Michael Phelps as "Himself"

By now you've seen this Michael Phelps Subway commerical on TV. That is, if you watch mundane programming like ESPN and Law & Order re-runs (sorry, I have vices too). For the most part the commerical looks harmless. Two of America's sweethearts enjoying America's favorite sandwich...

But as my brother pointed out to me, peep the music playing in the background. Are we the only ones who find it ironic that for Michael Phelps first endorsement since his visit to the Bong Bong Room that they choose Sly Stone's "Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself."

Its as if Subway and all others involved in this spot are subliminally asking us to "forgive" Phelps for smoking weed and letting down his fans. Not that I cared in the first place, but something tells me that if this was one of the ReDeem Team members getting caught with a blunt in his hand we wouldn't be seeing them in a spot like this.

Am I reading too much into this? Because hell, this is the same dude that caught a DUI four-years prior. I guess that makes the song choice even more appropriate since the hook goes "thank you for letting me, be myself AGAIN." On top of that I find even more funny that of all artists they chose Sly who's known to have hit a bong or two in his day...if not yesterday.

I guess we can't say race is too much of a factor in circumstances like these anymore. After all, Kobe is getting commercials again, six years after his tryst in Colorado...eventhough the commercial doesn't really feature him, but a puppet instead.

But yeah, maybe I'm tripping. All Phelps did was smoke weed and drink and drive. We all make mistakes right? Even role models.

"Bitch I'm Broke" > "Trickin If You Got It"

I swear I just found out who sings this damn song last week. I heard it a few times, but never bothered to really investigate. Up until today I thought this was some group that might have been signed to Neyo's label with Slim on the hook. Come to find out its this group called Mullage (pronounced: Mool-laage). I ain't gonna lie, the song jams, that's not disputible. Very melodic, sounds good. But the tricking shit, nah shawty. I mean, I know how to show a lady a good time (or at least they act like they having a good time) but I'm not with the tricking business. In case you are confused as to what tricking is in my book, here's how I look at it:


Tricking IS when you just giving a chick money for no reason, or hell, simply paying for p*ssy period. Paying rent her rent when you don't live or eat there. Paying her car note when you don't drive or ride in the car. Falling for that ol' sad puppy face shit whenever she says she don't have no money.

Now, for all you hardcore pimp playa ass "fuck a hoe" niggas out there, tricking IS NOT going out with a woman and not getting any ass afterwards. Every night don't end with a bang homeboy. If you take her out to dinner and a movie, and you eat and watch the movie too, that's not tricking because you are getting something out of it too. If ya'll go to the comedy show, amusement park, art exhibit, etc and you pay for both the tickets, that's not tricking either, because again, you're getting something out of it too. However, when you start spending major bread on some ol' "let me impress her" type shit, even when you are partaking, yes you are entering tricking territory. Stupid trick territory actually.

I'll admit, I've been on outings where I might've spent a little too much, but it wasn't because I was trying to impress, its because I was just having a good ass time and just wanted to keep the good times rolling.

Tricking isn't always monetary either, it has to do with respect and ethics too. Like, if I'm out with a young lady, I'm not with that taking phone calls from other dudes while we're out, in my face. Go "to the ladies room" with that shit, its ok, I don't mind, because I will probably be texting another woman while you're taking calls from your fan club. Hell, that's what ya'll be doing anyway, haha. Sorry, it is what it is. So, yeah, if you are tolerating disrepect like that, or on any level...that is tricking also.

On the flipside of all of this, ladies, its 2009 and shit is rough. I'ma really need ya'll to at least ACT like you gonna chip in from time to time. Most likely, I'ma have us covered if you try to pay, but you know what, it is nice to be out with a woman who at least offers to chip in from time to time and even better when they actually do. You know what though, fugg it, if I'm paying for the whole meal, got dammit yo'ass need to be covering the tip. Realistically, I'm not gonna ask you to do that unless I feel that you are abusing my gentleman-ness. But still, bring something to dinner other than your appetite, please. Oh yeah, cut that going to the bathroom when the check come shit out too. If you do that, yes, the check will be sitting in the exact same place, untouched when you comeback, fugg outta here. Oh yeah, you know what else gets on my nerves is when...ok, I'ma stop while I'm ahead before I start name dropping (don't worry baby, I'm not talking about you)

But yeah, enough of that, only reason I'm posting this vid and talking ish is because it gives me a excuse to post one of the most eloquent songs of all time, "Bitch I'm Broke" by Cody Chesnutt. Its from his 2003 album The Headphone Masterpiece. Anyone know where buddy is now? Granted his stuff sounded like it was recorded in his bedroom (because it was) but I enjoyed it.




