What I Watched...The Soloist

I went to the theaters last weekend to see the new release with Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. called The Soloist. It's a movie about a schizophrenic, Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a homeless musician from Skid Row, Los Angeles who dreams of playing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Through "chance," he meets a journalist, Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.), who tries to help this mentally disturbed man get "back on his feet" and make his dreams come true. Based on a book by Lopez, an account of his relationship with Ayers. Dr. Oliver Sacks, a famed neurologist, authenticates the Lopez account in his most recent book, "Musicophilia."

I couldn't tell you how many times I forget that Jamie Foxx was in this movie. That's how good he delved into his role. Jaw dropping. Amazing performance by both critically acclaimed actors. This isn't a movie I'd normally see but considering the remarkable cast and incredible and emotional story, I decided to check it out. Amazing movie. The classical music throughout the movie was resonating and blew me away as well. I would definitely suggest this movie to everyone. I'm already waiting for it on DVD.

Check out the trailer...

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE: Biggie and Pac, the best?

From time to time we're going to allow some other heads speak via the blog. Dam is a friend of The Mad Bloggers and dude definitely goes at in on different issues. He'll be featured from time to time on the blog with his thoughts.

We know the following is a controversial statement. Soon as I saw this posted as his FB status I knew cats were going to come for him. I quickly jumped in with, "You know heads are coming for you son! Haha! They about to murder your email. Blow up the cell. They coming son! They coming!" But we strive to post real things from real people. It's a thought provoking statement

From Dam's FB status, "Since we keeping it 100. Can we honestly say in 2009 that Biggie and Pac were the best that ever did it? Biggie to me was decent... clever and witty punchlines, but definitely had fast foward material. Pac was and will always be wack to me. I never liked his music and I felt he was one of the biggest frauds and hypocrites in hip-hop. I never had neither of these cats in my top 5, or even top 10. But that's just me.."

See, told you it was a controversial statement. Other heads quickly joined in and offered names like KRS-One, Kool G Rap and Rakim as the best. And the B.I.G. fans and Pac fans definitely joined in saying dude was crazy not to include them in the top 10 of the best emcees, if not calling them the greatest.

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Twenty-five minutes after the original post, Dam responded to folks saying he was just seeking attention with, "Ask anybody who knows me, I don't say shit for attention I say exactly what i feel, people either agree or they don't. I never ever ever ever ever liked Tupac. I was a BIG fan, but in retrospect, he wasn't that great. I can think of many artists who were better than Pac and BIG and still are better. Biggies subject matter was limited. To be honest, I was a backpacker and still am. I like my shit underground. I had major issues with commercial shit back then and I still do today."

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Then forty-five minutes after we posted this joint another friend, Ced, joined in on the debate. Dude knows and appreciates good music. I had to update and give you his side.

Ced joined the debate with, "Man I had to stop breathing hard to answer this. Pac actually had a variety of meaningful content. In his early days he was more like an activist poet than a rapper. His lyrics really addressed issues rather than just intricate poetic devices about shallow things. Your friend hasn't said much about who is better than Pac and why. I think your friend should take a class on poetry and storytelling and read the lyrics for me against the world. Some people just aren't smart enough to catch what's being thrown.

Btw... Pun's mechanics are untouchable... Eminem has tried... listen to the Infinite album... and if u notice he still using a lot of rainman shit in his videos and music... its code bro. Kool G Rap's style changed my life... when I first heard Road to the Riches, I listened to it like 27 times in a row. Kane is who got me into poetry in the first place. Rakim had emotion filled content with an emotionless flow.

All that being said... I would like to know WHY dude feels the way he does. because it sounds like he's just talkin to talk. And he must of forgot all the albums before All Eyes on Me. Cause I don't know anyone who can really go toe to toe with him content wise... and he may not have always been consistent but he was real. There is no one realer in the mainstream, period."

Where are you at on this debate? Join in and comment below!

Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

TELL 'EM WHY YOU MAD: What the F is an Anti-Shoe?

Pause from music to bring you this nonsense...

A friend sent me this link to MBT-the anti-shoe earlier today. Probably sent it over to me because I like to poke fun at things on the blog. The thing is, that these anti-kicks poke fun at themselves because they exist.

So, I reached out to O to share the link. He sees it and hits me back with "Should not be worn under the influence. Can result in injury and laughter among peers and strangers."

My question is this, what's an anti-shoe? Was it sent to earth to ruin shoes as we know it? If they are anti the shoe are they even a shoe or refer to themselves as such? O thought that the anti-shoe was a flip-flop. I tend to agree with that statement. I also thought if you were anti-shoe, you would just kick it barefoot or whatever. Guess I'm wrong.

