D'Errico Wylie

Nashville – Kings Konnection, a national male competition system, has begun the state-wide search for the next Mr. Tennessee. The Competition, that is set to take place January 31, 2010 at Tennessee State University’s Humanities Building, will promote scholarships for education or to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. The winner will receive $1,500 along with other prizes and trophies.

The idea of the Mr. Tennessee Competition was created to advance educational and professional opportunities for men within the state of Tennessee and will provide scholarships allowing the participants to achieve their educational, career and personal goals. The competition is open for men aged 18-27 of all races, ethnicities, religious affiliations and origins.

The current Mr. Tennessee 2007-2008, D’Errico Wylie, has spent the past year traveling across the state of Tennessee promoting his platform, “Empowering Youth Through Exposure,” which he has created a mentorship program that is based within the metro school system and after-care programs such as the YMCA and the Boy’s and Girl’s Club. As Wylie’s reign comes to an end, he is taking part in the search for the next Mr. Tennessee and states, “this year has been extremely fulfilling. Being able to create a program that benefits my community as well as continuing my education as a PhD candidate has been challenging, yet rewarding. I will be aiding the committee in recruiting males that I know are up for the task of becoming the next King for the state of Tennessee.”

“The Mr. Tennessee Competition sets out to accomplish two major goals; showing the community positive male role models, and providing a platform that will aid the King in making a difference,” states Dwight Pope, Executive Director of Kings Konnection. “The title of Mr. Tennessee comes with several responsibilities in the community; speaking out as a State representative and encouraging their younger counterparts to take a stand within the community. We are looking for those males in the community that will step forward and follow the big footsteps set forth by our current Mr. Tennessee.”

Candidates will submit a 5 x 7 color or black and white photograph (non-returnable), a completed official entry form, and a one-page typed essay indicating “Why you feel you should be considered as a contestant for the Mr. Tennessee Competition”. The essay should also include the candidate’s personal accomplishments and ambitions, and it should describe past or current community service involvements.

Entries should be sent c/o Mr. Tennessee Competition, P.O. Box 331174, Nashville, TN 37203. Entries must be received no later than Friday, January 22, 2010 to be eligible for consideration.

For more information on eligibility, judging requirements, prizes, or applying visit www.DiavonttiProductions.com or email .

Interviews and photos of the current King are available.

• http://www.mrtennesseecompetition.blogspot.com/
• http://www.kingskonnection.blogspot.com/
• http://media.www.tsumeter.com/media/storage/paper956/news/2008/04/22/ArtsCulture/Mr.Tennessee.Has.Tsu.Roots-3339261.shtml
• http://www.blackgreeknetwork.com/blog/_archives/2007/6/27/3050562.html
• http://www.myspace.com/mrtennesseecompetition

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Yes folks, Oktoberfest which is brought to you by the Clarksville Edelweiss Club is a grand event held in the best old world German traditions. Oktoberfest was created to recognize German heritage and culture. This year marked the 29th year the festival has been held.

The atmosphere was filled with plenty of song and dancing, including the always popular chicken dance. The person wearing the chicken outfit was something of an instant celebrity with people posing for pictures throughout the night with the famous chicken All evening the dance floor was so crowded we were packed in elbow to elbow; the sweet sounds of the band, the laughing and friendly mood of all in attendance made for a great time

Dancers at the 2009 Clarksville Edelweiss Club's Oktoberfest

One can not talk about Oktoberfest without discussing the wonderful  food and drinks!  The Chicken and Schnitzel was very tasty and was seasoned  just right. The Bratwurst booths to take care of the hungry attendees and all of the lines remained full all night long. Whatever choice you made it was complimented nicely by whatever variety of beer, coffee, or soft drink that you were drinking.

For those over 21, there was a selection of twelve different German and American brews each served in a souvenir Oktoberfest mug.

