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Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
NBA Season Preview: Orlando Magic
Last Season Record: (59-23)
Additions: Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams, Linton Johnson, Morris Almond, Ryan Anderson
Subtractions: Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie
Last year's Eastern Conference Champions shocked and disappointed the world (and David Stern) when they eliminated Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the Conference Finals. The Magic defeated the Cavs by frustrating their opponent with they're size and favorable mismatches that allowed Hedo Tukoglu and Rashard Lewis to exploit smaller players attempting to guard them. They ultimately came up short against a Lakers team that created several mismatches of their own, but the season was still considered a success.
Coming into the 2009-2010 season, Orlando has made some significant changes to their roster. They lost their best fourth quarter player in Hedo Turkoglu, up and coming rookie Courtney Lee, and Rafer Alston. Although those can bee seen as major losses, their replacements bring improved elements of the game to the roster and give them a better chance of returning to the finals where the road will be a lot more difficult than it was last year. The most important addition to the team in the offseason was Vince Carter. He is going to be there to fill the role left by Turkoglu of fourth quarter go to guy when a big shot is needed. Carter has gotten plenty of negative criticism in recent years stemming from his admission of "doggin it" during his final years in Toronto. The knock on Carter has always been his work ethic, but no one can deny the talent that he still possesses. Last season he averaged 20.8 ppg, 4.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds. That's four ppg better than Turkoglu with around the same assists and rebounds average.
Keep in mind that Vince was playing with a supporting cast far more inferior in talent than Orlando's. Carter now has the opportunity to play with a dominant big man in Howard who will take the attention off of him in the half court set. This gives the Magic another player who is able to create his own shot, something they seriously lacked last year. Aside from adding Vince Carter, they also rounded out the roster with quality supporting talent. Brandon Bass in a strong and active big man around the basket and give the Magic another body to put alongside Dwight Howard, Matt Barnes gives them another deadly weapon from behind the arc, and retaining Marcin Gortat will give yet another big bodiy to have for a potential rematch with the Cavs and Shaq.
On paper the Magic look like a team who can be stronger than their squad last year. The main focus at the start of the season will be building chemistry and assimilating Vince Carter into their style of play; the other pieces they acquired should fit in seamlessly. With Dwight Howard improving every year, the return of Jameer Nelson, and newcomers Vince Carter, Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes on board, the Magic have a their best chance to bring their first title to Disney World.
Prediction: 1st in Southeast Division/2nd in Eastern Conference
Additions: Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams, Linton Johnson, Morris Almond, Ryan Anderson
Subtractions: Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie
Last year's Eastern Conference Champions shocked and disappointed the world (and David Stern) when they eliminated Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the Conference Finals. The Magic defeated the Cavs by frustrating their opponent with they're size and favorable mismatches that allowed Hedo Tukoglu and Rashard Lewis to exploit smaller players attempting to guard them. They ultimately came up short against a Lakers team that created several mismatches of their own, but the season was still considered a success.
Coming into the 2009-2010 season, Orlando has made some significant changes to their roster. They lost their best fourth quarter player in Hedo Turkoglu, up and coming rookie Courtney Lee, and Rafer Alston. Although those can bee seen as major losses, their replacements bring improved elements of the game to the roster and give them a better chance of returning to the finals where the road will be a lot more difficult than it was last year. The most important addition to the team in the offseason was Vince Carter. He is going to be there to fill the role left by Turkoglu of fourth quarter go to guy when a big shot is needed. Carter has gotten plenty of negative criticism in recent years stemming from his admission of "doggin it" during his final years in Toronto. The knock on Carter has always been his work ethic, but no one can deny the talent that he still possesses. Last season he averaged 20.8 ppg, 4.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds. That's four ppg better than Turkoglu with around the same assists and rebounds average.
Keep in mind that Vince was playing with a supporting cast far more inferior in talent than Orlando's. Carter now has the opportunity to play with a dominant big man in Howard who will take the attention off of him in the half court set. This gives the Magic another player who is able to create his own shot, something they seriously lacked last year. Aside from adding Vince Carter, they also rounded out the roster with quality supporting talent. Brandon Bass in a strong and active big man around the basket and give the Magic another body to put alongside Dwight Howard, Matt Barnes gives them another deadly weapon from behind the arc, and retaining Marcin Gortat will give yet another big bodiy to have for a potential rematch with the Cavs and Shaq.
On paper the Magic look like a team who can be stronger than their squad last year. The main focus at the start of the season will be building chemistry and assimilating Vince Carter into their style of play; the other pieces they acquired should fit in seamlessly. With Dwight Howard improving every year, the return of Jameer Nelson, and newcomers Vince Carter, Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes on board, the Magic have a their best chance to bring their first title to Disney World.
Prediction: 1st in Southeast Division/2nd in Eastern Conference
Friday, October 9, 2009
Still Bill: The Story of Bill Withers
Yesterday evening I was given the honor of seeing the screening of the film "Still Bill", the story of the man behind such classics such as "Ain't No Sunshine", "Lean on Me", and "Grandma's Hands." I walked into the dimly lit theater enthused at the prospect of learning about the man whose music I listened to so much as a child. My mother was and still is a huge Bill Withers fan, his worn out tape stayed in my mom's car like there was no ejection button, so from a young age to my adult life I'd gained a great deal of respect and admiration for the man and was eager to learn about who he really was.
The movie opens with a picture of a smiling seventy year old Bill Withers; his grin radiates with kindness, wisdom, and graciousness. The picture fades out to the musician preforming "Ain't no Sunshine" live in his youth, eyes closed while his unique voice carried the soulful sound over the strings of his guitar. I closed my eyes as as well, drifted back to the memory of being in my mom's passenger seat while the music played on my way school, remembered how I tried to connect the words to the song to my elementary crushes while purposely evoking a sense of sadness to capture the song's sentiment. When the music faded I was back in the theater smiling, thankful for the memory.
There isn't too much I want to say about the rest of the movie, I feel that it's a film that people should see who wish to learn about someone who pas provided the purest form of music. I walked away from the film thinking deeply about music today, about its delegates, its soul. I was able to witness a passion that I rarely get to see in artists today. Far too many musicians are compromised by financial aspirations to the point where their product is diluted and reshaped by the slave masters who call themselves record companies. I watched a man go 25 years without recording a word or play a guitar string due to his respect for the art form, unwilling to conform to the constraints "blacksperts"(Bill Withers quote on white "experts" on black music). In contrast I see artists pumping out albums lacking substance, drive and meaning. I witnessed a man who never compromised his integrity, yet today there are those whose principles are attached to a price tag.
Times are different today; the industry was always ugly, but it has taken on a form much more appalling than anyone could have ever predicted. There are a number of good artists and musicians out in the world; they work outside the "matrix" patiently waiting to be sought out by listeners craving for something in contrast to the status quo. Bill Withers' story reminded me of a forgotten past. We cannot continue to make excuses for those who persist in massacring the very music that our hearts beat to, that our minds create to, and that our souls move to.
The movie opens with a picture of a smiling seventy year old Bill Withers; his grin radiates with kindness, wisdom, and graciousness. The picture fades out to the musician preforming "Ain't no Sunshine" live in his youth, eyes closed while his unique voice carried the soulful sound over the strings of his guitar. I closed my eyes as as well, drifted back to the memory of being in my mom's passenger seat while the music played on my way school, remembered how I tried to connect the words to the song to my elementary crushes while purposely evoking a sense of sadness to capture the song's sentiment. When the music faded I was back in the theater smiling, thankful for the memory.
There isn't too much I want to say about the rest of the movie, I feel that it's a film that people should see who wish to learn about someone who pas provided the purest form of music. I walked away from the film thinking deeply about music today, about its delegates, its soul. I was able to witness a passion that I rarely get to see in artists today. Far too many musicians are compromised by financial aspirations to the point where their product is diluted and reshaped by the slave masters who call themselves record companies. I watched a man go 25 years without recording a word or play a guitar string due to his respect for the art form, unwilling to conform to the constraints "blacksperts"(Bill Withers quote on white "experts" on black music). In contrast I see artists pumping out albums lacking substance, drive and meaning. I witnessed a man who never compromised his integrity, yet today there are those whose principles are attached to a price tag.
Times are different today; the industry was always ugly, but it has taken on a form much more appalling than anyone could have ever predicted. There are a number of good artists and musicians out in the world; they work outside the "matrix" patiently waiting to be sought out by listeners craving for something in contrast to the status quo. Bill Withers' story reminded me of a forgotten past. We cannot continue to make excuses for those who persist in massacring the very music that our hearts beat to, that our minds create to, and that our souls move to.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Hip Hop Hoop News
Shannon Brown Bangs on Mikki Moore:
MTV explains why they left Eminem out of their 'Hottest MC's in the Game' list:
From the start of the week, Hip-Hop fans have been left baffled by MTV’s “Hottest MC's in the Game” list. The List named Jay-Z the hottest MC with Kanye West, Drake, and Lil Wayne, following up close behind. Since the banter has failed to subside, MTV has taken the time out to address their decision.
