Jay Z performing Hovi Baby live in Las Vegas. We will definately show you all of the rest of the footage from the show very soon......sorry about the quality.
exactly.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Video of Jay Z Performing Live @ The Pearl in Las Vegas
Friday, December 28, 2007
NEW JOINT: The Roots - Please Dont Go (prod. by Dilla)
Big Up To Okayplayer for this gem.
exactly....
George Bush's Childhood Home Burns Down
Someone burned down George Bush's childhood home in Odessa, TX. The house is located directly behind The Presidental Museum. No leads, no witnesses.....hmmmmm American Terrorists? No Matthew Santos.
* this isn't actually his home, but since I couldn't find this story online ANYWHERE I borrowed this from some random flickr site....it's a loft belonging to a n-word named Andre. (shouts to Tunj)
exactly.....
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Lupe Fiasco's First Week Sales Of The Cool
Lupe's first week numbers are in, and it's pretty much what I expected. The chitown native managed to rake in 144,079 and debuted at number 15 on the Billboard top 200. I believe he was projected to do about 150 to 200 thousand his first week....sa'll good Lu, still a pretty damn good album.
PICTURES WITH WORDS: Jay Z - Can I Live
While I'm watchin every nigga watchin me closely
my shit is butter for the bread they wanna toast me
I keep my head, both of them where they supposed to be
Hoes'll get you sidetracked then clap from closed feet
I don't sleep, I'm tired, I feel wired like codeine, these days
a brother gotta admire from four fiends away
My pain wish it was quick to see, from sellin 'caine
til brains was fried to a fricaisse, can't lie
At the time it never bothered me, at the bar
gettin my thug on properly, my squad and me
lack of respect for authority, laughin hard
Happy to be escapin poverty, however brief
I know this game got valleys and peaks, expectation
for dips, for precipitation we stack chips, hardly
The youth I used to be, soon to see a mill'in
No more, Big Willie my game has grown prefer you call me William
Illin for revenues, Rayful Edmonds like
channel 7 news, round seven jewels, hand gettin the mic
Forgettin all I ever knew, convenient amnesia
I suggest you call my lawyer, I know the procedure
Lock my body can't trap my mind, easily
explain why we adapt to crime
I'd rather die enormous than live dormant that's how we on it
Live at the main event, I bet a trip to Maui on it
Presidential suites my resedential for the weekend
Confidentially speakin in codes since I sense you peekin
The NSX rental, don't be fooled my game is mental
We both out of town dog, what you tryin to get into?
Viva, Las Vegas, see ya, later at the crap tables
meet me by the one that starts a G up
This way no fraud Willie's present gambling they re-up
And we can have a pleasant time, sippin margaritas
ROLL CALL: Razors Iconz Video - Introduction
This is the intro to a pretty crazy skate video....
exactly.
Zack Lee's Official Bucket List
So, I saw this movie called The Bucket List a few days ago and it really got me thinking. If money weren't an issue, what are some of the things I would want to do before I leave this Earth? Sounds easy at first, but when you start actually writing it out you find out how meaningless material possesions are.....here's mine:
1. Reconnect with my distant family.
2. Backpack in every continent with my 4 closest friends.
3. Write my life story in a script and have it made into a cliche Spike Lee film.
4. Board a jet plane and catch New Years around the world in every timezone.
5. Visit the Bermuda Triangle and go fishing.
6. Take an extreme hallucinogen and watch the scariest movie ever made.
7. Base jump off of the Empire State building in a Superman costume
8. Listen to 2Pac - Hit Em Up in a ritzy French restaurant on a ghetto blaster.
9. Visit every home I've ever lived in
10. Have a kid.
What is your bucket list?
Trailer for The Bucket List
Jay Z Steps Down As CEO of Def Jam
Universal Music Group said on Monday that rap artist and hip-hop mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter is stepping down as president of its Def Jam Records unit, effective by the end of the year.
Carter, 38, has been president of the rap label since 2005, and has signed acts including R&B singers Rihanna and Ne-Yo.
Universal said Carter, a top-selling rapper who performs as Jay-Z, will continue recording for its Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam label. But the company did not give a reason for his decision to quit the executive suite.
"Now it's time for me to take on new challenges," he said in a statement. "I am pleased to have had the opportunity to build upon the Def Jam legacy," he added.
Carter will focus on his expanding franchise of 40/40 Nightclubs over the next year and other businesses, according to a source familiar with his plans.
