A film about the singer Tina Turner and how she rose to stardom with her abusive husband Ike Turner and how she gained the courage to break free.

This is such a powerful film to watch, everyone knows Tina Turner’s music and possibly know that she had an abusive relationship. While I don’t think its certain which parts of this are completely true to life, that really does not matter. As the hitting and abuse scenes are all horrible to watch and have to experience, especially knowing that he did beat her up quite a lot over the years. The rape scene had to be the worst to watch and I am sure people watching will feel the same way I did trying not to actually watch it as it was just awful.

Tina Turner/Anna Mae Bullock had such an awful life with her husband Ike Turner this film tracks her rise as a singer and the years of abuse she put up with. Until she decided to do something about it, hitting back at him was the start of leaving him and the divorce. That scene in the film when they fight in the car was a fantastic moment, seeing her hit him and give him some of his own medicine. Which may sound strange, but if you watch the film you will understand how brilliant the moment is as you really do feel so bad for her and that is all just fantastic in terms of him eventually getting punched/kicked etc.

Not only was the divorce the end of such an awful period of her life, it was also the start of a new type of music for Tina, with the final scene being her performance at the Ritz. With her new rock style ready to go, with the song “What’s love got to do with it” which was such a fantastic way to tie up the film. (I have not stopped listening to that song, since watching the film). Ike watching in the audience, he tried to tell her that it would not work and her fans would not like it. But such a fantastic way to start the next chapter of her life and career, and what a career it really has been and she is very much still going strong today, touring and releasing new albums. 

The film really does take you on an emotional rollercoaster which makes you just want to watch it ,as you know what happens in the end that she does go onto create a fantastic career for herself and getting away from Ike. It is still a journey to watch it, seeing how she managed to get through things and eventually break away.

Performance wise I really do think both Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne really deserved their Oscar Nominations for the leading roles of Tina and Ike Turner. As they really were just fantastic, I have not looked to see who won and who else was nominated in 1994, but the winners must really have been outstanding. As I do not think you will find better performances for a pairing like this. I suppose one way to really explain how good Laurence Fishburne was it will always make me look at him in a different way now!

Hello,

izm.rjmega@gmail.com wanted to share this video with you.

Click the link below to check it out:
http://www.vbs.tv/watch/soft-focus-at-atp/jon-spencer

See you around,

VBS.TV
http://www.vbs.tv

<script src="http://www.vbs.tv/vbs_player.js?width=480&height=270&ec=lnNjQwMTpkKnWM1dg9UBi7A5Q7Eyi9hr&st=SOFT%20FOCUS%20AT%20ATP&pl=http://www.vbs.tv/watch/soft-focus-at-atp/jon-spencer" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script>

No more words necessary. Enjoy!

“Sometimes you’ve got to let everything go – purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.”

Tina & Ike Turner – Proud Mary

Ike & Tina Turner “Fool In Love” & “Work Out Fine” medley

Ike and Tina Turner shake your tail feather

Tina Turner It’s gonna work out fine (Feat. Ike Turner)

Ike & Tina Turner – Respect 1971

Ike & Tina Turner – Nutbush City Limits 1974

Tina Turner – Rolling on the river

Tina Turner – Jumpin Jack Flash/It’s Only R&R 11.02.08

Tina Turner – Jumping Jack Flash + It’s only Rock n Roll

TINA TURNER SINGS JUMPIN JACK FLASH DEC.4TH 2008!

Tina Turner – The Best

Tina Turner – The Best (Barcelona 1990)

Tina Turner I Can’t Stand The Rain Live 1985

Tina Turner – I can’t stand do rain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC-FkDDFvA8

Tina Turner: “I Can’t Stand The Rain” Sheffield Arena – 5 May 2009

Tina Turner Let’s Stay Together Live 1985

Tina Turner – Let’s stay together

Tina Turner – Lets Stay Together (Barcelona 1990)

Tina Turner – Let’s stay together – live 2005

Tina Turner Private Dancer Live 1988

Tina Turner – Private dancer

Tina Turner – Private Dancer (2002 Digital Remaster)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4QnalIHlVc

Tina Turner – I Don’t wanna fight (live)

Tina Turner – Addicted To Love (Barcelona 1990)

