Tiger, Big Ben the Rapist, and selective reporting of the news media

I'm going to make this short and sweet. Don't get me wrong, I love ESPN. I go to sleep and wake up to ESPN. Check my phone app at least 5 times a day. Check it on the computer at least 5 times a day. I have always loved their professionalism and objective reporting, but of late?? It's been US weekly status. Despite the 27000000 articles and specials and apologies about Tiger Woods, you know what? I REALLY DON'T CARE THAT MUCH. I'm 28, and I don't play golf. I do like to see Tiger win and chase history, because he is a great athlete, BUT THAT IS IT, NOTHING MORE. Must we be subjected to watching 39 different anchors or columnists give their 2 cents? IT'S HIS PERSONAL LIFE, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GOLF. I haven't heard one convincing arguement on why I should really give a s#!t about Tiger and his infidelities.

Before I talk about the latest stinker, lets go back a few years. Kobe Bryant, NBA superstar, is accused of rape while getting treatment in Colorado. This is huge, stop the presses news on ESPN and everywhere else (besides how stupid it is, and how famous he is, the only real significance is that he could miss time playing basketball to go to court, and seasons if he is convicted). For months, sponsors dropped him, racists pissed on him (figuratively), and it was front page news. However, the angle was FAR from objective. The media, including ESPN, painted Kobe as this monster, this big black guy preying on innocent white girls, and it went way too far. So far that even after the "victim" was found to have the semen of 5 different men in the underwear she wore when she was checked out, AND the case was dropped due to lack of evidence, Kobe's rep was ruined, and he CONTINUED to be villified. It took 8 years, 81 points, a 2 million dollar ring and 2 finals appearances to erase MOST of that ordeal. Although I hate to go to a black/white thing by default, there is the case of Big Ben.

Ben Roethlisberger is (in my opinion) an overrated, overpaid QB who has ridden an elite defense, luck, and a hail mary catch to 2 superbowl victories. He is also a twice accused rapist. I remember it clearly, when the news of the first assault broke to other outlets (curiously not ESPN), and it took a user backlash and complaints before there was a statement explaining why the story hadn't been front page news on ESPN. As my brother would say, HOGWASH. I say ESPN was protecting the big white QB of the defending SB champs. I know what you might be thinking: "you threw the race card too quick", but hold on. I definitely understand what an opportunistic female would do, and I do not envy this part of a stars life, but the details of that first accusation sure as hell painted a monster. But why would you do that when you're on top of the world? Usually the people that do the craziest things either have everything, or nothing, and it wouldn't be the first of last time. As quickly as that first accusation fell out of conversation just like that, the steelers were out of the playoffs, because the heart of that elite defense (Troy Polamalu) was injured most of the year, and the big white hope QUIT on his team. When the details broke on this second accusation (and it was maybe the 4th or 5th story on ESPN), I was pretty shocked. Big Ben? with a blacking out 20 year old college student? In a bathroom stall? Dude is sick. Now, nobody but Ben and his accuser know what really happened, but as the DA put it this morning: "many questions persist". I just realized I pulled a "sports guy" and went a bit long. I think Ben just got a SERIOUS free pass number 2, and I'm kind of disgusted that it went down like that. No one is squatting on Ben taking a dump on his rep like they did Kobe (or Michael Jackson, or Mike Tyson, or Michael Jordan, or Marvin Harrison, or Chad Johnson, or even Gilbert Arenas, though I do not condone what he did), and if the Steelers make it to the Superbowl, it will all be ancient history. Since the law's hands are now tied, I hope Roger Goddell and the NFL do what everyone in the media has been afraid to do to Ben: speak the truth, and punish him for embarassing himself, his family, and team, and for most importantly (and stupidly) putting himself in those positions.

The biggest COP that we've seen thus far....is undeniably talented

I'm not going to disrespect BIG's memory and write something about Rick Ross that is comparably long, but I will do a little background before giving the new music. I am definitely a Rick Ross fan. Rick has definitely stepped his rap game up, hanging out with Jay, Nas, and Game. But people say Rick Ross is a FRAUD...or is he? Rick Ross is a rapper, and 95 percent of all rappers are perpetrating a fraud in some fashion (rented cars, fake jewelry, from the suburbs, college graduates, etc) so I think the Boss has gotten a little bit of a bad rap in that regard. Rappers sell a provocative image, and that sells their records...and NONE of it necessarily has to be true. True, the fact that he lied about not being a Corrections Officer then was later FORCED to admit after undeniable proof definitely hurt his reputation, but I would say Rick has bounced back nicely. Whether or not Rick has sold coke, owns everything he flaunts, or has ever gone to jail is not my business or concern. I really care about the quality of the music. For years, Rick played the background to Trick and Trina, and eventually bogarted his way to an opportunity the old fashioned way: Getting in the studio, putting out a hot mixtape, and aligning himself with a popular DJ (Khaled of Miami). The result was the smash hit "Hustlin'" and his port of miami debut. He followed that with (in my opinion) a more cohesive CD, "deeper than rap," which despite classic material being left off the album (lost intro, cigar music, mafia music remix, yacht club remix, throw it in the sky, etc) was mostly a great listen. Evident from the choice for the first single ("magnificent", and most of the other incredible beats on that CD) Rick has a great ear for smooth beats (albeit beats that wouldn't be considered typically "southern sounding"). This is very clear once again on the first song released from his soon to be released opus, "Teflon Don". The song is called super high, and features Def Jam crooner Neyo. To put it plainly, it's FIRE. I dont know how the hood is going to feel about it, but according to my ears, Officer Ricky has another banger. Sounds like a Sade sample and loop. Listen to it by clicking here

