Cultures Clothes

23 05 2010

Thanks to my friend Alloyius, I am featured in the latest edition of Cultures Clothes E-Zine! You can read my interview here:

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Continue reading here - http://www.openzine.com/aspx/Zine.aspx?IssueID=9535



SOLID GOLD

21 05 2010

My sister Adrienne is such a cutie pie! The other week for Bay to Breakers, her and her friend followed a “Solid Gold” theme and participated in the festiviites. Gotta love it!!

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When they first started planning the outing, she showed me the costume “pieces” she found to put her get up together and I think she worked it!!

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Here’s the group shot…

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And finally, one of the gals put together a video highlight reel..watch here…I don’t see my sister’s face, but I’d know her dancing booty anywhere!! ;)



MISS USA

15 05 2010

A couple of the ladies I’ve featured on the “Sideline Distraction” segment of On The Flipside are competing for the title of Miss USA tomorrow night in Las Vegas! Megan Clementi (Orlando Magic Dunking Dancers) and Brittany Bell (Phoenix Suns Dancers) are NBA Dance Team Alumni!! They’re both beautiful, articulate women and I wish them each the best of luck as they make a run for the title!!

Watch their features below…

Megan Clementi – Miss Florida USA - http://missfloridausa2010.blogspot.com/

Brittany Bell – Miss Arizona USA - http://www.facebook.com/MissArizonaUSA2010



Minority Report

26 04 2010

This past February, I had the pleasure of meeting Deep Foundationhttp://www.deepfoundation.net, while attending the MAFA Conference in Indiana. These three emcees – MUG Shot, ILL Poetick and CJ (reppin Queens and Jersey), deliver intelligent insight and well-crafted lyrics, along with an admirable sense of social consciousness. And they are outspoken when it comes to paying respect to their Filipino roots through their music. Below check out a track and video they did in response to derogatory comments made publicly by Adam Carolla.

“Minority Report (Response to Adam Carolla)”
by Deep Foundation & Hydroponikz
Video by Hydroponikz – http://www.hydroponikz.com

*The views depicted in this recording are solely those of the artists, and by no means do they encourage or condone violence against other people.

Earlier this month, Adam Carolla made disparaging comments about Manny Pacquiao, the Philippines, and its people in his popular “The Adam Carolla Podcast.” For those who insist that it was merely a joke and that Carolla’s comments should not be taken too seriously, we encourage you to listen carefully to a clip from the podcast. We do not feel that he was joking when he made rants such as, “All they have over there is Manny Pacquiao and sex tours,” and, “Here’s how you know when your country doesn’t have a lot going for it: When everything is about Manny Pacquiao.”

When your culture, your nation’s identity and the worth of your people are devalued, misrepresented and ignorantly disparaged by one possessing a historically oppressive skin tone, those who bear the brunt of the dishonorable insults will naturally be cajoled into action. Such was the case when Adam Carolla’s comments in regards to the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao and his Filipino supporters were aired on The Adam Carolla Podcast.

Carolla posted an “apology” on Twitter, but only after thousands of Filipinos signed a petition demanding an apology did he post one on his site. We felt the need to respond to his comments reducing our people to simply Manny Pacquiao worshipers and prostitutes. So we did.

Download: http://www.zshare.net/audio/74994178937b84b9/

Online petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/FilAmAC/petition.html



XXL Freshmen ‘10 Cover

31 03 2010

Every year XXL Magazine releases an issue featuring a selection of (who they choose to label) the hot *NEW* FRESHMEN. I’m using “new” lightly because some of them aren’t exactly “new.” Anyway, there’s been some discussion and controversy (hip hop loves controversy) about who made the cover, who shouldn’t be on the cover and who SHOULD be on it. One of those artists who many feel should be on the cover is VADOCam’s protege and one of the artists I work with…and being that my other artist Jae Millz feels some kind of way about VADO *NOT* being selected in that class, he spoke on it with True Stories Radio …appreciate you Dutch!

