Obie Trice Interview Dot Rotten Interview Consequences of Beef
Transcription
Obie Trice Interview Dot Rotten Interview Consequences of Beef
! d r o W WW rd! oro d! M a g a z i n e E S ISSU IN THI Obie Trice Interview Dot Rotten Interview Consequences of Beef Stop n Search! Plus more... 2 Word Magazine! y t i n U Peace & Raise your game! In life there are winners and losers; failures and successes; the haves and the have nots; leaders and followers. Wherever you find yourself at this moment in time, know this; it is never too late to make a statement with your life, to stand out and be counted; to raise your game. Anneesh Elizabeth: Entrepreneur, writer and authority on business psychology 3 Contents 4 – 5 Interview with Obie Trice 6 – 7 Interview with Dot Rotten 8 – 9 Life on the roads / Concerns of local young people 10 – 11 Stop n Search 12 Positive Slogans 13 Female Expectations 14 Making a Change ENDZ UNITED 15 On Remand to Musical Demand This magazine has been written by local young people. Brent Council and Westminster City Council does not endorse nor are we responsible for the information, viewpoints mentioned. Where there is information about services outside of either council, you should contact the supplying organisation directly to find out more. It is easy to underestimate the power of young people. Young people themselves under-estimate the potential power they hold at their disposal. However, as youth violence spirals out of control there are many schools of thoughts vying to put forward their solution to the problem. Do we lock up more people? Do we extend curfews? Do we restrict their movements? Or do we invest in them? Dot Rotten While many people would scoff at the very idea of investing in individuals who are seen to be causing havoc on the streets; from another angle it has been demonstrated that those who are seen as part of the problem can actually be used to benefit the community. When asked whether they would want the beef to end, and who would be responsible for ending the violence, young people from North West and West London, overwhelmingly stated on both sides, that both wanted the beef to end. During the 1990’s truce between the Bloods and the Crips in Los Angeles, there was a Graffiti Monika on one of the walls that stated “No one can stop the war but us.” And as that experience proved, it is not out of the norm to suggest that perhaps the greatest perceived threat to the community can actually be the community’s greatest gift. Published by ekhO! Media. For any enquiries please contact: info@ekho.org.uk The only way that any real meaningful difference can be made is through an investment in their aspirations and an ability to guide them through the terrain of deep seated emotions and a new reality. Pathways 2 Progress (P2P) have been part of an educational program called Endz United. Views of two sets of anonymous young people from both North West and West London were gathered in their Endz regarding problems they face including the conflict between the two areas. Tired of the FEDz, want a better life, to make your Goals come true? Feel the change in the Endz, get involved visit: www. p2p-online.org Stop N Search Obie Trice 4 5 Word! Magazine What’s your relationship with Eminem? Eminem is my brother. We not only have a good business relationship we also have a close personal relationship. I’m sure we’ll also be working together in the future too. Biggest learning lesson in life? When guns are shooting – DUCK! Obie Trice Rapper Obie Trice is back and is busy focusing his energies on re-establishing his music genius in the minds of the public. In case you forgot, or have been living in a cave, Obie was part of rap sensation Eminem’s smash hit rap group, known as D12. Lesson Learned caught up with Trice to find out what’s really nice!! Drawing on your experience of having major labels backing you in the past, e.g. Eminem’s Slim Shady Records, to now managing your music independently, what is your biggest music industry learning lesson? Managing and investing your finances properly and being able to use it to develop and deliver your music to the market effectively. Biggest positive highlight of your career? When my album Sears sold 1.5million units and when my first record went platinum. What’s happening with D12? I hooked up with some of the other guys in Australia recently. They’re still doing their thing. How has working with Dr Dre been for you and what’s your relationship with him? Overwhelming! He’s the father of West Coast Gangster music. His influence is profound. He’s a good friend of mine and I’m sure we’ll be working together in the future. We appreciate one another. He’s my man and I’m his little man! If you were an ambassador to the youth of the world what two things would you do to positive impact them? Stopping racism and prejudices. It all starts in the home. We need to give each other chances. To know someone is to love them. To hate someone means you just don’t know them yet. Tell us about your Business Black Market Entertainment? I started it in 2010. The idea was to give