The Bag In being Social ( How To Monetize social media)

Monetizing your Instagram is a big topic of interest for many Bloggers, Content Creators and Influencers out there today. If you’re in the influencer world, the ultimate goal is often to leverage your audience and reach to start monetizing your Instagram. Why wouldn’t you? Instagram marketing is a massive industry with an even larger value. Believe it or not, Influencer Worth is expected to be a $10 billion industry this year according to some experts. Despite what we know about the money to be made on Instagram, we know very little about how to start monetizing your Instagram as an influencer. There are so many questions surrounding this topic with answers that aren’t so set-in-stone. When do you start earning pay? How do you start? How much do you charge? In this article, we’ll be clearing up some of the unknowns about monetizing your Instagram and helping you guys to navigate the move from unpaid to paid posting.

Monetizing Your Instagram

Timing

The worst thing that could happen is they say no and then you can still proceed forward with a collaboration on a gifting basis. All opportunities are opportunities for relationship-building.

Timing

It’s hard to pinpoint an exact time or an exact number for when to start monetizing your Instagram. It seems most influencers and bloggers start earning money for their posts once they are in the 25k to 30k range. With that being said, everyone starts earning per post at different points in their growth. For example, an influencer with 18k and amazing engagement might receive paid offers before someone with 21k and below average engagement.

Sometimes the timing for monetizing your Instagram becomes more apparent with the collaboration opportunities that come your way. At a certain point in your growth, brands will begin asking you for your rates or will begin offering payment for x number of posts or stories. That’s not to say that you can’t know your worth and ask for compensation before brands do. Never be afraid to ask for compensation. The worst thing that could happen is they say no and then you can still proceed forward with a collaboration on a gifting basis. All opportunities are opportunities for relationship-building.

Fees & Rate Cards

Honestly, when it comes to fees and rate cards for monetizing your Instagram, there is no one right answer. Your fee should reflect your reach, engagement and content quality, but should be within reason. Industry trends and averages will also affect the value of Instagram marketing, so while fees would seem like a stable thing, that’s not always the case.

When figuring out how much to charge, we suggest using a value estimator tool. These calculators look at your profile and statistics, and determines an appropriate price-per-post for your engagement. These calculators are relatively easy to find with a quick google search and are usually free of charge to use.

If you don’t already have one, we recommend creating a rate card if you’re looking to start monetizing your Instagram. This doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, but we suggest branding your rate card and clearly listing out each service you offer, along with prices or price ranges. If you offer YouTube videos, list it; if you offer paid Instagram stories, list it. Be sure to also list anything that you offer that other influencers might not. Being different and offering more services as an influencer gives the brand more opportunities to collaborate with you and gives you a leg up on your competition.

Approaching the Topic

As an influencer, it might feel a little awkward to approach the topic of payment with a brand, but if you want to be successful in monetizing your Instagram it’s important to break through that. I think it’s important to recognize that feeling, but understand that at a certain point, the work you do to capture great content for a brand, in addition to the value add of advertising to your audience will necessitate payment. Some of the time, this topic will be brought up by the brand and you’ll have the easy job of sending along your rate card and leaving it in the brand’s hands to agree. Other times, brands will specify in their outreach or in the contract that the collaboration is on a “gifting basis,” which means that you’ll receive no other payment besides the items they give you to shoot. When it’s not specified, don’t be afraid to kindly ask a brand if they have a budget for payment. You can always leave the question it as is, or help to justify the means by sharing your media kit, statistics or explaining that the costs will help to (for example) pay the photographer for high quality photos.

Expectations & Realities

Fully expect to have to prove your worth to a brand. The brand managers will have to justify using a part of their advertising budget on you to their bosses, and they do so with your statistics and Instagram analytics.

Expectations & Realities

It’s definitely a hit-or-miss thing when asking for payment from a brand, and it doesn’t always go the way you’d expect it to. It’s helpful to set expectations before heading into a situation so you’re never caught off guard. When monetizing your Instagram you should know before going into it that:

• Brands might say no. That might seem like a given, but don’t let it bend you out of shape when it happens. The brand is definitely interested in working with you in  capacity, so worst case scenario, you still get to work with the brand you want to and enjoy the benefit of gifted product. In our experience, most brands are incredibly kind when discussing this topic, so don’t be afraid to ask!

