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OCT. 15 2014
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NUBIAN MESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY n RALEIGH, NC n THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM n 10 | 15 | 14 E merging Artist, Alum shares latest collection with the Pack J. STACY UTLEY USES ART TO BRING ATTENTION TO GENTRIFICATION, P. 4 ACTIVIST, CONGRESSMAN, NOW AUTHOR VISITS N.C., P. 3 ONE-ON-ONE WITH HISTORIAN DR. KELLEY, P. 10 Chadwick Constructed architectural prototype, placed in an urban context and photographed. | J Stacy Utley
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Page 1: NUBIAN MESSAGE

NUBIAN MESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY n RALEIGH, NC n THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM n 10 | 15 | 14

Emerging Artist, Alum shares latest collection

with the PackJ. STACY UTLEY USES ART

TO BRING ATTENTION TO GENTRIFICATION, P. 4ACTIVIST, CONGRESSMAN, NOW AUTHOR VISITS N.C., P. 3

ONE-ON-ONE WITH HISTORIAN DR. KELLEY, P. 10

ChadwickConstructed architectural prototype, placed in an urban context and photographed. | J Stacy Utley

Page 2: NUBIAN MESSAGE

What’s InsideNEWS 4 EMERGING ARTIST, ALUM SHARES LATEST

COLLECTION WITH N.C. STATE

VIEWS 7 ARE BLACK TEACHERS NEEDED FOR BLACK

EXCELLENCE

8 PHOTO SPOTLIGHT: RALEIGH STUDENT

PUSHOUT MARCH

FEATURES 10 ONE-ON-ONE WITH HISTORIAN DR. KELLEY

Only with the permission of our elders do we proudly produce each edition of the Nubian Message.

Dr. Yosef ben-Yochannan: Dr. John Henrik Clark: Dr. Leonard Jeffries: The Black Panther Party: Mumia A. Jamal: Geronimo Pratt: Tony Williamson: Dr. Lawrence Clark: Dr. Augustus McIver Witherspoon: Dr. Wandra P. Hill: Mr. Kyran Ander-

son: Dr. Lathan Turner: Dr. M. Iyailu Moses: Dokta Toni Thorpe and all those who accompany us as we are STILL on the journey to true consciousness.

2 • OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com

EDITORIAL STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | CHRIS [email protected]

@CHartWilliamsMANAGING EDITOR | NIA DOAKS

@nia_kayee

8 Photo Spotlight: Raleigh Stu-

dent Pushout March

11 Alumni Spotlight: Raleighwood to Hollywood

Tensie Taylor | Kornelius Bascombe

6 BLACK PANTHER PARTY ANNIVERSARY, FOUNDED BY STUDENTS

Page 3: NUBIAN MESSAGE

AARON THOMAS | Staff writer

NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com • 3NEWS

The youngest member of the Civil Rights Movement’s big six visited Durham to speak about the movement and his book March on Oct. 5 for “Durham Remembers Together.”

Civil and human rights activist Congressman John Lewis is legendary. He is the sole surviving civil rights leader who spoke along with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 1963 rally in Washington, D.C. where he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.

“It was historical,” said President of N.C. State College Democrat’s Ben Stockdale. “Being a young person it means even more.”

Stockdale said he is inspired by Lewis because he did so much at a young age.

“It was phenomenal,” said Torisha Dozier a junior in politi-cal science.

Dozier said she enjoyed reading March, a series of three books Lewis co-authored last year as well.

“Its not the typical book,” siad Dozier. “It reaches to the younger audience.”

The March trilogy has a comic-book like style. Independent Weekly, calls March “a lyrical, impressionistic

work based on Lewis’ memories of his early years and the Civil Rights Movement.”

The event took place in Durham’s historic Hayti Heritage Center.

Hayti District was founded by a community of Afri-can-Americans after the American Civil War.

Activist, Congressman, now authour visits N.C. STAFF REPORT

Triangle Business Journal recognizes Vice Provost Joanne Woodard

Every so often, the Nubian Message likes to recognize accomplishments within the Afri-can-American community on the campus of N.C. State, as well as the surrounding community.

This week’s issue highlights Vice Provost Joanne Woodard for being awarded the 2014 ‘Leaders in Diversity’ Award by the Triangle Business Journal.

