Daily Archives: November 26, 2013

Happy Bornday to @JeanGreasy from #FemaleFlow

Vector Artwork by Yumi Sakaki

Jean Grae (born Tsidi Ibrahim, November 26, 1976), formerly known as What? What?, is an American hip-hop artist. She rose to prominence in the underground hip-hop scene in New York City and has since built an international fanbase. Grae was born in Cape Town, South Africa on November 26, 1976, the daughter of South African jazz musicians Sathima Bea Benjamin and Abdullah Ibrahim. She was raised in New York City after her parents relocated there after her birth. She studied Vocal Performance at the LaGuardia School before majoring in Music Business at New York University. She later dropped out after three weeks of class.

Previously signed to Babygrande Records, she signed a deal in 2005 with Talib Kweli‘s Blacksmith Records. On April 28, 2008, Jean Grae posted a blog entry on her MySpace page saying goodbye to her fans. She later cited disenchantment with the music industry and desire to start a family as the reasons behind the “retirement” and said that she was working on new material and still wanted to continue in music: “You know what? I need that Grammy. I think I might be able to stop after that”. In July 2008, Talib Kweli posted a blog entry explaining Grae’s album, mentioning that she was not retiring. The blog ends encouraging fans to purchase the album, referring to Grae as “one of the last true MCs left.” Grae returned to doing live performances later that year.
On September 18, 2008, Jean Grae posted a Craigslist ad offering her creative services for $800/16 bars. On her MySpace blog entry, she states, “I don’t wanna complain anymore, I just wanna change some things about the way artists are treated and the way you guys are allowed to be involved, since it IS the digital age.” On June 23, 2011, after an almost four-year hiatus, Grae released a free mixtape entitled Cookies or Comas, which features guest appearances from Styles P, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch, it also includes the highly praised tracks “Assassins” from Monch’s W.A.R. album and “Uh Oh” From Talib Kweli’s Gutter Rainbows. On October 22, 2012, Jean Grae performed with MeLa Machinko and DJ Mr. Len in New York City at WNYC’s Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, also recorded as an episode of Judge John Hodgman. During the episode the upcoming records “Gotham Down” and “Cake or Death” were named.
On January 2, 2013, she released a 10-track project called Dust Ruffle. Dust Ruffle features unreleased songs from between 2004 and 2010. Of the album she says: “It’s such an interesting retrospective project because I get to actually hear myself evolve from 2004-2010. Snapshots of life.” ~ SOURCE

Jean Grae Official Facebook

Here is one of our FAV’s from Ms. Jean Grae

Talib Kweli – “Wormhole” [VIDEO] (hiphopwired.com)

Help our sister @DeeDeeCocheta as she fights #breastcancer by #donating today!

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Our dear friend, colleague and sister, Dee Dee Chocheta is asking for our support in this crucial time of life or death. Our relationship started with Dee Dee in 2003 (Portland, OR) or “Hiphop Mama” as many call her and through the years we have seen her 7 children grow into amazing soldiers of change, worked with her husband and their company who has been a contributing force to the culture of Hiphop for decades. She has handled PR (ABC Publicity) for majors to non-profits and has taught us ALL how to do and be better as she exemplifies what it is to be a dedicated professional in the music & PR industry. We ask you to take 5 minutes of your day and learn her story, contribute and share with your circles…. HELP US SAVE OUR SISTER!

Backstory:
In October 2012, Dee Dee was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer stage 2 grade 3 with a 2cm. tumor in her left breast, BRCA2. Since then, the tumor grew to 4 cm. with a few lymph nodes and now a Stage 3 meaning that it’s beginning to spread. Currently, suffering lyphodema, led to neuropathy cant feel or use arm to no apetite.

Dee Dee born indigeneous to the Yakama and Puyullap tribes has always been one to be and do things as natural as possible. Dee Dee had a bout with precancerous cells back in 2003 and having a mother and Uncle who died of cancer/chemo, she has seen and been thru this process. Fear did settle in, yet while speaking to so many MD’s, ND’s, surgeons and onconolgists to find what she feels would be the best treatment for her, the conclusion was to avoid any toxicities as possible, to keep her immune system healthy and return this tumor to a malignant state and become cancer free. She knows this can only be done through the power of the DIVINE and GOD’s healing abilities within. Of course this will take time and money.

Last year, community raised 9k not enough for more aggressive alternstive tratments, yet enough to get the right mixtures of suplements and suggestion from oncolgist based on blood tests. So you all may be sharing with her those things her husband and her researched and have tried, are using now or eliminated, not everything works for everybody. Don’t stop sharing this link now because she needs to be in a center getting treatment now that of course medicaid can pay full coverage for chemo, which is not her belief or choice.

We know she’s healed! We have got to get her back to sleeping, stress free where she can continue to heal, pray, meditate, eat, LOVE, get this treatment and as God said to her and she believes she wil be sharing her miracle you were apart of, CANCER FREE! Shes a warrior we know she can! – See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/save-dee-dee-s-life-/110697#sthash.t2TzTgAr.dpuf