The world we live in is evolving towards a violent, endless pit. The demand to be seen, and heard has never been higher. This life entails of rage and passion from the struggle we ALL experienced. Whether that be low income, experiencing a high loss of family members and loved ones, not loving or knowing who you are, or your purpose as an individual. These are all examples of our everyday struggle as modern day PEOPLE and also, are reasons for the abundant amount of violence taking place in our communities.
We must personally address our demons to move forward as people. This hate and rage we are witnessing stems from our everyday presentation to one another. We currently are not a village. There was a time, but as of today, it seems we are far from it. Assuming we all should be standing on a modest foundation, no matter what color or sex you are, but we as a community aren't taking the inititive to do so. EVERYONE has a sense of DOMINANCE, EVERYONE has something to say, but no one is actually LISTENING.
In the midst of all this chaos, we currently obtain the most intellectual minds this world has ever witnessed. Rivers of information available at the tips of our fingers. Our youth are maturing at a record breaking pace. Our technology is constantly improving, but our minds are decaying as people. Resist violence in the midst of this life of MENTAL WARFARE, and start welcoming intellect and the attempt to comprehend.
-Corae Benson
Remembering who you are, and improving on self and community 101…
I guess as a self proclaimed novice under the teachings of Garveyism I’ll start with the sound importance of learning and understanding who you are and to the best of your abilities every salt grain iota that would make up the very culture and people you are of. As said by The Honorable Marcus Garvey “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”. Meaning the dialect, the diet, the literature, the spiritual system, the music, and even more substantial- the history. All essential in what it takes to have an upper hand on life with what I see as key guides to fundamentals like, self esteem, pride, a place of belonging, growth in community, wealth, politics and especially an overall sturdy enough foundation in being born into an atmosphere providing even teaspoons of these ingredients which alone would dare your genetic structure to have your back enough to provide you with the tools for mental health and both personal and communal success. – Anne Idea
I guess as a self proclaimed novice under the teachings of Garveyism I’ll start with the sound importance of learning and understanding who you are and to the best of your abilities every salt grain iota that would make up the very culture and people you are of. As said by The Honorable Marcus Garvey “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”. Meaning the dialect, the diet, the literature, the spiritual system, the music, and even more substantial- the history. All essential in what it takes to have an upper hand on life with what I see as key guides to fundamentals like, self esteem, pride, a place of belonging, growth in community, wealth, politics and especially an overall sturdy enough foundation in being born into an atmosphere providing even teaspoons of these ingredients which alone would dare your genetic structure to have your back enough to provide you with the tools for mental health and both personal and communal success. – Anne Idea
Whatever happened to each one, teach one?
I grew up within a family of many talents from musical instruments to masonry. My great grandfather even started a masonry company, however somewhere between then and now the knowledge was not passed on. I grew up thinking I should've been proactive in learning the skills within our family. It was only recently that I realized that the fault was not only on me but shared by those who could've attempted to nurture.
It was always understood that nothing comes without cost, but what can't be grasped is why the importance of generational knowledge and wealth were not priority. Growing up I wondered why an adult would tell a kid that's eager to learn that if they truly want to, they'll gain the materials on their own then come once prepared. To a kid that looks up to that adult, who just basically told them "I want to be like you", that sounds discouraging.
If they were to take the time to instruct, it's possibly that not only would the kid gain the knowledge; but now the kid can grow into a position that grows not only personal wealth but generational wealth.
The average kid can't come up with $50 let alone $200 for material and equipment without saving birthday and tooth fairy money. Yes, it could be done but what childs attention span will last long enough to see it through? Mine didn't.
This will not be a rant but a simple statement.
Do not deter an eager child with empty promises.
Keep generational knowledge flowing, it may become generational wealth.
- Charles ToddJonathan Baker
One of the reasons for the popularity of artist like "Drake" and his dominance over Hip Hop and Pop the last few years is the "intro-spectiveness" and vulnerability of his music. You can see the effects of this approach all over the culture. A person's music usually reflects their philosophies or ideologies, sometimes inadvertently. One of the most insightful quotes from Aubrey is found on the song Thank Me Now from his platinum- selling major label debut Thank Me Later where he raps:
"You make friends with Mike but gotta AI him for your survival
Damn, I swear sports and music are so synonymous
'cause we wanna be them and they wanna be us. "
Just within this small portion of a single verse he sums up a struggle we as, not only creatives but people in general struggle from; the disease of dissatisfaction.
