I Am My Own Boss.....

This blog is gonna be a little different then others I have written!  This one is more about me than the local scene of music here in Baltimore!

I have been doing this whatever I have been doing for a while now!  I don't get paid for the things I do with the exception of the coverage of Wisdom Court events.....I do get paid for that!  But all the other stuff I do like coming to shows and taking pictures, having people tap me and want me to take pictures of them and their homeboys, the advice I give and the constant contacts and connections I give.....that stuff I don't get paid for or even offered a $1.

With that being said, I have had so many tell me that I should be doing this and that or I shouldn't be dealing with this person or that person!  All I can do is smile and say ok to whatever all these people are saying!  I am always on my game.  I may not be getting money and ballin or whatever but the things I do I like to do and I am my OWN boss!!  I don't have to deal with anyone else's beef or issues but my own!  I get along with alot of people and I like that!  I don't like drama of my own so why in the holy hell would I want to get mixed up in yours or anyone else's???

With people that I don't get along with or I don't like, I don't make anyone choose sides or tell anyone they can't be cool with them.  I let them deal with that person on their own.  I DON'T DO DRAMA!!  There are plenty of people I don't like in this city but guess what......I stay away from them.  And if I do have to be in the event with them, I ignore them and continue to have fun and party.

I got twisted up in drama because of certain people this past year!  I thought I was being a good friend!!  Turns out that they didn't know what the meaning of real friendship was and let's just say those 2 negative forces are out of my world and system.  Since they are gone I am truly blessed and better off!  My spirit and soul felt refreshed and a positive surge went through me that I hadn't felt in years!!  Amazing that people can effect you in that way!

Now back to the topic.....I appreciate everyone wanting me to come work with them and giving me their opinion of those around me but I don't want to work for anyone.  I have always been Lisa The Baltimore Paparazzi!  I have always done my thing with no one telling me what to do, who to like, who not to like and I like being like this!!  Yes I technically work for Wisdom Court but there again I am my own boss when it comes to that as well!  I am the official photographer for the shows but I can shot who I want.  LOL  It's that I'm my own boss thing that Billy gave me when I agreed!!  It's business!!!

Now in the upcoming year I'm hopefully going to be working on some things that will get me paid!  LOL  We all want to be paid for what we do!!  Once I get some things taken care of, I will be talking to some people to help me get on track and who will advise me what I need to do in order for that to happen!  People who are already in the business of what I am looking into!  I'm not gonna say exactly what it is but everything I do has been to help others!  Now it's time to help myself as well!

Thank You To The Readers......

I wanted to say thank you to all the readers who have clicked on my blog even by accident!! LOL  I'm looking at the stats and it is amazing to me how many different countries click on my blogs!!

Entry	Pageviews
United States	4344
Russia	275
Canada	192
United Kingdom	172
Philippines	151
Taiwan	104
Germany	99
France	90
Ukraine	60
Colombia	45

That is for the whole time I have had my blog!  I only have like 45 blogs written!!  To me it's just amazing and awesome!!

Thank you so much!  I'm trying to write more and that's coming along slowly so bare with me!  LOL  Next year I'm buying myself a laptop so I don't have to fight for the pc!!

Again Thank you all!!

2012 Adopt A Family with Wisdom Court

Well today was the day that we collected all the gifts for the family that Wisdom Court adopted through Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland!  I will be taking them up there tomorrow.  I wish we could see the kids' faces and reactions but I understand the confidentiality and all!  But it would be so awesome!  

These are the gifts all wrapped and ready to go!!  LOL  One mother and 7 kids from the age of 15 to 1 month old!!  It's an amazing feeling to just be able to give a little something!!  Especially when they didn't ask for much!!  Just a few things here and there!!

Well on to the next event!!  December 22nd at Fish Head Cantina we are have a show/party/winter clothes drive!!!  It's the 2nd year anniversary of Wisdom Court's Welcome to the Court events, it's a celebration for Latrice and my birthdays, and we are collecting clothes for the homeless and needy!!

