T.I. & Dr. Dre in the Studio

T.I. – F*ck Da City Up (Mixtape Trailer)

The target date is January 1st…

100 Ways to Save Hip Hop (4rm 2Dopeboyz.com)

While I never aided in the Hip Hop Is Dead campaign or thought that my favorite genre of music was in need of “saving”, it’s obvious that things could be… better (especially in the mainstream). That isn’t to say that were at a lack of dope music though. Hell, this year alone produced some incredible projects. So much that I’m still trying to thin out my Year End list so we can get it up before the New Year. Anyways, while browsing the net on one of the slowest days of the year I came across this list on TiRon’s tumblr. 100 ways to save hip hop.

1. Stop playing the same 5 songs on the radio.
2. Stop listening to radio stations that play the same 5 songs.
3. Stop blaming Diddy.
4. Stop Diddy.
5. Stop dubbing every new jack “the next great” this and that.
6. Stop charging body parts for shows.
7. Stop fabricating feuds to sell records.
8. Stop putting Lil Wayne on every song.
9. Stop saying hip-hop is dead.
10. Stop hating Kanye for being weird.
11. More battles, less beef.
12. Stop biting Jay-Z’s flow.
13. Stop biting Biggie’s ad libs.
14. Stop putting weed carriers on your album.
15. Stop trying to please everyone.
16. Stop leaking entire albums song by song.
17. Stop making posthumous collaborations.
18. Stop getting arrested for dumb things.
19. Stop being homophobic.
20. Stop blaming record labels.
21. Stop whining about how much you miss the golden age of hip-hop.
22. Stop cluttering albums with corny skits, unless you’re Prince Paul.
23. Support creativity with your wallet.
24. Stop making 50-song albums with 90% filler.
25. Stop faking the funk.
26. Stop calling people who disagree with you “haters.”
27. Stop hating.
28. Stop kissing ass for favors.
29. Stop saying you miss “real” hip-hop.
30. Stop hating Jay-Z.
31. Stop saying you’re carrying ___ city on your back. That’s not even possible.
32. Stop acting too cool for school at concerts.
33. Stop rapping about the same three topics.
34. Stop rapping about UFOs.
35. Stop promoting sexual violence under the guise of hood reportage.
36. Stop defending misogyny.
37. Stop being a Twitter groupie.
38. Stop taking contrarian views for the sake of being different.
39. Stop hating people who disagree with you.
40. Stop dissing Soulja Boy.
41. Stop Soulja Boy.
42. Stop dissing people who make dance-tastic rap. It’s been around forever.
43. Support innovative DJs.
44. Actually make the effort to move the crowd.
45. Stop radio payola.
46. Stop blog payola.
47. Push the envelope.
48. Stop biting.
49. Stop yelling on mixtapes.
50. Stop blaming bloggers.
51. Make meaningful music.
52. Stop obsessing over airplay (or lack thereof).
53. Stop showering undeserving veterans with blind praise.
54. Stop sleeping on unsigned talent.
55. Stop hopping on trends.
56. Stop making everything a race issue.
57. Stop being so gimmicky.
58. Stop calling everything a concept album.
59. Stop making tinkerbell beats.
60. Stop blaming skinny jeans.
61. Stop blaming hipsters.
62. Stop explaining your art.
63. Let your music speak for itself.
64. Stop playing it safe.
65. Invest in better artwork and packaging.
66. Stop promoting ignorance.
67. Stop burning bridges over stupid things.
68. Stop bragging about sales.
69. Stop showing up six hours late to your own shows.
70. Stop blaming the South.
71. Stop putting people in a box.
72. Stop tossing “classic” around.
73. Stop congratulating yourself on every other song.
74. Stop trying to sell the same album twice.
75. Stop looking for the next 50 Cent.
76. Stop hating people who color outside the lines.
77. More rapping, less singing.
78. Stop wasting your budget on video hos.
79. Do tell me, how do you get in those jeans.
80. Stop getting murdered by Eminem on your songs.
81. Stop telling me to “bring that sh-t back!”
82. More improvised freestyles, less written freestyles.
83. More originality, less biting.
84. More RZA, less Bobby Digital.
85. More effort, less ghostwriting.
86. More albums, less mixtapes.
87. Stop using auto-tune to mask a lack of singing talent.
88. Stop making contrived girl songs.
89. Stop wearing obnoxious gold chains.
90. Stop calling everything a movement. Civil Rights = movement; Bugatti Boys = not a movement.
91. Stop shooting up the clubs.
92. Stop wearing jackets that look like LV handbags.
93. Stop nominating idiots for Hip-Hop Honors.
94. Stop handing out awards to the same 5 people every year.
95. Stop sending impostors to your show (I’m looking at you, DOOM).
96. Ban Diddy from Twitter.
97. Stop putting baby pictures on your album cover.
98. Be aware that the roof is not literally on fire.
99. Retire the word “swag.”
100. Stop trying to save hip-hop. It doesn’t need saving.