The busiest lines of the evening seemed to be the dessert section of the festival.  Adults and kids a like feasted on German baked favorites like Black Forrest Cake, Chocolate Cake, German Cheese Cake, Apple Strudel, Carrot Cake, and moist Cupcakes or Brownies. Also available were giant Funnel Cakes served piping hot one covered in powder  sugar. The funnel cakes  were cooked by Rob Brown, the general manager of the Clarksville Fox Woman’s Full Contact Football Team.

For those looking for a more excitement, there was a carnival with rides and other activities that gave the kids both young and old something to get the heart moving.

Security at the event was strictly enforced, but the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies were very courteous and extremely polite, even with some of the attendees that might have had just a little to much brew.

This writer who is an advent beer drinker and connoisseur, was in seventh heaven, and enjoyed the entire event so much that I gave it a rating of five mugs and a giant Wunderbar!

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Celebrating 100 years of Bold Dreams & Civil Right's Victories!

The Clarksville Branch of the NAACP will host its 54th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on October 23, 2009 at First Baptist Church of Clarksville, 435 Madison Street Clarksville TN. starting at 7:00 p.m.

The National NAACP organization is celebrating “100 years of the NAACP and fighting for freedom, civil and equal rights”.

The theme for this year’s banquet is, “Bold Dreams…. Big Victories”. There will be a special presentation honoring former Presidents of the Clarksville Branch of the NAACP.  The guest speaker will be National NAACP Board Member and President of the Tennessee State Conference of the NAACP, Gloria J. Sweet-Love.

Cost of tickets for the event will be $50.00 per person.  For information on how to obtain tickets contact the Jimmie Garland at 931-216-6745 or O.D. Watson at 931-216-0290. Deadline for purchase of tickets is October 16, 2009.

Reserve a table for your business, church or organization today!

This year’s pageant host will be April Woodard the Internationally Acclaimed Broadcast Journalist & Anchor with Inside Edition & BET. She is also a Former Miss National Black USA.

April Woodard - Journalist & Anchor with Inside Edition & BET.

The theme for this year pageant is “Making the Impossible Possible” praises our virtue to overcome obstacles and remain strong with great admiration to our president Barack Obama who demonstrates the importance of perseverance, family unity, higher education, and faith.

Celebrate with the MBTN sponsors in a ’Tribute to the Origin of the Miss Black TN Pageant’ with a special presentation honoring Oprah Winfrey the First Crowned Miss Black TN 1972.

The pageant is open to young women between the ages of 18-27 and the contestants will be judge in the following categories. Personal Interview, Health & Fitness, Talent, Evening Gown, and Question & Answer.

It’s not too late to become a contestant and this year’s there will be no charge for the entry fee.

For complete pageant history and information visit the Miss Black Tennessee Pageant website.

www.missblacktennessee.com

For more info contact: Lynet Payne – Executive Director

www.missblackusa.org

MTSU Student Organization Awards Banquet 2008-2009

• Student Organization President of the Year – Terri McMoore
• Student Organization Event of the Year – Unity Election Party- Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. – Delta Iota Chapter

MTSU Intercultural and Diversity Affairs Banquet 2008-2009

• Organization of the Year – Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. - Delta Iota Chapter
• Female Student of the Year – Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. - Delta Iota Chapter sister – Monique Denney

MTSU Greek Awards 2008-2009

• Outstanding Chapter President – Terri McMoore
• Outstanding Social Event – Unity Election Party-Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc.-Delta Iota Chapter
• Silver Standard Award – Delta Iota Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority

Terri McMoore, was the first African American President of the Delta Iota Chapter. She was vocal in her gratitude to her Sorority sisters, for their contributions which resulted in this recognition for their organization.

Miss McMoore is a senior Psychology Major, and after graduation plans to go on to Graduate school to pursue her Masters’ Degree. She is the daughter of Terry and Wanda McMoore, and a graduate of North West High School.

