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50 Cent Reveals Release Date For ‘Before I Self Destruct’

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Rapper 50 Cent confirmed his album Before I Self Destruct, has a scheduled released date of December 9.

 

The album is significant, because it is the Queens – bred rapper’s fourth and final solo for his label, Interscope Records.

 

After Before I Self Destruct is released, 50 Cent will reportedly be a free agent.

 

On a recent concert date in Albany, New York 50 Cent reignited his feud with Kanye West, as he mimicked West’s new song “Love Lockdown.”

 

During the shenanigans, 50 Cent revealed the release date.

 

“I hope you enjoy this,” the rapper told a cheering crowd, as he mimicked West’s song,on bended knee, singing West’s lyrics.

 

The crowd soon joined in, gleefully chanting “f**k Kanye West,” while putting up their middle fingers.

 

After the performance, 50 Cent went backstage where Tony Yayo poked fun at Kanye West’s recent scuffle with paparazzi in Los Angeles International Airport.

 

Yayo jokingly attacked 50 Cent’s videographer, while mimicking West and his manager Don C.’s recent arrest at L.A.X., for breaking a photographer’s camera.

 

Again, the two artists will release albums around the same time, with West’s album 808 & Heartbreak scheduled for a December 16 release date.

 

Play-N-Skillz, Swizz Beatz and J.R. Rotem are reportedly featured on production, while 50 Cent recently confirmed he cut Kanye West’s contribution to the album.

Swizz Beatz Denies Alicia Keys Affair

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Grammy winning-producer and artist Swizz Beatz has broken his silence regarding rumors that claim an affair with singer Alicia Keys caused the dissolution of his own marriage.

 

In a statement released to US Magazine, Swizz disclosed how the months of speculation and false assertions finally pushed him to a breaking point.

 

“I can no longer ignore the harmful rumors, that my friend Alicia Keys is in any way linked to my marital circumstances or to the decision that [my wife] Mashonda and I have made to separate,” Swizz explained. “I am disappointed that some have chosen to try and tarnish Alicia’s reputation by irresponsibly implicating her in a situation that she had absolutely nothing to do with.”

 

Swizz Beatz and singer Mashonda were married in 2004 and have two children together.

 

In April, the couple separated under apparently amicable terms.

 

However in published interviews, Mashonda made cryptic comments about Alicia Keys and her marriage that implied the R&B star may have played a pivotal role in the deterioration of her union.

 

Swizz Beatz feels that the matter should now be closed to the public, as the painful separation is hard enough for him to deal with, without the prying eyes of tabloids.

 

“This experience has been one of the most difficult times in my life,” Swizz revealed. “And as was stated when we announced our separation several months ago, I ask that you continue to respect my privacy in dealing with this personal matter.”

 

Swizz Beatz produced T.I.’s forthcoming single “Swing Ya Rag,” off the Atlanta rapper’s sixth studio album Paper Trail.

 

Swizz is preparing his sophomore solo release entitled Life After The Party.

 

The album will feature appearances from Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Cassidy, Eve, and Drag-On.

B.G. & Chopper City Boyz: Concrete Rock

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Features
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After leaving the label that gave popular culture such phrases as “drop it like it’s hot” and “bling, bling” New Orleans rapper B.G. was counted out. Many people thought that without his fellow Hot Boys and Cash Money’s clout, the New Orleans native would never be able to repeat or surpass any of his past success. After signing a multi-album deal with Warner Brothers to distribute his Chopper City record label, B.G. gained a new life. After the successful release of B.G. & Chopper City Boyz’ independent debut album, We Got This, B.G., along with fellow Chopper City Boyz Snipe and Gar, are preparing to take the Chopper City movement to the next level with the September 16th release of their new Chopper City/Asylum album Life in the Concrete Jungle. Oh yeah, did we mention a Hoy Boys reunion?AllHipHop.com: Given your history you probably had access to hundreds of aspiring rappers and even artists that are already in the game. What is it about these two men that made you want to form the group with them?B.G.: I chose them because I saw hunger in them. I saw something different about both of them and they wanted it. They wanted it and I wanted it. I had just left Cash Money and started the Chopper City label and they wanted to jump on board and ride with me. AllHipHop.com: What are your styles of rhyming and what is it you two bring to the Chopper City Boyz?Gar: My style, what I do, I bring my music from the heart man. Everything I spit I done did it, been seeing it, or I saw it. I give it straight from the heart. The beat pretty much tells me what to do. I let the fans decide what my style is but I give my 200 to the group. I bring it all the way real.Snipe: I bring my originality to the group. I find my own way to say what I saw. And like he said, you got to keep it 100 with yourself. That’s all you got to do. As far as my style, I’ll let the fans pick the style for me. I can’t really name my style. AllHipHop.com: What has it been like for you leaving Cash Money and building your own label from the bottom up?B.G.: A lot of people, when I left Cash Money…they counted me out. A lot of people wrote me off. A lot of people thought I couldn’t do it without Cash Money and it’s now, what? Six or seven years later and I’m still here. I’m still relevant.  I left Cash Money on my sixth album and I’m about to drop my 11th solo album and that ain’t even including the Hot Boys albums or the previous Chopper City Boyz albums. The streets kept me relevant. I do it for the streets and I stay true to myself. I followed what was in my heart and I didn’t let anybody tell me what I could and couldn’t do. I kept giving it to them man and the streets just embraced me. I’m here and it is what it is I ain’t going nowhere.

“I got Baby’s name tattooed here, Slim’s name tattooed there. Baby got my name on him. I named my son after him and he named his son after me. We were so family oriented that I never would’ve thought in a million years that the situation would end up the way they ended up.” —B.G.

