Rest in Peace: Teena Marie Passes Away at Los Angeles Home

Dec. 27, 2010
By Alex L.

CNN reports that the great unsung Grammy-nominated singer, Teena Marie has passed away at her Los Angeles home Sunday, Dec. 26. She was 54.

Before there was Christina Aguilera or Fergie, there was Teena Marie. She is most know for her sweet soulful voice and gained popularity in the late 1970s and 80s with mega hits like "Square Biz," "Lover Girl," and most notably "Fire and Desire" featuring the late funk legend Rick James.

It was reported that Marie suffered a grand mal seizure last month. Her manager Mike Gardner has confirmed her death but there are very few details on the cause of death.

Teena Marie leaves behind her daughter, Alia Rose, family, friends, and millions of fans who will forever miss her.

"Farewell, my sister, fare thee well.
The elements be kind to thee, and make
Thy spirits all of comfort: fare thee well."
-William Shakespeare

Keyshia Cole Calling All Hearts: Album Review

By Alex L.

It’s been two years since we’ve heard from the Oakland songstress, Keyshia Cole, but the new mommy and newly engaged singer is back with her fourth studio album, Calling All Hearts.

For all the Keyshia fans out there keep an eye out for the original 11-track LP and the 13-track deluxe edition (certainly some of you my want both copies). Both editions have minimal features, which nowadays is rare, and flows with a mid-tempo/slow jam feel. The album in totality has a sort of 90’s vibe, the production isn’t filled with heavy bass or auto tune, and it has a very reminiscent feel to it.

It’s clear that this album was written out of love, with tracks like “Take Me Away,” “What You Do To Me,” and “Better Me,” it seems like her fiancée, Daniel “Boobie” Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers and their bundle of joy, Daniel Jr. heavily influenced various tracks on the album.

Although Keysh can stand on her own with her raw and soulful voice there’s nothing wrong with having a little additional help from the likes of Nicki Minaj, Faith Evans, Tank, Timbaland, and her adoptive mother, Dr. Yvonne Cole.

Calling All Hearts is definitely a contrast in comparison to Keyshia’s three previous albums. Her fans will hear the growth in her vocals and lyrics. She hits higher notes on the track “Take Me Away,” on “Tired of Doing Me” featuring Tank she sings about wanting to be loved and in love, and she even shows her fans her spiritual side on “Thank You” where she and her mother, Yvonne, praise God and thank him for always being by her side.

Listeners can certainly expect to find some hits on this album. Out of 13 songs Keyshia has several solid tracks that if released will get her to platinum status. With “I Ain’t Thru,” featuring 2010’s breakthrough artist Nicki Minaj, bubbling up the R&B charts, her latest single “ Long Way Down” isn’t too far behind. “If I Ever Fall in Love Again” is another track that is sure to be a hit. The song has Keyshia and Faith Evans exchanging strong vocals over a head banging beat that sounds like Notorious B.I.G’s “Warning.” The other gem on this album is “So Impossible,” it’s smooth and mellow and definitely sounds like it’s was written in her pre- Daniel days.

While Keyshia Cole’s come back may have been unexpected we’re awfully glad she’s back! Make sure you all go pick up Calling All Hearts, it’s in stores and on iTunes now!
(P.S. It’ll make a great stocking stuffer!)

Check out Keyshia’s two latest videos “I Ain’t Thru” featuring Nicki Minaj and “Long Way Down” here on LUDIC.

"I Ain't Thru"

Keyshia Cole - I Ain't Thru ft Nicki Minaj

"Long Way Down"

Keyshia Cole - Long Way Down

Four Loko Banned in Maryland: Maryland is the Latest State Taking The Drink Off Its Shelves

By Alex L.

The popular 12 percent alcohol, energy drink, Four Loko, also known as ‘blackout’ in a can, has been banned in several states. Washington (State), Michigan, Utah, Oklahoma, New York, Arkansas, and Indiana have all permanently taken the caffeinated malt-liquor off its shelves.

Before October 2010, Four Lokos sat quietly on the shelves of many liquors stores across the country, but after nine college students who consumed the sugary alcoholic drink were rushed to the hospital after a party at Central Washington University, Washington became the first state to ban the beverage.

Recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter to four beverage makers including Four Loko, calling the caffeine in the beverage an “unsafe food additive.” The deadly combination of alcohol and caffeine in the drink has been linked to cases involving blackouts, alcohol poisoning, and even death.

On Nov. 16, the makers of Four Loko, Phusion Projects, announced that it would remove caffeine, guarana and taurine, from the popular drink and that they are trying to work with the FDA so that the drink won’t be banned from all shelves.

“Over the last several months we have been more than willing to talk with regulators and policymakers on the national, state, and local levels. Our company has a history of being as cooperative as we possibly can to ensure that our products are consumed safely, responsibly and only by of-age adults,” said Phusion’s three co founders and managing partners, Chris Hunter, Jeff Wright and Jaisen Freeman.

