Audio recording engineer, hip hop DJ and producer of Jay-Z's spit game - Young Guru (aka: The Sound of New York) gives back to Cape Town, South Africa - School of Audio Engineering [SAE] students in the form of annual scholarship!
Always eager to share his knowledge with those who aspire to enter the rap game, Young Guru is hookin'-up with Heal The Hood to ultimately lace a worthy student with R60000; that's just under $7K U.S. dead presidents'.
Before game six of the 2K12 NBA playoffs, between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, eleven-time All-Star, Allen Iverson (aka: The Answer) returned to his court of greatness, in the City of Brotherly Love, to deliver the game ball and no-doubt a splash of good luck.
And that luck was bankable as the 76ers beat Boston and now look forward to game seven, and hopefully advancing to face their next opponent in the eastern conference.
But the real story is 'The I' and his possible return to the NBA. Say what? Yes sir! According to reports, during an interview with Iverson, he said the following:
“I’m not using that word (retirement)…” he said. “The way it is right
now, I’ve accepted the fact that (returning to play in the NBA) might
not happen. But I still want to play basketball. If I can get an
opportunity to where it’s going to make me happy at the end of my
career, I’ll take that opportunity. But I just love to play and I want
to have another opportunity to play on the professional level.”
Although returning to the pro ranks of the NBA might not happen like 'The Answer' wants it to, as far as fans and ballers are concerned...
Jay-Z and Kanye West, post 5 and 7 -- leading BET Awards nominations for 2K12
Congratulations and big SWAGG shout-out to two of NYC's dope MC's: Kanye West, who received 7BET Award nominations, while Jay-Z earned 5 nods! Six of Kanye's nominations are for hits he and Jay-Z cooked-up for their Watch the Thronecollabo.
Other nominees, for the category of Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, include:
Big Sean, Drake, J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and Young Jeezy.
The nominees for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist are:
Diamond, Brianna Perry, Nicki Minaj and Trina.
For Best New Artist:
A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, Diggy, Future and Meek Mill get recognized for their contribution(s) to the game of 'spit-flow'.
See who gets props when the 2K12 BET Awards jumps-off live from the L.A. - Shrine Auditorium, this summer on July 1st! And for those who plan to travel and attend this 'ballerswagg' affair, make sure you check the vibe in support of the homie's - Tyrei (AKA: DJ Tee), one of L.A.'s dopest local deejay's, and Mike~Dizzle, at The Game Sports Bar: Restaurant and Lounge.
DJ Tee, Puffy and Mike Dizzle @ G|S
It's 'sho-nuff' a fly-ass WestCoast function; so fly...G|S is the #1 Ciroc account in Cali!
After 20years in the game, Nas - "The Don" still bangs 'flowetically' hard, from NYC!
____________________________
It should come as no surprise that Nas' new joint, "The Don" symbolizes what's likely to be another sizzling success from the rappers upcoming album - Life is Good, scheduled for release this summer (07.17.2K12).
As he bangs loose on New Yorker's and MC's worldwide, Nasty Nas gets active [in] good life, swagg fashion. "The Don",
rather harsh and matter-of-factly, reminds MC's and rap fans what two decades in the rap game can produce -- legendary, intelligent, poetic, and gritty flawless flow!
'Deez-am', Ron! Just when we all thoughtMetta World Peacewas finally on the road to non-violent court conduct, L.A. Lakers forward - [Ron Artest] showed up in the second quarter of a double over time defeat of the Oklahoma City Thunder. After completing a critical [dunk] play, Artest 'gives-it' to Thunder's shooting guard -James Harden, causing Harden to suffer a concussion -- boo!
As a result of Ron's (no dis', Metta, but we gotta call you Ron Artest when it's like that) shockingly violent flagrant foul, intentional or not, apology or not, and violation of league conduct rules -- he has earned a seven game suspension.
NBA Commissioner -David Sternsaid regarding the unfortunate incident, "The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed
by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the
head area."He also stated, "We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety
of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for
players with a history of on-court altercations."
Unfortunately for Artest and the Lakers, missing seven games of hustle, muscle rebounding, and dunking and stealing balls will be hard to replace, but the Lakers have shown a knack for adjusting to difficult situations. This is one tight jam, though, that is no doubt a concern for Laker management.
