NYC Poetry Day

(1971-1996)

Our featured poem for New York City Poetry Day is from Tupac Shakur.

And 2morrow

Today is filled with anger
fueled with hidden hate
scared of being outcast
afraid of common fate
Today is built on tragedies
which no one wants 2 face
nightmares 2 humanities
and morally disgraced
Tonight is filled with rage
violence in the air
children bred with ruthlessness
because no one at home cares
Tonight I lay my head down
but the pressure never stops
knawing at my sanity
content when I am dropped
But 2morrow I c change
a chance 2 build a new
Built on spirit intent of Heart
and ideals
based on truth
and tomorrow I wake with second wind
and strong because of pride
2 know I fought with all my heart 2 keep my
dream alive

'Star-Spangled Banner'...in Spanish?

British Producer Adam Kidron has recruited Wyclef Jean, Pitbull, and Puerto Rican singers Carlos Ponce and Olga Tañon to record a Spanish-language version of the U.S. national anthem. What started as an ode to the millions of immigrants who come to the U.S. for better living, has been recieving fierce backlash.

With pro-immigration protests planned around the country for Monday, May 1st, Urban Box Office, the record label headed by Kidron, is urging Hispanic radio stations nationwide to play the track at 7 p.m. EDT, today. The song will be featured on the album "Somos Americanos", with $1 from each album sale going to the National Capital Immigration Coalition, a Washington group.

50 Luv Da Kidz

No more Meatloaf Tuesdays? Not if 50 Cent can help it. The Queens bred rapper has signed on to be the spokesman and judge for a nationwide cooking competition aimed at promoting healthier eating in public schools.

Students from New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle are invited to create the most "nutrient-rich" lunch recipe, with the winner recieving a $100,000 college scholarship. The contest is sponsored by Glaceau, which is partly owned by 50, and distributes his Formula 50 vitamin water.

...We're Laughing With You.


A few days ago, we broke the story on Musiq Soulchild forgetting the words to the National Anthem during the Jordan All-American classic game at the Garden. Don't mean to make a mountain out of a pebble..but watch the video here (Check out Jordan's expression).

Bloomberg supports Hip-Hop!?

What happens to MySpace addicts when they die?

Work on Freedom Towers begin. (Freedom Towers? how depressing)

NYPD to sweep 10 schools a day! Hide your Ipods!

Might As Well Force Us...

If you're a driver, you might find $4 [a gallon] gas prices more offensive than this picture. With Summer approaching, don't expect prices to drop either. While Bush is out making empty promises, someone decided to actually go out and find you New York's cheapest gas prices. Until someone actually does something about it, I think this info should get you by.

"Damn son...I need a Job..."

"Ain't nobody tryna hire no Felon..." One of a million excuses used by ex-offenders, I know I've heard it before, even though there's some truth to it, doesn't mean the block is your only option. Be serious, anyone still holding on to Crack Dreams is living in the past. I'm not trying to preach, i'm trying to kick that -ish you need to learn though. I understand supply and demand but I love my freedom, Check the scoreboard..we ain't winning. Like ya boy 50 Cent said,

'You're better off working for minimum wage, if you calculate the amount of time you spend on the block, plus the time that you could or did spend in jail'. It's simple math.

The New York City Dept of Labor provides special services to ex-offenders, in which hiring you is actually beneficial to the employer. They provide these companies that hire ex-offenders with bonds and tax breaks. It doesn't take much to get back on your feet, you did time, working a few months might not kill you. Collect that income tax money, and then think legit business or Real Estate. Sounds way better than 3 hots and a cot!

"...Like New York's been soft ever since Snoop..."

For those of you who missed this, John Cena [aka the Wrestling-Rapper..or Rapping-Wrestler] took offense to Jay-Z and Fabolous declining to battle live at Wrestlemania this year. To me he's not Hip-Hop so I can't categorize him, but the dude can put words together, I'll give him that. Not surprisingly, I'm hearing Cam'ron is negotiating to sign Cena. Jadakiss was right when he said the rap industry was like the WWE.

He's not even on Jay's radar, Fab does his thing...but ya boy John Cena might've hit a few nerves with this one. He also believes he's been getting blackballed in the [rap] industry lately, funny, but [in his mind] he's serious. He goes as far as calling out Beyonce, and really gets at fab. Definitely a publicity stunt, but still unacceptable. Bleek where you at!

"ok, bonnie..where's clyde at! He ducked me like a b*tch for a little battle rap. What You want me to do, call out Beyonce..."

"[Fabolous] needs to stick to doing Reebok commercials/He showed up and tapped out after hearing me in rehearsal"

All Work, No Play

A New York judged stated that surfing the internet is just like reading a newspaper or talking on the phone at work.

These statements stem from an incident in which a 14-year administrative veteran of the city's Dept of Education was fired for idling away at the computer while at work. The administrative law judge recommended the lightest punishment possible and re-instatement of his job.

The worker's computer was used to visit news and travel websites...uhh..sure. The judge also added that city agencies allow workers personal use of the phone if it does not interfere with work performance. Sounds like a win for the little guy...I'll get back to work now.

World's Finest Cheesecake!

Junior's Restaurant, located in Brooklyn, NY and home to the world famous cheesecake is bringing their whole menu to the heart of the city; Times Square.

Their new spot, located on W. 44th St. and Shubert Alley, just west of Broadway, will seat nearly 200, with an additional [80-person] outdoor cafe seating, and is expected to open its doors in June of this year.

Along with their great cheesecake, their menu will also include fried chicken, brisket and pastrami sandwiches. Regular customers don't have to worry about their flagship location on Brooklyn shutting down; "That is our flagship, and we are not going anywhere. We'll be around for another 56 years." stated Alan Rosen, current owner of the family operated restaurant.

C.R.E.A.M.

The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network's "Get Ya Money Right" conference on financial education went off as planned on April 22nd, @ the Hammerstein Ballroom. Dr. Ben Chavis and Cherry Martinez from Power 105.1, hosted the event as the legendary Marley Marl spun todays hottest hits. The privileged group that turned out for the summit, were educated on the power of financial freedom, and wise long term investments. LL Cool J, Russell Simmons, Papoose, Maino, Kevin Liles, Boy Wonder, M-1, Jinx The Juve, Nas T.I., and Tony Touch served as panel members for the national summit.

Here are a few pics of the event:

Papoose speaks at Hip-Hop Summit:


Get this video and more at MySpace.com

Hoop Dreamz

The 2006 Jordan All-American Classic, also known as the national High-School All-Star game not only showcased talent, but a list of A-list fans. LL Cool J, Fabolous, Charles Barkley and many more celebs attended the event which was held at Madison Square Garden on April 22nd.
Musiq Soulchild did his thing as he rendered the Star Spangled Banner. The White and Blue team defeated the Red and Black team 108-95. Highlights of the night include a surprise half-time performance by T.I. who hours earlier participated in the HSAN Summit.

The night's special moment wierdly enough was when Musiq Soulchild forgot the words to the national anthem and was showered with boo's!

Say Cheese!

Camera's being set up in my neighborhood by NYPD called "crime-eye". I hear these are being "strategically" placed in various neighborhoods in Brooklyn. While they are not directly invading privacy, a simple survey, consent form, or public notice would really be appreciated.

Are they trying to help us help ourselves? or help us destroy ourselves? I would love to hear from other people who've seen these in their neighborhoods. I do appreciate the fact that they're visible, what's your take?

4/20's 35th Anniversary

Put ya lighter's up! Today is unofficially a holiday for all bud-dhists. A tradition that was believed to have been started in 1971, today smokers from all over the world will in their own way pay forward the tradition.

While, marijuana is still illegal, 4/20 has created a cult following that is traditionally kept alive. I don't know if I agree with [Steven Hager, High Times, Editor-In-Chief] decision to actually go public with 4/20, even though it's not unheard of but...I'll leave that up to you guys!

