Video: Behind the scenes at America's Beauty Show

Chicago - The M Report was granted access to America's Beauty Show this past weekend, a show which is strictly for licensed salon professionals and students. Close to 50,000 beauty professionals from all over the country gathered at McCormick Place for the three-day event, which included live product demonstrations and fashion exhibitions.

Celebrity hair stylist Martino and his team partnered with Hotheads Hair Extensions for the creative direction of the show's booth.

Album Review: To Pimp A Butterfly x Kendrick Lamar

By Anima Frater
the M Report contributor

Today not only marked the release of Kendrick Lamar’s new album, “To Pimp a Butterfly,” but also the day real hip-hop made a huge push into the mainstream world. Before the album release, I was told Kendrick’s music scientifically couldn’t get better than any other album he put out. All I have to say is “F*** science!” From the beginning to the end, this album pushed Kendrick to new heights in his career.

Click "Read More" to get the full review!

Monday M.O.

Your energy is sacred, that's already a given. Sometimes on the journey of life, you run into people who have this special energy; this intense shine that can light up a dark and gloomy room.

I would like to believe that type of energy is valuable and a key component to success. Key example: Robert Alexander. Chances are you may not know who he is. The opportunities presented to him mixed with his personal je ne sais quoi created a formula that is nothing short of the 'wow factor.'

The March 23 'Monday M.O.' is something he wrote a long time ago. Enjoy.

Remember the following, ok:

You have a lovely outlook on love, followed by a lovely smile to get you through it, friends who care for you, the intelligence to get it all done, a heart that gives you the drive to do it all, and a finish that you've created that, though you can't always see it, is definitely there. If you couldn't handle the day, you wouldn't wake up in the morning and if you couldn't handle tasks, you wouldn't have the ability to try. 

You're the best; that's why you're going to be okay.

Sometimes good people are too busy helping others, they forget how good they are in the first place.

- Robert Alexander

(Thanks Robbie).

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Prudence

image courtesy of Micheal Whelan

Prudence -
n. the quality of being prudent, or wise in practical affairs, as by providing for the future.
(Dictionary)

n. the cardinal virtue by which one knows the true good in every circumstance & chooses the right means to reach that end.
(USCC)

Wanderlust: Hollywood & Miami

Art by Peter Tunney

Click "Read More" below for more of my adventure!

Salute to Complex's Latest Video

If I was asked about who were my Top 5 artists like on Chris Rock's 'Top Five' film, Eminem would not be on there.

But to say that Eminem and the Slim Shady/Dr. Dre movement didn't play a huge part to the early 2000 music scene would be hypocrisy. When the show MTV TRL (Total Request Live for all the non-80's babies) ruled the afternoons after school, TRL gauged what song was the most popular based on fans requesting that the music video play on the countdown. That's correct, music videos were the highlight of new music back in the day! ( Oh, great I used the term 'back in the day').

Eminem constantly took the top spot on the countdown. This was during the time when Britney Spears and 'Nsync ruled radio airplay. For an underground hip-hop artist from Detroit to rise to the notorious level in mainstream music that he did, it's understandable for him to be in other music connoisseurs Top Five.

So without further ado, I'd like to share Complex Music's latest video on Marshall Mathers and thank the brains behind the video for reminding me just why he was so successful (or correction: is successful. You be the judge).

Disclaimer: Explicit Language but be prepared to Laugh

Making the Invisible, Visible

image courtesy of: lansymmonds.org

I returned from a trip and at the airport my choice that evening was debating if I should either wait for the never-ending cab line to end or take the train.

Fifteen minutes became half an hour and still the line drew longer. Travelers waiting in the cold winter breeze exhaled and their clouds outlined the air.

I decided the smartest thing was to just take the train. I didn't know I had an attitude that evening as brash as the sands I left behind, but I did. When first-time commuters wanted to know how to get to Forest Park, I was not sure and cockily yet innocently said that was rather a long way. I sat down and brushed it off. Then a gentleman stood in front of me and asked politely, "May I?" and sat down next to me. That small gesture countered my attitude and humbled me instantly.

Dozing off on the long ride home came naturally. I will admit that I was not prepared for the weather and stubbornly decided not to take a coat on my trip. Big mistake.

Click "Read More" Below for the rest of my story: