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The Clipse Present: The Re-Up Gang (Album Review)

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Reviews / Music

 

 

After countless stunning bars and flawless flows on the notable We Got It For Cheap mixtape series, The Re-Up Gang have finally brought their hustle to the big leagues with their studio debut album, The Clipse Present: The Re-Up Gang (Koch). The twelve track effort consists of nine brand new tracks as well as three unreleased remixes from We Got It For Cheap Vol. III.

 

Surprisingly the gang slacked off here as the new tracks don’t hold the same weight as their previous work. Even recycled lyrics from the prior volumes are coupled with sub par production; as the intro is jacked from Vol. III, adding a bit of confusion off the bat.

 

The content fits right into the mold of your standard Re-Up endeavors with their dramatic tales of hustling, sex, money and jewelry. This is most evident on “Million Dollar Corner,”  “Street Money” and their first single “Fast Life,” which was produced by the piano man himself, Scott Storch.

 

On “Fast Life” you can hear Pusha and Malice flaunting flashy images: “I can show you what my paper like / Money first, fast cars, out come the chicks / Off they panties and bras / Come on / I said, Come on”. For those searching for lyrical content outside of the white powder sales, the closest you may get to it is heard on the introspective “Been Thru So Much” and “Emotionless,” where the gang gives the audience a deeper look into their lives.

 

Removed from their proven strategy of utilizing the pick of the litter instrumentals, the production on the disc is rather hit or miss. Tracks like “Money” and the hypnotizing organs on “Been Thru So Much,” are sure to catch the listener’s ears. On the flipside the beats found on “Street Money,” “Show You How To Hustle” and “We Know” fall short and sound like they came right off a novice’s newly purchased Fruity Loops program.

 

Overall The Clipse Presents: The Re-Up Gang doesn’t hit as hard as fans would expect. The lyrical abilities didn’t go anywhere, but the never ending cocaine lifestyle tires out rather quickly over the very much uninspired production. There’s a big difference from selling bricks and bricking in sales.

 

Re-Up Gang

“Fast Life”

 

Re-Up Gang

“Money”

Isaac Hayes: Sampling Soul Brother #1

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Features

Isaac Hayes was a musical genius. Chances are if you check the credits you will find your favorite artist has rhymed over a Hayes assisted beat creation at one point or another. So selecting a small portion of Black Moses’ extensive catalogue that’s been sampled by Hip-Hop artists and labeling it “best” is a fool’s errand. No matter, here are eight of our favorites along with some words from Scarface and Chuck D speaking on the late musician’s genius. Heaven just got a lot more soulful. RIP.“Theme From Shaft” from Shaft Soundtrack (Stax, 1971)Doesn’t matter how many people sampled it when or how well, “Theme from Shaft” is a masterpiece well enough left alone. The crispy instrumentation, that absolutely sick wah wah guitar, the “Can you dig it?”; this was the original playa’s anthem. Yeah, it won Hayes an Oscar in 1971, but Black Moses’ lore was already legend without the approval of any academy.

Do Your Thing from Shaft Soundtrack (Enterprise/Stax, 1971)

Do Your Thing – Isaac HayesBack in ’88 the debate was Kane or The R (no disrespect to Kool G. Rap). The Mary Jane Girls didn’t get all the sample clearance shine as the regal horns heard on Isaac Hayes’ “Do Your Thing” (another gem from the Shaft Soundtrack) got melded by Marley Marl into the backdrop for Kane’s party friendly by lyrically ferocious to the core mic persona.

Big Daddy Kane “Smooth Operator”

“Walk On By” from Hot Buttered Soul (Enterprise/Stax, 1969)

Walk On By – Isaac HayesThe Bar-Kays were Hayes’ rhythm section and they go absolutely buckwild on the latter portion of this 12 minute long opus. This is a groove that moves. It has been used by a multitude of artists (MF Doom, Pete Rock, Tupac, et. al) but The Notorious B.I.G. did it much justice, no easy feat. Wu-Tang Clan also got busy to it on “Can’t Go to Sleep,” enlisting Hayes himself on the song. The original was also featured prominently in the film Dead Presidents.

Notorious B.I.G. “Warning”

Wu-Tang Clan f/ Isaac Hayes “Can’t Go to Sleep

“Hyperbolicsyllabicseequedalymystic” from Hot Buttered Soul (Enterprise/Stax, 1969)From the same landmark, only four track long album “Walk On By” appears on (note to would be artists; sometimes less is a lot more) the Bomb Squad seriously dug in the crates because those eerie pianos they lifted for Public Enemies “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaso” don’t appear until deep into this winding song.

Public Enemy “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”

“Isaac Hayes was my music godfather. We had a great relationship and he mentored me as he did others about the business and life itself. Before I had even met him Black Moses symbolically exuded a Black Pride Movement, as Mr James Brown did with Black Soul Power. I traveled to Ghana Africa for the first time in 1992 witnessing him being [made] a Chief. I picked his brain often as a songwriting god, and guide while over there. We as Public Enemy opened up for him in Africa and marveled at his talents.

He co-produced the song But Can You Kill The N##### In You on my solo MISTACHUCK project in 1996,  as I gladly had the pleasure of rapping on his BRANDED album a year  later or so. He surprised me often, appearing to present me with awards, rather than me the other way around. Whenever he called I tried to be there at his and other STAX events. I won’t forget when he and David Porter pulled me to the side during a STAX Memphis  Reunion and both said that I was an official ‘SOUL MAN’ …for me  nothing else could  be better. R.I.P. Godfather. R.I.P. Black Moses.'” -Chuck D

“A Few More Kisses to Go” from Don’t Let Go (Polydor, 1979)E-Sermon basically jacked this loop wholesale for Redman’s classic “Tonight’s Da Night.” No need to tamper with it too much as Reggie Noble has a blast over those mystifying strings and bright horns.

Redman “Tonight’s Da Night”

“Hung Up On My Baby” from Tough Guys  (Enterprise/Stax, 1974)

Hung Up On My Baby – Isaac HayesScarface took this groove and freaked it for the Geto Boys’ “Mind Playing Tricks on Me.” The album it comes from is a soundtrack cut from a little know film called Tough Guys. Check Face’s insight below…

Geto Boys’ “Mind Playing Tricks on Me”

“I knew Isaac Hayes personally. I actually got a chance to go in the studio with Isaac Hayes. He don’t read music, he just play what he feel. That man had a hell of a vibe man. That song I remade, the “My Minds Playing Tricks On Me,” that’s a song called “Hung Up on My Baby.” I sampled it, I thought it was a hell of a groove. That was originally my solo song.  I wrote three verses, then Bill took my last verse and Willie D wrote his verse to it. I can believe this s**t dude. I did that beat. I been f**king with Isaac Hayes forever…Black Moses. I grew up in a music household so that’s all we had. Man to lose Isaac Hayes…Donny Hathaway, Isaac Hayes, Luther Vandross, we had some badass musicians, Jimi Hendrix… I think that music is just as dead as Hip-Hop is, period. When Isaac Hayes, and the Commodores and Marvin Gaye, when they was doing they s**t, that was music man. We just fiddling around with this s**t now. When I see that phrase, ‘Save the Music,’ I take this s**t real personal man. To lose Isaac Hayes that threw me for a f**king loop.” -Scarface“The Look Of Love” from …To Be Continued (Enterprise/Stax, 1970)

The Look Of Love – Isaac HayesThis tune is Hayes’ cover of another Burt Bacharach tune. Who? Find out. He wrote “Walk On By” too. Jigga used this melancholy rhythm, sampled here by one Irv Gotti, to caress his bars on “Can I Live” off of his Reasonable Doubt debut. 

Can I Live – Jay-Z

“Bumpy’s Lament” from Shaft Soundtrack (Stax, 1971)

Bumpys Lament – Isaac HayesOkay, last one from the Shaft Soundtrack, I swear. But it really is just that good. Back when rappers made good songs for soundtracks, Mobb Deep dropped “Back at You” which was from the Sunset Park soundtrack. The Q-Boro brethren cranked up these supple chords from “Bumpy’s Lament” to drop some of their dun language all over it. 

Mobb Deep “Back At You”

Hip-Hip Rumors: Did Somebody Attack Somebody? Lil’ Wayne’s Kid Gets Rumors! MF Doom Pulls A Fake-Me-Out?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Rumors

DISCLAIMER:

All content within this section is pure rumor

and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have

whispered in our ear. Read on.

THE RUMORS

 

I ain’t even gonna lie. My weekend was very sucky and I didn’t

do anything. In case you have been under a very large rock, Bernie Mac and

Isaac Hayes died over the weekend – Saturday and Sunday. Messed up, man. If you

know my history, you know that I’m not the type that deals well with death. So on

that note, my weekend was bad and I didn’t even do a lot by way of rumors. Most

of it was reminiscing on the ones we lost. I hope that people will stop talking

how death travels in 3’s and another well known actor is next. I’d hate to see

that happen so I am not even going to put that sort of energy out there. With

that said, her are some rumors.

 

OZONE TO WAR ZONE?

 

I know that’s a serious exaggeration to the Ozone Awards,

especially when the actual awards are tonight. (Shout out to Ozone and Julia – all love) There is a real serious rumor

that DJ Vlad, the popular spin doctor, was attacked by somebody down with Rick

Ross. Now, I am not sure of all the details, but I did hear that there was an “artist

panel” the TJ’s DJ’s Convention, which is a part of the weekend. Rick Ross was

on that panel. Well, Ross departs the panel early. From what I heard, DJ Vlad

bounced to do an interview, which is something that he does on a regular. Vlad

is very deep in the game and gets interviews with a lot of people. Well, I don’t

know exactly what happened, but I heard that there may have been an interview

question that had something to do with something that somebody doesn’t talk

about. Now, that something allegedly resulted in somebody doing something

violent to somebody. I heard there was blood and many, many people as

witnesses. Furthermore, I heard this was on camera and video tape. So, whatever

happened, it sure to be seen again in some capacity. I didn’t see anything

though. I’m blind.

 

LIL WAYNE’S

DAUGHTER?

 

Last night there were so many rumors about Lil’ Wayne’s daughter, I was

totally fearful. The rumor was Lil’ Wayne’s

daughter was killed or tragically hurt in a horrible car accident. I am pleased

to say that – as far as I know – this is completely false. If something did

happen, I would be very surprised. Rumor has it Lil’ Wayne is up for like eight Ozone Awards.

Rumor has it, Wayne

is going to be there, but might want some extreme needs like a private jet just

to show up. I think he should do it regardless since that’s his fan base like a

MF. Time magazine isn’t buying “The Drought.”

 

HATE HIM NOW, BUT HE WON’T STOP NOW

 

Timbaland is about to be upset. I am getting word that Kanye

is going to be all of Jay-Z’s new album, Blueprint 3. WHAT? Timbaland was vying

for it, but it looks like the Chi-town prince is taking that honor. DJ Mick

Boogie seems to know something about this. Rumor has it, the song “Jockin’

Jay-Z” is about to come out and there will be another verse added to it. I hear

there is another song called “Victory” and that song is really ill to. People

are mad, but Jay is so consistent. This year is looking good. I wonder when the

album is coming out?

 

 

“WTF, MAN? I DIDN’T PAY FOR THIS S**T!”

 

If you follow these rumors, then you know that I have BEEN

telling the world that MF Doom has used imposters to cover for him. For those

of you that don’t know, MF Doom is a popular underground rapper that fashions himself

after Dr. Doom. Well, Dr. Doom wears a metal mask and so does MF Doom, when he

is on stage. The only thing is, you can’t see a rappers face when they don a

mask. But, Doom has hardcore fans and they are not fools. They know what’s up.

MF Doom was supposed to play the Rock The Bells show in San Bernardino, CA. But what fans feel they

got was a fake! Check the video below and see a dude with a metal mask walk

around the stage trying to act like MF Doom. You would think he would at least

memorize the lyrics. Fans booed dude, cussed him out and threw stuff on stage.

 

 

 

Here is more of the angry crowd booing and throwing things

at the stage.

 

 

SPEAKING OF ROCK THE BELLS

 

Spelone hit me up and told me that the highlight of the

night was when Fat Lip from the Pharcyde stopped the show and said that that

there were a lot of rumors about him being responsible for breaking up the

Pharcyde and for smoking crack. Well, Fat Lip had something for that. I heard he

said, “I got one thing to say to that” and the instrumental for Bobby

Brown’s “My Prerogative” started. He sang The whole song and danced to. Classic.

See it below.

 

 

Rumor has it, Africa Bambaataa was dope, but had some

complaints that he wasn’t on the main stage. Since he is one of the pioneers of

Hip-Hop, he said he should be on the big stage.

 

PEEDI CRAKK PERFORMS…TAKES TIME TO DISS JAY-Z

 

Peedi Crakk had a performance somewhere in America and

killed it. But, I heard that it didn’t go well all the time. I heard that liquor

got into some of the fans systems and people started fighting towards the end.  Then, right at the end of the show, some

chicks got it in and started scrapping. Why?  Apparently Peedi was feelin one girl over

another one. Why can’t the ugly girl just take the L? Anyway, the cops came and

they blocked Peedi was locked in the club to avoid any problems. While he was

blocked in, he recorded this message:

 

 

I can’t wait to see what he’s got for Jay-Z.

 

R.I.P

 

Depending how I feel, I might have some new rumors for you.

I don’t know. I will say that, while we lost Bernie Mac, we have a pair of

movies coming up. One is called Soul Men with Bernie Mac and Samuel

L. Jackson. There is also another movie called Old Dogs with John

Travolta and Robin Williams. (Click here for my dedication to Bernie Mac.)

 

As for Isaac Hayes, he has so much music that you can go for

years and enjoy his music. Stay tuned.

YESTERDAY, WE LOVE YOU!

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!-illseedWHO: illseed.comWHAT: RumorsWHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseedHOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].– allhiphop rumors

Peep Game: Madden Cover Controversy! Return of The Curse? Head Coach a Must Have? Star Trek Online!

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Uncategorized

 

Madden. If there is a franchise that can grab

casual and hardcore, the sports enthusiast and the guy on the street, this

franchise can. As one of the best selling franchises worldwide, it has dominated

living room after living room and is now known as the summer classic that has

its own day contributed to it.

 

This week we are taking a look at some of the news

that’s flowing around on the franchise, the cover controversy, and a glimpse at

some of the new items that may have slipped under your nose. In the Played

section, we go back in time to Madden ‘96, and we’ve got some good reasons why NFL Head Coach 09 should be on your radar for September.

 

Big News

 

Cover

Change Up?

 

In light of the recent acquisition of longtime

Packers quarterback Brett Favre to the NY Jets, many wondered what would become

of the title cover. The current cover has the former Packer QB in a Green Bay

uniform. EA Sports has stated that there will be no cover change before release

as the incident happened too close to the street date of the title. However,

those who wish to change the cover will have an opportunity via Online Download

according to Game Pro.

 

Speaking of

Favre

 

EA Sports has announced that there will be a

roster update to reflect the major moves made in the NFL in the last few weeks,

including names like Brett Favre, Jason Taylor, and Byron Leftwich. This

download will be available on launch day, so fans worry not about waiting to

see the new NFL.

 

Madden

Curse?

 

It’s no secret that there is bad luck that

accompanies cover athletes for the Madden Franchise. For example, Donovan

McNabb and Michael Vick – both of their careers took a downward spiral. Brett Favre was currently retired when he was given the cover, perhaps showing a new direction with the cover athletes. Now it’s simply a watch and see, since he is now a starting quarterback once again. Will the curse return?

 

PSP Package

 

Many people love Madden, but only on home

consoles. EA looks to change that this year, by releasing the title on both PSP

and Nintendo DS as well as giving the PSP a special bundle that has the game, a

memory stick, In One Play, a UMD, and a coupon for Beats. The total price is $199.

Gameplay features

OffSpring Trailer

 

Star Trek

Online

 

Set your

phasers to play. Lame I know, but I had to do it because the long delayed

title Star Trek Online finally will see the light of day according to CNET. It will feature a create-a-character mode that will let you be any race you like, from Klingon to Human, create your own races,  and will let you lead your own ship to “boldly go where no man has gone before.”

 

Extended

Life Battery Kit Axed

 

Sony has decided to give the axe to the Extended

Battery Life kit only after nine months. This unit had the ability to add 80%

to the original battery’s life. No reason has been given, but some suspect that

the kit has the ability to let hacker’s retro mod. They will find their own

way.

 

NCAA Football 09 Patch Released

 

NCAA Football 09 would be the best college game of all time, if the glitches weren’t so apparent. EA has finally done something about it by releasing an update almost a month after release. Hopefully it will make the best game it

could be.

 

Played

 

Madden ‘96

Publisher: EA Sports

Release Date: January 1996

 

Whenever a game takes a series, and launches it

into the next level several years after its first game, it deserves to be

recognized. Madden NFL Football 96 is just that game. The inclusion of such game modes as the Create a Player mode (we all remember that 40-yard dash and the sore thumbs it could produce) as well as secret teams (Jacksonville being the now always available EA team) it just felt like the complete package.

 

It also marked the time where EA and Visual

Concepts (the creators of the 2K franchise) had a falling out. It was definitely a turning point in the creation of the Football game, because not but a few years later, the 2K series was released, and was the biggest competition to the Madden franchise since Tecmo Bowl’s popularity back in the early ‘90s.

 

Even with the split, this game is memorable as it

was the last premiere Madden release

on the SNES and Sega Genesis systems, before the franchise made the step into

3d. You can play this one and remember the good times that the lack of depth

perception could create. Besides, how can you go wrong with Pat Summerall.

Pre

Order

 

NFL Head Coach ‘09

Publisher: EA Sports

Platforms: Playstation 3 | Xbox 360

Release Date: September 2009

 

There are some things that are novel ideas that

just need complete follow through. One such idea is Head Coach 09. Its predecessor Head

Coach was interesting, and tried to cram the whole experience of being a

head coach into a single disc. The result was a game that featured some

highlights but more boredom and some obvious glitches.

 

EA decided to try it again with Head Coach 09, and has said that they have streamlined the process. Gone are the forced off-seasons and team meetings. In are its own intricacies, such as Free Agency and Coach and Player relationships. Seeing that is packaged with Madden and available as a stand-alone title, this one may be something worth checking out, especially for those wondering just how much work it is getting to gameday.

Programmers discuss the game:

Draft Day gameplay:

Poll Answers

BREAKING NEWS: Isaac Hayes Dead

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Soul music icon Isaac Hayes was found dead in his Memphis home early Sunday morning (August 10).

 

The pioneering R&B singer was found laying on the floor near a tread mill in his home.

 

Hayes, 65, was rushed to Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead, around 2:00 am.

 

One of the main creative forces behind soul music in the 60’s and 70’s, Hayes made his name as an in-house producer and songwriter for Stax Records with formidable partner David Porter.

 

He became a recording artist and released the influential albums Hot Buttered Soul (1968) and Black Moses (1970).

 

The former featured the seminal “Walk On By,” which has been sampled by numerous artists including the Notorious BIG (“Warning”), Tupac (“Me Against the World”), Faith Evans (“No Other Love”), and Compton’s Most Wanted (“Hood Took Me Under).”

 

One of the most popular Hip-Hop anthems, The Geto Boys’ 1991 classic single “Mind Playing Tricks On Me,” was powered by Hayes’ track “Hung Up On My Baby,” from his 1974 album, Tough Guys.

 

The loss hit Geto Boys’ founding member Scarface particularly hard.

 

“Wow, this is some cold news to get,” a shaken Scarface told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview.  “I knew Isaac Hayes personally, I actually got a chance to go into the studio with him.” Scarface continued, saying, “‘Mind Playing Tricks On Me’ was originally my solo song. I wrote three verses. I wrote my verse and then Bill took my last verse. Then Willie D. wrote his verse. I produced that song. I can’t believe this s**t. I been f**king with Black Moses forever. I grew up in a music household. That’s all we jammed.”

 

Also a respected film composer, Hayes earned an Academy Award for his work on Shaft (1971), which stands today as his most accomplished and well-known work.

 

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Isaac Hayes, a true historic world music figure. Isaac Hayes was the first African-American to win an Oscar for a music score but never lost sight of his commitment to his community and the betterment of mankind,” Reverend Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network, told AllHipHop.com. “He was more than an artist he was a trailblazer, He was an innovator. He was a creative genius. I shall never forget how in the height of his career he still had time to work and lend his celebrity to those of us much younger and at that time who were totally unknown. Even in his later years he never hesitated to appear for a cause or endorse something that he felt was for the good of mankind. He will be sorely missed.”

 

Rev. Sharpton will dedicate his radio program tonight to Isaac Hayes at 9:00p.m. on KISS 98.7 FM in New York, where Isaac Hayes was the morning DJ in the late 90’s.

 

As an actor, Hayes has appeared in over 20 films including Truck Turner (1974), I’m Gonna G## You Sucka (1988), Posse (1993), and Hustle and Flow (2005).

 

An important figure in Hip-Hop due to sampling, his songs such “The Look of Love” have provided the musical foundation for Jay-Z (“Can I Live”), LL Cool J (“Hollis to Hollywood”), Mary J. Blige (“I Love You”) and many more.

 

“First condolences to Ike Dirty his son and his entire family,” Atlanta rapper Killer Mike told AllHipHop.com referring to Hayes son and producer Ike Dirty. “Thank God we were blessed with his music and his incredible work. He truly made Soul music bare to the bone. I’m a better artist because of my mama playing his music.”

 

In later years, he became known to a new generation of fans through the Comedy Central series South Park, where he voiced the role of the affable but raunchy Chef.

 

Hayes would leave the show in 2005 due to differences with the creators over their religious satire.

 

Hayes was scheduled to celebrate 50 years of Stax Records on Friday (August 15) at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia, where he headlined a bill that included performances by William Bell, Eddie Floyd, The Bar-Kays.

 

More information to follow as further details emerge.

Out of Bounds: Hello, Goodbye… Hello! The Favre Comeback Saga

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Uncategorized

 

Let’s take a sec and think back. We’re

gonna hop into my DeLorean, crank up the old Flux Capacitor, and go back to a time when a certain someone

retired from professional football. I’ll do my best to give you all the

abridged version, but I would be remised if I left out any key points.

 

Thanks

to NFL.com, ESPN.com, and

Gene Wojokowski

for their up-to-date timelines of the Brett Favre/Green

Bay Packer saga:

 

1/20/08, Packers lose NFC Championship Game

 

Thanks

to an interception from Favre and a

47-yarad field goal by Lawrence

Tynes, the Green Bay Packers’ season

was over – and so was their dream of another trip to the Super Bowl.

 

3/06/08, Favre retires

Finally!!

No more guessing games. We can all move on peacefully with our lives and sleep

easier knowing that we won’t have wonder if he’s retiring. He’s done. He’ll

never come back unless it’s for “Old-Timer’s” Day or when the Packers retire

his number.  At least that’s what we thought

at the time. Then again, we were wrong.

 

On the

other side of town, The Madden Cruiser had a dark, rainy cloud hovering over it as John Madden

sat in a corner with tears in his eyes. He opened a bottle of red wine, lit

some candles, listened to some Sade on his iPod and stared at a picture that reminded

him of happier times. Madden fell asleep with tears on his pillow and realized

that his “bro-mance” was no more.

 

The

Month of April

 

Rumors begin

to circulate of a comeback and Favre denies these rumors. Of course he would

deny the rumors. What evil mastermind do you know would reveal their plans to

the enemy? That’s like Cobra

Commander sending a member of the Crimson Guard to G.I. Joe Headquarters with their plans to steal the B.E.T. Go get G.I. Joe the Movie for reference

 

So

Favre’s Agent, Bus Cook, decides to play the role of Destro to Favre’s Cobra Commander, and got the ball rolling by contacting other teams

to inquire about trading for Favre. You always send the “little man” to do the dirty

work for the Kingpin.  

 

There was the possibility that

Favre knew that the Packers were ready to move on without him and to make

things easy for everybody, he gets traded to another team. That way, he continues to play and the Packers can go

ahead with the Aaron Rogers era.

 

Then, during an interview, Favre says he might consider a comeback if the opportunity

was presented to him. I guess he was just keeping his options open. By now, its

evident Favre wants to come back.

 

6/20/08: Coach Mike McCarthy is told by Farve

that he may want to play again

 

According

to McCarthy, NFL.com

reported that Favre told him (McCarthy), “You and Ted (Thompson) need to have a

plan if I do come back. Either give me my helmet or give me my release.”

 

Hold up; you (Favre) just retired, the Packers have moved

on with you in preparation for the season, they’re one month away from training

camp, and you want to return to the team? Plus, you want to throw ultimatums

around about your return. You, as we say on the block, are buggin’. 

 

The

Months of July and August:

 

So much

went down in the month of July; I really don’t have the time and patience to go

through it all.  That’s why you have the

links to the timelines from ESPN.com and NFL.com. Between the text messaging,

the 10-year, $25 million contract offer and the reinstatement; everything went

from bad to worse.

 

In all

honesty, do we really need to see the timeline; this story has been following

us throughout the entire off season. It’s now gotten to the point that we can

recite the entire saga like it’s a bedtime story.

 

To make

a long story short, once Favre was reinstated, he met with Coach McCarthy and

it was decided that it was in the best interest for both sides to divorce. A

day later, Favre was traded to the

NY J-E-T-S,

Jets, Jets, Jets, and Green Bay gets a conditional Draft Pick that

gets higher in rounds depending on Favre’s performance. For now, New York is celebrating.

 

This

saga had more chapters than the Star Wars series – and finally, it’s done. We

can all move on peacefully with our lives and sleep easier knowing that Favre

has a team and the Packers will move on. Wait a minute; I said the same thing

about his retirement earlier, and look at how that turned out. Damn it!

 

Bottom

line is this: both sides were right and wrong in their stances. Favre should

have never retired if he felt he was going to have the urge to play again. He

could do whatever he wants, but just because he has that right; it doesn’t mean its right.

I commend him for not taking the 10-year, $25 million contract offer. Had he taken that contract, he would have looked like a

sellout.  Remember, throughout this

entire ordeal, Favre keep saying that all he wanted to do was “just play football.”

 

The

Packers made their bed with Aaron Rogers and were ready to lie in it. They know

this kid is no Favre, but they’re ready to move on and start fresh. They

stood by their guy and that should give Rogers

the confidence he needs to do well this season. Only time will tell if he’s

ready for the big show.

 

At the

same time, the Packers should have been upfront with Favre from start and told

him that there was no room for return once he signed his papers for retirement.

Considering the fact that he has “straddled the fence” for the past few years

about his retirement, they could have added a clause that stated that if he did

want to return to the team or football in general as a player, he would have to

give some of his contract money back to the team.

 

That could

have kept him away. Then again, it may have not, considering all he wanted to

do is “just play football.”

Poll Answers

SICK SUNDAYS:LL Goes Hard, Helter Skelter Returns, Luda & T.I. Make Up,Solange says F**K The Industry

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Uncategorized

It’s that time again my dudes (and dudettes) for another edition of Sick Sundays.  After a wild week of high’s and lows, sit back, relax watch Creflo Dollar or Joel Osteen or blast music to wake up your old ass neighbors. 

 

Paris Hilton blacked out on McCain this week in retaliation for that commercial.  Not a fan of her royal “That’s hotness” but a thorough spazzing is a thorough spazzing out.

 

Milie Cyrus gets it in on Myspace with racy photos. Just goes to show you no matter how much dough you hold, kids will be kids.  Hopefully they don’t get any steamier or Billy Rae may have an achy breaky heart.

 

This week we have Uncle L beasting out over “Dead Presidents”.  Couple years old but still recent enough to be relevant. A message to the market place:  If you want these old rappers off the stage then you have to be good enough to chase them off.  That goes for Nas, Jay, LL, Snoop and whoever. Show discipline.  Personally you can rap forever as long as you don’t suck.  But as far as the spotlight?  Young dudes need to s####### a pair and go in (Pause). And now, on with the show.

 

 

Freestyle (Dead Presidents beat) – LL Cool J

LL Cool L “Dead Presidents Freestyle”

This joint is from 2004 I believe from a K Slay mixtape, but it was so flames I had to bring it back.  LL gives a history lesson about the 80s without romanticizing it and maybe hips you to a few things if you weren’t around that era to see it.  Dope flow, then he freaks it with a few bars in Italian. “Never retire or put my mic on the shelf” Muy Muy Duro

 

 

Bert and Ernie Ante Up – stianhafstad

M.O.P “Ante Up” –Warriorz

Off the very slept on, high-quality action-packed album, the Mash Out Posse bring the drama to all soft cats.  If you owe Billy Danze, then you should prolly pay him.  A bit less flash than the Busta/Remi helmed remix, this is pure Brownsville Bodega Ham & Cheese Sandwhich and Olde English powered.  Bert and Ernie approve this message.  Shout to Hot Rod for this one.

 

 

20. Freeway – Its Over.mp3 –

Freeway “It’s Over”

Freeway has been tearing through the underground like he got coke in the trunk and cops in the rearview.  This particular joint is from his tragically slept on last release.  Hardcore narrative in the relentless Freeway style that tells the story of where he’s been since that near classic first album.  Do yourselves a favor and get some freeway in your lives.

 

 

Ludacris Ft. T.I. –

Ludacris Feat. T.I. “I Wish You Would”

You ever spent the whole year at school trying to chase down the baddest girl in school?  You finally get her and it wasn’t as good as you dreamt it woud be?  That’s the problem with some of these recent pairings of Emcees.  While dope, “Black Republican” was probably 5-10 years too late to REALLY be what it could have been. 

 

In the same vein, this song while dope is kinda underwhelming. Ludacris drops a very weak punchline flow that’s a typical a/b punchline setup thats beneath his skill level as an artist.  He also lifts a direct line from Redman.  I’ll let you see if you can find that particular joint.  T.I. doesn’t have anything memorable here either.  It’s not wack, not mailed in, but for the caliber of these two, it’s meh.

 

 

Touch & Go (Radio) – Joe Budden

Joe Budden “Touch & Go”

Budden returns to the game with another driving kinda party joint which sounds stylistically like the Jigga Man.  The cadence is all Joey’s but listen to that second verse and tell me it’s not “Excuse Me Miss” part 3.  The Roger Federer line was bananas though.  This is a solid song, but if you’re trying to start a fire back with your career, this aint gonna be the one to do it with. Another Jumpoff club song.  We need more heat.

 

 

Everything is Heltah Skeltah – Heltah Skeltah

Helter Skelter ” Everything is Helter Skelter”

Piano-driven darkness powers the return of the Ruck and the Rock.  Sean P sounds alive on this one with ill lines and high energy, while the enigmatic Rockness Monster brings that electricity with punchlines a dope flow and that BK hardcore.  They sound as fresh as ever and this song can certainly compete in the current marketplace, unlike many recent forays by 90’s artists trying to still get it in.  Fire. 

 

 

Large – Young Chris f. WaleYoung Chris feat. Wale “Large”

Young Chris has a problem.  The style he originated has been taken and blown up by Jay-z to such a level that now being himself he sounds like Jay lite. It’s a shame because he’s young hungry and inventive and can’t even get credit for his own flavor.  This is a solid song but if you didn’t see the title and the info you’d swear it was Jay  Wale comes through for a good change of pace.  Dope flow and pace.  I prefer to hear him over Hip-Hop drums than the go-go stuff, but what do I know, I’m an old guy. Cool mixtape fodder and all in all, a good song. Thumbs up.

 

 

Pitbull – The American War

Pitbull “American War”

Paris, Immortal Tech, and Banner ain’t the only political rappers.  In this video Pitbull takes on GWB and the Iraq War alluding to The Gulf War and other parallels.  See for yourself, no mistaking what this is about.

 

 

Alternative Break

 

 

F*@k The Industry (signed Sincerly) – Solange

Solange “F**k The Industry”

Solange has a hard road to follow. You’re good-looking but you ain’t Beyonce.  You’re talented but you ain’t Beyonce’.  To her credit she doesn’t try to be Beyonce and this track gives you an idea of just how much she isn’t. Fairly aggressive for a song coming from the Knowles family, Solange expounds on the evils of the industry and the politics and bulls**t that go with it. I’m feeling this one.

************************************************************

BONUS COVERAGE!

JD Era, one of th ehungriest emcees up top just dropped a mixtape “Coming To America”.  I think it speaks for itself.  Let it fly or let it die, you be the judge.Till next time my people…peaaaaaaaaaace.

JD ERA Coming to America

********************************************************

DOUBLE OT!!

We lost Mac, but I’m gonna take a lil bit to hip you young dudes to one of the greatest who died before many of you were alive.  The inimitable Robin Harris.  Enjoy your Sunday.

Robin Harris One Night Stand – bedstuy49

Sunday Selection: New Kids on the Block “Single” feat. Ne-Yo

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Alternatives

Back in the late ‘80s I will admit it…I was a New Kids on The Block fan. So were millions of other people all over the world! And I’m sure the shock factor was about the same for everyone when they announced a reunion earlier this year. Initially, my first reaction was why? What do these guys actually think they have to contribute to the Pop culture in 2008? All I have to say is expect the unexpected.Their first single “Summertime” was hot. Hot in its own unique way. The timing of the song was great and when I saw the video, I must say the guys looked good. Much better than I expected! I was actually impressed. I always liked Donnie Wahlberg, he has always been my favorite and seeing him in the boy band capacity at 40 years old, I got excited all over again. But, ok ok…enough about my secret crush on Donnie!It looks like in 2008, NKOTB has a lot of respect from some of today’s hottest names in Hip-Hop and R&B. R&B sensation Ne-Yo has hopped on their new joint “Single” and just like “Summertime” it’s a decent track. The song is about single ladies in the club and how the fellas will be their boyfriend for the moment, at least until the song goes off. Produced by Polow Da Don, I must say I was pleasantly surprised when I heard “Single.” Sometimes you gotta give credit where credit is due. And it looks like Ne-Yo and Polow did just that. Those of you who are 25 and up, you remember the hoopla that surrounded NKOTB over 20 years ago. They were the ultimate Boy Band and set the stage for a lot of the groups you see today. All over again, Jordan, Jonathan, Joey, Donnie and Danny are “The New Kids on The Block” and I’d like to say in 2008, they’re “Hangin’ Tough”! HAHA!Until next week, y’all enjoy this week’s Sunday Selection – “Single”

Tech Talk: Public Enemy’s Studio Prize! Ride the Winglet? Freewheeler Worth the Cost?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Uncategorized

Whether gadgets are your tools, your toys or the bane of your existence, it’s always good to stay up on what’s out there. I found a couple gizmos I hope at least spark a little convo. Check’em out!

 

I couldn’t pass this up, and neither should all you

aspiring, up and coming producers and beat makers.  Legendary rap group Public Enemy has teamed up with M-Audio® and Obey (the same company that recently put out PE’s clothing) to

sponsor a remix contest.

 

How it works:

 –Create an original audio track to accompany an a cappella

version of Public Enemy’s “Harder Than You Think,” which appears on their

current album How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul—Upload it to M-Audio’s website 

It’s that simple, but I know what you’re thinking: ‘Then what?” All entries will be judged by Chuck D and Johnny Juice. Now you’re like, “Ok cool, but what do I get

if I win?” Winner gets:

 

A complete home studio from M-Audio®

The winning track will also be released on 12” vinyl by Obey

Records, the b-side of which will be an exclusive unreleased Public Enemy trackYour new 12” will feature artwork from Shepard Fairey All the proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (where else can you help the kids while getting yourself a studio?)

 

Toyota

has tossed its hat into the personal transport arena. Their Winglet is a Segway-like scooter that comes in three sizes. It’s actually being compared to inline skates in the way it operates, but it definitely has bigger wheels.There’s no word on the cost, and no word on if it’ll be sidewalk legal, but it looks like it could be fun. Check out the video:

Finally, I try to always hit you guys

with one of those products that makes you say, “Word, really?” and I think the Freewheeler does just that.  It’s a 22.8” x 9.8” “wheel” that houses a pair of coaxial speakers for true stereo. 

 

The notable feature is that its

wireless.  It can be placed up to 656 feet away from its included base station and run for about eight hours on a single charge.  Now I understand this is a high end product, but with a $21,000 price tag “Freewheeler” and “splurge” quickly become antonyms in my dictionary.

 

Audio characteristics:

 

52 –  21,000 Hz

frequency response112 dB max SPL output

 

Til next time, let us know how you

feel about this stuff!

Poll Answers

10 Club Commandments

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Uncategorized

Been a rough week guys.  First the club drama at Spotlight Live, and now the tremendous loss of Bernie Mac at the young age of 50. For those of you who are into comics we also lost Michael I. Silberkleit, the chairman of Archie Comic Publications to cancer. 

 

Here’s a little something we hope will both take your mind off tragedy and whatever hardship you had this week, as well as hip you to something that can turn fun to pain real quick.  In the spirit of the Notorious,  without further ado, we have the 10 Club Commandments. 

See you tomorrow for Sick Sundays.

 

Number one, you know you going out for fun/ keep a limit on your liquor and you won’t have to run.

 

Number two, you know before the night is through/ there will prolly be a hater trying to ice grill you.Keep your Rollie’s out the Sky, them thugs got eyes and what comes in the club yours might could end up mine.

 

Number three, ladies if you have to pee/ take your ass to the bathroom with somebody. Take your best friend Pam, the chick with no man/ She can be your force-field and get you out of a jam

 

Number four when you out on the dance floor/ keep your drink above your head and your balance for sure. Cause if your drink spills that ain’t so trill/ you can slip and bust your ass and that’s totally ill.

 

Number five, don’t take your ugly friend/ cause the night will be over almost ‘fore it begin, You’ll be macking and free drinks will be flowing/ and all she can talk about is “When is we going?”

 

Number six, bring a wing man fo’ sho’/ the club got a fine honeys mixed with ugly hoes. For you to have a dream he takes one for the team/ whether fat drunk or busted you know what I  mean?

 

Seven, don’t mix the booze my dog/ if its dark stick to it if, it’s light go on. If you switch up the wine for the beer or the booze /you could end up with vomit all over your shoes

 

Number eight, don’t make love in this club/ no matter what Usher says that ain’t what’s up. It’s 2008 check the AIDS rate/ If you taggin’ it then bag it up before it’s too late

 

Number nine is for the dames use a fake name/ Cause every club is packed with a room full of lames. Your name is Sensation, without hesitation, and give that fool the phone number to the police station

 

Number ten always stay in touch with your friend/ via text or phone call before drama begins If five came out then five should come home /make sure you got vibrate on your cellular phone

 

These rules are fun but they for your own good, whether it’s ladies night or it’s boys in the hood. keep it trill keep it smart and keep your friends on you, you get caught slipping don’t say I didn’t warn you it’s all fun and games but some one could get hurt an you don’t want your family putting you in the dirt.

 

R.I.P Ingrid Rivera, Proof, and all of those who got caught up in a good night gone horribly wrong.  One wrong move can mean the difference between going home and not goin home.

Hip-Hop Rumors: A Video Dedication To Bernie Mac

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Rumors

Bernie Mac had been around for years, but when I first really took notice of him was – ironically – under a Hip-Hop platform.

 

 

“I ain’t scared of you mother f***kers,” Bernie Mac screamed at the Def Comedy Jam audience.

 

I loved his style.

 

He was a rebel. His comedic routine was for his fan base and he refused to change it to fit in the American norm. He made the other side come to him and he was hugely successful for his ability to be audacious, but thought provoking as well.

 

People should understand that Bernie was a total father, husband and family man. I am hearing his family is hurting. I am hearing that even is TV family is in tremendous pain, because Mac was such a great person.

 

So, we mourn. (Read the news story here.)

 

But let’s also celebrate, if possible. Bernie Mac made so many people laugh and escape the daily stress and pressure of life. He made us laugh until our stomachs hurt, until tears streamed down our faces.His favorite phrase was “Kick ass” and that’s just what Bernie Mac did every step of the way as a comic.

He’ll always be alive due to the quality of his life and efforts as an entertainer.

 

Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and extended family.

 

Here is my introduction to Bernie Mac and several other videos to celebrate the life and times of Bernie Mac. (Parental Advisory – explicit lyrics and content.)

 

 

Bernie’s second time on Def Comedy Jam!

Bernie rocks the crowd as a “King of Comedy.” He talks about his sister’s kids’ milk and cookies. (This was also the premise of “The Bernie Mac show.” The Kings of Comedy was the most successful comedy tour ever.)

Bernie Mac and Chris Rock at their best!

Check out Bernie Mac in a different setting with esteemed journalist Charlie Rose. Forward to 23:00 minutes in.

Bernie Mac explains the usefulness of the term “mother f***er” and the various incarnations of it.

Bernie is so down with Hip-Hop. Check him out in one of the “House Party” movies. Ironically, he gives a shout out to Robin Harris, another beloved comic that died.

Bernie had a memorable role as Officer Self-Hatred in “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.”

LASTLY – here is Bernie Mac’s Life Lesson: “Be yourself.”

ADDENDUM: Rest in Peace to the great Bernie Mac. Let me help out illseed for a sec since he forgot to include Friday in the mix… -aquaBERNIE MAC, WE LOVE YOU!  REST IN PEACE, BROTHER!

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!-illseedWHO: illseed.comWHAT: RumorsWHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseedHOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].– allhiphop rumors

BREAKING NEWS: Comedian Bernie Mac Dies, Age 50

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Comedian Bernie Mac has died at the age of 50 after an extended bout with pneumonia, according to sources with AllHipHop.com.

 

Mac was in Northwestern Memorial hospital when he died on Saturday morning. No official cause of death has been announced by his family.

 

After rumors of his death, his condition seemed to improve. Mac’s publicist stated that he was “responding well to treatment” and that he expected to leave the Chicago-area facility in a few weeks.

 

He passed away at approximately 2:00 am on Saturday, his wife revealed.

 

Bernie Mac, who started doing standup in clubs around Chicago in the 1970’s, was discovered after he won a Miller Lite comedy search, which led to regular appearances on Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam in 1992.

 

“He was one of the sweetest funniest people on the planet,” Def Comedy Jam Founder Russell Simmons told AllHipHop.com. “We (Def Comedy team) knew he was a star the minute we saw him. He was loved by millions He will be missed.”

 

Mac also lived with sarcoidosis, an immune system disorder that results in swollen, inflamed lymph nodes, causes ulcers on the skin and also makes breathing difficult.

 

Representatives for Bernie Mac said previously that he was not hospitalized for complications associated with sarcoidosis.

 

“Bernie Mac will not only be missed by his family members and close friends, he will also be missed by the thousands of people he touched through his laughter. Please keep his family in your prayers,” said Kendra G, a Chicago bred radio host that now resides in Philadelphia.

 

Bernie Mac will be remembered for his brash, but frank comedic style that was a staple in the Black community.

 

His on-stage musings quickly went mainstream through his television sitcom, “The Bernie Mac Show” and a storied music career.

 

Mac appeared in movies like Who’s the Man? (1993), House Party 3 (1994) The Walking Dead (1995), Friday (1995), Spike Lee’s Get On The Bus (1996) The Player’s Club (1998), and 1999’s Life with Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence.

 

The movies Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and Charlie’s Angels (2003) put him in a movie that catered to middle America, as did his hit television TV series, The Bernie Mac Show.

 

Bernie Mac was born Bernard Jeffrey McCollough in Chicago in 1957.

 

He was reared in a rough neighborhood with a large family that would eventually be the backbone to his comic routine.

 

His professional career started in 1977, when he was 19, and he refused to alter his style to accommodate critics.

 

AllHipHop.com will continue to furnish details as they develop.

Dr. Dre’s Daughter Releases Controversial Documentary

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Manaj, daughter of legendary producer Dr. Dre, has announced the release of a web documentary chronicling her attempts to break in the music industry.

 

Despite having a Hip-Hop icon as a parent, 23-year-old Manaj claims her father has offered no support for her rap career aspirations in the documentary Daddy’s Shadow.

 

In fact, Manaj emphasizes that Dre has objected to her dream since she signed her first label deal in 2006.

 

“You don’t want me to rap,” a disappointed Manaj stated on the documentary to her father. “But you’re out here helping everyone else.”

 

Dr. Dre is currently focusing on having the much-delayed Detox ready for release by the end of this year.

 

Daddy’s Shadow was directed by Manaj and distributed by her record label TM Media Group, Inc.

 

The movie also offers behind the scenes information on her family’s life away from the cameras.

 

The documentary was originally scheduled to come out in 2006, but was delayed when Dr. Dre allegedly stopped speaking to Manaj, due to the film’s content.

 

Daddy’s Shadow is currently available for a $5.99 download at http://www.tmmediagroup.com/.

Team USA Basketball at The Olympics: Can They Take the Gold?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Uncategorized

 

The U.S. Basketball team went a perfect 5-0 through the exhibition schedule. While the Beijing-bound squad is the best looking team the USA has put together since the Sydney Olympics, I am not fully convinced they will come home with the Gold.

 

Yes, they went undefeated, and yes, they looked dominating in their first four exhibition games, but they showed their vulnerability against Australia. The Aussie squad, who were without their best player Andrew Bogut, hung tough with the U.S. At one point in the third quarter, Australia came within four points.

 

In my opinion, the U.S. are the most talented team. In a five game series, I’d go with them every time. But in a medal round where one game can cost you the Gold or Silver, anything can happen.

If they have an off night, they could very easily fall to a Greece, Spain or Argentina. That has nothing to do with the USA’s lack of preparation or desire to win; it just has to do with the level of competition they are facing.

 

There is no question the U.S. Olympic basketball team is coming into Beijing with a huge chip on their shoulder. After failing to win gold in the 2004 Greece Olympics and the ’02 and ’06 FIBA World Championships, America has seen its dominance in hoops virtually disappear.

 

Gone are the days when the U.S. could round up any 12 NBA guys, label them the Dream Team, then alley-oop and showtime their way to an effortless Gold medal. Obviously the rest of the world has caught up, so the U.S. was forced to take this more seriously. After losing in Athens, USA Basketball started their road to redemption by assembling a group of players and coaches that would give a three-year commitment every summer in order to create a team with an identity.

 

Jerry Colangelo did a great job assembling a deep and versatile team. Instead of just stacking talent, he went out and filled needs. When teams go zone, the team has sharp-shooters Michael Redd and Tayshaun Prince to knock down shots. Prince brings a Pippen-esque versatility to the squad and plays incredible defense.

 

Jerry also made a good call adding two leaders in Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant. Both players are ultimate competitors as well as leaders for a team that has relatively young players in LeBron, Carmelo, Deron Williams and Chris Paul. Coach K has done an excellent job motivating them and getting them to buy into team basketball and play D.

 

The U.S. has a tough road to gold. In their first game they face the home country China with Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. Not only do they have to deal with those twin towers, but their fans as well. Before they go to the medal round, they also have to see the Pao and Calderon combo, the great team play of Greece and Dirk Nowitzki’s Germany squad. If America is going to survive, they are going to have to do these three things.

 –First, they have to check the egos at the door. There is only 40 minutes in a game, and everybody wants to play. But the reality is, some players will sit, and they have to maintain the team concept and make sure not to be a distraction.–Second of all, they must not take anybody lightly. Four years ago, Puerto Rico crept up on them in an exhibition game. No matter how much better they may be on paper than their opposition, they must play hard all game. This means playing defense, diving on the floor, sharing the basketball and not letting up on leads.–Third, they must adjust styles according to who they play. Whether they face a good zone or are forced to deal with a team like China that’s got Yao clogging the middle, they must be able to adapt and adjust their games.

 

They focus on these things, and I think they have an excellent chance to leave China with Gold. What do you think?

 

Poll Answers

Birthplace Of Hip-Hop Still Up For Sale

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

Despite having survived a previous take-over attempt that would have resulted in the displacement of several low income families, the building widely accepted as the birthplace of Hip-Hop remains in danger.

 

On Wednesday, New York City and State politicians rallied alongside tenants of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, protesting the proposed sale of the historical building that would result in unaffordable rents for the 100-unit building’s current residents.

 

For close to two years, the tenants have been fighting to maintain the building’s status as one of the last remaining affordable housing complexes in the West Bronx.

 

“We’ve got to keep the fire burning,” DJ Kool Herc told The New York Daily News.

 

Kool Herc is credited with laying the groundwork for the invention of Hip-Hop during a party at the legendary building on Sedgwick and Cedar.

 

“It’s not just happening here, people got problems in all five boroughs. We’re going to keep up the fight,” DJ Kool Herc said.

 

The tenants celebrated a brief victory in February, when the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development denied a proposal by the building’s owners to sell the property to real estate developer Mark Karasick for $9 million.

 

According to The New York Daily News, the price, which the city says exceeded the value of the building, would have been the first step in a practice known as “predatory equity.”

 

The unscrupulous practice allows banks and mortgage lenders to make loans they cannot support as a motive to later sell the properties to private investors, often leaving current tenants out in the cold.

 

The 1520 Sedgwick Ave. Tenants’ Association still hopes to raise funds in time to purchase the building themselves, a move which, last December, the building’s owners said they would not oppose.

Jay-Z Teams with NY Mayor Bloomberg for Summer Streets Program

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: News

New York City residents will use their streets for a different purpose this weekend, thanks to rap mogul Jay-Z.

 

The superstar rapper has joined forces with the city’s mayor Michael Bloomberg to launch the Summer Streets program, an effort designed to transform local streets into recreation filled, car-free zones.

 

Summer Streets will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (August 9) on nearly seven miles of Manhattan streets, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park along Lafayette Street, 4th Avenue, Park Avenue and 72nd Street.