AllHipHop.com: What is your current relationship with your former label mates/group members?B.G.: Our relationship, and I mean from day one when I left until now, we never had problems with each other amongst the group. It was always problems that we had personally with the business side of things. Things weren’t going the way they were supposed to be going and it just became obvious. And people had been saying those things for a while but couldn’t nobody tell me anything about Baby or Slim. I got Baby’s name tattooed here, Slim’s name tattooed there. Baby got my name tattoed on him. I named my son after him and he named his son after me. We were so family orientated so I never would’ve thought in a million years that the situation would end up the way it ended up but it did. I don’t regret it. Everything I went through make me the man I am today. Everything happens for a reason. At the end of the day I’m a Hot Boy for life. I’m one of the originators of the Hot Boys s**t. I carried Cash Money on my back, by myself before Universal was even much involved. Before Juve, before Wayne it was me, Fresh, Baby, and Slim. Then Wayne came, Juve came, Turk came and we took it to another level. But, before all that, I was a regional star, I was a neighborhood superstar. Everything I put out I was doing 100 thousand plus. A 15 or 16 years old.AllHipHop.com: So there is truth to the rumors of a Hot Boys reunion?B.G.: The first single off my new album is featuring Lil’ Wayne and Trey Songz that we’re shooting a video for. I got a record on my album called “Ya Heard Me” and that’s just to certify the Hot Boy reunion. The world’s been asking for this for a while. They want it and you can’t deny the fans what they want, you got to give it to them. It took a while for us to come to this but we already showed that we can stand alone. We already showed we can stand on our own two feet. We’re all men now. I look at it like that. We were Hot Boys then and we’re Hot Men now so let’s do it. AllHipHop.com: Do you plan on involving your Chopper City group in that project?B.G.: Chopper City Boyz is us. That’s our movement right there. But Hot Boys is the Hot Boys. We got to work out the situation as far as how we’re going to do it. You know how it goes. Is it going to be through Universal, is it going to be Atlantic but however it ends up it’s going to happen. Chopper City Boyz is a whole new generation. I’m repping for the 80’s babies. I’m a 80’s baby. 1980, September 3rd. I feel like we’re the now. I’m just repping for my generation and just take it to the next level. AllHipHop.com: Snipe and Gar, you guys are fairly new to the game. What is it like for the young hungry rappers out there in New Orleans?Gar: Everybody in New Orleans is just trying to get in where they fit in. There’s very few n****s that’s really doing their thing down there. Everybody pretty much kind of just plug up. Like we plug with Gizzle, Juve got his situation, Wayne got his situation. Muthaf**kers is just trying to get in where they fit in, trying to slip through f**king with us. We’re playing our part by keeping it real with them. We do songs with them and all that. We do what we can do to make their situations better.B.G.: Just to have that unity back in New Orleans… At one point in time New Orleans was ran by No Limit and Cash Money. But our CEO’s had their egos so for whatever reason it was we never ended up working together, I’ll never know, even though all of us knew each other. We all grew up with each other. New Orleans is small. Everybody knows each other. Now, it’s a whole new day and a whole new generation. N****s is looking at Atlanta and Miami and all these other places that come together. And New Orleans is so grimy. We like crabs in a pot. They see you and they wanna pull you down. I’m trying to really open people minds up to saying ,“Hey, lets do it together.” Instead of me, myself, and I let it be we, us, and ours. AllHipHop.com: B.G. has been in the game since ’93 and had his share of ups and downs. What was your struggle like trying to get into the Hip-Hop game?Gar: To tell you the truth, rapping wasn’t even on my agenda. I’m an opportunist so I went to school, I hustled, I was playing ball. I was doing everything to get up out the hood. This opportunity presented itself when Gizzle’s brother Hakim was rapping, about to do his solo thing. He asked me if I wanted to go on the road. We went on the road and s**t just popped off from there, Chopper City Boyz. But I was pretty much an opportunist. Rap wasn’t what I chose but now we’re in this game going hard and that’s what it is.Snipe: I came in through management. I knew of B.G. and Gar, me and him from around the same way, the east so it all came together. Like I said, I knew them before the rap but, as far as me coming into rap, I had a passion for it since high school. I was beating on the desks and s**t in high school. That’s what it was for me as far as my drive. I just had to get in the game, had to get some money. And I was working at one time, pretty much doing anything to get some money. And now I’m here telling my story.AllHipHop.com: I heard T.I. was going to be involved in some of your upcoming project [Too Hood to Be Hollywood]?B.G.: T.I. executive producing my album with me. I’m most definitely affiliated with Grand Hustle. That’s my second family but I got a situation with Chopper City/Atlantic, T.I. executive producing the album with me. It’s funny how it happened…me and T.I, we partners. Like we’re cool. Before we started doing business we had a real n***a to real n***a relationship. He had got word or it’d got leaked some way that I had signed to G-Unit. So Tip called me to congratulate me. I was like I appreciate it my n***a but that ain’t official. He was like, “S**t, what’s it going to get you over here at Atlantic with me?” I told him what it was gonna take, he called Craig [Kallman], made a few phone calls. They flew me to New York and we went back and forth, they gave me what I asked for and we took it from there. The rest history.

“I support Grand Hustle 100 percent and he supports me and what I’m doing 100 percent. I’m a fan of T.I. and T.I. is a fan of mine. We got that real n***a relationship. He respects what I’ve done and where I come from.”

AllHipHop.com: Did he have a hand in this Chopper City Boyz album as well?B.G.: He’s just involved in my project but  like I say he involved in whatever I do just like I’m involved in whatever he do. I support Grand Hustle 100 percent and he supports me and what I’m doing 100 percent. I’m a fan of T.I. and T.I. a fan of mine. We got that real n***a relationship. He respects what I’ve done, where I come from. He came up listening to the Hot Boys and B.G. so for him to work with me is kind of like a honor for him and it’s kind of like an honor for me too.AllHipHop.com: What can people expect to hear when they listen to Life in the Concrete Jungle?B.G.: When you listen to it you’re going to hear that real New Orleans, down south s**t. That real street s**t. I learned from traveling all over the world that my hood aint no different from your hood. My story aint no different from your story. We tried so many different things and was so open minded about the whole project and that just took it to a whole other level. I didn’t want to be in their way because I want them to shine. I want their talents to be noticed and respected. Everybody knows who I am. I’m already going to do what I’m going to do. For me to be co-signing them you know it has to be official. I believe in them and they believe in me, believing in them. We just went in the studio and did what we do and it came out exactly how I predicted it’d come out. AllHipHop.com: What are some of the tracks you feel people will gravitate towards the most?Gar: The song I really appreciate the most is a record called “Maintain.” We all know what’s going on in the world right now. Times is hard and we’re in a recession. Money is short, work is high. This record is basically therapy for n****s in the hood going though something. There’s n****s that need to hear that word. There’s n****s that need that pat on his back to tell him keep going. The song pretty much sums that up so if you out there going through something f**k with that “Maintain” my n***a. You need it. Snipe: I’d have to say that “Maintain” too. At the same time, I put like 100 to 150 percent into it so the whole album’s a beast. It’s well rounded. It go everything you could possibly want. AllHipHop.com: What are some of the things that get to you while trying to build your label and your brand?B.G.: The brand’s already built. When I left Cash Money and started Chopper City records I was in the process of building the brand. When I put my first album out on Koch I did like 400,000. That let me know the street was f**king with me. Then I dropped another one and did 300 damn near 400,000. Everything I put my hands on I was doing numbers that motherf**kers on major labels wasn’t doing. Then I spread my wings a little more and put the Chopper City Boyz in effect. We did like 100,000 on they first album and that was with little promotion. Just in the streets grinding it out. It’s like Chopper City, I nicknamed New Orleans Chopper City back in like ’95 or ’96 so the brand’s there. It’s just taking it to the next level. I felt like I did everything I could do independently with Koch. That’s why I took the situation to Asylum. I felt the they was an independent with a major push. We saw eye to eye. They see where I’m trying to go with it and they’re on the same page with me, behind me 100. They believe in me, I believe in them. Then, I got the situation at Atlantic which makes it all better because I can just bounce from one floor to the next floor. It’s all good. AllHipHop.com: How has the response been from the people you’ve encountered while promoting the project? Do you have any memorable moments?Gar: To be real with you, the promo tour has been crazy. The people just been embracing the music like it’s been there. That’s just letting me know that the vibe is there. Most of the time when you doing s**t they’ll pay attention. But when you got a muthaf**ka bobbing and nodding, wanting to touch you and feel you and s**t, it’s real respect. Chopper City, just the name carry weight. Just to represent that, just to put that work out there and get that love, I appreciate it. I really do appreciate it. Snipe: The memorable moments for me has been when a n***a come up to me rapping my s**t or when people come up to me with CD’s and s**t when we’re in the streets or out of town. They pretty much embrace us wherever we go because there’s a “Chopper City” in every hood. That name is strong by itself.Gar: Just to touch on that, I don’t think [we] appreciate and really recognize what Chopper City stands for. We’re a bunch of realists. We represent the realism, we feel the realism dog. I’m going to give you a monumental moment in my life, my musical career, that stands out for me. The moment my dog [B.G.] kicked his habit and started this s**t. When we went on the road it was just an idea, a thought and he made that s**t materialize. That s**t is monumental.AllHipHop.com: Will there ever come a time when you’ll step back as a member of the Chopper City group and just focus on the label?B.G.: My little brother’s part of the group too so it’s four of us. It was four at first, R.I.P. VL Mike. He got killed a couple months ago. Then my little brother got locked up. He’s going through some personal situations right now so he just got to stay out the loop on this one. I’m going to have to wait until he’s ready fro him to step back in. But it’s us three right now. We’re holding it down and we’re going to keep giving it to them. But really, I’m just coaching. I got a Kobe and a Lebron right here and we’re trying to get us a gold medal, that platinum plaque. AllHipHop.com: You were with Cash Money since ’93. What are some of the things you learned that you use in the operation of your Chopper City situation?B.G.: Keep it real. You got to keep it real with yourself before you can keep it real with others. You can’t keep it real with others if you can keep it real with yourself. If you got something in the back of your head or you’re feeling a certain way, bring it to the table. Don’t hold it in, we’re all men. We’re going to keep it real with each other and doing that we’re all going to eat from the same plate. It’s like Puffy say, there’s no b***hassness in here. B.G & Chopper City Boyz “Bubble Gum” VideoAllHipHop.com: What do you hope to see happen for the group and the label in the future?B.G.: I’m passing them the torch. My fans look at me like, “If Gizzle say it’s hot, it got to be.” I don’t put my name on nothing I don’t feel is official. I stand for too much. I’m trying to turn Chopper City into what I helped turn Cash Money into. I want Chopper City to be like a Rap-A-Lot, a No Limit, a Cash Money. I want it to be like Grand Hustle, like DTP, or CTE. When you mention the south I want Chopper City to be in that same conversation. Gar: Sky’s the limit. Everything is just starting with this music s**t. As far as the group, we’re trying to get as many deals and put out as many projects as possible. It’s not for us, it’s for ya’ll. Our stories ain’t no different from yours, our hood aint no different from yours and we’re going to keep giving it to you like that. B.G.: This s**t creates opportunities for a lot of things. Don’t think if Oliver Stone calls me tomorrow with a role I ain’t going to take it. At the end of the day we got kids and a lot of people who depend on us. We’re just trying to take this to the next level, represent the N.O. but rep it in the right way.

