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Q-Tip: The Renaissance (Album Review)

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Reviews / Music
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In Hip-Hop time, fifteen years is the equivalent of a lifetime. That’s how long fans feel they’ve been waiting for Tribe front man Q-Tip to return to the perfect combination of abstract poetry, boyish charm, and social commentary he exhibited on the 1993, ATCQ classic Midnight Marauders.

 

While Q-Tip has had memorable verses and production credits since that album, that LP was last time fans got a prime, non-commercial Tip for a full album. Now over a decade later, the guarded Queens native has finally opened the vault from reveal The Renaissance (Universal Motown); a collection of his best recorded work over the last six years.

 

The opening salvo “Johnny Is Dead” shows the Abstract Poet hasn’t lost a step, as he coolly bombards the listener with rapid-fire bars touching on everything from musical and personal integrity, to the spiritual perseverance of people of color. The rock-tinged rhythms and chorus suit Q-Tip perfectly and serve as a forceful reintroduction for an artist whose last solo album was nine years ago.

 

Producer Mark Ronson stops by to give Q-Tip a gem in “Don’t Trade”. Here, Tip uses her words to craft a very clever and humorous double entendre on the word “player,” phrasing his prowess with women as the statistical figures and abilities of a basketball player. 

 

“Official” resurrects the jazzy boom-bap of Tribe’s best days, with Tip deftly alternating between boastful rhymes regarding his Rap ability and wooing a female over precise chorus scratches and cutting. On “Love,” Tip again tackle our better halves, but this time using a sprawling soul sample to help capture the growing indifference one can feel when an intimate relationship is close to dissolution.

 

The Renaissance packs on all of its guest appearances in the second half, none of which are emcees. However, each artist was carefully selected, and compliments the featured emcee and the album perfectly.

 

Raphael Saadiq delivers a low-key performance on the urgent, social-commentary fueled “We Fight/We Love.” On “Manwomanboogie,” Q-Tip continues easily analyzing difficult topics like Western imperialism and absentee fathers utilizing a quirky, funk-leaning beat that helps keeps the mood seemingly light. Assisting in matters is Amanda Diva, who delivers one of her better guest appearances on chorus cleanup.

 

Dilla’s signature sound is also alive and well on the catchy first single “Getting’ Up,” and “Move.” On the latter, the Abstract Poet rides a dual beat that starts as a soulful vocal loop and turns midway into a sprawling wind instrument lead rhythm. Q-Tip adjusts his flow and content accordingly, first handling the song as a party track before stopping on a dime and treating it as a musical manifesto for the rebirth of Hip-Hop.

 

Although unable to get Barack Obama’s vocals cleared for the track, the album’s great closer “Shaka” loses no potency in message or musicianship. Here, Q-Tip frames his lyrics around honoring his loved ones (Dilla, father) over lush chopped synth breaks that serve as a chorus refrain.

 

Nine years from his last album, the commercially focused Amplified, Q-Tip has created an album that will bring him and inevitably his Tribe family tree to a new generation of fans. The time taken to deliver this LP was well spent, and Q-Tip impressively was able to pick the best songs from a six year recording period.  And not only has the Abstract Poet delivered his best collection of work since the seminal Midnight Marauders, but he’s showed the maturity the genre can achieve in the hands of its elder statesmen.

 

 

The Renaissance

ALBUM REVIEW: Jon B – Helpless Romantic

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Alternatives
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Jon B returns after a four-year hiatus and his new album, Helpless Romantic, proves that he’s still most definitely got it. While not quite on the level of his breakthrough sophomore offering (Cool Relax) or as upbeat and commercially flexible as his 2004’s Stronger Everyday, it’s still light years ahead of most of the recent competition.Kicking off the festivities is the lead single, “Oh So Sexy,” featuring laid-back vocals from Jon and Paul Wall’s lazy lady-killer lyrics. Its alluring piano riff and back and forth vocals/raps gives the song an appeal that late night radio loves. Cool but crude, the collaboration works better musically than it would appear on paper.Switching up the tempo, “It’s U” takes Jon B back to his “Don’t Talk” days and reminds you of what real club music should sound like. The track is essentially about a girl but, thanks to its production and feel-good aura, its hidden meaning is to have a good time and enjoy life.One other track that plays the line between up-tempo and no tempo is the delightful “Paradise In U.” A slick tune, Jon B relaxes listeners with his butter smooth vocals over a mid-nineties inspired R&B instrumental. It’s hard not to love Jon B’s ability to run with a mid-tempo record, but Helpless Romantic comes slightly undone due to its final eight songs being a little too slow. They’re constructed very solidly, but there is such thing as too much of a good thing. “Part Of U” is by far the best out of the final bunch. The combination of its off-key drum loop and Jon B’s crooner complexity is as tough as a knockout punch from Floyd Mayweather Jr. Jon B is a master of sensual love songs; the only problem with his latest release is that there are a few too many closing out the album. Jon B’s soothing words, his boyish charm and his longevity cannot be matched by many artists in the game. Helpless Romantic is just another chapter in the rise of Jon B.

