chris brown

The Next Crop of Block-Busters: How Jay-Z and Mike Epps are Making Good on Their Connections in High Places

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There’re so many streaming media outlets trying to bundle their service. Industry experts believe that’s become necessary in order to survive. Gen Z’ers might not even know that before there was ‘Netflix and Chill’, there was mail-order DVD delivery. And before that was the Blockbuster store.

Well, the next crop of block-busters isn’t from the movie business. As Hip-Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, a biz mogul is being celebrated with a multi-floor exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library. “The Book of HOV” exhibit celebrates the life & work of Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter, the first hip-hop billionaire.

Gayle King Interviews Jay-Z

While that’s happening in NYC, Comedian Mike Epps has teamed-up with HGTV on ‘Buying Back the Block’ in Indy. He and his TV-producer wife bought six houses where he grew up, turning them from ‘rundown to uptown’ in appeal. He wants to give the community a chance at a hometown comeback.

Jay-Z says it’s important to remember where you came from. This way it can keep you on course for where you’re going. For sure, the exhibit reflects that and captures his many multi-platinum albums. Epps has travelled all over the country and seen ‘blight by flight’ when residents leave and resources scatter.

They’re both making good on their roots, riches and relationships in biz. The fact that the exhibit is in Brooklyn seems to light Jay’s fire as a ‘full circle’ moment. For Epps, one of the houses that went under reno was once owned by his grandmother. They’re at a point of ‘flashback and comeback’ fueled by:        

  • Motivation:- Jay-Z says his upbringing was ‘normal’ but there were times of violence and bloodshed not far away. His success motivation came from not trying to fit-in but to break-out.
  • Mastery:- He and Epps have put in the work to be a master at their craft. That makes it easier to duplicate themselves in other areas even if it’s not the primary skillset that got them famous.
  • Membership:- As the credit card commercial likes to say, “membership has its privileges”. In their case they’re drawing on relationships over the years from their network and net worth.  
  • Meaning:- With many career tracks, there’s a time money is the driver. Then the focus expands to being a mainstay in the game. After a while, it’s about more meaning in your life’s work.           

When asked what’s next, album or enterprise, HOV wasn’t locked-in one way or other. His social justice work is front-and-center. Plus, his NFL collab led to production honors of a Grammy for the Superbowl halftime show in LA. That was nothing short of major considering his life’s journey growing up in danger.

Mike & Kyra Epps

These guys got lots on their plates to keep them busy on the road, in showbiz or family life. They’ve made the money, become a mainstay and are now banking on having more meaning. They’re showing us what it takes to not just make a living but to make a life as the next crop of block-busters. It’s how we’ll roll!

Talkback: What else might Jay-Z or Epps have up their sleeves as top dawgs in the marketplace?

Tip: While making a living gets you going, making a life keeps you on a path of money, mainstay and meaning.

Tracks: Ciara, Chris Brown – How We Roll – https://youtu.be/xnumI3_qt-w?si=49A_QxeAbHLbKdCE

Nailah Blackman – Jam of the Year – https://youtu.be/_EepymWJeXc?si=JnW2rgt-BcYQEKTQ

Steph Curry and Tiffany Haddish on Turning Good Breaks into Dance Shakes While Keeping Their Game On High Performance

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The NCAA Final Four teams are set with a few one-seed upsets. The two Carolina teams Duke & UNC are out of the dance. Virginia is still in the mix while Texas Tech beat west coast favorite Gonzaga to reach the Final Four for the first time. For die-hard fans, some of those games were hard to watch.

Another North Carolina boy has his eyes set on a different upcoming series. Steph Curry is gearing up for the big push of the NBA playoffs. He’s been on a run lately that is simply other-worldly. Meantime, Tiffany Haddish is trying to reset her comedy game after a New Year’s Eve show that went off the rails.

They know something about turning good breaks into dance shakes. You see it when Curry runs a fast break or hits a 3-point shot so far out he might as well have taken it from the parking lot. Haddish does her dance shake when she pinches herself and realizes the path taken to becoming a hit in Hollywood.

