Friday, July 30, 2010

Na'Tee - Guess Who's Coming 2 Dinner Mixtape

Normally I just post a mixtape without any commentary whatsoever, but I must say something in this case because I don't see her on many blogs.  First of all, from the cover alone I can safely say that she isn't for everyone. But throughout her mixtape she claims, like many female emcees, to be the best female emcee in the game. I don't know if that's true. I hear a fair amount of them and a lot of them are good. But I will say this, she's the best emcee male or female from New Orleans. I'm going by strictly technically speaking in regards to flow, metaphors etc. Yeah, I know who else is from New Orleans and no, I'm not hating. Just stating the facts as I see them.



If you like what you hear enough you can cop a physical CD from 3DNaTee.com.

Thanks for stopping by,

8

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The Foreign Exchange Preforming Daykeeper @AmoebaMusic (Video)

Phonte of Little Brother fame, made another visit to Amoeba Records. This time he brought along his Foreign Exchange friends to perform in the San Francisco record shop. Thankfully the talented Ms. James of About Her Films was on hand to grab some beautiful bean footage!



Stay tuned, there might be more to come.

8

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Kooley High - Eastern Standard Time #EST


or



If you like what you hear and wish to support the artists, stop by KooleyHigh.com's store to purchase a physical copy or you can donate via Amazon.com.

AppJudgment - Froyo Android 2.2 Demo

Monday, July 26, 2010

Was/Is It All Worth It?


I ask myself if it was all of the time and each day I come closer to saying, "no it wasn't".  I'm not going to go all Kanye and tell anyone not to go to school, but if I knew then what I know now I might not have bothered going to college.  I just thought I would pass along this article I found because it hit a tad too close to home. At least I'm not alone.

Many Young Adults in Poverty Have a College Degree, Report Says

By Sara Lipka

Increasing proportions of low-income young adults are pursuing higher education, but some remain poor even with a postsecondary degree, according to a new report from the Institute for Higher Education Policy.

In 2008, among Americans ages 18 to 26 whose total household income was near or below the federal poverty level, 47 percent were or had been enrolled in college, compared with 42 percent in 2000. Eleven percent of them had earned a degree, a proportion roughly equivalent to that eight years ago, according to the report, which is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

The institute is a nonprofit group in Washington that conducts public-policy research to encourage access and success in higher education.

In introducing its report, the group called into question President Obama's declaration in his State of the Union address in January that "the best anti-poverty program around is a world-class education." Poor students go to college academically unprepared, the report says, and, amid competing family and work obligations, they accumulate debt "that could have been avoided by pursuing a different type of degree or a credential."

None of the 11 percent of low-income graduates should remain in poverty, said Gregory S. Kienzl, director of research and evaluation at the Institute for Higher Education Policy. "If you have a degree, you should no longer be poor," he said.

Across all racial and ethnic groups, greater proportions of low-income young adults were or had been enrolled in college in 2008, compared with 2000. Hispanic students showed the largest percentage-point increase, to 37 percent from 29 percent. Low-income Asian and Pacific Islander and white students enrolled at the highest rates in 2008, 62 percent and 51 percent, respectively; the greatest proportions of low-income degree holders were also from those groups.

The report, "A Portrait of Low-Income Young Adults in Education," is the first in a series financed in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The next report will focus on attendance and enrollment patterns among low-income students, Mr. Kienzl said, including that black and Hispanic women more often attend for-profit institutions than public four-year colleges.

Article courtesy of Chronicle.com

Thanks for stopping by,

8

Max Tannone Presents: Beastie Boys - Doublecheck Your Head


Sunday, July 25, 2010

Random Geekery: Preview Of Bullet To The Head #1

I think I'm going to start featuring comic books that I find interesting.  I don't buy monthly comics any longer. I typically wait for a particular story arc to be collected into a trade paperback.  So, although I haven't read this book I do plan to and it definitely looks promising.  I figured I would pass it along to you.


