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T Wade Montana Kills This Free Style…Just Watch

by Syllabus Magazine - Nov 9, 2015

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Of course, we see hundreds of cover videos everyday here at Syllabus Magazine, many of them we should be sharing. However, today while browsing through ratchet Facebook, we came across a GEM, a rare finding, a freaking treasure! A Rapper by the name of T Wade Montana aka #IonPlay out of Rome, Georgia, freestyled on Jadakiss’ “Why” beat, and listen, this is FIRE. He covered personal issues, Black Lives Matter, self respect, politics, and about ten other subjects in less than five minutes. Basically, this freestyle is just dope; I’ll stop rambling, just click below!

I got a lot of questions.. They all start with WHY?? #Pt12 #IonPlay
Posted by T Wade 'Montana on Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Syllabus Magazine

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

http://www.syllabusmagazine.com

Killer Mike says, “You’re Stupid” to Bill O’Reilly regarding Rap Music and Religion

by Syllabus Magazine - May 17, 2015

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We all know that Bill O’Reilly is the biggest media troll of all time, often stating claims and ideas that rouse up negative emotions in people, especially people of color. Well, this past week Bill did a great job again of getting the hip-hop industry all up in arms regarding his comments about rap music being one of the reasons that Christianity is on the decline. On a recent episode of The O’Reilly Factor, he discussed how Christianity is experiencing a large shrinkage in the number of believers. A poll explained that in 2007, of a sample of 34,000 adults, 78.4 percent claimed to be Christians, in 2014, this sample decreased in to 70.6 percent. Jews and Muslims on the other hand experienced a slight increase in believers. He goes on to say how the biggest growing segment were those who reject it, atheists and agnostics grew from 16.1 percent in 2007 to 22.8 percent in 2014.

Bill was doing fine with this news story, until he started explaining his reasons why. Bill stated, “There’s no question that people of faith are being marginalized by secular media and pernicious entertainment. The RAP INDUSTRY for example often glorifies depraved behavior and that often sinks into the minds of young people.” I believe we all know that Bill O’Reilly has no love for the rap industry, no love for the R&B or soul industry either, he has attacked so many artists from Beyoncé, to Camron, Jadakiss, even Ludacris, the list goes on and on (see Complex Magazine’s “O’Reilly’s All Time Wackest Hip-Hop Rants“). But again, O’Reilly minimalizes a problem and calls out 1 segment of society as the perpetrator of that problem, which is why it becomes to difficult to take FOX News as a real news source and not as propaganda.

Killer Mike decided to respond this past week on Bill Maher, not only explaining why O’Reilly’s claims are unfounded and simply silly, but Killer Mike goes on to break down the history and the basis of how hip-hop was started, and if people are really looking for reasons for the decline in religious Christian believers, perhaps they should take a look at their own major religions and their own governments and politics. Mike went on to explain how hip-hop for people of the X, Y and Z generations is the first and greatest influencer that showed us that WE can become successful and rich entrepreneurs, and how it truly taught us about entrepreneurship.

“Hip-Hop is not rap, hip-hop is the thing that houses rap, graffiti, break-dancing, deejaying and entrepreneurship. And what it did was give poor kids an opportunity to organize as an alternative to violence. Now fast- forward forty years; it worked, a lot of money came into it. Guys bought big chains and tigers, and lions, and bears and shit, and we got off course. But at the core of hip-hop, every time you see a successful rapper, you’re seeing a job-creator in our community. Jay-Z has created hundreds of jobs and created dozens of millionaires, and it’s changed the economy in places that it wouldn’t have been changes. “

He went on to talk about the success of Outkast and how they changed the course of the economy in Atlanta. I simply am loving Killer Mike and all of this speeches and articles lately (see his latest Huffington Post Op-Ed piece). Mike is definitely a key player in the world of entertainment, especially hip-hop. During a time where it feels like black people have to continuously explain themselves, their ideas, their culture, the talents to the masses and to other blacks (especially blacks who have become so “over-educated” they look down on their own culture and elements that have helped in shaping them) – Mike eloquently is able to put our music and our culture in a simple and colorful perspective; he’s able to offer a little history and some amusing “ah-ha” moments that enable folks to understand that issues are deeper than just rap music.

Check out Killer Mike and Bill O’Reilly’s statements below.

http://youtu.be/T5N6ouz0jy0

The O’Reilly Factor

Syllabus Magazine

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

http://www.syllabusmagazine.com

Upcoming Issue: Trailblazers with Hollywood & Troy

by Syllabus Magazine - Apr 25, 2015

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Trailblazers can be defined by many terms: Leaders, Innovators, Creators, Originators; we can go on and on. But one very important aspect for all Trailblazers is that they create their own paths. The upcoming issue of Syllabus takes a look at a few of these Trailblazers, which include Hollywood and Troy. The duo will talk about the relevance of them meeting as third graders, and growing into a team that has been able to create some of the most talked-about events, promotions and music from their region.

We can’t think of a time in our history where young people need to be motivated more than NOW. This trailblazer issue which includes interviews with Mossy B 4 Prez, Shai Girl, and Tawanna Tolbert, all include young entrepreneurs and artists who don’t mind creating their own lanes and who aren’t concerned with daring to be different. We are excited to share this issue in hopes that the Trailblazers we’ve selected will encourage YOU to shine as well.

