Ode’s de Mari Juana
Here are some Hip-hop marijuana specialist who have created some of the classic Mary Jane Anthems;

Gangsta Pat – A relatively unknown 1990’s rapper from ....Memphis.... who spawned the cult classic rap hit, “I Wanna Smoke.”

Styles P – One of the members of the L.O.X. rap group, the self proclaimed “ghost” capitalized on the simple production of “Good Times” and created a hip hop classic and ode to Mary Jane. With lyrics like, “I smoke like a chimney/ I smoke like a gun when a killer see his enemy/ I smoke like Bob Marely did.”

Scarface- The classic cut Mary Jane was an underground hit in ’96. The song starts off with Face whispering “I don’t remember feeling like this.” I’m sure it’s because of you were high Face.

Afroman- How could we forget the classic funny song Because I Got High. I guess he forgot about his rap career because he got high.

Mystikal- The rapper that sounds like he is on fire already, made tree different versions of his Still Smoking track. One in which he depicts the tale of getting busted with pot in his car, another a tale of smoking in hotel room, and the last just an ode to Mary Jane.

Young Buck – So in Love with Bob Marley and claiming “He smoked so much people think I’m Jamacian,” buck hooked up with Bob’s son Kymani Marley and spawned the reggae-esc song “Puff Puff Pass.”

Bone Thugs N Harmony; The quintet of gangster rappers who first popularized fast rapping and harmonizing albums laced with lyrics with references to the refer, but also have some of the classic songs to listen to while partaking of the canibus; Bud Smokers only, Buddah Lovers, Blaze It, Bad Weed Blues, and The Weed song. “If everyone smoked a blunt the world could be a better place,” once rapped Krazyie Bone… I wonder.

Cypress Hill – The first Latino rap group to go platinum, and one of the first to blatantly make ode’s to the green plant. Song’s like Hits from the Bong, Spark Another Owl, I Want to get High, go perfect with their heavy bass production and odd sounds. Frontman and lead singer (rapper) B-Real once said, “First it started with a nickel/ then a dime/ then a twenty/ spending up all my money.” Their new album “Rise Up,” will also drop on 04/20/10. coincidence?

Snoop Dogg or Dr. Dre– They weeds no introduction, Snoop the ....America....’s beloved gangster pot smoker and Dre spawned the hip hop classics The Chronic,and The Chronic 2000 . Snoop has been in High Times, several times, in the movie Half Baked, The Man Show, and even His own show Fatherhood, expressing his love for the herb. Then you have songs including weed lyrics..almost all his songs, but specifically Gin and Juice, Smoking Smoking Weed, My Medicine, The Next Episode, And don’t forget their infamous Up In Smoke Tour...in the words of crooner Nate Dogg “Smoke Weed Everyday.”
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AIDS Foundation gets into a rubbermatch with Porn Industry

Working hazards in the average person’s job may consist of smashing a toe, stapling a finger, slipping on some spilled liquid, or even falling on some ice. In the quickly growing porn industry the work hazards are far more severe in the form of diseases.

In the state with the largest amount of porn studios, California, the A.I.D.S. Foundation of L.A. has been fighting for law makers to force the porn business to use condoms in their productions.

Last August the advocacy group filed 16 complaints with state officials against porn companies citing them for violating workplace safety laws. They are fighting for rights so that the spread of the disease HIV will stop in the industry.

Since 2004 there have been a confirmed 22 cases of porn stars becoming infected with the deadly virus. To put it in perspective, in one case the performer and her husband had admitted to sleeping with at least 6 people each unprotected within the month of positive test. In all of the cases of infection it is easy to see how ones infectivity could trickle down into many people’s lives.

L.A. was responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace, according to the foundation. They filed suit against the county because of the constant STD infection of porn stars.

Michelle Avanti, a former porn star made a statement as a member of the Pink Cross Foundation revealing, “As I continued to do hardcore porn, I started catching STDs all the time." She continued to disclose information saying, “"My lower body hurt so badly and at times my private area felt like it was a blazing fire. I could no longer work because I caught so many STDs and infections. I believe that if condoms had been allowed to be used in my own films, I would not have suffered so many physical ailments and infections."