Two cops. Two killers. A political scandal. One beautiful corpse. And a city gripped with fear. Dynamite Entertainment proudly presents Bullet to the Head - a classic crime noir tale of violence and revenge from writer Matz (The Killer) and artist Colin Wilson (Star Wars Invasion)!


Trailer For PS3's DC Universe Online

Thursday, July 22, 2010

NBA 2K11 Introduces The Jordan Challenge

The Jordan Challenge will allow you to try to recreate some of Jordan's greatest moments. According to 2K Sports you will be able to play as 10 different versions Jordan. Some of the moments you will have the chance to recreate are:
  • 1986 when he dropped 63 points on Bird's Celtics in The Boston Garden
  • 1992 when he dropped 35 on Drexler's Portland Trail Blazers in the first half (The Shrug).
  • 1995 when during his first comeback he traded in his tradition #23 to don #45 and drop a double nickel on the Knicks
  • 1997 The Flu Game against Stockton & Malone's Utah Jazz
  • 1998 Jordan's final game with the Bulls that featured his final shot
Since 2K Sports will be recreating 10 of Jordan's greatest games, one could only assume that the teams that his Bulls teams played against will be playable in some form or fashion as well.  The possibility of reliving my childhood through a Bulls vs. Blazers (HUGE Clyde The Glyde Fan!) redux definitely makes the underparts kinda tingly.



CNBC's Darren Rovell spoke with Jason Argent of 2KSports to get further details:
In each game, gamers are charged with different goals, including matching Jordan's point totals and shooting percentage. If you hit six three pointers in a row like Jordan did against the Trail Blazers in 1992, the virtual Jordan will shrug just like he did in real life on that night.

Two of the 10 challenges don't have specific dates tied to it.

You can play the 1991 Finals version of Jordan as well as play a game in 1990 style vs. Dominique Wilkins and the Atlanta Hawks, where gamers are challenged with holding Wilkins to 25 points or fewer.

The most challenging version of Jordan to play with likely will be the "flu game," where Jordan scored 38 points against the Jazz in what Phil Jackson would say after the game was the greatest game Jordan played.

Thanks for stopping by,

8

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Mos Def - Priority/Raise Hope For Congo



Mos Def's Priority is his contribution to the RAISE Hope For Congo campaign, which aims to stop violence against women in Democratic Republic Of The Congo.  Mos' song appears on the campaign's compilation album, Raise Hope for Congo.  If you would like to make a donation of buy the album as a digital download, visit RaiseHopeForCongoMusic.org.






A Letter To The Draper Family Of 'Mad Men' From The Black Maid

I am not a close follower of AMC's Mad Men.  I have caught any episodes that have been currently on demand when there is nothing of interest on television.   To tell you how closely I follow it, I didn't even know there was a Black maid on the show.  Ha!  I know that the show has become a bit of a phenomenon and with the premiere of it's fourth season days away I stumbled upon this and thought I would pass it along to you.  Enjoy!

Dear Drapers: A letter to 'Mad Men's' first family from their Black maid

"I have a 3 second break between taking care of your family and mine."


By
Kartina Richardson


Dear Drapers,

Season 4 of Mad Men is about to start. My summer was really nice not that you asked, and I'm not looking forward to coming back into your crazy house of sex, lies, and bratty kids (thanks for popping another one out, that's exactly what we all needed). Now that darling Bets is gone, it's up to me to take care of the house and I have a few things to say. I know I usually don't talk, even though we all know what was going on in the Sixties. I think the writers are troubled and don't really know how to address race in a smart way without it taking over the whole story. They probably think:


"The show is about Don, not black people, but let's make Carla extra dignified and sometimes she can show the audience that she is aware of bullshit by giving little grimaces. That way Carla becomes someone who's witnessing. She's on the sidelines but she has the power of judgment. That's even better! That way we can cover our race bases without it getting in the way. Kind of like the black guy in Ghostbusters."


