Spoke And Heard: Taalam Acey

Taalam Acey may seem like just another ordinary poet by appearance, but when he opens his mouth, one can see why he is regarded as one of the best and hardest working spoken word artist of his generation. Not only has he published a novel, but also a collection of poems, an award winning memoir and 9 spoken word Cd's. Acey also performs regularly in more than 50 cities in the US and abroad every year.

Video: A Market For Niggas






Taalam's work has been featured in many media outlets such as BET, TV One and Essence Magazine. Always the teacher, Talaam spends most of his time touring colleges and Universities. Talaam Speaks further about his motivation for poetry:

"I’m motivated by making art for my culture. I wish to be well regarded by those of us who think and feel deeply. And not just now, but fifty years from now. I am motivated by the horizon of projects up ahead. I rationalize this existence through my art. It helps me to understand myself, my children, and the people around me. Graciously, providence allows me to provide for my children while being an artist. I’m not getting rich but I am privileged enough to have the comfort to sit back and see life for what it is and, on some days, I can even see beyond it."

Excerpt From www.taalamacey.com

Acey is also an accomplished slam poet who has won slams throughout the United States as well as in Germany and England.

When I first heard "A Market For Niggas", I felt my reasons for why I created this magazine were validated. The face of Hip-Hop needs to change before the youth become further brainwashed with the belief that the Gang Life and the drug dealing mentality it portrays is cool or manly. Men like Taalam Acey are what this industry needs in order to make a change in today's society. He brings the "Lyric" back in "Lyricist". I Don't even Have to tell you this man is Hyphenated. Visit Taalam Acey@ http://www.myspace.com/officialtaalamacey




Peace.Love.H-Life

J. Poakwa

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Hyphenated At It's Best...

Beatboxing Flute player Greg Patillo in an ode to Jay-Z.
Shot in NYC in May 06.
Props to Franky on the Vid


Another man doing what he does best. Hip-Hop needs originality and it's people like this who give it that trait. Greg Patillo, You Are Hyphenated.


Peace.Love.H-Life

J. Poakwa

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SSSSQUAD UPPP!(R.I.P)

Today we lost a great one America. Far Rockaway Queens Lyricist Stack Bundles, know for his affiliation with DJ Clue and the Desert Storm Label, and most recently Jim Jones' Byrd Gang, was gunned down this morning in front of his Far Rockaway home. At this time details of what actually occurred are limited. Stacks Touched many people in the hip-hop industry. Lupe Fiasco, Chicago Lyricist and CEO of 1st&15Th records(FNF UP!), released a statement this morning weighing in on the sudden loss of his friend....

My Dear Friend...it hurt so much to wake up to this...So sad...I've watched from the humble beginnings...when he used to live with me out in Chicago we rocked together everyday...He'd write rhymes in one room and I'd be writing rhymes in the other...He was there with me through many a milestone in my life , the ups and the downs, and I was so proud and happy to see him achieve success in his life at what he loved...Hip-Hop...Stacks was the first person that was signed to 1st&15Th way back when it first started FYI...Even beyond that I considered Stacks family...My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends in this time of sadness...We all lost a Good Friend today...But He wont be forgotten...May God have mercy on his soul, Forgive him for his sins in this Life, and watch over him in the next...


Love my nigga, I only shed tears for a few and I shed tears for you...

Sincerely, Lupe Fiasco

FNF UP...

The loss of Stacks is one that the Hip-Hop game did not need to endure. To many young and talented people have been taken from us. His death is a sad, sad loss. I extend my condolences to his family, the state of New York, Far Rockaway Queens, and to Hip-Hop. Were Losing to many Y'all. It has to stop. SSSSSQQQQQUUUUUAADDDDD UP!!!. R.I.P Stack Bundles

Peace.Love.H-Life

J. Poakwa

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Album of The Week

Fresh Out the Album release party, I bring you a sample of the hot debut Album from U-N-I, "Fried Chicken & Watermelon". Feel free to change the tracks as you listen to selected cuts off their Album, located at the bottom of the page. The Track Listing for Fried Chicken & Watermelon is as follows:

1.Introduction
2.The Launch (Prod. by Ro Blvd)
3.Soul Hop (prod. Moufahza)
4.Let Me Be Me (prod. by Swiff D)
5.The Show 2007 (prod. by Proh Mic)
6.Do With Me (Prod. by Swiff D)
7.Let Me Sing For You Skit
8.Knock On Wood (Prod. by Swiff D)
9.Fat Girl (prod. by Proh Mic)
10.The Proposal (prod. by Proh Mic)
11.Castlevania (prod. by Dibiase)
12.Lap Dance (prod. by Dibiase)
13.Beautiful Day (prod. by Dibiase)
14.K.R.E.A.M ()prod. By Dame Taylor


Nowadays its hard to gauge where people will land in the Music business(We have all witnessed one hit wonders and gimmick rappers). However, If I was a Fortune Teller I'm pretty sure U-N-I would show up in a vision as one of the hottest new duo's on the market. Classic is a strong word when referring to an album(We all know of the infamous five Mic rating), but when I heard the catchy intro and smooth melody of "The Launch"(Produced by Ro. BLVD.), I kid you not, I had a dope overload. The beat accompanied with the fierce lyrics of Thurzday and YO grabs your attention, as if to say "You are my Bitch for the next hour!", while the listener begs for more. I found myself replaying the track over and over.



