Emilia Ottoo

Looks like change is upon us with the 2017 Oscar nominees, who should we thank? The flaming social media comments, the actual research studies done (USC School for Communication & Journalism), mainstream media's late start to openly admitting #HollywoodSoWhite, or the many directors, producers, writers, and actors of color who KEEP CREATING? 💪

Whether Khaled's classic Snaps or Kanye stirring the talk around mental health, Hip Hop culture's always serving up more than one "Major Key" on feeling better, achieving your goals and living the "Good Life."

*YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT*

They say "youth is wasted on the young" but the NBA's reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard proves otherwise. What's his story and exactly what did he take from the legend Kobe Bryant?

Stirring up as much hope as hot topics, my first video project connects three Hip Hop songs to relevant issues and social trends like "bad bitches," immigration and personal success.

*Explicit Content

My first digital collage based on a song in three movements: "Revelation, Resistance and Relevance."

Seems like ever since the beautiful Adeola Ariyo from Ghana/Nigeria became Elizabeth Arden's first African Brand Ambassador, more stories about African models, designers, and "African inspired" fashion weeks have flooded the media-waves.

How are today's activists using digital platforms to boost their missions and make social change from social media?

The Struggle Is* Real: Proving class issues and the urban housing market are under serious stress, 88K+ apply for the “Poor Door” apartments many thought were a joke. Is this "the new segregation” or nah?

Shout to the San Francisco Bay View for re-publishing our interview!

(Happy Black August)

(RIP) A secret meeting of youth, activists and street soldiers is called by a woman to organize and "mosh" for change.

*Explicit Content

When you finally see the light: Once upon a time the Views headliner wasn't here for the Hip Hop-art world merger and even called out the likes of Jay-Z on its "Allure" over the game. WELP...

We flipped our prison interview and this time Kasim interviewed me! A visual build on music+art, activism, Black August, spirit animals and mosh pits.

There's Kwanzaa and Black History Month--and then there's Black August. What's the "31 Day Salute" got that the others don't?

What's it take for Drizzy to turn down a Grammy appearance? He might've been up for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song last year but battle culture, his hometown, (and money) called.

Straight Outta...College? He wasn't cruising in a '64, but 26-year-old Cesar Baldelomar went from a simple drive to $hit-got-real to beating the case!