No Pressure when it comes to ChrystalChyna

October 21, 2019November 12, 2019 | Equal Justice for SOME

Crystal Chyna is a R&B group out of the Crenshaw District in Los Angeles, California. One thing, out of many, that makes them unique is that they are identical twins!! Their music reminds you of the 90’s – good times and good memories. Definitely check them out on social media and on music platforms using the links down below!

You might think that being in a group with your siblings can be a little tricky or even frustrating, so we asked, “How is it being in a group with your sister?”

Their response was the complete opposite they stated, “Being in a group as sisters is the absolute best! We guess it’s because of the “twin thing,” but we’re always able to sense when one of us may need help during a live performance or just have each other’s backs in general. We’re literally inseparable!”

When did you all decide that you all wanted to be a group?

Any talent competition growing up, we did our routines together. We didn’t pair up with friends, it was all us. When we were 14, I (Chrystal) woke up Chyna and decided that we needed to get a vocal coach. I knew that it was time to pursue it professionally and begin with extensive training.

Being an identical twin can be a little tricky to outsiders on the regular, but there are very few in the music industry especially as a duo. So I asked, “do you guys ever get mixed up in the industry?”

If you’re referring to mixed up as far as who is who, oh, absolutely! It’s funny actually because we have to remember that people aren’t used to seeing twins regularly, so it throws them off guard. It’s completely understandable.

“No Pressure” is a great song down to the relatable lyrics, the melody, and I even love the music video. The early 2000s theme was definitely executed but I was curious as to “What was the inspiration behind “No Pressure?”

Chrystal and Chyna said ,”The inspiration behind “No Pressure” was simply drawn from us dating and being young women. With us still being young and trying to establish ourselves, we find that when dating, you may like someone but you don’t want to add pressure of there being a title so quickly. The gist of it is having feelings that are mutual with a person, but understanding that there’s no pressure for anything more.”

Has being from Los Angeles shaped your sound at all?

Definitely. We’re from the Crenshaw District and we’re extremely influenced by the old school music that was heavily played in our neighborhood or by our family members.

With 2019 being over in a few short months I wanted to know “What are some 2020 goals?”

An EP, visuals for every record on the EP, and a healthier body and mind.

What’s one thing your fans don’t know about you, but they should?

We can throw down in the kitchen! And we’re the best hosts, so if you ever come over, you’re in for treats.

Do you have any upcoming projects?

Our debut EP and a few performances to be announced!

What is your favorite part of being an artist?

We love being able to express ourselves the way we want to. Having the opportunity to create through our own lyrics and experimenting with different vocal techniques is like no other.

Growing up who did you all look up to?

Brandy! She was and still is everything to us. We saw ourselves, as little chocolate girls in her. Beyoncé as well. We try to model our work ethic after hers. Of course, we had first hand role models such as our Godmommy (Natalie Cole) and our Auntie (Chaka Khan).

“NO PRESSURE” is available on all streaming platforms!

No Pressure Visual: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zoVJKbGl590

Social Handles

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrystalchyna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrystalchyna?lan…

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrystalChyna/

WHO IS AIRPLANE JAMES???

October 7, 2019October 10, 2019 | Equal Justice for SOME

By: Ariyana Griffin

You may have seen the question floating around, “Who is Airplane James?” Well, today I am going to finally get the answer! I do know that he is more than just a rapper from the Eastside, he is truly an artist who puts his all into his craft. Airplane James is changing and embracing the Eastside sound, so if you haven’t listened already, you have to tap in! In today’s music industry it’s rare for an artist to have a great beat, lyrics with meaning, and visuals that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also have meaning. You definitely need his latest project, Eastside Project, in your rotation. Another dope new project is on the way and you want to tap in, it’ll be worth it I promise you! Make sure you check the links below for social media and music links.

I wanted to finally get the answer to the question “Who is Airplane James” and his answer was:

“I feel like I should have more intricate story on how I got the name, but I don’t. My middle name is James, and airplane is something my Grandma would really use as a playful insult to me being hard-headed and wanting to do things my way as a kid. She’d say “boy, your head is just as wide as fuckin’ airplane, you don’t listen to anybody” I just ran with it as an ode to her.