STREETS IS TALKING: Bleu DaVinci

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Features
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As time has gone by, our music has sadly become more about portraying a role than first-rate lyricism and wordplay. Rappers continuously brag about being super gangsters but wouldn’t pop off a cap gun. We get hit with a tsunami of bars about ice but the jewels? Rented. Then you have dudes claiming they’re drug kingpins but have no one in the street vouching for the work they have put in. Point blank, it is rare to find individuals who really live and breathe all the big talk in the recording booth. Consider Bleu Davinci an exception to this trend. As part of the infamous Black Mafia Family (B.M.F.), Bleu would be the marquee artist on the legit B.M.F. Entertainment. But behind the music was a multi million dollar criminal organization. B.M.F. would notoriously flaunt their wealth with fleets of luxury automobiles, lavish homes, and extravagant diamond pieces. But sooner or later all good things come to end. Within the span of the last two years, B.M.F. members, including boss Demetrius “Meech” Flenory, would be arrested on drug charges, while Bleu Davinci would be arrested on conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Much has been said about Bleu’s affiliation with the Black Mafia family, whether it be scoop seeking reporters, brothers chopping it up in the barbershop or the Alphabet Boys building their case against the organization. With that in mind, and fresh off being sented to a five year bid, who better to speak on Bleu DaVinci’s situation than Bleu himself? In this AllHipHop exclusive interview we ask the questions everyone has been whispering about like his relatively light sentence, homeys turned rats and the future of B.M.F. After all, the streets is talking. AllHipHop.com: You recently got sentenced to five years for possession and intent to distribute cocaine. Some of the other B.M.F. members got hit with way more time and the streets are trying to put the snitch jacket on you.Bleu DaVinci: Check this out so everyone can have a clear understanding of how this works. First of all a conspiracy with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine holds a minimum mandatory of ten years to life in prison. That’s what I was up against. How this works is like this, I don’t have a criminal history at all. My criminal history is at the age of seventeen. In California I’m still a minor at the age of seventeen. Only adult criminal history counts in the federal court system.How this works it goes off a grid. It’s a grid that goes across and it goes down, like any other grid. Across is criminal history category and down is the offense level. Now across I’m a zero to one, it goes up to twelve or thirteen or some s**t. I’m reading off the government paperwork right now. They hit me with time for more than one hundred and fifty kilograms of cocaine right. So what that does is got me at zero to one for criminal history and that starts my offense level at thirty eight which hold like two hundred and thirty months. That’s what I was actually facing in the beginning, right. Now they got something called safety valves that enable the judge to rule under your mandatory minimum. The only way you can get a safety valve is to not have a criminal history. So I was eligible for a safety valve. The prosecutor didn’t put me in the leadership role; they gave me a minor position. So that automatically adjusted me four levels down from thirty eight to thirty four. So when you admit to guilt inside a plea you automatically get a three point reduction for not taking them to trial and all that, so that takes me to a thirty one. And the safety valve also gives you two more points adjusted downwards so [that] put me at a twenty nine. What they tried to do is enhance me with a possession of a firearm and that was the only thing I had to argue when I went to court. The probation department gets your whole life in a nutshell and tells the judge how much time you should get. They recommended my sentence to be eighty-four months, which is seven years. So when I went into court I was facing seven to nine years, because the prosecution wanted me to do nine years. So when I went in there, unlike a lot of other people I had a background in entertainment. My papers show that my life has been in entertainment even from being a couple months old doing a Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo commercial. That showed the judge that I was doing other s**t besides f***ing with drugs.The prosecution was trying to use a common sense law that you need a gun to protect drugs and they were trying to put an invisible gun on me. So me and my lawyers, we beat that. So at the end of the day they ruled in my favor and that’s how I got the sixty four months. Bleu DaVinci “Work” VideoAllHipHop.com: With everyone on your team getting hit with football numbers, did you feel copping out was your best move?Bleu DaVinci: Nah, it’s like this. A lot of dudes don’t know about the law. I really didn’t know how all this s**t worked beforehand. But once I got in the mix and got to understand how the law works; in the feds it works different in the states. How this works it’s like this; if two people say you did something, you going to get convicted when you get to trial, period. They can lie just to get their time cut or whatever. All they need is two people and in our case they had like I would say at least fifteen to sixteen people that I’ve seen in my paperwork that was telling on all kind of n****s, not just me. That’s what made me pull out. I had two attorneys, they let me know, “Yo there’s no winning this at trial. There’s too many people taking the stand on you.” AllHipHop.com: When was it clear to you the feds were really watching?Bleu DaVinci: S**t, October 2005; when they picked Meech up. It didn’t get real until it was real. It was all speculation until they started picking n****s up and charging n****s with stuff. AllHipHop.com: Have you spoken to Meech?Bleu DaVinci: Yeah I talked to him through a couple letters and stuff like that. AllHipHop.com: How is he doing; is he holding his head?Bleu Davinci: He’s good, he’s holding his head like me. He took the responsibility for his actions and took it like a man. That’s all he knows what to do. AllHipHop.com: Ironically a lot of B.M.F. members and associates flipped and turned informants.Bleu DaVinci: See people got to understand we had us a crew as far me and Meech and our people. His brother T [Terry “Southwest T” Flenory] had a crew. At the end of the day, they really wasn’t claiming B.M.F. at the end. Just to clear that up, T didn’t have anything to do with B.M.F. Entertainment. They had switched up and did their own thing at the end and went their own way. The brothers kind of fell out at a certain point in time; it was basically like two crews. They were doing their thing and we were doing our thing. My crew didn’t say anything, my crew is solid. We all took the time. It was middleman n****s, n****s that weren’t a part of the crew that started telling. This n**** named William Marshall, he did ninety five percent of the telling. All kinds of s**t and that’s where the problems came from.AllHipHop.com: That’s the dude that’s called Doc right?Bleu DaVinci: Yeah, Doc.AllHipHop.com: So what you’re saying is that Doc ran with T’s crew?Bleu DaVinci: I mean like him, I really don’t know that n****’s get down. He was just a middle n***a, I can’t even say he was part of their crew. He was really doing his own thing. He had his own crew of n****s and he told all kinds of crazy s**t; a bunch of lies. Once he had them people [feds], he was just getting his time cut and cut and cut. He was saying all types of s**t. AllHipHop.com: Can you comment on Fleming Daniels and Ralp “Ralphie” Simms. It’s been reported that they both flipped as well.Bleu DaVinci: Nah, Fleming didn’t flip. He just took his time. We got to clear that up. As far as I’m concerned, I got boxes of paperwork and his name didn’t come up in any paperwork saying he told anything. But Ralphie, he told some s**t of whatever he was witnessing. But as far as I’m concerned right now, until I get some paperwork that shows me he said something, Fleming Daniels didn’t tell. AllHipHop.com: One part of the story that came out of nowhere was Jacob The Jeweler’s involvement with some money laundering. What’s your commentary on that?Bleu DaVinci: I really don’t have much to say about that. You know, as far as I’m concerned Jacob is straight. I don’t have any paperwork that said he was talking about nothing. I really wasn’t clear on that whole situation. AllHipHop.com: During the trial an informant pointed to Young Jeezy as receiving cocaine from B.M.F.Bleu DaVinci: As far as I’m concerned Jeezy a rapper man. You know I met Jeezy in Magic City. Some of my dudes was like, “Yo dude be spitting, we should f*** with him.” We f***ed with him and that’s where our relationship stood. I never passed him any work. I’ve never seen him on no blocks pitching no bricks or none of that. Me and Jeezy as far we go was the studio and messing with some females. AllHipHop.com: Before Pimp C died, he made this statement about B.M.F.:

“Everybody was down and everything was cool with B.M.F. before they got busted. Everybody wanted to be down with the plan until they got busted. Then when it went sour, nobody wanted to fly the flag no more. If you was Black Mafia Family in the street when they were spending all that money in the strip clubs, you need to be Black Mafia Family right now when everyone getting indicted.”

The general consensus was that he was referring to Young Jeezy. From your vantage point, what did you see?Bleu DaVinci: Jeezy, I’m not going to say he stopped screaming B.M.F., he still say Meech name here and there. He still make comments but you know a lot of n****s do choke up when it’s crunch time, know what I’m saying? A lot of n****s don’t want to accept the responsibilities that come with what n****s is rolling with. And you know as well as I know those label executives don’t be trying to hear that s**t. If a n***a making money for them, they going to tell a n***a to separate himself. I just kind of look at it like that. At the end of the day, a n***a might have felt like he had to do what he had to do to stay on track to do what he was doing. Not saying I agree with it, because I would never do that. I would have to tell those label executives to suck my d**k and do what ya’ll got to do because this is what makes me me. That’s what I would do personally. I’m not knocking Jeezy, but I wouldn’t have done it the same way. I would have screamed B.M.F. harder just like I did when n****s got picked up. Once n****s picked Meech up, I went on nationwide tour with a big bus and all the t shirts and the whole s**t. AllHipHop.com: Where do you stand currently with Fabolous. He was running with B.M.F. as well. Bleu DaVinci: Fab is my n***a. He’s a straight up hundred percent real stand up n***a; my n****s in the street run into him and he still f*** with us like that. He just got done shouting out Meech in one of those new records. AllHipHop.com: While B.M.F. was still out on the town, did you ever think you guys were overdoing it with all the money, jewelry and automobiles. That did seem to bring your organization a lot of unnecessary attention. Bleu DaVinci: Nah, there’s no such thing. We did us. I never thought that. I had thoughts that maybe one day we wouldn’t be able to do it like that for a minute and that’s what I’m going through right now. But when I get right back I’ll be going right back to flossing in a hundred percent positive legal way. You know what it is. You going to floss with your check from AllHipHop, feel me? I’m going to floss no matter what I have. I know how to generate money. They never said Blue Davinci never ever made any money in entertainment. It never came up once in trial. A lot of people never mentioned that it was proven that we were making money from entertainment. Let me point this out. This is my first interview since I’ve been down for a whole year. You know I had get at ya’ll first. A lot of these n****s that are talking all this s**t about me are squares and don’t know. I’ve heard all types of crazy s**t about me telling and snitching. I’m going to tell you who told, William Marshall. He was facing seventy years now he going to do a couple of months or some dumb s**t like that. Snitching gets n****s out of jail. AllHipHop.com: Speaking of getting reduced sentences, T.I. caught some crazy gun charges last year and was facing heavy time. His sentence got reduced to a year and some community services and the whispers commenced. Blue DaVinci: With a criminal history at that. First of all people don’t understand, the government got the control. I don’t believe T.I. told s**t because I know how these people work. T.I. sold a couple of million records. They look at it as this; they can use T.I. as an advocate to speak to these kids that’s coming up. These kids are looking up to T.I., it would be more beneficial and would save the economy more money to have T.I. tell all these kids leave the guns alone than locking that one man up and spending thirty two thousand a year housing him. Feel me?AllHipHop.com: I ask because T.I. just started doing some public service announcements about helping to solve crimes and some individuals, like Mysonne, feel that’s helping the police. Bleu DaVinci: I just consider it that’s what he has to do. See, when you sign these plea deals and s**t like that, they making him do that. It’s not like he woke up one day and called the police like, “Yo I want to do a video for ya’ll.” Nah, they making that man do that s**t. It’s either that or we going to redo your plea deal. He has to do a lot of hours of community service, he didn’t jump up and say he wanted to do that either. But to not go do fifteen years and throw his career away and take all this good music away from all the loyal fans that love him, he has to do certain s**t. I don’t look at that as T.I. f***ing up. He ain’t talking to the thugs and the gangsters, he’s talking to the kids and the civilians. I don’t want people to be getting shot, I want our people to go to school and do well and become doctors. [Automated voice: “You have one minute remaining”]AllHipHop.com: The time on the jack is almost done, anything else you want to hit us with?Bleu DaVinci: I got hit with five years and four months with no criminal history and a minor role. I’m probably going to be two years to the halfway house because I got a year here already served and I got the drug program for smoking all that weed. The judge gave me the drug program that gives you a year off the offense and six months to the halfway house. So I already got two and a half years in on a sentence of five years and four months. So I’m going to be out real soon handling my business. Also shouts to all my n****s on the street, I got my n**** D from the ATL in here, a gang of ATL dudes. I got Smurf out of Baltimore. I got dudes in here from LA, Chicago, New York…[Phone cuts off]

Jim Jones To Tell Life Story In Musical

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Jim Jones plans to employ the stage to present his music in the form of a play in New York City.

 

The Play is called “The Jim Jones Project,” and there are a pair of dates later in the month.

 

One source explained the project under the auspice of anonymity.

 

“Its a new and different way that Jim is showcasing his music. He’s taking his upcoming album and telling his life story via the album and the actors acting it out as a play to release his album,” the source explained AllHipHop.com. “The upcoming album is the soundtrack to the play. We have two nights.”

 

The nights for the play are November 12 and 13th according to the source, but neither Jim Jones nor his management was available to confirm at press time.

 

The times and venues have yet to be revealed as well.

 

Jim Jones is presently experiencing success on the music front as a guest rapper on Ron Browz’s “Pop Champagne.”

Hip-Hop Rumors: Lil Wayne Dead? Fergie On Detox? More Rumors!

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

TODAY’S RUMORS!

FERGIE ON DETOX?

What is this crazy mess that’s going on? There is rumor that Dr. Dre might be working with Fergie of the BEP on his looming, highly anticipated album DETOX. Here is the latest, according to an interview with DX. The basis of the interview is Bruce Williams, author of “Rollin’ With Dre: The Unauthorized Account.” Now, this has me wondering if he is offering an unauthorized account of Dre’s new album. 1) he stated that Dre is not doing a West Coast album, as he has been known to do in the past. He said his former friend is doing an album for the general market in an effort to appeal with the teen and young adult market. Williams, who has been sued by Dr. Dre for 100k, is speculating that there is a song with Fergie on there. Now, i don’t have hate for Fergie, but it does present an interesting scenario. Williams also said that the 40-plus age difference is presenting a challenge to appeal to the younger rap fans. Do you believe? We’ll see!

LIL WAYNE IS NOT DEAD!

Lil Wayne is alive and leaning! The super, mega and grandiose star was rumored dead on Sunday. Nope. “Lil’ Wayne not shot and killed.” Sorry. He’s still out here and thugging it out! A fake-type website started pumping this bogus rumor into cyberspace. I did hear there were some other folks shot and that might have sparked the Wayne rumors.

Also, I am hearing that Wayne’s not releasing Carter 4 in early 09. I heard there is a new version of Carter 3 with new songs coming.By the way, here is the original FAKE article that stated that something happened to Weezy.

‘Lil Wayne’ Slain In Notorious Gang Shootout

Dwayne Carter Aka ‘Lil Wayne’ Gunned Down After Show In Hometown Of New Orleans

Dwayne Carter known by his rap alias of ‘Lil Wayne’ is the latest victim of the notorious feud between the ‘Bloods’ And ‘Crips’.Shortly after performing at the New Orleans Arena, Lil

Wayne was involved in an altercation with members of rival gang the

‘Crips’, and brutally shot 6 times with a semi automatic 9mm Smith

& Wesson handgunParamedics rushed to the scene and attempted to

resuscitate the rapper, however were unable to prevent colossal blood

losses and Dwayne Carter was pronounced dead at 02:36 Am, November

1st,shortly after arriving at Tulane University Hospital.This will be seen as a huge loss to the hiphop

community, as the self proclaimed ‘Best Rapper Alive’ has been an

integral part of the revival of the genre, going platinum with his

latest release Tha Carter III within one week.New Orleans police Chief Warren J.Riley appealed to any witnesses to come forward with any information about the 4 gunmen

AGAIN – that is a fake article.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING – HIT ME AT MY NEW EMAIL!

MICHAEL JACKSON DROPS AKON?

No, Akon is not suddenly signed to Michael Jackson like Quo. But you might remember that Akon and the masked and gloved one recorded a pretty good song together. I am hearing it was dumped by Michael for some reason, but I don’t really know why. Check out the song and let me know if you have heard anything compelling.

See, aside from Akon saying “Konvict Muzik,” was that bad? MiJac is “bad!”

AT LEAST PUNK AIN’T NO PUNK

I am not sure who Jennifer Hudson is engaged to. I say that nicely, meaning he seemed to be a nut type for popping up on “I Love New York.” The WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) signed David “Punk” Otunga to a dev contract. Punk has reportedly been down in Florida in an attempted to get in the league. So, I have to admit, dude seems like he is going for the gusto even though he is a lawyer. He gets props for taking a hiatus from the WWE to be with his future wife in her time of need. So, Punk is a real man and not a punk.

ILLSEED’S QUICKIESClick here to listen to a Canadian prank Sarah Palin into thinking he was the King of France. Uh, she fell for it.

I got something off the IC that Da Brat attempted to break out of jail, but don’t believe that one if you hear it. That’s not true.

The Ill Community is doing a battle between Ice-T’s first and second wives. You know, Darlene is the first and iconic on and Coco is the current and iconic one. Click here to see it.

If you heard that UK rapper Wiley died, don’t believe what you heard. It is not true.

Looks like Eminem is going to be moving forward with this new album and video. I am getting word that he needs females for a new video.

Supporters of McCain are using MLK’s “content of their character” quote to explain why people should vote for the old tymer. Remember, McCain didn’t even support the MLK holiday. Don’t make me com to Arizona.

There are quite a few rumors going on with regard to Shakir Stewart, the former VP of Def Jam. He replaced Jay-Z earlier this year, before reportedly killing himself over the weekend. Heard anything? Tell me at [email protected].

Shout out to http://lupefiasco-lupend.blogspot.com/

They are suggesting that the weapon used to murder Jennifer Hudson’s family was also owned by her brother.

What’s Beyonce doing with a transvestite background dancer in her video for “Single Ladies?”

Click here for that Kid Kudi mixtape, “A Kid Named Kudi!”

Check out The Cons diss Kid Kudi…Some G.O.O.D. Music Beef?

Check out “Onslaught!” It’s the song with Joe Budden, Royce Da 5’9?, Crooked I & Joell Ortiz. DL it here!

Did you know Rick Ross was supposed to be on “Swagger Like Us?” That’s OK, he might be on the remix – Jay-Z, Nas, Andre 3000, Young Jeezy and Rause. Ownership of the original is coming.

