As the one who read Hip-Hop its last rites, it’s only appropriate that Nas be the one to declare it revived and alive. I just never figured the Wall Street Journal as the place to find this type of news but oh well.

“‘It died several times, but I do believe in the heartbeat of it right now,’ says Nas, who came out with “Hip Hop is Dead” in 2006. ‘There are a lot of new artists, and artists that have been around, who are kicking a– right now. I just wanted to give a boost to people and to myself, to push people to go harder. It’s a different world now.’”

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A bit of leftover footage from Vandy’s Rites Of Spring that I never got around to posting. Actually, I suck @ editing video so I have to wait around to get assists in that department (if you’re skilled, holler @ my inbox). There’s several clips in the archives but rock stars do not stand still while on stage, the sounds are twice as large and that’s not to mention the disco lighting Phoenix employed throughout their set. As a result, that footage is shakey dog status, complete with blarrrring bass and flashing white people every other second. Still, this clip of my favorite Frenchmen performing “1901″ was salvageable and worth its weight. I shot this from a good 50 yards away, after I left photographer’s row, and it came out much better because the crowd’s energy is more apparent. This was the last song of their set and, obviously, the biggest and best next to “Lisztomania.” Read the rest of this entry »

Our resident soccer fiend Devin has been traveling the past few days, otherwise he’d be doing this writeup. So I’m stepping in to handle the duties even though my knowledge of futbol is next to nil. Still, even I’m aware that the brand’s latest “Write The Future” spot for the World Cup is pretty dope with cameos by Kobe, Homer Simpson, Roger Federer and featuring every big name futbol star I’ve seen mentioned by Brother Chanda and every site commenter (Ronaldo Ronaldinho, Rooney & Drogba; I pay attention hehe). Safe to say the advert just help to revise D’s original list of eight great Nike futbol commercials by adding one more to the list. Read the rest of this entry »

Aarin

Lil Romeo’s Basketball Career At USC Finally Comes To An End [Yardbarker]

You Had Me At ‘Joe Pesci Plays A Pimp’ [FilmDrunk]

Kerry Washington Covers May 31st 2010 JET Magazine [GOT]

Remy Ma’s 7 Minute Acapella Jail Freestyle [KiddUNot]

Summer Fashion On The Cheap [Ask Men] Read the rest of this entry »

– Drake says enough is enough…and everyone had a reaction.

– TC & Reflection Eternal spoke on the actual factuals regarding their upcoming album.

– Big K.R.I.T. has arrived and we recommend listening.

– Devin The Dude’s latest offering Suite #420 was reviewed and received its Cig rating.

– Our own Devin offered up his take on Nike’s 8 best futbol commercials. Read the rest of this entry »

If I had a dollar for anytime a female I knew uttered the now classic phrase, “Men N#ggas ain’t sh#t,” I, too, could sit court side and trip referees. Whether it’s true or not is an entirely different argument and one I’m not truly ready to tackle at the moment. But Lyfe Jennings sure as hell is. Read the rest of this entry »

It could be the idea of familiarity, knowing that I’m a true ’80s baby and “back in my day” this type of cut ruled radio. Or perhaps it’s that rap’s recycled themes and drum patterns just aren’t sticking to my bones or moving my spirit. One listen to randomly submitted mp3 or mixtape and it’s on to the next one. I’m not sure what it could be but “For Days” by Francis And The Lights has a soulful synths and a “let’s dance” feel to it that’s undeniable. Read the rest of this entry »

Ever the prolific artist, Mr. Talib Kweli Greene revealed a precursor to this song in his Reflection Eternal Smoking Session. Read the rest of this entry »

The official color listed for these is university blue but ask any head and they’ll say these are the “Powder Blues.” They aren’t spot-on with the OG colorway but close enough to satisfy those who’ve waited half a lifetime to get their hands on them. Dropping next Saturday, May 29th and you’re lucky I don’t wear white sneakers much anymore. Otherwise, I’d throw on some gym shorts with these bad boys and go wash my car or hit a picnic. Yeah, a shoe this clean, you have to do summer activities in it and act as if life (and dirtying the shoes themselves) don’t matter because you’re cool like that. Aloof and floating on your own cloud. Also, I think it’s almost mandatory that one must feign a pigeon-toed walk – a la Mike & Mars – when you wear these particular J’s. Read the rest of this entry »

Mystikal Speaks On Jail Time, Learning New Technology [Hip-Hop Wired]

How To Have Sex In A Car [Ask Men]

Tony Stark is the New Chuck Norris, Pass it on [Gamma Squad]

Behind The Scenes At The Cincinnati Ben Gals Tryouts [Don Chavez]

3 Things the Cleveland Cavaliers Have To Do This Summer [Dime]

Black Barbershop Outreach to Screen and Educate Black Men About Health [BV Spin] Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve already been here once today. If the first listen reviews and tracklisting didn’t stroke your fires, perhaps “Dear God 2.0″ will. A reworking of Monsters of Folk’s “Dear God,” the track is slated to be the lead single for the album. Read the rest of this entry »

Slightly ironic considering that Cam was once critical of the South. Still, times change and so do people and we Southerners are a forgiving, welcoming bunch. But a word to the wise, Cam: put away all shades of pink while residing in the A.

“We got a bunch of stuff going on,” Cam explained recently. “I got my solo album to do. We got ‘Killa Season 2′ soundtrack. ‘Cousin Bang, the Movie’ soundtrack. To keep it 100, down South, they got a lot of hot beats with no samples. We’re trying to just get a different vibe. I did four of my albums in New York, one in Chicago, one in L.A. But I never did an album recording in Atlanta. So me and Vado came down here to get a different vibe. We’re gonna be down here for a few months recording and working.” Read the rest of this entry »

…And not the gays.

With touring being the livelihood of an artist’s career, it would take some extreme circumstances for them to back out (hmmmm) on being the headliner of an event. Wale was scheduled to headline the Legacy Festival and Wellness Expo during Memorial Day weekend (a.k.a. a big f*ckin’ check), but when he found out the majority of the males were looking forward to chillin’ with him after the show, he had to respectfully decline. Read the rest of this entry »

Last time we heard something official from Mr. X to tha Z, he was rhyming “concentrate” with “eat some steak” and other lines of non sequiturs. Hip-Hop was convinced he was still better than that, so he’s taking timeout from Hollywood to stake his claim as a prominent voice in the West, once again. Kind of like the album’s title MMX. The Roman numerals indicate a return to the basics while their meaning, 2010 revels in the present day. Read the rest of this entry »

After scoring big with “Gone,” Donnis and producer Needlz hook up for yet another club banger with the infectious Rihanna-influenced “Yup.” Needlz provides a beat with enough bounce to make even the staunchest wallflower get on the dance floor, mixing in elements of “Hard” on the chorus as to assure a hit. Donnis doesn’t disappoint either as his pen game seems to have seriously stepped up since his last tape. Lyrically, he weaves through the rambunctious drums & synths with witty line after witty line proving that he’s got what it takes to be more than just another XXL freshman who drops out sophomore year. Read the rest of this entry »