Shannon Brown Posterizes (insert NCAA or NBA player here)

With the way the All-Star Weekend has left me feeling for the past three or four years, I'm standing by this statement wholeheartedly: If Shannon Brown is not in the Slam Dunk Contest, I will not be watching. I'm tired of these off-brand dunkers and heads who I've seen 1000 times already. The Dunk Contest has been worse than a high school popularity contest. The worst part is that he's been doing it since college. Shannon Brown needs to represent for the nerds who've wanted to vote the past few years. Check out some more of the man's embarrassing dunks...

The Mailing List: October 2009 (#1)

1. Halloween


Can you say politically incorrect?

I've never been one for Halloween. For one thing, my household wasn't really into it, and also, the prospect of dressing up as someone else for a night isn't really appealing to me. Regardless, I see the fun in the holiday. If not a great excuse for women to dress like jawns and guys to act foolishly, the parties are always pretty good. If there's one thing I will say, it's that some costumes can never be forgotten. If you end up looking like any of these people, you might want to consider leaving the trick-or-treating to the kids:


DOPE, but why spend 15 hours on something you'll wear once?


Too easy... The Chuck Taylors kill it for me


You might as well be hidden from the world


Where the wild things... Aren't


His parents should get blown up...


At some point shame HAS to play a part...

Dear Beanie Sigel

Mad videos.. But it had to be done...

Okay Beans, let me say first off that I respect you as a rapper. You're highly underrated in an era where vapidness is the fastest road to platinum plaques. I always knew that your albums didn't get nearly the amount of promotion that they needed, but as usual, the bullshit side of the industry was swept under the rug in your case. That said, when I hard your Jay-Z diss song, my first resolves was 'So?' Beans, you're about 4 years too late in your newfound chutzpah. You say that Jay wasn't dealing you right and wouldn't promote your album. Since when is it his prerogative to promote your album? As much as the man did head the label and your crew, at what point do you as a rapper say 'Hey! Maybe I should grind out MYSELF!' Look at it this way. No one gave Jay-Z his career. In 1994, Dame Dash and he were selling Roc-A-Fella records from the trunk of Dame's car, not waiting for another dude to put them on. In fact, any grossly rich person on this planet (with the exception of Bill Gates & Warren Buffet; c/o Devin) has to have some degree (some with a HELL of a lot more than others) of griminess to them. In today's age of deception and fineprint, YOU have to be responsible for your own fate. Instead of being tight after the fact, now that you know your career is on the rocks, you should have been promoting the hell out of your damn self. State Property had some serious talent in it. And yes, it is a shame that Jay promoted himself more than he promoted you. At the end of the day, you have to realize this: If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. That's not just a saying; it's the truth. It's just sad you had to wait 10 years to figure that out...

Freestyle Friday (10/30)

Okay, you know what it is. Freestyle Friday time. The first freestyle is from Lupe LIVE. Again, reiteratively, LUPE IS BACK!! Okay, that's the last time I'm saying that (unless dude just keeps dropping loosies & freebies like babies). The second freestyle is from Sean Price. I really wasn't familiar with him. All I knew was that he was from Brooklyn and used to be in Heltah Skeltah. Apparently, he has a mixtape out recently. You (and I) should probably be checking it out ASAP...

Dear NBA (Western Conference)

Okay, NBA. Yesterday, we took care of the Eastern Conference, crowning the Magic as the best team on that side. Today we got the Western Conference, which is a lot less muddled at the top, and much moreso at the bottom. The top is pretty damn clear. It's a two team race. First off, we got everyone's favorite team now, the Los Angeles Lakers. Yeah, they got Kobe, yeah they got Gasol and picked up Artest. But the most integral piece of that squad (I've said it time and time again) is Lamar Odom. When he plays well, the Lakers are unstoppable. When he plays like a bitch (excuse my French), like in the 2008 Finals, they're very beatable. The Lakers also need their bench to produce to make it back to the Finals. The other team at the top is the San Antonio Spurs. Their team is pretty much in tact, except for two dope pickups: Richard Jefferson & DaJuan Blair. Jefferson provides scoring from the 3 (they haven't had it since Sean Elliot) and Blair is a role player with double-double tattooed on his forehead. Drop in a healthy Manu with Duncan and Parker and you have a team that can bang with the Lakers. The top 2 in the West is a lot closer than people think, but there's still a clear-cut better team:

1. Los Angeles Lakers - They'll be number one until another team knocks them off. Adding Artest definitely helps their case though...


2. San Antonio Spurs - Healthy Duncan, Parker & Ginobili plus Jefferson and Blair equals the most explosive, yet balanced Spurs team this decade...


After the Lakers and Spurs, there are four teams that are gonna battle it out (and probably wear each other down) for the 3rd through 6th spots in the West. Last year's 3-seed, the Denver Nuggets didn't go through some of the free agent additions like some of the other top-gunners in the West. Instead they opted to get better through another training camp together and adding rookie Ty Lawson to back up Chauncey Billups. The next team up is the Portland Trailblazers. I've loved the direction this team has been going in since 2006 when they drafted Brandon Roy, and they're looking like they might take that next step. Adding Andre Miller to start at the point was a good look, but at some point minutes have to become an issue with all of the depth this squad has. Also, Greg Oden still has yet to prove himself as anything more than a 7-foot insurance claim. Even so, this team is LOADED. Chemistry and youth are the only things standing in it's way. Next up we have the Dallas Mavericks, who made a huge free-agent splash by adding Shawn Marion. Bringing him in will give them some explosiveness, but it's their other additions (Drew Gooden, Quinton Ross, Kris Humphries) that will really round the team out. Also, the performance of Josh Howard is always a question mark. If he plays well, the Mavericks can bang with the top dogs in the West. Finally, there's the Utah Jazz. Deron Williams, my favorite point guard (two-way tie between him and Devin Harris), is a MONSTER and Carlos Boozer is fundamentally underwhelming (aka boring but effective). They have a nice one-two combo and a few role-players around them. However, that's it. Literally. When they don't play well (or play at all; both missed OD time last year), that squad is among the worst. Mehmet Okur should do well and Brewer should improve, but other than that, the Jazz are just a playoff team. With that here's the middle 4:

3. Denver Nuggets - Melo is that dude... Add Chauncey, Nene, JR and Birdman and you have my favorite starting 5 in the L...