Though sports is its own medium, with unique sacrifices, requirements, and rewards, its uniqueness is also what creates its parallels in all other facets of life. As bold as a statement as that may seem, we all can see the beauty in the overcoming of adversity. Some of our trials are self created while others are due to outside forces but all of these tribulations can made plain through parabells found within sports.
Every quandary is a new opportunity for enhanced understanding. I've yet to encounter a human who would quantify their life as easy, or with identical circumstances. With that being said, from a young age people gain an understanding of symbolism and the power of its use. Symbols have been used since our beginnings to bridge gaps in understanding between both, eachother as humans, and ourselves and animals. Sports is representitive of that in both its positive and negative sense. Entertainment is undisputedably a tool used by the elites to distract and pacify the masses, but it also become a tool to understanding the human experience and making it more palpable. We all understand the importance of heroes and the narrtive that they drive. You're immovable if you can't see the poetry in enduring 82 games, or the inspiration in overcoming hundreds of brutal hits to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, or the gratification of pitching a perfect game.
We as humans, in an increasingly confusing world long for understanding. We now have so much knowledge at our finger tips we can become overwhelmed and disillusioned. We, as we always have, rely on symbols and parallels just to make sense of so many concepts and situations to grand for us to process. Now more than ever we need to see the simplicity and conncectivity of everything. All of life's idiosynchrocies and mysteries are reflected in our sports like in our art. Sports is art and art is life.
Prosper- J.Baker
One of the reasons for the popularity of artist like "Drake" and his dominance over Hip Hop and Pop the last few years is the "intro-spectiveness" and vulnerability of his music. You can see the effects of this approach all over the culture. A person's music usually reflects their philosophies or ideologies, sometimes inadvertently. One of the most insightful quotes from Aubrey is found on the song Thank Me Now from his platinum- selling major label debut Thank Me Later where he raps:
"You make friends with Mike but gotta AI him for your survival
Damn, I swear sports and music are so synonymous
'cause we wanna be them and they wanna be us. "
Just within this small portion of a single verse he sums up a struggle we as, not only creatives but people in general struggle from; the disease of dissatisfaction.
Though sports is its own medium, with unique sacrifices, requirements, and rewards, its uniqueness is also what creates its parallels in all other facets of life. As bold as a statement as that may seem, we all can see the beauty in the overcoming of adversity. Some of our trials are self created while others are due to outside forces but all of these tribulations can made plain through parabells found within sports.
Every quandary is a new opportunity for enhanced understanding. I've yet to encounter a human who would quantify their life as easy, or with identical circumstances. With that being said, from a young age people gain an understanding of symbolism and the power of its use. Symbols have been used since our beginnings to bridge gaps in understanding between both, eachother as humans, and ourselves and animals. Sports is representitive of that in both its positive and negative sense. Entertainment is undisputedably a tool used by the elites to distract and pacify the masses, but it also become a tool to understanding the human experience and making it more palpable. We all understand the importance of heroes and the narrtive that they drive. You're immovable if you can't see the poetry in enduring 82 games, or the inspiration in overcoming hundreds of brutal hits to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, or the gratification of pitching a perfect game.
We as humans, in an increasingly confusing world long for understanding. We now have so much knowledge at our finger tips we can become overwhelmed and disillusioned. We, as we always have, rely on symbols and parallels just to make sense of so many concepts and situations to grand for us to process. Now more than ever we need to see the simplicity and conncectivity of everything. All of life's idiosynchrocies and mysteries are reflected in our sports like in our art. Sports is art and art is life.
Prosper- J.Baker 
UFC 217 is over and the main card has been filled with upsets. Each champion tried to defend there belt , but unfortunately they all came up short. With "GSP" returning, we defiantly saw a different "GSP", but he did come back to show everybody who the "Greatest of All Time" is.
Ohio's very own , Cody "No Love " Garbrandt came up short against his rival T.J. Dillashaw. Cody would lose by TKO.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk also came up short defending her belt against Rose Namajunas, who made Joanna tap out.
-Mafia Sports Writer
Nate Phillip
Born in Hempstead, New York. Prodigy became a member of the duo Mobb Deep. Propelled to awareness partially by fellow rapper Nas, who took a similar approach lyrically on his Illmatic album from 1994, as well as with the aid of a successful single, "Shook Ones Pt. 2," Mobb Deep released The Infamous in 1995. Sadly to say, on June 20, 2017, it was reported that Prodigy died in Las Vegas, Nevada after having been hospitalized a few days earlier. Mafia Magazine offers its love and condolences to the Johnson family and friends. You will be missed...
