Breakthrough...

Here's a BRIEF glimpse of the fashion show that I attended Sunday night. It was a good overall show. I had to be there to support some of my friends (Tima, Lani, Jojo, Tierra).

The show was put on by Antowan Fleeton. The proceeds from the show go towards helping the aspiring models build their portfolios, and basic enrichment. Congrats Antowan and keep it up!!!

So I'm sorry that I didn't receive the information in time to let you know that an event was being held, but there is a Sway's Way fashion show coming up in August. I'll keep you updated.

-Deonshay Danson

New on CS Radio

Check out Culture Shock Radio as we chill in the Shed with Michael Sibley! Real People Doing Real Things!

For all you Maxwell fans, BLACKsummers Night has a remix EP brought to you by Melo-X.  Thanx Rahdu! Click here to download.

To Appease You...

Okay I offer my deepest apologies for being MIA for the past few days. My sinuses attacked me over the weekend and yesterday my Internet usage was limited to my Sidekick. But to appease you I have some new talent for all you true hip hop heads.

Poe Picasso's "Exhibit A: The Real Hip Hop Project" has been in heavy rotation on my playlist for over a month now. You can download his mixtape here.

Poe is an MC from Brooklyn and he really brings the lyrics to the table going in the opposite direction of the mainstream. He is currently putting the finishing touches on Exhibit B which I have been waiting for. I follow him on Twitter, and have bugged him at least once a week about when his next project will be ready; he always tells me to be patient. You gotta love a guy that replies to your tweets!!! You can follow him @poepicasso, and also follow me @CallMeDeonshay and the Culture Shock guys @cultureshockws.

-Deonshay Danson

The BluePrint 3 Baby On the Way!!!

"Run This Town"

Jay-Z feat. Kanye West and Rihanna

I've been waiting for the Blueprint 3 since the Blueprint 2, so you can imagine my excitement when I first heard the new single.

-Deonshay Danson

I'm Feeling This.

Mr. Hudson - Supernova feat. Kanye West

Supernova

Mr. Hudson feat. Kanye West

-Deonshay Danson

Who Will Fill the Female Group Void???

Electrik Red - So Good

RichGirl - He Ain't Wit Me Now (Tho)

Okay so there has been an absence to say the least, in the female group category since Destiny's Child proclaimed that their "destiny" had been "fulfilled." Danity Kane came and went, and their dissolve has left a void that has yet to be filled.

But people help is on the way...

There are 2 new groups that may very well take the reigns of this forgotten category. Electrik Red a trio endorsed by R&B singer The Dream, and Rich Harrison's RichGirl a quartet, are trying to make their way up the ladder of success to fill a spot that has been held by such names as The Supremes, The Pointer Sisters, EnVogue, TLC, SWV, and Destiny's Child.

Check out their videos and tell me which group you think will be the next big thing.

-Deonshay Danson

Just Following Up...

So, last week in a post called "Posterized" I talked about Lebron getting dunked and showed a video of Culture Shock host Jarmar getting dunked on because the tape had been confiscated...

...well I was just perusing around the net and found the actual footage of Lebron getting dunked on by Xavier's Jordan Crawford. Enjoy.

-Deonshay Danson

I Love this Song...

"Make Her Say"

Kid Cudi feat. Kanye West and Common

-Deonshay Danson

Taste of Chicago

Just found some good music for you. BJ the Chicago Kid's "A Taste of Chicago Mixtape" is a good listen. I needed some new male R&B in my life that wasn't "Birthday Sex," and this has satisfied my musical appetite sufficiently.

You can go here to download or simply listen to the mixtape, but once you listen you're going to want to download it also.

-Deonshay Danson

A Message From Chris

Yesterday, Chris Brown made a public and direct apology for his now infamous altercation with Rihanna. Chris says that he wished to make a public apology earlier, but was advised not to. It is also rumored that Chris Brown will be a guest on Oprah. I can't wait for that interview.

I think that Chris should be forgiven. His actions were undeniably wrong and should not go unpunished, however they should not be unforgiven.

What do you think?

-Deonshay Danson

Who Wants to Go to ATL...?

I was too excited when I ran across this...Ntozake Shange's choreopoem, "For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf," will be performed at Atlanta's Southwest Arts Center from July 12-August 9.

The play is directed by Jasmine Guy and stars Robin Givens and Nicole Ari Parker.

For more information go here.

Doesn't someone want to go to Atlanta within the next 3 weeks???

-Deonshay Danson

Lynwood Rose

I'm not sure how many of you already know about this joint effort, but Dangelo, Raphael Saadiq, and Q-tip have come together to create Lynwood Rose Mixtape. Click here to download.

Game vs. Jay-Z

The Game is back at it again! But this time he may have stepped in too deep. Recently, the New Age emcee released a new mixtape titled "I'm So Wavy," which is an onslaught of insults to Jay and anyone affiliated with him. Yes, even Beyonce! Has he gone too far? You listen for yourself.

