I'll be the first to admit that I thought Drake was watering himself down to please the masses. If you look at his track record, everything he's done has gotten more and more radio friendly. That's not to say that his songs were aren't raw and dirty anymore. It just means they're simpler and less clever in their delivery as of late. Maybe Aubrey was listening to me, or whoever told him he was dumbing it down for his album 'Thank Me Later'. He responds to the questions in a freestyle, apparently done at 9 AM in Dallas. I can't argue with it on wax, unless the album turns out to be just as shallow as some of his work has gotten lately. Whatever the case, the freestyle is tough. I guess he's been on a new introspective mindset as June 15th approaches. Can't say I don't like it. Check the track out...
Every 4 years, the World Cup is played. And every 4 years, we get bombarded with commercials and advertising based around soccer. That's not a bad thing. It would just be cool if soccer got a little more press in those 3 years in between. Commercials like this show us why. Nike brought in pretty much, the most popular football players on the planet for an epic 3-minute spot about those players making their way into history books through game-changing plays. Along with appearances on the pitch from Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery, Cannavaro, and Cesc Fabregas, to name a few, they had Kobe Bryant doing his best Ronaldinho impression after hitting a game winner himself. The action is crazy! I hope Nike and the rest of the world keep the spots like this coming...
Am I safe in assuming that Vado is the next hot rapper to come out of Harlem? Yeah.. I suppose that question was a bit silly. Vado's been tearing up the scene as of late. He's dropped new music every time you turn around, and put out dope freestyles. Now he's teaming up up with Goliath and Crooks & Castles for a limited edition t-shirt (below) and listening party for his mixtape 'Slime Flu'. Yeah, I guess being Killa Cam's new protege and getting cosigns from Jada don't hurt. To add to that, the video for his single 'Large on the Streets' hit the interwebs today. Can't say the man isn't trying. The visuals are just what you'd expect for the track: gritty, but subtle flash. Let's hope Slime Flu doesn't disappoint either...
Not even remotely fresh.. The stans and hypebeasts will cop for sure though...
Seriously, DAMN my lack of premium cable in Philadelphia. I really just might have to bite the bullet and hand over the measly $12.50 or whatever Comcast wants to get HBO for June. Two of my favorite shows, Entourage and True Blood are making their way back to the air next month. I, for one, am excited beyond belief. The Entourage trailer is simple, but sets this season up perfectly for seasoned watchers. With Vinny filming a new movie, Drama starring in a new TV show, E getting engaged to Sloane, Ari becoming the most powerful agent in Hollywood and Turtle breaking it off with Jamie Lynn (and hopefully finishing college), there is more than enough unfinished business to take a half an hour out of my Sunday nights for a few months. Now, the True Blood trailer is just overkill. There is soooooooooooooo much happening in that 2 minutes, that I can't even fathom how the producers are going to fit it all in one season. The search is on for Bill, after he gets kidnapped while proposing to Sookie. From the trailer, you can see that there will be werewolves, a whole bevy of new characters, and... if I'm not mistaken, Tara looks like she gets bitten by a vampire! Like I said before, if you don't have HBO, now might be the time to pull the trigger. Entourage begins June 27th and True Blood on June 13th. That ought to be a enough time...
As a Drake fan prior to So Far Gone, I have one serious beef with Aubrey. He wavers too much between the introspective, wise-beyond-his-years music, and the Young Money, Weezy-fied music. Sometimes you get music that you can listen to by yourself when you're chilling late at night (like I tend to do). Other times you get the bass-knocking, ride out to the club, kind-of-dumbed-down music that gets annoying 3 weeks later. Not that one is better than the other; it's just that one tends to stick out and stay relevant for much longer than the other (take a wild guess which it is). Today we get a dose of both. On 'Unthinkable' (Remix), Drake drops off a verse about the trying love life of someone immersed in hip-hop stardom, and shows us his more vulnerable side, before Alicia Keys takes over. On 'Miss Me' (which is a weird radio rip), he throws in easy punchlines and airy verses about marrying Nicki Lewinski, before Wayne comes in and does some trademark bars. The latter is probably going to be on 'Thank Me Later', though the former will definitely get spins long after I've memorized every sound on the latter (due to radio overkill). Whatever the case, enjoy both tracks...