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Curry says he’s still working on some things in his game. That’s why when he named his top-5 NBA players in the past 20 years, he says his name wasn’t on the list because he’s still a work in progress.  Haddish says she learned the reason why her show bombed. She partied too much the night before.

What drives them is the stuff they’re doing to make their game and life story come alive even more. Curry remembers times when people said he was overrated. He puts in the work to silence the doubters. Haddish says she’s back to doing comedy right. They’re keeping their game on high because of the:

  1. Dream

Your dream is deeply-rooted in some inner vision for your best self or is connected to someone else’s dream for a better product, service or world. Curry’s dream probably came from watching his dad play ball in the NBA. As a kid, he’d be on the court learning the plays of the game and the tricks of the trade.

  1. Flow

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When you watch Haddish she seems like a boundless flow of energy. When you watch Curry, he’s just hitting shots in the flow. Everybody’s got their own flow. But one reason why fans might attend their games or stand-up comedy shows is to experience and enjoy the magic of their flow.

  1. Brand

Curry started his own production company to work on other projects that help fulfill his true calling and broader purpose. What he does in the game is good for scoring points and celebrating championships. What he’s doing off the court is good for building his brand and defining his life’s work.

  1. Destiny

Usually in the professional game folks are driven by something to prove. Maybe Curry felt doubted and had to prove he’s got game. Maybe Haddish felt slighted as a child and had to prove that ‘she ready.’ But even beyond having to prove to others in the game, is their hope to fulfill their destiny.

Once the NCAA tournament is done the NBA playoffs begin. Curry’s looking to do something not done since Kobe Bryant and the Lakers with a three-peat. Haddish is working on her stand-up game for Netflix projects. They keep performance on high, driven by the dream, flow, brand and destiny ‘cause they’ll be around.

Tip: Great achievers keep performance on high, because of the dream, flow, brand and fulfilling their destiny.

Talkback: Who you’ve got for taking the crown at the NCAA Big Dance?

Tracks: Cee-lo ft Timbaland – I’ll be Around – https://youtu.be/TatmBrl8Y28

T.I. ft Chris Brown – Get Back Up – https://youtu.be/B9qZz-m6BL4

Jordan Peele & Iyanla Vanzant Take Audiences on a ‘Sharp Turn, Best Life’ Ride that’s Filled with Ooh’s and Aah’s

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The countdown is underway for the next big events on the pop culture calendar. Some fans can’t wait for the NCAA March Madness team selection. Others are looking forward to the iHeartRadio Music Awards. But in the meantime there’s Jordan Peele and Iyanla Vanzant taking fans on a ‘sharp turn, best life’ ride.

For Peele it’s in the success of his movie Get Out which won at the Oscars for Best Original Screenplay. It’s the first time that’s happened for an African-American. The movie is part horror, part thriller and part comedy. It starts out with a car making a sharp turn on a local street as the plot unfolds.

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It was a different kind of March Madness in the season opener for Iyanla’s ‘reinvention show’ on OWN. Things didn’t work out the normal way where the guest accepts the chance to find a path towards their best life. Peele and Vanzant generally put their gifts to work on their first audience.. which is themselves.

They know the road to redemption or achieving aspirations usually starts on ‘Self Street.’ Oftentimes how we reach higher is an extension of our comfort with self. Peele and Vanzant turned what appeals/reveals to self as a formula for a successful movie or unscripted TV show that could have been counted out.

In a recent ‘Oprah at the Apollo’ interview Peele gave an inside look into the steps he took in moving his dreams in the right direction. Vanzant often shares hers by saying that she had to do the work to achieve the healing before her place of shining. Their first audience of success started out by taking:

  1. Preparation Steps

Before celebration there’s always preparation. That’s true whether planning a party or going after your dreams. Before becoming a computer engineer I took preparations steps in college. Before going after my dreams in business I took preparation steps as a novice-in-training. These steps help put us in the game.

  1. Production Steps

It’s been said that people can have beginners luck when playing a game for the first time. Things kinda come your way even without trying hard. Where beginners luck ends is where production steps begin. It can be a surprise to do things well the first time. But you build production value doing it again and again.