4. Dallas Mavericks - J. Kidd, Dirk and company are back with the Matrix on their side. Josh Howard is the x-factor as usual..


5. Portland Trailblazers - Brandon Roy is going to be an MVP candidate this year. The bench, youth and chemistry need to come together around him though...


6. Utah Jazz - D. Will and Boozer will do their Batman & Robin. The rest of the DC universe is lacking though. It's gonna make for some jumpin Jehoshaphats for the Jazz...


Okay, the last two teams are toss-ups for me. The Rockets are injury-depleted. The Hornets have Chris Paul and NOBODY ELSE. Phoenix doesn't play defense and doesn't have any bodies but Nash and Amare. Minnesota, Memphis and Golden State are still not directed enough. The Kings are laughable in the playoffs. For me, that leaves two teams. The Clippers and Thunder. You might think both of those picks are foolish, but to me, both of those squads are on the rise, while some the teams I just mentioned are declining. There's a shift of power beginning again in the NBA, and the Clippers and Thunder are going to be right in the mix. The Clippers had one of the best rosters on paper last year and of course drafted Blake Griffin. Health is always the #1 concern though, as it always is with any team including Baron Davis. And the Thunder? Oh my God. I can't wait to see Kevin Durant and company get to take some shots at the upper-echelon teams. Should make for great basketball:

7. Los Angeles Clippers - If Baron stays healthy and goes back to Golden State Baron, this team will surprise a hell of a lot of teams...


8. Oklahoma City Thunder - Durant, Green and Westbrook are the best young Trio in the league. Add James Harden to that and it's the Big 4 for the next 10 years...

Neighborhood Newsletter (10/29)

The irony here is AMAZING...

Walmart Now Sells Caskets, Just In Time For Halloween!

Duluth man intentionally exposes woman to HIV, gets 90 days in jail

Google Music Search is Officially Launched

Stressful jobs that pay badly

Ask Michelle: Dating Advice From the First Lady

Concerned about your carbon footprint? Think birth control

Scientists make cells that form eggs and sperm in lab

8 Things I Learned From Delivering Pizza in High School

Dear CDC

I know the type is a little small.. Here's the original (link)

via Bloomberg:

The fast-moving pandemic spread to 177 countries in four months, yet causes little more than a fever and a cough in the majority of cases. Flu activity is now widespread in 46 U.S., states in a second, fall wave, the CDC said on Oct. 23.

Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness are “increasing steeply and are now higher than what is seen at the peak of many regular flu seasons,” the agency in Atlanta said.

Using their so-called multiplier model, Reed and colleagues estimated that every reported case of pandemic H1N1 flu may represent 79 total cases, for a median estimate of 3 million symptomatic cases and 14,000 hospitalizations in the U.S.

I knew that this day was coming. In all honesty, I also knew I'd have a hearty laugh when it came. CDC, since you identified the H1N1 strain of influenza, you've had half of the free world rocking surgeon masks and bathing themselves in Purell. Not to say that cleanliness is a bad thing, but don't we have to look at the writing on the wall at some point? In 300 days, swine flu has killed 5,850 people. Compare that to the 50,182,850 deaths during that same period of time. That evens out to about 0.01%. Umm, something about that doesn't scream epidemic or pandemic, does it? I suppose your highly paid 'experts' forgot to inform the public about that, though.

This is the exact mode of thinking that led to the views of Arabs after September 11th. CDC, you've fed into the same sensationalism that causes unneeded panic. A somewhat alarming (obviously not the case for 9/11) event occurs and everyone just buys into whoever is providing the most info, no matter how skewed it is. Let's be honest guys. Most people are uninformed and easily-led. Why then, do you deem it necessary to incite fear and misinformation among them? Every time I think of how you guys are making waves for nothing, I picture the scene in Resident Evil: Apocalypse, where The Umbrella Corporation closes off Raccoon City to be nuked, with it's residents still there. Not to say that you guys are a military weapons company fronting as a medical corporation, but something about how you guys conveniently 'release' information and vaccines and health advice when nobody is looking is SHADY. Transparency is my number one caveat when dealing with 'the Man', and you guys have always looked like a brick wall since the emergence of AIDS. Swine flu might very well be passing over us, but I really hope you guys shore up your priorities. Lord knows swine flu will never compare in mortality to cardiovascular failure. Maybe you should treat it as such and stop trying to shock us into buying into your 'research'...

Lupe Fiasco - Say Something (Freestyle)

Say Something (Freestyle) - Lupe Fiasco

What did I tell you? Lupe Fiasco is BACK!!! I think this Kilamanjaro hike is just what the man needed? All he needs is that view from the apex of the mountain to put his rap career back into perspective, and have him return to be the dopest MC out. This Lupe is the Lupe that had people calling him the 'breath of fresh air' for hip-hop. Imagine if HE had spit in the cypher at the BET Awards. Oh, what dreams may come... Enjoy his freestyle over Timbaland's 'Say Something'...

