Walkin into my dorm’s lobby, I saw legs – all brown legs. Judging by the girth and shininess of them trunks, I knew immediately that it was a rap video on the big screen. In a trance, I made my way into apt viewing range to be able to see every toe and dimple. Car wash, chrome rim, old school, some nigga in shades, gun store, gun store, liquor store, gun store – I knew where they were takin me. I thought I did. ‘Them big legs,’ I said, ’should be comin up any second now…any second…what the fuck?’ I was surprised. I saw Murphy Lee and every nigga from the Lou. I saw the whole Spring collection of Lee’s new brand, U-City. I actually attempted to really pay attention to the video for the first time in a long time. ‘Hey that girl’s face is-HOL UP HOL UP there go some more legs.’ They almost caught me slippin. But even those took like a full 45 seconds to see since the last ones. I watched the video for another 40 or so seconds lookin for some more legs or titties or somethin and eventually got bored. I saw somethin I haven’t in a minute, if ever…
a rap song on primetime BET with many girls that were fully dressed, I’m talkin bout some of ‘em had their necks covered. And even they weren’t even on display like that. Granted, the hoes was replaced with rims and more niggas in the hood – you know…’thugs’. But it was quite a chance taken by not packin every scene wit female parts, and these niggas is known for that, damn near famous for it. I been to St. Louis quite a few times for family visits and I’ve come to find out that folks up therrr aint as inauthentic and ignorant as the media would have folks think. It’s actually pretty gutter for people to take it so non-seriously. I digress; Ultimately, niggas from St. Louis have hardly been followers in the game, and now they may be settin new trends with positive implications. Maybe they figured they’d cut down on the video vixens what wit all the Top Model/Beyonce dancer syndrome plaguing the game right now. (See ‘fucked up rumors’ for an explanation). Whatever the case, my hat’s off to the land of my father’s upbringing – the south MidWest.
P.S. I watched it on mute.
Ms. Shauna Barbosa Earns December 2008's Profile In Lifestyles
So it’s December, and people have been asking to be featured on this months “Profile of Lifestyles”, except this extravagant young lady, Ms. Shauna Barbosa, who didn’t seek the spotlight. I’ve known her for awhile so that helped me vouch for her during one of our meetings discussing who we should be selected for the month of December.
However, we didn’t really mesh until senior year of high school in our pilot class, Journalism. Yes, I wrote for the school paper (GOSH), and one of the pioneers of the O’Bryant Edition. She was tough cookie to talk to but a passionate writer, so I did less talking and more reading of her work. She was in love with music, and I loved sports.
“I met this girl, when I was ten years old
And what I loved most she had so much soul
She was old school, when I was just a shorty
Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me
On the regular, not a church girl she was secular
Not about the money, no studs was mic checking her
But I respected her; she hit me in the heart
A few New York niggas, had did her in the park
But she was there for me, and I was there for her
Pull out a chair for her, turn on the air for her
And just cool out, cool out and listen to her
Sitting on a bone, wishing that I could do her
Eventually if it was meant to be, then it would be
Because we related, physically and mentally
And she was fun then, I’d be geeked when she’d come around
Slim was fresh yo, when she was underground
Original, pure untampered and down sister
Boy I tell ya, I miss her”- Common “I Used to Love H.E.R.”
Long story short, I didn’t get anywhere with her, but a true friendship rose from that classroom between us. She then made that move to NYC and attended New Rochelle College, shortly after got a career at Vibe Magazine (Brown Sugar? YES). She blogs at letsjusteatcheese.wordpress.com as well. Here is the exclusive interview with Ms. Shauna Barbosa:
Kool Kids Inc.: Hello Ms. Barbosa. How are you?
Shauna Barbosa: Wonderful. Drinking coffee, appearing to be busy. But too many tabs open.
Kool Kids Inc.: Great! We here at Kool Kids Inc. admire your work at “Letsjusteatcheese” to the point where you inspired us to blog. How’s your blog coming along? And is it where you thought it would be now after only a year?
Shauna Barbosa: That is amazing. “Letsjusteatcheese” is doing great. There are serious devoted followers that I’ve grown to love and learn from. It’s been a year; I’m not sure what I thought it would be over time. I was a full time student at an all girl school, I just wanted some action. But what I know is that I’ve changed as a writer and… and grown as an individual, with the blog. I never thought I’d inspire people the way I’ve been told, that keeps me blogging.
Kool Kids Inc.: I recall hearing you had some literary work in progress however you wanted to keep it a secret. How’s that going? And how much can you tell us this time around?
Shauna Barbosa: I am so good for secrets. Ah, I am writing. A book of short stories is what it looks like. It’s coming together. It’s refreshing and it’s allowing me to put experiences, people, [and] feelings – to rest. It’s something like Allure stories, that and a bit heavier.
