Lupe Mixtape

Lupe Fiasco, one of the most lyrically gifted MC's out, just released a new mixtape titled "Super Fiasco Bros." His albums "Food and Liquor" and "The Cool" are certified classics. If you have a datpiff account download here. If you don't download here. Enjoy!

Until Gwen

"Until Gwen," a short story by Dennis Lehane, starts out, "Your father picks you up from prison in a stolen Dodge Neon, with an 8-ball of coke in the glove compartment and a hooker named Mandy in the back seat." This got my attention. Told in second person, it is the story of a man without an identity with a villian for a father and a race for an elusive diamond. Short stories do not get any better than this. And like "Mystic River" and "Shutter Island," this Lehane story is also being made into a movie. It is only like 20 pages so even if you don't like to read, i recommend checking it out.
 

Wale

If you don't know about Wale, I feel bad for you. Like Drake who I mentioned earlier, this guy is the future of hip-hop. This is his website. Make sure to download his mixtapes, "Back to the Feature," "100 Miles and Running," and "The Mixtape about Nothing," which is an ode to Seinfeld. The D.C. product has got some heat and producers like 9th Wonder and LV and Sean C are on his debut album, Attention Deficit. 

Some Sporting News

If you are reading this, you probably know me. If you know me, you know I love sports. That being said, here are some thoughts.

NBA: The Lakers just acquired Ron Artest. The rich get richer. A lot of people are saying why would you give up Trevor Ariza when you just won a championship with him? Simple answer: Ron Artest is a better player. He can do more things on the court and will have the drive to get his first ring. The Lakers wanted him last year but couldn't get a deal done. People remember him for his knucklehead antics, Malice at the Palace anyone? Truth is, he is a great teammate with a big heart. Him and Kobe are friends, off the court, and respect each others competitiveness. If Phil Jackson can handle Dennis Rodman, he can handle Ron Artest.In-depth answer: Trevor Ariza is not as good as you think he is. He was a system player. A product of his environment. He thrived on defense and hit wide open threes when teams were doubling the incomparable Kobe Bryant. He was never any good before he got to L.A. and I have a feeling he won't be so good in Houston. Also, why was he demanding so much money? He should have been happy to sign for whatever L.A. offered him. They made him a world champion when before he barely got off the bench. Now he will fade into obscurity. At least he got paid. 

Dennis Lehane

I just finished reading "Shutter Island" by Dennis Lehane. If you don't know already this book is being made into a movie by the great Martin Scorcese (possibly the greatest director of all time). It stars Leonardo Dicaprio, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams and Mark Ruffalo. If it is anything like the book, which movies normally aren't, it will be great. Here is a link to the IMDB. Other books by Lehane are Mystic River(also a movie, directed by Clint Eastwood) and Coronado, among others. This man can write and if you are interested in great fiction, check him out.

More Sad News...

Just days after the King of Pop overdosed, Steve Mcnair is now dead. This is tragic. I would mention Farrah Fawcett but...I never really cared about her. Call me insensitive. What really gets me is the incline in MJ music sales after he died. So people have to wait for someone to die to listen to their music? I been listenin to Mike for years and will still be groovin to "Off the Wall" 20 years from now. I can't stand how people are glorified after they die but ridiculed while they are alive. When Michael was alive he was a skin-dying pedophile but now that he's dead he is made out to be some hero. I can't watch the news now without hearing about Debby Rowe and whats gonna happen to the kids...who gives a shit! This man is the greatest performer ever who influenced everyone from Justin Timberlake to that dumb group who covered "Smooth Criminal." We need to appreciate these people while they are alive, then maybe they wont resort to drugs and die. As for Steve McNair, all i can say is if you are gonna cheat on your wife, be a little more careful.

R.I.P.

Drake

For the past month or so the only thing in my CD player is a dude named Drake otherwise known as "Mr. Best I Ever Had." Complex magazine just listed his mixtape "So Far Gone" as the 3rd best album out this year...a mixtape! He is from Toronto and just signed with lil' wayne and Young Money. Don't sleep on this man. Oh yeah, if there are any Degrassi fans out there he played wheelchair Jimmy.