Nonetheless, this interview has sparked a lot of debate, and it’s sort of funny to me that people ONLY hear what they want to hear and then proceed to take it to the next level, whether it be to take personal shots at Millz or interpret what he may or may not be saying, etc… Basically, my take is, he said he’s only familiar with half (5) of the rappers who made the XXL cover, he didn’t say those 5 all deserved to be on it or didn’t, he just said he only knew about half of them. Then he said he strongly feels VADO should’ve been included in that group.

So, it’s just funny to me because at no point did he say he, himself should be on it, or was he making direct comparisons…he just put it out there that he doesn’t agree with all of the choices! lol But, again, people just hear what they want and love to add fuel to the fire! See, this is what I like about Millz, is that he is passionate, and not afraid to speak his mind and stick by his statement. People who know me, know I’m outspoken just the same when I feel a certain kind of way…so I appreciate the raw, blunt, direct honesty!

Anyway, to sort of spin this whole XXL Freshmen cover thing…there’s a show going down tonight hosted by DJ Envy at the Highline Ballroom in NYC featuring performances by 6 of the artists who made that cover. Coincidentally, Cam’ron has been called in for a special performance and guess who he’s bringing out…VADO (ah, the irony)…and I wonder who might just make a cameo on stage with VADO!? Someone who has a lot to say and sticks by what he says… I’m just sayin’ … Millzy might just be there!! ;)

I’m sure tonight will be an unforgettable show with great up and coming artists, who’ve probably been on their grind much longer than we’ve known their names… and with Cam and VADO (U.N.) on stage, plus special cameo appearances…this is just what NYC needs to get (real) hip hop back on track! I won’t be there tonight, but I’ll be there in spirit and waiting to see pictures and video from the event!



Eleuthera

30 03 2010

I just came off a fun 48 hour trip to the Bahamas! The purpose of this trip was to do press for Tyler Perry’s new film “Why Did I Get Married Too?” A portion of the movie was shot on location on the Bahamian Island of Eleuthera, so we had an excursion to that island and see the “set” where they filmed. Meanwhile, we stayed in Nassau and capped the trip with the red carpet premiere at Atlantis on Paradise Island.

I arrived early Sunday morning with my cap low, sporting the “Bow Down”  Tee…

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For dinner we went to the ONLY 5-star restaurant in Nassau – Graycliff’s…where they also house the 3rd largest wine cellar in the world! They had a huge stash of Cuban cigars too!

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The next morning I woke up at the rack of dawn to catch the charter flight to Eleuthera, to visit the movie site… so BEAUTIFUL and SERENE!

I learned that the Bahamas is proud to boast it not only has the clearest waters in the entire Caribbean, but it’s H2O is tops in the world!

After lunch we headed back to Nassau for a press conference with Tyler Perry and Bahamian Officials.

A couple stars of the new film, Sharon Leal and Michael Jai White, were also on hand.

Then it was finally time to get all jazzed up for the red carpet premiere, and I had a new dress to wear, courtesy of my good friend Grace!

And — I ran into an old buddy from the Bay, Miss Wynter who I used to work with back in the day at Tech TV…so we had to snap a shot…(l-r) that’s Amber, Wynter and yours truly!

It was a nice (quick) getaway and be sure to check back here on my blog, as I will be posting the red carpet interviews and give my review of “Why Did I Get Married Too?” which opens this Friday!



From The Stands…

2 03 2010

From The Stands Sports Media recently interviewed me for their online site…

They do a segment on the site called “six pack of questions,” since the site revolves around sports with the feeling of being in the corner of a sports bar… So we talk a little about me, where I’ve been and what I’m hoping to do!! You can read all about it here…

http://www.fromthestandsmedia.com/2010/03/six-pack-on-flipside-with-aubrey-aquino.html

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Shout out to Tim for the feature! :)



Barcelo Rum

23 02 2010

Look who’s mug made it on a press release for Ron Barcelo Rum for the MOVES Magazine party… It’s ya girl among a montage of current and former stars from the world of sports! :) Thanks for the LUV!

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Courtesy Liza and Gabriel of Creativas Group.