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Celebrating 100 Years of Social Justice

On September 5, 2009 Civil Rights Leaders from across the nation will gather on the grounds of the Memorial Building Mayors Office at 202 Center Avenue in Dickson, Tennessee for an all day rally from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Dickson is home to one of the worst Environmental Racism cases in the history of the United States. The Holt family has been fighting for the past 10 years to bring justice and awareness to the contaminated water leaked from the county landfill. For years, the family unknowingly drank poisoned water, bathed in that water, and cooked with that water which has resulted in numerous members of the family developing cancer and even dying.

National NAACP President, Benjamin Jealous, the Reverend Joseph Lowery, Reverend Al Sharpton and a coalition of over 30 prominent speakers, activists, clergy, elected officials and scholars have been invited and are scheduled to speak at this rally and tour the landfill site.

“Join us in our efforts to bring further awareness and justice to this local and national problem of Environmental Racism, a Public Health issue that continues to disproportionately plague minority communities and poor families across the United States” – Terry McMoore, Media Agent

For more information

Contact one of the people below:

• Jimmie Garland Sr., Vice President, Tennessee State NAACP (931) 216-6745
• Pastor Jerry Jerkins, Rally Organizer & Coordinator – (931) 220-1522

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

When: August 28, 2009

Address: 1850 Memorial Drive Clarksville, TN

Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Come Support Quality Affordable Health Care For All! Bring your signs, comments and let’s do our part to help get this bill past!

We are the change that we seek – President Barack Obama

For more information contact Terry McMoore at 931-378-1999

Clarksville Community Organizers is part of Organizing For America.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“As President, I will need the help of all Americans to meet the challenges that lie ahead,” Obama said in a video message e-mailed to supporters. “That’s why I’m asking people like you who fought for change during the campaign to continue fighting for change in your communities.”

Since we currently are not in the campaign mode where we will operate under the name Clarksville for Obama we have been tasked to join the rest of the grass roots organizations across the nation in organizing in our communities under our new advocacy organizational name “Clarksville Community Organizers” (CCO).

Clarksville Community Organizers will operate under the umbrella of Organizing for America and will help to support the president’s agenda when called upon. Right now millions of organizers are mobilizing throughout their communities, across the state of Tennessee and throughout the rest of America to help assure that the Health Care Reform Bill is passed once Congress returns from their summer recess. Clarksville needs to be involved in this movement Right Now!

Since CCO is the formation of a new organization we will need volunteers to chair the group and fill other executive positions. There is a special need for progressive people with organizational skills and computer knowledge. But all are welcome to join for support team member’s and people who want change! I encourage you all too please attend the following meeting.

Clarksville Community Organizers organizational planning meeting

When: Friday, August 14, 2009
Place: Harbor Café Restaurant, 2131 Lowes Drive
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Please bring your laptop computer if you have one.

Thanks for your time and Support!
Terry McMoore

Immediately following the screening there will be a Town Hall meeting, Vicki Yates from WTVF News Channel 5 will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies.

For more information contact or 615-329-0999

On On April 3, 2009, an exhibit commemorating the work done by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service (CRS) to reduce racial tension and violence during the civil rights movement was unveiled at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. The exhibit features a video presentation that explains the mission of the Community Relations Service and provides a first-hand account of the challenges faced by retired staff members who mediated many of the well known marches and demonstrations of that era.

The Community Relations Service is the Department’s “peacemaker” for community conflicts and tensions arising from differences of race, color, and national origin. Created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, CRS is the only Federal agency dedicated to assist State and local units of government, private and public organizations, and community groups with preventing and resolving racial and ethnic tensions, incidents, and civil disorders, and in restoring racial stability and harmony.

CRS facilitates the development of viable, mutual understandings and agreements as alternatives to coercion, violence, or litigation. It also assists communities in developing local mechanisms, conducting training, and other proactive measures to prevent or reduce racial/ethnic tension. CRS does not take sides among disputing parties and, in promoting the principles and ideals of non-discrimination, applies skills that allow parties to come to their own agreement. In performing this mission, CRS deploys highly skilled professional conciliators, who are able to assist people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.

