A clever person solves a problem,
but a wise person avoid it.
#thriveorsurvive.
#thriveorsurvive
A clever person solves a problem,
but a wise person avoid it.
#thriveorsurvive.
#thriveorsurvive
Wise men don’t need advice and Fools won’t take it either.
#thriveorsurvive
No one goes to the Olympics for silver.
Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
http://www.changeinadvance.com
Or simply reply to this article.
#thriveorsurvive
#thriveorsurvive.
No one goes to the Olympics for silver.
Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
http://www.changeinadvance.com
Or simply reply to this article.
Recently I’ve upgraded my hunger.
Let me explain. You see i love writing, reading, and interviewing people.
Yup as I’ve built my sites and my dreams I decided that I wanted to interview not just entrepreneurs but my favorite emcees and entrepreneurial heroes as well.
So I made a list, and yeah I checked it twice (lol).
I decided on 7 rappers and 3 DJ’s. After that the entrepreneurs come. Now I got off track and lost that order as some amazing people stumbled into my path. Miss163, Jean Alerte, and Javier Saldana to name just a few. And boy was it worth it.
However today I’m here to talk about the waterproof emcee, The Lyrical Master, RAS KASS.
This lyricist, sorry rapper is to shitty a term, was not only down to earth but gracious, intelligent, genuine, and cool as a fan.
BH: How did you get started with rap?
RK: Hearing older cats rapping and getting the bug to rhyme had me. I was a late bloomer in the rap game. rap resonated heavy for me after 6th grade.
BH: Who was your favorite rapper growing up?
RK: Kool G Rap, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD and Kool MO Dee.
BH: Nice.
RK: But I patterned myself after KRS One. He was more informative.
BH: How many albums have you done?
RK: Conceptually 9. But some were leaked, bootlegged or blocked. A former manager lost one as well so there is a litany of Ras Kass that isn’t out to the market a a whole.
BH: Speaking of hold outs- did you run up on the label for your masters? As a non-fan the legend of you literally taking back what was yours by force was awe inspiring to me. The willingness on your part to go to jail to feed the seed as I heard it, is amazing.
RK: I did what the situation called for no regrets.
BH: What are your current plans in hip hop?
RK: I’m staying in. I haven’t done all I want. I have more to say and more to obtain fiscally. The game is never done for me. It is a career not a cycle. I have so much more in store.
BH: A rebirth?
RK: Naw. I’m doing it til I’m done with it.
BH: Thoughts on the rap game?
RK: It is really just the pimp game turned on it’s back. You could call it the new form of slavery. It is all business nut business has an objective and talent gets the short end of the stick.
BH: You left handed or right handed?
RK: Left handed.
BH: Word?! ME TOO!!
RK: you find a lot of talented and or simply successful emcees are left handed their mindset and general existence is geared towards creativity and expressing innate talent.
BH: thoughts on The Horsemen?
RK: I left the group in 2012 but they are my brothers. Forever we will work together. We are friends to the next level.
BH:Thoughts on Slaughterhouse claiming the fame of said name?
RK: Hey, they did what we couldn’t- make commercial success from their unity. They got it out execution wise so how can I argue.
RK: They did what Wu-Tang did as they set out and respect is deserved. They say God laughs when you make plans…
BH: Your son Taj Austin rhymes as well. Thoughts? feelings?
RK: He was rapping since he was little. His mother is a singer and I’m a lyricist so he is set up well. As I was coming up I had no one to bounce ideas and concepts off of. He has the benefit of both our experience to add direction and or guidance to his career/objectives.
BH: How did you come up with the track Interview With A Vampire?
RK: It started as a joke. I said I could do a song with Jesus on an island and if no one heard it, it would still be worthless. From there the song evolved almost on its own.
BH: As a lyricist myself I feel you. Some songs seem to write themselves.
RK: Indeed some tracks I cough and they damn near done.
BH: What is your favorite song you have done?
RK: I don’t have one. My catalog is 20,000 songs deep or more and they are all reflective of what I’ve done, where I’ve been, and who I am. I can’t pick one honestly.
BH: I came to be a fan of yours quite late- 2005 or so to be honest. But between your verses with CANibus and and the Horsemen I was won over before I heard your early works. As I’ve matured since then I’ve invested in all of your catalog I could find. And as such I have to ask- Where did you conceive of the cover for the EAT OR DIE Mixtape that released in stores?
RK: It was a tribute to the photographer. He went for pictures and came back with a conscious. And in the end he took his own life. Reality was really raw for him.
BH: Newest project?
RK: Barmageddon the album that dropped this year. It is pure hip hop with the feeling of raw lyricism.
If you listen to Barmageddon you hear I’m still human, still love hip hop, still love to rap.
BH: Amen! As a fan I’ve heard it and concur.
Where can fans reach you/find you?
