ThaWilsonBlock Magazine Issue11 "Ending Gang Violence. And What It Really Means"

issue

Ending Gang Violence

And what it really means

Zarkhi The Vision releases self-edited music video

Martin Luther King March “Unity & Peace” walk Sign The Petition

EndGangViolence.us What Does It Mean: It means we have to recognize and acknowledge what is going on around us and consider making the necessary change.

What Is At Stake: The livlihoods of the diverse minority. If we don’t come together and help each other as one than chances are we may not exist in the near future.

What Do We Do: We are to cease the violence amongst each other and work together for a better tomorrow.

How Do We Do It: Demonstrate positive non-violent ways to make change in society like marching for unity & peace and being the change we want to see.

Joe & Andrew from The Letters Home with Bing Bing #BringingItTogether

•"Ending Gang

Violence" is no easy task. The Pasadena Music Scene has figured out a way to initiate such a movement that will effect the way people view 'gangs' throughout the world. The Pasadena Music Scene's attempt to End Gang Violence will be done by: Implementing the Bringing It Together movement which will be used to encourage artists & gang members to take photos with each other. This will symbolize unity by example.

•Start a petition against

Gang Violence alerting the appropriate public figures about what is taking place.

•Provide artists and gang

members a platform to get their voice heard.

•Discuss positive,

constructive ways to live, earn money, & coexist.

•Gaining support from

everywhere possible.

Ending Gang Violence. And What It Really Means…

Pasadena artist Bing Bing continues to raise the bar. Bing Bing will be marching to End Gang Violence on January 19th, 2014, his 24th birthday while representing Foster Kids & Widows. The March is taking place the day before the Martin Luther King parade and Bing Bing will be representing foster kids like himself and widows who may have lost a child or significant other. While some may deem this unnecessary, Bing Bing hasn’t flinched as the day draws closer & closer. “It’s not everyday that you get a person (let alone artist) march for a cause such as this. I will be walking in remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr,” says an ecstatic Bing Bing.

On Sunday October 13th, 2013, Bing Bing walked 27 miles from Eliot Middle School in Altadena, Ca all the way to Gardena High School in attempt to unite the Pasadena Music Scene and to promote Breast Cancer/Mental Illness awareness. Although that 27-mile trek was put together only four days in advance, major mainstream media outlets were notified, yet no one showed. It didn’t hinder Bing Bing from following through with what he set out to do. And so with this End Gang Violence walk, Bing Bing isn’t tolerating any hindrance and will not wait up for anyone or thing.

The walk was inspired after Bing Bing’s historic 27-mile walk from Altadena to Gardena. “I really thought walking such a distance for the cause would be good enough to get media attention. So, before I just walk 27 miles in another direction, I had to up the ante a little bit. Impulsively, I made the decision to walk through South Central Los Angeles to End Gang Violence.

Turns out, it was attributed by recent acts of violence in and around Los Angeles County,” adds Bing Bing.

In December 2013, Bing Bing & ThaWilsonBlock agreed to prioritize the Martin Luther King March “Unity & Peace” walk for Foster Kids & Widows through the Pasadena Music Scene’s “Bringing It Together” movement. In doing so, a petition was started as a simple yet effective way to gain supporters and awareness on this issue. Every time there is a new signature, it notifies special persons/organizations of interest who could impact this event & movement in a positive way. Some of those people are Mayor of the City of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti, Mayor of the City of Pasadena Bill Bogaard, Homeboy Industries, and Streetgangs.com.

Also notified are Nipsey Hussle, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, and The Game because Bing Bing will be leading the march through their respective neighborhoods. ThaWilsonBlock representatives have set a minimal goal of 1,000+ signatures.

It will come as no surprise if people aren’t receptive. Bing Bing has made it clear that he doesn’t expect a walk to just end the violence once and for all. He says it’s going to take the length of a movement. And people willing and optimistic to change. “I’m not saying we can’t love & appreciate where we’re from, but the violence has got to stop!” Bing Bing explains to supporters and common people about ways to positively make change in society. He chose to march in remembrance of Martin Luther King because he was known for demonstrating non-violent ways of making change and progressing as a unit.

The March will be starting at the famous Pink’s Hot Dog stand on Melrose in West Hollywood and taking a diagonal route through Watts ending at El Camino College Compton Center. Going through Watts is a must. It has become a real challenge for Bing Bing & ThaWilsonBlock to garner support for this movement.

“It’s really come to the point to where I have to walk to save my life. People ignore me. Media constantly looks the other way even when I go through their proper channels. So on January 19th, 2014, I will be declaring victory in advance. I will be marching for tha cause in which I believe in. I will not be waiting for anybody, not even those who have decided to join me upon their own free will. Because I did what I can to put it out there. And so now all I will have to do is fulfill what I set out to do,” says Bing Bing.

Bing Bing isn’t the type to be stuck in his ways as young as he is. People have ignored his cry for help. Because he knows if he was a millionaire, people would be blowing his phone up trying to get in touch with him. But since he isn’t a millionaire at this current time, he’s at tha bottom of people’s priority list. And that is something Bing Bing doesn’t respect.

Pray

Recording artist Riya A. Piper gives ThaWilsonBlock an exclusive interview on Music, School, & Acting

Mistah Wilson: What’s Up, Ms. Riya Piper! Thanx for coming thru for this exclusive interview with ThaWilsonBlock. How are you?

Riya A. Piper: I am doing great and thank you kindly for having me. I have mad love for Tha Wilson Block Magazine and a special thank you to Mistah Wilson for having me as well today.

Mistah Wilson: To give our audiences a clear understanding of who you are, can you give us a broad summary of yourself and what you’re setting out to do?

Riya A. Piper: I am an independent songwriter that is transitioning into an indie solo career as a studio recording artist by singing and performing my own original material. I would say my overall expectation for my music is to be heard by anyone willing to listen to the sound of my voice.

Mistah Wilson: We read up on you and learned that you do quite a lot. Between recording music, dancing, acting, & modeling, which one is your primary focus?

Riya A. Piper: I would say recording the music.

That is my priority because it is the main thing I am passionate about that attracts me to the entertainment industry. Being able to write and

Mistah Wilson: What inspires you to make music?

Riya A. Piper: What inspires me to make music is my love for

sound. I like the way lyrics and melodies make me feel. Making music has always been one of the main things my parents did to earn a living in the early years of their life so my love for the craft feels nostalgic and natural.

Mistah Wilson: Who are some of your influences?

Riya A. Piper: Janet & Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, Mya, Jimmy Jam

& Terry Lewis, Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton, Teddy Riley, Confunkshun, Heatwave, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Ciara, Missy Elliot, Eve, Nicki Minaj, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, Monica.

There are so many I could go on forever.

Mistah Wilson: Do you have any uplifting, encouraging words for aspiring youth who look to follow in your footsteps?

Riya A. Piper: Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith and go for

your dream. There are many people that will be looking to discourage you and make all of your flaws recognizable so you will doubt yourself. Don’t listen. Be encouraged and move forward. Flaws and all.