Just ran across this short video detailing the work of the late Paul Bach-y-Rita.

Amazing stuff.

New Years Resolutions.. .. in advance.

Reading TL's Wish List for 2008 has got me thinking (and laughing - fuck Bapes sweatshirts) about the new year, and those god-damned resolutions.

This year I've decided to make my New Years resolutions in advance. After 24 years of failed resolutions, I've decided to make a change for my 25th, and pick them out before the actual festivities begin (yes I've been making resolutions from age 0, you smart over-thinking motherfucker).

As we all in the Middle-West USA know, the 1st is usually a painful, painful day, followed by the 2nd, which due to being at work, is an equally, if not more, painful, painful day. While the next several days after that are not quite so painful, the resentment our livers feel towards the rest of our bodies is enough to force all of us to throw any and all resolutions out the window.

Fuck this, liver, you aren't stealing my resolutions for 2008.

So here we are, on the 30th of December reading my resolutions. Please take note.

1. It cost Chicago Public Radio over $150,000 in 2007 to provide their show This American Life as a free podcast, downloadable through iTunes weekly. Because I currently am in no position to donate money (peace to the Visa gods) to wbez Chicago, I will make 2 resolutions instead. a) listen to every episode I download & b) remind everyone that TAL is the best show on radio, television, filmscreens, whatever, everywhere, forever... (quiet down Wire guys, no matter how hard-core and legit the writers of the show are, its still not real).

2. No more non-sports/casino related bets. I calculated that in 2007 I lost $845 in bets, all non-sports or casino related. Sports and casino related bets totaled a meager $87. I am that idiot that is sure that he knows when penicillin was invented, where Johnny Knoxville went to college, and how much you are paid to appear naked in Playboy. And I am wrong. Always. So no more stupid bets. Although I don't think you can drink 14 cups of water, or quit chewing tobacco, and I don't think that you know the colors of Ethiopia's flag, but I'm no longer willing to wager in '08.

3. I will not spend money online, while intoxicated, after midnight. I don't even want to know how much money this accounted for in 2007, but it needs to stop. Buying $14 burritos after midnight, while intoxicated is bad enough, but when the Visa gods meet up with the Amazon gods for a late night slumber party, everyone loses. If I subscribe to one more magazine that's free online, or buy one more T-shirt even a Manhattan investment banker wouldn't wear, or buy one more airline ticket to Iraq just to see if it's possible.. . I'll be broke. I'm a starving artist living on a nuclear-physicists salary, which will change in '08.

In line with my new resolution methodology, I have already put these into practice - so I am nearly positive that they will not be thwarted by my sensible liver. I even bought my ticket for the New Years party at Elbow Room before midnight ;)

The Power 30

So, as we approach the end of the year it's that time for endless lists reflecting on the best shit we came across. With a tip of the cap to Cocaine Blunts, here's another. This is my best in Hip Hop for the calendar year of 2007. Only one track per artist and beyond the first few, not necessarily in order.

1.) UGK - Int'l Player's Anthem (ft. Outkast)...Also likely the video of the year, with apologies to Snoop. We've all heard the sample before from Cormega, 50 Cent. etc., but that doesn't make it any less dope. Great verse from Andre as well.
2.) Devin the Dude - What a Job (ft. Snoop Dogg, Andre 3000)...Just misses the top spot due to Snoop's unnecessary rant at the end. Another great beat though and verse from Andre, though bittersweet, as he scolds all of you that illegally download music. Fuckers. Big year for him though as far as guest spots go, hopefully that bodes well for the next album.


3.) Public Enemy - Harder Than You Think...Kinda shocking for them to make this list in 2007, but a great comeback song off a solid album.
4.) Atmosphere - Sunshine...Gets the summer hangover down pretty much perfectly, though I can't really relate to the bike-riding element of the song.


5.) AZ - I Am The Truth...Off the great The Memphis Sessions, remixed in 2007, so I'll count it.


6.) Blu & Exile - Simply Amazin' (steel blazin')...Dope song, dope album, def some folks to look out for in the future.


7.) Cormega - Who Am I Exclusive (ft. AZ, Nature)...Too many guests on this album in general, but it works here with some great production.


8.) Crooked I - My Bitch...This dude's weekly freestyles have been ridiculous all year, he just put out number 39. This is one of many great ones, over an unreleased Dre beat that was supposed to be on The Game's last album.


