Once again American forces have saved the day, popping up in the Indian Ocean to body the four Somali pirates that held U.S. cargo ship captain Richard Phillips captive for five days. Now all the European countries that had been punked by the water thugs for the last couple years are rallying on the heels of America to punish the pirates.   No doubt, more blood will be shed and the already frail country of Somalia—a country that hasn’t had a solid government since 1991, no economy and watches helplessly as mafia ran shipping companies dump toxic waste on it’s shores—will be further devastated by those who want to punish it instead of help it.   The pirates villianized by the media are no more than fisherman, who made a living by selling fish and seafood caught off the shore of Somalia in an area dubbed the Horn of Africa.   Left to their own devices they banded together and created a network that manned the shores and waters. Frustrated by the dumping and the damage to their livelihoods they began to tax and hold for ransom boats that entered their territory.   Their mentality: “You not just gonna up in my hood and f**k my land up. You got to pay!”   Does this sound familiar?   If you live in any hood across America, you have witnessed something similar. Impoverished neighborhoods treated as dumping grounds and its people as pawns. Children attend schools with no windows and cracked roofs, no supermarkets or chain stores will build and the underdeveloped lands, mass transit is sketchy, business are forced to close, homeowners are beat over the head with inflated mortgages.   Yet, on this side of the pond, what is the hood doing to change the situation?   Where is the grassroots mobilization, the community within the community that says, “we understand you don’t respect us but we respect ourselves enough to keep what money we have in this community, to create jobs, teach ourselves, etc…”   The Black Panthers did it and were quite successful…for a brief period of time.   Ask young black or brown kids living in the hood what’s the problem and their response:   “We killing each other.”   “We hungry, tryna eat.”    “It’s hard in these streets.”   Americans have no idea want hunger and  poverty is.   Life in Somalia: Personal stories   Eight residents of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, tell us what the new government’s priorities should be and how they have survived 13 years of anarchy.   Mahamut:Scrap metal worker “I smash the foundations of the US embassy wall to get steel rods to sell”   Halima:Refugee “I am too busy looking for food to think about the peace process”   Abdi:Refugee “I see a dark future for my children. There are no schools or health services”       Gangs here fight with each other over turf, small time drug trade and egos. Nothing is done to better the community. There is no structure or hierarchy or goal outside of selfish ones. This isn’t to say that the people of Somalia aren’t the victims of gangs who are taking advantage of the country’s weak state.   Let’s not even call them pirates anymore…the community activists of Somalia saw their people dying and their land being raped and did something about it.   They are really starving.   They are really trying to eat.   They are really fighting the man.   Can you say the same for the goons who claim to run your hood?   –         CHK’Naan on Somali Pirates -There is a reason why this started   Chloé A. Hilliard is a culture/entertainment journalist that has written for the Village Voice, Essence, Vibe, King and The Source. In addition to writing The X Fact(her), a weekly column for 99problems.org, she co-hosts I’m Sayin’ Radio, a weekly talk show. For more, visit chloehilliard.com.  

Williams Overwhelms Wright in Lopsided Decision In my recent interview with former undisputed 154 pound champ Winky Wright, part of me wanted to believe his declarations of being able to pick up where he left off back in 2006 and 2007. At 37 years old and nearly 20 years as a boxer, the firmness of his convictions could almost make you feel he had a serious shot of beating the prime, towering, volume-punching nightmare that is Paul “The Punisher” Williams. But alas, reality struck Winky over 1000 times last Saturday (April 11), as Williams rained down 1096 punches in route to a dominating unanimous decision win. Williams stormed out during each of the opening rounds, throwing a fusillade of hooks, straights, and uppercuts from all angles on Wright’s trademark high guard. While Winky was able to block most of the shots from landing cleanly, the sheer volume caused the blows to readily break Wright’s guard to the face and most notably the body. Unfortunately for the former undisputed champion, his eye-catching counter hooks were immediately returned back by six and seven punch combinations. Williams’ 82 inch reach proved Wright was not even safe in clinches, as the former welterweight titlist looped uppercuts over his other outstretched arm, and into Winky’s swelling face. By the middle rounds, the usual high-stamina Wright was visibly laboring and holding from Williams’ relentless assault. Even more disheartening, Williams was grinning widely at Wright as he continued tirelessly working and alternating between slapping and hard combinations. Wright hopelessly tried to catch Williams with counters between the never-ending combinations, but Winky’s rustiness prevented him from timing the Punisher. Into the championship rounds, Wright struggled to finish as his left eye swelled shut. In the 12th, Williams was unmerciful in throwing 106 punches. Despite the intense effort to close the show, Wright hung tough and finished the bout on his feet. The final scorecard read 120-108 and 119-109 twice for Paul Williams, who improved to 37-1, 17 KOs. With the loss, Wright’s record lowers to 51-5-1, 25 KOs. During the post-fight interview, Williams called out retired, undefeated champion Joe Calzaghe, and showed his willingness to face middleweight titleholders Kelly Pavlik and Arthur Abraham. For his part, Wright declared this was not his last fight, and will enter the ring again soon. This was a dominant win from the Punisher, and the biggest question is what weight he will campaign at next. At welterweight, there is the possibility of a title match with Shane Mosley. At junior middleweight, there’s Vernon Forrest and Daniel Santos. And of course at middleweight, there’s Pavlik, Abraham, and Felix Sturm. Wherever he lands, Williams represents a literal and figuratively tall challenge for any opponent. On the undercard, a flabby Chris Arreola (27-0, 24 KOs) easily walked down aging contender Jameel McCline (39-10-3, 23 KOs) for a 3rd round TKO. The end came courtesy of a rattling left uppercut followed by a right cross. Although McCline could’ve beaten the count, he appeared to think better of it and allowed referee Tony Weeks to administer the 10 count. Over 30 Years Later Ali-Frazier Shows No Signs of Ending In a way, Joe’s right. I said a lot of things in the heat of the moment that I shouldn’t have said. Called him names I shouldn’t have called him. I apologize for that. I’m sorry. It was all meant to promote the fight. -Muhammad Ali, April 2001 Hey man, just come on and give me a hug and let’s get on with our lives. I accept that. I’ll accept it, shake his hand and hug him when I see him. This has been going on too long…. Life’s too short. -Joe Frazier, April 2001 8 years later, it appears the above words no longer have any meaning for “Smokin’” Joe Frazier.  Last Saturday saw the debut of HBO’s Thrilla in Manila. Over the course of their short but explosive 4 year professional rivalry, Ali cruelly degraded Frazier on hypocritical racial terms. In addition, Ali deviously turned Frazier’s own people against him by branding the proud champion an Uncle Tom and tool of conservative white America. The documentary is the first to detail this time through the eyes of Frazier. He recounts how he was previously friends with Ali, and worked to get the exiled champ’s license reinstated, and even loaned him money. After Ali’s conversion to orthodox Islam in the late 1970’s and his subsequent decline from Parkinson ’s disease, Ali has made several attempts to publicly apologize to Frazier for his past antics. As pointed out by Ali biographer Thomas Hauser, Frazier put on a false face of peace and forgiveness at functions that involved economic compensation. However, the Philly sports legend would then turn around and ridicule the condition of his former foe (most notably the 1996 comment of wanting to push Ali into the Olympic flames). In a way, one can sympathize with Frazier’s plight and bitterness. His entire career is overshadowed by the icon that is Muhammad Ali. Even though Frazier holds arguably the most important win of trilogy (when both fighters were closest to prime), the fight today is never shown on TV. And when it is mentioned in documentaries, it is always framed in a way to showcase how great Ali was in rising from the hellacious 15th round knockdown.  Also, the flaws the make up Ali’s character are very much glossed over in favor of mythology, which must burn Frazier to see The Greatest depicted as a marketable, jovial saint. But now in 2009, Joe Frazier must again seriously look at forgiving Ali. The gesture has little to do with Ali, and mostly to do with Frazier taking his life back from the bitterness and anger that has defined him for over 30 years. He is in the position now to prove his claim that he was/is a “better” man than Ali. Instead, he’s fallen into the same behavior that caused his hate for Ali over 30 years ago. In […]

