Drake's ' 'freestyle' and SURPRISE Universal Deal

Are you guys REALLY upset that he read this from his Blackberry? Really? As many a motherfucker who has spit writtens? As many times as said written has LATER BEEN USED ON AN ALBUM by your favorite rapper? Do we REALLY have amnesia like that? Really? Come the fuck on. He wrote the shit. Period. Do you know when he wrote it? Get on him for the performance on BET. No problem. This shit here wasn't wack though. Every last one of ya'lls favorite rappers that have spit on Flex's show has spit writtens with probably the exception of KRS or someone of THAT CALIBER. This is nothing new and surely not nothing to be up 'in arms' about.





Here is something else for you to hate...Like we are surprised he signed with the label whose name he says on just about every release. Like any one in his position would do, he waited 'till the money, bidding and the his first BIG TV PERFORMANCE to sign. Now he needs to hurry up and get us some more music. ASAP.

MTV Shows

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2009 NBA Draft

In the midst of MJ's passing, all my posts (and thoughts) on the NBA Draft were put on hold. I will get into it a 'lil bit' now...

First and foremost, you can't blame the Clippers for taking Blake Griffin. I mean he is a machine. He may not end up being the best player in the World but him and Al Thorton, Eric Gordon, along with a healthy Baron Davis should be pretty entertaining to watch.

Thabeet going second is not that much of a surprise. I guess people thought Rubio was going there and it would have been a place where he would have actually 'welcomed' coming to the L (more on that in a minute) with Marc Gasol playing there. You can't fault them though. They wanted a defensive presence. They got one. He won't be scoring like that though. Also, as good as Dajuan Blair was/is and the way he got DOMINATED by him makes me worry about how he will play down there in the post against grown men. Still has a lot of growing to do then again he has not been playing basketball for that long.

James Harden. This one shocked me not because I did not think he deserved to go this high. I thought someone would screw it up and not take him this high as in the Top 5. He deserved to be taken this high. He can PLAY. Simple player. Simply effective. Period.

Tyreke Evans. He is a Philly area player through and through. Looks methodical yet is surprisingly quick. Heady player. When he puts his mind to it, his basketball intelligence shines through. Big guard at 6'5 and can play point. May end up a two though or a Joe Johnson type of player in time. Pairing him with Garcia and Martin could be a pleasant problem for the Kings. Gives them another over 6'4 ball handler who can create his own scoring. Needs to work on decision making and putting his 'mind to playing correctly' at all times.

Ricky Rubio. Flashy player. They have built him up so much that the boy might not be able to live up to it. He is young though so he can grow. Good passer. Not a good shooter. Would love to see him stay and play this year. Talks are that he won't stay per his Dad. I can't blame him. They took three guards and only traded one. One of the guards they took can play. Flat out. He probably won't stay though because of...

...Jonny Flynn. He is going to take the aforementioned Rubio's minutes. He just has 'it' to me. He is not a true point per say but can play like one if need be. He is just an assassin man. He GOES AT HIS MAN with a tenacity like on other. A cold blooded scorer. Finishes at the rim stronger than you think. I like him. He has heart.

Stephen Curry. My boy! Not bad for a kid 'no one' paid attention to coming outta high school and who went to a small school. Projected to go to New York (and really wanted to go there too!) he STILL fits in with Nellie's small ball concept. Him and Monta Ellis together? With Corey Maggette? Really? Interesting! He can play off the ball like Monta can and they can take turns bringing the ball up. Defensive liabilities you say? Aren't you the same person that said they do not play D in the League ANYWAY?? Yeah. Thought so. They will simply try to outscore everyone. Won't win a chip (at least it hasn't worked yet) but IT WILL BE FUN TO WATCH. For sure. Good pick Nellie!!!!


More draft picks and stuff like that to come later as their season does not kick off for awhile. There is still going to be plenty of movement. Watch!


Vince Carter goes home to Florida? Bye Hedo! Nice seeing you in the Sunshine State. Go get your money.

Shaq to Cleveland? Oh wow. Just wow. Him and Z on the same team? Can you say High/Low offense? Should be fun.