9.) CunninLynguists - Dirty Acres...The title track on their new album, I finally stopped sleeping on them.


10.) Consequence - Don't Forget Em...Off his overlooked debut album, good to see him finally put some official shit out though.
11.) DJ Jazzy Jeff - All I Know (ft. CL Smooth)...Great combination with these two, a full-length collabo would be fun for everyone.
12.) Freeway - It's Over...Dude's voice is still a bit annoying, but the album is surprisingly good.
13.) Ghostface Killah - Supa GFK...Ghost on some smooth shit.
14.) Jay-Z - Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...A lot of choices from this album, but I'll make the easy one.
15.) Kanye West - I Wonder...Another album with multiple choices.
16.) Kardinall Offishall - Good Ol' Days...Another sample we know and love, this was off a good and free mixtape by the way.


17.) Killa Sha - Tune of Life...Hadn't heard much from him before, but I know he's been around for a minute. This is off a pretty dope QB album.
18.) Little Brother - That Ain't Love (ft. Jozeemo)...This is off the very solid Get Back album. Some other choices here, including the single "Good Clothes", but this one has proven to have more re-playability.
19.) Lupe Fiasco - Gold Watch...Off the uneven The Cool, some other great choices on here, but I'll go with most interesting beat and the Street Fighter 2 talk.
20.) Median - Personified...In the Blu & Exile mold, another good album from a relative newcomer and Justus League member.
21.) Nas - Surviving the Times...A new track off his Greatest Hits album, a great recollection of his journey through the Hip Hop industry. Also pretty dope production from Chris Webber of all people, rebounding (sure, pun intended) from the forgettable "Blunt Ashes" off Hip Hop is Dead.


22.) NYGz - Itz On (ft. Rave)...The album itself sags a bit in the second half, but some great joints to get you ready to beat the shit out of someone.
23.) Pharoahe Monch - Let's Go (ft. Mela Machinko)...I liked this album, but after such a long wait, it seemed like it came and went fairly quickly. Hopefully it doesn't take 30 years for the next one.
24.) Saigon - Come On Baby (remix) (ft. Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz)...I don't really know what Swizz adds to this, so ignore him. Great beat though, still waiting for dude's album and we're one retirement deep.


25.) Scarface - Girl You Know...This is a solid album, but doesn't live up to the standard he set with The Fix.
26.) Special Teamz - Classical...From the surprisingly strong Stereotypez, which showed Edo is at his best when not having to carry an album by himself.


27.) T.I. - Tell 'Em I Said That...A pretty disappointing follow-up to King, but this is a great hype song.
28.) Tech N9ne - P.A.S.E.O...Tech N9ne continues to be one of the best, yet overlooked out there. This is off the MLK collabo album, which mostly reaffirmed that Tech's friends aren't as dope as him, but still has it's highlights.


29.) WC - 80's Babies (ft. Ice Cube)...A great and hilarious song off of Guilty by Affiliation , one of the best albums of the year from any coast. Some folks may have left Dubb and his brand of Hip Hop behind, but this basically an album you can listen to straight through.


30.) Young Bleed - Bac Road Mississippi (ft. Money Waters, Ol' Mann)...Bleed will forever be remembered for his time on No Limit and "How Ya Do Dat", but he's gone on to release a string of dope albums and distinguish himself from his many former mediocre to terrible NL peers.