So if you can come through please do and if you would like to donate just hit me or one of the members up and we can see about collecting the items!!

Thank you to all those who made this a great event.  It feels so good to give back!!!

Holidays Are For Giving.....

This is something that I wrote up.  I'm hoping that on Dec 22nd people will come out and bring clothing to donate. Or even get in touch with a Wisdom Court member on how they can donate at any given time!  I am far from being well off and hell I have trouble paying bills just like everyone else but there are some people out there that are worse off than you!  Think about that not just at this time of the year but all year round! 

To all Wisdom Court members.....thank you for all that you do!! For all of the supporters who are ready to help this holiday season....thank you!!!  

In this season of giving, Wisdom Court Entertainment is trying to give back as well. 

On December 13^th, a select number of members are going to The Ardent Folk Ministry "Neighbors-n-Need" program (through Grace Lutheran Church) to help serve food.This year WCE became a part of the Adopt-A-Family program through Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland.  WCE adopted a family consisting of a single mother, 4 boys and 3 girls with ages ranging from 15 yrs. old to 1 month old. 

And on December 22^nd, WCE is doing a winter clothing drive at their show at Fish Head Cantina 4802 Benson Ave, Baltimore, Md 21227 that will all be donated to New Life for Girls a program that is based in Westminster, MD. 

Also on the 26^th Billy Lyve, who is the CEO with be working with the church he attends to hand out clothing to the homeless.

This is just a small summation of what Wisdom Court is doing for the holiday season.  Wisdom Court Entertainment is a family as well as a company.  Headed up by Billy Lyve, Wisdom Court Entertainment currently has an event once a month called Welcome to the Court at Fish Head Cantina that showcases artists in and around the city and even some out of state artists.  And sometimes has 2-3 events going on within a month in multi genres rock, hiphop, r&b and edm.

WCE also has Wisdom Court Kids which was officially registered in 2011.  This branch puts together events so that the kids have fun too.  For Halloween Wisdom Court Kids put together a trip to Jason’s Woods.  They also had an Easter egg hunt last Easter.  And in the upcoming year are planning new things for the kids that are inexpensive for the parents.

Billy Lyve is the CEO as well as an artist of WCE.  His style is a blend of mid 90s hip hop , rock, r&b with a pinch of electro. His musical influences are 2pac, Eminem, Tech N9ne, Linkin Park, Jay Z just to name a few .  His music is real and relatable he touches on everything from love , hate, the hustle, the streets and his single, a remake of Adele’s “Someone Like You” produced by London’s super producer Skillzbeatz , has been making crazy noise all over the world.

Billy has sold thousands of copies of his 1st few albums then with the change in times moved on to thousands of free downloads of his last album.  He has been featured on ABC Channel 2  Keepin It Real TV, 98 rock Noise in the Basement, 88.9, Power 104.7, Politic with Permiss, 1010am and featured in Streetsmart Magazine, Name It magazine and Trap Door magazine.

He has opened for Skyzoo, Cappadonna, Talib Kweli, Hopsin, Rakim, Joe Budden, Project Pat, Ill Bill, to name a few as well as promoted shows for Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Wu-Tang Clan, J Cole, Yelawolf, KRS-1 and many others.

He and WCE and Wisdom Court Kids have won 2010 DMV Awards Best Promoter, 2010 Baltimore Crown Awards Promoter of the Year, 2011 Baltimore Crown Awards Promoter of the Year, 2012 Baltimore Crown Awards Promoter of the Year, and Special Appreciation and Contribution Awards as well. 

To find out more about Wisdom Court Entertainment, Wisdom Court Kids or Billy Lyve log onto http://www.itsbillylyve.com/ .  

