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The title of this post should really be called "Best in Show...Part Deux". But since this post is only about one series on HBO, it just wouldn't be right. Enough about that. Allow me to introduce you to HBO and Mark Wahlberg's latest love child: How To Make It In America.

Season two of this rags to riches series could not have premiered at a better time. Entourage is officially over and How To Make It In America(HTMIIA) is (or should be) considered it's official replacement. My official premonition of this is documented, as I tweeted it back in early July. Not only is Mark Wahlberg behind it, but it's holds the exact same values and themes: loyalty, friendship, family, etc. The only difference is, is that it's in New York and there's only two best friends and not four. Some might argue that Domingo(Kid Cudi) and Kap(guy from American Pie) would make it four.

Then again no one would probably argue, because the majority of folks first saw HTMIIA last night for the first time. My friends and I watched the first season when it originally came out. Now I don't blame or turn my nose up at you for not being up on HTMIIA. How could you? There was no big advertising or awareness being made for the show....until now. I do blame Entourage, however. This show could not survive with Entourage still in rotation. This can be credited to Wahlberg's genius. At any rate this may be classified as the new hottest and trendiest series and you heard it here first.

A Royal Welcoming

What needs to be addressed first and foremost is that a brunch is typically held before lunch and after breakfast, hence the term "brunch". This event should have been classified more as an exclusive day party. But whatever you would like to call it, it was certainly an event fit for a king.

I was privileged enough to have been in attendance of this celebration for someone I respect highly, and who has been through enough to deserve this. I will now take you through the event being dubbed as "T.I.'s $100,000 Brunch.

Upon pulling up to the entrance to valet your vehicle, you can''t help but notice all the extravagant cars parked that are parked amongst each other already. However, this is a good omen, it let's one know exactly what to expect and what type of event this is. Continuing through the entrance and getting to the check-in point, heavy security is highly visible and vigilant. Tip has taken proper precautions to ensure that no one ruins his celebration with his 150 close friends and family. Once checked in we know what table we'll be sitting at, it's time to mix and mingle as we all wait for the guest of honor to arrive.

Lil Duval, Ryan Cameron

As we all sip mimosas or personal Ciroc concoctions, hors d'oeuvres are continuously floating throughout. It's obvious there will be a shortage of nothing(including Ciroc; thanks Diddy). Among those in attendance range from Hannah Kang(obviously), Josh Smith, Ryan Cameron(my Big Homie), Lil Duval, to Mayor Kasim Reed and even Heavy D showed up. As soon as T.I. arrived the entire mood changed; the place was instantly electrified. I knew he was there way before I saw him. Ok, ok, the media kind of let everyone know as they rushed the man of the hour.

Needless to say, as any star studded event goes, even one as personal as this(everyone there knew everyone else; except me) everything about it was fancy(no pun). However, with it being so personal, it was highly down to earth and everyone there had a genuine good time as the kingdom welcomed back it's king. WELCOME HOME TIP!!!!!  

Ryan Cameron, ME, Tip

Beef or Tofu Part Deux

There is really no need for an introduction of this topic. I'm sure we all know by now about the "beef" between Ray J and Fabolous. Question is, is this a beef or legitimate or bogus?

The only thing so far legitimate about this thing is that these two guys don't like each other at all. That is affirmative. Now does anyone know why they're beefing? No, or at least not yet. Fab is supposed to be doing his interview with DJ Clue soon. All I can get from Ray J's interview is that Fab was talking shit about him. Don't get me wrong, depending on what was said, I would hit a nigga if I felt that disrespected. But one he would have to say that shit to my face, I don't know if Diddy's word is that good. Second if confronted and he said, "Yea, I said so and so", then I would've probably went in like Ray J so called did.

But why the need for an interview? At this point is where this whole thing becomes suspect. For one Ray J was too hype. Which actually could add some validity(it might have been the first time he ever hit someone and felt the world should know). But the interview made Ray J seem like he was crying for attention(and almost crying literally, his voice was breaking a couple times). Who hits someone and calls a radio station just to say they hit them? Real niggas don't do shit like that. If you want people to know you hit people, become a boxer. And since when did having more money make you harder than someone? I used to think it was the opposite or that was just era I grew up in. In addition, I would never get so mad at someone to threaten them with rape at any level. But the fact that rape was even brought into the picture..... Well let's just say Ray J lost more than few fans immediately.

Being that I don't live in New York or California, I can't vouch for these guy's street cred, nor do I really care. However, just because a guy sings doesn't mean he won't let an AK sing either. And just cause you rap doesn't make you hard, Fab did come up with the term "Pretty Thug" so.... In essence I don't think anything happened but maybe a push or something of that nature. I'm sure a Fab wouldn't perform with a messed up face. And he did perform.  Looks like this was tofu. Real beef would take more than DJ Clue to squash it.

Weezy Fucking Baby

I have speculated for quite some time that the hottest rapper in the game might have the hots for the same sex. Upon the end of this article, the facts and conjecture given will give you no choice but to agree with me about Lil Wayne being gay.

Facts:

Lil Wayne and Birdman (2 grown ass men) kiss each other on the mouth. I don't care about Baby adopting him for real or for fake. Two men that kiss on the mouth are gay.  This is really the only fact I truly need. Add to that, Lil Wayne (a grown ass man wore women's pants for a performance in front of millions of people(I'm pretty sure it was confirmed those were leggings or jeggings whatever the fuck they're called, that he was wearing). I do have my father's name tattooed on me, but he is my biological father and nothing could ever change that. Wayne and Birdman have tattoos of each other. And if Weezy left like the other Hot Boys they're father and son relationship would have more than likely ended. But I'm sure you all are becoming aware of why Weezy never left Baby. "Tattoo my fuckin name on you so I know it's real".

Conjecture:

What does a prostitute call a pimp, universally? She calls him daddy, for those who don't know. What does Lil Wayne call Baby? Daddy. So far so gay. Mind you Birdman is only 14 years older than Wayne. And how many father figures do you really need Weezy? And why would you opt for the role of father versus say uncle or big brother, Baby? Delving further, I think Lil Wayne has always been telling us this. Because when you really think about it what else could "Weezy fucking Baby" mean? For some it's unthinkable, but when it's so obvious and hiding in the open, it's probably true.  Now I sincerely hope that neither of these guys are gay, but too much points in the direction of Wayne at least being so.

Substance over Hype

If I were a girl, I would be writing about Beyonce being pregnant. But I'm not, so you can read about that elsewhere. Since Tha Carter IV is officially out people have been telling me their opinions on it and frankly, I'm not convinced.

The best album out right now is Watch the Throne, period. Sure it's not a classic and I feel it should be, but there is no album out that can truly compete. And to compare Tha Carter IV to Watch The Throne is really a waste of time. Now a better comparison would be to compare the R.E.D. album by Game to the Carter IV. Most of you, probably haven't even heard Game's new album and really shame on you. So until you feel the need to try and disagree with me, go listen to it first.

Listening to Tha Carter IV(which is not better than Tha Carter III) is like listening to a glorified mixtape. It has some dope beats, Lil Wayne has some hot punchlines and that's about it. Their is not too much substance. Really, had I not saw the How to Love video, I would say there is no substance at all. Game, on the other hand, has delivered an album that's reminiscent of the albums that were dropped in the early 2000s. Game gave you stories in relation to his life, fictional scenarios, and even went so far as to make a song that took a stance on domestic violence. In short Game made an actual project that flows and was arranged properly and it came out as a good album(definitely better than LAX, which was his ultimate goal).

But because Weezy's album was so hyped up, and Game's wasn't people will automatically say Wayne's album is better. On top of that, as big as an artist that Game is he might simply get overlooked. The downfall of both of their albums is the plethora of features. In this aspect, Game has way more, but Lil Wayne has an "Interlude" and "Outro" that he doesn't even show up. How, as an artist, do you let anyone else close out your own album, and yet you opened it? Needless to say, the best albums out are in this order: Watch The Throne,  The R.E.D. Album, and Tha Carter IV.

Beef or Tofu??

Lil Wayne has been the main topic of conversation as of late. With a track leaking off his album(well really, the whole album leaked) titled "I'm Good" featuring Drake and Jadakiss, apparently a new beef maybe brewing between the Dwayne Carter and Shawn Carter.

I'm sure that all of you by now know what Lil Wayne has said, and if you don't you can easily find out by going somewhere and listening to the song. So let's get to it: Jay-Z makes a song that was originally slated to be on Watch the Throne titled "H.A.M." where he supposedly took a jab at Birdman, basically saying that he had more money. This song came out when Weezy was in jail, mind you. Weezy gets out and expresses that he might play off it, but says it wouldn't be legitimate beef. So damn near a year a later Weezy steps up to the plate and takes his jab back at Jay, in the form of threatening Beyonce.

Since Lil Wayne won't classify this as beef, so neither will I. But when you can call a guy's girlfriend a bitch, and then proceed to say that you would kidnap her, classifies as beef to me. But let me digress. If you didn't want this to be a beef, why respond at all? On top of that you respond to something that was not even a diss. Jay-Z does have more money than the Cash Money and Young Money combined. Oh yeah I forgot, in an interview, Lil Wayne in a nutshell agreed with the fact that Jay does have more money. But besides that, why take so long to respond? Is Lil Wayne trying to sell albums? I think so. But with what he said I feel Jay-Z will have to address it. I cannot see anyone letting another disrespect his significant other without retaliation. In addition, I don't know if you all forgot, but dealing with Jay does cause repercussions. He stabbed Un, and had Cam shot. So Lil Wayne(and Game) if you come at this guy a lil too hard he will retaliate and not on wax. Take caution fellas.

Best in Show

Television shows, like everything else, were good at one point. Let me clarify a bit more, local network television. Local network television offers you in essence three shows and either none, or lame ass old movies. The three shows they offer you are cop shows, law shows, and reality TV shows(just different variations, but don't get confused they're all really the same show). So now if you want to watch and get into a series of any kind, whether it's comedy or drama, you're going to have to pay for it. The good thing though, is that good television shows/series still exist and you are probably already paying for it anyway. But if you don't have HBO, then you need to get it because without it your cable sucks.

HBO is, more than likely, the best network in existence, as a whole. It offers you movies and some of the best shows to ever come on TV(minus Seinfeld, Fresh Prince, and The Simpsons). Add to that, they give you this without any commercials. Well, you do pay a little more(they're not really giving you shit) but is it not worth it? You already are paying for channels(most of them useless and that go unwatched) why not get the best ones that are offered. HBO Jr.(Showtime) has some decent shows as well, just not the greatest movies. Don't get me wrong, Showtime does show good movies, they're just not consistent, but they've gotten considerably better over the years. Therefore, they do get enough credit to be dubbed "HBO Jr.".

I'm pretty sure HBO should pay me for this post. You can find the top 15 HBO series in the Top of the Heap section.

The New Mob

Don't let the title confuse you. There is no new crime syndicate taking over. Or is there. Throughout the summer cities across the country have been witnessing a new form of crime dubbed a flash mob.

A flash mob is a large group summoned online to one location and participating in some sort of mischievous activity. Well more than most times, these acts committed are bit further than mischievous and much more closer to nefarious. These flash mobs mainly consist of youths under the age of 18, on average.

What exactly are these mischievous and nefarious acts these teenagers are participating in? Well, so far they have ranged from looting to attacking purely random people. In one instance, 20 male teens walked into a G Star Raw store and proceeded to just take clothing and just walk out. Now there have been incidents occurring all year. However, more recently in Germantown, Maryland a 7-Eleven convenience store was ransacked by a flash mob of teens and ran out with hundreds worth of merchandise. What particularly strikes me about this incident is not the actual act, convenience stores have been getting robbed for as long as they've been around. But the admitting, by a police spokesperson that, yes, cops are actually pretty fucking slow(as in having a low intellect) is hilarious. "We had always thought flash mobs happen in big cities. We are unprepared. We don't have anyone who has social-media expertise," was told to reporters by Janie Smith, county of Montgomery police spokeswoman in Maryland.

The first thing I did was laugh when I read this, as I'm sure you did. Now I don't agree with flash mobs, I, personally, think that they're pretty fucked up. And stopping them isn't going to happen anytime soon. But the police are not supposed to say that they don't have enough expertise to truly fight back. Now these kids are about to probably take it up a notch. Aforementioned, they form on the internet, or through texting, so they possibly have read the same articles as I have. It doesn't even matter if surveillance cameras are used, because who the hell is going to catch 40 kids, really? But they'll eventually slow it down when they run up on the person that responds to them in a way they weren't prepared to handle. Basically, the cops won't have anything to do with the declining of this new form of crime. A person is going to end up killing one of these young cats and that'll probably slow it up a but, in that city at least.

Jump Man

For those who don't know the numbers, start in the upper left-hand corner with I(1) and go from there.

With one of the biggest releases of the year, I couldn't help but put my two cents in on the subject. This weekend on the 20th the Jordan V black/metallic silver will be released. This will be the last biggest release before the Concord XI's in December.

It's amazing that for over 20 years Jordans are still the hottest sneaker, or rather, most popular sneaker to date. So many fads have come and gone, and I'm sure at one point parents of my peers, like my parents thought that the mania behind Jordans would have left the building by now, but it hasn't. Kids that never saw Michael Jordan play one game of basketball in any of his shoes, feel some(not all) of that same yearning that a release date brings, that we felt back when they were coming for the first time.