• Brands will most likely ask for statistics and Instagram Analytics screenshots. When you request payment for your work, fully expect to have to prove your worth to a brand. The brand managers will have to justify using a part of their advertising budget on you to their bosses, and they do so with your statistics and Instagram analytics. Be sure that you have the numbers to back up your ask before doing so!

• Payment is always quick. In our experience, it takes a little bit longer for brands to pay out from their advertising budgets for a collaboration. It can take weeks after your post went live to see compensation for it, but that one of those situations where it just is what it is. Be patient and always wait a considerable amount of time before reaching out to a brand about payment. You’d never want to come off too pushy, especially when it comes to money.

• Be prepared for brands to ask for options! When it comes to unpaid posts, brands typically don’t ask for content approval. However, when a brand is paying for the content, they like to see options and typically ask for both edited and unedited versions of the photos so it can be adapted to fit their own feed’s aesthetic.

In short, when it comes to monetizing your Instagram, we encourage you to be bold, know your worth and be prepared to back yourself up. You’d be surprised by how many brands are willing to pay you to post if you can show your worth in real numbers and statistics. You’ll never know if you don’t try! Just be sure to ask a reasonable amount and be flexible to industry trends/fluctuations. Be sure to comment below if you have additional advice to add or want to share success stories with us! And if monetizing your Instagram is a goal for 2019, checkout more of our Instagram tips.

Planning a Photo Shoot?

Planning a photoshoot when you’re first starting out with your Instagram or blog can seem like an impossible task. There are so many little bits and pieces to be organized and thought through when planning a photoshoot before heading out with your camera. What to wear? How many looks to shoot? Where and when to take photos? Planning a photoshoot can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but the truth is with just a small amount of planning and effort, the pay off can be huge. Candid content often times turns out the be the best, planning a photoshoot and working to create quality content is just as important for bloggers and content creators alike.

Planning A Photoshoot 101: Finding A Photographer When you cant afford one.

One of the first things you should figure out when planning a photoshoot is who is going to take your photo. This might sound like a small detail because you could always book with me, but take it from us when we tell you that whoever is behind the camera is going to dictate how well your photos turn out. There are a few options here, so don’t feel panicked if no one immediately comes to mind:

1) Other Bloggers

-A good, mutually beneficial option for photographers is to reach out to other local bloggers when planning a photoshoot. Chances are, that girl/guy also needs someone to take their photos, and has the same goals and interests as you when it comes to Instagram. Shooting with other bloggers is especially convenient because they’re more willing to go through outfit changes and the time and effort it takes to get “the shot.”

2) Local Photographers

True story, when we first started out on Instagram, we worked with a local student photographer at Prairie View University when planning a photoshoot. We found him on CAmpus and, considering he was a student and not a professional photographer(At the Time), his rates were super affordable. Despite not being a “pro,” his photos were incredibly good, almost magazine quality. Relationships like these are also mutually beneficial business relationship in the sense that the photographer gets to build their portfolio and make a profit, while in turn, you get high quality photos and in most cases, even some editing help.

3) Friends & Family

The friends are family option is a little bit tricker when planning a photoshoot. If you have a specific creative vision for the shot, be sure to give them LOTS of direction and hold their hand through the shooting process. When we shoot with a friend behind the camera, we’re sure to hold the camera is a specific position for them to set up the angle, and then jump into the frame. It’s also best to instruct your stand-in “photographer” to take as many photos as their finger can press the button to take. This way it gives you a bunch of options, which increases the chances of you finding “the shot.”

Outfit & Creative Planning

Concept and pose planning are often overlooked elements of planning a photoshoot.

Outfit & Creative Planning

Outfit planning is hands down the most important part of planning a photoshoot. In a lot of cases, the outfit will dictate when and where you take a photo, and sometimes who’s taking it. For example, if you want to shoot a sparkly top with a flash, you need to wait until after dark to get the desired effect and will need to use an iPhone flash or a photographer who has an external flash for their DSLR camera.

If you ask most influencers and bloggers, they very rarely shoot one single look when planning a photoshoot. In most cases, outfit photos are being taken 2-3 looks at a time. This allows you to feed plan and stock up on photos so you don’t have to shoot every day to have content. If you’re in a city like LA, it’s as easy as packing up your car with different clothes, bags and accessories. If you’re in New York, though, it means packing a bag and outfit changing in public bathrooms. Somehow we make it work, and believe me, the work is worth it when you’re able to take days off from shooting.