Carter regularly tops the lists of richest hip-hop moguls, and was No. 9 on Forbes' Celebrity 100, the annual roster of the world's most powerful -- and best paid -- celebrities, with an estimated compensation of $83 million.
Carter, who has said he was a street hustler growing up in the Marcy public housing project in a tough section of Brooklyn, New York, has sold millions of records and launched an array of media and fashion businesses.
Though known for his cutting-edge rap lyrics and rags-to-riches story, Carter often is mentioned in local gossip columns because of his romantic relationship with R&B singer Beyonce Knowles. Last week, he denied rumors that the couple had married in secret.
The rapper joined Def Jam as president to help turn around the fortunes of the then-struggling seminal rap label. His move to management followed his 2003 retirement from recording. His albums, including "Hard Knock Life" (1998), "The Blueprint" (2001) and his classic debut "Reasonable Doubt" (1996).
He returned to recording last year with the album "Kingdom Come" and this year followed up with an album inspired by the movie "American Gangster."
Def Jam's successes during his tenure as president, included Rihanna and Ne-Yo, who this month racked up 11 Grammy nominations between them.
"Jay made it clear to us that he feels the time has come to take on different challenges in his life. While we regret his decision to move on, we certainly respect it," said Antonio 'L.A.' Reid," chairman of Island Def Jam.
Universal Music, a unit of French media and telecommunications group Vivendi, is the world's largest music company with 30 percent of the worldwide market share.
-article taken from Yahoo-
Hov definately disappointed a lot of folks on that label, and this move disappoints a lot of up and coming musicians trying to get their shot. Is this a bad look for hip hop?
Ghostface Killah Action Figure
I felt funny calling it a doll......
I kinda want one though......* pause * N/H
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
HAPPY XMAS EVERYBODY!
B.jpg)
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday food, love, company, joy etc...
This one goes out to ya'll!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
F.O.R. Monogrammed Leather Backpack
I finally came across a closer view of the Fall Of Rome leather backpack, and its pretty fly. The only picture I had seen of it was on Lupe's back in the Fall Of Rome photoshoot, but you couldn't really see the detail on it. Eventually I came across this site called Choice Is Yours and they have that bag and other F.O.R. merchandise for sale. P.S. the cashmire scarf would be a nice stocking stuffer....just sayin.
BREAK A LEG: 9th Wonder, Kev Brown, D.Biase, Pac Div LIVE Sat. Feb 9th!
Beat Showcase feat. 9th Wonder, Kev Brown, and Dibiase with a performance by Pac Div!
The Blue Cafe
210 the Promenade North
Long Beach, CA 90802
18+
Doors Open at 8 PM.
Check out the new Pac Div EPK!
Friday, December 21, 2007
FANFARE: OKAYPLAYER AWARDS RESULTS
Congrats to Blu for winning Rookie Of The Year!!!
Shouts to everyone else that won too....
Album Art of the Year: Kanye West - Graduation
Album of the Year: Common - Finding Forever
Album of the Year - Hip Hop: Talib Kweli - Eardrum
Album of the Year - Hipster: M.I.A. - Kala
Album of the Year - R&B/Soul: Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
Album of the Year - Rock: Radiohead - In Rainbows
Banger of the Year: Kanye West - "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
Most Anticipated Album of 2008: THE ROOTS - Rising Down
Most Slept On Album: Pharoahe Monch - Desire
Most Slept On Artist: Cunninlynguists (WORD!)
The Dilla Award (Producer of the Year): Madlib
BONUS: Blu and Exile - So(ul) Amazing
GO GET THAT BLU & EXILE - BELOW THE HEAVENS LP!!!!!!!!!!!!
exactly.
CLASSIC: Ghostface Killah - All That I Got Is You ft. Tekitha
Since we didn't get a chance to post an old school video on Tuesday, we felt it was only right to at least hit you with a classic......Happy Friday everybody, enjoy.
SAY WHAT?: Inverse - So Far Interview
Los Angeles hip hop has definately been missing that soul that we used to have in the early days, it almost seems as if every emcee or group from the West Coast is either a NY knockoff or on that SMACK DVD battling type shit. So these cats are like the twinkle of light in the dark......pause.....no pun intended and no homo. Say hello to Inverse
this interview was taken from Descry's Blogspot.......
Descry: Do you guys have certain themes carried out in your songs? Have you developed the Inverse sound since that early beginning?
