Tupac Shakur: The Life of a Born Rap Soldier

 

It's Saturday, the sun's rays of heat makes it another golden, California day...and June 16, 1971 is the day one of hip hop's greatest emcee's in the rap game - Tupac Shakur [aka: 2Pac, Makaveli] - was born. 

Anyone with half a brain and exposure to mass media pretty much knows, or will eventually hear about, the celebrated life and legendary lyrical 'spit-flow' of a born rap soldier:

 Tupac Amaru Shakur

While most rappers do just that - rap, Pac was, and obviously still is (2K12 hologram at Coachella), much more than an MC, or a thug for that matter. 

A spiritual-soldier of great intellectual fortune, Makaveli was blessed with unprecedented and unmatched skills (writer, actor, MC, activist, producer, poet, revolutionary, screenwriter, humanitarian) and a voice that penetrated the heart & soul of massive audiences the world over - one love! 

And even though murder was the case they gave him, executed in Las Vegas - 1996, Pac gave us all 100% real, raw, rough, and romantic insight into the mind of [a] prophetic genius who became a threat to many forces...and some might argue, even to himself.

Regardless of how his spirit transcended our sense of dimension, time and space -- the life and 1-LOVE-THUG-PASSION of Tupac Shakur, no-doubt, lives on...and rocks beyond the break of dawn. Happy 'born-day', Pac. Hit em up!

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Big SHOUT-OUT to his mother, Afeni Shakur,

and the 'party' that helped raise a son who reminded us of hip hop's universal message of [thug] love, peace and unity. 

   "A coward dies a thousand deaths... a soldier dies but once." -Tupac

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"Shakur has sold over 75 million records worldwide as of 2010,[2] making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world. Rolling Stone Magazine named him the 86th Greatest Artist of All Time." [source: wikipedia]

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well Respected in the Rap Game:

Tupac Amura Shakur

 June 16, 1971 - September 13, 1996

He was 25 years young

Tupac: Resurrection

Heat vs Thunder - 2012 NBA Finals: A 'Ballers' Battle

   

Who's Down to Ball?

 

This year's NBA 'b-ball' finals, between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder, is all ball-n-swagg, baby! Finally the game 'b-ball' fans have been longing to see, a battle of young NBA greats and future champions will feature, arguably, the game's best two talents: 

  Lebron James and Kevin Durant!

While some odds and prediction makers seem eager to give Miami the nod in a seven game series, it might be a mistake to count OKC, the underdogs, out so soon and so easily. 

The Big3 in Miami -- King James, D. Wade and Bosh 
-- may be too hot to handle for the Boston Celtics, but getting into the paint won't be an acceptable proposition for the lengthy-likes of Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and a defiant Kendrick Perkins.

If OKC can keep, either, King James or D. Wade out of the box, forcing them to take perimeter shots, Oklahoma will likely earn their first NBA title. 

Considering Chris Bosh is just getting back to business, helping Miami advance to the finals with a solid performance against Boston in game seven, it's too soon to expect CB to remain healthy, as the series against the Thunder becomes more turbulent and physically challenging. 

The Thunder are a tight crew of young, hungry, athletic, fast, and way-too-talented bunch to be intimidated by Miami's brand of heat-game. No doubt, Batman and Robin (James and Wade) and the rest of the Heat can put-it-down with great athleticism and skill, too, but the bulk of Miami's "heat" is generated by these two heroic stars.

If just one of them, Bosh, James or Wade, isn't on-point throughout a series of fast-breaks served-up by OKC's thunder & lightening speed, the Heat's dynamic duo, along with their starting center, may just have to settle for champions of NBA-swagg-fashion.

And  the 'X' factor  no one seems to notice, except Oklahoma's coaching staff; the veteran leadership, experience, game I.Q., and poise of 5-Time NBA champ, Derek Fisher (aka: D-Fish), who is just as
determined to help his team earn [the] bling...and sport another NBA Championship ring on his 6th finger. 

Blame it on Kupchak, Kobe! 

