James “Jimii” Carlisle is a 24-year-old independent artist on the brink of mainstream success. Born and raised in New York City, he now resides in Virginia and goes by the alias “Jimii Hitmaker.” Although many hip-hop artists are often drowned out by a sea of unsigned talent and up-and-coming rappers, Carlisle’s distinctive voice and unique rapping pattern make him a standout.

Black Enterprise first caught up with the promising rapper last year, when he told us about his aspirations and passion for making music. Now, months later, Carlisle has been hit with a new wave of success.

In April, he released two hit singles, “Jet Pack” and “Stunnin.” Both received worldwide recognition, while “Stunnin” is currently charting at No. 63 on Digital Radio Tracker’s National Airplay Top 150 Independent Chart.

He also signed a distribution deal with Amada Records—a premier record label underneath the EAE Management Group umbrella that is distributed via QUE Records/Capitol Music Group—to promote his single “Stunnin.”

In an email, Carlisle opened up about his new distribution deal and his journey in the music industry.

 

Why do you think you received the opportunity to sign a single distribution deal with Amada Records?

The single is doing pretty good and personally, I think they saw the motivation and drive I have for my music and career.

As an independent artist, how do you feel about the deal?

I still am independent and own all my music and royalties. The distribution is to help me be pushed to a wider audience. I need a more effective way to get my message out, so I partnered up with Amada Records, but I’m still an independent artist signed to my own label, Ticket Vision.

Would you ever consider signing a recording contract with a record company?

Personally, I’d rather remain independent and build my brand and [own] label. And then, maybe one day, partner with a major [record label].

What type of music can people expect to hear from you?

Well, my new single “Stunnin” is available now everywhere music is sold. (Go request it now at your local radio station!) I’m dropping a video every Friday until I release my next project, “If Not Me Than Who,” and later this month, I will drop the third installment to my mixtape series, titled “The Mixtape That Didn’t Happen Pt.3.”

Carlisle’s new project “If Not Me Than Who” will be released July 21. You can follow him on Twitter here.

*Jimii’s answers have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

 

 

 

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Selena Hill is the Associate Digital Editor at Black Enterprise and the founder of Let Your Voice Be Heard! Radio. You can hear Hill and her team talk millennial politics and social issues every Sunday at 11 a.m. ET.

Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @MsSelenaHill.

 

Ladies, it’s about that time again! Time to get right for the summer swimsuit season! In addition to cleaning up your diet and getting your cardio on, you have to get the right suit. No need to fret if you’re not a size 6 or if you’ve been blessed with certain, er … assets. These African American designers have suits that will look tailor-made for you.

 

(Image: iStock/monkeybusinessimages)

 

As America’s favorite nurse and a cardiac clinical nurse specialist, I have seen firsthand the symptoms, treatment, and outcomes of people who have had a stroke. And personally, I watched my own father have a stroke.

No one is ever fully prepared in these situations but you can be informed so that if it happens to you or someone you know, you’ll be familiar with the signs of a stroke, what to do right away if you suspect someone is having a stroke, and how to decrease the chances of it happening to you.

Did you know?

 

• Each year nearly 800,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke.
  
• A stroke happens every 40 seconds.
  
• Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.
  
• Every 4 minutes someone dies from stroke.
  
• Up to 80% of strokes can be prevented.
  
• Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.   

 What is a stroke?

 

A stroke is similar to a heart attack but instead of attacking the heart, it is a “brain attack.” It occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost.

High blood pressure is the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. And considering 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure, this is concerning.

Reduce your chances of having a stroke.

 

You can decrease your chances of having a stroke with good blood pressure management, which includes taking medicine as prescribed, not smoking, keeping your blood sugar controlled, having a diet low in saturated fats and sodium, exercising regularly (most days of the week), and losing weight if you are overweight.

Is a stroke treatable?

 

It’s important to know that a stroke is largely treatable. The faster you are treated, the more likely you are to recover.  Stroke patients who receive the clot-busting drug alteplase (IV r-tPA) within 90 minutes of symptom onset are almost three times more likely to recover with little or no disability than those who don’t. And 91% of stroke patients who were treated with a stent retriever within 2.5 hours of symptom onset recovered with little or no disability.

End stroke today

 

Together, the American Stroke Association, along with family, friends, neighbors and health professionals are working to end stroke. The aim of American Stroke Month is to make Americans aware that they may be able to save the life of a person experiencing a stroke.

It’s important for the public to know how to identify someone who may be having a stroke and act F.A.S.T.

F.A.S.T is an acronym of the most common stroke symptoms.

If you see:

F- Face:  Does the face droop on one side when the person smiles?

A – Arm:  After raising both arms, does one of the arms drift downwards?

S – Speech:  After repeating a simple phrase, does the person’s speech sound slurred or

T – Time: If any or all of the above are observed, call 9-1-1 immediately, because a patient has about 3 hours to get to an appropriate hospital to be assessed for treatments that may prevent disability and death.

Visit StrokeAssociation.org/strokemonth to learn more about stroke, find a full list of stroke warning signs, and join others in “Together to End Stroke™.”

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Nurse Alice is a nationally board-certified and award-winning cardiac clinical nurse specialist with nearly two decades of experience in cardiovascular health. She is a community health activist and freelance media health expert. She has appeared on various national radio and TV shows including Dr. Oz, The Doctors, Dr. Drew, News One with Roland Martin, Tom Joyner Morning Show, and more. She is also the author of “Curb Your Cravings: 31 Foods to Fool Your Appetite.”You can follow her at AskNurseAlice.com and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @AskNurseAlice