back to the up and coming talent in the music industry, particularly those in my community just as Eminem did for me. What do you think are some of the major causes of beef on the streets? Not knowing the other individual. Not giving yourself enough time or trying to figure out why the other person is the way they are. Some people get involved because it seems cool. Some people do it because they feel there is no other way. I used to do it. I used to think it was cool. I’ve been involved in lots of gang fights and shootouts. But it’s not cool. For some people it’s a phase. Though some get trapped; they get too far and can’t come out. But for the most part, most people are good people who get caught up. When people get to know each other they’ll realise it’s not worth it. You’re not a fan of skinny jeans. What other pet hates do you have? I’m a man’s man, I hate skinny jeans. I hate muscle shirts and tight clothes. I also hate it when guys dye their hair black in order to make their shapeups look more prominent. These guys are getting more makeup on their pillows than women! “ When guns are shooting – DUCK! ” What are your passions outside of music? My children, giving back to my community, and fashion. Any UK talent you take a liking to? I like Estelle. I saw her do her thing on the BET awards last year. When I come over to the UK for my tour I’m going to get involved and see what’s really good on the UK rap scene! What can we expect from you by the end of 2012 ? My focus is my ‘Bottom Up’ tour. I’ve also got some artists who I’m going to be pushing. To keep up to date with Obie, follow him on twitter at: www.twitter.com/realobietrice 6 7 The name ‘Dot Rotten’ is an interesting acronym, explain its meaning. Dirty on Tracks, Righteous Opinions Told To Educate Nubians - and it means exactly what it says on the tin. What’s your take on the Internet and its impact on the music industry? The Internet does a lot for a small business that has a clientele of people who are capable of finding their business on the Internet. From an artist’s perspective, it does exactly the same thing for their career. The Internet gives people the chance of awareness to find things in it. What do you represent and what distinguishes you from other artists? “ I represent hard work, not the hardest there is but hard work. ” Dot Rotten Dot Rotten, originally known as Young Dot is a well established and hailed mc and producer from South London. He is known for his emotionally driven beats and insightful lyrics and recently had a track, ‘Are You Not Entertained,’ that went straight to number one in the Cool Cuts Chart. Dot originally gained exposure from his most popular instrumental to date, Bazooka Riddim. Word magazine caught up with Dot recently. Here’s how it went... Nothing! We all use our voice, we all write, we all to do nights and studios for days and days, we all have to talk to people we don’t want to talk to, stay up for hours that we don’t want to stay up at, go on tours and not see our families for months on end. What I represent is a man working hard and barely getting time to sleep, with his head stuck into a computer like a machine. I represent hard work, not the hardest there is but hard work. What is your response to those who say there are a lot of urban artists out there promoting negativity? In music, whatever you may write is like what you write on a page in a diary. Many write about what went on for them today or a lot of kids lie and write what they wish went on. Some people write a lot of imaginary stuff. I can’t really give a whole view on people that might promote a lifestyle that someone who has a jolly lifestyle might not understand. For me to say that it‘s wrong for them to promote what is real for them, is another thing. I think whatever everyone does when they write, they should be real to themselves or they are being fake; some may be happy being fake. I cannot comment about people giving a negative view because the world needs balance. If you could be invisible for a day, what exactly would you do? I’d find myself inside the Houses of Parliament or in Buckingham Palace seeing what really goes on behind the scenes. I’d get information that saves a lot of people in the future and would try to take down some really highpowered organisations or something like that. To keep up to date with Dot Rotten, visit www. itsdotrotten.com Mind Ya Business! Bright ideas Trust Shell LiveWIRE Princes Trust Business support for unemployed 16-30 year old Londoners not in education or training, or from socially excluded groups, wanting to start a business; plus funding support. www.brightideastrust.com Free online business advice and start-up awards of £1,000 and £10,000 funding to young entrepreneurs aged 16-30 in the UK. www.shell-livewire.org Helping unemployed 18-30 year olds see if their business ideas are viable and if self-employment is right for them. Plus mentoring and business start up financial support. www.princes-trust.org.uk 8 9 Guns, Knives, and Building Bridges Life on Road What will it take to eliminate some of the