"THE MESSAGE" WILL RETURN...

So Long...(for now)

2011-01-18T19:42:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm sure y'all who regularly read the site saw this coming.

To put it plainly: We're Busy.

And we just don't have the time (like we used to) or even the manpower to keep this site the fun/current/interactive/lively site you know. At least not like we used to.

Which is okay, because being and becoming busy is a good thing.

To be clear: you can still follow all of us (Bashir, Jacarl, Craig, yours truly) on Twitter. And wow, who could have known I'd ever write that sentence. The first time I ever heard of Twitter was in June 2007, when we were at...

THE MESSAGE.

Hard to believe that we were in the offices at The Message four years ago today. Plenty of people have entered and completed a four-year college program since we went live with our very first videos ("Kimbo," "Saddam's Last Words," and "Mario Van Peebles' 'Dreamgirls'").

When this website, Long Live The Message, was started, it was out of anger! Resentment! Few remember, but the original name of the website was The Message Is Dead.

But who could blame us. We had had a web series. One that we controlled creatively about as much as anyone could ask for. And we had made the most of it. And suddenly it was gone. So we wanted a place on the web that couldn't be taken from us. A place to save all those sketches we loved so much.

From the Fall of 2007 until the Fall of 2008, LONG LIVE THE MESSAGE was our primary creative focus, allowing us to maintain the spirit of our web series while blogging and commenting on everything we would have been shooting videos about had the AOL rug not been pulled from underneath us.

And then came Chocolate News. We were working in TV.

And then came Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Suddenly we were working every single day in TV. And the workload has never let up over the more than two years we've been at Fallon.

We're still excited to deliver to y'all some new Message-style material, because frankly (and sadly), the original void in urban comedy we sought to fill is still there.

Go almost anywhere on the dial and it's still hard to find comedy with our themes that doesn't talk down to you, that isn't too bourgeosie to be funny and silly, that isn't too ghetto, too safe, too Christian, too angry, too dumb, too abstract, too unafraid to cast Ice Cube or Brian White...most of what is out there sucks.

Our mission isn't done, and this post isn't a Eulogy. We aren't even taking down this site so to speak.

We're just announcing, formally, that there will be no new posts here, at least until the site itself is re-designed and relaunched. And when that time comes we will announce it on Twitter.

We still believe in The Message. And what it stood for. And for what it will stand for again.

One day, hopefully soon, we will again have an outlet (on TV, in film, on the web, OnDemand, streaming, wherever) where we will once again merge the disparate influences of hip hop and politics, The Simpsons and The Muppets, the Harlem Renaissance and '70s Hollywood, Charlie Parker, Barack Obama, Mel Brooks, Cory Booker, Kanye West, Dave Chappelle, Seth MacFarlane, not to mention the wonderful cities of Chicago, Atlanta, NY, Philly, and Los Angeles.

And we're going to add to our Message family. Expect us to work with contemporaries and personal heroes of ours, from Jimmy Fallon to Wyatt Cenac, to Ryan Leslie to Donald Glover, to Craig Robinson to Ahmir ?uestlove and Black Thought.

Unafraid, un-shy, ballsy humor and satire.

There's more on the way. But this Blogspot site won't be the center of it. So stay tuned on Twitter, please continue to watch our work on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and don't lose faith in us.

We're grinding hard, to make sure that the dream doesn't die. 2011 will be the biggest and best year yet. We hope it's that way for everyone.

WITH ALL OUR LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR ALL YOU MADE THIS SITE, SINCERELY,

Diallo Riddle (@DialloRiddle on Twitter) &
Bashir Salahuddin (@BashSala on Twitter)

Flashback Friday - Au Revoir Edition

2011-01-14T00:00:00.004-05:00

Well, as you've read below, things are going to be changing around LLTM.

It's been a good run and hard to believe that my first post went live almost three years ago to this day. Before then, I was just a guy typing in the comment section of this site and the old HBO one because the videos they made were my sense of humor and I'd rarely seen my sense of humor on display (particularly from folks who looked like me). I had to support the effort. Fortunately, Diallo and Bashir were gracious enough to let me post from time to time and make Flashback Friday a staple.

But before I turn in my keys, as my favorite poli sci prof used to say, I have a few housekeeping chores to do:

1. In case you were wondering, my G.A.Y. Award went to this couple who in the face of the madness that was the Sherrod case last summer stood up and let the truth be known.

2. Gucci Mane. WTF.

3. Yes. THANK YOU.

4. If any of you all want to catch up with me, please feel free to hit me up on Twitter, @wjacarlm. Or check for my contact info at DCist.Com. You can find me on Facebook, probably. Or Google. There aren't too many folks out there with the name.

5. And finally, thank you all. Take care.

BIG CHANGES COMING TO BLOG

2011-01-13T13:06:00.001-05:00

There's a big change coming to this website.

It's a melancholic change, but one that needs to happen so we can relaunch the site the way it deserves to be relaunched.

So, stay tuned...

Diallo's Best of 2010

2011-01-10T13:39:00.004-05:00

This is not your traditional "Best Of" list so bare with me.

Best Euro-Techno Dance Song

Rihanna - "Only Girl in the World"

Best Remix

Andreya Triana - "Lost In Your World (Flying Lotus Remix)"

Best Sneaky-Style Comeback Since Robert Downey Jr

Chris Brown - "Deuces"

Best Producer

Lex Lugar - "MC Hammer"

Best (i.e. Worst) Black Eyed Peas Copycats

The Cataracs

Best Return from Obscurity

Wiz Khalifa

One to Watch

Curren$y

Dumbest Rapper Name This Year

Curt@!n$ (?uestlove and Curren$y need to beat his ass)

Stuff I Liked in 2010 (Dance-able Music Edition)

2011-01-10T00:03:00.007-05:00

Recapping 2010 has been a slow-go.

Sorry about that. For my part, I'll try to share some things I enjoyed from a year that suspect in a lot of ways (and after this weekend, I'm having fears about 2011, too).

Anyway, here it goes...

I first heard this track when DJ Spinna put it on during a set he did here in DC. It's just a typical dope cut from a guy who I consider to be probably the best all-around DJ/producer you can find these days. Hats off to Spinna for this joint, and thanks even more for making it vinyl exclusive (as far as I know). Those of us with turntables deserve a reward every once and a while for being curators of a vanishing medium.

Kemeticjust feat. Terrance Downs-- "I Got Life (DJ Spinna Mix)"

This next track isn't new, but it was new to me. Back in July, I interviewed a guy who's spent a good deal of his spare time running a mail order business dedicated to preserving some of the best music from artists you've never heard of. At the end of our meeting, he let me take as many zany press photos, 12-inches and CDs as I wanted.

Yeah, I completely compromised my journalistic ethics and integrity but, then again, I'm not a real journalist. I'm a blogger. So f--k it.

Regardless, one of the CDs I picked came from George Smallwood. I'll spare you his story but to say the least, he's an interesting cat. The song that really blew me away and makes for a perfect early evening, sun-setting-over-the-ocean (or if you're downtown, a rooftop with a pool) summer jam, IMO.

George Smallwood-- "You Know I Love You"

So, these were two tracks that kept me going and made me forget about the isht fest that 2010 was.

Here's to a (hopefully) better 2011.

Flashback Friday

2011-01-07T00:06:00.001-05:00

A few posts back I featured a video with Ja Rule, DMX and another emcee.