“You seem to be only concerned with dissin’ women” —Nas, “Ether,” Stillmatic (2001). “To all rappers: shut up…” —MF Doom, Beef Rapp, MF Doom – MM.. Food? (2004) “Look at all the bad things that they tried to do to you/And you’re still queen of the earth, and you’re beautiful/… If you ever need me/… I’m coming through squeezing/” —Jadakiss, “Smoking Gun,” The Last Kiss (2009). What happens when a Black family rises to the highest pedestal of importance in the world? From what we’ve seen, thus far, they face challenges their white counterparts never had to deal with. Most of these “challenges” often have less to do with their political ideals, but more with their presence on the world stage. Their very presence suspends the legitimacy of highly-esteemed dogmas that have operated unimpeded, for many years, in the highest levels of government. The fact that they defy long-held scientific beliefs about skin-defined genetic inferiority means a great deal to those who’ve subscribed to these theories for decades, and centuries. Refusing to come to terms with the reality that now envelopes them, these dissenters air out their frustration by engaging in acts which can only be described as barbaric. If you’re not slow-witted, you should, by now, have a clear picture of the landscape—reality—I’ve begun painting.  These last few months, the First family has been barraged with a barrel-full of insults, meant to degrade, demean and disqualify them, in ways unforeseen by some observers. From the circulation of an e-mail, by a California mayor, depicting a watermelon garden on the White House lawn, to the sales of merchandize bearing the caption: “Do we still have to call it the White house?”—and not with a revolutionary intent—many individuals have begun their campaign of painting the Obama family as unworthy of respect and reverence. In the attacks, even Malia and Sasha, their two precious daughters, haven’t escaped unscathed. Blogs have called them “sassy,” with fashion companies capitalizing on this “trend,” by creating products suited to mimic their appearance and taste. Barack Obama has himself been through the storm, but none other has suffered more than the First Lady, Michelle Obama. On channels like FOX News, she has been accused of expressing “a kind of militant anger,” threatened with a “lynching party,” and reduced to a “Baby Mama.” The same network charged her, earlier this year, with the “instinct” to “blame America,” at every opportunity granted. Political sites have labeled her a “frenemy” of the White house, and satirical publications haven’t restricted themselves from degrading her as a ‘70s radical, and a gun-toting-sex-driven-drug-using bandit. Within the last three weeks alone, conservative pundits have referred to her as “trash,” with a right-wing magazine complementing her as the “First B####.” For these reasons, a dialogue centered on the role Hip-Hop media has played in some of the attacks, and what the future is threatening to produce, couldn’t be any timelier. Last week, the right-wing cacophony-chamber didn’t hold back attacking Eminem, for a reference in his latest single, “We Made You.” As they saw it, his riff on Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin was grounds for a full-court demonstration. For two bars, Bill O’Reilly and his bandits were riled up: “Give me my ventolin inhaler and 2 zenedrin/ And I’ll invite Sarah Palin out to dinner then.” Whether you agree, or not, with the brand of thinking O’Reilly subscribes to, one thing is clear: If Eminem could so effortlessly invoke Palin as a sexual playmate, Michelle Obama might not be as safe, as some think. Many have argued that because of Mrs. Obama’s elegance, grace, sense of self and self-respect, any comparison or parallel, borderlines on insanity; but I respectfully disagree. And I’ve got proof. Eminem isn’t the only Hip-Hop artist to verbally place Gov. Palin under the sexual microscope. Last year, super-producer and N.E.R.D. frontman, Pharrell, had some choice words for the failed Republican V.P. candidate. During a September concert performance, at New York’s Nokia Theater, he remarked: “We’re gonna do what we gotta do to make sure that the person that goes after Obama is not holding a baby in one hand and a soccer ball in the other.” Soon after, he noted: “But she’s a hot MILF though, isn’t she?” Unless we decide to cling unwaveringly to the idea that some imaginary quality separates Palin from Mrs. Obama, in the minds of most Rappers, a sexualized Michelle Obama name-drop is an almost sure thing, at this point—if this dialogue doesn’t take place. It’s extremely important that Hip-Hop artists come to full understanding of this point: Nothing good can/will come out of a sexual reference to Michelle Obama. Regardless of how witty the rhyme scheme might appeal to you, I can only assure one thing: It would cost you so much less, to abstain from it. As a dignified mother of two, a renowned social worker, and an accomplished attorney, the impulse to see her through the prism of sexuality and sensuality should find no justice. Michelle Obama has carved out a legacy of triumph over the rabidly racist stereotypes many in the media have sought to reduce her to, and this reality alone is worthy of all the support the Hip-Hop community, if it truly values women, can provide. Unfortunately, many in the Hip-Hop media are still stuck on an island where stupidity dominates. They have either not gotten the memo yet, or simply refuse to read it. The Pittsburgh-based, fire-breathing MC/News anchor, Jasiri X, recently penned a blog post, highlighting some of our media’s disgraceful attacks on Michelle Obama. On RealTalkXpress.com, Jasiri called out Complex Magazine and SOHH, which have both recently referred to Mrs. Obama as a MILF. Complex, labeling her “First MILF,” added: “We’re putting it out there: if Barack’s punk ass ever tries to Lewinsky her, we’ll be waiting on that 3 a.m. phone call, ready to tear that Jackie O. suit off and treat her right.” On SOHH, a blogger said the following: “Yo I’m sorry but our First […]

As stated on Married to the Mob‘s official website, the clothing line is a tribute to the MOB, “‘The Most Official B######’ who through the ups and downs and highs and lows never failed to have her back”. “Design inspiration for the label is literally up from the streets of New York and its clubs, secret hang-out spots and smoke-filled parties, making MOB equal parts chic, smart-mouthed, and definitely not-to-be-messed with”. Kid Sister in the Lady Miss Cardigan by Married to the Mob This cutting-edge streetwear line for women was created by 26 year old Leah McSweeney. Leah McSweeney Leah’s funding for MOB came in a very unusual way. In 2005, a year after Leah started the line, she got into an altercation with a male police officer in NYC. The officer beat her so bad, she was left with a broken tooth and black eye! Leah took it to court, won the settlement, and invested the money into Married to the Mob. She eventually designed this tee that featured her mug shots from the incident on it: MOB is now flourishing with a full collection of tees, denim, knits and more, while Leah has become well known as a true NYC hustler. Beyond her business success, she is also a mother to baby girl Kier, who will be 2 years old this summer. The brand has successfully collaborated with Reekbok, Nike and other brands, creating exclusive gear that flew off shelves. Limited Edition MOB x Reebok x Colette sneakers sold out instantly when released in Summer 08 Married to the Mob is now sold on DrJays.com – Check it out! Shiny Kiss Hoodie by Married to the Mob Lick It Jeans by Married to the Mob Core Confetti Tee by Married to the Mob Classic Sweater by Married to the Mob Lick It Jeans by Married to the Mob Lucky B#### Hoodie by Married to the Mob Downtown Tee by Married to the Mob Say It Loud Dress by Married to the Mob

