Basketball & Hip-Hop go hand in hand like sugar and Kool-Aid. For as long as I can remember, cats have aspired to make it in life either via gripping a microphone or by handling the rock on the court. So when I see something like the Band Of Ballers event going down, I know it’s authentic because half of these artists swear music wasn’t their first calling in life (and for some, it actually wasn’t).

The second Band Of Ballers Celebrity Basketball tournament that will take place in Atlanta on May 1st. Last year’s Band Of Ballers event (click here for highlights) was a huge success and saw Jim Jones and The Jones Family squad taking the chip. This year, they’ll be in the A, looking to defend their crown. Seeking to cut their reign short, there’s a motley crew of opponents on other celebrity teams featuring the likes of Jermaine Dupri And The So So Def Family, Shawty Lo, OJ Da Juiceman, Pill, Bad News (Jay Electronica, Sean Price, and Donnis), Steel Train, The Black Lips, Of Montreal and more.

Sounds good, right?

The bad news: Access is limited.

The good news: We’ve got you covered with FIVE pairs of tickets to share with TSS readers. Yep, you and a friend will be in the house on May 1st, provided that you have your own transportation. If you’ve got that covered, we’ve got you covered with access to the event. All you have to do is enter below.

Winners will be announced no later than April 28th. So and your friends should enter now to increase your chances.

RMF!

Below, a few photos of the participants but I really don’t think this is all. I’m already guessing a few of these squads will be trying to slip in ringers to play.

Along with the recommendations found here, DJ Whoo Kid and XXL have consolidated the year’s top Freshmen onto one mixtape to give the uninitiated a crash course in one sitting. It’s Big Sean, Donnis, Fashawn, Freddie Gibbs, J. Cole, Jay Rock, Nipsey Hussle, OJ Da Juiceman, Pill and Wiz Khalifa all competing for your headphone time. Will one of them make a new believer out of you? Read the rest of this entry »

If this is your first time seeing any of the artists mentioned, on behalf on the rest of the TSS Crew, I’d like to give you all a warm welcome to The Smoking Section. Because every last one of these rooks have been featured heavily on the site. None of these rappers are actually “new” or “freshman” in the traditional sense. Read the rest of this entry »

1017 Brick Squad. They’re not the heir apparents to Slaughterhouse. But that’s just it; they don’t try to be. The pill popping, bottle pouring, weed smoking, pistol toting lyrics they spew have helped the entire group garner an insane amount of love in the streets, with Gucci leading the charge. The good thing? Even with Radric living off three hots and a cot, his lil’ homies are more than holding their own.

OJ? Well, he’s 32 mixtapes in and allegedly well on his way to becoming the next great wordsmith of our generation.

Waka? Deny it all you want, but “O Let’s Do It” could go down as one of the better anthems in recent memory. At the very least, it kills time until Gucci is released back into the free world sometime later this year. Thankfully, those bullets weren’t his final scene and it’s apparently done nothing but bolster his work ethic.

I don’t know too much about about the other two members, Wooh Da Kid and Frenchie. Regardless, I’m sure they’re hood stars too. That said, one of my favorite Brick Squad tracks has been their classy ode gangsta girls nationwide. I’m referring to “Candy Lady,” originally found on Gucci’s BurrrPrint. The homie Haze recently did the honors and dropped the NO DJ version. A great addition as they days of riding with the windows down march closer and closer.

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Download — Brick Squad – “Candy Lady” (Remix) (No DJ)

[Via]

While you’re here, enjoy the visual as well. Video vixen drug dealers and all.

As a precursor to Teflon Don, the biggest Bawse wants YOU to know he’s made of money by going washing the dishes in wristwatches that cost more than the house you’re living in. Brought to you by DJ Folk & Papa Smirf, Ricky Ross has that The Timeless Audemars Piguet Collection so you can listen to luxury. Read the rest of this entry »

“RINGS ON like a basketball player
Freshman of the year like a basketball player
What it do cuz man I’m here to stay
Aw man cuz man we in ya face..
……..Aye!” Read the rest of this entry »

Last summer, we analyzed the brilliance of OJ Da Juiceman’s tweets. His words reached a lot of you, inspiring you to be great. When his newest mixtape, Orange dropped, his poetry came to life. Listening to the intro of was like hearing Shakespeare read his most biting of heroic couplets. Read the rest of this entry »

Since the original beat was pummeled into oblivion, DJ Green Lantern puts his own coat of paint over Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock’s classic while scooping up every purported rapper-drug dealer to assist Big Snoop Dogg in giving his hit new legs (again). Read the rest of this entry »

AYE! Just one month into the year and Mr. Thanksgiving is making sure the streets have an abundance of material to keep their iPods fed. While some opt to go with blue or purple, Jewman’s hue of choice is 100% Tropicana with his Urrngtape, complete with pulp and preservatives from Bun B, Jay Rock and his extended fam YBC. Read the rest of this entry »

Prior to viewing this video, I hadn’t been to WorldStarHipHop in months. While I don’t hate it like many others do, it’s never been in my top places to visit for one reason or another. I will, however, give them credit for this. What we have hear is a behind the scenes look at Tone Tone and OJ Da Juiceman‘s newest video entitled “I’m Doin’ Good.” Read the rest of this entry »

With a rap sheet that rivals the length of his discography, there’s no denying Gucci Mane has street cred in spades. Having kept his nose somewhat clean and built a considerable buzz for himself, the major labels were all but forced to pick him up and place him on the fast track to being the next big Rap star. Yet, he failed to follow the parameters of his probation and languishs in jail life when he should be enjoying the fruits of his labor. So before heading off the big house once again, his music was scheduled for trial in the court of public opinion with his latest offering The State Vs. Radric Davis. Read the rest of this entry »

Beauty Monrose Could Get It

The Twenty-Five Most Valuable Blogs In America [24/7 Wall St.]

What Were Black People Talking About on Twitter Last Night? [The Awl]

OJ Da Juiceman Reveals Mixtape With Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame [MTV]

The 10 Worst Heisman Winners of All Time [Bleacher Report]

Dwight’s Critical Blogging Costs Him $15k [Slam]

The Five Breakfast Cereals Most Ripe For A Big Screen Adaptation [Pajiba] Read the rest of this entry »

Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Brazil Gets

A Beginner’s Guide To Pedobear, the Internet’s Favorite Pervert [URLesque]

Rihanna Interview Draws 82 Million Viewers [Contact Music]

Hilary Duff, Short Skirt Time [Me & Isis]

The Creepiest Wonder Woman Product Ever [Comics Alliance]

Hahahaha! Blockbuster Renting Movies on SD Cards! Hahahahaha! From Kiosks! [Gizmodo] Read the rest of this entry »

Before I went through the whole Cold War series, I figure it’d be wiser to let The Burrrprint digest (||) so I’ve been giving it a few plays. Even though I find it kind of passé to be rhyming about a chain in 2009, Gucci and crew manage to make it an entertaining event.
Read the rest of this entry »

If Mariah Carey likes it so hood, why is she with Nick Cannon? Maybe one foot in each door? Eh? Eh? Read the rest of this entry »