ItsTheReal is at it again with their hip-hop comedy shorts. This time they take on Shyne and his ridiculous attempt to get back on by getting at 50 Cent. Now, 50 already has a problem with starting beef to boost his sales. But at least he's semi-good at it. Ja Rule hasn't been heard from since, and Fat Joe can't sell water in a desert these days. Shyne, however, comes out of the pen, puts out a few sub-par tracks with weird vocals, and goes at 50. And that's in the course of 2 weeks! By that virtue, ItsTheReal has a good call on the fight. Maybe if Shyne could put together a mixtape or something, he'd have a better chance. Otherwise, he's a 2nd round knockout. Check the video out...
Clemmens, 21, positioned himself behind the 11-year-old's chair, stuck his fingers down his throat and vomited on the girl and her father, police said.
"He leaned forward, he projectile vomited all over me and my daughter," Vangelo said with a look of hurt splashed across his face.
Clemmens then began wailing on Vangelo after he pushed him away from the girl -- hitting the off-duty officer in the head and neck, causing his ear to bleed, police said.
Surrounding fans jumped in to help subdue Clemmens before he was arrested.
"He was still vomiting on the other fans that were holding him down," Vangelo said.
I realize that Philadelphia's been getting a bad wrap in the past few weeks with a bit of negative press on the blog, but with shit like this happening, how can you blame me? Greetings from Philly... again. This time, we see that fanhood and regurgitation are much closer than we think. Is that really what heads do at baseball games? You know, instead of have a hot dog and a beer and have a relaxing afternoon at the ballpark, it's much more fun to vomit all over a little girl and snuff her father... I'd much rather get into a brawl with angry Phillies fans than leave the game and go watch the Office or something. What's even worse is the fact that the dude kept throwing up even while he was getting beat up by the fans around him. Oh well... I guess leaving with a black eye and looking like that are punishment enough...
It's a rarity that I would post a movie that's simply pointless and mindless action and violence, because you can see explosions and insurgents getting killed on CNN every day. However, when an action movie stars virtually every action star from the past 20 years in a super-movie of sorts, it somehow becomes blog-worthy. Such is the case with the movie 'The Expendables'. Yes, the movie looks to have the depth of a puddle, but where else will you see (breath) Sly Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and Stone-Cold Steve Austin on the same screen in a flurry of fire, bullets and terrorist scalps?? Nowhere. The Expendables' premise is that of every war action movie lately, a group of rad-tad foreigners go to a 3rd world country and try to overthrow their oppressive leader. Nothing more, nothing less. I suppose there won't be an ounce of estrogen in the theater, but who cares? It's summer blockbuster season...
The sneaker box is one of the most overlooked pieces of sneakerhead memorabilia out there. Everyone loves what is inside the box, but the actual boxes often times get tossed out, used for female memories or in extreme cases, used for Myspace and Facebook pictures. Nike decided to pay homage to their iconic sneaker box by releasing an Air Trainer one in the classic orange colorway with a grey and white stripe on the midsole. Also, they featured materials like nubuck and ballistic mesh on the upper. While these might not be the sneakers you wear everywhere, they're definitely a must have for those die-hard collectors out there. Check out some more pictures...
What's up people?! Friday means freestyles and we got 2dope ones coming today. The first one is by LLoyd Banks at Hot 97's studios. Everyone knows Banks is a freestyle bully (and championship recycler) coming with punchlines. Hopefully Hunger for More 2 doesn't disappoint. One question: why doesn't anything but his mouth move? He looks like he's gotten some Botox done or something. The second freestyle is from Charles Hamilton during his show at SOB's. People wonder why Charles Hamilton has a following. It's because of things like this that I believe Chuck should get more love than he does. The man freestyles, literally off the top, for 8 minutes. Not many other rappers can say that they do that. Whatever the case, check out the freestyles and happy Friday!!
Let's just get it out of the way: people have indeed been d*ckriding Obama. It's not a bad or good thing. Politicians (and more so celebrities) carry cult-like followings that sometimes supersede all understanding, whether the person being followed is a good person or not. As a matter of fact, people tend to follow the bad ones more than the good (coughcoughKimgoughKardashiancoughcough). Regardless, Barack Obama, while (in my humble opinion) has been a good president and done right by the nation, has had some pretty rough times. He's been soft against the Republicans at times and had been too wavering occasionally. There are tons (and I mean tons) of people out there who see no wrong in the man. Boondocks, you just solidified yourself as the best show by poking fun at it. Grabbing Will.i.am, who did the song below, for the track was classic. Even Gangstalicious had some jewels dropping on the track. As a show, you really are unafraid to take on issues that are invading the minds of black folk. The trailer for your final season was an overload of satirical n*gga sh*t. And if this ode to folks forgetting that Obama is human too is any indication, the 3rd final season should be classic, to say the least. My calendars are set. Hurry up and give people something to laugh at without knowing the true meaning...
Whoever produces music for Aaron McGruder is a genius, because that interpolation is INSANE...
The disclaimer at the end will not keep most people from trying to do the same thing... the same way that Dragon Ball Z being a cartoon didn't keep most 10 year old boys from trying to bring out their Chi like Gohan. Anime nerdiness aside, Nike+ and Nike Free teamed up with the breakbeats (beats to break to) crew Hifana to make this spot. Using 12 pairs of sneakers that they twisted and hit, the Japanese duo cooked up a beat to behold. The commercial shows at the end a runner syncing his Nike Free sneakers and the Nike+ iPod system, so that he could track and view his running stats on his iPod. Probably wouldn't buy it, but the commercial will definitely get about 100 more spins...
As the weather gets much sunnier and nicer (I'm outside right, just to put it in perspective), it's important to have sneakers that match the times. Not that I'm going hypebeast, but the summer is traditionally the time when the beaters get stocked and the heaters get rocked. Now, adidas is trying to get in on the summer act, releasing their 'Beach Pack' right in time for those Memorial Day trips and whatever malarkey and tomfoolery you have planned. The Superstar, Forum Mid, and Stan Smith all have white leather with white mesh, that overlap with yellow, green, and blue panels on their uppers. I really think they got the inspiration from looking at terry cloth towels on the beach. Whatever the case, these things are already available at Mita and will be dropping on local shores pretty soon. Check out some closeups and keep your eyes open...
Well... It's all over. But at the same time, it's all beginning. NBA season, you came and went in a whirlwind, and I can honestly say this was one of my favorite ones (minus the All-Star Weekend. I always get a little upset around this time, mainly because the basketball season is coming to a close. The NCAA Tournament is doneions, and you, the NBA season are at your end In 2 days, the Playoffs will begin, and the top 16 teams will duke it out for the title. It's only fair that I do a recap of this season, including the awards and top plays. Tomorrow and Saturday, I'll break down your distant, yet oh so sexy cousin, the Playoffs and who's going to take the title home, as well as the top plays of the season. Here goes nothing:
NBA MVP: LeBron James
Come on... Did you honestly think anyone else was even remotely worthy of this honor? In the 2009-2010 season, it's been LeBron, with Kobe, Durant D-Wade at a close second, and then everyone else. Half of the time, LeBron doesn't even have to score to do something remarkable, and hell, the other half of the time, it doesn't even look like the man is trying. King James put up improving numbers in his FG percentage, assists and blocks, while playing less minutes. At this rate, it's hard to see anyone challenging this man for MVP in the next decade, and with good reason: he's the best player on the planet, and will be for years to come...
NBA Rookie of the Year: Tyreke Evans
This one was a toss-up to me, because there were three young gunz that really deserved it. Brandon Jennings is in the Playoffs, and Stephen Curry has been lights out since the All-Star break. But I'm going to give it to the one that put up the best numbers consistently, made his team that much better and had them in the mix in the West up until an injury slowed him down a bit. Tyreke Evans is still a monster. You try to put a PG on him, and that PG gets bodied. You try to put a SG on him, and that SG gets blown by or crossed up. Reke is the only rookie since Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James to average 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. That company in and of itself is more than enough reason to give him the award...
NBA 6th Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford
Fun Fact: Jamal Crawford has the most four-point plays in NBA history. Along with being one of my favorite players, Jamal Crawford is also one of the deadliest offensive players in the league. I dare anyone to contest that. He's just constantly been on mediocre or underperforming teams. That said, upon his trade to the Atlanta Hawks, he was expected to come off the bench and be that spark that the Hawks needed to keep them afloat against the titans of the East. He's done all that and more, starting no games, yet playing over 30 minutes a game. He also has a bunch of game-winners to add to his collection and has helped push Atlanta into a 3rd straight playoff berth, this time against the Milwaukee Bucks. He truly is 'the difference' on this Hawks team...
NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard
While I despise the man offensively (and in general), defensively, there isn't a bigger intimidator on the court today than Dwight Howard. Look at it this way. The Orlando Magic's guards and forwards, with the exception of Mickael Pietrus, are average defenders at best. In fact, if I were to pick any team's backcourt to go up against with the game on the line, it'd be Orlando. That they are fourth in the league in points allowed is a tribute to Howard anchoring down that squad in the paint. Also, the man has decent (subjective) numbers this year, notching a league-leading 13.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. He changes the game, and makes teams change their game, simply by being on the court defensively, even if he doesn't do the same on offense...
