It's Official

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – It has just been announced on 93.9 WKYS that DC-area hip hop artist, Wale, has signed with Interscope Records in a joint venture deal with three-time Grammy award winning producer Mark Ronson’s Allido Records.

Wale, 23, has seen a tremendous amount of success for an unsigned hip hop artist over the past year, gracing the covers of URB and DNR magazines, doing remixes for Justice, Chris Brown and MIA, performing at the MTV Video Music Awards, song licenses with Nike, ENTOURAGE and MTV and a growing internet buzz surrounding his most recent mixtape 100 MILES AND RUNNING and his upcoming Seinfeld-inspired project, THE MIXTAPE ABOUT NOTHING. Entertainment Weekly recently reported that the mixtape features a skit from Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Wale signed a production deal with DJ-turned-producer Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Christina Aguilera) in June of 2007 after impressing him on Ronson’s European tour. Following an intense, six-month bidding war, Wale signed to a joint venture between Allido Records and Interscope, saying Jimmy Iovine, Luke Wood and the whole Interscope staff understood his vision better than anyone else.

“Look at their track record,” said Wale via phone on his way to perform at a Justice concert in DC. “Dre, Eminem, 50, Pharrell, Timbaland, Black Eyed Peas, Soulja Boy…the list goes on.”

“This is the best possible situation we could ask for,” says Daniel Weisman, Wale’s manager. “We waited and kept grinding until someone came with something we felt reflected the work we’ve put in; Interscope got it.”

Mark Ronson will executive produce Wale’s untitled debut album and contribute production to the project due out in fall. Other tentative contributors include past Wale-collaborators Osinachi (“Nike Boots”) and Best Kept Secret (“Back In The Go Go”), along with Just Blaze, Pharrell, Kanye West, 9th Wonder, Justice and DJ Toomp.

Allido Records is a New York City-based label founded in 2004 by Mark Ronson and former manager, Rich Kleiman. Allido Records has put out releases by Rhymefest and Daniel Merrieather through J Records, and by Mark Ronson through RCA. Wale’s album will be the first release through their new joint venture deal with Interscope.

Good luck to the kid. From the looks of it, it may indeed have been the best situation. Def Jam is a graveyard, and Interscope does grind for their ppl, unless ur name is Pharrell.

Also, coming soon:
The Mixtape About Nothing (March 2008)
Wale x 9th Wonder x LRG Present: THE 10TH WONDER

Sleep is the Cousin of Death

I swear, a nigga can't take a day's reprieve from internet travelings lest he miss ish. This is the finished version of the joint we posted previously.

Wale ft. Bun B and Pusha T - Back in the Go-Go

and oh, word is, Wale officially signed a major deal and the rumor mill has mostly said it's with Interscope. With him spending so much time in Cali (as opposed to NYC), that wouldn't sound too far fetched. It also would go along with what ppl have been saying for some time. (Remember the Black Thought interview?)

Doctors Orders

Lupe Fiasco (aka the panther who was late to the meeting) has recruited the ever-fresh Dr. Romanelli to serve as his brand manager for the continued marketing of 2007's critically-acclaimed The Cool. For starters, Lupe's one-of-a-kind (until he began hustling em online) tour jackets are available on solebox for 450 Euros. If you dont know that conversion, I'll let International Grease explain. Either way... peep!

Flyer than the rest of em... still

Throwback of the Week

If only for the two-fisted double-pump, Subway X 702 was the epitome of the 90s. Shouts to Cee for the inappropriate usage of email at work.

Reading Between the Lines

The Wire's David Simon speaks. You should be listening. And oh, for all you people who thought Michael was gonna be the next Marlo, I called the Michael/Omar parallel last week.

Can't Stop Won't Stop

Janelle Monáe - The Audition

[1] album in 10 years? Nigga, I can divide

I usually don't eff with non-group rips*, but when it's Portishead's first album in 10 years, you lay arbitrary policies like that aside. The retail album comes out next month, but this poorer quality version leaked yesterday. It's called Third. You know the drill. Click the album cover to download. And eff you if you don't appreciate Portishead's trip-hop goodness.

*a "non-group rip" in layman's terms is a bootlegged bootleg. They are usually low quality, may not have all songs, or may be unmastered, unfinished, and unpolished in a traditional way. "Group rips" are always the bootleg digital standard as they are the digital equivalent to the actual CD sold. Most albums we put up here are group rips.

Dang, I be educating yall bammas.

It's not easy being green

The line outside of Supreme for the Supreme x Kermit gear. More here.

The internet is going nuts. $125 for a regular tee shirt? And you paid a fifth of that? Nigga please.

Feeling Mellow Like a Cello

Life is good. Last night, I had the privilege of seeing Alice Smith live at the Tin Angel. (Remember her?) It was a great show. The crowd was live and Alice did her thug thizzle. The girl has a powerful voice. She also has a remarkably approachable stage presence. During a song, she's in her own world. Her face contorts, her body emotes every note-wrapped lyric. It's like pulling back bark to get the sap. But as soon as the song ends, she smiles this huge smile, tugs at her jeans, and looks at the crowd as though she's surprised to see that people actually paid to hear her. The humility was refreshing.

That doesn't mean she lacked confidence though. It was her stage and she held it down with her bantam band, (of which the lead guitarist seemed a crowd fave. smirk). Ol' girl is real tall though. Much taller than I'd thought. I think 5'10" is on the shorter end of any estimate. She was also sans brassiere, which is another trademark of hers. Still, she's very attractive, and put together rather nicely. After the show, I got the chance to get her autograph. I asked if I could take a picture with her and she refused.

Me: Hi Alice great show. Could I get a picture with you?
Alice: I'll do anything for you... except that.
Me: Watch out now, you don't wanna say something like that, Alice. You don't know me like that. Might get you into some trouble...
Alice: *Makes a screw face of disgust* Eww! Gross!
Me: Uh.. yeah.. just kidding. Could I get your autograph tho?
Alice: Yeah, sure. What's your name?
Me: Jonathan
Alice: *signs autograph*
Me: And you spelled my name right too!? What don't you do, Alice?
Alice: *disinterested laughter* Thanks for coming to the show.
Me: Thanks. Bye.

I later went back to my table, which was two tables away from where she was signing autographs, turned my camera on, turned the flash off, sat it on the tabletop and took a picture when she wasn't looking, the results of which are below.


I don't know what her deal is with pics, she was pic blocking folks the whole night, but besides that, it was all real "jazzy" as the homie dave ken would say. In the end, I got an autograph and a pic so I won't complain. Great show. Great night.

Life is good.

What am I here for?

Santogold - "L.E.S. Artistes"

Weezy F. Baby Defines "No Homo"

In a show of hood charity, Lil Wayne has decided to be part of an ad campaign for Houston hood star J-Prince's Strapped Condoms. I'm all for advocating the use of prophylactics, but really Weezy? Is this not the most homo-erotic poster possible? Getting man-raped by some old white guy on the hood of a car?

At least you know he's wearing protection.

Also, a moment of silence for the slogan. You definitely don't want the boys in prison getting a hold of this one, Dwayne. Who's saying "Please say the baby," now?

Strange Fruit

Ebony & Ivory

For the loyal readers, thought I'd slip yall a Wale joint I've been sitting on for a few months along with some old Daniel Merriweather.

Wale - Eye No DC
Daniel Merriweather - She's Got Me

Partake.

Ether

According to little-known "Skull Gang" affiliates 40 Cal & Bezel, The Dips is Ova...

boomp3.com

First off, I dont understand how one crew can maintain sooooo many sub-affiliations (Purple City, Juelz' Skull Gang, Jim's Byrd Gang) and not appear disjointed. I guess they couldnt either. So much for the last real NY crew standing.

I'll admit it, back in these days...

... you couldn't tell me nothing. Between Cam's "Come Home With Me" and the first "Diplomatic Immunity" (both released on the Roc, might I add) I was all for the alliterative abuse and pink throwbacks.

I suppose I'll continue living for Jim's interviews and attempts at hypebeasting.

"Slow Down, Turbo"

There are two types of Season 5 "Wire Watchers" (as I like to call them). Those that faithfully watch Sunday nights and those that hastily watch the Monday airing. Within these two classes, there are a multitude of divisions; i.e. those who dont have OnDemand, sunday night purists who choose to avoid the early showing, thirsty ass niggas who cant wait 6 days and feel like its the next best thing to copping the bootleg, while frowning upon niggas that copped the bootleg, etc. I happen to fall into the latter.

Either way... if you're anything like me, you happened upon this.



Is it too much to ask to get Clay Davis on a mixtape remix of "Shawty is a Ten"? Either way, just as Canibus once rapped "the greatest rapper of all time died on March 9th", so will the greatest show on Earth, sans Barnum & Bailey.

Coinky-dink? Absolutely.

Say What?

I'm doing my normal round of internet cruising and happen upon this. Sneakerheads will recognize that this is part of hypebeast. This is a post from a member of their blog team, Rob Heppler, who also does Weekly Drop.

Long story short, homey went visiting friends out in Massachusetts to celebrate that one of em just got outta jail. Somewhere during the festivities, drama erupts and one of em gets shot. These videos were taken as they rushed the guy to the hospital.


Pay special attention around the 28-30 second mark


Pay attention to the 14 second mark.

"You can't square off with these punk fucking niggers!"
"I'm not about fighting these fucking niggers with guns."

Maybe this is how Paul Mooney felt watching Kramer go off, but a part of me wishes that this dude woulda taken some shots Curtis Jackson style. I'm really pretty speechless.

The meaning of a word.

In a sentimental mood [Repost]

EDIT: Links [and album covers] are fixed

In addition to Amy Winehouse's (vocal) heir apparent, Adele, ya boy's been grooving to some other old jawns that I figured are worth sharing. You'll prolly hear a few of em on the next volume of "Real Niggas Light Candles," which is why I almost abstained from posting these, but I'm bored, so what the hoe down. Click the album covers to download.

The title track from Ledisi's latest album, Lost and Found was featured on the last RNLC mixtape. It was honestly the only track from the album that I liked. The girl can sing, no doubt, but I felt like I was listening to 96.3-WHUR for most of the album. Not so with this one though. I won't say anymore and let you enjoy it for its surprises and overall goodness.

Reasons why this album cover is cool:

Her sweatshirt
The Souljah Boy-esque sunglasses
The reflection in her sunglasses of the photography umbrella
The straight MS Paint (not even Photoshop) use of the text box for the artist name and title

Besides that, it's just good music. And yeah, her name's Tiombe Lockhart.

I might as well drop this one too. This chick is being touted as the next Amy Winehouse--as is every young female talent from the UK--by some. I really don't think she deserves the title. Adele, for many reasons is much more worthy of the comparison. The album is okay, some people seem to think this album is good. I agree with others though, this guy in particular. It lacks the authenticity of Back to Black and 19, not to mention the girl's vocal capabilities are not comparable. She's trying too hard. "Mercy" sounds trite. "Delayed Devotion" sounds like microwaveable '60's soul... I could go on, but I won't .

All hating aside tho, she's cute. She's at least got that over Adele. Still though, the fact that she's always clutching herself in pics (see: Google images) makes me wonder if she's hiding some physical deformity a la DJ Paul.

Jay Electronica has the cure for Baduizm

Erykah's featured in this video on the internet rap phenom Jay Electronica (shame on you if you don't at least recognize the name.) I don't post Electronica ish mostly cuz he's already all over the rap internet. He's also only on the internet.

But really, the only reason why I posted this is because for once, a man seems to have finally met Erykah, boinked Erykah, and come out (pun intended) still intact and somewhat normal. (But when you think about it, it's not like Jay Electronica is your typical normal dude either. Homey makes some weird--ahem, "avant garde"--choices musically.)

Badu gushes over Electronica, calling him everything except God-incarnate. Could she have fallen victim to Baduizm?

Sidenote: I noticed the sharebee links for the "Sentimental Mood" post aren't working. They'll be fixed soon. Be sure to check back.

If Obama loses, I'm moving to London

Shout out to Blake incarcerated. Mr. M.R., Mark Ronson, performs with Adele, Daniel Merriweather, and A-dot Winehouse. Amy throws a not-so-subliminal loveline out there for her jailed hubby in a sloppy but entertaining performance.

I guess Daniel Merriweather deserves some hype too. Maybe I'll drop a joint or two of his today too.

Pretty in the face, fat in the waist

Adele - Chasing Pavements. Because I believe in hype.

Esoteria

Every cool guy worth his Nike SB's knows about Supreme. I have a feeling that if this tee is part of their Spring line (my Ubiq peeps told me about the Kermit/Supreme steez a few weeks ago), it will be one of their most popular ever. Why? Because the brand's hype bubble has yet to burst, thanks to its exclusivity and seemingly sporadic releases. Add to that their cryptic brand of branding and you have every street snob's wet dream.

Still, why would a tee of kermit wearing a Supreme tee be a big sell? For starters, it's Supreme. Secondly, it's part of a line of tees that have featured the likes of Jimmy Jones & Juelz, Mike Tyson, and Tera Patrick--which is to say, there's a history (and tradition) behind it. Lastly, not everyone wants to wear a shirt with a pic of people like the ones named above. I definitely couldn't get away with wearing the Tera Patrick tee around fam or to school, and the Mike Tyson one would definitely bear explaining to my grandfather (as would the DipSet one, for that matter). Kermit's harmless though. And therein lies the geniu$. With a figure so innocuous, all the hypebeasts who have craved Supreme gear forever, those who have followed their stuff for years, and all those in between will want to have a shirt that is immediately esoteric in a way that is chock full of meaninglessness. When asked, "What's the deal with your shirt?" you either say "Iunno," "Nothing," or begin to explain Supreme to someone who prolly doesn't care and is regretting they asked you in the first place. Either that, or you just say, "You wouldn't get it."

I know what you're thinking. My point exactly.

Buried Treasure

So, I'm surfing the nigganet after work and checking various '07 heat rocks from Chicago's "Movement" Crew (responsible for bringing you Kid Sister, blogger-happy Cool Kids drops & vicious Million Dollar Mano house remixes), reminiscing on all the hot shit that popped back home AFTER i left, and what do I find but none other than hood classic "Porno Movies" by Chicago's Mic Terror.

(peep the homie chris posted behind mic terror in the street shots wearing the southshoresocialclub "heart of the city" tee)

We Know What You Like

My favorite jawn from the conceptual masterpiece that is American Gangster...

All I Need

The boys behind the greatest hip-hop song of all time (in my opinion) are back with new heat. You're Welcome!

Camp Lo - Lumdi

Can you keep a secret?

Figured I'd wait til the dust settled to drop this one. This track was leaked yesterday and promptly pulled from most sites on 6 of the 7 internets by Wale's management team cuz it was "unfinished." Well, I told yall how we do here. I'm not posting the title of the track to prevent anyone from Googling us. Let's just say it features all 3 of the rappers pictured above. The rapper wearing a suit is sampled while the other two provide us with the verses. Clear enough? Good.

For the track click here.

Summer Love

I have to give props where there due... BBC has been coming with it this year and earning the privelege of not getting slapped for them high-ass prices with each fresh release. The $300 ice creams and $100 waffle tees weren't cutting it for me, but each season gives me faith. Peep.

Who Killin Em In The UK!?

Just in time for the warm weather [re-upped]... EARLY!!!

The Cool

Thanks to Comcast OnDemand, I've been sitting on these thoughts since last Monday but I figured I'd take the high road for the regular Sunday Night Wire-Watchers.



I didn't see it coming, but it couldn't have happened any other way. If the haunting murders in Scorcese's "Departed", set to mere diegetic sound are brilliant, was Omar's death any different? I would be admittedly less heart broken had Mr. Little survived to the finale, but that would be too-Hollywood, a penchant The Wire has gracefully avoided.

Omar became the Shakespearean tragic hero (Grease, correct me if my reference is wrong) and Ed Burns & Co. are genius for writing it that way. According to the seven interents however, the streets feel every which way about the way Omar checked out and I'm curious to know what our faithful think.

RIP Omar, and thank you for blessing us with this verse before falling victim to the streets...

No Homo. Pause.

Props to hiphop-elements.com, cuz I dont know how I missed this lol...

NEW YORK, Nov. 21 - Jim Jones, the rap superstar and co-CEO of Diplomat Records, has quietly returned to the studio to record an album of new songs inspired by the forthcoming movie "Alvin and The Chipmunks," his first "concept" album and second CD in less than a year.
The album, which his label plans to release in early December, came together over the past few weeks after Jim Jones was shown the film, directed by Tim Hill, in which Jason Lee portrays David Seville, the man who looks after the mischievous chipmunks.

Following the underwhelming critical and commercial reception for his Harlem's American Gangsta CD earlier this year - and as Jim Jones grapples with whether to stay on in his post at Diplomat Records - the tie-in to a major motion picture gives him a chance to rebound strong and extend his reach to a wider audience.

At the same time, it could help 20th Century Fox excite younger moviegoers, whom it will need to make money on a costly film with a contemporary comic sensibility. Though it's not uncommon for films to be released alongside "inspired by" albums, it is rare for them to be recorded by a single artist, let alone by an average rapper who had no role in the movie.

In an hourlong telephone interview, Jim Jones, 31, who has spoken of spending his early years in Harlem as Cam'ron's hype man, said that the movie had tremendous resonance for him and had sparked a burst of creative activity that even he found surprising. He has already recorded nine tracks, almost every one prompted by a specific scene.

"It was like I was watching the film, and putting it on pause, and giving a back story to the story," he said.

The movie, set for a Dec. 14 release, is based on the 1980s series about a music group of chipmunks comprised of mischievous group leader Alvin; tall and quiet Simon; and chubby, impressionable Theodore.

Jim Jones said he thought his fans would be struck by the image of a chipmunk reaching such heights of success, even while alone in the world with only a kufi by his side.

"It immediately clicked with me," said Jim Jones, who has made passing references to animated musical groups in previous recordings but has never delved so deeply into the topic. "Like Nutty Squirrels or any one of those groups, you take the good out of it, and you can see it as an inspiring act."

... as if the cameo on Episode 7 of The Wire Season 5 wasn't enough.

Don't Smell Like A Turtle Cage

Don't give the crown to Seth Rogan just yet... he's still got it (circa Eddie Kane)

Is that a twin size bed?

Soulja Boy announces his new sneakers... from his bedroom... in his momma house. I thought he'd spend that "Crank Dat" dough and at least get himself a crib. Niggas will be niggas I guess.

Wake up! (c) Larry Fishburne

Snow Days

Thanks to the good people of Commonwealth of Virginia where I proudly call home, I was able to play hooky all day due to the inclimate weather. Apparently 38 degrees, with no snow, rain, sleet or hail is grounds for work and school closings. Either way, upon returning to the crib the production bug bit me and I spent the day grinding with my partner-in-audiophilia, Cee. Simultaneously I came across pics from the latest studio sessions for the upcoming N*E*R*D release, titled N3RD, on the BBC blog (dope site by the way). Needless to say the inspiration was in full effect.




Here's a few unreleased '07 gems from the boys at Star Trak to start your weekend off right.

NERD - Locked Away
Pharrell - Swagger International

Like We Always Do At This Time

If you dont know about 08's biggest tour, you're a dummy. But God blesses the deaf, dumb and blind so...

• Seattle, Washington
  Key Arena
  April 16, 2008 (more info)
• Sacramento, California
  ARCO Arena
  April 18, 2008 (more info)
• San Jose, California
  HP Pavillion
  April 19, 2008 (more info)
• San Diego, California
  Sports Arena
  April 20, 2008 (more info)
• Los Angeles, California
  Nokia Theatre
  April 21, 2008 (more info)
• Los Angeles, California
  Nokia Theatre
  April 22, 2008 (more info)
• Las Vegas, Nevada
  Red Rocks Casino Resort
  April 25, 2008 (more info)
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
  Journal Pavillion
  April 26, 2008 (more info)
• Denver, Colorado
  Pepsi Center
  April 27, 2008 (more info)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  Ford Center
  April 29, 2008 (more info)
• Austin, Texas
  Frank Irwin Center
  April 30, 2008 (more info)
• Dallas, Texas
  Superpages.com Center
  May 1, 2008 (more info)
• Houston, Texas
  Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion
  May 2, 2008 (more info)
• Atlanta, Georgia
  Gwinette Arena
  May 4, 2008 (more info)
• Tampa, Florida
  Ford Amphitheater
  May 5, 2008 (more info)
• Miami, Florida
  American Airlines Theater
  May 6, 2008 (more info)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
  Verizon Amphitheater
  May 8, 2008 (more info)
• Raleigh, North Carolina
  Walnut Creak
  May 9, 2008 (more info)
• Washington D.C.
  Nissan Pavillion
  May 10, 2008 (more info)
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
  Verizon Wireless
  May 11, 2008 (more info)
• New York, New York
  Madison Square Garden
  May 13, 2008 (more info)
• Boston, Massachusetts
  Tweeter
  May 15, 2008 (more info)
• Hartford, Connecticut
  New England Dodge Music Center
  May 16, 2008 (more info)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  Susquehanna Bank Center
  May 17, 2008 (more info)
• Scranton, Pennsylvania
  Toyota Pavillion
  May 18, 2008 (more info)
• Montreal (Canada)
  Bell Center
  May 20, 2008 (more info)
• Toronto (Canada)
  Molson Center
  May 21, 2008 (more info)
• Detroit, Michigan
  Palace
  May 22, 2008 (more info)
• Chicago, Illinois
  United Center
  May 23, 2008 (more info)
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
  Target Center
  May 24, 2008 (more info)
• Saskatoon, SK (Canada)
  Credit Union Centre
  May 27, 2008 (more info)
• Edmonton, AB (Canada)
  Rexall Place
  May 29, 2008 (more info)
• Calgary, AB (Canada)
  Pengrowth Saddledome
  May 30, 2008 (more info)

Grease, we might have to collab on either that Philly date or the DC joint.

And because I love ya...

Enjoy

You want this

Trust me. Click the album cover. I don't know what they're feeding these British women, but London Town is definitely not burning down. Word to Ray Ray. They're definitely bringing the heat tho.

In West Philadelphia...

Look Out Below...

previews of "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E."

If Its Magic

Were it possible, I'd attempt to sell my mother for these...

Welcome To DC

Today your favorite skater's favorite shoe teamed up with your favorite blogger's favorite store (in DC) to drop the limited edition Gatsby's. VA/DC's Commonwealth X DC Shoes collab is dope, and the good ppl in Adam's Morgan were even good enough to film the freshness. Peep the documentary!

Where are my [crochet pants]?

click the album cover

Everybody's Doing It...

You had me on the Tatyana Ali cameo...

Scarves are the new hoodies

Strictly for the Gear Guide. Though I'm not exactly saying that you should follow anything Jimmy does (or says)...

Dogs & Yoga

I might have possibly found the greatest blog you've never heard of besides ours. It's called "Stuff White People Like..." and its brilliant. Here's an excerpt:

#69 Mos Def
February 17, 2008 by clander
In the olden days of white culture, people used to look up to Kings and Princes. These were the people that they adored, and every night they wished and hoped that somehow they could wake up and be just like them. But with Royal Families crumbling, that role has been filled by one man: Mos Def.
He is everything that white people dream about: authentic (”he’s from Brooklyn!”), funny (”he was on Chapelle show!”), artistic (have you heard “Black on Both Sides?”), an actor (”he’s in the new Gondry film!”) and not white (”I don’t see race”).
He has done an amazing job of being in big budget movies (The Italian Job) and having one of his songs become a white person wedding staple (Ms. Fat Booty) but still retaining authenticity and credibility.
If you find yourself in a social situation where you are asked to list your favorite actor or artist, you should always say Mos Def. This way you can name someone that everyone has heard of and you don’t look like you are trying to one up anybody. The only possible negative consequence is some white people might think “I wish I had said that first.”

I'm only at #62, but please check them out and read on with and open heart and an ignorant mind...

Living a Movie

As a self-proffessed comic book fan in my youth, and an adult comic nostalgiac (i can make words up too...) I've been thoroughly impressed by the ability of the comic book world to finally translate their stories to the big screen while keeping the cheese and corn at a minimum. Throw in my obsession with rhymes of Ghostface Killah and his early "Iron Man" ethos and I'll be the first in line for Robert Downey's turn as Tony Starks on May 2nd. Either way, New Era 5950 has released some very dope packs in a collab with Marvel Comics to commemorate the May release of Iron Man and the next Hulk flick dropping in June. Admitedly, these are lot flyer in theory than practice but the stunt factor is undeniable. Check the Hypebeast previews below!

B-B-B-B-Bad Daddy-O!

Note to Jigga and every other rapper knocking 40's door down:

How do you revisit a classic with classic results?

ENJOY

We Dont Love Them Hoes

Don't lie... Sensual Seduction (Sexual Eruption) is your jawn. And ya girl's jawn too. Who loves you?

ENJOY

You Know I Like To Show Off...

Not sure if this is a preview, trailer (a la Blue Magic), or a too cool for school Kanye Omari original. Either way, the model Rita G is bbbbbbb-bad daddyo!

Yuggghhhh!!!

Dwight Howard has renewed my faith in the league I love. Superman that ho.

The Ski Mask Way

Don't fight it... If you like it.

It's my diner

Okay So, Make Another Hov!

From DC to Orlando on a business class red-eye and the streets are 'puting. According to all the internets, Hov is coming back... again... to reclaim the throne. AG was undoubtedly dope and the concept album du jour of '07, but the streets still insist that despite its proximity to the vibe of the seminal Reasonable Doubt... it wasnt Reasonable Doubt. Well as attempted by every other rapper with a critically-acclaimed debut, the logical follow-up will reportedly arrive in the form of Reasonable Doubt 2. The streets are always the first to know so lets hope it sounds as good as it looks on paper!

Reasonable Doubt 2: Return Of The Hustle
1- Intro ft. pain in da azz(Prod. by Kanye West)
2- Still Can't Knock The Hustle ft. Beyonce (Prod. by Kanye West)
3- Dead Presidents 3 ft. Nas(Prod. by The Neptunes)
4- For The Love Of Money (Prod. by. Kanye West)
5- Hard Roc Life ft. Memphis Bleek, Freeway & Beanie Sigel (prod. by Just Blaze)
6- Ghetto Affairs (Prod. by DJ Premier)
7- Brooklyn Streets ft. Uncle Murder & Tru-Life (Prod. by The Hitmen)
8- Blastphemy (Prod by. Just Blaze)
9- Pray On My Downfall (Prod. by Dr.Dre)
10- Angels & Demons (Prod. by The Hitmen)
11- Feel It In ft. Mary J Blige (Prod. by Ski)
12- Face Off Pt. 2 ft. Sauce Money (Prdod by Just Blaze)
13- Ain't No Bitch ft. Kanye West (prod. by Kanye West)
14- 44 Fours (Prod. by Ski)
15- No Regrets (Prod, by. Pete Rock)
16- This Is Me (The Hustler Remains) (Prod. by Dr.Dre)

Love's In Need Of Love Today

Pardon my lack of intellectual descriptives at the time... but this is some bullshit!

DeKALB, Ill. — With minutes left in a class in ocean sciences at Northern Illinois University on Thursday afternoon, a tall skinny man dressed all in black stepped out from behind a curtain on the stage of the lecture hall, said nothing, and opened fire with a shotgun, the authorities and witnesses said.

The man shot again and again, witnesses said, perhaps 20 times or more. Students in the large lecture hall, stunned and screaming, dropped to the floor. They crouched behind anything they could find, even an overhead projector. They scattered, the blood of victims spattering, some said, on those who escaped injury.

