Thank you all for the many kind birthday wishes
I received here, on Facebook and on Twitter yesterday.
Here’s to another wild, unusual and interesting year to come
full of more movies, more music, more mayhem…
cheers my emma effas!

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Somehow lost in all the talk of where the film would finish
in the opening weekend box office was something far more important:
the five-year anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans.
I was not too far away when Katrina and then Rita hit,
filming The Reaping in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In fact, the ongoing weather conditions prevented me from traveling to Atlanta
for the world premiere festivities for my first film with Rainforest, The Gospel.
But now as it was then, things like movies are unimportant compared
to the lives that still continue to be affected by this disaster five years on.
Spike Lee has made another great documentary on the tragedy for HBO,
If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise,
but just as striking are residents’ first-hand, self-shot video accounts
that YouTube’s CitizenTube collected in the playlist below.

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COP IT HERE NOW, EMMA EFFAS!!!
Ohhh Nooooo!!!

Shouts to Shogun, Big Nif/1 Soc Soul, O.G.,
Pooh, Mic Handler, The Cutting Room, The Core DJ’s, AllHipHop.com
and everyone who submitted tunes!
And go check out the movie in cinemas now!

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This past Monday, I had the distinct pleasure and honour of visiting
Texas Southern University in Houston and speaking with a group of students there.
It’s always refreshing — and necessary — to take a step back from
the Hollywood hubbub of movies, music, and mayhem
to remind oneself of what is truly important in the world,
and to try and use all you’ve learned in your life experience, good and bad,
to help encourage bright young minds as they pursue their dreams.
My specific path may not be one to exactly emulate,
but then much like the uniqueness of every person,
it is up to the individual to blaze their distinct trail to their destination.
I can only hope I did my part in helping at least one of
these students figure out their way.

And thanks to those who submitted tunes for
the Takers mixtape.
There’s some real heat coming your way tomorrow…
for your ears right here and for your eyes at your local cinemas.

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ATTENTION ARTISTS & PRODUCERS…
SONG SUBMISSION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED!
It’s still not too late to submit tracks for the Takers mixtape!
Send complete songs to Hanif at bignif@gmail.com with your contact info
by no later than WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25.
All songs will be listened to. Must be hip hop bangers!
All entries submitted must be original songs and shall not infringe
any copyrights or any other rights of any third parties.
Songs may have multiple co-writers, but only one name
should be designated on the entry form.
Entrant shall, by entering, indemnify and hold Headshell Management
harmless from and against any claims inconsistent with the foregoing.

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Get ready emma effas… August 27.

ATTENTION ARTISTS & PRODUCERS…
SONG SUBMISSION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED!
It’s still not too late to submit tracks for the Takers mixtape!
Send complete songs to Hanif at bignif@gmail.com with your contact info
by no later than WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25.
All songs will be listened to. Must be hip hop bangers!
All entries submitted must be original songs and shall not infringe
any copyrights or any other rights of any third parties.
Songs may have multiple co-writers, but only one name
should be designated on the entry form.
Entrant shall, by entering, indemnify and hold Headshell Management
harmless from and against any claims inconsistent with the foregoing.

Click on pen to