Tina Turner Addicted To Love Live 2000

Tina Turner – We Don’t Need Another Hero

Tina Turner Typical Male Live 1988

Tina Turner – Typical Male

TINA TURNER TYPICAL MALE 12″ DANCE MIX 1986

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOZ8Tky2JCo

TINA TURNER We Don’t Need Another Hero EXTENDED VERSION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TViZKt-AX6E

Tina Turner – Addicted to Love LIVE

What’s love got to do with it – Tina Turner

TINA TURNER What’s Love Got To Do With It (LIVE) 1985

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GSKdC05hpA

What’s Love Got to do With It by Tina Turner [Lyrics]

TINA TURNER What’s Love Got To Do With It EXTENDED VERSION [1984]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eu3WIXuzmo

Tina Turner – What’s love got to do with it – live 2005

Tina Turner Live Opening Night 2008 Official

“I didn’t have anybody, really, no foundation in life, so I had to make my own way. Always, from the start. I had to go out in the world and become strong, to discover my mission in life.”

Background Articles and Videos

Tina Turner

“…Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939) is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have earned her the title “The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll”.^[1][2][3]

Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.^[4] Success followed with a string of hits including “River Deep, Mountain High” and the 1971 hit “Proud Mary”. Allegations of spousal abuse following her split with Turner in 1977 arose with the publication of her autobiography I, Tina. Turner rebuilt her career, launching a string of hits beginning in 1983 with “Let’s Stay Together” and the 1984 release of her album Private Dancer.

Her musical career led to film roles, beginning with a prominent role as The Acid Queen in the 1975 film Tommy, and an appearance in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. She starred opposite Mel Gibson as Aunty Entity in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome for which she received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, and her version of the film’s theme, “We Don’t Need Another Hero”, was a hit single. She appeared in the 1993 film Last Action Hero.

One of the world’s most popular entertainers, Turner has been called the most successful female rock artist^[5] and was named “one of the greatest singers of all time” by Rolling Stone.^[6] Her records have sold nearly 200 million copies worldwide.^[7][8] She has sold more concert tickets than any other solo music performer in history.^[9][10] She is known for her energetic stage presence,^[2] powerful vocals, career longevity,^[9] and widespread appeal.^[11] In 2008, Turner left semi-retirement to embark on her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour.^[12][13] Turner’s tour has become one of the highest selling ticketed shows of 2008-2009.^[8]

…”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Turner

Tina Turner

http://www.bestoftinaturner.com/

Tina Turner • Her Lifetime In Her Own Words • Part.1

Tina Turner • Her Lifetime In Her Own Words • Part.2

Tina Turner • Great Interview On The Countdown, Netherlands • [1985] • “Private Dancer Era” •

Tina Turner – Documentary – The Girl from Nutbush – The Beggining Part One -

HQ Tina Turner – Documentary – The Girl from Nutbush – The Ike and Tina Years

Tina Turner Documentary – Girl from Nutbush Part II

Tina Turner Interview 2000 Part 1/2

Tina Turner Interview 2000 Part 2/2

Tina Turner Simply The Best

Tina Turner on David Letterman – Interview

TINA TURNER on Late Show with David Letterman 1993 [2/2]

Tina Turner on David Letterman – Undercover Agent unplugged

Tina Turner – Interview – Ellen Part 2

Related Posts On Pronk Pieces

Abba–Videos

Joan Baez–Videos

Beach Boys–Videos

Beatles–Videos

Bee Gees–Videos 

Byrds–Videos 

Mariah Carey–Videos 

Johnny Cash–Videos 

Ray Charles–Videos 

Joe Cocker–Videos 

Judy Collins–Videos 

Perry Como–Videos 

Sam Cooke–Videos 

John Denver–Videos 

Celine Dion–Videos 

Bob Dylan–Videos 

Eagles–Videos

Roberta Flack–Videos 

Aretha Franklin–Videos 

Marvin Gay–Videos

Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five–Videos 

Elton John–Videos 

Janis Joplan–Videos 

Mamas & Papas–Videos 

Joni Mitchell–Videos

Oliva Newton-John–Videos 

Roy Orbison–Videos 

Elvis Presley–Videos 

Queen–Videos 

Otis Redding–Videos 

Lionel Richie–Videos

Rolling Stones–Videos 

Linda Ronstadt–Videos 

Diana Ross and The Supremes–Videos 

Carly Simon–Videos 

Simon & Garfunkel–Videos

Frank Sinatra–Videos

Bruce Springsteen–Videos

Rod Stewart–Videos

Barbra Streisand–Videos 

Donna Summer–Videos

Switchfoot–Videos

James Taylor–Videos 

Shawnia Twain–Videos

Village People–Videos

Hayley Westenra–Videos 

Stevie Wonder–Videos

Tammy Wynette–Vi

CHRIS BROWN……SMH……
F*CK OUTTA HERE…

On November 5:

1605  Gunpowder Plot: A conspiracy led by Robert Catesby to blow up the English Houses of Parliament was thwarted when Sir Thomas Knyvet, a justice of the peace, found Guy Fawkes in a cellar below the House of Lords.

1850  Ella Wheeler Wilcox, American author and poet, was born.

1872 In defiance of US law, suffragist Susan B. Anthony voted for the first time, and is later fined $100.

 1881 Sixteen hundred police and volunteers took part in the attack on Parihaka, a settlement in western Taranaki which had become the symbol of protest against confiscation of Maori land.

1911  Roy Rogers, American actor, was born.

1913 Vivien Leigh, English actress, was born.

 1916 The Kingdom of Poland was proclaimed by the Act of November 5th of the emperors of Germany and Austria-Hungary.

1920  Douglass North, American economist, Nobel Prize laureate, was born.

1921  Fawzia of Egypt, Queen of Iran, was born.

1931  Ike Turner, American musician, was born.

1935  Lester Piggott, British jockey, was born.

1940  Elke Sommer, German actress, was born.

1940  Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to a third term as President of the United States.

1941  Art Garfunkel, American musician, was born.

1946  Gram Parsons, American musician, was born.

1963 – Tatum O’Neal, American actress, was born.

1968 Republican Richard Nixon won the American presidency.

2006  Saddam Hussein, former president of Iraq, and his co-defendants Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti and Awad Hamed al-Bandar were sentenced to death in the al-Dujail trial for the role in the massacre of the 148 Shi’as in 1982.

Sourced from NZ History Online & Wikipedia.

As most people know, Chris Brown has an album dropping in December.

He’s got the standard dance joint “I Can Transform Ya”:

And the standard love joint “Crawl”:

All well and good, but I want to know what the hell is he WEARING on his album cover:

Let’s see:

1. Under Armour shirt – fail

2. His mom’s blazer – fail

3. Shiny ass gloves – fail

4. Patent leather boots – fail

5. Raid spray – fail

6. Looney tunes characters – fail

7. BLACK LEGGINGS – EPIC FAIL

LG Chris. You need to talk to your record label. Maybe he has no pull after his recent troubles but damn this is messed up. No one approves of this.

-Cleo

For the Miami New Times music blog Crossfade.

Many famous musicians have spent a day or three in jail for driving drunk, holding drugs, or something really stupid. But only the select few have spent a serious stretch of time in prison, which brings us to David Allan Coe (pictured). The original country outlaw performs Friday at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale.

It’s confirmed Coe did time at Ohio State Penitentiary and he has famously claimed to have been on death row for killing a man who attempted to procure a blow job from him — this has not been confirmed or proven false. Although Coe is a redneck renegade who penned “Take This Job and Shove It,” recorded the 1970s smash “You Never Even called Me By My Name” and recorded an album with the members of Pantera, he’s by no means the greatest recording artist to do hard time. Here’s a highly subjective list of the greatest musicians who worried about being some bulky dude’s bitch.

Continue reading/check out the killer clips.

Here’s a new video for you. Sika has made changes to his side of the office because he has become The Chosen One.

Nick Cannon, a.k.a. Mr. Mariah Carey, thinks it would be “an honor” for Tina Turner if he and his wife dressed up as Ike and Tina for Halloween.  Yeah, nothing says “I honor you” like dressing up as an abusive ex.  Eyeroll.

Luckily, Mariah has the common sense to see how this could be offensive.  Listen to your wife, Nick.  She’s clearly the brains of this operation.

Who’da thunk it. And yes, that’s Jane Fonda flexing her archery skills in a bikini on the beach. Incredible. Check out the book from which these images were pulled.