Dear NBA (Eastern Conference)

I'm glad you're back NBA. It's been a LONG 6 months, especially with ESPN beasting on baseball and football like it always does. But that's neither here nor there. Last night, we were privy to what most people think is going to be the Finals in the East this year, the Cavs and Celtics. BULLSHIT. First of all, the Cavaliers still can't score without LeBron in, so that automatically takes them out of my top 2. The Celtics are gonna be good though. Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels gave them some depth, so the Celtics get the nod. Oh yeah, and point blank: Magic are the best team in the East. Adding Vince Carter wasn't the only move that makes me say that. Grabbing Brandon Bass, Jason 'I Need a Walker' Williams, Ryan Anderson, Matt Barnes, and keeping Marcin Gortat means these guys have depth for days behind Dwight, Jameer and Rashard. The Magic are the deepest team in the East. I dare you to name a deeper team. You can't. With that here's the top 3:

1. Orlando Magic - Add Vince and subtract Hedo & C. Lee from that, and we have the East Champs


2. Boston Celtics - Sheed will do them well, but their depth is always a concern...



3. Cleveland Cavaliers - Anthony Parker & Jamario Moon are nice additions, but not good enough complements to win the East...


Okay, so now that we have the top 3, the next 3 are always the hardest because there's such a fine line between being a top team and being mediocre in the East. Let's start with the Wizards. They added Mike Miller and Randy Foye, as well as have Agent Zero back in full force. They'll struggle defensively at times, but will be much improved in the East. As for the Hawks, my 2007 sleeper team that almost shocked the Celtics, they brought in Jamal Crawford and drafted Jeff Teague. HOWEVER, they still didn't add any help up front, so essentially they'll always be playing with two 3's (Williams & Smith) and a 4 (Horford) in the front court instead of having an actual post presence. It hurt them in that preseason game against the Magic and will continue to hurt them, even though they'll get a playoff spot. My 6th team in the East is probably my hardest one to guage, simply because there are a lot of x-factors in it. I'm gonna go with the Raptors though. Adding Hedo Turkgolu, Jarrett Jack and Amir Johnson and drafting Demar Derozan finally gives this squad some explosiveness. And having two 7-footers on your front line doesn't hurt either. Here are 3-6 in the East:

4. Toronto Raptors - Derozan is a monster and Hedo will add some playoff experience to a squad that always seemed flat last year...


5. Washington Wizards - Gilbert at 100% and some more depth will do the trick...


6. Atlanta Hawks - No front court depth will hurt this team more than adding Jamal Crawford can ever will...


Last two are always the most variable. They have so much to do with their records against the top teams and are more susceptible to getting in because of late season runs, instead of sustained good play. I'll just cut to the chase. I got Chicago and Detroit rounding out the top 8. The reason being, both have young point guards leading their teams. Not to say that Derrick Rose and Rodney Stuckey aren't good, but their youth on the court will show sometimes (even though D. Rose pushed the Celtics to their brink last year)...

7. Detroit Pistons - Adding Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva was a good move, but it's gonna be Stuckey's play that drives them.


8. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose is going to be the best point in the league by 2011. But in this season, he has to show he can shoot the ball before he gets that nod... Not having BG in his corner does some damage too...


There you have it: the top teams in the East. Make sure you keep it locked to Dear Whoever for the rest of my NBA season preview...

2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards: The Cyphers

I'm not going to lie... The Hip-Hop Awards were dry, bordering on tasteless at times, and also pointless in the grand scheme of things. HOWEVER, just as with last year, the cyphers were an event to be reckoned with. There's no point in mincing words. Just know that one of these was a pure throwaway and another one was one of the best cyphers I can say I've heard in a minute. Enjoy people...

Neighborhood Newsletter (10/27)

3 Arrested, 1 Charged With Murder of UConn Football Player

15 Hottest Newswomen in America

Woman arrested after offering sex for World Series tix

Men should marry young, smart women, say scientists

Study says junk food addiction as strong as heroin addiction

Sandra Bullock in custody battle with porn star

Morocco: Where a picnic is against the law

Real sea monsters: The hunt for predator X

Best. Drift. EVER

The Japanese have really gotten this whole drifting thing down. In fact, they have this whole automobile thing down. It just seems like every time we think we've found a limit to speed and the way speed can be used, the Japanese do something mind-blowing. Check out the best drift I've ever seen, though somehow I think I'll see something crazier...

Lupe Fiasco - All The Way Turnt Up (Freestyle)

All the Way Turnt Up (Freestyle) - Lupe Fiasco

Ummm, yeah.. Lupe is BACK. After what seemed like a bunch of loosies and unreleased tracks from Twilight and Food & Liquor, Lupe decides to release a new freestyle while he's climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. I've listened to it about 6 times now, and I don't think I'm anywhere close to getting all of the metaphors and wordplay in the song. You should have fun with this one. Hail Lupe. I hope to God that he doesn't retire after Lasers...

The Mailing List: October 2009 (#2)

2. 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards



I'm not gonna lie. I loathe what BET stands for and what it does to the black community. However, I can't deny their knack for bringing together the most expansive group of black celebrities at any point. The regular old BET Awards had stars from damn near every branch of black media. I'm not going to say that everyone I want to be at these awards is there, but you have to admit, MTV doesn't have anyone not named Carter or Kanye on it's network, which sickens me. The 2009 Hip-Hop Awards are tonight at 8 PM. While I know that there will be a number of trademark (negro) moments, it's an experience to see all that talent in one place, no matter how ignorant it gets. If anything else, tonight will yield laughable moments for weeks and probably overload Twitter...

Dear Philadelphia

I find it funny that I'm writing this letter whilst in Philadelphia. By now, oh great City of Brotherly Love, you've probably watched SportsCenter, read a newspaper, heard the radio or seen online that the Yankees are going to be facing you in the World Series. You guys are hyped, because you think it's going to be Repeat City. I can't blame you. The Dodgers posed no threat to the Phillies during the NLCS, so it's easy to think you'll walk all over the Yankees. I will say, that the Yankees faced a much tougher challenge in the AL, given the pitching and tougher hitting. There's no reason to gloat over who's team is better (though we all know who reigns supreme). There's no reason to bash anyone else's team. Just know that if the Yankees win, Yankees fitteds will be in full effect, just as I expect the opposite if the Phillies win. This figures to be a great World Series, considering the storyline. The media is going to kill us with coverage of it and we're going to watch it just the same. All I can ask for is a good series and pray that none of you crazed Phillies fans out there feel the need to riot after the Yankees do win (there I said it; sue me). Here's a video that should put you in the World Series mood...