That other emcee was Mic Geronimo and the clip reminded me of a song of his I liked back in the day.

Geronimo could be smooth in delivery and persona. I dug that. And the sample sets the perfect mood for the track.

But is anyone creeped out by the potential pedophilia going on? Remember, this video came out in 1995 and there's a certain someone featured pretty prominently who would've been around 16 at the time (though her birth date is debatable).

Remind me to stop analyzing hip-hop. Doing it hurts.

In 2011, Be Smart

2011-01-04T13:38:00.003-05:00

And here's how to start. Read this editorial about Facebook:

http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/01/04/five-reasons-why-im-not-buying-facebook/

I haven't seen this level of irrational exuberance since I was Pets.com.

Here's the best part:

Facebook reached 500 million users in July. There's been no update since, even though the company had meticulously documented every new 50 million users to that point. Might the curve have crested? And let's not even talk about the fact that they don't really make much money per user — a few dollars a year at most. (Its estimated $2 billion in 2010 revenues would amount to $4 per user at that base.) I certainly haven't spent any money on the site, despite being a fairly regular visitor. And any advertiser who is trying to target me on the social network is wasting their money. But that's just me.

Nope, that's a lot of us...

Flashback Friday - Year Closeout

2010-12-31T00:33:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posting, but with all the eating, sleeping, travelling and hard drive crashes going on, I've been occupied. (My G.A.Y. Award will be coming out next week.)

But I couldn't close out the year without acknowledging the losses that have occurred in 2010. And if you were hoping that the music world could get away unscathed in the last week, you were mistaken.

If anything, both 2009 and 2010 have reminded me that I'm getting older and the folks who entertained me in my youth aren't immune to age, either. Making sure I witness these personal faves of mine perform at least once has become a mission, of sorts, for me.

Two artists that passed this week weren't necessarily on my list but they still carried major weight in their respective spheres.

With that, RIP Teena Marie and Billy Taylor.

Flashback Friday

2010-12-24T00:08:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays to you all.

Slowing Down

2010-12-23T15:19:00.004-05:00

With the holidays approaching, we suspect posting may be slowing down yet again in the next week and a half.

So expect a few posts but in the meantime, HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Was Alf a Racist/Sexist?

2010-12-23T10:53:00.004-05:00

...or was this the work of an evil cat.

Take a look at these outtakes and log your conclusions.

Anyone else rethinking their childhood?

And This Year's Anti-G.A.Y. Award Goes To...

2010-12-21T10:56:00.007-05:00

Andrew Shirvell.

Shirvell's claim to fame was his one-man job-like effort to make the life of Chris Armstrong a living hell. Armstrong's major transgression-- being the first openly gay president of the University of Michigan's student council.

And Shirvell's actual job title-- Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan.

For a little context, read here.

Being that I went to school at Michigan, at roughly the same time Shirvell did, I understand being passionate about the institution. Lord knows I am during football season. But to rise to the level of indignation over something of this magnitude is ridiculous. Shirvell tried to raise the value of the student council to that of say, Congress.

Sorry, but lengthening library hours doesn't equate to START.

Jason Jones and the good folks at the Daily Show traveled to Ann Arbor to do a piece on the controversy and, unwisely, our Anti-G.A.Y. decided to take part.

Well, if there's a silver lining to the story, out-going Attorney General Mike Cox fired Shirvell last month.

I guess Andrew has more time for blog posts now. Still, Congrats!

Anti-G.A.Y. Runner-Up: Haley Barbour.

Tune in over the next few days for the unveiling of the G.A.Y. Award.

Flashback Friday - Going to Jail Edition

2010-12-17T03:42:00.010-05:00

Can you remember back in the late 90s and early naughts when Ja Rule and DMX were among hip-hop's elite?

Barely.

Both of them got bad news on the jail front this week. Even worse for Rule, his Twitter account got hacked.

When did isht really start going off the rails for both of them? I remember Ja beefing with 50 and DMX and DMX just losing it but was there a defining moment where all folks just said, "F--k both of you"? My memory is clouded by a haze of ishtty Ashanti hooks and growling.

Anyway, here's some footage of the two of them with a special appearance by-- Mic Geronimo?

Damn, another dude I forgot about.

Well, have a good weekend. I'll be at MSG in NYC Saturday to catch one of these guys.

I. Can't. Wait.

One Sample Can Make You A Gajillionaire

2010-12-16T20:10:00.002-05:00

And samples hide in the strangest places.

(Commodore 64 game "Lazy Jones" from the 1980s)

Hasn't Aged Well

2010-12-14T16:46:00.002-05:00

Not the video or the song.

Used to like both back in the day. Now it is un-watchable.

Jay Electronica/Jay-Z/The-Dream

2010-12-13T15:02:00.000-05:00

Hot.

Saturday Night Music

2010-12-11T20:53:00.002-05:00

Listening to this song makes me think people used to have fun when they would go out on a Saturday.

Hilarious.

Hope you have/had fun this weekend. I'm going out right now.

Flashback Friday

2010-12-10T00:16:00.000-05:00

Last year I did a post about cocaine and speedboats jazz funk.

Today's post could be filed under "Sipping Wine on a Rooftop Terrace While Watching the Sun Set with Your Significant Other R&B." It's just smooth and classy. Way smooth and way classy.

Interesting wiki note on Ronald Broomfield, a.k.a. Eugene Wilde. Since I hadn't heard from him in, you know, 20 some-odd years, I thought he might be destitute. Apparently, Ron/Eugene has done pretty well for himself on the songwriting tip, having penned this track along with tunes for the likes of Britney Spears.

So here's to Eugene Wilde and a life punctuated by fine wine and smooth classiness.

BEST OF 2010

2010-12-08T23:03:00.003-05:00

You know its coming.

We're about to do our Best of lists,

so in the comment section, let us know what YOU watched, listened to, and saw this year. Inevitably, there's stuff all of us missed.

Julian Assange in his own words

2010-12-07T16:09:00.004-05:00

This video...is worth watching.

Does it change your view?

I Feel Bad For Our President

2010-12-07T14:16:00.006-05:00

Our President is not a pussy.

He is not a complainer.

He is working as best he can in the reality he works in. The party of no has realized how much more powerful they can be as the party of no. I think Republicans now, looking like the minority in the senate and without the presidency...have more power than they did when they were the majority.

They can stop ANYTHING the President does. And the Democrats won't change the rules, which they can't and won't since they'll need them when they become the minority again.

Being a Democratic President in 2010 is like being the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. It's a lose lose proposition.

This post to an inflammatory HUFFPO article puts into words what I cannot and backs it up with facts. Very much worth a read. To Wit:

"Republicans control neither the House nor the Senate – and certainly not the White House."

The VERY first sentence of this AP/HP article is alreay a LIE.

Republicans don't control the House. So what did the House do? End the tax cuts for the rich, as almost all Dems, a majority of the American people, and the WH and president want.

But Republicans DO control the Senate, as "WE THE PEOPLE" gave them 41 Senators, which means they can block or strongly water down EACH AND EVERY BILL.

As a consequence, since the beginning of 2010 only ONE question is relevant: will the GOP block the next Dem bill (as they did with FOUR HUNDRED bills coming out of the House and that the president asked Congress to pass), or will they allow the president to sign it into law but will strongly water it down first?

The other question people on the left AND pundits continue to ask "will Obama cave?", or in more neutral words, "will he accept a compromise?", has become TOTALLY IRRELEVANT, as the president has NO choice but to accept a compromise IF he wants to sign bills into law.

And as Obama rightly said in this case: true, we Dems don't want additional tax cuts for the rich, because they increase the deficit and don't translate in jobs. BUT what is MOST important today is JOBS. In the aftermath of a recession, you can only have more jobs if there's more demand. To increase demand, the middle class has to buy more. Whereas Main Street just saw its income go down by 5% under Bush, and many lost their job during the 2007-2009 recession.

In these circumstances, the most reasonable thing to do would certainly be to end the tax cuts for the rich AND the middle class, but to pass a second big stimulus, so that the fact that the middle class wil have to pay $3,000 more is compensated by increasing services and other kinds of help.

BUT the GOP has BLOCKED the second big stimulus the House passed in the Senate, and every other jobs bill since then. Now that they know that being the party of 'no' is the best way to win elections, they certainly won't allow a new stimulus in 2011-2012. So IF we care about Main Street and IF we want more jobs, there's only ONE solution left: keeping the Bush tax cuts for the middle class (= higher income for those who work), and extending unemployment benefits (= income for those who still look for a job). Extending unemployment benefits alone will translate in 600,000 jobs.

Whether we like it or not, THIS is the sad reality we're in, NOT the FAIRY TALE where Dems control the House AND Senate.

So... to all you people on the left calling Obama a "pussy" and a "caver" I have one simple question.

What would you do in his place?

Take a symbolic victory that kept people from working?

Make the Democrats change the rules in the Senate to end the filibuster? Just keep talking mad shit online without a firm sense of how our government actually works?

Yeah... I thought so.

My friends are worse than my enemies.

---

FYI - there is one thing the President could do. He could tell on the Republicans. Get out there and try and take control of the media cycle. I'm talking PR blitz all day and all night. But he doesn't work like that and he sees that as complaining and, as I know now he models himself after Lincoln (watch Ken Burns' Civil War Doc to see Obama taking pages straight from Lincoln's playbook)... I think he equates a certain amount of "underdog-ism" with doing the right thing.

But I think his handlers are misreading the terrain at their peril. Narratives matter. And the Republicans are controlling the narrative. And he will be one termer if he doesn't take control of the narrative...I know he's hoping for a jobs turnaround on which to pin his "comeback" story... but that's a long shot.

Who's Gonna Get The G.A.Y. Award?

2010-12-07T00:33:00.000-05:00

The year's coming to an end so I've got to start thinking about who will be the recipient of the 3rd Annual Greatest American of the Year (G.A.Y.) Award, as well as the Anti-G.A.Y. Award.

My criteria isn't complex. Basically, I like small folks who make a big impact, as previous recipients demonstrated.

I have some ideas about who's in the field for both titles but I want to ask you all:

Who should take home either of this year's crowns?

Sade Approved THIS?!!!!

2010-12-06T13:34:00.002-05:00

Sade has been notoriously hard for any rappers to clear for almost two decades.

So if it's true that she approved this song - which is getting spins on the West Coast thanks to E-40's appearance on the cut - well, if that's REALLY true, I think we need to check up on here whereabouts, just to be on the safe side.

(song's kinda hilarious - not mad at all)

Flashback Friday

2010-12-03T02:13:00.004-05:00

So, on Black Friday I might've gone a little overboard.

After finding a few good deals I decided to go ahead and upgrade my audio equipment game with a new laptop loaded with Serato.

I was geeked about the possibilities of finally being able to "spin" the digital files I've been collecting over the years. I mean, I have several thousand tracks that I can now actively manipulate as opposed to just passively listen to. How cool is that? (Music nerds understand where I'm coming from)

But low and behold, the process of migrating my files has been the biggest technical nightmare I've faced in the 25 years I've been used computers.

Complete f--kery.

To keep from getting too caught up in my own glass-case of emotion, I'll just say that the old iTunes file protection was some of the dumbest isht ever created.

But in order to play around with tunes like this one, I'm going to have to endure a little more labor and a few more late nights with red eyes.

I'm hoping it'll be worth it...

I'm not happy with the Wikileaks open thread

2010-11-29T11:48:00.002-05:00

Hey guys,

It'll be a light week of blogging. So use this as an open thread.

Also, for reasons I'll make clear later, I'm really unhappy about the wikileaks.

No Flashback, Just Food

2010-11-26T03:35:00.006-05:00

I'm taking a week off from Flashback.
Blame it on an extended case of food coma and the fact I'm just really trying to enjoy this 5-day weekend I'm half-way through.

Instead, I'll post this clip.

Granted the folks who made the video are Canadian, I think it's perfectly applicable to America's food-eating holiday. A dead animal wrapped in another dead animal stuffed in another dead animal wrapped in another dead animal.

I'm glad they didn't fry it. If they had, I'd be cleaning my keyboard off right now.

That's it, I'm hitting the gym as the first order of business today. Who's with me?

Give Thanks

2010-11-25T13:40:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving
and enjoy your weekend.

HARVARD Kids Shut It Down!!!

2010-11-24T12:25:00.003-05:00

This makes me sad:

"A party for black Harvard and Yale alums at a Boston club this weekend was shut down just after 11pm. Why? The club owner was concerned that a long line of black people outside would make the club look bad."

Details and a letter from "Michael and Kwame" at the link below.

Read more: http://jezebel.com/5696308/club-mistakes-black-harvard-crowd-for-local-gangbangers#ixzz16DoDz2Fy

Four Albums

2010-11-23T13:04:00.005-05:00

Almost every type of hip hop album has dropped in the past two weeks.

Kanye

Nicki

Cee

and Lloyd

Bought them? Downloaded them?

Register an opinion in the comments section.

Asshole(s) of the Week

2010-11-19T11:30:00.001-05:00

Sometimes sh--ty-ness comes in twos.

Prince George's (P.G.) County is located right across D.C.'s border in Maryland. It's known for having one of, if not the, most wealthy black populations in the U.S.

Couple of problems, though. One-- The schools (still) blow.

And then there's the County's First Couple, the Johnsons.

Jack is the soon-to-be departed County Executive, a job he's held for the last 8 years, and Leslie is a representative-elect to the County Council. Think of them as a lower level, ethnic version of Bill and Hillary.

Except the Clintons haven't pulled anything like this. If you don't like your news in Taiwanese cartoon form, read the nitty-gritty here. Otherwise, enjoy:

I thought William Jefferson was stupid for taking the phrase cold, hard cash literally but 80 grand in a bra?

Come the f--k on.

At least the folks in P.G. County have a new exec coming into office after Thanksgiving and Leslie is being pressured to not take her new job.

I'm just wondering if either of them had heard of off-shore accounts? Switzerland? Pass-throughs? Some criminals need to step their money laundering game up.*

*=Of course, you're innocent until proven guilty. But once again, come the f--k on. This is some tomfoolery.

Flashback Friday

2010-11-19T00:53:00.005-05:00

From time to time I go to young, professional black folk meetings. Given this is D.C., we get a lot of folks coming in from a number of places and it's always interesting to hear where people are coming from.

Most of the time people are from the same spots: Atlanta, Chicago etc.

Today, there were three people in attendance from Seattle, none of whom knew each other.

