Sarah Palin's "Bad Disney Movie"

Matt Damon called it...

Killer Mike Comments....on the Commenters

In case you haven't seen it already. Check out this footage of Mike commenting on the commenters. You are being watched.

A Quick Laugh...

I just spotted this list over @ Turf Scholar...funny as hell

All of these are companies that didn’t spend quite enough time considering how their online names might appear - and be misread…

1. Who Represents is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is: www.whorepresents.com


2. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at: www.penisland.net

3. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at: www.therapistfinder.com

4. There’s the Italian Power Generator company: www.powergenitalia.com

5. And the designers at Speed of Art await you at their wacky Web site: www.speedofart.com

Here are some other ones that are dead now...i guess they wised up.

Experts Exchange is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange Advice and views at: www.expertsexchange.com

And don’t forget the Mole Station Native Nursery in New South Wales: www.molestationnursery.com

If you’re looking for IP computer software, there's always: www.ipanywhere.com

The First Cumming Methodist Church Web site is: www.cummingfirst.com

T.I. Is Not (For) Free!!!

A message from Mr. Harris...pretty much saying you can have "Whatever You Like" as long as you paying for it...can't be mad at that.

shouts to Corey

Boaz-"Gettin Mine"

Showing love to my birthplace on this one. Boaz has been making alot of noise on the underground and he's starting to get some recognition. Had to post this video because shied, music videos being shot in Pittsburgh are a rarity. The only thing that gets filmed there consistently are episodes of COPS.

One time for for the Northside, Charles St., Manchester and all that there...

I just saw that yellow Pirates hat the other, might have to go'head and cop.

Willie The Kid Speaks On Absolute Greatness

A week, maybe two weeks ago, me and the homie R.E. got invited to the Aphilliates office to take a listen to Willie the Kid's new mixtape Absolute Greatness. It was pretty dope. All of the production was top notch and he didn't waste words, which is all I ask of rappers nowadays. I asked Willie some questions about the mixtape and the songs which I will be posting over the next couple of days leading up to its Septemeber 30th release date, here is the first vid breaking down exactly what this project is going to be and do.

Oh yeah, here is the first single off the mixtape "For the Love of Money" featuring Trey Songz, Gucci Mane, La the Darkman, Yung Joc and Bun B. I mean, this song is cool...



Trey getting his Bone Thugs on and the video reminds you of "Dead Presidents" and Bun didn't sound to excited. I myself ain't really into the "money, money, money" songs but I know there are people who are. And shied, if you've been watching the news and hell, just living in this country for the last few years, money is still the shit to talk about.

I guess the dope thing about this song is that Willie didn't let himself get bodied on his own track even though Gucci Mane did his thing on there. Speaking of Gucci, dude couldn't pick a worst time to get jammed up. I swear like two new Gucci songs/videos come out a day now with a mixtape dropping every week and a half. Damn dude...

Anyways, Willie the Kid is a dope MC who takes his craft seriously, you gotta respect that. Keep checking back to hear a couple more songs off the project.

John McCain Is A P.A.N.

So Mr. McCain, this is what you do in the face of adversity? Run and duck off in a corner and "suspend" your campaign and try and cancel the debate you know you wasn't ready for to begin with. Worst off you agree to address the American people alongside Obama only to hop on TV first to try and look good, and then try to convince Obama to run and hide with you? In that token, Obama, I know you're all about inclusion, but you should probably put down the Kanye and Common CDs and pick up some UGK...they told you, "never let hoe ass niggas riiiiiide."

I never considered you a war hero Mr. McCain, you was just a dumbass who got caught by the other team. But still, I thought you had some balls off GP. I was wrong. If this isn't a sign of a man not well equipped for the job of President of the United States, I don't know what is. So, just as I dedicated "Bitch Please" to Hillary Clinton, I am dedicating "P.A.N." to you. Because based on your behavior, that is exactly what you are...

Ray Cash feat. Bun B, T.I. & Pastor Troy-"P.A.N."

Art, Beats & Lyrics in Da Sipp

ABL JACKSON, MS from Fray Wall on Vimeo.

Art, Beats & Lyrics continued its tour through the South, this time landing in Jackson, Mississippi. I hate that I had to miss this, good thing I caught the Atlanta show. Here is some footage of the festivities.

Shout out to Jabari and Dubulyoo for doing it and Fray for filming it.

Clay Gay? You Don't Say ?

Can't say I went to bed hoping that this would be the first thing I saw in the morning, but fugg it, this ish is funny...literally...



...but not really.

Really, like I said, its too early in the morning for this shit man. I really don't know what to say other than this is some ol' bullshit. If you gonna be gay dawg, just be gay dawg. The Clay Aiken's of the world kill me when they come out the closet in the media. So what nigga? You gay? So? You act like we didn't know that shit already.

When I was younger I used to think I hated gay folk, but now I don't think I really have a personal problem with them. I think I know a couple, they aight. I mean shit, if I was about to get hit by a car and a gay person chose to save me from getting hit, I ain't about to tell them "get yo gay ass away from me!" as a speeding car approached. If a gay person wants to business...CUT THE CHECK! I ain't saying I'm about to do gay shit for the check, I'm saying if they want to hire me for my services...cut the check. Had to clear that up, I know how shit can sound on the internet.

I pretty much treat them the same way I do every one else, I just choose to limit my conversation with most of them...the same way I do bums in the street asking for money, dumb ass niggas I used to go to school with that I haven't seen in a few years or people I probably just don't feel like talking to.

