Imagine if every time you were cruising your whip, getting down to a jam, the record label of said song sent you a subpoena saying you didn’t have the rights to sing-along. The word “appalled” comes to mind, or maybe even “dumbfounded.” Either way, that’s exactly what’s happening to Michael Jackson, or to his estate rather. Read the rest of this entry »

With half of the country slumped under a snowstorm, what else better would there be to do @ 3:33pm today? No idea what it shall be but let’s hope it’s a track from New Amerykah Part 2…and that her site’s server is robust enough for the traffic.

Spied: @fatbellybella via Village Voice

There are only four universal truths around the TSS e-office:

1) Aquemini shits on everyone.
2) The Wire shits on everyone.
3) *Kanye shrug* is a great form of communication.
4) Dave Chappelle is master-class comedy.

And we hold these truths to be self-evident. Read the rest of this entry »

After 20 years, Miramax closed its doors yesterday, with parent company Disney deciding the time was finally right.

Seeing its first successes with Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies, & Videotape in ‘89 and then that one movie where the Irish guy falls for the black girl with a schlong in’93, the film studio’s arguably biggest achievement came the following year with Quentin’s magnum opus, Pulp Fiction. Miramax’s lasting legacy, though, doesn’t merely lie in the greatness of some of its individual films. The studio was integral in the legitimization of indie films both as viable awards contenders — Sex… and Pulp Fiction were both awarded the Palm D’Or and The English Patient, Shakespeare In Love, Chicago, and No Country For Old Men all won the Best Picture Oscar—as well as box-office gold (Scream). The likes of Juno and The Hangover have Miramax to thank.

However, ever since ‘05, the Miramax name has died a slow death. The Weinstein brothers, hilariously caricatured by Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder, sold the company to Disney back in ’93. They retained their positions at the top and substantial creative control over the next 12 years, but continuing blow-ups with Disney CEO Michael Eisner ultimately made them walk away. They then founded The Weinstein Company, producing such hits as Clerks II and Scary Movie 4—franchise films from the duo’s Miramax days—but more notable failures, including Grindhouse, Zack and Miri Make A Porno, and now Nine. Meanwhile, with its creative masterminds gone, Miramax simply lost its essence.

It’s only fitting that the studio should die now. We’re in the midst of the era of the big-budget, effects-driven franchise film from which toys can be sold—or the movie can be sold from toys (fucking Candy Land?). Unfortunately, now is when Miramax and what it stood for are needed most.

RIP Miramax [IMDb News]

“Shawn Carter is nice, but Sean Price is the best.”

Continuing on the path to put the game into a submission hold, Sean P. drops another video, his second in recent weeks. A nice, lazy horn sample and P’s aggressive lyrics and midtempo delivery prove that he’s at ease doing it while others force the issue. Better than Jay? Maybe he has a point.

Von Pea stands alone, serving up a special offering for DJ Low Key & DJ Sounds Supreme The Solution Tape #1, releasing in February. Read the rest of this entry »

“You can be anything in this world that you want…except for my downfall…”

It’s a damn shame when records of this caliber encounter release issues. The J. Cardim-produced “Downfall” failed to make the cut for Joe Budden’s upcoming album, The Great Escape. According to Jersey’s own, it was because of the infamous “sample clearance,” among other reasons. Read the rest of this entry »

Erika Mayshawn

Jada Says Will Wants To Run For President [The Urban Daily]

The 15 Biggest Sundance Breakouts [Inside Movies]

How Is The iPad Like Barack Obama? [Miss Theda]

iTunes Raises $3 Million For Earthquake Relief With ‘Hope For Haiti Now’ [Entertainment Weekly]

Hello YouTube Disco, RIP Pandora [TRU]

Prodigy Says He Warned Nas About Jay-Z Beef [HHDX] Read the rest of this entry »

Really, trying to put into words what I heard when I listened to this track by Rockwell Knuckles was tough. You see, I threw a challenge to him, asking that he do something that would catch the attention of those who may not have noticed his material before. We’ve raved about The Glow and I start out most mornings listening to “Government Name.” And seeing that specific song come to life on stage adds even more weight to the idea that Rocky and his music are on the right path. But I wanted something that tapped into what I knew were his strengths: his vocal inflections, delivery, wordplay and wisdom.