In The Spotlight Vol 3....Coming Soon

Wow Vol 3!!  Seems like forever since Vol 2!!  And centuries since Vol 1 my brain storm to help local hip hop artists!!!  Vol 1 has 1,384 listens, 116 streams, and 18 downloads!! Vol 2 has 1,091 listens, 48 streams, and 7 downloads. Now to you all that may not be alot and grant it, it's not but think about it.....I'm not a dj, I'm not an artist, I'm just someone who loves music and I put together artists and songs who I don't charge to submit because I'm not printing them up and selling them.  All I'm doing is trying to put artsits together who may not have heard of one another and trying to get new fans of local hip hop!  Plain and simple!!

Sooooooo Vol 3....yeah this one is going to be awesome!!  So far I have tracks from Team Kremate which the track consists of the talents of Savage Da Beast, Dime Poe, Bones fromda Park and Flint, Pinpoint ft Only, Big Steve ft Di$e Man of AON and Blizzard, BMWB with Vision, Bey and Skippa on the track, Rae Recum, Syncere Homicide ft Kae Fields, Hazardous Truth aka Hazzy, Finesse the Best ft Si-Notes, Yuk Me LiveWire, Jinx ft Kenwood, Bmore Ben ft Tone Chiefa, GeneralBeats, Apex the Genius, Exo Skelton, Jase, and a few others who have promised to send tracks!!

Do you see this list????  Do you see artists from all over the city, the county....artists that you may have never heard of before....right here on the same project!!  :)  My reach is long!  I even got exclusive tracks that no one has or has heard!!  :)  That makes me feel like I mean something to these artists!!  :)

Now when is it coming out??  Ahhhhhh I want to finish it up in the next couple of weeks and have it ready for the New Year!! How many tracks??  Ahhhhhh I don't know! LOL  I got 14 confirmed which means I have them in my email and downloaded on my phone.  Looking at like 3 others to send me something!!  And I'm loving all that I am hearing!!

Well I just wanted to let you all know what was in the works!!  Vol 4 is going to be R&B and Vol 5 is going to be all the ladies!!!  Trying to touch base on everything in the city!!

So I hope that once this comes out that I can get you all to support it by listening to it, downloading it and just supporting it!!  I'm not doing this to gain fame!  I'm doing this to help you all get your name out there to people who may have never heard of you or your music!

Vision - BMWB

 "Founded in 2005, BMWB is an organization of positive Brothers trying to bring unity and peace in a world full of chaos! B.M.W.B stands for...Before Money We're Brothers, before u can make the money, there has to be a brotherhood".

"BMWB is not just a movement, its a state of thinking...Am I my brothers keeper, Yes I Am!" - Vision


Vision has always been a love and fan of the art of rhyming...getting his first start in music at he age of 14 after hearing his brother (who was an MC), spit. By the age of 16, Vision had made his performance debut at his high school talent show...the "vision" had begun.

Noting such lyrical legnds as Rakim, KRS-One, Public Enemy, Run-DMC and Kurtis Blow as his musical influnces, Vision is no doubt on the path to join such legendary ranks.
With lyrical "wordplay" combined with real life street turmoil and glory, Vision creates timeless prolific tracks that are memorable, as well as timeless.
Currently he is promoting "Crime Of The Century", the album, which is currently available on reverbnation and itunes, the BMWB album and numerous collaborations .

"DON'T BLINK...THE VISION IS NOW CLEARIER AND THE PATH IS SET"!...stay tuned.

http://www.wix.com/vision-epk/2012

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If anyone knows about the Baltimore music scene it would have to be Vision.  He has been apart of the music scene for a number of years.  He took some time off sort to speak from performing.  In December I officially got to meet Vision.  I had heard the name but hadn't heard music from him.  As I am listening, I feel real hip hop and real feeling through the words and the music.

As I got to know Vision, I come to learn that not only is he a lyrical artist but a producer as well.  He makes majority of the beats that you hear on his cds.  He has 28 albums in his discography and these are all original beats.  His "mixtapes" are all original beats with a mixture of artists, no industry beats.  The latest is called "The Cornerstone Vol. 1" which is available for sale and he is currently working on "The Cornerstone Vol 2" which I am thrilled about because I have been able to hear most of the tracks and have a new favorite song every time I hear one!

