Haiti Still Seeks Help!

With relief efforts on the rise in the passing weeks from ordinary and extraordinary people from all around the globe, another earthquake shook Haiti a few days ago. Not of the same magnitude as it’s counterpart which practically leveled the city of Port-au-Prince last week, the 6.1 quake shook buildings causing havoc in Haiti, dampening what little progress relief groups have had since the previous earthquake hit just eight days ago.

In leu of recent events and the rising turmoil surrounding Haiti and it’s people, I feel that its necessary and extremely important to once again encourage everyone to sow seeds in order to help the victims of these recent natural disasters. Inexpensive and extremely convenient outlets have made it possible for us to help in the smallest of ways. Celebrities have pledged millions of dollars to the cause already, at the forefront being Leonardo DiCaprio promising one million dollars to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, and George Clooney who has organized the celebrity telethon “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief” to be broadcasted today Friday January 22 live on four major television networks, not the mention a dozen cable channels and live streaming for the event. The telethon is slated to be the biggest of it’s kind with performances by Beyonce, Shakira, Madonna, and Bono to name a few, and its largest contributions coming in from the likes of Bill Clinton, Meryl Streep, and Sandra Bullock who have also pledged millions of dollars to Haiti.

As easy as it has become to donate, simple websites and television shows we touch everyday have been making extremely cost effective and simple to donate even the smallest of gifts. On Itunes, Rihanna’s rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’ as sang live on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show earlier this week, is being sold with all the proceeds going directly to Haitian relief efforts. The ways to help have increased over the last week, making it nearly impossible for any of us to sit idle without giving even a little. Help Haiti now!

Home to about 2 million people, the earthquake's death toll is estimated between 45,000 - 50,000

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere with about 9 million of its inhabitants living in poverty. Devastation shook the country this past Tuesday January 12, 2009 when Haiti’s Port-au-Prince was hit by a crippling 7.0 earthquake. Home to around 2 million people, Port-au-Prince has not only suffered in the losses of significant and historical landmarks, but the International Red Cross has estimated a death toll on the capital city ranging between 45,000 – 50,000. President Barack Obama has already pledged to not only give upwards of 100 million dollars for relief efforts, but along with other world leaders has sent helping hands in the form of soldiers, nurses and release agents.

Our responsibility as citizens of this world calls for us to lend a helping hand to those who needed it most

Throughout history there have been many moments of devastation.  Some say it comes with the territory of living in a unpredictable world. Our responsibility as citizens of this world calls for us to lend a helping hand to those who needed it most. Port-au-Prince Haiti is in need of our help. Since the earthquake there has been a dramatic outpouring of hope and help financially through avenues we use everyday such as Twitter, Facebook, and even text messaging. I could sit here and give you a list of casualties that would make you cry until your eyes went dry (trust me, I know), but that isn’t what Haiti needs right now. They need water, food, and shelter – they need HELP, and here is a list of small, but significant ways you can help the people in Port-au-Prince that need it the most.

The call to help is NOW! Make your voice heard, and help those in need.

The International Red Cross

• To make a donation to the International Red Cross‘ relief efforts in Haiti check out their website. You can send as little as $25 or as much as $1000
• They have also set up a program that will allow missing you to find friends or family members that may be missing in Port-au-Prince Haiti

Operation NY Haiti Disaster Fundraiser

• New York based fashion label Operation NY will host a fundraiser on Saturday January 16, 2009 from 7 – 10pm at their store located at 60 Mercer Street. All proceeds from the event will be given to Haitian relief efforts.

Bond No. 9 New York Pledges 10% to Haiti Relief

• Effective after January 14th, throughout the next thirty days perfume company Bond No.9 has pledged 10% of the proceeds from the sale of The Scent of Peace, will go to the American Red Cross and their activities in responding the the tragedy that shook the communities devastated by the Haiti earthquake and provide the urgent relief needed.

Yele Haiti

• Grassroots organization which builds global awareness and funds for the impoverished people of Haiti is making a difference by allowing you to send a small donation through text message. Text “YELE” from your mobile device to 501501 to give a $5 donation to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund and people of Port-au-Prince.

Partners In Health

• Providing preferential treatment to those who cannot otherwise afford healthcare, Partners In Health have been in Haiti for over 20 years, and have also suffered in the aftermath of this horrible crisis. They are asking for ANY amount you can give to Haitian relief efforts. As little as 10 cent, or as much as 10 million.

The American Red Cross

• In the same manner as it’s counterpart the International Red Cross, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to text ‘90999′ to send $10 to Haitian relief efforts. They have already gathered upwards of 5 million dollars.

These are small but significant ways you can help the people of Port-au-Prince survive the devastation that has shook their home. I’m sure there are many others that will pop up in the coming days, but for now I hope you all feel the pull of human nature tugging at your heart strings and your wallets. Change starts with us.

The Fugees

Dear Lauryn Hill: Why’d you run away from those styles you had, oh baby, oh baby, cause you had a lot, oh yeah, and anywhere you go, M.I.S.S Crew’s gonna catch up with you, you can’t hide from the block, oh no. Just playin, but the reclusive star was once such an adept wonder in the game. Her break from The Fugees in 1997 came just a year after The Score was released to much critical and mainstream acclaim, the album sold over 15 million copies worldwide and won them two Grammy Awards. Rumours swirled that relations between Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean were rough, and that the song “Lost Ones” off of Hill’s solo album, released in 1998, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was veiled in references to him, “It’s funny how money changes situations/
Miscommunication leads to complication/My emancipation don’t fit your equation,” that album was so good. Wycelf, Pras, and Lauryn tried putting rumours and ill feelings aside at Dave Chappelle’s Block Party in 2006 performing Lost Ones as well as hits like Fu-gee-La, Ready Or Not, and Killing Me Softly, an album was supposedly in the works. However interviews with both Pras and Wyclef have painted a bleak picture. Pras told Allhiphop.com, “Before I work with Lauryn Hill again, you will have a better chance of seeing Osama Bin Laden and [George W.] Bush in Starbucks having a latte, discussing foreign policies, before there will be a Fugees reunion,” Pras told AllHipHop.com. “At this point I really think it will take an act of God to change her, because she is that far out there.” Hill has a reputation for cancelling shows and distaste for the oversexualized music industry. Even though they haven’t produced much work over the years, in 2007 MTV named The Fugees the 9th greatest hip hop group ever.


Even though the group isn’t together each member has enjoyed success as a solo artist. Whether they are producing music or raising awareness of social issues, Pras and Wyclef continue to be active in the industry.

I remember hearing Estelle a few years back on some UK Grime compilations and really liked her flow. Because I knew her as a grimey rapper I was really surprised to hear her new sound and see her new look. Her new album, Shine, released this past Tuesday and features Estelle doing a bit more singing than she did on her debut album. She also worked with some interesting people on her new album including Kanye West, John Legend, Cee-Lo and Kardinal Offishall, Mark Ronson, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean, and will.i.am. Her new album features a more grown & sexy Estelle, one that sounds confident in her new sound. You can purchase the album in stores or here.

The Old Estelle:

The New Estelle: