Certain people are risk-takers, while others are too afraid to hide a little extra income from Uncle Sam or even ride a motorcycle. After reading this LA Times article detailing a recent heist pulled on LAPD’s SWAT training site, I’d say calling the thieves that stole more than 30 high-powered firearms fearless would be a solid bet. Read the rest of this entry »

Magic Johnson’s pleas may soon be turning into results as pro football appears one step closer to returning to the City of Angels. L.A.’s City Council rendered the unanimous vote of 12-0 which approved the blueprint and framework for a stadium built by AEG, making this the first time the body of decision makers has ever approved another NFL-ready establishment within city limits. Read the rest of this entry »

It goes without saying that Rihanna is on The List since she’s one of pop culture’s hottest commodities even when she’s sitting quietly in the corner. Proving her sexual prowess soars as high as her wailing alto, Beyoncé’s heir apparent took Los Angeles by storm, performing at the Staples Center while dressed like an Everlasting Gobstopper and shaking her pum-pum. Read the rest of this entry »

Ahh, the All-Star selections. It’s this time of year where a collective groan lets out from basketball nerds across the internet. This year’s ASG rosters has some good picks, but they leave much to be desired as usual. More importantly, there isn’t much leeway for replacement picks so far. All the players involved are either healthy or expected to heal from injuries, outside of the dubious fan vote for Yao Ming. That means there’s a bunch of “maybe next year” denial letters to hand out when the break rolls around. Read the rest of this entry »

Attention all L.A. heads. Here’s your chance to experience Murs & 9th Wonder’s Fornever weeks before its March 30th release date. It’s going down at this upcoming Friday as we have the chance to giveaway two pairs of tickets to two fans. Read the rest of this entry »

They say when you love something you have to set it free. Read the rest of this entry »

Words by: J. Tinsley

Nothing outside of a Tupac concert could make me miss the season six premiere of “Entourage” tonight. With football still over a month away from kickoff and the combination of baseball and Tour De Lance (Armstrong) dominating ESPN airwaves, this makes for a welcoming change of imagery. Judging by the trailer, Read the rest of this entry »

J.Kim got up extra early (or maybe he stayed up dumb late considering he’s on Pacific time) to send out this remix of Flying Lotus’ “GNG BNG” featuring Blu. It’s hard to Read the rest of this entry »

In the LC Weber shopping-mall-circa-1993 analogy, New Boyz is a hole in the wall that sells off-brand fitteds in ugly colors, next to Scrayper Boyz. In the real world, New Boyz is the follow-up act to The Knux and proof positive Warner Bros. isn’t working on lasting careers.

There’s no question “You’re A Jerk” has a catchy beat with Read the rest of this entry »

Aside from “gas prices on high” no longer holding water, this track is pretty fresh to me. Beat is laid out like a So Cal beach, same as Bambu’s locale. And dude has flow, so I’m cool with it. Read the rest of this entry »

This shit has been out for a minute, but I have give this dude Red love on TSS.

HVW8 is an art gallery off Melrose in Los Angeles — a dope little spot that shows a lot of love to local acts. I don’t know the full back story of how or why a homeless man named Red showed up at the back entrance of the gallery — armed with a wish, a prayer, an ill-ass funky beatbox and quite possibly a broken sternum — and I don’t know how we get this man signed, but I do know he concludes his shit talking about “I’m not computer savvy” and asking Warren G to sign him.

Now, I’m not sure Warren would be the most choice person to seek — in fact, Warren might could do with Red’s help — but after seeing this, Red’s wish is my command… Read the rest of this entry »

“…I had visions of many things. But happiness is just an illusion, filled with sadness and confusion.” – Jimmy Ruffin, Motown

“I’m absolutely wasted,” said House Shoes, my Michigan friend and California family. “I’m wasted” being his M.O. on nights like this. It was his release party for his King James Version at Fat Beats. No other state was expected from Shoes other than complete annihilation. Shit faced-ness. Three sheets to the wind. Piss pants. All of that.

“You going to make it through the night?” I asked, filling my plastic cup with keg beer.

“So what?” he responded, then fell out laughing at just how House Shoes-ian of a reply “so what” is to a yes-or-no question. He relayed the story through Henney-soaked smiles to all within earshot, and then again outside to Bishop Lamont, who laughed with the force of a man of authority. I was startled to see Bishop at first; not because I didn’t think he’d come to this event but because seeing folks like him in such familial settings still trips me out, almost three years later. Read the rest of this entry »

A fast favorite MC + A timeless, ageless legend + Hollywood’s best block of commercial real estate = Fresh As F*ck. Obviously.

Peeped at Nah Right.

On Saturday night in downtown L.A. the third annual “We The People” music festival jumped off with a laundry list of talent, from RZA to Primo to Les Claypool. I got there well after dark, hit the beer garden for a couple of tap-water flat Miller Lites and watched the folks who’d been there since 2 p.m. relinquish sanitary practice for a comfortable seat among plastic cups and cigarette butts peppering trampled grass. The problem with being fashionably late is you usually miss all the fun.

Nonetheless, I caught the act I came to see — Murs. The super locked MC blasted his way through a half hour set with high-fructose punch, igniting a bleary-eyed audience into crowd-surfable waves. After covering a sizable chunk of material from his new album, Murs For President, the So Cal native brought out another local, and legend — Kurupt. Folks damn near stomped each other to get a picture of the man as he regaled them with a few bars. And though that moment felt a certain climax of the night, it was during EPMD’s set the true surprise of the night got the blood a-rushing. Read the rest of this entry »

There has been much discussion pitting BluandExile v. BluandTaraach v. BluandMainframe, as if they’re inextricable hybrids of MC and beat maker. But part of what makes Blu such a powerful MC is his ability to seamlessly traverse the distance between the raw beats of an Exile, the otherworldly concepts of a Ta’Raach and the vintage rhythm of a Mainframe. Read the rest of this entry »