Woodard was recently featured in the Triangle Business Journal, a source providing information about local businesses and events in the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill areas. The journal credits her for leadership skills as Vice Provost for the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.

According to the journal, the award “recognizes the accomplishments of Triangle businesses, indi-viduals, and nonprofits as they strive to reflect the rich tapestry of our community. The winners have demonstrated respect or inclusive treatment of others, advocacy for underrepresented groups and multicultural marketing.”

In the journal, Woodard credits the employees she works with in the office for their ability to fos-ter diversity and equity throughout the university.

A luncheon was held on Sept. 11 at the Cotton Room in Durham to recognize Woodard. She, along with 12 other people and 10 organizations, were recipients of the award.

Torisha Dozier meets Rep. Lewis

Rep. Lewis signs his co-authored book, March at “Durham Remebers Together” | Kelly Darden

Page 4: NUBIAN MESSAGE

4 • OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com NEWS

Emerging artist and alum J. Stacy Utley highlights an economic and political issue currently facing cities throughout the country.

Utley’s latest collection is inspired by Gentrifica-tion and currently on display in the African Amer-ican Cultural Center Gallery in the Witherspoon Student Center. His collection is entitled “Any City, AMERICA,” it opened on Monday, Oct. 6.

Gentrification is illustrated in the pieces that make up Any City, AMERICA, through the placement of structural models in different urban settings.

Utley’s work is a exhibition of his background in both art and architecture.

“I hope people walk away with a better under-standing of Gentrification,” said Utley.

Utley was introduced to Gentrification and its impact firsthand after begining his career as an architect after earning a B.A. in Architecture from

the College of Design at N.C. State.Utley said he began to see his job in development

redesign differently, because the impact new proj-ects would have on current residents.

Such as what happened to the people and where they would go became concerns of his and since he has wanted to spread awareness.

“I don’t see it ending anytime soon,” said Utley. “But I do see more noise being made about it.”

The artist and architect said the white miniature houses represent something new and are easily identifiable said Utley.

“I wanted something simple everyone could iden-tify with,” said Utley. “It’s familiar and foreign at the same time.”

He said he left them white because it’s ambiguous, and foreshadows something new.

The center and the College of Design also hosted a lunch and learn event where guests discussed Gen-

trification and Utley’s start as an architect.“We are really proud of what he’s done,” said Dr.

Carol Love, former N.C. State associate dean and professor.

According to Love while in high school Utley won two of 7 UP’s art contests, the monetary winnings paid for his first year’s tuition cost at N.C. State.

In addition to his architecture degree from the College of Design, Utley has an an M.F.A. in Visual Arts from Lesley University, College of Art and Design (formerly the Art Institute of Boston) in Boston MA.

He has also earned a second B.A. in Environmen-tal Design from the College of Design at North Carolina State University.

More about Utley, his latest collection and other works can be found at jstacyutley.com.

Emerging Artist, Alum shares latest collection CHRIS HART-WILLIAMS | Editor-in-Chief

Artist and Architect J Stacy Utley at the AACC Gallery where his collection “Any City AMERICA” is on display | Chris Hart-Williams

Page 5: NUBIAN MESSAGE

OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com • 5NEWS

Dr. Love shares her memories of Utley and his past work at the AACC and College of Design’s Lunch and Learn

Page 6: NUBIAN MESSAGE

6 • OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com VIEWSVIEWS

This day in history... CASLLEE SIMS | STAFF WRITER

On this day, October 15, in the year

1966 two college students, Huey P.

Newton and Bobby Seales echoing

the words of rapper Rakim, “think-

ing of a master plan” formed the Black Panther Party for

Self-Defense.What later became known simply as the

“Black Panther Party.”

From 1966 to 1982 the paramilitary-style political

organization’s main was to advocate the success of the

African-American community. The college student

group aimed to create social programs for those afore-

mentioned Americans in the wake of continued racial

discrimination. It was the late 1960s and Jim Crow was

still in full effect.

The Panthers lived by a code of Black self-deter-

mination, anti-capitalism and looked to achieve equal

rights by the same principle contemporary and fellow

activist Malcolm X taught, “by any means necessary.”

They eventually became known as a Marxist revolution-

ary group, which calls for followers to essentially over-

throw outdated principles by force, in other words, they

aimed to overthrow the fundamental laws of Jim Crow.