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The BET AWARDS..

Need I remind some of you that Michael Joseph Jackson passed LAST THURSDAY. In the middle of the day. We here in the United States did not 'wake up' to the news. We watched the day unfold to his passing. So that left two days for the channel that most of you said sucks anyway in which to 'chef a miracle' and pay some homage to the GREATEST ENTERTAINER that we have probably ever seen. Two days. Friday. Saturday. That's it. Some people STILL HAD OTHER GIGS TO ATTEND. Beyonce was JUST HERE (Philadelphia) on Thursday night. When was she supposed to 'come up with a performance' to REALLY pay homage to Mike? On the plane? I know that wasn't her only date prior to the Awards. Same with a lot of the artists. The Awards were on Sunday. I think it was INCREDIBLY silly to expect this grandiose tribute to Mike. You know good and damm well if they had done some 'middle of the show' tribute to him, you STILL would be complaining. Talking about they could have done more than that! Just like you are doing now.

Some of you seemed to be under the impression that they were going to do a 'whole' show about him. Did they not tell you at the beginning that 'all throughout' the show, there would be tributes to the man? I think they did that. It opened up with one. They TOOK AT LEAST TWO months to finalize all plans, coordinate schedules and the like for the show THEY HAD PLANNED. You want dance tributes, songs sang and all of that outta two days prep time? Seriously? I don't care if YOUR FAVORITE underground singer/rapper could do it or not, the results would have been the same. It was a pretty damm good show considering all the ADDED EXTRA ACTS. A good twelve or so of those people WERE NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE ATTENDING THE SHOW, never mind performing in it.

There will be TONS of Tribute shows for Michael that will have the proper time and preparation for you guys to tear into. Let's face it, if Jesus himself came down and sang for Mike some you would find fault in it. This awards show was not that HORRIBLE.

New Edition, Tyrese, Trey Songz, the host Jamie Foxx, Neyo and others did the best they could for such SHORT SHORT SHORT notice. I will say that the timing of Young Money's performance (with a surprising subdued Drake opening up) was weird. I am going to assume that they had been originally slated to 'close' the show. Not sure who told Wayne that it was a great idea to have 'lil girls' on the stage while performing either song that they did. That was in poor taste. Again, I am going to chalk that up to last minute changes to the show that just got overlooked.

For a network that I admittedly don't mess with too tough these days, they did a pretty good job of turning a show that had 'little to do with MJ' into one that had his presence in it the whole show. Anybody expecting them to have some 'great' show though was delusional from jump. You shoulda known better.

My boy (@Jose3030 on Twitter) has pretty much the whole performances, including Hov's new video HERE at his beautiful site:

http://www.3030fm.com/2009/06/29/bet-awards-performances-6282009/

Tagged in these videos:

bbd, beyonce, cash money, ciara, don cornelius, drake, fabolous, guy, jamie foxx, janet jackson, jay-z, johnnie gill, keith sweat, keri hilson, keyshia cole, lil wayne, mary mary, maxwell, monica, ne-yo, o'jays, queen latifah, snoop dogg, souljaboytellem, t-pain, tevin campbell, trey songz, tyrese


Oh and while I am talking about the Awards the O'Jays would outdo 85% of the acts out now. That dude Pleasure P is probably a beast when he is in Florida. He was TERRIBLE last night. Weezing on the stage, struggling through his performance and with the okay vocals. You got to see why Diddy makes his artists jump through hoops 'cause Mike and them (Day 26) didn't sound like that. Tyrese, Trey Songz and Johnny Gill did not sound like that. Take notes Pleasure P. You too @ ole boy who sings that 'Birthday Sex' song. My boy Drake performed and it was not good either. I know he tore his ACL so he has to 'chill out' on stage but I was not too happy with his performance or the timing of it.

The Aaron Hall/R.Kelly debate that used to happen should have a CLEAR WINNER NOW. @ Aaron's voice. He pulled a broke down Eddie Kane out there last night. I was hot about that.

Joe Jackson out there promoting his record label?? smh He was probably sliding business cards to homegirl from True Jackson that got up there and sang.

