AllHipHop

Game Review: Bioshock 2

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

Developer / Publisher: 2K

Games

Platform: XBOX 360

Players: 1 – 10 (Online

Multiplayer)

Rating: A-

In 2007 few games caught the attention of the gaming community like Bioshock. It’s dark and gloomy theme coupled with a never ending stream of gruesome gameplay immediately separated this game from your typical first person shooter. Who had thought shooting fire from your fingers and wielding a wrench would have been so much fun?

Now almost three years and several awards later, we finally get the sequel Bioshock 2 (2K Games). While this title doesn’t clearly surpass its timeless predecessor, it does prove to be a worthy successor.

Bioshock 2 (2K Games) takes place in the same unforgettable underwater city of Rapture. No longer manning the former protagonist Jake, you play as a Little Sister guarding Big Daddy. Problem is you wake up approximately ten years after the previous events in search of answers, your Little Sister and survival.

As a Big Daddy you were specifically created to protect Little Sisters. So the moral decisions presented about saving or harvesting these individuals for energy adds a different depth to this game. During your travels you pick up recorded messages left for you by former citizens of rapture, cluing you further into your surroundings and tasks that lie ahead.

At first impression, the gameplay bears no immediate difference between Bioshock 2 and the original. Rapture largely remains the same here, so that signature chilling intensity of searching through this city for the first time is somewhat lacking.

Nonetheless the action is far from dull, with an onslaught of foes always on your heels. Your enemies range from easily disposable slicers to massively tougher mutants. Making things even more interesting is their AI. Your attackers are far from dumb and will seek you out unmercifully. Case in point if you are killed, they will immediately migrate to your designated re-spawning chamber to get you again.

All is not lost though; at your disposal are different long and short range weapons ranging from grenade launchers to the ever trusty shotgun. Plasmids are instant genetic modifications that load you up with special powers like flame, ice, electrical blasts, and more. Additionally the new tweaks to the gameplay (revised computer hacking, dual wield weapons, etc) do add to the overall experience.

Something completely new is the online multi-player. Set during the fall of Rapture, this feature serves as a bit of a prequel to the series. Players assume the role of a Plasmid test subject for Sinclair Solutions, the premier provider of Plasmids in Rapture that was explored in the original Bioshock. You can earn experience points during multiplayer to earn access to new weapons, and plasmids; adding a different spice to the world of deathmatch.

Overall Bioshock 2 is a great sequel. While the city of Rapture isn’t as mysterious as it once was, the action never lets up and story is better delivered this time around making the moral decisions more meaningful. Bottom line this title looks great, sounds great, and plays great. A definite standout for 2010.

Bioshock 2 Official Trailer:

Cheech & Chong, Pitbull, Alchemist ‘Rise Up’ With Cypress Hill

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

(AllHipHop News) Cypress Hill has assembled an all-star cast for RISE UP, their first album in six years.

The group’s upcoming album features Cheech & Chong, Mike Shinoda, The Alchemist, Pitbull, Young DE, Evidence and Daron Malakian. Cypress Hill has released two singles from the album, “Rise Up” featuring Tom Morello and “Armada Latina,” a track crafted by hit producer Jim Jonsin featuring Pitbull and Marc Anthony.

“We spent time in the studio with some of our favorite artists and friends and we’re really proud of how the album turned out,” B-Real told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “We’re looking forward to taking these songs on the road and playing them for our fans around the world.”

A number of highly respected producers contributed to Cypress Hill’s RISE UP. DJ Muggs, Pete Rock, DJ Khalil, Sick Jacken, Mike Shinoda and Daron Malakian contributed tracks to the album, which hits stores April 6. The track listing for RISE UP is as follows:

Track Listing

1. It Ain’t Nothin’ (feat. Young De)

Produced by B-Real for Audio Hustlaz

2. Light It Up

Produced by Pete Rock for Chocolate Boy Wonda Productions

3. Rise Up (feat. Tom Morello)

Produced by: Tom Morello and B-Real for Audio Hustlaz

4. Get It Anyway

Produced by: Jim Jonsin

5. Pass The Dutch (feat. Evidence and Alchemist)

Produced by: DjMuggs & DJ Khalil for Soul Assassins

6. Bang Bang

Produced by: B-Real for Audio Hustlaz

7. K.U.S.H

Produced by: Sick Jacken and B-Real for Audio Hustlaz

8. Get ‘Em Up

Produced by: B-Real for Audio Hustlaz

9. Carry Me Away (feat. Mike Shinoda)

Produced by: Mike Shinoda

10. Trouble Seeker (feat. Daron Malakian)

Produced by: Daron Malakian

11. Day Destroys the Night featuring Everlast

Produced by: DJ Muggs & DJ Khalil for Soul Assassins

12. I Unlimited

Produced by: B-Real for Audio Hustlaz

13. Armed & Dangerous

Produced by: Jake One and B-Real for Audio Hustlaz

14. Shut ‘Em Down (feat. Tom Morello)

Produced by: Tom Morello and B-Real for Audio Hustlaz

15. Armada Latina (feat. Marc Anthony and Pitbull)

Produced by: Jim Jonsin

Wyclef Snags Image Award From Ford/NAACP

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

(AllHipHop News) Ford Motor Company and the NAACP will honor rapper Wyclef Jean, for his role in raising millions of dollars in aid for Haiti, after a 7.0 earthquake rocked the tiny island nation in January. The two organizations will present Wyclef with the Ford Vanguard Award for Work in Racial and Social Issues.

“Ford Motor Company recognizes the bold leadership demonstrated by Wyclef Jean on humanitarian issues,” said Crystal Worthem, Multicultural Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company. “He has brought the national spotlight to Haiti and is working to continuously save and transform the lives of the thousands of people who are suffering. We are proud to partner with the NAACP Image Awards in presenting this coveted award.”

Wyclef will receive the award live on television during the televised portion of the 41st NAACP Image Awards ceremony, which will air live on February 26 at 8:00 PM on Fox.From February 23-26th, Ford and the NAACP will also celebrate Southern California’s Freedom’s Sisters, in addition to hosting the Ford/NAACP Hollywood Symposium.A discussion moderated by Vic Bulluck will feature panelists Jeff Clanagan, CEO of Code Black Entertainment and Will Packer of Rainforest Films.

Ford will further support the Hip-Hop communities philanthropic efforts, by donating a check to Common’s Chicago-based non-profit, the Common Ground Foundation.

It’s Time For Twitter/Facebook Rehab

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

My name is @chuckcreekmur and I’m addicted to social media.

There are a lot of “habit forming” substances in this world, but social media is one that now deserves mention next to drugs, alcohol or other matter than can cause abuse.

Social Media.

Sounds innocent, right? It sounds communal. Like one big funky tribe of people, but it has become all-too-addictive.

This phenomenon is different that the internet in general, which has created a number of dependencies like pronounced sex addiction stemming from online pornography. But, if the internet was cocaine, social media is uncut crack. It has you after the first hit!

By now, people are generally familiar with something related to social media, whether it was good ol’ Black Planet or something newer like Myspace, Facebook and the latest drug Twitter. Why not take it back to the AOL chat rooms, which was like an online bar room? And most of us are familiar with some sort of addiction, whether it is a drug or something less sinister like food.

I have seen first hand the way these platforms create an addiction upon use in the same manner a crack fiend is created upon a their first hit. I’ve noticed associates and friends that claim to live a life of total hustle and bustle but when you log on to Twitter or Facebook they really look at a junkie.

Remember junkies?

The image of a good friend of mine is burned in my mind. The head is slumped over in the recording studio, clearly burned out. The fingertips are on the keyboard of a Blackberry attempting to finish a message on Twitter, but he blacked out in mid-tweet. I swear I saw callouses on his thumbs. I just left the studio in disgust. This is a true story (except the part about calloused thumbs).

It was an amazing sight to see, especially considering the person’s personality.

