Futuristic Movement gives students at MLK High School a motto to pass OGT

Members of Fresh Vibe Dance.


Video and story by Dwayne Yates
Photos by Kyle Roerink (Click to enlarge)
UHURU Magazine

Music with a message is not always taken seriously by younger generations, but Futuristic Movement has figured something out.

Rapper and co-founder of Futuristic Movement Oatz changed the lyrics to his song "Aint I Doe" to go "I'm gon' pass my OGT 'doe. Aint I 'doe?" Students repeated it back to him in their school's gymnasium during a pep rally.

Futuristic Movement is a group comprised of promoters, dancers and musicians. Its members come from different areas in northeast Ohio like Aurora, Akron, Canton and Cleveland.

Oatz said if someone wants to become a member he or she needs to have a talent they are willing to work on.

Vernon Jeffery, the other co-founder of Futuristic Movement, said this is something young promoters can join to learn how to get paid for the work that they do instead of accepting free admission into the events they promote. He also said the members receive financial education like learning how to do percentages and read contracts.

“You got a lot of kids who want to do music and promote, but they don’t know how to get into it,” Jeffery said. “We giveProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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hem that step forward to get them into everything.”

Members are expected to keep their grades up. Jeffery said there is a probation system, and if a member’s grades slip he or she is not allowed to attend Futuristic Movement events until they have shown improvement.

There is also a $10 fee each member pays per month. This money goes toward group outings and its events.

Right now, Futuristic Movement has 75 members. The group was just formed in this past June.

“Kids follow suit,” Jeffery said. “They see something they’re interested in that their friend is doing and they follow.”

People interested in joining should send an email to joinfuturisticmovement@gmail.com with their name and talent included.





Members of the Bookbag Bandits perform.



Founders of Futuristic Movement, Oatz, Latif Hughes and Vernon Jeffery, pose.



The Futuristic Movement executive board.



Members of Bookbag Bandits pose for a picture.



The Outsiders were one of Futuristic Movement's first acts. Here, they are pictured above.



Members of Fresh Vibe.



Futuristic Movement assembled a group of backup dancers to perform behind Oatz. Here they are.



Pictured here are all the members of Futuristic Movement who performed at Martin Luther King High School.



This is a picture of some members of Futuristic Movement posing for a picture with students and staff of Martin Luther King High School, including principle William Davis.

Homecoming Comedy Show

Video and Story by: Britany Ruby

Students had high hopes for this year’s Homecoming Comedy Show hosted by Black United Students. Both students from Kent State and people in the community started lining up outside the doors as early as 7 p.m. When the doors opened at 8 p.m., the line was wrapped around the hallway and people hurried to get good seats to the free show.

The comedic line up consisted of: Queen Aishah, Benji Brown, Finesse Mitchell, and headliner Aries Spears. The audience wouldn’t stop laughing. Each comedian including host Aishah did a stand up routine that touched on topics such as: sex, race, and politics.
The joy of laughter helped patrons overlook racy subjects. Remember, as Aries Spears said “Everyone has an opinion”.

The night ended with Aries Spears's rendition of what he says would be one of his favorite hip-hop songs; an LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, DMX, and Jay-Z collaboration.
Ending with a standing ovation for the comedians and Black United Students, the show was indeed a success.

Thandie Newton Goes Back to Her Roots for Arise Magazine

Fashion Is Life Hosted By Harambee

Photo of Lucretta Watson in Jasmine William's Egyptian-inspired scene. Photos taken by Jarette Howell.

Photo of Melanie Biggin's Mexico scene. Photo taken by Gracie Marie.

Harambee hosted its second Fashion is Life show in the Ballroom October 2.
The designers were asked to make clothes inspired by different cultures and countries. They included Africa, ancient Egypt, Greece and some others.
Not only did fashions appear on the runway, models and dancers performed skits that fit their designer's theme. These included a skit mimicking Michael Jackson's 'Remember the Time' video, A Grecian warrior fight sequence and African dance.

Photo from her Web site.
Designer and Kent State student Kori Fields had models show off her Glam Collars at the beginnign of the show. Here is a link to her Facebook fan page. Become a fan.