Photos by Wadeva Images

This Album is drenched in the sauce that makes REAL Hip-Hop the Food for one's Soul (had to some Popeye's afterwards). From the smooth lyrics of "Do Wit Me"(Produced By Swiff D) to the catchy hook, dope rhymes and ridiculous beat of "Castlevania"(Produced by Dibiase), U-N-I's "Fried Chicken & Watermelon" makes to be a complete helping of Hip-Hop at it's finest. This Album is a CLASSIC in every sense of the word. It's a shame that these dudes aren't signed yet.

However, at this rate U-N-I will be in your best buys and Circuit City's in no time. If your a fan of REAL Hip-Hop, then peep these guys. If your a fan of Country music, then peep these guys. Hell!, EMO niggas can see this shit is Fiyah..lol. Be sure to visit the groups myspace(myspace/unimuzik) for more information about the album and upcoming events. Once again the Songs are playing at the bottom of the page. Hope you enjoy.

Peace.Love.H-Life

J. poakwa

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Hyphenated At It's Best...

Martin Leung - Super Mario Piano Medley



Now I know you guys are watching this like "What The Fuck is Joe Thinking?" Some may look at this guy and say he isn't one of the cool guys we are so used to seeing. Well guess what, this guy is dope and he is damn good at what he does. Now This is some Hyphenated shit for yo ass....I mean Just Listen to this dude. I remember all these songs from when I would play Super Mario on my Nintendo console(Original shit).I've never heard somebody as good as him for what he is doin'. I applaud his genius. Congrats Martin Leung, You Are Hyphenated.....




Peace.Love.H-Life

J. Poakwa

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Food For Your Liquor

Tattoos, Bad Girls, and Good music. Thus was the setting for the U-N-I Album Release Party. It all went down last night in the Airplane terrorized community of Westchester California(LAX). I arrived there shortly after ten pm to find that my friend Charles and I were a little early, maybe too early. The wait was well worth it though. As we sat in the V.I.P section of the Hollywood Stars Tattoo parlor we had the opportunity to see all the fine females as they arrived, as well as take pictures with the BLINK booth,Fresh...I know. fast shout to BLINK.com.
In Picture: Me And Chuck Flexin'


DJ Swivel Provided the music for the evening, filling the venue with bass pounding, ear food I call REAL Hip-Hop(Dilla, Tribe, Common, ETC...). The event was all love. Everybody I go to school with was there since Yannick 'Thurzday' Koffi(one half of U-N-I) is an alumni of LMU. As a Matter of fact I think every fly person in LA was there. There were like a million people in the venue, and most of them were women...Heaven.
In Picture:Some Of The Ladies


Got to meet alot of cool people I have never seen or even heard of in my life, such as one of the craziest producers I've ever heard named Dibiase AKA Diabolic. This dude looks exactly like J Dilla and was dressed like he just came off the street, but man can he make a beat. This Nigga flips Video Game Beats Y'all. That's Talent.
In Picture: U-N-I and Dibiase:Myspace.com/dibiasebeats(In the yellow polo)


A lot of low key celebs in the building as well, such as Watts City Stix and Lil' Phizz of B2K(LOL). Just Like Black Folks, It took forever for U-N-I(Thurzday and Y.O.) to get on stage, but when they did, sheesh. These aren't your steroetypical west coast artist here y'all. Spit and Swagg is what makes this duo so deadly. They performed five songs, each keeping the crowd pumped. The finale called for all the sneaker heads in the audience to come on stage as they performed their hit K.R.E.A.M(Kicks rule everything around me)Produced by LA Native Dame Taylor. The bars were slick and the kicks were fresh. I really Hope my boys Blow up.

The Production on the album is very eclectic. Dibiase has three tracks on there, the best being Castlevania. Yes Like the Game. Other Producers on the album are Ro Blvd:myspace.com/roblvd(Sick), Dame Taylor(Sick), and my Boy Swiff D: myspac.com/swiffvega(Sick as Fuck). After Thurz and Y.O. ripped the stage the event turned into a Sean Paul video. Reggae!!! All in All the night was a huge success and even better I ain't have to pay for shit(I Love my Job). If you Don't have it already, go cop that U-N-I album Fried Chicken and Watermelon (Myspace.com/unimuzik ). It's well worth the five hots.


Peace.Love.H-life

J.Poakwa

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Elevation

What is Hyphenated-Life? Well for starters Hyphenated-Life is an Online/Print Magazine Founded By Joseph Poakwa in 2006. H-Life is the observation of music culture through Photography, Art, and Poetry. Hyphenated meaning that we are in the middle of all that is music, whether it be corporate to talk on the streets. We are here to give you what your mind needs, real talk. No mainstream ass kissin over here. We cover all genres of the game, and give respect when respect is due. So sit back and enjoy the Hyphenated view.

Peace.Love.H-Life

J.Poakwa

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