Fame is the worst drug known to man.  It’s stronger than heroin.  When you can look in the mirror like, “There I am,” and still not see what you’ve become. I know I’m guilty of it too but not like them. – Jay-z, “Lost Ones“Being part of the Industry.           When you take that first step on your journey to becoming an industry superstar, your head is filled with culture changing concepts.  You’re ambitious and idealistic.  You know what Hip Hop needs and you will deliver. Rain, sleet, snow nor dark of night will keep you from realizing your dream of Hip Hop innovation.  You are the rap crusader. Then opportunity knocks and you answer.  Your dreams are realized and you are presented with your industry insider merit badge.  Access is granted and all those music videos you used to watch on your 13 inch tube are now 3D.  It’s top notch glitz and glamour and there is nothing that can rip you away; not even your own voice. You can hear the outsider you used to be reminding you of your desire to develop the culture, but the music in VIP is loud.  The expensive doors filter out all the noise. You misplace that voice somewhere deep in the belly of the latest hot spot.  And when you emerge, you are vacant and voiceless. Access is a beautiful thing.  We all want it.  However, that access can arrest the development of our crusaders.  We look to Hip-Hop’s fresh voices to push the boundaries of the genre; to advance the music.  But being silenced by that death grip you have on being accepted serves no purpose to anyone but yourself. I’ve seen glimpses of this behavior.  Artists get caught up in their own hype and don’t feel they have to work for your money anymore.  Journalists allow platinum selling rappers to lie to them in interviews, but don’t protest because they don’t want to jeopardize their outside relationship or the next interview. Folks look down the barrel of their noses at the latest battle king or regional mixtape phenom because they have yet to make a mainstream studio album. You have made it to the top, but that doesn’t mean the work you put in to get there is now beneath you. You did it when you were a fan and no one was paying you anything then.  You did it because you wanted to.  You did it because you cared. Now all these little industries that have popped up over the last 30 or so years to siphon as much from the music as possible have created their own league of distinguished gentlemen; groups who have bought into their own hype even though they add very little to the Hip-Hop landscape but an extra body in VIP. It’s tragic because when the innovators stop innovating and the crusaders stop crusading, the music suffers.  So, the next time you are patting yourself on the back for all of the A-List accoutrement you have in your possession; remember how you achieved that.  Think about that ladder you had to climb to get to where you are, and the passion that drove you. Excuse yourself from the round table and get back to being that advocate the culture needs.   Then you can try to marry that passion with your status.  If you think back far enough, that’s probably what you were trying to accomplish in the first place.The opinions expressed in the above editorial do not necessarily represent the views of AllHipHop.com, it’s representatives or assigns.

The legendary “Thrilla in Manilla” is like “The Bridge” by MC Shan – you love to hear the story again and again. The only thing is, the tale has mostly been told from the perspective of one never-ending legend named Muhammad Ali. There was another legend party to that fight and his name is “Smokin’” Joe Frazier. Frazier’s account of the fight in the Philippines has been greatly overlooked as history is told and retold. It is now time for “the other man.” HBO’s “Thrilla In Manilla” is a trek back in time, back to the present and captures a moment in time when a pair of friends fought each other to the backdrop of civil unrest and the Vietnam War along with all of its controversy. Director John Dower allows Frazier to revisit one of the most bitter, turbulent periods, where he felt personally betrayed by Ali and miscast as a villain during the 1970’s. “Thrilla in Manila” allows viewer to feel the heat in the Philippines and peer through the 63-year-old eyes of Frazier. The struggle, the strife and the turmoil are all present and accounted for in this classic war of attrition. But, the documentary isn’t only for the people that saw the event some 25 years ago, this piece is for all regardless of age, gender and walk of life. Although Ali was the fan favorite, he didn’t mince words in the pre-fight antics calling Frazier a “sell-out,” a “gorilla” and somebody that “works for the enemy.” Frazier’s first hand voice doesn’t mince words either, as he maintains that Ali’s present condition with Parkinson’s could be an act of karma. HBO solidifies the authenticity of the event, times and characters by using uses actual clips from the epic Oct. 1, 1975 fight. Ultimately, “Thrilla in Manila” gives Frazier what he’s long deserved, redemption. Frazier emerges as a whole complete character in “Manilla,” not a supporting character in the biography of Muhammad Ali. “Thrilla in Manilla” it debuts 8 pm on Saturday, April 11 on HBO. After the movie, fight fans will be able to watch World Championship Boxing with Paul Williams and Winky Wright clashing in a 12-round middleweight fight. Click here to read AllHipHop.com’s interview with Winky Wright.

When you hear the word “romper“, you may picture those cute little onesies that are made for babies. But this spring, women have a chance to rock these fabulous pieces while looking quite grown and sexy. The hottest pieces right now are in lightweight fabrics like denim, silk, satin and more, with slightly baggy fits. Not only are these one-pieces comfortable in the heat, you also don’t have to match anything to them except your accessories! If you go for solid bright colored rompers, you may want to stick to shorter length ones so you don’t run the risk of being an eyesore, or break it up by wearing a black cardigan or belt. A belt will actually make the look even more flattering, as it will accentuate your waist and let the rest of the fabric drape in areas that it should. When it comes to shoes, strappy open-toe heels or chunky wedges are just a couple of styles that would complete the look nicely. Kim Kardashian’s large belt cinches her waist Rihanna pulls off a bright purple romper Kimora Lee Ladies, will you be seen in this trend in spring/summer 09? We have rompers on DJPremium.com and DrJays.com in various lengths, bodies, colors and fabrics: Candy Girl Capri Jumpsuit by Dereon Short Sleeve Jumper by Charlotte Ronson Second Time Around Romper by Sass & Bide Satin Romper with Snaps by COOGI Off the Shoulder Cat Suit by Love Moschino Images: Elle UK, Buzz Hollywood, The Insider

The views expressed inside this editorial are not necessarily the views of AllHipHop.com or its employeesEditor’s note: Cynthia McKinny is a former United States Representative and was the 2008 Green Party nominee for President of the United States. McKinney served as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993–2003 and 2005–2007, first representing Georgia’s 11th Congressional District and then Georgia’s 4th Congressional District. She is the first African-American woman to have represented Georgia in the House. (source: Wikipedia)Of late, I’ve been approached by four types of voters: one voter type knew about our Power to the People campaign and enthusiastically supported it. They find themselves in the position of not wanting to say, “I told you so” too loudly, but certainly say it among themselves and to each other.Increasingly, though, there’s another type of voter that is contacting me, expressing “Buyer’s Remorse” for having supported candidate Barack Obama. These voters can be further subdivided into three categories: those who voted for Obama, not knowing very much about our Power to the People campaign; those who voted for Obama, knowing a lot about Rosa, me, and the Power to the People campaign, but who chose instead to vote for Obama out of fear of a McCain/Palin White House; and finally, those who knew about our Power to the People campaign and were hostile to it because they were suspicious that our campaign was designed to deny the White House to candidate Obama–the spoiler campaign. Fortunately and hopefully, because of the integrity with which we ran our campaign, those in this latter category are few in terms of their numbers in communication with me.For me, the number of people contacting me expressing regret for having voted for Obama is a double-edged sword. That is, it indicates that prior to the election, we were not able to seal the deal with a significant number of our natural voters. There are many reasons for that, but being severely under-funded lies at the base of that failing. However, on the other hand, these expressions of “buyer’s remorse” indicate that people knowingly allowed themselves to be swept into the voting booth and vote against their values.I am happy that more and more people are freely expressing their support for the platform of the Power to the People campaign. I am extremely happy that more and more people express their interest in supporting me in another political endeavor, be it another Congressional or White House run. I am particularly pleased that people are willing to explore the possibilities that politics outside the box of two-party conformity can provide. But I have to admit that I am saddened by the fact that so many people fail to understand that in the transaction of a political election, there is no warranty for “buyer’s remorse.” The crescendo of well-financed political propaganda is all geared toward achieving the desired result on Election Day and there is no denouement.The desired result is to have as many voters as possible stay within the political confines of either of the two special interest parties because their candidates have already been vetted and have agreed to certain restrictions in the area of public policy. That’s why our Power to the People campaign was the only one talking about instituting full employment and a living wage, subsidizing education through college so that students would not have to take out loans to go to college, creating green jobs (like solar panel manufacture) in neighborhoods blighted by abandoned big box buildings, having former Comptroller of the U.S. David Walker perform audits of the companies that got bailout money, nationalizing the Federal Reserve, creating publicly owned neighborhood banks, thereby finally creating an economy that worked for the people instead of the special interests. And shutting down the military-industrial complex’s Empire America.Our agenda provided a clear route to an end to torture, rendition for torture, warrantless wiretapping, spying on U.S. citizen activists, and an end to war. Not just an end to the war on terror, but a clear end to war and occupation. And now that the Obama Administration has used its Justice Department to argue in court in favor of those who ordered torture, and to defend Bush Administration policies of torture, rendition, warrantless wiretapping, and extra-legal treatment of so-called “enemy combatants,” most of whom have committed no crime (like six-year Guantanamo Prisoner number 345, Sami El-Hajj, who was on the Dignity with me as I tried to make it to Gaza). On these issues, the Obama Administration is consonant with the Bush Administration. No wonder Bush et al have more to worry about from the “small-d” democrats in Spain than from the “big-D” Democrats in Washington, DC.And so the beat goes on. Until four years from now at the climax of when the electorate will be beaten, once again, into submission if they dare raise their head to support a candidate from a political party that has not been bought off by the special interests. The people are continually asked to decrease the volume of the discordant notes in their political hearts in order to prevent a worse outcome. But what could be worse than suppressing one’s own acknowledgement of the existing political cacophony in order to facilitate the interests of others, especially when the others whose interests are always accommodated are in contradiction to your own interests and the planet’s? But every four years, the masters of the political process are able to convince more and more people to do this. And then when people see that what they wanted and even worse, thought they were voting for, is slow in coming, “buyer’s remorse” begins to set in. Some will wait an entire four years hoping that the powers that be will eventually get around to supporting the voters’ interests. Only in the end to be let down again–but only after they’ve once again given their most precious asset, their vote, to the special interest political parties who will betray them yet again. It’s […]