The person remains an outgoing, social individual and social media simply augments what is already there. But, here is the catch. On the internet, the party never stops…they never tell you to go home or last call for alcohol. “Get outta here, you drunk.” There is always somebody to talk to and somebody else that’s going through the same addiction. People used to always chastise me for using my devices at the wrong times (dinner, in personal conversations, while driving, and so on). I was in denial.

The thing is, there is always something to talk about, whether it is you or some celebrity – always…incoming…information. ALWAYS. News and data is being delivered in real time nowadays and the drug is injecting in your unassuming finger tips. People talk and chop it up with people they know, may know, want to know, people they don’t know and people that they don’t need to know.

The addiction to social media mirrors real addiction.

The individual can never have enough of a particular platform or device (i.e. monikers like “The Crackberry”). They use their Twitter to the point where their “real world” friends and family become fearful and worried. They peruse Facebook until the point where they think these “friends” are their friends and family. Hell, even your friends are always your friends. When’s the last time you actually talked to that high school friend you are on Facebook with? Still, if you poke somebody and they don’t poke back, you get worried. If a “friend” blocks or unfollows you, you’ll likely get concerned.

I realized I had to do something about my addiction, which I admit – as a self-proclaimed anti-social socialite – is mild. But, a high-profile person suddenly stopped following me on Twitter without warning! I went to through a sleepless night wondering:

“What did I do?”

“Did AllHipHop publish something crazy?”

Or worse:

“I’m just wack?!”

Sad, sad, sad and it was time to get help!

Archaic, but I had to ease off the networks. As I do, they try yanking me back with something like Google Buzz or Formspring. It seems like a fight for the souls of the people to me. Too many people judge their worth on how many people care their shoe strings are blue in the snow storm. Too many people invest time in the opinion of those who have no right to an opinion. Who cares? Everybody cares.

So, where does this turn negative? When people start to neglect their responsibility in life, when they are no longer vested in their personal relationships and when they look like crack heads when detached from Twitter/Facebook or their mobile device more than 10 minutes. Gator is alive and well. I continue to field false and defaming accusations of being an addict to these sorts of media, but that’s not exactly true. Sure, I once had mobile devices lined my belt like some sort of Urban Dark Knight. Sure, I have developed acute ADD from all the alerts, beeps, bloops, email notifications and distractions. I have gotten down to one mobile device and I force myself to unplug from the matrix. I’m not an addict, I just tweet a lil’…

Log Out. Shut Down. Go Out.

Repeat.

Part 2 Coming Soon!

Social Media Addicts Association Meeting

Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur is the co-owner of AllHipHop.com and he can be found at http://twitter.com/chuckcreekmur.

50 Cent Shedding 60 Pounds For New Movie Role

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

(AllHipHop News) 50 Cent will drastically change his image for his new role in the upcoming movie Things Fall Apart, which is being produced through his Cheetah Vision Films.

The movie centers around 50 Cent’s character, a football star who is suffering from cancer during his senior year in college.

In order to accurately portray the role, 50 Cent will shed over 60 pounds from his muscular physique, which he has prominently displayed in numerous photographs and album covers. “Fifty is in the process of losing 65 pounds” for the role,” the film’s co-producer, Randall Emmett told Daily Variety. Mario Van Peebles has signed on to direct Things Fall Apart, which also stars Van Peebles, Lynn Whitfield, comedian Mike P and Steve Eastin. Before he sheds the pounds, 50 Cent will tour Europe to promote his latest album Before I Self Destruct. The tour kicks off tomorrow (February 23) in Berlin, Germany. Dates are listed below: Tue 02/23/10 Berlin, Germany Columbiahalle Thu 02/25/10 Paris, France Zenith Paris Fri 02/26/10 Brussels, Belgium Forest National Sat 02/27/10 Essen, Germany Grugahalle-Messe Essen GmbH Sun 02/28/10 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadion Zurich Thu 03/04/10 Neu-Isenburg, Germany Hugenottenhalle Sun 03/14/10 Hamburg, Germany Docks Konzerte Disco Fri 03/19/10 Birmingham, United Kingdom LG Arena Sun 03/21/10 Dublin, Ireland The O2 Dublin Mon 03/22/10 Belfast, United Kingdom Odyssey Arena Thu 03/25/10 Manchester, United Kingdom Manchester Evening News Arena Thu 04/01/10 Belgrade, Serbia Belgrade Arena Sat 04/03/10 St. Petersburg, Russia Ice Palace Mon 04/05/10 Moscow, Russia Olympiiski