On hand for this historical event was special guest speakers Ondray T. Harris who was recently confirmed by the United States Senate as the Director of the Community Relations Service (CRS), U.S. Department of Justice.

He gave a moving speech to the many VIP’s and invited guest in attendance including Pastor Tommy Vajellos and Terry McMoore and family from Clarksville.

The remarks of Director Ondray T. Harris

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for coming today. As you have just heard, my name is Ondray Harris, and I am the Director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service — also known as CRS. It is a privilege to be here today to unveil the CRS exhibit in the museum and to pay tribute to those who paved the way for Civil Rights reform in America. This weekend marks the anniversary of a dark day in our history. Forty-one years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated mere steps away from this auditorium. The role that he played in advancing the Civil Rights cause cannot be overstated. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived and died for the Civil Rights cause. King’s simple appeal for equality became the great struggle for which he gave his life.

Nevertheless, Dr. King’s demands for justice and equality did not quell his desire for peace. His love for this country never faltered, even as he reminded us all of America’s unfulfilled promises to African Americans. Without cynicism, King worked to inspire change. He sought a resolution that would unite — a method that would heal. And while he did not live to see his dreams realized, I trust that he would be proud of our progress.

Today, we acknowledge the role that the Community Relations Service has played in bringing forth Dr. King’s vision for this country. Created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the mission of CRS was to become the “Nation’s Peacemaker,” an ambitious undertaking during a time in the 1960’s when conflicts between blacks and whites were not only real and heartbreaking — but sometimes violent. CRS is unique because we are the only Federal government agency tasked with the great responsibility of bringing racial conflict to peaceful conclusions. Therefore, CRS’s congressional mandate is just as important today as it was 45 years ago.

At the time of CRS’s creation in the 60s, “race relations” primarily referred to conflicts between “blacks and whites,” however, from the 1960’s to present day the Agency has worked with communities of ALL racial and ethnic backgrounds — to restore community stability, when such stability is threatened by violence and civil unrest. CRS trailblazers such as Ozell Sutton and Fred Crawford work tirelessly in communities across America — many times disregarding their own safety and welfare. In fact, Mr. Sutton is living history. It will service you well to take some time to talk with him and hear the stories of how there were times that he reasonably feared for his life while working in the field for CRS, for America — for you.

Today, CRS – and America – face ever-changing racial demographics and socio-economic shifts that can cause tensions in our communities. With these changes, CRS works to resolve disputes and prevent violence that often divides neighborhoods,diminishes the effectiveness of schools, and stunts the capacity of communities to reach their full potential.

Therefore, although it is important for us to reflect on African-American historic struggle and to focus today on the Civil Rights Movement, we must strive to promote peace among ALL racial groups in the United States. For the American ideas of equality to persist, we must allow the words “I have a dream…” to transcend the aspirations of any single race. We must be a nation of inclusion. A nation of tolerance. A nation of compassion. As I have stated many times before: we must endeavor to embrace each other first and foremost as Americans — steadfastly united in the concept of “the universality of freedom and equality for all people.”

In sum, as Dr. King said 46 years ago:“We cannot walk alone.” So today, I ask that each one of you assist me in this noble cause. Only if we recognize TOGETHER where we have been and acknowledge where we are now- can we reach where we want to go. As Dr. King said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle, and the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” CRS, throughout its history, has continued to lead in this effort towards racial progress and harmony. As the Director of CRS, I pledge to continue to work with communities across America in accomplishing the honorable goal – of ending race, color, and national origin conflicts.

Thank you all for coming today. Thank you.

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The e-mail from Sherri Goforth, a legislative aide and twenty year employee for the state was sent to other staff who also work for Republican Senators. Goforth claims to have hit the wrong button and sent the email to the wrong list of people according to published reports.

