“There’s a perception that Soul singers are a little conscious of things as it is. So, with the [current] political atmosphere, I think it just adds to it. I think we all have a responsibility to put out music with a certain amount of substance in the first doggone place.” – Leela James

That’s Leela James, the resolute, genuine soul singer from Los Angeles, California who now rests her head in Houston, Texas. Leela’s music career began to blossom when a high school English teacher recognized her talent. “He said, ‘You’ve …

“Hip Hop is a reflection of America” –-Hasan Salaam

Once upon a time, hip-hop had room on stage for every type of emcee. There was no concept of an underground. But somewhere between Chuck D and the impending doom of Y2K, hip-hop’s long courtship with Black empowerment and speaking truth to power was sent underground, with a select few branded “conscious rappers” to carry the banner of awareness above.

Rap, a genre that in its essence demands brains and wit, also requires an emcee to nimbly identify with the spectrum of his or her listeners. …

An evening with MUSIC|Live Art|Photography|and YOU presented by Ladies Love NYC’S First Annual Tribute To Hip-Hop and Autism Awareness Fundraiser
>How many of you Bilal fans knew his son was autistic??
not many, I’m sure.
>How many of you wouldn’t mind seeing him LIVE Thursday June 4th @ 125 Fifth Ave- Park Slope aka South Paw from 9pm-3am?!?!

all of you…I’m sure

Well, consider this your official invitation. For only $8 entry fee (if you RSVP to this link) you can find yourself in the hottest fundraiser Ladies Love NYC have to offer. …

What’s good SCHEME readers?!?!

It’s e a s e aka Simone and I’m speaking on behalf of myself and SCHEME staff.
We’ve been a little MIA..only because we’re attempting to update style, look, feel and content of SCHEMEMAG.com and we hope our efforts are worth it.

We’re looking for:
website designers
WRITERS
feature ideas
MORE ARTISTS|CREATIVE FOLK|MUSICIANS|AUTHORS…etc.
and because of this outreach>>>>more readership!

I want to thank YOU personally for your continued support.
>to DALE COACHMAN who started this magazine solely based on passion and my partner KHARY CAMPBELL for supporting my presence as editor-in-chief and consistent dedication to SCHEME.

We love our magazine and we aim to make …

Musically edible with a heighten perspective, Marcus Gray created Hip Hop Chocolate in 2001 after tinkering with America’s temporary symbolism for terrorism, a box cutter, and making it pliable. With a belief in questioning and that evolution in the truthful sense is unending; he has created another Hip Hop element that has the same instant effect as musical vibrations. Constantly inspired by culture and a student of art, theology and culture, this is his gift; one aligned with positive association, solidarity and collaboration. Hip Hop Chocolate is a fascinating example of two household names, hip …

Hey Schemers, check out a message from Scheme Family Dee Dot from Stay Hostin’ Entertainment and let’s all chip in:

Reports show close to 68% of elementary school children of North Philadelphia do not read on grade level and Stay Hostin’ Entertainment is hoping to change that. Stay Hostin’ Entertainment is trying to do our part in helping the children improve their reading skills by placing more books in the school’s libraries.

On Friday April 17th, we teamed up with Temple University and will be a hosting a charity basketball game “Ball 4 Books” at Ben Franklin H.S. during their Temple University’s …