Had it not been for Fisher's, "as usual", clutch play and court leadership, during an entire 4th quarter of game seven against the Spurs, the inexperienced Thunder were looking to self-destruct and possibly see another opportunity to be known as Kings of The Court, slip through their fingers.

Against a Miami offense fully heated and healthy, mental toughness and focus, fueled by a will-to-win and 'gotta-get-mine' attitude, must be OKC's most potent invisible weapon against  the 'zone' factor, or rhythm & flow of [the] D. Wade-King James connection.

Perhaps their "connection" will be disco'd by OKC's "quiet storm", represented by two young bolts of lightening:

Russell Westbrook and James Harden 

Hands down, Miami gets Ballerswagg's nod for Team with Most Swagg, but OKC...them boys look like they want it more, and could care less about swagg; they want that title. But to get it, they will have to take it from King James and Prince Wade -- who probably assume they deserve it more. Square Biz, Ballerswagg will be in the buildin'!

TicketFeeder - Basketball Tickets

  
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2K12 MIAMI HEAT

NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPS

2K12 NBA FINALS GAME SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES EASTERN):


G1: Miami @ Oklahoma City (Tues., June 12, 9p)

G2: Miami @ Oklahoma City (Thrs., June 14, 9p)

G3: Oklahoma City @ Miami (Sun., June 17, 8p)

G4: Oklahoma City @ Miami (Tues, June 19, 9p)

G5: Oklahoma City @ Miami (Thrs., June 21, 9p)

G6: Miami @ Oklahoma City (Sun., June 24, 9p)

G7: Miami @ Oklahoma City (Tues., June 26, 9p)

2K12 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPS

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How to make Hip Hop Rap Beats with 'Maschine Mikro'

Maschine Mikro:  Producing Beats & Hits that Bang!

Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Groove Production Studio

Got lyrics, but no beats? Technology, with no production skills? And most of all...Got   Maschine Mikro, but no road map? No matter if you're new to beat making or an experienced producer or musician, there's nothing like a video demonstration and tutorial to boost-up the learning curve. While some may prefer to figure things out for themselves, by trial and error, most users of Maschine Mikro and similar technology appreciate quality product demonstrations, in order to fully exploit its capabilities. 

So in response to questions about how to make beats using Native Instrument's -- Maschine Mikro, we've searched and found a few good examples of quality video presentations, by users and reviewers, of this essential, dope, and easy-to-use technological groove-box!

But before we get down to the 'nitty-gritty' of actually learning how to create bangin beats, check out hip hop producer, Khrysis...
 

using Maschine Mikro:

                           

Now that you have an idea of what the Maschine Mikro can do, get comfortable, maybe even get a pad and writing tool to jot down a few notes, get your headphones (Beats by Dre'
if you're a 'Baller', of course), and give a big shout-out to DubSpot and Mr. Invisible's - Justin Aswell for this three [3] part slammin tutorial on >>>>>>>>
 

a). track composition,

b). finger drumming, 

and c). live performance techniques:

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"Leonard from Kosmic Sound takes us through the features of the Maschine Mikro..."

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With practice and dedication to one's craft of composing beats and breaks, whether for hobby or business, anyone can learn to produce and enhance the skills of composing...
                                

       bangin'-ass, ballerific beats...

     

so, get it poppin' like 'J. Ellis', homie!

Beastie Boys Rap Pioneer, Adam Yauch - 'MCA' dies at age 47

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The hip hop community and fans worldwide are shocked and saddened; a rap pioneer - Adam Yauch

(better known as MCA of the legendary group -- Beastie Boys), has died at age 47. But although MCA's 'physical' is no longer perceivable, hip hop celebrates the spirit of those, like Adam, who've helped blaze its revolutionary trail through popular culture.

 

 

As [a] founding member of the Beastie Boys rap group, MCA rocked the mic with fellow group MC's - Mike D and Ad-Rock, and Mix Master Mike spinning the tables to their funky, funky hits. 