Hoje o dia sem sombra de dúvida foi dos Beatles. Do lançamento do Beatles Rock Band ao lançamento de toda a coleção da banda remasterizada (que você baixa completinha aqui), o assunto em todas as rodinhas virtuais (aka twitter, blogs, etc) foi o Fab Four.

E em meio a tantos comentários, piadinhas e links, alguns se destacaram.

Como esse post com 10 covers dos Beatles considerados por alguns como melhores que os originais.

Não concordo quanto a serem melhores que a versão original (pelo menos não todos), mas são covers fodas mesmo:

Hey Jude – Wilson Pickett (a guitarrinha, do Duane Allman, é espetacular)

With A Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker (talvez o mais famoso cover dos Beatles, e esse sim muito superior ao original)

Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds – William Shatner (bizarríssimo e imperdível)

We Can Work It Out – Stevie Wonder

Eleanor Rigby – Aretha Franklin

Infelizmente essa não tem no Youtube.

Come Together – Ike & Tina Turner

For No One – Emmylou Harris

Anytime At All – Nils Lofgren

Blackbird – Dionne Farris (detestei essa)

Across The Universe – Fiona Apple

Dica do @forlani.

Poster for the 2007 Robert Pasternak exhibition, "Drawing Breath: Intuitive Figure Drawings"

Originally published October 31, 2007, on my since-abandoned Myspace blog.

Breathing has played an integral role in rock’s development since the very beginning. It’s safe to say that the form was, indeed, shaped by the constant, rhythmic intake of life-giving oxygen. One can’t imagine “Rocket 88,” widely acknowledged in melodic annals as the first true rock ‘n’ roll record, had neither Ike Turner nor his Kings of Rhythm (and, conversely, Sam Phillips — breathing is just as important for non-musicians as well) been inhaling and/or exhaling. In fact, Ike recalled to Mojo in 2000, “Only cat that wasn’t [breathing] was the motherfucker we sang about” — an automobile, the Olds 88, which lacks the necessary circulation and genetic architecture.

Unsurprisingly, this sparked a trend that continues to the modern day. Musicologists may challenge the legitimacy of genres and artists — often violently so — but most concur that the best music is recorded by breathers. Of course, many breathers eventually become non-breathers, the fate that befell one-half of the Fab Four, generally considered to have been the greatest and most revolutionary breathing band of all time. But months of careful research have concluded that both John Lennon and George Harrison were, in truth, oxygen-dependent during the sessions that yielded Double Fantasy and Brainwashed, respectively.

Breath, or the lack thereof, has been a perennial subject for songwriters. Jerry Lee Lewis recorded the hit “Breathless” in 1958, but, despite rumors to the contrary, was inhaling and exhaling freely in the studio (“Lotta thangs The Killah don’t do, killah,” he confessed in 1988 over a Coca-Cola. “One of ‘em is, I don’t not breathe.”), as were The Corrs in 2000. The only artist to have successfully acetated a song called “Breathless” while reportedly not breathing is Shankar Mahadevan, in 1998. However, since he’s still alive, we can assume this wasn’t a permanent condition.

One of the most famous (and staunch) advocates of breath were, of course, Pink Floyd, all of whom had been breathing since the 1940s. But it wasn’t until the mid-’60s, with the rise of Swinging London, that breathing became an important statement. “After marijuana and LSD, the natural high of breath seemed, well, natural, didn’t it?” Roger Waters explained to Rolling Stone in 1973, shortly after the release of his paean to breath, Dark Side of the Moon. “Besides, it was cheap to the point of free, although abundance and abuse could make you light-headed.”

“Most people think Dark Side is about insanity, the crisis of aging, the passage of time, things of that nature — critics especially,” he elaborated for Q in 1987. “But it’s not. It’s about what a powerful sensation breathing is. It’s got a fucking song called ‘Breathe,’ don’t it? ‘Breathe, breathe in the air/Don’t be afraid to care.’ That’s me saying, ‘Open your passages and let it all in. Air is wonderful.’ I tried a bit of the song earlier on a Ron Geesin album called The Body, but no one took it seriously, cos most of it was tape loops of yobbos farting and belching, and who wants to breathe that? Later we say, ‘Shorter of breath/and one day closer to death.’ I’m warning people, ‘This is what happens if you stop.’ As for ['The Great Gig in the Sky'], Rick [Wright] told Clare [Torry], ‘Explode with the joy of breath.’ “

David Gilmour agreed in a recent documentary for the BBC. “It was us who made breathing acceptable again, in the ’70s,” he said. “Look how many people were using their noses and mouths on a regular basis. They were breathing up a storm, among other things.”