I love Keisha Cole but she got murdered on her own song. Period.

Thou protest too much @ the "I'm Not Gay." showcases.

Mary Mary sounded great but that is not my type of gospel music. Sorry. The outfits? I don't have to say much. I am sure you have already said enough in your own mind about them. The song itself? Again, they sounded GREAT. Queen coming out with them was good too but I like my gospel music to SOUND like gospel music. I am not really with the incorporating of secular sounds in music. I understand that it 'draws' the younger folks in. I really do. They did not conjure up images of anything Holy to me with that performance though.

Maxwell came out and gave a great performance. The album is banging too. PETA WILL BE CALLING THOUGH. @ the feathers.

More coming..As I feel like it..@ the Awards.

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The word 'help'.....

1: to give assistance or support to 2 a: to make more pleasant or bearable : improve, relieve barchaic : rescue, save3 a: to be of use to : benefit b: to further the advancement of : promote4 a: to change for the better b: to refrain from : avoid we couldn't help laughing c: to keep from occurring : prevent they couldn't help the accident d: to restrain (oneself) from doing something 5: to serve with food or drink especially at a meal 6: to appropriate something for (oneself) intransitive verb1: give assistance or support —often used with out2: to be of use or benefit

As you already know if you have read through my whole blog, I LOVE TO HELP people. I do not mind doing it at all. I will help you move. Help you with your relationship problems. Help you cook. With work. Whatever. Helping is okay..Doing however, is a whole other animal.

Those one man jobs? Not fair to ask for help on a one man job to me. I don't want to be just standing there 'watching you do the job'. Also, if you know that you can't do the job anyway and need me to REALLY do the job, just ask me to do it. Just come right out with it. You will do us all a favor. You won't get mad when I look at you funny when you ask me. I won't get upset when I find myself doing the job by myself 'cause that is really what you intended and we both won't be mad.

The jobs that may be done by one person by you either don't feel like doing it by yourself or you want to 'supervise'? Miss me with those too. I am liable to get upset with you. Again, either suck it up and do it yourself or let me do it my way. Pick one. I do all the time. It is okay. Really. If you start loafing, I am going to get mad. You start sitting back and 'supervising' and I AM REALLY GONNA GET PISSED. You aren't at work. I am not a slave. Please don't do that.

If you ask me for my 'help' in the way of advice, PLEASE expect the truth. I am under the assumption that is the reason why you are asking me. I assume that you have seen my body of work and that I am known for telling you what you need to hear. Not just for the sake of being mean either but for sake of helping you with the situation. I am only the messenger though so DON'T SHOOT me. Ya dig? You want your ego coddled SOLELY? Go get at your flunkies not me. You want the truth or what I think? Ask for my help.

The BET Award are up next. This ought to be good. I see people talking shit to each other already via Twitter. Sad shit. As I thought we all learned this week, death don't give a shit about what town you are from, how gangsta you are, or any of that. You can die anywhere. Doing anything. I feel sorry for those caught up in the ideal that they have to

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Michael Joseph Jackson.....

You know that moment when you realize that people around you that YOU MIGHT CARE ABOUT do indeed die? You remember it don't you? From that day forward, a piece of you is changed. Usually though, you still are reserved about showing remorse for people that you have never met when they pass. Even if you liked their music. Liked the way they played sports, etc, etc. That is until one of THOSE DIE. (There are usually several) THOSE SPECIAL PEOPLE who WERE CHILDHOOD icons for you dies. Those special people that have been present throughout most of if not ALL OF YOUR CHILDHOOD AND ADULTHOOD or was one of the persons that you could relate to a special time in your lifetime.

It happened for me when Biggie died so I thought. I was torn up. I mean, the greatest rapper of that time (and some say of all time) had passed. I was growing from a teen to a man and he spoke on things that I knew all about too well. Some that I never admitted to people and some that we all readily admitted to each other on the reg. It was a sad time. However, Biggie was not around my whole childhood. I was already VERY fond of his 'rival' and fellow Brooklynite. One S. Carter. To me, they were neck and neck and his 'career' takeoff allowed the loss of B.I.G to be absorbed. I got over it. I don't think that is gonna happen this time though....