Watch out for those close games..

Vans Vault Chukka Mok Collection

I really haven't seen a lot of upcoming sneakers that I'm really hyped for. Dunks, Jordans, Air Maxes and things of that nature have lost their appeal to me because of how many retroes there are and how lame some of the new releases have been. Not to say that I'll ever be over those sneakers, but switching up the stee-lo isn't a bad look. These Vans aren't either. They definitely have a more mature look to them. I'm digging the nubuck material and the simple yet classic design. Peep these close-ups of the Vans Mok Collection...

Don Cannon & Young Dro - R.I.P: I Killed That Shit (Mixtape)

Don Cannon & Young Dro - R.I.P: I Killed That Shit

If you were like me in 2006, you heard 'Shoulder Lean' by Young Dro, and hopefully were doing the dance like me too. Regardless of how you felt about the dance, you have to admit that the man's lyrics are and were far beyond the standard of most Southern rap. Dro was clearly looking to close the case (casket for this mixtape's purposes) on his skills. Of course, this is a Don Cannon mixtape, so there has to be an eternity's worth of ad-libs and drops on his part. Even so, the tape doesn't fail to please. One thing that irked me though, was Dro's speech. Dude can really spit, but sometimes it's hard understanding him. Dro's trademark drawl combined with some serious chompers make for some intent listening if you want to catch all of the man's punchlines. Lastly, this mixtape was 29 tracks long. At some points listening to it did feel like a drag. Having so many tracks means there's got to be some filler, and Dro does include some throwaways in this one. Still, this was a dope mixtape. Dro seems headed in the right direction, and I guess earned an important victory with the Don Cannon cosign (he's getting to be a certified deal for prospective artists; what other DJ can say that?). Check out my picks, the tracklist, and some goodies to take home...



Cream of the Crop:
Mo Money, Mo Problems
Rock Diamonds
We Like Purp
Can't Kwit
Day & Night
Gettin Paid

Cream of the Crap:
Start Trappin for Life
Feddy

Dear House Phones

I was watching some sporting event last night (I must have flipped back and forth between football and baseball 100 times), I saw a commercial for home phone service provided by Vonage, and had to snicker at the idea of a home phone. Then I wondered the last time I'd ever received anyone's home phone number. Home phones, you're dead. Cell phones have made you useless. You are to cell phones what CD Walkmans are to iPods. That's probably why it cost $20 a month for unlimited home phone service. People are attached to their cell phones in ways that are innumerable. With the rise of pocket PC's, there's no real need to be tethered to a desk or stationary, meaning that you, home phones get abandoned faster than a rabid dog.

Let me tell you something though. I'll always miss you guys. Along with being a more personal line of conduct to have, you gave us security against anyone we didn't want to get too 'personal' with. I know some heads out there would be shook if back in the day, the wrong person had been calling their 'house phone'. Also, having a cell phone is more or less the equivalent of having a $100-a-month tracking device on you. Though, at the same time, a home phone is more easily tracked than a cell phone. I suppose in this day and age, surveillance is inevitable, but having the domiciliary security of a home phone was comforting. Home phones, you will sorely be missed. Well, kinda. Hold on.. I gotta Twitter something..

The Clipse - Popular Demand (ft. Cam'ron & Pharrell)

Popular Demand - The Clipse (ft. Cam'ron & Pharrell)

Dude, why do Malice and Pusha insist on pushing back Till the Casket Drops?? Tracks like this shouldn't be allowed to sit there and fizzle due to record label politics (see Jockin Jay-Z). Even Cam came through and blessed us with his dopest verse in a LONG time. I'm not going to mince words with this post. Listen to this track. GET READY FOR TILL THE CASKET DROPS!!! It drops in December (completely tentative)...

Freestyle Friday (10/23)

What's up people! It's Friday, which could only mean one thing: FREESTYLES. Don't take the first one seriously. It is only up there for comedic purposes. Nicki Minaj spits a written, OJ da Juiceman is indecipherable, and Wacka Flocka just spits wack shit. Not to say that all of them suck (watch OJ's performance at Better Recognize), but these three could have come harder. The second cipher is at Crack Distributors Radio with Chip tha Ripper (your guess is as good as mine) and Naledge from Kidz in the Hall. Chip is average at best, but Naledge, much to my surprise put together a pretty good verse. Check both of these ciphers out and keep it locked to Dear Whoever...

Neighborhood Newsletter (10/22)

Cars could run on algae 'within a few years'

Pentagon used psychological operation on US public, documents show

New black Barbies get mixed reviews

5 Ways to Ruin Your Credit

Why the world will NOT end in 2012: Nasa scientist debunks conspiracy theories

Out of LSD? Just 15 Minutes of Sensory Deprivation Triggers Hallucinations

10 Simple Tips to Master the Art of Haggling and Savvy Shopping

Atheist ads to adorn New York subway stations

Dear Timbaland

Okay, the verses are fire. The chorus does the job too. And you do a pretty good job with the beat too. But Timbo, why do you insist on including your name in the title as an artist if you don't actually say anything on the track? I'm all one for self-empowerment, but you've been doing this since Magoo was still relevant. How can you have an album that you're on less than 50% of? You don't see Just Blaze or DJ Premier shouting themselves out like that. You putting your name as an artist is like Charles Hamilton putting J-Dilla on his album: NOT COOL. I'm all for hot beats, but when does lyricism ever come into play over a Timbaland beat? I've never heard one of your songs that didn't put me to sleep after the 12th loop of the beat. Not to say that your influence in hip-hop is non-existent (Besides beats, what does this man do?), but the whole one-trick pony act doesn't work very well. And when it does, repetition is usually involved. Ask Swizz Beatz. Being a dope producer doesn't guarantee you sales, no matter what other artists you feature on your tracks. I hope Shock Value 2 doesn't do just the opposite and put me to sleep like the first one did. What would be the real shock is if it actually doesn't...