Oh, they think they're so clever. Well I don't buy that dubious explanation. I don't want the power of judgment. I want a full plot line dammit. Maybe Roger has a butler and he and I can get together. I mean really get together, and our hot passionate love affair will bring us on a freedom ride down to Alabama where we will love each other in the sticky, sweaty Alabaman heat... and Sterling Cooper has some business down there and they do some advertising blah blah blah.


But in the meantime I have a few things I need to get off my chest before everything begins again on Sunday.


First, can I get a drink every now and then? Jesus. You all drink a bottle of whiskey every two seconds whenever, wherever, so it's not like I have to be sober to watch the children. Don't even. It would be a hell of a lot easier to deal with whatever new craziness Betty's dad is going to bring to the table if I was a little drunk. Oh he's dead. Sorry. (Not really. He was a real jackass to me).


And by the way Don, thank you for screwing up my life even more with your constant cheating. Now Betty is gone and I'm either
:
A) Going to have to live with Henry and I know his maid and she's a b---- and we do not get along.

B) Betty will leave the kids with you and I'll have to do everything myself and work longer hours.
or
C) You'll fire me (but I'm your only black character and tie to the Civil Rights Movement so how could you fire me?)



I know you don't know who you are and you've got a million identity issues, your dad was a real s--- and... wait, wait, do you hear that? It's the world's tiniest violin playing just for you. Guess what? My family all lives in Mississippi. You know what's going on there? Oh just the Ku Klux Klan, lynchings, murders, and an overall air of fear and violence. In fact in June of this year, three civil rights workers will be murdered during Freedom Summer. So cry me a river mystery man (the Klan will probably use it to dump bodies in but no big deal let me fix you a sandwich).


Speaking of Freedom Summer, President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act in June and Martin Luther King Jr. is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Can I get a little freedom away from your family for this? I would like to celebrate with my family. I would not like to be standing in the kitchen, drying my hands on a towel while Sally eats a hot dog and Bobby says "I don't like brussel sprouts." For real you don't like brussel sprouts? You know what my kids don't like? Being black in 1964. Why? Because if you're not on Motown Records it sucks.


Oh and Betty, I hate you. I have always hated you. I've never shown it because I've always thought you were crazy. Like the silent psychopathic type capable of anything. That time you shot the neighbor's pigeons confirmed this. Oh hell yeah I saw that.



Visit TheLoop21.com to continue reading.

Thanks for stopping by,

8

Public Enemy - The Black CNN (Audio Documentary)

Sucio Smash of Columbia University's Squeeze Radio on WKCR 89.9FM in New York City recently played this BBC Radio 4 documentary on Public Enemy called "The Black CNN': When Hip Hop Took Control".  It's an incredible listen.

The Black CNN: When Hip Hop Took Control



Sucio Smash's Public Enemy Special Mix




*Special thanks to DJ Sarah Love for audio & Live From Philly for the visual!


Thanks for stopping by,

8

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

A Peek At NBA Elite 11 (fka NBA Live)




Random Geekery: Michael Jackson Figures Coming Soon


“We are delighted to expand our successful line of Michael Jackson collectible memorabilia by working with Lou and his innovative team at Playmates Toys,” stated Tom Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Bravado. “This new line truly celebrates Michael’s unmistakable style and irreplaceable talent. Bringing in Playmates as a licensee only further cements Michael’s retail visibility and helps commemorate and preserve the legacy that is Michael Jackson.”

“Michael Jackson as a global icon leaves a legacy in music, dance and fashion that remain unrivaled,” added Lou Novak, President of Playmates Toys. “We will honor his talent and his art expression by delivering a spectacular, highly detailed product line to inspire fans, collectors and new found enthusiasts.”

