She's a beast! You don't own "19" yet? Why not?! She recently scooped up two Grammy Awards for her work. Check out Melt My Heart to Stone (Click to Listen). This is a remix version off the Adele and Mick Boogie mixtape 1988. Yeah, that's Big Pooh of Little Brother on the track. Enjoy it.!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
What I'm Listening to Right Now... Adele
She's a beast! You don't own "19" yet? Why not?! She recently scooped up two Grammy Awards for her work. Check out Melt My Heart to Stone (Click to Listen). This is a remix version off the Adele and Mick Boogie mixtape 1988. Yeah, that's Big Pooh of Little Brother on the track. Enjoy it.!
Paying it Forward ... Check out Carlitta Durand
Thank Little Brother! You might have heard Carlitta Durand on Sirens from Little Brother off of Get Back (and a few other LB tracks). Yesterday the crew shouted her out on Twitter telling heads to email her immediately to get the new mixtape "CARLITTA'S WAY: THE PRELUDE". She has a very chill and laid back vibe. Check out What If (Click to Listen).More Info: www.myspace.com/missdurand
Slow Jam The News
I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about Jimmy Fallon's new late night talk show but I love when he slow jams the news with the Legendary Roots Crew backing him up. Black Thought gets it in on those vocals! It definitely makes the news more entertaining.Check out Eric Mire
Dope intro by Melissa Czarnik (What I'm Listening to, A Second Listen), vocals by Eric Mire and watch out for that sax at the end! Yes, that's a band on the track (The Eric Mire Band is out of Milwaukee). Something caught me when I heard it. It's kind of spoken word like. Listen to Loose Ends (Click to Listen), a poetic track off Eric Mire's upcoming release "Spooky Love" out May 5, 2009. More info: www.myspace.com/ericmire
Saturday, April 18, 2009
What I'm Listening to Right Now ... OnCue
Check out the homie OnCue! I first came across dude a few years back when I was looking for a freelance graphic designer (in addition to rhyming, he does the freelance design hustle). I was impressed with him then and over the years his lyrical abilities have grown. He's dropped a few mix tapes over the years and is currently working on two new projects. The first, "Cueyfornication" will have OnCue flowing over Red Hot Chili Pepper tracks, due out late May. Should be an interesting final product. The other project is "In a Class All by Myself", which will drop at some point over the summer. The 20-year-old emcee ain't no joke and he's still growing lyrically. Watch out for OnCue.Check out "Breathe Me" (Click to Listen)
For more info: www.myspace.com/oncue
THE BRIEFING: Random Stories from the Week
Initially I was going to put these in different posts but decided to include them all as one. It's kind of a stream of thought. It's my week in review of silly news stories.
Enjoy the briefing.
A PUNK('D) BITCH: Ashton Kutcher challenged CNN a few days ago to see who would surpass one million followers on twitter. Great news story (riiiight)! I know you were all on the edge of your seat to find out who would make it first (or not). It was cool for like 30 seconds, but then it became news on every channel. Seriously? Dude is on Larry King Live, talking about it on Oprah, E News running it at as a teaser before a commercial ... "find out what Ashton did the moment he reached one million followers and what he's going to do now." What makes this news worthy? Does anyone even really care? (for like two minutes I felt less about myself for even writing about here) Dude should have matched everyone that followed him by following them (Ashton only follows 80 people on Twitter including P. Diddy who was "locked in" and pushing for Ashton to reach one million first and supported him via phone during the big moment).
I wish the moment he thought he was at one million, someone suddenly jumped out and yelled, "you've been punk'd!" That would have been news worthy.
OH, SHE CAN SANG?!: Susan Boyle, the sudden YouTube sensation, shocked all those that judged a book by it's cover (you know she came out frumpy looking and all) before her singing audition on "Britains' Got Talent". The 47-year-old has quite the voice but really is it news worthy? So, she can sing. Now what?! Guess the mix tape is in the works.
HULK-A-MANIA: Hulk Hogan has apparently gone off the deep end just a bit... He reportedly told Rolling Stone Magazine, "I could have turned everything into a crime scene, like OJ, cutting everybody's throat. You live half a mile from the 20,000-square-foot home you can't go to anymore, you're driving through downtown Clearwater and see a 19-year-old boy driving your Escalade, and you know that a 19-year-old boy is sleeping in your bed, with your wife . . . I totally understand OJ. I get it."
Wait, so OJ did do it? I know OJ is sitting somewhere like, "damn dude keep me out of that. I only kind of wrote a book about if I did it, I didn't really do it... allegedly."
Hulk's wife, Linda Hogan, released the following through her rep, "Hulk’s serial cheating destroyed our marriage, our family and our future. Sadly, his recent comments remind us that his definition of fair is much different than what the law dictates."
Hulk said it was all a misunderstanding. How is this a misunderstanding... "I could have turned everything into a crime scene, like OJ, cutting everybody's throat"? No, I think we got it.
Nice move Hulk.
IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG FLIGHT: So apparently United Airlines figured out another way to make cash on its passengers. But not all passengers, just the overweight ones. They are going to start charging overweight passengers for another seat. Ouch. Their rule of thumb for judging an overweight passenger? "When a person cannot sit in one seat with both armrests down they have to pay for an extra seat." Wooooooow.
Hey, I know folks want to be comfortable on flights and according to United Airlines many of their passengers complain when they have to sit with someone that takes up extra space. But seriously?
United said that folks shouldn't be surprised by the shift since airlines have been charging for extra bags, overweight bags and other services that exceed the basics provided for customers. However critics call the policy of charging overweight folks way more discriminatory.
I mean, this has got to be an awkward conversation... "Um, excuse me sir... we, uh noticed that both of your armrest can't go down... so... uh, will that be cash, check or charge for the extra seat?"
The thing is that the airline isn't denying flight for these folks so they don't see it as discrimination, they're just telling them they have to pay extra and everyone will be more comfortable. Paying for another seat is a lot of money in these tough times, especially with all the extras you already have to pay for air travel.
When will the extra fees stop? Consider this... I'm 6 foot 3 and unless I'm in the exit row I'm pretty much cramped in my seat when I fly. Then when the flight gets going and the person in front of me drops their seat in a gangsta recline, I'm really screwed. But, I know that this comes with the territory. I don't expect that person in front of me to pay extra to adjust the seat. It's the nature of air travel. Things aren't suppose to be comfortable and if they were suppose to be they would have designed the planes that way. Airlines are in the business of selling space and the more folks they can get on a flight the better off they are.
Guess it's why I take the train everywhere.
Texas Governor Rick Perry
YOU AIN'T GONNA DO ISH: No disrespect to the folks that peep our blog in Texas, but what's up ?! Secede? Really? Apparently that Tea Party nonsense got to folks' heads in Texas. Might have been before that however. The Governor of Texas referenced potential secession at one of the Wednesday Tea Party Rallies (if you weren't paying attention folks held these "tea party" rallies all over the Country in protest of government spending, etc.). Even Chuck Norris (yes, that Chuck Norris - the Texas Ranger himself) said "I may run for president of Texas". That need may be a reality sooner than we think. If not me, someone someday may again be running for president of the Lone Star state, if the state of the union continues to turn into the enemy of the state."
President of Texas?
"Anyone who has been around Texas for any length of time knows exactly what we'd do if the going got rough in America," Norris said.
What is this 1860?
They really taking this stuff serious (Click for the Texas Secede website).
However according to an article in Time Magazine "most experts say the notion that Texas can legally secede is mistaken, but the state does have the right to split into five states, offering the prospect of 10 U.S. Senators, math that would send cold shivers down any Democratic back."
Texas, seriously... what's really good?
Enjoy the briefing.
A PUNK('D) BITCH: Ashton Kutcher challenged CNN a few days ago to see who would surpass one million followers on twitter. Great news story (riiiight)! I know you were all on the edge of your seat to find out who would make it first (or not). It was cool for like 30 seconds, but then it became news on every channel. Seriously? Dude is on Larry King Live, talking about it on Oprah, E News running it at as a teaser before a commercial ... "find out what Ashton did the moment he reached one million followers and what he's going to do now." What makes this news worthy? Does anyone even really care? (for like two minutes I felt less about myself for even writing about here) Dude should have matched everyone that followed him by following them (Ashton only follows 80 people on Twitter including P. Diddy who was "locked in" and pushing for Ashton to reach one million first and supported him via phone during the big moment).I wish the moment he thought he was at one million, someone suddenly jumped out and yelled, "you've been punk'd!" That would have been news worthy.