Today, 4/20 @ 4:20! I'm not saying do it, but if you do it...do it.

ABC interviews High Times Editor-In-Chief on history of 4/20

ReachNYC in no way condones use or distribution of illegal drugs.

Harlem Lanes

Harlem stand up! On the corner of 126th St. & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. sits something that anyone born within the last three decades has never seen...A neighborhood bowling alley.

With 24 lanes, a sports bar with large-screen televisions, private party rooms and a full dining menu, Harlem Lanes seems more like the place to be on a Friday night.Though, one of four bowling alleys in Manhattan, it is the only one above 42nd St. Its 2 floor entertainment center will be open year round.

As to why this is such a landmark venture; it is owned by Gail Richards and Sharon Joseph, who are believed to be the first black women to own a bowling alley in Ameria!

Hurry up and buy!

Hip Hop + Chinese Cuisine sounds almost taboo. Very rarely do we get treated as equals in our local chinese mom & pop shops. But lets take a trip to Hip Hop Chow in Manhattan's Lower East Side; Only restaurant in NYC besides Justin's where you are liable to hear snippets of Jay Z, Raekwon, 50 Cent, or Jamie Foxx. Anyone living in the 21st century that has a knack for chinese food should feel right at home.

As the owner and chef of Hip Hop Chow, Eric Kwan is definitley a staple in urban empowerment. For someone to create "Soul Food With A Twist" and combine two ideas as he did.... is at the least groundbreaking.

Hip Hip Chow is located at 129 2nd Ave in Lower Eastside, NY.

MySpace-New York

We are on a mission to literally connect all of New Yorker's to each other. We have set to do this through word of mouth and the powerful networking tool that is Myspace.com.

If you are from The Big Apple or surrounding areas, get connected with all of your neighbors.

ADD US to your MySpace friends list.

Take our poll..

Lil Wayne, Hot 97 call truce?

After an undisclosed event soured Lil' Wayne's relationship with New York Hip-Hop radio-station, Hot 97, the New Orleans native's charismatic tunes were rarely heard in rotation, further prompting Wayne to lash out at Hot 97.

This week, during Angie Martinez weekly Music Meeting, without explanation, Lil' Wayne's current single Hustler Musik made the cut and has been getting heavy rotation. DJ Mr Cee, another staple at Hot 97 has also been uncontrollably mixing Lil' Wayne into their playlist. This situation seemed like it was headed for destruction, but maybe some big-wig at the station stepped in and played mediator...maybe...maybe not, but shout out to Wayne for getting his music back on the air in New York City.

The Music Meeting takes place each week on Mondays from 3pm-7pm, listeners are encouraged to vote their choice into next weeks rotation.

Throw-back Lil Wayne freestyle on Rap City.

National Poetry Month

April is Nationl Poetry Month. The New York City Dept Of Education, along with the Office of the Mayor, Dept of Cultural Affairs, CUNY, and the New York Times, is co-sponsoring the 4th annual Poem In Your Pocket Day on Friday, April 28th, 2006. New Yorkers are encouraged to carry a poem in their pocket and share it with friends, family, co-workers and classmates.

On this day, the public is welcome to view and participate in the 2nd annual Open Mic Poetry Reading at the Bryant Park Reading Room, from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

FYI! Pick up your Poem In Your Pocket Bookmark at a Border's bookstore near you throughout the month of April.

Yankee Town.

Congrats to the mets on their (9-2) record. Even with that advantage, according to a Quinnipiac University poll, New York is still a Yankee Town. Fifty-Two percent of respondents sided with The Bronx Bombers while 38 percent identified themselves as fans of the Mets.

The Yankees with a current record of (6-6), have [not surprisingly] reigned in the poll for roughly the 20-years the poll has been conducted.

Interestingly enough, ladies prefer Yankees over Mets by a margin of 52 to 30 percent, while men voted for the Mets over Yankees 43 to 41 percent.