Glutony

Every time I go home everyone's a little fatter, balder, uglier, and has like 2 or 3 more kids. This is fine. People grinding out, living their lives and I'm not mad at them. But seriously, when I go back to this environment it's like I'm 19 again. I get together with my friends and family, we drink heavily, we break things and belittle each other to the point where someone's girlfriend storms out of the house in tears. The weird (sad) thing is now a lot of my cousins and some of my friends are all getting married and having kids, and young children are involved with these immature antics. But I love kids! When you fart in front of them they look at you like you just broke the law or some shit. Any joke that ends with poopy or butt will leave them in tears. And honestly they are useful too. Instead of forcing your buddy's girl to make you a cocktail, you can now force their kid to do it- and they think they are "cool" for doing so. And I learn kids pretty much do whatever they're told when you're waving a searing hot fire poker at them or threatening them with violence -AND- they make great ashtrays! Alright Alright.. I'm only kidding. I've never put a blunt out on a child before, but I have forced one to pass it across the room to his father. I know, I'm Satan.. but let me explain, the "kid" was 16 and sold us the weed. Is that wrong? Probably on a variety of levels. Christmas is good for a few things, seeing the family and friends, eating past your belt size, and yes celebrating the virgin birth of Santa. But I feel the true slept on aspect of the holiday season are annual office sh*t shows Christmas parties. Who doesn't love getting blackout wasted with a room full of people you spend forty sober hours of your week with? Last year my Christmas party was simply exactly what it should be. I wore a shiny silver body suit and got to see everyone's girlfriends in bikinis sauntering around my boss's Hot Tub with pitchers of margaritas. And who could forget the moment where I seductively drizzled eggnog all over the mouth of a co-workers wife to the gleaming and giggling chagrin of the staff. I also beat a kid in a game of Connect 4 in literally four moves. Think about that for a second. Seriously, drink that in. Yes these pleasant memories are nothing more than dark shadows of the past- echoes of a time more joyous than now. This year I will not be attending any sort of staff x-mas party due to my unfortunate status of unemployment. I'm left to raise a holiday toast with nothing more than a free mug full of room temperature promotional Sparks energy drinks or some old Motts apple juiceboxes. Santa has delivered a giant steaming lump of coal right into the stockings of my heart.

Sheeeeeeeeeit

Westside Connection - The Gangsta, The Killer and The Dope Dealer


Well, this is fun. Word up to P Dubbles, who's been posting The Wire promos the past couple days on Fbook. Great song selection here with "White Lines" by Duran Duran. This will certainly get any fan of the show hyped for the upcoming season and would probably excite someone who's never seen one minute of the show (I've exceed my allocation this month for the use of the appropriate word to describe these folks). While the season premier is Sunday, January 6th, apparently it will be available On Demand on Monday, December 31st. That continues in last-year's trend of putting the next episodes up on the preceding Monday and is a spectacular development for anyone who happens to be celebrating the New Year in Chi.

As far the promo itself, there's a lot going on, including a cameo by old friend Avon Barksdale, who appears to be throwin' up the dubb like it's '96. Good to see him back in the mix, interested to see if he develops into a main character again, or if he's relegated to prison cameos, a la Wee-Bay.

Definition of Less Than Great = Ray J's Sextape

Skillz - '07 Rap Up

As always, Skillz with his recap of the past year. These are great to hold on to, if nothing else to be able to look back at past years, as he always does a nice job covering the year in Hip Hop, entertainment, sports, news etc. This one has a pretty basic beat, which is fine, the lyrics are the point. It's also a bit less humorous than year's past, more of a re-telling of the year than anything. Unfortunately, as talented as he's been all the way back to the Mad Skillz days, I would say he's probably best-known for these annual joints, ghostwriting and beef with Shaq(?) years back. Weird.

2008 wish list

Another year is quickly approaching it and with it many of your failed resolutions. I have a couple hopes for the following year.

1. Dr. Dre: Detox – Although this is probably unrealistic, the album will probably be on my 2015 wish list. Waiting for an elderly Andre Young to drop some shit in a nursing home about Medicare. While were at it throw a Big Daddy Kane solo album and a Fugees reunion album on there. DJ Khaled and T-Pain should also be executed on the spot for gross negligence and pure stupidity.

2. Burn the white tee’s - I know I’m getting old because these fucking things are ridiculous. Along with it ditch your bathing ape hoodys, scarves, uggs, and the oversized New Era hats with gaudy prints. (The New York Yankees have never worn camouflage.)

3. More steroids in sports - Tickets to an athletic event are the $2039308, this could be the reason for all these sub prime mortgages. If we are going to pay this much to see a game I want to see the biggest, fastest, strongest, mutant athletes that science can make. Inject the kickers and let’s get some 79 yard field goals going and Mortal Kombat style fatalities in baseball brawls.

4. Wisconsin state wide smoking ban - Actually might as well make it a nation wide ban. There’s nothing worse than waking up in the clothes you wore last night after a long night of drinking smelling like Robert Downey Jr. and having to soak your winter jacket in bleach for a week.

5. The Patriots to lose in the playoffs - I don’t care if its in the first round or the Super Bowl, seriously fuck this team.