This coincidence struck me as kind of random. I know Seattle has a black population, my mom joined her sorority out there, but outside of that cop beating the girl a few months back, I don't really hear much about the Emerald City. These factors sparked this week's Flashback from that Seattle's favorite rap son.

I've become a sucker for that 808 sound so this Sir-Mix-A-Lot track sits well with me.

I must check out the "Broadway" of which they speak.

For My House Heads

2010-11-18T15:30:00.003-05:00

Damion Yancy is a friend of a friend.

And his new mix is fire.

Teach Me How To Study

2010-11-17T12:41:00.000-05:00

I like it because you can tell it was made by real kids. Not comedians.

Enter The Mind Of The 15 Year Old

2010-11-17T10:36:00.005-05:00

This Willow Palin FB chat is pretty interesting as I think it gives a window to the way teenagers talk and interact.

Also, some of the boys on here have some pretty hilarious comebacks.

But, that said, I still marvel that FB has kids airing their dirty laundry in public. Kids have always talked to each other this way...but never like this for the world to see.

The other crazy thing to me is that Alaskan kids clearly identify culturally with norcal kids as evidenced by the heavy use of "Hella"... a word I never heard til I met kids from the Bay.

Lastly...and this shows I enjoyed this thing way too much, but how interesting coincidental is it that the two kids who "start" all the trouble are named "Tre & Matt".

"Sarah Palin's Alaska" Or...

2010-11-17T00:01:00.003-05:00

Joker The Bailbondsman's Alaska?

Which version of the Seward's Icebox would you you check out on TV?
I know where my vote's going.

But seriously, Bristol beat out Brandy on DWTS even though Brandy scored better consistently. How the f--k did that happen? The interwebs think the Tea Party might have something to do with it; Bristol denies it.

Regardless, the amount of free media Palin gets is unmatched for a politico. (And yes, I realize I'm doing it right here) If she doesn't run for something, it would be a huge waste of time and the handouts ABC, TLC and Fox have given her and her family.

So at a minimum, look for a Palin Senate run in 2014.

You might ask, "What about running for President in 2012?"

I doubt it.

She'll have a job she'll like even better by then-- "American Idol" judge.

So That's Why You Don't Try And Roast Richard Pryor

2010-11-16T13:33:00.003-05:00

I've been watching a lot of 70's celebrity roasts, especially the ones hosted by Dean Martin. They're better than the ones on comedy central because you actually feel like these people were old friends who'd worked together for years.

Milton Berle on Lucille Ball

Jonathan Winters kept it classy and silly

Don Rickles kept it edgy and racist but still very funny

And in the end the roastee gets to be the roaster and have the last say, usually, as Johnny does here.

The cast and writers of The Richard Pryor Show did a roast for him after one of their seasons. I think it was their last. We've linked to this before because it was funny...but I've been watching it again and I think Richard actually destroyed his panel so much that by the end it wasn't even funny; it was just hard to watch.

Look at the panel as he rounds the corner. The audience is still laughing but by the end the people are just slumping in their chairs as if they can't take anymore.

And Richard is slow and deadly as he deals insult after insult. It was like watching that opening scene is Saving Private Ryan...you just want it to end but Richard won't end it until he's ready.

Part 1

Part 2

I don't think anyone ever roasted him again.

The False God of "Objectivity"

2010-11-16T13:24:00.006-05:00

I'm with Keith. In my opinion, he knocks it out of the park, especially at the end.

Jay Pharohe on a Hot Streak

2010-11-15T12:25:00.002-05:00

Hopefully you saw him do his epic Will Smith and Denzel Washington impressions in previous SNL episodes this season.

Now Jay does Kanye, and it's the best Kanye impression I'm pretty sure I've ever seen.

UPDATE: Someone pointed out he did Denzel again this week in a parody of the trailer for that Denzel runaway train movie, "Unstoppable". Again, no one is killing it like Jay right now.

Flashback Friday

2010-11-12T02:55:00.002-05:00

I've been on a Minneapolis kick ever since I got my tickets to one of Prince's shows at Madison Square Garden next month.

Needless to say, I'm looking forward to that.

A little while back I posted a vid by Cherrelle. This week, I'm going with her frequent collaborator, and Prince/Flyte Tyme compatriot, Alexander O'Neal.

This probably isn't one of his best tracks, IMO, but it captures the visual of him as a singing version of Billy Dee Williams more so than any other I can think of.

I mean, just check the hair and the overall smoothness with the ladies. The dude is undeniable.

Congrats to Mr. O'Neal for being this week's "Flashback" and for celebrating his birthday this weekend.

Cee-Lo Sings "FOX News"

2010-11-10T11:15:00.001-05:00

Proud to say I went to high school with dude...

Instead of "F*ck You," he sings something more political.

The Suzan Covers Yeezy

2010-11-10T10:49:00.001-05:00

I love the Suzan ever since I saw them live this summer. They're just great.

Here's their awesome cover of Kanye's Paranoid

get up on these ladies.

YES!

2010-11-08T18:52:00.001-05:00

Y'all asked for it. And now it's arrived.

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&from=customplayer_en-us_movies_movietrailershub&fg=MsnEntertainment_MoviesTrailersGP2_a&vid=4f679ef3-bd8e-4bda-8af2-70a90d52be2b" target="_new" title="Exclusive: 'Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son' Trailer">Video: Exclusive: 'Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son' Trailer</a>

I Heard It On!

2010-11-08T14:56:00.003-05:00

our buddy Ant has a great website called, "I Heard It On". Ya'll need to check it out. It's a great one stop shop for new music.

like this:

FULL SCREEN
The Sounds of VTech / Quadron: Average Fruit Video

Still loving me some Quadron.

Flashback Friday

2010-11-05T03:45:00.005-04:00

Frankly, I'm glad the week is over for a variety of reasons but I'm guessing a lot of you are feeling that way for the same reason I am.

Face it, the best thing that probably happened this week was Weezy getting out and Gucci getting off.

For that reason, I had to find one of the lightest, care-free tracks I could.

Thanks, Ghost, for bringing this one back to the forefront.

Have a good weekend.

Solid Sketch Comedy

2010-11-03T11:31:00.002-04:00

Anyone else watching this show?

Ignorant, But Great

2010-11-03T01:56:00.000-04:00

I'm not making any excuses. I love this remix.

Smoothe Da Hustler

2010-11-02T10:46:00.002-04:00

I used to love this cat. And he was a true UNDERGROUND one hit wonder.

His one hit? "Broken Language." Classic! Explosive! Beautiful title, sample and killer execution.

Truth be told, I thought it was a good album. Anyone else remember his other single?

BET's DJ Competition

2010-11-01T10:53:00.003-04:00

This show looks pretty hilarious/promising/cringe-worthy.

Hosted by Just Blaze and Kid Capri, it looks like someone finally did a DJ reality show (been about time).

I know some of these cats (Vikter DOES spin lots of Erykah Badu at gigs), so I'm sure the truth is going to come out on a lot of these cats.

Question: Is it weird they have famous DJs in a reality show like this, instead of DJs on a come-up?

Regardless, set the TiVo's. This should be fun.

Flashback Friday: Halloween Edition

2010-10-29T02:31:00.008-04:00

It's hard to believe this is (at least) my 3rd Halloween edition.

Again, I hate when songs don't have a proper video but sometimes bullets must be bit.

On a related note...

Unless you have no TV and believe this interwebs craze is a bunch of bullisht, you're well aware of the rally going down in my (extended) backyard Saturday. Since I'm a dark and brooding dude, I'm supporting Colbert's half of the endeavor and thinking about adhering to his call to dress as my greatest fear for the day.