“All his peoples moved on in life, he’s on the corners at night with young dudes it’s them he wanna be like It’s sad but it’s fun to him, right? He never grew up 31 and can’t give his youth, he’s in his second childhood” -NaS on “2nd Childhood” Listen and listen good, you stinkin’ bum. I don’t know what is going to take, but let me be the proverbial cold, icy water that wakes you out of your walking dead-like slumber. My friend, you are either pushing 30 years old, 40 years old or knocking on both landmark ages. Here is the problem; your mind state is that of an 16-year-old-child. I just cannot take this anymore. I am disgusted with the state of my generation. When I say “my generation,” I mean the people that are between the ages of 28-42. I know that’s a wide range, but it is significantly broad. In the so-called Hip-Hop Nation, we are seeing the 28 and 42 year olds acting about the same. The 28 year old is still trying to get his struggling rap/producer/video game/gigolo/stripper career off the ground and so is that 40-year-old fool. When you are approaching 30 or surpassing 40, your priorities should begin to adjust a bit – no they should shift a lot. The issue I have with you is you are still trying to live your 2nd, 3rd and 4th childhood and all I can see is a mental midget of an adult. A 28 year old is obviously at liberty to be more free-spirited that somebody that is 42, but something has to click. It is apart of the process of living. When you are 42, there is no way you should have the same mentality as a 28 year old or an 18 year old, but that is what’s happening time and time over. I see you every day. You still watch BET and MTV. You get your cues about what’s “in” from watching “106 & Park.” You buy a lot of clothes and a fresh car to present the outward impression that you are “somebody” that has “something.” You “jive talk” to be “down” with the very kids you should be mentoring. You never, ever want to give a woman/man a shot for a committed relationship – even the good ones. You are only looks for a baller-type of man or woman that looks (or is) like she’s a “tip-drill” from a bad rap video. Sadly, a lot of these people are real rappers that entertain the masses and they often set the tone for you sheepish morons that I am write these words for. The rappers are the ones that beef needlessly even though they are safe behind their security detail. They are the ones that write b***h-hoe songs even though they are happily married with kids. They are the ones that live and breath for money and self-interests. You are a different story, my friend. You typically don’t happiness, a family or any success to speak of. You have a bottle of some expensive liquor you cannot afford or a weed habit that has suppressed mature ambitions. You barely get by…you are stressed…and you are committed to the vicious cycle. You are WACK. I see you almost every day and you are the norm, it seems. Honestly, I can’t take it much more. I don’t have very many friends, because I have just been utterly disgusted at what has become of some very promising people. People with talent. People will what I thought was a good “head on his/her shoulder.” People have seen their possibilities dissipate into a puff of smoke until there was nothing left. In my dreams, I envision the best for you. I envision that you wake up, catch up and we all go hang out. I envision that you will be a positive influence on that 18 year old that has already started to emulate you and your ways. I don’t want you to be me or even let go of the dreams you hold onto so steadfastly. I just want you to wake up. When my alarm clock goes off, I awaken to the reality that I will walk through the day and gaze on an apparent worthless waste of flesh that won’t even leave as much of a footprint upon expiration. Now, that’s depressing.

Lil Wayne‘s music career hit an all time high this year with eight Grammy Award nominations, four of which he won. However, the rapper-turned-pop star has begun to attract a different set of eyes for a different reason. The rapper’s sense of style has often become a talking point of his fans and peers. There are times where it goes from Hip-Hop to grunge to skater to rock-influenced. As a fan or not, do you think he should also be known as an urban style icon, or is his fashion game wack? He is rocking a Sergio Tacchini tracksuit in this image. The Italian brand, launched by a professional tennis player, has a wide array of supporters from hip hop artists to athletes. More images of Weezy below: So, is Lil Wayne a stylish dude?

 Folks thought that once Obama was in office people of color would have no more excuses about the man or the system being against them. There would be no more conspiracy theory left to keep us down. If Obama can make it, there is no reason why we can’t.   Ask the children of Luzerne County, Pennsylviana if they could do and be who what they wanted to be. The answer up until a month ago would have been, “No!”   Last month two juvenile court judges, Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr., 58 and Judge Michael T. Conahan, 56 plead guilty “to a scheme that involved sending thousands of juveniles to two private detention centers in exchange for $2.6 million in kickbacks,” reports the New York Times.   The children of Luzerne County, Pennsylviana would come before Judge Ciaverella who wouldn’t inform them of their rights to an attorney and would find them guilty in under ten minutes. He once told reporters, “It’s not my job to spoon feed people,” when asked about the lack of attorneys for children as young as 14 years old. When families approached attorneys to represent them, they would decline stating there was no point. Innocence played no factor, it was about the money.   Day after day parents would bring their child to court and be forced to leave without them, unsure of what just transpired.   “Kurt Kruger, for example, was 17 when he was sent to a boot camp for five months in 2004 for being a lookout for a friend who was stealing DVDs from a Wal-Mart. DayQuawn Johnson was 13 when he was sent to a detention center for several days in 2006 for failing to appear at a hearing as a witness to a fight, even though his family had never been notified about the hearing and he had already told school officials that he had not seen anything. Both juveniles were first-time offenders.”   Before the judges even began their caseloads each day, court officers and the detention centers were already aware of how many new prisoners to expect. They would be funneled to private detention centers build by a friend of the two judges and was on contract with the juvenile court system of Luzerne County.   For each child sentenced, the dentition center received money and the judges got their cut.   The scheme, which had been running since June 2000, unraveled—the judges bought yachts, Florida condos, and expensive homes with the funds. If it had not been stopped the racket would have produced thousands of Herman Adkins. In February, 70 children and their families filed a class action suit against the courts. The judges will be sentenced next month and will serve a minimum of seven years because of their plea deal.     How do you protect your children from this? It’s no longer enough to be good, go to school, stay out of trouble when in these courts you would have been sentenced for being present at a fight or not paying a fine.   The real outrage is for the thousands of children, guilty or not, who will be scared by the industrial prison complex. Of the thousands of children sentenced, an estimated 2,500 will have their records cleared. Still, that doesn’t erase the experience of being treated like cattle—bought, sold and traded—from their impressionable minds.   As a parent, how do you protect your child from “The System”?   We worry about gangs, pedophiles, drugs, bullies. All these pale in comparison to the man in the black robe entrusted to provide fair and balanced justice.   Let’s just hope these two will receive the same treatment their victims did while they were locked up.    For the last seven years, Chloé A. Hilliard has been a culture/entertainment journalist, writing for the Village Voice, Essence, Vibe, King, and The Source. In addition to writing The X Fact(her), a hip hoppers humorous look at politics, she co-hosts I’m Sayin’ Radio, a weekly talk show, and aspires to be a vegan. Learn more about her on chloehilliard.com.

I was hoping that Run grabbed the microphone and proclaimed, “We have a whole lot of superstars appearing on this stage tonight, but I want yall to know one thing, this is my motherf**kin’ house!” It didn’t quite go down like that. I just returned from Cleveland and thanks to my wife, I had the privilege of witnessing Run DMC get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (her 10 year wedding anniversary gift to me).  Since 1983, I’ve been a fan of Run, D and Jay.  My favorite song of theirs begins with DMC saying, “Hey yo man, can we see those mics?”  Then they begin to rap, “It’s together forever, forever together Run-DMC and we’re tougher than leather!”  Consider this, today’s hottest rapper who happens to appear on the cover of the current Rolling Stone magazine, rapped that he was “tougher than Nigerian hair.”  What the f###?  Disregarding the racial overtone in his comment, though I’ve never picked Nigerian hair, I think it would be fair for me to assume that leather is tougher.  Over twenty five years later, Score!… Another one for the Kings from Queens. They did not adorn any Adi Dassler attire.  Run has since traded his adidas track suits in for a preachers collar, though he stills sports the fedora. While DMC sported jeans and a Harley Davidson tee during the induction ceremony.  But that’s alright, I held it down for them the whole entire weekend (see caption above).  Appearing on stage with the group were  family members.  First, Run spoke and humorously shared with the audience how screwdrivers and marijuana usage helped influence Russell’s creativity and decisions in guiding the group as their manager and producer.  Next, DMC took the podium and told the crowd that he’s a prime example of what loving a child can do.  He talked about how his biological mother gave him away, so that his real mother could find him.  DMC won an Emmy for a documentary that he produced about being a foster child titled, DMC: My Adoption, My Journey, in September 2007. The two emcee’s both gave exceptional speeches, but the most moving speech of the evening was given by Mrs. Mizell, the mother of the late Jam Master Jay. Mrs. Mizell talked about how the boys would rehearse in her living room while she was either at work or school.  She mentioned the number of turntables that JMJ broke trying to hone his skills.  She talked about Run, D and Jay’s first limousine chauffeured trip to North Carolina.  However, for me, it was when she invoked the Lord in her speech when referencing the murder of her child.  As Mrs. Mizell implied, receiving that telephone call from her son Marvin, whom she asked, “What did you do now,” tested her faith, still she remained faithful.  I kid you not; her speech was so moving and powerful that I heard many of the predominantly white, heavy metal Metallica fans chiming in with shouts of “Amen.”  Last to take the podium to give thanks was JMJ’s widow, Mrs. Terri Mizell and their sons who acknowledged that the music itself would have been nothing without the disc jockey.   There were many people thanked that evening, but one person noticeably missing from everyone’s “thank you” list was Rick Rubin.  I don’t know how that went unnoticed.  Still the evening was intoxicating.  The only thing that could have made me go into an induced seizure would have been a performance to accompany their acceptance speeches.  If you can’t tell, I am a fan of Run DMC, a true fanatic.  I grew up on their music, literally.  Often times, you’ll hear someone born prior to 1980 saying that they’re an eighties baby.  Then of course, someone will foolishly remind them that they weren’t born in the eighties.  They’re not referencing the decade they were born, they’re referencing the decade they came of age.  Though I was born in the seventies, I came of age in the eighties.  Before the turn of the decade, the only music I could reference was the music my parents listened to and the only fashion I was aware of was whatever my mother dressed me in.  However, during the eighties, I became who I am, I came of age.  And it was D and Run’s music that laid the groundwork.  Some of my fondest memories include the influence of Run DMC.  I remember my older cousin, who has since been murdered, allowing me to hang out with him and his homeboys in 1985 when we went to see the movie Krush Groove.  I remember the first outfit I wore to middle school consisted of a pair of gray Lees, a black and white adidas trifold tee and the fresh new white with the black stripes adidas.  I remember asking for a puff leather like Run, though my parents bought me a “poof” leather.  The spring of ’85 everybody I knew had on adidas tracksuits.  ‘Til this day, me and my man Rob talk about how he killed the game when he wore the exact red, white and blue tracksuit that Run wore in the movie to school after spring break.  Oh My God!  I remember the music played loudly at house parties.  I remember recording the music off of the radio, play, record, pause, simultaneously.  Lees in all colors, silk bvd’s, Britishers, not British Knights, there’s a big difference, trust me.  Rope chains, Cazal’s, NBA Starter jackets and the music that defined the era.  And who was in the forefront? You guessed it, Run DMC. The accolades are too many to name, like DMC said during an interview on FUSE leading up to the induction ceremony, “We were the first to do everything!”  During the same interview, DMC also stated that they lived a rock-n-roll lifestyle, but didn’t put it in their music because they recognized their influence on the public.  Talk about being responsible artists.  The event itself was a black tie gala, the first time […]

Patience is not without its consequences. Following his close July 2007 loss to Bernard Hopkins, Winky Wright was still considered one of the Top 5 Pound for Pound fighters in the sport. Then suddenly Wright stopped fighting, claiming both lack of suitable opponents and financial compensation for a fighter of his caliber. Now 21 months after his last fight, the former undisputed junior middleweight has finally found a foil in the similarly avoided Paul “The Punisher” Williams. But at 37 years old, will time finally run out this Saturday (April 11, HBO Sports) on the elite former champ? AllHipHop.com: Thank you for making time out of your training schedule. First question is the one that everyone has for you. After the Hopkins fight you were still considered a Top 5 Pound for Pound fighter. What reasons kept you out of the ring for so long? Winky Wright: No problem, my brother. Well, nobody wanted to fight. It was just that simple. And it wasn’t that I didn’t want to fight or anything… I just couldn’t get anyone to fight. So I just had to wait until somebody wanted it. [Editors Note: During the last two years, potential fights with Kelly Pavlik, Jermain Taylor, and Vernon Forrest all failed to move forward] AllHipHop.com: The one person that has come in is Paul Williams. He’s had a history already in his young career of being avoided by marquee fighters. Was he the only fighter that stepped up, or did you have other fighters in mind before you made your final decision? Wright: It was pretty much [just] him. HBO gave us some names. All the fighters they wanted, didn’t want to fight. Paul was the only one that would accept that fight. That’s how it came about.   AllHipHop.com: In your last few fights, you’ve been opening up more offensively, and it’s caused your fights to be a lot more exciting. Are you going to continue that trend against Williams, or try to be more defensive-minded? Wright: I’m going to do whatever I have to do. I’m gonna go in there and be Winky Wright. We’re going to adapt inside the ring [to Paul] and use whatever works for us. AllHipHop.com: How has your body been responding to training since you’re coming off a long layoff and moving back down from 170 to 160 pounds? Wright: We definitely had to work to get in shape. Like you said, it’s a different weight class and being out for so long, we had to work hard [Editors Note: During the layoff, Wright was reported to have weighed as much as 193 pounds]. We’re ready. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to show the fans what they’ve been missing. AllHipHop.com: Looking at your career, most people point to your wins over Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad as your most dominating performances. If you had to select one fight for a fight fan that’s never seen you perform, which bout would it be that epitomizes what Winky Wright is about in the ring? Wright: Hmmm. I like my [Julio Cesar] Vasquez fight. A lot of people didn’t get to see that. It was the first time I fought for a world championship. [Editors Note: 1994 WBA junior middleweight title bout]. I fought overseas in France. I had some shoes that were slippery and really couldn’t keep my balance. And I was still boxing the light out of him, but every time I would slip and fall they would call it a knockdown. But it showed the heart and determination I had to keep fighting and keep digging down to try and win the fight. I thought it was a great fight for me. AllHipHop.com: You’ve had some highly disputed decisions that have gone against you…. Wright: Yes! From Vargas, to Hopkins, to Taylor…a lot of bad decisions! [laughs] AllHipHop.com: [laughs] Which one would you say was the worst and bothers you the most to this day? Wright: Hmmmm. I would have to say [Fernando] Vargas because of the timing. I was just coming on the scene and that was a fight that I definitely won. AllHipHop.com: Outside of the ring, you have Pound 4 Pound Records. How are you approaching that endeavor since the music industry is changing its model of distributing music and artists? Wright: When I first started my label I, was just trying to get into the R&B and Rap side. But like you said, it’s so tough out there. I’ve moved my vision outward. I have this rock band that’s trying to do their thing called Radio Reset. That’s who we’re backing right now, trying to crossover and get into that side of the [music] industry. AllHipHop.com: Your face has been seen in a lot of Hip-Hop videos over the last 4-5 years. You’ve worked with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Jamie Foxx, J Prince, and others. When developing your business plan for the label, did you seek out any of their advice, or was everything done on your own? Wright: I pretty much did everything by myself. I got good friends in them guys like you said. They would let me know if I was going in the wrong direction. I got with Chris Lighty management-wise, so when I need to know something I can ask him and find the best way of doing it. AllHipHop.com: A lot of people weren’t aware that you had an intriguing web-series starring Jadakiss, Jamie Hector, Egypt, and Shyheim called Winky’s Spot (www.winkysspot.com). What’s the status of that and the soundtrack you were working on? Wright: That was a nice little thing that came at the wrong time. The money ain’t flying around for a lot of new ideas anymore. Winky’s Spot was a good look, we were trying to do something different. The timing was just bad with the recession and everything going on. AllHipHop.com: Speaking of the recession, what is your opinion on the way boxing has been moving since you’ve been away from […]