"Metta has for the most part been a model citizen both on and off the court since joining the Lakers. Still,
his most recent lapse in judgment is not to be condoned or accepted.
His actions could have seriously injured another player, and his absence
during this suspension will hurt our team, as well. While we accept the
league's decision, we will be supportive of Metta and try to help him
be more professional on the court."-Mitch Kupchak
While fans appreciate Metta's passionate style of 'b-ball'swagg, they don't want to see cats take shots, especially to the 'dome', that could seriously hurt or fatally wound players. Considering Metta's apology to his teammates, the league, fans and Harden, no doubt, if he could do it all over again, just after dunkin' overKevin Durant, 'MWP' would have pounded his chest (all good), then headed down court to 'D-Up' without incident.
It takes a real man toadmit when he'sbeen emotionallyscarred, and it takesgreat courage toshare his painwith the world.Rap star-DMXdid just that recently onVH1'sreality show -'Couples Therapy'.
Known for his hard 'thuggish-ruggish', bad to the bone [rap] flow and iconic 'dogg' style, when talking about his mother, DMX keeps it passionately "real".
"I used to always turn to drugs when I was feeling a certain way and now that I’m not doing that, sometimes the pressure builds up, I’ll call [someone] and say, I just wanted to say ‘Mommy.’ I wanted to say that word. Mommy. Not ‘My mother,’ you know, I wanted to say mommy. I just wanted to talk to her. I haven’t talked to her in years and I just wanted to be able to say ‘Hi, mommy. I love you.’ Never once did she [say she loved me.] …. [crying] …. You know what, I think people lose sight of the fact that no matter how strong you are, as a man, no matter how tough you are, we all need to be somebody’s baby." --DMX
Way to 'man-up', X! And don't even trip on loved-1 for showin' some thug passion for his moms...who wouldn't? Even the hardest of hearts break down when it comes to something so essential to a healthy life - love from moms. And we all know dudes front like sh#t don't matter, but even the illest menace to society
has a bleeding heart for the woman who gave him life.
Many young fans, especially those who find themselves living in foster homes or childcare facilities, for instance, will be blessed by DMX's example. Too many of these youngsters sincerely believe that no one wants them, especially their mothers'. Confronting and sharing childhood trauma will no doubt help those who also feel the pain of love's absence.
And above all, in spite of his ups-n-downs with the "industry", his career is [still] all-good, but never more important than confronting the source of his suffering.
"And judging from the show, DMX has rightfully acknowledged [the] turmoil and is clearing the way for better days and better ways. That's what's up." -T.F. Hodge
One love and keep shining, dogg!
"I
gotta make it out, or move quickly. Can't allow the past to restrict
me, bet this time around they won't skip me. I am the last hope."--DMX
Ever sinceKim Kardashianmentioned becoming Glendale, California's next mayor to her sister -Khloe,on the reality TV show -'Keeping up with the Kardashian's', the responses have been mostly laughable, to keep it "real". In other words, most people think it's just a publicity stunt. Local Glendale politicians don't believe that Kim could actually "lead", citing her lack of experience in public service as evidence. And although other celebrities (like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronald Reagan) have played roles as politicians, it doesn't mean that Kim would enjoy the same success, they add.
But what if... Kim is serious?
Judging from her ability to get what she wants, coupled with the main ingredient required in politics - 'skrilla', she couldn't be a worse leader than former California governor, Schwarzenegger.
She may want to brush-up on her demographics and a few other essentials before she officially takes the plunge, though; she thinks Armenian's make up the greatest number of residents. In reality, only 25% of the population are Armenian.
Miss Kardashian would also face two mandatory challenges:
1. first get elected to city council
2. receive vote(s) of confidence from city council members, who select the mayor.
We know you've got a hot-ass frame, but do you have a political brain and a heart to serve others, Miss Kardashian? Or, is this, in "reality", just you[r] making a political play after taking a page out ofSarah Palin'sbook of 'hustle & flow'?
First up is your boy, 'King James' with a mean lean-in dunk.
Next, Andre Iguodala, "holla", drives down the middle for an easy put-down.