According to the benefits, wearing them will improve your posture. I guess this could be a good then. Then there is the +9% buttock muscle activity (important if you're trying to get your Kim Kardashian on ladies). There is also the increased abdominal muscle activity (this must be the improved Kanye West workout plan). Just tell me that they would make me run faster and jump higher and then maybe I might be on board. Nah, who am I kidding, I still wouldn't be on board with these anti-shoes.

These joints might be comfortable, but I'll never try them on to find out however. I'm just not sure how I feel about wearing a seesaw on my feet as a teeter back and forth with each step. I thought that Vans had some ugly kicks or that Crocs were the worst thing ever invented, but this anti-shoe has it beat by far.

I suggest if you get a pair of these that you buy the Snuggie and one of those Loud n' Clear earpieces, then step outside and ShamWow your car.

What I'm Listening to Right Now... Party Crashers

Marco Polo & Torae unveil "Party Crashers", another track off the "Double Barrel" album, which will be in stores June 2. The title speaks for itself. If Marco Polo & Torae aren't on 'the list', you may want to think about adding them immediately.

Download Party Crashers

www.myspace.com/doublebarrel08

www.myspace.com/dayoungvet

www.myspace.com/marcopolobeats

www.duckdown.com

PSA: Can't Co-Sign on the New Look Jay

Brief time out for this quick public service announcement...

Jay-Z has been setting trends since he first hit the scene. What Jay did, many people followed. In recent years Jay told heads that 30 was the new 20 ... we co-signed (at least those in their thirties did). He told cats to put the jerseys away and get some button ups... Heads thought that was cool too.

But the glasses Jay? Nah, can't come with you on that one Jay. Just not feeling the spectacles. They look like the glasses that heads got during basic training in the military, often referred to as "birth control" cause girls aren't messing with you with them on. But Jay is rocking them, so you already know heads think they cool glasses to have now. I know a lot of heads are jumping on this boat with the big black glasses look but I just can't rock with it.

Maybe that glasses look isn't worse than Jay's new haircut. Or should I say, lack of haircut. No shape up? Really? Bringing back that mini fro look? Jay, you about to make barber shops go broke if heads follow you on this new look. When actors grow out their hair or do something wild with their appearance, heads ask "is this for a new upcoming role." So I ask the same question, "Jay is this look for a new album"? Is Jay-Z pulling a Joaquin Phoenix deal with his appearance? Is this what retirement does?

Jay-Z is my man and I'm a huge fan of his music, but I just can't rock with him on this one. Can't do it.

GET THAT, GET THAT, GET THAT... New Music Tuesday

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Mental Liberation, the compilation album from Oddisee.

1. Hip Hop is Cool Again
2. Let the Music feat. LMNO
3. The Jungle feat. Hassaan Mackey & Bilal Salaam
4. Get Up feat. Declaime, Prince Po, YU & DJ Clear
5. Q & A feat. Kenn Starr
6. Rhymes Get Written feat. Silent Knight & XO
7. What’s Crazy feat. J-Live, Stik Figa
8. Cold for that One feat. Trek Life
9. Endure feat. Rapper Pooh, MED, Georgia Anne Muldrow
10. Don’t Sleep feat. Invincible & Finale
11. Drugs Ourside feat. Rapper Pooh & Black Milk
12. When Everything Changed

Mental Liberation Available on iTunes

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Music Playlist at MixPod.com

You can't go wrong with the soultry voice of Chrisette Michele and the new album Epiphany

1. Epiphany
2. Notebook
3. What You Do
4. Blame It On Me
5. All I Ever Think About
6. Playin' Our Song
7. Another One
8. On My Own
9. Fragile
10. Mr. Right
11. Porcelain Doll
12. I'm Okay

Epiphany Available on iTunes

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Music Playlist at MixPod.com

You should already have that Candy Apple Version and now you definitely need to grab the North American Pie Version.