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year: Aaron Brooks
When Aaron Brooks came into the league, I was skeptical as to whether he could become a legitimate point guard in this league. He put all that skepticism to rest this season, because of how poised he became in Houston, despite a constant shuffling of players through injuries and trades. As a matter of fact, he's arguably been the most consistent Rocket this season, especially since Carl Landry left via the trade to Sac-Town. Averaging almost 20 points per game, after averaging 11 and 5 in his previous two seasons, as well as a string of 30 point games during the season make him the most improved player, and a player people should be looking out for next season...
Coach of the Year: Scott Brooks
This one could have gone a few ways, with Milwaukee's Scott Skiles carrying the Bucks to the playoffs and Lionel Hollins making a push with Memphis. However, Coach Scott Brooks of the Oklahoma City Thunder has gotten the youngest team in the league to commit not only to defense, but to sharing the basketball. He turned Kevin Durant into an MVP candidate, Russell Westbrook into a burgeoning star, and has made great role players out of guys like Thabo Sefalosha and Serge Ibaka. I honestly didn't know whether the Thunder would be able to make that push from a talented young team into a playoff team. Scott Brooks has done that and more, while keeping the young Thunder's heads on straight and their eyes on the prize. They might not be in the finals, but definitely are heading in the right direction...
There you have it people!!! This year's awards. Check back tomorrow for the best plays of the season and on Saturday for a playoff preview...
Honestly, when my boy showed me this, I wasn't sure of whether it was stupid, or really, really dope. Upon watching it again, the girls of Candy Slice who chopped up Ludacris' 'My Chick Bad' for their GLEE audition (can anyone tell me what that is?) killed the beat and the rapping, considering that's not their singing background. The beatboxing by the chick in the back, along with her spastic movements added some comic relief. The girl in the front left gave us the most Ivy-leagued out swagger ever, and the ad-lib girl in the front made me bust out laughing. It's always refreshing to see hip-hop songs sung in different ways. Doing that makes you listen to the words all the more. I think I like the song less now, actually. Oh well...
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Kidz in the Hall are the most inconsistent group to me. Sometimes they put out heat rocks, and other times they toss out frisbees (subjective). This is the former. In this short video, we see Naledge waking up from a night of revelry and rapping about the ills of being on the road. He shouts out the ladies who hold him down, even if he might not see them again. I guess that's the definition of a grizzly man: a lady slayer. One question though: where's Double-O?? I guess the directors weren't really feeling his hair lately. Would you put him in the video?
Since when has it been OK for a dude to rock the Farrah Fawcett??
Police in northern New Jersey say a 14-year-old girl grabbed a supermarket microphone and announced, "All blacks leave the store."
The case is nearly identical to what happened on two occasions at a southern New Jersey Walmart.
Edgewater police say the new case is being investigated as a possible "copycat" situation. They say they were called after the girl made the announcement over the Whole Foods Market's public-address system Saturday afternoon.
Greetings from some random town in New Jersey, where Whole Foods is quickly becoming the place where people let their racial tension out. Though I really thought that store carried a different crowd, it's obvious that Edgewater has crossed the cultural Mason-Dixon line. After one 16 year old boy did the same, another 14 year old girl decided to politely ask the African-Americans in the store to leave. Is that really how we feel nowadays? If it was up to me, I'd make that little girl stand in front of the store and get stared at menacingly by every black person in the store. For most sheltered, ignorant, racist people, that's punishment enough, though her parents probably had a little more to say...
If you aren't a fan of Planet Earth, then I don't know what is wrong with you. The epic series from BBC and the Discovery Channel chronicles 11 different habitats on the planet. It's also the most expensive nature documentary series ever, and the first to be shot in HD. That alone makes it groundbreaking, considering we do everything in HD nowadays (#shoutout to TFY). As a celebration for Earth Day 2010 (40 years of Earth Day!!!), BBC is going to be offering Planet Earth on iTunes for download, and offering the first episode, 'From Pole to Pole' for free. That's right. You heard read me right. FREE. Download the FREE episode here and check out some of the amazing HD flicktures from Planet Earth's run on television...