According to MajorSpoilers.com the figures will make their debut at San Diego Comic-Con.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

SlimKat78 - Soundfreakers Vol. 1 Beat Tape



<a href="http://slimkat78.bandcamp.com/album/soundfreakers-vol-1">Beats Intro by SlimKat78</a>

9th Wonder Presents The Soul Council

Grammy Award winning producer, 9th Wonder introduces the production team known as The Soul Council. Be on the lookout all summer for mini-documentaries introducing the artist of IWWMG. Directed by Kenneth Price.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Skyzoo - Frisbees [Prod. by Illmind]

This is the first song to leak from Skyzoo's upcoming album Live From The Tape Deck with producer Illmind. The release is scheduled to hit stores this October.


Monday, July 12, 2010

Free Clipse Show In Chicago On July 29th


or


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Sean Price - Duck Down (Music Video)



Duck Down is featured on Sean Price's Kimbo Price Mixtape.

IVORY DOME GIVES YOU MIGUEL

"There is value in patience." Miguel Jontel is the embodiment of such saying. At just 23, this singer is creeping out of the song writer shadows and into the superstar limelight. From his stint as a contestant on the BET reality show, Fatty Koo(Who?), to becoming a sought after song writer for the likes of Usher, Mary J. Blige and Musique, Miguel, as he is simply called, is a welcomed addition to the tepid serving of R and B stars (Trey Something & Co.).
Miguel's mature sound and lyrics hint at a certain discretion that creates an intimate and unconventional world. Released in 09, Miguel's mix-tape, Mischief, highlights his song writing capabilities, creative energy (which is seriously missing in the factory that is the record industry) and his unimposing style. He has been under Jive and finally has the green light to shine. Miguel's first single, All I want is You ft. Jcole ( I could do without JCole) produced by Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Nas), is a refined take on love lost. I feel his album would make for a great treat.




Friday, July 9, 2010

Why LeBron James Is Now A Sucker & A Sidekick

I planned on doing a blog on LeBron's exodus from Cleveland anyway, but due to some of the questions and statements I have received about my opinion of him I felt the best way to address it is in a blog entry. This isn't going to be some literary masterpiece. This is going to be more of a stream of consciousness, point by point entry about some of the things I have heard or been asked.

First of all my feelings in general:

He has always had the biggest ego in sports right alongside A-Rod, T.O. and Floyd Mayweather. Your ego can't possibly be anything less than that when you are comfortable with the moniker "King" before you ever step on to an NBA floor. That raised my eyebrow at jump, but I gave it a pass because if any city deserved a star and deserved success on a national level it's Cleveland. I say this as a Pittsburgher and die-hard Steelers fan. I am not the type of cat to hate rival teams just because they are rivals. I do tend to have little to no patients for jerks.

Then there is his Jordan worship and the fact that he aspired to be in that company. I was happy for Cleveland that they finally had a player that was going to try and bring them a title and appeared to have the ability to do so.


The picture above is of LeBron's own words from an ESPN The Magazine article from 2006. This has always kinda been my requirement for greatness in regards to basketball. It's the reason why people love Jordan, Magic & Bird. It's the reason why NBA in the 1980's and to a lesser extent the 90's are looked back upon so fondly. Isaiah's Pistons and Dominique's Hawks battling Bird's Celtics, Jordan's Bulls, Barkley's Sixers/Suns, Drexler's Blazers, Stockton and Malone's Jazz & Ewing's Knicks. These guys didn't chase rings while in their prime. They tried to bring rings to the teams & cities that they represented. Barkley was dealt to the Suns because the Sixers were rebuilding and at the time he was 29 years old. Drexler was in a similar situation when he was dealt to the Rockets and that was only after giving the Blazer 12 years!

It's kinda sad to see a young man with his talent give up so easily. Please don't be fooled, because that's exactly what he did. He couldn't beat them so he joined them. Do you think Jordan wanted to leave the Bulls for the Pistons? The fact that he is basically running away from competition kinda bugs me. To call yourself King James and then go to someone else's team to be his sidekick . . . huh? What? He told Cleveland and the rest of the nation that he can't beat Kobe, Wade or Duncan.