Juelz Shoots Back At Cam’ron; Bad Business To Blame For Split

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Weeks after it was first announced that Juelz Santana has been released from his obligations to Diplomats Records, the rapper is speaking candidly about the details behind the split.

 

During an interview with AllHipHop.com, Juelz revisited the situation, revealing that the details were not as Diplomat Records’ CEO Cam’ron had previously made them seem.

 

“I vowed not to say nothing bad about Cam ‘cause I felt like he did a lot for me,” Juelz Santana told AllHipHop.com. “But as far as him selling me, that s**t just sound stupid. I’m the biggest artist in New York City right now, ain’t came out with an album in three years. He would never sell me. It was bad business, and I had to get out my contract. It’s so crazy to me that he’s still trying to make himself look good.

 

“It’s obvious what’s going on,” he continued. “You see everybody that’s a part of the movement still together but him.”

 

Juelz Santana said that he respected Cam’ron’s position as head of The Diplomats, but reiterated that bad business was the reason for his departure from the label, which distributed Juelz’ projects via Def Jam.

 

“It’s a line between loyalty and stupidity man, bottom line. And it’s gotta be drawn sometimes,” Santana told AllHipHop.com. “So as far as the fans, I hope they understand, that’s the realest quote I could give them.”

 

The statements come as Juelz Santana prepares to launch his first efforts as the latest rapper-turned-label head, introducing his stable of protégés via the release of Skull Gang Takeover: The New Movement To Move Wit.

 

The project will be available for free download starting next Friday (Sep 19).

 

The project will serve as an introduction to Skull Gang’s core members: rappers Richmond Rabb, John Depp, Unkasa and R&B singer/songwriter Starr.

 

Takeover also heavily features Juelz, who appears on every track on the project.

 

“I felt like the game needed something new just as much as they needed me right now, so I decided to give them both at the same time,” he explained. “I’m excited right now. Just as much as I’m excited for myself, I’m excited for my artists. I didn’t just put together artists that was around me. My team is really built based on talent. And, you know, I feel like we can only win. The music is strong, we just gotta execute the right way.”

 

Juelz is currently refocusing on his solo career as well.

 

The Skull Gang Takeover mixtape will be almost immediately followed by the Harlemite’s solo Regan Era mixtape, due out before the end of the year.

 

Both releases are paving the way for Juelz’ highly anticipated third studio album Born to Lose, Bred to Win, which he says will hit stores at the end of the year.

 

And although there’s some tension between the remaining Diplomats and Cam’ron, Juelz Santana remained loyal to an absentee Cam’ron.

 

“Me, Jim and Zeek is in the studio damn near every day,” says Juelz. “We wouldn’t be disrespectful and try to put out a Dip Set album without Cam. We just gon’ wait til he comes back. Nobody can find the third party though. What if your boss decides to say ‘I quit,’ you not gon’ work no more?”

Heltah Skeltah: D.I.R.T. (Album Review)

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Reviews / Music
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The 90’s were a bittersweet symphony for Heltah Skeltah. Piggybacking the success of fellow Duck Down members Black Moon and Smif N Wessun, the “Twin Towers” of the Boot Camp Clik obtained an immediate loyal following with their 1996 debut Nocturnal. Unfortunately, that momentum as underground royalty was stifled by the mainstream centered follow-up Magnum Force; an album whose commercial failure caused the group to disband officially for a decade.

 

Now ten years later the question is can Ruck aka Sean Price and Rock, especially after crafting distinct solo careers, regain the chemistry that made them the secret weapons of the Boot Camp Clik? On D.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team) (Duck Down), the Brooklyn duo seeks to answer that question and more.

 

After a humorous intro that interpolates NWA’s “Prelude” off Niggaz4Life, the duo get straight to business over the menacing, thin piano chords of “Insane.” Here Rock’s booming voice dominates the track, and despite the hardcore rhymes he maintains his trademark tongue in cheek humor (“Listen I’m a B-Real / I commit Sen Dog / Put slugs in Muggs / I’m insane in my membrane…gone!”).

 

The group chemistry begins to gel more by mid-album on “Everything Is Heltah Skeltah” and “D.I.R.T. (Yeah).” On the former the duo effortlessly lampoon the state of Hip-Hop culture, while on the latter the group eviscerates a standard piece of boom-bap production with crisp battle rhymes.