The controversial email showed either a portrait or photo of all 43 U.S. presidents but when you get to the picture of Barack Obama the 44th president there is only a wide set of white eyes in a black box background.

Controversial Picture Sent By Aide Of GOP Lawmaker

Senator Diane Black was quoted as saying “I was shocked and I was disappointed.” “It absolutely does not reflect my beliefs or my opinion and I will not tolerate this kind of communication from my office.”

For her actions Sherri Goforth only received a verbal warning and written reprimand placed in her records. Some Tennessee Legislative Democrats as well as Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester are calling for Goforth to be fired. In a press release the TNDP chairman goes on to say “This e-mail is reprehensible, insults the office of the president and is embarrassing to all Tennesseans regardless of political party,”

Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators Chairman, John Deberry Jr. was quoted as saying “It sort of undermines what we’re trying to do and gives strength to many of the stereotypes that are perceived about us here in the south,”

Many others believe the e-mail has had done serious damage to Tennessee’s image, reputation and will become a blight on the state.

On April 1st 2009, Nashville’s LP Field played host to the FIFA World Cup Soccer Qualifier game between the U.S. National Soccer Team vs. Trinidad & Tobago.

Coming into the game the US team was ranked 17th in the world and Trinidad & Tobago ranked 75th. But regardless of the ranking and the over matched star power that the US team possessed that did not discourage the Trinidad supporters from coming out to cheer their team on.

Trinidad & Tobago fans come from as far as New York City chatting homeland songs while waving their country flags and beating on drums. A group from Clarksville and Fort Campbell had their own cheering section and for many it was just like a family reunion as they hugged and greeted fellow countrymen, women and children who had come from numerous states and from across the waters for this game.

Ivan Roberts a native of Trinidad and retired U.S. Army soldier from Clarksville accompanied this writer on this my first professional major soccer game. Boy, I was surprised by how little I knew about the game but thanks to Ivan I soon caught on. I had no idea that most of the game is watched by many of the fans standing up. Those that did not stand had to watch the game on the giant score board and screen to see over the crowd.

With over 30,000 people in attendance history was made with the largest crowd to ever attend a soccer game in the state of Tennessee. This was truly an international crowd with many people wearing their country colors or soccer club team uniforms.

With the fans cheering USA, USA while  waving the American flag and fireworks going off in the end the US Team won by a score of 3-0. But in Trinidad’s defense this was their third game in two days and they sure looked tired and sluggish throughout the game.

*Please call to reserve your space. The meeting is free and open to the public. Feel free to bring your children, we have our “Kids Room” we will have fun movies and popcorn for the kids.

For more information contact Belinda Martinez at  (931)-302-9065, or Elizabeth Valdes- Adamski at (931)-249-5330.

Their summer program offers youth between the ages of 9 and 13, the opportunity to train under some of the top performing artists in Nashville. The program runs for six weeks, and provides rigorous daily instruction in Drama, Dance, Music, Public Speaking, Creative Writing, and the Visual Arts. The young people learn self-esteem through the arts and how to express themselves in a positive way. The youth will be visited weekly by working artists, and other celebrities who will provide motivational instruction to help in allowing the students to embrace their own hidden lights. Students are held to the highest artistic standards.

This year they are proud to host the camp in their own facility on Clifton Avenue. The Amun Ra Theatre’s summer program  is proud to receive support from Tennessee State University each year. The Program well regarded and highly respected citywide. The Theatre is one of Nashville’s premier performing arts ensembles.

For more information contact the Amun Ra Theatre at 615-329-iACT (4228), or send an email to . They welcome the public’s assistance as they continue in their mission to uplift and enlighten the local community and its youth.

Editor’s Note: The Urban Resource Center provided this release.