According to the Baltimore Sun, on Nov. 17, Maryland’s Comptroller Peter Franchot, convinced two of Maryland’s largest alcohol trade groups to stop selling the highly caffeinated alcoholic beverage.

“For the sake of all Marylanders, we need to get this products off the shelves as soon as possible,” said Franchot.

His efforts couldn’t come at a better time.

With the Nov. 7 death of 21 year-old Maryland native, Courtney Spurry who crashed her vehicle into a tree after drinking two cans of Four Loko’s, Maryland became the most recent state to ban the intoxicating party drink.

In an interview with WJZ, Maryland’s attorney general, Doug Gansler, mentioned that the incident with Spurry could happen to anyone if Four Loko stays on the market.

“Attorney’s generals are working collectively to ban these products from the market. We’re also working with the federal government, the FDA, to get them to ban it nationally,” Gansler said.

While the FDA is looking into banning heavily caffeinated alcoholic beverages like Four Loko and others, the drink hasn’t been effectively banned all 50 states yet.

Even with Phusion Projects removing caffeine from Four Loko, it still doesn’t make up for the people who have been hospitalized and lost their lives due to this easily accessible intoxicating ‘blackout’ in a can, but it is a step in the right direction.

An Interview with Dr. Jared A. Ball: Why You Should Consider the Green Party

Video by Candace Croston and Ashleigh Ingram

Even thought the elections are over, check out this interview and article about the Green Party.


(Originally recorded, interviewed, and written on Oct. 25, 2010)
By Alexandria Langston

With the November 2nd elections vastly approaching, Marylanders should keep their options open as the casts their ballots. Many people are unaware of the other political parties, such as the Green Party. Forming in 2001, according to www.greenparty.org, this political party has hopes “of a more democratic, safer, cleaner world.” Green party candidates from across the country, have those same hopes for their local communities.

2007-2008 Green party Presidential nominee Dr. Jared A. Ball, professor of Communication at Morgan State University, sat down to discuss the Green Party of the United States, how it differs from the Democratic and Republican parties, and the difference between Green Party and the ‘going green’ movement.
While sitting behind his desk, with his Mac laptop opened, Dr. Ball briefly explains what the Green Party is,

“The Green Party of the United States is apart of the Green Party movement around the world… It’s alternative or a so-called third party,” he says.

He went to on explain the differences in which separates the Green Party from the Democratic or Republican parties.

“Primarily it differs from the dominant parties (Democratic/Republican) because it not only espouses certain views in terms of how we should arrange our economy, the role of women, so-called minorities, and others, but primarily we take no corporate money which allows us, when elected, to actually act on the principles that our party is based on,” says Ball.

Those “principles” Dr. Ball mentions are The Ten Key Values of the Green Party, which include, Grassroots Democracy, Non-Violence, Feminism and Gender Equity, and Personal and Global Responsibility, just to name a few.
Dr. Ball makes the clear distinction between the Green Party and the “going green” movement. For one, he mentions the “Green” movement “is a corporate theft of our core principles,” and he points out the contradiction between the capitalist economy trying to become an eco-capitalist economy,

“The idea that a capitalist economy that is responsible for destroying the Earth, now producing eco-capitalist who would want to invest in the green technology that will not only “green” the planet, but offer jobs, etcetera, but not upset the corporate structure itself,” he says.

The Green Party of the United States seeks to empower everyday citizens can make their own decisions and not be influenced by big corporations. Although Dr. Ball stresses he’s not the spokesperson for the Green Party his point of view sheds a different perspective on the Green Party and their efforts to make our economy and environment sustainable where nature and people can co-exist harmoniously.

The Green Party needs people who think and live ‘green’ everyday so on Nov. 2nd, don’t forget to think Green! For more information on the Green Party, got to www.gp.org or www.greenparty.org.

Oh, It's Been So Long!

A Note From the Editor-In-Chief
LUCID has truly been on a hiatus! But.... THE WAIT IS OVA! Due to my Senior year in college I've been away doing exams, paying college dues and trying to have a social life; but while balancing it all I haven't forgotten why I created this blog in the first place. LUCID is the vessel that shares news, entertainment, and thoughts from young, black journalists,and now that the end of the year is vastly approaching I have much to blog about! There's plenty to discuss with you all and I'm really excited! So now that LUCID is re-launching In December, I hope all of you will stay tuned and thank you for being so patient with me! OH yeah.... WE'RE BAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKKKK!! :) Catch ya in few!

P.S. We're looking for more writers, bloggers, and photographers to contribute to LUCID. If you're interested send us an e-mail with your name, contact information, and why you want contribute! E-mail us today at lucid.blogs@gmail.com Hope to hear from you soon!
- Alex L., E.I.C

Album Review: Dondris vs. Phatfffat

By Reggie L.
Dondria, Dondria, Dondria , where should I begin? The 23 year old’s debut album Dondria vs. Phatfffat is set for release today ( August 17th) and if I have to describe this album in one word that word would be "Refreshing." There is no auto tune to speak of , no over sexed lyrics, and no image shoved down our throats. This young lady is all about the music. Her 11 track effort is diverse and easy on the ears. There are no eletronic beats or over production that plagues so many of her contemporaries.

