Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap MOVIE Trailer (2012)

"Hip Hop Didn't Invent Anything, Hip Hop Reinvented Everything!"

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING: THE ART OF RAP is a feature length performance documentary film about the runaway juggernaut that is Rap music. At the wheel of this unstoppable beast is the film’s director and interviewer Ice-T. Ice-T takes us on a deeply personal journey to uncover how this music of the street has grown to dominate the world. Along the way Ice-T meets some of the remarkable superstars of Rap, from Eminem to Dr Dre, to Snoop Dogg and Kanye West. He exposes the roots and history of Rap and then, through meeting most of it’s most famous protagonists studies the living mechanism of the music to reveal The Art Of Rap. This film features unique performances from it’s entire cast and does not use any archive material.

5 Reasons You Need to Meet in Person...

An excerpt from Inc.com (Source).


What can you learn from an in-person meeting that you can’t from a virtual one?

1. You're off the record.  In Silicon Valley and many other places, there are few private offices. Many of my clients work in cubes and can’t have private telephone conversations with me or anyone else. This means that when I talk to them on the phone, I might not get to hear the most important information they can share: the unique team dynamics or executive’s personality quirks that would make or break our ability to match an expert consultant. Over sushi or a latte or a walk around the block, my clients can let me know more -- with more color -- than they can over the telephone or in an email.

2. Make use of not-so-small talk.  Most business conversations are focused on solving a problem quickly and efficiently, while business relationships are built when people take the time to share and learn more about each other. That happens more naturally in person than over the phone or in an email. What cements a bond between people? Small talk about a favorite team, passion for pecan pie, parenting challenges, and the other bits and pieces that make us unique and interesting.

3. Make an impression. I bought a new handbag. It’s faux ostrich and it’s pink. Really pink. I’ve received compliments on it from every woman (and one man) I’ve met with in the past two weeks. I had worried it was perhaps not professional enough for business. But the style and color were bold, “spring-y” and made me smile. Who knew my $60 knock-off handbag would be such a great conversation starter and deliver such a strong personal statement? How do you do that over Skype?

4. Read the body language. Facial expressions often communicate so much more than words. We host consultant coffees and invite a handful of independent consultants to our office in order to better understand the nuances of each professional in a relaxed setting. We need to know what isn’t on the resume that makes each person unique. In their eyes and in their body language, we can see confidence, empathy, fear, friendliness or sincerity. That ability to “read” a candidate beyond their keywords is a huge competitive advantage for us.

5. Learn where the action is. I find out so much when I visit one of my clients in their office. Is the lobby bright and inviting with recent accolades proudly displayed? Do employees seem happy? Is there free juice and healthy snacks in the cafeteria? Brand new Herman Miller chairs in the conference room? Is everyone moving in slow motion or is there a palpable buzz? The environment speaks volumes and may factor into your business proposal or plan. By understanding company dynamics, we can communicate more effectively to meet their needs.

7 Inspirational Quotes On Hard Work...

“My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition. ” - Indira Gandhi

 
“Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goals: my strength lies solely in my tenacity.”- Louis Pasteur

 
“I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true - hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don't love something, then don't do it.”- Ray Bradbury

 
“Confidence is the result of hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication.”- Roger Staubach

 
“Hard work doesn't guarantee success, but improves its chances.”- B.J. Gupta

 
“Hard work doesn't guarantee success, but improves its chances.”- Abraham Lincoln

 
“If people knew how hard I worked to achieve my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful after all.”- Michelangelo

**Cypher** Ace Hood, Juelz, Fabolous Jadakiss

Jadakiss – The Cypher Lyrics...

Yo I tell you this much hip-hop is not dead
Change gone come just like Barack said
Money, Power, Respect like the lox said
You will be the man of the house my pops said
Heat the streets up real quick its all timin’
Gucci everything Sierra Leone Diamonds
You could know so much but yet no nothin’
If I don’t know nothin’ else, bet I know hustlin’
This ain’t even a rhyme, its a controlled substance
Strickly iron swingin’ no tuslin’
I just do business I dont do friends
Brand new M1′s and 9mm’s
As long as money’s involed with it im in
You ain’t gotta guest the second best im him
I will rap circles around these new urkels
Everything digital, purps is still purple
So im stayin in my lane till it open up
Im like a sponge in the game just soakin up
Log on i deserve a hit, I know you heard of kiss
this is the cypher I murdered it

 The Cypher at the BETs. No Copyright infringement intended; all material belongs to BET.

Talib Kweli & Hi-tek talk about Kanye West's vision and the early years...

Hard Knock Tv's Devi Dev and Nick Huff Barili talk to Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek talk about the early years of Kanye West's career. From Kanye opening up for Kweli to labels not wanting to sign him as a rapper. Kweli says that people didn't see Kanye's vision as an artist and just wanted his beats. Kweli says that he knew "College Drop Out" was a classic when he first heard it. Hi-Tek adds that Kanye is a genius in the same way that Dr Dre is.