Common Interview

The Dreamer/The Believer is OUT NOW you should have it by now...

http://vimeo.com/34038068

Jay-Z Course Offered At Georgetown University

The Question Is This: Do we put too much stock in rap music or any music for that matter?...On a side note I wouldn't mind taking the class on-line tho lol I have a lot of respect for Dr. Michael Eric Dyson



Jay-Z Course Offered At Georgetown University

Motivation: October 10th - 14th

I'm Back!!

(Monday October 10, 2011)
Weather you asked for it or pray for it life will and is changing. You have to adjust to the things around you and continue to grow in to the powerful person God wants you to be. It will take time, trust in yourself and more importantly trust in God…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

(Tuesday October 11, 2011)
Stop being bitter about the past and use it as fuel. Everything that has happen to you up until this point made you the person you are today. Stop beating yourself up and looking back feeling bad just keep moving forward. Look at it this way in a car you have a windshield and a small review mirror (meaning) your future is more important than you’re past…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

(Wednesday October 12, 2011)
The enemy doesn’t fight fair so why are you still trying to stand toe to toe with him. He knows he can’t take a hit from you so he will try to sneak you and get you when your vulnerable (Tired, Stressed, Overwhelmed) God knows this already and he is fixing it…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

(Thursday October 13, 2011)
Every time you get ready to go into another stage in your life you will have to deal with a giant (a problem). So don’t look at it as what the giant is guarding isn’t yours you just have to show God that you can be tenacious…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

(Friday October 14, 2011)
We as believers have to be able to thank God for the decrease so we can be better prepared for our increase. Because everybody can’t go with you to the next level (there not suppose to). I say it all the time God puts people in your circle for a reason and you never know how long they are suppose to stay. You have to love them when they come and love them when they leave just the same…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Book Info...

You all know me and you know how I work, so I'm pushing back the women's motivational and looking to release a 3rd book of poetry first. Then the other books will follow. I just need to get some things in order so I know it's right for the people.

Something 2 Think About

People were created to be loved & things were created to be used. The problem is things are being loved and people are being used...

Motivation: Week Of August 22-26 Peace & Blessing

August 22, 2011 (Monday)
The age limit on growing up and getting yourself together is however old you are the second you realize who you are, what you are, where you are, why you are there, how you got there, and where you need to be... Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

August 23, 2011 (Tuesday)
Do not allow thoughts of inferiority to keep you from accomplishing great things. You may feel like you are always coming up short, but be confident in God!...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

August 24, 2011 (Wednesday)
Today, focus on the goodness of God and not the negative things that may be affecting your life. It’s easy to give up but don’t. Trust God and His Word…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

August 25, 2011 (Thursday)
Some people try to prepare themselves mentally to handle the pressure of life. As Believers prepare ourselves spiritually must be priority. Seek God first…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

August 26, 2011 (Friday)
An enemy will never tell you to stop working on your goals - he will merely whisper, "Do it tomorrow”…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Motivation: August 22, 2011

The age limit on growing up and getting yourself together is however old you are the second you realize who you are, what you are, where you are, why you are there, how you got there, and where you need to be... Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Motivation

God is at work around us all the time. And it seems (at least to me) that God may have people in your way on purpose so you can bless them. True it may not look like that at first but after you have dealt with that person you will see what a blessing you were to them. So saying that to say love everybody even when your don’t want to (not easy)…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

The key to being better is believing in yourself. You have to FIRST then people will as well. But if you are always in search of approval from people you will be in search for a long time...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

Never let life steal your confidence. True life will test you but know that you have already won. Because you are Gods child...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

The day is going to happen wheather you participate or not. Work on your happieness! It must start with the choice of you wanting to behappy then it spills out into the natural...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Motivation: the past few days

July 15, 2011 (Friday)
You are the only person that can motivate you. True you may have some people that support you but you have to have the drive for yourself. Keep moving..Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

July 18, 2011 (Monday)
God doesn’t limit you to anything; he wants you to have it all. I think it’s us who limit ourselves with our thinking, attitudes, and beliefs. We have to change those things to have the thing that God wants us to have…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