Check out Vision on FB  https://www.facebook.com/visionbmwb.fam and to find out how you can purchase not only music but clothes and hats from his clothing line BMWB and for the ladies Black Pearl!!

The Worst Event I Have Ever Attended.....

Ok now my blog is called The World As I See it and all that I say is completely my opinion and what I, Lisa Stant-Privette aka the Baltimore Paparazzi thinks and feels!

Alright with that all being said and written, last night I was at an event at Baltimore Soundstage and it sucked!!  Sorry but this event was the worst I have ever been to!! There was no dj, no host, nothing but the sound man playing the cds and people just getting on stage and performing!  SMDH!!  There were long spaces in between sets and the shit was just not professional at all!!

I don't know who the promoter was and from what I was told he wasn't even there!  He had 2 other events going on and he was at one of those!  Really????  I could have ran that event better than that and I'm just a fan but damn I have been to shows!

No one was showing love!  They were all standing in the back on stools or on the side like it was a middle school dance and no one wanted to be the one to get on the floor first!  I admit I sat on the side but damn I was there to support Wyzae and Big Dro and Jase who I actually missed their cut short set!!  Yeah that was another thing....artists were told their sets would be 20 or 30 minutes and then were cut short!

I don't know what is going on with this music scene!  Venues are closing or are closed...janky promoters....promoters who are only worried about trying to make everyone think they pack shows and all the shows are the artist and like one or two people that came with them!!  Maybe I should just start throwing shows....oh that's right I'm already part of a company that does that!  Silly me!!  LOL

Anyway, that shit last night was the worst, unorganized, unprofessional thing I have ever witnessed!  I hope that they get it together!  Shit for a few dollars I would have hosted!!

Shout out to the sound man at the Baltimore Soundstage for doing his job!!  I felt bad that he had to deal with the mess!!

Shout out to Big Dro and Jase.....I'm sorry I missed your set!!  You know I always got you guys!!  

Shout out to Wyzae for being his unique self!!  This is like one of my favorite shots!!!

I Humbly Thank You......

On Nov 3rd Baltimore came together for the Baltimore Crown Awards! Well not ALL of Baltimore but more than enough to have a feel good vibe.  I wrote up a little something already but this isn't about the event its self and more of my thank yous and all that!!!

I wrote a speech for the Special Appreciation Award that I won but never got to give it because we ran out of time.....as always.  LOL  There were so many people there and there were new awards and wonderful special performances!!!  But anyway this is suppose to be about me!  LOL

So this is the speech!  I posted it on my page and I posted it in the comments of the picture of my award on the Baltimore Scene Facebook page too!!


I want to thank all who nominated and voted for me. I am appreciative of those who acknowledge the things I do. Too many times we forget and take for granted the things that those we are close to do for us and sometimes a heartfelt THANK YOU means the world.

I sincerely want to thank Bomb. That’s my family and I will always be MIB. And for those who don’t care much for me because I’m too loud or too honest…Blame Bomb! LOL IF it weren’t for him reaching out to me as an artist to a fan in 2006 on MySpace I wouldn’t know any of you!

I want to thank Chin Yer and Shaka Pitts for all the shows and events that they have put together so that I can do the things that I do. Not just the photography but the networking and the relationships I have built over these past 6 yrs! WOWWW 6 yrs!!

Sonny Brown for all the phone calls and wonderful long conversations about business and even personal things I was going through!

Ogun, you are Bmore’s Hero but you are one of my closest friends whether you realize it or not.

My Tay Tay…Thank you just isn’t enough for you!! I love you with all my heart!!

My brother Vision and sister Misha, my BMWB family thank you for always holding me up when I couldn’t hold myself. 1Up 1 Down

Billy Lyve and the entire Wisdom Court, Mai, Sam, Latrice, Penthouse, There is too many of you all to name….I love you guys!! Thank you for the opportunities you have giving me and the ones that are coming. I feel really good about this year coming!!

There are tons of others I wish I could thank but I will save that for my blog! We would be up here all night with all the people I have to thank!!

