US Wealth Gap Reflects Racism's Legacy

I Wish The News Covered MY Pittsburgh

It's funny, I used to often talk to friends that aren't from this area about my city and my less than positive opinion of it.  Most of those I talk to a pretty smart and know there way around the internet.  I would tell them about how much I dislike my city and why, while they would see different articles online about how livable or affordable it is.  I would always tell them that its great if you're white, but as a Black person . . . not so much.  The images of Pittsburgh and Pittsburghers are pretty much whitewashed on a nationally.  The successful Blacks in the city are primarily athletes that play for local teams (read: STEELERS) and are just passing through.

DOOMSTARKS (MF DOOM & Ghostface) - Victory Laps (Audio)

It was many years ago - 4, 5? - when DOOM was here in Los Angeles playing us a few tracks he'd just begun working on with Ghostface Killah. Like everyone else, we thought it was a great collaboration. And like everyone else, after the years began passing, we thought it would never happen.

Here it is: the first official release from DOOMSTARKS. This is a limited edition picture disc 12" with "Victory Laps" on one side (Vocal, Remix, Instrumentals) backed with Serato Control Tones used to DJ with Serato Scratch Live software. Expected ship date is September 6-13.

Actual Proof - Still Hotter Than July

Joell Ortiz - Seven Deuce (Audio)

Random Geekery: Black Dynamite Animated Series Trailer

No I.D., Common & Friends Are Cocaine 80s

No ID - Chemist
Steve Wyreman - Axe, Free Bass, Keys of Coke
Rob “The Mixer” Kinelski - Engineer & Sonic Manipulator
Kevin Randolph - Kilos
James Fauntleroy sings the Blues
Common - Dope Raps
Makeba - The Godmother
The Lookouts:
Sam Lewis
Anna Ugarte
Omar Loya
Blake Douglas - The Middle Man
Pablo Escobar aka Mike Chavez - Street Dealer

Excursions: Rarities & Remixes Of A Tribe Called Quest Mixtape

A Note From Mick Boogie

A Tribe Called Quest is one of my favorite groups of all time... in any genre of music. After seeing Michael Rapaport's amazing documentary on the group, I felt inspired to put together a mix and this is the end result. This is NOT a greatest hits mix. This mix is for the true Tribe fans only... the die-hards who know every lyric and remember every interlude. I thought it would be cool to basically create the "lost" Tribe album... with all the rare songs, demos, limited-edition remixes, and collaborations you may have missed over the years. I hope when you enjoy this as much as I do, and hear some things you have never heard before. Special thank you to UNDRCRWN for the amazing artwork.

Skyzoo - Test Drive (Music Video)

Test Drive is featured on Skyzoo's The Great Debater.

A New Android Market For Books & Movies

Yesterday Google announced a new Android Market for all phones running version 2.2 or higher of their Android operating system.  Here's what they had to say about the new market:

In the U.S., you’ll be able to rent thousands of movies, starting at $1.99, right from Android Market on your phone. With the Videos app, available in Android Market, there’s no more waiting for downloads, syncing, or worrying about storage space. Simply sign into Android Market with your Google account, and you can rent movies from anywhere – the web, or your Android phone or tablet – and start watching instantly. You can also download movies to your device so they’re available for viewing when you don’t have an internet connection.

Max Tannone Presents Ghostface - GhostFunk Mixtape

Ghostface combined with Afrofunk equals Ghostfunk. Take a listen . . .

Vevo Presents Kanye West, Mos Def, Jay-Z & G.O.O.D. Music

Kanye along with Mos Def, Jay-Z and his G.O.O.D. Music artists invaded Austin, Texas to help promote VEVO with a concert. Here are some of the highlights.

Random Geekery: Burn Notice Graphic Novel

USA Network & DC Comics have joined forces to bring you Burn Notice in comic book form.

D.Julien - Ready For Tomorrow Mixtape

Random Geekery: The Art Of Brian Wood - Public Domain 2 (Artbook)

Brian Wood, writer of DMZ, Local, The New York Four, The New York Five, Northlanders (See all Historical Genre Fiction) and my personal favorite The Couriers.  (Side note:  The Couriers series is criminally slept on series.  If you're a fan of action movies I highly recommend you pick it up.)  Along with being a great writer, Wood is an artist as well and he recently released his latest artbook for free.

Consequence - Public Eye (Music Video)

Music Reviews In A Minute (Retro Review): A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders

Music Reviews In A Minute is back to recommence. Please forgive me for the extended hiatus, folks. I know I have a lot of catching up to do. So, because I burdened you with that crazy hiatus, it’s only fair that I treat you to a journey back to hip-hop’s Golden Era with a review of an album from A Tribe Called Quest’s discography. Can’t think of a better way to return to Music Reviews In A Minute than discussing the reminiscent, collective sounds of Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed Muhammed.  With that said, I went crate digging, pulled out the Midnight Marauders album, grabbed my sidekick 8thlight, and we took an enriched trip back down memory lane - to which I’m requesting that you join us.

While artists like Beastie Boys, Jungle Brothers, and De La Soul, among many, were making their legendary mark in the Golden Era, A Tribe Called Quest was alongside them respectfully. So much that they even inspired actor Michael Rapaport to make his directorial debut with a documentary about the group.

Hannibal Buress - Comedy Is My Life (Interview)

Lovers Melt 2, Mixed by Flying Lotus

Here's a free Flying Lotus mix, Lovers Melt 2. This is a follow up to his Stones Throw Podcast #66: Lovers Melt, with part 2 clocking in at two and a half hours, all dedicated to essential summer listening.

Pete Rock On The Art Of Sampling

Hulu & Facebook Become Closer Friends

Interact. We are excited to announce a new feature that is the first-of-its-kind and one that we think will become a staple at Hulu going forward. One of the most exciting features we are launching today is the ability to comment on a specific moment in time while watching any video on Hulu, and with one click, instantly share those remarks — and the relevant video moment from the program — on Facebook for all your friends to see. When you comment on a Hulu video, that exact moment will appear on Facebook so your friends can jump in and react right away. And since friends can respond to your comments, you can have those water cooler conversations online at any time. We’ve been using this feature in test mode here at Hulu HQ for a bit…and we are officially addicted. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Beedie - The Beat Bully LP

Astronote - The Raw Tape (Instrumentals)

@CNET's First Look At Google+