Concept & Pose Planning

Concept and pose planning are often overlooked elements of planning a photoshoot. In our opinion, though, they’re some of the most important. We always check Pinterest or scroll through our saved posts on Instagram for inspiration/direction before heading out to take photos. Having a clear vision and goal before a photoshoot makes a huge difference in the quality and creativity of the final images.

We also highly suggest practicing your poses in each outfit before a photoshoot. Every piece of clothing requires a different pose to fully show it off. Practicing poses beforehand can also help to eliminate any awkwardness and cut down on shoot time. Knowing your angles is one of the most important piece to a good photo, so the more you practice, the better you’ll get! Something to keep in mind is concept and pose planning also help to achieve a better, more cohesive Instagram feed overall.

Timing & Sunlight

When planning a photoshoot, always be mindful of the light. Early morning, mid afternoon and at golden hour (before sunset) are the ideal times to shoot outdoors. Mid-day, the sun is directly overhead, casting super harsh shadows on the face. When figuring out when to shoot, try to keep lighting and the sun in mind for the best results!

If you have to shoot when the sun is harsh, be sure to bring along a reflector. Reflectors help to bounce the light from the sun onto your face, eliminating shadows. This photography tool essentially looks like a piece of soft tinfoil, is affordable and can easily be found on Amazon. Do note, though, that if you’re planning to use a reflector, you’ll have to bring along both a photographer and a second person to hold the reflector.

Another aspect of timing that plays into when and where to shoot is foot traffic. If you plan to shoot in a busy area, try to get out there early morning to avoid having too many other people in your photos.

At the end of it all Planning a photoshoot can be as intricate or laid back as you want to make it. Sometimes, a perfectly directed editorial style photoshoot is what you’re looking for, while in other cases you might want some more candid style content. In either case take the time to put effort into planning a photoshoot pays off big time with quality content. Head over to the Blog for more great advice to help you take your content to the next level!

Networking 101 | Free Game | Business 101

Networking goes hand in hand with running a successful business.

But many of us loath walking into a room and introducing ourselves to a bunch of strangers.

I've been asked to share my best networking tips while hanging out with friends. Here are the most valuable tips I've come across – and put to work myself – over the years:

 1. Resist the urge to arrive late

It's almost counter-intuitive, but showing up early at a networking event is a much better strategy than getting there on the later side. As a first attendee, you'll notice that it's calmer and quieter – and people won't have settled into groups yet. It's easier to find other people who don't have conversation partners yet.

2.Ask easy questions

Don't wait around the edges of the room, waiting for someone to approach you. To get the conversation started, simply walk up to a person or a group, and say, "May I join you" or "What brings you to this event?" Don't forget to listen intently to their replies. If you're not a natural extrovert, you're probably a very good listener – and listening can be an excellent way to get to know a person. Simple right.

3. Don’t try to sale them.

Remember, networking is all about relationship building. Keep your exchange fun, light and informal – you don't need to do the hard sell within minutes of meeting a person. The idea is to get the conversation started. People are more apt to do business with – or partner with – people whose company they enjoy. People work with people they like.

4. Share your passion.

Win people over with enthusiasm for your product or service. Leave a lasting impression by telling a story about why you were inspired to create your company. Talking about what you enjoy is often contagious, too. When you get other people to share their passion, it creates a memorable two-way conversation.

5. Don't hijack the conversation.

Some people who naturally have a dislike for networking may overcompensate by commandeering the discussion. Don't forget: The most successful networkers (think of those you've met) are good at making other people feel special. Look people in the eye, repeat their name, listen to what they have to say, and suggest topics that are easy to discuss. Be a conversationalist, not a talker.

6.Remember to follow up

It's often said that networking is where the conversation begins, not ends. If you've had a great exchange, ask your conversation partner the best way to stay in touch. Some people like email or phone; others prefer social networks like LinkedIn. Get in touch within 48 hours of the event to show you're interested and available, and reference something you discussed, so your contact remembers you.

With these tips and a passion for growth you will find a way to connect with new people as well spread the passion of what you have to offer being a service or product.

What’s your favorite tip?

what tips would you want to share with the community?

