I have this same question, its Day 5 of my NBA boycott

My answer is: The league no longer wants to market itself with players like the legendary Allen Iverson, in spite of his talent. Its practically turning into a development league with a bunch of no name players unworthy of a marque, with a few exceptions (i.e. Lebron, Chris Paul, Carmelo, etc). But I live in Philly and they expect a player like Lou Williams to develop a scorer's mentality. Isn't that the reason A.I. was traded in the first place? Ridiculous. Nothing against Lou, I think he's a good player...coming off the bench.

I think teams want players they can control and mold into what they want versus a player that stays true to who they are and makes no excuses or exceptions. Players that won't challenge coaches or make demands. Its what you call a 40 Million Dollar Slave.

Lords of the Underground "Chief Rocka"

This is a goodie from 1993!

Miss Issa "Throw Up"

Finally a song that really expresses this urge, lol. I like it.

Wale: "If Tupac Had Twitter"

Wale poses some questions that I found myself answering out loud. People knew Pac was the from East Coast, so that wasn't breaking news when the beef started. Let's set the record straight it was Death Row vs. Bad Boy, the East vs. West was the media hype. And Pac wasn't even signed to Death Row he was still locked up. It was Suge calling out Puff at The Source Awards. So Pac had his own issues about being shot at the studio and Suge played on that and got him out of jail and signed him to Death Row. It was the perfect move.

During the days of Tupac, people got information by reading magazines and listening to the radio. All of the breaking news came via radio and usually a magazine like Vibe or The Source would do an in depth article in their next issue. I would say VIBE provided the best coverage during this time.

If twitter was around back in 95-96, Biggie would have sent Pac a direct message or texted him on his phone and they would have talked. It would have been over in a week I think, if not the day Pac got wheeled in the courtroom after being shot up the night before. And Pac didn't revolt against East Coast artists, they came at him first and he slayed them. He also never got a chance to build his empire the reason why he was killed, duh.

I still got love for Wale, he just needs a refresher course on his Tupac History, lol.

Weekend Fresh: Clipse respond to blog comments (Funny vid)

While We Were Stuck on Old Sh*t...Rihanna was making the funky dope moves

Nokia, Island Def Jam Music Group, Universal Music Group International & Superstar Artist Rihanna Announce Breakthrough Global Music Partnership

Nokia announced the launch of a groundbreaking new global music partnership - Nokia
Play 2010 - with the Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG) and Universal Music
Group International (UMGI). This announcement coincides with the global
availability of the Nokia X6, a powerful entertainment device in combination
with Comes With Music, Nokia's 'all-you-can-eat-music' offering.

Created to deliver unique and exclusive music content to fans around the
world, the partnership will see IDJMG & UMGI launch international superstar
Rihanna's highly-anticipated new album, Rated R, with Nokia via an exclusive
live, streamed concert and simultaneous listening parties in multiple
locations around the globe on November 16th 2009.

Streamed live from London, Rihanna will perform for the very first time a
select number of tracks from her new album. In front of fans in London and an
audience globally, the exclusive gig will showcase Nokia and IDJMG's ability
to bring fans closer to artists, and artists closer to fans via its home on
http://www.nokia.com/rihanna.

Click here to read more!

Jay-Z's BP3 2010 Tour Dates Announced

Opening Act will be Young Jeezy!

Confirmed Dates as of 11/5/09:

Feb 22 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Feb 23 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
Feb 25 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
Feb 27 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
Feb 28 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Mar 03 Washington, DC Verizon Center
Mar 07 Norfolk, VA Scope Arena
Mar 11 Boston, MA TD Garden
Mar 16 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena
Mar 19 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
Mar 20 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse
Mar 22 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
Mar 24 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
Mar 26 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center

Pre-Sale begins on November 10th. Additional information will be announced shortly for stops in East Rutherford, Uniondale, Atlantic City and Detroit. For complete ticket, tour and on sale information visit LiveNation.com.

Source: roc4life.com

The Jacksons - Can You Feel It

I'm Back

Between Septa strikes, midterms, and presentations. I'm back with a Throwback video.

Gangstarr ft. Nice & Smooth: "Dwyck"

Do they even still shoot videos in Atlantic City anymore? LOL. This song is still a must at a party, if its a real party, classic.

Hip Hop Honors (Spoof) Russell & Rick Recap (LOL)

Weekend Fresh: B.U.R.N.S means Be Ultimately Realistic & Never Sellout, New Doc Project from Kenny Burns

B.U.R.N.S. Documentary Trailer from KENNY BURNS on Vimeo.

Pharrell f/ Jay-Z "Frontin"

Getting ready for my presentation next week, so I'm in Pharrell mode. This is the summer I was on my grind: I worked, went to school, did my dream internship, and couldn't wait to get my damn degree (which sits in a storage box, horrible). 2003 was a very good year:) This is one of my favorite songs...enjoy!

Seduction "Heartbeat" Soul Train Performance (1990)

Thought the wiki on them was a great note in musical history. You always wonder what happened to your favorite groups. Here one day, then gone tomorrow. Now that I'm older I understand the business aspect of it all. Sidenote: I'm noticing variations of this look more and more on the streets.

From Wikipedia:
Seduction was a female dance-pop, urban contemporary, house music, and freestyle trio from New York assembled and produced by Clivilles and Cole of C+C Music Factory, consisting of members Idalis DeLeon (born 15 June 1966), April Harris (born 25 March 1967) and Michelle Visage (born 20 September 1968).

Originally intended as a studio project, Seduction's first single, "Seduction", featured lead vocals by Carol Cooper. The second single "(You're My One and Only) True Love" featured uncredited lead vocals by Martha Wash.[1] The song ended up becoming a hit, and a group was then assembled for the recording of the album Nothing Matters Without Love and subsequent singles. Their biggest hit came in early 1990 with "Two to Make It Right", a #2 pop hit. In mid-1990 DeLeon left the group and was replaced by Sinoa Loren (born 6 December 1966). After a pair of hits with this line-up, the group broke up in 1991.

DeLeon went on to become a prominent MTV VJ and actress on shows such as Living Single.

Michelle Visage performed guest vocals on the single "Crash" by freestyle act TKA, as well as the single "It's Gonna Be a Lovely Day" by C+C Music Factory alter-ego The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M. Visage later co-hosted a VH1 talk show show, the The RuPaul Show with RuPaul, and eventually went on to be a popular on-air personality for New York radio station WKTU. In 2005, Visage joined the morning show "The Morning Mix" on WNEW-FM "Mix 102.7" FM (now WWFS). She is currently the host of Sunny 104.3 Morning Show on WEAT-FM in West Palm Beach, Florida.

April Harris earned a Bachelor of Arts from Howard University’s School of Communication. She has held principal roles in the following plays: Dreamgirls (National Tour), Wicked Ways (National Tour), Smokey Joe’s Café (National Tour), Foot Loose (National Tour), Ain’t Misbehavin (National Tour), The Wiz, Medea and Beehive. She toured internationally with her all-female band (Koffee)being featured on the BET Soundstage Tour, Blackapalooza Tour and the U2/Kelis European Tour. In 2004, April started AVH Entertainment LLC, a music and TV production company. She owns the rights to the name Seduction and reassembled the group with two new members, Maria Flora and Eunice Quiñones, (Miss New York Latina 2006), and released an album of new material, Feel Brand New, AVH Entertainment in 2005. In addition to producing a TV show geared towards teens (still in production).

Carmelo Anthony Launches ThisIsMelo.com

NBA star Carmelo Anthony has really upped the ante with his new website, ThisIsMelo.com. The site not only serves as a way to get to know the Denver Nuggets forward, but also serves as a social networking host complete with member profiles and blogs. Its definitely worth a visit just to check it out. I personally think it gets a A+, for choosing a familiar brand formula using the "this is" in the title (the very popular thisis50.c0m) and I like when athletes make the effort to brand themselves outside of their leagues or team organizations.

Event: {GGT NYC} Green Light Luncheon - Sex & Relationships Edition

::THE DETAILS::

About the Green Light Luncheon
This informative luncheon series celebrates the special bond among women. At each event, inspirational speakers share insight from their personal experience, words of wisdom, and offer sound tools of encouragement while providing guidance to empower the lives of every woman in attendance.