Five people, all of them students, were killed, John G. Peters, the president of Northern Illinois University, said at a news conference late Thursday evening. Sixteen others were wounded, two of them critically, Mr. Peters said. Hospital officials said several of the students had been shot in the head.

The gunman, whom the authorities did not identify, also died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Mr. Peters said. The gunman, he said, had been a graduate student in sociology at the university in 2007, but was no longer enrolled here. Records suggested that the man, who had more recently attended a different state school, had no previous police contact, the authorities said.

Police officers from the campus, which sits in a snow-covered community 65 miles due west of Chicago, said three weapons had been found with the man’s body: two handguns, including a Glock, and the shotgun. The man’s body was found on the lecture hall stage, the police said. He had ammunition left over.

Between the war, the weather, and this school shooting bullshit, we're all checking out by 2010. I'll admit that I'm even more so disturbed by this tragedy because of its proximity to my hometown, and the fact that a childhood friend from the old block was in the building when it all went down. Nonetheless, its ridiculous.

The following not only happens to be one of (if not THE) greatest albums of all time, but it speaks to the issues of today with the same levity it carried 30 years ago.

Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life

The Emancipation of Mi-Ri

Forgive the title, but I tried my best... I really did.

Much to the dismay of our children, my baby mama Amerie Rodgers has been released by her long-time home, Columbia Records. With the US shelving of her latest album, Because I Love It, for almost two years, this probably comes at a good time. According to the streets, she's close to a new deal with an undisclosed major. Hopefully '08 will see a stateside release.

In honor of her independence, enjoy her aptly-titled '07 single "Gotta Work".



And for being so good about sitting thru this post while I further obsess, you get a treat. Enjoy the UK release of Because I Love It. Click the cover to download.

Music, Models & Bottles

So... we usually dont do this, but what the hell. If you're in the DMV by chance next weekend, make sure you check out Music, Models & Bottles at The Calvert House in PG County, MD. Its kinda like this blog, except heavy on the bottles. Case in point, sneakers are encouraged (along the lines of Meestah Garr & Mr. Kenneth... leave the Starburys at the crib) so feel free to do u. Reggae Sound Systems, apperances by the dopest ethiopian, $75 Moet & local artist showcases... and I designed the flyer. You cant go wrong.

T.R.O.Y.

So I know this is like blipster blasphemy in '08, but let me be the first to say that I wasn't in the least bit affected by the passing of Detroit-based super producer, J. Dilla. In fact, for the life of me, I couldnt help but feel that many 80's babies who claimed to owe their entire being to Mr. Yancey Sr.'s nuts, were simply bandwagoning or as we say after a few shots of E & J... "dickwatching, cuz" (shouts to J-Rob). Its easy to be touched by someone posthumously, but it just aint seem right.

Yes, I was quite familiar with Dilla's place in the game, his founding membership in Slum Village (who I honestly felt were pretty overrated... i know, bad blogger bad), and his involvement with the Soulquarians collective, 90s backpacker wet dream, yada yada. Maybe I just missed the boat. Somewhere in my dreadlocked, corner-cypher crushing, poetry slam-hosting, rawkus records lusting, back-room djing, fruity loops producing, freight-hopping for graffiti teenage years of lore, I failed to understand Dilla's true merit to the game.

Upon recently (admittedly two years after his 2/10/06 passing) discovering his production discography, I realized that some of my favorite under-the-radar jawns of all time were banged out by Mr. Yancey himself.

So here's to tardiness...

Slum Village - Climax


Q-Tip - Lets Ride


Pharcyde - Runnin


and inadvertantly, Mya - Fallen


De La Soul - Stakes Is High


Common (Feat. Pharrell, Q-Tip & Erykah Badu) - Come Close Remix


Janet Jackson (Feat. Q-Tip) - Got Til Its Gone


Q-Tip - Vivrant Thing


Forgive me for my ignorance.
R.I.P. Dilla
2/7/74-2/10/06