Justice for Travyon: The Reality of the Nations We Live In

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by Latecia Shantrea
(CEO of Mayhem Media Group, founder of Established Mayhem Clothing)

By now you’ve heard the story, become enraged, enthralled and deeply saddened by Travyon Martin’s death.  While communities call for change marching on his behalf, his parents simply want their son back.  I, like many people watching on the sidelines, admire the strength of the parents to take a stand for their son even as they mourn his loss. The sad part is, they won’t have their son back, nor will they have peace, even if Zimmerman is jailed.  Another sad fact about Travyon Martin’s death is the two nations impacted:  America and Hip Hop.  They are not the one in the same – Hip hop doesn’t know a color, but America does.

I’m 26 years old, an owner of three businesses, an investor in others. I have a development firm who’s impact is far reaching and am connected to people whose impact is far-stretching.  I am a songwriter, a designer, an author, an artist and much more.  I don’t say that to be braggadocios, only to paint a picture.  I run my own businesses and exist in a world where I can truly make my own rules.  I sometimes wake at noon, and take random days off in the middle of the week.  I seldom ever put on full business dress unless it’s to go to a meeting or to church.  Established Mayhem Clothing has a line of sweatshirts that I proudly wear to the gym, lounging around the house, on cold nights, etc.   Sweatshirts are a part of my uniform. I’m also a black female, so I’m not seen as a threat by society.  But, Travyon Martin could have been one of my brothers. I could have easily gotten that call about Brand Ambassadors Rod Blaze, Ammodaius or Cyfa Fix.  I could have just as easily gotten that call about any one of my business partners and friends.   Productive members of society and members of the hip hop nation, who feel more comfortable throwing on a sweatshirt and some jay’s to go to Uptown to enjoy their friends  are seen as threats, simply because of the color of their skin.  Even as they offer support to the women and families in their lives, attempt to build brands and chase their dreams – they are seen as threats simply for wearing a sweatshirt while being a black male in America.  I was blessed enough to grow up in a suburban area and go to private schools where race was not an issue.  I had, and still have, a mixture of friends who never saw race.  I remember my Father sitting my sisters and me down to explain “the rules” – always be polite, never talk back, especially to cops, always be respectful, even if you’re mad, know your place, don’t be afraid to be indignant, but don’t let pride get you killed.

I remember being followed around the store by a clerk who forgot my money was green because my color was black, and I recall being outraged even then.  I didn’t understand the contrast between the America I knew as a child and the reality of the America I lived in.   The Hip hop nation because music isn’t racist, neither the integrated circles we exist in.  The Hip hop nation has power to change the world, not just the American nation, and truly Ignite a revolution. By fighting back and fighting for Travyon Martin and the unnamed boys who are senselessly gunned down every day for the crime of walking while black we send a strong message: you can no longer have our brothers, friends, and sons.  Geraldo Rivera was wrong, Martin’s sweatshirt didn’t kill him, Zimmerman’s ignorance did and the only way to combat ignorance is to match it with knowledge.

There is power in knowledge, we must educate ourselves on the laws that impact our communities and become active in changing them.  While the Federal government does a lot, it’s up to us to take back our communities and we do that by voting in local elections, staying registered and informed.   Even though Hip Hop doesn’t see a color, America still does.  It’s like Kanye said so many years ago, “even if you’re in a benz you’re still a n***a in a coup” and Travyon Martin’s death is a stark reminder of the world we live in. Arm yourself and your communities by directing the rage to protect our sons, Fathers, brothers and friends.  Get involved, stay involved.  The revolution starts within.

For more information on registering to vote, see the links below:

www.rockthevote.com
www.registertovote.org

#StayElevated 

Jay Z: “Glory” featuring B.I.C

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Jay Z released a song this morning with a sample of his daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, on the track.  It’s such a beautiful song we just had to post it! Enjoy

 

“You’re a child of destiny, you’re the child of destiny. You’re my child with the child from Destiny’s child, that’s a hell of a recipe”

+Energy #StayElevated

It’s hard out here for PIMPS: an honest look at the artist’s lifestyle

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By: Latecia Shantrea

P.I.M.P.S = People In Major Pursuit of Success

Lets be honest, the life of an artist can sometimes be a bit isolating because you spend a lot of your time cultivating your talent, perfecting your hustle, and using the world around you to inspire you to greatness.  It is hard to explain the feeling that is provided from the connection that occurs between an artist and their work,   however; placing the finishing touches on a painting, finding the perfect way to end a piece, or putting that last alteration on a garment makes the sacrifices worth it. Lets be even more honest and admit that being an artist isn’t easy, popular, or even the least bit rewarding in a fiscal sense. I know MTV and HBO have painted a pretty picture with their Cribs, Entourage and endless movies about how amazing being an artist is. But lets get real; the real fun doesn’t come sometimes unless you sign that lucrative deal, get endorsed by a major label, have a gallery showing, get the retail chain placement, or create such a large underground following that the world has no choice but to pay attention. Sure, there are parties, recognition, and the joy being an artist in your own right brings, but most artists want that to translate into fiscal success that will warrant them doing that which they love all day and night and getting paid for it.  We’re being honest, remember? So, you can admit that you do it for the love and the money – it’s okay!