MORE OBAMA / JAY-Z STUFF…

Is it me or s Jay-Z officially on the campaign trail?

RANDOM QUOTES

When did Prodigy of Mobb Deep get so “deep?” I don’t mean any harm, but this is the man that called his CD Murda Muzik and has delved into drugs, all sorts of sex and murder. Oh, he disses Jay-Z again.

“J.Z. [sic] knows the truth, but he chose sides with evil in order to be accepted in the corporate world. J.Z. conceals the truth from the black community and the world and promotes the lifestyle of the beast instead.”

Sarah Palin disses Tina Fey:“And a little advice for Tina: We wanted to make sure she’s holding

onto that Sarah outfit because she’s going to need it for the next four

years.” B-PLEASENORE BEGS DADDY YANKEE TO TIGHTEN UP HIS MCCAIN MESSAGE

Nore is doing his work out this, but he had to object to the endorsement of John McCain. Peep it!

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

Two men are headed to a funeral. Some insane gun man shoots both of them, fatally wounding one of them. Well, that is crazy, but here is the real crazy part. The man killed a reverend and a deacon inside a Kentucky church. And here is the real super crazy part. The man shot them as they arrived at the church for a FUNERAL. The shooting was a result of a yearlong beef between the men. The church still managed to have a shortened funeral service for the 70-something-year old woman that passed away. SMH.

DON’T LEAVE THE U.S. YET!

M.I.A. is a UK rep, but she lives here. She has stated that if John McCain can steal, I mean, win this election, she will head back across the pond. She just got married or something so she has to stay here! Plus she just un-retired and we all want to keep her around. Jay-Z has also said a very similar statement, but he said that he will start buying new residences in other places to life. He didn’t actually says he’ll bounce. If I get my weight up, I might do the same. Sarah Palin is like an elderly heartbeat away from world domination.

“If McCain gets voted in, then I’m outta here quicker than anyone can say Obama. I’m here because it’s an interesting time. It’s important to be here watching and saying to people, ‘Look, your country has been so dumb for eight years. If you f**k up one more time, that’s a whole generation of dumb people.’”

NE-YO ON MADTV

I almost made this an Epic Fail. Ne-Yo is cool, but he just picked the wrong time and day and show over the weekend. He segment on Mad TV popped up the moment John Mccain and Tina Fey (as Sarah Palin) came on SNL. Well, needless to say, most people like myself watched McCain yuck it up. He’s actually funny. Here is Ne-Yo…not so funny.

VOTE NOVEMBER 4, NOT 5.

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!!!!!!!

You CANNOT vote on November 5, people. The lying, deceptive other side are trying to tell Dems in Virginia that you can vote on Nov. 5. What a slimy bunch!!!!! If you must video tape and document your process of voting to act as a checks and balances. I am going with a camera. In this age, it is way more different that it was four years ago. We can expose a lot more and we have media “in house” as well as mainstream.

VOTING LINKS. Here are a bunch of links sent to me and I am sending them to you.

http://illseed.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/another-ill-barack-obama-song-and-video/

MC Yogi – Obama ’08 – Vote for Hope

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article883412.ece

Avalance of Attorneys Arrive to State Monitor Polls

http://videothevote.org/

Video the Vote 2008

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/01/the-stench-run-republican_n_140056.html

The Stench Run – Republlicans Ramp Up Negative Attacks as Election Day Nears

http://www.starbucks.com/default.asp?

Starbucks Offers Free Coffee on Nov. 4th For Those Who Voted

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid988092926?bctid=1842856410

McPalin Victory? The Expatriot Liberal Intellectuals’ Theocracy Escape Plan Can Help

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/opinion/02rich.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin

Frank Rich: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

http://news.aol.com/elections/article/some-voters-hit-with-dirty-tricks/235328?icid=100214839x1211933231x1200808087

Some Voters Hit With Dirty Tricks

http://www.youtube.com/user/VideoTheVote2006

Video the Vote Promo 2008 (this is a different video)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/opinion/02friedman.html?em

Thomas Friedman: Vote for ( )

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/31/reagan-chief-of-staff-end_n_139766.html

Reagan’s Chief of Staff Endorses Obama

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/01/dick-cheney-endorses-mcca_n_139990.html

Dick Cheney Endorses McCain

http://www.truthout.org/103108R

Reversal of Fortune

http://www.truthout.org/103108T

Everybody’s Voting for the Weekend

http://www.truthout.org/103108VA

Princeton Report Rips New Jersey E-Voting Machines A Easily Hackable

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/31/eagleburger-blisters-pali_n_139524.html

Eagleburger Blisters Palin – “Of Course” She’s Not Ready

http://www.economist.com/daily/news/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12516666

Economist Endorses Obama “It’s Time”

http://www.truthout.org/110108C

Democratic Politicians: Open Polls This Weekend

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27459551/

Voter Registration Smashes Records

I’M NOT FINISHED!

Aubrey and Suge!

For more junk, go to illseed.com.

OBAMA, WE LOVE YOU!!!

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!

-illseed

WHO: illseed.com

WHAT: Rumors

WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed

HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].

– allhiphop rumors

UPDATE: Police Release Details On Suicide Of Def Jam EVP

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Atlanta-area authorities have confirmed the cause of death of Def Jam Executive Vice President Shakir as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, AllHipHop.com has learned this afternoon.

 

The 34-year-old Oakland, California native, who split his time between Atlanta and New York, was discovered around 4:00 pm Saturday afternoon (November 1) in the bathroom at his home in Marietta, a northwest suburb of Atlanta.

 

According to Cobb County Police spokesperson Cassie Reece, Stewart shot himself with a handgun.

 

Upon being discovered, he was transported to Kennestone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

 

In his four year tenure at Def Jam, Stewart rose through the ranks from Vice President to Senior Vice President of A&R, before taking over the position famously left vacant by Jay-Z earlier this year.

 

Those familiar with Stewart, who began his career in the entertainment business while still a student at Morehouse College, have echoed their disbelief at the shocking turn of events.

 

Stewart and his college inner circle are seen as largely instrumental in Atlanta’s development into a major force in the world of urban entertainment.

 

It was with Hicks, RyanKenny co-founder Ryan Glover and Henry “Noonie” Lee that he got his start, launching Ivory Coast Entertainment, a party and concert promotions company.

 

They went on to start Noontime Entertainment, the songwriting and production company which brought forth Hip-Hop producer Jazze Pha, and Grammy Award winning songwriters Bryan-Michael Cox and Johnta Austin.

 

Police would not release details as to who discovered Stewart. Stewart went on to work for publishing company Hitco, where he signed Beyonce Knowles to a publishing deal.

 

During his tenure at Def Jam, Stewart was instrumental in signing Young Jeezy, Rick Ross and others.

