The Mailing List: June 2009 (#4)

4. 2009 NBA Draft

Well, the 2009 NBA season is coming to a close with the Finals (DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THE POLL ABOVE!!!) taking place this week and next. The next big NBA event before we're subjected to 3 months of Baseball Tonight and Wednesday Night Baseball on ESPN, is of course the NBA Draft held in New York. Everyone's saying that outside of the top 10, this is gonna be a weak draft. Us real basketball fans at Dear Whoever know that's nowhere near true. Let's take a look at some of my beasts, busts and sleepers in this year's draft.

BEASTS:
This draft, without a shadow of doubt in my mind is going to be a point guards draft. Every type of PG is coming out this year, from your playmakers, to your scorers to your jack of all trades. Here are the two I think are going to blow the FUCK UP:


Brandon Jennings - 6'1" - Europe
Pros: Quickness, handles, intangibles, vision
Cons: Little frame, shooting, efficiency
Bottom Line: After Blake Griffin, this is the most talented player in the draft, bar none. His handles are stupid, and his flair for the game is unmatched. Just have to wonder what a year away from the American game will do to him. Put him on any squad, though, and he'll be your PG for the next 10 years.


Ricky Rubio - 6'3" - Europe
Pros: Playmaking, passing, handles, vision, intangibles
Cons: Athleticism, transition to American game
Bottom Line: Funny that both of my Beasts are coming from Europe, but that's the business these days. Rubio looks like the smoothest PG since J-Kidd out here, just dripping and oozing (PAUSE) with skills. My only issue is his transition. The international game is less pretty, so he might get roughed up at first.

BUSTS:
Every year in college, and I guess in international ball, there are players that look like sure bets. Whether being in the perfect system at the right time, just having a fluke year, or playing against shitty competition, some players get their weaknesses masked more so than others. These players, players who showed promise in college, but will get their shit pushed in in the NBA, are the busts:


Tyler Hansbrough - 6'8" - North Carolina
Pros: Work ethic (sure), rebounding (yeah, ok), intangibles (I guess?), all-time UNC leading scorer (JJ Redick, anyone?)
Cons: Limited upside, small for a PF, athleticism
Bottom Line: I'm not gonna lie. Dude was quite productive in college; one of the best I've seen in a minute. HOWEVER, this was at UNC, a perennial top 10 team. Not to mention, it seems weird that if a player was going to "dominate" (as blind UNC fans put it) in the NBA, he'd stay all four years in college. Education aside, maybe Hansbrough stayed because he knew he was gonna get his ass handed to him in the league? Hopefully he proves me wrong, but I don't see it happening.


Hasheem Thabeet - 7'2" - UConn
Pros: SIZE, defense, rebounding, upside
Cons: Offense needs WORK, toughness
Bottom Line: Okay, maybe it's unfair to call dude a bust. But according to draft "expert's" he's the best big man prospect since Ewing and Robinson. Last time they said that, the Blazers ended up having a 7'2" dude with a mohawk sitting on their bench for a year with a broken pinky. No matter how good he is on defense, you gotta look his penchant for disappearing on offense at times, and see how often he ends up on his ass. Plus, UConn is consistently putting out overrated big men (Armstrong and Boone, anyone?). That's more than enough reason to label him as a bust this year.

SLEEPERS: These are the guys that you probably won't know about until they're hitting game winners, dunking on your favorite player, or crossing the shit out of everyone in sight. These are the players that the draft "experts" deride and point out flaws in. These are the players that fall into the second round and come out to bust ass, while the lottery picks are sucking. These are the sleepers:


Eric Maynor - 6'3" - VCU
Pros:Leadership, intangibles, IQ, vision, passing, handles
Cons:Shooting, athleticism
Bottom Line: This guy is probably the most polished PG on the board in terms of experience, finesse and handle of the game. His only knock, which might be an upside, is the school he came from. The fact that he went to a mid-major and had such success points either to his superiority as a player or that he was a big fish in a small pond. Whatever the case, he has the talent to be a great PG in the league. He'll be a steal wherever he goes.


Earl Clark - 6'10" - Louisville
Pros: Athleticism, size, gets to the hoop, footwork, IQ
Cons: CONSISTENCY, defense, shooting
Bottom Line: Clark has every tool in the book to be a top 10 player. However, at times it seemed like dude got away with stuff in college because of his athleticism and length, rather than his skill. All he really needs to do is become consistent and he's Lamar Odom 2.0.

