Movie Review: MUSICS SON

On Saturday, January 14, 2012, MUSICS SON premiered at the Genessee theatre in Waukegan, IL.  This movie was an original idea from the mind of local writer, director, producer, and actor Cornell Ford.

 

The film MUSICS SON is the story of a family torn apart by tragedy.   Our main character, (played to the fullest by Brandon McGrew), Monte' Ethan witnesses the death of his mother as a young boy and grows into a bitter young black male.  All the social pitfalls & traps that all young black males face within the black community become the reality of Monte' as he grows into a man without the love of his mother and the respect for his father. 

 

Cornell Ford is brilliant as the broken spirited alcoholic Lamar Ethan (aka Money Music), Monte's father.   The death of his wife (played by Sparkle Motion), makes his life spin out of control with guilt, and the loss of his own self respect as well as the respect of his son who blames him for the death of his mother.  While events unfold to determine the course of this young man's life, there is a understory that must be acknowledged.

 

The setting of this tale is North Chicago, Illinois.   It is rare for our community to see our reality rendered in film so boldly and eloquently.  There are many that doubt that NOGO has anything going for it.  But the talent is here and so is the heart.  And yes there is crime, and there are drugs and scandals and even police brutality.  But, North Chicago is also full of hard working legal hustlers, and these are people who are decent and are good.  They pay their taxes and they vote.  They have dreams and aspirations.  In North Chicago, most people want the same thing:  to live in peace, and enjoy the fruits of their own labor.

 

 

It is through strength of character and the love of a good woman (played by Andrea Campbell) that we see a change in Monte' Ethan for the better.   And the viewer learns that while it may be too late for others, as long as there is life there is hope.  No matter what a person's circumstances are they can rise above it.   By the end of the film, the street life doesn't claim Money Music's Son because he mans up and makes up his own mind to walk a knew path. 

 

 I looked forward to seeing the rise of Cornell Ford.  He has put a human face on the reality of North Chicago life.  And that's whats up.

 

 

 

 

    

ACE KOON INTERVIEW:on the Tupac Shakur Bio pic

Ace Koon, aka Fury aka the next potential Tupac Shakur, describe your place in the pantheon of Lake County, IL local artists.  Who are you?
Well um, I pride myself as being the highest selling rap artist in Lake County history.
I've got 33,000 units sold, that is hand to hand sales in the streets.   I've got 16 releases out, which was done in a matter of 5 years--  My philosophy is to try to work the streets, and get out and meet the people.  And network.






What does it mean for you yourself to try out for such a coveted role? 

Well, it means a great deal to me.  I feel like he laid his life down for the have nots who have been struggling.  I've been in that position before and I still am in that position.  He is the most influential person in my life. Period.  It means a great deal to me to be able to audition and give some kind of just due to his legacy.




Who was Tupac Shakur to you?  Describe Tupac in one word to you.



In one word, he was an outlaw.  But it is hard to describe him in one word.  He was an educated out law.  As far as like his music, he was extremely talented.  He a had a vengeful side to him to if he felt like he was crossed.  But, on a more positive note, he would vouch or go to battle for people who were less fortunate.  

He ultamitely lost his life going to battle for people who didn't really have anything.  He had a political voice.  He would say things that a lot of people didn't reallly want to hear.  Especially coming from him with his background and his family, the Shakurs, and their affiliations with the Black Panthers.  They were in direct contest with the government.

I can't really sum him up in one word, but he was for sure something to talk about. And definatley something to make a bio pic about.



Why do you think you should be the one to play Tupac Shakur?


I feel like I've been kind of practicing for this role my whole life.  I been studying him.  This was before, even before his demise.  I didn't know this was going to happen to him.  It just seemed like we had so much in common and which I am sure like the other auditioners might feel the same way.

But like with me, my philosophy is I want to take all the small details of Tupac Shakur and bring to the front burner.  All the small details.  The way he moved his hands, the emphasis he used when spoke, more of his mannerisms --just all the small details.  It's not going to be what the media's take of him was.



Why don’t we as a community have each others back here in Lake County?


Lake County is a rough one.  I've tried to unify and tried to bring other artist together.  A lot of artists out here, they know what I do out here and they know my accomplishments.  I don't really get too much credit, you know what I'm saying, as much a deserve from the other artists.  And that is fine, it ain't really a big deal to me.  As long as I got the consumer, and the consumer knows what I do.

As far as Lake County, it is tough to get love from artists because I believe everyone just wants to be that number one guy.  In the south, in Atlanta, where you have one artist that everyone jumps on his bandwagon, rides the wave and supports him.  And then everybody flourishes. And then he comes back and breaks bread with everybody and then it's the next cats turn.  

That kind of mentality is not reallly cultivated up North, in the area where we are, but I feel like once we get to a point when we keep running up against a brick wall and we can't bust nothing open. we are going to finally end up learning and becoming more accessible to positive things like that.

What is your favorite Tupac song?
There's so many.  I would probably have to say, "Street Thang". It was on a posthumous album that was released after his death.  I also liked "Thug Style" too.  

