Yasmin Shiraz » 2010

Politics of Hip Hop Culture: Nikki Minaj = Lil Kim 3.0

Today I kick off my 2010 Politics of Hip Hop Culture tour. I’ll be speaking about sex, race, capitalism, and the criminal justice system as it relates to hip hop in Newport Richey, FL. When I speak about women, I will speak specifically on Nikki Minaj and how her marketing seems so Lil Kim 3.0. [...]

Posted by Yasmin in Celebrity, music, Rappers. This post has No Comments.

Tags: hip hop culture, Lil Kim, nicki minaj, nikki minaj, politics of hip hop culture

Lil Wayne Gets Sentenced Today (Video with Katie Couric)

Lil Wayne gets sentenced today on charges stemming from this incident. The blogosphere has been all the buzz with the going away parties that he’s had over the weekend. Whatever happens he reports to Rikers today. Today I also kick off the first day of my 2010 Politics of Hip Hop Culture tour. And for [...]

Posted by Yasmin in Celebrity, crime, Entertainment, music, prison, Rappers, youth. This post has No Comments.

Tags: Katie Couric, Lil Wayne, Sentencing

Love for Retaliation: Letter from “One of Your Biggest Fans!”

Here’s a new letter that I received a few days ago from a Retaliation reader. Dear Ms. Shiraz, I’ve become one of your biggest fans. I read your book Retaliation which you said was not a true (story.) But to me, it felt real. I cried because it reminded me of my old life when [...]

Posted by Yasmin in author, girl fighting, reader, violence, Yasmin, youth. This post has No Comments.

Tags: reader, retaliation

Rule To Live By: Increasing Your Network, Increases Your Networth

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase: “Your network is your networth.” If you haven’t, it simply means that whoever it is that you are networked with determines your networth. If you are networked with folks who don’t have a lot of value then your value will automatically be lower. If you are networked with individuals [...]

Posted by Yasmin in empowerment, rules column. This post has No Comments.

Tags: networking, networth, rules to live by

Research for New Project: Looking for Down Low Experiences

So much has been said about the Down Low as it relates to men, but I want to hear from women who were SHOCKED when they found out that their mate was secretly on the ‘Down Low.’ Your stories can remain anonymous if you prefer. I’ve been talking to many women in Atlanta and some [...]

Posted by Yasmin in research. This post has No Comments.

Tags: Down Low, JL King

Texas Black Film Festival: Yup, we screened there today!

Can She Be Saved? — as you have heard by now is my lil’ film that could– screened at the Texas Black Film Festival in Dallas today. I was not in attendance as I was returning from a business trip in Atlanta but I was there in spirit. I hope the film touched many people’s [...]

Posted by Yasmin in Entertainment, film, girl fighting, girls, movie, violence, Yasmin, youth. This post has No Comments.

ARISE: Global African themed magazine- Have you heard of it?

As I perused the internet tonight, I came across a magazine entitled, ARISE. According to their publicist, it’s the “leading global African-themed style and cultural magazine.” I don’t know how long its been around, but I’ve never even heard of it. This week ARISE selected top African designers Black Coffee, Loin Cloth and Ashes along [...]

Posted by Yasmin in Entertainment, fashion, world. This post has No Comments.

Tags: african, ARISE, arise magazine, black, cultural, fashion, global african themed magazine, models

Fantasia on Oprah (Video Clip)

Here’s a great interview clip of singer Fantasia on Oprah.

Posted by Yasmin in Entertainment, music, R&B, singer. This post has No Comments.

Tags: Fantasia, Oprah

Precious Gets 6 Oscar Nominations! (Video)

I wanted to share the good news about the movie Precious. It has received six Oscar nominations. Gabourey Sidibe received a nomination for a best performance by actress in a leading role. Mo’Nique received a nomination for a best performance by actress in a supporting role. Director Lee Daniels received a nomination for achievement in [...]

Posted by Yasmin in youth. This post has No Comments.

Miss America crowned: 22 year old African American from Virginia

I’m so proud of Caressa Cameron the 2010 Miss America who hails from Virginia. She’s intelligent, poised and beautiful. This African American woman is 22 years old and a broadcast journalism major. I didn’t get to watch the Miss America parent on Saturday as I was out celebrating the art of filmmaking with my filmmaker [...]

Posted by Yasmin in youth. This post has No Comments.

Tags: beyonce, broadcast journalism, Caressa Cameron, Miss America, pageant

Spike Lee Says: Stop Being Mediocre! (Video)

In the spirit of my Rules to Live By column, I’d like to share a portion of a short speech that Spike Lee gave Saturday night at the San Diego Black Film Festival. He talked about people subscribing to mediocrity and how as filmmakers–but also as people–we should be willing to raise the bar. To [...]