I don't know what we've been brainwashed with, or the amount that MJ payed all the sneaker companies to never give a player a shoe line better than his, or if the designs by Tinker Hatfield are hypnotizing. Nor do I care. I love Jordans(as you all should) and am glad that they still come out and are still a big deal. I am not that happy that the prices have went up, but that's just something you chalk up to the game of business.

On my new TOP OF THE HEAP page, I have listed what I consider to be the top 10 Jordans of all time. Feel free to comment with your own list if you disagree with mine.

Scandalous

I have to first let you all know that I am an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. Therefore, to hear of another powerhouse university make headline news with another scandal all I can muster up is that misery loves company.

It has come to everyone's attention that players at the University of Miami have been targeted with a scandal that could really hurt the school just as bad as the pain my Buckeyes are currently feeling. The story behind it all is that Nevin Shapiro, has been said to have illegally provided funds, gifts, parties and even an abortion for one of the players.

So you have a guy already serving time for something completely unrelated and all of a sudden decides to come out and potentially ruin a school and a well known musician. What's even more terrible about this, is that Shapiro publicly stated that he was only doing what Luke did in the 80's and 90's. For one, to bring Luke into this thing and dub yourself "Little Luke" is to do what exactly, bring validity to your immaturity. Shapiro(I know you won't get a chance to read this due to getting caught with your Ponzi scheme) do you think that this scandal will help you in any way? Let me answer that one for you: Hell No. This has only made you look like an immature child begging for attention at the expense of others. It is not our fault that you had to pay to be down and weren't cool enough to be accepted by the "in" crowd. I really do not think Madoff would come out and disrupt an institution for the sake of.... well, really for the sake of what exactly?

I personally don't blame any of the players for taking part. These athletes generate millions of dollars for their schools and while not getting paid are supposed to be there to get an education. Well, I went to college and I was not a potential pro athlete and certainly didn't generate any funds for my alma mater. Yet, I still wanted to go out and party, it's college we're talking about people. And if I was in these athlete's position, hell if we all were, those kickbacks would be accepted. Don't hate the player.

LOL

Between watching an episode of Californication and recieving a text message I am heavily inclined to agree with the infamous Hank Moody, texting is killing the English language.

I never really noticed how bad we, as Americans, have gotten so lazy and have a total disregard for the language of our land. Upon recieving a text message that read, "Hey wyd", I first had to figure what the hell wyd meant. Then after figuring it out, I then realized that laziness has seeped into our language, which I didn't even know was possible. By the way, wyd = What You Doing.

When it comes to the phrases "LOL", "LMAO", or even "SMH" I have no quarrel. These are intended to display actions, no problems there. However, a person texting me "STFU", "IDK", and "OMG" is where I find all the problems. First, shut the fuck up looks way better than stfu(and you better know me rather well to be texting me anything of the sort). Secondly, abbreviating phrases is what the federal agencies do(hence their nickname the alphabet boys) and who wants to be a cop, considering they all tend to be pricks(on average). And I'm willing to bet that people in other countries don't abbreviate phrases in their language when texting(I could be wrong).

I have no issues with slang(I am black), but when you're too lazy to type a phrase maybe you should just call someone, or wait until you can. And to all the gentleman reading this, if you text anyone "K" in reference to ok(really using it all) you my friend are gay. 

Leaders of the New School

In my daily talking to people, I occasionally find myself ending up in discussions defending Apple as a superior company to all other electronic companies.

My question always remains the same and I have yet to get definitive answer: How are Apple products not the best? The answers I get in response to this question range from "the iPhone is limited compared to a droid", "Apple only has only ten percent of the market", to "I hate Apple". All responses given, fail to indicate that Apple, no matter what their percentage of the market is, runs the market. I'm not sure if you all quite remember the mass hysteria that was caused when the very first iPhone was released. And if you don't remember that, due to whatever rock you were living under, then surely you remember the pandemonium the iPad debut caused. Oh yea, I almost forgot, how many of you reading this have iPods? Thought so.

I say that to say this, Apple products might not be considered the best(even though they should be), but they are undoubtedly the leaders of the consumer electronic industry. The purest definition of a leader is someone that sets a standard that others follow relentlessly. So yes, I can get a zune, an Evo, or a Samsung Galaxy. But would these companies be pursuing the routes in technology that they currently. No. Or else, wouldn't they have already. And even if they were thinking about it, or had it on the drawing board, Apple had enough gumption to put out there. Then again, Apple knew it would work, they didn't have to think about it.