The Pink Cross Foundation is a civic aid organization devoted to offering adult workers in the porn industry emotional, financial and transitional support for those who want out of the adult industry.

A former porn star, interviewed by this writer, exposed the reason why it has not been as backed by current stars as former stars, “Some of these stars don’t want the forced condom use because plain and simply, they get paid more if they don’t use them. It’s about the money.”

The AIDS Foundation did a survey of 58 films made by the biggest companies that operate in California. Of the 58 films, which included films by Vivid Entertainment, and Hustler, two of the most prominent film makers in the industry, only two scenes used condoms.
The porn industry argues that regulations within the industry have done a wonderful job of containing all cases and maintain a strict testing policy of once a month testing. "If Los Angeles County chooses to enforce mandatory condoms, what you'll see is all adult production leave California. It will move to other places," said Steve Hirsch founder of Vivid Entertainment.

Despite these claims by the industry itself, another former star, Shelly Lubben disputes these claims. She says consumers need to become aware of what they are contributing to, "They're demanding harder and grosser porn. We want to educate them to exactly what they're watching -- diseased people ... It's illegal for bodily fluids to touch skin, and yet it happens every single day in the porn industry." She founded the Pink Cross Foundation because she contracted Herpes and HPV while in the porn industry.

Lubben Continues saying, "In my time in the industry, I did some very hardcore movies, and only drugs and alcohol could get me through them. I played a crazy game of Russian roulette with my life.”

According to the L.A. County department of health between 2003 and 2007 there were 965 cases of Gonorrhea, 2013 cases of Chlamydia reported by stars in the industry.
Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation talks about the epidemic, “This is not just about one industry, but about our entire community, as the spread of disease among adult film performers endangers themselves as well as their sexual partners in and outside the industry."

The simple fact is porn will continue to exist because of the demand. Have people in this industry become blinded by the money and lifestyle so much that they have put themselves in serious health risk situation? Should legislators step in and force the industry to adapt to the current landscape?

All Access Live

“Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those whom God has so joined together, let no man put asunder,” this quote from JFK perfectly describes the partnership developed between the founders of All Access Live.

Masterminds Reality, Joseph Salvador, and Prophecy are the masterminds behind the endeavor. Each are established experts in their fields who have come together to create a new media venture.

Joseph Salvador is the person behind the scenes of the new media machine, All Access Live. After operating several successful media ventures in the past, Baroptics.com being one of them, he created All Access Live in 2003. The name stems from the popular show All Access Live. His team wired over 65 clubs all over the U.S., creating a network channel in which venues stream live events. The innovative ideas from Joe Salvador have created a ripple effect on the networks of people around him, leading to new joint ventures and enabling him to work with many new faces.

Reality is one of those many faces. In the late 90’s when the poetry scene in Denver consisted of local coffee shops and a more conservative crowd, he jumped into the local poetry scene and found success. The real life stories, frustrations and everyday occurrences he shared with the crowd were received with open arms. Reality quickly became a name to those in the community, helping to move the poetry scene from the coffee shops to clubs and venues, perpetuating the urban appeal.

Reality’s stage presence, comfort level and the quality poetry he spoke made him an natural host for events. After gaining fame in the poetry scene Reality had his first encounter with Joe. Being in the same social network as Joe, the two acknowledged each other, but didn’t conceptualize a way to work together until All Access.

Prophecy brings the experience of the media world, playing a part in multiple successful ventures. He worked with some members of Simpsons Prophecy to create the label Mysitc Three, later known as Three Cicsym. It produced some marginal success and allowed him to work with some other artists such as Militia All-Stars, Mr. Tank, and Young Dizz. Prophecy’s story runs deep, but he stresses the importance of today when he says, “Yeah I made money from the Simpson people… today is a clean slate. I need to work with my new team and it’s about what were going to do, yesterday is yesterday.”

The trio aligned when Joe and Reality started using Prophecy’s studio in Park Hill, and Prophecy noticed the amount of work ethic and dedication they gave their projects. Being a self proprietor, Prophecy quickly realized he wanted to work with the pair. Prophecy has brought a successful network of associates and previously established business ventures to the table for All Access Live. Prophecy since has secured deals with people like Collipark Music, All Pro Sports and Entertainment and many others.