RK: @raskass is perfect.
http://raskass.bandcamp.com/album/barmaggedon for the new album and links to cop my catalog.
BH: Shout out to RAS KASS, The Waterproof Emcee.
#blogheavy
RIGHT THE WRONGS FOUNDATION LLC: WHY DON’T WE SUPPORT THEM EN-MASS?.
Folks, I’ve been real blessed.
And I don’t mean what my parents did for me.
The last 4 months I’ve had the privilege of sitting with an amazing group of men and women who want nothing more than to give and or give back, \You see there are people who never had who refuse not give back.
There are also individuals who have had and refuse not to give beyond the scope of their existence. And in a day and time where the average inner city community member is labeled as greedy, selfishly zealous, or just pure ignorant I’ve been blessed to sit and speak with leaders and visionaries who spend all of their time consumed in one mission: giving back.
On April 23rd I was privileged to sit with Javier Saldana of RIGHT THE WRONGS FOUNDATION LLC. And this brother was the real deal.
RIGHT THE WRONGS FOUNDATION LLC is about giving back and job creation. It is literally that simple. Now I can break down their mission statement for 8 pages but it boils down to a sincere drive to put people back into the work force. It doesn’t end there either. the long term goal is to create a viable workforce with longevity. not a flash in the pan, one term measure of growth- but real numbers. And beyond the numbers are the people. Jobs have been a lot more scarce since 2007 or so. And while there is a lot of talk about jobs and helping the average Joe- I don’t see much folks.
So What Can We Do?
We can support Javier Saldana and RIGHT THE WRONGS FOUNDATION LLC.
Why?
BH: What does RIGHT THE WRONGS FOUNDATION LLC do?
JS: We provide the skills and tools for employable longevity to those we serve.
BH: Expound on that please.
JS: In the world of business and industry there are jobs. In fact there is a deep need, about 2 million open spots. And while we cannot provide the exact training job for job, we can reinforce the basics and lead a multi-generational movement in workplace intelligence and etiquette.
BH: So you have a multi point plan, break that down deeper for my readers please.
JA: Simply put, there are three key facets: Employ-ability, interviews, and etiquette. These facets, when mastered increase the ability of any individual to rise beyond their daily existence to become pivotal players, leaders, and integral parts of their communities.
BH: Is college the answer?
JA: Not always. Simply put there are individuals that school simply isn’t meant for. But they may got to their local McDonald’s and start from the bottom and rise to become a regional vice president or better. Skill sets are vastly suitable for a large percent of the population, especially when we build them up so their esteem and self-profitability become more than concepts, and rise to be innate traits.
BH: So the main goal then is?
JS Sustainability. It has never been about getting them a job and walking away. The goal is to create a fulcrum of pure, sustainable, community based growth. In the end it isn’t jobs- it is a life skills set that leaves the community at large enriched.
BH: So if I hear you right you don’t advocate college over a career plan?
JA: Not at all. As a species we are vastly diverse. So to expect the same result from all of the species is redundantly ignorant. instead we aim to meet the needs of the population as a whole. From that perspective success becomes synonymous simply with action.
BH: Could we sum up the general flow then as 1st knowing your mindset. And 2nd acting accordingly?
JA:YES.
#BlogHeavy
Have you met Jean Alerte?
I have and the man is on fire! I interviewed him recently at the Latiq Agarde benefit that I was privileged to attend. As a key note speaker he electrified the room. We sat down together to discuss, life, leadership, and frozen yogurt.
-When did you begin your entrepreneurial journey?
JA: it began at the age of 18 and has grown and evolved with me. I am now 31.
What made you write your impressive tome Do Right Do Good?
JA: The goal was to inspire one kid. One Single kid/teen. That’s it. And that was prefaced by a young gentleman I worked with who told me “Jean you need to write a book.” And after thinking about it a while it all came together.
-How long did it take to write Do Right Do Good?
JA: From concept to completion the writing of the book took about 3 months. It took about a year to complete as far as publishing, cover creation et al. From its inception it seemed to literally write itself. It came to me naturally.
-I noticed you don’t sell your book on Amazon, a trend that is quite enormous among new writers-Why?
JA: I donate $10 dollars of every sale to charity. To sell units through Amazon would cheat those who benefit from these funds. Every copy is also personally signed by me and shipped by me with a care package. The personal touch is not only cool but for the young readers it impacts them greatly. It makes an indelible mark that resonates for them for years to come.
-Do you see more writing in your future?
JA: of course.
-Will you be opening a non-profit such as Latiq to impact even more young lives?
JA: I can see that occurring in the future.
-Recently your newest venture, Brooklyn Swirl, a frozen yogurt stand was featured on Love & Hip Hop, how did that come about?
JA: It was a known favorite of some of the cast and they approached us for filming purposes. The exposure was great.