Some have said that MTV lost points for their effort in determining who is hot and who is not. Though many have agreed with MTV’s decision to dub Jay-Z the hottest MC, people just cannot seem to understand why Eminem did not at least make the top 10.
Eminem is known as one of the most influential lyrical figures in Hip-Hop. If it wasn’t made clear by his verse in “Forever” that most would agree shined the most compared to the other artist on the single, his track record for shelling out memorable albums might just do the trick. Continue Reading
NJ judge to decide Williams' manslaughter case:
SOMERVILLE, N.J., — The outcome of a 7-year-old manslaughter case against Jayson Williams now rests in the hands of a judge who will decide whether alleged racial bias and prosecutorial misconduct played a part in the retired NBA star's 2004 trial.
At the end of a hearing, state Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman told lawyers Thursday he would rule on the case but he did not specify when.
In closing arguments, Williams' attorney blasted the prosecution as "out of control" and governed by a "win-at-all-costs" mentality that crossed ethical boundaries. The state said the defense did not present any evidence that a racial slur made by a prosecutor's investigator influenced the trial or was part of an overall pattern of racial bias. Continue Reading....
Juvenile Says Hot Boys Reunion “Will Happen”:
The man who still holds the title of having the best-selling album ever released by Cash Money Records with his quadruple-platinum 1998 solo effort, 400 Degreez, Juvenile, wants the world to know that despite a now nearly two-year delay plans for the reunion release with his onetime partners-in-rhyme in the CMR super-group the Hot Boys (Juvenile, Lil Wayne, B.G. and Turk) are finally moving forward. “Me and Baby [click to read] been talking the past week about taking time out our schedules and sitting down and doing this Hot Boys thing, ‘cause it’s time,” Juve revealed to HipHopDX late last Thursday (October 1st) of his recent discussions with Cash Money co-founder Bryan “Baby” Williams regarding the recording of a new Hot Boys full-length.
“People been waiting for it. I don’t see us not going platinum real quick. I think if we do drop a album everything is gon’ be at a standstill in the industry. So, we need to really think about jumping into that. But I think that’s gon’ happen.” Continue Reading....
MTV explains why they left Eminem out of their 'Hottest MC's in the Game' list:
From the start of the week, Hip-Hop fans have been left baffled by MTV’s “Hottest MC's in the Game” list. The List named Jay-Z the hottest MC with Kanye West, Drake, and Lil Wayne, following up close behind. Since the banter has failed to subside, MTV has taken the time out to address their decision.
Some have said that MTV lost points for their effort in determining who is hot and who is not. Though many have agreed with MTV’s decision to dub Jay-Z the hottest MC, people just cannot seem to understand why Eminem did not at least make the top 10.
Eminem is known as one of the most influential lyrical figures in Hip-Hop. If it wasn’t made clear by his verse in “Forever” that most would agree shined the most compared to the other artist on the single, his track record for shelling out memorable albums might just do the trick. Continue Reading
NJ judge to decide Williams' manslaughter case:
SOMERVILLE, N.J., — The outcome of a 7-year-old manslaughter case against Jayson Williams now rests in the hands of a judge who will decide whether alleged racial bias and prosecutorial misconduct played a part in the retired NBA star's 2004 trial.
At the end of a hearing, state Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman told lawyers Thursday he would rule on the case but he did not specify when.
In closing arguments, Williams' attorney blasted the prosecution as "out of control" and governed by a "win-at-all-costs" mentality that crossed ethical boundaries. The state said the defense did not present any evidence that a racial slur made by a prosecutor's investigator influenced the trial or was part of an overall pattern of racial bias. Continue Reading....
Juvenile Says Hot Boys Reunion “Will Happen”:
The man who still holds the title of having the best-selling album ever released by Cash Money Records with his quadruple-platinum 1998 solo effort, 400 Degreez, Juvenile, wants the world to know that despite a now nearly two-year delay plans for the reunion release with his onetime partners-in-rhyme in the CMR super-group the Hot Boys (Juvenile, Lil Wayne, B.G. and Turk) are finally moving forward. “Me and Baby [click to read] been talking the past week about taking time out our schedules and sitting down and doing this Hot Boys thing, ‘cause it’s time,” Juve revealed to HipHopDX late last Thursday (October 1st) of his recent discussions with Cash Money co-founder Bryan “Baby” Williams regarding the recording of a new Hot Boys full-length.
“People been waiting for it. I don’t see us not going platinum real quick. I think if we do drop a album everything is gon’ be at a standstill in the industry. So, we need to really think about jumping into that. But I think that’s gon’ happen.” Continue Reading....
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Ranking Rappers
In honor of the recent releases of NBA 2K10 and NBA Live 2010, I thought it would be interesting to apply the games' ranking systems to rappers today. For those of you unfamiliar with how these titles rate NBA players, I'll give you a short run down. Basically they take several attributes that make up the game of basketball such as shooting, dribbling and passing just to name a few, then apply a number between 50 and 99 based on the player's skill level. All of these aspects are then combined to form an overall rating for the player represented in the game. For example, Kobe Bryant overall ranking is 97; that rating is based on outstanding characteristics in all aspects of the game.
Basketball has a wide range of skill sets to rate, much more than can be applied to a MC's talent level. I decided to pick five attributes to rate and came up with a pretty well rounded average based on the following:
Lyrics: What an MC says to compose his overall message to his fans. A rapper must be able to expand his/her vocab beyond basic rhyming and cliches.
Content: The topic levels of Hip Hop have not changed much over the years. Most MCs talk about the basic three subject matters to get their music heard--money, dope and bitches. A MC that is able to expand his range of content past these typical motifs usually have more longevity in the game.
Delivery: This is how the MC delivers himself to the public. This aspect is difficult for many to master. A lot of people will not listen to someone whose unable to change it up over different types of production. Some listeners prefer how you say it over what you say.
Charisma: Just basic presence on the microphone. The ability to command an audience as well as willing to take risk. Some rappers have enough charisma to get away with saying or doing things that others can't
Beat Selection: This is very important in the creative process of making an album. Some rappers choose to rhyme over anything and as a result the music suffers. Fans might cut the track off before the first word is spoken. Some have an extraordinary ear for music; they know what producer or track can best compliment their styles.
So now they we've broken down the different skill sets, let's get to some ratings. I'm starting with four of the most popular MCs out right now. Remember these are my ratings; feel free to post your own on some of your favorite MCs or the same ones if you disagree with my opinion on those below.
Jay-Z
Lyrics - 88
Content - 72
Delivery - 95
Charisma - 97
Beat Selection - 98
Overall - 90 (Damn it!)
Nas
Lyrics - 95
Content - 98
Delivery - 85
Charisma - 82
Beat Selection - 77
Overall - 87
Lil Wayne
Lyrics - 88
Content - 60
Delivery - 98
Charisma - 98
Beat Selection - 82
Overall 85.2
Kanye West:
Lyrics - 79
Content - 88
Delivery - 8o
Charisma - 91
Beat Selection - 99 (This was a little unfair since he makes his on beats, but what can you do?)
Overall - 87.4
Well, this rating system didn't turn out quite like I wanted it considering Nas is my favorite MC and Kanye is not even in my top 5. But I had to be honest with the rankings from my perspective, I knew I shouldn't have chosen "beat selection!" Anyway, rate your favorite MCs and see where they rank! Post them in the comments.
Basketball has a wide range of skill sets to rate, much more than can be applied to a MC's talent level. I decided to pick five attributes to rate and came up with a pretty well rounded average based on the following:
Lyrics: What an MC says to compose his overall message to his fans. A rapper must be able to expand his/her vocab beyond basic rhyming and cliches.
Content: The topic levels of Hip Hop have not changed much over the years. Most MCs talk about the basic three subject matters to get their music heard--money, dope and bitches. A MC that is able to expand his range of content past these typical motifs usually have more longevity in the game.
Delivery: This is how the MC delivers himself to the public. This aspect is difficult for many to master. A lot of people will not listen to someone whose unable to change it up over different types of production. Some listeners prefer how you say it over what you say.
Charisma: Just basic presence on the microphone. The ability to command an audience as well as willing to take risk. Some rappers have enough charisma to get away with saying or doing things that others can't
Beat Selection: This is very important in the creative process of making an album. Some rappers choose to rhyme over anything and as a result the music suffers. Fans might cut the track off before the first word is spoken. Some have an extraordinary ear for music; they know what producer or track can best compliment their styles.
So now they we've broken down the different skill sets, let's get to some ratings. I'm starting with four of the most popular MCs out right now. Remember these are my ratings; feel free to post your own on some of your favorite MCs or the same ones if you disagree with my opinion on those below.
Jay-Z
Lyrics - 88
Content - 72
Delivery - 95
Charisma - 97
Beat Selection - 98
Overall - 90 (Damn it!)
Nas
Lyrics - 95
Content - 98
Delivery - 85
Charisma - 82
Beat Selection - 77
Overall - 87
Lil Wayne
Lyrics - 88
Content - 60
Delivery - 98
Charisma - 98
Beat Selection - 82
Overall 85.2
Kanye West:
Lyrics - 79
Content - 88
Delivery - 8o
Charisma - 91
Beat Selection - 99 (This was a little unfair since he makes his on beats, but what can you do?)
