ride for me

What if it were me? What if you heard that I was unarmed and I died at the hands of a policeman. How would you feel? More importantly, how would you react? I would hope that you would want to bring those who took my life to justice! Would you be mad...sad...angry...hurt...or all of the above? What would you say to my family? How would you honor my death?

These questions are rhetorical but here's my point...you don't know what you would do because it has not happened. I would want you...because YOU are reading this...to do EVERYTHING in your power to bring justice to my killers. While I would never defend the actions of those who burn things and riot for no real reason, the voice of those who feel oppressed and ignored will never remain silent.


I would expect you to do what you have to do to get justice...the right way...BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.


4-27-15






I posted this on my Facebook page 4 years ago. I still feel the same way. I'm tired of seeing unarmed United States citizens being gunned down and their killers walking freely.

the old neighborhood

I stopped by the old neighborhood last week...

I hadn't been in awhile.

Instead of just driving by...I stopped...got out of the car...and walked around.

There were a lot of great memories of the neighborhood. Honestly, when I came to the neighborhood...things were a lot more simple. Life was more simple in a lot of ways. I remember when I moved in. This was late 2007. I didn’t know what to make of the neighborhood when I got there. I didn’t know much about it. I was the new kid on the block...literally. It was a cool neighborhood. I was just happy to be there. I remember when Lisa encouraged me to move in. I was excited. I can’t lie. One of my first memories of the neighborhood was that everybody was very friendly to me. They’d stop by my spot and check me out and chat. And i would return the favor. Every house in the neighborhood was different and the people were different. As much as we were all different, we shared a lot of commonalities. Kindred spirits. We understood each other. It was a cool vibe. Everyday brought something different. It was a great time. Every now and then, some drama would pop off. But it wasn’t that major. Things always seem to work themselves out. In fact, unbeknownst to, some of the people in the neighborhood used to "kick it". Different people. That was cool with me because I was usually the last to know "the scoop" and I really didn’t care because I always mind my business. Nonetheless, the neighborhood was the place to be for the next 3-4 yrs.

When I look back on that time, I am amazed at how much so many of us grew. I saw people grow personally and professionally. Some got married. Some had kids. Some made great strides in overcoming their past. I was genuinely happy for everybody. And I think everyone was happy for me as i grew professionally, personally, and my family grew.

Somewhere around 2011-2012...things started to change. We didn’t realize it at the time but the neighborhood was headed for gentrification. Looking back, it was pretty clear. There was a shift. The old neighborhood didn't look the same. One by one...folks started to move out of the neighborhood. The big lights and excitement of the suburbs were calling. I didn't understand why some would want to leave at first. Actually, i did. I just didn't want to accept it. This was our community. Why would you want to leave? We built this. This is ours. But the reality, the neighborhood was changing...even before people began to leave.


It became pretty clear...the suburbs offered a bigger space and bigger opportunities. In the suburbs, there was a bigger platform. You could reach more people and be seen by more people. Honestly, who wouldn't want more visibility? While it wasn't something that we craved, the idea of it was definitely appealing. Ultimately, I caved in...just like everybody in the old neighborhood. The move was cool initially. One of the reasons why it was cool was because of the interactions that I was still having with the folks from the old neighborhood. This was still a fun time.

And then the fun changed 2 years later.

Something happened...EVERYBODY showed up to the suburbs

Just imagine being able to kick it in a really cool place and then a crowd of people who you don't know show up. And they never leave. Keep in mind, most of these people...you don't know. The influx of people meant that you had more people to interact with who could get to know you. At the same time, we lost that sense of community from the old neighborhood. The gift and the curse. The game changed. One day I stepped on my deck and gazed into my backyard.

Here's what I saw...The 12th Planet went from nothing to something that a few people really enjoyed. In 2010, the 12th Planet birthed The 12Radio Show. That show went from something small to something that quite a few people really enjoyed. Then in 2016, The 12Radio Show birthed The 12Kyle Podcast. That podcast went from something small to something that a lot of people enjoyed. As these platforms have grown, The 12th Planet has faded more and more. It wasn't by design. It just...happened. Or was it just like my homegirl, PrettyBlack, told me back in 2008... 

"In between these posts, life happens. And you've gotta deal with life." 

That always stuck with me. So, as i looked in my backyard, I could only look at my elevation as the same my friends from the old neighborhood. Things changed. I've changed. I'm not mad at anybody or myself for slowing pushing away from "The Planet" and the old neighborhood. It's just happened. Over the years, I've adjusted to life in the suburbs. It's cool. It ain't the same as the old neighborhood. I'm cool here. The one thing that I never did was sell the house in the old neighborhood. One thing that always makes me smile is when I talk to somebody from the old neighborhood and they say "remember back when we had the blogs and we said ___ or we did ____?" Or "Do you remember ___ and that blog they wrote about ___?" We reminisce about the good ole days. And that feels good.