Indeed, the ’70s proved to be boon years for breathers of all stripes. More people were breathing than ever before. But one artist in particular was about to turn the lessons of Floyd into an art form. In 1975, for the first time in rock ‘n’ roll history, someone audibly breathed on record: “Round and Round,” the penultimate track on Aerosmith’s Toys in the Attic. It’s a galloping electric assault whose only respite arrives when Steven Tyler invades a welcome hush with the harsh release of a whispered “chaaahhhh…” “The music was just so dense and heavy, I felt like people needed a breather, literally,” Tyler later explained. “I did it on ‘Uncle Salty’ too.” It became a Tyler trademark of sorts, thus inspiring what’s known as the hard-rock or metal “chaaaahhhh…,” evoking ominous images of screeching ravens, churning skies, and jagged vistas.

The “chaaaahhh…” school eventually split into innumerable camps, including the New Wave “CHA!” (see Big Country, et al), a curt call that mocked the bacchanalian excess of ’70s rock. “Elongating the word was unnecessary,” Mark Mothersbaugh said in 1981. “It represented the dinosaur that rock had become. We kept it short and simple, returning the music to its roots in short, ebullient bursts of breath. No one needs to breathe that much or that hard. That’s not where we were coming from. Treat it like a sneeze. Do it, finish it, then proceed to the next idea. It’s a motto Devo still observes to this day.” In fact, the brisk cracks and snaps featured in the band’s classic “Whip It” were a demonstration of this new ideal.

But, whatever its history, whatever its long-term effect, one thing is clear as mountain air: breathing and music are inseparable. One is impossible without the other. Much like rock itself, the act of breathing is here to stay. And as long as musicians continue to breathe, it will never die.

Artist: Mr. Groove Band
Title: Rocket 88 Tribute to Ike Turner
Website: http://www.zohomusic.com
Style: R&B/ Soul/ Blues/ Funk
Label: Zoho
Rating: 8.8 out of 10
By C.W. Ross

This release is a tribute to famed artist Ike Turner and his 56-year-long music career. The thirteen tracks found on it act as a chronology of Ike’s solo years along with those as Ike and Tina Turner.

The songs are performed by the Nashville-based Mr. Groove Band. Their lineup is: Tim Smith (bass), Roddy Smith (guitars), Tim Gordon (saxes, woodwinds), Steve Willetts (piano, organ), Donnie Marshall (drums, percussion), Tony Creasman (drums, percussion), and Darryl Johnson (lead and backing vocals).

You’ll also find the talents of The Groovehouse Horns on the release. Their lineup is: Steve Patrick (trumpet), Roy Agee (trombone), and Doug Moffet (saxes).

Last is the list of talented guest artist fond on several of the songs that includes, Audrey Turner (vocals), Bonnie Bramlett (vocals), Rick Jackson (organ), Mark Stallings (piano, organ), and Rob Ickes (dobro).

The first track is, “Rocket 88,” an upbeat blues/rock song that starts off with a lively piano part. The song was originally recorded in 1951 at the famed Sun Studios in Memphis and is hailed by many as being the first rock n’ roll single ever. “No More Doggin’,” is an R&B song. “Rock Me Baby,” starts out with a nice swamp blues sound thanks to its Dobro part. The song also became a hit for B.B. King in 1964 and has also been covered by a wide range of artist from Otis Redding to The Jefferson Airplane, and Eric Clapton.

“I Smell Trouble,” is a moody slow blues song that lets the guitar, saxophone, piano, and organ parts take their turn in the spotlight with solos. “Funky Mule,” is an upbeat, horn driven, instrumental track that blends R&B, funk, and soul. “Bold Soul Sister,” was a minor hit for Ike & Tina back in 1969. “River Deep, Mountain High,” features Audrey Turner on lead vocals along with Darryl Johnson. Up until this song Johnson had been handling all of the lead vocals. During the recording process for this song famed song writer/producer Phil Spector had Ike barred from the recording sessions. Later Ike redone the song in several different versions both with and without Tina. The song also became a mainstay for Ike at his live shows.