Before the group decided to express their combined art through rap music, they first chose hardcore punk as the genre of choice. In 1983, the 'B-Boys' started flirting with hip hop and expressed their new-found love like most MC's do...they released a 12 inch single:  'Cooky Puss'.

A year later, in 1984, the Beastie Boys and hip hop were married to the rap game, and their first offspring [album] was Licensed to Ill, released in 1986.

"It was the first hip hop LP to top the Billboard 200  chart. It was also Columbia Records' fastest-selling debut record to date and sold over 9 million copies." And judging from the group's worldwide impact and fanbase following, being married to hip hop has been mighty good for one of hip hop's illest group of MC's.

They were pioneers, no doubt!

"They are one of the longest lived hip hop acts worldwide and continue to enjoy commercial and critical success in 2011, more than 25 years after the release of their debut album. The group has been selected as part of the 2012 induction class into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, after being eligible since 2007."  [Source:  Wikipedia]

Adam Yauch was a true representation of what

hip hop culture was, is, and should [forever] be  --  a unifying force of loyal expression of self, for the benefit of humanity. 

In spite of his battle with a cancerous parotid salivary gland, which is the likely cause of [his] death, in his personal life, Yauch practiced and became a voice for Buddhism, and the struggle for independence of the Tibetan people, specifically. 

He was so devoted to his spiritual practice and beliefs that, in the spirit of hip hop, he put his money, and his heart, where his mouth was. "He created the Milarepa Fund, a non-profit organization devoted to Tibetan independence, and organized several benefit concerts to support the cause." 

RIPMCA
04.05.1964 - 05.04.2K12

                           Way to spit the ill, 

raspy rhymes!  

     "If you can feel what I'm feeling then it's a musical masterpiece. If you can hear what I'm dealing with then that's cool at least. What's running through my mind comes through in my walk. True feelings are shown from the way that I talk"  
-MCA, [Pass the Mic - 1992]

Andrew Bynum ties NBA record for most Blocks in playoff game!

 

 'Big Smack' was turnt-up against Nuggets in game 1 of NBA playoffs!

In the Laker's first game of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Lisa Leslie said of L.A. Laker's center: "Andrew was 'Bynumite'!" Leslie also said she "had to give 'props' to my twitter followers for that one", referring to Bynum's explosive play during the Laker's 103 - 88 victory over Denver.

 [Stat:  winner of game 1 wins series 78% of time]

And even though [the] 'Black Mamba' did his usual thang ('sho-nuff' cold as ice until the second half, scoring a total of 31pts), it was BIG Andrew Bynum who dominated and flossed hard in the paint, earning a triple-double, a first since Laker legend - Magic Johnson did it in the '91 NBA finals, with 10 big blocked shots, 10 points and 13 rebounds in game one against Denver!

With 30 points scored against the Nuggets on 4.13.2K12, in spite of his 10 buckets today, "his timing was impeccable", said Kobe about 'Big-Bang's' blocking and rebounding ability in today's game. According to Laker head coach - Mike Brown, "The difference in the game was Adrew Bynum."
 

"He was an absolute BEAST down there!" -Coach Mike Brown, L.A. Lakers

Talk about doggin'-um, number 17 caused Nuggets to crumble with just 16 of 44 shots scored in the paint; he was blocking, dunking and rebounding with high energy. Laker legend - Michael Cooper said, "his play was stellar"! 

The other 7 footer - Pau Gasol also put-in-work on 'D', as he almost triple doubled, too, but laced-up a nice set of digits to help his team secure the 'dub':

13 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks

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Once upon a time [young] Andrew Bynum
 

was harshly and just about routinely criticized for his perceived lack of will, strength and endurance. Many fans, critics and analysts forgot that although he joined the NBA in a mans frame, he was still a developing 'youngsta' trying to figure out how to run with the big doggs. 

With tutelage from The Cap (Kareem Abdul Jabbar), experience, growth, dedication to his craft,  and maintaining good health (*this year only one game missed due to injury) - he'll likely continue to reek havoc on the opposition! 