“… If I may interject/ Rap these days is like a pain up in the neck/ Cornier and phonier than a play fight/” —MF Doom, “Benzie Box,” The Mouse and the Mask (2005). “What if I was another corny rapper?/” —Jadakiss ft. Nas, “What If,” The Last Kiss (2009). “Rapper-jocks need to put a sock in they chatterbox/ Rappers like the gay club strip tease/With hippies on the yip saying ‘hey, bub grip these’/” —DOOM, “Microwave Mayo,” Born Like This (2009). I never took the Joe Budden vs. Saigon battle—beef—seriously. Not because it failed to impress or inspire me (though it did), but I had a hard time in identifying its logic. It always confronted me as a forced and unfortunate circumstance, rather than a genuine, inevitable lyrical onslaught—the kind we saw with Canibus and L.L. (which, by the way, Bis won—quite handily, too), or Jay-z vs. Nas (which… I’ll leave it up to you—the reader). Nas. It struck me as a desperate reincarnation of the Tupac vs. Biggie saga—albeit less thrilling and theatrical. Make no mistake: Tupac and Biggie were never lyrical adversaries. They were both pawns, used by record label Kings—Executives—and each seemed to stumble upon this understanding at a time too late. It was as though the two legends were unsure, till the very last minute, of which role the other was playing. In an age when every rapper with a nearing album release date is scrambling through the Hip-Hop artist directory, looking for someone to pick a fight with, like school kids, the Budden/Saigon clash failed to strike the chord of uniqueness—even at the incipient.. I call it “unfortunate,” because—it was. I’ll explain. From the outset, it’s was quite obvious that Saigon and Joe Budden are a match made in Heaven (Ghetto Heaven, perhaps). Both can spit, and are equally vicious lyrical assassins, in their own right. Both are incredibly talented artists, but without the material evidence and exposure to corroborate their talents. Joe Budden and Saigon both rose from relative obscurity to international stardom, through hit singles from mixtapes/albums—(Pump It Up, Joe Budden; Say Yes, Da Yard Father 1 – The Best of Saigon)—without successfully breaking the glass ceiling of mainstream appeal. Both have, over time, employed socially-conscious undertones in their songs, without coming across as preachy or pretentious. Both have also been caught in between the crosshairs of label politics, and had albums stalled for months and years, as a result. This frustration has led both artists to embark on self-imposed sabbaticals from music-making, while venturing into different fields—short-lived, as they were. As previously mentioned, both have also attained enormous success in the underground community, whilst being overlooked, predominantly, by Hip-Hop’s mainstream listening audience. With this seemingly endless list of similarities, it was understandable when the thrust of competition and rivalry catapulted both artists to, for the first time in long time, Hip-Hop’s center of attention. One could certainly see how this rare exposure successfully knocked off their focus and discipline, although, there seemed to be no justification for the escalating war of words which, soon enough, began to gain decibel in tonality and aggression. With threats against family members introduced into the mix, it became obvious that neither of the two artists had any control over the direction the battle was beginning to veer in. Proposals of boxing matches soon confirmed how less a Hip-Hop battle it was, and how more of an ego-trip it appeared to be. Most critical listeners are aware that Hip-Hop artists have a tendency to suffer, greatly, from insufficient self-esteem—which affords their egos enormous opportunities to engage in thoughtless acts. The recent clash between Budden and Saigon’s camp was no different. Saigon confirmed this in an interview with Sirius Radio’s Angela Yee, last month. With Joe Budden calling in to officially bury the hatchet, Saigon confessed of how “stupid” he felt “through the whole sh**, because that’s not my lane.” He continued: I’m actually opposed to doing that sh**… On my real album, I got a whole song on why that sh** looks stupid to the public, for us to just tear each other down… We finally make it to a situation where we’re getting out [of] the ghetto, and we’re going to find a reason to try to knock each other down. And it’s a reflection of our community… It’s so easy to try to pull somebody else down, when you see them trying to get ahead. Saigon also rebuked “the masses,” who, as he put it, would “rather hear about one of us causing physical harm to one another,” than encouraging a strong display of Black unity. Is it too strong to infer that this mass group of people is largely composed of the Hip-Hop media? That would be a curious assumption, as the Hip-Hop media has been remarkably silent on the reconciliation between Budden and Saigon. I wonder if this has anything to do with its role as provocateurs, during the thick of the fight. Perhaps our media’s giddiness, over two grown men airing out their frustration by attacking each other, revealed a troubling truth about how far we haven’t come since the East vs. West non-wars of the ‘90s. What we do know for sure, is that there are those (writers, label executives, journalists, bankers, agents, informants, govt. officials, listeners, critics, apologists, etc.) who would always find avenues to exploit the competition-centered atmosphere of Hip-Hop, by transforming artistic adversaries into enemies. Canibus once rapped, on “Poet Laureate II” (Rip the Jacker), that “Every warrior has an axe to bury/ But he has to learn to discern between enemy and adversary.” In a newly-surfaced 2002 interview, Queensbridge veteran, Nas is featured as a one-man wrecking crew against artists, DJs, executives, radio stations, and the Hip-Hop industry at-large. Artists are being “used” as slaves, by corporations, to generate revenue, Nas said. He insisted that his colleagues “got to have balls, and got to let these guys know.” If not, these guys would “take control, and try […]