But as far as who I am… I’m just a regular nigga off the Eastside that just so happens to be good at music. When you listen to me…you’ll find out. I’m a father, a family man, a son, a brother. I go through the same shit everybody else do”.

As many Los Angeles natives know, the Eastside is very different, like any other part of LA. They have their own everything, style, lingo, you name it, so I asked, “How did growing up on the east side affect your upbringing and your style?”

Man, I had a cool upbringing. I didn’t have it “super hard”. Every rapper says that shit, those niggas be lying. I was raised by my granny, who taught me a lot. I wasn’t allowed to go outside my gate until I was around twelve years old, I had to ride my bike and shit in the backyard so when I finally was able to go outside that gate, it was like a kid in a candy store.

I got into everything you could imagine, except doing drugs or selling them. But everything in the streets was enticing to me. It wasn’t until my friend got locked up and they gave him a decade that I woke up and was like…. Wait, this isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing. I feel everyone weighs their options and I knew then I wasn’t a nigga that was supposed to be sitting in someone’s prison.

So from there I started mapping out what I wanted to do. The Eastside instilled in me a sense of pride though, I’ll tell you that. Any Los Angeles native knows we are like the bastards. People call us easy, dirty, and all that shit, but a lot of history started on the Eastside. So when I started doing this shit seriously, I made it my mission to put us on the map, the Eastside as a whole. Like YALL GOT US FUCKED UP, was really my mentality and still is. Anybody from the Eastside know it’s a vibe. We got our own lingo and everything. Every other sentence we start it with “boy”, so you hear that a lot in my music.

Since 2019 will be over in the blink of an eye, I asked, “what are some of your goals for the rest of the year?”

Man, I’m already in 2020 with it. Just keep perfecting the craft. It’s a couple things in the works that I can’t speak on at the moment, but we’ll revisit this… say October or so.

Who is your inspiration and what artist do you look up to

My inspirations are my kids, my woman, my homies, they all drive me. All these pictures I paint, they inspired it in some way. As of late, I don’t really look up to any artist. But back then, nigga USHER was the shit to me, I ain’t gon lie. I grew up on Hot Boyz, Bow Wow, and just whatever was out. It wasn’t until I was older that I went back and listen to all the classics. People will probably crucify me but, I just listened to Jay Z blueprint.

Who are some people you want to work with in the future ?

Snoop Dogg, Arin Ray, Kehlani, Missy Elliot, John Mayer, Frank Ocean, Kee Riches, 22Icecoldbishop, Rucci, and the rest of the niggas that got it going crazy right now.

What is some advice you would give your younger self ?

Everything you going through serves a purpose and I’d tell myself to finish school.

What’s something you want people to know about you that they probably wouldn’t expect

They probably wouldn’t expect me to be as hands on as I am with every single aspect when it comes to my career. I co-direct, co-produce, and I design my own merchandise.

Who is the GOAT??! Lil Wayne, Drake, or Kanye

DRAKE!

Airplane James’ Social Medias:

Instagram-@Airplanejames354

Twitter-@airplane354

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/1JhNLx2aikUAHfnzuwVw4q

Apple Music-https://music.apple.com/us/artist/airplane-james/580368988

Soundcloud- https://soundcloud.com/airplane-james

Cyntoia Brown has been Granted Clemency !

January 7, 2019November 12, 2019 | Equal Justice for SOME

Today, January 7, 2019 Governor Bill Haslam of Tennessee permitted clemency to 30 year old Cyntoia Brown. Brown has been in prison since the young age of 16 for killing 43 year old Johnny Allen in 2004. At 16 years

old Cyntoia ran away from home and met a pimp named Kut-throat who forced her into prostitution. Although

she was underage when she met Allen at a fast-food restaurant, the two agreed to have sex and after she would

receive 150 dollars. However, while he was sleeping she shot him in the head, took his money, guns, and truck

before fleeing the scene. Brown stated that it the killing was self defense and she did it out of fear for her life

because she thought he was planning on killing her first. The courts thought differently and she went to prison ona life sentence even though she was a still a minor in 2006. Cyntoia Brown was charged with first degree murderand aggravated robbery.