Tunji: Umm...I think, first and foremost, we're both songwriters and really focused on lyrics...so you're always gonna get some well written and thought out words from us...But overall, we just try to make really honest music with a soulful vibe. The songs are usually pretty personal too, but we try to keep the hooks real catchy and memorable as well.
Toby: I would say that I don't think we particularly try to carry any specific themes in our sound....there's some combination of the music mixed with our life experience that leads us in one direction or another....so that can carry us in a lot of different directions...as long as we're being honest and it's done well...then I think we're doing what needs to be done.
Tunji: Our songs are about life...and we try to make soulful, honest hip hop.
Descry: Honest hip-hop...hmm. What artists inspires the "Inverse sound" as a group?
Tunji: Waaaaaay too many to name....I mean, all the people you would expect...OutKast, Jay-Z, Nas, Common, etc. But also, all the really dope artists around us who we are friends with and learning from like Brother Ali, CunninLynguists, OneBeLo and whatnot. I'm also inspired by great songwriters like the Beatles, Bob Marley...all the Motown era soul groups, Sly Stone, Stevie, I could go on forever. Music is like oxygen to me, I'm listening 24/7.
Toby: I loved Michael Jackson! My dad listened to country and blues while my mom listened to more classic rock, Beatles, etc. I listened to radio rap growing up, until i was about 12--some kid from my school (he was 17 so i looked up to him) made a copy for me of Resurrection by Common and Illmatic by Nas...and man that shit blew my mind. I was always a fan of words and writing stories and poems and shit like that...but it wasn't until I heard that stuff then it all came together. Those two albums opened the door to a LOT of dope stuff...94 was a great year for discovering hip hop....Nas, Common, Outkast, Wu-Tang, Dr. Dre, Goodie Mob, etc. All kinds of stuff came out that year and I was obsessed. You know, I actually started trying to write like Common.
Descry: Haha, I bet those early tapes are dope. Your inspirations have taken you both a long way. Now, you're a part of the new reformed LA Hip-Hop scene--how do you feel about all the new talent emerging out of LA?
Tunji: It's amazing, man. I feel lucky, because there is so much talent here...I feel like we're in the middle of something huge. The world is gonna see in the next few years, and it's already starting to happen. I feel like a lot of the people around us are really going to be a part of hip hop's future. You've got artists like Blu, Exile, Aloe Blacc, Pacific Division, TiRon, U-N-I, J Davey, Noah King...all young, hungry and creative. All making honest music, and unafraid to have fun with it. Also, there are lots of transplants from Detroit [Ta'raach...House Shoes...etc.] who are really putting some life into the local scene as well. Then you've got the new generation of Project Blowed cats who are ridiculous [Nocando...Dumbfoundead...etc.]. LA is too dope right now.
Click to read the rest of the interview.
Inverse's album, 'So Far' drops on 1/1/08.
Album Of The Year?
The year is almost over, and it was definately one of the finest years hip hop has seen in a long time. Even though Dre didn't release Botox, there were a lot of exciting releases that almost made you forget about it. Kanye released the highly anticipated 'Graduation'
, Little Brother proved they can hold it down pretty well without 9th Wonder on board, extra'd out ass Amy Winehouse made her debut, even Jay Z dusted off the cape and blessed us with American Gangster.
So the question that remains on everyone's mind is, which album was the best album of the year? The answer to this question seemed so set in stone a few months ago, but then Alicia Keys dropped, Radiohead shocked the industry
and even Lupe Fiasco dropped a pretty nice one. In your opinion, what do you think was the best album of the year, and why? And heres a bonus question: Did anyone drop a classic album this year?
Also check out what Spin Magazine had to say about the best albums of the year.
exactly.
Pictures With Words: Lupe Fiasco - Streets On Fire
Disease the virus is spreading in all directions
No safe zone no cure and no protection
No sense of surviving or signs of an infection
No vaccines remedies and no corrections
Quarantines the dreams and cut off our connections
Don't let em in not a friend not a reflection
Everybody's got it and want you to have it next and
Don't accept em if you wanna stay that's an exception
Appeal
The Heal
The I'll of this
Sickness some are still in doubt of it's existence
Some call it forgiveness and some call it the vengeance
Some say it's an exit and some say it's an entrance
The poor say the rich have the cure
The rich say the poor aren't the source
Revolutionaries say it's psychological war
Invented by the press
Just to have something to report
Some say the first case came from a maternity war
Some say a morgue some say the skies some say the floor
Whores say the nuns, nuns say the whores
And everybody is sure
The scientists said it only infects the mind
The little boy said it only infects the girls
The Preacher said it's gonna kill off the soul
A bum said it's gonna kill off the world
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
LMAO!: Bow Wow Demands His Respect!