At number eight, and maybe this play should have been numero-uno, at number 10, cause 'VC' -Vince Carterlooked like Barry Sanders shaking and faking through defenders, then finishes with a nasty rim blaster - aaahhh!
A power play by Joakim Noah nets him the number seven position.
The clean-up man, George Hill was feelin' it after a nice two-hand put-back slam, which placed him in seat 6.
Smack dab in the middle, at position five, and worth every bit of fans' expectations -- 'Big Red', 'BG' - Black Griffin hits an acrobatic spin, off-the-glass, and-1, ringer; yeah dat!
Derrick Williams occupies pn4 with a 'for-realla' right hand power jam.
But quite nicer than he was a so-sick-wit-it facial slam by 'Double-J' - James Johnson.
At number 2, Randy Foye showed major heart, rhythm and soul when he straight took it to the rack with super 'funk'.
RF was in the building, playa! And finally, Paul Millsap takes baseline and makes crucial two-hand put-down to send game into O.T.
Who could argue that two time NBA MVP and eight time All-Star -- Steve Nash lacks dedication and loyalty as starting point guard for the Phoenix Suns?
After rejoining with the Suns since the 2004-05 season, Nash has given more than 100% effort in hopes of achieving his ultimate goal...of being crowned an NBA champion; so far and so long in waiting for [his] taste of champagne bubbly.
Like many great players before and no doubt after him, Nash does not want to go out like the great Charles Barkley - not a champion. And with 15 years in the game, Steve Nash seems to be getting tired of waiting for his time to shine [in] the sun, and with the Suns. A 38 year old free agent this summer, Nash indicated that unless the Suns make some positive improvements, he'd give Lebron James a listen regarding ballin' with the Miami Heat!
"I would listen," he said. "(James) is phenomenal. I love what they're
doing there. A lot of people don't like them because they put all that
talent there. But they're professional, they play hard, they play
together. Their coaching staff has done a great job, so I have a
tremendous amount of respect for them." ~Steve Nash
If Nash does end up runnin' with the Heat, it won't be for the 'dough'; the Heat just can't afford it. But considering what we know about the heart, passion and relentless 'b-ball style' of Nash, he'd likely give up a few dead presidents' for the chance to be considered, not only one of the greatest, but finally, a great NBA champion (assuming that could happen with Miami).
Steve Nash - 15 year NBA Pro 'Baller'
"People have always doubted whether I was good enough
to play this game at this level. I thought I was, and I thought I could
be. What other people thought was really always irrelevant to me."
Hip Hop MC, Rapper, Gangsta, Mack, Hustler, Baller, Street Scholar,
Writer, Producer, Director, Actor, Dad...um, what else? To some he's O'Shea
Jackson, and to others he's Ice Cube (or Cube); he's so large he is 'The
West Coast Warlord -- The Don Mega'!
Lately, the homie -Ice Cubehas been busy 'handlin biz' and talking about his new [movie] production projects: '21 Jump Street', 'N.W.A.' and 'Last Friday'.
Putting rumors to rest, Cube keeps it real during an interview on BlackTree.TV about directors, cast of characters, and playing a cop. "I'll play one if they give me millions of dollars. Who wouldn't?", said Cube during the interview.
For all those "true hip hop heads" who love to dis rappers for 'crossing over' and stepping into the pop-culture limelight..."don't hate the playa, hate the game!"
If you were offered millions of dollars to play an imaginary role, one that would provide financial security for you and your family or loved ones, your hip-hop-head-ass would be with the business like 100! Like any other 'real' dude in the game, Cube continues to put it down with major swagg sauce.
Besides '21 Jump Street', Cube speaks on N.W.A.:
"I'm trying to get the N.W.A movie made. I want to get a good script
together and find a director. The movie is gonna cover how we got
together, how we broke up and what happened after that", saidCube.
But the question that's on everybody's mind is; Will Chris Tucker make an appearance in 'Last Friday'?
An added bonus, no doubt, would be seeing comedic stars Mike Epps and Kat Williamsget-it-in for the grand [Friday] finale. It would also be nice to see 'Deebo' get his punk-bully-ass knocked out again, too.
STAY TUNED!
