Inside #TheVault: Yo! MTV Raps

On August 6, 1988, Yo! MTV Raps premiered as the first Hip-Hop centered television programming. It was the first attempt by MTV to showcase Hip-Hop as a respected art form. The show produced a variety of rap videos, interviews with rappers, live in-studio performances and comedy. Through MTV, Yo! MTV Raps exposed Hip-Hop culture globally and helped created Hip-Hop as an appreciated Black cultural relic worldwide.

In its seven year run, the show had a popular list of hosts as its show production and operations transformed. Fab Five Freddy, the notable Hip-Hop graf writer, opened as the show's first hostthrough some of Hip-Hop foundational moments such as the infamous boycott of the The Grammy Awards (see video below), followed by Dr. Dre, Ed Lover, and T-Money. The pilot episode featured a special appearance by a young Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Guest interviews include Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, NWA, Eazy E, Ice Cube, MC Hammer, Diddy, LL Cool J, Carole King, Mel Gibson, Howard Stern, Pam Grier, James Brown, Bobby Brown and many others. Yo! MTV Raps aired its final episode on August 17, 1995. Numerous high-profile names in the world of hip-hop closed the show out with a freestyle rap session. Salt-N-Pepa appeared on the first (technically, the first episode to feature Fab 5 Freddy) and last episodes of Yo! MTV Raps.

Today we open #TheVault🗃 to showcase Yo! MTV Raps. Make sure to subscribe to Small Pink Dreams Blog and follow on Pinterest and Instagram @SmallPinkDreamsBlog

'The Album' Review

DISCLOSURE: Small Pink Dreams (big-dreamer) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I earn a commission if you purchase products using my links. 

This album, this album, this album. When Teyana Taylor said that K.T.S.E (Keep That Same Energy) wasn't her best, now I understand exactly what she meant. All 77:19 minutes kept me on the edge of my seat, ready to ingest every lyric and sing along with her. It was hard for me to fall bored with this project, because each song felt as though it was a continuation of the previous. After all, Teyana did take complete creative control of this project. Read below for my thoughts on the first five songs!

Teyana Taylor released her third studio album The Album on June 19, 2020. Outside of the date, there was no true correlation to Juneteenth celebration. However, here are some of the key takeaways I found:

1. Protect the love you have for your family, because it is your vessel
2. ALWAYS learn from the mistakes you've made in the past
3. Use your wisdom... wisely

Intro

It literally began with describing the birth of life. I thought it was particularly powerful for this album to open with what seems to be Iman Shumpert (Teyana Taylor's husband and NBA player) calling the emergency line for assistance after a surprise birth of their daughter. It is true that the new couple had bore their first child on their bathroom floor. I found it endearing that in that chaos, Iman is calm, while describing the moment to the operator and as he keeps both his daughter and wife warm. 

Come Back To Me (featuring Junie and Rick Ross)

Ok, I'm unsure if this is my top two but not number two, you feel me? This song is sultry, it's gangsta, it's full of truth and awareness. Honestly, I think this song would make a great follow-up single to "Wake Up Love". Of course, Rick Ross and Baby Junie adds flavor to the song. In fact, I love any song that Ross features because it is guaranteed Big Poppa vibes (hats off to the original Big Poppa, Notorious B.I.G). The song was originally recorded for VII (2015) but it came back full circle in 2020. Baby Junie's vocals were added to the track which pulls on my heart (and ovaries) strings. Overall Teyana seems to question in the song how much are you willing to fight for the love you have shared with another person?

Wake Up Love (featuring Iman Shumpert)

Teyana released this song literally days before the release of this album. From the song to the adjoining video, it is gentle message to love. I just love the accountability that Teyana shows in this song. She makes it known that she hasn't been the happiest with her partner but she wants to re-ignite the romance they once had. Did y'all know Iman had bars? I definitely was surprised and impressed at how smooth their vocals blended on this track. The "lil mama"s made the song personal. Iman reminds his wife that There's a whole lot more than a make up after break up. Can't you see, Iman, that Teyana wants reassurance and security! 

Let's Build (featuring Quavo)

I'll be honest, I don't like Quavo. Not as a rapper or a person. But one thing Quavo can do is make a good hook. Specifically in this track, his raspy, trap voice gave the song the edge it needed to captivate male listeners. "Let's Build" is expanding the resources that you and your partner have acquired together. Why focus on the drama when you can focus on a check? "Let's Build" also reminds me about the trauma Teyana Taylor may also be healing from as an entrepreneur and artist. It seems by this track that reassurance is important to Teyana. She wants to be reassured that her partners are loyal to the circumstances of their relationship. This means making decisions that are beneficial to yourself, your professional business, and your family. 