Wow, of all people to "BOSS UP" on, he's gonna try to boss up on Toure. LOL@his bodyguard eating food talking about "handle what?" Toure was just laughing at him..
Toure was sorta being overly disrespectful though, but that just may be the editing...
Comedy.
UPDATE: Apparently this was supposed to be an episode of Punk'd. If you pay attention, Toure says something along the lines of "didn't anyone tell them what this was"? Which leads me to believe that Punk'd is scripted also, and that makes sense considering those episodes that never made it because of the "punkee" wildin' out, e.g. The Black Eyed Peas actually getting into a fist fight with the Punk'd crew.
Britney Spears' Sister Jamie Preggo @ 16!
Jamie Lynn Spears, Britney's Sister, Is Pregnant
'Zoey 101' star is 12 weeks along in her pregnancy, she told OK! magazine.
By Kurt Orzeck
Jamie Lynn Spears, Britney's sister, is pregnant, the 16-year-old told OK! magazine. The father is her longtime boyfriend, Casey Aldridge, she said. "It was a shock for both of us, so unexpected," Jamie Lynn Spears, who is 12 weeks along in her pregnancy, told the magazine for its new issue, which hits stands this week.
"I was in complete and total shock, and so was he," she said. "As soon as I found out for sure from the doctor, I took two weeks to myself where I didn't tell anybody. Only one of my friends knew because I needed to work out what I would do for myself before I let anyone's opinion affect my decision. Then I told my parents and my friends. I was scared, but I had to do what was right for me."
According to the interview, Jamie Lynn confirmed the pregnancy through a home test. She later paid a visit to the doctor, who corroborated the news. She said she revealed the news to her parents shortly before Thanksgiving.
Read rest of article @ MTV.com
Wednesday Laugh: Husband walks in on wife having threesome
*Shakes head* mmmmmHmMmmm
What would Jesus do?
Exactly...
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
THE DROP: Lupe Fiasco's The Cool
I strongly recommend that you go out and get this album, wether its ITunes or your local record spot.
Fuck it, here's a sample....
Now get fly....
exactly.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
WTF: Whopper Freakout
The experiment of what happens when you take an incredible burger taken away for a day.
TALKIES: The Dark Knight
At first, I didn't really dig the idea of Heath Ledger playing The Joker. I'm a big fan of the first Batman with the Prince soundtrack, and Jack Nickelson always held the illest Joker title to me. But now, I'm kind of intrigued by this new Joker, seems like he's gonna be real disturbing. I'm waiting for the day they quit bullshitting and make a Batman movie that's Rated R.
NEW JOINT: Miguel - Away
Bridgetown affiliate, Miguel, back with another crazy joint....what else is new?
PARTY LIFE: Crash Mansion w/ DJ Premier
DJ Premier came out to bless a set at Crash Mansion last night, but most of my attention was locked in another room. Next door was this small room with its own little bar inside called the Lunchbox, the homie Diz helps throw it. The only reason I left the room DJ Premier was spinning in was because of a random performance that went down, unexpectedly non entertaining. A lotta familiar faces graced the spot, Pac Div came out, Rozzi Dame, DJ Gomez(who was spinning in the Lunchbox), Fonzworth Bentley and a lot of females.
The sound went out right when Gomez was about to start spinning, and the room turned into a bar for a minute. A lotta folks shook out and went into the Primo room, but like 10 minutes into the set, everything got live again. Shouts to the female bartender with the crazy mohawk hair, brilliant Long Island Ice Teas ma'am. The night was definately blessed with different grooves, I found myself with a drink and a two step at one point. By 1:45, I was steppin it out chitown style to the R Kelly joint...
All in all, it was a good Saturday night.
Exactly.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Mr. Lee Prepares For Vegas
As the end of the year approaches I find myself becoming really impatient. I've never really been to Las Vegas, but if it's anything like i've been hearing then this should definately be one for the books. I have my outfits laid out like a kid preparing for his first day back to school with his brand new clothes....yes.....I got me some good clothes. Bottles will be popped, pictures will be taken, and I've also decided that I will not be gambling. I work hard for my money and a few bright lights isn't enough to make me put it in a machine only for the machine to say, "Now get the fuck out my face!".