I do give credit to BlackBerry, but not a whole lot. I can say that have tried their best to stick to their guns and have continued to be successful. I'm not really feeling the PlayBook, but they weren't going to be left out. Which brings me to my next point in Apple's superiority. Some of you may, some of may not remember the Palm Pilots. But Palm at one point was the leader in the tablet industry, but it never really caught on. Not quite like the iPad caught on. Thus, Apple revitalized an entire industry that had been written off.  Apple in one hand invented the wheel(iPhone, iPod) and in the other hand reinvented the wheel(iPad). Sidenote I wrote this on an iPad.

The Throne

I should have known my next piece was going to be on Watch The Throne. 

Listening to this album has been a struggle. I am constantly pulled in two different directions. It's a good album, but not great. And with the two biggest hip-hop artists collaborating for an actual album, I expected something groundbreaking. Was I wrong? Obviously, I was.

Nothing about this album was groundbreaking, minus the production. When delving into "real" hip-hop, one thinks of stories, wordplay, and substance. Only wordplay was displayed. Even the heavyweights have forgotten what hip-hop is about. And what really sucks, is that they truly worked hard on this project and thought that this is what hip-hop was missing.

Unfortunately they were wrong. True hip-hop doesn't care about how much money you have or have made, it's about the art. It's about who is the best. And granted these two MC's are by far considered the best, being the best and standing out as such, was not demonstrated. Lackluster lyrics were provided. Why, might you ask, was I pulled in two different directions? Well, to be perfectly honest, it's not a bad album. But it's not a great album. And it should be great. And what troubles me the most is that since it's not bad, and with the artists involved, the general public will consider what they made as great. It truly hurts my heart that the hip-hop that I grew up with and believed in, is truly dead. As a Jay-Z fan I really hate to say Nas was right, but he was.

Hova Da God

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I truly never had any intention of this being a blog based on music. I guess I shouldn't have started out with a piece on musicians. Well it is what it is. Having heard the interview with Jay-Z conducted by Angie Martinez, I have been left with no choice in the matter.

Growing up, I was the most authentic Jay-Z fan. Meaning I was a fan before Hard Knock Life. Rather, he was my favorite rapper after I saw the "City is Mine" video. From 1997, the coolest guy in my mind was Jigga. I was such a fan that my father knew if he saw Jay on the cover of a magazine to automatically purchase it. With that being said, there is no question that I am a fan of Shawn Corey Carter.

Over the years I have had certain quarrels over the actions he has taken. Retire(on top) and come back with a not so good album(Kingdom Come). Not cool. However, before that I watched "Fade to Black" and witnessed him basically force Kanye to give him the Lucifer beat, a pretty assholeish move. And then finding out how he treated Kanye initially and not wanting to sign him as a rapper because he felt that he couldn't really rap, I was like, "Damn Hov is kinda an asshole for real".  I don't totally blame him for the dispersion of the original Roc-A-Fella. I just wish that situation was handled better by all parties involved.

Now I don't totally agree with Jay-Z still rapping at his age. Let's face it, rap is a young man's game. However, in all honesty, what young cat is truly a better artist than Jay-Z? I couldn't think of one either. So with that, I can understand why he still makes music. He's still the best at it, hands down. And I wish you Lil Wayne fans would try to come at me. Lupe, Clipse, Fab, and Jadakiss are great lyricists, but all around artists Jay-Z will win. His catalogue proves it. Is Jay my favorite rapper today? No. Is he still the best doing it? Yes.

Haircuts and Such...Part Deux

Here we go again. I have come to notice something that I didn't expect to become a trend. I'm not quite sure why it is, but I know that everyone is following everything so I shouldn't be surprised. But as grown men, the new thing is to dye your hair? Really? SMH...

Growing up in the 90's forced me to put compartmentalize certain things: New York cats wear Timbs, Cali dudes wear Chucks, gay niggas dye/bleach they hair. As everyone has already mentioned the most famous black male in the past 20 years that colored his hair was Sisqo. I of course agree. And as we all know that guy is rather homosexual. But at least he was a singer. Back to the compartmentalization, rappers should be hard. Fast forward, we have multiple headlining artists going to a hairstylist and saying "I think with this cut, we should go blond". WTF?!?!?!

One of the pioneers of this, is none other than Wiz Khalifa. In his defense, he didn't color his whole head of hair, just streaked it. And yes that may not be cool to some(myself included), but I like his music, and at least the streak was original. We'll give him a pass.  Chris Brown on the other hand, what made you want to color your hair blond? There must be something I'm missing. I need to know if girls like black blond cats. Actually no I don't, because the girls that do, I probably don't like them anyway.