Nebula Beat

Welcome to the Nebula

💰 Purchase beat: https://www.beatstars.com/beat/3767583

🏪 Beat store: https://www.beatstars.com/allegiancelife

📧 Contact: info@egiance.life

🎶 Collaborations: If you wanna collab, send me your compositions: Info@Allegiance.life, we can share profits 50/50, include your beatstars profile info! 

Drop a comment below on what kind of vibe this gives you.

Are you ready to REVOLT?

This will be an experience unlike any other, rooted in the business of hip hop and dedicated to equipping aspiring young leaders with the tools for success. "This Summit is a unique opportunity for rising creatives and executives to engage with the icons, experts and legends leading the charge today. The purpose of REVOLT Summit is to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills and wisdom they need to shape the future of hip hop," said REVOLT Chairman, Sean "Diddy" Combs.

To give you an overview of what you can expect, day one of the Summit will set the tone for the entire experience as Swizz Beatz and Timbaland kick off the day to discuss creating the beats behinds hip hop's hottest tracks. Atlanta's beloved and hip hop icon, Jeezy will then host a keynote conversation "The Art of the EnTRAPreneur" where he will speak on the direct correlation between business and hip hop.

Additionally, Yung Joc will host the "Be Heard" competition where young artists will perform on the stage judged by hip hop mogul Andre Harrell, LVRN's Justice Baiden, The Dream and co-host of REVOLT TV's "State of the Culture," Remy Ma. The evening will culminate with a set by DJ Drama and the electrifying "Welcome to ATL" concert featuring LightSkinKeisha, YBN Cordae, Almighty Jay, and Nahmir – with more to be announced. That's just the first day!

Day two kicks off with "The Breakfast Club" host Angela Yee leading the "HBCU Love" panel to discuss the highs and lows of attending HBCUs. While renowned Roc Nation's own, Lenny S. will lead "The Gatekeepers" discussion. That's to name a few things going on for the day.

On Saturday, music heavyweight Shanti Das will join Jermaine Dupri, Dallas Austin and Rico Wade on "The Pioneers" panel. Meanwhile, Killer Mike is set to speak on the previously announced Jeff Johnson led "Trap the Vote: Hip Hop & Politics" panel and REVOLT Chairman, Sean Combs, will host a fireside chat with business maven and President of Combs Entertainment, Dia Simms. REVOLT and AT&T revealed the next round of heavy hitters to join REVOLT Summit in ATL

With all that said, Atlanta is going to be lit. So, stay tuned with us as we continue to keep you in the loop on the latest for REVOLT Summit in Atlanta. Passes for the official Summit in ATL and L.A. are now available at REVOLTSummit.com along with a full lineup of speakers, panels and performers.

Berry Gordy Jr donates 4 Mill to museum

Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. is donating $4 million toward a project to expand a museum housed in the Detroit building where he built his music empire, officials announced Wednesday.

Gordy’s gift, which coincides with the company’s 60th anniversary, is the largest individual donation to the project officially announced in 2016, the Motown Museum said. It has attracted contributions from individuals, philanthropies and automotive companies, including Gordy’s long-ago employer Ford Motor Co. Gordy has long said the auto industry served as the inspiration for what would become an assembly line of record-making.

“I’m excited about the future of Motown Museum and happy to support it,” Gordy said in a release. “Not only will the expanded museum entertain and tell the stories of talented and creative people who succeeded against all odds, but it will also inspire and create opportunity for people to explore their dreams the way I did mine. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of that.”

Museum expansion plans include interactive exhibits, a performance theater, recording studios, an expanded retail area and meeting spaces.

Motown’s roster of artists from the Detroit era included The Supremes, the Miracles, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, the Four Tops and Temptations.

Have you Heard the new Kanye?

Kanye West has come out with one of his first new songs since summer of 2018's Ye, in the form of a dual feature alongside Bon Iver on Francis and the Lights' new single, "Take Me To the Light."

The feature comes shortly after the announcement of Kanye's next project, Jesus Is King, which appears to be an album of his Sunday Service songs. Last week Kim Kardashian posted a picture of its handwritten tracklist on her Twitter.

Meek Mill New Court in Philadelphia

Mill, Puma and the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation announced the plans to refurbish the court in October 2018.

This year, the city designated March 14 as Meek Mill Day.