OH, SHE CAN SANG?!: Susan Boyle, the sudden YouTube sensation, shocked all those that judged a book by it's cover (you know she came out frumpy looking and all) before her singing audition on "Britains' Got Talent". The 47-year-old has quite the voice but really is it news worthy? So, she can sing. Now what?! Guess the mix tape is in the works.
HULK-A-MANIA: Hulk Hogan has apparently gone off the deep end just a bit... He reportedly told Rolling Stone Magazine, "I could have turned everything into a crime scene, like OJ, cutting everybody's throat. You live half a mile from the 20,000-square-foot home you can't go to anymore, you're driving through downtown Clearwater and see a 19-year-old boy driving your Escalade, and you know that a 19-year-old boy is sleeping in your bed, with your wife . . . I totally understand OJ. I get it."Wait, so OJ did do it? I know OJ is sitting somewhere like, "damn dude keep me out of that. I only kind of wrote a book about if I did it, I didn't really do it... allegedly."
Hulk's wife, Linda Hogan, released the following through her rep, "Hulk’s serial cheating destroyed our marriage, our family and our future. Sadly, his recent comments remind us that his definition of fair is much different than what the law dictates."
Hulk said it was all a misunderstanding. How is this a misunderstanding... "I could have turned everything into a crime scene, like OJ, cutting everybody's throat"? No, I think we got it.
Nice move Hulk.
IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG FLIGHT: So apparently United Airlines figured out another way to make cash on its passengers. But not all passengers, just the overweight ones. They are going to start charging overweight passengers for another seat. Ouch. Their rule of thumb for judging an overweight passenger? "When a person cannot sit in one seat with both armrests down they have to pay for an extra seat." Wooooooow.Hey, I know folks want to be comfortable on flights and according to United Airlines many of their passengers complain when they have to sit with someone that takes up extra space. But seriously?
United said that folks shouldn't be surprised by the shift since airlines have been charging for extra bags, overweight bags and other services that exceed the basics provided for customers. However critics call the policy of charging overweight folks way more discriminatory.
I mean, this has got to be an awkward conversation... "Um, excuse me sir... we, uh noticed that both of your armrest can't go down... so... uh, will that be cash, check or charge for the extra seat?"
The thing is that the airline isn't denying flight for these folks so they don't see it as discrimination, they're just telling them they have to pay extra and everyone will be more comfortable. Paying for another seat is a lot of money in these tough times, especially with all the extras you already have to pay for air travel.
When will the extra fees stop? Consider this... I'm 6 foot 3 and unless I'm in the exit row I'm pretty much cramped in my seat when I fly. Then when the flight gets going and the person in front of me drops their seat in a gangsta recline, I'm really screwed. But, I know that this comes with the territory. I don't expect that person in front of me to pay extra to adjust the seat. It's the nature of air travel. Things aren't suppose to be comfortable and if they were suppose to be they would have designed the planes that way. Airlines are in the business of selling space and the more folks they can get on a flight the better off they are.
Guess it's why I take the train everywhere.
Texas Governor Rick PerryYOU AIN'T GONNA DO ISH: No disrespect to the folks that peep our blog in Texas, but what's up ?! Secede? Really? Apparently that Tea Party nonsense got to folks' heads in Texas. Might have been before that however. The Governor of Texas referenced potential secession at one of the Wednesday Tea Party Rallies (if you weren't paying attention folks held these "tea party" rallies all over the Country in protest of government spending, etc.). Even Chuck Norris (yes, that Chuck Norris - the Texas Ranger himself) said "I may run for president of Texas". That need may be a reality sooner than we think. If not me, someone someday may again be running for president of the Lone Star state, if the state of the union continues to turn into the enemy of the state."
President of Texas?
"Anyone who has been around Texas for any length of time knows exactly what we'd do if the going got rough in America," Norris said.
What is this 1860?
They really taking this stuff serious (Click for the Texas Secede website).
However according to an article in Time Magazine "most experts say the notion that Texas can legally secede is mistaken, but the state does have the right to split into five states, offering the prospect of 10 U.S. Senators, math that would send cold shivers down any Democratic back."
Texas, seriously... what's really good?
