Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

MSNBC:

“The closure of Cabrini’s high-rises marks the end of an ugly era in public housing. The 70-acre development was initially hailed as a salvation for the city’s poor that was emulated nationwide. But it quickly decayed into a virtual war-zone, the kind of place where little boys were gunned down on their way to school and little girls were sexually assaulted and left for dead in stairwells. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s hard to put things like this into words. 40 people were shot in the last two days in Chicago during what is now being called “50 Hours of Violence.” I’ve lived in New Orleans, Jackson and right by Chicago and I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like the chaos that ravages the Chicago streets.

However, calling it “50 Hours of Violence” undermines the fact that this war has been around longer than the last week and will last beyond the next headline. Twice during this time period, there were shootings mere blocks away from crime scenes that were already swarming with cops. These incidents just scream “I don’t give a fuck” from kids that could care less about the law.

I’m still digesting the news, so I’m too stunned to get on a high horse or suggest any solutions.

Happy Easter.

I’m not a Chicago native. And frankly, I don’t even know if having the Olympics would have been the economic boost this city needs. Past hosts such as Montreal (1976!) are still paying off crushing debts while London’s budget keep rising for 2012. In truth, this entire push for the Olympiad boiled down to what Chicago politics is usually about: an excuse for the Mayor’s office to pleasure itself and line the pockets of Daley’s buddies. That’s whose good fortune was riding on the success of the Olympic bid, not necessarily the good citizens of the Windy City. Read the rest of this entry »

Bobby Ray stopped by the Chi last week and did two shows: one at the House of Blues and another at Columbia College. He tore the house down both nights, commading the stage with each show. I was able to attend both and speak to Mr. Ray about myriad of topics including some details on his album, his thoughts on the recent Goodie Mob reunion performance, his mishaps with Atlantic and a super-secret song featuring Coldplay and T.I. Read the rest of this entry »

On my mama, this isn’t a post rallying African Americans to “do better.” This isn’t an entry clamoring for the recognition of injustices to the young Black. It’s none of that. I’m not an activist and this isn’t something to that will be known which began the second coming of the Civil Rights Movement. Yesterday, while sitting in the library waiting on class to start I had some down time and decided to surf the web. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m a small-town boy. In Jackson, MS we pretty much have a concert: Jubilee Jam. It’s once a year and that’s it. For some reason, we never quite became a go-to spot for big time concerts.

But Chicago, fam? Gawlee. There’s a new show like every two days. Read the rest of this entry »

Last time I stepped foot in Grant Park was to celebrate Obama’s election and the change it symbolized. High on the list was an idea that America was taking a step forward in its racial history, and the crowd reflected that hopeful sprit, a mix of all ages, cultures, and colors.

Grant Park this weekend for Lollapalooza however?   Read the rest of this entry »

“…Meat falls off the bone.”

I’m not a biggest fan or user of the word pause… although it’s definitely in order after a phrase like that. Except it’s not the opening to the latest R. Kelly or The Dream song, but in fact the opening for Mr. Sprigg’s BBQ. Mr. Who? Mr. Sprigg’s of course, the best BBQ in Oklahoma.

Low budget videos with “urban” backdrops for food establishments must be a Midwest thing. First David D. hit us Read the rest of this entry »

WGCI.

There’s a high possibility that you may have never been to the Chi, but still know that those call letters have significance in Midwestern Hip-Hop. During the 90′s, I’d often spend spring break in the city. That’s when WGCI and I became the best of friends (second or third, with Harold’s taking the top slot), because you know how radio stations in other cities sound amazingly better than your own city’s. Well, Mikey Love has gathered WGCI’s Bad Boy Radio freestyles just to prove to you that WGCI’s radio > your local frequencies. Read the rest of this entry »

This is Drew’s deal so I’ll let him explain this:

Yes, I know it’s been a long time coming, and I’ve seemingly been talking about it forever, but today is the day that Tim and I are unleashing it to the world. Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you The Fake Shore Drive Mixtape.

Now you can finally see what actually made the final cut, and how Tim sequenced and mixed the mixtape, that blends and cuts nicely. We have new and unreleased material from Bump J, The Cool Kids, Lupe Fiasco, Mikkey Halsted, GLC, Naledge, Twista, Rhymefest, Really Doe, Sly Polaroid, Pugs Atomz, J. Ivy, Que Billah, Big Wiz, Skooda and more.

Unfortunately, we lost a couple of these exclusives to various internet leaks, but there are still some incredible gems on here that you’ve never heard. I mean, it does feature a Bump J x Twilite Tone collaboration, so what more could you want?

I’d like to thank all of the artists that jumped down on the project and submitted music, Timbuck2 for orchestrating the music, The Cool Kids for hosting, Mike Kolar for MASTERING the project, Marc Moran for the dope visuals, and John Seyferth for his help with everything.

Link & track list after the jump Read the rest of this entry »

Mikkey drops the knowledge & No I.D. laces him with the bar-b-que ready backdrop. The perfect marriage for this time of year.

Props to Drew for getting his hands on this as it’s not slated to appear on any of Mikkey’s upcoming projects.

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Download — Mikkey Halsted – “We Are One” (Prod. by No I.D.)

Eve Canela On A Muy Bueno Monday

Prostitutes All Over Twitter, Naturally [Gawker]

Terrence Howard Says Marvel Betrayed Him With ‘Iron Man 2′ Contract [The Playlist]

Welcome 2 Chicago: The Lost Songs [FSD]

WrestleMania’s Greatest Moments I-XXIV [HHR]

Radiohead to Testify Against the RIAA [Torrent Freak]

Mistah FAB Plays NBA 2K9 for His Chain [TRU]

5 Things I’d Rather Do Than Listen To Ron Browz [Listening To Sharpies]

Odd Culture’s Top Ten Celebrities on Twitter [Odd Culture]

Mos Def Challenges Wayne, Jay-Z & Andre 3000 [Rappers I Know]

In other news…

1.) Nas Joining Picket Of Fox News In NYC [Billboard]

2.) The “Proof Of Purchase” – TSS x Untitled Giveaway ends tonight. Get your entries in folks so we can pull some names out of the hat & declare some winners.

Problems folks. Pure fuckin headaches to come.