Syllabus Magazine

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

http://www.syllabusmagazine.com

Outkast: An Epic Event of Historical Hip-Hop Proportions

by Syllabus Magazine - Sep 30, 2014

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Now I know how the people who attended Woodstock must have felt; there are thousands of us who can now say, we are a part of hip-hop history. “The scene was so thick”… ha! If you’re a real Outkast fan, you caught that, but yes, the scene was very thick – over 20,000 people strong on Saturday.This weekend was one of the best weekends and it’s all because of Outkast! I will admit, I was a little bitter as one of the many purchasers that bought tickets to the first sold-out show, and later realizing that our group did not get to be a part of “grand finale”. However, “clever” fans took part in the finale festivities anyhow. 🙂

Saturday’s show was dope, they kicked it off with 19-year old ATlien, Raury. This guy put on a great performance, he is definitely one of those artists you can’t really describe and would be a fool to put in a box. His style was hip-hop meets rock n’ roll meets soul. I have never heard of him, but loved his eclectic sound, accompanied by his live, head banging band. Raury is in a lane of his own, but sends the same messages in his music regarding being young, living free and doing what you want to do. Of course, everyone’s favorite part of the show was his rock n’ roll rendition of Gucci Mane’s, “I Think I love Her”.
Next up, Childish Gambino came out and blazed the crowd with a ridiculous set. Before he even came on stage there was this heavy, pounding, life altering base coming out of the speakers by the stage, which was a prelude to his entrance. For those of us in the VIP area, it was a sound that almost seemed like it wasn’t from this earth. The base from this sound system vibrated even your voice box as you tried to hear yourself. Gambino in his tiny shorts and button down shirt looked like he had recently hopped out of bed and cruised on down to Centennial Park to perform. He definitely gave the crowd life. I had recently listened to an interview he did with The Breakfast Club a week prior, and was pretty impressed by his intellect, and was just as impressed by his performance.

Kid Cudi, who recently passed out at a performance was there, and I will say, it was OK, but it definitely seemed like he was ready for the performance to end. Cudi’s performance was mediocre and it seemed like he did not perform in the same allotted amount of time as the other artists. I think he did his best, but it was obvious he wasn’t at 100%. Reddit user fs200vids had this to say, which is from a Cudi fan perspective:

“Hey guys, I was there Saturday night for this show. I saw Raury, Childish Gambino, Kid Cudi, and Outkast.

I’ve been a huge Cudi fan for the longest time, and this…pissed me off.

The thing is, right before his set, he said something along the lines of “Hey guys, I’m Kid Cudi. I bring only positive energy and am here to open for Outkast. I’m not the main act; I’m just here to warm ya’ll up!”

Then, as he was playing, he slowly got more and more irritated. His first comment was a sarcastic “Thanks to my five fans that are here!”

Then he stops playing his part in Memories (David Guetta) in the middle and says that nobody’s feeling him, and that he was going to stop and just play Pursuit. Then this s**t happened when he changed the lyrics…Disrespectful and whiny…He can’t expect everyone to know his music when he is an OPENER. Not a main act.

There was a different generation there. Not everyone knows who he is, and he needs to know that.

On a side note, Gambino put on a hell of a show.”

Now, I was a little worried because we have been reading in many blogs Andre 3000 has been showing up to concerts during their tour, looking like he didn’t really want to be there. Well, I don’t know how he performed in YOUR city, but in Atlanta, they turned it all the way up. Outkast PUT ON A SHOW. They looked like they were actually having a great time performing for the Atlanta crowd, they were dancing, the band was dancing, and it was amazing. I can’t think of one song they did not perform, and they really seemed appreciative of the crowd, even Big Boi acknowledging the fact that Saturday’s ticket holders, were the first set of buyers and that we can stop cursing him on Twitter. As real fans, we couldn’t have asked for a better event, Lloyd was in the building, Sleepy Brown performed, Big Gipp in his all white and nicely laid pony tails came out and performed “Sky High”. They ended the show bringing out the entire Dungeon Family, which is what the people who bought the tickets on the first night wanted to see. This show gave us LIFE!! Amazing is all that needs to be said. Thank you Outkast for twenty years of timeless music.

Before I forget, shout out to the city of Atlanta. The fact that 20,000 + people can gather in one place for a hip-hop, and there is no beef, no fighting and no shooting is beautiful. On the finale night, which was Sunday, fans that could not get tickets were lined up all around Centennial Stadium on the streets outside of the park, on top of hotels, rooftops of bars, and balcony’s of apartments dancing, singing and enjoying Outkast – drama free. In some cities, we can’t even gather at a small party without drama, so Atlanta really proved its love for music and for the artists from their city. So again, Thank You Outkast –

“When the record player get to skipping and slowing down, All yall can say is them niggas earned them crowns”

Syllabus Magazine

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

http://www.syllabusmagazine.com

Amor By KL – Kelisha Lopez

by Nina Grey - May 29, 2014

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We are heading on over to the A-T-L to get you ladies ready for Summer. And what better way to get ready than with a sexy, sizzling, summer bathing suit. Syllabus Magazine talks with fashion designer Kelisha Lopez about her line of swimwear, Amor By KL in the June 2014 issue of Syllabus Magazine.

Kelisha is a self-taught designer and formal model who is making a splash in the fashion industry with her daring Swimwear pieces. Kelisha talks about what inspires her designs, what new swimwear styles she’s excited to see this summer, and she has some sound advice for up-and-coming designers. Check out Kelisha and Amor By KL in the June 2014 issue and run over to the Amor By KL website to get beach body ready for summer!