I think I more or less have a problem with lying ass gay dudes ("down low brothas") out there "fucking up the pussy population" as the late great Pimp C said. That kind of behavior is just all around foul. The other thing I think I have a problem with is just blatantly gay ass shit. You know, stuff that some gay folks do to let you know that they are gay even though you didn't ask their ass.

I remember one time I went on a little date to a mexican restaurant a couple years ago one weekend. Unbenowst to me, it was Gay Pride weekend. So after my and my girl sat down at the table a got the drinking, we kinda looked around and noticed they hey, it was a lot of gay people around. It didn't bother neither me or my date really. We were both straight and we were there with each other. Gay people being around wasn't gonna make the food taste any better or worst.

But then, some big ass Black Homer Simpson lookin' muthafucka walked up in there with a got damn pink tutu on. When I saw that shit I was like "cmon now man, giat dayum." I laughed at first at the sight of it. Then I got a little disgusted. Then I just angry because I started thinking "damn my nigga, all these gay white folk in here acting normal, yo Black ass gotta be the one in a got damn tutu." So even in our gayest moments, niggas still gotta do nigga shit. I'm pretty sure there were other gay folk in there looking at him like he was crazy too.

The other Gay thing I have a problem with is when some of them think they supposed to get afforded certain shit, just because they Gay. I remember one time when I was buying some plane tickets on Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia, one of them...I saw a link that said "Gay Travel"...the fuck is "Gay Travel." I wanted to click on it just to see if their were any "gay discounts" because if there was I was gonna raise hell. I didn't see any "Black Travel," "Young Travel" got damn "I Ain't Got That Much Money" travel...why was there "Gay travel." I thought Gay people were already everywhere dawg, you mean to tell me they got secret cities, hotels, airlines and shit now?

Or what about when Gay people think folks hate on them or discriminate on them, just because they're gay. Like, that basketball player John Amaechi. When he came out the closet, he tried to make it look like he was blackballed from the NBA because he was gay. Nah, you ain't in the league anymore because you sorry as hell. Which reminds me of something else. I went for wangs and thangs with some friends and associates last night. One of the girls that was with us was talking about how she found out the homecoming king for her old high school played in a "gay basketball" league on some reality show. The fuck is "gay basketball?" Really man? Do they bang harder in the paint? Do they commit "soft fouls." Do they play with WNBA balls? The hell? I thought basketball was basketball.

I remember when I used to work at this BS summer job back in 1999. This one dude that worked there was gay as hell. He didn't bother nobody, but he was gay as all outdoors. But, he also was a poor performer and showed up when he felt like it. So, when he gets fired, he comes back claiming discrimination because of his "alternative lifestyle"...nah brah, your "lazy lifestyle" is what got you fired. Being gay ain't shit to do with you not coming to work...or maybe it did, haha.

But yeah, about Gay Aiken (don't act like ya'll wasn't already calling him that). Dude just seems to be doing a little too much. From reading the articles related to this People cover story, dude is a newly born again Christian, a new father (through artificial insemenation of course, he ain't touching the p*ssy) and he is "newly" gay. Got damn buddy, you got alot going on don't ya? Usually, those things are heavy one at time, he taking on all three!

On top of that, like, why he gotta come out being a father the same time he come out being gay? Its as if him saying "Im a Gay man" ain't enough. He has to say "Im a Gay dad" too. The fuck does that shit mean? You a "Gay dad?" But yet you imply you aren't gonna raise the child any particular way? Yeah ok. I mean, a "bad Dad" definatitely raises his kid a certain way. Just like a "rich dad," "poor dad," "tough dad," "lazy dad," "drunk dad," raises their kid a certain way, even if they don't try to.

Plus, shit, I might be getting my Captain Obvious on, but Clay Aiken is gay as hell! I hate to sound stereotypical but, can you imagine Clay Aiken teaching his son how to fix shit around the house? Talk to girls? Lift heavy shit with your knees, not your back? What if the kid wants to play in Little League sports...when its time to pay dues or volunteer for practice is Clay gonna be on some "well, I can't do that, because I'm a Gay dad." I mean, I'm sure Clay will teach the child how to do normal human tasks...and judging from the photo, he'll be dressing the kid in blue instead of pink...but teach him to be a man? Not sure, I guess that's where the other mommy is gonna have to step in. I don't know, maybe that's just me being stupid for thinking that he can't.

But really, none of this is my business anyway and I really don't care. The whole situation just looked comical to me and it gave me a good laugh. "I'm a Gay dad" GTFOH with that shit man. Hahahahaha.

Call In For Troy Davis

Just in case you haven't heard about this case, Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis is scheduled to be executed tonight at 7pm for his involvement in a 1991 cop killing. He was found guilty for murder but since then 7 of the 9 witness in the case have recanted their testimony saying they were pressured and threatened by police. No murder weapon was ever found. There was no DNA or physical evidence against Mr. Davis. More than enough reasonable doubt. Georgia has refused to reopen the case after the witnesses recanted, saying "it would cost too much."

Although things are looking bleak, its still not too late to fight for Mr. Davis if you believe that this is wrong. You can call 404.656.5712, the Georgia Board of Pardons, and simply say "I'm calling to ask for clemency for Troy Davis."

I did it and got through on the first try. Some folks are saying that the line is busy now, but keep trying. If you can't get through, send up a prayer.

UPDATE: Call this number instead...(404)657-9350

UPDATE 2: Troy Davis granted stay of execution.

