Half A Mill Documentary "Player Hating: A Love Story" Interview With Director Maggie Hadleigh-West

My brief Interview with "Player Hating, A Love Story" Director Maggie Hadleigh-West

I went to Medgar Evers Tuesday night to see a screening of a film about a rapper. Turned out to be about Half A Mill. I honestly wasn't expecting much but the film was pretty good. I enjoyed it. After the screening there was a Q&A. I'm not fond of panels and most discussions that follow films about black folks. We always seem to end up in the same place upset and arguing saying nothing much that could actually affect change.

I couldn't take it and stood up and addressed the entire audience. In my brief rant I spoke about taking responsibility for one's self and for those who are around you. Being proactive and making a concerted effort to find something you can do to affect change. Someone kept asking, "but what can we do?" I pointed at the people on the panel and shouted they're telling you what you can do. Support them! I addressed the fact that if you truly want to do things you simply find a way to do them. I expressed that change is not always tied to a budget and it's important to understand that there is nothing small about any effort you make toward progress. You all want to have a perfect body but don't want to watch your diet and exercise. It ain't finna happen. I shared how one day I thought about how simply being nice to people in the street and smiling, speaking, kind gestures are powerful because there are people walking around everyday that simply do not want to live. All in all you have to actually care about people in order to want to help people. We are far too apathetic about things that happen around us that don't directly affect us. That has to stop. But we have to stop it. It's either do something or pretty much shut up.

Anyway... So much more to say but I won't. What I will say is that I support this film and I'd hope people will support it as well.

It's very interesting what gets support when it comes to the world of Hiphop and I'm not even discussing on a mainstream level because we all already know what it is.

This film deserves that support.

Quad Cinema: Fri. April 6 - Thurs. April 12
34 West 13th Street, NYC 10011 • 212.255.8800




Indie Screen: Fri. April 13 - Sat. April 14
289 Kent Ave. Williamsburg, BK, NY 11211 • 347.227.8030

Player Hating: A Love Story

Definition: Player Hating- Someone else is about to shine, and you'll do anything to keep that motherfucker from getting his cheese — it can be as subtle as negative flow (lyrics) or as extreme as trying to clap (shoot) him. -- Trent Bond, Half's Manager and former NYPD Detective

Half-a-Mill is a 26 year old hip hop artist from the Albany Projects in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. By the time he was seven, Half was sharing a gun with his brother, 'cause he was sick of people putting their guns in his face in the elevator of his building, and not being able to do anything about it. Half's been running with the same ten guys, since he was real little, and they're his crew. But he's the one that will take all of them out of the projects because he's been signed by the indie music label, Warlock Records. Half and his crew are doing most of the work to launch his first album Milion, but that's ok because there's the chance they'll blow up, and Half wants that so bad he can taste it, and he'll do whatever he has to do, in order to support himself, his family and his music.

Player Hating: A Love Story follows Half-a-Mill and his Brooklyn crew, The Godfia Criminals, as they struggle to launch Milion, in an effort to attain money, success and recognition through music. Player Hating delves intimately into the lives of young "thugs", and takes the viewer into an underground world of poverty, alienation, gangs, violence and music that most audience members have an inkling of, but few rarely see—unless they've lived it.

http://iareconscious.com/site/?p=1788

Break time...

I'm going to take a break from the Internets for a bit. Not sure how long. Return to all things non virtual. My energy is zapped. Time to recharge seriously. Much to think about. Much to handle. Big shout to all the folks that show and prove their support for my art daily. I love you for it. I am truly grateful. Be well.

