I’ve never looked at myself and said that I need to be a certain way to be around a certain sort of people.

I’ve always wanted to stay true to myself, and I’ve managed to do that.

People have to accept that.- Jay-Z

Everyone has a story to tell.  Whatever your story is, don’t be ashamed of where you come from, your culture, etc. Acknowledge what you want to do better, and embrace those fine details that make you different from the next man.  There are many subliminal messages that you may receive from your household, your block, and especially the media that communicates, in short, “Who you are by birth SUCKS.” Take note of these ‘weapons for mental destruction,’ and put them aside to make sure that you take care of your body, your mind, and your mission in life…like only you can.

-Hip Hop Hard Body

‘Yesterday You Said Tomorrow”

Watch this and let it be the ‘boost’ you need to get through the week. No excuses, only productivity!

(video via harlemrunner.blogspot.com)

This video pretty much says it all.  Get up! Motivate Monday!

Don’t you dare slow down..

Go longer

You can last more rounds

(sounds like some MOTIVATIONal words for the gym, right? lol)

Kelly Rowland has been CRUSHIN’ the scene as of late, with her hit single “Motivation” being the official track of the Summer, hell, maybe even 2011. But …

we’d be remiss not to mention that BODY! My GAWD.

She is clearly keeping it tight!

As crazy as the life of a Pop Star can be, being fit and flawless is a must.

Kelly told Men’s Fitness how she stays looking like perfection:

I exercise, I try to eat healthy.  I try to get as much rest as I can and I drink a lot of water.

In response to what her regimen consists of: Continue Reading…

That’s why when you talk that tough talk

I never feel ya.

You sound real good

and you play the part well,

but the energy you givin’ off

is SO unfamiliar.

-Jay Electronica, “Exhibit C”

Scenario: you declare:

“I’m going to start Monday”

“I have to get this weight off by my Birthday”

“I have to get my weight up by (insert event here)”

… date arrives, and you are at the same place and/or worse off than you were when you declared your goal.  Is this you? Sound Familiar? I’m calling you out! Call yourself out…

When you make a decision for yourself to make this fitness thing apart of your life, Follow through with it! Don’t be that person making public declarations of their goals… only to fall back into the same habits with no progress.  You commit to going to work everyday, on time. You make it a priority to get to appointments, dates, parties, etc.   Do the same for the vessel that gets you to where you need to go. One step at a time.  It can seem like a complex task when emotions are mixed in, and the idea of planning workouts and meals come into play,  but once you actually get to it, you realize how simple this whole fitness thing is.  It starts with initiative and accountability. Good Day!

-Hip Hop Hard Body

“What do it mean to be the BOSS?

It means that 2^nd place is the FIRST one who LOST

The crucifixion”

Photo Source: www.BirthPlaceMag.com

This entire verse gets me hype and adds some bravado to my demeanor! To “be the boss” means that your drive & passion are so trill, that 2nd rate work isn’t even an option.

As we do a fusion of fitness and Music/Hip Hop culture here at HipHopHardBody.com, CLEARLY to us that means that your work ethic in all aspects should be “BOSS” like, including your health & fitness game.

If you have slipped up with that Boss mentality, just remind yourself that you don’t do 2nd place in life! Get that a** up and treat your body, career, and peers like a Boss would.  Not by being a Jerk, but by moving with purpose and following through with your game plan. Also, being the Boss means that people with that 2nd rate mentality are going to either 1) be inspired to step their game up or 2) Throw HATE (hence *crucifixion*)…either way, be prepared for what greatness calls for, because being lack luster SURE doesn’t yield 1st place results! Cool? Alright, go get e’m! lol, Good Day Folks!

-Hip Hop Hard Body

Hard Bodies!

It’s Monday, time to refresh your mind state to grind out and do Epic $hit! We have something for you to bop your head to While in the gym or in the whip!

DJ Qeys of Rhythm Junkie did a Fit-Mix for fans of that Gutter, Gritty, NYC Hip Hop.  A lot of Throwbacks with sprinkles of that new stuff.

YOU’RE WELCOME!