Chris Rocks The Clintons

I don't think I've watched a David Letterman show since the day the Knicks vs. Rockets NBA Finals game was interrupted by footage of some dude eluding cops in a White Ford Bronco. But, this clip is one I wished I'd saw.

Damn, I don't have HBO, I gotta find a way to watch the Chris Rock special that's about to come on.

Bishop Lamont-"Grow Up" (prod. by Dr. Dre)

When I got this email from the homie D-Ray this morning I got excited, but then when I listened I realized that I heard this a while ago. I guess this is the official version of it and the other thing I heard was a radio rip. Either way though, the song is still dope.

I've been a fan of Bishop Lamont for a while now and I'm really looking forward to his long awaited The Reformation album he's supposed to be dropping on Aftermath. Because to tell you the truth, I think he's exhausted the mixtape circuit. Who I Gotta Kill To Get A Record Deal is what got him one. Welcome 2 L.A. had some joints. On My Way to Own tha Biz showed he had staying power. Nigger Noize was fie. Caltroit was pretty good. Pope Mobile was dope.

But I don't know about the last one he dropped, The Confessional, shit was kinda boring. That's usually a sign that its time to "grow up" to the next level instead of just recording and releasing practice sessions.

Anyways, different variations of this track have been floating around on the net over the last few months but it looks and sounds like this is the official one. Bishop is dropping some grown man ish on this one, check it out. Oh yeah...the beat is "vintage" Dr. Dre, interpret that however you want, you know how Dre can be on the boards sometimes...

Bishop Lamont-"Grow Up" (prod. by Dr. Dre)

Devin Not Landing In Atlanta

Damn, I just checked this out over at the Coughee Spot. I don't want to jump to conclusions or point fingers, but either Devin ain't got love for Atlanta or Atlanta ain't got love for Devin. Judging on the crowd that stuck around to see him at Club Crucial when DJ Princess Cut brought him down in '06, I'm not sure which way to lean.

All I'm saying is damn, I would have really liked to see some Devin. But it looks like if the Dude ever does manage to come back to Atlanta, it ain't gonna be until damn near next year. Those are alot of back-to-back dates Dev, I hope you don't lose "Yo Mind." I guess instead of complaining about clubs and promoters the only bring out big ballin ass celebs, I gotta get my weight up so I can make these types of things happen my damn self.

But, if you're going to be in any of these cities on those dates, go see the Dude. He does a good show and is known to perform never before heard stuff that isn't on any of his albums. And for all you smokers out there, he shares with the crowd.

This still sucks though.

E-40 feat. Turf Talk-"Got Rich Twice"

40 Water emailed this to me late Friday, but yeah...I kinda BS'ed around on posting it because hell, I figured folks wasn't gonna be checking for any REZIDUE on a Friday night or over a good weekend of football. But here it is fresh for you on Monday morning.

I heard alot of complaining about 40's last album, saying he was getting away from what he was known for. Not sure what album they heard, because the one I heard was dope. I think he did a good job of balancing that Yay Area game spitting with the Southern/Commercial appeal Lil Jon brought to the table.

From the sounds of this song, 40 is going all the way Bay this time around. Vintage 40.

***UPDATED***Killer Mike's Sunday Morning Massacre 666-"Belly of the Beast" feat. Charles Manson

UPDATE: Video Added



Killer Mike borrows some ill monologue from Charles Manson to give a truthful account of the prison system that all of your other favorite rappers (besides Alfamega maybe) seem to leave out of their tough guy raps. This track should be mandatory listening for Scared Straight programs nationwide (Mike had a very potent song called "Scared Straight" on the Monster album back in '03, might wanna look that up too).

If you thought the previous Sunday Morning Massacre's were vicious, your ears might not be ready for this one. Shouts out to J-PLYMP the Beatchefs on the beat.

Killer Mike's Sunday Morning Massacre 666-"Belly of the Beast" feat. Charles Manson (prod. by The Beatchefs)

The Bourne Opinion

Not sure how many of you have seen this already. But Matt Damon went off on Palin, funny stuff.

Free T.I.!!!

Songs I mean...

T.I. feat. Ludacris & B.O.B.-"On Top of the World"

T.I. feat. Justin Timberlake-"Dead & Gone"

Spotted at BLVD ST

Killer Mike's Sunday Morning Massacre Video Commentary

By now you should have heard Killer Mike's latest Massacre, "The Devil Is A Lie." Well, to compound the effect of the songs message here is some video commentary captured after his performance at Fuggin Awesome this past Saturday. Whether you're a rapper or a rap fan, after watching this you have to ask yourself...are you an agent?

Shout out to UNN

2008 BET Hip Hop Awards Nominees

BET released the nominations for their 2008 Hip Hop Awards show today, no surprises here.

Although I've been to the last two, never really got what the fuss was about. The first one in 2006 was basically an Atlanta rap popularity contest, which can't be blamed on the artists, hell, they was running shit at the time, plus Atlanta was the host city. But, I knew that this award show couldn't be trusted when they didn't nominate E40 for shit, even though he had two of the biggest singles that year.

In 2007, they tried to make up for leaving 40 Water out the previous year by having him MC the show, it was a good look. But they still messed up pretty much leaving the West Coast (except for Snoop Dogg of course) out, something I've mentioned in a blog long long ago.

So now, the 2008 edition is upon us and really, what are we going to see in this show that we haven't already? Really though, is it me or does it seem like the same 7 mahfuggas are nominated for all the awards? Say what you want, but that's why I think the Ozone Awards, as hood as it is, is relevant because at least there, while you may see the same 7 mahfuggas, you'll also get to see a bunch of other folks get some love.

Alot of people have been asking if I'm going, and really, I hadn't planned on it. Yeah, I guess its supposed to be my job to go, but fuck that show and everything like it right now. Getting tired of this mundane hamster wheel shit. The only surprise about last years show was seeing Katt Williams run out on stage to lip synch T.I.'s lyrics since he got jammed up earlier that day. And the only fun thing was the Konsole Kingz gaming lounge. Other than that, it was the same ol' bullshit.

For all of ya'll that's going, let me know how it is. Here are the nominees with who I think SHOULD win in "bigolmuddafugginletters" (c) Witchdoctor. Who I know is gonna win will be in italics.

Best Hip Hop Video
David Banner f/ Chris Brown and Yung Joc – Get Like Me
Common – I Want You
DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross – I’m So Hood (The Remix)
Lil Wayne f/ Static – Lollipop
Snoop Dogg – Sensual Seduction
Kanye West f/ T-Pain – Good Life

Best Hip Hop Collabo
David Banner f/ Chris Brown and Yung Joc – Get Like Me
DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross – I’m So Hood (The Remix)
Flo Rida f/ T-Pain – Low
Plies f/ Ne-Yo – Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Kanye West f/ T-Pain – Good Life

Best Live Performer
Busta Rhymes
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
T.I.
Kanye West

Lyricist of the Year (this should pretty much be renamed the "Swagger Like Us" award)
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
Nas
T.I.
Kanye West

Video Director of the Year (where's Flyy Kai and Dr. Teeth, what all did Hype do this past year?)
Gil Green
R. Malcolm Jones
Rage
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams

Producer of the Year
Akon
Bangladesh (my guy, deserves it for being slept-on for so long)
David Banner
J.R. Rotem
The Runners

MVP of the Year
DJ Khaled
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
T.I.
Kanye West

Track of the Year
A Milli – Lil Wayne produced by Bangladesh
Dey Know – Shawty Lo produced by Balis Beatz
Good Life – Kanye West f/ T-Pain produced by Kanye West and DJ Toomp
Lollipop – Lil Wayne f/ Static produced by Jim Jonsin & Deezle
Roc Boys (And the Winner Is) – Jay-Z produced by Sean Combs & The Hitmen

CD of the Year
Jay-Z – American Gangster
Lil Wayne – Tha Carter III
Lupe Fiasco – Lupe Fiasco’s “The Cool”
Nas – Untitled
Kanye West – Graduation

Rookie of the Year (since artists with no albums are nominated, where B.O.B. at?)
Ace Hood
Flo Rida
Maino
Rocko
Shawty Lo

DJ of the Year (where's DJ Scream and DJ Skee?, most of these names are actually A&Rs)
DJ Drama (he still physically DJs and puts out tapes)
DJ Felli Fel
DJ Khaled
DJ Tony Neal
DJ Greg Street

Hustler of the Year
50 Cent
DJ Khaled
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
P. Diddy

Alltel Wireless People’s Champ Nominees
Lil Wayne – A Milli
Lupe Fiasco f/ Matthew Santos – Superstar
Plies f/ Ne-Yo – Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Rick Ross f/ Nelly and Avery Storm – Here I Am
Young Jeezy f/ Kanye West – Put On
Yung Berg f/ Casha – The Business

Hottest Hip Hop Ringtone of the Year
Flo Rida f/ T-Pain – Low
Lil Wayne f/ Static – Lollipop
Plies f/ Ne-Yo – Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Rocko – Umma Do Me
Yung Berg f/ Casha – The Business

Best UK Hip Hop Act (I ain't gonna lie, only person I know on here is Dizzee)
Chipmunk
Dizzee Rascal
Ghetto
Giggs
Skepta
Wiley

Devin the Dude-"El Grande Nalgas"

Some more new Devin the Dude from the upcoming Landing Gear album. For those of us who forgot all of our Spanish from high school, "el grande nalgas" means "big booty" in Spanish. So you can only imagine where Devin goes with this one. All I can say is I feel him on this song. There have been plenty of times that I've been out and wanted to holler at one of our Latin sistas but literally didn't know what to say. Repeating "muy bonita" only gets you but so far.

Well, hold on, I remember I actually did get a Latina once. I hollered because she had "el grande senos." But come to find out she also had "damn tres niños" and a "loco marido"...so I had to end that quick.

Anyways, peep the song and share what you think about it...

Devin the Dude-"El Grande Nalgas"

Landing Gear in stores October 7th. Devin is completely indie now, so make sure you go out and support...

Killer Mike's Sunday Morning Massacre V: "The Devil Is A Lie"

Killer Mike holds his tongue for no one, resulting in many people to think he is simply "dissing" somebody when he speaks the truth. Mike doesn't make petty "diss" records, he simply attacks spirits of stupidity, ignorance and fake shit.

On the fifth installment of the Sunday Morning Massacre, "The Devil Is A Lie" Mike appropriately borrows Young Jeezy's "My President Is Black" beat and speaks on everything from no jobs in Detroit birthing the Big Meech's of the world, why Clinton did more to destroy Black people than Bush did and some well deserved bragging about how your favorite rappers love to borrow from him.



I'll leave it up to you to develop your own thoughts about the song, or we can talk about it in the comments.

Killer Mike's Sunday Morning Massacre V: "The Devil Is A Lie"

Texting Your Way To Love

Friday night and I'm still making blogpost. Rough week, don't really feel up to anything. But this made me laugh.

Senor Kaos-Girls Rock Too!

Shout out to the homie Kaos showing the ladies some love without getting a R&B singer on the hook and rhyming about things other than doing all the things their man won't/can't do. Share this with your friends.

Bow Wow Gets Skunked

When Young Jeezy said "I'll be damned if I let b*tch Bow Wow me" I don't think this is what he had in mind. Here is some exclusive footage from Konsole Kingz (the ones who started this whole Hip Hop Gaming and Bow Wow vs. Game thing, give credit ya'll) of Game skunking Bow Wow a.k.a. "Muhammed Pee Wee."

I don't even play Madden (I'm a basketball dude), but I'm mad at Bow Wow picking the sorry ass Bengals and Game picking the automatic Patriots. That's just like a dude picking the Bulls on NBA Jam and going against the Timberwolves or something. Cmon now, make it interesting. Anyways, enjoy the vid.

Grand Hustling @ TheRezidue.com

On Wednesday Yung LA shot the video for the remix to his song "Ain't I" featuring Young Dro & T.I., which is jammin like mahfuggah by the way. When this shit comes on you just gotta move, for real. Nothing crazy, just a cool little sway.

While I was there I got some pics of the shoot, but before I get to those...



I caught up with Big Kuntry during one of the breaks and chopped it up with him for a couple seconds. He said it was cool to ask him a couple things on camera...so I asked about why his album is dropping on the same day as T.I.'s, what's up with that "cheeseburger" album cover and he spoke about the "for the ladies" songs that's been coming out. I fuck with Kuntry, hope everything works out with the album. I heard the album a while ago and it sounded pretty straight, unfortunately though, based off what I'm seeing on the tracklisting, the jammin'est song on the album ("Afraid of Heights") ain't on there. Damn.

But yeah, here are some pics of the shoot. The vid is being directed by Flyy Kai, the same guy who just directed the last two T.I. videos "What Up"...



...and "Swing Ya Rag"...which I heard was canned because Louis Vutton threatened to sue, but later got cleared. Once again, let me know what you think of the pics...I'm trying to get better at it.










Peep some more shots over at Ozone.

Where Were You 7 Years Ago...

I don't know...something just hit me and told me to make this post.

When I logged onto IM this morning, I saw that alot of my folks from NYC had various references to the September 11th attacks as their IM message. The one that stuck out the most was probably the most simple one. My dude BDot had one that said "Seven years later, damn." Really, seven years later, I think that's the most any of us can say...damn.

It made me think of what I was doing 7 years ago. What I was doing when I heard the horrible news. If I'd grew as a person since then. If I felt any safer since then. If I operated with a greater appreciation for human life since then.

Seven years ago I was in my 3rd year at Fort Valley State (can't quite call it my Junior year, ya'll 5-year graduates know what I'm talking about). I was actually in my photography class, in the dark room, stressing that I couldn't get my pictures to develop right. Other than that, I think that I was having a decent day, but those damn pictures had me pissed.

Then, the secretary for the building ran down and opened the door, letting all the light from the hallway in. So at this point my pictures were really fucked up then. Thanks alot Ms. Rice. In the back of my head I was thinking, whatever she has to say BETTER be GOOD. She was a sweet older lady who had a reputation of talking your ear off, bless her heart.

She had told us that "some fool done flew his plane into the World Trade Center." At this point I was thinking it was one of those small propeller planes that hold two people. So we all ran upstairs to see what was going on the news. Then right as I was walking into the office where the TV was, I saw the huddle around the TV jump back in horror. By the time I got my eyes to the screen I saw two smoking towers. Damn, two muthafuckas done flew into the towers? Of course, I didn't say that out loud, but I know I wasn't the only person thinking that. I mean really, at that point in time terrorists, Bin Laden and all that shit were the farthest things from our minds.

But then the news started reporting that those were actually commercial flights with people on board. Terrible. Then I thought about the people inside. How many were there? It was morning time, hopefully nobody came to work yet.

Again, by now, I still don't think any of us really knew what was going on. But then, the news started name dropping Bin Laden and the terrorists. Then they all of a sudden started showing video of people in the Middle East (I can't remember the country) dancing in the streets. To this day, who knows where that footage came from. How did they get to it so fast? I mean, here I am, in America still not knowing exactly what's going on, but CNN already got footage of people "celebrating" the attacks way on the otherside of the world? I mean shit, there were probably folks in Los Angeles sleeping in that morning that still didn't know. But folks in the Middle East do?

After staring at the screen in awe and horror for a while, sadly, we had to keep it moving. I don't think anything got cancelled that day, including class. The first class I went to after all of this was my TV Production class. We spent the whole hour talking about what just happened. My teacher, Mr. Yorke was from Ghana and had a bunch of conspiracy theories already. But the thing that he said that stuck out the most was that he felt that in order for America to ensure their own safety and protect us from more attacks was to give up some of our freedoms. And I'll be damned if that's not what's happened over the years, except I think we've had them taken away more that given away. And we've definitely lost some privacy along the way.

The next class I went to was my Economics class taught by Dr. Yasin who was from Kuwait. When we were walking in class, I could tell from the look on his face he was bothered, deeply. So instead of sweating us about homework and the upcoming quiz, he dedicated the hour to telling us about the Bin Laden family and stressing that not all Middle Easterners were terrorists, himself included. The information I got from him in that 55-minute class pretty much shaped how I looked at things from that point on. He probably had the most truthful, fact-based account of things I've heard since then. And I trust it because he is from that area, unlike the Wolf Blitzer's and Sean Hannity's of the world.

Later that day when I was going to lunch I saw Dr. Yasin again. He was out talking to my favorite teacher at the time, Dr. Satawri, who is from Jordan. I overheard them talking about how they was worried that their fellow staff and students were going to ostracize them because of the actions of others. I kinda felt bad for them. Both of them had reputations for being certain kinds of teachers, but this was the first time I saw them as real people. And it got me thinking, that yeah, it is unfair to try and paint everybody from the Middle East with the "terrorist" brush. Not that I ever did before.

Even though I wasn't in NYC that day and didn't know anyone personally (that I know of) to die in the 9/11 attacks. I still felt jolted by the whole thing. I didn't have any friends or family living in NYC at the time. The only people I knew were folks who worked at record labels who sent me stuff for the college radio station I was on. I tried calling all of them. I got through to some, others I didn't. But everybody wound up being alive and ok.

Me personally, can't bring myself to look at footage of any of that stuff man. I can barely look at the pictures. Crazy, the morning of 9/11 I was in a dark doom, mad because I couldn't get pictures to develop. And now, I can barely look at pictures of what happened that day.

If any of ya'll were effected by 9/11 and just want to share, feel free. Even if you're like me and wasn't really directly effected and feel like saying something about what you were doing when it happened, feel free.

Thanks for stopping by. God Bless.

Under The Influence

A IM convo with R.E. inspired this blog post. Well, that and a myspace bulletin from B.O.B.
He notified all of his myspace friends that he just posted a new song "Ill Be In the Sky" on his page and that he wanted feedback. I left some. Since I've been on dude for a while, have all of his stuff and have done what I can do to support...I'm allowed to talk.

I didn't really like that song and some of the stuff he's been doing lately. Not because its wack, but mainly because it seems like he is trying to hard to sound like Dre 3000 in some respects. Like when I first heard "Cloud 9" yeah dude was singing, but he sounded like himself. But nowadays when dude sings, he sounds like Dre more often than not. Now, by no means am I calling B.O.B. a Dre biter. It just sounds like he lets the influence influence him a little too much sometimes. I prefer rapping ass nigga from Decatur B.O.B. over the super-musical rockstar guy his image seems to be portraying right now. And I know that rapping ass nigga from Decatur B.O.B. still exists because of the stuff he does with Playboi Tre and other songs like "Fuck You." Where even there he sings, but he still sounds like himself.

I guess the point I'm making/question I'm asking is...if rappers out here are going to be heavily influenced...or even bite, should we be satisfied or happy in that at least they are heavily influenced or biting dope ass artists? Like, say if someone came out heavily influenced/biting Scarface, would you be mad? Me personally, I want my nigga Gorilla Zoe to bite the shit out of Scarface, that's just me though.

Or, would you be upset at a dude for being heavily influenced/biting Eminem (Asher *cough* Roth *cough*). At least dude is sounding like a dude who at the turn of the century was one of the fiercest MCs known to mankind, right?

R.E. sparked the thought that at least B.O.B. and others borrowing from 3000 are doing just that. Instead of borrowing from cats like Jeezy and going out spitting faux cliche lines about the trap life. Or Shawty Lo and just whispering on a song. Or T-Pain and doing annoying things with their voice, making you hate the originator in the process.

Is that something that should be at least halfway commended? Has the quality of music dropped so low that we should be happy when some body gets heavily influenced/bites some one that actually like, because it reminds us of them?

What do ya'll think?

Songs Of My Life Right Now

Devin the Dude feat. Cory Mo-"Go Fight Some Other Crime"




KRS-ONE-"Black Cop"

Details coming later...

Oh yeah...stay the hell away from Swagger deodorant. It chases women away, and attracts cops and bullshit.

Killer Mike's Sunday Morning Massacre 4

Killer Mike-Sunday Morning Massacre 4 "My Life/Caine & Abel"

Just in case you missed church yesterday, Mike goes in over The Game's "My Life" and drops a modern day bible story about the world's first murder.

I Bought Some Swag From Wal-Mart

Last night/this morning ya'll almost got another random 2AM YouTube vid. I was in WalMart last night picking some stuff up. I went in to get some Power Steering Fluid for my dear Claudine, deodorant, soap, cereal and orange juice. In case you're wondering, no, I did not fall victim to Wal-Martosis...although I did get a sausage biscuit from the in-store McDonalds.

Anyways, I usually buy the same simple unscented deodorant. It works great but I've noticed that it uses up pretty fast. I felt like trying something new so I went to the part of the aisle where they sell all that crazy ass deodorant that supposedly drives women wild or gets you a good ass job. You know, the ones with names like POLAR BLAST! ARTIC FREEZE! ELECTRIC BOOGALOO! (that last one don't really exist).

As I was looking I stumbled across one that said "Swagger."



Immediately, I laughed loud enough to make the other folks in the area turn their heads. Swagger shawty? I couldn't believe it. I could buy swagger now...in a bottle at that. Of course, I had no intention of buying it, too much comic relief. So I just grabbed a bar of POLAR BLAST...so I thought.

When I got home I went straight to sleep so I didn't take anything thing out of my bags. But when I woke up this morning to shower, I emptied my bags onto my bed and noticed that a bar of Swag came out.



Damn, I done effed around and bought some Swag by mistake. Damn.

I tell you this though, hahhaa...that shit smell kinda good, hahah. I mean I was 'bout ready to clown on the Swag deodorant, that's why I took pics of it with my camera phone. But I'll be damned if it don't smell good.

Ironically, a commercial for Swagger featuring LL Cool J just dropped on the net. I saw it for the first time this morning...after putting on my Swagger. I may have to stop using it though, I'm not absolutely sure I want to be like LL when I get his age. Nothing wrong with buddy...just, eh, not me.


[clip spotted at Nah Right]

Smoking With Ice Cube

The fellas over at The Smoking Section scored a 8:51 second interview with Ice Cube and I must say its better than some 2-page articles I've seen written on him. Video works wonders for journalism. I remember at my first gig it was common for them to want you to randomly interview someone for 8-10 minutes and build a story out of that, covers even. Yeah, it made me more effective in certain situations, but damn!

With video, you can skip past trying to paint a picture with your words and just get to it. All of the quotes are direct and need no attributions. Plus, it makes the viewer feel like you are sitting right there with the subject, which is what most writers try to accomplish anyway.

But yeah, peep the video as Cube speaks on how Bill Clinton's years in office helped dilute the power of rap music and why independent is the way to go.

Its So OLD In the D

It speaks for itself. D...whats up with your city brah?

Young Jeezy @ The Tabernacle

Shouts out to 5WPR and R.E. for getting a playa into the Young Jeezy show at The Tabernacle last night.

I know I'm guilty of taking little jabs at Jeezy here and there (who isn't) and never professed to being his biggest fan, but dude "puts on" one hell of a show. He's come a long way from the Trap Or Die days when a Jeezy show was pretty much a swordfight occupied by those illegal alphabet boys. But, when I saw dude last year for a show I was covering in North Carolina I had to give credit where credit was due. Dude has some hits!

In what seems to be the latest trend in Hip Hop shows (a good one at that) Jeezy came out with a live band donning black bandanas and those "My President Is Black" tshirts. They did their thing and really breathed new life into the songs that they did.


[vid courtesy of Bem Joiner]

But for some reason, even with all of that going on, the person I kept noticing on stage was this older guy who kept walking back and forth.



What he was doing, I have no clue, but by the end of the night, I just assumed that Jeezy now had his own version of Farnsworth Bentley. Except, this dude doesn't dance or hold Jeezy's umbrella. Instead, he pre-puffs his blunts, swirls his drinks and holds his sunglasses for him. Weird. But hey, like he said, its a Recession and people need work. Kudos for subtracting from the unemployment rate.

Halfway through the set though, I was getting kinda antsy. Dude was doing all of his "hits" he hadn't touched any of the Trap Or Die material. I could feel others feeling the same way when cats in the back (the "suburban" kids took up most of the space up front) started sucking their teeth and yelling "got damn, do some street shit, you bullshittin'." Seemingly right after that was said..."I'm the realest nigga in it..."



As you can see, during this part of the show Jeezy brought out Olympic Medalists Walter Dix and Angelo Taylor to show them "niggas" some love. Being as how Jeezy never called them cats by name, he probably had no clue who they were. He probably wasn't the only one. Seems like if your name wasn't Michael Phelps or you didn't play on the Basketball team, you were a nobody.



I had some more video of the show, but apparently my camera and computer don't want to get along right now (my bad R.E.). So I'm borrowing some footage from the homie Bem Joiner (you don't mind do ya brah?).





I also wanted to share some pics I took and get your feedback on them (Shannon that means you, haha).

Drake feat. Lil Wayne-"Ransom"

New track from Toronto MC and Young Money signee Drake featuring his new boss. Both guys have pretty good performances on the song, but, its Wayne who steals the show (its up to you to determine if that's a good or bad thing) when he literally spells out why he thinks he is the "best rapper alive." Webbie ain't got nothing on this one. Forget an Ozone Award, Wayne should win the Scripps National Spelling Bee after this verse.

I tried hooking this cat up with my nig Shondrae, not sure if they ever worked together. But the way this beat sounds...looks like somebody got inspired...a milli a milli a milli.

Drake feat. Lil Wayne-"Ransom"

Spotted @ Writer's Block Media

Blind Leading The...

You'll be surprised what you'll find out about reading the back of Marta buses. Usually, the only thing I find about is how to save money bailing family members out of jail...but today, while stuck in traffic, I read the back of a Marta bus and found out about what looks to be a dope exhibition.



Atlantic Station is playing host to Dialog In The Dark, an exhibition where you walk in complete darkness with a blind person leading you along the way to show what its like to live in their world. DITD was initially created for corporations hoping to strip their managers of their egos by showing them what its like to have to depend on others. The exhibition is making its first stop in the states at Atlantic Station right here in the A. It started last Sunday and will be going on until March 2009. I think I'ma check this out, maybe more than once.

The tickets are $25 each but they have discounts for seniors, students and veterans as well as group packages.

Boss Hogg Outlawz Is Jammin'

I get a gazillion CDs in the mail, on top of another gazillion getting handed to me daily...I can't say I look forward to hearing all of them. But one artist who rarely lets me down is Slim Thug and the Boss Hogg Outlawz. So when I wound up with this album yesterday, I was anxious to hear it. The last one that came out was pretty dope by and large even though it kinda trailed off at the end. But it was still good enough for me to be mad when a rental car I had tore the CD up. This new one Back By Blockular Demand: Serve & Collect II kinda does the same but overall this shit is jammin'.