 

Residents and visitors can take leisurely walks or bike rides along the streets or take part and enjoy various activities such as dance performances, fitness classes, seminars about bicycle commuting, children’s bike instruction, aikido, salsa dancing, tai-chi, running, rollerblading and hopscotch.

 

Three rest stops featuring art, fitness, dance and cultural activities as well as water stations, bike maps and first aid stations will be located at Spring, 24th and 51st streets.

 

A main stage on 24th Street will offer music performances and other programs.

 

Modeled after cities that use street closures to create temporary plazas on the weekends, Summer Streets is slated to continue on August 16 and the 23rd.

 

Group rides to the event from the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens will be offered by Transportation Alternatives.

 

According to Bloomberg, Summer Streets is a “a grand experiment that could dramatically alter the way we use and look at the streets of New York.”

 

“Streets that are normally tied up with cars and trucks will be turned over to the public – so that we can experience this city as never before,” he said as he embraced the chance to try something new that could potentially benefit New Yorkers.

 

For Jay-Z, the program comes as an chance for teens to get involved in positive activities.

 

The rapper hopes Summer Streets, which offers volunteer opportunities, will become a success and develop into regular program in New York.

 

For a full list of Summer Streets program activities, visit www.NYC.gov.

The Last Word: Rihanna Gets Nominated For Sexiest Stomach, Solange Becomes an Armani Ambassador, and Mary J Blige Is a Thief?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Alternatives

Happy weekend, warriors. Five days down and hopefully two very slow ones to go as we think how census figures show minorities becoming the majority in 10-20 years.Paris Hilton mocked the Presidential candidates with her own political ad and the world’s best athletes will square off against each other with the start of the Olympic Games. R.I.P. to Mr. McDaniel. I never knew you, but you will be missed. Speedy recovery wishes go out to Bernie Mac, who is in the hospital battling pneumonia, and Morgan Freeman, who is expected to pull through after his car flipped over several times this week. And with a divorce coming from his wife, it isn’t hard to figure who didn’t have the best week ever. Shout out to the sounding boards for making power moves when no one is looking. Which brings us to…the Last Word for the week ending Aug. 8, 2008. 1. Usher Trades New Manager In for Mom Out with the new, in with the old. That’s how Usher is thinking nowadays, as rumors of being dissatisfied with his manager Benny Medina were confirmed with Medina’s dismissal. A source close to the hit-making crooner told People that disappointing sales of his latest album Here I Stand were one of the reasons Medina was terminated. But Benny didn’t have anything bad to say on his former client as he took the diplomatic path. “With an artist like Usher, the bar is set really high. Whether it was management, marketing or the music, we achieved a number one single and a number one album,” he said in a statement released Wednesday (Aug. 6). “It is a completely new day and time in music now. In four years, his audience, demographic, and musical direction has changed. Records like Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” are the type of phenomenon that “Yeah” was in 2004. I had a great time and we parted ways amicably.”The firing comes after Usher’s publicist resigned last week. And with that, Ursh went back to the person that knows him best to help him rebound…his mother Jonnetta Patton. “He wanted her to come back on board and she decided to. He had really poor management and wanted her back,” the source said. Makes you wonder if Usher’s wife Tameka will have something to say about this. Although they seem to be getting along lately, it was rumored that the Mrs. was the one who persuaded the crooner to let his moms go last year. Somehow Usher may have to move more than one mountain to get back on mom’s good side. 2. Joss Stone Prepares for Small Screen Close-Up Showtime’s#### show The Tudors will get a touch of soul with an appearance from Joss Stone. E! News reports the songbird will play Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ Henry VIII in the period drama’s upcoming third season. In the history books, Anne was a daughter of a German nobleman who entered into a marriage treaty with Henry after the king was shown a portrait of her. The union was soon doomed after Henry became disappointed with how Anne looked when she arrived in England. He annulled the marriage after just six months. The new season of The Tudors, according to Showtime, will center around Henry as the English monarch weds Jane Seymour (Anita Briem) and then Anne of Cleves. Stone’s small screen stint on the show marks the British singer’s first major acting role. 3. Chris Brown Throws His Own Hat Into the Business World Looks like Chris Brown has found something to do with his off time besides downplaying his relationship with Rihanna. Billboard reports that the teen heartthrob will design a line of branded baseball-style caps that will feature six different designs. Among the creations, which go on sale Thursday (Aug. 14) at Lids, New Era stores and newera.com, are an image of a boom box that conjures up memories of the 1980s as well as a cap featuring the initials “CBE,” which stand for Brown’s record label on Interscope, Chris Brown Entertainment. Instead of a flat fee for his services, Brown will receive a royalty based on the number of hats sold. The crooner, who designed 10 hats, will retain ownership rights to the four unused designs. The New Era deal comes as a natural expansion of the singer’s love of the company’s products, which he can be seen sporting in videos for his hit singles “Kiss Kiss,” “Run It!” and “Wall to Wall” as well as David Banner’s “Get Like Me (Stuntin’ Is a Habit).”  Talk about wearing many hats. I guess music and acting aren’t enough. Add businessman and relationship dodger to the resume. 4. Rihanna Collects Another Sexy Body Part In this day and age, many people try to look beyond the surface to appreciate what we manage to accomplish. But every now and then we get a quick flashback of how it used to be (and still is when it comes to entertainment). According to reports, Rihanna has nabbed the honor of having the sexiest stomach. The 22-year-old singer earned the top spot in a poll conducted by the makers of digestive aid supplement AntiBloat. Among those who fell short of the title were actresses Keira Knightley (2), Dame Helen Mirren (3), Sienna Miller and British model/actress Elizabeth Hurley (tied for 4th). The honor is the latest in a string of accolades Rihanna has received for her body. The hitmaker recently captured the best hair in Hollywood honor from In Touch magazine as well as the award for the sexiest celebrity legs. Sexy hair, sexy stomach, sexy legs. Is there a body part that isn’t sexy on this woman? No matter. I like Rihanna as much as the next guy, but she’s got stiff competition in the sexy department from mature heartbreakers like Stacy Dash, LisaRaye, and Vivica Fox, who are gracing magazine covers and continue to keep their sexy well-preserved. But then again, RiRi, Angel Lola Luv, Meagan Good and Kim Kardashian make a good case for the current breed of knockout. So the real question is, can a body part or parts define sexy for somebody? Look for Rihanna to reign supreme in the battle over which star has the sexiest toenails. Coming soon from whatever magazine or company needs a bump in sales or exposure.5. Mary J. Blige Gets Accused of Album ThieveryMary J. Blige is known for creating the best music out of the most trying time periods in her life. Well, she’s about to have some new material to write about, as Mary is being sued for $2 million over debates of stolen music.The New York Daily News reports that the music in question is off her recent chart-topping album Growing Pains. The song “Work That” is listed as produced by a Theron Feemster. However, the song is owned by Dream Family Entertainment. A lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, August 5th. Apparently the Feemster made the song’s music while he was still with Dream Family, so they owned it. Blige in turned used the song without permission.The question remains if Mary knew that she wasn’t entitled to the song. I don’t wanna be the one, but it wouldn’t hurt if Mary had a tiny bit of new drama to fuel some good songs. She’s always complaining that people want her to be sad so she can make some better material. This is like entry level sad, so it can’t be that bad, but good enough for better songs. Right?In Other Words… * R&B icon Patti LaBelle will be the newest honoree to receive the all-star treatment at this year’s United Negro College Fund’s An Evening of Stars. Those lined up to honor Miss Pattie are Anita Baker, Joss Stone, Jennifer Hudson, Dionne Warwick, Yolanda Adams and Fantasia.* The Jacksons will further add to their musical legacy as they get honored by BMI as the organization’s 2008 Icons. The legendary group will receive the recognition Sept. 4 at the eighth annual BMI Urban Awards, which will take place at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills, Calif., * Giorgio Armani is keeping it in the family with its latest partnership. The Knowles family, that is. The company, who aligned with Beyonce Knowles to promote its Emporio Armani Diamonds fragrance, has recruited the singer’s baby sister Solange to be its “ambassador of Armani jeans” through a new deal the 22-year-old songbird recently signed.