This quarter's panelists are:

Alicia Marie Rivers
Editor. Author. & Self Esteem Specialist.
Pretty Thoughts of a Hot Chick

Erika Kendrick
Author. Producer. Thought Leader.
Confessions of a Rookie Cheerleader & Appetite

Demetria Lucas
Dating & Relationship Blogger
A Belle in Brooklyn.com

~ ~ ~

Saturday, October 10, 2009
11:00am - 2:00pm

Village Lantern
167 Bleecker St. @ Sullivan
New York, NY

TICKETS: $35 Online tickets*; $40 Door
*Advanced ticket purchasers receive giftbag*

For tickets, visit: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/82696


Questions? Contact us: (646) 867-2732 / info@GirlfriendsGetTogether.com

PunchlineTV Launches New Website

PunchLine TV launches its new website Punchlinetv.com. The website is a host to the PunchLine TV monthly series that airs on NYC TV 74, one Wednesday out of the month at 6pm.

Unlike any comedic filmed media, the raw shot interviews brings audiences a documentary stylized view of the personal truths of comedians with integrated glimpses of their funniest moments on stage.

Some featured comedians include Hailey Boyle from Carolines on Broadway, Marlon Randolph of Bill Bellamy’s Who Got Jokes, SNL's Dean Edwards, Queen Aishah, April Brucker, Drew Fraser from Comedy Central, A.G. White from FOX’s The Uptown Comedy Club and over 60 more reputable familiar faced and up and coming comedians.

PunchLine TV was created by new jack comedian Merv Jay, who felt there needed to be a platform for comedians to show not only their craft but to give an insider look into their lives. He wanted audiences to know the comedian behind the stage and “the real” behind the laughs.

PunchLine TV currently has a sister network, PunchLine Radio. PunchLine Radio broadcasts on Fridays 3-5pm in the Brooklyn, New York area on BCAT Channel 70 through Medgar Evers College and 10am-12pm on ThatsGoodRadio.com

For more information contact E. Lane, BrooklynBiznessGirl at 347-613-3135 or worldwidecomedy@gmail.com.

Log on to PunchlineTV.com

It's A Mary October

FFAWN, The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now, has announced the following events in which their co-founder, Mary J. Blige will be honored and/or performing this month:

On October 14th - Mary J. Blige will perform for the New York Women's Foundation Gala.

October 17th - The 4th Annual Black Girls Rock Awards 2009 will honor Mary J. Blige. The Awards will be hosted by celebrated actresses Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross at the New York Times Center.

October 22nd - Mary J. Blige will present Gucci's Frida Giannini with the Superstar Designer of the Year Award.

October 22nd - The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mary J. Blige Center for Women will take place. GUCCI has confirmed that Frida Giannini will attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony along with Mary and other members of the FFAWN Board of Directors.

October 26th - Mary J. Blige will receive the 2009 Breaking Barriers Award at the 22nd Annual Awards Dinner.

Also on October 20th - FFAWN Co-Founder, Steve Stoute will be the keynote speaker at the Pew Forum, "Philanthropy and Democracy: An Insider's Look at Policy Change," in Washington, DC. The forum will assemble national thought leaders and government officials, as well as many of America's most prominent philanthropists, with the goal of inspiring solutions to many of today's most pressing challenges. Steve Stoute will speak about how he transitioned from marketing maverick to philanthropist and became the co-founder of FFAWN.

For more information about FFAWN, visit FFAWN.org. Make sure to subscribe to their newsletter for updates.

Weekend Fresh: Pharrell's Hermes Hoodie

You know I rarely do Fashion Fix features, but this masterpiece of clothing right here that Pharrell is rocking is Absolutely Dope!!! It is so 88!!! It shits on you slowly because at first glance you're thinking grey hoodie nothing special but then its like....DAMMMNNNN!!!! (25 days and counting until the Jay-Z tour road trip to B-More, yay!).

Source: blog.honeyee.com/pharrell

Classic Footage: Puff, Kim & Cease in NYC "Crush On You" Live (1997)

Long day at the factory...I was asked to name my best concert today. One of my favorites was the No Way Out Tour back in 1997. So I chose a performance from that year for today's Throwback Thursday pic. Hope you enjoy. I'm somewhat delirious for getting up so early, lol.