Lowkey (featuring Erykah Badu)

When she first heard the beat, Teyana related the song back to "Next Lifetime." In that instance, Teyana wondered "How do I make it my own? How do I make it new? How do I make it relatable for girls in 2019, of my generation?" In the original song, Erykah Badu expresses her desires for another lover outside of her relationship. Lowkey is about freely expressing your wants. But it lowkey sounds like those empty promises you always hear married men tell their mistresses. Sure baby, once I divorce her, you'll be all mine...sure.

I AM Motivated to Connect - Root Chakra & Morning Affirmation

Channeling our #rootchakra energy this morning. 🌞❣️

Take a deep breath; 

relax your tongue; 

roll your shoulders back (sometimes twice); 

wiggle your toes;

stretch your fingers; 

raise your arms wide to the sky and repeat after me: 

“I AM motivated to connect with what is eternally natural” 

Comment "In Divine order" below! Make sure to subscribe to Small Pink Dreams Blog and follow on Pinterest and Instagram @SmallPinkDreamsBlog

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Get into this "Tropical Orange Smoothie" for Healthy Skin & Hair!

DISCLOSURE: Small Pink Dreams (big-dreamer) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I earn a commission if you purchase products using my links. 

The other day, my partner and I had an odd craving for a healthy smoothie. We checked the fridge and saw we had all of the perfect ingredients for a delicious smoothie. I put on my Kitchen Fairy hat (thank you to my best friend, Kae, for the name!), pulled out my heavy blender (Click here to see), and prepared this vibrant, tropical smoothie that is rich with nutrients and health benefits. 

Inside of this smoothie, the turmeric and ginger gives it a bright orange color. Turmeric has been used for centuries as a spice and medicinal herb. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and aids in increasing antioxidants in your body. Daily usage shows the potential of improved memory and lower risks for heart diseases. Ginger works in very similar ways as turmeric. Ginger is a natural root that helps the body fight of bad bacteria. In my experience, I've used ginger to fight nausea and motion sickness (Click here to see). It can also reduce inflammation, gas, and abdominal pain. Try taking both Turmeric and ginger in capsules, teas, or adding the spice to dishes and smoothies!

For additional health benefits, I added a bit of spinach, arugula, flaxseeds, and low-fat, probiotic yogurt. It may seem like an overload, but, trust me, it was sooo worth it! The fruit can be substituted for any of your tropical favorites. Our choice of fruit for the day were mangoes, pineapple, strawberries, and cucumbers. Feel free to use any of your favorite fruit. Also, it is important to note that, in this recipe, I didn't use any fruit juice or milk--just alkaline water. Since alkaline waters such as Essentia (Click here to see) or Lifewater (Click here to see) have a higher pH level, it can help regulate our body's pH and fight off infectious diseases. 

This smoothie has so many healthy benefits that I encourage everyone to give it a try. After drinking, I felt light and my skin has a glow! Check out the ingredients below. 

TROPICAL ORANGE SMOOTHIE

3 tbsp - Low-fat probiotic yogurt (plain or vanilla)

1 tbsp - Turmeric

1 tbsp - Whole seed flaxseed

Spinach

Arugula

Fresh ginger

Mango

Pineapple

Cucumber

Strawberries

I like to use the "blend" function first to breakdown the ingredients, then the "mix" function to fully combine into a consistent texture. 

Inside #TheVault: Kwame Ture

When we scream "Black Power," we are evoking the passionate and progressive vision of Pan-African activist, author, and educator Kwame Ture. Ture is responsible for several of the most popular Black revolutionary struggle events in the United States History. From SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), to Black Panthers, to Pan-Africanism, his words ring into the spirits of many young protesters today.

Kwame Ture was born in the Port of Spain, Trinidad on June 29, 1941 and reunited with his parents in Harlem, New York City, New York at age 11. Ture enrolled in the historic Howard University and studied under the legendary Black intellectuals Toni Morrison and Sterling Brown. During his time at Howard, he became acquainted with Bayard Rustin and facilitated hundreds of Freedom Rides --a name given to the coordinating actions of traveling, mostly college-aged, Civil Rights protestors. When he graduated in 1964 with his degree of philosophy, Ture was offered a full scholarship to Harvard University but turned it down to become a full time Civil Rights Activist. Throughout the 1965 Freedom Summer (a titled given to the voter registration movement led by the Missisippi Freedom Party and spread to tens of cities across the United States), Fannie Lou Hamer mentored a young Ture. SNCC organizer Joann Gavin wrote that Hamer and Carmichael "understood one another as perhaps no one else could.