Quick Observation ... The Day Eddie Murphy Fell Off
Watching Saturday television and I realized that Beverly Hills Cop III should have been a sign of bad things to come for Eddie Murphy. Sometimes you shouldn't make trilogies. Well, sometimes you shouldn't make horrible trilogies. Beverly Hills Cop III, released in 1994, was the beginning of so many years of horrible Eddie Murphy movies (Daddy Daycare, Dr. Doolittle, Showtime, The Haunted Mansion, Life and Bowfinger, just to name a few). Remember Eddie Murphy was the man that gave us movies like 48 Hours, Coming to America, Trading Places and stand-up comedy shows like Raw. Sucks when the funniest thing you're doing is being the voice of a donkey. What an ass.
Keeping it Gangsta!
They keeping it gangsta in North Korea. Came across the story below this morning and then it reminded me of the scene from Team America World Police. The world is such a volatile place.
From CNN.com
(CNN) -- North Korea said Saturday any sanctions or pressure applied against it following its rocket launch earlier this month will be considered a "declaration of war."
In an announcement on state-run television, the country said it was ready to step up efforts to develop nuclear weapons and poised for a military response to any moves against it.
"The revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK are always keeping themselves fully ready to go into action any moment to mercilessly punish anyone who encroaches upon the sovereignty and dignity of the DPRK even a bit," it said.
On Monday the United Nations condemned North Korea -- which refers to itself as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK -- for launching a rocket.
The United States called the launch a "provocative act" that violated a 2006 Security Council resolution prohibiting Pyongyang from conducting ballistic missile launches.
Pyongyang insists the April 5 launch was a successful mission to place a communications satellite into orbit. The United States says the rocket's payload did not reach orbit.
The U.N. statement says the rocket launch was "in contravention" to a 2006 Security Council resolution that demanded that North Korea not launch any ballistic missiles.
The 15-member council also voted unanimously for a statement by the council's president demanding the country make no more launches.
"The Korean People's Army will consider sanctions to be applied against the DPRK under various names over its satellite launch or any pressure to be put upon it through 'total participation' in the PSI (Proliferation Security Initiative) as a declaration of undisguised confrontation and a declaration of a war against the DPRK," the announcement on state TV said.
"Now that the group officially declared confrontation and war against the DPRK, its revolutionary armed forces will opt for increasing the nation's defense capability including nuclear deterrent in every way, without being bound to the agreement adopted at the six-party talks," it continued, apparently referring to the Security Council.
Referring to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, the statement added, "The Lee group of traitors should never forget that Seoul is just 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from the Military Demarcation Line."
That line was established by the 1953 Armistice Agreement between the two Koreas -- which are still technically at war.
A Friday report North Korea's official KCNA news agency, seemed to blame the "war hysteria" on the United States and South Korea after the two countries carried out a combined air force operation in South Korea.
The "'South Korea-U.S. military alliance' oft-repeated by them is, in essence, nothing but a 'war alliance' and 'alliance for aggression' aimed at invading the DPRK," the report said.
"When a nuclear war will break out due to the war chariot of the 'South Korea-U.S. military alliance' is a matter of time," it said. "The U.S. and South Korean warmongers would be well advised to stop acting rashly, properly understanding who their rival is."
Friday, April 17, 2009
The New Era - Retro Kidz
Saw this video before. Interesting spin on doing a piece with a new flow and an throwback style of video and production. Feels like it brings me back. Check it out!
Click to view: The New Era - Retro Kidz
For more info:
The Retro Kidz
Reflection Eternal coming soon...
I am at the edge of my seat. Damn.
Reflection Eternal - Back Again [Talib Kweli] from Radio Planet on Vimeo.
Diamond District - In The Ruff
I happened to catch "phontigallo"s Twitter update as he writes (tweets) "Shame on you if you ain't bumpin the Diamond District album right now. Rawest hip-hop shit I heard in ages. http://diamonddistrictdmv.com/".
According to the group's MySpace page, Oddisee (producer/MC from Prince George’s county, Maryland) formed this group with solo artist, XO and YU. The idea was to create a mid-90’s boom-bap themed record for the DC, Maryland & Virginia metropolitan area. XO, (born & raised in North West DC) defines what it is to be a black male raised in the district, with lyrics that have a way of philosophizing that street life.
“In The Ruff” is the DMV’s soundtrack. its street savvy, politically conscious lyrics and grimy beats depict life in and around our nations capitol.
I've heard some tracks previously and wasn't disappointed. Couldn't pass it up and I don't think you should. Enjoy.