“I Wanna Take You Higher,” from Sly & the Family Stone, offers up a funky groove that’s driven by its trumpet, keyboard, guitar, and saxophone parts. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary,” is probably one of the best known Ike & Tina songs. I was really looking forward to hearing this song and must sadly report that I was very disappointed. I was expecting to hear an upbeat soul driven song like when Tina sings it, instead what I heard was a way too laid back, slower version of it.

“Taking Back My Name,” gets things back in gear and moving along with its up tempo rock beats. Audrey Turner sings lead vocals on the song which was a single for Ike back in the 70’s. Next up is The Beatles classic, “Come together.” The song is definitely different then The Beatles version with its horns and organ parts that make it into a soulful ballad.

“Nutbush City Limits,” was the final major hit for Ike & Tina. The song features an array of horns, keys, and brush drums on it. Ending things up is the Ike Turner song, “Prancing,” an original unreleased outtake from Ike’s “Risin’ with the Blues” sessions. The song is filled with lively horns and piano parts, but the real star of the show is the wall-to-wall rocking electric guitar part found on it.

Besides the little hiccup with not liking the version of “Proud Mary,” that’s found on this release everything else worked well for me. Whether you a fan of Ike Turner or just like that 70’s soul, R&B, funk sound you’re going to like, Rocket 88 Tribute to Ike Turner.

♦ Can Detroit be Number 1 In Something Positive For Once? ♦

“Detroit turned out to be heaven, but it also turned out to be hell.”

— Marvin Gaye

DETROIT — As far back as I can remember, this city has been associated with some of the most negative aspects of American society. Detroit seems to routinely top the list on such wonderful categories as Poverty, Crime, Blight, High School Dropout Rates, Pollution, Obesity, and most recently Unemployment. However, over the last 30 years, if there was one title that this city has held more than “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair has been world champion, it’s the title of “Murder Capital” of the United States. Even though there have been points when other cities have held at least a share of the title (Chicago, St. Louis, Miami, Washington, D.C., Houston, Gary, Indiana, and Flint), more often than not, the leader in the clubhouse of kills is Detroit.
And the only thing worse than the actual murder stats, is the fact that a fair amount of the people in this city wear the “Murder City” tag as some kind of perverse badge of honor. Like it’s a good thing that more people are murdered here than anywhere else. Why not just get a championship belt and have Pookie from 7 Mile wear it at the club.

The numbers have not been pretty over the last 35 years, when the city’s murder total topped out at an all-time high of 714 killings in 1974. The city has seen a somewhat steady decline in murders which can likely be attributed more to the city’s declining population rather than anything done by the current residents. The reason I am even bringing this up is that it has been discovered over the last few months that the city of Detroit has been intentionally undercounting the number of murders, either through clerical errors, laziness, or the police simply not reporting them. The original tragic number for 2008 was 306. However, after revising the numbers and doing some recounts, the number went from 306 to 375! And 2009 is looking to easily top those disgusting numbers. Currently, there have been at least 215 murders in Detroit this year alone, on pace for a robust 450. That 215 is the number that we know, not even factoring in the 20% or more that haven’t been officially reported.

Let’s put this in some better perspective. For years I have wondered how it is possible that Detroit could have more murders than bigger cities like New York and Los Angeles? Well, it has been proven to be true. Percentage wise, Detroit dwarfs the Big Apple in spite of the huge population spread. Currently, NYC is sitting on 200 kills this year. Unacceptable? Very. Detroiters will say that is just 15 fewer than us, so what’s the big deal? Simple. Detroit’s often disputed population is estimated to be around 915,000 (down from its peak of 1.7 Milli back in the 1950s). Meanwhile, NY’s population is estimated to be between 17 and 20 MILLION! Plus Detroit might have at best 3,000 police officers, NY: 35,000 cops. I hate to admit it, but all these years, they have been right! Damn.