In May 1965, Ture was elected to succeed John Lewis, who had recently been elected to U.S. Congress, as Chairman for SNCC and immediately changed the rhetoric of the organization. It was during a 1966 march in Selma, Alabama that Ture would first proclaim “Black Power.” The slogan inspired many of the Black Revolutionary movements we see today such as Black is Beautiful Movement, I'm Black and I'm Proud Movement, Black Panthers Movement, Black Feminism Movement, New Black Panthers Movement, Black Lives Matter Movement and more. He changed his name to Kwame Ture in 1968, in honor of his friends and political allies, Pan-African leaders Sekou Touré and Kwame Nkrumah.

Ture spent the last decades of his life traveling across West Africa; denouncing U.S. racism and imperialism; and all while working to build the All African Peoples Revolutionary Party. In 1969, Ture settled permanently in Conakry, Guinea where he died of prostate cancer in 1998. 

Today we honor and celebrate our ancestor Kwame Ture's life in remembrance of his day of birth.

Inside #TheVault: Katherine Dunham

Today we celebrate the life + spirit of the legendary #KatherineDunham. Born this day in Chicago, she transformed the technique and creative talents of young, Black dancers across the West Indies, United States, and Africa. While at the University of Chicago, Mama Dunham was one of the first Black women to attend and graduate with a Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degree in Anthropology.

Simultaneously, Mama Dunham trained in #Moscow, performed ‘A Negro Rhapsody’ at the Chicago Beaux Arts Theater🎫, danced with the Chicago Opera Company, and accepted an invitation to appear before Rosenwald Foundation which tremendously supported her dance career. Mama Dunham returned her gifts to her community by revolutionizing American modern dance. ✨

Her fusion of traditional African movements into anthropological dance showed the world that African heritage is beautiful. More importantly, Mama Dunham is recognized for bringing Caribbean and African influences to a European-dominated dance realm. In the 1950s, the "Matriarch of Black Dance", Mama Dunham founded the Katherine Dunham Company to formally teach a groundbreaking sequence that combines the innovative interpretations of Caribbean dances, traditional ballet, African rituals, and African American rhythm to create the Dunham Technique.

"Throughout her distinguished career, Katherine Dunham earned numerous honorary doctorates, awards and honors. Among the list are: the Presidential Medal of Arts, The Kennedy Center Honors with Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart, Elia Kazan and Virgil Thompson, the plaque d'Honneur Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce Award, French Legion of Honor, Southern Cross of Brazil, Grand Cross of Haiti, NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, The Albert Schweitzer Music Award at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Academy Laureate, and the Urban Leagues’ Lifetime Achievement Award. Miss Dunham’s recognitions also include a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame, inclusion in the book I Have a Dream, and the Women's International Center’s Living Legacy Award. In her final years, she received an Honorary Degree in Fine Arts from Harvard and Jacobs Pillow gave a special Tribute to Katherine Dunham for her 93rd birthday. In 2000 Katherine Dunham was named America’s irreplaceable Dance Treasure." (SOURCE)

Read more on Mama Katherine Dunham. Share, Like, and Comment on the post below, I would love to hear your thoughts! 💓 

If you like more content like this from #TheVault, like, comment, and subscribe to Small Pink Dreams. Follow @smallpinkdreamsblog on Instagram and Pinterest for more Black Women’s History out of #TheVault🗃

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To Our Brothers Next Door...

lowkey I be thinkin' she talkin' bout me. 

The personification of his words without a name reads like a bullet shot in the dark...

Our brothers next door are ambushing Our most personal and political thoughts. 

When we scream "HELP!, they argue "Why?" 

When we scream "PROTECT US!", they argue "bUt wHaT abOuT mEee?" 

When we say "LISTEN TO OUR PLEADS!", they argue "watch your tone." 

As many of us opened our music streaming platforms to begin the song "Snow on tha Bluff", we all heard J. Cole declare beef on Black women intellectual thoughts. It deeply disappointed me to hear J. Cole take time out of his unimpressive, common day and a radicalizing moment in United States history to police the forlorn petitions from a Black woman whom shall not be named. To be clear, my criticism is against the silencing of Black women intellectual thoughts. This moment triggers more than just one woman within the hip-Hop public sphere; it attacks many like myself that are outspoken, unapologetic, and intimate with the knowledge we have learned from many levels of life. When there are screams for protection of Black women and Black girls, this means nothing is left on the table. It means protect our voices, our physical space, our spiritual freedoms, and it especially means protect intellectual property. 