6. Our good friends at Merck pharmaceuticals are in the initial stages of producing a pill that prevents hangovers. The greatest advancement in modern medicine since penicillin. I can only hope this drug is rushed to the market because I don’t know how many more years I can wake up early on New Years day to watch the Badgers in the Outback bowl. I’d rather go to the poinsettia bowl and play Navy in December than struggle to wake up on the first.

7. I wish I was like six-foot-nine So I could get with Leoshi. (Hats off to you if you get the reference)

See U Next Tuesday

Apathy - Grow Up


Well, as much as Isiah Thomas has been in the news lately, from sexual assault to everyone wanting him fired, we're here to present the comical side of the man. Props to The Big Lead, check out this spectacular speech Isiah gave in his return to Indiana years back and keep an eye on a young Bobby Knight in the background. Explicit language...yes. Creation of a new word...yes. Awkward silence by the room full of boosters...yes. Blueprint for my next wedding speech...yes.

Alando Out of His Mind...in the D-League

Freeway - It's Over


After a huge week for Alando Tucker, he was named the performer of the week in the NBDL. He averaged 36 ppg and 6.5 boards, including a 40-point effort and 6-10 from 3 pt. range for the week. Of course, this was all for the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, as he was assigned to the D-League a few weeks back. First of all, I've been in Albuquerque a couple times in this past 6 months with these guys and it's a weird fucking place. It's comparable to Tucson in a negative sense, but without AZ bball or any other benefits of the U of A campus. Definitely watch out for the MH's before you become one.

Anyway, while it's too bad Alando isn't in Phoenix at the moment, this was a predictable situation. Similar to Devin Harris when he came in the league, his championship contending squad has the luxury of taking their time with his development. He needs to prove he can consistently hit the NBA 3 and handle the ball on the perimeter. After a slow start he's shooting 40% from downtown and definitely looks to be on the right path to contributing to the Suns in the relatively near future.

The adventures of EC - Episode I

Have a Dream in New Orleans, Fall in Love in Chicago

Lupe Fiasco - Paris, Tokyo

Just got a hold of the new Lupe Fiasco, The Cool. Only a few tracks deep, so nothing too substantive to say yet, but the one above is an early favorite. He's definitely channeling some early-to-mid 90's rhymes here, a la Tribe, Pharcyde, Souls of Mischief, etc.

Oh, and scripted TV is now dead indefinitely. Hey, at least we have this to look forward to. Awesome!

Winter Reading

If you're a fan of The Wire, and you probably are - check out this new author. Click the link below to read the reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/Grace-After-Midnight-Felicia-Pearson/dp/0446195189/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197607834&sr=1-1

http://allhiphop.com/stories/reviewsbooks/archive/2007/12/13/19002036.aspx

No child left behind

(Click to enlarge)

What the fuck is wrong with our public school system when a child turns a paper in like this and gets an F? "The gentle concerto will continue as the cup is suddenly and ironically filled with a steaming shot of fecal matter from the anus of the primary character" I got to give it to this kid for having the balls to turn a paper in like this. If the teacher had even the slightest bit of a sense of humor she would at least give him a C. This is refrigerator quality work. There seems to be no end to the internet sensation that has become known as "2girls1cup"

Mitchell & Friends

Count Bass D - The Slugger of Louisville


Nah, not implicating old buddy Kevin Mitchell in the Mitchell Report, he was probably more into that Lindsay Lohan. I just miss him, remember that fun barehanded catch in LF? Rather, for the second night/morning in a row I'm still awake to catch the beginning of Mike & Mike. Last night it was the below-average, rip-off of Hostel, Turistas, which was still apparently involving enough to keep me up til 5:30 am. Today I was actually doing some work, before a late-night viewing of the Bucks sloppy, but quality win over the Magic. Mike Redd an assist away from a triple double, Yi looking very good and Charlie Bell showing signs of life. All nice things.

Mike & Mike this morning got me to thinking about the forthcoming Mitchell Report though, which is at most about 7 hours from dropping. I've always been one who stayed away from the steroids issue for the most part, not because I don't care, but more so for the over-reporting of the story. That being said, today may end up being a seminal day for the sport of baseball and potentially the American sporting landscape. Or maybe not. But as the moment approaches the rumors of higher profile players being named in the report have increased. I'm not sure how I'll react, though a mention of Ron Gant may bring a tear to this guy's eye. If nothing else, when this blog has been abandoned, a week from now or in 5 years, this moment might be a prelude to some crazy shit.

Bird's the Word

NYGz - 3 Man Weave (ft. Reef, Hustle & Mic Ock)

P and AZ

Master P - 211


So, we have two new videos here with really no connection, but both noteworthy for different reasons. First up, old friend Master P:


Master P - Gutta Time

To start, this is Percy's 2nd (at least) video with a basketball connection. Who can forget the bright lights, big tanks and fundamental ball of "Make 'Em Say Ugh". Yes, a better time for P and his No Limit friends, I'm sure Mystikal specifically enjoyed not being in jail. Nevertheless, the man enjoys his hoops, evidenced by publicity stints with the Hornets, the Raptors and the CBA's Fort Wayne Fury. And yes, his son Lil' Romeo recently committed to play ball starting next season for USC, but no, I don't give a shit, as he appears to be another Miller banking on his fam name. If I was a USC fan, however, I'd draw a lot more excitement from Demar DeRozan, who besides his 5-Star rating, clearly has a name that makes him sound like he'll be dope.

The video itself is interesting on a few fronts. Not really for it's use of the KKK though. Their inclusion seems to be more of an excuse to get some AND 1 dudes dressed up in sheets, play some ball and spoof some classic Hip Hop video moments. P may or may not claim to be making some social statement with the video, but I feel like the only shine the KKK gets these days is in shit like this. I mean, doesn't their enrollment have to be at an all-time low at this point. Not to say that the racist and hateful characteristics that they embody don't still exist, as they certainly do, but the group itself is mostly considered the punchline at this point, not the catalyst to discuss real issues of race relations.

Beyond any pseudo-social commentary, it definitely doesn't fall in-line with the responsibility in Hip Hop content hypocrisy that P was spitting at his congressional testimony a few months back. That being said, dude looks more like this version of himself in the video, as opposed to the relatively recent look here. Maybe it is a somewhat old video just getting out now. As for the song itself, the production is actually pretty good, with the average to bad rhymes P and his associates usually bring to the table.


AZ - The Hardest (ft. Styles P) (Prod. by Large Pro)

Not much controversy here, just a dope song and video, which while likely shot on a low-budget has some cool things goin' on. Large Pro with the beat, pretty good from him per usual, though the instrumental joint he just put out was unimpressive. I slept on AZ for far too long, at least partially due to occasionally questionable beat selection, but The Memphis Sessions is one of my favorites of the year and has given me proper perspective on Mr. Cruz. A thumbs up to OnSmash for both vids.

D. Miles Nonsense

Kokane - Can't Funk-Shun



First, remember Slam Ball? I think we all watched it a couple times to see what it was and catch a glimpse of what had become of Arthur Agee of Hoop Dreams fame. Well, it was entertaining for a few minutes and then pretty quickly became some stupid shit. Nevertheless, Slam Ball has left Darius Miles speechless and left to resort to his trusted head pound to exclaim his wonder. D. Miles, by the way, is still recovering from microfracture surgery but has begun working out. I'm pretty sure the Blazers are in no rush to bring him back, but in the meantime he can be the stunt double for Slim Charles. Word to True Hoop.

The Roots & 2 Girls, 1 Cup

The Roots - Boom!



Props to Nah Right for this one, these reactions continue to be funny. And hey, apparently they're watching the full version of the video, so good for them.

The Wire Prequels

AZ - This Is What I Do

Much will be said on this blog about the greatness of The Wire over the next several months. For now, I'll just encourage you to cop the Season 4 DVD, likely the best yet. It'll also be On Demand next week.

Below are three brand-new prequels from the show. They don't serve a huge purpose, other than reinforcing some qualities of main characters, but are a nice tease for the upcoming season. Also, McNulty's a lot more entertaining when he's drunk...as he will be in Season 5.







When Bunk Met McNulty


Young Prop Joe


Young Omar

Bak Inda Buildin

Redman - Bak Inda Buildin

Yep, back in the fucking building. I took 19 months off to gather content and drink. This will be a collabo blog, so look for multiple contributers. Oh and Shawn Kemp never signed, the NIT still doesn't matter, Charlie Bell couldn't be further from that trip dub, and that DOD album was pretty average. Good.