I guess one of the main highlights will be Jay Z performing at the Palms, and you already know.....I must be in attendance. I wanted to actually get a seat so I can drink and be merry, but it's peace. Either way....break out the red lights, welcome to the party life.
Suite :-)
Spoil'd Milk: Adidas x Looney Tunes EQT B-Ball Hi
What the hell?
Adidas and Warner Brothers got together to create this clusterfuck of a remix shoe for the Looney Tunes. The EQT B-Ball Hi comes in a "Tweety Bird" version. The upper is dominated by yellow, orange and baby blue. The Tweety Bird character is embossed on the ankle. The basketball shoe comes with two kinds of inner socks. One style is in all yellow, the other one comes in baby blue with Tweety printed all-over. 
WOW!
Found this wack shit @ Highsnobiety
Crooked I On The Wake Up Show
Tech believes Crooked I is smashin on Jay Z and also feels that he is the illest on the West...Zack Lee definately does not agree, but its peace.
Bobby Ross Avila (Avila Brothers) on keys....phew.
Friday, December 14, 2007
TALKIES: Official Ironman Trailer
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges
Ghostface should get a song on the soundtrack....
Pictures With Sound: Nikkel Plate the Great
Multitalented as an engineer and producer, Nikkel Plate stays with some heat. Along with a slew of other producers on the west coast, Nikkel Plate shows you that it AIN'T just about synths and g'funk on this side of the states. Enough words, check the vid:
Check out his Myspace!
Exactly
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Break A Leg: The Morning Benders (Dec. 13th)
The Morning Benders is comprised of 4 of the most jovial, talented, crazy guys ever! How do I know this? Well, because I said so! The bands only been together a little bit over a year and is garnering a serious SERIOUS buzz. If you're in the LA area, The Exactly definitely recommends you check them out LIVE TONIGHT and see if they're as dope as we say they are.
And also, stop by their Myspace.The Morning Benders
And Website TheMorningBenders.com
Focus: The Underwater Sculpture Garden
As if you ever needed more coaxing to get into the waters of the Caribbean, artist JASON TAYLOR has made the island of Grenada a mecca for snorkeling art lovers with his unique underwater sculpture garden, the first of its kind in the world. Covering an area of several hundred square feet just off the island’s southern coast, the “gallery” features hundreds of carefully placed objects and human forms created by Taylor (with the permission of the government) that coexist with the island’s natural reef systems without interfering with their function or damaging their structures. Since debuting last year the site has proven to be a magnet for divers who have flocked to the site by the thousands.
HAVE A LOOK:
View more images @ Supertouch
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
R.I.P.: Ike Turner Dies At 76
Music legend Ike Turner has passed away today (Dec. 12) at age 76 in his suburban home outside San Diego.
"He did pass away this morning," Scott Hanover, of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's musical career told the Associated Press. A cause of death has not been reported.
Turner, whose career in music spanned five decades, was as much known for his musical prowess as his familial problems, which were often referenced in rap songs, including Notorious B.I.G.'s "Machine Gun Funk."
His marriage to famed singer and musical partner Tina Turner, which ended in 1976, was allegedly an abusive one. The couple's troubles were depicted in the 1993 movie What's Love Got To Do With It?
Following the couple's split, Ike Turner released a pair of unsuccessful solo albums and served a stint in prison for drug and weapons charges.
He was inducted into the Rock & Roll hall of Fame in 1991 and released the Grammy-nominated Here & Now in 2001.
The Exactly Blogspot says farewell to the inspiration for many a "Slap" reference in Hip Hop Music.
GearHeads: Nike Tech Pack Air Max 1
Nike knows how to start '08 off with a bang. With the upcoming release of the Tech Pack & Safari Air Max 1s. Each model features two different colorways. While the first releases of the Tech Pack were much more subdued and rather colorless, these upcoming packs are a bit more over the top. You'll have to wait for 2008 before these drop.
Only the freshest..
Is the Era of baggy pants coming to an end?
By Jermaine Dupri
"Last night the Atlanta school board voted unanimously to ban students from wearing baggy pants. This has been goin’ on all over the South lately, in Louisana and other parts of Georgia. It’s been on the radar in New Jersey, Oklahoma and even Yonkers, New York. They also talked about outlawing baggy pants in Baltimore, until they had the good sense to drop it. It’s some of the dumbest shit I have ever heard and now it’s in my backyard. It’s time for me to speak up.