Federal Investigation to Probe Jay-Z Racino Venture

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

(AllHipHop News) Jay-Z’s relationship with NY Governor David Paterson is one of the points of interest in a federal investigation into AEG’s multi-billion dollar deal for the Aqueduct Race Track racino.The issue revolves around whether the bid selection process was unethical. Questions have arose following AEG’s successful bid since they courted Jay-Z, a good friend of Gov. Paterson, several months before the racino selection was completed.Last month, Governor Patterson awarded AEG (Aqueduct Entertainment Group) with the contract to upgrade the existing Aqueduct Race Track venue, the only one located within the New York City limits. The new state of the art gaming site will boast 4,500 video slot machines.AEG chairman Richard Mays first approached Jay-Z last September, following the rapper’s press conference with Gov. Paterson announcing plans for a 9/11 tribute concert at Madison Square Garden. The two parties agreed to a deal that awarded the rapper a 7% stake in AEG through his company Gain Global Investments Network LLC.According to the NY Post, Jay-Z originally planned to come in on the racino deal in spring 2009 with casino tycoon Steve Wynn, who was told by Gov. Patterson that his team needed to secure a minority partner to make their group more attractive. Wynn decided to withdraw his bid, which allowed AEG to court the Roc Nation mogul. In a statement, AEG flatly denied accusations that their Jay-Z deal was done to gain favor with Gov. Paterson. Instead, company spokesman Jonathan Rosen pointed to Jay-Z’s worldwide visibility and New York popularity in particular as the main reason for offering the rapper a 7% company stake. “Given [Jay-Z’s] superstardom and his long and deep connection to New York, the partners thought he could bring a unique perspective to shaping a facility that would truly be an entertainment destination,” Rosen explained to the NY Post. “The partners were looking to bring in someone who could bring marketing and community advice to the team.” A representative for Gov. Paterson also dismissed the scrutiny as baseless. “There is absolutely no relationship between Governor Paterson’s friendship with Jay-Z and the choice of AEG,” said a spokeswoman. At press time, Jay-Z is in the midst of his nationwide 2010 Blueprint 3 tour.

Exclusive: Too $hort Goes Digital With New Album ‘Still Blowin’

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

(AllHipHop News) Oakland rap pioneer Too $hort is taking his independent hustle to the Internet with the release of his new album, Still Blowin. Still Blowin, which is Too $hort’s first digital-only release as an independent artist, will be released on his Dangerous Music record label.

Fans will be treated to guest appearances by Earl Hayes, Baby of Cash Money, Silk E, SNL of young money and the Too $hort’s group, Town Bizness. “My thing is I just like to work in the studio & make a ton of new music,” Too $hort told AllHipHop.com. “I work with several different producers & artists and whenever it’s time for me to release another album, I always have plenty of material on hand to choose from…It’s always been that way with me.”

Still Blowin also features productions from Lil Jon, Jazze Pha and Too $hort himself, who contributed six tracks to his new album.

After 25 years in the game and a long tenure on Jive Records, Too $hort is excited about the new opportunities digital distribution provides independent artists.

Still Blowin’ will be distributed digitally via Urban Music Alliance (UMA). The move gives Too $hort unprecedented creative and business control of his future. “I’m doing a digital only release because at this point in my career, I have to be able to make my music available to the masses without depending on a major label,” Too $hort told AllHipHop.com. “The majors will not push your product if you don’t have the hottest single on the radio & huge 1st week sales.” Too $hort’s Still Blowin’ will be available worldwide on April 6.