Ice Cube
The Don Mega
West Coast Warlord
with
'Pyroclastic' Flow
"Gangsta to us didn't have anything to do with Al
Capone and stuff like that. It's just about living your life the way you
want to live it. And you're not going to let nothing stop you."- Ice Cube
Tomorrow, Friday, March 9, 2012 marks a date in hip hop history that fans, friends and family wish never occurred -- the murder of one of rap music's most 'illest' MC's, Christopher George Latore Wallace(aka: The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, Big Poppa, BIG, The Black Frank White).
No one could ever know if Brooklyn's king rap singer was ready to die on that fateful night in Los Angeles, California in 1997, he probably wasn't, but during his short time living, B.I.G. did it BIG! He spit dope rhymes with a flow so sick, and a swagg so smoov -- he took New York, hip hop and, ultimately, popular culture by storm...like being hypnotized!
With 17 million units of certified sales, street credibility and raw rap game, MTV, and more importantly -- the streets and hip hop fans, consider Notorious B.I.G.
to be one of the greatest MC's of all time.
Already a bonafide hustler and freestyle bad-boy on the streets of Brooklyn, by the time C. Wallace laced the track with game, his delivery was fierce, fabulous and flawless! In 1995, two years before he was killed, The King MC was named Billboard magazine's best rap artist of the year for serving up platinum hits like 'One More Chance' featuring R&B songstress - Faith Evans.
No question about it, when this instantly "classic" cut hit the club(s) the ladies were grabbin' dudes' and headed to the dance floor to get their smoov groove and grind on!
While the list of hits and raw spit well-defined the persona of The Notorious B.I.G., those who knew him best...personally, and even those who loved his music, will forever celebrate and cherish the incredible gift and memory of Christopher Wallace.
"It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine. Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine. Hangin' pictures on my wall. Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl, I let my tape rock 'til my tape stopped..." ~Notorious B.I.G.
It's official: Long time Indianapolis Colts star quarterback - Peyton Manning is released by Colts
"I'll always be a Colt", said Peyton Manning in response to the news that his years with the Indianapolis Colts is a wrap...deuces. After a 14 year run leading one of the NFL's most dominant offenses, no doubt, Colt fans will miss Manning's ability to "Joe Montana" his offense down the field, and into the end-zone.
What the future holds for Manning, as well as the Colts, is obviously left to speculation, but "times change, circumstances change, and that's the reality of playing in the NFL" -- according to Manning.
With about half a dozen teams showing interest in #18, time will tell if Peyton will be able to fling the 'pigskin' as he once did before undergoing a series of neck operations, causing him to miss an entire [2011] NFL season.
As for now, we wish Peyton the best with his recovery, and return to the gridiron to ball, swagg and get it in!
With all the well deserved hype surrounding 'J-Lin' (Jeremy Lin, point guard - New York Knicks), good news about 'ballers' on big stages always gets plenty of press.
But just because million dollar players get the added benefit of media attention, it doesn't mean big game and, more importantly, big heart b-ballers don't exists elsewhere - on smaller and less well known courts.
Surfing the net we discovered a young cat from Tallahassee, Florida with major game, heart and swagg, despite his obvious "so-called" physical limitation. Who is he?
The Name:Landus Anderson
'The One Arm Assassin'
The Game:Basketball (B-Ball)
Anderson - 'The One Arm Assassin'
Don't get it twisted, although 'LA' has nerve damage in his right arm, just imagine what he'd do with both arms fully automic; he gets his - fuh sho - against the toughest defenders'. Rebounds, too? Yeah boy!
Aight, hold up, Landus does have his doubters -- those who fear he may not be able to handle playing with and against college players, but his coach is highly confident that if given an honest opportunity - his specially inspired player will hold his own.
Landus Anderson - Heart, Leader, Baller!
Averaged: 21.5 ppg and 8 assists (last summer to lead his team to final four)
2.5 blocked shots
2.9 steals
The game is 10% hustle, 90% mental toughness -- believe that!
So check it, if you agree that this kid deserves an honest look and opportunity to shine at the next level, as well as pursue his educational goals, let us and the world know about it. Let's support this youngster, and others like him, as much as we support million dollar 'ballers' like Jeremy Lin. One love!
