NY State can help pay your tuition.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of students benefit from financial programs administered by HESC. No other state puts college within the reach of so many students as New York. Nobody works harder to make the college funding process faster and easier for students, parents and administrators.The cutting-edge online products ─ including TAP-on-the-Web and the e-MPN (electronic master promissory note) ─ make it much faster and easier for students and parents to apply for aid, explore careers and colleges, and save money for college. And, our advanced online processing services make virtually every stage of the aid process more efficient and productive for college administrators and lenders.
Are you eligible for Federal Aid?
Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, ensures that all eligible individuals can benefit from federally funded or federally guaranteed financial assistance for education beyond high school. They consistently champion the promise of postsecondary education to all Americans—and its value to our society.Federal Student Aid plays a central and essential role in supporting postsecondary education by providing money for college to eligible students and families. They partner with postsecondary schools, financial institutions and other participants in the Title IV student financial assistance programs to deliver services that help students and families who are paying for college.
Interesting News on Scholarships
“Does America Still Have Heroes?” If you’ve got an answer to that question, it could win you $30,000 in scholarship money.The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is asking high school students all across the country to submit an audio tape of their answer on heroes in America. An applicant from each state will be selected for an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. where they will compete for the grand prize of a $30,000 scholarship.http://www.fastweb.com/
Come out and join us!
Time to Volunteer 4 Life
LIFE Students at Awards/Graduation Breakfast with Michael Strahan NY Giant Super bowl Champ…Let Your Child be Next
Ø Ready To Provide a Safe & Nurturing Environment to a TeenØ Tired of losing our Children & Love Ones Senselessly to the Jails & Graveyards!Ø Tired of Failing Schools & Nothing for Our Teens to do!Øeady to make Changes in your Life & Your Community!Ø Ready to Be a Big Brother or Sister to Young Person!Ø Take Time Learn How You Can Become a Foster Parent to a TeenØ Ready to be part of a Winning Team
Come Out To Harvest Room 90-40 160th St.
Sunday May 18, 2008 from 6-9pm
For our
Volunteer & Information Reception
Food Provided, Your Attendance is Important
If Your Church, Social Organization, Union..etc is open to LIFE Coming to your meetings and Talking about our I Love MY LIFE & Foster Parent Recruitment Campaign
please let us know @ (917) 361-4376
It Takes A Village to Raise a Child…..Join Our Village!!!!
John Singleton To Direct ‘A-Team’ Movie
A release date and director for the new theatrical adaptation of The A-Team have both been confirmed, AllHipHop.com has learned.
The new movie, due out June 12, 2009 will be directed by John Singleton, who has directed movies like Boyz n The Hood, Four Brothers, Baby Boy, Shaft and others.
The storyline of the popular 1980s TV series will be slightly updated to reflect the times. One definite change will be the backgrounds of the lead characters.
According to reports, writers Michael Brandt and Derek Haas have revamped the plot, transforming Hannibal, B.A. Baracus, Faceman, and Murdock from Vietnam Vets to veterans of the first Gulf War.
No casting announcements have been made, though rapper Ice Cube, who starred in Boyz n The Hood, has stated that he would be interested in taking Mr. T’s legendary role, if Singleton was on board.
The A-Team debuted NBC in 1983, and remains a fan favorite, known for it’s exaggerated use of violence and easily resolved plot lines.
Created by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell, the show followed the adventures of four ex-Army Special Forces working as mercenaries for hire, while running from the military for a “crime they didn’t commit.”
Featured Fan – DeJuan Lewis
“Wake up with a spirit of expectation” is the philosophy on which my faith stands. Four short months ago, I packed my bags, kissed my mother and two baby sisters goodbye, and tried to mentally prepare myself for all that may come once I relocated my life to NYC in pursuit of a dream I refused to let go of. From the moment I stepped off the bus onto the streets of New York, I knew faith and a spirit of expectation would have to guide me through this experience that was free of certainty and contained no guarantee of success.