.....cause today I lost a part of my childhood. Someone who was there from the beginning until RIGHT NOW. Someone that I loved as child. Someone who I could feel was suffering. The person I stayed up late and watched moonwalk on TV. Did extra chores for to get that Victory Jacket in '84. Someone I watched people throw rocks at 'cause it was easy. Stupid allegations that did not make any sense after awhile. I watched him make mistakes. He was not perfect. I watched him leave us, come back again only to leave us again for what ended up being for good musically. Someone that EVERY LAST ONE OF THESE LIL R&B dudes now has taken a piece of. (And would readily admit it too.)

All over the World tonight though, people will be talking about him. Some people will hurl their usual vile that they throw at anyone who has not 'done anything for them'. Or take the time to make stupid jokes at his expense. Those that have listened to things that just don't make sense. Those that will judge him for things that he either did not do, had no control over or happened to him because he is (gasps) human. All because the same media that is 'loving on him tonight' put these things out there like they were the gospel.

Only thing you will hear over this way is this:

THANK YOU MJ. I hope that you find that peace and happiness that you were searching for. I got the message in your music. I know you were unhappy here and tried your best to make anyone else who could use your help happy. Especially the kids. As a child, you succeeded because I was happy! I know you did it because you were unhappy as a kid yourself. It was that simple. Thank you for that.


R.I.P to you and to Farah Fawcett.

I salute you and thank you for the memories. Both of you.

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Mos Def vs. Jay-Z, Wayne, others?, Idalis Deleon

Well well well...Looks like Mos FINALLY wants to play at the Big Boy Table bad enough to resort to the this....I am probably 'bout to hurt some of ya'll feelings too so be prepared. I know Mos is ya'lls baby and shit..But I thought I would tell you how I REALLY feel about the situation. I am one dude. I don't expect ya'll to agree. I would be surprised if any of you do. This is probably where we fork off at the 'love of music' highway. It is cool with me though.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bbBuL2ewRc




The second one is disabled that is why I didn't embed it.

My FIRST QUESTION IS THIS?

When Hov was dropping 50 on cats (making these claims of being the best MC out period) and Mos was still dropping 12 pg (making nice lil songs for those that like what he does), WHY WASN'T HE SCREAMING THIS THEN???

I mean I feel like this is a stunt and a half. I am looking for the video where he 'clears' up his comments but still challenges him.

Here is the audio of it...


http://smartenupnas.com/2009/06/10/mos-def-interview-with-angie-martinez-challenges-jay-z-greatest-mc-alive-claim/


I actually had to GO BACK and watch the first video 'cause I didn't know he came that 'flagrant' with it. @ the youtube joint. The first one I saw was the one he did with Angie. (Sorry, I don't see EVERYTHING on the Net. Sue me.)

After actually watching the first one and then hearing the second more 'politically' correct one where is he is wavering AGAIN, I REALLY DON'T RESPECT THE NIGGA for this one.

Sorry.

You made the video.

You looked into the camera ON THE FIRST VIDEO and said "I am glad you recording this...." so you can miss me with the 'It wasn't meant to get out for everyone to see..." shit that you said in the Angie interview.

You DID MEAN FOR IT TO GET OUT.

The ORIGINAL VIDEO IS HOW YOU FELT. You were on whatever truth serum that you took that night (weed,whatever your vice is..) and it came out. You talked MAD SHIT TOO. Putting up pics of a REALLY hot car. Talking about how cats are gonna have to drive you around..All of that. lmao I hear you. So will all of those things be fair game in this battle? I know you have movie money so you might have a bit of bread but when those rappers you are talking to go in about that stuff what then? I know, your fans will start screaming "It ain't about the money though..". Even though you opened that door....Okay nigga.

Own up to it my man. You feel like you are better than Hov? Leave it at that. You SHOULDA BEEN SCREAMING THAT SHIT WHEN HE FIRST SAID 'He was the best rapper alive' but you weren't gonna do that shit in his 'prime'. Why? 'Cause YOU KNEW BETTER. That's why. You woulda got your head chopped off. Period.