Is Alabama Ready to Break the Color Barrier...?

On January 20, 2009 Barack Obama cemented his name in the history books by becoming the first African-American president of the United States of America. A few weeks after his inauguration Artur Davis announced his candidacy for governor of Alabama in the 2010 election.

If elected, Davis will be the first black governor of the state of Alabama, and only the 5th black governor in U.S. history.

Well if I'm still an Alabama resident in 2010 he will have my vote. One of my first articles for ASU Today was on the second Bridge Builder's Breakfast, in which Davis was the keynote speaker.

Visit Davis' website here, and follow him on Twitter @ArturDavis.

C'mon Alabama, I think that we are ready to show the rest of the country that although our state's history is deeply seeded in racial discrimination and prejudice, we Alabamians have moved forward from our dark past and into a bright future.

-Deonshay Danson

Blue Phi?

Well guess who just crossed the burning sands of Phi Beta Sigma? That's right, Bill Clinton! At Phi Beta Sigmas 95th Anniversary Conclave, they inducted President Clinton as an honorary member. This would further confirm what we always said. Bill Clinton was a black man! Great job Sigmas. Go out and make another BROTHER! To read the article click here.

Posterized!!!

Lebron James is known for his highlight in-game dunks; many players have fallen victim to "posterization" at the hands of "The King." However, when the shoe is on the other foot....this happens.

LBJ was dunked on by Xavier University's Jordan Crawford at his summer basketball camp. The dunk was caught on tape, however, the tape will never be seen as it was confiscated.

Although I find this to be a little weird and pompous because I distinctively remember a young Allen Iverson crossing Jordan over, and there wasn't any fuss or cover-up.

But since we don't have video of LBJ getting dunked on, we have the next best thing, a video of Culture Shock host, Jarmar, getting dunked on.

Sorry Jarmar, but hey at least you took yours like a man and didn't try to cover it up. LOL.

-Deonshay Danson

GoodBye for now..

"Remember Me" TI feat. Mary J. Blige

This is TI final farewell before he serves his time in prison on weapons charges.

-Deonshay Danson

It's Like a "Snapped" Marathon...

The past three weeks have been very eventful and tearful as a string of celebrities have passed away. However, two particular incidents have caught my attention, and I want to know if this is a trend.

First, NFL quarterback Steve McNair was found murdered by his mistress, and more recently, Arturo Gatti, a former boxing champion, was found strangled to death in Brazil, allegedly by his wife. You can read the SI story about Gatti's murder here.

These two tragic incidents makes me raise several questions.
- Have relationships gotten so bad that they can't be dealt with in a civil manner?
- What is provoking these murders?
- Wouldn't it just be easier to leave rather than go to the extreme?
- Does a fed up person show signs or do they just react spontaneously?

I just hope this does not become a trend. Let LOVE conquer all, and make it work.


-Deonshay Danson

Check out Terrence & Jarmar as they hosted the 2009 L'Adeen Swimsuit Cocktail Gala!

Culture Shock Radio

Be sure to check out Culture Shock Radio here, or simply listen with the widget over there >>>>

-Deonshay Danson

This Charming Mixtape...

So I ran across this mixtape early this week, and I like it. It is a breath of fresh air compared to the usual that is on the radio. It can be downloaded here.

-Deonshay Danson

Culture Shock is Going Green and so Should You...

Recognizing the need to act now in order secure a better future, Culture Shock is going green, and so should you. Taking care of our planet is essential to ensure that future generations can live a comfortable lifestyle.

For tips on going green, click here.

-Deonshay Danson

Been waiting on this for a while...

-Deonshay Danson

Welcome to the Culture Shock Blog

Jarmar Muhammad (Left) Terrance Baldwin (Right)

Welcome to the Culture Shock Blog! My name is Deonshay and I will be blogging with you along with Terrance and Jarmar, the hosts of Culture Shock, an online broadcast that highlights the musical, poetic, fashion, and overall culture of the Southeast region and abroad.

The show began in 2008 and can be viewed here. Each episode showcases musical talent, spoken word artists, cultural events, and much more. New episodes are posted every 3rd Thursday.

The Culture Shock Blog is an expansion of the show geared to open the floor for dialogue exchange between Terrance, Jarmar, and myself. We would love to receive your opinions and comments about our posts...so BLOG with us.

-Deonshay Danson

Tarnished Legends or Humans?

America is witnessing the deaths of many celebrities. The lost of Michael Jackson and Steve McNair seem to be the most controversial losses of recent memory. Many people want to diminish the legacies of these two Icons due to the circumstances surrounding their deaths. How do you feel? Does their final life circumstances stain how you feel about them and their overall success? Blog with us!

Da Nasty One!