Although I had moved under the guise of an audio engineering student, my ultimate goal was to break into the highly competitive, ever-changing music business. However, I hadn’t developed any industry contacts, which I knew was vital to my advancement. Along the way I met a few connected people within the industry that filled my head with false hopes and empty promises, which at times, I must admit altered how I perceived things. However, my faith, passion and determination allowed to move forward and press on in the face of adversity.
One day, while at school, I came across a flier on the front desk for an A&R workshop that would take place the next day. I am a firm believer that when opportunity knocks, you must be the one who welcomes him. Therefore, I set my sights on attending this conference that featured some of the most influential A&Rs in the business and emphasized the possibility of building industry contacts. On the day of the conference, I was the first one there, hoping to catch a glimpse of the A&Rs or anyone else with whom I could discuss music and build rapport. Although it was 2 hours before the event began and three before the A&Rs arrived, I knew I had to somehow stand out from all the others who shared the same dream. As Jean Nelson, Chris Styles, and Sickamore spoke of their experiences, cleared up industry misconceptions, and offered advise, I paid very close attention, hoping to pick the brains of three of the most successful players in the game. They offered real, practical insight, refusing to shy away from topics often considered taboo and controversial such as nepotism and industry politics. At the end, I watched as everyone swarmed the guys with questions, business cards, mixtapes, and pleas for job positions. I followed the pack and there was no originality to my rap. “Hi Mr. Nelson. I’m an audio engineering student and I was wondering if you know of anyone I can speak to regarding internship opportunities.” What else could I really say? I couldn’t come up with a clever remark. We shared no mutual friends. Therefore, I had to resort to the same old, tired jargon I’m sure they hear from everyone. Soon thereafter I realized that I could not leave an imprint in the minds of these A&Rs when there are 50 other people saying the exact same thing. In situations such as these, you become a number rather than a face or a name so I decided to look elsewhere. Earlier that night I had spoken to Omi McIntosh from FanFamily, who organized the event. I was very impressed by her and by what she had accomplished. She and I spoke for awhile, shared a few laughs, and eventually exchanged contact information. That same night, I emailed Omi, thanking her for taking the time to speak with me and sent her my resume, asking if she’d keep me in mind for events and so forth. She and I stayed in contact for several weeks, and one day I received a phone call from the A&R department at Atlantic Records asking me to come in to discuss an internship position. Unbeknownst to me, Omi referred me to one of the many friends she’s made at the label. Starting in June, I will be working as an intern at Atlantic Records, where I will have the opportunity to work under the tutelage of some of the industry’s most influential figures while building my relationships and industry contacts.
I learned three very valuable lessons during this whole experience. The first is do not allow events of the past to affect or hinder what you do in the present. Had I allowed myself to be discouraged by those people who had made promises and never followed through, I would have missed out on this incredible opportunity. The second is, if everyone else is going through the front door, find a way to go through the side window. And the third is, never lose that spirit of expectation and always allow your faith to guide your path.
Featured Exec: Ed Sickamore
A&R Questions:
1. How did you originally get into the music industry?
At 15, I started doing custom mixtapes in High School for classmates and teachers. From there I got known as the go to guy for music. My friend Terrence persuaded me to do just one mixtape and distribute it on Canal Street. At the time I didn’t know anyone in the business. I was just 16. So I just made 20 CDs, burned them on my home computer and took them to Manhattan. I sold all of them that day. I was in business from then on. That was 2001.
2. What were some of the jobs you had when you started out?
When I was 14, I was a paid intern for this non-profit organization in Brooklyn. I had that for 2 years. My High School was an alternative school, so Goldman Sachs used to fund it. I got a paid summer internship there at 16, right before I put out my first mixtape. When school started back I applied for Nike town. Brooklyn’s all about your sneakers, so that was a dream part time job for me. I got an acceptance letter September 10th. But then 9/11 happened. So a week later they froze all new hires. A month later Nike said no more hires because of the tragedy. I put out my first mixtape a couple weeks later.