“I keep my chin up, back Straight, Check my shoulders

Remember what I told ya,

I’M  A SOLDIER”

-Diamond District, “I Mean Business”

(photo: Street Workout)

So, it’s been far too long, but I’M BACK in full effect. Back to our Daily motivation, I woke up ready to RUN things this morning, and this song came to mind as the theme song for Monday, so…HERE YA GO!

Physically, on WARRIOR status today. Workout shall be BRUTAL.  Check the lyrics of this track for some motivation from the DC-based group Diamond District. Check out “In The Ruff” if you haven’t already (you’re late, but we’ll let you rock!).  Such a Hip Hop Hard Body Track…we aint playin’ no games baby! Summer is here, and everyday is an opportunity to be LEGENDARY and handle your business, so get to it!

Body Prescription: heavy legs day over here, so i will need this mind set to get through it, lol.  May even hit the bleachers and sprints for my evening cardio (yeah, its like THAT today).  What are yall up to? Keeping the body right? Better be!

-Hip Hop Hard Body

Our first Feature for “Hard Body Hustler” is Vanessa “L.A.” Mullings.  This Lady wears many hats, most recently promoting her work as an author with the release of her novel, ‘The Night Trade,” an ode to the life of a Stripper.

From her phenomenal physique to her longevity and respect within the Music/Entertainment industry…she is a prime example of what it takes to be featured as a ‘Hard Body Hustler.’

Check out pics of  her fit body and her  interview with Hip Hop Hard Body below. Continue Reading…

My word is the sword

My skill is the shield
My life is the style

I stay dressed to kill

-Common-

Source: Men's Fitness Mag

Gladiator by Common is one song that stays in rotation for me when I need that “I’m the Ish” ego booster song to get me going.  It also sums up the mission and mentality of Hip Hop Hard Body.

When I’m on turbo speed on the treadmill, or doing deadlifts with weight that has people flinching around me… that song is in my head  (Gladiator Status).

My word is the sword- You’re not ‘fickle/feeble/weary/flaky’ with your words.  When you say something, YOU MEAN IT.  If you said you’re doing something.. YOU’RE GETTING IT DONE, come hell or high water. No excuses.  Stop speaking of your intentions and make some things happen! Let’s Go!

My Skill is the shield- Make sure that you’re so thorough with what you do, that no one can question your expertise and your mission to perfect it.  You represent your work, and everybody knows that you’re the “Go-To Guy” when it’s time to get the job done. Or at leaset, if the don’t know now…THEY WILL KNOW SOON ENOUGH.

My Life is the Style- This is the clencher! Hip Hop Hard Body… it’s a culture.  How we walk, talk, dance, laugh…dress.  We go in with the fitness to make sure that our style is OFFICIAL in the street. From our physiques to our fashion sense, you MUST respecct the grind.  When we take care of our bodies anything we do, say, or wear has that extra energy & flyness. Stay Fresh!

I Stay dressed to kill- And to finish off..No matter how much we are or are not wearing! Any angle, we WON’T be caught slipping. Threads stay fly, keeping the body right, and eating clean because anything else means you’re inside situation is Funky (no bueno…we dont do that here).  We know what looks good, and make sure that we rock it like no other.  Stay FRESH!

Go-In season is here! The gyms are packed from the crack of dawn till closing with people getting their late/last minute workout routines started.  Spring is 20 days away.  Time for that REALITY CHECK if you have been slacking on your Hard Body game!

Either way, We’ve got you covered. GLADIATORS! Shouts to Common.

-Hip Hop Hard Body

I g

It’s been a ROUGH winter!

It has tried our EMOTIONS, PATIENCE, and SANITY.

BUT… it’s already February, and according to the warming temperatures in the forecast (atleast here in NYC), it’s almost time for the OFFICIAl season of the Hard Body.  So stop frontin’ and making excuses, because you’re going to be showcasing your hard work or lack there of in about 8 weeks! Don’t get caught out there!  Let’s make it happen!

This track is damn near TRADITION in the USA to be played when Summer time commences, so go ahead and listen to it to reminisce on good memories..and to get motivation to make that hard body reach it’s peak to stunt in photos in Summer 2011!

Here’