This is basically all about the older generation hating on hip hop. They can’t ban it, so instead they’re gonna try and turn kids into criminals just for being themselves. Kids have been wearing this look for more than two decades. Since before I first discovered Kris Kross, and they wore their oversized pants backwards, kids have been dressing this way, and all of a sudden local governments and school boards all over America are deciding it’s “indecent”. So why now?"
Read rest of blog @ Bridging The Gap
In Zack Lee's opinion, banning baggy jeans is absurd. Granted, a certain stereotype comes attached to the baggy pants image, with 'Thug' being the most prominent. Of course, this mainly stems from an older generations point of view. While we believe its deeper than the older generation's disdain for it, we understand that's where majority of the heat is coming from. Basically, as Andre3000 put it, "Is every nigga with dreads for the cause? Is every nigga with golds for the fall?" Don't get caught up in appearance.
In The Studio: Ryan Leslie Creating Diamond Girl
"Me (the Artist), Myself (the Producer), and I (the Engineer) get together in the studio to create my single “Diamond Girl”. Great fun as usual:
Reviewing and re-sequencing the footage from this session revealed that it was possible to edit the video with an interesting twist: as though all of my alter egos were recording the song simultaneously, and even interacting with one another.
Please enjoy, request the song at radio, and share my music and vids with anyone else you think may appreciate them." - Ryan Leslie
This is pretty fly!
Source from Next Selection.com
Check out Full song @ Ryan Leslie's Myspace
Exactly..
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
NEW JOINT: Pacific Division - All I Want (prod. by Swiff D)
The F.A.T. LP Dropping March 18th 2008!!
Pac Div's MySpace
Pac Div's Official Website
Also Check Out Pac Div In The New Issue Of Scheme Magazine!
Click To Read Interview
Lupe talks about The Cool in Complex Magazine
Complex: You had a song on your first album called "The Cool". Tell me about the concept behind it.
Lupe Fiasco: Yeah, it was produced by Kanye West and it was about a hustler who gets killed and comes back to life and digs his way out of his own grave and then goes back to like the neighborhood that he grew up in and eventually winds up, at the end of the song, getting robbed by the same gun that he got shot with by some little kid. So it's very macabre, very dark but I always wanted to do that record, to tell that story of somebody who comes back to life, that kind of manifested itself into "The Cool". And "The Cool" went on to be like the inspiration for the next album. I thought that storyline, that kind of macabreness, that kind of spookiness, you know, leant itself to be even deeper, to be just like one part of a whole kind of storyline. So I put a little bit more thought into it and kind of expanded on it.
C: So would you say that this album is darker than your first?
Lupe Fiasco: Oh yeah, it's much darker just on the strength of the situation that I'm in, in life right now is kind of a happy period. It's a lot of success but it came with a lot of sacrifice and having my pops pass away and just recently having an aunty pass away and then having a friend pass away, Stack Bundles, a rapper in New York who got murdered out here and then to also have my partner get locked up, to get 44 years, all that stuff came along with the situation. It made the setting for me a more darker because I'm a little bit sad.
C: Did all of that happen between albums?
Lupe Fiasco: Yeah, it happened towards the end of Food and Liquor, kind of towards the end of the promotion for that, like the whole time we were recording Food and Liquor, we were on trial and you know, going through the motions of court with my partner and my father was in and out the hospital during the whole situation.
C: Do you vent about those specific issues directly on this album?
Lupe Fiasco: Yeah actually I do. I think I probably tell them through the story of "The Cool". As far as the resurrection, you know, it's kind of like a reach that I would love to have my father back or I would love to have my partner out of jail which, hopefully he'll be getting out soon. I wish that process was actually real and could actually take place.
C: When you mention that macabre kind of feel to the album or even to that song in general, a few movies come to mind like "From Hell" or "Jack the Ripper". Do those also tie into those songs or is that the feeling that you're trying to bring to it?
Lupe Fiasco: I think in a certain way. It's a little bit more serious, you know in this approach as opposed to the first album where everything was a bit more playful and I think that comes directly from just the mood that the album is in.
Read the rest @ Complex Magazine
BREAK A LEG - Pacific Division and Friends - Dec 13th
Pacific Division along with the rest of The Great Wall( Basik, Kartwright, Diz Gibran). Also performing that evening Dom Kennedy and The 87 Stick Up Kids.
WE IN THA HOUUUUUSEEEE!!!!!
exactly.
Lupe Fiasco's The Cool Leaked On MTV.com
Finally, the album leaked....and damn.
Congrats to Lupe for dropping one of the illest albums of this year.