There are few times when an overt weed reference can bring Twitter down to it's avian knees. One of those times is the eventual day when it's legalized (it's much closer than people think). The other time is when a Curren$y or Wiz Khalifa mixtape happens to hit the interwebs. The latter happened this morning, with Taylor Gang general Wiz Khalifa aka MR. EZ-Wider dropping his highly anticipated 'Kush & Orange Juice' this morning. Wiz does exactly what you think he would do with this mixtape: talk about beautiful women, bomb herb, sneakers and his journey to the top. He also puts together a valiant musical effort with this one. The production is album-esque, which is what I expect at this point. Hell, he samples a track from the end of the movie 'Garden State,' and 'One Beer' from MF DOOM's 'MM..Food,' and rips both!! If I were to choose a perfect time to listen to Mr. Khalifa, it would be a sunny day, preferably a Saturday, with a group of good friends. It's only right. Wiz is unlike any other rappers (besides Curren$y and Devin the Dude) who can populate an entire tape with weed references and party music, and still keep it fresh and easy to listen to. I'll be honest. I think Wiz's lyrics took a small step back in terms of how much he fits in his bars. Because the tape is so long, there are points in it that I wanted to skip, but because it sounded so good, I refrained. I guess that's what weed does to the listening experience. Wiz makes the mixtape more than just lyrics and beats. Sonically, the tape is exactly what the title implies: an audio high and a refreshing glass of OJ to wash it down with. You won't regret this download, even if you don't smoke. Check out the download, tracklist/back cover, #dopetracks, loosies and videos...
#dopetracks:
The Statement
Spotlight
In the Cut
Visions
Pedal to the Medal
Glass House
Ummmmmm... This is just a teensy bit freaky, in the horror movie sense. At the same time, it is really, really dope in an artistic sense. In California, a man has made a suit, literally covered in mirrors. He is a street performer that rolls around Los Angeles collecting money for taking pictures. It's honestly just cool to look at. Check out some more pictures...
(cue The Price is Right music) TI and Shyne!! Come on down!!! You guys are the next rappers to come out of jail and release sub-par tracks!!! (end The Price is Right Music) No, seriously guys. Congratulations on both of your releases from prison for charges both deserved (TIP, you know you were wrong for that one) and undeserved (truth be told, Diddy ought to be locked up). I hope your rehabilitation is going well and that both of you are in good spirits. That said, good spirits, the love of family, friends and fans, and infinite press releases can never hide what an MP3 doesn't. By releasing 'Messiah' and 'I'm Back' both of you have placed yourselves back in the ever-widening pool of MCs that now populate hip-hop. Both of you have pretty well known names in the game, so both tracks got a listen. Unfortunately, neither track got the ultimate honor by being downloaded into my iTunes. It's not that I'm not a fan of either of you guys. It's just that the tracks... well... they sucked. Shyne, you aren't the Messiah of hip-hop, no matter how much you want to claim you get villified. And TIP, entitling a song 'I'm Back' and essentially talking about nothing in the track sets you up to not be back for long.
You see, the big pitfall of being a 'gangsta' (ugh, I hate that word) rapper, is that while you can perpetuate that lifestyle, the minute you're in the hands of Johnny Law, all that goes out the window. You can't claim to tote guns 2 weeks after getting out of the pen!! That's like putting your own fingerprints in booking! As a matter of fact, I'd be hard pressed to find any songs that you can write without putting your name out there in a negative light. Not that either of you wouldn't be able to; it's just harder to make a mark like that. It's even harder considering the way hip-hop is going: from Berettas to blogs, from Pyrex to press releases, from pushing white to page views on Wordpress. Hip-hop is getting less hood by the day, though most rappers would claim otherwise. Guys, don't take my word for it, though. Go out and do you. Enjoy the free man's life and become the studio rats that you once were. Hopefully both of you get back to form. As a matter of fact, I hope the same thing for your friend Weezy F. Baby. Lord knows he might have to change his tune after his time at Rikers...
If you haven't seen it by now, ESPN's 30 for 30 series is crack. The series brings filmmakers together with sports to chronicle the lesser known and more controversy-riddled stories in the history of sports. The last one was a riveting highlight of the intense rivalry between the Pacers and Knicks in the early 1990's. Coupled with hip-hop music and first-person narratives from those involved (Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing, Larry Brown, Pat Riley, John Starks, etc.), the movie showed younger fans what the NBA used to be like. Regardless, 30 for 30 is set to take on another basketball story tonight: that of Allen Iverson. Not too many people remember the trouble that plagued The Answer just 3 years before he took the NBA by storm. Filmmaker Steve James returned to his hometown of Hampton to document the bowling alley brawl that almost put Iverson behind bars, as well as the brawl's effect on the racial affairs of Hampton, and on Iverson himself. From the trailer, you can tell it's going to be a pretty heated affair. It's definitely going to spark some discussion and paint AI in a different light than many know him now...
The good folks at LRG blessed us with a video and a lookbook of their Summer 2010 collection. This year, LRG is going for a more casual look. They went to some exotic location for the shoot, and did a lot of frolicking on the beach, a yacht and in what seems to be the jungle. The Spring collection looks like it's drawing from vintage 90's Ralph Lauren with some of the tops and looks very Miami Vice-esque with some of the others. All in all its really colorful, and another step up from LRG after having lost some of its clout over the past few years. Check out Big Sean, Cory Gunz and some of the LRG Skate Team in the video and the flicktures...