I just might have found my costume inspiration...

Anyone else going to be on the Mall for the festivities?

Get Used To It (Maybe): Prop 19

2010-10-28T19:15:00.009-04:00

I know some peeps on the Left are fearing what next Wednesday might look like but some folks from the state standard-bearer for Red-ness seem to be shook up by what might become more frequent in California.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcdfw.com/video.

"In Texas, our players and managers ride the white horse, you oregano tokin' hippies."

Even though it might be trailing in the polls, Prop 19 could pass and set in motion the legalization of weed in California.

Problem is, greenery is still illegal in the US. And California is still part of the United States. Yeah, so whoever came up with the genius plot was getting high on their own supply.

Which leads to my main question about this video: If you aren't high (or drunk) at a baseball game, how else are you going to enjoy it?

Huffpo Shows Us Some Love

2010-10-27T18:49:00.002-04:00

They liked ALL ACCESS.

Hope you get to see it soon.

I Love Everything About This

2010-10-26T13:20:00.001-04:00

And you KNOW I play that Madden:

Notes from the For Colored Girls premiere

2010-10-26T12:45:00.007-04:00

I was at the premier for FOR COLORED GIRLS last night

1. Overall...it's a movie worth seeing though some parts are hard to sit through and challenge credulity.

There's something so great about seeing great actors recite great words. I could watch it for hours and hours. Ntozake Shange's ability with language in the hands of some of the gifted actresses made for some immediately classic film moments.

Yet I worry that it's too much. You lose the potency of a poignant moment...the more poignant moments you add. At times it feels like overkill...which in turn makes it feel like parody and the preposterous.

The tone was consistent and the directing showed touches of brilliance....but the subject matter buries everything. I think those who don't like this film will not respond to its brutality and sometimes anachronism (being written originally in 1975). We'll see.

Also, Perry built out what is essentially a greek tragic poem with plot, dudes and attempts to tie it in to 2010 which, while necessary, made it feel shoehorned. Why couldn't it just have been a period piece?

Again, I think some will have an issue with some of his choices since the movie really lives on the words of Ntozake Shange and her diehard fans probably won't like any of Tyler's additions.

But Tyler stays true. Most of what he adds is built from the original story.

2. the acting was surprising:

(a) Anika Noni Rose - her poem steals the movie though it comes right after a brutal scene. I'd almost wanna see it without the rest of the film. you can TELL she's worked with an acting coach as she has that ability only the most talented Shakespearean actors have of delivering the emotion ON the words of dense yet gorgeous prose. And she purdy too.

(b) Tessa Thompson - her name ain't on the poster. But she is an AMAZING actress. She has range like few I've seen. I hope she has a long and wonderful career. She has the ability to win an oscar someday.

(c) Janet Jackson - though Tyler borrows a little too heavily from The Devil Wears Prada for her character... her delivery of the poem "sorry" is understated in way I've never seen. I really enjoyed the hell out of it. Makes you wonder if there's ever been a family as talented as the Jacksons... i mean, they're basically all good at everything.

(d) Loretta Devine - I think she should do Shakespeare. Period. She gives a lot of audience fave type stuff...but I feel she's underrated as an orator even more than an actress. I'd love to see her deliver some verse at the globe theatre.

(e) Macy Gray - when given the proper material, Macy Gray has the ability to deliver it better than anyone. Her voice in her scene, a hard scene to watch, btw, overtakes everything...it haunts you. Someone needs to write her a big part so we can really see what she's capable of.

(f) the rest of the women are mixed bag. I kept hearing Thandie's English accent, Kerry Washington was Kerry Washington, Kimberly Elise was doing Beloved 2.0, Phylicia Rashad was Claire Huxtable...and Whoopi was disappointing. I've been told by a director that her performance in The Color Purple was the result of LOTS of hours of work with Speilberg and other acting coaches...after last night, I believe it. I expected her to blow me away...she did not.

me, my 2nd moms Faye Wattleton, a publicist and i THINK one of the basketball wives ladies...right?

(g) the guys were mostly stereotypes but one of my BOYS from way back Omari Hardwick is in the film and does great so I gotta give him props. We used to have acting class WAY back in the day and his career has been on the up and up ever since. He takes acting VERY seriously so you should look out for him.

3. Why was John Salley at the premiere?

Seriously, why WAS I there?

4. Phylicia Rashad is still fine as hell in person. I feel like we should just go out one time to see how it feels.

Let's talk about it more when you see it.

Todd Edwards Mix

2010-10-25T11:50:00.002-04:00

A while ago, a commenter accused us of not knowing UK Garage icon Todd Edwards.

You picked the wrong group of black dudes, my friend...we've been rocking Todd since the late 90s (and we know he goes back before that, for the rec).

Regardless, over the summer, Todd recorded a mix of songs and I've been listening to it today at the office.

Give it a whirl if you want to hear the house/dancehall sound that moves tons of urban Britons.

Todd Edward's Time Out NY mix by TimeOutNewYork

Monday Morning - Holding Obama Accountable

2010-10-25T09:58:00.004-04:00

You should take a second and read Frank Rich's article from over the weekend.

Here's a snippet:

We can blame much of this turn of events on the deep pockets of oil billionaires like the Koch brothers and on the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which freed corporations to try to buy any election they choose. But the Obama White House is hardly innocent. Its failure to hold the bust’s malefactors accountable has helped turn what should have been a clear-cut choice on Nov. 2 into a blurry contest between the party of big corporations and the party of business as usual.

WHAT HAPPENED TO CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN

Flashback Friday

2010-10-22T04:39:00.004-04:00

I've posted material out of the Boot Camp Clik before but I'm doing it this time because earlier this week, Duck Down Records came through town with a barn-burner lineup: Buckshot, Pharoahe Monch, Smif-n-Wessun, Kidz In The Hall, etc. It sounded like a can't miss show.

And of course, I missed it.

As a poor substitute, I'll post one of the last solid singles from the Clik I remember picking up during the crew's hey day during the mid- to late-1990s.

Nothing screams less hip-hop more than a bunch of dudes looking hard while at a lighthouse donning gear from Deadliest Catch. But somehow Originoo Gunn Clappaz (O.G.C.) manage to pull it off.

And diss Biggy in the process.

Hats off to them. That's kind of ballsy and could be indicative of having "No Fear," both the title of this track and of a ishtty 1990's clothing line.

November 2nd Can't Come Soon Enough

2010-10-21T01:17:00.004-04:00

Sweet Jesus.

This bat-shit crazy political year is coming to a close.

But I have a question to ask you all:

Who was the most wacked out candidate of them all?

Part of me feels kind of wrong for picking on folks but in the age of the interwebs, one person's f--k up/lunacy/quirkiness is another person's point to ridicule/comedic gold.

And honestly, these mofos have earned it.

By now we're all familiar with the Rent's Too Damn High guy and everything Christine O'Donnell's ever said, but I have some new ones for you from the race for Congressional delegate in D.C. (Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton holds the seat now. Don't worry. She won't lose it.) One is quite possibly the most hood space cadet you'll ever encounter, while the other just won the prize for the candidate that has such laser-point focus on one issue it almost burns your eyes out, literally.