1. North American Pie Intro
2. The Comeback
3. Its A Go featuring Torae
4. Nothing Less
5. C.O.D.
6. Move featuring Darien Brockington
7. Something Like Stars featuring Big Treal
8. Step Up
9. Reality Check
10. Problems featuring Jozeemo
11. Amo A Su Papi De La Barra (skit)
12. Roll Call
13. The Life featuring Mushinah
14. Rearview Mirror
15. Empanada Norte Americana Outro

North American Pie Version Available on Amazon

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Music Playlist at MixPod.com

General Steele, Welcome to Bucktown

1. Welcome
2. Bucktown Baby
3. Bucktown State of Mind
4. No Sleep 'Til Bucktown
5. I'm From Brooklyn
6. A Toast To Brooklyn
7. Find My Way
8. Made Me Do It
9. Dreams
10. Hometown
11. I Walk Around Town
12. Riot
13. Bucktown Affiliates
14. Things Are Getting Better

Welcome to Bucktown Available on iTunes

Check It... General Steele "NO SLEEP TILL BUCKTOWN"

Caught this track in the email today, "No Sleep Till Bucktown" (Click to Download). Straight off that General Steele of Smif N Wessun "Welcome To Bucktown" album, which is in stores tomorrow. This track features Louisville, Top Dog & Rock of Boot Camp Clik, along with Ruste Juxx, The Representativz & Young Coke. This is the type of joint that you need to throw the bass up on and will probably blow out your speakers. Make sure it's not playing while you on the dance floor with a girl. Somebody might get elbowed son.

NYC Album release party on Wednesday, May 6th at DROM (85 Avenue A between 5th and 6th street). Doors Open at 6pm with free admission until 10pm. $10 after 10pm.

Repost: It Will... Be Finished

If you listen to this track and you're pissed when the joint reaches 1:37, then you need to get on twitter and follow @StrmOfConscious and tell dude to finish the track stat. When I first heard this track, I thought there was something wrong with the computer when it suddenly stopped.

He is in the studio currently working on his project, which is a good thing. He's working on some real and thoughtful tracks for the album. He's got that political Dead Prez vibe to his music. We have an interview on the way so you can learn more about the artist. But in the meantime, enjoy this track and join the movement to get this to the full length that it deserves. On a serious note, check dude out and look out for the interview coming soon!

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Check it...

Came across this track from Satrye featuring The Unsinkable Leslie Brown. They are a part of the Fameless Entertainment crew out of Colorado. We'll feature more of their work in the coming weeks and wanted to hit you with this joint.

Check the link and listen to Checkerboard. Dope track.

www.myspace.com/theunsinkablelesliebrown

Things that Make You Go Hmmm

Here are a few moments from this week that made me say ... Why should I care?!


I HATE YOU SO MUCH RIGHT NOW: Anybody catch that big story about Nas and Kelis splitting up? Riiiight. Who cares?! I know they've been together for a minute and are among the big couples in music but so what! They're getting divorced like 41% of Americans who get married. Now I guess she'll go back to using her milkshake to bring boys to the yard (and feed that new baby on the way) and hopefully Nas will get focused and create another album like Illmatic (but don't fall in that auto tune trap tho). Sucks she's expecting a baby in July but next story, please.


LEFT THE BAND: Flipping through the channels and could hardly believe it when I saw The Rise and Fall of Danity Kane, Making the Band Special. I paused for a moment in disbelief. Are you serious?! Wait, when was their rise? Yeah, I know the group debuted two albums at number one and had the hit "Damaged", but yet I still question MTV for running this special (okay, I actually question MTV for a lot of their programming decisions). Isn't this a behind-the-music-E-true-hollywood-story-too-soon? These girls broke up in the fall of last year and are beginning solo projects and now we're hearing about their rise and fall through a special? Why? I guess some teenage girls were just curious and wondering about the reunion album, so MTV had to cater to their fans and put some more money in Diddy's pockets. Thanks MTV. Maybe in six months MTV will do, "Danity Kane, where they are now". Can’t wait or I can.


ROCK BOTTOM: Why did they give this chick Daisy a show?! I'm convinced that Vh1 is simply trying to beat out their last horrible show. The Vh1 execs need a serious intervention before things get worse. Daisy of Love is rock bottom for a channel that I thought had already hit rock bottom with its programming (well unless they do a spin off show with that dude Dropout that got booted on the first episode of Daisy of Love). For those that don't know, Daisy was on Rock of Love Season 2 and according to Vh1, "she is back by popular demand this time staring in her own show." Popular demand?! Damn. Vh1 should stop. Please stop giving folks airtime with this garbage. Remember when music channels played music videos?

What I'm Watching Right Now!

www.myspace.com/slakahthebeatchild

PSA: It's Not the Green Thing to Do

Felt the need to hit our readers with a bit of a public service announcement. If you drive a Prius but listen to Soulja Boy in it, you're still doing a bad thing for the planet. You fail at life. Don't make this mistake. Now back to your regularly scheduled blog.