Lupe Fiasco's The Cool @ Leaked on MTV.com
Jay-Z Announces New Year's Eve Weekend Concert In Las Vegas
Rapper and business mogul Jay-Z has announced that he will give an exclusive performance of his American Gangster album during New Year's Eve weekend at The Palms Casino in Las Vegas.
On December 29, Jay-Z will perform selections from the critically acclaimed album American Gangster inside The Pearl, one of Las Vegas’ best known concert theaters, which can accommodate up to 2,500 ticket holders.
"The evening is going to be a throw back to 1960’s style Las Vegas," Jay-Z told AllHipHop.com. "This is definitely going to be the place to be for New Year’s weekend."
The performance will highlight a banner year for the current President of Def Jam, who helped the Island Def Jam Music Group earn a total of 29 Grammy nods this year, 26 of them attributed to Def Jam artists.
Tickets to see Jay-Z at The Pearl go on sale Saturday (December 15) at noon.
Prices range from $128.00 - $228.00 dollars.
Fans can purchase tickets at any Ticketmaster location or at The Pearl Box Office.
Doors open at 7:00 PM.
Zack Lee will be there, how about you?
Exactly
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sybil Punking the Cops
if only it were always this easy. but then again, she's the united states king.
Racist Bugs Bunny Cartoon
I used to have this video on tape when I was a about 4. I used to love this shit, but then my mom took it from me and told me it was racist...I didn't even understand what that meant. It's funny how things have different meanings for you the older you get.
Stop Smiling Jay Z Cover & Interview
Jay Z speaks on a bunch of different topics
On Racism In Gangster Movies
SS: Black people love Italian gangster movies, but many of these films are blatant in their racism. One of the very first words Jack Nicholson says in Martin Scorsese’s The Departed is ‘niggers.’ Why are people willing to overlook this?
JZ: There are certain things the audience hooks on to. Yes, the character might be racist, but he’s still against the odds as he struggles against the world. However brief his rein might be, he’s living the good life and that’s what Black kids hone in on. They don’t pay attention to the racism, because racism is everywhere. We’ve learned to look past that.
SS: What about the word using the word ‘nigger’ in rhymes?
JZ: For me, it’s all about the intention. I could call you an ‘apple tree,’ but if I say it with venom and hate, that is what it’s about. It’s not the word that has the power, it’s the person. All of this came about because the Imus discussion turned into a hip-hop discussion.
Imus couldn’t name three rappers; well, maybe he could, but he couldn’t name their songs. Imus doesn’t listen to rap, so he’s not influenced by it. He didn’t get that from us. I missed the point the discussion stopped being about Imus.
ON VIOLENCE IN FILMS
SS: Do you think violent films or songs have an affect on teens?
JZ: The world wants to think that that people are drawn to violence, but when you live in the ghetto you see violence all the time, so that’s not the real excitement. If they want to see violence, all they have to do is go home. A lot of kids have never been out of their own neighborhoods, so they go to see movies where guys have big houses and is traveling around the world.
ON THE DECLINE OF NYC HIP-HOP
SS: Listening to the American Gangster, I kept thinking that this is also a great New York City album. Do you think the city has fallen off in terms of rap music?
JZ: Of course, but it was bound to happen, because we were spoiled. Not only did we own rap music since its inception, we also invented it. But, like anything else if you take it for granted, it will leave you. It will absolutely go to where the freshness is. New York started making robotic records. Down south, rap music is a celebration. They put their heart and soul into it.
ON RAP CENSORSHIP
SS: It doesn’t seem fair that Martin Scorsese or Denzel Washington are considered true artists when they portray gangsters, but if you or one of your contemporaries talks about street life then you’re dealing with Bill O’Reilly, Oparh Winfrey, Stanly Crouch and congressional hearings?
JZ: Of course, there is an imbalance, but I understand where it comes from. In hip-hop, the whole ‘keep it real’ has become more than a phrase. Scorsese and Denzel are not tied to the films they make, so people see the separation between art and life. Unfortunately, they don’t see that separation between Shawn Carter and Jay-Z. As far as they’re concerned, everything I talk about is happening for real. To them, at no point is it entertainment.
Rappers in general THEY ARE the guys telling their story. To me, real is just the basis for a great fantasy. Not everything I say in a song is true. I’ll take a small thing from life and build upon it, and usually it becomes a fantastic story.
SS: The song ‘Ignorant Shit’ touches on this subject. There are more curses and crime in a Tarantino movie, but nobody is dragging him off to a congressional hearing.