In next, is Soulja Boy. What's funny about his cut is that it's only the top. So I guess he's trying to bring the two-tone fad in. Or rather half-n-half. But the worst dude by far is, The Game. Judging by his pic he knew it. I don't know any Bloods that are down for they set so much they take it beyond their wardrobe and color their hair red. Then again, they must know red is a sensitive color and it can come out not the way it was intended to, as seen in The Game's red mohawk. It looks a little too bright if you ask me(closing in pink), but that could be the lighting. Tyga dyed his hair as well, but he's not relevant enough for me to elaborate.

It seems the hottest thing in the game is to see who out gays one another. The tighter the pants, the blonder the hair, next thing you know they gonna start tattooing sunrays around they belly-button. The ultimate sad part of it all is that the youth are being influenced more easily these days and have already started following these trends. Terrible...

My City

About a year ago people were telling me, "Atlanta is Black Hollywood". I paid no mind until time proved them wrong. Atlanta is not the Black Hollywood, but the new Hollywood.

While most people don't know this that actually live here....well they don't actually live here. I happen to live in the city of Atlanta, not a suburb or section of the city. I went to sleep last night with lights shining in my room from a movie, starring Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz.  Getting back to the point, I have to give credit to someone that I don't particularly favor, Tyler Perry, for bringing the film industry to Atlanta. His studio is the only one in the city, and the only one outside of LA, that is just like one that resides in California.

Living in the city has afforded me to witness various films being filmed here. Not even a mile from my townhouse, Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman filmed a scene for their upcoming comedy, The Change-Up, at Joe's on Juniper. In addition to that, a mansion in Ansley Park(also not a mile from my residence) was used to film something recently. All of these movies do not star black actors. Atlanta, the third fastest-growing city in the country, is definitely becoming Hollywood Jr.  Sure New York is a great place to film on location(if you can). But Atlanta is the new place to be when it comes to films. Spending my first part of my life here and coming back, I would have never thought this would happen. Glad to see it happening though. On top of that, many music videos have been shot here. Curren$y shot 'She Don't Want A Man" here, as well as, "Super High(Sativa Remix)" by Rick Ross. As many would like to say that ATL is known for gays, fake balling, and the hub for music, it's more than that. Atlanta is now, not only the place for young professionals, but the film industry as well.

The Alliance

 Being that the last post I made was about the Big Sean, I felt a particular way about posting this piece. For one, this blog is not intended to be just about music, although it is something I have been in love with for what seems like forever. In addition I don't like to write about something twice. However upon learning of the alliance that has been made between Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa, and Big Sean, I have been given no choice.

For some I may be late for others I may be early, neither of these really matter to me. What matters to me is hearing good music, and since that is somewhat rare nowadays when it crosses my path I feel the need to let others know about it. Supergroups have been formed before, it's nothing new(i.e. Slaughterhouse, The Firm, Westside Connection) What draws me to this particular supergroup(minus that I actually like the artists involved) is how they are, more or less, at the height of their popularity, respectively. Even though it's a mixtape they are releasing, they have done what Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule only talked about doing back in 1999.

What I most respect about this project besides the music(5 tracks have already been released) is that at this point in each one's careers this is an album worthy venture, yet it will be free for all. With all the shows these guys are doing separately and found the time to come together to record an entire project to give away for free shows not only that they steadily keep their fans in mind, but also that they genuinely have a love for the craft and are not just looking to make a hit. It's more than that, they are from what I see trying to make the best music they can radio play or not. This commands respect and what is missing from the rap game. Now if only I could get a full CRS(for those who don't know CRS is Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell, and Kanye) project....

And to Wiz and Curren$y if you happen to read this, this project with Big Sean does not count as How Fly 2.

Five leaked tracks: O.T.T.R
                              Flowers
                              Dot Dot Dot
                              Weed Brownies
                              Proceed

G.O.O.D. Enough?

     


As far as having mainstream artists that make well above average music, I would say G.O.O.D. Music is the only company to house artists of this caliber under one roof: Kanye, Pusha T, John Legend. Common, Cy-Hi the Prince, Kid Cudi, and yes this includes Big Sean.

In my experience, I have been met with negative responses when bringing Big Sean up as one of the new hot artists out right now.  And with what I normally hear on the radio, or what I see/hear either people listening to, I just get confused as to why people hate on Big Sean. I have heard, "oh he sounds like 'Ye". But let's be honest Kanye has fathered a style, and nowadays if you rap a certain way people are going to automatically chalk you up and box you in as sounding like Kanye(funny they don't mention Drake in this same light).