  Developer/Publisher: Rockstar LeedsPlatform: Nintendo DS (Exclusive)   Players: 1 / Online MultiplayerRelease Date: 3/17/09   Rating: A   Amongst a never ending cloud of controversy, Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series still remains one of the most respected gaming brands. So after eleven years of success it’s no surprise the title has been given shot on Nintendo’s DS. While this handheld platform might be the weakest next generation system due to its lack of punch, Chinatown Wars (Rockstar Leeds) still picks up where GTA IV left delivering hours of portable Liberty City madness.   At first glance many gamers familiar to the entire series might liken Wars to the first two titles with the similarity in graphic style. But Wars shouldn’t be confused for a 2 dimensional top down view sand-boxer. In actuality Wars has more in common with GTA 3 and beyond.   For starters Wars is set in the updated Liberty City found on GTA IV minus one island. The town is fully modeled in 3D with the gameplay seen from an aerial perspective, allowing the player to see each and every side of all cars, bikes, and buildings. The only drawback is the cartoonish graphics and the lack of live voice acting.     The game’s story keeps in line with the GTA saga. Wars centers on Huang Lee, a young member of the Chinese Triad gang. His daddy dearest is murdered and Huang finds himself in Liberty City embroiled in solving the homicide while trying to rise up the ranks of said crime syndicate.   Where Wars shines brightest is in its engaging gameplay. As in true GTA fashion you advance the story by completing missions for random characters including underworld bosses, other Triad gang members, and questionable detectives. Just as the cell phone was the core of communication and the interface for the menus in IV, the PDA is implemented in this title. You will receive messages offering missions, tips, and deals on weapons.     What gives things a new twist is the use of the Nintendo DS stylus and touch screen. When jacking parked cars, Huang Lee is sometimes made to put in some additional work through the stylus pen in three mini-games (hotwiring, etc.); other touch screen activities including tattooing, Molotov cocktail mixing and sniper rifle assembly.   Other spicy additions to the game include a drug trading element and a twist to ditching wanted levels. Besides making money through your standard jack moves, players can buy and sell different types of drugs on the advice of tipsters pointing you out to the best prices and neediest dealers in the city. Additionally loosing unwanted police attention becomes a little more fun with the option of loosing stars by destroying the cop cars on chase for you.   Backed by a strong gameplay engine, this title has enough features, curves and twists to keep gamers glued for hours. With some local Wi-Fi multiplayer modes to boot, Chinatown Wars is an amazing ride. Hands down a must have for any owner of a Nintendo DS.  Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars Trailer:

Alador & Smith was founded by two New York natives, Pascal Alouidor and Derek Smith. Within months after debuting the collection at Las Vegas’ MAGIC trade show in 2006, it was featured in XXL, Entertainment Weekly, and Source magazine among others. The collection has a gritty street feel, with clever messages like “Fix your Face” and “Blind to you Haters” captured in artistic graphics. Here are some images to help you familiarize yourself with the brand. Alador & Smith Kid Cudi, Trey Songz and Tyrese are just a few hot celebs who have been spotted in Alador & Smith. Trey Songz in Alador & Smith Make a statement with Alador & Smith – available now on DrJays.com: Reality Bites by Alador & Smith   Blind To You Haters by Alador & Smith Fix Your Face by Alador & Smith Hot Sex Tee by Alador & Smith

  Developer/Publisher: CapcomPlatform: XBOX 360   Players: 1-2(Co-op/Online)Release Date: 3/13/09   Rating: B+   Capcom has been known over the years for the break-out success of one of its top franchises, the Resident Evil series. Known for its terrifying and gory fun, the series garnered a following because of its ability to keep players on the edge of their seats. As series vets know, Resident Evil took a radical departure from this tried-and-true formula on Resident Evil 4, and now on Resident Evil 5.   Resident Evil 5 picks up 10 years after the Resident Evil 2. Chris Redfield, one of the protagonists from the very first installment, is sent to Africa with the B.S.A.A., an association that protects the world from bio-nuclear threats.   He teams up with Sheva, a member of the African branch of B.S.A.A. to stop a huge nuclear weapons deal from taking place. The two spend time tracking down the threat while bumping into Chris’ old nemesis Albert Wesker and trying to find out exactly what is going on in the Cradle of Civilization.Players the enjoyed Resident Evil 4 will fit right in. The controls haven’t really changed, except for the addition of a strafe movement. There are 4 different control presets, so players shouldn’t really have an issue finding a style that suits them. The game has the same over-the-shoulder perspective as its predecessor.         There is still not an option to move while shooting, as there’s never been in the series. While this may dampen the experience for people that want the true feel of an action game, it is the skeleton of a Resident Evil game, so it really shouldn’t be that much of a surprise.The huge suitcase you could use to haul weapons around in Resident Evil 4 is long gone. You are now limited to carrying only 9 items at a time. You can also no longer be in the safety of a pseudo-pause menu while selecting items; everything takes place in real-time. The addition of hot-keys for the D-Pad definitely helps with switching weapons in the midst of battle.It’s not a rare occurrence for tons of enemies to be on the screen at the same time. As soon as you chop down one, there’s another one right behind you getting ready to clock you with a wine bottle. Instances like these really validate the addition of multiplayer to the series. With someone to always watch your back, it changes the feel of the gameplay because you’re always responsible for your partner. If they die, it’s back to the last checkpoint. The interactive cinematics are back from Resident Evil 4, so you will perish many times if you think you are just watching an in-game movie. Nuances like these help keep gamers on their feet and the action there at all times, even when you think it’s over.Resident Evil 5’s graphics are surreal. The game runs beautifully in 1080p. The small details bring a huge sense of realism to the game. Rain hitting the characters’ tactical vests, pollen floating through the air, the details on Chris and Sheva’s faces; these things all work together to create a visually stunning game. The environments are all beautifully rendered, wide-open spaces. You’ll see a wide range of different areas throughout the course of the game, so there’s no need to worry about familiarity.Resident Evil 5 marks the first time in the series where cooperation with a partner, whether it is AI or an online or offline buddy, is essential. There are numerous spots in the game where you’ll need the assistance of a partner, whether it’s splitting up to unlock a door or fending monsters off of one another. Whereas Resident Evil 4 has enemies on a huge scale, Resident Evil 5 has them on a humungous scale.   The Resident Evil fan favorite, Mercenaries, makes its return in the latest installment. For those who’ve never played the mode before, you are essentially thrown in the middle of a war zone where you have to kill as many enemies as possible with very little ammo and health. It is very easily one of the most addictive parts of the game. While Mercenaries does not have multiplayer mode, it is very easily one of the most addictive parts of the game. The learning curve of Resident Evil 5 may be slightly steep for newcomers of the series, while series vets will find themselves right at home. Professional mode has plenty of frustration for those hardcore players that yearn for it.Resident Evil 5 has something for everyone, whether it’s story progression or action. Capcom really did a great job taking the series in a new direction while keeping the game true to its name. It’s advisable for players to be ready for something new in the series; change isn’t always a bad thing.   Resident Evil 5 Trailer:

The modern athlete and Hip-Hop go together like OJ Simpson and gloves. Consequently, there is quite a lot of cross-pollination between the two. The only thing is, rappers cannot typically cross over into sports due to the extreme physicality associated with athletics. Then there is the other side – sports men that attempt to rap. While, rapping appears to be easier than knocking somebody out or slam-dunking on somebody’s head…appearances can be deceiving. One thing is for certain, both sides are the modern gladiators for our entertainment. Here are some of the boxers, ballplayers that tried, succeeded and failed to get props in Hip-Hop. Shaquille O’Neal & the Notorious BIG – “You Can’t Stop The Reign” The video version: Kobe Bryant featuring Tyra Banks – “K.O.B.E.” Kobe Bryant, Shaq’s former team mate, took his own stab at rapping. It was short lived, but he made a splash even if it was a belly flop. Still, Kobe gets major props for rapping in Italian. Was Nas ghostwriting? Deion Sanders – “Must Be The Money” Not exactly Hip-Hop, but the swagger is. We had to included Neon Deion. He looks like he’s just having fun in a “Pumps N A Bumps” kind of way. MC Hammer featuring Deion Sanders – “Straight To My Feet” Speaking of “Pumps N A Bump,” MC Hammer and Deion got together to rap on this 1994 diddybop song from the “Street Fighter” soundtrack. Roy Jones Jr – “Ya’ll Musta Forgot” The best thing about this video was the clips, a reminder of what a great fighter Roy is. A great rapper? No so much, but his favorite rapper of all time is Scarface. Didn’t forget that! Roy Jones Jr. – “Can’t Be Touched” Now, this song is way better from Roy. True fight music! Allen Iverson aka Jewelz – “40 Bars” When Allen Iverson same with “40 Bars” he looked like he was going to be the first official sportsman to be a legitimate rap artist. He was a bit too real for the League. Never heard this, but apparently this was Jewelz “song.” Floyd Mayweather – “Yep” Floyd Mayweather, Jr. was regarded as the best pound for pound fighter, but that was boxing. Where does he weigh-in with rap. Terrell “T.O.” Owens – “Untitled Silly Rap” The football player named T.O. is highly regarded for his athleticism, but rap…no. Chris Webber and Kurupt – “Gangsta, Gangsta” Chris Webber is really Hoop-Hop! The super star is not only known for his ball game, but he rapped. Not only did he rap, but he is an accomplished producer that has worked with the likes of Nas. The rap didn’t work…but he’s still around. BONUS RAP When Shaq dissed Kobe in a bizarre freestyle rap, you just had to love it. He gave life to a new term that didn’t quite catch on, but remains iconic in pop culture.

