For foreigners, learning to speak Chinese is a hard task. But learning to read the beautiful, often complex characters of the Chinese written language may be less difficult. ShaoLan walks through a simple lesson in recognizing the ideas behind the characters and their meaning―building from a few simple forms to more complex concepts. Call it Chineasy.

Watch ShaoLan teach the basics of learning to read chinese with ease.

Talib Kweli sat down with the folks at THNKR and reminisced about the beloved Brooklyn bookstore, Nkiru Books, which he was once employed at and eventually operated with fellow Black Star rapper Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) back in 1998.

Nkiru Books was the oldest Black American bookstore founded in its city by teacher Leothy Miller Owens in 1976. The community-based shop featured literary works by Black authors and also held workshops, lectures, and open mics once Talib and Yasiin took over.

For a number of reasons, including the rise of gentrification in Park Slope and the competition with big bookstore chains, Nkiru Books was unfortunately shutdown in 2000 and replaced with a hair salon. Talib has hopes of reopening the bookstore one day. I sense a KickStarter project in the future.

Watch Talib Kweli’s sit down with THNKR below.

Happy 29th bornday, Amy Winehouse!

Amy Winehouse was undeniably one of the greatest vocalists of our generation. In honor of the late soulbird’s life, here’s 7 facts you may not have known about her. 

1. Amy Loved Salt-N-Pepa.

At age ten, she founded a short-lived rap group called Sweet ‘n’ Sour with her best friend, Juliette Ashby. “Little white Jewish Salt-N-Pepa. I was ‘Sour,’ of course.” (Rolling Stone interview, 2007)

2. Amy Got Her Nose Pierced at 13.

She was kicked out of the Sylvia Young Theatre School for the piercing. At 14, she dropped out of school completely. (Rolling Stone interview, 2007)

3. Amy’s Childhood Dream Job

She wanted to be roller-skating waitress, like the ones she’d seen in the movie “American Graffiti.” (Rolling Stone interview, 2007)

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