You Can't Kill Hot Bars Behind Bars

As I write this blog I am zoned out listening to the MC that my first love blasted in his old school Chevy and had everyone yelling GOON SQUUUAAAD! This artist changed the game and had people looking at a different Chicago in which the world wasn't familiar. However, life happens and this artist fate changed the direction of his career.

Hip Hop has its bad boys in the industry with many artist being faced with trials and spending time in jail ranging from Snoop Dogg to Tupac. Recently, artists such as Lil Wayne and TI served time in jail and has remained as successful artists. Hence, Lil Wayne made more money this year while he was in prison then he did last year while he was out of prison. Lil Wayne survives as an artist while in prison through his Young Money label where he has the two hottest artists in heavy rotation, Nicki Minaj and Drake. His voice is still heard through his influence in these artists flow and has many features on their tracks. Lil Wayne is even in Drake's newest video for his "MISS ME" track. TI left his mark with his wife, Tiny from Xscape, and Lil Wayne's ex Wife BET reality show where both rappers are the key subject subliminally.

 The latest and undisputed lyricist to be placed in prison is Chicago's BUMP J who had over 20,000 downloads of his newly released mixtape REMEMBER ME hosted by The Aphilliates DJ MOONDAWG. The success of this mixtape raises the question of how can artists brand themselves while incarcerated.

Bump J sticks out to me because he is an individual that wasn't privileged to only serve a year in prison (He was sentenced to seven years) like Hip Hop favs Lil Wayne and TI. His fame and street cred has shown why BUMP J brought a different flava to the industry and why his imprisonment came at a time where he was about to blow in the mainstream scene.

I personally feels that with no promo at all and the success of his latest mixtape, REMEMBER ME, shows that the "streets" are a important factor in branding. For instance, will Justin Bieber have the same amount of supporters when if he was imprisoned for the same accusations as Bump J? Bump J was an artist that could give 16 bars of street poetry that touch the soul, giving accurate descriptions for Chicagoans and all individuals that resides in Urban America.

The key to branding artists such as Lil Wayne and Bump J is creditability to their target audience. If the target audience, urban communities, views an artist as someone who is really living the life that they are spitting our speak lyrics that the "streets" live.

Shyne was just realesed from prison and his anticpation as an artist died. The failure of his brand was the lack of exposure hence his last album being released in late 2004 and the lack of resources such as social media, exposures via magazines (letter to fans, columns etc.) and the drive to keep hold to his fans he accumulated during his BAD BOY days.


An artist that wants to survive while in jail needs bars that speak life, realness giving the people something that the mainstream fail to give in song: THE TRUTH. Bump J is Chicago and gives the real through his words in a way most artist fails to deliver. Artists like Lil Wayne, Bump J and TI is proof that you can't kill hot bars behind bars.........

DOWNLOAD BUMP J'S MIXTAPE REMEMBER ME HOSTED BY DJ MOONDAWG HERE:
http://www.wgci.com/pages/DJMoonDawg.html?an=MIXTAPE-Bump-J-DJ-MoonDawg-Remember-Me

BUMP J'S LETTER 2 MY COMPETITION:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnFNaVZRYrQ


LIL WAYNE IN DRAKE'S MISS ME VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWNIC5hXGwU&feature=fvst

SHYNE'S BAD BOYS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BeTqapowAU

The Reality of It Football: Why the Bengals Will Win Without the Superbowl

The Cincinnati Bengals hold a history in the NFL that is just as prominent as their neighbors the Cleveland Browns. A true Ohioer takes pride in wearing orange knowing that this hue is a reflection of the Buckeye State. Despite the pride amongst its fellow neighbors, the Bengals has made an impressive comeback for the season that will leave a historical mark on the entire sports world.
Reality television has taken over our worlds and finding reality stars isn't uncommon, hence the popularity of Omarosa, Elizabeth Hasselbeck etc. This past summer Bengals signed Terrell Owens to join Chad Ochocino to the Bengal family which only added excitement for the upcoming season. Both TO and Ochocino have reality shows on VH1 that gets much feedback from football and non football fans. TO gives us the "real" Terrell while Chad lets us witness him find love. However, was this a smart decision for football?

It's mid August and that only means one thing... FOOT BALL PRESEASON! The time of the year where men ignore their mates during game time and women gather in their stilletos to discuss all the players tightends. Nevertheless, football holds an interest this year that will not only take the NFL to higher heights, but bring this particular team back to life.