This moment strikes as a common occurrence among Black folks in the United States. Many times, our Black women philosophers and scholars have to remind men that the struggle focuses not on the respectable appearance of political engagement but on the ideas and literature produced in the movement. If we research the life and written works of Anna Julia Cooper, PhD., we will find the exact same rhetoric. In fact, Vivian M. May explores this phenomenon in Dr. Cooper's biography Visionary Black Feminist: A Critical Introduction (2007), where she notes a disturbing "tendency among many writers to focus on Black women intellectuals’ lives rather than their theories. Consequently, Black women’s arguments and theoretical contributions have frequently been under-engaged or even dismissed altogether because so much attention is concentrated on their life stories." Sounds familiar?

J. Cole is an artist that internalizes marginalization within his own (p)OWER. He is a mere bumblebee bat being stretched thin. He has told us countless times in various songs about his inability to respect the intellectual power of Black women. 

"Purple emoji with horns on it/ Like the devil but ain't nothin devilish, babe"

She know me like a book, its too easy to read my ass/ Unhappy stressed, yelling don’t mislead my ass/ I mean I make it so easy don’t please my ass/ If shit was on the other foot then you would leave my ass (Love Me Not, 2010)

Do you believe that Eve had Adam in check? (Forbidden Fruit, 2013)

I get the skirt when I want (skrrt!)/ Due to the money aroma (somebody)/ My girl she got a diploma (smoke)/ She got wife written all over (Kevin's Heart, 2018)

So what else are we to expect when we hear yet another song that bullies and insults the intelligence of a Black woman?

Why would anyone want to defend Snow on tha Bluff (the song)? Does this song not sting with intra-community envy and emotional abuse? Does this song not ooze with patriarchal dismissal of yet another Black woman's contribution to radical movements? Doesn't this song parallel the countless moments in Hip-Hop that yet another Black woman is subjected to public bullying, gaslighting, and exhausting mansplaining? 

What will it take for the world to accept Black women with grace? 

There is no honor in death. 

There is no pride in life. 

Where do we find education when we lack trust in our neighbors? 

Our neighbors share the intimacies of intellect and are met with suckled teeth that scream 

"(o)PPOSITION."  

...Y'all not tired?

*takes a deep breath*

The song is so unnecessary to the liberation of Black women and men. It reeks of digression and manipulation that provides a visceral example of why Black women and men struggle to work with one another. Our Elder, Miss Ella Jo Baker, once said “The major job was getting people to understand that they had something within their power that they could use, and it could only be used if they understood what was happening and how group action could counter violence…” So what is left when the other half of our Divine existence rejects the mercy of Woman; and shrinks lower than being a faker Snow on tha Bluff? 

I listened deeply and I read closely what one of Our own revealed about one of Us. My heart aches for an answer...

If you enjoyed this article, please let me know in the comments below. Be sure to follow @SmallPinkDreamsBlog on Pinterest and Instagram!

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Quaratine and Chill?? - 10 Creative Things to Do While You Wait!

The COVID-19 has people across the world quarantined inside of their homes. If you are like me, you are bored out of your mind. On #DayThree, I began curating a list of things to do while you wait this thing out.

By the end of the quarantine, you can create, produce, and curate many creative projects. Sometimes it just takes some additional time in your week to complete it. Use this list as a starting guide for activities you are interested in.

Whether you are home alone or with some family members, you can look at this list as a way to get your day started with productive and fun activities. You can opt to do all of these activities all in one day or you can stretch them out over the course of the quarantine. It is totally up to you!

1. Have a Home Spa Day

What did the famous group XSCAPE say? "Kick off your shoes and relax your feet." Kick your feet up with a wonderful spa day in the comfort of your home. You can:

• Soak your feet in warm water and epsom salt for 10-20 minutes
• Make a DIY face mask (click for 5 easy face masks!)
• Paint your nails
• Make a DIY hair mask (click for a list of hair masks!)

2. Update Your Personal Resume and Cover Letter

If you have recently had a new career transition, commissioned more art, started a new job, learned a new skill, or feel like tapping into your creative side, the COVID-19 virus has given my fellow procrastinators additional time to update their portfolios, resumes and cover letters!