I am not one of those people that have to say people suck to make the person I like in the situation better either. YOU ARE A DOPE RAPPER. Real talk. You can GOOOOOOOOOOO.. But all this 'head and shoulders better than Hov' shit? Please. The timing of it? DOUBLE PLEASE. Mentioning Dame Dash? Yeah, that just makes it REAL CREDIBLE. You having a project coming out? You are starting to pull stunts that the 'so called industry rappers' you despise pull. You looking REAL FAMILIAR my man.

Another thing, if this is really about Rakim and Slick Rick like you say, PUT THEM ON YOUR TEAM Mos. Since they are 'alive and well' and that is the reason that you say Hov can't claim that he is the best rapper alive. I am assuming you are referring to them actually still living & breathing that their body of work 'affords' them the position to still be respected right? NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. I can dig that. Stand behind that then and put them up there. I think we ALL HEARD THE WATCHER. Rakim can STILL GO. @ rap. Hov didn't sound outclassed on the joint either. Who was better is subjective to the person, their favorite and all of that but no one was outclassed to me. Come to think about it, WE ALL HEARD YOU AND HOV together on 'Get By'. You DIDN'T OUT CLASS HIM THERE EITHER. Fuck is you REALLY TALKING ABOUT AGAIN my man?

I have no issue with any rapper that says that he is the best. That is what anyone in any profession should feel. Cool. I do take issue with how some people view this though. The people have spoken on this issue. Loudly.


You want it one way- The Wire

By the way fans/music lovers/elitist, etc, etc, you don't get to discredit sales 'cause one hundred or so of you and your closest Internet.industry friends, whoever attend shows that only you guys go to said so and the other 'people who like music that you know' don't. Not when it goes up against MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE who buy music/listen to and support it. You can't have it both ways. You can't say 'This is music for us' then turn around and try to sell it to 'others' and complain and diss those that do that better than you or your artist. Sorry. I have seen and been to some of the shows. Unless it is in a HIGHLY urbanized area, it is not 'US' at that shows my man (woman). @ the underground joints. It looks a lot like a bowl of vanilla ice cream with flecks of vanilla bean in it. @ the crowd. So you can't get mad at that. I have pictures in this very blog that prove that! Be easy.

That said, I am tired of that copout that 'record sales' don't count at all. Yes, Suzy and them bought Wayne's record. Okay cool. A million people bought NWA record too ass. You don't discredit NWA. Pac went platinum. You saw the response to him ALL DAY. All over. On the radio stations. On Twitter. On the Net. FROM US! Dr. Dre, arguably the best producer we have, HAS GONE PLAT. But when Hov does it, it is 'because people are brainwashed'?? When such and such an artist that YOU aren't feeling does that, it is 'the machine' pushing them? You delusional fuck. Shut the entire fuck up with that bullshit man. You and your peoples don't like him. Fine. Stop trying to insinuate that people are stupid/ignorant/don't know music 'cause they don't fuck with the artist you do. Yes YOU! You with the 'brainwashed, popular, or my personal favorite 'the white people like such and such' kickstands for arguments as to why you 'hate' certain artists/fans of said artist.

Are record sales the the end all be all? No. But they count people to some extent. I love certain groups. Fortunately, I have their music on my phone show I can show people what they are about 'cause they don't 'sell' when I tout them. That is just the reality of the situation. Everyone can't be a superstar. Sorry. They are still NICE though and I can still like them even though THEY DIDN'T SELL EVEN THOUGH I LIKE ARTIST THAT DO. It is called being a grown up. Try it out sometime. Shit works wonders. We aren't in the 5th grade anymore. It is okay to drink tap water and still like to do nice things. @ the mentality some of you have now.