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Sir Virtue & Lazarus of the Street Poets

Clarksville Tennessee is home to a vibrant rap and hip hop scene. One of the reasons is Fort Campbell which continues to bring people in from all over the world. Another is Austin Peay State University which brings in many people from the Memphis Tennessee area, the largest hotbed for rap and R&B artists in the state.

But one only has to do an search of YouTube, Facebook or MySpace to see the abundance of talent that the city of Clarksville has to offer. On these same social networks you can find Jose Toro aka Lazarus and Chris Baladad aka Sir Virtue whom together make up a rap group called Street Poets.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Catching up to do an interview with Street Poets was a real chore because this group is doing all the things they need to do to get to the top. Constant marketing, networking, studio development and just hitting the streets, hustling and grinding their way to the top. We finally managed to get them to take some talk time out of there busy schedules, and Clarksville Online author Terry McMoore sat down with the Street Poets for a very personal and hard hitting interview.

What are your names?

Jose Toro & Chris Baladad

What are your stage names?

Lazarus (Jose) & Sir Virtue (Chris)

How old are you?

Jose: 23, born on August 17, 1985

Chris: 27, born on April 26, 1982

Where were you born, or what state or city do you claim?

Jose: I was a military brat living. I have lived around the US and in other countries including Germany. I was born in Lawton, OK. My parents were raised in Puerto Rico, and I have lived in the South for 14 years (TN for 9 years currently and GA for 5 years).

Chris: I was born in the west coast, Monterey, CA to be exact. I have lived all around the US and even Germany. I’ve been in TN for about 14 years now. I have connected with so many different types of people so you can say that I’m on a worldwide level reaching from coast to coast.

What are your nationalities?

Jose: Puerto Rican
Chris: Filipino with 1/3 Caucasian

What are your educational backgrounds?

Jose: Northwest High School graduate, APSU Bachelor’s Degree
Chris: Kenwood High School graduate; few years experience at APSU

Are you registered to vote and do or did you vote?

Yes, we both are registered and have voted for Obama.

Have you done any traveling and if yes to where?

As far as music performing, only Nashville…But this summer we have plans to travel to Memphis, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Orlando, Houston, and St. Louis.

How long have you been in the game?

Jose: Writing since 14, and started recording at the age of 16.

Chris: Began writing poems and songs at 14 and started recording a demo at 16.

How did you both get your starts?

Jose: I started rapping songs when No Limit Records was getting big in Savannah, GA in the 8th grade with a Puerto Rican classmate. Then we started freestyling cover songs. At 14, I began writing poetry and turning them into lyrics on paper. At first I tried to sing them, but it didn’t work for me.So I changed them into verses and rapped the lyrics. I can’t remember what my first alias was, but it wasn’t until 2000 when I moved to TN and got serious with the music and came with the alias “Lazarus.” I used the name to define my resurrection of real Hip-Hop music from the dead, as the name and meaning from the Bible inspired me to come with the name. Eventually, in 2006, based on my personal mistakes and bad habits, I changed my alias to Manuel (my middle name) to reform myself as a music artist. However, it only lasted for a short stint, as I reverted back to “Lazarus” in 2007 realizing it’s the alias I feel Hip-Hop needs and for me to express myself disguised as the artist I was born to be. Other nicknames I go by are Laz, Laz-O, and P.K.S. (Puerto Rican King of the South).

Chris: I have been listening to music since I was a little kid so the art has always been my fascination. I got Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” album when I was in the 5th grade and what stood out to me was the way they were using their vocals to make a melody to flow with the beat. That’s when I really became interested in hip hop and learning my own way to perform the raps. I wrote my very first rap song with a friend when I was in the 6th grade.

It was a really short song about basketball. When I was around 14, I started writing out all types of “freestyles”, poems, and songs and eventually began posting them on online message boards using different aliases. I began to think more serious about the music when I started going with my friend Alpha Omega to the Rec Center on Ft. Campbell’s base to record a short demo.