problems on the streets, including young people carrying weapons? Why do they carry weapons? What can be done to squash the beef between different groups and areas? Last December a survey was conducted among young people aged between 13 and 21 in South Kilburn with the support of youth workers on the Equipped 2 Go youth bus. Below are some answers representative of the responses given. BEEF: The Concerns & Consequences / Anonymous male, age 16 I won’t explain what exactly I’m involved in but I will talk about the concerns I now have after getting involved in ‘beef’ which includes me taking part in banging up a guy who is part of a group me and my circle have beef with. As a result of my actions I now have real concerns which I’m not happy about. My main concerns are now going to prison or being attacked or killed in retaliation. It’s not nice knowing these things could happen to me. I really feel trapped now. I’m involved in something that its hard for me to escape from. I can’t go to certain areas now. Its all because of my decisions. Unfortunately, when you get involved and are in the thick of this sort of situation its hard to think properly and make the right decisions. Knowing that I’m now trapped makes me stronger. My advice would be to steer clear from beef in the first place. Think positive and if you are involved try to get out. Feds Fix Up Anonymous male, age 15 I’ve got some advice and some information on what police are doing wrong: • Why do they go easy on those committing massive crimes? I.e. the rich and more powerful • Why, when they see that certain young people aren’t committing any wrong, do they still harass them or keep an eagle eye on them? • The police should go to Ireland to see and learn how to deal with communities more effectively • Sometimes the police can overreact to a situation by focusing all their efforts in one area, causing too much of a presence. Instead they should focus on moving around and not just restricting themselves to the same place. What gun and knife crime issues do young people face? What will it take to build bridges between young people from one turf and another? ‘’Boys in prison could talk about issues’’ ‘’There won’t be a change overall, but some young people could choose to change’’ ‘’It’s impossible’’ ‘’You can’t stop it. Gone too far. People have died already. It’s too late’’ ‘’There won’t be peace. The history is too deep’’ ‘’It should stop because it was started by older people’’ ‘’Personal and gangs related’’ ‘’Family, pain, revenge and hate’’ ‘’It’s kinda bad, young people are killing each other’’ ‘’Trouble based on postcode wars and things that have happened in the past’’ ‘’There are more knife crime issues than guns. Knives are easier to hide’’ What will it take to build bridges between young people and the police? What steps need to be taken by young people, community and other professionals to remove barriers to making positive change? ‘’If you are already involved there’s no way out’’ ‘’We need to keep youth centres locally open. Keep services which appeal to young people open all the time. It will keep young people out of trouble’’ ‘’Talking more’’ ‘’Put up youth centres for older youth” ‘’Nothing’’ ‘’For the police to be more positive, stop raiding homes, we are being oppressed, stop stopping and searching 3 times a day’’ ‘’Stop discrimination’’ ‘’The police say they want change but its all lies. People are getting paid to keep the war going’’ ‘’Police need to stop searching and harassing just because someone is a young and black’’ Are young people happy to carry weapons or is it a necessity? ‘’Some for attention, some for protection’’ ‘’It’s for protection - simple’’ ‘’Weapons are for back up’’ ‘’It’s necessary. Young people think something is going to happen so they try to be prepared’’ 10 11 Word! Magazine What can the police do to improve their relationship with young people? We do a difficult job and are expected to uphold the law but also provide reassurance to the community. Building bridges with young people is difficult. People see things in the media and make their minds up without seeing the whole picture. I always speak to people the way I expect members of my family to be spoken to, however, Stop N Search Being stopped by the police can be an inconvenience, if you’re also searched in the process it’s a bigger inconvenience. What really causes someone to be stopped and searched in the first place? Word magazine spoke with a police officer from Kilburn’s Safer Neighbourhood team to get the lowdown... What makes you more likely to stop someone? Police receive intelligence about on going problem areas which we are asked to patrol, also local police teams have local knowledge about individuals and locations and whilst on patrol we may see someone acting suspiciously in this location. We will want to speak to them to find out what they are doing. Most times this will result in an general conversation but we still need to satisfy ourselves by asking questions such as “Do you live round here” “What are you doing.” The answers determine our next