These teachings led to a mass arming of African-Amer-

icans, refusing to enter the military if drafted, disas-

sociating oneself with all sanctions of so-called white

America, releasing every incarcerated African-Amer-

ican, and calling for compensation monetarily for

centuries of exploitation by white Americans.

Though the Black Panther Party shared certain

philosophical ideas with other contemporary Afri-

can-American culture groups, it eventually set itself

apart. The Panthers outlined a Ten-Point Program

that served as guidelines the organization faithful-

ly operated by. For example, whereas other groups

named all whites as oppressors, the Panthers believed

that there were in fact non-racist whites, and they

looked to ally themselves with those people.

The Ten-Point Program’s platform was composed of

two sections, the first of which expressed what the Pan-

thers immediately wanted from those they deemed as a

racist hindrance to the success of African-Americans, or

else. In all, the program expressed what the organizers

believed, such as believing that the racist government

robbed them.

At the height of its influence, the organization’s

membership was estimated to be 10,000 members.

FBI director J. Edgar Hoover declared the organi-

zation the greatest threat to national security and began

his infamous Counterintelligence Program, COINTEL-

PRO faction to infiltrate and destroy the organization.

Don’t be misinformed, the Black Panther Party

sought to leave a positive mark in the African-American

community through aforementioned social programs.

Newton and the Panthers started programs like the

founding of the Oakland Community School, which

provided high-level education to 150 children who

resided in forgotten impoverished neighborhoods. Their

Free Breakfast for Children Program children offered

dances and training in martial arts.

The Panthers were also in control of their own

newspaper, The Black Panther Newspaper, that dissem-

inated news and information its producers thought was

relevant to African-Americans communities.

The legacy and influence of the Black Panther Party

assumed a sort of character that often went beyond their

support groups and programs. After the mid-1970s the

‘80s, the Party began to recede. J. Edgar Hoover was

successful in his COINTELPRO efforts but the real

demise was due to the dissolving of the party’s leaders

either due to reasons such as death like Huey P. Newton

and Fred Hampton, exile like Assata Shakur or deciding

to become a member of groups un-associated with the

Panthers like Eldridge Cleaver.

The Black Panther Party’s trials represent an on-

going struggle of everyday people to achieve complete

and uncompromising justice and human rights. Lessons

such as the need for economic parity and attainable

education for all are relevant today.

Black Panther Party founders Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton standing in the street | Wikicommons

Page 7: NUBIAN MESSAGE

OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com • 7VIEWS

It’s no surprise that with growing numbers of diverse students in public

schools the need for teachers from every background is growing as well. With

only two percent of all teachers in American being African-American males there

is solid evidence that this need is not being met especially for minority students.

In response to the Huffington Post’s article “Black Teachers May Not Be the

Best for Black Students, Study Finds”, although most educators agree that there is

a lack of diversity in the field there is little research saying that having a teacher

from the same ethnicity as a student is the primary reason there’s an achievement

gap between majority and minority students. In theory the benefits of having a

teacher from the same background is that they can relate to students culturally,

building trust and encouragement to build academic achievement.

Walter Hunt an education researcher commented in the article stated,

“In this particular study, I was surprised to see that the campuses with more

African-American teachers did not have the highest African-American student

achievement. This just goes to show that having a positive impact on students is a

complex, multi-layered process,”

Hunt brought up a little debated but significant point that just sharing

cultural background is not a magic pill for helping to close the achievement gap

between majority and minority students. Great teachers are often great because

they not only encourage and share a high expectations of their students but are

also great at teaching their material. If this is the case does a teacher have to be

the same ethnicity as their student to make a significant impact in their school

and life success? As this topic continues to be researched and discussed we should

all take a moment to think about our best teachers and mentors and what made

them so great.

Are Black teachers needed for black excellence?

Wherever you go, NUBIAN goes with you.

Get the NCSU Student Media App

Visit studentmedia.ncsu.edu/web/mobileapp

N.C. State Student Media is the official app for the Student Media department at North Carolina State University. The app features the Nubian Message, the Technician, WKNC 88.1 FM,Agromeck, & Windhover.

ANDI GIBBS | CORRESPONDENT

Page 8: NUBIAN MESSAGE

8 • OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com VIEWSPhoto Spotlight:

Raleigh Student Pushout March

Student demonstrators marched from Raleigh’s Washington Elementary School to Central Prison on Friday to illustrate what organizers call the “school-to-prison pipeline.”