Overall - 87.4
Well, this rating system didn't turn out quite like I wanted it considering Nas is my favorite MC and Kanye is not even in my top 5. But I had to be honest with the rankings from my perspective, I knew I shouldn't have chosen "beat selection!" Anyway, rate your favorite MCs and see where they rank! Post them in the comments.
Monday, October 5, 2009
NBA Season Preview: Lakers
The NBA season is just a few weeks away and I can hardly contain my excitement. The best teams in the league all improved and made significant changes to their rosters. Shaq was traded to Cleveland, Vince Carter to the Magic, Richard Jefferson to the Spurs, Rasheed Wallace to the Celtics, and Ron Artest to the Lakers. These are all additions that dramatically changed the landscape of the league. Over the next couple of weeks I will be giving a short preview of these top five teams along with my analysis on the additions and subtractions of the players. What better way to start the season off with a preview of the World Champion Lakers?
Last Season Record: (65-17)
Additions: Ron Artest
Subtractions: Sun Yue(Thank God)
Fresh off a NBA championship against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic, the main concern entering the off-season for the Lakers was the resigning of key free agents Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom. At the start of free agency, rumors of the two key players signing with other teams were all over the media. The Lakers shocked the NBA world by doing the unthinkable and signed Ron Artest while letting Trevor Ariza walk and join the Houston Rockets. Many Laker fans have been skeptical of how Artest will fit into the Laker system; questions of his character, off court issues, and questionable shot selection have all left fans scratching their heads. Analysts of the game need to look at this move from a basketball perspective and understand the positive effect Artest can and will have on the Lakers.
The biggest impact Artest is going to have on the Lakers will be on Kobe Bryant. Even with Pau Gasol, there were plenty of times when Kobe had to take over the game on both defense and offense. Most people seem to take for granted how much energy Kobe has to expend throughout the season by leading the team on offense as well as guarding his opponent's best player. The addition of Artest allows Kobe to play more of a roamer on defense while still having the capability to be a lock down defender. Phil Jackson has already discussed playing a line up featuring Kobe, Artest, Odom, Gasol and Bynum. That will be an intimidating defensive line up that only Boston could match up with.
Artest will also add toughness that the Lakers have lacked for the last couple of years. He can change the defensive culture of the team alone with his intensity and commitment to the defensive end of the floor. The Lakers will miss Trevor Ariza, but Artest gives them a lot more versatility on both ends of the floor, something that was a necessity after all the other top teams improved.
With the core of the team returning with a championship under their belts and roles clearly defined, the Lakers have an outstanding chance of repeating. Their largest issue currently is figuring out the point guard rotation and which of the young players out of Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar will emerge to spell Derek Fisher. Overall the Lakers are a deep team who can cause match up problems for anyone. Kobe Bryant will be on a mission to add to his legacy and keep his name in the conversation with Michael Jordan. With a ring for each finger on his hand, Kobe will have to be an unquestioned member of the top 10 players ever to play the game.
Projection: 1st in Pacific Division/1st in Western Confernce
Friday, October 2, 2009
They Don't Give a Fuck About Us!
I fought back tears watching the brutal murder of Chicago high school student Derrion Albert. The image of death visiting young members of our society is always tough to witness, yet it's something that I have seen far to often. Across America the faces of black youth eerily haunt the the television on a nightlybasis. While channel surfing you might come across the picture of a child smiling in a school photo and pause. It doesn't take long to realize what's behind that portrait; the pain of loss and suffering for another family tragically torn from one of its members. You might listen to the news reporter's commentary, remark about how sad it is, but in reality the loss of black life in this country has become so conventional that minutes later it is forgotten.
The loss of any life is grievous, but it is painfully clear that the lives of African Americans aren't important enough for the nation to care. I couldn't walk ten feet without hearing about the death of Yale grad student Annie Le. There was a national uproar over this murder that only calmed slightly when Kanye West rushed the stage at the VMAs.(You would've thought he killed the woman.) The fact of the matter is that social status, class, and race play a large role in what is important in our society. If you're rich, white, blond like Natalee Holloway, then your life is of more value to a nation that boasts it was built on equality.
Watching kids brutally murder another kid speaks a whole lot about what is going on in our communities. This story received more national attention not for the gruesome act that was caught on camera, but because Obama was pushing for an Olympic bid in his hometown. Just imagine if this kid had been a white student, or the homicide rates that are reaching two to three hundred in poor neighborhoods reached those heights in rich suburban areas. That world doesn't exist, and unfortunatley Derrion Albert, like Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, and Jasmine Lynn will be nothing more than a statistic.
The loss of any life is grievous, but it is painfully clear that the lives of African Americans aren't important enough for the nation to care. I couldn't walk ten feet without hearing about the death of Yale grad student Annie Le. There was a national uproar over this murder that only calmed slightly when Kanye West rushed the stage at the VMAs.(You would've thought he killed the woman.) The fact of the matter is that social status, class, and race play a large role in what is important in our society. If you're rich, white, blond like Natalee Holloway, then your life is of more value to a nation that boasts it was built on equality.
Watching kids brutally murder another kid speaks a whole lot about what is going on in our communities. This story received more national attention not for the gruesome act that was caught on camera, but because Obama was pushing for an Olympic bid in his hometown. Just imagine if this kid had been a white student, or the homicide rates that are reaching two to three hundred in poor neighborhoods reached those heights in rich suburban areas. That world doesn't exist, and unfortunatley Derrion Albert, like Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, and Jasmine Lynn will be nothing more than a statistic.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
You Might Not Have Heard About It: Feat. Hell Razah
I was one of those young cats back in the day from on the West Coast with a whole arsenal of East Coast music in my back pack. You could catch me on my free period back in high school with my Walkman on me like an additional body part and extra large head phones that blocked out my own voice screaming "Wu-Tang Clan aint Nuthin to Fuck Wit!" From 93-99 I listened to Wu-Tang like it was a religion and made sure I heard every track that the RZA orchestrated. Of course listening to the main group opened me up the the Wu-Affiliates such as "Sunz of Man", "Killa Army", and "North Star; "Sunz of Man" was the most successful out of all the sub Wu clicks. It wasn't until years later that I was introduced to the solo ventures of Hell Razah, one of the better lyricist who emerged from the vast Wu-Tang Family.
Hell Razah has a large library of music stemming from his days in "SoM", album features and solo projects, but his best album would have to be "Renaissance Child" released in 2007. Yes, I understand that was two years ago, but good music is timeless and if you haven't heard something then it's all new anyway. Once you listen to the first few tracks, you can tell Razah is very well read. He has a great talent for injecting historical facts and biblical references in his music that are relevant. There are a lot of intelligent MCs out there who use a lot of big words or will throw out some random reference to show off their knowledge base, but HR does not fall into that category. Every lyric is well placed and you can tell he's not just spewing random facts to sound smart. In addition to his intellect, his choice for production is very sound; his tracks all compliment his delivery.
You can check out his albums on Amazon, Itunes or your local record store. Artists like Hell Razah might not be at the top of the charts, but they definitely know their audience. Its hard to find a balance between conveying messages in your music while still producing something melodic and pleasing to the ear. Hell Razah is able to accomplish that; you might even pick up a book after you finish the album.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Best Verse Week # 3: "Onslaught 2"
After getting zero votes for his verse on "Forever" in week #1, Kanye claimed the title of best verse in week 2 on " Her Say". Fortunately he's not featured on today's track. Instead I bring you "Onslaught 2" courtesy of Slaughterhouse. Every song on this album is warranted for a vote count considering the make up of the group, but there can only be one song selected. Place you votes!
Monday, September 28, 2009
From Ghetto to Gaza Speaking Tour:Feat M1 of Dead Prez
M1 of the political/revolutionary rap group Dead Prez recently held a speaking tour discussing his experiences in Gaza. His mission was organized by a group "Viva la Palestine", a coalition with members reaching numbers close to two hundred dedicated to the liberation of the Palestinian people suffering Israeli oppression. The main objective was to enter Gaza with a number of different resources and goods donated for the people antagonized in this region. Yet things aren't always as they appear, and M1 encountered a wide range of obstacles to hinder his efforts. You can read more of what he had to say of his time there @ sfbayview.com.
I walked into the Black Dot cafe, a small venue in West Oakland organized by active members of the community, expecting to hear M1 speak on the similarities and differences between the ghettos abroad with the poverty stricken hoods in America. Although I did not receive what I expected, I did gain a whole new perspective on a situation I had not been paying much attention to as of late. I knew about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, but not nearly enough converse on the situation. First and foremost, I want to credit M1 for eloquently telling his story while focusing on important issues he experienced first hand. The dangers of the location are well documented; I commend him for the courage to go into a foreign land to help a group of people terrorized by enemies that are backed by our own government.