  1. Breakout Steps

We expect to eventually have breakout steps along the way. The ‘Get Out’ movie is a sort of breakout step for Peele after leaving his Comedy Central gig. Vanzant had her breakout step when she first hosted a daytime talk show. They’ve used breakout steps in taking a risk or setting out as a trailblazer.

  1. Comeback Steps

They’ve also shown they can turn setbacks into comebacks. It’s something we’re teaching our daughter who’s been dealing with a leg (hamstring) injury. Each time it seemed like she was ready to return to her sport she’s had to pull back. Comeback steps help us with raising our game and elevating our dreams.

The journey of a 1000 miles begins with the first step. Whether we choose to walk, run or drive there can be lots of oohs and aahs on the ride. Steve Harvey reminds us that things might go south or get rough as part of God’s plan. But those who get back up keep things moving because they have dreams to celebrate.

Tip: The dream journey of a 1000 miles starts with preparation steps that might set us on a path as trailblazers taking breakout steps.

Talkback: Is it drama or trauma that makes things come alive in Get Out or on Vanzant’s TV show?

Tracks: Drake – God’s Plan – https://youtu.be/xpVfcZ0ZcFM

T.I. ft Chris Brown – Get Back Up – https://youtu.be/B9qZz-m6BL4

Fast & Furious’ @Tyrese and Biz Mogul Richard Branson Face Different Challenges for Next-Level Living! – #WUWECAST

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny?


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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (Old-School Flava)

Know someone who just had a birthday? If so they’re one year older and wiser. That’s how it feels when celebrating your next milestone is less about age and more about experiences. Maybe that’s why actor/singer Tyrese and Richard Branson from Virgin Group face different challenges for next-level living.

Branson who turned 65 said “I can assure you I have no plans to retire. I can’t imagine not working, as I’ve never seen work as work and play as play – it’s all just living.” It’s really how game changers, dream chasers and glass-ceiling breakers keep things fun. They stretch themselves in mind, body and spirit.

While not in the same league, Tyrese’s challenge is getting airplay on mainstream radio. He doesn’t put limits on his career and thinks it’s not fair for others to put limits on his music. His success has spanned music, movies and television. His vision is to stretch his music appeal beyond a genre-specific brand.

Branson’s a guy with business savvy most of his life. In some circles he’s called a serial entrepreneur having a hand in various biz ventures. Beyond music stores and a global airline, Branson’s now poised to commercialize space travel. They both take time to celebrate life as they soar into the record books.

Plus, they’re plugged-in to social media as Branson’s taking ideas for 65 challenges he’ll tackle in the next year. One challenge he’s already finished is sitting still for 65 minutes. For the busy person he is, that wasn’t easy. He posted a selfie doing so as he enjoyed the scene on his private island view.

They’ll use these challenges to inspire others to capture their dreams and pamper their souls. So, in the end, we all might affirm the words of Oprah, another icon in the game who said “My confidence comes from knowing there is a Force, a Power greater than myself, that I am a part of and is also a part of me.”

Groove-Track: American Authors – ‘Go Big or Go Home’ – https://youtu.be/dUZoK20_KYQ

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (New-School Flava)

Know someone having a birthday bash? The young’uns hope to get some cash. If so they’re one year older. Better yet another year wiser. That’s how it feels for a milestone. Less about age, but being in the zone. So Richard Branson and Tyrese face a challenge that’s here. Dude this is serious but have no fear.

Branson turned 65 and lights a fire. Says “I can assure you, no plans to retire.” Really can’t imagine not even working. Work as work and play as play – it’s all living. How game changers and dreamers stay on the run. As they and glass-ceiling breakers keep things fun. Stretching mind, body and spirit in the sun.

While not in the same game. Tyrese wants to maximize his name. To get airplay on mainstream radio. Is what he’d like to hear in stereo. Doesn’t put limits on his career track. Thinks it’s not fair to be held back. His success spans music, movies and TV. Vision to stretch music branding beyond Urban AC.