With the 2010 World Cup coming up, this is such a trill video to watch.
If you ask me who my favorite directors are, there really are only two answers: Quentin Tarantino, and this man, Spike Lee. Spike's movies have been a portrayal into the mind of a black man who sees the world just as cynically I, and understands that race and media play much more of a role in everyday life than people think. However, for this piece, Spike chose to keep it close to home, which I admire. Most filmmakers are shrouded in mystery and allow their personalities to come out in the works they produce. Here, you can see Spike in a realm that few see him in: as father and at the same time, competitive sports junkie. He takes the opportunity to film his son Satchel's soccer team practice and shows them decked out in Arsenal's (best side in the Premiership!!!!) home kit. It's really interesting to see the interactions between the kids, the coach and Spike himself. Spike usually isn't this transparent. Check out the video, and keep praying for another Spike Lee Joint, like I am...
Early this year, the most popular YouTube video of all time — a 2007 clip of a British toddler gleefully biting the finger of his older brother — was supplanted by a brash newcomer.
The upstart was Lady Gaga’s slithering, sci-fi-themed music video for her hit single “Bad Romance.”
The shift was symbolic: YouTube, a subsidiary of the search giant Google, is growing up. Once known primarily for skateboard-riding cats, dancing geeks and a variety of cute-baby high jinks, YouTube now features a smorgasbord of more professional video that is drawing ever larger and more engaged audiences.
“Our biggest challenge is making sure we don’t taste too many things,” Chad Hurley, YouTube’s low-profile and low-key co-founder and chief executive, said in a wide-ranging interview last week.
That cornucopia of content appears to be turning YouTube — considered by many to be a risky investment when it was bought for $1.65 billion at the end of 2006 — into one of Google’s smartest acquisitions. On Monday, YouTube will celebrate its fifth birthday by announcing it has passed two billion video views a day; YouTube said it reached the one billion mark in October.
It's funny growing up in the 'computing & internet era'. While I was born as computers were just starting to take their modern form, my generation is one that saw computers and most importantly, the internet grow into the phenomenon that it is today. We started out all on Macs pining for Oregon Trail day at school, saw video games go from pixels on a screen to almost lifelike graphics, and watched as the internet changed from a geeky collaborative tool to an integral part of modern everyday life. Unlike younger kids who always had computers in their lives, we experienced a truly analog world, at least in some sense. The ease of accessing information used to be nil to those without an understanding of computers, unlike today, which brings me to my point. Youtube, 5 years ago, it was LITERALLY impossible to find a good amount of videos online, professional or amateur. If I missed something on television, I either had to wait until it re-aired or came out on video, hear it from my friends, or just be in the dark about it. If I needed visual evidence of something, I was limited to pictures. Then in 2005, a great thing happened: YOU, Youtube.
Youtube, you single-handedly launched the era of the viral internet. Online TV and movies, video-blogging, and random, funny viral videos were born from your birth. Half of the content on this blog, and damn near every blog on the internet, features your embed code in some form. Think about it. Before you, there were no video-taped rants about anything. There wasn't such a thing as Web 2.0. The internet was what was given to us by the technologically advanced heads. Youtube, you made everyone their own videographer and content provider. Content is what we want it to be. Before you, there was no Google Video, no Twitvids, no nothing. I suppose this letter is a huge neck-off, but I can't deny the impact that you've had on the internet we know today.
At the same time, you made it so that no recorded event would ever be safe. Any gaffe, faux pas, or blunder that happens to be in front of a video camera is immediately placed at your whims, whether intentional or supposed. Along with the advent of this new method of reaching content, came a whole new batch of negatives and caveats. People now pay have to pay careful attention to what they post, much like Facebook (though, you're not as invasive or annoying). Whatever the case, no one misses the days before you. Your ease of use and breadth of content is ridiculous and something kids today will grow up with. No, I'm not jealous; just curious as to how that'll affect them. I suppose only time will tell. They (whoever they are) said computers would never catch on in the 80s; look what happened...