The things I do are truly from my heart! The advice I give, the connections I make are all for the artists that ask me for them. I’m just grateful that many of you are in my life and I just want you all to achieve your dream. Then one day when you are up on stage receiving a prestigious award and giving your First of all I want to Thank God speech before you get off the mic you say oh and Thank you Lisa Stant Baltimore Paparazzi for taking pictures and believing in me!

Thank you again!!

That was a nice little speech!! LOL  If I hadn't written anything and I got on the mic I probably would have l been a smartass and I have been working on that and my Karma has been wonderful since cutting numerous people out of my world!  Blessings and meeting new people have came my way and good things in  my personal life as well.  So I'm going to try and be Lisa but Liezel might slip out!!  Now we will be good as long as L I stays locked away!!  LOL

I really want to say THANK YOU to everyone I have met since 2008 until now and those I'm going to meet in the future!!  If it weren't for all of you who have shared my photos with my name and logos over the years, no one would even know me or my work!!

I want to thank all of those who introduce me as LISA THE BALTIMORE PAPARAZZI!!  You are helping me expand my brand and my name!  In the past I have had people introduce me as LISA MY PHOTOGRAPHER!!  Sigh!!  Even THE PHOTOGRAPHER would have been better than making it sound like I worked for them!  LOL  Whoooooaaaa  Liezel slipped out!  So thank you to all of you who respected what I do and the role I play!

There are too many names to remember!!  It is so hard to not hurt anyone's feelings but I have met so many awesome people over the years who have added to my success and to my love for the music scene!

Tons of people!  LOL

Bar Cardy, Miss Cream...K's up, RIP Tone and RIP Stryfe, my girl Lena.......

Skarr Akbar who always takes a picture of me because I'm always taking pictures of everyone else!!


Dirt Platoon,
Lebora,
Only.....Love you,
Apex,
J5.....Love you,
Brownfish (Ooh and Jahiti)
Ernest Turner,
John Hudson....Mastermind
Street Heat
Block Hugga,
Sonny Grams,
Wood,
all of 1st Family,
Knatty,
Topp Dogg Hill,
Diablo Slim,
Hollywood
and Freight Train Records,
Block Boy Gang,
Miss Kitten,
Permiss,
Singleton Newman,
Dubbs Lane,
ED aka Frank Lewis,
DJ TNT,
Tiffany Couture and HalfPint,
Clever One,
Lenwood,
Savage Da Beast,
Flint,
Dime Poe,
Josh,
So Swagg (for always wanting a damn photo shoot at any event I'm at lol).......
all the members of MABA Pit Fights and Face Off Battles Leagues.....

I'm drawing a blank mind right now!  WOWWWWW  I know there are tons of others!!

Oh Profitt and Flamez,
Syncere,
Hunnit Proof (Rico Hopes and Talal),
Sonny Reddz,
Damond Blue,
Q Gutta,
Maintain,
Rockwell,
Chyna Doll aka Kima.......
Kelly Connelly,
PX aka Kneel Knaris and Juward
Mark Carey,
Lord Baltimore,
Blizzard,
Kellye Lo,
Yuk,
Baltimore Son,
My man Comp,
JonJon The Son,
My friend Bart Shiflett aka B-Side,
Kae Fields,
Jaydee,
trying to think.......
my girls Carrie, Devon and Nikima who keep me laughing......
Ty Hill who use to be Ty Gudda!! :)  And will always be Ty Gudda to me! LOL

Anyone who has ever offered to take a picture of me, anyone who has taken pictures of me!!

Ok I can't think of anymore people but anyone that I have met, crossed paths with I humbly say THANK YOU!!!


I also want to say thank you to Smif n Wessun aka Steele and Tek. They have re-posted my pictures I took of them.

Thank you to SwizZz of Funk Volume for re-posting the blog that I wrote for the Funk Volume Tour and being such a great guy to talk to!!