And let the record state, I'm not a cheap bastard, not at all. I enjoy the company of women. But I'm not a trick either. It is tricking if you got it...unless its your wife.

Now, enjoy the rest of your day as I anticipate a bunch of unanswered phones calls and texts as a result of this post, haha.

UNN x GrindTube: Killer Mike Interviews Buckshot (of Black Moon)

UNN just dropped off this vid of Killer Mike interviewing Buckshot while he was in town for Hip Hop Appreciation Week. In this clip they speak on some of the fashion trends that Black Moon helped usher into Hip Hop and 80's themed styles that the kids are rocking today. You also get treated to some footage of Buckshot performing.

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R.I.P. Vernon Forrest

This has been one death filled summer, damn.

Condolences go out to the family of boxer and Atlanta-citizen Vernon Forrest. He was killed last night down in Mechanicsville after two people robbed him at the Chevron on Whitehall street...

This is crazy because I'm at this gas station quite a bit. When I used to work at Rolling Out it was the only one in the area before you hop back on the highway. Plus, if you hang out at Slice, 255 or any of the other spots on Peters and Walker St in the Castleberry District you're most likely hitting this gas station up for gum and Black N' Milds...at least that's what I go there for.

In all my years of going there I never really felt threatened for my life. Annoyed by the cats outside constantly begging for something, yeah. But fearful of being robbed, not really. But then again, I'm not pushing a Jag.

The area surrounding it however is a completely different story. Its always was been hood down around there, but cats really started wilding out around 2005 when they closed down the McDaniel-Glenn projects. So the last four years have been on edge to say the least. Like I said, I'd been in the area quite a bit, and been OK. But still, its not an area where you go chasing down folks who just robbed you...strapped or not. Unfortunately, according to what's being reported, Forrest chose to do that and paid the ultimate price for it.

Please let this be a lesson to all of us. When/if you get robbed, man, just let them have it. Now if you in your house and this type of thing happens, shooting back? Yeah, I can understand. But if you're able to leave a robbery in an area that you don't even live in, alive? Yeah, let them have it. Like the homie @one66soul said, Forrest probably should've did like Cee-Lo did on "Gutta Butta" (3:31 mark)



But yeah, R.I.P. to Vernon Forrest.

For what its worth, you may remember he made a cameo in Archie's "We Ready" video. He starts appearing at the 1:38 mark.

Random Jam: Jamiroquai - "Manifest Destiny" x "Morning Glory" (1994) and "Everyday" (1996)

Not quite sure of why this song popped up in my head, but it may because of a talk I was having with a friend about CNN's Black In America and Tavis Smiley's America I Am exhibit. We was pretty much talking about the way that Black history is presented in this country and the impact it has on your mind well into adulthood. From the time we're in school, Black history always starts with slavery...

They don't tell you anything about the Moors or that Africa was very much indeed civilized and practicing monarchies of their own. For the most part schools just tell you European slave ships came to the coast bearing shackles, rounded us up and that we've just been fucked up ever since. Kinda like how Chris Rock joked about how in school the only Black person you ever learn about is Martin Luther King.

But yeah, talking about slavery is probably what made Jamiroquai's "Manifest Destiny" pop in my head. I was in 9th grade when The Return of the Space Cowboy came out. They used to play the video for the title track on BET's Video Vibrations all the time. That's the only familiarity I ever had with him at the time. Granted I really liked the video and song, but back in '95 I was all about some Outkast, Goodie Mob, 8Ball & MJG, Spice 1, Wu-Tang, 2Pac and Biggie.

I didn't get put onto the actual album until my freshman or sophomore year in college when I was smoking out with with my big homie Bill. He was playing "Manifest Destiny" and I instantly recognized the beat because it was the same as 2Pac's "Who Do You Believe In," one of my all time favorite Pac songs and quite possibly the strongest track to emerge from that plethora of bootleg Makaveli CDs. It was another Pac song produced by Johnny J by the way.