Apparently, this was the most watched video in Youtube history?? Go figure..
The machine that swirls the Ping-Pong balls does not have a conscience or sympathy, just a rush of air and a low hum. Occasionally, however, a little karma seeps out when the motor starts for the N.B.A. draft lottery.
The Washington Wizards, who endured the most chaotic and controversy-filled season in their history, were rewarded for their suffering Tuesday night, when the balls delivered them the No. 1 pick in the draft — and the chance to draft the Kentucky point guard John Wall.
“Obviously, we needed something like this,” Ernie Grunfeld, the Wizards’ team president, said. “It gives the franchise hope.”
Perhaps no team needed it more. Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards’ franchise player, served a 50-game suspension for felony gun possession after a locker-room confrontation with a teammate. They traded their two remaining stars, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, in mid-February, plunging them into a rebuilding effort after starting the season as a presumed playoff team.
It's been a long, long, looooooooooooong season for you guys. From thinking you were going to be a playoff team in the beginning of the year, to damn near having a 'shootout' (most people know the news blew it out of proportion), to unloading the three best (we later found out Andray Blatche was a player himself) players, to basically tanking for the rest of the season, you guys had one of the worst seasons in terms of publicity. Now, you guys lucked the hell out by nabbing the first pick in this year's draft, and by that virtue, the righ to the consensus #1 player, John Wall. I'm not going to lie, John Wall is impressive. He has superb athleticism, a natural feel for the game and an unmatched charisma on the court. Plus he has a really funny dance, which only comes around once in a blue moon. (where's Jamal Anderson with the Dirty Bird when you need him?. Even so, he might not be the right pick for you guys.
Check the dance and some highlights..
Everyone and their mom is saying that Wall is automatically the #1 pick. Somehow, I'm not convinced. Watching Evan Turner play the game is like watching Prince on a stage with a bunch of instruments: no matter how crazy he looks, he's always in control. Whereas John Wall tended to take plays off because he had a college all-star team with him, Turner really was the only player worth talking about on his Ohio State Buckeye team. Whereas John Wall is streaky and turnover prone (every good prospect is in college, really), Evan Turner was damn near perfect towards the end of games. Whereas we've seen just a year of John Wall at a higher level, we've seen Evan Turner grow every year into a DOMINANT player. The man was a triple-double machine, with amazing intangibles, a quiet lead-by-example style and the resolve of a brick wall (haha, nice little pun).
I guess the point I'm trying to make, Wizards, is that you shouldn't always believe the hype. Believe what you see. Believe the statistics, believe the intangibles, and your gut feelings. Who knows? In 10 years, we could be talking about just Wall, just Turner, or maybe even both. Drafting is such an inexact science, that I don't think I've seen anyone master. That said, it's just as easy to pick one over the other. But just think about your team. Do you really want another livewire, somewhat loose, inexperienced point guard, or a floor general. If there's one thing that you guys were missing, it was leadership. Evan Turner has a presence that belies his maturity. John Wall has a dance. I guess it's up to you guys. We sure as hell will be hearing about it a lot until June 24th...
I haven't posted anything on the 2010 World Cup yet, because I wanted to wait until it got closer... But I seriously couldn't resist putting this up. The folks over at Undefeated clearly are just as excited about the most popular sporting event in the world as I am. They took their signature 3 strike logo, and added a splash of some of the flags of key countries involved this time around. Honestly, it's a simple premise, but for an event that comes around once every four years, I can stand for a bit of vanity. Check out the rest of the t-shirts, and look out for them on sale May 22nd at Undefeated...
It seems like Nike is trying its best to relive it's basketball hayday of the late 90's and early 2000's, when literally everything they touched turned to gold. I remember being in 8th grade and thinking that Foamposites would be the end-all, be-all of sneaker technology. Obviously, that wasn't the case, but the Foams still are one of the prettiest and functional sneakers, both for basketball and to wear casually. Last year, Nike brought the Pearls out for a limited run, with few heads able to get their grubby paws on them. This year, they're breaking them out for a much wider release, although they'll only be a Foot Locker House of Hoops exclusive. I honestly wouldn't mind rocking these on the court, though outside might be a stretch for these babies. Whatever the case, check out some choice flicktures and keep your eyes peeled, because they're starting to pop up all around the interwebs...