I don't suppose there are any stairs??

The title says it all, even if the content is two hairs away from being AMAZING. This man clearly lives in a vacation-worthy tropical paradise, for two reasons: 1) Only someone who lives at or near a beach can practice this enough to be good at it & 2) After he gets down the dune, you can hear the tourists clapping. Check the rhyyyyyyme (10 dollars to anyone who can tell me where that last sentence came from)...

Dear Lil' Wayne

Now, you knew this was coming Wayne. I'm not even trying to make fun of you, because jail really isn't a laughing matter. However, this is an excellent example of a rapper's art imitating life, only we're in the real world, not on wax. Wayne, it's been no secret that you're lyrics deal with the 'grittier' side of life. From slanging cocaine and running prostitutes, to shooting rivals and wearing gang colors (which you apparently didn't even earn), you've pretty much exemplified the violent lifestyle that more or less breeds platinum records. What you seem to have forgotten is the two other things that that kind of lifestyle breeds: jail and death. And you seem to have gotten the lesser of the two evils (if either can be called lesser).

Gun possession and illegal drug possession are the charges. Both of them seem silly in comparison to how you got them. According to police reports (yeah, they're not the most reliable, but that's all we have to go off), when they smelled and saw marijuana smoke seeping from your tour bus, they approached the bus. And when you saw them, you threw a Louis Vuitton bag, containing a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic gun, out of the bus. To me, you sound guiltier than Cheddar Burress (also arrested in NYC on gun charges) on a Saturday night at a club with no metal detector. Face it Wayne, your 'gangsta' (I feel like Tom Brokaw writing that word) lifestyle caught up to you. And while you might not serve the minimum 3 1/2 years (thank your $5000/hr lawyers), you'll definitely be in prison for a year. I wonder how 'real' your lyrics are going to be after some hard time...

The Mailing List: October 2009 (#3)

3. The 2009-2010 NBA Season



You guys knew this post was coming. Here we go again. Another 82 games with 30 different teams. A lot of sports 'experts' have been saying that the NBA is the weakest professional league. I highly disagree, and not because I'm an NBA fan. The NBA has the best All-Star weekend, the players are more easily accessible, there aren't arbitrary calls like the MLB, the commish doesn't clamp on the players like the NFL, and it actually gets aired unlike the NHL. I'd be as driven to say that this is going to be the best season yet. I don't care what you say. I don't care who you are. It's NBA time. October 27th, bitches. I just have one question: Is anybody else as hyped for this season as I am?

PS: Make sure you look out next week for my season preview letter...

2011 Lexus LF-A

Now, tell me you wouldn't break a child's arm to get in the driver's seat of one of these. Lexus has long been known as the black sheep of the luxury automobile makers, simply because all of their sports cars from the last 10+ years, have SUCKED. And it wasn't for lack of effort. Their sports cars just weren't good compared to the Benzes, Beemers and Audis. Let's just say they did a 360 with the LF-A. This new 2-seater boasts a 4.8-liter V-10 engine that's smaller than a V-8 but weighs the same as a V-6, revs out to 9000 rpm and is capable of pushing 202 mph and 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. The LF-A also has an official horsepower of 552 hp at 8700 rpm. In laymen's terms, that means plain old FAST. Of course the interior is plushed out with leather and carbon fiber accents. And the exterior? Well, you should just check out the pictures and video for that...

Oh yeah, before I forget. If you think you're ballin enough to cop this bad boy, think again. Lexus dealers can only begin accepting "purchase applications" now. That means you can't just walk in and place an order. The price tag is gonna be from $350,000 to $375,000, too. So you might want to hold off on that X-Mas vacation if you're trying to take a spin in one of these...

UNDRCRWN Fall 2009 Collection

UNDRCRWN (Undercrown) is known in the streetwear scene for its juxtaposition of basketball and hip-hop in a fashionable medium. So much of the brand's style and inspiration comes from the hardwood, and this Fall is no different. UNDRCRWN draws from both the early 90's and early 2000's in the NBA with its references this year, and they come out looking not only simple, but very clean. Check out some more selected pieces from UNDRCRWN's Fall 2009 collection...

MIckey Factz - #FuckYourShow

Mickey Factz - #FuckYourShow

It seems like forever since Mickey Factz has released any new shit that I've liked. Either the man uses the wackest technoed-out, ultra-synthesized beats, or his rhymes get repetitive. That's not to say that Mickey isn't one of my favorite MC's, but the man needs to get back into the studio these days. I suppose going on the road and doing shows is a good look, but your body of work is what draws fans in. This song is a step in the right direction. I just wish he would come with the fire like he did when he was dropping mixtapes...

Dear 50 Cent

See, I can respect that. I can respect candid and open commentary on a particular comment. 50, let's be real, your music has been lackluster as of late (since GRODT, actually). The Massacre was a massacre, and I don't even remember anything from Curtis but 'I Get Money'. And to be honest, the way The Game was rapping in 2004, even with your beats and production and help, he might have been able to get at you on wax. Even so, the business instinct you showed was truly remarkable. It comes off sounding like extortion, but I suppose in your terms, it's 'making the best out of a bad situation'.