Students of color in area schools are suspended at higher rates than other stu-dents, according to the organizers of the march NC HEAT, Youth Organizing Insti-tute and the Education Justice Alliance. Friday was the group’s third annual march to raise awareness.

Editor-in-Chief Chris Hart-Williams wrote “Wake County School System’s School-to-Prison Pipeline” in March which details suspension statistics of Wake County Public School System students. View the article on our website.

PHOTOS BY: CHRIS HART-WILLIAMS

Page 9: NUBIAN MESSAGE

OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com • 9VIEWS

Page 10: NUBIAN MESSAGE

10 • OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com FEATURES

Dr. Blair Kelley is a woman of many endeavors. Re-

cently named Assistant Dean for Interdisciplinary

Studies and International Programs for NC State

University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr.

Kelley has been at NC State since 2002. She is also an associate

professor of History.

She embraces the transition into the Assistant dean position

because she is able to take her experiences and observations

from her years in the classroom and apply it to making

improvements for the college. Describing her position is an

interesting new change, and she acknowledged that it is her

honor to serve at NC State.

An expert in history, specifically African American Studies,

Dr. Kelley received her B.A. from the University of Virginia

and her M.A. and Ph. D. from Duke University. Her first book,

Right to Ride: Streetcar Boycotts and African American Citi-

zenship, won the 2010 Letitia Woods Brown Memorial Book

Award from the Association of Black Women Historians.

However, despite her academic and professional achieve-

ments, she counts her greatest accomplishment as striving

to balance between being a mom, wife, a professor, Assistant

dean, along with volunteering in her community. Dr. Kel-

ley has a lovely family with two children: an eleven year-old

daughter, a two year-old son and a husband of thirteen years.

She tries to create balance between home and work life by

making sure she dedicates enough time and effort into every-

thing she does. In the community, she enjoys participating

in her church and providing resources from her professional

background to help keep people involved and engaged in the

community.

Dr. Kelley is not only inspirational but she is also inspired by

two important people whose efforts had a positive influence

on the Civil Rights Movement. Ida B. Wells and Ella Baker

are two historic African-American women admired most by

Kelley.

She described Ida B. Wells as a “brave journalist,” whose

ideas and courage were so modern even though she began

her career more than a century ago. Kelley also suggested

that Wells’ efforts to balance her roles as a wife, mother, and

journalist was very admirable and before her time. Dr. Kelley

highlighted the ways that Ida B. Wells received backlash for

her brave attitude and

outspokenness, yet she

continued to fight for the

rights of African-Amer-

icans.

Kelley also appreciates

North Carolinian Ella

Baker’s efforts to organize

the Civil Rights Move-

ment throughout the

South. Baker helped lay

the groundwork for the

movement by recruiting

new members to the

NAACP in the 1940’s,

helped Martin Luther

King Jr. to found the

Southern Christian Leadership

Conference (SCLC), and encouraged the students who sat-in

at lunch counters throughout the South in the spring of 1960

to form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

(SNCC). Dr. Kelly admired Baker for her tenacity and her

willingness to work without the national spotlight for the good

of the movement.

Kelley’s inspirations have shaped her into the historian she

is today. Her poise and drive are reminiscent of a modern day

Ida B. Wells. Kelley steps outside of the box with her writings

and especially in her podcast, Historical Blackness. She speaks

about race, blackness, and social hierarchies in the American

context and with her discussions has noticed that there are

a lot of people outside of the academy who are interested in

hearing information about our current situation and history.

Of course, everyone who has opinions receives backlash and

Dr. Kelley understands this and knows that despite negative

commentary, her work has a meaning and a purpose.

Dr. Kelley’s advice for a college student: “College is a unique

opportunity, never in your life will it feel like this. Enjoy your

adventure because once time moves forward things get set and

the likelihood of having such unique opportunities again is

very limited. So travel, read, take classes that challenge your

thinking. Don’t sit back, take advantage of what resources

N.C. State provides.” Often times students don’t take advan-

tage of all the resources available on NC State’s campus. Many

times, African Americans don’t study abroad due to financial

constraints which can limit opportunities to explore differ-

ent cultures and learn new languages. If African-American

students don’t become involved with student organizations,

their participation in the advancement and improvement of

the community is nonexistent. Change starts with one person,

movement comes from support, and impact comes from the

strength behind a voice.