actions. Time of day is also important. When patrolling areas we use all our senses: sight, sound, hearing, and one of the better ones which is smell. Cannabis emits an odour which lingers. When we encounter people who smell of cannabis this may indicate to us they’re in possession of a controlled class B drug, which is an offence. This then possibly presents us with grounds to detain someone for the purpose of a drugs search. sometimes this it is not received how you want it to be, and the response is rude and abusive. Often we deal with an incident which may result in an arrest. Sometimes people we deal with try and resist us exercising this power, but we have a duty of care to the community. Sometimes people we come into contact with are dangerous and they may well have already assaulted somebody. People are not always furnished with the full facts when they are informed about a friend or associate etc who has been arrested or come into contact with the police. Why does it take long to get to an incident when a call out is made? Brent is a very busy borough. Currently all response teams work out of Wembley police station. If a call is received on changeover time to the south end of the borough, the distances travelled are increased; before teams used to run out of Kilburn. However, we still have charter times to meet and supervisors will endeavour to ensure these charter times are met. When someone calls the police an operator takes details and decides on the grading of that call. If it’s an emergency it will be ‘grade 1’ which should have a police response within 12mins. The other gradings are S which has a response within 1 hour, and E which has no time limit. These are monitored but we cannot account for incidents such as large road traffic accidents which swallow up large amounts of resources and have a knock on affect to the response times. Can you positively say that the police are in no way rude? In large organisations employing over 30,000 there will be occasions when colleagues are not always polite. We have a challenging job and deal with rude and violent people who genuinely want to inflict harm on us or others. A passerby may see or hear the back end of a situation taking place and think the police are acting inappropriately, but they are not aware of what might have happened before they saw or heard anything. If you feel the police have been rude you can attend a police station, ring 101 or go online. There are dedicated teams who monitor and deal with professional standards. What can young people do to prevent appearing rude when being stopped by the police? If you are stopped we are only doing our job, the reason for the stop should be explained. If you don’t understand ask the officer to go through it again in easier terms. Some people are stopped more than others. This relates to intelligence and local knowledge. Some young people commit crime and some commit violent crime and are prolific. These are the sort of people who get stopped on a regular basis and obviously their feelings towards the police may not be very good. Brent has the highest arrest conversion rate within the Met around stops. Which shows this is a valuable tool. We recover stolen property, controlled drugs, firearms and knives when we conduct stops which must be a good thing? 12 13 What you see is what you get Positive Slogans What you see is what you get. We tend to get and gravitate towards the things, symbols and images we focus on in life. Whether we experience them in our minds, or via our physical senses; in terms of what we see, hear and experience; as we go about our day to day activities. Jamie Akinola, 22, who lives and has grown up in South Kilburn, Brent, decided to use this knowledge in conjunction with his embroidery and entrepreneurial flair to make a positive impact on those around him. In 2009 Jamie initiated a social enterprise entitled Positive Slogans, kick started by £10,000 start up funding from Brent council. Positive Slogans instils positive messages into the minds of young people through customised clothing, embroidered with positive slogans that uplift and inspire. Positive Slogans also benefits young people by familiarising them with the process of designing and customising their clothes, including how to use embroidery machines. Lesson Learned crossed paths with Jamie in order to find out more... How has your personal experience contributed to this? I’m privileged to have lots of mentors around me. I wasn’t always on the straight and narrow path though. I used to be hot headed. Getting stabbed during a fight in a club also contributed to me changing for the better. As did the experience of my brothers going to prison and the impact these things had on my parents. Plus some of the deaths of loved ones around me. What are your Long term plans for Positive Slogans? We’ll be getting an office soon. Motivational seminars and workshops are planned. We’ll also be mentoring young people, bringing out the best in them! Explain the inspiration behind the initiative? Many young people want to achieve things but need motivation and direction. I want to use this to promote a subculture of aspiration and not of gangs and ‘road life.’ Unfortunately we get some young people who buy in into this negative subculture; often to feel safe. It’s a way of life that must be countered. To break it requires positive young people these young people can relate to. What are your personal plans for the future? Getting bigger and better, bringing young people with me! Female Expectations Anonymous female teenager Whether you are young or old, from a council estate or a plush neighbourhood we all like attention and want to be loved. But this is not always easy and straight forward. So what’s a girl to do to get a guys attention these days and are most girls getting it right? Some girls assume it’s all about the cleavage, fake eyelashes, tight skirts and loud mouthed attitudes. They are often led to believe these will get them time and attention from the opposite sex. Unfortunately, I suspect that by conforming to these patterns, we females open ourselves up to problems. For instance, by trying too hard we can be left with feelings of not measuring up. Through my own experiences I recognise sexy clothing does not automatically generate the most positive attention and does not always make you look attractive. I don’t conform to what a lot of my friends do to get attention from guys. For instance, I don’t slap on loads of makeup and wear low cut tops - but I still get attention!! What I think is needed is for more females to speak and positively connect with one other to create some sort of unity. This would generate more confidence in ourselves without all the ‘extras.’ Ultimately, confidence and positivity is what is really attractive. I believe some girls really love the attention they get from dressing sexy, but if and when they realise that this doesn’t always result in them being taken seriously, they often lose confidence and decide to build a hard shell when it comes to guys and future relationships; which is understandable. Unfortunately guys sometimes lead girls to believe that they are moving forward together. Then they just move on to the next with no regard, leaving a girl feeling confused, alone and wronged. Moving forward, females need to be more supportive of one another, helping each other to see and develop their true worth and belief in themselves, that they are truly enough and worthy, without all the ‘add ons.’ We also need to stop believing guys always like a specific type of girl. When we do this, females can begin to further themselves, and some men’s ideals and perceptions can and will change about them. 14 Changing the Endz The best solutions can come from those closest to the problem; rather than, for instance, an MP who lives outside of a community which he or she is supposed to represent. without love. It was more tough love. Because of his environment he had to be tough. The negative behaviour of some guys seems to partly stem from the desire to impress females. What’s your take on this? Marlene ‘On remand’ 2 musical demand! Minkx What stopped you going down the negative road? Feka What are the major causes of some of the negativity faced on the streets? Marlene Equipped 2 go Youth Bus Words of advice Marlene This magazine was created by young people who live or congregate on the South Kilburn Estate. The magazine project was a diversionary activity which was funded by Communities Against Gun & Knife Crime and was delivered on the Equipped 2 Go Youth Bus which is owned by Brent Council. For details contact the project coordinator jennifer.shaw@brent.gov.uk. Special Thanks to: Darren Thomas; Letitia Quaison, Shaun Fuller; Leroy Clarke; Shane Lawrence, Ben Kwofie; Chem Mustafa; Everlyn Doyle, and Kirk Hudson. Wake up and smell the coffee. Take responsibility for the consequences of your actions. The government won’t be feeding you. Your parents won’t be taking care of you forever. If you’re a young parent, focus on bringing up your child. They are the future. If university isn’t for you find things you really want to do with yourself and what will make you happy. Feka Be open minded. Broaden your horizons. Failure to venture out of your community and your usual activities creates walls and isolation from the rest of the society and life. You become cut off from information, experiences and opportunities. The environment. Growing up I knew someone whose home was a drugs den. His brothers were drug dealers and had to be tough because of their lifestyle. I see how this had a hardening effect on him. He didn’t grow up Feka We’re too materialistic My experiences of life on the wrong side of the tracks My parents, upbringing and faith. My parents made education a priority; I was always going to go to university, I had no choice in the matter! When I was younger I may not have fully appreciated the faith and the associated teachings that were instilled within me. Looking back I see the positive impact through the principles they’ve given me. E.g. justice, equality, hard work and respect for others. The family, society and the media, and