I didn't get a chance to hear direct parallels between American ghetto life with Gaza, but through M1's experiences, I was able to draw my own conclusions. He recounted a story of meeting a young man whose father was killed by a missile that directly hit his home during dinner. M1 made it very clear that this was not an extreme case or an anomaly, but a regular occurrence in the everyday lives of people trapped in this war zone. Yet the similarities are there; the black youth of America deal with similar obstructions in the face of police brutality, government mandated laws aimed at specific groups, and the ever increasing prison population represented primarily by African Americans and Latinos.
But this was also a time for me to look past encounters in my own life and learn about what others go through. Oppressed people are all fighting against the same machine and reaching for the same goals. I have been in the face of American terrorism, but my occurrences greatly differ in magnitude from the suffering and brutality experienced by people across the globe.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Hip Hop Hoop News
ESPN NBA Pre-Season Power Rankings: The new season starts with the defending champions accorded the standard respect here by returning to the rankings in the top spot. Yet the Los Angeles Lakers also find themselves in a loaded top 5, with each of those teams seemingly capable of winning it all but all five likewise confronted by major unknowns … whether it's Ron Artest's willingness to blend in with the champs in L.A., Vince Carter's ability to replicate Hedo Turkoglu's success in Orlando, Shaquille O'Neal's effectiveness as LeBron James' sidekick, or the health questions that persist about Boston's Kevin Garnett and San Antonio's Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili....Read More @ ESPN.COM
NBA to Unveil Guidelines for Social Networking: The NBA will this week introduce what it considers "minimal" guidelines for players, coaches and team officials when using Twitter and other social networking sites, according to sources with knowledge of the policy. The primary restriction of the policy is expected to prevent various team representatives from tweeting during games, after the stir caused late last season when Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva, then with Milwaukee, tweeted from the Bucks' locker room during halftime.One source described the forthcoming policy as "very minimal" and "less stringent" than the guidelines announced earlier this month by the NFL, which now regards players, coaches and football operations personnel -- or any third party representing them -- to be in violation of league rules if they use social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook from 90 minutes before kickoff through the end of the standard post-game access period for media interviews......Read More @ ESPN.COM
KRS-1 Blames Def Jam for Destroying Hip Hop: "Def Jam is the dopest label in hip-hop, in the culture of hip-hop. There really would be no hip-hop as we know it today if it wasn't for Def Jam. But you don't get that respect without also being the label that single-handedly destroyed hip-hop...Every time you think of what's wrong with hip-hop, the lyrics, the commercialized music, one artist being played on the radio all day, things like that, that's all Def Jam...We respect it. It's a respect cause we all competing, so Def Jam had the hardest competition, but the hardest competition as I showed the respect, I also showed the truth. And the truth is everybody else had to sit down so Def Jam could be who they are."....Read More @ Examiner.com
The appearance prefaces Sharpton's four-city tour with former Speaker of the House Of Representatives Newt Gingrich and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who will be stopping in Philadelphia, New Orleans, Baltimore in Atlanta in an effort to reform public education.
Monday Night Raw airs at 9pm on the USA network.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Bigger Than Hip Hop?
Hip Hop mogul Jay-Z recently appeared on the Oprah show seemingly ending the ban of rappers on her program. But don't be so quick to believe the embargo on Hip Hop has been reascended by the queen of day time T.V. When Oprah had the cast of Barbershop on her show, Ice Cube, the star of the movie, was mysteriously missing. She later had the cast of Crash on her show to tackle issues of racism that the film brought forth, but initially did not extend an invite to Ludacris. Luda did end up on the episode with the rest of the cast, but was attacked by Oprah for his lyrics and use of the the words "Nigga", "Bitch", and "Ho". Oprah later admitted that she doesn't like having rappers on her show because she feels it empowers them. Yet somehow, Jay-Z managed to transcend Oprah negative imagery of Hip Hop, and appear on the program in an one on one interview. Don't applaud Oprah for finally allowing a rapper to grace her presence, no need to give credence to that gesture; she was just going along with the general consensus that Jay-Z is somehow above Hip Hop.
Jay-Z is constantly talked about like he is on an island all by himself, like his intellect is on an a level that no other rapper can ever achieve. Hip Hop writers and journalist regularly shower him with praises towards his wit and creativity. From Bill Maher to the President himself, its seems that the world just can't get enough of Mr. Carter. But is Jay-Z really that different from any other rapper?
I will admit that Jay does have a lyrical ability and style that not many can match, but it's not the style that seems to attract so many outside of Hip Hop culture to embrace him. Remember, Oprah berated Luda for his lyrics, yet Jay-Z has had songs that with very similar content to Ludacris. The difference is that Jay-Z is more clever in how he talks about his content. Instead of blatantly saying "Kill that Nigga", he'll instead use lyrics asking what size suit you wear before he unloads a clip on you. That's still murder rap no matter how its expressed. Supporters ignore the fact that American Gangster was considered "concept" album, yet the material was what we've come to expect from Jay-Z. It was nothing more than an excuse to return to what he knew best.
Jay-Z worshippers will probably label me a hater, that's fine, I expect you to get defensive. But I'm no hater; I just don't believe that Jay-Z is any more qualified to represent Hip Hop than Ice Cube or Ludacris. What about Chuck D? Krs-1? Nas? Common? Mos Def? or Kweli? There are a number of rappers who don't represent the negativity that is associated with Hip Hop. These same MCs have music that even takes more of a stand on social issues and also includes commentary that identifies with Oprah's sentiments about rap music. I watched the show and it wasn't bad at all. Jay is smart brotha and is a deserving delegate of Hip Hop culture; I'm just not one to get on my knees and pray to him, even if he calls himself "Hova".
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
You Might Not Have Heard About It: Feat. Blitz the Ambassador
In a recent post I discussed the question of Hip Hop being dead and the responsibility that fell on all parties associated with the dying art form. I referenced the burden of the artists in the game and how they must step to the forefront in preserving Hip Hop's essence. I explained the role of the consumer as well as fans of the music and our duty to search for MCs who dedicate their lives to this unique form of expression. So for that very reason I am taking it upon myself to put the spotlight on the lesser known rappers in the game. The artists who still possess a passion for the music, who aren't controlled my the corporate machine, and for those maintain the pulse of Hip Hop. Once a week I'll search for a different artist to bring to your attention. Today's feature is the The MC out of Ghana, Blitz the Ambassador.
After arguing with my boy Dub about the the decline of Hip Hop, he introduced me the the music of Blitz. He didn't tell me much about him or his music, he just said "listen". What struck me first before I even tuned in to the first track on "Stereotype", was the album cover. The imagery of the suicidal gesture of blowing out the brains of a boom box immediately enticed me. The album kicks off with a prelude with a few shout outs to cities all over the world with a melodic backdrop. The album seamlessly transitions from the intro to the first track "Something to Believe In" where Blitz's skillz are truly emphasized. Throughout the whole album Blitz displays a rare combination of poetics, relentlessness and amazing production. He effortlessly spits over each track while boasting different styles over a diverse range of instrumentation. His topics expand from the state of Hip Hop, the plight of African people all over the globe, to his passion for Hip Hop.
Blitz the Ambassador is truly a rare breed indeed. I found myself listening to this album without even thinking of skipping a song. Each track seems to spill over to the next without missing a beat. If you're a fan of real music and want to hear something outside of mainstream machine, this is definitely an album that will not disappoint. I posted a track below to check out. You can find his album "Stereotype" on Amazon, Itunes, and in your local record store. Support! Save the music!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Best Verse Week # 2:"Make Her Say"
It's that time again, cast your vote for the weekly best verse. Last week, Eminem edged out Drake by one vote on "Forever". This week features Kid Cudi, Kanye West, and Common on "Make Her Say". Who will take it this week?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Hip hop Hoop News
Jay-Z on Oprah: Sneak Peek
Lockout Official: The NBA formally notified the union representing its 57 active referees Friday that it was imposing a lockout, saying the rejection of its latest contract offer left "no choice but to begin using replacement referees."Lamell McMorris, lead negotiator for the referees, told CBSSports.com that he received formal notice of the lockout from the league shortly after 3 p.m. ET. Replacement refs will convene next week for the annual training camp for officials, although the timing of the camp is undecided based on the logistical challenges of convening replacements.If the NBA and its referees' union can't agree on a new two-year contract before Oct. 27, replacement referees will officiate regular season games for the first time since 1995. Read More....
Nas and Kelis Back Together?:Nas and Kelis caused a media frenzy when they got married and a seemingly bigger one when they filed for divorce. The two seemed to be over for good but recent rumors have been forming with unidentified "sources" telling media outlets that the two are reconciling their differences. "Nas and Kelis were celebrating his birthday with some friends and you couldn't tell they were divorcing to look at them. They seemed very intimate and were kissing and hugging and even left together," a source told WENN. Read More.....
Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian to Marry?: Insiders tell E! News exclusively that Khloe Kardashian and her NBA star boyfriend Lamar Odom are already considering tying the knot.
Odom, a forward for the L.A. Lakers, and Khloé recently have been "talking about rings," says a source close to the couple. Members of the Kardashian family are neither confirming nor denying the wedding plans or a date. A rep for both stars have declined to comment. Read More....