Thank you to all the club owners over the years that have been open because if it weren't for them I wouldn't have events to go to!!  Black Hole, Penguins, 5 Seasons, Turntable Club, Bourbon Street, and of course Sonar.

Thank you to the promoters as well!!  Especially Tay Tay who threw shows for anyone wanting to perform!!

Billy Lyve who has been working hard over the past couple of years creating a following and a brand name with Wisdom Court.

I'm sorry if I didn't name you personally by name!  It wasn't on purpose.  Just too many to remember and I have been writing this for hours now!  LOL

And last but not least.......

Thank you to everyone who has ever crossed me too!  LOL  Without you all I wouldn't know real people who appreciate what I do!!


So with all that being said......I can't wait to see what 2013 holds for us all!!  Much Love!!!!

Photo taken by Skarr Akbar!!! Thanks!!

The 6th Annual Baltimore Crown Awards

The 6th Annual Baltimore Crown

On November 3, 2012 Baltimore came out for the 6th year in a row to support one another and as it has been stated numerous times it was like a family reunion!  Seeing "family members" that you haven't seen since last year or meeting new "family members", introducing the new with the old!  

I have had the privilege of being apart of these awards since 2009. I have received Special Appreciation  and Special Contribution awards and last year I was awarded Photographer of the Year.  This year I received Special Appreciation once again! Yayyyy me!!  LOL  Every year the numbers of people who come out grow and this year new categories were added!!

Now these awards are to honor everyone but of course you get those who get mad they weren't nominated or they didn't win and of course they get online and talk major shit.  SIGHHHH  Most of all they just don't realize that if you don't toot your own horn how is anyone suppose to know what you are doing?  This city is so big with rappers, singers, emcees that people forget that not everyone knows who you are and most of all alot of you don't travel in the same circles.  I can't tell you how many people have come up to me in the past 5 years and as me oh you don't know who I am??  No I don't.  Just like most people don't know the artists I know.  When it comes to the Crown nominations, it comes from you or someone nominating you with reasons why you should be considered for the awards!  Not that difficult!!  I have heard so many times rappers saying oh I had the hardest mixtape this year.  Really??  When did it come out??  How many physical copies you sell?  How many downloads you have??  I have you been pushing it since it came out??  I'm just asking!

The Cypher

Back to the awards!

Photo Shoot in the middle of the show!! LOL

Well anyway, I love the atmosphere of the Crown!  Chin Yer always mixes the "veterans" with the new and the awards are more than just hip hop.  It's spoken word and dance also.  It's recognizing media, businesses, the battle rappers, and legends!  When the night was over I couldn't wait until we are all sitting there next year!!  I heard and seen people on Facebook saying next year they were going to win an award.  

For a complete list of winners you can go to the following link and if you haven't already click like on the Baltimore Scene Facebook page!!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.481904405187490.117707.252844041426862&type=1

If you didn't attend this year make sure you attend next year!  If I tried to write everything that I seen this blog would be long as hell!!  Just know that it is our music and art scene's equivalent of the industry music awards.  Being nominated should feel just as good as if you win.  And whether you win or not or if you are nominated or not shouldn't cause you to be mad.   I didn't win Photographer of the Year and I wasn't even mad.  For one, I won last year and I know what I contribute to the scene and two my favorite photographer and a great guy won....J5!!  If I had to "lose" to anyone I'm glad it was him!!

So will I be seeing you all next year at the 7th Annual Baltimore Crown Awards???  I sure hope so!  If you are looking for me, I will be right up front with my camera in hand to capture the moments for those who can't be there!!

So congratulations to all the winners!!!  Congratulation to all the nominees!!!  Congratulations to everyone that came out to show love and support for this event!!

Congratulations again to Skarr Akbar for winning the beat battle even though he only had one other producer step up against him!!  Shout out to  Mr Spaz to not being scared to compete with Skarr!  LOL

Well enjoy the pictures!!  All of them can be found on my Facebook page!!

www.facebook.com/liezel127

Oh and the picture of me was taken by Mr Skarr Akbar as well!!  LOL