The reason why TO and Ochocino being on the same team works because not only has the two iconic sport figures have Sunday nights going crazy on Twitter, Facebook and all other social media outlets, but the shows both had over 1 million viewers during the season premieres (via tvbythenumbers.com).
This will not only capture popularity and a more marketable image for the players, but the chances of advertising for the NFL and the Bengals is more relaxed and open doors to new markets to explore for the entire NFL brand. I wouldn't be surprise if I seen T shirts that read "Ochocino's Bengal Baby" on "new found" female Bengal fans.

Bengals may not have a track record like the New Orleans Saints or the San Diego Chargers who both made it to the finals last season, but I think it is safe to say that the Bengals are winning right now.....EVEN WITHOUT THE SUPERBOWL!

Terrell Owens

Chad Ochocino

The Film Industry: The PR Prespective

I had the pleasure of speaking with Paul Coy Allen of TentoOne Entertainment and is very impressed with his brand's upcoming projects.  Alongside his partners, Marcus Spence and Phil Thorton, Paul Coy Allen and the TentoOne family is responsible for many hot things we see visually such as Timbaland and Drake's "Say Something," Lisa Raye's "The Real McCoy," Nickelodeon's Kenan & Kel and All That as well as many other prominent television shows and films.

With upcoming projects such as Faith Evans reality show debuting soon one may question what TentoOne needs to get the target audience it needs to flourish?Effective PR comes in with understanding the film industry and the needs of those other brands who needs producers, directors etc. 

Would I suggest the public knowing about this brand or just keep it in the film industry? I say the only time a film company should get exposure to the public is after the PR to film related media and exposure to necessary media professionals have taken place. For i.e. placement in Filmmaker Magazine and Bright Lights.

TentoOne media is a company to watch take over the Silver screen slowly, but surely! If you need hot film related work performed contact them at http://www.ten2oneentertainment.com/ and SAY SOMETHING BABY!

PR IN THE CITY: THE JOURNEY

Public Relations is my story, the windows to something deeper than a press release and media recovery. It is what I represent as a community, the image of many men and women who strive to shape the world's image into something great. Building relationships and molding ourselves into representatives for brands is a task that PR/IMC professionals must undergo to get the results.

My journey begins at Roosevelt University when I planned and arranged press for my student organization RU PRIME, where Chicago local artists Shirty K and Ben One performed for college students! That was the beginning as my calling as the "PR IN THE CITY." 

This blog was started to inform people people on the real focus of PR/IMC and to give a better idea by taking hot topics of the day and giving them an analysis form a PR/IMC perspective!

This is my story, Ariel DeNey of Ella A.L.L.E, and stay tuned to my blog to learn about the madness of being the PR IN THE CITY!

Trey Songz Versus R. Kelly: The Saga Continues with ALREADY TAKEN

Everyone knows that R kelly has been crowned the KING OF R&B, but lately Trey Songz has taken the world by storm with his sexy style and his breath taking voice! His latest album READY proved he was ready to walk in the likes of R&B hotnnes such as Ginuwine, R. Kelly etc. and sold many copies and landed him on tour with Jay Z. However, the drama occured when last here he released a R. Kelly diss that shook upthe world.especially my city Chicago home of R.Kelly. Now I am a HUGE Trey Songz fan and I love R.Kelly so I never picked sides, but this ongoing "singer beef" seems to shake up the world.
From a PR perspective both parties have gotten some exposure from this ordeal, however it reigns in Trey Songz favor hence his album sales and the anticipated release of his album PASSION, PAIN AND LOVE in September. But R.kelly is making a an attempt to come back with his "ORIGINAL VERSION" of Trey's "ALREADY TAKEN" which is a lead single for STEP UP 3D.

I was in the car with my Mom and it came on the radio station WGCI and they made a fuss over it, but I really don't think that this can help R.Kelly recover as much considering his latest album flop and how his sales didn't compare to his other LP's.

R.Kelly Publicist would be wise if she focused on how he is recovering from his sexual assault case, his divorce from his wife (dancer Andrea Kelly) and how his new album is bringing back that soul R&B today is missing. R.kelly image began to go downhill every since his sexual abuse charges and when Jay Z decided he didn't want to be a part of R.kelly's world any longer when chaos broke out during the Best of Both Worlds Tour in 2004.

Kelz, you are our history and I am counting on you to make sure the faith I am keeping is a good decision!

CLICK THE LINKS TO HEAR BOTH VERSIONS AND GIVE YOUR OPINIONS!