Wade was out there recruiting free agents to come to Miami to help him. Why couldn't LeBron have done that for the Cleveland? This is a city that has not experienced a title since 1964. You're going to go on national television to tell them, "fuck you"? Really? REALLY? Let's put this into perspective. More than likely if you are reading this you weren't even born the last time Cleveland won anything. Hell, man of you may have parents that weren't even born with Cleveland last held a title. Cleveland has had to deal with The Drive, The Fumble and Jordan Over Ehlo and now LeBron has now given them The Exodus, The DepartureThe Decision or The Defection.

Look at this through a real world lens. How does a man that has worked for a company for 7 years not have the guts to go up to his boss as a man and look him in the eye to tell him that he's leaving? Think about that. He essentially did just that. This is a company that gave him anything and everything that he could have wanted. He had input on personnel moves and his coach. How about this? Would you dump a boyfriend or girlfriend on TV? I'm not talking about the degenerates that go on talk shows. I'm talk to you! Would you really slap them in the face like that?

People want to make fun of or are outraged by Cavalier's owner, Dan Gilbert's letter to Cavs fans. But if you did everything you could to make a person happy and comfortable and you are told on TV that your best employee or significant other is no long longer going to be with you, you would be pissed also. If you say no, you're lying to yourself. It's like he wanted to rub his decision in the face of the Cavs, their fans and the city.  Let's also not forget how he went out in Cleveland on the court.  We were all wondering why he was playing the way he was.  He seemed completely disinterested in beating the Celtics and played the worst series any superstar player, ever!  Shortly after the series it hit the web that his mother may have been getting piped by Delonte West.  Is this true?  I don't know.  But his play was so bad that people felt that something like this may have been an excuse for it.  People want to focus on Dan Gilbert's guarantee that the Cavs will win a title before LeBron, but he said it in anger right after being embarrassed on national television.  When he woke up this morning he probably regretted that part of the letter, but the rest of his letter was maybe in bad for in tone but was anything he wrote not true?

I want to be crystal clear about this.  I have no problem with the fact that he chose to leave Cleveland.  I felt that was going to happen most of this season and those feelings grew stronger after his playoff performance and the rumors about his mother and Delonte.  The problem I have is strictly in regards to the nature in which he went about what he did.

With that being said I want to address some of the questions that I received on twitter in regards to my disappointment in his leaving and why I find the way he exited upsetting.

Have u ever thought that a ring is more important than all this greatness YALL are wanting for him?

Chasing a ring somewhere else when you are in the prime of your career with another team lessens it in my eyes and I doubt that I am alone in my feelings.

Why are yall mad? He don't care what yall think.

I feel this whole process of taking over a network for an hour just to flip off your previous employer and the city that you claim to love is a asshole/jerk/bitch ass move.  I have absolutely no tolerance for assholes/jerks/bitch asses in ANY aspect of life.  Him caring what I think doesn't matter.  People express their feelings on people that don't care about them all of the time.  I don't why his caring should have any impact on whether I vent frustration or not.  Why is absence of empathy or compassion for others seen as no big deal by people in our society?  That's what that announcement was.  Our society is going to hell in a hand basket.

I don't care that much & I am trying to find out why errybody else does?

The this is what sports fans do.  They care about their teams.  They care about the athletes on their teams.  Why do people care about Real Housewives?  Why do people care about anything or anyone?  It's because they are fans of them or it.

You know, if I were still his age, I might hold him to what he says. Being as though at that time I was just pompous enough to think I even 'started' to figure it all out. So yeah, I could see riding him for saying that as a 21 year old as a 20something.  Now? Naw...I know he doesn't know everything at that age. I think you do too. You know good cotdamm well that could change.  I would expect you not to hold that 'boy' (and make no mistake, he was but a boy then) to that foolish statement. lol  *this is regarding the ESPN quote pictured above*

He made the quote just four years ago when he was 20 or 21 years old.  We aren't talking about some 17 year old.  He's a grown man that can fight for his country, drive a car and drink legally.  Why would I not hold him to what he says?  When I was 21 if I said something like that I personally wouldn't back down from it.  It's not like he wasn't man enough to be the face of a franchise and have his own shoe and clothing line.  If you want to be the King this is part of the job as well.

Thanks for stopping by,

8

Wale - Workin' (Along With A Message)


9th Wonder Interview

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Black Milk - Welcome/Album Of The Year Track List

Welcome (Gotta Go) is the first single off of Black Milk's September 14th release, which he bravely named, Album Of The Year.

<a href="http://blackmilk.bandcamp.com/track/welcome-gotta-go">Welcome (Gotta Go) by Black Milk</a>






Track Listing

01. 365
02. Welcome (Gotta Go)
03. Keep Going
04. Oh Girl (Featuring AB)
05. Deadly Medley (Featuring Royce Da 5'9" & Elzhi)
06. Distortion (Featuring Melanie Rutherford)
07. Over Again (Featuring Monica Blaire)
08. Black and Brown (Featuring Danny Brown)
09. Round Of Applause
10. Warning (Keep Bouncing)
11. Gospel Psychedelic Rock
12. Closed Chapter (Featuring Mr. Porter)

Childish Gambino - Got This Money (Acoustic Version)



This is the bonus track on Childish Gambino's Culdesac

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Common & De La Soul Show In Atlanta On 7/31/10


or



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Childish Gambino (bka Donald Glover) - Culdesac

You may know Childish Gambino a little better through his day job on NBC's Community or his campaign to be the next Spider-Man, but this isn't his first foray into music.  He's put out two mixtapes under this pseudonym I Am Just A Rapper & I Am Just A Rapper 2.  The reason why you don't see either of them on this blog before this post is because, I hated the first one so much that I deleted both from my hard drive before listening to the second.  They may have been your taste, but they were far from mine.

I say that to say this: where the past releases may have failed, this one succeeds.  To be clear, the problem I had with the other mixtape was not his actually rhyming, but his musical selections. Culdesac is a huge step up.






Thanks for stopping by,

8

Consequence - Don't Stand So Close (Music Video)



Don't Stand So Close is featured on Consequence's Movies On Demand

Monday, July 5, 2010

Free Show: The Roots & Talib Kweli In New York On 7/11/10

Looks like ?uestlove was inspired by the World Cup being hosted in Africa and has decided to launch OkayAfrica.com. In conjunction with the unveiling of the site The Roots have decided to do what they do best, have a concert.

Okayplayer describes OkayAfrica.com as:
. . .the new channel from okayplayer that highlights all that is new, cool, and happening in Africa, from new artists influenced by Africa to new African artists, from dance crazes from the Niger Delta to Fela parties in Brooklyn, from heavy metal in Kenya to electronica from Mali to hip-hop from Sierra Leone, and much more.


or

They are also giving away 2 Backstage Passes.


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Sunday, July 4, 2010

Random Geekery: iPhone4 vs HTC Evo

A Moment With: AFTA-1 (Part 2)

Yesterday I told you about cinematographer, Melinda James and showed you the first part of her mini-documentary on AFTA-1.  Well, she's back with part two.  Enjoy!
On Wednesday, AFTA-1 and I met up to check out a few thrift stores in the Mission, but, since we started our outing so late, most were closed. I ended up showing him Dolores Park (where he lost some unmentionables, haha), and he shared his inspiration for his limited edition cassettes and his music. We concluded our hangout session with some always amazing ice cream from Bi-Rite (I had the balsamic strawberry with the honey lavender and he opted for the roasted banana with cookies and cream).