Diamond District - In The Ruff
00 Intro
01 Streets Wont Let Me Chill
02 Who I Be
03 Back To Basics
04 I Mean Business
05 Get In Line
06 In The Ruff
07 The Shining (Produced by Dunc)
08 The District
09 Make It Clear
10 Off The Late Night (Produced by Slim kat 78)
11 Let Me Explain
12 First Time
DOWNLOAD “IN THE RUFF” HERE!
http://www.zshare.net/download/58639724e3cf086e/
http://www.divshare.com/download/7100534-bf0
In The Ruff is the highly anticipated debut album from new DC hip hop group “The Diamond District”, created by state veterans Oddisee, X.O. & YU. In The Ruff is the answer for any lover of hip hop who asks the question - “Where did that grimy East coast sound go?”
The group was founded by rapper/ producer Oddisee, who has a long list of production & collaboration credits with the likes of Freeway, Talib Kweli, Siagon, Little Brother, Trek Life, Charles Hamilton, Jazzy Jeff, Buck Shot, Royce the 5′9”, Nikki jean, Muhsinah, J-live, Lil Fame of MOP, Skyzoo and many more. Oddisee’s soulful, haunting samples over bass-heavy beat breaks create the perfect instrumentals for him, XO & YU to match with their street savvy, politically conscious lyrics.
“The ware wolves wear wool suits, be ware of them…” -YU
In The Ruff is a raw mid-90’s Boom-Bap themed album for the DC state of mind, destined to appeal to all lovers of hip hop’s golden era, managing to travel back in time and push the boundaries of DC Hip-Hop simultaneously.
Diamond District DMV
Diamond District on MySpace
Oddisee on MySpace
For More, click The Mad Bloggers
According to the group's MySpace page, Oddisee (producer/MC from Prince George’s county, Maryland) formed this group with solo artist, XO and YU. The idea was to create a mid-90’s boom-bap themed record for the DC, Maryland & Virginia metropolitan area. XO, (born & raised in North West DC) defines what it is to be a black male raised in the district, with lyrics that have a way of philosophizing that street life.
“In The Ruff” is the DMV’s soundtrack. its street savvy, politically conscious lyrics and grimy beats depict life in and around our nations capitol.
I've heard some tracks previously and wasn't disappointed. Couldn't pass it up and I don't think you should. Enjoy.
Diamond District - In The Ruff
00 Intro
01 Streets Wont Let Me Chill
02 Who I Be
03 Back To Basics
04 I Mean Business
05 Get In Line
06 In The Ruff
07 The Shining (Produced by Dunc)
08 The District
09 Make It Clear
10 Off The Late Night (Produced by Slim kat 78)
11 Let Me Explain
12 First Time
DOWNLOAD “IN THE RUFF” HERE!
http://www.zshare.net/download/58639724e3cf086e/
http://www.divshare.com/download/7100534-bf0
In The Ruff is the highly anticipated debut album from new DC hip hop group “The Diamond District”, created by state veterans Oddisee, X.O. & YU. In The Ruff is the answer for any lover of hip hop who asks the question - “Where did that grimy East coast sound go?”
The group was founded by rapper/ producer Oddisee, who has a long list of production & collaboration credits with the likes of Freeway, Talib Kweli, Siagon, Little Brother, Trek Life, Charles Hamilton, Jazzy Jeff, Buck Shot, Royce the 5′9”, Nikki jean, Muhsinah, J-live, Lil Fame of MOP, Skyzoo and many more. Oddisee’s soulful, haunting samples over bass-heavy beat breaks create the perfect instrumentals for him, XO & YU to match with their street savvy, politically conscious lyrics.
“The ware wolves wear wool suits, be ware of them…” -YU
In The Ruff is a raw mid-90’s Boom-Bap themed album for the DC state of mind, destined to appeal to all lovers of hip hop’s golden era, managing to travel back in time and push the boundaries of DC Hip-Hop simultaneously.
Diamond District DMV
Diamond District on MySpace
Oddisee on MySpace
For More, click The Mad Bloggers
Thursday, April 16, 2009
What I'm Listening To Right Now...J. Caesar
Can't say enough good things about this track and this artist. Originally referred to me by a friend with a great ear for music. Take a listen. Enjoy. Smooth. Talented. R&B!
Dear Jane - Jason Caesar
For more info:
Jason Caesar on MySpace
PoE.T.s Music on MySpace
J. Caesar's Official Website
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