Courtney's Fitness Corner: The Introduction (Confessions of a New Body)

Confessions of a new body.  When I started my quest to get fit I was hovering around 200 lbs but because I ‘carried it well’ I was telling friends and family that I was somewhere around 170 and wearing size 10’s. In fact I was mostly size 12. Ethnic women are blessed. We have these awesome shapes and curves that can easily be shifted and accentuated so I pulled it off, or so I thought. Leave it to someone who pulls no punches to steer me right though. When I was gearing up to release my debut novel, Be Without You, I decided I wanted to be the diva that I was writing about. Fit, passionate and stylish. I sat down with renowned author Omar Tyree to discuss my ambitions but was instead put off by how astonished he was by my eating ability. I was embarrassed as he told the waiter that he didn’t get a chance to taste the mussels Josephine because I’d eaten them all. And he wasn’t lying. Sure when you lose weight you should ultimately do it for yourself but that look of disbelief that a 5’2 girl would put away two appetizers solo was the kick in the pants I needed. When I started my journey I was a size 12, I am now fitting toddler ages (not sizes)2-4. I revel at the small dresses that hug every dangerous curve. I love the look of slim jeans and stilettos even more. The more you lose, the more you’ll love it.  Make a decision and throw some deuces up to the pounds.

For more tips visit me at facebook.com/Courtney missurbanamerica or twitter.com/fitchiccourtney

The Blast Web Pick of The Week: The Giant Blast Network

Each week in this section of The Giant Blast e-magazine we will feature a different web page, website, Youtube Station, FaceBook Fan Page, and/or anything online that we would like to recommend to our viewers…

Our Blast Web Pick for this week is The Giant Blast Network.  http://www.thegiantblastnetwork.com

The Giant Blast Network is a new social networking site designed to bridge the gap between recording artists, D.J.s and music lovers.  

Membership is required to use all the site’s features, but all you have to do is provide your e-mail address (which will remain anonymous to other viewers at your request) and answer 2 simple questions.  No need to provide the site with other information, or give a DNA sample like other social websites, and although it’s quite simple to join, The Giant Blast Network's team does have it’s way by identifying spam and bots to regulate the site, and make sure it’s users have a smooth networking experience.

The Site Features
There is a members section that’s easy to navigate through to find other like minded individuals to network with.

Once you join, members are allowed to create their own pages similar to Facebook and Myspace, and if you are already a member of the more larger social networks such as Twitter and Facebook you can even sync your profiles so that when you update one, you update them all at once.  No need to log into individual pages to express yourself or get your message across.

Giant Blast Spotlight artists are advertised and promoted on the front page of site.

There is a forum for members to share ideas, and discuss the latest topics among themselves.

Members may also upload their own photos and create their own scrap books to share with their friends online.

There is a Motion Picture Section on the site so that members can upload videos (or re-post you tube videos), and also have their videos viewed and rated by fellow members.

For promoters, you are always welcome to sign up and post upcoming events in the Event section.

There is a section titled “Member Cliques” for members to create their own user groups to share ideas, information and music.

On the front page of The Giant Blast Network there is also a live chat room for members to meet each other and socialize.

For artists if you are looking for another outlet to display your work, and for non musicians that are looking for a better platform to express your individuality.  The Giant Blast Network here at http://www.thegiantblastnetwork.com is a place to do just that.

The Blast Focus Group answers questions about the song "Genius" by DiverSe

The Blast Focus Group. 4 Different People giving their opinions on some of the latest songs featured in The Blast. The song that is reviewed by our panel this week is “Genius” performed by DiverSe and produced by 9th Wonder of the Justus League. If you would like to give your opinion and be apart of the next Blast focus group just e-mail us at TheGiantBlast@aol.com and we will give you further instructions. All participants will remain anonymous.

Do you like this song?
The Author: Yes, this is a pretty nice song. The artist has a nice flow.
The Beatmaker: It’s aiight. Not bad, but not that good either. Typical beat from 9th, your usual soul sampled joint, an just your typical lyricist spittin’… he’s nice, but just doesn’t grab me like that.
The White Emcee: It’s ok, I would have murdered this beat though.
The Club DJ: Not feeling it. Kind of boring. The hook doesn’t grab me, nothing about this track moves me.


What do you think about the beat?
The Author: I love this beat. It has a nice melody… the track is real smooth and the artist compliments it well.
The Beatmaker: It’s ok for a 9th Wonder beat. I’d rate it a C. Doesn’t stand out too much, and the drums are just too simple for me. I could have done better.
The White Emcee: This track is sick… this is hip hop for real, but like I said before I would have murdered this beat. I would have done this beat “Justus”.
The Club DJ: Not feeling it, like I said earlier it’s just boring to me. It just don’t move me at all, sorry.


What do you think about this artist?
The Author: The artist is very talented, I love his lyrics. He’s nice to listen to. I’m looking forward to hearing more from this artist.
The Beatmaker: He’s alright, just average to me. I’d have to listen to more songs to really get into him.
The White Emcee: He’s ok… after listening to it more he starts to grow on you, but all I can say for right now is he’s ok.
The Club DJ: I’d have to hear him on something else, he would kill something more energetic if you ask me.


How would you support this record?
The Author: I could share this video link with a few of my friends.
The Beatmaker: Honestly, I wouldn’t. That’s just me.
The White Emcee: I’d have to get back to you on that, but this song sounds more like a mixtape joint than anything. The video isn’t too bad, but just not buzz worthy. Nothing to spread the news about.
The Club DJ: I really can’t get behind this one. It’s not that special to me to be honest. It’s more like an album filler at best.


What are your final thoughts?
The Author: Overall I’d say this is a good song. It’s pure, it’s hip hop. Dope beats, dope rhymes.
The Beatmaker: I’d have to hear him over a variety of stuff, this joint didn’t grab me. I’m not calling it wack, I’m just a picky ass. Lol… like I said before I’d give it a C.
The White Emcee: Just a nice, simple internet jawn. From a scale from one to 10 I’d give it maybe a 6 or 7. Maybe the lowest a 5. I don’t know.
The Club DJ: Going back to my last statement, it’s not special… just an album filler.


If you would like to be apart of the next Blast Focus Group just e-mail us at TheGiantBlast@aol.com and we will give you further instructions.


Hear the song yourself and you be the judge by checking out the youtube video here.

DJ Colossal's I-Pod Pick of The Week: DiverSe "Genius" (produced by 9th Wonder)

I’m DJ Colossal. I am a member of The Giant Blast e-record pool, and each week I will dedicate this section of The Giant Blast e-magazine to write a short review on some of the music I receive through the e-mail blast. Now this section isn’t to critique the music, or over analyze the record, it will just be a quick write up on my personal music picks and sharing my opinion on what makes the record hot in the first place, and hopefully some of my favorites will end up being one of your favorite’s as well.




My I-Pod pick for this week is a YouTube music video by an artist named DiverSe, a member of the Civil Mics Movement. The song is titled “Genius” and is produced by 9th Wonder and it‘s featured on the mixtape Mind of a Lyricist Vol. 3! I am a huge fan of the entire Hall of Justus family, so when I saw that 9th was credited as the man behind the beat on this I was anxious to give it a listen, and I must say that it was well worth the time. 9th Wonder puts together a nice, soul-ed out track that matches perfectly with the artists voice and delivery. DiverSe uses this track to showcase his talent as a lyricist. The video is simple, yet still entertaining to watch and compliments the song. It’s a great visual to get you more familiar with the artist. I cosign this record, and I strongly recommend you all downloading the Mp4 and add it to your I-Pods. Here is the video….