The Game is a hothead. Anybody who's watched BET, listened to his music or been on a blog knows that. And Game also has had a lot of sideways shit happen to him in his life, that's ALL come up to bite him in the ass in the past few years. From being on that dating show, to being a stripper (can someone cite that for me?), to the random tattoos and his famous disses, Game has a lot of shaky behavior on his resume. While I still think you did him and Young Buck dirty, they've done a lot worse things for themselves than you have, especially when it comes to PR and promotion. Those two have more blog screw-ups than Charles Hamilton. You just managed to get to them before they could get to themselves. I guess in the long run, doing good business ultimately leads to the downfall of others around you. It's survival of the fittest, and anyone can respect that...

Neighborhood Newsletter (10/20)

I can't even laugh at this one.. It's too easy

Public option gains support: CLEAR MAJORITY NOW BACKS PLAN

U.S. Support for Legalizing Marijuana Reaches New High

'2LoveMyLips' lip gloss detects roofies & spiked drinks

Meet future woman: shorter, plumper, more fertile

10 Best Facebook Moments

The 15 Most Brutal Methods Of Execution Of All Time

Apple will take over the world by 2012

Scientists find 32 new planets

Kanye West x Spike Jonze - " We Were Once A Fairytale"

I kinda expected something out of a different galaxy with this video, especially with Kanye's current state of mind (is it just me or does this negro do something every year to make people question his sanity?). However, this was really, really really clever. Kanye does his best job of impersonating what everyone thinks of him. And Spike Jonze's cinematography is unbelievable at portraying the mantra of the scene (take a look at the sex scene). I'm not sure what caused 'Ye and Spike to collab on this one, but I'm glad they did. Check what the two Renaissance Men (I use the term loosely, obviously) did in their free time...

Nike Blazer Mid - Light Chocolate / Black

This is honestly one of the cleanest releases I've seen in a minute. On a personal note, I've been looking for a pair of brown shoes/sneakers for a long ass time, and these might just be the one. There's suede on the upper, canvas on the interior, leather on the swoosh, and the laces are Timberland-esque. In fact, if I had one other shoe to compare these to, it would be Timbs. Check out what's probably going to be my next cop...

The Mailing List: October 2009 (#4)

I haven't seen any concerts recently that I've really been interested in. Oops, scratch that. Curren$y, Styles P and Raekwon already make 'Better Recognize' a highlight on my calendar. For the heads out there that dig the trap-rap stars, OJ da Juiceman and Waka Flocka (apparently he's actually kinda nice?) are performing. And for all you blog-dwellers and Ivy-Leaguers, Kidz in the Hall and Donnis are set to rock the stage too. Best believe if I wasn't up to my neck in exams, I'd be in New York on Wednesday night. Hopefully you are though. Shoutout to OnSmash, NahRight, The Stadium and 10 Deep for throwing this one together...

Diddy lets Ma$e out of his contract

As much as I think Diddy is a conniving yet brilliant businessman who profits off of the idiocy of others, I have to admit that the man makes quality moments on film. From Making the Band to I Want to Work for Diddy, his persona makes for hilarious results on television. This instance, it happened to involve Ma$e (I don't know if I should have added the Murda) and his lifelong saga to leave the artist graveyard aka Bad Boy. They bring the cameras in, and the result is great video. Check it out...

Supreme x John Coltrane T-Shirt Collection

Okay, let's get this out of the way... I despise Supreme, in all of their overpriced, over-hyped, overbearing, underwhelming glory. However, I can respect when something is dope. That's the case with their latest collaboration with the John Coltrane Foundation, which features three t-shirts with the jazz great's likeness. Yes, the t-shirts are simple, but they feature an icon actually related to underground culture (we're not going to delve into Supreme's track record). Regardless of how you feel about the brand, there's no denying how dope this collab is. Check the rest of the pictures...

Another way for the government to watch you...

Okay, the title is a bit depressing, but the actual technology is amazing. This helicopter, developed by MIT, can fly with no sort of human input. It's completely autonomous, with a laser scanner and a dual-camera array to help it navigate terrains in real time. That means, as you're on the block peddling your drugs, this thing can see you. That means, if you're hiding somewhere, it can find you. But let's not dwell on what we already know our government is planning. This is an amazing breakthrough. Hopefully that doesn't turn into Skynet in another 100 years...

Freestyle Friday (10/16)

AYYYYEE!!! It's Freestyle Friday and this week we have somebody who's been ghost for a few months. Mickey Factz gets recorded having a cipher in New Orleans, and to be honest, he hasn't lost a step. All we need now is a new mixtape to bring dude back to the limelight. Make sure you check out the other guy spitting, Lyriqs from New Orleans. The second one is from Harlem's Cash. I swear, Harlem's Cash is the TRUTH. If you want to hear punchlines, please press play. No lie. Have a happy Friday, and keep it locked to Dear Whoever...

Dear Parents

This is a letter that should have been written years ago, probably after Columbine, or some other happening involving children. If you were anywhere near Twitter or a TV yesterday, you heard the mind-blowing story of Falcon Henne. The little boy supposedly was trapped, airborne in an experimental balloon-esque craft after having released it himself. After a four hour chase, that saw the media get airborne coverage faster than the authorities, the balloon was brought down with Falcon not in the balloon, but in the attic. Now, does something about that entire situation seem a bit, I don't know, dumb?

Now parents, at how many points could an embarrassing event have been prevented yesterday? If you said anything more than three, then you don't even have to read this letter. Man, they could have been watching the kid, they could have had their experimental craft protected in some way, or maybe just looked EVERYWHERE for the child. As a parent, there should be certain things that are a given when it comes to your child. Perhaps your kid is, let's say REALLY imaginative and inquisitive. Why in the world would you allow him to wander around a Colorado ranch by himself, with an experimental balloon ready to launch? Come on, you've got to have a little more sense than that.