This album is reminiscent of early Brandy and Aaliyah. Songs such as "Kissed by the Sun," "Making Love," and the single "Your the One," sound like they would have come from Tiffany Evans rather than a 23 year old woman. I have to admit that I was not crazy about "Your the One," however after hearing the rest of her album I have been sold on this girl’s talent. Her voice is refreshingly (there’s that word again) womanly and clear. I can't count the number of singers who scream and shout through an LP , however this is not the case here, she sings. Let me say it again this girl sings her songs! Songs such as "Can You Help Me" find the neophyte pleading with her lover to save their relationship. Lyrics like "Dont give up on us, can you help me, I cant do this alone," emphasize her soaring voice.

There are few complaints about this album, like many things nothing is perfect. The album is so short it leaves you wanting more. The albums strength is also it’s fault as well, The album is almost "too Disney." But after hearing so many singers wail about their relationship woes, Dondria provides an escape that this music junkie welcomes. Whether you are a fan of the first single or not this girl at least is a talent to watch out for and thus worth giving a listen to.

Check out Dondria's lastest videos here at LUCID!

Shawty Wus Up?

You're The One

Oh, How I Loathe My 38 G's!

By Alex L.

Breasts, boobs, boobies, titties, tits, juggs, ta-ta’s, bazongas, the twins, the girls, or whatever else you want to call them lets face it, men love them, women on the other hand have a love/hate relationship with them. Why wouldn’t we? We’re all blessed with different shapes and sizes and cursed with different shapes and sizes, hence the love hate relationship.

I mean what’s not to love about breasts? If you have a nice pair, they look good in your favorite blouse, you can catch a good Victoria’s Secret sale, (three bras for $25, come on how great is that?) or if you have perky boobs you can wear those revealing tank tops without a bra! Personally, I can’t relate to any of those scenarios. I could never walk out the house with only a tank top, shop at Victoria’s Secret for a nice lacy bra, and anytime I wear a blouse it includes safety pins and double sided tape. I don’t mind being a busty girl, but I wear a size 38 G bra! Yes I said G, (honestly I think one is an F and the other a G but whatever.) I don’t have the privilege to buy bras with the fancy designs, frilly lace, or bright, vibrant colors. Nope, just black or white, thick lace and lycra and those four hooks in the back just to make sure the girls stay in place. The shoulder straps dig into my shoulders leaving imprints and bruises because my boobs are so heavy. I pay $60 or more just so my bras fit me properly despite how uncomfortable they are. Gravity does not exist with the two planets that sit on my chest. They’re not perky, instead when I’m not strapped down in my brassiere, they’re constantly in the way. To make a long story short I HATE MY BREASTS!

My breasts are the vain of my existence! Ok, I’m exaggerating a little, but I have a strong dislike with my bouncing buddies. I think my disdain stems from Elementary school. (Everyone has a “past.”) All my girlfriends were flat as boards, but me I was wearing training bras in third grade and just two years later I started my period. All the womanly changes were happening to me while I was still a child. But those breasts of mine made it obvious to everyone that physically, I wasn’t a little girl anymore despite how young I acted, furthermore I hated that teenaged boys and men were noticing that womanly change. From nine to 13 years old, I went from an A cup to a full DD! It was like my upper body transformed from little girl to grown woman; I felt awkward, embarrassed, uncomfortable, and very self conscious. I hated changing in gym glass or at slumber parties because I knew my friends would gawk at me, hell, they stared at me when I had my shirt on, I could only imagine if they saw what was underneath! I didn’t even look at my breast in a mirror until I was 16, up until then I just pretended that they weren’t there even though they were a constant reminder.

Now, two months shy of 22, I’m still self conscious about my bosoms. I’ve tried to think positive about my breasts, you know find the good in them, to make me like them more, with all that positive thinking I’ve come up with nothing. I simply don’t like them, I don’t like the shape of them, I don’t like my cup size, it bothers me that I have to spend so much money on bras, I hate that my bras are uncomfortable, I hate that the first things men notice about me are my big breasts, but most of all, I hate that my breasts make me hate them the way that I do. (sighs.) Sure, there is a solution out there for me. Surgery. Breast reduction surgery ($5,000- $7,000.) I’ve considered it, I’m still considering it, but I’ve also considered what if I loathe my breast even more after I get surgery? I’d have a bigger problem than what I have now. I’d hate if that were happen, so with that in mind my breasts really aren’t that bad the way they are now. Bottom line, if there’s a chance that surgical augmentation can make my breasts worse in anyway, that’s a chance I’m not willing to take.

So regardless of what your relationship is like with your body, whether or not you dislike your breasts like I do, or any other body part for that matter, its okay, we all do. We’re not perfect, and we can’t solve all our physical problems by going under the knife because even if one problem is fixed, there will be some other flaw that will tweak your nerves and that’s okay too. But remember you’re imperfections make the perfect you. That was cheesy but its true. =)