This was when I started the transformation into Virtue, the lyricist/artist. I chose the moniker Virtue because it means excellent quality and that’s what I try to bring with my music, as being the virtue of music. I added the Sir to the beginning to signify a sign of royalty and respect and to personify my character.

How did Street Poets come together? Was it the original name? If not what was it before? Was it always just you two?

Chris Baladad AKA Sir Virtue and Jose Toro AKA Lazarus first met in the Austin Peay Morgan University Center early February of 2004. Jose was sitting on a sitting couch located by the big windows that used to be a layout of the University Center. Chris eventually went from walking around and settled on a sitting couch that was directly next to Jose. It wasn’t too long until Jose interacted with Chris based on music, seeing that Chris pulled out a little black notebook writing lyrics. They started getting to know each other more often and it wasn’t too long until Chris invited Jose to join him on a performance that him, gospel singer, Alpha Omega, and former singer and dancer, Jamal Jones AKA Correohype, was scheduled to perform in April of that year. Jose was later incorporated into the performance rehearsal with featured appearances on Virtue’s and Correohype’s performance sets. Shortly later into the rehearsals, Yatin Patel, now part of Fatalistik Entertainment, joined with the group. DJ Exile was soon joined in to the group to help with the music rotation. Soon, the gentleman contemplated on a simpler name to unify the group instead of individual aliases. The group was decided to be known as Kustom Profile. As performance day came, so did an average Austin Peay audience curious to listen to Kustom Profile.

The performance lasted well under an hour, outside in cold weather. As time progressed, the members of Kustom Profile soon withered. DJ Exile moved, Yatin Patel moved at the end of 2004 to pursue into his family business (although still attached to the indie label Fatalistik Entertainment), and Correohype moved back to his hometown, Houston, TX, based on insufficient funds for college. Virtue, Lazarus, and Alpha Omega were the only ones left in Kustom Profile. However, Alpha Omega decided to concentrate more on his gospel music rather sticking to R&B.

So as Virtue and Lazarus were the only concentrating MCs left, they scrapped the name of Kustom Profile, and soon went with their own duo alias of Street Poets. The two chose the name Street Poets because the music that they delivered was both poetic and urban related. They crafted intricate songs which consisted of unique rhyme schemes and wordplay to club bangers that contained rhymes of boastfulness and street life.

By mid 2005, they recorded an unreleased mixtape in Sir Virtue’s home using a microphone, computer, and Cakewalk software. The mix tape was tentatively titled “Street Poets: The Mixtape Vol. I”. Although never released, the mixtape was a good learning experience for the two artists. They kept writing music, creating beats, and kept on perfecting the craft of recording. However, they wanted better recording quality. In late 2007, they hooked up with Toby Entertainment’s recording engineer, I.R. Skillz, and began production of an EP. However, the music was getting too good, the recording became a fascination, and they had too much lyrics and supplied beats to just record an EP. So, as recording progressed, so did the material of a potential first album for the two MCs. For a period of nine months, twelve original tracks were completed by the Street Poets.

On May of 2008, the tracks were completely mixed. Photos were taken; an album cover was created from conceptual ideas from Lazarus and Virtue. While Lazarus added the concept design to the cover, Street Poets delivered the final draft of the artwork to Joseph “Young Holla” Long for final modifications and publishing. In June, the album was sent to be mastered. On July 24th, the first copy was sold. Soon enough, more copies were being distributed for only five dollars per album. On occasion, the albums were sold for donations to prove that Street Poets are in it for the passion.

However, the Street Poets have much more in store for Clarksville, TN, the South, and all other regions. The first album was just the beginning of what Street Poets has to offer.

Do you belong to a click, crew, posse, etc?

It’s just Street Poets, as in the future we plan to grow locally as a movement for Hip-Hop.

How would you describe your music?