SICK SUNDAYS: Lloyd Banks Drops Halloween Havok, Ghostface, Nas, Black Milk & More

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Uncategorized
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It’s the day after Saturday and we had an extra hour to party and bulls**t and here we go again for another Sick Sunday.  I had a Shakir Stewart shout out in last week’s column but unfortunately, it must be replaced with an R.I.P. and a well wish for his children. Mr. Stewart apparently committed suicide this weekend and details are still forthcoming.  From all accounts he was a good dude and no one knows what eats at a  man.  Friendly reminder if you need help or you’re depressed, seek professional counseling.  Get yourself some help.  It doesn’t make you less of a man (or woman) and you can hopefully get yourself in a better situation.Now on to the music

Black Milk (Ft. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, & DJ Premier)-The Matrix Black Milk dropped his joint this week and it’s got some fire.  On this joint Monch and  Sean P hop on the track to body it.  Preemo on the cutting and the scratching  pretty much put the cherry on top of this.  I give it certified thumbs up.  Sean Price always seems to step it up when he’s guest starring  on some Method Man s**t. Ghostface-Computer LoveStaten Island’s finest is back again this time representing over “Computer Love.” Ghost does his slow flow thing.  I admit I never liked the original song so I’m not going ape s**t over this one, but you can never lose with some good ole fashioned GFK. Not great but I wouldn’t turn it off in disgust. Evidence feat. Phonte, Blu, And Will.i.am– For Whom The Bell TollsSlow flow from the undergrounders. The church bells and the strings give a little majesty to it, but I think this song could use some more BPMs.  The chorus is also a little annoying but these guys deliver lyrically.  I songs like this is what kinda hold cats like this from getting their message out to the masses. It’s cool in a dose but you can’t stomach too much  of it. The slow speed makes the song feel too long. Freeway Feat. Young Chris- Everything’s Gonna Be AlrightThe Roc (hell with what Jay says) tag team over Naughty’s anthem and do a serviceable job. With Phillie as the back drop versus Trenton/EO. It’s a shame that Freezer drops so much heat and no one buys it.  Young Chris still on the grind holding the Roc flag  while still holding it down with the State Prop.  This is jammable.  Thumbs up. Sam Scarfo Feat. Ghostface-Jesus Loves YouNow THIS is Ghostface is his element.  Sam Scarfo is adequate and honestly does his thing but Ghost really shines on this.  Over a nice riding soul sample they go back and forth like EPMD when they just started they business.  I’m Fannie Mae on this one cosigning.  Content is solid, flows is dope, beat if official. Nas Feat. Joel Ortiz-GhettoI know I know, this ain’t new by any means but these two dude blessed this joint and i had to go back to it.  Joel got NITRO on this joint, switching flows and raising the energy level of this joint.  The beat is already classic and Nas is his usual self.  One of the better collabos out this year.***************************************************************OT LLOYD BANKS- HALLOWEEN HAVOK.To me this blows Return of the PLK out the water, but Banks voice seems a little off on this.  The beat selection is much better and the sequencing is superior in my opinion.  You be the judge. Bump it or Blow it.LLOYD BANKS HALLOWEEN HAVOK

Poll Answers

*****************************************************************DOUBLE OT Square Off Feat. Cory Gunz-You Not So TuffSolid crew joint, Cory outshines these guys but they aren’t bums.  I came back to double ot cause the Giants are beating the living dog s**t outta the Cowboys.  Enjoy. Square Off Feat. Cory Gunz-Letter to ObamaAnother black president song from cats who won’t probably vote or who have never been involved in the political process…or will still rap about bodying cats or slinging crack.  **Sigh** I’ll be glad when this is all over. Meh*****************************************************************TRIPLE OTLupe Fiasco-I Know WhyHe aint retired yet so get ti while you got it.  Dopeness.

Sunday Selection: R. Kelly – “Skin”

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Alternatives
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Hey everybody!! Hope all is

well. This week I have stumbled upon a new joint from one of Chi-town’s

biggest artists. Some of you have love for him, while some of you hate

his guts. Either way, you can’t deny he’s a musical genius. 

I remember when Robert Sylvester

Kelly went by the moniker R. Kelly. I know that might sound strange,

but in 2008 R. Kelly has faded to the background. See the R. Kelly I

know and remember had hits dating back to 1992. And as he evolved in

the new millennium, R. Kelly got lost in the shuffle and this other guy

“Kells” emerged. R. Kelly did songs like, “Honey Love,”

“Your Body’s Calling” and “Bump N’ Grind. While Kells has crafted

songs like “Snake,” “Thoia Thong” and “I’ma Flirt.”  

I can’t say that I like Kells

as much as I like R. Kelly, the two are totally different and produce

totally different music. Personally, I think that Kells is merely a watered

down version of R. Kelly who attempts to keep up with “The Joneses.”

He turns on the Auto-Tune from time to time and doesn’t produce Classic

R&B, just microwaved hits that in six months you don’t remember

anymore.  

So as Robert Sylvester Kelly

preps the release of his new album 12 Play: Fourth Quarter, I’m wondering

who’ll he be this time around R. Kelly or Kells? His new single “Skin”

is decent, and I must admit Robert looks grown and sexy in the video,

something I haven’t seen from him in a long time. Although I’m routing

for R. Kelly to emerge on 12 Play: Fourth Quarter, I’m not sure which

alter-ego is present in “Skin.” So help me out! Take a listen to

the track and let me know who you think it is – R. Kelly or Kells? And

also let me know what you think overall.

Until next time y’all enjoy

this week’s Sunday Selection – “Skin”  Poll Answers

BREAKING NEWS: Def Jam Vice Pres Shakir Stewart Dead Of Suicide; Def Jam Issues Statement

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Def Jam Executive Vice President, Shakir Stewart was found dead today (November 1), AllHipHop.com has learned.

 

While details are being confirmed, sources stated that Shakir died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and his body was found earlier today, in his apartment.

 

“L.A. Reid and all of us at Island Def Jam Music Group are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Shakir Stewart,” Def Jam told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “Shakir was an amazing man, in every sense of the word. A truly incredible friend and father who was an inspiration to not only our artists and employees, but to his family and the many people who had the privilege of counting him as a friend.  Our hearts and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time.”

 

Stewart replaced Jay-Z’s position at Island Def Jam and was named Executive Vice President of Def Jam Recordings in June of 2008.

 

Stewart began is career at Def Jam in 2004, as VP of A&R for the legendary label.

 

As A&R, he signed artists like Young Jeezy, Rick Ross and others.

 

Prior to working at Def Jam, Stewart worked for Hitco, where he signed Beyonce to a publishing deal and signed Ciara during his tenure at LaFace Records.

 

Shortly after his promotion to EVP with Def Jam, Stewart told AllHipHop.com that he was looking forward to signing a new, fresh crop of talent to the storied record label.

 

“My main thing is to keep supporting the artists that have cultural relevance, a message, a real fan base and that can touch the hearts of men and women,” Stewart told AllHipHop.com of his vision. “My commitment is to the artists of quality music and talent.”

 

Most recently, Stewart over saw the release of Young Jeezy’s latest album The Recession, LL Cool J’s Exit 13 and Nas’ untitled album.

 

“That’s an honor for me because these are artists [whose careers] I’ve watched from day one. I remember buying ‘I Cant Live Without My Radio,’ ‘I Need Love’ and ‘Rock The Bells’ from LL, and Nas’ Illmatic when that first came out. To be able to be a part of their careers now and work hand in hand with them in creating their albums now…this is [probably] Nas’ most anticipated and controversial album ever…I’m for keeping the brand culturally relevant globally, coming in and being a part [from any standpoint] with a company that’s had this type of history, recognition and respect is a huge honor and a challenge. I’m up to it, I’m a fan of the music and artists and I’m just passionate about it so I’m just ready to go.”

Police Confirm Recovered Gun Was Used To Kill Hudson’s Family

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Police have revealed that a Sig Sauer .45 caliber recovered by police was indeed the weapon that a killer or killers used to murder Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

 

Police found the bodies of Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29 on Friday (October 21) inside of their Chicago home.

 

The body of Hudson’s nephew Julian King was found days later on Wednesday (October 27) inside of Jason’s SUV.

 

Police are now investigating if the gun used to kill the family belonged to Jason, who allegedly owned a similar weapon.

 

“We’ve still got a lot more to do,” said Chicago Police Department Superintendent Jody Weis. “There’s still a lot more forensic examination to do. Right now, we’re extraordinarily pleased and satisfied that the weapon has been identified as the weapon that has been used in the homicides. And there’s still more work to do which we are doing at this time.”

 

Authorities are investigating if the weapon is the same gun Jason purchased after he was robbed and shot during an earlier altercation in Gary, Indiana.

 

The unfired bullets found in the gun matched the make and model of the shell casings found at the scene of the grizzly slayings.

 

The gun was found on Wednesday, just a block away from where Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew Julian was found slain, with two bullets in his head, inside of Jason’s SUV.

 

The ATF also confirmed that the recovered gun was originally taken from a legitimate owner in Michigan, who had previously reported the gun stolen.

 

At press time, police have one person of interest, William Balfour, in custody.

 

Balfour, who was married to Hudson’s sister Julia, was allegedly affiliated with the Gangster Disciples and police claim Hudson’s brother Jason was as well.

 

On Monday (November 3), the Hudson family will hold a private, invitation-only memorial service for her mother, brother and nephew at the Hudson Funeral Home.

 

A second, public memorial will be held later in the week, to allow fans to mourn the deaths of Hudson’s family members.

Hip-Hop Rumors: T-Pain Disses Swagger Jackers! Lupe Fiasco Quits With Triple Album!? Katt Williams Dies In Plane Crash?

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

TODAY’S RUMORS!KATT WILLIAMS DIED IN A PLANE CRASH?

My boy hit me and state that he heard Katt Williams had died I a plane

crash! I’m like…did dude p### off the Illuminati or something?

Nevertheless, I haven’t been able to corroborate this rumor at all. I

do know that people twist things fairly easily and I found a story that

might be the source of confusion. Peep this headline…

Three-year-old Kate Williams survives plane crash

A 3-year-old girl survived an airplane crash in western Canada’s

snow-capped Rocky Mountains, hanging upside down in a safety seat for

four hours before being rescued, local media said today.

When rescuers finally reached her in the treacherous mountain terrain,

she told them her name, Kate Williams, and asked for her teddy bear,

said the daily Globe and Mail.

[Source]

So, lets hope that this is a rumor with a happy ending.

LUPE CALLS IT A CAREER WITH 3-DISC SET

Here is a message I got in my email:

Lupe just announced that his upcoming album – “lupEND” will be a 3 disc set !

CRAZY !!! That’s like at least 30 tracks, right ?

Update:

The 3 discs will be called :

1. Everywhere

2. Nowhere

3. Down Here

and together they’ll form “lupEND”.

For the fan and the stan, this means that Lupe Fiasco is retiring. Whenever a rapper says they are ending their career, I am reluctant to believe. We’ll see. Maybe I will write a story on it, since I have been one of his biggest supporters and biggest critics. All in all, he’s good for the game.

TOURE BLOGS ABOUT SOULJA BOY

I didn’t know that it was Toure that actually got that quote from Soulja Boy, yes the one where he shouts out slave masters. I’m slapping that young man’s parent[s] when I see them. Here is what Toure had to say:

Then came Soulja Boy Tell Em. I asked him, “What historical figure do you most hate?” He was stumped. I said, “Others have said Hitler, bin Laden, the slave masters…” He said, “Oh wait! Hold up! Shout out to the slave masters! Without them we’d still be in Africa.”

My jaw, at this point, was on the ground.”We wouldn’t be here,” he continued, having no idea how far in it he’d stepped, “to get this ice and tattoos.”

Wow. Never mind that diamonds come from Africa. Never mind that there were many generations of pain in between leaving Africa and getting diamonds. Never mind that the long-term cataclysmic effects of subtracting about tens of millions of young, strong people from Africa over the course of a couple of centuries is a large part of the reason why Africa now appears so distasteful to you. Never mind all that, Soulja Boy. You put country first.

KARAOKE UPSETS T-PAIN

T-Pain has a new song called “Karaoke” and it seems like he is upset with some of the other users of the vocoder! Check it out!

Diddy got permission, but what about everybody else? I like how they included Kanye West in the “diss,” but kept it very friendly. T-Pain can rap pretty good, I might add.

NOBODY TOUCHING BIG KUNTRY!

Man, people get p##### off when you talk about somebody in the crew getting beat up or touched. Anyway, somebody close to the Grand Hustle/ PSC Crew hit me up to set the record straight. Now, I can’t say who the person is, because they requested it stay unknown. But, without getting into all that, they said that the rumor of Big Kuntry started with a video of D4L people talking randomly on a video. I haven’t see that video, but it obviously has started some dialogue. We’ll just keep it moving until some other information comes up to refute it.

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY

“You alright?” Famous last words!

Check out this other Epic Fail of the Day….it just really cracks me up when people add sound affects to the video.

Ouch!

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

The people that sold drugs Amy Winehouse have pleaded guilty to the charges.

I don’t know where people get this stuff from, but I am hearing that Musiq Soulchild and Kameelah (formerly of 702) are expecting a child together. Huh?

I didn’t clear this up last week, but Isaiah Thomas didn’t overdose on sleeping pills. Apparently, he was covering up for his daughter.

John Edwards finally became the victim of an Epic Fail. His wife has left him. What a bum he turned out to be. Just imagine of Obama picked him as the VP? That would have been worse that Palin.

Click here to download the new Lloyd Banks mixtape called “Halloween Havoc.” He dedicates it to his Grandmother. Support!

Julia Hudson (Jennifer’s Sis), in an effort to get privacy, has turned her myspace page “private.” (That doesn’t work.) Why is this myspace so important to people in times like this? I guess I would still be incapacitated if my son had been murdered. No disrespect intended.

I am readying that Aubrey of Danity Kane might actually be getting down with Suge Knight and not 50 Cent. Is that to spite Diddy?

I know most of you are here for a lot of gossip, drama and beef, but if you want a pick me up, head over to illseed.com. I have “Sounds of Blackness” and their hit “Optimistic.” A very good song to life the spirit.

OBAMA ON THE DAILY SHOW…VERY FUNNY!

DRES OF THE BLACK SHEEP REMAKES “THE CHOICE IS YOURS”

“I’M SO PAID”

I’m not sure if Akon should be flaunting his wealth as the rest of the nation is floundering. Nevertheless, the song is dope…although poorly timed.

If this Amero kicks in, these guys will be geniuses with all that ice and gold.

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

Eleven-year-old Nazmeen can barely speak, because the man she called “Grandfather” told her not to wear lipstick – and she did. Now she has burns over 99% of her little body. On Friday, Saleem told the little girl not to wear lipstick. What did “Nana” do? He allegedly molested her, then poured Kerosene on her and set her on fire. Her “Nana” is 55 years old.

ILL PICS

Foxy..all I need is a lil’ affection, but you keep teasing with these semi-nip slips.

Nick and Mariah are really about to be the coolest couple. They really don’t take themselves too seriously and appear to really like being together. Below are some more pics from Halloween.

More…

Oh What the hell..here is Sarah Palin’s report card!

I’M OUT LIKE CYNDI LAUPER

And that’s not a diss…Lord Digga once said that and I always like that line. Shout out to Lou Albano.

For more stuff, go to illseed.com.

OBAMA, WE LOVE YOU!!!

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry!

-illseed

WHO: illseed.com

WHAT: Rumors

WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed

HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].

– allhiphop rumors

Out of Bounds: NFL Week 09 Picks, Game of The Week, Presidential Pigskin

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Uncategorized
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Here we are, Week 09. We have eight more weeks to got until the playoffs and believe me; the next few weeks will be very interesting. Every year, when the NFL passes the halfway mark of the season, I think of that one verse Jay-Z had in Brooklyn’s Finest:

 

Time to separate the pros from the consThe platinum from the bronzeThat butter soft s### from that leather on the FonzA S1 diamond from a eye class donA Cham’ Dom’ sipper from a Rosay n####, huh?!Brook-Nam, sippin on …

 

Now it’s about to get real. It’s time for teams to start padding their leads in their respective conferences and get their minds right for a playoff push. Oh, but be aware, there will be “spoilers”, and trap games, and all types of fun stuff that will take place on the road to the playoffs. However, when you look at it, the way the season has gone thus far, it has been one big set of spoilers and trap games after another. Each week, someone or some game has had some kind of surprise twist to it. So s####### your seat belts because now the real fun begins.

 

Thursday Throwdown

This Thursday is the season debut of the Thursday Throwdown where look at the Thursday Night Game airing on the NFL Network. The first game on tap will be the Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns on Thursday, November 6 at 8:15pm. So look out for it this Thursday before the game start. If you do not have the NFL Network, you will still be able to see the game on the NFL Network’s website via live stream.

ALLHipHop’s NFL Game of the Week for Week 10

 

Poll Answers

 

ALLHipHop’s NFL Game of the Week

Dallas Cowboys (5-3) at New York Giants (6-1)

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

My Pick: Giants

 

Both the Giants and the Cowboys won close games last weekend. While the Cowboys’ defense stepped up to beat the Buccaneers in the final minutes of the game last Sunday, the Giants won with a little luck and a solid offensive drive in the final moments of their match-up with the Steelers.

 

Although the ‘Boys got the win last week, I’m still not impressed. If the Cowboys are the better team, then last week’s game should have been a blowout and should not have gone down to the wire. The consistency of the Giants’ play is what gives them the edge in this game. The Giants are ranked third on both total offense and defense in the league and they are the league leaders in total sacks. Brad Johnson is a statue in the pocket, that’s like serving sacks on a silver platter to the Giant’s defense.

 

With the Cowboys having a statue in the backfield and a defensive secondary still hurting, I have to roll with the G-Men on this one.

 

Here are the rest of the games for Week 09 in the NFL.

 

Sunday, 11/02/08, 1pm games

New York Jets (4-3) at Buffalo Bills (5-2)

Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo, NY

My Pick: Bills

 

The Bills may have taken some hits from an injury standpoint, but they’re still a solid team on both sides of the ball. The Jets success will depend on which Brett Favre shows up.

 

If it’s the Brett Favre who played against the Arizona Cardinals, then the Jets have a fighting chance. But, if it’s the Brett Favre who showed up last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, that won’t work. Despite the win, two TDs and three INTs are not acceptable against the Bills’ defense.

 

The Jets are sporadic now, and although their record is 4-3, their play on the field just doesn’t convince me that they have it all together.

 

Detroit Lions (0-7) at Chicago Bears (4-3)

Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

My Pick: Bears

 

It’s the Lions. They stink. The Bears are the better team all around. No need to get deep with this game, we move on.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-8)

Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

My Pick: Jaguars

 

Oh brother, we move from one crappy game to another. The only other team in the league worst than the Lions is the Bengals. They stink just as well. Like the Bears, the Jags are the better team all around. It’s time to get our Notorious K.I.M. on (Keep It Moving) and look at the next game.

 

Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Cleveland Browns (3-4) 

Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OH

My Pick: Ravens

 

The Cleveland Browns have the 30th ranked offense and 21st ranked defense in the league. The Ravens have the 24th ranked offense in the league, but they have the second best defense in the league.

 

With the Browns being inconsistent on offense and the Ravens’ defense as dominate as it is, then Ravens have the upper hand in this game.

 

Green Bay Packers (4-3) at Tennessee Titans (7-0)

LP Field, Nashville, TN

My Pick: Titans

 

The Packers head into Tennessee after a much needed bye week, while Titans continued their winning ways in their Monday Night match-up against the Colts. Could this be a trap game for the Titans? No, I don’t think so.

 

The Titans are similar to the Ravens. They don’t have the greatest offense in the league, but their defense picks up the slack. With the fourth best defense in the league and an offense that does just enough to keep them in the game, too bad Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has to add a lost to his contract extension.

 

This is the Titans’ game to win.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-6)

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

My Pick: Buccaneers

 

Both the Bucs and the Chiefs gave away wins to their opponents last weekend and both teams are looking to bounce back this weekend with a win in this game.

 

The Chiefs are having issues on and off the field while the Bucs hit a bump in the road last weekend. The Bucs are they better squad in this match-up. Both the Bucs’ offense and defense is better and stronger than Kansas City’s.

 

With the Bucs having a better squad than the Chiefs, you have to go with Tampa Bay in this game.

 

Arizona Cardinals (4-3) at St. Louis Rams (2-5)

Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO

My Pick: Cardinals

 

The Cards have the better defense in this game and that’s what gives them the advantage. With Steven Jackson’s status up in the air, there’s only so much Marc Bulger, Jim Haslett and the rest of the Rams’ offense can do.  In addition, the Rams defense is terrible. Things will not bode well for the Rams this weekend.

 

The Rams offense is not as strong as it once was and that’s why the Cards defense will take it to the Rams this Sunday and get the win.

 

Houston Texans (3-4) at Minnesota Vikings (3-4)

Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN

My Pick:

 

The Vikings are coming off a much needed bye week while the Texans are thriving from the beating they gave the Bungles last Sunday.

 

The Texans are ranked fourth in total offense and 16th in total defense.  The Vikes are ranked 12th in total offense and eighth in total defense. Although the Texans have the better offense from a statistical standpoint, the Vikes are at home and they have the better rushing game with Adrian Peterson in the backfield.  

 

With the better rushing offense, better defense, and home field advantage, the Vikes are a good pick to win.

 

4pm games

Miami Dolphins (3-4) at Denver Broncos (4-3)

Invesco Field, Denver, CO

My Pick: Broncos

 

The Dolphins offense is the ninth overall ranked offense in the league. That’s something we weren’t saying a year ago. The Dolphins have been moving the ball well on offense and their defense isn’t too shabby either.

 

Like the Vikes, the Broncos are coming off a much-needed bye week as well after the shellacking the Pats gave them two weeks ago. The Broncos may have taken some hits on defense due to the injury bug, but fortunately, for the Broncos, they’re home this weekend and that makes a big difference.

 

With the Mile High crowd backing their home team, the second best offense in the league, and Mike Shanahan having time to correct the Broncos’ mistakes from two weeks ago; I have to go with the Broncos.

 

Atlanta Falcons (4-3) at Oakland Raiders (2-5)

McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, CA

My Pick: Falcons

 

The Raiders offense and defense is ranked 26th overall in the NFL. The Falcons defense is ranked 25th overall, but their offense is ranked 10th overall in the NFL.

 

That’s your x-factor and that’s why the Falcons will win.

 

Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) at Seattle Seahawks (2-5)

Qwest Field, Seattle, WA

My Pick: Eagles

 

The Seahawks got a much needed win last week from the under achieving 49ers. The Eagles won a close but solid game against the aforementioned Falcons.

 

Although the Seahawks won last week, that’s where it ends. The Seahawks are banged up and with Brian Westbrook back in the lineup and Donovan McNabb playing well, the 12th Man in Seattle is looking at their sixth loss in this game.

 

Sunday Night Football, 8pm

New England Patriots (5-2) at Indianapolis Colts (3-4)

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

My Pick: Colts

 

Finally, we have a Sunday Night Game worth watching. This game is one of the NFL’s most heated rivalries and despite a few changes to these two teams this season, this will still be a good game.

 

While the Pats are the better team on paper, I have to go with the Colts in this game. The Colts can forget about winning the AFC South Title, that’s a wrap. However, they have a chance at a Wild Card spot. With Joseph Addai and Bob Sanders returning, and with their backs against the wall, I have to take the advice of some of our readers here at OUT OF BOUNDS and not count out Peyton Manning and the Colts just yet.

 

The Colts may not be the better team on paper, but desperate times, cause desperate men, to take desperate measures. The Colts are desperate right now and the Pats will be the first team to feel that desperation. 

 

Monday Night Football, 11/03/08, 8:30pm

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Washington Redskins (6-2)

FedEx Field, Landover, MD

My Pick: Steelers

 

On the eve of the biggest Presidential Election we may see in our lifetime, what better way to kickoff the election, than a live interview, conducted by ESPN’s Chris Berman, between presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama during half time of the Monday Night Game.

 

The odds are against the Steelers in this game. They were beaten up pretty good last week against the Giants and they’re still hurting in the injury department. The good news is that Steelers RB Willie Parker practiced this week, so it looks as though the Steelers may have their running game back. If Parker does play, then the Steelers have a great chance of winning this game.

 

While the Redskins have been playing solid football this season, the swing state of Pennsylvania will have an impact on Washington one day early.

 

Teams with Bye weeks: New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers

 

On a side note:

This Tuesday, it’s time to let your voice be heard. So get up, get out, and vote. If you want change, now is your time to do something. GET OUT AND VOTE!

 

I’m Hot Rod! The Rowdy One, and I approve this message

 

Prodigy Reworks ‘H.N.I.C. 2’ For Nov. 4th Re-release

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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A three year jail sentence has not slowed down the musical pursuits of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy, who next week will re-release an updated version of his third solo album, H.N.I.C. Pt.2.

 

Rechristened as H.N.I.C. Pt.2: The Ultimate Collectors Edition, the three disc album boasts eight new bonus songs featuring Havoc (“Dirty New Yorker”), Big Noyd (“It’s Nothing”), Cormega (“When I See You Remix”), Nyce, and Un Pacino (“Get Trapped”).

 

The second disc showcases full length videos for each song on the album, including a bonus video for the track “Sleep When I’m Dead.”

 

The third and final bonus disc is billed as a behind the scenes, “making of the album” documentary featuring Prodigy and executive producers Alchemist and Steve Sola.

 

Marketing the project as Prodigy’s first completely interactive album, AAO Music/Reality chairman Peter Kuys explained to AllHipHop.com that this album is one of many future releases planned to keep the incarcerated star visible to the public.

 

“Prodigy is committed to a long term H.N.I.C. Pt.2 plan to brand his H.N.I.C. series of albums. As a label, we’re committed to maintaining his presence in the market and have embarked on several initiatives towards that purpose,” Kuys revealed. “To date, we’ve released the H.N.I.C. Pt.2 audio album, a DVD collection, and created deals with Sansa Player, and opportunities with Grand Theft Auto IV. We’re excited that Prodigy has chosen to release with us and he remains focused on H.N.I.C.”

 

In 2000, Prodigy was one of the first New York artists to offer an interactive online community through the now-defunct infamousstores.com, where comments from fans and Prodigy helped launch Mobb Deep’s 2001 feud with Jay-Z.

 

Today, Prodigy keeps in contact with fans through his bi-monthly blog on HNIC2.com, a social community site.

 

He is currently jailed on an unlawful gun possession conviction, and scheduled for a conditional release on March 7, 2011.

 

H.N.I.C. Pt.2: The Ultimate Collectors Edition arrives in stores this Tuesday November 4.

Terrace Martin: Locke High (Mixtape Review)

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Reviews / Music
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The East may have made it, but the West surely has decorated it. Most recognized for serving as a young saxophonist for Diddy and as a signature contributor to Snoop Dogg’s The Blue Carpet Treatment, The Masterpiece and Ego Trippin’, Terrace Martin releases his highly anticipated and anxiously awaited mixtape Locke High. The West Coast artist, musician, and producer is assisted by new comers T-Lee and Problem, while Kurupt, DJ Quik, and Uncle Chucc are repeat offenders who’ve previously worked with Martin.

 

Martin’s love for music is evident in every track, with his unique style and sound as he incorporates his jazz background into the smooth G funk beats. Snoop opens up the project on the soulful “Intro” and takes things back to the Deathrow days on “How The Gangstas Do” with lines like: “Got a hundred n****s with me now ready to ride / Blue rags on our face in the black Cadillac / There that n****s go, shoot that n****s right in his back / Gangsta sh*t is back on the map.”

 

It’s undeniable that Martin is a true musician, infusing hints of Jazz with the rawness of West Coast Rap. “End Of My Jam” lends his signature saxophone skills to the beat, which can be attributed to his work with Art Farmer, Herbie Hancock and Billy Higgins. Other noteworthy selections include the ode to inebriation “I’m Toe Up” and “I’m Good” where Problem sounds right at home over a combination of thick bass licks and sped up soul samples.

 

While this effort holds up well, it does bare some noticeable flaws. Sonically the electric guitar driven “Misunderstood” is in the same vein of Snoop’s “Sexual Seduction”, but featured vocalist YN doesn’t finesse the track as well as The Doggfather. Also with plenty of songs about haters already out, “Haters” featuring Uncle Chucc and T Lee seems like overkill.

 

While not perfect, Martin’s Locke High is still a respectable attempt to fill the slight void in West Coast Rap. More proof California is still here.

 

Terrace Martin

“End Of My Jam”

Jay-Z Recieves UK Festival Award For Glastonbury Performance

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Jay-Z’s controversial headlining performance at last summer’s Glastonbury Festival in England has landed the multi-platinum rapper and entrepreneur yet another award.

 

The Festival had come under fire for the decision to make a Hip-Hop act the event’s main attraction, with one of the most vocal detractors being Oasis front man Noel Gallagher.

 

Jay-Z responded by opening his performance with his own guitar-accompanied rendition of the group’s 1995 hit “Wonderwall,” creating an instant viral hit.

 

The performance was named the Most Memorable Moment of this year’s festival season during the U.K. Festival Awards, held Thursday night (October 30) at London nightclub IndigO2.

 

The Glastonbury Festival, held in Somerset in August, also won the Best Major Festival award and an Outstanding Contribution nod for creator Michael Eavis.

Jennifer Hudson Launches New Foundation for Murder Victim Families

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Singer/actress Jennifer Hudson is turning her personal tragedy into a positive.

 

People.com reports the vocalist’s family announced the creation of the Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims, a new organization for the families of murder victims, on Thursday (October 30).

 

According to the family, the well-being of those who have “lost relatives to a violent crime” was the chief motivator for establishing the foundation.

 

“This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling,” the family said in a statement.

 

The launch of the foundation is the latest development following the shooting deaths of Hudson’s 57-year-old mother Darnell Hudson Donerson, 29-year-old brother Jason Hudson and 7-year-old nephew Julian King last week.

 

William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister Julia, is considered a person of interest in the slayings by authorities.

 

Although the 27-year-old parolee is in police custody while being held on an alleged parole violation, no one has been charged in the killings.

 

A prayer vigil in memory of Hudson’s relatives was held Wednesday (October 29) at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago.

 

News of the slayings continue to send shockwaves around the country as local residents mourn the shooting victims.

 

Among those on hand for the event was the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who spoke at the vigil and expressed that Hudson and her family “are overwhelmed by the suddenness and the unexpectedness of it all.”

 

“This family knows triumph, and they also know tragedy,” Jackson told People. “Jennifer sang her first song in this church – she said her first prayer in this church,” said the former American Idol contestant’s cousin Shari Nichols Witt, who described King as someone who “seemed like he was ahead of his time.”

 

Media sources report that detectives believe King was probably shot in the sport-utility vehicle his body was found in.

 

An official who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press that officials think the 7-year-old was alive when he left the house where his uncle and grandmother were killed on Chicago’s South Side.

 

King’s body was discovered Monday (Oct. 27) in the SUV on West Side of the city. On Wednesday, the official, who did not give details on when detectives think King died, revealed that Balfour had refused to take a lie-detector test and has stopped cooperating with detectives.

 

It was unclear whether Balfour had an attorney, the AP stated.

 

That same day, police found a .45-caliber gun in a vacant lot around the corner from where the SUV had been parked.

 

The weapon was sent to Illinois State Police for testing, police Superintendent Jody Weis said Thursday.

 

Despite preliminary tests suggesting the weapon used was a .45-caliber gun, Weis added that tests should determine whether the gun found in the lot was the one used.

 

The weapon will be compared with shell casings found at the Hudson home, he said.

 

Funeral services for Hudson’s relatives will be held Monday morning at Apostolic Church of God.

 

The service, which will take place on Chicago’s South Side, will be closed to the public.