But what can be done about this? No major city is gonna post a goose egg in the 187 column, but violence has become so interwoven into the collective psyche of Detroit and the metro area for decades, that we are basically numb to it. It is not only accepted, but it is glorified and revered. It’s in our music, our art, our history, our vernacular (“Murder Mitten”), our very culture and being as Detroit residents is to live up to this grossly low standard for accepting the title of being the “murder city”. Part of the crime reporting problems stem from this ridiculous “Stop Snitchin’” culture we live in, where people refuse to cooperate with police in the event of a violent or heinous crime because they don’t want to be labeled a “snitch”. Once again, here’s an equation that even DPS grads can understand:

Participating in a Crime, then Talking to Cops to try to avoid a longer bid = “Snitch”

Witnessing a Crime, then going to police in order to help the investigation = “Brave Citizen”

Witnessing a Crime, then refusing to talk to police in order to protect a “street code” = “Coward”

This is not a Dipset video. This ain’t some cheesy BET Black hood “gangster” movie. This ain’t State Property or Killa Season, dammit! This is real life, and as much as Detroit loves to keep it real, this is a case of when keeping it real has gone horridly wrong!

What’s worse is the mind-numbing and callous apathy that runs through our communities. In the wake of the shootings outside of the building formerly known as Cody High School (not to be confused with the shootings outside of Henry Ford High School or inside of Central High School), the Detroit News and TV stations quoted a number of local residents as not helping the police or even worrying about the shootings because no one in their families was injured. That’s a very selfish and sad commentary on the people of this city, because that kind of apathy isn’t exclusive to crime (see: Blight, Political Ineptitude/Corruption, Failing School System, etc.). I have said repeatedly that the reason so many people have left Detroit, and why I plan on doing the same, is because we were tired of loving a city that doesn’t love itself enough to stand up for itself. Right now the city of Detroit is Tina Turner, and Ike is making her eat the damn cake!

Don’t think I’m letting the police off the hook, by the way. My father, a police officer in Detroit for over 30 years, called the murder and crime numbers “bullshit” caused by the ineptitude of the city of Detroit and its mishandling of the police department. The city is horribly understaffed when it comes to police. The up to 25 missed or blown cases stem from “shift changes” and no one checking back to see if something came in. You’d have better luck getting Domino’s to show up on Schoolcraft and Artesian than you would DPD. Not because they don’t care, but because there aren’t nearly enough of them. Plus, one of the excuses used by these slackers who refuse to help police solve crimes is that Police spend time wrongfully locking up people and harassing citizens. There is some merit to that seeing as the department has been under federal monitoring since 2003, after a US Justice Department investigation documented violations of civil rights through police brutality, detention of homicide witnesses and unsafe holding cells where many prisoners died. The Police aren’t exactly taking care of business either.

The city has also been playing musical chairs with police chiefs who keep having a bad habit of being criminals, going back to William Hart. In the last year alone there have been three police chiefs: Ella Bully-Cummings, handpicked by former Mayor and current Felon Kwame Kilpatrick, resigned before Kilpatrick was sent to jail and was shown to have been apart of the illegal firing of the two officers that led to the whole text message fiasco. Cummings’ replacement was James Barren, who was a favorite of the officers and was starting the slow process of getting officers what they needed before being fired by new mayor Dave Bing last week. Barren’s replacement is former Wayne County Sheriff (and mayoral candidate) Warren Evans and he hasn’t exactly endeared himself to the DPD in the past. Evans insists that the proper counting of the murders will start under his watch.

The Rev. Nicholas Hood III, a former City Councilman and (you guessed it) Mayoral Candidate, said “For too long, we’ve pretended that things are better than they really are. The minute we have a true acknowledgement of the problem is the minute we can take appropriate measures to address the problem.” The problem isn’t the deliberate undercounting of crimes and murders, the problem is the crime and murders themselves! Until we as a city begin to take a true stand against these crimes and the city government itself starts to give the police department the resources it needs, all this talk about change is just gonna be more “bullshit”, or as my dad put it: “I worked under six police chiefs, and everyone of them sounds the same at first. And they do a good job for a couple of months, then right back to the same old thing. I hope I’m wrong this time…but I’m probably not.“

Thank You For Your Time. Take Care, God Bless, Always Dare To Be Different, and G.O.M.A.B.!

Until Next Time…Stand Up Detroit…Stop Living In Fear. Σ