The B.I.G. write up...(Pun intended)

I decided to stop being complacent, stop making excuses, and write a blog. I have been dealing with some things (including a death) and that is related to this particular write up. No, this isn't going to be a "1, 2, 3, links" post, I am actually going to write and make my opinion be known, and argue some other points.

Who might this monologue be about you ask? None other than Christopher Wallace aka The Notorious B.I.G aka Biggie smalls aka BIG aka (in my and many other's opinions) the G.O.A.T (GREATEST OF ALL TIME), who was taken from us by violence 13 years ago yesterday. That is fantastically high praise, considering all the talent we have witnessed in the roughly 35 year existence of this culture known as Hip Hop. Before I get into the details to support my opinion, I have to go back.

I have been blessed enough to have grown up in the greatest era of Hip Hop EVER, Which is why 92-2000, especially 94-97, is so special to me. It was during these years that today's aged veterans (Nas, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep etc) were young and on the come up, so through middle and high school, I felt like I grew up with them. For those that know me, for as much as I am downloading torrents and adding tracks to my iPod now, I was the 3rd grader with the cassette tape trying to record Funk Master Flex off Hot 97 (yeah, he's that old). Whatever was hot, I was dubbing it! So it was only a matter of time for his tracks to catch my ears.

Before I ever heard BIG for the first time, I think I was predisposed to like him. I'm from NY, my dad worked in Bed Stuy, he was influenced by the crack era (the years I was born into), and even from a young age, I love LYRICS. I memorized every hot song, verse and album. Naturally, the first BIG song I heard was Juicy on Hot 97, and that's all it took. Hot 97 always had the exclusive joints (even when Puff wasn't ready for them to have it) and I couldn't wait for the album to drop. My best friend Mo was the guy always buying the tapes and CDs (BACK THEN!) so I promptly dubbed a copy when it dropped in the fall of 1994. That was a cold winter, but please believe, "Ready to Die" was in my headphones as I walked to Jr. High (my Mom always asked why I'd rather walk then get dropped off? My time with the music was a big reason).

By the time BIG was murdered, I was a freshman in high school (and now living in Miami) and I remember that morning clearly. We didn’t have cells back then, so when I got to school, I would always read the newspapers. I saw the bad news on the cover of the USA today. STUNNED. Hypnotize had already been tearing up the airwaves. BIG was THE MAN, and less than 6 months after 2Pac was killed, he was gone too. Only God knows why it happened, and what would be different had he lived to release 6 or 7 albums. Without a doubt, 13 years later, I still marvel at his skills, how he changed the game, and argue with my boys about what the Hip Hop hierarchy would look like now. Sadly, we can only speculate.
So was BIG the best? I concede that it is debatable. He only released 2 real albums (biggie duets, born again and all that rehashed crap Diddy puts out to whore BIG’s memory for every last dollar doesn’t count) but they are UNDENIABLE CLASSICS. Let’s break down some of MY candidates:

BIG: 2 classic albums that will endure forever (quality), master flow—can spit (rhyme) any way he wants, can do R and B remixes, joke songs, funny skits, sick metaphors, effortless 16’s, so many imitators, one of the best storytellers ever, one of the hardest battle/freestyle rappers ever, the first to cross hardcore rap over into pop success, trendsetter (coogi, Jesus pieces, land cruisers, leather jackets, Versace clothes got HUGE exposure because of him). Incredible shows, great interview.

JAY-Z: 11 solos albums (longevity), 7 debatable classics (quality), great flow, swagger, metaphors, braggadocios raps, many imitators, flowed easy, but needed to be pushed to go HARD, great show, incredible trendsetter and pop success and an incredibly successful businessman (all things I believe BIG would have been).

NAS: 10 solos albums (longevity), 6 debatable classics (quality), incredible flow, swagger, stories, reporting, news, metaphors, probably makes spitting a sick 16 look the EASIEST, doesn’t care of about sales (but is still rich and successful), great show, does hardcore, conscious and pop rap all well. Probably had/has the most potential STRICTLY based on rapping ability.