**This Is Dedicated To Men That Don’t Hit Women, But Still Deal With Bird S**t** This isn’t about Chris Brown and Rihanna – I promise. But the plight of the young lovebirds sure has got me thinking. I am what I consider to be a good man. I work very hard. I provide. I work hard. I give. And I still get s**t from my significant other – my “lady.” Lets just cut any thing that resembles over-intellectualiizing this crap and get down to it. Women f**k with men. It doesn’t matter if the man is good or bad. The majority of American women straight-up f**k with men. The examples of this are innumerable, but let me focus on the good men. Let me focus on myself. Like I said, I work hard. So, one day I decided to take some down time. Now, for me downtime entails playing with the kids, putting dinner on the table, doing homework with the kids, and all of the nuances that go along with being an adult in between time. Ms. Ladygirl comes in later that evening and puts the kids to sleep after some reading and whatnot (note: the easy part). Fact is, this is a typical day. There are some days when this scenario is reversed. Now, I after all that was done, I opted to take some down time. Ms. Ladygirl decides to say something slick to me that comes out of nowhere. Something about dinner. OK. that gets addressed and we move on with the evening. Later, in the midst of my down time, she delivers another pointless, incendiary comment. Finally, as I am prepared to go to bed, there is another stupid remark. You know what? That’s when I let loose. I let it be known that Ms. Ladygirl was acting like a childish fool, acting as such for seemingly no reason. The irony of it all, is I in turn ended up acting like a fool myself, but what I like to call a justified fool. That’s how I see it. Here is more irony. Women know. They know the good guy all too well. They know that, they can push button after button after button after button and the worst they are going to get is cussed out and maybe some stuff gets thrown around the room. But, the fact is, these and most women know that they are NOT going to get “Chris Brown’d” by the good guy. They are certain of it, because over time, they have pushed farther and farther and farther. Barring something truly vicious like a knife attack, people like Ladygirl know people like myself are not going to respond to words with a hail storm of fists. That is not to say that it doesn’t cross the brain. Men are natural fighters and we are taught at a young age to deal with a number of things with our fists. Got a bully? Beat his a$$ to get him to leave you alone. Somebody talk about your mother? Beat his a$$ to get him to leave her alone. If somebody messes with your family? The rest of the fam shows up knuckled up. It is only with women that we are taught not to respond in the same way. Why? Simply because we are generally the bigger gender and big people shouldn’t beat down smaller, weaker people. There is another side to this. Most men don’t want to fight. Why? It hurts getting punched. You might lose. You might get embarrassed. Fighting is a big issue and that’s why boys used to do that shoulder-to-shoulder circle walk so much. When women are dealing with a good dude, many of them feel that they can SAY anything they want, no matter how inflammatory, disrespectful, childish or ignorant and – NEWS FLASH – there’s very little you can do as a man. (Men: Imagine going around picking fights with every guy that was bigger than you and KNOWING dude can’t do anything. You MIGHT be able to get away with it with a 2-time felon!) With women, everything is an abuse of power, but the true birdbrain gets off scott free. What is the proper procedure for when a female is blocking the exit? What is the proper response to barbed words when your words will hurt more and any and all insults are resurrected in the next argument. What is the proper procedure when you are hit with fists or an object? Like Chris and Rihanna, the answers seem so simple until it is you that is in the situation. I love my kids and I love Ms. Ladygirl too. So, my moves and the moves of my fellow good guys must be wise. At best, and the preferred response, is the good guy that ignores the vengeful needling of a she-devil. That’s difficult. And lets not even talk about when the good guy attempts to remove himself from the negativity like…leave. Oh, then you are “abandoning” somebody or refusing to “talk.” This is even when there simply needs a cooling off period. Women don’t WANT you to cool off…they just don’t want you to hit them. Now, I’m a grown man. Through the years, I have dealt with women of all backgrounds, social upbringings, incomes and mental levels. MOST (not all) ladygirls I have dated or been serious about have these common bird themes in varying degrees of horror. Furthermore, the other good guys I know deal with the same BS…like “How did I get here, in this muck of wackness? Is it PMS? Are there other factors? Do you have a pre-existing condition that I don’t know about?” The stress of day to day living is already a lot, so why do so many women in American seem to specialize in creating unnecessary idiocy just to add to the strife. I thought this would interest you for closure purposes. After the evening of bickering, I ended up sleeples for […]

I haven’t been food shopping in over a month.   I should grown my own food, but don’t. Jay-z said “dig a hole” and maybe I should. Fill it with some seeds, sprinkle with water and some TLC. I’ll be feasting on next season’s dinner in no time.   Seriously, I would love to eat fresh, organic produce every day. A while back I came across this documentary about eight UK adults picked to live in the monkey section of a zoo and eat the exact same diet as monkeys—all fresh and raw fruits and vegetables. One man never saw cauliflower before. In the end they all lost weight, felt better, had improved some of their medical conditions and vowed to each healthier. There is even an American documentary out about the same sort of thing.   Don’t know about you, but I’m not trying to live in a cage in order to eat right nor am I willing to go broke buying overpriced organic produce. This leaves me with another option: urban farming. As part of 99problems.org, I’m always looking for solutions to problems facing the urban community. Perhaps bringing farming to the hood will end the on-going battle for quality supermarkets and fresh produce in poor communities as well as educating people about the power of Mother Earth.  Urban Farming   Living in the big city means more concrete than grass. Where would I plant my seeds? Martha Stewart broke down how to create your own compos heap but I’m not trying to be labeled the funky neighbor hording banana peels and potato skins in a box.   During my weekly radio show, the topic of eating healthy was raised. This got me to wondering: At what point in society did we transition from farming our own foods to living off of processed foods, McDonald’s and High Fructose Corn Syrup?   You’d have an easier time finding bin Laden than you would a boxed/canned or bottled food that didn’t have high fructose corn syrup in its list of ingredients. Fun Fact: the higher up in the list of ingredients something is on the label, the more that product contains it. (i.e. If you pick up a bottle of apple juice and apple juice is the last thing on the list, put it down! Buy a bag of apples and juice them yourself.)   Perhaps farming in the hood would catch on if it was marketed right. Folks would house their mini-gardens on their window sills. Dudes on the block would start selling 100% Columbian dirt. When a fella asks if you’ve seen his hoe, he really means a hoe. Seed packages would be sold in corner stores and 7 Elevens and endorsed by Hip Hop celebs with great taglines:   Jay-Z Apple Seeds: One Jay-Z apple a day keeps the hate away   Lil Wayne Zucchini: It goes with everything, and makes bread too!   Beyoncé Butternut Squash: So pretty, so yellow, so smooth   Notorious B.I.G. Eggplant: Black and ugly as ever…however good for you.   I’ll rope up the ox and you grab the seeds   – CH     For the last seven years, Chloé A. Hilliard has been a culture/entertainment journalist, writing for the Village Voice, Essence, Vibe, King, and The Source. In addition to writing The X Fact(her), a hip hoppers humorous look at politics, she co-hosts I’m Sayin’ Radio, a weekly talk show, and aspires to be a vegan. Learn more about her on chloehilliard.com.