3. Organize Your Space

Take a look around your residence and observe all of the projects you have put to the side. You can use this time to tidy up your bedroom, reorganize your pantry or bookshelf, or even sort through all of your clothes. You may never know what you may find until you clear your space.

4. Try a New Recipe

Since many areas are placing non-essential businesses on lockdown like restaurants, this is a great time to brush up on your cooking and baking skills! Take this time to re-create your favorite menu item from a restaurant or search your favorite foodie blogger for new recipes. (DISCLAIMER: I am not advocating eating all of your food in your home. Please do not eat all of your quarantine snacks to complete this!) 

5. Create a Bullet Journal

If you love itemized order, bullet journals are super helpful! The idea of bullet journaling is simple: you can write on any topic and organize a journal by particular themes. I have seen journals that list positive affirmations, exercise plans, recipes, movies or TV shows to binge, and more!

6.  Make a Bucket List

Quarantining makes an excellent opportunity to list of the things you want to do in life. By writing a bucket list during a time where you are not allowed to do many recreational things, it may inspire new experiences that you want to try.

7. Follow a workout video

During the regular (and normal) week, working out may be hard to fit into your schedule. If you have the space and ability, you can use this time to follow along to a workout video. My personal favorites are Personal Training by Dee for personalized virtual workouts and Yoga By Candace for any yoga practice.

8. Discover Passive Income

Ok, this can lead to greater things beyond the quarantine. I have learned that there are so many ways to garner passive income. You can start a blog, invest in stocks, curate an e-commerce retail store, or even research property management.

9. Curate a Playlist

You can create a playlist on any of your favorite streaming apps: Youtube, Spotify, Tidal, Soundcloud, Apple Music, etc. You can even curate a watchlist for your friends and family on apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.

10. Call Your Loved Ones and SQUAD!

This quarantine can be special in many ways because you can reach out to people that you haven't spoken to in a while. I know that this may be hard task for some, but I think it may have many benefits. Start a group chat with your closet friends or all of your cousins; reach out to a mentor for advice; call your grandmother and talk about the family history. The possibilities are endless!

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5 Homemade Hair Masks for Natural Curly Hair

Our hair needs love and sometimes a little bit more than TLC, right?! If your hair is natural like mine, the changing seasons can transform our hair like night and day. In the hotter months, my hair can seem very dry from the sun; in the colder months, my hair doesn't retain styles!

Hair masks are useful when transitioning in between hairstyles. All of the following recipes, I have personally tested or use. My personal favorite is Olive Oil + Honey hair mask because it leaves my hair fully hydrated and added some shine

Here are five homemade hair mask recipes that you can recreate in your home. The ingredients are simple and may already be found in your kitchen pantry!

Olive Oil + Honey
Recipe:                                                Length: 20 min.
4 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp honey

Apple Cider Vinegar + Honey + Eggs
Recipe:                                               Length: 20 min.
2 tbsp honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 eggs

Banana + Honey + Yogurt
Recipe:                                              Length: 30 - 35 min.
1 banana
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup plain yogurt

If you enjoyed these recipes, please let me know in the comments below. Be sure to follow @SmallPinkDreams on Pinterest and Instagram! 

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Inside #TheVault: Miami Urban Beach Weekend

Source: Google Images

Since 2001, devoted Hip-Hop listeners flocked ✈️ to South Beach, Miami, FL to participate in one of Hip-Hop’s largest gatherings outside of the 90s-event craze “Freaknik”. Co-founded by FL’s own Uncle Luke, for nearly 13 years, the event brought thousands of visitors from all over the country got a chance to attend some of the most lavish events and pool parties with their favorite celebrities. “The city does not sponsor the event and there is no one organizer; instead, it is a weekend of rolling performances in private venues that make events difficult to control.”

Source: Google Images

The event showcased a number of rising stars. ✨ Artists like Twista, Flo Rida, and Lil Bow Wow, Shaggy, and more.  Ultimately the event brought too much drama and chaos for the city’s law enforcement to control. (In 2011, there was an actual police-involved gun battle that left four injured😣) 

Source: Google Images

Since the start of COVID-19 has shuttered essentially ever venue, public space, and large gatherings, Urban Beach Week 2020 has halted promotion of the usual activities. Nonetheless, #UrbanBeachWeek will forever be in Hip-Hop’s history as one of South Beach’s most popular events during Memorial Day Weekend. 

If you like more content like this from #TheVault, like, comment, and subscribe to Small Pink Dreams.

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