Meek Mill made a guest appearance Saturday afternoon as city officials revealed renovated basketball courts in North Philadelphia. Mill surprised residents for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and block party at the Strawberry Mansion Legacy Courts in East Fairmount Park.

Mill, Puma, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Strawberry Mansion Community Development Corporation worked together to host the Legacy Courts Block Party.

The basketball courts are located close to the neighborhood Mill grew up in.

“In Philadelphia there are over 4,000 works of art,” Mural Arts Philadelphia executive director Jane Golden said, “so Meek Mill, you’re an inspiration because you’re a testament to what art, music, arts and culture mean.”

The block party was held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the courts on Saturday.

Meek Mill is a criminal justice reform activist. He recently had a 2008 drug and gun conviction overturned. He’s now awaiting to see if a new trial will be ordered.

Meek giving autographs at the new court.

Ready for Power?

Fans of the Staz scripted series, Power, have been with Ghost, Tommy, Tasha, and co for five seasons, but according to a statement released from the network, Season 6 will be the final chapter in the tightly weaved web of lies, murder, and betrayal.

“Season 6 brings us to the end of what we know is just the first chapter of the ’Power’ story. However, as one chapter comes to an end, another will begin,” said Carmi Zlotnik, President of Programming for Starz. “Courtney Kemp and 50 Cent have created a world rich with complex and dynamic characters and there are a number of stories we plan to tell as we continue to explore and expand the ‘Power’ universe.

The explosive last season will give fans more bang for their buck with 15 episodes instead of the traditional 10.

“The last 5 seasons of ‘Power’ have been an incredible ride for me and all of our supportive fans.  We are far from over and I am excited to bring you more from the ‘Power’ brand,” said Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson, “Power” Executive Producer. “I am proud that I was able to put a lasting stamp on this chapter with my directorial debut in an episode that features one of the wildest scenes ever on the show.”

Power Season 6 returns to Starz on Aug 25, 2019.

Power Aug 25,2019

Swedish court finds rapper A$AP Rocky guilty of assault but orders no prison time

BERLIN — A$AP Rocky and two associates were found guilty of assault by a Swedish court on Wednesday but will face no prison time, capping a case that drew international attention — including from President Trump, who provoked a low-level diplomatic spat with Sweden after calling for the rapper’s release.

The verdict is likely to quiet the outrage in the United States prompted by Rocky’s arrest and detention following a street brawl in Stockholm in late June in which the rapper was accused of stomping on a man after throwing him to the ground.

Rocky had maintained that he was acting in self-defense, but the Swedish judge presiding over his case said the evidence did not support that claim. The judge did, however, conclude that the charges against Rocky were not as serious as presented by prosecutors and — given mitigating circumstances — did not merit a prison sentence.

“Hopefully we won’t have to go back to jail or nothing like that, that would be crazy,” he said, according to Reuters.

Rocky, 30, testified during the trial that he had begged the accuser to back off during what he described as a random street encounter and asserted that he had only acted in self-defense.

The court said video evidence and witness testimony did not support the rapper’s version of events.

“Based on statements from two witnesses, the court finds that the defendants were not subject to a current or imminent criminal attack. Therefore, they were not in a situation where they were entitled to use violence in self-defense,” the court said in a statement accompanying Wednesday’s verdict.

But the presiding judge added that “the prosecutor has not been able to prove that the victim was struck in the back of the head with a bottle or that he was in any other way assaulted with bottles. This has affected the assessment of the seriousness of the crime.”

Photo from NBC News

YB Never Broke FREE

YoungBoy Never Broke Again is officially out of jail, his representative confirms to The FADER:  "He is now home and in great spirits." 

The Baton Rouge rapper served three months for violating his probation following a shooting in Miami just ahead of Rolling Loud back in May. A group of assailants reportedly opened fire at YoungBoy outside of the Trump International Hotel. YoungBoy's team retaliated, and the shootout left one dead and one severely wounded. Louisiana judge Bonnie Jackson found him "talking smack" about the incident on social media, a violation of the terms of his probation, and ordered him to be detained.

Jackson had sentenced YoungBoy to three years probation back in 2017 for aggravated assault with a firearm. Baton Rouge's WAFB reports the rapper will serve 14 months under house arrest following his release from jail. He will not be permitted to perform during that time. His next probation hearing August 30.