Trayvon by Jasiri X

It's Sunday the God's day a day of rest
The Nba all stars are playing next
But right outside that same city
The celebratory atmosphere would change quickly
Who watching the game with me you know lil Trayvon
Was reppin his home town D Wade and LeBron
He had just came up from Miami to see his daddy
Who knew such a great weekend would end so badly
In a place where you move because it's safe for your family
But some people got a ingrown hate for your family
Halftime just a short brake from the slammin
Bout to go to the store lil cuz you want some candy?
Bet I grab you some skittles kid
I'll be right back in a little bit

Paid for lil cuz's skittles and a ice t
walked out the store and felt the chill of the night breeze
it seemed a little colder than before
he didn't know it was a boy like a soldier in a war
that was watching him clocking him thinking about stopping him
nine milly cocking them who's this nigga walking in my neighborhood
he fits all the specifics of criminal statistics he looks suspicious
911, what's your emergency
A black man's walking through my hood purposely
stay clam, it's just little Trayvon but he wanna be the hero so he put's his cape on
George Zimmerman neighborhood block captain
loaded glock strapped in fake cop has been
got out the car ignoring what the cops asked him
They always get away this time that will not happin

George Zimmerman didn't take his Ritalin
drunk off adrenaline says he making a citizens arrest
Trayvon looks at him vexxed
I just walked to the store nothing more nothing less
Just steps from his home he ignored his request
George grabs him, Trayvon swings and connects
Starts screaming out for help but Zimmerman see a threat
so he pulls out his gun and he points it at his chest
He fires but he misses Trayvon pleads for forgiveness
I didn't do nothing this is senseless
but George Zimmerman was so vicious
he made sure the second shot hit em no survivor no witness
Trayvon never gave his cousin his skittles
missed the all star game didn't see another dribble
And George Zimmerman wasn't even arrested
the message is only white lives are protected
In America

Video: Youtube Open Letter - The Importance of sharing...

The Other Day by Mon-tag

Follow http://twitter.com/i_Montag

iAreConscious - No Dirt [Freestyle]

iAreConscious - No Dirt [Freestyle] by we.PRmo

Oh yeah – Uh huh [Mingus, Coltrane, Monk]

I think I’m Mingus
I think I’m Coltrane
I think I’m Monk
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh

Mingus’ shadow played the white keys while he fondled the bass.
Monk’s the black keys.
Coltrane’s horn was in the shop, so he watched.
Fingers folded. Legs crossed in chair.
A trio of great.
No ADHD present.
At least non diagnosed.
In the years before night terrors.
Bad dreams sans Steven King Clown
Memories reluctantly held hands with troubled thoughts.
Reefer madness. Plumes of smoke.
Death doctors in white hooded coats.

I think I’m Mingus
I think I’m Coltrane
I think I’m Monk
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh

I think I’m Mingus
I think I’m Coltrane
I think I’m Monk
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh

I think I’m Mingus
I think I’m Coltrane
I think I’m Monk
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh

Download my book Clear & Lucid & Natural & Simple. Then we'll talk. http://bit.ly/CLNSBOOK

Help Get TastyKeish Back Online Before The New Year!

My good friend and co-host of "A Monthly Bondfire" lost a valuable tool last night. Someone walked off with her MacBook shortly after our event at BPC.

Needless to say that it's not a good look to lose an item beyond the cost to replace it, the data contained was invaluable. She just did a two week tour of the west coast so you can imagine the amount of footage, interviews and photographs that were lost.

TastyKeish is a self employed individual. The majority of her living income comes from the use of her personal computer; voice overs, journalism, etc...

I've set the price to $2,400 to cover the cost of the MacBook, taxes and AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro. Bare in mind she is still paying for the laptop that was stolen.

All funds go directly to TastyKeish. I'm asking for help so that she may be able to replace her comp before the new year rolls in. All help is appreciated. You will be blessed for your contribution.

http://conscious.chipin.com/get-tastykeish-back-online

P.S. Chipin uses Paypal.

1. You do not have to have a Paypal account to make a contribution.

Thanks again for your support. TastyKeish most definitely is great contributor of much time and effort to help create opportunities for artists in our NYC community as well creating awareness about pressing issues that are important to us all. This year alone TastyKeish has personally funded numerous projects for artists, helped raise funds for Japan Society and Haitian relief and daily lends knowledge, motivates and entertains her online network of followers and fans. Please help me give back to her. Thank you.

Cousins

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