Saturday, July 3, 2010

A Moment With: AFTA-1 (Part 1)

I love it when things kinda just come together.  That's kinda what produced this blog entry.  You see, Ms. Melinda James of About Her Films happened to see Dayrell's entry in regards to AFTA-1's most recent release.  It turns out that Melinda recently had the chance to spend some time with AFTA-1 and passed along her footage.  Here's part one of her two part visit with the artist.
This past Tuesday I had the opportunity to hang out with a producer by the name of AFTA-1. I’ve been following his music for the past few months and when I heard that he was going to be doing a set at SOM in San Francisco, I was beyond ecstatic. I wrote him an e-mail the night before, explaining that I was a fan of his work and if he would be interested in allowing me to shoot him and document the events before, during and after his set. The next morning I received an e-mail from him saying he was up for the idea. I met him a couple of hours beforehand, where we chatted for a bit, then I filmed his set and a few quick words after.

New: Black Milk - How Dare You

Here's another song to hold you over for Black Milk's forthcoming release, Album Of The Year, which drops September 14th.  We all know how solid album release dates are.


9th Wonder Presents TP

Thursday, July 1, 2010

IVORY DOME GIVES YOU ANDREYA TRIANA


Andreya Triana is that hidden gem that everyone needs to know about. I first heard of this British songstress on Flying Lotus's Los Angeles and to say her breathy serenade was not memorable would be a fat lie. Triana's upcoming debut album, Lost Where I Belong is something to look forward to. She has released two tracks; the first being the title song Lost Where I Belong (sadly accompanied with the acoustic guitar melodrama, yes I am really over that darn guitar) and A Town Called Obsolete. Andreya's sound is soft, tittering the lines of delicacy and strenght. I can only hope she is not a victim of "Hook Singer" (the instance where artists sound amazing on other artist's tracks compared to their own efforts, Dwele & Co). So far, a grand highlight is on Bonobo's Black Sands. Songs like Stay The Same, Eyes Down and The Keeper are just right, with a sound reaching into an ethereal sphere. If she can maintain this presence then all the world is hers.







Verses: Skyzoo vs. Jay-Z

An Open Letter To LeBron . . . Not That He'll Read This

LeBron, let me start off by saying that I don't have a dog in this race. Unless Pittsburgh gets an NBA team within the next 30 minutes. I just wanted to remind you of a few things before you make your decision. Here is a question that you have to ask yourself:

Do you want to be a legend or do you want to be just another Hall Of Famer?

If you are looking to just be another Hall Of Famer, then by all means leave Cleveland in search for a title. Keep in mind that unless you are near the end of your career this kinda looks like a punk move. There is something to be said for playing your whole career in one city. Running off to Chicago might get you A title in the short term, but unless you can catch Kobe in wins you won't be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan, Bird, Magic, Russell or Jabbar.

You've already put in seven years with the Cavs. Between Kobe's Lakers, Rondo's Celtics (yeah, I said it!) & Durant's Thunder, you more than likely will not possibily be sniffing 5 titles no matter where you go. Why not stay in Cleveland and become a legend? Going to Chicago will get you a title, but frankly it will always be seen as Derrick Rose's team. If I were a betting man, the ball will be in his hands at crunch time. He's the point guard and also may become a better closer than you. Plus, going to Chicago will ensure that you will never be any better than the 2nd best player in FRANCHISE history.

If you went to Chicago with Bosh, do you think that the Bulls will be able to keep you two as well as give Rose the max contract that he will deserve in the next season or two? Why not just emulate Jordan in the way that everyone seems to forget about, taking less money in order to get the best players around him to win.

Why not just stay in Cleveland and recruit free agents to play with you? You make more money off of the court than on it. Why not bring a title to Ohio, the state that you claim to love? Winning one or two titles in Cleveland will be far more powerful than going to Chicago and adding a banner or two or being Wade's sidekick (yes, that's what you would be!) in Miami and winning one. You can't talk Rudy Gay or Joe Johnson into running with you in Cleveland? You couldn't do some damage with one of those guys?

The only team you can go to and win without looking like a sucker would be the Clippers. It's funny, they probably have the best roster already in place out of all of the teams that have been talked about. The Clippers are cursed so you might want to avoid them.

If you want to be the icon you say you want to be, your only choice is to stay at home. You can't be a legend when your hometown is heartbroken.