 

No Duck Down release would be complete without assistance from the BCC, and D.I.R.T. does not disappoint. Buckshot and Ruste Juxx stop by on the confrontational “So Damn Tough” to deride some of the overt political correctness in today’s Hip-Hop scene. On “WMD” Smif N Wessun nearly steal the show before Rock shuts down the festivities with a poignant closing verse.

 

Occasionally hampered by mixtape quality tracks (“Chipmunk 3000,” “Twinz”), D.I.R.T. nonetheless succeeds in reaffirming for long-time fans what they loved about Heltah Skeltah, and provides just enough accessibility to peak the curiosity of potential listeners. For many of their 90’s peers, they wish could be so lucky.

 

Heltah  Skeltah

“Art Of Disrespekinazation”

 

Hip-Hop Rumors: Games Lil Artist! Max B Never Was Shot? Interscope Droppin ‘Em!

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!

WHAT A WEEKEND!

Who else got had a great weekend? I sure did. I’m feeling like a new person. Also, so you know, I am really considering taking a sabbatical from rumors for a while. Definitely not quitting, but maybe a month or so of just getting my brains together. I’ve been scrambled for so long and now I feel like I am getting it together a lil’ bit. Sorta/not really. Nevertheless, it something I am thinking about. Not sure if Drama and Shelz are up to itt, but I’d give them dibs on it or somebody else from the AHH team. We’ll see.

Also, like I said, I have officially joined the ranks of twitter, I can be found at twitter.com/illseed.

INTERSCOPE KEEPS CLEANING HOUSE?

I’ve told you time in, time out that Interscope was going to be dropping a lot of their acts that had been on the shelf for extended period. There have been numerous reported drops, but Interscope isn’t talking! Nevertheless, we’re sure a lot of cats are dropped. There has been artist that has been seemingly protected from the axe – Bishop Lamont. B.L. has been covered on this website any number of times. Somebody had told me that Bishop’s debut isn’t likely to come out on Interscope. I certainly expect this to be responded to by Bishop in hours. He’s pretty swift. Anyway, these alleged developments came about late last week. I also heard that the same person that is Dr. Dre’s chief engineer is also the person engineering Brit Spears new CD.

The last rumor I heard is that Busta’s CD will be dropping on Inrterscope and that’s the end of that. Busta has been seen at other labels in NYC as well, so he might be looking for a new residence for his music.

THE GAME’S NEW ARTIST

The rapper’s name is Elijah Harris and he is 13 years old from Harlem NY. I am hearing the boy is crazy nice and he is signed to Game’s Black Wall Street imprint. I am hearing this kid is already working on a new CD an a release is totally eminent as soon as he gets a deal and a date. I think he can be seen when Game slayed Bow Wow in Madden. Now.., how ironic is that? Click here to see that event, if you missed. More on this Elijah guy from AHH real soon.

SWIZZ BEATZ SPEAKS

Swizz Beatz finally releases a statement on his alleged relationship to Alicia Keys.

Here it is compliments of US magazine:

“I can no longer ignore the harmful rumors, that my friend Alicia Keys is in any way linked to my marital circumstances or to the decision that [my wife] Mashonda and I have made to separate. I am disappointed that some have chosen to try and tarnish Alicia’s reputation by irresponsibly implicating her in a situation that she has absolutely nothing to do with. This experience has been one of the most difficult times in my life, and as was stated when we announced our separation several months ago, I ask that you continue to respect my privacy in dealing with this personal matter.”

Do you believe?

MAX B – NEVER GOT SHOT?

Getting shot has never been cool in the real world, but in Hip-Hop it can make a career. You have people like 50 Cent, The Game, Shyne and Tupac that have gained credibility – in part – by getting shot. Now, a ways back, Max B got shot – or so they say. I don’t know if you remember, but Max’s PR people were giving two mixed stories. One said he got shot and the other said he wasn’t. Well, I heard Max never got shot, even though his PR said otherwise. In fact, I heard Max was actually home chillin’ with his family when this alleged shooting happened. Now, that is a great deal! He’s a good father!

I also heard that Jim Jones never actually bailed him out of jail. I heard actually a women from Harlem did that and even put up hear home as collateral. i ain’t sure how factual this is, but…its coming back as a late rumor.

Not getting shot is great!

G-DEP IS BACK!

Diddy reminds me of Dr. Dre. They don’t put out more than they put out. I mean, I know G-Dep came out, but he seemed to get swallowed up so fast. here is the lastest on Mr. Drep. he just released a mixtape that should be on AHH exclusively in a day or so. Dep is on his grind and I heard he is going to be dropping another one in about 3-4 weeks. I also heard a new album will hit at the top of 2009. He’s been working with Dame Grease, Ron Browz, DJ Premier, Needlz, Easy El Pee, Yogi and a bunch of new guys.

JENNIFER HUDSON TO MARRY A REALITY ACTOR.

Jennifer Hudson has sold out and got engaged to her man… David Otunga, aka Punk from “I Love New York.” I liked the janitor dude that she came up with.

“I can confirm that Jennifer got engaged to her boyfriend David on Friday night in L.A.” says a rep to People.

WTF? Dude accepted his proposal on her own 27th birthday. They have been dating less than a year, but are both from Chicago. I don’t know.

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES50 Cent is STILL dissing Kanye West. The way it looks now, Kanye might beat 50’s a$$ especially if he has a camera! Click here for that rumor, which was posted over the weekend.

Did you know there was a dance called the “Barack Groove?” I didn’t either. Click here to watch it.

Rumor has it, a certain DJ known to raise the ire of the feds may be a daddy-to-be. I heard the possible mother is beatutful at least.Nelly dissed Ice-T. Did you see it? Click here for this doozie. But, Nelly had a point.Some people email me. And, they try to tell me what I should or shouldn’t say. Check it. Nobody tells me what  I can or cannot say. If I support Obama, I support him.  I will do that. Just because a few of you (men and women) got your lipstick on for McCain…that’s ya biz! And without further commentary…How funny was Tina Fey as Sarah Palin? She was dead on. McCain would do better to pick Tina Fey as a running mate. And who told Lil Wayne he was a real rock star. LOL. He was on SNL too and really just seemed like he was play acting.

DAME TO KANYE – “DON’T PICK UP THE SOAP”

Shelz sent this to me…and she had to ask…”Jim Jones…the future of Hip-Hop..really?”

SHELZ’S ARBITRARY MOMENTS

Gucci Mane Gets Locked Up

Note to Anyone on Probation….Comply with Your Terms.

The Court of Gucci Mane!

Snoop Dogg Granted Visa

So Russell Crowe may have more pull than I thought. The good folk of Australia are allowing Snoop into their country after all.

“We took into account all relevant factors and, on balance, the department decided to grant the visa,” the immigration department said in a statement.

Snoop will also be doing some charity work with at-risk youth while in the country.

HELP HAITI!