In return, I got this mp3 entitled “Precaution.” It played like a two minute soliloquy in which he lets listeners quietly take part. Read the rest of this entry »

Something about that 12-hour-old cup of microwaved coffee has given me the worst headache. Luckily, aside from jabbing knife thrusts, my brain is also being subjected to the easy-going frequencies of progressive Danish duo, Quadron. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve recently been informed that Seattle’s dubious Dyme Def trio are verging on dropping their succulent sophomore effort, Sex Tape. “Ooo La La” © Mr. Strickland. As a teaser, the one-time Unsigned Hype-ers show their ability at ill communication with their forward-moving lead single “Do Something,” which could ride a genre-bending Beastie Boys-sample all the way to the FM waves.

If tubular tunage isn’t enough, they’ve tagged in the good folk @ TITS for an entire line of voluptuous and visually-appealing tees to accompany specific tracks off the Tape, which are already being rocked by the NBA’s next big superstar. Pretty cool. Hot Latina chicks with fantastic TITS on behalf of one of the doper groups in Needle City. Is it even possible to top that?

C’maaan. Of course it is.

Check into the comments section and go ham for the free of it. As a result, you’ll be entering to win a gift pack of TITS gear, including the Def Dyme “Do Something” shirt pictured above. If you’re lucky, you’ll have brand-spanking-new gear to replace those old, moth-ball-stankin’ Salvation Army garments.

Don’t forget, you’re also required to listen/support/share/singalong to Dyme Def, because you’re going to be rocking their ideas on your chest and answering with ‘the other Nike slogan’ won’t suffice when you’re asked what “Do Something” means.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download — Dyme Def – “Do Something”

EDIT — We’ll close up shop here. Thanks to everyone who entered. UN.T.R.H, check your email.

Jordan Brand sure loves riling the natives.

Barely a month after the Space Jams left people and stores in a tizzy, the Cool Grey XI’s have been confirmed for a 2010 Holiday release.  With a whole year for anticipation to build, who knows what will go down this time around.  I still remember my cousin & TC’s accounts of people squabbin’ over these in Eastland Mall (so much for changing the release date of J’s to Saturdays back then, lol).

I, for one, am ecstatic. I missed out on a deadstock pair of these last year on eBay and the seller straight disappeared.  Say what you want about price, materials, quality and whatever else you can think of.  If the opportunity arises (’01s or ’10s), I’m copping a pair.

I might have to break down and get a pair when they release early, otherwise I’ll have to  hope for another Jordan Brand Miracle.

On top of that, the Cement III’s and Snakeskin XI Lows are also going to resurface this year.  It’s gonna a busy and lucrative year for MJ.

[Via]

Now this is what I’m talking about.

After I openly questioned their inability to step out of an uncreative comfort zone, the Bone Boys finally decided to ditch the pissing and moaning, opting instead to kick some knowledge over a fresh flash of “Gangsta’s Glory.” Utilizing a slick Eazy-E vocal sample and low-octave keys as their foundation, these five former Cleveland thieves bestow their own illicit experiences as living testament to why the life of a thug isn’t for everyone. Read the rest of this entry »

Photo: Dre Eastwood

I took away two things from this clip: the music and the knowledge. Next Sunday is definitely going to be super for more than one reason. Aside from Colts/Saints, Curren$y and Don Cannon’s long-awaited collaboration, Smokee Robinson, invades speakers for the first time. Spitta, Wiz and Nip recently had a studio session for the project which included good weed and even better music. From the sounds of things, it seems to already be a front runner for the standout record.

Now, the knowledge. With the scent of kush and sour diesel permanently settled in the studio, the three cannabis connoisseurs discuss smoking habits. A blunt man himself, Hussle, takes in words of wisdom from Curren$y who warns about the dangers of blunts. Ever wonder why Nip always looks tired? Because he smokes blunts, not papers, according to the Mythblazers.

Respect: Steve-O for sending this through.

Yo Gotti scores 6 points on the package with his Jordan Tower Films clip documentary that features everything from marshmallow paint jobs to custom insignias underneath the hood. Base in the trunk, Cocaine Muzik 4 in the deck, rocks in the kitchen. Gotty™’s 3rd uncle, once removed, holds it down for TN every step of the way. Read the rest of this entry »