But if you don't and just so happen to bring the child on a show without TALKING to him and REPRIMANDING him, what do you expect for this really imaginative and inquisitive child to do? It's parents like these that raise destructive children and wonder why the world is crumbling before us. I don't mean to say that Falcon is a troublemaker, because as much as a cop-out as it is, he is a kid. One thing about kids, is that if you don't steer them in the right direction, black or white, big or little, smart or dumb (sad, but true), they will get into trouble. Any person who's been a child knows that. As parents, your job is to prevent that deviation and help them understand why it's wrong. Falcon's parents, whatever hippie cult they were raised in, obviously aren't to adept at that. It's a damn shame America had to find out because of their 'experimental' balloon...

Dear JaMarcus Russell

Okay, I've held my tongue on this one for WAY TOO LONG. I've quietly (or loudly) supported the Oakland Raiders since circa 2000, when I saw Charles Woodson crack a 50-yard interception return for a TD. Now, Charles is long gone, and the Raiders are under a new regime than the one spearheaded by journeyman-turned-MVP, Rich Gannon. And if your play, JaMarcus, is any indication of the future of this new regime, I might not be able to find another year of Raiders fanhood in me. Let's just keep it funky and objective, JaMarcus. These are your stats in the first four weeks of the season:

51 Completions
121 Attempts
42.1% Completion Percentage
601 Yards
1 TD
4 INT's
47.4 QB Rating

That's right, J-Rocc!! You've sucked this year!! After the last two games of the 2008 season, I seriously thought that you and the Raiders had turned the corner of rebuilding that we'd been hugging since that 2003 Super Bowl (real Raiders fans know we were doomed since the Tuck Rule). Everything looked so promising. You came into camp not overweight (I guess that's kinda sad in retrospect), you finally had an offseason where you didn't switch coaches, and the front office added a few more weapons (Darrius Heyward-Bey, Chaz Shillens, etc.). AND this is your 3rd year as a starter!! Most QB's don't make it past that 2nd year without hearing ESPN call them a bust, and here you are getting a 3rd year? JaMarcus, come on.. How hard is it really to come to practice, do the film work required and make good reads? You have all of the physical tools, but have proven time an time again that your arm strength outweighs your IQ. I'm starting the 'Bench JaMarcus Russell' petition in Week 8, if you don't step your game up. I suppose that won't matter in the grand scheme of things, as long as you're getting that paycheck. God forbid you ever get injured, or forget that you're the QB, because both would do you more good than any amount of money Al Davis' disillusioned ass could ever do...

Only a true BUST could do this...

Neighborhood Newsletter (10/15)

Being homeless in the 21st century is sooooo easy...

The 10 Most Racist Toys Ever

Facebook might get an 'unlike' option, FINALLY!!

How the Moon produces its own water

Soda Tax Could Shake Up the Industry

Her Eyes Say Yes, But Her Pheromones Say No

Man murders sister and husband, still hates them "a little"

The pocket spy: Will your smartphone rat you out?

IE, Chrome, Firefox, Safari & Opera: Which Browser is Best?

Dear Rush Limbaugh

I hate dedicating more than one letter a month to the same person, but this was just laugh-worthy. Rush, what in the hell were you thinking about when you decided to put your two-cents into the Rams? I know you're a 'red-blooded American' (blood is blue, by the way), but if that makes you think you have any sort of football knowledge, then you must have lost your cotton-picking mind. Was it even a surprise that your bid to be a partial owner got rejected or that you got dropped from the group trying to buy the Rams? That's like Don Imus trying to sign up to be a booster for Rutgers Womens Basketball. I'm not going to mince words, Rush. I despise you. If ever presented with you, a 2-by-4 and a locked room, best believe you would be coming out of that room a few teeth short for all of the racist malarkey you've peddled over your radio tenure. Now, ironically, you're seeing the ills of the free speech you so vehemently defend, Rush. Calling out Donovan McNabb as a bad QB because he runs (which is apparently synonymous with blackness??) doesn't really set you up to be the best NFL proprietor, when, let's say about 70% (and I'm being generous, here) is, in fact, black. I guess the Rams figured that out before you did, though. Let that be a lesson to you, Rush. Freedom of speech is a double-edged sword. Don't cut yourself...

Reebok The Pump Retro

That's right kids.. It's the 20th Anniversary of the first Reebok Pump and that means Retro overlaod from our friends at Reebok. I know I wasn't cognizant of sneaker culture in 1989, being 1 year old and all, but I know for a fact I had a pair during my childhood. The nostalgia of pumping those babies up thinking I'd get an extra 2 feet on my vertical can only be matched by donning a pair of them today. Word to Dominique Wilkins. The Retro Reebok Pumps come out most likely in November to coincide with the November 24th release of the OG Pumps. Better start lining up now...

Stylophone Beatboxing

Don't mind how bad the editing was on the first video. My inner nerd is having a field day right now!!! I don't care how 'cool' you are. The fun in this is undebatable. We've all had those days where we had a beat in our head and couldn't get it out until we knocked our fingers on a desk or tapped our feet to the rhythm. This is the cure for those days. Not only is the Stylophone Beatbox portable, it has and a loop mode to build and layer loops using the included percussion, human beatbox, and bass samples. There's also record and scratch modes, plus an MP3 input feature. Fuck Guitar Hero and Rock Band. This is REAL music, even if it's simple looping. Check out the Stylophone Beatbox here...