T-Mac's Back: Tracy McGrady came all the way to Chicago to seek redemption. The seven-time all star has been in town for several months after having micro-fracture knee surgery earlier in the year. He spends most of his days rehabbing at ATTACK Athletics on the West Side and is convinced all the extra work he's put in this summer will turn him back into the player he once was. The ironic thing is that it took a lot of people to get McGrady to finally give the rehab facility in the Windy City a try.
His former teammate Luther Head tried to get the 30-year-old to give Tim Grover and his staff a chance, but he was unsuccessful, McGrady was too loyal to his trainer of 11 years, Wayne Hall.
"[Tracy] asks me now, [saying], 'You should have put a gun to my head and made me come,'" Head said during a training session last month. Read More....
Lockout Official: The NBA formally notified the union representing its 57 active referees Friday that it was imposing a lockout, saying the rejection of its latest contract offer left "no choice but to begin using replacement referees."Lamell McMorris, lead negotiator for the referees, told CBSSports.com that he received formal notice of the lockout from the league shortly after 3 p.m. ET. Replacement refs will convene next week for the annual training camp for officials, although the timing of the camp is undecided based on the logistical challenges of convening replacements.If the NBA and its referees' union can't agree on a new two-year contract before Oct. 27, replacement referees will officiate regular season games for the first time since 1995. Read More....
Nas and Kelis Back Together?:Nas and Kelis caused a media frenzy when they got married and a seemingly bigger one when they filed for divorce. The two seemed to be over for good but recent rumors have been forming with unidentified "sources" telling media outlets that the two are reconciling their differences. "Nas and Kelis were celebrating his birthday with some friends and you couldn't tell they were divorcing to look at them. They seemed very intimate and were kissing and hugging and even left together," a source told WENN. Read More.....
Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian to Marry?: Insiders tell E! News exclusively that Khloe Kardashian and her NBA star boyfriend Lamar Odom are already considering tying the knot.
Odom, a forward for the L.A. Lakers, and Khloé recently have been "talking about rings," says a source close to the couple. Members of the Kardashian family are neither confirming nor denying the wedding plans or a date. A rep for both stars have declined to comment. Read More....
T-Mac's Back: Tracy McGrady came all the way to Chicago to seek redemption. The seven-time all star has been in town for several months after having micro-fracture knee surgery earlier in the year. He spends most of his days rehabbing at ATTACK Athletics on the West Side and is convinced all the extra work he's put in this summer will turn him back into the player he once was. The ironic thing is that it took a lot of people to get McGrady to finally give the rehab facility in the Windy City a try.
His former teammate Luther Head tried to get the 30-year-old to give Tim Grover and his staff a chance, but he was unsuccessful, McGrady was too loyal to his trainer of 11 years, Wayne Hall.
"[Tracy] asks me now, [saying], 'You should have put a gun to my head and made me come,'" Head said during a training session last month. Read More....
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Truth is Out There
I've been listening to Hip Hop music since I was 7 or 8 years old when my big bro introduced me to legends of the game like KRS-1, Rakim, and NWA. But the one group that stood out above all of them was Public Enemy. Here was a group that fearlessly brought truth to the forefront; they viciously attacked the system that so meticulously declared war on the black community through violence, drugs, guns and propaganda. Lead by Chuck D, a gallant MC with a sonorous voice that inspired action in his listeners; the group tackled issues such as crack and its destruction of the black community, the government's relentless attempts to recruit the poor in an army disproportionately represented by Black and Latino soldiers, and the media being used as a tool of distraction away from pressing issues. After all the changes Hip Hop has seen, and in spite of Flava Flav's embarrassing decent into a modern day Sambo(still got love for you Flav), Public Enemy has never changed their agenda in providing resistance to the "system".
One of the lesser known member's of the group was the outspoken Professor Griff. The name might not ring a bell to those who aren't familiar with the group, but for those of us that have followed P.E., Griff is a well respected contributor to the movement. I posted a recent interview with the Professor discussing ills of the media, the "real" and the "fake" as well as the rise of the occult in Hip Hop. You may not agree with everything he is saying, or maybe even anything he's speaking of, but at least hear the brotha out. Sound off in the comments
One of the lesser known member's of the group was the outspoken Professor Griff. The name might not ring a bell to those who aren't familiar with the group, but for those of us that have followed P.E., Griff is a well respected contributor to the movement. I posted a recent interview with the Professor discussing ills of the media, the "real" and the "fake" as well as the rise of the occult in Hip Hop. You may not agree with everything he is saying, or maybe even anything he's speaking of, but at least hear the brotha out. Sound off in the comments
Monday, September 14, 2009
Who Murdered It?
We have a new weekly feature here @ hiphophoop.blogspot.com called "Who Murdered It?" Once a week I will post a track featuring several artists on the site. Then I will post a poll for you to vote on which artist ripped it the most. The poll closes in 7 days, so get your vote in! Todays Track:
DRAKE FEAT. KANYE WEST, LIL WAYNE, AND EMINEM----FOREVER
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Allow Me to Re-introduce Myself
My name isn't Hov and I never sold snowflakes by the O -Z. I never sold drugs, Hov did that so hopefully I'll never have to go through that. And I'm not a rapper, my last album was not the Chronic. I'm just an avid reader of Hip Hop Hoop and was recently asked by the creator to give my input on the current state of music, primarily hip hop. With the current state of hip hop being debated so heavily, I jumped on the opportunity to express my views. So over the next few weeks, I'll be adding my opinion about everything from cd reviews to what I'm bumping in the car to rapper's turned actors failing as rapper's again to over-rated artists who are just living off the past to creative new artists that you shouldn't get caught sleeping on, etc... So thank you Mansa for getting that foot in the door and allowing me to kick it wide open..
New Tracks from Raekwon and Jay-Z Albums
New Joint off Blueprint 3: On to the Next Feat. Swizz Beats:
New Joint off Only Built for Cuban Linx 2: New We Feat. Ghostface and Meth
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Iverson to the Grizzlies: Good Fit?
In a previous blog written about the Allen Iverson situation of this summer I stated that one of the best players ever to play the game was getting treated unfairly. He had been white balled, cast to the purgatory of a league that he helped popularize. Let's get one thing straight, Allen Iverson is an icon, a trend setter, and an amazing talent. How many players in the league did you see with corn rows, tattoos, and arm sleeves before the "Little Giant" stepped in the the league. When Jordan and his squeaky clean image left the court in 97, Iverson became the new face of a league that wanted no part of his "gangsta" image. When everybody was trying to "be like Mike", Iverson was just being himself. The NBA dress code, just one of many racist mandates handed down by David Stern, was aimed at players like A.I, players who refused too change their image or who they are to cater to the white media. But I digress; this is about Iverson the basketball player, and although he played a part in his decent into the cellar of the league, there should have been another team out there willing to take a chance.
The Memphis Grizzlies won a whopping 24 games last season, but they played hard every night and have an excellent young core of players. There are a couple things they did in the offseason that I didn't agree with as far as their direction as a team, but they still have a lot of talent. The trade for Zach Randolph was a questionable move, especially when you consider the Pau Gasol deal. (Their Salaries are basically the same). But Gasol was already gone, and when you have a chance to get another dominating low post scorer for next to nothing, you take it. What's worse is that they let Hakim Warrick go for nothing, and he was a major contributor to their team.
All is not lost in the land of Memphis. They did manage to snatch Sam Young out of Pittsburgh in the second round, and that was as much of a steal as Dejaun Blair to the Spurs. (These two, along with Jodie Meeks going in the second round just shows how "smart" these GMs really are.) O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay are a dynamic scoring tandem on the perimeter, especially with a post presence down low in Randolph. The issue with Randolph is he doesn't pass out of the post much and is viewed as selfish. As talented as Gay and Mayo are, they are still very young; their shot selections are questionable. Now we come to the intrigue surrounding this team: Where does Iverson fit. Is he starting or coming off the bench? The problem with bringing a veteran of this caliber to a team like this is that it could hinder the development of the young players. There is no doubt that Iverson should start over Mike Conley, but he really started playing well at the end of the year. Is it a good idea to bring Iverson in when the kid was just getting his confidence up and playing well?