Branson’s a guy with savvy and smarts. Most of his life he’s played many parts. Serial entrepreneur with lots of ventures. Travels the world in wild adventures. Beyond music stores and global airliner. Poised as first space travel entertainer. It’s how they celebrate and soar. Into record books but who’s keeping score.

Checking ideas from social media page. Vast followers across the world stage. For 65 challenges Branson tackles for kicks. Got no reason for playing tricks. One’s already done just to show. Sitting still 65 minutes, a pain you know. That wasn’t easy for him to do. Posted a selfie from his private island view.

Both hope to inspire others at least. To capture dreams, pamper souls and rally the beast. Some put confidence in a Force or Power to be contender. That’s something else a few others might remember. So in the end like Oprah we’ll get to see. As icon in the game that Force is part of you and me.

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Tip: A challenge is nothing more than having a goal, a dream or a deadline to rise to the next-level in your prime.

Talkback: How do you challenge yourself and keep things fun?

Groove-Tracks: Kindred and the Family Soul – ‘Far Away’ – https://youtu.be/wdODuw5SZnE

Pitbull ft Chris Brown  – ‘Fun’ – https://youtu.be/jKbR7u8J5PU

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

Chris Brown Makes a Turnaround with New Tracks and Then Backtracks

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

This past weekend was big for homecomings. There were cheer booster rallies, pre-game tailgating and folks hanging-out with friends. It seems Chris Brown was in the mix. He headlined a homecoming party at a Washington D.C. club. Every so often Brown makes a turnaround with new tracks and then backtracks.

Over the past few years Brown has become more known for mixing things up. He was put on probation after the Rihanna incident. Since then he’s had run-ins with Drake and Frank Ocean to name a few. Now it seems he could have a violation with a recent skirmish after the party. So what can Brown do for you?

That’s the slogan for UPS. But it might even be a question for Brown vs. Brown when he looks in the mirror. It’s a question others may have asked after a surprise layoff, business setback or fall from grace. Change from the outside-in might be more appealing but change from the inside-out is more revealing.

There’re times when returning from setback or avoiding the urge to backtrack requires looking towards the horizon. The horizon is where the sun rises and sets. It also gives warning of where clouds (changes) are gathering. Whether work dreams or vacation, the horizon is a place for great visions and revisions.

Brown still has a loyal fan base. His music is overly-racy to some but cool and sexy to others. Since the probation judge is less interested in his music, Brown can only hope and pray he doesn’t get jail time. But if so, he’ll have more time to look to the hills in order to change the man in the mirror after rehab.

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The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

Past weekend among the bigs. Lots of weaves and curly wigs. Homecoming booster-cheer rallies. Pre-tailgating and after-parties. Folks hanging with some friends. Dropping dollars to no ends. Chris Brown in the mix. Getting D.C. party fix. He makes turnaround with new tracks. Then suddenly kinda backtracks.

Past few years of bad press. Anger management or under stress. Put on probation after Rihanna blow-up. Becoming known for mixing things up. Run-ins with Frank Ocean as well as Drake. Just to name a few for real sake. Recent skirmish could bring violation. What can Brown do for Brown in this situation?

Like the slogan to that of UPS. Brown has had long-running success. But Brown vs. Brown is a different beast. Needs to look in the mirror at least. A question for others after layoff or life setback. Fall from grace to major comeback. Change on the outside more appealing. Change on the inside more revealing.

Good for returning from setback. And avoiding urge to backtrack. Requires taking a horizon view. Where sunlight dies or comes thru. Gives early warning of clouds gathering. Seeing things before they become troubling. Whether work dreams or on vacation. A great place for vision-revision motivation.

Still has a loyal fan-base. Maybe he’s opened-up another case. Music overly-racy say some complainers. But cool and sexy say industry retainers. Probation judge doesn’t really care. About his album and style flare. Brown hopes and prays no jail-time range. Might take looking to the hills if he wants to change.

Tip: Upping your game is in knowing that change from the outside-in might be more appealing but change from the inside-out is more revealing.

Talkback: How many more chances should Chris Brown get before he runs out of luck?