JZ: If rappers stop cursing tomorrow, is that going to fix the ghetto or the fact that our schools are fucked-up and the living-conditions are terrible. You can’t tell me not to say nigger or shit, that’s ridiculous to me. Is that really the problem? Are you serious?
Some people don’t understand the things people who live in these urban areas see in one day; and, that’s every single day.
CHECK OUT Stop Smiling Magazine
Pictures With Words: Common - It's Your World
Night blows, stoves don't work.
Hoes at work. A warrior, so I wear 'em on my shirt. Wish I was free as che was, I spend the day buzzed trippin off hypes, wishin for Nikes in different flavors.
The age of Cain and Big Daddy shown by Caddies, Uncles named Larry that really never grabbed me. My mother gave birth, but she really never had me. Left to the hood to play daddy. Raised by niggas named Butch, Boo and Be-Be. With wieght, so they weigh they, status on the streets,license plates that say they motto. This is Chicago in the hay-day. Similar to Good Times, I guess that I was Jay-Jay, a skinny nigga. Young girls with penny figures. So many niggas stacked upon each other. It's the black upon each other that we love so much. Wonder how many of us is drugs gon' touch. Used to gangbang, aint really thug that much. Rather have some thick broads
and a dutch to clutch. Went to school in Baton Rouge for a couple of years,
my college career got down with a couple of beers. Came back home, now I gotta pay back loans. Same niggas, same blocks, same shit they on. Only thing different quicker they click that chrome. In my defense, yo I had to hit that zone. Man to man I'm good workin' with my hands. My generation never understood workin' for the man. And of being broke, I aint a fan now I stand in the same spotas my old man. My life I planned not to be on this corner I still wanna see California, But this is my world.
I wanna be a duck.
Peter, Bjorn, and John - Writers Block
You probably know these guys from their hit song Young Folks. You know...the song with the catchy whistling at the beginning. Still don't know? Damn....ok, what about the joint Kanye rhymed over on his mixtape that had the whistling on it? Ok good....
Peter Bjorn and John were formed in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1999. Made up of members Peter Morn on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Bjrn Yttling on vocals, bass, vocals, and keyboards; and John Eriksson on drums, percussion, and vocals. I heard a few of their songs in early 2006, and eventually I got a hold of their whole album which came out overseas last year. Writers Block is easily one of my favorite albums, period. It's an album I can listen to from beginning to end, without skipping one song...which is rare nowadays. I HIGHLY suggest that you buy this album!
Memorable Joints - Young Folks, Paris 2004, Up Against The Wall, Roll The Credits, and Poor Cow
VIDEO - Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks
Will Ferrell & Andre 3000 in Semi-Pro (Trailer)
At least this looks funnier than Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
WTF: Commenting On Comments
Anonymous said...
Food and Liquor is average??Ur an idiot who knows nothing about hiphop,go cop the Massacre or some Southern shit!!Lupe is to intelligent for your ears!!Thats not your fault, I suppose your the kind of person who dosent like anything other than bitches,blunts,40's,guns,ho's, etc.
you're pathetic.
Our Response:
Lupe Fiasco's Food And Liquor isn't an average record, but lets be honest...its definitely not an Illmatic, Black On Both Sides, Bizarre Ride II, Reasonable Doubt, Like Water For Chocolate, The Chronic, Things Fall Apart, Me Against The World, Marshall Mathers LP, Ready To Die, Low End Theory, Blueprint, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, Aquemeni, Doggystyle, 36 Chambers, etc. We're talking about albums that transcend time periods, albums that stand the test of time and still shine no matter what. As for the "too intelligent" comment,
"Just cause no one can understand what you speak don't necessarily mean that what you be sayin is deep." - Kweli
The purpose of this hip hop music is to connect with the people, now the people might be on some dumb shit, but if you're really representing this hip hop shit, then you are supposed to speak to those that are ignorant and educate. Food and Liquor, although great for rap nerds, backpackers, and white boy college kids (which you probably are)....the album as a whole didn't move as many people as any of the classic records I just mentioned. So please.....go suck Lupe Fiasco's dick on his website (www.lupefiasco.com), this website is for true hip hop enthusiasts that analyze records from all points and perspectives...and if we offended you or your boyfriend, our apologies. But lets be real, on the scale of classic records....that album doesn't have the proper weight to it. I bet you probably don't even listen to it anymore....do you??
Exactly.
- Z. Lee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)