Condolences to the family of 2 yr old killed in The Bronx.

Get Rich...Or Die Trying

Don't miss the New York City Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment!

Join Dr. Ben Chavis and Russell Simmons and many unannounced Artists as they drop knowledge on financial freedom.
Saturday, April 22

Hammerstein Ballroom
311 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
Doors Open at 12 noon

Admission is free and open to the public. Though its first come first served.

Only way to get tickets is to print them out from the HSAN website.

Operation: Reach Human Pt 1

with technology replacing humans in many career fields, the quick-response, "I'll be happy to assist you" feeling of phoning in to your local bank or financial institution is not apparently the same. Credit cards now replace checkbooks, and computers replaced long lines, but calling these institutions is still a game of catch me if you can...well this time we did! Here's a list put together by an anonymous martyr that will allow you to speak with a [human] customer service representative without having to deal with any [computer] automated system.

Pt. 1 is for financial institutions. We will post a new segment of this list daily.

American Express 800-528-4800 0
ATT Universal 800-950-5114 ###
Bank of America 800-900-9000 1 loan; 2 account; 3 investing; 4 info; or 00 to human
Bank One 877-226-5663 0,0
Capital One Visa 800-867-0904 ignore prompts and invalid entry warnings; press #0 four times
Charles Schwab 800-435-9050 3 then 0
Chase 800-CHASE24 5 pause 1 4
CitiBank 800-374-9700 1 online support; 2 billpay; 3 non-online; 4 credit card; or 0 to human
Discover 800-347-2683 ****
E-Trade 800-387-2331 ####
Fidelity 800-544-6666 ignore prompt for social security number, just enter ###
MasterCard 800-MC-ASSIST 000 on each menu
MBNA 800-421-2110 00# when menu starts
Paypal 650 864-8000 cf More Info
Sovereign Bank 800-SOV-BANK 1 english; 1 personal; 3 then social#; passcode,#; then 0 (1-3x)
Sun Trust Banks 404-588-7815 Yes
US Bank 800-US BANKS 0000
Visa 800-847-2911 000 (ignore prompts saying that it's an invalid entry)
Wachovia 800-922-4684 accounts personal banking
Washington Mutual 800-756-8000 At any time after the announcement(s) press 0,0.
Wells Fargo 800-869-3557 0,0,0
Western Union 800-325-6000 * then ##

Art Form

Rush Arts Gallery came into existence, as a simple gesture, to address some of the problems facing minority artists. Founded by Danny Simmons, and funded by his brother, Russell Simmons of Def Jam fame.

This organization Provides a not-for-profit exhibition space in the heart of the Chelsea art district and are inclusive of all newly emerging in the art community in an effort to provide a broader dialogue and opportunity for more diversity among artists and audiences.

In addition, Rush Arts has become a resource center for children, adults and arts organizations, in need of nurturing their hidden talents and artistic agendas. Through this initiative, Rush Arts Gallery is a verve for spoken word, poetry, plays, discussions, exhibitions and meetings for art enthusiasts.

Rush Art Gallery is located at:526 W. 26th st. (Bt. 10th & 11th)NY, NY 10001

Lets Go Mets!

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Governor George E. Pataki and the New York Mets today unveiled the architectural and design plans for a new Mets ballpark.

The Mets expect to complete construction by Opening Day 2009, which will bring in a new era of amenities, sightlines and comfort for Mets fans, and visitors to the New York metropolitan area.

"We thank the Mets for taking on the financial responsibility of building, operating, and maintaining a new ballpark that will serve baseball fans throughout the City, and that will create more than 6,000 construction jobs and preserve the 1,000 full-time jobs currently at Shea while also generating tens of millions of dollars in incremental fiscal revenue for the City and State over the life of the new lease.” stated Bloomberg.

A 3-D virtual video tour as well as renderings and a comprehensive overview of the new Mets Ballpark are available at www.mets.com.