Cleveland Albino is a legend in the streets of Cleveland, Ohio, which is the hometown he proudly represents. His music offers his own unique style. His entrepreneurial skills have earned him self-made success. In this interview he drops some serious knowledge
To read more, please subscribe to the Sept/Oct 2017 issue of Mafia Magazine here!
The ability to find beauty in the faults, expressions, and attitudes through pictures is but a small bit of what attracts most photographers…. For Tom Marvel, his long-time hobby (dating back to high school) turned more into a professional attribute encapsulates all of what makes expression wonderful… To read more, please subscribe to the March 2017 issue of Mafia Magazine here!
Coming in at No. 1 is Hip Hop artist "Drake" with his smash single "God's Plan"
No. 2 is Singer/Song Writer "Ed Sheeran" with his amazing single "Perfect"
No. 3 is Pop/R&B artist "Bruno Mars" ft. Hip Hop artist "Cardi B" on his hit single "Finesse"
Adina Howard is a music legend. When she burst on the scene back in the 90’s she created a sexual revolution that has endured through the ages. She taught us it’s ok to be sexy and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. With songs like “Freak Like Me”, “T-Shirt and Panties” to her more recent songs “Nasty Grind”, which is classic Adina to her powerful, inspirational song “Blasphemy”, which addresses the issues we are dealing with today, such as police brutality and racial injustice. She has been in the industry a long time and she has seen a lot of changes. She drops some major knowledge. So, pay attention!
To read more, please subscribe to the Sept/Oct 2017 issue of Mafia Magazine here!
Treasure is just one of many words to describe Heather Deleon. Her art is extraordinary, wonderful and inspirational! Her talents know no limits and she is always pushing herself to do better. But how can you improve on perfection? The answer, you can’t and the artwork of Heather Deleon is perfection personified! Not only is her artwork amazing, but the artist behind the artwork is beyond amazing! Her story will truly inspire!
To read more, please subscribe to the Sept/Oct 2017 issue of Mafia Magazine here!
Lajoy Lampkin knew at an early age of 13 years old that she wanted to make a positive difference in the world and help others. Now at the age of 16 years old she has not strayed from her mission to help others. This young lady is on a journey to make a difference.
To read more, please subscribe to the Sept/Oct 2017 issue of Mafia Magazine <a href="http://themafiagroup.com/blog3/subscribe/">here!</a href>
New Jersey’s own D.R.E Lloyd definitely is fulfilling his destiny in music and he is doing it beautifully. The message and intellectual flow in his songs are powerful especially with songs like “So Far Gone”, which addresses the community issues we face today. His music definitely makes a statement. Just one listen and he will have you thinking about life, the way things are and wanting to help effect change.
To read more, please subscribe to the Sept/Oct 2017 issue of Mafia Magazine here!
Dj Freddy Ayeee was inspired to become a Dj after the death of a close friend. From that moment DJ Ayeee pressed forward. He began doing house parties and his name spread quickly. DJ Ayeee eventually worked his way to several venues and bars. The Break Room Bar in Fullerton, CA was a spot DJ Freddy Ayeee caught attention. DJ Freddy Ayeee’s continued to grow and began working with Rich Reems of SavRichRecords. Be on the lookout for a new mixtape release soon. Here’s DJ Freddy Ayeee in his own words- To read more, please subscribe to the March 2017 issue of Mafia Magazine here!
We have all driven by someone that has been detained by the police on a highway. We have all felt a sense of relief that it was them instead of us. On the other hand, we have all at some point been on the receiving end of a traffic stop. Clearly it is no fun getting detained by a traffic cop, but it is not the end of the world. Here are 5 ways to deal with law enforcement officers. 1. Remember police officers are just regular people doing their jobs. They have to provide for their families the same as us. Don't give them attitude when they stop you. Listen to what they have to say pertaining to the reason why they stopped you. Sometimes they stop you because they can see things we can't and that very reason could save your life. 2. Provide any vehicle documentation they request. Keep in mind that by law we are required to carry this documentation and their job is to ensure that every citizen is in compliance with the laws for their state. 3. If you feel you were wrongly pulled over you can state your case but remember to not be offensive or do it in a disrespectful way. Don't forget they are people too and not all cops are corrupt. 4. Be patient you must understand that their equipment is limited and it takes a while for them to verify your information. They are going as fast as they can. 5. Stay informed of the laws for your state. Know your rights and their limits as to what they can and cannot do and give them the respect that you expect from them. The next time you are stopped by the police just remember these 5 tips and you could emerge from the experience with a warning and not a ticket. Police Officers are just people trying to earn a living trying to do their jobs and the good cops do outweigh the bad cops. Give them a chance cooperate and you will be fine.