This was thought to be an injustice to several celebrities including Kim Kardashian-West and Rihanna who have brought light to her name and her story. Cyntoia Brown already served 15 years in prison and on August 7, 2019 she will be released on supervised parole which will last until 2029. Under the laws, since she was sentenced as a juvenile, she would have to serve a 51 year sentence until before she would even be eligible for parole.

Thanks to Governor Haslam who has taken notice of her many actions to turn her life around and blessed her

with clemency right before he leaves office. Governor Haslam stated, “Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own

admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16. Yet, imposing a life sentence on a juvenile that would require her to serve at least 51 years before even being eligible for parole consideration is too harsh, especially in light of the

extraordinary steps Ms. Brown has taken to rebuild her life. Transformation should be accompanied by hope. So, I am commuting Ms. Brown’s sentence, subject to certain conditions.” Brown as well as her lawyer promise that he has made the right decision for her and society.

I can not wait to see what she great things are in store for Cyntoia. While in prison she continued her education by earning her GED, and received her associate degree while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She is expected to receive her

bachelor’s degree later this year. She has definitely taken steps to change her life.

Are African American Women Black First or a Woman First?

January 6, 2019January 6, 2019 | Equal Justice for SOME

African American women are often considered a double minority, meaning that they not only have to deal with issues in society because of the color of their skin but also because of their gender. In “the real world” the question arises, is an African American woman considered a woman first or Black? It’s hard to understand exactly what society sees when they think of a black woman, but thanks to urbandictionary.com it was quite easy to get a clue. The website stated that an African American woman is, “a woman with African heritage. A woman who usually has a dark skin complexion and thick kinky or coily hair. A woman who comes in a variety of shapes and sizes which can range from slim/slender to thick/curvy.” So, I must ask, is this what it means to be an African American woman? Brown people come in all shades, shapes, and heights and our hair comes in all textures being a black woman does not have a certain standard

If you are not sure of exactly what I am asking you to think about yet, let me give you an example. Thousands of women deal with several distressing issues when it comes to working in a male-dominated workplace on a daily basis. This includes being belittled for being a woman, being sexually harassed, being paid less than men, and that is only the start of the list. However, when you add being black on top of that, other issues appear like racism. So, let’s imagine this, an African American woman walks into a boardroom meeting for her company filled with Caucasian men, what do they see first a woman or the color of her skin?

My personal choice is that she is first seen as a Black before she is seen as a woman. I say this because in 1920 when the 19th amendment allowed women to vote it did not include African American women. I feel that skin color always comes before gender, sexual orientation and preference. Society is a tricky system to understand especially if you are trying to survive and thrive while being African American because it was never made for us. Traditionally African American women have had to work harder than a White woman, an African American man and even harder than a white man with bare minimum credentials. Black women have to deal with stereotypes before she even opens her mouth to speak.

When it comes to police brutality, it has been proven that African American women and men tend to have more physical encounters than Caucasians. CNN states that” the rate in which police use force on blacks is 3.6 times as high as among whites.” In my eyes, this proves that the police officer sees black skin color instead of seeing a woman first. So, now I ask you again, in society is an African American woman a woman first or is she black first? Leave your comments below.

Happy New Years to All!

January 2, 2019January 2, 2019 | Equal Justice for SOME

It is officially January 1, 2019, a fresh start, and page 1 of a 365 page book. Typically everyone is joyous during the first of the year, and eager to make new goals and resolutions. However, it is not a secret that these are often forgotten by Easter. This year is your year, stick to those goals, fear NOTHING, and go after your dreams.

Some of my main goals are to:

-post every day

-gain 100 followers

-and to travel more than 3 times

Posting my goals and aspirations will allow me to stay on top of my commitments to myself. If you like post your goals in the comment section. HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL!!!

Equal Justice for Some

I write about any and everything – Ari

goals