First up, meet Sandra "Queen" Noble (Party Affiliation: F--k if we know):

Next up, there's Missy Reilly Smith (Party Affiliation: Republican):

I'm just going to supply a link-to-a-link for her campaign spot and just say it's NSFW. Seriously, when a TV station basically says, "Hey, we wouldn't show this if we had a choice" before airing your ad, you might have a problem. But I'll let our blog constituency decide. View at your own risk.

I know the U.S. loves to pride itself on being a thriving representative democracy and what-not.

But WTF, people.

Can't we just get a benevolent dictatorship and call it a day?

Flashback Friday

2010-10-15T03:26:00.003-04:00

I'm skipping town for a few days and heading back to my second home, metro Detroit, to catch up with some folks and check out this "Denard" cat live and in the flesh.

Couple this with me having watched Detroit 1-8-7, which would make you think Detroit music began and ended with the Gordy Gang, I had to pull out some alternative Motor City sounds.

Whenever I get around to purchasing Serato, one of the first mixes I'm going to do will feature music from the states of the I-94 Corridor (or at least from Michigan to Minnesota. I have a hard time coming up with Montana Soul/R&B artists). Think about all the folks who've come out of MI, IN, IL, WI and MN. It would be a dope mix, for sure, but the first artist I would need to put on would be Cherrelle.

Yes, Cherrelle. The Detroiter teamed up with some other I-94 kids, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, to create a beauty of a track. It's too bad that her original version often gets overlooked for the visually memorable Robert Palmer cover.

Regardless, this version and non-Motown Detroit folks (excluding Aretha) need their just due because they're just too good to be missed.

And while I'm at it, I might as well throw in some more "contemporary" stuff from the D. Or at least strip club worthy.

The Hype Men Podcast

2010-10-13T11:52:00.000-04:00

Me and D did a fast and furious podcast for "The Hype Men"

Enjoy.

What People In Utah Are Doing

2010-10-12T11:22:00.002-04:00

Making Movies

"Unexpected Race"

By UTAH Wolf.

"I'm Not A Racist"

2010-10-12T10:35:00.001-04:00

This is pretty hilarious. Short and sweet.

Here's An Article About Us

2010-10-08T13:44:00.001-04:00

Partners in Scribe by 21st Century Hustle

Thoughts?

Flashback Friday

2010-10-08T02:38:00.003-04:00

Honestly, and I know this is almost heresy, I think Pete Rock & CL Smooth's Main Ingredient might be slightly stronger than their Mecca And The Soul Brother.

Why would say that?

I always thought the production was smoother and more lush, which in '94 was one of my criteria for a dope album.

"Take You There" was kind of emblematic of it. Great bass lines. Great Keni Burke sample.

Also, while we're talking about "mini-songs," Pete put them and the end of tracks for this album. Check the closing of "All The Places." Back in the day, I kept having to scan back on the CD player to catch these few seconds of goodness. I even bought a record of Ingredients's minis looped for several minutes.

Luckily, I finally found out who did the original and it isn't too bad, either.

Music I'm Loving Right About Now

2010-10-07T12:40:00.003-04:00

Pick this up if you already haven't.

Mark Ronson - Somebody To Love Me

Ghostface - Shakey Dog

Dennis Ferrer - Hey Hey (I heard Pete Tong spin a remix in Ibiza...FUCKING AWESOME)

Bun B feat. 2Pac and Pimp C - Right Now

O'Neal McKnight - This is the Prom

Rick Ross (feat. Kanyeezy) - Live Fast Die Young

De La Soul - Plug Tunin (possibly one of the best beats i've ever heard.)

Black Sheep - Similak Child (Album Version...another one of those hidden gems)

Terence Trent D'arby aka Sananda Maitreya - It's Been Said (the "Vibrator" album was SO slept on.)

Young Jeezy - My 1st 48

Cold War Kids - Every Man I Fall For

Don't be shy, what are you guys listening to?

This Is Important To Some Of Us

2010-10-06T12:48:00.001-04:00

Ladybug Mecca (not sure what year)

use to have a MASSIVE crush on the young lady.

Digable Planets only put out TWO records and both are classics. Especially considering one of the members, technically...not even a good rapper.

But Ms. Mecca...wow...where is she now?

D.C. Mayoral Campaign Jams

2010-10-06T03:29:00.000-04:00

If you don't live in D.C. or its Maryland or Virginia suburbs, you've probably been consuming stories about how the city voters recently dumped its current mayor for a new one.

And if you live in D.C., you've been hearing over and over again from outsiders about how you royally screwed yourself over by not re-electing Adrian Fenty.

I could write a treatise on the 2010 Democratic primary in D.C. and how Fenty lost, but I'll leave it to WaPo's solid detailing of the mayor's crappy campaign for now. And to those commentators prone to doing fly-by-night, cookie-cutter analysis who applied their non-existent skills to describe this election, I'll offer you this:

F--k off.

Now that I got that out of my system, I'll get to my subject.

Sometimes when candidates want to reach a constituency, they try to meet the constituency where the consistency is at. In Fenty's case, get at tech-savvy urban youth with a flashy vid marrying (semi-recognizable) D.C. artists to a popular tune:

Don't fret 30 and up crowd, we got you covered, too.

And whenever a possibly good thing pops up, there are bound to be biters. Case in point, mayoral candidate Carlos "The Other White House Crasher" Allen:

My question is, how much should Drake, Jigga and Blackstreet sue for such ishtty use of their tracks?

Obama's Plan: Lose to Win?

2010-10-05T13:44:00.001-04:00

Does Obama have a plan?

A new poll out today suggests the Dems are about to get their clock cleaned in November.

My question is, does Obama see this as the best way to get re-elected in 2012?

Think about it. It's much easier for him to run against Congress than to run on "aren't things going great?"

(And that's not really Obama's fault. The Dems in Congress have been generally spineless and unable to push through any big legislation post-Health Care. Too many Blue Dogs? Not enough White House push? Only retrospect will tell...).

Regardless, I think the White House decided at least as early as this Spring that their way to win in 2012 was to take a loss in November.

Do You Like This Remix

2010-10-04T17:32:00.001-04:00

Fancy, Drake w/ Mary J Blige

Is This The End Of Organized Religion? Open Thread

2010-10-04T17:02:00.001-04:00

Dude...I feel like this is a much bigger deal than it seems.

Druids recognized as religion in the UK.

I mean, England tends to be a place that early adopts things that make their way to the states; abolition of slavery, gay marriage, better health care...

So why not Druids getting recognition and tax exemption in America? And then why not Wiccan's (who ALREADY get special dispensation in the US Armed Forces)...and if that's the case why not some religion I just make up and get 200K people to start believing in?

Classic "slippery slope" kids.

Sooner or later this was bound to happen. Atheism appears to be more and more popular online. And I've seen it getting cheers from stand up comics to left wing pundits. The more people demand their religion is special the more others want the same and the more others still say, "screw all it all, I'm reading Stephen Hawking."

(also, it doesn't help that the two times religion makes the news nowadays is when there's sexual hypocrisy or terrorism)

I don't even know anyone who practices their religion "correctly"...all my friends seems to do the stuff they like and pretend the stuff they don't wasn't in their holy books.

I think that's cool and it's human. we're all free, do what you want, practice how you want, believe whatever you want...

...but sooner or later, as money is at the heart of all of this, we'll need to decide as a country just WHO deserves to not have to pay taxes.

And in the end...it's all about the taxes.

