"WHOSE YOUR LANDLORD?" Ofo Ezeugwu: Protecting Renters with the App we have been waiting for!
"Whose Your Landlord?"
Ofo Ezeugwu: The Man that will ensure you can finally answer that question beyond a name
By Mercedez McIntyre
It's winter of 2011 in Baltimore, MD. I am a transfer student at Morgan State University. Returning home from an interview to find my heat has been turned off. Like most students, funds are tight and I am renting a room whereas my heating & gas bill is included! Long story short I found out the man in which I was renting from was actually renting a foreclosed property with the utility bills in the name of previous renters! How could I have avoided renting from someone with such charisma?
How can other renters or students avoid such landmines?
Urban Freedom Exclusive Photographer: Dontez Henderson
For every answer, we only can hope for solutions. In this case, Ofo Ezeugwu has done just that! He has a solution, which is absolutely needed when it comes to handing over such large sums of money to a landlord. How can you trust who they are? The background process is a one-way street.
I had the pleasure of a great conversation with the Founder of "Whose your Landlord" Ofo Ezeugwu and the choice of words is no accident but of literal context. Check out how this ambitious young man saw a global problem and took an idea into a full-blown movement in social impact and technology.
@UrbanFreedomMagazine:
What was your upbringing like growing up?
@Ofo Ezeugwu Response:
Both of my parents immigrated to the United States, my Dad came from Nigeria, my mom came from Barbados. They met in college in Buffalo, NY. I have 3 other siblings. Growing up my parents enabled me to dream and achieve. I was taught high work ethic and to live a life of moral standards. When I look back on it I thought my parents were strict. As an adult, I see they just held a level of standards for me that they knew I needed at a young age. I apply everything they taught me and I am grateful for them.
@UrbanFreedomMagazine:
How did you come up with the name "Whose your landlord"? & What it is it, for our readers who are unaware.
@Ofo Ezeugwu Response:
My senior year at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, I was Vice President of the student body. One of the biggest issues students had in Philadelphia was housing. With the rise of gentrification, housing became harder. This really resonated with the students.
The word "whose" was chosen as using the word as ownership. Exactly who are you renting from? The power dynamic is very one-sided. The name is called "Land LORD".
Instagram: @wylandlord
Twitter: @wylandlord
https://www.whoseyourlandlord.com/
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Independent Music artists keeping your mind woke & eardrums lit!
INDEPENDENT MUSIC ARTISTS KEEPING YOUR MIND WOKE & EARDRUMS LIT!
By: Shade Bowman
Detonator
@detonator.ig
Long Island, NY
Independent Artist/ Owner of “DayDreamers” Fashion Line
A hip-hop artist out of Long Island, NY with witty wordplay and a vivid lyrical imagery that represents the 9-to-5'ers who won't settle for the corporate shackles but instead choose to pursue their life's passions. "I'm the voice of that dreamer stuck at some dead-end day job who vows every day not to lose hope in his daydream."
Over the past year, his tour lit up both coasts, touching NYC, Philly, DC, Baltimore, Boston, and LA. Detonator movement includes relatable, yet club-bangable music, a super trendy fashion line called "DayDreamrs," and unique outside-of-the-box events like speed dating (for dreamers) and sip-n-paints (with actual mixology lessons!).
“Don’t quit your daydream”
Benniharding
@benniharding
Trenton, NJ
Recording & Visual Artist
Benni's art is inspired by her life and the things she's felt. Her goal is to create art that makes her viewers and listeners FEEL her. She recently curated a film she called "Drained" that will be releasing the February 2018. Going through hardships most wouldn't imagine from such a woman Benni has forged through in music by a humble nature, honesty and using multiple vessels of entrepreneurship.
https://www.benniharding.com/bio
BlaqueStone
@Blaquestone_
Washington D.C Metropolitan area
BlaqueStone |Artist|Performance Arts|
BlaqueStone LLP located in Maryland/ Washington D.C Metropolitan area. A music couple with an amazing band! With a mission to spread love, light, and truth through the arts. "As African Americans and humans period, we all have a story to tell, and with our love, community and personal lenses of life and continued lessons, this is our outlet. "
One of their biggest accomplishments arose out of New York City and being interviewed on Revolt TV. Another moment was partnering on an event with the Smithsonian Museum in Anacostia Washington D.C. Finding creative ways for kids to express themselves through music and lyrics.
What led to their brand flourishing was them being unapologetic about being black, showing true authenticity in what love is and a message that is so relatable to many, is truly what made and makes us prosper. As the world inspires them to stay true, learn/teach balance, and spark love in others, it’s positively contagious!
