Soul Tracks

Great rappers have the ability to not only tell a story but take you, the listener, along for the ride. Jay took us on an emotional ride with 'Song Cry.' Scarface forced us to face the grim realities of death on 'Never Seen A Man Cry.' Brooklyn born MC Biggie Smalls took us on a journey 'from negative to positive' on the track 'Juicy.' Nasir Jones gave us a glimpse of life in his childhood stomping grounds, Queensbridge housing projects, also home to Marley Marl, MC Shan, and Roxanne Shanté. 'Project Windows' was recorded for Nas' 1999 release, Nastradamus, widely considered his weakest piece of work. However, our focus is on the mind-blowing track 'Project Windows.' Nas channeled the spirits of literary geniuses Langston Hughes and James Baldwin: "Black hoods, cops and projects/Sewers flooded with foul blockage/The gutter's wild and every child watches/Chains and top locks get ripped off hinges." Describing the projects as a 'mental slavehouse,' Nas touches on "the life of every kid, lookin' out project windows," from dope fiends and drugs to hustlers and hoes. Ronald Isley's heavyhearted vocals add to the brilliance of the track.

Saturday Soul

Nas Has Alot To Say [Billboard]
VIBE Previews John Legend's 3rd Album [VIBE]
R&B's Forgetten Era Part 1 [VIBE]
R&B's Forgetten Era Part 2 [VIBE]
Whoopi & Co. Dicuss The N Word [Blood On My Vans]
SoulBounce Keeps on Counting...[SoulBounce]

Video Soul

Ronald Isley sings the Curtis Mayfield classic "The Makings of You" for Aretha Franklin.

Unfortunately, Ronald Isley is currently serving time in prison. His projected release date is 4/13/2010. Feel free to drop him a line:

RONALD ISLEY 31215-112
FCI TERRE HAUTE
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 33TERRE HAUTE, IN 47808

Soul Fixin'

Mr. Biggs Is Really Locked Up!!!!

I was well aware that Ronald Isley aka Mr. Biggs was convicted of tax evasion but I had no idea he was locked up!!! I assumed that he would be able to avoid jail time, but I guess I was wrong.He is serving a 37 month sentence at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Institution in Indiana and is scheduled to be released on April 13, 2010. Why didn't he hire R. Kelly's legal team?? Earlier this month his appeal was denied. The 66 year old legend argued that his sentence was unjust because of his age, poor health,and lack of adequate health care in federal prison. In its ruling, the appellate court said the trial judge was correct in sentencing and "best balanced the need to sanction Mr. Isley's `pathological' tax evasion against the need to accommodate Mr. Isley's poor health."

Here is his address, send him a letter and some magazines.
RONALD ISLEY 31215-112

FCI TERRE HAUTE

FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

P.O. BOX 33
TERRE HAUTE, IN 47808