"Driving Herself Crazy Like The Astronaut Lady"

Buddy Aces & Sir Ivy pimpin...



Lord, I pray to you one of these days, that will be me in a picture like that.



And on that note... I'm out.

Bangin' On Ya Eardrum!!!!

It seems around this time every year, one of my favorite artist peforms a free live set at Amoeba Music in Hollywood. Last year, it was The Roots. This year, it's none other than BK representa, one half of Blackstar & Reflection Eternal, Talib Kweli. As you should know, Kweli new and long overdue L.P, "Eardrum" is dropin' in record stores tommorrow. So Kweli decided to show the Left Coast coast a little love and perform a free set at Amoeba.

For my outta state readers who don't know about Amoeba, let me tell you about this store real quick. It is simply put a music lovers paradise. I really think I could spend my life saving in that place if I am not careful. This store is wall to wall of new and hard to find LP, CD, tapes, EVEN 8-Tracks!!! Yes, you read right, 8-Tracks. It is also stores thousands of videos and DVD's a well. There are three locations in California: one in Berkeley (by the Bay Area), San Francisco, and the one in Hollywood. Amoeba is also a indie record store with a purpose. A percentage of you pay for your product goes to their organization to save the rainforest. Now who couldn't say music couldn't change the world?

I have never seen Kweli live before, so I really looking forward to see him live and up close. The store was pack wall to wall, and the homie A.D (this was his first concert by the way) and I barely got their to get the last back row in the store. They have a stage build in the first level of the store, so the performances are in the store itself. Simply put, Kweli did the damn thang. It was my first time hearing some of the new material from Eardrum (outside of the million street singles he has put out in the last year), and this album sound bananaz. He showed how a true MC should move the crowd. I have never seen an known artist, with an set list, freestyle so much, and kill it everytime he opens his mouth. He even brought out Blacksmith signee's, (and West Coast Representers as well), Strong Arm Steady to rock the stage a little bit. I hoping he would bring out Jean Grae, but I guess I gotta go to a full Kweli show for that. This was the setlist if I can remember (and a lot of this is out of order):

1. Move Something (From RE: Train Of Thought)
2. Listen! (From Eardrum)
3. Say Something (From Eardrum)
4. The Blast (From RE: Train Of Thought)
5. Old School (From DangerDoom's "The Mouse and The Mask")
6. Get By (From Quality)
7. Hostle Gospel (From Eardrum)
8. NY Weather Report (From Eardrum)
9. Hot Thing (From Eardrum)
10. Go With Us feat. Strong Arm Steady (From Eardrum)
11. Give 'Em Hell (From Eardrum)
12. Too Late (From RE: Train Of Thought)
13. Funny Money (From Liberation with Madlib)

That was cool for him to do a full, 45 minute for free like that.

Now for the question I know most of you have been asking yourself while reading this, "How did I get a copy of Eardrum (autographed at that),when it doesn't even come out until tommorrow?" Well, he's what Amoeba did. You paid for the CD then, and they gave you the album booklet, so you can meet Kweli and get it signed. Then you can come back to Amoeba when the album drops tommorow and pick up your copy with your marked receipt. At first, I was a little annoyed by the idea having to drive all the way back to Hollywood to pick up my CD (that a hour long drive with traffic where I am now). I mean, shit, the album was leaked on the Internet over three weeks ago, and drops tommorrow. You could have said "fuck it," and started to sell the CD tonight. But I was planning to buy two copies anyway if I went: one would be the signed one I put away, and the other one will be the one that gets the daily rotation, so it was cool. I'll just buy my "rotation" copy at a store close to me this week, and go pick it up at Amoeba this weekend when I have time.

Kweli is a real cool dude in person. I had to keep the conversation short to keep the line moving. But when I ever meet an artist that has impacted and inspired me, I always make sure I thank them for that and to keep making music true to themselves; because regardless of what soundscan may say, there is and will always be an audience for real music. I wanted to get a picture with him to put up here, but because he had a plane to catch (and I believe he missed it), the store said no pictures so everyone can have time to get their covers signed. But it that did not take away the great experience it was.