WOW!!!! If you read all of that, then please contact me so I can give you a gold star. There's not much more to say than this: The NBA Draft is upon us!!! Make sure you're tuned in on June 25th. I hope the Knicks are there too, and not sniffing glue like they've been known to do on draft night. Over and out people!!!

The Mailing List: June 2009 (#5)

What's good people? I know it's a little late, but here's June's Mailing List.



It's always been a mixed bag with Nike, and always will be. Nike SB is releasing a Blue Lobster Pack, complete with an official Nike SB tee shirt, hang tag and lace lock, all bagged, tagged and sealed in a HAZMAT foam container (I guess the theme isn't that bad). The only thing is that it's gonna cost $250. There's gonna be a raffle though, so you might make your money back. They release on Saturday, June 20 at Concepts in Boston, so you know all those heads will come in full effect.

Dear LL Cool J

Negro, please. That was over 20 YEARS AGO!!! You really need to retire. From having your clothes dicontinued at K-Mart of all places, to putting out that weed-breakup surface of an album, to having the worst decline in rap history, you sicken me. I'm not sure whether to put you in the hip-hop retirement home or just to put you down to ease the pain my ears would endure if you put out another album. LL, it was cool while it lasted. Yes, you took your shirt off a little too much and pretty much alienated any male fan you might have had in the course of 8 years, but you're a pioneer. While I might not agree with your mantra, it goes without saying that you're due respect (at least in hip hop, because his clothes SUCKED). I guess we can remember what you once were and how hard LL used to go, on one condition: you admit that Canibus killed you on your own track. Let that simmer while you work out incessantly and vent about how your shit doesn't sell...


There are so many questions in this video: Method Man's costume, Master P's general presence, LL's inordinate profanity, Redman's costume, etc

Nike "Swooshless" Blazer

So I guess Nike's a Dear Whoever reader, because the past few drops I've seen have been pure PIFF. Nike's finally stopped sniffing glue and trying to throw psychedelic colors on everything, and is sticking with conceptual designs for their new releases. These boast a very subtle colorway that just pops (Pirates fitted, anyone?) and feature a suede and patent leather upper with NIKE written in cement print. These remind me of those Pippens with NIKE written in the piping. They're definitely a different type of design for Nike, so you know heads are gonna be up on them from jump. You should probably have cash on deck so the hype doesn't catch up to you when these drop.

Tyga - The Potential

Alright, so last week, we leaked a joint from Tyga called "My Glory," from this week's leak, his new mixtape "The Potential". It's interesting that this shit is called that since from his first album, heads thought he had no potential. I'm serious. I was offended by the egregious island accent he used in that shit-show of a single "Coconut Juice" and was relaged in laughter by his frisbee of a debut album. But now, I guess a little time away from the limelight and a few months off the coconut juice has dude primed to take another stab at breaking into the more serious echelons of rap supremacy. While he clearly has more work to do, his flow is much less manufactured, his lyrics more mature and his content a lot more serious. I say we give Tyga another chance, especially since we're closer to Drake's decision on a label (he's not signing to Young Money, people). With the amount of money Weezy puts into marketing, we might see a whole lot more of Tyga if Drizzy doesn't get down. We might as well get used to it. But regardless, peep Tyga's new mixtape (D/L link below) and, of course, the tracklist, my picks, some other leaks and videos for your pirating pleasure...

Tyga - The Potential



Cream of the Crop:
The Potential
Where Am I
Diddy Bop
Dad's Letter
My Glory
Wassup (All Love)

Cream of the Crap:
Tyzilla
Every Girl
Cut My Check

Trey Songz - D.O.A. Kellz

Sooooo, the next big remix off Jay-Z's song (that nobody really wants to hear anymore, but won't admit it) is (drumroll)........

Trey Songz??

And in a diss at R. Kelly at that? Well, I've never been an advocate of R+B beef (it's like race car drivers trying to settle differences over a basketball game), but this remix goes hard. Anyone notice that Trey can put together a few serious bars?? Dude needs to put together a hybrid album where him and Drake sing and rap, and rap and sing. Getting back on topic though, Trey ripped Kellz a new one (PAUSE) on this remix. I don't even know if R. Kelly should respond to this. He's been relegated to the butt of mad jokes lately, so anything he would put out would have to be pure piff for Trey's disses to be forgotten anytime soon. Regardless, peep the D/L link, and keep posted for more, because Trey Songz is coming out with some heat this summer...

Trey Songz - D.O.A. Kellz

MT the Great - Soundtrack to Greatness

Twitter has officially become like Myspace in terms of finding new music. One of my favorite Tweeple (don't ever use that word anywhere but digitally or you will be laughed at) since I've joined has been MT the Great. Dude's repping Tennessee, which is out of my normal hip-hop jurisdiction. That's the beauty of Twitter. You connect with heads you probably would have never vibed with. But that's neither here nor there. Dude has a relaxed flow and impeccable beat selection (when I say impeccable, I mean that musically, this album is CRACK!). The concept for the album is also dope. It really sounds like a score to a regular dude's life. I'm digging the whole reality rap scene these days, with heads flowing about things that they know. MT is no different and puts together a nice introduction for himself into the rap world. Check MT's contact info, the tracklist, D/L link and some exclusives from MT the Great, because I know we'll be hearing from him again very soon.

MT the Great:
E-Mail
Twitter
Myspace
Youtube



MT the Great - Soundtrack to Greatness

Leroy Jenkins Summer 2009 Lookbook

So yeah, summer's here. Why the hell are you still rocking that heavy ass denim in 85+ heat? I guess if gooch (look that up) sweat is your thing, then that's cool. But Leroy Jenkins is bringing shorts back with their Summer collection. They use their infamous floral designs on some of the shorts and keep it simpler with some of the other ones. The summer drop also includes some t-shirts and hats. We'll be sure to keep you posted on Leroy Jenkins and when the Summer collection comes out for them.

Music Monday

Besides the single, we haven't heard that much from Mickey the past few months. His flow is so simple, yet his lyrics beget a prowess well beyond his years. If Mickey's not one of the top cats in the game in like 3 years, I'm shutting Dear Whoever down and becoming a monk. I'm sick of niggas hailing Gucci Mane and OJ as the next to blow, when this man makes more sense with one word than those niggas make in a song. I'm not one of these 'real hip-hop' heads (y'all can go eat a fucking backpack, by the way), but I do realize when the game isn't recognizing the talent that's coming up because of stupidity. As a matter of fact, I'm dedicating Monday's to music (slow your role Twitter heads). Every Monday, similar to how we did it in May, we're going to have some sort of new music!!! Peep some more music from other artists who you should have your eye on...

New Nike "Retro" Releases

Air Total Max Uptempo. DOPE.

Yeah, so umm, Nike is going extra hard on the retros. Peep some of the new shit on Nike's new vintage tip. All of these aren't coming out until 2010, either.


DOPE.


Air Max Triax ‘94. DOPE and DOPE.


Yeah, this is DOPE too.


Air Flightposite II. These would be certified DOPE if the OG Blue colorway was next to them.

The Census (6/8-6/15)

ATTENTION ALL RAPPERS: DO NOT REMIX THIS SONG!!! Wait, too late. Less than a week after the original came out, AZ had to be the first to remix "Death of Autotune," the song that everyone's talking about. How many different remixes do you think are gonna come out on this one? Or better yet, do you think that this song will change anything at all? That's the question for this week's census. Will autotune die? Will the phenomena that made T-Pain a millionaire, Kanye a homosexual for a few months, and Ron Browz into a one-hit wonder finally be put to rest? Vote in this week's Census in the bar above this post and let me know what you think!!! Hey, if you're feeling extra froggy, maybe you can write a comment and really say what you want about the craze that people love to hate, but love to listen to. Oh yeah, and peep AZ's remix to "Death of Autotune," because we all know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (coughcougheverybodycoughcopiedcoughT-Paincoughcough)...

AZ - Death of Autotune (Remix)

BBC Fall 2009 Releases

Yeah, no... This looks straight out of Cruella DeVille's closet...

I guess Pharrell is taking creativity to the next level with this Fall's releases from Billionaire Boys Club. I don't know if they went to Home Depot and saw some hot wallpaper, or if they've been having elderly PCP users designing their shit, but BBC is looking really really bad for this upcoming season. I'm just going to let the captions speak for the pictures, because this is too good to let my diction do all the work. And by the way Pharrell, all-over print died about four years ago. Either you're wacked out or you're getting DeLorean and flux capacitor money out here, with the way those clothes are looking.


I didn't know Pharrell was a fan of Miami Vice...


I guess the all-over print works OK here...


Now you just stepped over the line. Ralph Lauren should kick your non-skateboarding ass...

Let's not just dump on BBC yet though. They do come through with some nice, simple pieces. I guess they just forgot who they were making these clothes for. I think BBC is falling into the trap streetwear brands that make it too 'high-fashion' get into. They made the mistake of thinking that streetwear and high-fashion could be melded while still keeping the streetwear edge. It doesn't work like that Skateboard P. There has to be a divergence so that your clothes don't end up looking like DMX took up tailoring...


Do lumberjacks and serial killers really bang with BBC like THAT?


Give Bruce Springstein my regards if you're rockin this one...

The Census (6/1 - 6/8 Debriefing Session)

Alrighty, so we got another week of the Census in the books and you guys officially SUCK at voting. No, I'm serious. You guys really made me wonder whether you can actually read, especially since this was such an easy question. Even chicks should have been able to throw their 2 cents in. But that's neither here nor there. We gotta keep grinding. Here's the Debriefing Session for last week's Census:

Kobe and the Lakers 42%
Dwight and the Magic 28%
David Stern's Wallet 0%
ESPN's Wallet 28%

So, the few of you that did vote made it clear. Y'all think Kobe and his boys are gonna be the ultimate winners this Finals. After last night's heartbreaker, it's hard to see the Magic coming back, much less winning a game. They must have had four or five solid chances to put the game away (ahem Courtney Lee, you suck) and then, I guess their bench was so thin that they were turning to JJ Redick (aka the worst all-time ACC scoring leader to come to the NBA) for clutch plays down the stretch and in overtime. I hate to say it, but Stan Van Gundy has been fucking up and Dwight Howard's been playing like the bitch we all know he is. Wrap this one up fellas. I'll leave you with this image to sum up what Orlando is probably looking like going into Game 3 and probably a 3-0 hole:


JJ's asleep, Courtney's peepin the Laker girls, and Dwight is his usual bitch-ass self...

Jay-Z - D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)

Jay-Z just solidified his status as the summer savior with this joint. I realized why Jay is the king, why he's continually one of the best in the game. The man constantly stays relevant. Whether by putting out songs that mirror the times, or songs that paint a new image on a new issue, Jay never gets caught in yesteryear. His flow and style stay consistent yet fresh, but his content is what's changing, which keeps him from falling to the fates of DMX, Em and other rappers pre-blog era. Instead of keeping him rhymes staid on his past, he weaves that and the present into a menagerie of lyrical prowess that has to be considered one of the best ever. While sometimes his persona irritates me, and his wife becomes more unattractive to me by the day, there is the undeniable fact that Jay is one of the best ever. Get ready for Blueprint 3 (hopefully he doesn't take the Jordan route and just calls it quits this time)...

Dear Marc Ecko

Really, Marc?? Had to throw "Star Wars" in there to keep afloat?

via Racked:

Marc Ecko's ill-thought-out Chelsea boutique Marc Ecko Cut & Sew is done. This comes after Ecko closed down his Gramercy warehouse, and walked away from a space in Times Square that he had been paying rent on for four and a half years. The final nail in the coffin may have been the location, the down economy, Ecko's rumored bankruptcy or a combo of all three. One thing is for sure: the outlook is not good for Ecko's empire.

Everything that has a beginning has an end Marc. And it's looking like Ecko, one of the most recognized urban wear brands in the world is reaching the end of the line. Marc, not only did you completely fuck up by not even opening the flagship Times Square store, your cut and sew Chelsea location failed terribly. Are your clothes that bad? They couldn't be, considering myself and a good amount of friends were still wearing Ecko in like 2003. Now, however, to be caught dead in Ecko is like having a two-way pager, behind the times. Even your crowning achievement up to this point, Complex Magazine, which was a good publication, has fallen on hard times. Your last few issues have felt mighty skimpy lately and haven't had any content that seriously made my day. Plus the Complex Network (every blog you probably read) has more overlap than an origami. Seriously, Marc, it's time to re-think this whole Ecko thing and consolidate your efforts so that all your shit is straight. It doesn't make sense to keep diversifying your company if its putting out crap for almost 5 years straight. Hopefully you saved up that money from getting G-Unit under Ecko. Wait, that didn't make any money. Oh, recession, you never cease to amaze me...