July 19, 2011 (Tuesday)
When God shines the light on you or gets ready to move you to a higher place in your life. People/things will attack you, and people will notice how you handle attack. Because when God gets ready to “show you off” he will give you strength to get through problems so your testimony will be that much greater. Because everything we have to fight makes us better and ready for the next level…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

July 20, 2011 (Wednesday)
Many people don’t really realize the power of thought. If you think you’re going down, then you will. You have to change your thinking and you will begin to see things fall into place. I’m not saying it will happen tomorrow but it will happen…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

July 21, 2011 (Thursday)
This day is going to happen whether you participate or not. Work on your happiness! It must start with the choice of you wanting to be happy then it spill out into the natural…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Motivation: July 14, 2011

Growth happens internally first (spiritual/super natural). Then it spills out in to the natural (life). God is doing something IN you so he can do something WITH you. Like I always say you are blessed to be a blessing…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Motivation: July 12, 2011

The time you spend thinking about other people's life and their problems, is time wasted for getting your own life in order. Everyone has their own purpose. I’m not say don’t be considerate of other people’s feelings and issues just don’t embed yourself in them, you can’t please everyone. There’s a big difference in helping someone and hindering someone. Look at it this way if God helped you through your trials and tribulations, what makes you think he won’t do the same for them…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Motivation: July 11, 2011

To me a friendship is something that is more then a title. Its something that is grown into and nurtured and taken seriously. You will meet a lot of people in life but only a few of them be more than a title...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

Motivation: July 7th & 8th

July 7, 2011 (Thursday)
Having a p.m.a. (Positive mental attitude) will help you deal with the everyday stresses of life. True it is a habit that you will have to work at it will not happen overnight…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

July 8, 2011 (Friday)
No matter how nice, friendly, and respectful you are to people, Some people have no intention of being your friend nor neighbor, and will be of no benefit to you at all...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

Motivation: July 6, 2011

It’s important that you go into new situations with your EARS and EYES open. This way you can see everything, and not walk blindly into it. In life it is important that we keep our ability to adapt...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Motivation: July 5, 2011

Listen to the advice people give you. Even if you don’t need it right then, in your current situation you have it to pull from later…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Kendrick Lamar – Section 80 (Get it off iTunes)

Motivation: July 4, 2011

Enjoy the day today, don’t just look at it as another day off from work or a break from the norm. Look at it as a gift (what you should look at everyday as). Enjoy friends family and people in your circle let them know you appreciate them…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Motivation: July 1, 2011 (Friday)

There’s yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The people God used in your life yesterday may have no business in your future. But thank God for them anyway because you learned “something” from them. We have to learn to love people when they come into our life, and love them just the same when they leave no matter what the situation was when they left…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Motivation: June 30, 2011 (Thursday)

“You can't expect a plate from a table you did not bring a dish to”. I believe once you pass your 5th birthday people stop just handing things to you. You either have to ask for it, or work for it nothing is free. Hard work ALWAYS pays off, true it doesn’t always cash out when you want it to but it works in your favor every time…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Motivation: June 29, 2011 (Wednesday)

You can’t preach to people if they aren’t ready to listen. A lot of times we feel like we need to have something to say to people when they come to us with their problems. But honestly, sometime silence can be the best answer. Allowing people to vent and clear their heads with no cross judgment is sometimes the best conversation. (Try it next time)…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Motivation: June 28, 2011 (Tuesday)

You can’t change your life, until you change something in your life. True that’s easier said than done, but it will make you a better person in the long run. Take time and evaluate your life and the decisions you are making at this point. Are they helping your growth or are the stunting it? Only you know the true answer to that…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Motivation: June 27, 2011 (Monday)

Value yourself! You are unique no one is like you, true people may have something similar to you but they are NOT you. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you are less than GREAT. Even if you don’t feel like you are unstoppable know that you are, and once you get that in your head you will look at life a lot differently…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

June 21, 2011 (Tuesday)

The reason you are able to weather the storm is because you prepared for it. If you know it is going to rain, you won’t walk out your house without the proper equipment to keep you dry. You have to stay ready mentally, physically, and spiritually. That is how you weather the storm…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Daily Motivation: June 20, 2011 (Monday)

June 20, 2011 (Monday)

Life happens, but that doesn’t mean stop and cry! As believers we have to stop making excuses and start making adjustments…Peace &Blessing Durell M. Forte’

Daily Motivation: June 17, 2011

It’s important to think positively about yourself, because that will determine how you handle what happens to you. True it will be hard at times because that’s life and it will test you, but if you stay ready spiritually, mentally, and physically you will win every time. You have to remember who you are, but more importantly you have to remember WHO’S you are...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