At the press conference where Iverson was introduced as a Grizzly, he stated this season was personal and he felt like a rookie all over again. There is no doubt that Iverson has to use this one year stop in Memphis to prove he can play nice and join a contender next year. It's an unfair deal, but it is what it is. He has to be able to mentor the young talent, become more of a play maker without completely sacrificing his scoring ability, and lastly he cannot pout or get frustrated when things are going well. The microscope will stay focused on him, and sports writers across the nation can't wait to gloat in the face of a failed experiment. The Grizzlies will be exciting to watch and might even win a few more games, but they won't contend. What they will do is compete night and night out, something that fits the indemnity of a player that doesn't quit, and keeps fighting even when the odds are stacked against him.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Blood on Our Hands
The idea of Hip Hop being "dead" was prevalent in the hearts and minds of many MCs well before Nas decided to title his album with the bold proclamation at the end of 2006. If rappers didn't believe Hip Hop was actually deceased, they made tracks stating their opinion, usually believing that the culture was on its death bed. Common made the song "I Used to Love H.E.R." as an ode to hip hop back in 1994. The track was highly critical of the direction that Hip Hop was moving into at the time after attaining more commercial success in the mainstream. Around the same time other rappers stepped to the forefront to convey their disappointment in Hip Hop's apparent downward spiral from an art form that originated from the struggle of the oppressed, to a sound that has been over saturated with bravado and degradation. KRS-1, a Hip Hop pioneer and legend, has been one of the strongest advocates of "Real "Hip Hop as well as one of the bigger detractors of what would be considered "Commercial Rap." The question remains: Is Hip Hop as we once knew it truly dead? If it is dead, who is to blame for it's apparent assassination? Are we to blame the record labels, radio DJs, the artists themselves, or the fans?
The culture of Hip Hop has its origins deeply rooted in the streets and projects of the oppressed and disenfranchised. Of course there were groups with the commercial appeal that were enticing to white America that allowed the culture to gain notoriety. The "Sugar Hill Gang's Rapper's Delight" was a Hip Hop hit single that brought world attention to the growing sub-culture, but rap music's foundation was based in the ghettos and hoods that were generally ignored by the white community. Tracks like "The Message" by Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five and later album's like "Criminal Minded" by Boogie Down Productions gave America more of insight to the plight of African Americans in this country. The culture gave social commentary on black communities and the hardships we endured. The difference between now and then is that the music wasn't immersed in negativity. Run DMC, Melly Mel, Kurtis Blow, Public Enemy, Rakim and KRS-1 weren't glorifying the grind, but were creating ways to escape it. Somewhere the artist lost control of the mission while record labels played the role of master by deciding what was socially acceptable.
When an artist presents his/her album to a label, the label makes the choice of which songs will generate the most revenue for their company. This seems fair when making a business investment into an artist, but tracks with real messages are being scrapped and never see the light of day. There are MC's out there who refuse to let a record exec control their creativity and dumb down their music. Immortal Technique, an MC and political activist, claimed that he turned down a deal with a major label due to the constraints they attempted to place on his music. This intrusion has caused many artists to jump in the game looking for that hit single as oppose to invoking their music with passion and fervor. The music is suffering; the culture as a whole is yielding bastard children who have no regard for the art form that raised them. Radio DJ's influence the trend by deciding what's "hot" and what's not. What we're left with is the same formulaic sound echoing on radio airwaves 24/7.
I'm a fan of Hip Hop; I support the culture, the soul and the passion. In the early 90s, when I was old enough to appreciate what I was listening to, there was less of a divide of what was played on the radio and what was considered underground. Radio stations played Public Enemy, KRS-1, De La Soul, Wu- Tang, Tribe Called Quest, Nas, NWA, and ICE Cube. There was still an underground network, consisting more of local artists and others who broke the geographical barriers. But either way you went, it was still Hip Hop. I don't have a problem with main stream rap music. I listen to all Hip Hop, some time I might be in the mood for some gangsta shit, club shit or some political shit; I'm able to appreciate all sides of the spectrum. The problem is there is no more variety, and now we are forced to do extensive research to locate the remnants of the culture. The average listener will might never hear the Hell Razah joint, Blitz the Ambassador, or AntiPop Consortium just to name a few. I guess it's time to realize that the system has no need to support music that counters its very existence. Maybe it's time for the fans of the music to demand more from our artists, DJs and labels. Is Hip Hop really dead? I don't think so, there are plenty of MC's out there who will tell you differently, and prove that the culture is still breathing in their music. I hear the rumors, maybe she faked her own death. And while there are plenty of people dancing on her grave, she's in hiding, waiting for the perfect time to emerge form the ashes.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Hip Hop Hoop News
Derrick Rose Situation and NCAA: This week the University of Memphis was stripped of the school's 38-win season and its Final Four appearance in 2008 because former point guard Derrick's Rose allegedly had someone else take his SAT's for him after he reportedly was unable to get a satisfactory score on his ACT's in three prior attempts. Memphis also has to return the money the basketball team generated during its run in the NCAA tournament that season. Let's be clear about something up front: Rose was not named in the report. However, people around the country are filling in the blanks as he's the only player who seems to match the description in the report. If you're like me, you're probably wondering how exactly the NCAA strips a team of experiences that have already been lived. Sure they can eliminate numbers in an official record book, but it's not like anyone can erase the game's that were played from existence. That's especially true since Memphis participated in the NCAA championship game in 2008.
Continue Reading at Hoopsworld.com
Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 Final Tracklisting & Production Revealed: The effort will see Jay-Z return to collaboration vocally and musically with Kanye West, Timbaland, The Neptunes and No I.D. The album also features newcomers Al Shux, J. Cole and Luke Steele. The tracklisting is as follows:
View Tracklisting at Hiphopdx.com
Sources: Iverson Close to Deal With Bobcats:
Dime Magazine's web site reports that Allen Iverson and the Bobcats already have agreed to terms on a contract that will be signed within a week.
I'm told by a great source that's not true. However, that doesn't mean Iverson won't be a Bobcat. It sounds like there's a good chance that will happen. My source says definitively that Iverson's first choice is to play for Larry Brown again in Charlotte, and that there have been serious discussions about making that happen.
However, there are complications. As Brown told me and ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan, the team's payroll and roster both stand in the way. With the Bobcats inching toward the luxury-tax threshold, it's problematic to make Iverson a fair offer, even in a depressed economy. Minutes are another issue: With Raja Bell, D.J. Augustin and restricted free agent Raymond Felton on the roster, where would Brown find sufficient playing time for a nine-time All-Star who averaged nearly 42 minutes his first 12 NBA seasons?
Continue Reading Article
Continue Reading at Hoopsworld.com
Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 Final Tracklisting & Production Revealed: The effort will see Jay-Z return to collaboration vocally and musically with Kanye West, Timbaland, The Neptunes and No I.D. The album also features newcomers Al Shux, J. Cole and Luke Steele. The tracklisting is as follows:
View Tracklisting at Hiphopdx.com
Sources: Iverson Close to Deal With Bobcats:
Dime Magazine's web site reports that Allen Iverson and the Bobcats already have agreed to terms on a contract that will be signed within a week.
I'm told by a great source that's not true. However, that doesn't mean Iverson won't be a Bobcat. It sounds like there's a good chance that will happen. My source says definitively that Iverson's first choice is to play for Larry Brown again in Charlotte, and that there have been serious discussions about making that happen.
However, there are complications. As Brown told me and ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan, the team's payroll and roster both stand in the way. With the Bobcats inching toward the luxury-tax threshold, it's problematic to make Iverson a fair offer, even in a depressed economy. Minutes are another issue: With Raja Bell, D.J. Augustin and restricted free agent Raymond Felton on the roster, where would Brown find sufficient playing time for a nine-time All-Star who averaged nearly 42 minutes his first 12 NBA seasons?
Continue Reading Article
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Slaughterhouse: What the Games Been Missin'
It's a rarity to see a group of young rappers with similar drive and focus set out to achieve a common goal. So you can understand my doubts when I first heard the mention of Slaughterhouse. Sure, it was a good idea in theory; four MCs at pretty much the same stage in their careers uniting to make an album to appease the people. But usually these things don't go as planned. How often do we hear these dudes throw out the "we should do an album together"when talking about a contemporary hip hop artist. I remained dubious when I learned the quartet who formed the group----Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Royce the 5'9', Crooked I. I never really listened to Joe Budden (mood music mixtapes weren't bad though), I had only heard a couple verses from Joell Ortiz, I listened to some old Royce when he was runnin with Em, but Crooked I is the only one I could truly say that I bumped. So although I was intrigued by the idea, I wasn't blown away about it.
Shout out to my boy Dub who put me on the the group. The first track I heard by the group was Onslaught, and I was very impressed. Each MC came with a different flavor and more than exceeded my expectations. I already knew that Crooked I was a murderer when it came to assailing the mic, but I was in the dark on the skills of the the remaining members. While I listened to each member leave their imprint, it dawned on me that they would all come to the table with their best material. There would be no way any one of these cats would want to be seen as the weakest link. Sure, you could choose your favorite verse, but you couldn't deny that they all came with it; Onslaught was a befitting title indeed and so was Slaughterhouse. So after several months of features and tracks being released by the group, I started to anticipate the release.