Have you seen this? Adidas Ultra Boost 2020.

With the next iteration of its flagship runner, Adidas is experimenting with themes from a world beyond our own.

Leaked images of what is being called the Adidas Ultra Boost 2020 from wavegod_thelegend reveal an apparent collaboration with the ISS National Lab—a government-funded laboratory that brokers a range of space research in an effort to improve life on Earth. The agency is marked on the shoe's tongue and insoles, along with the tagline 'Boost in Space.' The shoe itself is a somewhat subtle shift from the Ultra Boost 2019, primarily sporting an all-new knit pattern on the upper. Another new design element is an iridescent purple finish along the Boost-cushioned midsole.

The cosmic theme of the shoe isn't much of a reach—founded in 2013, Boost technology is comprised of a NASA-sourced TPU. Release details for this variation haven't been announced yet, but we'll keep you updated as more is revealed.

HashTag101

When searching for trending Instagram hashtags, you’ll find the nine most popular posts that have used the hashtag at that particular moment. Underneath those are just what comes out chronologically using the tag. Unlike the Explore page that features things catered to your behaviors and tastes, the top section of the hashtags is what everybody sees globally: a huge opportunity.

When optimizing your Instagram game, emphasize authenticity. It’s a trait often overlooked in social media, but it’s a crucial one, and beyond that, it’s actually rewarded from a marketing perspective. Your audience will engage more when your story, presentation, and efforts feel authentic and intimate.

How? Sway!

What does that mean?

You can employ the simple, yet effective technique of entering keywords into the Instagram search bar and viewing relative popularity, and then opting to cover the gamut from extreme niche. Enter hashtags into the search bar on Instagram and check those numbers. If there are over 100,000,000 posts associated with a certain hashtag, you’re going to get a lot of garbage bot responses on your feed. Not to mention, the hashtag itself is going to be so overburdened, your post will be buried under an avalanche of posts the moment it’s published. Not helpful.

So!!!!

Using thirty relevant hashtags plays a huge part in getting noticed on Instagram. If it’s a matter of seeming too chill or cool to care, you can mitigate the eager-beaver vibe by disguising your hashtags in the first comment(free comment) of your post. Just make sure to get those hashtags posted ASAP after your post goes live, or you’ll miss out on the algorithm boost.

Go out and find the top Instagram hashtags for your brand, comment some of yours bellow and if you have any trouble book a virtual appointment.

Schedule Appointment

In Living Color

 A unique color combination is a key way to express the personality of your brand.

Color plays a huge role in how your audience perceives you. Whether you're running a small business as a solopreneur, or working in a big corporate, your business has a brand—and so, you want to choose a unique and memorable color palette in order to build a lasting brand identity.

If you are in the process of building your brand, I have created a suite of different color palettes for you to use to create unique color combinations of your own. Use them to build your brand's identity .

Let me know below what’s your favorite color palettes. Like and Share.  

Warm Antique

Rich and Adventurous

Waimea Waters

Tropical Punch

Fall Collection

Bolivian Beauty

Venice Rose

Sundown Dance

Nordic Woodford

Green and Gold

Marigold Mix

TheCollective1.1

Welcome to an amazing miniepisode of The Collective Radio!

Artwork used is from the

➤https://agnes-cecile.deviantart.com/art/ill-vision-302517987

Website

➤ www.Allegiance.life

Social Media

➤ www.facebook.com/Allegiancelife/ |

➤➤ www.Twitter.com/Allegiancelife |

➤➤ www.instagram.com/A.msanii

Track List

1.https://soundcloud.com/asapferg/track-3

2.https://soundcloud.com/flameemojimusic/i-get-the-bag-feat-migos

3. Beatking - Red Drop

4.https://soundcloud.com/takeoff_music/migos-to-hotty

5.https://soundcloud.com/2chainz/poor-fool-1

6.https://soundcloud.com/brysontiller/dont-get-too-high

The Collective Radio  

Shadow List

From bad decisions to good DNA with even bolder conversations with a splash of Pimp C.

Brauc's Perspective

4/14/16

MORNING INSPIRATION:

Whenever my creativity isn't responding quickly. I find myself mentally stuck on what my next move is. I called my friend Bryan and told him "let's shoot, just like old times"! That's exactly what we did. This is the first place I shot with Bryan and started to develop Brauc's Perspective. Bryan's eye for color sends a message of motivation. Use my style, braucsperspective, and Bryan's eye to inspire you to look in a Different Perspective.                                

