Rome Brooks is truly a Baltimore Hip Hop legend. I can't sit here and rattle off all of the man's accomplishments, but just know that he has put in some work. Rapper, Actor, Entrepreneur, Father, Husband, friend to many (many people came out just to see him recieve the award) & very handsome chocolate man...LOL! (this list is in no way all inclusive) .....And still he is so very humble. I love his energy! Rome mentioned that this was the first time he'd ever receive an honor like this.....that is a shame!!! As many of you know....Rome will be moving to Cali (or maybe its ATL) soon to pursue his acting career....we must all take time to give this man his props! Sounds N Da Hood (which will be closing soon.....) was an under utilized resource in this city. Rome prominently displayed local music on his shelves right next to all the biggest names in the game. From my first encounter with this man...it was nothing but love. He always made me feel like my contribution and opinion were respected. I am eternally grateful for the boost to my confidence. This is a hard game to get into...we need more leaders to take the time out to school us "up and comers"!!! Make sure yall cop that Charm City Movie. Support the Baltimore Movement!!!









Also up in that joint:

Big Special shout out to the Legendary Scotty B!!!! He and I chopped it up for a ghood while. He was so easy to talk to and most def had lots of jewels to drop on me. He and I talked about the Baltimore Club explosion and how if we (Bmore) is not careful...people from outside of here (namely philly) will eventually claim it as their own. We talked about the club Hip Hop fusion and his only response was, "Stop Fighting It"...LOL! He also gave me the scoop on some shady biz that's going down this year at the Artscape concerning Bmore Club, but I need to collect my thoughts and remember which parts he told me were on and off the record.



The Doo Dew Kidz (DJ Booman and Jimmy Jones) were in the building!!! Its always so nice to see these guys!!! That Jimmy ain't right! Got some really hot news....well this may not be news to some, BUT the DDK and Labtekwon plan to collab on a whole album. WOW! 2 ambassadors of our uniquely homegrown sound and arguably one of the best MCs on the scene gettin together. This is sure to make a few of our out of town "swagger jackers" sit their asses down. For a sample of the collabo.....check out my "sister" MYSPACE page. "Sex Machine" is a hot ass song!!! I plan to ask the DJ to play "Sex Machine" every time I go to a club, party or show. If they have that song....I will become their #1 FAN & if they don't at least they will know people are checking for it. This song is "Club hop" (as Sean "Mo" Banks would call it) at its best.

C.O.M.P. - performed a Bobby Drake/J-Funk produced song last night that had Sonny Brown throw a whole bottle of water on his self....LOL! This guy's show is ALWAYS LIVE!!!! Anybody that was there saw me get ready to dive into the crowd I got so pumped...LOL! Sike nah, all the drunk mofos were in the front ....they prolly would have just let me hit the ground.

Sonny Brown - You are really steppin out!!! Good Luck with your hosting tomorrow!!!

Jen Jones- One of the hardest working women on the scene. Maaaaaaaaaaaaaan, the women in this city are making you guys look extremely lazy!!!!

M.O.L. - It was so nice seeing yall!!! eh....if you are reading this- YES YOU!!!! Cop that "M.O.L." Mixtape!!!! (Click on the CD cover on the left for ordering information)

Big Boi (of Third Kind) - OMFG!!! It was so good to see you! Like i said.....I have a review coming up for yall!!!! The CD is really good!!! you guys obviously put a lot of heart into it!!!

All my peeps from the 5 Seasons- Biggie, Solomon, bartenders, security, etc. Thanks for making me feel welcome!!!

Low Key & Ray Lugar - In our busy lives...we often forget to show love to the people that made our dream possible. This is the 2nd Jacqueline Ruth Lanier Foundation Award ceremony I attended (the 2st was for Backland), but this one truly touched me the most. I thought that the plaque you gave Rome was very beautiful and the words inscribed came across as genuinely heartfelt. What makes this award presentation so special is that...its the "STREETS recognizing the STREETS". You prolly won't ever get the credit for your contribution to Baltimore hip Hop or your efforts to make sure the youth remember their forefathers, but just know...your work is not lost on everyone. Thanks for setting a fine example of how to REALLY show love.

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Aiiiiiiiiiiight!!!! yall check me out on MYSPACE @ www.myspace.com/clove when you get a few!!!