Do you have any advice for anyone who is trying to make it in the entertainment industry?
Well, one keynote is that if you really, really, want to do this you can't just come in there and half assed do this stuff.  Move units to the streets.   You have to get out in the streets and meet people. You have to campaign as if this was politics.  And if you are afraid to get out and sell your music than this is not a game for you then.  This the music game, an industry. 

Alot of artist out here are getting credit for making good songs.  I have umpteen good songs.  It takes more than that.  You have to take your good songs and go to the streets.  You have to campaign for it, it is like a 'ghetto election'.



If you get this role, the role of Tupac Shakur, what will it mean to you? It would mean the whole world to me.  I just want his legacy portrayed the right way.  I think his legacy will be in the right hands with me.  I just want to give him just due efforts.  I've been studying him every night ever since I found out the auditions.  I am not doing this for no pay off or nothing like that. I know I have a whole region or area that is counting on me to do things that they may not be able to do at the time.


Why do you contine to rap and will you continue to rap once this period in your life is over?

To be honest with you, I never really wanted to rap or be a rapper.  After the death of Tupac, I felt like the powers that be that don't really understand the urban sector or life what we go through everyday had won at the time.  It just irked me, and Its like I had to speak up and do something.  I felt like this urgency.  I had to show some type of action.  So, I started to rap.

I always wanted to be an actor.  I felt like if I stepped up and if I rapped and made a voice for myself, that it would open doors into the acting. 

I never really wanted to be a rapper.  Once I do get the role, I would probably fall back behind the scenes and help others out with there own endeavors.  But I probably wouldn't rap anymore.

What's Going On with North Chicago

Right now, it has been a busy few weeks for me, but that is not what I want to discuss.

One of Lake County's own, DeCount Bell aka Ace Koon aka Fury is in the runnings for the title role of a movie that depicts the life of famed rapper/actor Tupac Shakur.

The voting for who will play this most coveted role will close soon and a victor will be chosen.  Out of all the artists I have met in Lake County, IL, I can say that I have never seen anyone so driven for a role.  He is one of the best selling artist in this locale.  And his lyrical style is reminiscent of the late Tupac Shakur.

In Search of Tupac

Above is the link for the In Search of Tupac page on facebook and a video of Fury's audition.  I think you will find Lake County, Illinois well represented in this endeavor.

Once again, time is short.  Click this Link and vote for DeCount Bell:   http://www.truthabout2pac.com/ 

The Social Bug: Next Level Poetry

Alright North Chicago, on Wednesday nights, 1721 Sheridan Road is the best kept secret in town.  I am talking about Neo Soul Wednesday's at the Social Bug, hosted by none other than, the one and only SoleTempest (Simone).

The poetry last night was off the chain.   The atmosphere is laid back and with DJ SKILLZ on the 1s and 2s playing the sexy sounds of Neo Soul, each Wednesday night is a night to remember.  And with the sudden arrival of Poetry on the Patio's Markell Mooney last week, you never know what to expect.

If you have a heart for creativity and the spoken word, it will be energized.  Come with your A game or not and still have fun.

Last night, if you were there, you got to hear and see the lovely Oasis bless us with her wordplay and angelic melody.   Local hero, and Lake County celeb, the X was in the building, blessing us with his rhymes.
Not to mention the undeniably clever Breeze and Brandy Nicole (YES I GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE).

Once again, this is laid back, grown and sexy folk.  Leave the drama at home and come have a ball on Wednesdays at the Social Bug:  1721 Sheridan Rd in North Chicago, IL 60064.

ALSO:  This Friday the X will be in the building for Old School Fridays.  Come out and get your groove on like we did back in the day.

I can't say enough about  this place, but I must say this:  We need to support our black owned businesses in this town.   When someone is doing something this positive, it is a righteous endeavor.   I never thought I would spit in my home town again.  But after last night, I know and believe that anything is possible.  And I will return to the Social Bug again.

Spoken Word has a new home in North Chicago, every Wednesday night.  Show some love for it.

PEACE

Message from the editor

Alright.
I haven't been here for a while, I know.   That is about to change.  I have been working on other projects and forgot why I started this blog in the first place.

So why did I start this blog?   Because I could, that's why.  And it can and will continue.
In the coming weeks, I shall be blogging about whatever I can get my grubby little hands on in North Chicago, IL.  

And if you are from North Chicago and want to contribute to this blog, I highly encourage you to contact me via email at jpoetic77@sbcglobal.net.

Nogo Street Beat will continue in 2011.   Please be advised.

NoGo Street Beat Intro

The music of North Chicago, IL is rough, gritty, and often depicts a less than savory side of life.  We have DJs, Singers, Rappers, Book Authors and Poets.  Producers, promoters, etc.  One thing I have learned about the entertainment business, it is often a cutthroat business.  You have to come correct with your product or don't come at all.

This blog is for all the creative hustlers and original individuals who are trying to put our little slice of the Midwest on the map.  They honestly take no short cuts and they love their craft.

Being inbetween Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI, we honestly can't afford to take shorts.   For every artists there is out there doing something, there is one doing it bigger or better.

Those are the chances that you take in the entertainment industry.

Everyone has a story to tell, and there is a drop of blood and sweat in every line of every song.

I hope those of you that enjoy underground hip hop and independent artists will enjoy this blog.