Motivational Quote: June 16, 2011

Everyone has a talent. Use that to propel you toward your purpose (in life). A lot of people think that just because they are good at something that that’s their purpose. When really it’s just suppose to be used as a vehicle to get you to your “purpose platform”…Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

(Feel free to comment if you like or email me durellthewriter@gmail I'd love to talk to you)

The Motivational Text I sent Out Last Month (for the one's who aren't on the list)

Being happy doesn't mean you dont have problems it just means youve decided to be happy how you start your day sets the tone for everything. We can't allow little things to get under your skin...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

The key to winning is to refuse to lower yourself to the level of your naysayers and haters. Don't wast your time, talk to them when they get on the level your on...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

Your life becomes what you think about most of the time. Align your thoughts with God, Love, (and your definition of) Success and everything will be fine...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forté

Make today a great day, not just for you but for someone you are connected to. Its the little things in life that make a big difference. Do what you can to improve yourself and the others around you. Because if your presence doesn't make an impact, your absence won't make a difference...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

Pray like everything depends on your prayers, and work like everything depends on your work. Always put your best foot forward. God is continually molding you into the great person he needs you to be, one step at a time...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

There will come a time in your life where you will have to motivate yourself. You have to be able to see the goal you want and go get it no matter how small or big it is. God has given you everything you need to be successful you just have to know when to go into your tool box...Durell M. Forte'

You can do anything that you put you mind to do, as long as you have faith in yourself and KEEP FAITH IN GOD. It will not happen overnight and it wont be handed to you either. You will have to do a little work but your payoff will be great...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

What you accomplish in life matters most when you have used your accomplishments to impact the lives of others. You have been blessed to be a blessing...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

Life is full of hurdles, it will sometimes feel like you get over one only to run into another. But the key thing is you "got over" the last one so the one infront of you really wont be any different. So Keep jumping...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

No matter what you are doing as a job or a hobby or whatever. Make sure you have fun at some point in time, laugh do something out of your normal routine...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

Life is full of hurdles, it will sometimes feel like you get over one only to run into another. But the key thing is you "got over" the last one so the one infront of you really wont be any different. So Keep jumping...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

Failure is not falling down, its staying down. We have to keep getting up and moving forward. Life is too short to just stop in the middle (which a lot of us do). God has created a circle of people/your support group (friends) to help you when you have a little trouble. Help is never a bad thing the world is too big for you to try and do everything by yourself...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

We often beat ourselves up because we "think" we should be a lot further along then where we are. But you have to understand God has you in that spot for a reason. So learn and grow as much as you can in this area of life until its time to move to the next platform...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Being healthy is more then just working out, running, and drinking water. You also have a spiritual health that you have to keep in shape and are accounted for also. I dont mean go and read th bible from cover to cover but start somewhere. Think and act positively today as a start, then go from there...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

To be honest (at least to me) it doesnt really matter what size you next step is. As long as you "make" one in the right direction. Any progress is better then none. Continue to motivate your self to go get your goal/dream because God wouldnt have revealed it to you if is wasnt already yours...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

You never rally know what is on peoples mind or what they are going through. I challenge you to give someone a compliment at some point in your conversation. Even if its something small...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Sometime you have to do things with no "backing", people will not always agree with everything you do. You dont really need a stamp of "approval" from everyone. And you can't make everyone happy, so don't try to...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Sometime it will feel as if life is at a stand still like nothing is happening. But this may be the time when God is working things out for you. Just because you can't see thing happening doesn't mean thing aren't being smoothed out....Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Life will throw things at you that are out of your controle. Thats where prayer comes in, pray and let God work on it. But that doesn't mean you can worry after you pray it defeats the purpose of the prayer...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Friends, like it or not you need them honestly (to me) they are put in your life to tell you, or repeate to you what God has already told you. So appreciate them even if you are don't agree with them all the time...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

Most of the tests we face in life will come to us when we're tired. They will hardly ever show up on your door step when your fresh. Thats when the second wind comes in, were you get a jolt of energy, motivation, faith, or whatever you need to pass your test. Keep moving...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte

More Motivation

The key to winning is to refuse to lower yourself to the level of your naysayers and haters. Don't wast your time, talk to them when they get on the level your on...Peace & Blessing Durell M. Forte'

Motivational

A lot of things will happen to you in life...how you LET them effect you is another thing. Don't let life get you in a slump to where you don't feel you can function at 100%. You have to focuse on the positive and go from there...Peace & Blessing - Durell Forte

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