Dance of the Tax Exempt

Thoughts?

Name That Sample Pete Rock edition.

2010-10-01T11:42:00.000-04:00

good catch anonymous on finding out who yeezy sampled for

RUNAWAY (Kanye West)

THE BASEMENT (Pete Rock and CL Smooth)

A few things

1. me and my circle of friends pretty much WORSHIPPED Mecca and the Soul Brother. I mean that's all we listened to for a few weeks. Pete Rock was our god.

2. I forgot how much Pete Rock put in "mini-songs" before each song. It's almost like he WASTED a whole albums worth of tracks in Mecca. Like you could take all the mini-songs out and make a whole other album...that's how you know he was overflowing with talent at his peak. he was like, "fuck it, I like all these songs so I'm gonna just waste half the beats"

greatest wasted beat on the album...the first 12 seconds of this fucking MASTERPIECE

T.R.O.Y. (I refuse to get tired of this song.)

Flashback Friday

2010-10-01T03:43:00.000-04:00

If you're like me and heavy in to music, you have a tendency to temporarily forget how much you liked certain tunes, only to rediscover them at seemingly random times.

The most recent track for me is this Jamiroquai gem.

If I remember correctly, I started listening to J Kay & Co. when I was my Brit acid-jazz phase and my friend's brother was banging "Space Cowboy" all throughout the summer of '95.

Looking back, I now realize why he was digging this song so hard:
He was high as all hell and "Cowboy" is, at its heart, a weed smokers' anthem.

Regardless, I put this one in my cadre of classic tunes and as we roll through fall towards winter, I think I'm longing for the warmer days I came to associate "Space Cowboy" with some 15 years ago. Screw the greenery.

And now I think I'll be banging this joint through the cold weeks to come.

Going Viral

2010-09-30T14:03:00.000-04:00

Bashir and I worked on this piece for last night's episode with Jimmy, Justin Timberlake, and of course, The Roots.

A HISTORY OF RAP

We had discussions, where we talked about what would qualify a song for this chronology (2pac and BIG versus De La Soul and Public Enemy). In the end, it needed to be the songs that broke through to mainstream success.

So please don't hate us because there are no Primo-produced joints in there. We had three minutes to hit all of the major shifts and sea changes of the last 30 years!

Most of all, we hope this gets you hype.

Night Catches Us

2010-09-30T13:05:00.000-04:00

I actually saw a rough cut of this with Black Thought a while ago. Very compelling and not the kind of black film that typically makes it to theaters.

Check it out.

Someone Responds to My Post About "The Exhausted Woman"

2010-09-30T12:55:00.000-04:00

an anonymous poster writes in response to my calling the woman who blamed Obama for her economic situation an idiot...

To Wit:

I’m confused. You start off with a sensible point (paraphrasing): the influence of any president on the current performance of a $14 trillion market-based economy is far (far) less material than conventionally assumed, especially relative to other deeper and far more profound underlying economic forces at work; and by extension people shouldn’t blame Obama for what has been a particularly painful combination of an international recession and a seizing up of global credit markets beginning in 2007-2008.

So far, so good. I'm with you. But then, in the very next paragraph, you assign primary blame for the above “mess” to (wait for it) Bush? Come on, now: If you’re going to make an argument (and a good one, I think), at least follow it through to its logically consistent conclusion.

I won't defend myself as I think the commenter makes a good point and goes on to make others.

My error is that my language conflated "Bush era American economy" with "Bush policy induced Economic Morass."

The Bush era American economy was only two years ago....that takes time to fix.

All Access Trailer

2010-09-30T10:23:00.000-04:00

Diallo and I have a trailer for our short film ALL ACCESS.

We're also working with Ryan Leslie on another screening in October. Can't wait for you guys to see it.

HELLO HELLO...Who is this?

2010-09-30T10:18:00.000-04:00

Do I need to start watching ABC news more often?

How long as this person been on the air?

Did you guys know she was on the air and why didn't you tell me?

So sad.

Every Little Step With Mike Tyson and Wayne Brady

2010-09-29T15:22:00.000-04:00

Our friend Robin Thede from The Message produced this.

Every Little Step with Mike Tyson & Wayne Brady from Mike Tyson

out. of. control.

SEAL's new song is funnier OUT of context

2010-09-29T13:42:00.000-04:00

imagine, somehow, this video was shot on a plantation in South Carolina in 1786:

Seal - Secret (AKA "I belong to you")

HA!

(yes, I'm going to hell, I know)

More Fun With 70's Hair Commercials

2010-09-29T12:37:00.002-04:00

(from the comments)

1. I love the brothers face who appears picture in picture. He's all, "yes...I take my hair seriously, my man."

2. You just know the main dudes family was like, "Look, ya'll, Ervin got a commercial! He's gon make it big in hollywood."

New House Track

2010-09-28T15:17:00.000-04:00

I'm lovin' this

Grammaphonedzie - Why Don't You

A Few Thoughts About Bishop Eddie Long

2010-09-28T11:44:00.001-04:00

Here's his speech about his scandal.

1. Future generations will look back at all these dudes and wonder why we didn't see scandals coming a mile away. "Men of God" dressed in fine jewelry living audacious lifestyles and we never imagined they could be corrupt? HA! "Gospel Of Prosperity" my ass.

2. I think men who preach anti-gay rhetoric and then behave in gay behavior have a different perspective than we give them credit for.

I think these gay dudes from priests to politicians feel guilt for being gay so they "atone" by preaching against homosexuality. It's not that they think they're hypocrites...but they are more like GE or other large corporations. They do some "good" to balance their "bad". They pollute a lake so they build a school in Africa.

In the case of these gay powerful men their sense of what's "good" is to preach against and speak against and legislate against homosexuality.

It's sick thinking, no doubt, but I think it makes sense. In their twisted up brains, they think they're like Batman they wanna keep you from "experiencing" something like what they deal with.

Don't be like unto me.

3. When is America gonna finally wake the hell up and stop being surprised that people we elevate to the stature of a God behave as if they have god-like impunity?

I'm not saying we should stop elevating people to the stature of a god. I still worship Michael Jordan and put none before him...but I'm also aware that, as a deity, it's important for "Be Like Mike" to sleep with lots of women and gamble and be a narcissistic selfish monster in many ways.

Your God causes a mudslide that wipes out a village. My god punched Steve Kerr in the face for playing defense too physically in practice. Why...

Because that's what Gods do. They misbehave.

Unexpected Celeb Endorsements

2010-09-28T03:51:00.000-04:00

First--how did I not know this existed?

Freddie D giving hair care tips. How far in the pocket does the Johnson Company/Afro Sheen have him for?

Second-- in 80 years, what product will Barack Obama be endorsing?

It's not like MLK hasn't done it? Remember when he showed up in a telephone ad a few years back?

So, I'm just asking, what's up next?

And man, that guy must be tripping on some of the best stuff on the planet...

Kanye and Cleveland

2010-09-27T18:04:00.000-04:00

Kanye delivers a hot beat for Cleveland.

Have we heard this beat before? I have high hopes for the new album.

SNL and Who Did It First

2010-09-27T12:18:00.001-04:00

In light of the current SNL controversy about tiny hats.

It brings to mind another who did it first moment: Botox for Balls

SNL

Chappelle

Who did it first?

Does it matter, considering that comedy ideas often appear in two different minds at one time?