Veteran AAU Coach, Curtis Miller said this about Landus:
"He's a talent. He can shoot outside, he can take it inside, he can
overpower you skill wise, has basketball IQ. The sky is the limit."
"If dude got skills and is given the opportunity he deserves for his hard work and dedication to the game -- let him shine and don't hate. That's keepin' it realer-than-real...that's hip-hop!"~T.F. Hodge
What was expected to be an emotional night of celebration for outstanding achievement(s) in music, and remembrance in tribute to legendary music and entertainment industry icon - Whitney Houston (the queen of pop), this year's 2012 Grammy Awards show was, as many described, "distastefully stained" by [the] controversial and shocking performance of 'Roman Holiday', by female rap star - Nicki Minaj (aka: Barbie, Martha, and Roman).
Well known for her 'out-of-the-box', ultra-bizarre, flamboyant, highly provocative, and unorthodox style of [rap and entertainment] flow, many fans, award show attendees, and especially religious followers, were straight-up offended by the rappers untimely and perplexing display of "art".
No doubt, if Nicki's "Madonna-esque" premeditated 'game' was to piss-off the Catholic Church or garner more fame, fortune, attention and hyped-up buzz for her "brand", she definitely did that...and some!
So what did or will Nicki Minaj (or any of her alter-ego's) gain by taking a page out of Madonna's book of controversial performances? Obviously, she captured, although negatively, the attention and horror of thousands, if not millions, of viewers.
But will this sort of publicity increase [her] record sales and fan-base or turn people off?
We've witnessed many instances where controversy sells, but do consumer's, in the long run, support this sort of perceived "demonic" approach to free speech and artistic expression?
Although controversy, as well as sex, sells products - satanic controversy may not be the best approach to retaining and, moreover, increasing a fan-base. Unless Nicki is suddenly interested in attracting those in society who delve in the dark side of spirituality, in exchange for those [fans] who are opposed to it, she might consider explaining the situation with her own words -- if that will help any.
She did, in fact, explain her performance and related issues to 102.7 KIIS FM radio show host - Ryan Seacrest the day following her Grammy performance(click here to listen to full radio interview).
Outraged critics described the rappers performance as "terribly shocking", "hideous", "grotesque", "disrespectful", "insulting", "offensive", "highly satanic", "like Frankenstein", "hellish", "untimely", "sad", "inappropriate", and so on. While many upset viewers and critics question the appropriateness of her "train wreck" performance, especially considering the shocking news of Whitney Houston's sudden death the night before the Grammy's, religious practitioners, among others, wasted no time dissing Nicki and those responsible for scheduling her performance.
"None of this was by accident, and all of it was approved by The
Recording Academy, which puts on the Grammy's. Whether Minaj is possessed
is surely an open question, but what is not in doubt is the
irresponsibility of The Recording Academy. Never would they allow an
artist to insult Judaism or Islam."
While many have taken offense to Minaj's performance, the controversial rapper suggests that her loyal fans, and those who follow the evolution of her alter egos, get where she's coming from and therefore understood the, arguably tasteless, metaphoric message demonstrated in her 'Exorcism of Roman' performance.
Call it 'game', demonic possession, or just plain insane, Nicki Minaj and Grammy Award show shot-callers may have succeeded, intentionally or not, in casting a dark shadow over a musical moment in history (that should have highlighted the beautiful tribute to Whitney Houston by R&B vocalist - Jennifer Hudson), but the love and admiration for Miss Whitney Houston will shine far beyond this gross misstep of unfortunate, untimely and distasteful circumstances.
As for Miss Nicki Minaj (the female Weezee) - don't let smooth taste and alter egos fool you. Although she may rub some people the wrong way, she's gettin' her [self] pimpin' on. And as long as she continues to find and create ways to widen her sphere of influence and popularity, by promoting her movement, brand and style of 'hustle & flow', she remains the baddest bitch in the [rap] game...
...like, love, hate her or not -- she may not be darling, but she is Nicki Minaj!
Audio recording engineer, hip hop DJ and producer of Jay-Z's spit game - Young Guru (aka: The Sound of New York) gives back to Cape Town, South Africa - School of Audio Engineering [SAE] students in the form of annual scholarship! 
collabo.