Kool Kids Inc.: Are you still working for Vibe Magazine? Or you have moved your expertise to another magazine or journal?
Shauna Barbosa: I left Vibe in September 2007 to go back to school. Since then, I’ve worked corporate publishing, and freelanced for Conde Nast publications.
Kool Kids Inc.: How’s life in the Big Apple? What are some of your favorite place in NYC?
Shauna Barbosa: Life here is unlike anywhere else. The best thing about this place is if you leave it, for a weekend, a month, a year – it’s the same grimy, aggressive, beautiful place you left. Favorite places? The Strand Bookstore down on 12th and Broadway. Keeps me sane and I spend a lot of money there on books. They have an amazing rare book collection. Barnes and Noble. I spend a lot of time at bookstores. Other favorite places include, the number 6 train, Soho Grand Hotel, Santos Party House, The Parker Meridian, Eleni’s Bakery, Gizzi’s Cafe, and so on. Oh, Brooklyn. I have a lot of men there. Totally kidding.
Kool Kids Inc.: Are you thinking of moving to another big city or is NYC where you plan on spending the rest of your life at?
Shauna Barbosa: I’d like to live in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and also Van Nuys, CA (not a huge city). However, not for the rest of my life. That is not certain. Later, later on, I’d like to teach in my hometown of Boston. But the rest of my life? That means I’ll age. And honey, I am not okay with aging right now.
Kool Kids Inc.: Glad to hear teaching back home is an option, so is mine eventually. Now you know we had to ask this, but whose the lucky guy in your life at the moment? Whose the Shawn Carter to your Beyonce Knowles, or the Jay Z of your Sasha Fierce?
Shauna Barbosa: That is always THE question. I’m happy, having fun. And would like to go on vacation with a really good looking guy (*wink*). Also, I have a thing for Doctors.
Kool Kids Inc.: (laughs) I have a thing for English Teachers, myself. Is there anything else you might be working on that you would like to share with us?
Shauna Barbosa: I’m writing.
Kool Kids Inc.: Any big plans for New Years?
Shauna Barbosa: I hope NOT to bring it in with almost everyone I did with last year. Other than that, anything that includes dancing and wearing really weird 2009 glasses.
Kool Kids Inc.: Count me in for this years, NYC is in mind for me. Thanks for taking time of your busy schedule to talk to us. Have a great rest of the year and happy new years love.
“Listen, yo
Let’s start it up (start it up) Let’s get it flowin (get it flowin)
Let’s make a move (make a move)
Let’s get it goin (haha)
I know it’s feelin like everything you want, don’t it?
And you been waitin your whole life for one moment
Well baby here it is (here it is)
You better step to it (step to it)
I know you ready right (ready y’all)
Then baby let’s do it (let’s do it)”
-Mos Def “Brown Sugar”
Due to Thanksgiving break, most of us were out on vacation with family, but on November 30th, 2008, two Kool Kids turned 21: Mr. Lawrence Allen Forrester and Mr. Stephan Anthony Semple!!
Impatient ass Michael Williams flipping the bird!! He made some bomb ass drumsticks tho (look behind him)!!
Time goes by and LA
Stephan had other things on his mind! SMH
Mi hermana Annaliz esta aqui tambien!!
These two Jasmines were also in the building!! Lol
Finally, he's here. Now cut the cake bro!
A red cup in one hand, and a knife in the other!! He
Yeahh man, welcome to the 21+ Crowd!! Cake in your FACE!!
You aint save neither man! IN YOUR FACE!
Niggah, its not even my birthday! Damnit!
Clean up time! I got you BLOOD!
What’s better than a Bugatti Veyron? A chromed-out Bugatti Veyron! Thanks to KanYe’s blog for the pics…
I can’t say I’m sneakerhead myself, but I know a hot shoe when I see one. Check out the Nike Air Crazy Force 1 and accompanying toy.
Click HERE for more pics.
Prior to matriculating at Morehouse College, I can honestly admit to myself that I was a Homophobic person. After successfully completing six wonderful semesters, and creating lifelong friendships with heterosexuals, bisexuals, and homosexuals I can claim that opening up to diversity is the key to establishing an enlightened state of mind. Some of us are very judgmental, and sometimes ignore “content of character” and would rather acknowledge somebody’s race, complexion, clothing or sexuality as a means of judgment. Prejudice was a major problem for African-American people throughout the Civil Rights Movement, and now it’s almost like we have made it a problem for ourselves now. We always judge each other!
On July 9th 2006, I can recall being draped out in the hood uniform, a white tee, some trash bag jeans, a fitted (my ghetto crown) and some low top white on white Adidas top ten’s. It was the summer time and I was fly as usual! Later on that night, I was chilling with some of my friends from the neighborhood in my boy’s car until… Bang Bang Bang!!! Shots starting flying we all ducked, and then I came up with a bullet lodged in my left check! The shot was not meant for me, but because of my “hood uniform”, I was mistaken for everyone else that looked like me and was forced to succumb to the shots. During that summer I got a second chance at life and thought to myself, how can I make sure this never happens to me again? Eventually the epiphany came, and I began to understand what my parents were telling me for the longest time. I needed to switch my clothing style up, to separate myself amongst my peers.
Since this incident, my style has changed to preppy, sometimes I switch it up, but bow-ties (the ones that are physically tied, not the cheesy pre-tied ones you get from Mr. Tux) , ascots (with the pen), corduroys, collared shirts, boat shoes, loafers, suspenders, sweaters, asshole socks, and even the fitted jeans have all been adopted by my new style. Ironically, when I venture home for a break from my rigorous studies some of my peers, not Civil Rights Movement babies, but 80’s babies, judge me off my appearance not knowing shit about where I come from, and what I do. I’m seen as a homo (honesty box comments to prove it). How does style correlate with sexuality?
As humans, we have let our prejudice feelings metastasize throughout the world. Lets live in harmony and not be judgmental towards each other. If we notice some injustice, lets fight like we would for our family to correct what’s wrong. John F. Kennedy said, “You never know what it’s like to walk in another man’s shoes, until you try them on and take steps.” Lets step forward and eradicate Hate, and create universal love for all.
-Michael Williams
The Most Anticipated Homecoming of the Year
in Association with Kool Kids Inc. Blog Presents:
This amazing homecoming comes to you in a series of images and a very small caption to accompany it. Remember that the definition of mirage “is a naturally-occurring optical phenomenon, in which light rays are bent to produce a displaced image of distant objects or the sky. The word comes to English via the French mirage, from the Latin mirare, meaning ‘to look at, to wonder at’. This is the same root as for mirror and to admire. Like a mirror, a mirage shows images of things which are elsewhere.” So used these images to live our homecoming with us. The theme of the year was used from a Vegas style paradigm, and every event was named accordingly to extravagant occasions in Las Vegas.
DAY 1: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 2008
VEGAS NAME: “FULL HOUSE”
ACTUAL EVENT: OPENING SERVICE
DAY 2: MONDAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 2008
VEGAS NAME: “21″
ACTUAL EVENT: FASHION SHOW
DAY 3: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, 2008
VEGAS NAME: “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”
ACTUAL EVENT: NEOSOUL CONCERT (FT. DWELE)
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 2008
VEGAS NAME: “STRATOSPHERE”
ACTUAL EVENT: HIP-HOP CONCERT (FT. YOUNG JEEZY)
Due to the "Recession", we couldn't afford Lupe Fiasco so we got the next best thing; Young Jezzy
Jeezy: "Ya'll kids need to go out and Vote for Barack Obama" Morehouse Student: "I'm voting for John McCain" Jeezy: "You better shut that shit up and Barack the Vote, niggah"
DAY 5: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD, 2008
VEGAS NAME: “ROULETTE”
ACTUAL EVENT: SPELMAN CORONATION AND PRETTY NASTY PARTY
Miss Spelman College 2008: Francesca Gibson (SC '09)
Mr. Blue and White: Jason Robinson (MC '09)
[NOTE: PRETTY NASTY IMAGES CANNOT BE SHOWN]
DAY 6: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, 2008
VEGAS NAME: “SIN CITY”
ACTUAL EVENT: CORONATION BALL
Our Royal Court: (from left to right) Isata Yansaneh (First Attendant), Joi Jackson (Ms. Maroon and White), April Curry (2nd Attendant). Aren't they just so gorgeous?
DAY 7: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 2008
VEGAS NAME: “ALL IN”
ACTUAL EVENT: TAILGATE AND FOOTBALL GAME
Hanging with some Bostonians- Ms. Cassidi Igram (OBHS '05, SC '09)
Heres our brother Ashe's sister Ms. Paige Cook (SC '10) at Jazzmans Cafe
Our Big Brothers were back in town, Mr. Sean Daughtery (MC '93, MIT '96)...
...and our other big brother Mr. Moses Landrum I.V. (MC '08, Harvard '11)
Michael and I had to take a picture with Dr. Franklin (MC '75, Current President of Morehouse College)...
...and Mrs. Franklin (First Lady) at the Football game.
On the football field during the halftime show
Halftime with Ms. Joi Jackson (SC '09, Ms. Maroon and White 2008)
Steve Harvey with one of his frat brothers at the Greek Step Show
Mr. Harvey and daughter Morgan (SC '09)
WINNERS OF THE HOMECOMING 2008 GREEK STEP SHOW: KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRAT. INC
DAY 8: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2008
VEGAS NAME: “WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS”
ACTUAL EVENT: CLOSING SERVICE
-Omar Mohamed Abdillahi
Images are a collection of photos taken during Homecoming 2008 by close friends of Omar Abdillahi.