What will you do to impact North Carolina State University?

How will you use the resources on the campus to help you

take on a new opportunity? What ideas do you have to help

improve conditions at NC State? North Carolina is a school for

academics but it is also a network for innovating and diverse

creativity.

Writer’s message:

With my best regards, it was my honor to interview such a

modest professional African American woman. To know that a

historian on NC State’s campus has such an influence in the Col-

lege of Humanities and Social Sciences and in the community, it

is a reflection of what I aspire to be. I encourage all students to

take time out of their schedules just to have a conversation with

Dr. Blair Kelley. It will be a worthwhile experience.

One-on-one with Historian Dr. KelleyQUIANNE’ HOLMES | Correspondent Professor & New Assistant Dean in CHASS

Assistant Dean for Interdisciplinary Studies and International Programs Dr. Blair Kelley

Page 11: NUBIAN MESSAGE

OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com • 11FEATURES

Tensie Taylor, a 2009 graduate of N.C. State, has

been steadily achieving success and making

strides since her time at the undergraduate

level.

Along with earning her master’s of education and moving

to California, Taylor has had the opportunity to network with

many A-list celebrities, be on the Wheel of Fortune, and work in

higher education.

Taylor majored in communication with a minor in psychol-

ogy. While at N.C. State, she was active in many organizations

and worked as a Resident Advisor and a Chancellor’s Aide.

“This has history to me, because both my brother and sister

attended State and were Chancellor’s Aides,” Taylor said. “I

continued a legacy, and this really opened me up to how de-

termined I was as an individual. I was able to interact with the

Chancellor’s guests and really network.”

Throughout her undergraduate career, Taylor held four dif-

ferent internships in corporate America. During her freshman

year, she was a corporate communications intern for Nortel

Network. The other internships that she held as an undergrad

were a marketing consultant for Blue Cross Blue Shield, a tech-

nical writer for IBM, and a marketing

consultant for Progress Energy.

Currently, Taylor is the manager

of the Black Alumni Association at the

University of Southern California. She

also occasionally assists with hosting

Red Carpet events.

“I got involved with that because of

networking,” said Taylor. “When I get

someone’s business card, I follow up.

I met a woman [in the industry] at an event, and I reached out

to her. She asked me if I wanted to attend events and do press

releases for her, and [it continued] from there.”

Taylor has met a number of A-list celebrities, including

Magic Johnson, Kevin Hart, Michael Ealey, and Angela Bassett.

“Even though education is my passion, I wanted to get into

the entertainment industry,” said Taylor. “If I get more status, I

could really be a voice and help others.”

Taylor hopes to start a school and various internship and

scholarship opportunities for students in the future in order to

give back to her community.

Most recently, on October 9, Taylor was featured as a con-

testant on the Wheel of Fortune. Taylor has hoped for a chance

to be on the show since she was five years old, and she applied

for the show every day (365 times) in 2013—to no avail.

“I was determined to be on Wheel of Fortune,” said Taylor.

“When I moved to California I was focused on completing my

masters, but I still applied every day in 2013 and heard nothing.

Seven days into the new year, 2014, I got an email saying that I

had been selected to audition.”

After several rounds of auditioning, Taylor was selected

to be a contestant on the live show, which receives around 15

million viewers per night. She was

able to meet Pat and Vanna, and

came in second place. “I think that

I could’ve easily won, but it’s all a

game of chance,” said Taylor. “I was

one wedge away from a million

dollars, and then I hit bankrupt. I

was disappointed that I wasn’t a big

winner, but I still got to take home

what I won and got the chance to

be on national T.V.” Taylor enjoys mentoring others and hopes

to be able to give back to the community of higher education

in the future. She stressed the importance of networking and

perseverance.

“Never give up, be persistent, and be patient,” said Taylor.

“This applies to everything in life- don’t let anyone tell you what

you can’t do. If I had listened to the negativity and the doubt-

ers I would have never reached my goals. There will be a lot

of doubters and naysayers, but use that as motivation to prove

them wrong.”