Just like the in the NBA, if you have talent, you will be found. If the dudes you mess with can't make a damm song, that is not MY FAULT. I know PLENTY OF NICE 'UNDERGROUND' dudes that can make music and songs. I listen to them. I support them. I love their music. No need to diss the people who are 'on' because at the end of the day, YOUR LIL ARTIST WANTS THAT SHINE TOO. Believe that. If they did not, they would GIVE THEIR MUSIC AWAY. Trust me. I have always challenged any artist that claims to love it so much and complains about big artists/labels/etc. Give it away then. You know what I hear 9 times outta 10? Fucking CRICKETS. That's what. I know making records is not cheap but if you LOVED it like you say you do, you would make that sacrifice. For real. People do it all the time for things that they truly believe in. The artists that do what I just said, I have not had to challenge them. They do that shit on their own. I have seen Tanya Morgan give music away. Literally. Seen Phonte do it. Stat Quo. The list goes on. So I am not talking about them. So I don't wanna hear your artist is not in it for the 'money' if they aren't doing what I just typed. They are. They want that fame and shit too. Believe that. It ain't hard to tell who does and who truly doesn't.

It wouldn't matter if your fav. artist blew though. You will turn and hate on them like ya'll did Lupe. 'Cause it is never about the artist. It is about you and your warped sense of entitlement. We all have that in us I guess but some of you boy. You take it too far. The end result is shit like this here. You guys end up gassing up the cats that do make the music that you DO LIKE to do DUMB ASS SHIT like Mos just did 'cause he feels like it what you guys want it seems. He wasn't screaming that shit when they did "Get By' was he? He didn't say "I don't think lyrically he can fuck with me so I won't be getting on that record.." No. That nigga happily got on that shit. And praised it. As he did with 'Ye.

You knew me before (the) records, you never disrespected me. Now that I am successful, YOU PULL THIS SHIT?- Hov

That is how this looks to me. @ this whole Mos thing. He went at the boy Wayne too but that ain't my lane. I am not too sure he will flat out destroy him either and I don't even 'LOVE' 'Wayne's music like that. My other question is this?

Why not make a 'record' and do it that way? That is part of 'hip hop' too is not?

Oh that is right, that is NOT HIS STRONG SUITE. @ making records I guess I can respect it but it doesn't make it right. Again, you don't get to 'pick and choose' which elements of hip hop that are important for your agenda if you 'claim to embrace all of it'. You wanna bring something back? Fine. But don't hide your hands about it. You said what you said. Period.

Oh and how are you gonna have a Battle of the Bands in Southern and Grambling's backyard and NOT INVITE THEM? WPOTGIT???? More proof that this is shamish..Out of all the bands in the MEAC, you picked Morgan's? (Shout out to Steph too!)Really? I went to a MEAC school and I CERTAINLY HAD FRIENDS IN OUR BAND AND WOULDN'T PICK them or Morgan. The Rattlers man. For real. For serious. FAMU at least. smh Hell even, HOWARD'S band.


No Talib? @ your team.



In the Where Are They Now category, I was watching bad TV on rare Saturday morning in the house today and stumbled across Idalis Deleon. Well, originally I was watching New York Undercover on SiTV for Lauren Velez. The next show, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner came on and low and behold IDALIS DELEON pops up on the screen. Still looking pretty good. Funny lil quirky show. Use the Google search bar on the side to look it up.

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After all of that, Donte' Stallworth will be out in time

to report to camp.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1099564.html

Wow. Just wow. I mean, I know it is a vehicular charge and he didn't 'mean' to/maliciously kill that man but wow. I guess on one hand, if I was in his shoes I would be THANKFUL as hell. I know his L's were suspended forever and he has 10 years probation but damm. I also see he is going to pay the family too. Won't bring homeboy back but that will help ease whatever burden financial burden his loss caused. They agreed to the agreement too so that probably helps.

Somewhere, #7 is like "Oh, I shoulda killed a person? Is that what you are saying?"

This just in... White Jesus on Earth has just weighed in...Indefinite Suspension. Which we all know means anything from a 'slap on the wrist' to telling him he can play when he is 45' or some shit. I hate that word or rather the way it is used. It is as if we don't know that the Commissioner ALREADY doesn't have several scenarios as to how this will play out and what his plan of action is. That's even if he takes anymore action than suspending him. smh. Come on man. Lay it out. If Stallworth does "XYZ", he gets back in in "XYZ" years or "He ain't getting back in on my watch..." One or the other. Quit playing God wit it.

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