Hip Hop in it’s essence. A collection of our thoughts and feelings put into words to provide the listener with an enjoyable and hopefully influential experience. We tend to be poetic with our lyrics while at the same time incorporating other elements of hip hop into the mix, such as adding witty punch lines and rhyming with multi-syllables. We do all types of songs: street anthems, storytelling tracks, club bangers, lyrical showcases, and those special songs for the ladies. We like to think of new and different concepts when it comes to lyrical content and the overall sound of the music.

Which music artists influenced you and your music?

Jose: 2Pac, Nas, Jay-Z (Hard Knock Life was the first hip-hop CD I received), Biggie, Big Pun, Eminem, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, The Fugees as far as relating to Hip-Hop artists.

Chris: 2Pac, Nas, Jay-Z, Eminem, Outkast, Wu-Tang, Canibus, Biggie, Fabolous, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West as far as strictly hip hop artists. Music is my passion so I like to listen to all kinds of music so I pull influence from all kinds of artists/groups from rock to R &B.

What albums have you released?

• Street Poets: The Mixtape Vol. I in 2005 (Never been released)
• The Movement (First Original Album) in July 24, 2008
• Appeared on Coast 2 Coast Volume 18 hosted by DJ Khaled with the track “1 Luv”
• Appeared on DJ Antomattei of Tokyo’s mixtape titled “East Coast Bad Boyz” for Coast 2 Coast with the track “Classic”

What are some of your new and upcoming releases?

• I Am Street Poetry (The Mixtape) in May 23, 2009
• Sir Virtue: The Virtuoso in the Mid-Fall of 2009
• Lazarus: Son of Made-Line: December 2009
• Street Poets: This Is Music – 1st quarter of 2010

Where are some of the places that you have performed?

• Clarksville: Austin Peay (multiple times)
• Nashville: Soul Food Poetry Café, El Diamante’s, Café Coco’s on 4/30/09

What was your biggest performance to date?

AP Apollo in Clement Auditorium of Austin Peay on October of 2008

What do you hope people get from listening to your music?

We hope that people can enjoy the form of art that we express ourselves through and that it influences them to work towards achieving their goals and aspirations. We want to be remembered for our lyrical abilities and for being passionate about bringing good music to the ears of the people. We hope that people see us as being artistic and being ourselves and making music that people can have a good time and party to or just think and appreciate the talent of creativity.

What does the future hold for street poets?

In the future, the Street Poets name and music is going to be very popular in the Underground scene and to be a future SEA nominee, along with the music spreading from California to New York…because our style is so versatile that a West coast or East coast music fan will enjoy the music we bring to the table. We hope to have our own recording labels and studio where we can record freely and have other talented artists join our roster.

Where do you see yourselves ten years from now?

We hope to see ourselves with a collection of great music that succeeded being distributed to people who likes music and has a Hip-Hop head on them. We also like to see ourselves CEO of Street Poets ENT (Virtue) and Made-Line ENT (Lazarus), branching from Street Poets ENT….(Take out the hyphen and you get Madeline (which is my mother’s first name, that’s how the label name derived).

We look to do what Sean Combs, Russell Simmons, Shawn Carter, and Brad Jordan did to the game, to be dominant representatives of Hip-Hop music.

What do you like to do when you are not making music?

Jose: Film production such as editing (example is Final Cut or Avid), directing, and scriptwriting, Multimedia Design such as Adobe CS3 (example is Photoshop), Sports especially Basketball & Football, thinking of my next moves with the music, and networking.

Chris: Listen to music, spend time with friends and family, go out to the club/parties, watch movies and sports, work out, play games (pool, bowling, basketball), play video games, everything else that involves the progression of an artist: networking with other people, maintaining a webpage, designing graphics, video directing, etc.

Please give me your MySpace address and Facebook or wherever your music can be found.

• www.myspace.com/streetpoetsent
• www.myspace.com/madelinestreetpoets

How can we find or contact street poets?

You can email us at . On Facebook search “Sir Virtue” and “Jose Toro” or Contact them via their MySpace websites.

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