Tenise Taylor: Raleighwood to Hollywood NIA DOAKS | Managing Editor

Kornelius Bascombe’s Journey to VH1

Photo courtesy of: Rachel Jordan, N.C. State- B.A. in Architecture

Kornelius Bascombe, T.V. personality and 2012 graduate of N.C. State, is continuing to make progressive strides after graduation. In 2010, Bascombe got 4th place in Oprah’s Your OWN Show competition and was able to host a show for Time Warner Cable’s “Born to Shine” competition. Kornelius is currently auditioning to be a guest reporter on VH1. In order to make it to the next stage of the audition-ing process, Bascombe has to get a high volume of votes before October 27. To vote for him, be sure to visit his Instagram and click the link for VH1. Individuals can vote once per day.

Taylor posing with comedian Kevin Hart

Alumni Spotlight:

Taylor with actress Christina Milian at a red carpet event

Instagram: korn4s

Page 12: NUBIAN MESSAGE

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY n RALEIGH, NC n 10 | 15 | 14/NubianMessage @NubianMessage

THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM

Hottest Songs of the Summer 12 • OCTOBER 15, 2014 • theNUBIANMESSAGE.com

The summer was long and busy in the world of Hip-Hop-a wave of new artists flooded radio

stations and in addition to tracks from old artists. There were a lot of memorable songs that took over and dominated the summer air waves; however, only a few can be awarded the title of hottest songs of the season. From Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” to Rae Srem-murd’s “No Flex Zone”, here are the Hottest Songs of the Summer.

1. Fancy - Iggy Azalea Feat. Charlie XCX: Aus-

tralian born Hip-Hop Artist Iggy Azalea stormed on to the Hip-Hop scene in 2011, after gaining buzz from songs like “Pu$$y” and “Two Times” went viral on YouTube. Azalea released Fancy, featuring singer/songwriter Charlie XCX, scoring her biggest hit to date. Fancy rocked Radio stations through the United States, reaching the number one spot on Billboards Hot 100 and established Azalea and a potential Hip-Hop Superstar.

2. No Flex Zone – Rae Sremmurd: We first heard from the rap duo Rae Sremmurd last winter, when their first single, “We” debuted via Atlanta super producer Mike WiLL Made-It. The group consists of it’s two members, brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy. Rae Sremmurd delivered perhaps the club hit of the summer with “No Flex Zone”, an in-fections anthem about what it means to be authentic in a world full of “flexers”. The duo recently released a follow-up single, titled “No Type”, which has the potential to be just as popular as its predecessor.

3. Hot N*gga – Bobby Shmurda: New York native Bobby Shmurda unleashed a new dance craze, the “Shmoney Dance”, which is essentially a glori-fied version of P. Diddy’s “Diddy Bop” and rose to Hip-Hop stardom after a vine surfaced of him doing

the dance. This dance included him tossing his hat in to the air and bopping to the beat. The song has become an instant club hit and has left audiences wanting more music and more dance moves from the 20-year-old Shmurda.

4. Anaconda – Nicki Minaj: The self proclaimed “Queen of Rap” reintroduced herself to audienc-es over the summer, after a onslaught of freestyles and freebies for her fans, an even a guest appear-ance on Beyoncé’s “Flawless” Remix. This summer, Nicki Minaj released a single for her upcoming and highly anticipated album- The Pinkprint. The song, “Anaconda”, received mass acclaim for it’s ode to Sir-Mix-A lot’s “Baby Got Back” and proceeded to become a party starter for clubs across the nation.

5. Believe Me – Lil Wayne Feat. Drake: After a relatively quiet winter for the New Orleans

Rapper, Lil Wayne burst backed on to our radios with the first single from his upcoming album, Tha Carter V. Teaming with his Young Money label mate, Drake, the two emcee’s traded verses over the Vinylz and Boi-1da production, reminding fans of why he’s been a Hip Hop mainstay for well over a decade and generating more and more buzz for what is slated to be his final album of Tha Carter Series- the series that launched him into the prime of career. Wayne followed up the single with another strong effort, “Grindin’”, also featuring Drake that promises to live up to the hype of “Believe Me” and lead into the release of Tha Carter V.

Summer was great for Hip-Hop music, with hits

coming at an all time fast pace. It will be interesting to see how these artists and their songs continue to dominate radio stations and clubs across the nation and the world.

ALFRED ANDERSON |Staff Writer


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