Shot on IPhone 6+  

Instagram:

• @http.fitted

• @steezgodbryan

Jacket: Vintage, Shirt: Allen Flusser, Trousers: JCrew, Socks: Forever21, Shoes: Dr.Martens

3/24/16

EFFECTIVE COLOR BLOCKING:

My style has always been bold, aggressive, and creative. What gives me that edge is color! Color blocking is always effective and in style. When executed properly you can take your outfit to the next level. It's all about being innovative with your style. Always looking at every angle, a different perspective. Use my outfit for example, and start looking for ways to add color to your everyday outfits.

Jacket: Dickies, Shirt: Allen Flusser, Tie: 1901, Trousers: Vintage, Socks: Forever 21, Shoes: Dr. Martens

Have you heard? Meek Mill Ends Legal Struggles

Twelve years after Meek Mill was arrested as a 19-year-old in North Philadelphia on gun and drug charges, his criminal case has officially ended. On Tuesday, Meek pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor firearm charge in Philadelphia. Prosecutors then dismissed all remaining counts against him and the judge imposed no further penalty. 

The drug and gun case against Meek, whose legal name is Robert Rihmeek Williams, has been active since his 2007 arrest, keeping the hip-hop artist on probation for nearly his entire adult life.

"Meek free! I'm not on probation no more," Meek said to a cheering crowd outside of the courthouse in Philadelphia's Center City. "I just wanted to come up here and thank all the supporters, because I know y'all probably have family members in jail or people going through the same thing as me. I will continue to do what I do with the reform movement and help the people that help me." 

For years, Meek, now 32, clashed with a Philadelphia trial judge Genece Brinkley, who oversaw his case and accused the rapper of not following the rules of his probation, prompting Brinkley to repeatedly scold Mill. In November 2017, Brinkley sentenced Meek to two-to-four years in state prison over probation violations involving riding a dirt bike in New York and his role in an alleged scuffle in the St. Louis airport. This decision turned Meek's case into a lightning rod for criminal justice reform.

While behind bars, celebrity backers of Meek, including Jay-Z, T.I. and Kevin Hart, wrote high-profile op-eds, addressed supporters at rallies and voiced support on social media to highlight what they see as an unjust sentence emblematic of systemic inequities in America's prison system. Meek, who grew up in Strawberry Mansion, North Philadelphia, also had the support of many Philadelphians throughout his legal saga. During his dozens of court hearings, neighborhood friends and fans would pack the courtroom in support of his release. 

Throughout this legal battle, Meek has stayed consistent with his musical output, dropping his most recent studio album, Championships, in Nov. 2018, which debuted No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200. 

After serving five months of his sentence, a Pennsylvania appeals court released Meek from prison and granted him bail in April 2018. The appeals court later removed Brinkley from the case and granted the rapper a re-trial due, in large part, to the fact that the only witness who testified against Meek in his original case was a police officer who was later found of lying and theft. 

Just before his conviction was tossed by the appeals court in July, Meek and Jay-Z were announced as co-chairs of the criminal justice reform organization REFORM Alliance that, to date, has claimed to have raised $50 million dedicated to "changing the laws, policies and practices that perpetuate injustice," starting with probation and parole.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner released a statement on the news of Meek's case being dropped today, saying that the rapper "was unfairly treated in a case that exemplifies the destruction caused by excessive supervision, instances of corruption, and unfair processes in our criminal courts." 

Krasner went on to say that Meek has "demonstrated significant rehabilitation; he has evolved and grown" since his initial arrest more than a decade ago. 

Meek took to Twitter to underscore his commitment to working as a criminal justice reformer. "I'm extremely grateful that my long legal battle is finally behind me and I appreciate that it has sparked a much-needed discussion about probation reform and the inequalities that exist within our two Americas," he posted.

Bad Boys 3 Trailer

Bad Boys Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are back together for one last ride in the highly anticipated Bad Boys for Life. The first official trailer for the Sony flick is here to confirm that, yes, the Bad Boys are back, they ain’t goin’ nowhere, they can’t be stopped now, and they are indeed Bad Boys for life. Check out the latest trailer to BAD BOYS III