Back to my trip last week. I walked around. It felt good to see Robyn in the old neighborhood. She ain't changed. She's still dope. I saw the homie, Keith. He's still doing his thing. And of course...I see Lee. She's still doing what an Old Girl does. LOL. I even noticed that my homegirl, Q, bought a new spot. She didn't tell me about it but I found it anyway. Before I left, I stopped by Nikki's old house. I never got a chance to meet her face to face. But Nikki was one of the coolest people from Atlanta. It's hard to believe this summer will be 10 years since she passed away. I remember she was in the hospital and I asked her if she wanted me to bring her something. And without hesitation, she said "bring me some wings and some beer...the football game is about to come on."

After walking around, I realized that this was home. And it's always good to home. You don't need to explain anything to the people at home. They understand. They know who you are and what you're about. While the old neighborhood will never be the same, it's ok. It's home. And you're always welcome at home with love and opened arms.

It feels good to be back...

PODCAST: because of social media

On this week’s episode of The 12Kyle Podcast, we’re talking about social media. Is it all that it's cracked up to be? I'll explain...

because of social media...

You can LISTEN, SHARE, AND SUBSCRIBE to The 12Kyle Podcast here...

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PODCAST: Are We Socially Inept with Jawanna & Tiffany

.

Are we socially inept? Does social media have a positive or negative effect on how we handle our relationships? Does social media help or hinder infidelity? Should couples have access to each others social media accounts? It depends on who you ask. Jawanna and Tiffany stop by the podcast to talk about this and much more on this week's episode of the 12Kyle Podcast. The podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Google Play and Overcast Podcasts. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/t... 

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click the link below to listen to a snippet

PODCAST: the annoying things that are done on Facebook

Check out this week’s episode of @12kylepodcast | the annoying things that are done on Facebook. 

The podcast is available on #applepodcasts #soundcloud #overcastpodcast #stitcher 

The links are listed below... 

SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/twelve-kyle/th... 

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21 questions...

I saw this on Spacebook and decided I'd participate in one of these games...


It's your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be! (this should be fun!)

Class of 1991- Wilson High School

1. Did you know your spouse? No

2. Did you carpool? Carpool? Is that what they called it? We called it "catching a ride". LOL. I rode in the homie, Zell's car...the Green Machine

3. What kind of car did you have?1987 Nissan Sentra (mom's car)

4. It's Friday night where did you go? The dance. There was always a dance at our school after the home football games. I played football and you always wanted go to the dance after a win. You would get props. Personally, I would like to move around the crowd and wait for the DJ to play a nice slow jam. I could dance but I preferred a good slow drag. I had a few memorable ones back in the day

5. What kind of job did you have? No job. I played football and really didn't have time to work. Besides...you will work most of your life...you only get to be in high school once. LOL

6. Were you a party animal? When you say "animal" what do you mean exactly? I liked to party and have a good time. But I wasn't partying every weekend. I didn't kick it like THAT.

7. Were you considered popular? Yeah, I would say I was popular

8. Were you in band/choir? Choir...Honors Chorus for 4 years to be exact. I made All State Chorus that year. So, I can sing. But you'll never hear me sing...

9. Were you a nerd? Nahhhhh. Smart? Yes! Nerd? Nope

10. Did you get suspended or expelled? Never

11. Can you sing the fight song? I can "hum" the fight song. But I can sing the alma mater! You wanna hear it? I'll sing it for you...

12. Where did you go to lunch? The cafeteria. This was 1991, man. There was no such thing as having Pizza Hut or Starbucks in your school. If you wanted that kind of stuff, you had to leave school. And we couldn't leave school. I ate lunch in the cafeteria. You could find me at my table with my homegirl, Jimmell and my boy, Shaft.

13. Where was your high school? Florence, South Carolina

14. What was your mascot? Tigers

15. If you could go back and do it over again, would you? Hell yeah!!! I had a great 4 yrs there

16. Did you have fun at prom? Yes, prom was fun. I enjoyed it. Real cool

17. Do you still talk to the person you went to the prom with? Yep, we're friends on Spacebook

18. Are you planning on going to your reunion? I'd like to. If we have one, I'd go

19. Are you still in contact with people from high school? Yes!!!

20. Did you skip school/class? Nah man. I never skipped a class. As long as you don't count my last class of the day (PE) when Coach Wells (RIP) would give me the keys to his car so that I could go home...

21. How old were you when you graduated? 18

PODCAST: do you remember your first...

We all have many experiences that shape our memories because it happened for the first time. Maybe it was your first car, the first day of school, or your first kiss? Check out the latest episode of the 12Kyle Podcast as we discuss many of these things. Feel free to comment in the comment section to share your experiences.
Listen & tell me what you think!

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PODCAST: 10 signs he's into you...

Ladies...have you ever been interested in a man but you weren't sure about how serious he was about you? There are signs that he will help show you how he feels. I discuss them on this podcast

Listen & and tell me what you think!