Toy Story 3

The concept behind the third inception of Toy Story is dope on sooooooo many levels. First off, the idea of leaving one's toys behind as he goes on to bigger and (sadly) more important things, is something that we all can confer on as 80's and 90's babies. I distinctly remember the day I came home and found that all of my Transformers had been shipped down to Jamaica for my younger cousins and the feeling of not being able to transform Optimus Prime or Megatron again. Secondly, the movie (maybe this is just one of my weird interpretations) has a subtle metaphor about the state of the economy. When the toys find out that they're being thrown out, it's almost as if a once-booming company was downsizing. The employees don't know how to feel, just as the toys try, albeit unsuccessfully, to prepare for their 'downsizing'. Third of all, Toy Story 3 more or less is delving into a category that only its series has been able to pull off for Disney: sequels. I'm sure you all remember the Lion King 2, The Santa Clause trilogy, and 102 Dalmations (yeah, I've been trying to erase those for a minute too). Toy Story made it to three movies, and hopefully this one wows me just as much as the last two...

Joell Ortiz can BALL?!?!

Okay, remember the video above??? Yeah, I sure as hell do. Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz participated in a now infamous race, where Joell tried to get at least 50 headstarts in a losing effort to Budden. What's funny is how certain Joell was of his victory and his 'athletic ability'. I guess we have some semblance of proof today with the video below. Joell shows us that size really doesn't matter (well at least when it comes to passing a basketball) and puts on a decent show in the cage...

Dear Goldman Sachs

Couldn't be truer...

via The New York Times:

On Thursday, Mr. Blankfein and his colleagues will likely be subject to some of that anger when Goldman reports its third-quarter results — and discloses the latest tally of just how much its employees will probably take home for their work this year. By most analyst estimates, the annual bonus pool will swell to more than $23 billion. In its second quarter, Goldman disclosed it had put aside $11.4 billion for the first half of the year.

“The absolute size of compensation payouts will rise significantly,” Keith Horowitz, an analyst at Citigroup, wrote in a note to clients two weeks ago.

To put that $23 billion bonus pool number in perspective, it is the most Goldman Sachs has accumulated for bonuses in its history — twice as much as in 2008. And it is doing so while memories are still fresh that just a year ago taxpayers had to step in when Wall Street, and even Goldman, were facing a run on the bank.

If there is one thing that 'the Man' is good at doing, it's inflating his (its?) pockets at times when everyone else's pockets have been getting thinner. Goldman Sachs, you guys have proven to be, not the exception, but another example of the rule. In a time when people are using every last drop of toothpaste in the tube and have stopped buying SUV's, you guys still are a part of the gas-guzzling, toothpaste-wasting frame of mind that has pervaded our society for so long. That same frame has brought us to rock bottom economically and made the everyday Joes poorer everyday. Is that what the bailout did for you guys? Reinforce the same spending habits that put us in a recession in the first place? Is that what the $12 billion in government money was supposed to be for? Not to say that you guys don't have a right to use your money in the way that you want (hell, the government has been turning a blind eye to it for longer than we think), but shouldn't you guys be more concerned with getting out of the red and back into the black before you start patting yourselves on the back? That's like handing out victory cigars at the Titanic sinking: pointless and wasteful. Call me crazy, but somehow I think your executives would do fine without an extra billion in their wallets. But to tell you the truth, I had a feeling we'd be back to square one with one of the big financial firms. Your insidious spending is notorious on Wall Street. Hopefully your penchant for finding emergengy money is too, because I have a feeling you'll be needing another bailout by next year...

Stairs vs. Escalators

I know for a fact that 90% of you guys would rather take the escalator than the stairs. It's just human nature to rest and save energy rather than expend it. The result, though, is that we get fat and use up the earth's energy to power our rest (ironic, huh??). Volkswagen attempts to switch that up in this video by placing piano keys on a flight of stairs in a Stockholm train station. As a result, people used the stairs about 60% more. I can't front like I wouldn't be walking up and down those stairs trying to compose my own symphony, but is that really what we need to keep ourselves fit? Entertainment suitable for the Tellytubies? If so, you can find me at the gym, working hard to drop the weight that escalators keep on my person...

Wale - 'Inhibitions' & 'Contemplate'

Wale - Inhibitions (ft. Pharrell)

At this rate, Wale won't have an album to drop. Not to say that artists shouldn't leak from their albums, but at the same time, why reveal stuff that we should be gaining anticiaption? Especially when they're songs that should be headliners on the album. Regardless, both tracks are bangers. Pharrell and the Neptunes are looking like they're back with a DOPE beat and Rihanna provides 'decent' vocals on her track. What's a little concerning is that Wale is starting to revert back to his old flow. I'm not gonna up and say that he's lost it, but if Attention Deficit is anywhere near the same, then it's gonna be hard to get through, no matter how good the beats or features are. Check the new singles of Wale's album and the downloads...

Wale - Contemplate (ft. Rihanna)

Reign Cheque - G5 Clive

Reign Cheque - G5 Clive

I hear a lot of rap, and music in general. Of rap as a whole, over the past year D.C. rap has been constantly in my ear. Partly due to my boy Akzionz and partly due to my ever-expanding need for new music, the District has opened a whole new avenue in terms of sounds. Yeah, we all know about Wale, but the 51st state has plenty of talent in its borders. Enter G5 Clive. Born of Jamaican descent, and blessed with a great command of the English language (that's more than we can say about a lot of rappers), Clive is clearly bound for great things. Although sometimes Clive gets a complicated in his rhymes, his lyrics still are dope, and he goes off on a range of topics. The production on this work is great, too. I love that Clive kept a lot of different sounds on it and that he wasn't afraid to experiment with auto-tune (where's T-Pain at now?). All in all, this is a nice offering from an artist who's still growing. Check the back cover and tracklist...

Neighborhood Newsletter (10/13)

I'm glad to see literacy is alive and well for our ecological brethren...

10 Highest Paying Jobs in America

Woman arrested for 'poking' Facebook user

4 Conflicts Between Science and Religion

Should Students Be Paid to Do Well in School?

Schwarzenneger Signs New Anti-Paparazzi Law

Who is the dumbest athlete ever?

People 'anxious' when cut off from internet

Who’s Behind Pot Prohibition? The Answer Is Obvious