2PAC: 10 solo albums (longevity), 6 debatable classics (quality), huge female following, international following, huge social impact, great interview, great topics, great style, great mood music, different swagger, EASILY THE LEAST CAPABLE RAPPER of this group.

HONORABLE MENTION: Big Pun, Big L, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Eminem, Scarface, Snoop.

So the competition is pretty fierce, but I think BIG had all the talent and charisma to have made all the impact and all the money that the others made if he were still alive. I think Jay-Z would have come up as a Robin to his Batman, and would never be as "big" as he is today. I also think a lot of the crap that gets through and gets airplay or makes money now wouldn’t have dared to come out if BIG were around. I would bet anything he would have had a reality show and probably his own label. If not, Bad Boy wouldn’t be in shambles like it is now, but PDIDDY wouldn’t be as famous as he is now. There’s so much else we can speculate.

One thing we don’t have to speculate about is his legacy. His music sounds fresh as ever to me, and they still play hypnotize every time you’re in the club (do they not)? His Legacy lives on in his music, his wife, his crew, his old label, his movie, his freestyles, his trends, his book*, his borough. Learn BIG. Cherish his music. And if you don’t know….you need to find out**! R.I.P BIG!!
*click the link, the book is incredible. BUY IT. READ IT.
**He has too many hot songs, so my suggestion is his ENTIRE CATALOG. Read his Wikipedia and YouTube yourself silly.

Its been a long time....

I know its been a while, but its all been within good reason (but still, no excuses).

While I clean up my brainstorming, here are some relevant links off all types to keep you occupied:

Here is the latest on the catastrophic Haiti Earthquake:


Here's a running diary of last night grammys (not by me unfortunately):http://blog.seattlepi.com/peoplescritic/archives/192929.asp?from=blog_last3

here is a vid of pinks very impressive (and adult) performance

Recap of another Lakers/Celtics classic (The King winning the game): http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300131002

The Australian open recap (Federer, who I hate, and Serena, who I love win again):
http://espn.go.com/tennis/slams/_/tournament/australian-open


The freaking ipad. never heard of it? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad

Since the world is filled with trend follwing zombies, this is going to sell a few million too. If you have an iphone, why get a big version? The iphone is overrated and overblown as it is. Awesome video festuring the real pee wee herman:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/f7a03edbd7/pee-wee-gets-an-ipad

the latest on healthcare reform:http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/01/29/clgray-health-care-obama-reform-state-union/

The latest on the toyota recall (trust me, stick with HONDAS):

http://www.examiner.com/x-19632-Salt-Lake-City-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m2d1-Toyota-recall-update-Toyota-announces-way-to-fix-gas-pedal-problem

Enjoy! I will try and have something new later today.

I know I haven't posted in 2 weeks, but....

Besides work kicking my ass, I have been dealing with a few issues, and i just haven't had the time. I hope to post a couple of things this afternoon/evening.

P.A.

Sorry, BUT I JUST HAD TO! AraabMuzik Video 2!

Well, even though my first video was only a few days ago, I read what I could (he's so new, there really isn't much online about him) but he claims to have been working since 2005. I've been so impressed by his quick hands (pause), that I haven't even taken the time to see what his SONGS sound like yet. He sure seems like a master when it comes to the MPC though (especially if he did all the sampling). So here's the newest AraabMUZIK video, and its just as sick (without the idiot screaming in the background). ENJOY!

Love Cheezy 80's action flicks (Like I do?) The Mother might be on its way!

If you were born from 1960 to 1986, you have watched and loved and REWATCHED countless 80's era action flicks (including, but not limited to: Rambo, Commando, American ninja, the last dragon, double impact, and die hard). Well, if you fit in this demographic, the mother of all "so bad they are GREAT 80's flicks" should be in theatres in 2010! The expendables is the brainchild of über washed up action star, 63 year old Sly Stallone, who amazingly puts together an all star cast of tough old guys guaranteed to get a few knees scoped and throw out a couple of backs when everything is said and done. The cast includes: Sly himself, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Terry Crews, Jason Statham, MMA and wrestling stars the Nogueria twins and stone cold Steve Austin, and EVEN the GOVERNATOR HIMSELF, Arnold Schwarzenegger!! Doesn't that sound sick?! Only Van Damme and Steven Segal are missing! But then I remember, its 2010, and the principle stars are all over 50, so this could be great and nostalgic, or the worst piece of regurgitated 80's crap ever conceived, and could finally send Sly into the nursing home for good. Either way, I'm kinda excited!

In an interview with FHM, Sly describes how hardcore the fight scenes were, and how Stone Cold actually broke his neck and he needed major surgery. WHOA! On a sad (but unimportant) note, the late Brittany Murphy was also cast in this film. So get your big hair, steroids, fake blood, white jeans, and implausible plots ready folks! The Expendables is scheduled for release August 10, 2010. Check the trailer out below:

(As my favorite writer Bill Simmons would say, this trailer DESTROYS the unintentional comedy scale)