One other thing, I always say regardless of any Hip-Hop show I am at, I will always see one of two things: a Wu-Tang shirt/hat and or a dude with a Dilla shirt. As I was in line to meet Kweli, the dude in the Dilla shirt goes, "Hey, didn't I see you at the Common Secret Show last month?" That when we stated to talk and found out we have been going to same shows for the past year and never ran into each other. The Tribe show, the Roots/Lupe/Jill Scott Show, the Common Show @ LMU, and the Common show for Yahoo, we were both at them shows and never ran into each other. Turns out, he is a DJ/Producer like I am and we started to chop it out about music. We even exchanged Okayplayer names, lol!!! He is intending U-Penn and is leaving next week. We plan on kickin' it when he comes back to go diggin for some records.. lol!!! It's a DJ/Producer thing, some of ya'll wouldn't understand. I feel really bad that I cannot fully remember his name right now, but this always happens with when I meet new people. I need to hear the name a couple times to remember it. But yo dawg, you got my info... holla!!!

Special Dedication...


To my homegirl, Happy Birthday Shawty!!! (8.21.07)

And on that note... I'm out.

"DJ Chuck is his name/cuttin' and scratchin are the essence of his game."

(Taken Last Summer at My Grandmother's house mixing for her end of summer bbq)

Just remind ya'll, 1nce again I was on my homegirl Wanja's weekly podcast "I Still Love H.E.R." on the 1s and 2s. It was an all West Coast Edition, so you know I had to represent. You can download the show here. It's real Hip-Hop ya dig? Hit me back with ya thoughts.

http://istillloveher.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2007-08-13T05_28_19-07_00

And on that note... I'm out.

"The Fall Breeze Is Coming, No More Summer Humid..."

(Taken myself during the week of my Freshman Orientation last summer)

It has been a busy week. Reason being I have not posted anything new in almost a week. This week has been made up putting some touches on beats for V.I.S.I.O.N.S (all the beats are done! Now, it's a 15 track jump off), and packing to move back to college. As I am typing this, I currently broadcasting live and direct from my new dorm from Marymount College and bumpin Justin Timberlake... lol!!! School does not begin until August 27, but the reason why I'm here so early is I'm a part of the S.O.S. Orientation crew and I gotta help the new incoming freshman get settled in properly, ya dig?

The last two days have been funny has hell. From the moment I stepped back on to the housing dorms, it seemed like the drama fest began, and my school IS FULL OF THAT SHIT!!! I don't wanna go into details (because there are other people involved and I don't spread rumors, ya dig?), but one of these stories involved my house already be occupied, some students from Korea, and a computer monitor... LMAO!!! I don't feel like typing out the whole story right now, but if you wanna know, just holla. Believe me, it was some funny shit.

There are some other some other funny details that I found about about this upcoming school year I cannot talk about just yet, but will in future entry. I know is this year is going to be eventful in various ways. I'm already in grind mode... bump what you heard, The Legendary General is back!!! LOL!!!

As packed up the other day, I started to think about what happened the around this time last year the day before I moved out. Peep the Scenario: for those of you who are just getting to know myself and my company, Honor Flow Productions, last year we released our first full L.P entitled "Fall 2 Greatness." The title was thought up by Key, in his thinking was this was not just any Fall, but THE FALL. The fall of new beginning and the new life we about to make ourselves. This L.P started as just a mixtape but over the course of a six month period (from June 2006-December 2006), after numerous changes and additions, it became the first original work from H.F.P. At this point in time, H.F.P. was only four members: Key, my best friend Anthony, my step-father's, best friend's son, D, who is a singer, and myself. Many other members of the crew had left had they left town for college. I met Buddha, A.D, Terry, and Paul all at college and they did not jump on the record until the last 2 and 1/2 months of recording.