This group was for real and they built even more of a following while preforming on the Rock The Bells Tour. The self titled Slaughterhouse album is one of the best pure hip hop album's I've heard in quite sometime. They didn't follow the prototypical album formula: a commercial hit, a song for the club, the street banga and let's not for get the song or two for the ladies. What they did do was go all in on each track and while maintaining a topic for every song. Most rappers these days don't make any attempt to grow as artist and just put tracks on albums without any depth. So if you're looking for watered down run of the mill hip hop, don't buy this album. Because with this group, you get four artists who show that they still care about what they do and still posses passion for the music.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Question on The Answer
Let's take a second and reflect on something absolutely ridiculous occurring in the NBA right now, Allen Iverson is not on an NBA team. This is an outrageous, tragic, and extremely disrespectful to one of the best players that has ever picked up a rock. This Legend, two years removed from being the third leading scorer in the NBA, ninth in assists, and fourth in steals is now suddenly abhorred while names like like cancerous, poisonous and chemistry killer have been casted at him like stones. We're talking about one of the fifty greatest of all time who is abruptly "washed up". How did this happen? Let's take a look at the trade between Denver and Detroit that's threatening to push Iverson into early retirement.
For some reason Iverson became the scapegoat for Detroit's downfall and Denver's rise to prosperity in the mighty West. Unfortunately these media know it alls and Iverson detractors fail to recognize all the factors that contributed to the fortune and failure of these two teams. What they are doing is coming to conclusions based on different fallacies to place the blame on Iverson. It's assumed that Denver improved as a team solely based on the Billups/Iverson trade, yet there are other influences that can not be ignored. Marcus Camby was traded and replaced by a healthy Nene. This was extremely important, Nene had gone through two injury plagued season before returning to the line up at 100%. He was a much more active player on offense than Camby and a more than capable post defender while Camby was more of an weak side shot blocker and of the ball defender. Another factor was that the West was a lot less competitive than the previous season. Denver one 50 games in probably the toughest conference in history and drew the Lakers, the best team in the league, and was over matched. With Billups, they won just four more games and drew more favorable match ups on their way to the Western Conference Finals where they were again eliminated by the Lakers. It could be pointed out that they were not swept this time and that they played the Lakers very tough. With Iverson gone, Melo was assumed the role of Alpha Dog and led the Denver offense, but it is unfair to give all the credit due to Billups and blame Iverson for the previous failures.
Hopefully this offseason will end with Iverson playing for a team and having to prove himself yet again to all his doubters. Currently the last two teams in the running are the Charlotte Bobcats (reunited with Larry Brown) and the Miami Heat (teamed with Dwayne Wade). Although I'm an Iverson fan, I do understand that there are some changes that do need to be made to his game for him to fit in with either of these teams. He needs to become more of a distributor to show other GMs that doubted that he can remain in this league while being a worthy contributor to a winning team. Allen Iverson has had an illustrious career, he deserves to have it end on a note where it is recognized as such.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Free Agent News: Iverson, Milsap, Odom
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Clippers have turned their attention to more of a traditional point guard, Ramon Sessions, to add their Baron Davis and Eric Gordon rotation. If anyone was paying attention to the Clippers last year, Eric Gordon really started to pick up his game towards the end of the season after being inserted into the starting line up. He ended up averaging 16 ppg while shooting a very respectable 39% from three point range. That is very impressive, especially for a rookie. The interest in Iverson never made much sense to me, especially when you consider Gordon's contributions, Baron Davis' style of play, and rookie sensation Blake Griffin.(Let's not forget about coaching dud Mike Dunlevy) Although Iverson thrives while playing along side bigger point guards that can defend the 2 spot, the pairing with B. Diddy would be a failure. Baron is not enough of a consistent play maker to play along a player like Iverson. Its' bad enough Griffin was cursed before playing his first NBA game by being drafted by the Clippers, no need to add fuel to the fire. (Still love ya though Ivo) 
Utah has matched the contract offer from Portland for Paul Milsap, something that everyone expected. This signifies the end of the Boozer era in Utah and they will actively pursue a trade. Word on the street is that Miami is looking to facilitate a trade for Boozer while trying to sign Odom as well. If the Heat are able to pull that off, they would put a very competitive team on the floor and give Wade more of incentive to sign the extension. But are they championship material?----I would say no, but on the other hand, if Boozer doesn't pan out, he would be a free agent next year as well as Jermaine O'neal. That would give the Heat more than enough cap space to sign a big fish in 2010 (Bosh, Stoudemire?)
The Lamar Odom saga continues and I have to admit as a Laker fan I am scared as hell. Talks are still stalled while a plethora of rumors float over message boards and fan sites. Inconsistent contract offers between 3 and 4 years with ranges of 7-9 million per have left fans confused about what's really going on. The bottom line is that the Lakers need Odom and Odom needs the Lakers. If Odom signs with Miami (his preferred destination outside the Lakers) he would be making less money will lose his shot at competing for a ring. The Lakers on the other hand would lose out on a player that is irreplaceable. What makes it so difficult is that Odom is one of those rare players that is capable of starting anywhere else but has sacraficed and accepted the role of sixth man a la Manu Ginobilli and Jason Terry. No one else would be able to replicate his production of the bench, nor do the Lakers have the money to even come close to a fill in.Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Hip Hop Hoop News
Murdered on your own Shit
An interesting article about Rappers who have bbeen outclassed on their on songs. Check it out.
Hiphopdx.com: “Eminem murdered you on your own shit.” - Nas “Ether”
Regardless of where you stand on the Jay vs. Nas war from almost a decade ago, there is no question that he got that line right. But Jay-Z is far from the first emcee to have their own show stolen by a guest. This is by no means all of them, but here are some of the most memorable. Beginning with…you guessed it:
Eminem on Jay-Z’s “Renegade” (2001, The Bluprint)
On the Odom contract situation....
LA Times: Many in the Lakers’ organization believe that Odom wants to accept Buss’ offer — and so do those close to Odom — but he has failed to convince Jeff Schwartz, his agent. If the two sides do begin negotiating again, Lakers sources said Buss, if he’s willing to talk, will lower his offer to Odom.
Richard Jefferson Cancels Wedding at Last Minute.....Classy Move
Yahoo.com: ost weddings go off without a hitch. But every once in a while, the blessed event gets a surprise twist. This past weekend, NBA star Richard Jefferson's wedding left guests asking a big question: "Where the heck is the groom?"
According to the New York Post, Jefferson was scheduled to marry former New Jersey Nets dancer Kesha Ni'cole Nichols. Alas, a few days before the big day, Jefferson called off the ceremony and broke up with his fiancée...
Rakim The Legend is Back in the Booth! Check out his new track at "Holy are You" @ hiphopdx.com
An interesting article about Rappers who have bbeen outclassed on their on songs. Check it out.
Hiphopdx.com: “Eminem murdered you on your own shit.” - Nas “Ether”
Regardless of where you stand on the Jay vs. Nas war from almost a decade ago, there is no question that he got that line right. But Jay-Z is far from the first emcee to have their own show stolen by a guest. This is by no means all of them, but here are some of the most memorable. Beginning with…you guessed it:
Eminem on Jay-Z’s “Renegade” (2001, The Bluprint)
On the Odom contract situation....
LA Times: Many in the Lakers’ organization believe that Odom wants to accept Buss’ offer — and so do those close to Odom — but he has failed to convince Jeff Schwartz, his agent. If the two sides do begin negotiating again, Lakers sources said Buss, if he’s willing to talk, will lower his offer to Odom.
Richard Jefferson Cancels Wedding at Last Minute.....Classy Move
Yahoo.com: ost weddings go off without a hitch. But every once in a while, the blessed event gets a surprise twist. This past weekend, NBA star Richard Jefferson's wedding left guests asking a big question: "Where the heck is the groom?"
According to the New York Post, Jefferson was scheduled to marry former New Jersey Nets dancer Kesha Ni'cole Nichols. Alas, a few days before the big day, Jefferson called off the ceremony and broke up with his fiancée...
Rakim The Legend is Back in the Booth! Check out his new track at "Holy are You" @ hiphopdx.com
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Say My Name, Say My Name
A couple of weeks ago Jay-Z released an excerpt from a freestyle during one of his recent concerts. During Hova's off the top rant, he happened to mention "Game" by name, a shout out that the Compton MC took great offense to. Since being "called out" the Game has gone on a tirade from igniting his crowd at one of his concert in to a "Fuck Jay-Z" chant to recording a diss track. He even had some word's for Jay's famed wife Beyonce...
"I know y'all been hearing about the controversy between with me and Jay-Z, right," Game asked a crowd in Spain. "So I'ma start it off like this, f*ck Jay-Z! That's how Pac felt. That's how Nas felt at one time and that's how I feel...This ain't about B/This ain't about Destiny...You got a bad b*tch, word, ain't no p*ssy like hers/Just ask the Mavericks, Cowboys and the Spurs/I mean, my b*tch don't sling p*ssy like that/My b*tch sling p*ssy on a n*gga from the back, back, back/Black Wall Street, that's the game I bang/And I'm in Mahdrid, Spain..."(From TayDoeTV) (Woah, did he just get at his wifee like that?)
To be fair, all Jay really said in his freestyle was "I ain't talkin bout Game", something that probably wouldn't have bothered me. The fact of the matter is that Jay's venom was really aimed at his former mentor Jaz-o who he clowns later on in the track. (He's still gettin at Jaz-0?)