With their successful past secured and in the bag, All Access Live is all about the future, and for them, the future is now. The group functions on the idea that the company is natural. Take the established networks of communication and combine it with a grass-roots approach. This gives proprietors the opportunity to use technology and gives the media capabilities to successfully market a product, whatever it may be. Working with Lincoln Financial Media, newly acquired Clear Channel stations and having major deals within the music and entertainment industry, they are a foot into the game before fully launching.

As a media outlet, All Access Live is wrapped in the latest technologies. Joe describes it as a mix between streaming live video and Youtube. Partners working with All Access are able to deliver quality broadcast streams, manage all their media and market their products using all the latest media technology available. All Access is presently providing media and video production solutions for partners like KS107.5, KYGO, FM 104.3 The Fan, Clear Channel, beModel, jockLIFE and many more.

Since All Access is a multi-faceted media entity they also have Pay Per View solutions. All Access Live can broadcast a live show, from any of their venues, and charge consumers anywhere in the world to watch the event, therefore maximizing the audience reach for any occasion.
Companies are eager to work with All Access because of all the people who are using their network capabilities to find new opportunities. All Access Live content is regularly scoured by industry professionals to find the latest and greatest, making it the perfect outlet for anyone looking to take their craft to the next level.

All Access Live has made a dream a reality for multiple people. The culmination of talents assembled had shown these gentlemen they have the tools to make this another successful landmark on their road to prosperity. All Access live will soon be unveiling a social network that will be fully integrated with their broadcast capabilities, allowing people around the world to broadcast events and utilize All Access Live’s services.

Locally, All Access is eager to work with local artist, companies and venues. For the listeners, they will broadcast live shows from Herman’s Hide-Away, amongst other places, that can watch live on the internet from home of your own home. For business owners and entertainers, All Access provides a free web player that can reroute a live show through their network so their supporters can view their work easily.

Media's New Frontier

You want to know where the future of media is headed? “Sea to shining sea,” those words describe the eventual expansion of the Western United States. American Progress painted by John Gast in 1872, was the representation of a new frontier that was Destined to be, “Civilized”; Manifest Destiny. Not a term usually associated with media, but it explains the power of an idea.

This is a metaphor for the media and internet convergence of today’s world.

The Angel, centered in the painting, laces the plains with telegraph wires, holding a schoolbook as she leads the settlers in wagons, followed by the, “Iron Horse,” into the new world. The painting is a wonderful symbol of human beings willingness to take risk when there is opportunity.

It was the telegraph lines laid, paving way to telephone and power lines, which soon were followed by fiber obtics cables, and eventually a digital world and communications by means of satellites. Finally, the World Wide Web.

Holding a book signifying education; the heavenly Angel in the famous painting, therefore now signifies information. The book is now a laptop. The internet invented for the purpose of exchanging information, has revolutionized how people share and exchange that information. Globalizing and making the world a smaller place, stories and events can be shared almost instantaneously, and people have access to more information than any other age before it.

Much like the great expansion of the 19th century US, this new frontier will, and already has begun invading, and changing the known world. The culture in which we are part of, has become a marketing driven society. People experience constant bombardment from almost every avenue, radio, T.V., internet, and even on your cell phone. Consumer culture is now available to people from South America to Africa.

The settlers in the painting hold their modern tools; pitchforks, farm equipment, saddled horses, and rifles. Just imagine those settlers with I-phones, Black-berrys, and laptops. Technology and the plight of the internet have blurred the lines in media, and a new world has opened up once again.

Journalist no longer just write stories, and photographers no longer just take photos. A new type of journalist has emerged, called a Multi-Media Journalist, who can do a variety of task. From write the story and take the pictures, to upload photos and even begin to edit video footage.

Just like the pain, struggle, and uncertainty the people who settled the American West faced, so too do the traditional journalist, media affiliates and even economic future face. The country has already begun to see the migration from the typical media practices to the new frontier of sharing information.

In the painting, animals and Native Americans flee from the oncoming settlers. In the new frontier of the digital world, there will be things that will be threatened. Print media, and typical journalism jobs are threatened. In our own city The Rocky Mountain News, a Pulitzer Prize winning, 150 year old publication printed its final edition in February of this year. The Seattle based newspaper, The Post-Intelligencer, also shut down their printing operation this month, although they retained a fourth of their staff to maintain a web-site.

The Train has left the station on the digital revolution. Media convergence is a continuing phenomenon, and everyday there is new information on mergers, and changes in major companies adjusting to the changing world. Technewsworld.com is one of the many sites devoted to showcasing new technologies and is loaded with articles on the converging media.

Licensed 2 Spread

People associated with this controversial industry like to boast it is the world’s oldest profession. In two U.S. states that allow prostitution (Nevada and Rhode Island), known brothels have been tolerated since 1902. By 1970 brothels in Nevada earned a legal permit to operate within certain county limits. In the larger scheme some people have suggested that the US should legalize “the world’s oldest profession”.

People who support the decriminalization of prostitution will say that by eliminating the criminal element has many different positive dividends. Economically many supporters say it makes sense in order to collect taxes from these untracked services. Prostitutes should pay taxes just like everyone else and we as a society should be able to reap the financial benefits that they can bring. As seen in the Netherlands according to prostitutionresearch.com, sexual services account for about 5% of the total financial revenue of the Netherlands. Supporters of this ideology will point to facts like this as reasons it would help local economies to legalize the industry as opposed to wasting money prosecuting the endless list of people involved in this commerce.

The supporters also downplay the suggestions that the legalization promotes infidelity. Where truthaboutdecption.com claims that up to 60% of all relationships suffer from some infidelity, factions pushing for the validation also state cheaters will cheat no matter the circumstances.

Also that society should protect the unknowing people in these relationships by being able to offer safe and healthy ways for the cheaters, helping to curb the spread of sexually transmitted disease. And by standardizing testing methods for the women in this industry, it would protect the women in the practice considerably.

Also by legalizing the profession, we will get women of the streets and help to give them legitimate workers rights. So that they may have fair and balanced working conditions and decrease the amount of clandestine prostitution.

Morals, perceptions and uncertainty, that’s what the opposition says legalization of this occupation will change. Groups like the Coalition Against Trafficking of Women say it will demoralize not only our society but our youth as well. Having a trickle down affect on the socially acceptable sexual practices and opening up more degrading forms of prostitution.

Also that the decriminalization is a donation to the pimps and thugs of the industry, turning them into recognizable lawful businessmen. Also stating women in the industry will become commodities not only to their employers but to the state as well because of the financial contributions they will add to their cities. In essence that the states with these law changes will become more economically reliant on the sex areas.

Furthermore that it will have long-term repercussions on the perception of women, making them subordinates and put in worse positions than they are now. The legalization of this trade not only will not protect women, but will increase violence to employee’s and the areas associated with prostitution. Prostitutionresearch.com also reports that women of the industry report that substantiation of the trade will make it harder for them to report rape. Proving that they were forced into sexual acts will be scoffed at and almost impossible to prove.

A report by USA Today says that since the Netherlands legalization of prostitution, that violent crime, drug use, organized crime and illegal prostitution has significantly increased. This could increases the amount of danger for women in this livelihood.

So as far as the economic stimulating factor, nothing is guaranteed. To where as it may significantly help, it has been documented that noteworthy amounts of illegal prostitution actually increases. Because the socially accepted state of the trade increases so does the opportunity for illegitimate proprietors operating without the proper licenses or permits. Leaving large amounts of money still under the table and avoiding regulation and taxation. So it is not certain that efficient financial gains will be made.

So all this information arises many unanswered questions in consideration of this matter. Does the American constituency deem prostitution as a morally unacceptable practice?

And if it does, Are the economical positives greater than the perceived ethical deplorableness of the legalization of a sexual business? Does the legalization put our ethical values at risk? Would the decriminalization of this trade turn pimps, thugs, and street hustlers into third party legitimate businessmen?

Will the legalization actually help our economy? Will legalization of the trade help to promote better health of the women and their clients? Should we legalize prostitution in order to help our economic recession at the cost of our ethical values? These are all common questions people may have when deciding which side to stand on with this issue.

