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21st Aug

Our American visitors will probably be well clued up on the whole Michael Vick situation as it’s been pretty big news over here. For those not yet in the know, Vick – an NFL player – has been charged with financing and organising the illegal sport of dogfighting. Click here to read more on the story.

After his two co-defendants plead guilty, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback has decided to follow-suit and enter a guilty plea also. Vick now faces up to 18 months in prison. Check out his lawyer’s statement:

“Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made,” Martin said in a statement. “Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.” {Source}

I’m undecided as to where I stand on the case; on the one hand, I’m not an animal person at all and believe there are more serious crimes i.e. rape, drugs etc that need to be addressed first, yet ‘if you do the crime, you do the time’…

Your thoughts?

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Music

19th Aug

J. Holiday Performs ‘Bed’ On 106 & Park

I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about Capitol recording artist J. Holiday for the longest time, but I hadn’t managed to check out his songs/video. Since being out here in LA, there’s been no escaping his debut single ‘Bed’. Apart from being slightly on the repetitive side, I’m liking the song. So it was great to see the Washington DC native being able to carry his own with the song, when he performed it live on BET’s 106 & Park this week – where it occupies the top spot on the show’s countdown. J’s album ‘Back of My Lac’ hits stores October 2nd.

What do you think of the performance?

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Music

19th Aug

New Song: Mary J. Blige ‘Grown Woman Complex’ (Snippet)

Following the massive success of ‘The Breakthrough’, Mary J. Blige has been hard at work on her next album. This new track ‘Grown Woman Complex’ was initially featured on an episode of HBO’s ‘Entourage’ earlier this month- which Mary guest starred in. A long snippet of the track has now surfaced and I must say that I’m liking this. Both the production and Mary’s flow on the song are on point; making me anticipate her new material all the more. {Thanks Kevipod for the heads up}

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19th Aug

Kanye West Talks ‘September 11th’ Battle With 50 Cent

Kanye West recently appeared on The Friday Night Project – a comedy show back home in the UK (yes, I’m still here in LA – loving it I must add). He addressed his forthcoming chart battle with 50 Cent on September 11th. It’s so funny watching the different approaches both he and 50 are taking; 50 is talking like he’s still ‘the sh*t’, yet Kanye is using sarcastic modesty to basically say what most are hoping for – that he’ll win. I think it’ll be a close call…

What do you think of Kanye’s comments?

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Music

18th Aug

Eve Addresses The Gay Rumors & More

Rapper Eve features in the latest issue of HX Magazine. The ‘Pitbull In A Skirt speaks on a number of issues including the gay rumors that have followed her and going ‘Hollywood’. Check out an extract from the interview below:

How do you feel about criticism from the hip-hop community that you’ve gone Hollywood?
I want somebody to give me an actual definition of “Hollywood.” Hollywood always has this negative connotation attached to it. Yeah, I went and did a show in Hollywood [UPN’s Eve], so if that means me going Hollywood—yeah. As far as the negative connotations, I would hope they are not saying it in that way, and if they are, everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I don’t think I have.
Do you get approached a lot by women?
Yeah, I used to more when I first came out. I’ve had people tell me straight up and down that I was gay—I still get it from people. I get more accusations than I actually do get hit on now.
Did it make you uncomfortable?
Gay women are way more aggressive than men—I will definitely say that. [Laughs] But it doesn’t bother me. I’ve never been disrespected in any way. If I’m like, “Yo, I get it, but I don’t swing that way,” then it’s all love.
Why doesn’t the hip-hop community want gay support?
Trust me, I’ve heard of and know of some instances of people in the industry who are gay or who have participated in certain situations. It’s a male-dominated industry, and for some reason they just don’t want to talk about it. I don’t understand why—I guess it’s a macho thing. It’s ridiculous to me. Me, I love it. The more support for me, the better!

Interesting…

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17th Aug

Kanye West Covers XXL

While 50 Cent continues to run his mouth all over the place, his ‘September 11th’ rival Kanye West is doing the press rounds legitimately; this time being the main featuring in XXL magazine’s October issue. Cool cover…

What do you think of the cover?

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Music

17th Aug

New Song: Nelly – ‘Wadsyaname’

Having been on hiatus since 2005, St. Louis native Nelly is back on the musical scene. Set for release later this year, the rapper’s new album ‘Brace Knuckles’ boasts production from the likes of Jermaine Dupri and Pharrell Williams. This great new mid-tempo track ‘Wadsyaname’ is slated to be the album’s first single. The track is typical Nelly, hence it’s real radio friendly. However at the same time the beat knocks -I’m really loving the production on this one. Listen out for elements of K-Ci and Jo Jo’s ‘All My Life’, which the song samples.

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17th Aug

Keyshia Cole ‘Just Like You’ Cover

This is apparently the official cover for Keyshia Cole’s sophomore effort ‘Just Like You’ (due September 25th). I’m liking this; Keyshia looks great. I’m really anticipating her this album as the first was solid.

What do you think of the cover?

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Music

17th Aug

Beyonce To Release New Album Next Year

In news that will no doubt please her fans (and infuriate everyone else), Beyonce is set to release another full-length album next summer. Speaking at the New York launch of the Armani ‘Diamonds’ fragrance (which she is endorsing), the singer revealed her plans to release a new CD, as well as another movie next year – which she hopes will be ‘something a little darker, but still musical’. {Source}

Lord have mercy! Although, it would have been two years since the release of ‘B’ Day’ by the time the new album drops, this is beyond overexposure. She been promoting ‘B’Day’ for the better part of a year – not forgetting the re-release and it’s 10,000 videos; so why the rush out another CD so soon? Yes, she’s on her way to greatness, but it’s like she we’re being force-fed her. Even the greats, such Michael Jackson, take time with their projects. Are Matthew and co scared she’ll be forgotten or what? She could make another CD in two weeks again (ala ‘B’Day’) for all I care, but she really needs to disappear for a minute…damn.

Your thoughts?

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17th Aug

New Song: Nicole Scherzinger – ‘Baby Love’

Damn! It’s like Nicole is everywhere this week. Yet another track from her album ‘Her Name Is Nicole’ has surfaced. Produced by Will.i.am, ‘Baby Love’ has been confirmed as the official 2nd single and not ‘Super Villain’ – as first reported. The pop-friendly track is reminiscent of the Pussycat Dolls ‘Stickwitchu’ – only difference is that this is a lot worse. With it’s infantile lyrics and overall ‘too sweet, it’s sickening’ vibe, the track just isn’t doing it for me. Judging from the tracks I’ve heard so far, Nicole is really looking to emulate the Pussycat Dolls mould with radio friendly Pop/R&B tracks -but so far she’s fallen short – way short.

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17th Aug

New Song: Bow Wow & Omarion – ‘Designated Driver’

With their collabo album ‘Face Off’ due for a December 4th release, this new track from Bow Wow and Omarion is set to feature on the CD. Upon hearing ‘Designated Driver’, I was kinda surprised. Though it doesn’t offer anything new lyrically, the production is really on-point. I’m not sold on the concept of their joint album just yet, but this track indicates that it may be promising.