This situation had me thinking,(a rarity in Hip Hop these days) when is it ok to speak another nigga's name on a verse? I constantly hear about these rap cats sweating bravado whenever another rapper speaks their name; unless one of these cats is singing their praises, it aint cool. I understand the whole "keep my name out your mouth" code, but hasn't this gone a little to far? Now cats are making whole diss tracks when they just hear their names. On the other hand, there has always been suspected tension between the two Rappers from the opposite coast since Game licked some underlying shots at the self proclaimed "King of New York".
Well at least the Game is getting some attention in between albums, and the recipe for success since 50 dissed every nigga in the game is to stir the pot with some of that good ol' beef. Problem is that I'm hungry for some real music and the beef seems a little spoiled.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
80's Hoop
There has been a whole lot of significant player movement during the NBA off-season. Richard Jefferson was traded to the Spurs to join an already solidified all-star trio, Shaq joined King James looking for his 5th Chip and Lebron's first, Vince Carter replaced the "Turkish Michael Jordan" on Orlando while Trevor Ariza and Ron Artest swapped places. Let's not forget that the Celtics signed Rasheed Wallace, a player who will undoubtedly strengthen an already tenacious defense. All of these teams were already among the best in the L less than a year ago and they have all greatly improved. If you aren't running with at least three all-stars, you're not in the conversation.
This stacking of franchises reminds me of hoop in the 80s. The decade yielded legendary teams with multiple Hall of Famers.
Philladelhpia 76ers
The 76ers were led by the great "Dr. J", a player that revolutionized the game and was an idol to the best player ever. (I don't have to tell you who that is.) His supporting cast included Moses Malone, signed as a free agent before their championship season whom also won the MVP that season, Maurice Cheeks, and Andrew Toney. Notable achievements by Mo Cheeks was his selection for the all-defensive first team that year. Andrew Toney averaged 19.7 ppg in the 1981-82 championship season.
Detroit Pistons
The volatile team known as the Bad Boys had players that ushered in a new breed of basketball player. They were a tough gritty team that excelled on their physicality. They were led my Hall of Fame point guard Isaiah Thomas, who to this day is still overlooked as one of the best players to ever pick up a rock. They didn't come on as challengers until the mid to late 80s when they drafted Isaiah's back court running mate Joe Dumars (played the best D you could possible play against Mike), Dennis Rodman and John Salley(prototypes for the new athletic forwards that would eventually command the league) to join bruisers Bill Lambier, Rick Mahorn and Vinnie "the Microwave" Johnson.
Boston Celtics
Until the 90s, Boston was known as the most storied franchises in the L. They still hold the crown for most titles in NBA history at 17, three of those won in the 80s. Their teams in that decade were among the deepest in recent memory. We know about the "Larry Legend", but he was apart of the best front line in NBA history playing along with Kevin Mchale and Robert Parish. Throughout the decade the Celtics had many great players don their jersey. Dennis Johnson, Nate Archibald, Bill Walton, and Reggie Lewis.
Los Angeles Lakers
The showtime Lakers were clearly the king of kings during this decade fast breaking their way to 5 championships. They were led by Ervin "Magic" Johnson, a 6'9' point guard whose skills have never been replicated. He was surrounded by one of the best supporting casts ever. James Worthy(One of the most underrated players in NBA history), Kareem(arguably the best center of all time), Byron Scott(automatic jump shooter with an unbelievable mid range game), Norm Nixon, and Bob Mcadoo.
The San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, and the Los Angeles Lakers(and to a lesser extent the Cavs) have all stacked their teams in order to go to war with each other for years to come. Each move made was trumped by the next in order to add more star power. One thing is for certain, we're in for one of the most exciting seasons ever.
This stacking of franchises reminds me of hoop in the 80s. The decade yielded legendary teams with multiple Hall of Famers.
Philladelhpia 76ers
The 76ers were led by the great "Dr. J", a player that revolutionized the game and was an idol to the best player ever. (I don't have to tell you who that is.) His supporting cast included Moses Malone, signed as a free agent before their championship season whom also won the MVP that season, Maurice Cheeks, and Andrew Toney. Notable achievements by Mo Cheeks was his selection for the all-defensive first team that year. Andrew Toney averaged 19.7 ppg in the 1981-82 championship season.
Detroit Pistons
The volatile team known as the Bad Boys had players that ushered in a new breed of basketball player. They were a tough gritty team that excelled on their physicality. They were led my Hall of Fame point guard Isaiah Thomas, who to this day is still overlooked as one of the best players to ever pick up a rock. They didn't come on as challengers until the mid to late 80s when they drafted Isaiah's back court running mate Joe Dumars (played the best D you could possible play against Mike), Dennis Rodman and John Salley(prototypes for the new athletic forwards that would eventually command the league) to join bruisers Bill Lambier, Rick Mahorn and Vinnie "the Microwave" Johnson.
Boston Celtics
Until the 90s, Boston was known as the most storied franchises in the L. They still hold the crown for most titles in NBA history at 17, three of those won in the 80s. Their teams in that decade were among the deepest in recent memory. We know about the "Larry Legend", but he was apart of the best front line in NBA history playing along with Kevin Mchale and Robert Parish. Throughout the decade the Celtics had many great players don their jersey. Dennis Johnson, Nate Archibald, Bill Walton, and Reggie Lewis.
Los Angeles Lakers
The showtime Lakers were clearly the king of kings during this decade fast breaking their way to 5 championships. They were led by Ervin "Magic" Johnson, a 6'9' point guard whose skills have never been replicated. He was surrounded by one of the best supporting casts ever. James Worthy(One of the most underrated players in NBA history), Kareem(arguably the best center of all time), Byron Scott(automatic jump shooter with an unbelievable mid range game), Norm Nixon, and Bob Mcadoo.
The San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, and the Los Angeles Lakers(and to a lesser extent the Cavs) have all stacked their teams in order to go to war with each other for years to come. Each move made was trumped by the next in order to add more star power. One thing is for certain, we're in for one of the most exciting seasons ever.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Hip Hop Hoop News
Artest to the Lakers!!!!
Espn.com:NBA Free-agent forward Ron Artest says he's leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers
Espn.com:NBA Free-agent forward Ron Artest says he's leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers
In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A."
ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reports that Artest and the Lakers have reached a verbal agreement on what is believed to be a three-year contract worth an estimated $18 million. Wednesday is the first day free agents are permitted to sign new deals.
Artest's decision was first reported by CBSSports.com. The mercurial swingman was initially courted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In his text message, Artest said that he met Thursday with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and had spoken to coach Phil Jackson about the move to Los Angeles, where Artest has been spending his offseasons.
"He wants to win a ring," David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press. "He's a winner and a hard worker and he went looking for a team with whom he could find some justification for what he does. He plays his best when he's in that kind of an environment."
Artest's decision was first reported by CBSSports.com. The mercurial swingman was initially courted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In his text message, Artest said that he met Thursday with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and had spoken to coach Phil Jackson about the move to Los Angeles, where Artest has been spending his offseasons.
"He wants to win a ring," David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press. "He's a winner and a hard worker and he went looking for a team with whom he could find some justification for what he does. He plays his best when he's in that kind of an environment."
The Game Apologizes to 50.
Hiphopdx.com: In a recent interview with MTV News, The Game relayed Michael Jackson’s attempts to end the beef between him and 50 Cent. Although the rappers eventually laid the feud to rest (without Jackson’s help) the tension between the two still remained. However, The Game has finally taken it upon himself to give a formal apology, not just to 50, but to the whole Interscope label.
“For 50, I’m just gonna apologize to him, just as a man,” he told MTV.“It has nothing to do with music, or beef, or nothing like that. It ain’t about being the bigger man. He can take it and say, ‘Game is apologizing,’ ‘Game’s a sucka, he’s apologizing.’ I’m apologizing for me to him, to [Dr.] Dre, to Jimmy Iovine, to Eminem, to all the fans. Because if you think about what Interscope was when we were gellin’, man we were it. We were an unstoppable force.”
“For 50, I’m just gonna apologize to him, just as a man,” he told MTV.“It has nothing to do with music, or beef, or nothing like that. It ain’t about being the bigger man. He can take it and say, ‘Game is apologizing,’ ‘Game’s a sucka, he’s apologizing.’ I’m apologizing for me to him, to [Dr.] Dre, to Jimmy Iovine, to Eminem, to all the fans. Because if you think about what Interscope was when we were gellin’, man we were it. We were an unstoppable force.”
Continue reading 'Game Aplogizes to 50.'
Mase Back in the Game?
Hiphopdx.com: After the tragic passing of singer Michael Jackson, Harlem rapper Mase has found himself once again inspired to return to the world of Hip Hop. "Mike passed away and it just lit the fire in me -- it made me go in the studio and do something. I'm excited," Mase told Power 105.1’s DJ Self. "I asked my nephew who is the hottest thing out there and he said, "Drake!' When I listened to his music I said, 'I'm going to jump on this joint.'"During his appearance on DJ Self’s radio show, which took place on June 26, Mase also aired his remix to Drake’s “Best I Ever Had.” The remix is Mase’s first release in five years.
Continue Reading 'Ma$e Back in the Game'
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