SNL Open Thread

2010-09-27T09:59:00.001-04:00

How was your weekend? What did you do?

Did you watch SNL? Did you see Jay Pharoah?

What did you think of the show?

With Music By Amy LaCour

2010-09-24T19:35:00.000-04:00

One Man's Stone

Amy's a buddy. Voice kinda reminds me of the Carole King I grew up on. Nothing wrong with that...not. at. all.

Jay-Z's Just Different...

2010-09-24T11:18:00.000-04:00

I love to see the picture below...

"I heard motherfuckers saying they made Hov - made Hov say, 'Okay, so, make another Hov.'"

Warren Buffet, Steve Forbes, and Jay-Z.

DO yourself a favor and read the article HERE.

Maybe it's because I'm so stocks-and-market-focused these days (we should all be saving and investing our money but that's a topic for another day), but when I see cats doing it on this level, given where they came from, it legitimately makes me happy.

Here's a snippet:

We gassed up a Gulfstream 450 one warm September morning and flew one of the most successful recording artists of all time, Jay-Z, to meet the most successful investor of all time, Warren Buffett, on the latter's home turf of Omaha, Neb. The intent was to capture their very different perspectives on success and wealth and to talk about the social obligations that come with each. They ended up finding out they had more in common than anyone would have expected between a 40-year-old rapper from the Brooklyn projects and the 80-year-old sage of compounded returns.

Flashback Friday - Don Cornelius Birthday Edition

2010-09-24T03:27:00.000-04:00

It almost goes without saying that Don Cornelius has had a rough last two years. The Soul Train Awards missed an airing, he sold the rights to Soul Train, and now he's on probation for spousal abuse.

But at least next week he'll be celebrating his 74th birthday. That's something to look forward to.

As a tribute, here are two clips. The first, well, I posted it 'cause there's just something about Vanity. I can't really put my finger on it; all I know is it's hard not to look at her. I feel bad for those other two. What do we call them? 4?

The second is "rare" footage of Don in the famed Soul Train line. It didn't end so well.

Happy Born Day, Don.
(and thanks for selling your rights so the public could finally stop buying Japanese bootlegs in order to get a hold of those classic shows).

Palin's Back To Using His Middle Name

2010-09-23T17:34:00.000-04:00

This clip is from the last 24 hours.

They might actually lose in 2012. It's hard to run when you shoot yourself in the foot.

The Nutcracker drink - NORE breaks it down

2010-09-22T14:42:00.000-04:00

Do they have this stuff in your town?

Name That Locale

2010-09-22T03:00:00.000-04:00

Where was this clip shot?

And no cheating (aka clicking the vid).

There are clues. See if you can catch them.

But this plays on something Thomas mentioned in the "Anatomy" post comments.

I'm of two minds on stuff like this:

1. It's cool aspects of US "urban" culture have spread.
2. F--k. The world truly is a ghetto. One big diamond-encrusted, Escalade-driving, shades-wearing ghetto.

I'm going to take the position that hip-hop, at this point, has fatally damaged the ability to project an image of "us" beyond what's been depicted in this video.

Basically, if I ever thought I could go anywhere in the world and not be asked why I don't have a stud in my ear, face tats or speak like Waka/Weezy/Hot Rapper de jour, I should stop right now.

Thanks hip-hop.

I hate you.

Any thoughts (and place guesses) from folks?

This Made Me Laugh

2010-09-21T12:49:00.000-04:00

(via Byron Crawford)

No Homo

Anatomy of a Sketch

2010-09-21T11:37:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago Tommy Davidson was on the show. He did this thing that black comics do that I HATE. It's a total pet peeve of mine.

They talk about the difference between white and blacks and list stuff "we" don't do.

"black people don't go in the woods"

actually, I used to go camping with my dad every summer growing up.

"black people can't swim"

I swam every year in high school

"black people don't be using them big words"

fuck you, asshole.

"black people hate dogs"

I don't like dogs but a ton of my black friends own one

etc. etc. etc... that shit is annoying and furthers false ideas. It has a net negative effect on perceptions.

So... Diallo and I were joking about that in the audience and came up with an idea for a character.

Enter: Lamar "The Starr" Lomax

Just in case people didn't catch the fact that Lamar was naming things no one has ever thought of a thing "black people hate" we added the cutaways to Questlove so you at least show that many blacks don't like this brand of comedy.

And, to be honest, this was gut-churningly nerve wracking to do. I don't do standup and this was scary. But when the curtain opens...the fear goes away.

This Lady Is An Idiot

2010-09-21T11:25:00.000-04:00

I'm gonna keep this short and sweet. There's a myth in this country as old as time itself that somehow the President can increase the number of jobs we have.

That's not true.

Secondly, this lady is completely, as are most Americans, ignorant of the reality of the situation in which Bush left us. We were on the BRINK of a Depression. It's a minor miracle we stabilized our markets.

But somehow it's Obama's fault that she and her husband can't find a job.

Lame.

The last thing I'll say is that I strongly think technology is making certain jobs obsolete. Will we need a post office in 5 years? Will there be jobs at paper mills in 10 years?

Technology favors people who have skills that employ a working knowledge of that tech. But, for many Americans, as Bill Clinton noticed when he was President...sorry but your job isn't coming back.

You need to learn to do something else.

Boardwalk Empire

2010-09-20T11:19:00.000-04:00

I'm officially excited about a show.
First episode wasn't perfect, but I'll be damned if I don't love history brought to life on a big budget.

And I can't wait to learn more about "Chalky White."

Lots of potential.

Flashback Friday

2010-09-17T08:18:00.000-04:00

I'm pressed for time so I just picked one of the first tracks that came up in the iTunes shuffle.

Just for some trivia, give me the name of this album and the instrumental song on it that I think was dope.

Yes, I'm asking you to read my mind.

I Blame Chicago

2010-09-16T12:36:00.000-04:00

No wedding takes place without this song.

I hear it in my sleep sometimes, but anyone who wants a hit record, please take note. When it comes to dancing, especially aunts dancing, not much has changed since the days of "call and response."

Modern Family Is The New Cosby Show

2010-09-15T16:08:00.000-04:00

I always assumed a black show would be the heir to the The Cosby Show. Nope, it's Modern Family. A show that not only laugh out loud funny but makes you wanna be around your family or start or family or reminds you of the things you love about your family.

That's what Cosby did and that's what Modern Family does. Kudos to them.

Also, I think it's AMAZING they were able to get a family show greenlit that's set in Los Angeles. They never talk about the setting and most TV execs want you to set TV shows somewhere, "middle America can understand". But this show defies convention and speaks honestly about the fact that the families in LA (though I suspect the show is more about Rancho Cucamonga or a similar suburb) are just as "family" as, say, a family in Brooklyn in 1986.

You should watch it.

---

ps - the ONLY negative thing about the show is that I think they've made the mother character a little too shrill. She's just not fun and I don't know why anyone would wanna hang out with her. I hope in season two they show her being fun to be around.

What Kind Of Music Is This?

2010-09-15T14:06:00.000-04:00

Funk?

Jazz?

Old Soul?

Thoughts?

(admit it, when that steel drum comes in at 2:07 that shit is kinda hot, right?)

Why Are These Guys Smiling

2010-09-14T16:57:00.001-04:00

(and dressed like slaves and confederate soldiers)

Find Out Here.

(Diallo said I should have gone dressed as Nat Turner and shook things up a bit.)