At this point, the album was 12 tracks and I though was almost done. But time was running close, and Key and I wanted to get everything recorded before we moved out for college. But time went by, compilations arose, and as it would turn out, we would only have one day to write AND record the remaining 8 songs. And really, we did not have a full day, because Key at first could not get up to my crib. Thank God Stephen offered to give him a ride (I still owe you for that one dawg). It was around 11:30 in the morning by the time he arrived at my house. Mind you, except for one, all of the beats were done, the concepts for these records were already thought out, and Ant and D's vocals had aready been recorded over a period of that month when they came to visit me. For Key and I, it was now just a matter of execution.

Key and I would end up finishing all eight songs that day. Funny this is, only 3 of those songs recorded that day the final 19 track album. As a matter of fact, only 5 joints from the orignial 12 track demo made the final cut; 2 of those later I re-recorded the vocals and D's solo track "Why I Can't (Be The One For You)", I ended up redoing the beat and removing my 16 bar rap after the bridge. Many of these demos had been laying on my hard drive and only listened to by myself for my own personal amusement, until now.

I thought this would be fun to post those eight songs Key and I recorded that day and give a brief liner note on each track. Some of these tracks are the original demos, some of these are the album versions because I do not have the demo versions anymore. So, with out further ado, let me take you back to that hot August day in my room...

1) Fall 2 Greatness (Original Demo)


Key and I had recorded a version of this song with the same lyrics about a week before over this 9th Wonder instrumental I found online. But neither of us did not liked the finish product. It was that same week I had decide to do more original production on F2G and less "mixtape style" songs with us rapping over all artist's beats. A title track to any album is important because it is supposed to define the what the album is about. This song is that, as it reflect Key and I putting a close on our high school lives and saying hello to manhood. This why the beat has such a dramatic feel to it and has always reminded me of a scene in a movie where the hero is racing to the finish line and he or she finds that inner strength to finish; hince the military sounding drum pattern and synth bell loops. This was the first song we recorded that day, and I actually did get my verse in the first take. Nice was to start the day. This song remains one Key's favorites.

2) Vibin


I remember writing the first verse of this song while riding the D.C Metro Subway. I was in D.C while there for the NAACP Act-So competition. For some reason that trip, I was listening to "Bring It On" by Jay-Z on repeat. So the the song's instrumental, provided by NY's boom-bap king, DJ Premier, was stick in my head as I wrote this rhyme. So when I went home, and tried to make a beat for this song, I wanted to create my own Preemo boom-bap sounding beat... close but no cigar.

3)On My Mind


The "Females Are Complicated" joint. The first verse was me talking about my previous relationship from that past school year (FYI, I just found out this week she getting married), while Key's verses found him talking about his then girlfriend at time, Tarasha, with D providing the hook. I remember being stuck while trying to write my last 12 bars of the 3rd verse and puting on The Roots' "Complexity" for inspiration. This why my last 12 bars has a Black Thought-est feel to it. Plus the line of "like J. Clark rise above it" was a nod to a teammate of Key and I's on our High School track team. He actually won the California state championship in high jump this year and will be attending UCLA this fall on a full scholarship.

4) Move Around


My attempt at a Hypty beat... LMAO!!!! This beat was actually produced by D and myself. Since he is from San Jose, he wanted to make a tribute to his beloved Bay Area. He also begged me to let him rap of this. So this is why he is rapping at the beginning of the song. The "Hey Hey Heys" in the back was recorded in my bathroom at about 3 in the morning by D and I to avoid waking anyone up. Unfortunately, I still ended up waking up my sister out of a cold sleep. Although I still love the storyteling feel to the song, this shit make me wonder what I was thinking in even contemplating leaving this on the album. Thank you Ant for talking some sense into me on this one, lol!!!