I was kinda cautious at first though because over the last year or so, Slim Thugga was letting me down a little. He was still rapping over dope beats, but some of his flows and rhymes sounded very lazy. You could really tell that dude had absolutely no interest in doing anymore music for Interscope Records.

But after leaking that song with Devin and Dr. Dre a couple weeks ago and then dropping this album, I think I can say he's back on course. Anyways, I just wanted to share one of my favorite songs on the album with ya'll. Its called "Living Without" produced by Mr. Lee. My favorite quote in the song comes from Killa Kyleon when he says "im trying to get it to where my millions and my age match." Hell yeah.

Which brings me to another thing...can it be argued that BHO is one of the better crews in Southern Hip Hop right now? These dudes are making authentic Houston lifestyle/riding music. When it comes to crews affiliated with a nationally recognized artist, most times they aren't dope collectively. For the most part each one of the BHO's bring their own style and personality to the tracks. I know Killa Kyleon gets most of the attention outside of Slim Thug, but I really like this dude J-Dawg. I don't know why, but I find this dude very entertaining, he raps like he's talking. I really liked the solo song "Ride On 4s" he had on the last album:



"No destination...n*gga just ridin"

Then on the new album, he got this line on the first single "Ride Wit No Ceiling" when he said something like "my momma proud of me, I'm proud of me too!" It was the way he said it I guess.



But yeah, that's pretty much it, I know some of the readers here are Slim Thug fans so I was just putting yall up on some new new. The album came out yesterday, go cop if you can.

Bow Wow vs Game: Sept. 5th!!!

As you know, the Konsole Kingz started this drama. Now Konsole Kingz will bring this to a close as they host the Bow Wow vs. Game Madden Challenge this Friday, September 5th at a secret location.

Here are the rules the fellas will be playing under:
5 min quarters
All-Madden
Fatigue On
Injures On
NO 21 SKUNK RULE!!!

I'm putting my money on the youngster...and even more money on that I think Game will be the sorest loser since John McEnroe.

Check out the official website Bow Wow vs. The Game for more info later.

Shout out to the KKZ!

Thanks ESPN!

[you got to play this video while you read, you just gotta]

Over the last few years, athletes have increasingly become victims of random violence. Armed robbery, home invasion, drive-bys, shootings, etc. Often times Every Suspect Probably a Negro aka ESPN is the first to report on these unfortunate events, as they should be. Not only are they the "Worldwide Leader in Sports" they are also the worldwide leader in information leading to robbery.

I myself visit ESPN.com frequently. A few years ago I noticed some extra numbers next to the stats I was looking up....player salaries. Yeah...you can go on ESPN and find out how much your favorite (or least favorite player) is making per year. Of course we'd all hear about players signing big contracts, but most of the time the headlines would only last for a week if that. After that, you'd pretty much forget exactly how much they were making...you just knew they were making more than yo'ass. But now, thanks to ESPN, you can remind yourself everyday how much these athletes are making.

For instance, ESPN reminds me of how much money Speedy Claxton is stealing from the Hawks every year. Honestly, I want to rob that fool right now just thinking about it. But ya'll know that I won't.

But, I can't say the same for the rest of these folks out here in the field. NGH's are out here hurting. I'm not condoning violence against anyone, but damn, if I'm "999,999 thousand short of a mil" like the above song said, and I see that cats are raking in millions, some thoughts are going to run through my head.

I mean, imagine...there are probably plenty of cats, broke, struggling, hurting...whose daily highlight is looking at stats on ESPN. They mess around and look up someone and see that they making $7 million this year...and find out they live around the corner or messing with some chick in around the way. Like I said, I'm not condoning violence against anyone, but, I can see how the thought enters one's head.

In case you're missing what I'm getting at...yes, I am inferring that ESPN.com one of the main reasons why athletes are getting terrorized. Of course, the bigger picture is that we live in an information overload society where you could quite possibly find these dude's cribs on Google Maps. But still...

I just find it so ironic and damn near funny that ESPN is the first to report on cats signing big contracts and then posting their annual salary on the website for all to see...and then being the first to report on them getting robbed or shot. More often than not, ESPN's talking heads love to bring the "stop going out, your a pro athlete" arguement to the table as if these dudes are supposed to live like hermits once they start making a little money. Then they love to say "well, how many times can you be in the wrong place at the wrong time" if an athlete winds up in the news again. To borrow a quote from Jalen Rose who shut one of them ESPN talking heads completely down once when he said..."when you a Black man with money, everywhere is the wrong place, and every minute is the wrong time."

On the flipside though, some of these athletes have to start using common sense too. As a high-profile multi-millionare, there is certain shit that you just don't do. One of them is follow chicks home from the club (word to Gucci Mane). I myself am a thousandaire and I know better than to do that dumb shit. Girls in the club will get you jammed up.

There is too much room for f*ckery to go down. I mean, as you are following them most of the time they are going to be on the phone. Ever stop to think "hey, she aint talking to me, who else would she be talking to that time of night?" She aint calling her mother to let her know she about to do the nasty. She probably aint on the phone with her best friend either. Most likely she on the phone with "them niggas." You know...them niggas who en route to hide behind the bushes and jump out like Jack In the Box.

Sorry for trailing off...

But yeah...I just wanted to thank ESPN for being a well-rounded news organization. Not only do they cover athlete robberies, they also play a huge part in making them happen. Duh-duh-duh...duh-duh-duh!

In parting, I wanted leave potentially victimized athletes with some words of wisdom from the Mighty Mos Def..."this is how you get got!"



*PS...mysteriously the salaries for NFL players were snatched down recently.