3. What made you decide to start a business?
My first business was actually a record store. I started that at 17 in my neighborhood (Crown Heights). It was down the block from Clara Barton and Prospect Heights High Schools. I went 50/50 with an investor I knew from Church. It started out as a booth and expanded into a store. I closed it right before I attended (2 months!) of college. My second business is The Famous Firm aka I Can Make You Famous. The actually corporation is called The Famous Firm, but I named it I Can Make You Famous because if that brand went sour, I didn’t want to have to start a new LLC. The company represents and develops talent. From rappers to basketball players to photographers to models. Anyone with talent.
4. When starting your business what were some of the challenges you faced?
My parents didn’t really understand the whole concept of mixtapes. They didn’t know whether it was bootlegging or I was covering up selling drugs. It didn’t make sense to them. Sell these CDs for $3 wholesale on the streets. But they left me alone after the grand opening of my store. It was probably the proudest day of my life more both my parents, who were never together, to come. And I never had a fully capitalize business from the start. My business models always had to work because that’s the way I would stay in the game. So it’s hard to keep good people. Luckily I’ve always had smart people around me who have always seen the vision I’ve seen. I’m happy to say I’ve turned a substantial profit both of my first 2 years in business.
5. What was the purpose of your business?
To represent the top talent in the world in every arena. The top rapper, singer, model, photographer, athlete etc. I believe developing talent is a lost art.
6. What were your plans for your career and company?
We’re expanding The Firm this year. Hiring young, hungry kids and giving them shots to me the next generation of talent executive. I want to have a career like Tony Dungy (Indianapolis Colts coach) or Russell Simmons, by making myself a lot of money while breeding other entrepreneurs.
7. What the best way to network your name and business?
On-line, the industry and in the streets equally. I write a blog (thankgodimfamous.com), stay on myspace, facebook, and go to showcases, concerts as well as big time meetings and lunches with power players. You have to have a balance. Know where web 2.0 is going, know what the streets are saying and noticing the current industry trends.
8. How did being an entrepreneur/and business owner help you become an A&R?
People only help people who help themselves. So when Hip Hop saw what I was doing with my company and gave me a shot, I knew how to take advantage. Take interns for example. Most people just use them to get lunch, do expenses and remedial tasks. I had to PAY people out my pocket to work with me, so if I find someone who’s willing to work for free, I’m not going to waste their time. I sit there and train my interns. I give them books, show them the ropes. I always tell them to be cooler and more in the know them me. Kevin Liles used to work for Mike Kyser. Puff was an intern. Gee Roberson used to intern for Hip Hop and now they’re partners!
9. What made you become and A&R?
I was first offered an A&R position at 18 from Beat Street Records. I really didn’t know what an A&R was or did. But I was always throwing showcases and other things. I learned a lot from Clark Kent, an OG A&R, there. Then I propositioned Just Blaze and become his A&R a year later. I found Saigon and brought it to him. That’s how Hip Hop met me and took me to Craig Kallman (Atlantic Chairman).
10. As an A&R what were you responsible for?
Finding new talent beats relationships with producers/managers/lawyers, staying under budget, negotiating record deals and being the life line of the company.
11. How do you go about finding an artist?
Everywhere. Youtube, Myspace, shows, concerts, packages, conferences, radio, TV etc. There is no shortage of artists. That’s why I have the “I Can Make You Famous” slogan. So they can find me!
12. Once you are the A&R looking over a project, how involved are you and what is your part of the process?
Depends on how much people trust you. When you sign artists, you are the label. Marketing, radio, sales etc doesn’t get involved until A&R gets it ready. You’re the A&R, marketer, radio promo, artist development, consultant, diary, enemy, friend etc.
13. Are you part of the marketing and promotion of an artist?
Hell yeah (Mclovin voice). Bad marketing can kill artists. I’ve had a lot of experience marketing my mixtapes. So I take a very active role.
14. The music industry is constantly changing how does an A&R stay in the business?
I read somewhere that the average A&R career is 3 years. That’s why I focus on being an executive. A&R’s are only as good as the last artist they broke.
15. What role does your company play in your position as an A&R?
It gives me extra muscle. It’s like having 5 people do 1 job. You cover more ground that way. But I’m not going to be an “A&R” forever. I’ll A&R forever, like the verb. But not the position.