5) Last Stand


Next to "Summer Madness," this was my favorite "mixtape" style joint we have done. All you Blackstar fantatics may recognize this as the Pete Rock Remix to "Respiration." The concept was I wanted all the orignial H.F.P members to come together for one more song before everyone went to college. Problem was two them had a fall out the night of graduation at the party they threw and could not stand being near each other anymore (they still have not talked to each other to this day). That is why I had to rap on the third verse. That was not planned at first. I even addressed this on the verse if you listen closely. Another reason I love this song was because this was of my favorite verses from Ant. The "I don't lean with it, I don't rock with it/I just step on my board, I just grind with it," line makes us laugh to this day. Shit, I have tears in my ears right now while type this from laughing about it now!!! What makes it even more funny was when the line came with it, Ant and I thought it would be great to put some snaps in the back to give it an "authentic" snap music feel. The other thing I love about this verse was my scratching at the end. The line was taken from Eminem joint "Encore." The line "Let's rally, hands up for the grand finally" couldn't has spoke truer. This was going to be the closing track.

6) 2 Many Rappers


This is how Key and I felt fell about Hip-Hop last summer, and honestly, we still feel like this. I'm sure many of you have heard a song before and go "How in the hell did (Fill in a Wack MC's name here) get signed?" This is what Key and I were touching on in this song. For the song's intro, I was trying to find a wack song playing on the radio to play through the mic and then do my little "goin' off" moment of how wack it was. For some old reason, that day, the radio was not playing any wack songs. At the time, Key and I were hungry as hell and could not think of a wack song to play. If you know Key as well as I do, you know he starts acting real goofy he does not get something in his stomach. This is when the golden moment struck. I could not stand D4L's "Laffy Taffy," (and to this day I still can't even listen to even 5 Seconds of that song!). I thought those niggas should be arrested if they ever touch a mic again. And Key, at his goofyness highest, out the blue, started to sing the hook to Laffy Taffy. That's when the idea hit. I went in the booth and started to vocally mimic the synth loop from the song, then I told Key to go in the booth and start singing "Laffy Taffy." Once my sister came in and added Fabo's "Candy Girl" line, it was a rap, lol!!! This is the actual album version.

7) 1,2,3


This song contains another favorite verse of my mine from Ant. This beat reminded me of crusing down the Vence Boardwalk on a Skateboard or a Bike (or a Razor Scooter that day in that case, lol). This song contains the H.F.P term, "50 Skittles." This is play off what Jay-Z said at the beginning of the remix of Missy Elliot's "One Minute Man," "50 Grand I get this in one take!!!" Shit, we don't have 50 Grand to throw around like Hov. However, we can afford the big movie size bag of skittles for $2.00, lol!!! So we would say "50 Skittles I get this in one take," instead of 50 grand. The thing makes me crunge about this song is, so the album could fit on the 80 Minute CD, had to cut down Key's show stealing verse, which was too long. Actually, that is the album version and the second time I had to cut the verse down, because he rewrote his verse and re-recorded. But it was STILL to long! You can hear his verse actually cut off at the end. Sorry dawg.

8) Comin' To The Stage


This track was made in not the 11th hour, but in the 11th minute. This was the one beat that was not made before that day. I made this beat in 30 minutes, right before Key had to leave. It is very minimalistic, but that why it bangs so much. I remember Key in front of the microphone, shuffing about 3 pages of raps while delilvering this. At the part when he says "I'm gonna change up the flow," that him shuffing paper. He rips this beat apart!! He was a little mad when I ended up taking this off the album. Maybe one of these days we'll revamp this joint and go at it again.

9) On The Verge (Intro)


This was the orignial intro to the album. This was recorded actually a week before the eight track jam session. It was a continuation of our conversation intro from the "Summer Madness Vol. 1" mixtape. This was just us choppin it up. No script or anything, this was just Key and I pressing record and talking about what is going on in our lives at time. Some of the inside jokes you would only get if you heard the S.M Vol. 1 intro would be first, the phone always ringing during our conversation, two, the term "Seductive Sweat," which is is a term that is used between the homies and I describing how a girl looks sexy sweating, while dancing in the club (fellas you know what I'm talking about right?), and three, my dreams of meeting different celebrities (after taking Psychology last semester, I can only guess it reflects my inner ambitions, as dreams can do for people). The last part was us talking about Ant and I going to a club the week before and madness that went down. Key didn't want to go with us that night because he did not want to do something that he might regret (he was with Tarasha at time). He made a wise decision... LOL!!!!