the messages that influence them to go after fame and success without putting in work. For guys it’s a little harder. Females seem to have more opportunities and are less stubborn! Despite funding cuts we cannot blame the government for everything, young people and their families must take responsibility. Some think they’re going to get everything handed to them. Word magazine caught up with South Kilburn’s Minkx the Artist. A female singer/rapper delivering sweet melodies with hard hitting rap bars, representing females who have experienced tough times and nowhere to go for support. Minkx is from a musical family, including famous Lovers Rock artists from yesteryear; such as Sylvia Tella, Boney M who sang hits such as ‘Brown Girl in the Ring’ and ‘Daddy Cool,’ plus others who’ve done backing music for Destiny’s Child, Lionel Ritchie and Lemar. Material objects come and go. Many artists love showing off famous name tags. Some kids will do whatever it takes to get the money to copy them, to fit in with friends. Many girls running around in ‘Gucci’ and ‘Louis Vuitton’ accessories can’t cook or keep a clean home! Guys, why put you at risk for someone like this?! I would not want my man to be in a detrimental position just to impress me. Word magazine spoke with Feka Samakuva 27, and Marlene Mayele 25, who grew up in, and have been involved in projects set up to engage and positively impact young people in South Kilburn. The aim was to get their views on some issues facing young people... 15 I had no choice. It was survival. I needed money to eat and clothes for college. It’s not always nice as a young female if you don’t have brothers and sisters. Girls can fall victim to peer-pressure and be easily led. Many young females have no guidance. Some try to do right and feel they can’t because there’s nowhere for them to go. I’m glad to see where I want to go now. I’ve got time to change my life and do what I want to do. Being on remand I was in a ‘Young Offenders’ for a short while. It made me realise it was not the life I wanted. If you are going to live a life doing ‘certain’ things, you must be smart at what you do. Having your freedom taken away and someone locking your door and switching off your lights is not nice. What keeps you motivated? My little cousins, they’re the future. I must set a good example. Because of the way the economy is changing we now need to work for ourselves or we’re going to be stuck nobodies. Connect with Minkx via twitter @murderminkx 16 Services for Young People BACES Carlton Centre (Various courses) Granville Road, NW6 5RA 020 8937 3990 Brent Addaction (Substance misuse services and other activities such as UNDILLUTED EXPRESSENZ) 97 Cobbold Road, Willesden, NW10 9SU, 020 8459 9510 Brent Centre for Young People (Provider of mental health, drugs and alcohol services) 51 Winchester Avenue, London, NW6 7TT 020 7328 4216 Catalyst Gateway Carlton Centre (Provider of a range of physical activities e.g. sports and more) Granville Road, NW6 5RA 020 8832 3205 / 0208 832 3238 Charteris Sports Centre (Provider of a range of physical activities e.g. sports and more) 24-30 Charteris Road, Kilburn, NW6 7ET 020 8 625 6451 Concrete Canvas (Provider of youth arts activities e.g. performing arts and film making and more) 24 Peel Street, Kilburn, London, NW6 5BS 020 7328 9669 Connexions Centre (Provider of careers advice, job support, CVs, interview techniques for 13-25 year olds) 169-171 High Road Willesden NW10 2SD 020 8438 1650. Granville Plus Youth Arts Centre: (Provider of youth arts activities e.g. performing arts, ICT suite, Brent Summer University and more) 80 Granville Road, Kilburn, NW6 5RA 020 8937 3615 P3 Navigator (Provider of youth personal development activities and advisory services) 12 - 22 Kilburn High Road London: NW6 7JR 020-7372-1764 Oxford Kilburn Club (Provider of youth activities youth activities sports, music, drama, cooking, trips and more) Christian Holt House, 45 Denmark Road, London, NW6 5BP 020 7624 6292 South Kilburn Studios (Public media workshops, music production, illustration, millinery, photography, TV production and more) 2a Canterbury Rd 5SW 0776 9694733 Job Shop (Personal development, careers advice and guidance) 2 Masefield House, Stafford Road Kilburn NW6 5YU Tabot Centre (Provider of school holiday provision, after school clubs and dance) 151 Granville Road, Kilburn, London, NW6 5AR 020 7624 3714 Tricycle Theatre (Theatre, cinema, art gallery, community spaces) 269 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7JR 020 7372 6611 The Vale Community Centre (Various personal development activities) 1 Pentland Road, London, NW6 5RT 020 7604 4965 Victim Support 1 (Provider of confidential advice and support to victims of crime) Morland Gardens Stonebridge NW10 8DY 0208 961 0767I www.apprenticeships.org.uk Information about apprenticeships e.g. what are apprenticeships and who are they’re for and more www.direct.gov.uk (Under Education and Learning) Providers of careers advice www.careersbox.co.uk Information on a range of careers including video clips on work areas