Man, big shout out to Wyclef and Matt Damon, who have been helping in the relief effort in Haiti. I have a newfound respect for Matta Damon. First, he slays Palin and then he’s helping alongside of Clef. http://www.onexone.org is the site to help.

From Joey Adler:

Dear Friends and Family

I am in the airport in Haiti having spent the last 27 hours here part of a onexone-Yele Haiti mission led by Wyclef Jean, Matt Damon and Frank McKenna as well as 3 of us from onexone and press from all over the world.

The situation here can be described as Catastrophe on top of crisis Haiti has been in a state of crisis for years and now after 4 Hurricanes in a row there are areas which are worst than Katrina 8 bridges are down and so no food can even get there, children are dying and some haven’t had food in 12 days I am imploring you all to go to Onexone web site on the front it says Haiti Flood relief for Yele Haiti which was founded by Wyclef and his cousin Jerry I have been many places in this world and thought I had seen the worst, this is absolutely the worst thing we have ever seen.

Please give whatever you can but more importantly send this message to as many people as you can. The world has forgotten Haiti, as individuals we cannot.

Any amount

Thank you

Joey

NEW TI – “What’s Happenin'”

MORE ON THE HEAVY SPITTERS…

If you are in Philly, you are fully engaged in the way this beef has been going down. I can’t lie…this is past my scope.

ok lets get two things straight ….i told cyssero and loaded lux i taped the conversation way before it hit the net it was good pub for all 3 of us. cuz loaded lux needs someone to battle for this big philly vs. new york battle were both artist were going to be paid a nice chunk of change and the conversation wasnt bad it ended up with both of them exchanging numbers and talking about doin a song together, and mike knox the same n#### who secretly recorded beanie sigel and him on the phone together and put it on a new york dvd(REAL TALK DVD) so whos sellin a philly n#### out..now 2. never ever have i had someone from new york or anywhere else diss someone from philly u can check the web and all my dvds so i dont know where that came from and im cool wit alot of n##### from ny all the way 2 miami so it aint like i crewed up wit people from new york to go at philly i got love for my city…now to keep it g its all really about gillie da kid feeling some type of way cuz beanie sigel jumped on stage at powerhouse and said he was the king of philly and i put the footage on my dvd and i ask him why he jumped on stage like that( and gillie da kid was there)cuz gillie called me and ask me why im trying to start beef with him and sigel and im like i didnt tell that man to go on stage and say that..so he had a liitle problem with me ever since. tell me why gillie didnt go down sigel street when beanie sigel said that on my dvd .he went to cassidy block and talked s### (he got picks)…

im not going to get in to the situation on who was there who had this and that who did this and that, cuz i aint know snitch some street s### went down so its goin to stay on the street

HERES THE VIDEO FROM HEAVYSPITTERS VOL.3 DVD

2:28 ON THE VID BEANIE SIGEL SAYS HES THE KING OF PHILLY

CHECK OUT G-PAIN

A lot of people do the T-Pain, but not like my boy G.

NICE VID – THE WILLOWS!

These guys are ill. Shout out to Odeisel for showing me The Willows.

Click here for the rest of the good music in “Sick Sundays.”

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

Obamamania is now in full effect!

Click here to read the full story on the Rednecks

REDNECKS FOR 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 ah*******@***il.com.

– allhiphop rumors

Hip-Hop Rumors: 50 Cent Disses Kanye West & His New Song

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.It feels like déjà vu to me.Last year, both Kanye West and 50 Cent had albums coming out. Somehow, they ended coming out on the same day.Neither 50 Cent nor West was willing to change their release date. The press bonanza was on and a new “beef” was marketed and promoted to ever form of press, online, print, radio, TV and word of mouth/.Everybody ended up being a winner, but Kanye West wound up selling more units domestically that first fateful week.Now, close to a year later, both artists are dropping albums and 50 Cent has released a video mocking Kanye West again. Kanye’s new song is a genre bender and definitely hails from a different school of Hip-Hop.Check it out:

On top of it all, Tony Yayo cracks jokes about Kanye’s recent arrest! These guys are nuts! Kanye’s not even bothering anybody unless you are a too-aggressive photographer! 

ILLSEED ON TWITTER…I don’t know what the hell the big deal is, but I am now on Twitter. check me at http://twitter.com/illseed.

YESTERDAY, 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 ah*******@***il.com.

– allhiphop rumors

Shawty Lo Walks To Help Fight Diabetes

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Shawty Lo is throwing his support behind the American Diabetes Association’s largest fundraising event in an effort to raise awareness about the disease in the African-American and Latino communities, AllHipHop.com has learned.

 

The Bankhead rapper will participate in the ADA’s Step Out and Walk to Fight Diabetes event on September 20 at Atlanta’s Historic Grant Park.

 

Shawty Lo, born Carlos Walker, was diagnosed with the widespread disorder in 2001. To show his support, the rapper will lead team Diabetes Destroyers, as they complete the walk to help raise funds for a cure for diabetes, which affects 23.6 million children and adults in the United States.

 

“Anything I can do to help raise awareness about diabetes, I will be there,” Shawty Lo said. “Everybody knows at least one person that has it, so it’s like when we participate in events, walks and things of that nature, we’re really helping somebody we care about, as well as ourselves because you never know when or how it can affect you.”

 

On-site registration for the Atlanta Step Out and Walk event will open at 7:00 am, during which a light breakfast will be served.

 

Following an aerobic warm-up, the walk itself will start with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:30am.

 

The ADA will also offer a Health and Wellness Festival providing products, information and services for children and adults who live with diabetes, which affects the body’s creation and use of insulin.

 

Those wishing to support or join Shawty Lo’s Diabetes Destroyers can do so by visiting by clicking here.

SICK SUNDAY: Q-Tip Gettin’ Up, Nas Get’s On, R.I.P Pac, Kanye is Crazy!

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Uncategorized
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Apologies for the two week layoff, but Barack Obama and the return of the Ill Community took time away but back to work.Peedi Crack (sorry that Peedi Peedi name is trash) dropped an bomb over an old school beat.  I don’t know if this is gonna get any traction but i think it’s a cool merging of old and new

 

For those that didn’t know, AllHipHop has been releasing fire mixtapes over the past year.  Volume’s I and II of the Ill Community Mixtape have been critical successes, and we had arguably the best American Gangster remix album last year.

Now comes AllHipHop: Go Hard to top off AllHipHop Week and the return of the Ill Community. Here’s a couple joints.  First up, a couple stars from AllHipHop Canada Week collab as Bishop Brigante and JD Era get with Wayne’s favorite inspiration Drake on “Shorty Grindin'”

 

 

I don’t know what you thought, but Canada is coming fully loaded.

 

Next up, your man Meek Millz (Hold your head) and the remix to “In My Bag”

 

 

Q-Tip-Gettin’ Up

This new Q-Tip joint is off his new album. Man this gives you the feeling of ATCQ at it’s best but without sounding dated.  I love this joint right here. Been listening all weekend.  You know what to do. Kill it or Chill it. I give it the thumbs up.

 

DJ Khaled Feat. Nas-I’m On

We don’t usually get to hear Nas spazz out on some whatever s**t much anymore, but he just demolished this joint. Good to hear him go faster on the flow tip and not have to worry baout a message or some higher meaning.  He’s one of, if not the best to ever do it.

 

Now to make it way more gully, shout out to Kardinal Offishal for finally dropping and putting the hammer down on this joint with the Clipse that pretty much destroys anything on that Re-up album. If you not up on him then you lost. Shout to Akon.

 

 

Now On -The Willows

These guys kinda sound mid 90s but they do sound good.  A little smoothed out and retro.  I like it.  Probably wouldn’t BUMP it but it’s cool for an mp3 player joint

 

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

Throw Back Session

 

Before all that Makavelli stuff and the Death Row posturing, ‘Pac was really getting it in.  On this 12th anniversary of his passing, gotta shout out a couple of his best joints to me.

Str8 Ballin’

No chorus, not for show, I don’t even know if this was a single but he did his thing.  This was off the THUG Life album.  As a whole it was crap out side of this and stay true

 

So Many Tears

I think whenever people talk about Pac and how good he was, they must be referring to songs like this where he emits emotional tumult and really brings you into his world.  The harmonica from Stevie’s “That Girl” helps  guide the tone.

 

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

WTF Song of the Week

Love Lockdown

Kanye really did it this time.  Just when you thought it couldn’t go further left….

IMO this is garbage. At least Snoop’s “Sexual Eruption” didn’t take itself seriously.  You can tell that ‘Ye is dead ass serious..and this will unfortunately be a hit and the same people crying about how dead Hip-Hop is and how wack the new rappers are, will be apologists for this and say that he’s just being different. Roger Troutman is dead. Peter Frampton retired.  They should bury the vocoder before anyone else gets the dumb idea that that’s a great thing to use. So soft ‘Ye had to smack up a photographer to get his swagger back.

 

I gotta get some good Kanye music to clean this up

 

That’s it for this week my dudes. Welcome back IC members. Tell the boys(and girls) it’s time to come home. Peace.  Gonna leave you with a lil bit of wonder.

Sunday Selection: Kanye West “Love Lockdown”

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Alternatives
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In light of all the headlines that Kanye West has grabbed in the last week, I only saw it fitting that I pick his new single “Love Lockdown” for Sunday Selection.It never crossed my mind that I’d be doing a write-up on Kanye on the Alternative side of AHH. But then again, he’s so unpredictable I should have figured one day I would. Back in ’03, I remember interviewing Kanye the summer before College Dropout was released – before he was a household name – which was actually one of the goals he spoke to me about in the interview. He’d just finished filming the video for “Through The Wire” and talked about how making a star out of his artist John Legend was his priority, how he wanted to start a record company called G.O.O.D Music, and how he planned to change the game.He even spoke about his future album titles: College Dropout, Late Registration, Graduation, and Good Ass Job. Thinking back, I was very fortunate to have had a conversation with Kanye about what he wanted to do and watch all of it come true.  Time has really done wonders for him, and as I review my interviews over the years, I will say that one is very special. Being from Chicago, I loved the notion that ‘Ye was from here and left the city to pursue his dreams. He was a very humble person then, but look at him now! Did y’all catch the fight with the paparazzi at LAX? I’m sure you did. Classic…Classic Kanye West. You know when he makes a statement he makes a statement! After all, who gets into a scuffle at the airport on September 11th? Only Kanye.  But anyway,  I say all that to say this: I remember towards the end of my interview, I asked a few random questions. One in particular  was, “Can you sing?” And with no hesitation Kanye answered, “No, but I wish I could.”And here we are five years later…with “Love Lockdown,” Kanye’s debut as a “rappa ternt sanga.” Has he taken voice lessons? Or is he just going with the flow and singing from the heart with no formal training? Well whatever route he’s taken, he’s turned on the Auto-Tune for assistance, and personally I think he could fair without it. Just think about when he harmonized and sang the hook for “Spaceship” on College Dropout. I loved the way his voice sounded then, it was natural and wholesome. The Auto-Tune takes away from hearing the pain he speaks about in “Love Lockdown.” And speaking of pain, I wonder what sparked “Love Lockdown.” Is he speaking of his love of music or maybe his love for an ex-lover? Well whatever it is, it was enough for him to sing about it. I can’t say “Love Lockdown” is hot like fire, but it peaks my interest about his new album 808’s and Heartbreak. How has Kanye’s singing debut moved you? Tell me how you feel. Until next week, y’all enjoy this week’s Sunday Selection – “Love Lockdown”Poll Answers

Rednecks For Obama

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Uncategorized
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“We’ve had many Democratic presidents, and we will still have our guns”-Tony ViessmanWhen AllHipHop was in Denver we quickly stumbled over a base of support for Senator Barak Obama during the Democratic National Convention. Rednecks For Obama. Unable to speak to them at the time, we quickly snapped a picture of these two gentlemen, but they left an impression on us. After a couple of weeks and a few seconds of searching, we realize these guys are the real deal. “We hunt, fish, drink beer and support Barack Obama,” Tony Viessman told the New York Times last month. The 74-year old former Hillary Clinton supporter hails from from Rolla, Mo and has attended several events supporting Obama.Right now, the movement only consists of two members, Viessman and his friend Les. (seen in the picture below). The pair have adopted the motto ““We Hunt, Fish, Drink Beer and Support Barack Obama.”

Viessman admits most of his hunting/fishing/drinking peers are not Obama supporters (there are some though), but that hasn’t prevented him from supporting the Democratic presidential candidate.“Rednecks for Obama” formally announced its presence outside the Pepsi Center during the Democratic National Convention coupled wth a hug banner that cause a lot of chatter and questions. Viessman owns 10 guns, hunts fishes and loves to drink beer, much of which is contrary to Obama’s ideals. Nevertheless, the Rednecks for Obama can see past these differences. “I don’t care about his beer, I care about his intelligence,” he said.Although their formal ranks are low, Obama appears to have an understated appeal in rural areas. One reader said, “Here in rural Appalachia, I see Obama stickers on pickup trucks and Obama yard signs on back country roads every single day.”The last word goes to Tony Viessman.”He is brilliant.  And he’s not an elitist, though he has the education to be”If you are a redneck (or not) and want a free bumper sticker to express your support, click here. (AllHipHop does not support or endorse the claims of Rednecks-4-Obama.com)

“Rednecks for Obama” (Photo: Jae C. Hong/Associated Press) 

WHOEVER YOU SUPPORT, CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO VOTE!

BMF Founders Sentenced to 30 Years In Prison

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory were sentenced yesterday (September 12) to 30 years in prison, for running the cocaine organization known as The Black Mafia Family.

 

Demetrius and Terry were apprehended in 2005 and indicted under the CCE (Continuing Criminal Enterprise) law, which like RICO charges carry life sentences.

 

Under the federal prison system, there is no parole option.

 

Seeking to avoid spending the rest of their natural lives in prison, the brothers pleaded guilty in November 2007 to the CCE charges and laundering drug money in hopes of serving the minimum 20 year sentence.

 

However, evidence presented by prosecutors resulted in 30 year sentences for both men. BMF was founded by the brothers in Detroit during the late 1980s.

 

After quickly securing valuable contacts with international coke suppliers, the organization grew to a nationwide criminal conspiracy within a few years.

 

The group began to draw unwanted attention from federal agents in 2003 once they established a high-profile operation in Atlanta, where they erected billboards, held lavish parties, created DVDs, and boasted of their connections with rappers Young Jeezy and Fabolous.

 

Also notable in the organization’s downfall was Meech’s involvement in a brazen 2003 shootout in the Buckhead nightclub section of Atlanta that left two men dead, including Sean “Diddy” Combs’ bodyguard Anthony “Wolf” Jones.

 

In 2005, agents raided several key BMF operations in Georgia, Michigan, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and California.

 

To date, those raids have resulted in over 150 indictments of BMF members or associates, effectively dismantling the drug empire.

 

According to authorities, these convictions of BMF’s top members end a 15 year investigation into the Black Mafia Family’s criminal enterprise.

 

At their peak, Demetrius (age 40) and Terry (age 38) Flenory are estimated to have controlled a cocaine empire worth $270 million.

OUT OF BOUNDS: Suicidal Young, Game of the Week and More!

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Uncategorized
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The first week of the 2008-09 NFL season started out as one big episode of Gomer Pyle.  There was a lot of “golly” and “surprise, surprise, surprise”. Some of the biggest stories coming out of last weekend were injury related. There were plenty of them in Week 01 and the seasonal forecast for a few teams went from sunny to cloudy.  Here’s a look at some of the injuries from Week 01 courtesy of ESPN.com:

Injury Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brady, Merriman; done for the year

 

 

Colston, Young; missing action as well

 

 

Since we’re on the subject of Vince Young, let’s look at his past week. There was talk about his role on the team after a two interception performance on Sunday. Then, had his family worrying about his well being, the comments his mother, and now there’s talk of suicide from his therapist. V.Y. spoke to the media and cleared the air about the entire situation before the suicide story broke this weekend.

 

 

It seems as though Young is going through some serious issues. How much truth there is behind his situation remains to be seen, but whenever the word “suicide” is brought into the conversation, there’s always reason for concern. Hopefully he can get things straight in his life and get back to the field.

 

For the rest of the injury report, click here.

 

ALLHipHop’s NFL Game of the Week

Poll Answers

Rivalry Week

8 of the 16 games this weekend are rivalry games.  So you know that Week 02 will have some sparks.  Speaking of rivalries, “The Professor”, John Clayton, did a list of the 5 best modern rivalries in the NFL. His list, in this order, is:

 

New England Patriots/Indianapolis Colts

Dallas Cowboys/Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers /Cleveland Browns

New York Jets/New England Patriots

Minnesota Vikings/Green Bay Packers

 

So I ask you, based on Clayton’s list, which rivalry is the best in the NFL at the moment?

 

Poll Answers

ALLHipHop.com Game of the Week

Monday Night Football, 9/15/08, 8:30pm

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

My Pick: Cowboys

 

 

Oh really? Apparently she didn’t learn her lesson from last year’s match-up at Texas Stadium between these two teams.

Does this mean she’s the “kiss of death” for the Cowboys? No, she’s not.  She’s just a scapegoat when the team has a bad game and she’s in attendance. Plus, it makes for great jokes about Tony Romo.  The Cowboys are fine, but they better not take this game lightly.

 

The Eagles are riding high with their win last Sunday against the Rams. Donovan McNabb looked like the McNabb of old and the defense was as hard hitting as ever. You would think that Buddy Ryan was back as the head coach of the Eagles with the way they were laying out people.  Ask Steven Jackson. Jackson did hold on to the ball after the hit from Sheldon Brown, unlike Reggie Bush.

 

Here’s a look at the rest of the schedule:

 

Sunday 9/14/08

1pm Games

 

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs

Arrowhead Stadium

Kansas City, MO

My Pick: Chiefs

 

Reports have surfaced that there’s some discord in the Raiders’ organization.  Nooooo, there’s discord in the Raider organization? That’s inconceivable.

 

Damon Huard will get the start for the injured Brodie Croyle in this Sunday’s match-up. That’s better than nothing. With the way the Broncos threw the ball all over the place in last Monday’s match-up against the Raiders, don’t be surprised if the Chiefs do the same this Sunday against their old AFL rivals.

 

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

Ford Field

Detroit, MI

My Pick: Packers

 

If Aaron Rodger’s play in last week’s game, is any indication of what’s in store the Packers this season, then look for a “Burn Brett Favre Jersey” night at Lambeau Field. The kid was sharp last week and Packer fans may soon forget the number “4” if he keeps it up.

 

The Lions let “Burner” Turner run for 220 yards with 2 TDs last week. This week they face off against the Packers’ Ryan Grant, if he’s healthy, and he’s been known to be explosive once the running game is established for Green Bay.  Not a good look for the Lions this weekend.  Look for the Lions to go 0-2 after Sunday.

 

Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals 

Paul Brown Stadium

Cincinnati, OH

My Pick: Titans

 

With V.Y. out with his knee injury, veteran Kerry Collins will start for the Titans.  As insurance, the Titans also signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB, Chris Simms. Some people are happy with Collins getting the start because he’s a “pocket-passer” and many believe that the Titans’ offense is built for such a quarterback. We’ll see.

 

For now, the Titans should win this game. They held off a very good Jaguars team in last week’s match-up. This Bengals squad is nowhere near as good as the Jags, so this should be a sure win for the Titans.

 

The Bengals have no rushing attack and the Titans have one of the best rushing defenses in the league. As long as Collins don’t over think and do too much in this game, the Titans will have this one. 

 

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

My Pick: Bears

 

The Panthers pulled out a surprise win last Sunday against the Chargers while the Bears brought it to the Colts last Sunday Night.  Two teams, whose defense had been questioned for most of the pre-season, really stepped up their games last Sunday.

 

The Bears seem to have some stability at the QB position and a solid running game, for now. Also, the defense looked very strong against the Colts. I’m not sold on the Panthers just yet.  They played hard against the Chargers but the defense is still questionable and a stroke of luck helped the Panthers out last week. 

 

If they Panthers can pull it off the win this weekend, then maybe I’ll become a believer. I just don’t see them pulling off the win in this game.

 

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Stadium, Jacksonville, FL

My Pick: Bills

 

The Bills were quite impressive against a hurting Seahawks squad last week.  This Sunday, they face off against a Jaguars team who lost a heart-breaker against the Titans last Sunday. I’m going with the Bills in this game because they ran and stopped the ball very well last Sunday against the Seahawks.

 

The Bills ran the ball for a total of 106 yards against the Seahawks while giving up 85 rushing yards. The Jags gave up 137 rushing to the Titans, but only ran for 33 total yards in last week’s game. 

 

This is the team with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew in the back field. Now, in the Jags defense, they did go against one of the leagues top rushing defenses in the Titans, but 33 total rushing yards, between two top running backs, is still inexcusable.

 

New Orleans Saints at Washington Redskins

FedEx Field, Landover, MD

My Pick: Saints

 

The Saints’ offense was clicking last weekend. The Redskins offense wasn’t.  Even with the loss of Colston, the Saints offense is fine.

 

The Saints’ offense is very balanced and with the Redskins looking out of synch on both sides in last Thursday’s loss, the Saints have this game in the bag. Something is not working for the Redskins and they need to figure out what it is before it’s too late.

 

Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings

Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN

My Pick: Vikings

 

The Colts seem to be a little off track for the start of the season. The defense didn’t look strong and the offense isn’t clicking right now. The Vikes started out slow in their Monday Football match-up, but by the 2nd half of their game against the Packers, the Vikes began to turn it up. It was too little, too late at that point.

 

The x-factor in this game is Adrian Peterson.  The Colts defense allowed to many rushing yards last Sunday.  They can’t allow Adrian Peterson to get hot. The Colts need to make Tarvaris Jackson throw the ball. Jackson is still hurting and he has to rely on the Vikes running game to take some of the pressure off of a weak passing game. 

 

If the Colts can throw off the Vikes running game, they have this game won.

 

New York Giants at St. Louis Rams

Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO

My Pick: Giants

 

The Giants kept their winning ways going in last Thursday’s victory over the Redskins.  The Rams kept their losing ways going with their loss to the Eagles last Sunday.

 

Mark Schlereth called this game for the Giants a “trap game”. I don’t see it.  This is a different Giants squad than a year ago. There’s a different mindset with this squad. They’ll be ready for the Rams this Sunday. They won’t fall for the “banana in the tail pipe”.

 

The Giants defense is too much for the Rams offense and the Giants offense is rolling over defenses.  Get some of that LaRon Landry. This Sunday won’t be the Rams day.  Hopefully no one get’s jacked up like Steven Jackson did in the game against the Eagles last Sunday.

 

4pm Games    

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

Qwest Field, Seattle, WA

My Pick: 49ers

 

The Seahawks are banged up.  The 49ers can’t move the ball and are making mental mistakes.  Yet, I’m going with the 49ers in this game.

 

With the Seahawks hurting like they are, now is the time for the 49ers to strike. As long as they don’t make the same mental mistakes they made last week, the 49ers can pull out the win. 

 

Six turnovers are inexcusable and the 49ers can’t allow that to happen this Sunday if they want to win. In think the 49ers shake off last week’s mistakes and get their 1st win of the season this Sunday.

 

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers  

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

My Pick: Falcons

 

“He loves quarterbacks. But he likes to just date. He doesn’t like to marry.” Those were the words Bucs’ QB Jeff Garcia said about head coach Jon Gruden during the offseason when word of a possible trade for Brett Favre was in the works.

 

Now, there seems to be some turmoil going on in Tampa, leading Coach Gruden to bench Garcia for Brian Griese. I guess Garcia and Gruden’s date isn’t go so well after the loss to the Saints last week.

 

The Bucs’ defense is older and the Falcons have momentum on their side.  The Falcon’s offense was explosive last week and a win in Tampa is the confidence booster that’s needed for this young team.

 

Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals  

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ

My Pick: Cardinals

 

The Cards offense controlled the ball very well last Sunday against the 49ers. The Dolphins moved the ball against the Jets, but came up short in the end.  The Cards have the edge in this game because they have the better defense. 

 

As long as the Cards defense can get to Chad Pennington and Ricky Williams and their offense can control the ball on offense again, the Cards will start their season 2-0. 

 

New England Patriots at New York Jets  

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

My Pick: Patriots

A guy who last started a football game when he was in high school? (Nov. 24, 1999 was his last start.  Got that from ESPN) A guy who was the back-up for Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC? Is he capable of taking the keys to the Maybach and not crashing it?  The answer to that question is yes. Look, last week I said that the Pats will continue to win as long as Brady and Belichick are still on that squad.

 

Now, half of that equation is out for the year, but the mastermind behind the system is running the show. It’s the same system that’s been in place ever since “The Emperor” took control of the Empire. Mr. Cassel will be fine and look for the pats to have 10-12 wins this season and still make the playoffs.

 

In terms of this game, look for the Pats to have a more balanced mix of run and pass offense. It’s going to take a while for Cassel to get acquainted to playing every Sunday, but when you look at the time he spent at USC , add that with his time on the Pats; it was as if he went from one pro-team to another with the way USC runs their program.

 

The Jets may think they have a window of opportunity in this game against the Pats with Brady out, but with “The Emperor” still there, it looks as though the pupil will continue to be the student every time these two teams meet up.

 

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

Invesco Field, Denver, CO

My Pick: Denver

 

The Broncos had a “cake walk” last week against the Raiders while the Chargers watched their game against the Panthers slip right through their hands.

 

With the loss of Merriman, this is best time for the Broncos to take it to the Chargers. Now that the Chargers pass rush has taken a hit, Jay Cutler should have time in the pocket to get the ball to rookie WR Eddie Royal and the returning WR Brandon Marshall for the win this Sunday.

 

Sunday Night Football, 8pm

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OH

My Pick: Steelers

 

While the Steelers were well prepared for the Texans last week, the Browns were nowhere near ready for the Cowboys.  I’m going with the Steelers in this game, but it’s gonna be close. 

 

With some experts out there giving the Browns a chance to take the AFC North title away from the Steelers this season, the Browns will be ready to rock Sunday night.

 

The Steelers are the better team in this game. The Browns are young and are finding their way on the offensive side on the ball, but their defense is not ready for a very powerful Steelers offense.

 

Monday, 9/15/08, 8:30pm

Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans

Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX 

My Pick: Texans

 

Hurricane Ike forced the Texans to move their game from Sunday to Monday night. While the Texans are running from Hurricane Ike, the Ravens will be running from Hurricane Mario and the rest of the Texans defense. 

 

The Ravens may have the experience, but this young Texans team may have a little more energy in them to take it to the Ravens. I think youth will overcome experience in this game and the Texans will get their 1st win of the season at home.

 

 

You can always check out new and past posts on the Out of Bounds blog at: outofbounds-therowdyone.blogspot.com

Kanye West Speaks On His Arrest

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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Despite his reputation for openly voicing his frustrations, Kanye West chose a rather mellow response to being arrested Thursday morning (Sept. 11) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a felon vandalism charge.

 

The rapper/producer, who was released Thursday afternoon on $20,000 bail, briefly spoke out on his LAX altercation with paparazzi members and arrest shortly after his release on his blog.

 

“We back in the lab!!! I’m cool with the paparazzi,” West wrote. “This guy wasn’t cool. I gotta work now… I’ll rant later!”

 

The blog entry is the latest chapter of an incident that stemmed from the entertainer approaching an unidentified photographer, who took pictures of the rapper, and grabbing his camera at the American Airlines terminal of the Airport.

 

A struggle between the two resulted in West wresting the camera away from the photographer and breaking it as he threw it to the ground.

 

West, who was scheduled to board a flight to Honolulu, Hawaii with his road manager Don Crowley,who also lunged at a TMZ videographer when he reportedly realized that the earlier altercation was videotaped.

 

The rapper and Crowley, who also damaged the TMZ camera, were later charged with felony vandalism.

West, who is currently in Hawaii, is due in court on Oct. 2.