Since we’re being honest we can also mention that dating is hard when you’re an artist, too. I mean, have you ever tried to date PIMPS? Endless parties, shows in different states, studio times, early morning call times, shoots on location, that’s not even to mention trying to find the time between your 8-5 and your 6-2, workout routines, image consultations, gigs, dieting, painting, and then trying to do any and everything to further your craft, and sleep? Fuggedaboutit.  A person trying to pursue anything with PIMPS needs to get in where they fit in.  Most relationships begin and end between the hours of 3 AM and 6 AM… we’re being honest, remember? On the off chance that you do find someone willing to cultivate the dangerous game of chess that is your PIMPS game, the relationship may not be long for this world because they love your ambition, but not when your first love is your craft.  And, let’s be honest, no one is comfortable with being second to anything for long.

I’ve been on both sides of the equation and I know it’s hard out there for PIMPS.  So the real question is how does one maintain their path without being distracted by the inevitable trap that is the life? And, are you about that life?  One of my favorite sayings:

“ if you have one foot in the past and one foot in the future you’re pissing all over the present”

sums it up perfectly.  If an artist has one foot in the safety of mediocrity and one foot in pursuit of their ultimate goal, they are pissing all over their gifts.  So, since I am being so honest, I have to say you can have all of the talent in the world, but at the end of the day: hustle beats talent every time.  Let’s get real, in order to achieve anything of merit you have to be willing to lay it on the line; to wage a battle against logic and dare the artist within to not achieve the highest element of success.  I’m not saying put in your 2 weeks’ notice tomorrow, because let’s be honest, the bills still need to be paid and you can’t have your creative genius on the street because then who would you be helping? But if you know that 8-5 is not what you were meant to do – what you have been called to do – it will be an empty existence.  So have an exit strategy, take some chances, bet on yourself and you are bound to win. 

In the upcoming weeks Established Mayhem Online will be saluting entrepreneurs, artists, and musicians who were told they could not accomplish what they knew they could, and are instead, passionately pursuing their dreams.  It is in the example of these individuals that we should find our inspiration.  I know that I have been and continue to be inspired by the artists interviewed, and in many ways I’ve fallen in love with their hustle, causing me to rededicate myself to my artistic pursuits.  PIMPS are the epitome of what Established Mayhem Clothing was created to connect – they are establishing their own lanes, breaking through boundaries, and pushing the limits to propel the artistic community forward.  So to all my PIMPS out there, I salute you. I know it’s hard, but in the words of Tupac- keep your head up.

More art, more music, more creation

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When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. 

by: Latecia Shantrea (@itsmissmayhem) – CEO and Founder

The view from my office

This may be getting a little personal, but picture above was the view from my office/work space when this journey started.  I think inspiration is fluid. A person can garner inspiration from whatever feeds the soul, and it’s important to recognize when that inspiration hits. The development of Established Mayhem Clothing came about during a particularly rough time. My aunt had passed and I was on my way to visit my parents the day after receiving the news. I needed something to distract me, and I found my distraction. Weeks earlier I’d parted ways with a partner in a previous clothing line that I helped to develop due to contractual issues. The line is still in existence, but I can honestly say the direction it was headed in was not one that I was ecstatic to be a part of, so the break could not have come at a better time. I started developing the line (Established Mayhem), not knowing what it would turn into; hoping it would manifest into something, but uncertain it would be something I could pursue with the time constraints before me and the news of my aunt’s passing heavy upon me.

A strange thing happened on the car ride to visit my parents; I was so overcome with inspiration that I pulled over two hours into the drive and started doing sketches at the Starbucks. I was several hours late for my arrival, but I had a full line mapped out and a marketing plan almost fully developed. That’s not the strange thing; the strange thing is that weeks later, my “time constraints” that would have prevented me from fully developing the line unexpectedly removed themselves from my life. I was left with free time, loads of inspiration, and not much else. I am a strong proponent in the belief that “Every thing happens for a reason” , so I took this as a sign that I was supposed to continue developing the line. I pulled my music equipment out of storage, spent many nights tapping away at the keyboard to my laptop, looking for the right fabrics, designers, freelance writers, website designers…etc. It didn’t take long to find a team ready and willing to follow me in pursuit of a dream. Now, something that started out in the passenger seat of my car on a particularly dark drive, has the potential to give birth to a line that will change lives. I know it has changed mine and we haven’t even ramped up for what the line or website can become.

This journey started before I knew it was being set in motion, but for the first time I feel that I ready to take on the challenge without a safety net. Chasing dreams is scary, putting yourself out there is even scarier, but never reaching the potential you have inside of you is the scariest and most devastating thing you could ever do. Today, I challenge you to chase a dream, put yourself out there in a way that you never have and see what it brings you.  When you passionately pursue your dreams and invest in your future, the universe will go out of its way to help you achieve these goals.  You have the power to speak life into dreams and be greater than you ever imagined: to squander that would be shame.