-going delivery that set you up for some of the most potent couplets ever put to paper. Kane was the pimptastic alter ego that could talk the stripes off a zebra.

10) Lauryn Hill
Gender be damned, she raps better than most rappers and sings better than most singers, but doing both so well is simply divine. Her voice is distilled with so much pain and passion that you just want to pour it in a highball glass and zone out.

Honorable Mentions:

Chubb Rock
MC Lyte
Slick Rick
Kool Moe Dee
KRS-One
Rah Digga
Lord Have Mercy
Treach of Naughty By Nature
Melle Mel
Rock from Heltah Skeltah

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