Dear Cory Gunz

Ok, Cory. I guess I understand what you're trying to do here. You're putting out a video to promote your new Gangsta Grillz mixtape. My one question is, why now? If you were gonna do a video, why do it for a mixtape, that will be pretty good, but won't get you any closer to blowing up in the way that XXL said you were gonna. You're too on your hood grind to be a blog era artists. While I get what you're going for, few can straddle the line between hood/edgy and computer-saavy without looking like a dickhead (see 50 Cent) or completely alienating their fanbase (see Eminem). There's no easy way to say this though, Cory. Put out one last SERIOUS mixtape (I mean every track is pure fire), and then get the grinding on a debut album. This year has been as overpopulated as a Mexican apartment in terms of artists bursting onto the scene. If you wait any longer, you won't be part of the revolution, you'll be part of the trend, and no video, mixtape or drop will be able to save you. Keep repping for the Bronx, and I guarantee you, the Boogie-down will have you. Oh yeah, and do something about the way your face bugs the fuck out when you spit. You look like your having an exorcism...

The Award Tour - Spring 2009 "Born to Run"

I haven't had many clothing drops recently. It's not because shit hasn't been releasing lately, because it has. It's more that the things that were coming out for this Spring/Summer season either weren't in line with Dear Whoever, or just were wack as hell... until today. Enjoy, people...

THE AWARD TOUR



This brand made for summer. Everything that they make seems made for fun and chilling that can only go down in the summer. The pieces are airy and lighthearted.


See what I mean?



The thing I like about this brand is that it's not trying too hard. Their "About Me" is as follows:

"There is only one message behind The Award Tour and it has nothing to do with changing the world with some design on a t-shirt.

Seize every moment that life presents to you and attack every second you are given with reckless abandon and dedication to the pursuit of enjoyment.

You only live once, enjoy those around you and enjoy the time that you have.

Always take the jump."

That hits. In so many ways. This brand is officially on the radar. If it doesn't blow soon, then the streetwear world has lost it's mind. Regardless, peep some more of my favorite pieces, and make sure to check out The Award Tour.


This hoodie just screams "fresh" at the top of it's lungs on the peak of Everest.


Their hats are a good look. Not too flashy, but showing you how creative they can get.

Dear Wale

Finally, Wale, finally!! It seemed like it took you forever to get to this point, where you're exposure is getting on the level of a mainstream artist. You tweeted (can't give credence to it, because I didn't see it) that this track, "Chillin" is number 8 on Hot 97's Top 8 at 8, which is dope. You're finally pushing out tracks for "Back to the Feature," which should have been out a few months ago (see below). And you're finally touring like a big name act should. Now if only we could get you to stop fucking with those dreads. Just because you're a DC nigga, doesn't mean you have to do everything DC niggas do. If that were the rule of thumb, subtract 100 years of black progress. But that's neither here nor there. Readers, peep the video for "Chillin" above, and an interview with Rik Cordero where Wale discusses his new track "Family Affair," which will be on "Back to the Feature."

Commonwealth x Reebok Pump Omni Lite

These look cop-able. I feel like a lot of dope sneakers are coming out in the teal, Tiffany green-ish color. Definitely a good look for those summer days where only a pastel shade will do. These drop sometime in August, so best believe that summer job money will be put to use. You might want to mark the date since we all know there's gonna be a line. Speaking of Pumps though, what happened to the Seven Deadly Sins Pack? No one I know seems to have any clue. I hate undetailed drops more than I hate trying to look busy at work.

Palm Pre

Sprint PCS has long been the most-maligned wireless carrier in the industry. Their horrible customer service record pushed customers away, while their lackluster phone selection kept potential customers away. As a faithful Sprint customer, I felt the wrath, waiting for years for a hot phone while friends touted the newest technology. That comes to an end NOW. Sprint is releasing the Palm Pre, a new touchscreen phone with Palm's new operating system, webOS. The OS touts better touchscreen capability than the iPhone, multitasking applications with "Cards." This new phone is going to outdo the iPhone according to numerous industry pundits. Finally, Sprint will take over the wireless world, like it should (they've got 4G!!!), and I'll have the hottest phone out for once. The Palm Pre drops on June 6th (expect lines!!). Peep some video reviews of the next big thing...