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PODCAST: Biggie & Tupac...

On this episode of the 12kyle Podcast, we take a look back at the life, death, and legacies of Biggie & Tupac...from a fan's perspective

Listen & tell me what you think!

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PODCAST: anti-social media...

I rant about the things that I think we ALL should dislike about social media...

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PODCAST: Life After Death...20 Years Later

1997 was a pivotal year for hip hop. On March 9th of that year, hip hop suffered a huge loss with the murder of The Notorious BIG. Two weeks later, Biggie's second album, Life After Death, was released posthumously on March 25th. On this episode of the 12kyle Podcast, we will revisit the double album from Biggie. We will break down the album, Biggie's legacy, and the significance of Biggie's death.

All of that and more!


Listen and let us know what you think.

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CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO LISTEN ON YOUTUBE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0ppyNPgW5g&feature=youtu.be

PODCAST: Baduizm...20 Years Later

1997 was a very good year for music. In particular, we were given a gem from Erykah Badu. She released her debut album, Baduizm, on February 11, 1997. Listen to the latest edition of The 12Kyle Podcast as we discuss the album, the tracks, and the significance of this album. We also explore the greatness of Erykah Badu. We present...Baduizm...20 Years Later

LISTEN, SHARE, AND SUBSCRIBE to The 12Kyle Podcast here...

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PODCAST: friends...how many of us have them

Check out the latest edition of The 12Kyle Podcast. 

On this episode, we will discuss FRIENDS. All of us have friends. How do we define our friendships? Who are our true friends? Can you have too may friends...or not enough friends? Are friends from social media our "real friends"? We'll also break down the hip hop classic song, Friends, and how it relates to us and how we define friendship.

I'll also give you 3 characteristics that I think every friend should have. All of this...and more... will be discussed on The 12Kyle Podcast.

LISTEN, SHARE, AND SUBSCRIBE to The 12Kyle Podcast here...


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CLICK the link below to listen on Stitcherhttp://bit.ly/2ij1KWZ

PODCAST: Top 5 Hip Hop Albums from 1996

1996 was an incredible year for hip hop. Many people in hip hop circles think that 1996 marked the end of the "Golden Era of Hip Hop". On this podcast, we will discuss the landscape that helped make the music and some of the albums that were made.

More importantly, we will give you the certified Top 5 Hip Hop Albums from 1996. The list is based on the following criteria...lyricism, production, dopeness, impact, and longevity for each album. Leave a comment and let us know if you agree or disagree.

LISTEN, SHARE, AND SUBSCRIBE to The 12kyle Podcast here...

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PODCAST: fatherhood

On this episode of The 12Kyle Podcast, I will discuss FATHERHOOD. I give my thoughts on the highs and lows of fatherhood. Every man has a perspective on what it is like to be a father. I will also tell you 3 things that every man must give his child. I take you along on my journey as a father. Ride with me.

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PODCAST: illadelph halflife...20 Years Later

1996 was an incredible year for hip hop. On September 24,1996, The Roots dropped their classic album Illadelph Halflife. The crew from Philadelphia released their 3rd studio album and it was a game changer.

On this episode of the 12 Kyle Podcast, we'll take a look at the history and the significance of that album. Joining 12kyle on the podcast will be Beezy430 from Dead End Hip Hop.

Listen, Subscribe, and Share this podcast. The podcast can be found on...

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PODCAST: there's a war going on outside...

"There's a war going on outside, no man is safe from..." - Prodigy from Mobb Deep

Those words eloquently and painfully describe where we are in this country. On the latest podcast, we take a look at the recent police shootings, the Black Lives Matter movement, race relations, agendas, and solutions. We hold the mirror in front of your face and ask you to think.

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PODCAST: top 10 NBA Players to never win a ring

On this episode of the 12kyle Podcast, we'll take a look at the certified Top 10 NBA Players who never won an NBA title.

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PODCAST: Stakes Is High...20 Years Later

1996 was an incredible year for hip hop. On July 2, 1996, De La Soul dropped Stakes Is High. It was the 4th album from the trio from Long Island. This album was critically acclaimed for its production and lyricism. It served as a message to the decline that rap music began to face in the mid 90s. The album also had guest features from Zhane, Common and Mos Def


On The 12kyle Podcast, I will discuss the importance and relevance of this album. Dave, Posdnous, and Maseo delivered a gem for 1996. Listen and give us your thoughts

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE to The 12kyle Podcast. It can be found on…


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PODCAST: It Was Written...20 Years Later

1996 was an incredible year for hip hop. On July 2, 1996, NaS released his 2nd album, It Was Written. It was the follow up to his classic debut, Illmatic. This album would be his most commercially successful album spawned by the smash hit “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” with Lauryn Hill.

On The 12kyle Podcast, I will discuss the It Was Written and the significance of the album. I’ll also talk about the “beef” that NaS had with Tupac and Jay Z. Listen to the podcast and share your thoughts!

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