Wind, Blackout's, and Lola

Crazyness insued today at work. First of all, I Had a great time at Red Square Last night and then went throught the Fly Magazine release party, then the Tavern. It was windy and cold as hell last night, and had to run through sleet to get a cab home.

This morning at work, Lol was super slow and dragging. But as soon as they cut one busser it got busy, Murphy's Law. So the restaurant starts feeling up, at which point all of the sudden the lights go out.

The silence and complete dark was pretty strange, considering the building Lola is in, used to be a mortuary. And it didn't just flash off and then turn back on in couple seconds. The lights went out at about 1:20pm and I left at 3:00 and they still weren't on.

The timing was odd too, it was like everyone already had ordered and most were already paying. But we couldnt see anything at first. The dish pit got over filled with dishes and we closed the kitchen. But that don't stop a drinker,LOL people were still coming into the bar, and they had cash. Lola is such a chill place that the manager let every employee get a couple drinks too.

I hear that it blacked out from the middle of 16th st mall and all the way into the lower Highlands. They didn't estimate it to get back on till at least 5. I hear.
Pretty wierd day I would say.

Bigwheel

When telling someone about a new favorite band, people usually start by describing the style of music played. Hip-hop, Soul, R&B, Rock, Reggae, or whatever your particular favorite might be. It’s most interesting when you discover a band that reaches beyond the boundaries of any single style. A crew who really doesn’t recognize the barriers defining different types of music; they just play.

Regardless of genre, truly successful music energizes the audience and brings the show to life. These musicians do it. Performing original songs with some of the best vocalist Denver has to offer and also keeping it live with renditions of Hip-hop classics like Nas’s, “One Love,” and, “I Can,” or Biggie’s “Juicy”.

DJ Checkone on the live drums, Charlie Mertants on the bass guitars, Jared Silo on keys, Dominic Lalli on keys and sax, and DJ Vajra keep the heads nodding in agreement and faces smiling everywhere they go. Denver (drum roll please)… Introducing Bigwheel!

Bigwheel stems from the intuitive mind of Dameion Hines a.k.a. DJ Checkone. Hines is not only a drummer, also a local DJ, and young prodigy. During the Democratic National convention, and through the presidential elections, Hines sold catchy t-shirts with the image of Barrack Obama using turntables as a DJ. His little idea sold 40,000 shirts.

So like a true business man, Bigwheel resulted from another one of his ventures, Dragonfly, falling apart. With tenacious commitment, he pulled some close friends together to continue making the bands scheduled gigs. What came of it was a funky fresh collection of flows, beats and sounds.

Don’t be fooled by the kind of music the band describes as Electrosoul; emphasis on Soul. The band has a live feel, similar to The Roots, and the energy of a Hip-hop show, smoothing it through with wonderfully strong vocals from local artist like Venus Cruz. The sound created can appeal to anyone who enjoys music.

“The coolest thing about it is that there are so many people that play in the band, we really don’t deal with much friction. The songs that we play for are most part different every time, because everybody’s so improvisational personality magnifies the stimulus of the magical transition… Do you know what I mean?” DJ Checkone reveals. The cohesive sound and style of Bigwheel shines through in each song and performance, utilizing different local artist and musicians who all connected.

The feel the band crafts is more like a bunch of friends just having a good time, “It seems like a house party every week. There's just lots of happy smiling people wherever we play, as cheeseball as it sounds,” Checkone says in response to questions about the vibe going on around the group and elaborates with, “Our fans are our friends, and everything has been great. It's your basic friendship. To the people that don't know us, we plan on becoming your friend pretty soon”.

Alluring is the fact, since they have no one style they are trying to stick with, crazy and ingenious collaborations of sounds and songs come together. An interpretation of Warren G’s, “Regulators,” is a fan favorite at a local gig Bigwheel performs at, and one imparticular song is ear-catching. The instrumental to a song by J-Dilla is combined with the infamous MLK Jr. speech of, “I Have a Dream”. The outcome is a fresh collaboration that is unheard of and is memorable and inspiring.

Hines stays hard at work coming up with bright new songs, and ideas. Hines work can be seen through Bigwheel performing every Tuesday at the Apalooza Grill from 10 p.m. -1 a.m. or you can check them out at Myspace.com/bigwheelcamp.