Mobish.Young
@mobish.young
Washington, DC
Mob Ish Records, LLC: Founder/CEO/and Artist
My mission is to put my myself in a position to Grant the most opportunity as possible for others. Coming from doing 13 years in prison to having a marathon run in Music. A true testament that trials can lead to triumph, literally. Keep an eye on Mobish all 2018. He is an artist that moves at a fast and deliberate pace.
Quinton Randall aka Mr. Baltimore Blues
@Baltimoreblues_
Baltimore, MD
Independent Artist
Quinton Randall, a full time multi genre musician. A composer, film scorer, teacher and singer-songwriter.
Armed with a mission to lead by example as an entrepreneur in many fields providing a sense of hope, and clarity. Still growing as an artist Quinton understands the purpose of having a gift is first to serve your community, second to provide knowledge and last comes self.
Life.of.Shalane
@lifeofshalane
Riverside, Ca
Independent Music Artist
Growing up in Southern California, in a small city called Pomona. Shalane began writing poetry when and later on in life, her love for words unfolded into a passion for Music.
A powerhouse to be reckoned with, releasing two full albums in the last 10 months and her music broadcasted live on public radio (102.3 KJLH Radio based in Los Angeles, CA).
Keeping in mind that music connects all, her music can be found on all streaming sites with new music dropping in 2018.
Asia Karin
@Asia_karin
Baltimore, Md
Singer/ Songwriter: Asia Karin aka “Miss Singing With a Rapping Flow”
“Miss Singing With a Rapping Flow”. Not just a young woman with talent but a mission to save her family. Most artists are in search of lavish living, materials etc, however, this woman is here to save the community and her family.
Growing up with so much pain and anger brought her closer to music as a pain reliever. Taking advantage of opportunity even at the physical risk of singing on the streets of Baltimore, MD as a woman. Asia is a true lesson of learning to use what you have while staying focused on breaking generational chains.
Ebonyy
Baltimore, MD
TNB Greenbackz Independent Artist: Singer/ Songwriter
Growing up in the church, she soon found her voice in between those faith-filled walls. It was in the church choir that Ebonyy really focused on her vocals. Which helped to prepare her for what was to come. She didn’t know when but waited until the time was right. Now is that time.
Not only an artist Ebonyy is a great songwriter honing in on her skills as a poet. At a young age, Ebonyy has experienced life that has taken her through all forms of positive and negative experiences. No matter what the situation she has a silent strength that comes out in words of diversity that every songwriter wishes they could do. Stay Tuned for Ebonyy 2018!
DrizzyThaDon
@drizzythadon
Baltimore, MD
On Point Event Management (owner/operator)/ HigherGround Music
A hip-hop artist, model, and also owner and operator of my own event planning, management, and promotions company, called On Point Event Management, based out of Baltimore as well.
Dre Thompson as an artist/model, his mission is to be able to sustain life and recreational endeavors solely from his art. As an event planner, Dre's mission is to be able to provide a one of a kind experience at any event we have "stamped" from small parties to as large as festivals.
Gudda Cal
@gudda_cal
Baltimore, MD
Independent Artist
Gudda Cal and his music campaign name From The Gutta ( FDG ). Appropriately and humbly titled to describe his upbringing in the rough streets of Baltimore. Cal is determined to allow the truth of his music to elevate him instead of facades as most do in the music industry. His Ep is called 60sec Killing Spree drops on January 1st on spinrilla so stay tuned! With a past of struggling what has propelled him to where he is now would have to be his work ethic, practice, and patience.
Infamous Taz
@infamoustazjcoe
Bay Area, California
Independent Artist/ J.C.O.E Entertainment
The leader of the Bay Area-based rap group and aspiring independent label known as J.C.O.E. Entertainment.
His mission overall is to use my music as a platform to spread unity amongst my community and globally, as well as a platform to guide listeners that have been through the same hardships and life situations.
As an artist, Taz has released multiple songs and videos and have been featured, as a poet he has spoken for schools and local events within the community. As an actor, performed at the California Theatre in Pittsburg, CA, the King Center in Denver, CO, and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. He began to freestyle on social media over well-known instrumentals every Tuesday and tagged it as “#TazForceTuesday” to gain more attention while continuing to release his own music and music with his group...which was a success.
Pmg.Barz
@pmg_barz
Baltimore, MD
Pandemonium Music Group/ Co-Founder/Artist
Independent Artist from the west side of Baltimore City. The name Barz came from a past of always being incarcerated given to him by close family and friends. Reversing the name to showcase his talent in writing songs and pursued music. With a background so rough his persistence is the driving force in his music.
Be sure to check out his Newest Video “Paid in Full” on Youtube now. Mixtape coming late winter of 2018.