I hope all of you have enjoyed this little walk down H.F.P. memory lane. I really enjoyed writing this and revisiting these tracks. This was the beginning of what you know now. So when you hear V.I.S.I.O.N.S, you will understand how all this started, and see how far we have come.

And on that note... I'm Out.

No...No...NO!!!! Vol. 2

"Mr. Beautiful Girls" Sean Kingston ridin' high in his new ride. I guess this is one of the new Hot Wheels that comes with the Happy Meals.

MC Rove Has Left The Building

If you stay up on politics and your worldly issues, you would know that today President Bush's chief political strategist, and right hand man of 30 plus years, Karl Rove has resigned from his post and will leave office at the end of this month. Many call Rove "the Geppetto" to Bush's "Pinocchio," always in the mix when the president has to make an important decision. Bush nicknamed him "The Architect." While many may argue that Rove does not have any say in foreign policy (which I highly believe otherwise), he is the most important individual in the White House when it comes to domestic policy. Some of his "babies" would include the workers program for illegal immigrant and the huge tax cut that only a small percentage of the United States population is enjoying.

Rove is known to be the go to man in running a campaign for the republican party. He also known to be "The Republican Democrats Loved To Hate." If you have even wondered where The Bush Adminstration's "take no prisoners" attitude came from, look no farther than Karl Rove. It has been this attitude that has caused a even wider division to be felt within the county. Potential Democratic presidental candidate Sen. Barack Obama commented to the Associated Press on Rove's resignation by stating:

"Karl Rove was an architect of a political strategy that has left the country more divided, the special interests more powerful, and the American people more shut out from their government than any time in memory."

Of course, since Rove is an intricate of the Bush regime, he has caught more than his share of controversy. Most notable would be his involvement in the criminal investigation of the leaking of the identity of former CIA agent Valerie Plame. Rove testified 5 times before a federal grand jury, and all 5 times, it seems he had a different story than the last time. While his testimonies has raised questions, he was never charged with any kind of crime.

There was one other thing that Rove was known for... being a complete smart ass. It seems this dude was more of a "attention whore" than Al Sharpton and 50 Cent combined


Got anything to say now Al? (Special thanks to Illseed at Allhiphop.com for the picture. I read the rumors everyday dawg. Keep em coming).

It seems whenever there was a camera present, Rove provided entertainment as bad as a washed up Las Vegas one man show. The act that sticks out of my mind was of course when Rove tried to become an MC. Yes, you read right, Karl Rove tried to rap. This was at the Radio Television Correspondents Assistants Dinner back in March. This is what these clowns REALLY think of Hip-Hop. It is jackasses (or Peckerwoods as my grandmother would say) like these make me want to rap even more to piss them off.



Wait, did he actually say he likes to "rip the head of small animals??!?!" And what is up with the "Uncle Tom," Issac Hayes looking negro in the back as the background dancer?

And just for the hell of it, I going to throw this up here too...


Ladies and Gentleman, our leaders of the free world... scary ain't it?

Of course since I am a DJ, I always have to send out special deciations. And so, to Karl Rove, A.K.A "MC Rove," congratuations on your "retirement" and this song goes out to you and the rest of The Bush Administration...



And on that note... I'm out.

Drawing "The Blueprint"

The Originators With Jaz-0



I take it most of you have seen this video before (Hawaiian Sophie With Jaz). 34 seconds in, check out Jay in the background coming outta no where on the bungie cord... LMAO!!!