Upon listening to Finally Famous the Album, if you like rap and don't like Big Sean you're hating, pure and simple. For clarification, is he a favorite of mine? No. But I do respect talent. And the young dude can rap, period.  Add to that he's repping a new city, or rather a city that hasn't been repped for a long time, which is bringing a new perspective than the Atlanta way of life. Not to mention that Detroit needs all the positive reinfocement it can get.  As far as his album is concerned, out of 18 tracks,  8 tracks are good, "I Do It" probably being the best. That may not be half of the album, but with 18 tracks that's a hard feat to accompolish. 

All in all, Big Sean is not a bad rapper and I felt the need to speak out for him, for the people that speak out against him(for no reason).  I understand everyone is not going to like a certain artist, but it's almost as if no one ever tried to give him a chance.

The Golden Age of Hip-Hop

My first piece was based on influence of musicians, not really music as a whole. However, this post will consist of something my friends and I have observed about, what I like to call, the Golden Age of Hip-Hop, which spans over the years of 1994 to 2000.

Not too long before the internet virtually killed the music game, there was a time when people purchased albums, artists went platinum, and there was much more excitement and anticipation when Tuesdays rolled around.  In addition, the competition and orginality was at an all-time high. Upon further examination of my friends and I trying to decide what the best year in hip-hop was, we discovered that it was a pretty much a toss up between the years 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000. Yeah, pretty much the even numbered years were the truly balanced years of musical releases. 

1994. This year might have released the most classics, and is arugably the greatest year of hip-hop.  This is the run-down: Ready to Die-Notorious B.I.G. , Illmatic-Nas, Southerplayalistic-Outkast, Creepin on Ah Come Up-Bone, Da Brat-Funkdafied, The Diary-Scarface, Regulate G-Funk Era-Warren G, Tical-Method Man, Most Beautifullest Thing in the World-Keith Murray, Resurrection-Common. There were a few more, but as you can see this was an exceptional year for hip-hop.

1996: I don't know which is my favorite year, but it might be 1996. When I look back on this year it's hard to believe all these albums came out in the same year. And on top of that, so many went platinum. There's a lot to name, bear with me: ATLiens-OutKast, 7 Day Theory-2pac, The Score-The Fugees, All Eyez on ME-2Pac, Reasonable Doubt-Jay-Z, Illadelph Halflife-The Roots, Ridin Dirty-UGK, Ironman-Ghostface Killah, It Was Written-Nas, The Coming-Busta Rhymes, Beats Rhymes and Life-Tribe Called Quest, Hell on Earth-Mobb Deep.

1998: This year by far is considered to be the best year by most: OutKast-Aquemini, Jay-Z-Hard Knock Life, DMX-It's Dark and Hell is Hot & Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of my Blood, Juvenile-400 Degreez, Busta Rhymes-E.L.E., Miseducation of Lauryn Hill-Lauryn Hill, Trick Daddy-www.thug.com, Doc's Da Name-Redman, Ghetto Fabulous-Mystikal, Shell Shocked-Mac, Bobby Digital-RZA, My Homies-Scarface, Big Pun-Capital Punishment. If you haven't noticed, most of these artists dropped the same years, and sold very well.

2000: This year wasn't neccessarily the last year of good music, but in the abundance of releases in the same year that exhibited such talent or classics the finale is 2000: Eminem-Marshall Mathers LP, Stankonia-OutKast, Jay-Z-Dyansty, Talib Kweli-Reflection Eternal, Ghostface Killah-Supreme Clientele, Wu-Tang Clan-W, Big L-Big Picture, Ludacris-Back for the First Time,  Common-Like Water for Chocolate, Big Tymers-I Got That Work, Scarface-Last of A Dying Breed, Ruff Ryders-Vol.2, Beanie Sigel-The Truth, DJ Clue-Backstage, Mystikal-Let's Get Ready, Snoop Dogg-Tha LaST Meal, LOX-We are the Streets, Ja Rule-3:36, Busta Rhymes-Anarchy, 3-6 Mafia-When the Smoke Clears. 

If only music could get back to this. Either way comment and let me know what you think the best year was.

R.I.P.

 
In the past few years we have witnessed a steady rate of historical deaths. We have lost Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze, Ryan Dunn, and plenty others. However, the most significant death is that of originality.

I understand we live in a world where media influneces everything we do. However, the media itself has been monopolized and there is now a lack of leaders for the masses to be influenced by. For nearly this entire last decade, there have been very, very. few new people to step in the spotlight that have the ability to mesmerize mainstream media. And even if they do possess this ability, they don't have longevity on their side to make an impact(i.e. trend, one-hit wonder, etc.).

When it comes to music, we've been watching the same people keep steady reign over the entire industry(Jay, Diddy, Kanye, Wayne, T.I.) Few people have been able to step in and make headway(Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Wiz Khalifa, Drake). What's the most troubling is that all the music being a produced is a part two of whatever last song was hot. It's not to say that artists mainstream or independent aren't making songs with originality, they just don't put it out because it won't get any airplay. Most people have become complacent with hearing the same song by different artists.