If you are around excitable cats or sensitive glass, please DO NOT play this song..
Now, for the past 4 years or so, I've sat back and watched you, Terius Nash. I've watched you turn R&B from an art for sangers (not singers) to a falsetto-laced, synthesized snore-fest for fat producers. After hearing this, I have to demand this: dude, please just give up. I know that Christina Milian has you a little hot under the collar (for God's sake, I'd feel the same way). But that doesn't mean you can resurrect classic R&B tracks whenever you feel inspired. You see, Dream, Aaliyah could actually sing and perform, two things that I have yet to hear that you can do. Sure, you're the 'Radio Killa,' but what does killing the radio even mean? That you make catchy singles that are cool to ride out on a Saturday night to? Sure. That your songs are about as deep as the kiddie pool? Absolutely. It even might mean that you are somewhat of a genius when it comes to that niche. However, the mark of a good artist in today's music industry is an artist that knows when to stay in their lane, and when to expand. Trey Songz can throw together the sing-songy raps like R. Kelly, so it's understandable. Hell, Drake can hold a tune, so he sings every once in a while (more often now than earlier). You, however, should do no such thing. Regardless of how many records you sell, or features you're on, or whatever metric you want to use as proof that you're a good musician, you CANNOT SING. No, it's not me hating. It's me having respect for the artform. Maybe you should learn some too. Lord knows you wouldn't catch Johnny Cash rapping or Lil'Wayne trying to play guitar. Wait... Wayne had that 'Rebirth' album.... Anyway, please hand in your pass to cover the R&B hits of the 90's. You're doing yourself, and those stars (dead or alive) a disservice...
This image should be a PSA for artists stepping out of their lane...
A little late on this one.. Sue me. Anyways, Big Sean has slowly been gaining a little favor in my eyes, just because he's working on that ultra-lazy flow and supplementing it with good beat selection. I guess that's what happens when you have GOOD Music and Def Jam in your corner. The Olympicks did a number on the instrumental. On the first track from his debut album 'Finally Famous', Sean pays tribute to the timeless art that everyone and their momma has partaken in at one point or another. Some call it procrastinating, my DC folk call it loafin' (#shoutout to @AKZionz), but most people can recognize bull$#!tting a mile away. Hopefully, the rest of the album doesn't take after this title. Sean, you're gaining some steam, so let's hope you've got enough to last you at least 12 tracks. Whatever the case, check out the first single...
Peeped this over at HB... I never say this, but PAUSE
There are certain ways that one can tell if you're a sneakerhead. There's the traditional crab-walk that we use to avoid creasing and rubbed-down soles. There's the ability to spot fakes from a mile away. There's even the sort of 'Spidey-sense' when you know you're sneakers are in danger of being scuffed, so you avoid large crowds and rainy days. Foot Locker has come up with their own demarcation of a sneaker enthusiast, although it's a bit more risque than most. In this new 'Spank' commercial, the guy turns his addiction into a fetish, getting spanked with kicks and identifying them perfectly. I know I'm an enthusiast, but maybe the commercial is taking it a bit far... What do the rest of you sneakerheads think???
There are few things more summer-y than a nice afternoon out on the water with friends. I suppose that's the look that streetwear brand Orisue was going for in the lookbook for their Summer 2010 collection. They brought out the yacht, some libations, some females and had a grand-old time dressed in the freshest of attire. The collection draws from both preppy and streetwear styles, with a few striped t-shirts, short sleeve oxfords and other pieces that seem to just meld for a good look. Not even going to lie. The party on the boat looks pretty fun. Whatever the case, check out the rest of the collection at Orisue and some choice flicktures...