-Hiring practice:
JA: I only hire people who live in the same area of Brooklyn where Brooklyn Swirl is located. It keeps the dollars in the community and builds the economic zone and gives self esteem to the youth I hire.
I could literally write two more pages about Jean. The son of Haitian immigrants, Jean completed his college education and went on to the finance industry. He set goals and reached them. He is literally the definition of follow through. As an educator I was preach to the young adults I work with that discipline and follow through accomplish more than talent. Michael Jordan practiced with fervor. And more to the point he wasn’t the legend from the get go. He wasn’t above average either. He worked at it. Talent helps, but discipline is the key and Jean Alerte may be the living embodiment of it.
Buy the book, donate to the scholarship, eat the yogurt. If you’re going to support someone he is the obvious choice.
(Via Hubshout.com)
No one goes to the Olympics for silver.
Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
http://www.changeinadvance.com
Or simply reply to this article.
#thriveorsurvive
3 MINUTES WITH KEVIN JACKSON(INTERVIEW #1 IN A SERIES).
If you have followed my work on other sites then you know I love interviews. Sitting with leaders and entrepreneurs expands not only the minds of my readers but myself as well.
And with my new series I aim to raise the bar. Without further ado:
Today we spent our time with Kevin Jackson,
A man well ahead of the curve.
-Where you from?
Originally Texas, but I have lived all over, including China, a short time in France. Presently I live in St. Louis.
-Age?
49.
-Tell my readers exactly what you do- Businesses you own, ventures, products, etc-
I am a former management consultant. I have two Amazon best-selling books, and host a syndicated radio show out of Tampa, FL.
What brought about theblacksphere.net?
I was frustrated politically, specifically with how black people were being used as political pawns.
-Give my readers a brief synopsis of your three blacksphere projects and tell us which you are most passionate about?
Changing things in the black community. Our Forever Families project gets over 100 kids adopted each year, as whole siblings units. We have a radio project that will build character in the black community. And finally we have a pro-CHILD project that focuses on the sanctity of life.
-I enjoyed your mission statement, please break it down in part with your vision as stated on the site?
My vision is to create more black CEOs. I am achieving this by explaining to black people that we are not victims, we are VICTORS! It’s a tough love approach, but it’s necessary.
-What needs to change in politics immediately?
We need to End Identity Politics. The idea that “color” is the reason somebody can or cannot make it is ridiculous.
-Who did you vote for in the last two elections?
McCain and Romney.
-How did you build your sites popularity and success?
I think if you are true to yourself and your vision really addresses who you are, you can be successful…if you’re relevant. I don’t shoot for temporary success, but success that can sustain itself. The only way to do that is to be true to your message, and fearless in delivery and defense of the message.
-What are your thoughts on social media? Social media has changed and will continue to change the world.
-Do you believe in it’s power?
Absolutely. It can certainly help make a person, again, as long as the person works it correctly, and isn’t looking for 15 minutes of fame.
-What made you embrace your position?
I have seen people gain followings methodically, and with proper messaging obtain rabid supporters.
-What keeps you in this position?
I can see our constant growth, and that’s encouraging.
-What are your secrets to success? Incrementalism and steadfast work ethic. I have also assembled an amazing team of supporters.
-If I gave you a million dollars what or whom would you invest in?
If I were selfish with it, I would likely put it in becoming self-sustaining, i.e. a small farm where I grow everything, have running water, etc. I think we spend far too much on the bare necessities, which are getting more and more expensive. Unselfishly I would continue to do things for kids, just amp it up a bit.
-Advice for my readers?
Be critical thinkers. Don’t believe everything you are told and do the research. Don’t be so dogmatic in a position that you are not willing to look at the other side of things. If blacks did this, there would be no Tiger Woods, because “black people don’t like golf.” We tend to classify things as “white” because we have never done it. Open your minds. The mind once expanded never regains its original shape.
-Your definition of success?
When you know who you are, truly know who you are, that is success.
-What’s your hobby?
I’m an avid martial artist, and continue to train some elite athletes and my youngest son. I love music, and play piano poorly.
-Any projects you’d like to promo?
Just follow my work, KNOWING that I want America to be a place where people can achieve their dreams, unencumbered. I will be promoting some fun project, i.e. a short comedy tour, and I have been asked to put together a sketch comedy show.
#thriveorsurvive.
#BlogHeavy

#thriveorsurvive.
“If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.”
~St. Clement of Alexandra
Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
http://www.changeinadvance.com
Or simply reply to this article.
KNOW WHAT WILL BUILD FOR YOU.
Build better from the beginning and end up with the dream as a reality and the profit to move even further.

#thriveorsurvive.
“If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.”
~St. Clement of Alexandra
Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
http://www.changeinadvance.com
Or simply reply to this article.