Fashion and movies have also taken to being as unorigianal as possible. Movies are either remakes or the same story told the exact same way. The last true original movie to come out was Inception. Well Avatar was original in it's own way as far as setting a new style of shooting movies. Other than that it's only adaptations of comics or books. Fashion has also lost it's luster among the majority of people. Everyone is either a carbon copy or are just lost. No one has any orginality. Well it's a million fly people out there and a billion people out there that follow the fads. And with the lack of leaders for said billlion to follow, everyone looks the same. And the worst part about it is that I know everyone notices they look like the next person, but have no inner flydom to at least make an effort to switch it up or improve what they're wearing. Let's all just get a little more creative and be ourselves. Trust me a better feeling will come from doing so.

Culture Shock

This might be the most left-field piece that I ever post. However, I feel the need to let people know of my generation that in 1887 one of the most gangsta characters ever was created: Sherlock Holmes.

The film directed by Guy Ritchie did Holmes some justice, but not fully. Now before I begin, you might be asking yourself, "does this guy really read Sherlock Holmes novels?" Yes, I do have a somehwat geekish side, but I'll still beat yo ass(women excluded) if you ever want to try me. With that out the way, back to the subject at hand. As of recent I have delved heavily into the novels and short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and have come to the conclusion that if there was ever any guy that exhibited the quote "I don't love these hoes" it's Sherlock Holmes. His only concern in life is solving the most complicated cases that the regular police department can't(which proves cops were never that smart even back then). For his services he is paid handsomely, and with this being his only passion, it's always M.O.B. with Holmes.

Now aside from the fact that I respect his intelligence and deductive reasoning to the highest level, he doesn't take any chances. If anything is remotely dangerous he always asks Watson, "You strapped yo, because I am and I suggest you be too"(not in those exact words obviously). What I don't agree with and what most people don't know is that Sherlock Holmes is definitely a cokehead. When not working on a case he just gets high on coke or opium. Opium during that time period might not be so bad, but I just can't get with cocaine during any time period. But at the end of the day, anyone that makes a living off of making the police look stupid is a G to me and not wanting to take credit publicly for it is the ultimate G move.

I will now cut this post short, because I know y'all mufuckas don't fuck with Sherlock Holmes. But it's classic literature and I read heavily, and fuck it it's my blog. But just know Sherlock Holmes is a certified G and if you don't believe me read one short story and you'll be inclined to agree. Just a little culture shock for you bitches.

How the times have changed.....

What is the world coming to? I never thought, especially being under 30, that I would ask myself this question. But after being introduced to this new craze called planking I had no choice. I mean really what the fuck is the world coming to?

Planking is described as a game in which some moron, or someone deciding to masquerade as moron for a day, lies face down with their hands at their sides imitating a wooden plank in a public place. Apparently the more public the place, for the dumb asses participating to be seen, is the key. If this is not the epitome of the word pointless, someone please tell me what is. However, the fact that it's the most pointless shit I have ever heard isn't what perplexes me the most. The documentation of the injuries people have received doing this inane activity, is what I'm not getting. How in the fuck does one get injured lying perfectly still, in a public place? And it's self-inflicted at that. You broke your own chin because you thought it was cool to try and lay still on your sink and stove. Now don't get it twisted, please keep doing this because people hurting themselves planking(excluding the guy that died, I do have somewhat of a heart and just because someone died doesn't mean I can't say they weren't smart and that shit was dumb) is pure comedy.

The game has been around for quite some time. But obviously if there is "right" way to do it, people aren't practicing it. However, just because those back then who planked "correctly" were not safe from negative outcomes. A group of people got fired after being found planking on the job. Yes, these people literally were fired for lying perfectly still, it doesn't really help that they were doctors and nurses. It doesn't stop there. Evidently, comedian, Tom Green has made it a point to stake the claim that he invented planking. Why someone wants to credit themselves as having come up with arguably the most idiotic thing since the Pet Rock, frankly is fucking retarded. Now, I'm not saying he didn't, nor would I care if he did, but who really wants to be responsible for bringing such a thing into existence. 

At the end of the day, people finding ways to make lying down dangerous and it becomes a certified world-wide craze, really makes wonder the times we're living in. So please don't go out and lose more than your dignity by planking(i.e. your job, your chin, your life, etc.), and to those that plank......"I feel sorry for your mother."

And if you haven't seen the chin accident was recorded:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXlF9je90tA