Of course, I ain't say no dumb, young nigga shit like "THIS THAT 'PAC! Buddy sampled 'Pac." I just sat back and enjoyed the song and relished in the fact that I learned something new that night. As I said before, I was pretty high the first time I heard this song and was just in love with the beat the same way I was with Pac's version. But Bill proceeded to tell me about the song and that Jamiroquai was singing about slavery and how he was ashamed of his forefathers for such an heinous act. I dug the song even more then because it was the first time that I heard such a message in a song, and because Jamiroquai didn't approach it with a "white guilt" angle, because then it would have been corny.

But yeah, I know I kinda went all over the place with this one...just check out the song and enjoy.

While writing this post I started reminding myself of my other Jamiroquai favorites and figured I'd share them in case you hadn't heard them before. Fellas, if you have a nice young lady at the crib and you're trying to "seal the deal" I guarantee if you play this song at night that...yeah. Just let the song do the talking for you player:

"Everyday" (1996)


But you have to follow up with this the following morning:

"Morning Glory" (1994)


Thank me later.

Goodie Mob Reunion Show Announced - September 19th

Goodie Mob outside The Loft after Bun B's show - August 19, 2008 (photo by Maurice Garland)

The Atlanta Hip Hop Gods have spoken and it is official. Goodie Mob will be having a reunion concert on September 19th at a yet to be named venue. The homie Jabari Graham hit me earlier today to give me the good news. I didn't think to post anything because we was just talking as homeboys, plus, the venue hadn't been announced yet. But shied, my ngh Rodney over at Creative Loafing threw it up, so fugg it, me too!

But yeah, this show as well as some other tricks up my sleeve and the sleeves of other folks I know will undoubtedly bring back the "Atlanta" we all know, love, cherish and miss so much. Keep coming around these parts for all the info you may need on this show as the date nears. Damn I'm excited about this.

RELATED: Dungeon Family Reunion x VIBE photoshoot video|Dungeon Family Day|Goodie Mob Reunited

Skip Gates x Dave Chappelle

All of this talk about Skip Gates being arrested in his own home reminded me of Dave Chappelle's classic skit about not wanting to call the police...even when his own home has been broken into.

Acey Duece - "Every Trend"

Savannah's finest and 4th Ward's cleanest Acey Duecy is at it again. This time he goes in over Young Money's "Every Girl" and shoots a middle finger at all ya'll copy cats.

Yelawolf's Gummo Stars at Lenny's Bar Photos and Re-Cap

"Fuck the money, we never got paid right...the money will come, but now we do it all for the stage lights..." -- Yelawolf, "Stage Lights"

Forgive me for taking so long to get around to posting about this. But the homie Yelawolf has been cranking up his own night at Lenny's Bar for the last three months. Its called Gummo Stars and it goes down every first Friday. If you've heard Yela's music you know what kind of vibe to expect. One minute you might be in there squaredancing to Johnny Cash...the next you're bouncing to Cool Breeze's "Cre-A-Tine."

I got a chance to fall through the most recent one he did and it was a pretty cool night...




Pill hit the stage and did a couple songs from his The Prescription: 4180 mixtape







Hollyweerd also hit the stage and I must say, their live show has gotten alot better from when they first started 2 years ago.




As usual Yela did his thing...he even had a beer chugging contest in the middle of the show.




I dunno man. I'm about ready for my dude to blow the fuck up man. For real. I don't know what the hold up is. As a fan and friend of dude, I just wanna see dude win already. Of course I know he don't give a damn about "blowing up" he just wants to give his fans dope music to jam too, which I can't be mad at.

Anyways, if you slept on his last project, Arena Rap, here are a couple more cuts from it that he performed at the show.


Yelawolf - "Candy and Dreams"


Yelawolf - "Back to Bama"

And here's some more photos from the night, let me know what you think:

Random Jam: Beastie Boys - "Gratitude" x "Pass The Mic" (1992)

Yesterday it was revealed that MCA of the Beastie Boys has just been diagnosed with a form of cancer near his throat, resulting in him having to get surgury to remove it thus cancelling a couple of their upcoming tour dates. Didn't quite get around to posting anything about it yesterday, but I did want to show some love and support by sharing a couple of my favorite Beastie Boys songs.

"Gratitude" has always been one of my favorite songs, period, and with the news of MCA's cancer, the words hit that much harder now. Really, you have to be gracious for the good things going on in your life, everyday, because you never know when things will take a U-Turn. Check after the jump to peep one of my other all-time favs, "Pass The Mic," which also appears on their 1992 album Check Your Head.