And as Bynum becomes more confident and settled in his physicality (coordination, reflexes, etc.), the evolution of his 'b-ball' I.Q. will allow him to continue to dominate the middle for seasons to come. 

Think about it:  Andrew Bynum has been playing pro ball for six years, most of which has been spent healing battle wounds his developing frame wasn't used to absorbing from more powerful and physically seasoned NBA centers. But at 25 years old, 'Big Drew' is poised to become one of the NBA's next [most] dominating 'Big Men' to play the game - go hard, 'Big Bang'!

2012 NCAA Final Four Team Highlights

Finally down to the Final Four in the 'Big Easy'. Which squad has juice to win it all?

  

University of Kentucky - Wildcats:

University of Louisville - Cardinals:

Ohio State University - Buckeyes:

University of Kansas - Jayhawks:

Rockin' My Hoodie for Trayvon Martin!

Young student-athlete, 'baller' - Trayvon Martin saved his father's life when he was nine years old. His school teacher said he chalked-up A's and B's with ease. Trayvon's mother and father said he dreamed of working in aviation - either flying or fixing airplanes. He wanted to attend college and 'ball-up' with one of Florida's green and orange powerhouse squads.

 

Dude had swagg, smarts, common sense, respect for the law -- a tight and promising package. And more than anything, he wanted to live!

 
Trayvon Martin's family, unfortunately, won't be able to see their son fulfill his "American" dream(s). Instead, his mother and father, family, friends, classmates, community, the United States and the world will have to wait for justice for the murder of this innocent kid full of promise. Yep, that's right. In the United States of America, a country which polices the world and claims to be fair and just, the most powerful nation on earth which asks it's young people to fight foreign wars, where republicans fight for 'right to life' -- actually has laws which allow [race] haters to hunt down and kill someone; this is what happened on February 26, 2012. 

The hater, George Zimmerman, as of this date, is still alive, at large somewhere on the planet and   protected. Politicians and authorities in Florida are more concerned with "policies" and "procedures" (covering up and saving face) than they are with detaining or arresting Martin's killer and holding local officers accountable.

Living in the so-called greatest nation on earth may be great for some, but for most, if not all young black males, growing up in America is a risky business.

For parents of young black males on the road to success, living "stereotyped" in the United States, the fear of a son or nephew being killed by a police officer, a total stranger, or a neighborhood hater is unending. And not surprisingly, for most young black males, their perception of America is that she does not care about "us", but only to exploit us for our gifts and talents (scoring points and spittin' rhymes). 

In the eyes of most young black males, "justice is

swift for some but not for us." It's no wonder so many young black males have an adverse view of America, rather than the positive one that vibes with her claims of freedom, fairness and justice for all. The American history of killings of black males seems to be more than just historical -- it is also contemporary. 

In a nation of so many religious followers, namely Christians who profess belief in God, it seems odd that laws exist which protect armed hateful criminals and those in authority. What or which [type of] god(s) does America really serve and trust in? And for the sake of his mother and father, who instead of grieving for their son, must first fight for justice in his name. Shame on you Florida!

The one in uniform failed his duties to perform and temporarily resigned during an investigation by federal authorities -- wow! But even worse, the 'uncle tom' standing behind him with the suit on, who has the sole power to fire the idiot in uniform right now, would rather wait until he "receives all the facts" before he'll do the right thing...or not[?]

Love, respect and peace to the family of Trayon Martin and may God deliver swift justice to those who hate, envy and seek to destroy his children. 

R.I.P. - Trayvon Martin

February 5, 1995 - February 26, 2012

(Shot and Killed by George Zimmerman)

       

Rockin' a hoodie is not the issue, being young, black, gifted and hated is!

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U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Special Report

Hate Crimes Reported in NIBRS, 1997-99


September 2001, NCJ 186765
By Kevin J. Strom
BJS Statistician

"Racially motivated hate crimes most frequently 

targeted blacks. Six in ten racially biased incidents 

targeted blacks, and 3 in 10 targeted whites."
 

Bryan Stevenson - EJI