What we can all learn from Basquiat: The artist who gave up too soon...
What we can all learn from Basquiat: The artist who gave up too soon...
By Michelle A. Reed
Studies show that most artists have a versatile often hyperactive frame of mind. The world and its history are filled with the outlets of the most creative individuals. Either it be dance, literature, or even portraits, artists seem to have a beautiful way of communicating with the rest of the world.
Born on December 22nd, 1960, in Brooklyn New York, Jean-Michel Basquiat was an African American painter who rose to fame during the beginning of the Neo-impressionism era. His father was a Haitian accountant and his highly supportive mother was Puerto Rican. Although suffering from mental-health issues his entire life Basquiat's mother always was a place of peace even when she became hospitalized.
Although he had run away from home, often sleeping outside, Basquiat was a middle-class kid who attended private schools and independently explored the art world with his mother even as a toddler.
Initially, Basquiat was a graffiti artist. In the 70s he formed a duo with childhood friend names Al Diaz and they called themselves Samo, which meant “Same old shit.” Their eye-catching work consisted of tagging buildings in the lower east side that had boldly conscious statements such as “Samo as an alternative to food stamps.”
The Neo impressionism era became popular around the mid-80s helping with his success. Its rise being similar to that of Hip Hop culture. Basquiat’s work was abstract and expressive containing dialogue that often brought out bold perspective. He was thought of as extremely rebellious. Although his work displayed depth and bravado in a beautifully twisted yet childlike blatancy.
Once he gained notoriety Basquiat even collaborated with Italian artist Francesco Clemente and American artist Andy Warhol. Basquiat did a show with Warhol that included “Ten punching bags” which seemed to be a rebuttal to Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The last supper.” Its purpose was to fight all forms of oppression. Basquiat’s most expensive piece of work was a 1982 untitled painting of a skull. At $110.5 million, this piece became the sixth most expensive artwork sold at an auction.
Basquiat Painting Sells for $110.5 Million
Around that time gallerist Annina Nosei, was rumored to have a genius black kid locked in her basement making masterpieces. To which Jean-Michel Basquiat commented, “If I was white, they would just call it an artist-in-residence.” Ultimately he surpassed what was expected of him racially and socially being a black kid from Brooklyn.
It seemed as though more mental obstacles allied with the success of Basquiat. His affiliations and fame allowed him easy influences in a negative direction. Jean Michel Basquiat, unfortunately, became addicted to heroin not long after his popularity began. On August 12th, 1988, his 22-year-old girlfriend found him overdosed in his bathroom at 28 years old. His funeral was a small closed casket service with family and only a few members of the art world. It was said he left behind 1,198 drawings, sketchbooks, prints, and paintings. His father Gerard Basquiat, inherited the estate and when he died in 2013 he left the estate to his daughters.
There are documentaries associated with the life and work of Basquiat including “The radiant child” and also “Rags to riches.” If nothing else Basquiat’s life teaches us not only to give into our creative passions, but to remain grounded and focused during those transitioning stages to success.
In 2017, Yusaku purchased Basquiat's Untitled (1982), a powerful depiction of a skull, at auction for a record-setting US$110,487,500--the most ever paid for an American artwork and the sixth most expensive artwork sold at an auction,surpassing Andy Warhol's "Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)" which sold in 2013 for $105 million.[
BASQUIAT THE ART & THE MAN FACTS:
Credit- Artlistr
1. Basquiat came from a culturally rich, yet troubled family.
After his parents divorced. Basquiat’s mother was institutionalized for mental illness. He then left his father’s due to physical and emotional abuse. Prior to becoming famous, he spent the next handful of years homeless, staying at friends’ houses, park benches, and abandoned buildings.
2.His style was shaped by his history, both urban and ethnic.
Many of his works depict black celebrities such as writers, athletes, and musicians. He also often featured the griot, an oral storyteller in Western African societies.
3. Though very young, Basquiat’s talent captured the interest of Andy Warhol.
He was the youngest artist to join “documenta,” an international exhibition of contemporary and modern art held every five years in Germany.
4. . Basquiat’s street smarts and daring were instrumental in his rise to fame.
Homeless, he supported himself by peddling postcards and sweatshirts featuring his art. With the rise of graffiti art and Neo-Expressionism, Basquiat’s work finally gained traction in the Times Square Show, a landmark Punk Art exhibit. His first solo exhibition came two years later.
5. He died after seven short years in the industry.
Basquiat’s rise to prominence was accompanied by an equal rise to his personal struggles. He vacationed in Hawaii to kick his heroin addiction, but ultimately failed and died of an overdose.