As you can see, Diggy's back. The not-so-average middle child from the Simmons clan is set to drop a new mixtape, entitled 'Airborne', and blessed the Twitterverse with a new track from said mixtape. After 'The First Flight', I was anxious to see if there was a falling off of Dig's lyrics, whether the biographical raps about how he's trying to break away from the image of his father and uncle would still hit home. Newsflash: he's still got it. Diggy's mid-range rapid flow goes really well with the Drumline-esque beat and aside from his kinda-spastic music video moves, the visuals are just right too. Whatever the case, Diggy's got us on our toes again. Check out the music video and the d/l above...
One of my BIGGEST #petpeeves is the hip-hop community's fixation on luxury brands and the expensive patterns that cost way more than they are actually worth. Marky apparently feels the same way. His new video, 'Louis Squares' deals with that exact problem, stating that 'just because you got Louis squares, doesn't mean you're not phony'. Everyone pines and runs after Louis V, Gucci et. al. thinking that they will add to their livelihood, only to realize that they are just clothes and accessories. You can't take any of those things with you after death, and although I like looking good as the next person, it shouldn't come at such steep prices and with the label of being materialistic. I don't know. If you rock with the luxury brands like that, more power to you. Just know that the man makes the clothes; clothes don't make the man. Check out Marky's video...
The DC representer, Lyriciss, has been bombing my Twitter timeline for a few months, so I was anxious to see what he had in stock for one of the first tracks I've heard from him. After this, I need more of his music in my life. He breaks out the rapid-fire flow for a take on K-os' 'Superstar Part 0' (originally Hot Music by SoHo) and makes a believer out of me. 'Michael Myers on a Friday, I'm Jason.. I'll waste 'em' is only one of the punchlines you'll hear from Lyriciss. I'm still dissecting this one. Check it out and get your b-boy on while you listen to 'ciss drop those lyrics...
It's been a while since I've seen a debate both this funny and this indicative of the shift in the eyes of the man from outright 'I hate niggers, spics and Japs' racism, to 'we have to keep these people uninformed so they don't know their history' racism. Professor Dyson, you were up at odds against 'the Man' incarnate. From the moment this discussion on Arizona's decision to ban ethnic studies started, it was obvious that you were up against not just the Arizona school superintendent, but a mindset that seeks to keep children in line with the ideal image of America: the land of opportunity and dreams. Michael, you and I both know that the US of A is not as rosy and dreamy as Arizona would like us to believe. You and I both know of the struggle that all ethnic groups have trudged through for the past two centuries in this country. We know the ills of not knowing your history, not knowing the true legacy of a country and what happens when racism takes the form of 'liberal', yet ignorant whites.
The superintendent used this policy of stopping racial separation (not segregation) in schools, as if teaching children different cultures would cause rifts. He tried to use the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. to justify that cockamamie idea, saying that people should be judged by the content of their character. Professor Dyson, you made the greatest point though: you can't twist words to make them fit your agenda, no matter who says them. You made him sweat. You made him repeat the same phrase about 6 times over the course of the interview, stumbling over his words and feeling like the idiot he truly is. It's even crazier because the guy made the use of Che Guevara's likeness into a bad thing, saying that kids were inciting anarchy and promoting communism. Professor Dyson, you were alive during the latter parts of the Red Scare. This type of rhetoric is eerily similar, though now, it's kids being admonished because they take an active interest in the way that the government is run.
Professor Dyson, you brought the superintendent's (note, I still haven't called that twit by his names) plans of running for office to the light, also indicative of a government that is content with the ignorant status quo as long as they stay in office. If this wasn't 'the Man's' coming out party, then I don't know what is. As a matter of fact, I hope that every American can see this video to understand how bass-ackwards we are trying to teach our children at the expense of history that is relevant. I'm tired of seeing history taught from the perspectives of the oppressors. All that does is enforce an underlying air of inferiority, no matter how much Arizona schools want to push that the opposite espouses inferiority. If America is at the brink of racial and cultural upheaval, Arizona is at the forefront, and for good reason. If we had more minds like you, Mr. Dyson, I'm sure that the struggle for understanding will end sooner rather than later...