D-Boyz: Life After Cash Money

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg)Category: Features

The D-Boyz are rappers Lac and Stone, former Cash Money Records artists with star power of their own. The duo recently released Life of a D-Boy on 404 Records (home to MJG) and the album is a throwback to the halcyon days of their former recording home. With features from Juvenile, BG and Lil Wayne and even beats from Mannie Fresh, Lac and Stone were served well by keeping a good rapport with their fellow New Orleans natives. Add to that mix the likes of Jazzy Pha, TQ and Wacko & Skip, and you have a classic mix of rap funk from the 504. Peep as the D-Boyz give you a run down of where they come from, where they’ve been and where they’re heading by pushing rhymes like weight. AllHipHop.com: How did you both connect with Cash Money?Lac: I came up like two blocks away from Baby and them, when they were staying in the 1200 block of Saratoga, I was in 1400 and we all hung in the 1300. It was just like I always knew them. I used to do like a little rapping thing, it was a play thing for me because I felt like wasn’t no real rappers coming out of New Orleans anyway.  It was just something that I liked and the when I did decide to get serious with it, that’s what I chose to go deal with it. It took them a minute to get me there and then when they got me there… wooh! Yeah, that is how I hooked up with them. [laughing]Stone: Yeah, me and Juvie was talking and I let him hear some songs I was working on and Juvie suggested I should go over there. So I went and hollered at Baby with the album, he liked it and I was there ever since. Lac: Stone forced his way over there. The bus was leaving to go on tour and Stone ain’t ask nobody. Stone came there with his luggage and everything, put his luggage underneath the bus and got on there, and took him a ride. [laughing]Stone: And we were there ever since, keeping it real, that’s all. AllHipHop.com: That said, when did y’all leave Cash Money?Lac: I think I left like March 3 or March 1 of 2003. I was there since like ‘97. I just got sick and tired man, you can only cook so long on the back burner, then you dry out. So I was like while I still have a little water in the pot with me, I’m going to get on up. I got up but when I got up I had to make a few things right. Because a lot of things went undone because we were on the road like nine months out of the year. A few things I had to make right and once I got that together, I got back at it. I was just going to do my music thing until something popped. I was going to make some money off of it, because if I know how to do nothing, I know how to make some money. I ain’t in DC where they’re printing it at but I know how to make it. The next thing you know Kill comes behind me, when he came behind me he had to take care of a few things. I was in the studio and he couldn’t even come in the studio, because he was trying to take care of a few things. Then the next thing you know, we did one song. Man, I ain’t have to run behind him but I had to hold up for him until he get comfortable to be able to say what he want [to] say.Stone: I wanted to say, what I wanted to say, but I come from a life where n****s are really out there with it. Where a lot of stuff is talked about, I really lived it, me and Lac real D-Boyz. So I was like hesitant to say some things. You really have to come from that life to really say what you want to say, because it’s really like you’re telling on yourself. So we had to pull back and we got back into music but we decided that we just going to do our own label. We were already D-Boyz, we took that name with us from Cash Money because that is how we were coming out around there. We hauled up the group and left. So we just  started to do D-Boyz at Tammity, we just went from there.  The only thing with the Cash Money situation, man we was getting money, we wasn’t getting them checks from royalties and all that but we was getting enough checks to keep a n***a off the block and that was the biggest thing for us. When you come from the hood this is what people don’t realize; “how can you put up with it?” Man when you come from New Orleans it ain’t nothing but a murder rate. Everything murking stuff all day long. So when you traveling the world and you seeing some checks, that’s better than your other situations because it’s legal dollars and everyone wanted legal dollars. That is one of the things that helped me and Lac put up with that situation, because even though we wasn’t where we wanted to be towards putting the album out we were getting eough checks to keep our family straight. Lac: It used to be sometimes, I have an attitude problem so I know I’m dealing with that addiction right now too. That is part of my problem, like I used to click out and be gone for like two, three months. And be done took one of Baby’s whips. I don’t pick up the phone for nobody but Stone. And then pick my check up or have somebody go to the office and pick my check up. I ain’t been around in six months and still got a check. Stone:  They made sure we get it, so we were good on that note. One thing the world needs to know, they’re looking at the D-Boyz and really haven’t had a chance to understand us around Cash Money. But we are some really gangsters that have lived it for real, and we are having a good time with it, though. A lot of people in different hoods on welfare and they’re D-Boyz doing they’re thing, and big ups to everybody putting up with the struggle. We talking because we lived it and when they know who we really is they going to understand. They’re going to see themselves in us and they going to understand the struggle. AllHipHop.com: What is your relationship with Baby and Cash Money now?Lac: We ain’t got no beef in the industry, we ain’t got no beef on the streets. It’s  real out here. If there was a problem on the streets, I guarantee we wouldn’t be able to do interviews  right now because we would be trying to keep it cooking or make it cook us. I can’t be running around here fake beefing and talking about a n***a on a song and it ain’t real. It’s serious out here, you can’t play. Where we come from, we can’t play. Stone: If we have a problem with Baby either he’ll see us or we’ll see him, on some real real s**t. Lac: I could pick up the phone and hit him up like “What’s up B…nothing, bam bam, holler at me.” He might not want to talk to us any more for a year. He might not pick up for me, but it ain’t no beef. We deal with them all, it ain’t no problem with the D-Boyz. D-Boyz go any where on 85 and everything else beyond that, so we are good on that note. D-Boyz “We Gangsta”AllHipHop.com: Life of D-Boy how did it come together? Lac: How it came together, just doing songs, that’s it. It’s just us, we’re going to do us. And before you know it, just like everything else we do, we do it. It will be like, “Kill I got a beat man, we need to get in the studio and do a song.” He might be on the way to the studio and just coming up with something he might want to say and we will be on the same page. When he gets there that is what it is. Stone: We had a couple of songs that we felt we tried to get there. We rode to the beat and thought about it like man I’m feeling this. You know we have a lot of directions like  “The Streets Keep Calling,” there were a lot of directions we wanted to go with that song.    Lac: We were under a lot of pressure, the storm had just hit and we in Atlanta. FEMA hadn’t really even kicked in so we were really out there getting it how we lived. If you had anything back home, we really couldn’t get to it, because they had the floods, watering all up and National Guard ain’t letting you in your house. You can’t get to money, you can’t get to nothing. So it was sort of like get it how you live. You got to make a million dollars out of 15, you know.Stone: Whatever we was coming up with, we was going there. And as we were going, every time we made a phone call, we was like Lac we hooking back up we making our album. We told Juve, “Man whatever, I need to be on it.” We called [Mannie] Fresh, it was the same thing: Whatever man I’m at the studio, come meet me or I will come meet y’all. We right here. Everybody we called, let them know, we were working on the album. We only reached back to the same people we had been working with because that is who we’ve always worked with. We were used to working with them so we went back and said “look, know we working on ours,” They were like “I know you don’t think you’ll about to do this without calling us.” Everybody just came together. We didn’t have to call nobody twice, we didn’t have to look no one. Everybody came together. So right after that we shot a DVD, same thing. We didn’t have to look for nobody, everybody was ready to support the situation. When somebody sees you doing your thing, they are going to ride with you, if it something that is good and they like it. Lac: Real recognizes real. If you real it ain’t really hard to maintain it. It’s just like we keep it thorough. The understanding been laid down where everything is understood. They ain’t on no bull, they ain’t on no fakeness, n****s just doing them and they respect it, so everybody is cool with that. Go to their studio, they come to our studio, we meet in the middle — whatever, we get it done though.  AllHipHop.com: One thing about the album is that you have the old Cash Money drive but it doesn’t sound dated, it sounds fresh for now. Was that on purpose?Lac: No, it’s just us man. We giving you us, the real way. It’s cool to say Cash  Money sound because that is what the world knows — the Cash Money sound, the Hot Boyz, the Big Tymers. But it’s New Orleans, it’s just what it is. You might say, “ I was on the phone with Lac and Stone and they sound like they got an accent, do you hear the way they say baby and the way they say this…” It’s just New Orleans, that’s the way we live. That’s why it sounds like what it sounds like — it’s us. AllHiphop.com: What do you want people to take from this album?Lac: The realness… Stone: The life of a D-Boy, the real life you can see it. I want them to feel like a movie, like your not watching it with your eyes but your hearing it like we’re painting a picture. Your riding, you’re understanding the life of a D-Boy and what they go through in New Orleans. Also I can dare to speak like it’s a universal thing, you can see it, feel it and you can respect it. We somebody who wants everybody to get money  and we know what it is to struggle, gas is high and people are trying to get it. I’ma do my thing but I’m going to let people know I’m here for you too if I can help you. The realness of the D-Boyz.