Yeah it’s that time again.

Too often do we sift through the predictable media cycle of artists yelling how “crazy” their album is or even fixing their lying ass mouths to utter the other “C” word — classic. How about these C’s: cut the crap. Each year, the allure of the album continues to decrease thanks in part to overhyped, superfluous projects that only possess a handful of good songs. Not to mention the legion of stans that will stick by anything short of a satanic message their favorite artist puts out. Not I. Air ‘em out like spring laundry. Read the rest of this entry »

I truly despise this channel. So much, I keep it tuned in to stay on top of their fuckery, in an enemies-close-kinda-way. Their latest act of business is nothing short of the first class stupidity that’s earned them the right to be Viacom’s Cinderella (minus the fairy godmother) for all these years. As it turns out, Willy Northpole’s “#1 Side Chick” video’s portrayal of a guy with two girlfriends is unfit for their polished programming, as they have declared it banned from future broadcasting.

In a statement collected by SOHH, Willy Northpole’s manager Tiffany Johnson had this to say:

BET didn’t like how the video portrays a man in a relationship with two women. Johnson says there’s no anger in Northpole’s camp toward BET, but the channel’s decision “Kind of hurt, because they’ve shown a lot worse,” she says. “I don’t know how they can say we’re portraying something unwholesome, because the video ends with the man marrying one of the women. I feel our video is tasteful. We were kind of offended. My first thought was ‘Every Girl’ can get played, and we can’t?” (Phoenix New Times)

Fair question, especially with the live rendition from their sloppy award show treading dangerously in to the realm of pedophilia. Read the rest of this entry »

Put Your Dukes Up. Sports Sunday’s Tana Brown

Remy Ma’s Lawyer Avoids Jail Over Tax Violations [AHH]

Available Now: Air Jordan 1 Retro DMP ‘Bulls vs Celtics’ [Sneaker Obsession]

Higher Minimum Wage Coming Soon [Yahoo]

Hip-Hop is Just Entertainment [TRU]

Obama in Ghana Preaches Unity and Action [Time]

Portrait Of Jackson’s Pill Consumption Emerges [CNN]

It’s Been Nineteen Years & Three Months [Humanizing The Vacuum]

The Dangers Of Walking While Texting: Staten Island Teen Ends Up In Manhole [Gawker]

Canadian Former Boxing Champion Gatti Found Dead [TSN]

BET Bans Willy Northpole’s “No. 1 Side Chick” Video, “‘Every Girl’ Can Get Played & We Can’t?” [SOHH]

Connections matter, and when trying to break through in anything, it sometimes helps to know the right people. Willy Northpole could do much worse than DTP, as he attempts to break into mainstream Hip-Hop with the aptly named Tha Connect. With the support of Luda’s gang and a few key guest appearances from credible hitmakers (Ne-Yo, Tha Bizness) and underground up-and-comers (B.o.B,) the foundation should be set for success.

And it is, as Tha Connect has several elements of a good Hip-Hop album, particularly in terms of production. The beats balance consistency with range, from the grimey bass of “Body Marked Up,” to the old school jazz vibe of “Feeling Alright.” The infectious “Hood Dreamer,” anchors the album as a loud, bombastic summer anthem, while Willy channels his hunger into appropriate swaggerific rhyming. Read the rest of this entry »

Is anyone even paying attention to Brother Northpole round these parts? His debut album Tha Connect features contributions from Tha Bizness, B.o.B. a.k.a. Bobby Ray and obviously Bobby Valentino and is being released through Ludacris’ DTP label.

Still don’t give a fuck? Read the rest of this entry »

Willy Northpole – “Ghetto Tour Guide” Video

It’s already been documented that Sir Northpole has a knack for the narratives so it should come as no surprise that music from his forthcoming album Tha Connect dabbles in the art of storytelling. Read the rest of this entry »

For some reason, the change in weather has made me less apt to sit here and go through all the tracks I come across on a daily basis. This morning I spent a few minutes playing catchup, as well checking out some older albums, and I ended up listening Read the rest of this entry »

Swagga Like Us Concert Pt. 1

Here’s some more detailed footage of the Swagger Like Us concert from the other day. You already read about their latest edition in The Cooler. Now watch how Disturbing The Peace…well disturb the peace along with a couple other DTP materials. Read the rest of this entry »

That boy Christopher Bridges has done quite well for himself since he came back for the first time 8 years ago. Now, with 3 Grammys, 6 albums and 15 million records sold, as well as 12 movies, and numerous businesses under his belt, Mr. Bridges, commonly known as Ludacris, is a different man with different goals and a new challenge to make a different album.

At this stage in his career, he no longer has the luxury of sticking to a formula, and regurgitation, but cannot run the risk of straying to far from his diehard base and newfound audience lest he find his creative initiative scrutinized like Kanye others did….just less successful. So it is that Christopher chose to try something new to him, but not foreign to us, putting a somewhat fresh spin on the age-old, career saving, ‘concept album’ concept. Read the rest of this entry »