A Freestyle Session On The Stretch & Bobbito Radio Show from '95 with the late, great Big L. This is worth listening the whole 7 minutes... trust me.



BK Calabo... PLEASE!!!!! (And throw Mos in there for good measure too).



And on that note... I'm out.

Eternal Reflection

Every producer has his or her favorite tracks that they like to play when need of inspiration. Just a little something to get the brain going. This is one of mine. I love how the bass on this song sounds in my car. If you don't have this album, you need it! Feel The Blast ya'll, Happy Saturday.



(At the beginnng of the video)Revolver Ocelot? Any Metal Gear Soild fans here?

The "Negro Please" Quote Of The Day:
"Let's raise the stakes, if Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I'll no longer [perform] music. I'll write music and work with my other artists, but I won't put out any more solo albums."

-50 Cent

Just because of that, I'm buying two copies of "Graduation"


And on that note... I'm out.

Jeff N Fest

This has to be the my 4th or 5th blog about a Chicago MC. But the Chi is not only home to my grandmother (Southside at that), but also home to some of my favorite MCs. Kanye, Common, Lupe, and this man right here, a "freestyle fanatic" (c) Phife Dawg, Rhymefest. After years on the battle circuit (check Youtube for the footage), and earning a Grammy as co-writer of Ye' now classic "Jesus Walks," 'Fest finally signed a deal through Mark Ronson's label Allido Records and J Records. His debut, "Blue Collar," had some great moments: the intro from Q-Tip, right into the Just Blaze produced "Dymomite," (I never heard somebody scratch up J.J from Good Times), to the bragadous first single "Brand New" with Kanye, to "Fever" (I love that song live, he killed it on Jimmy Kimmel that night), to notion that "All Girls Cheat," to the brillant chopping of The Strokes "Someday" on "Devil's Pie, "Sister" with Eddie Kendericks "Intimate Friends" chop (I love that sample), to unbelievable story telling on "Bullet," to finally the hilarious "duet" with the late, great Ol' Dirty Bastard on their rendition of "Build Me Up Buttercup."

Now 'Fest is back with his new album "El Che" dropping later on this year. From the tracks I have heard, he is on the right track. Of course the track that shocked everyone the most was the joint he did with Lil' Jon, "Angry Black Man On An Elevator." When I first heard he was working with Lil' Jon, of course my initial reaction was "Oh Lord, Jon is going to give 'Fest 'Get Low' part 40 (tell me I not only one that thinks Jon's beats sound the same)." But as it turns out, Lil' Jon for once expanded his producing game and came with something new. This is not suprising to me because I have seen videos and read articles about how Lil' Jon is open and knows music. Well, I really hope I see more of this, because the ship that he named "Crunk" is dying a slow but sure death. As a matter of fact, I believe this whole Southern Explosion started with Jon's "Get Low" back in the summer of 2003, but that's a whole 'nother story for another blog, for 'nother day.

Earlier this year, 'Fest had a guest appearance on one of my favorite albums this year, DJ Jazzy Jeff's "The Return Of The Magnificent," with "Jeff N Fess," a reflipping of Gang Starr's "Manifest." Now, he and Jeff are back at it for "El Che." This video documents their couple of days in the studio. This video is comedy. LMAO at the Jill Scott line and Jeff always fixing 'Fest chicken!! You will only understand this if you watch the video.



The "Negro Please" Quote of The Day:
Vibe Magazine interviewing Plies of "Shawty" fame

Vibe: "Plies is an interesting name for a rapper, how did you get that nickname?"

Plies: "Plies is a tool, You can use it to put the squeeze on things, like I'm doing to these n***as in the rap game. I got the squeeze on them real tight, they feeling the pressure, or you can use it to pull things out. I pull out all the bulls**t and keep the real you feel me? It also a word you can use in terms of things goin' on in yo life, ya dig. You may hear something I say and say that it plies to me. Plies straight to me."


Vibe: "I've heard of a tool called a Pliers and the term applies."


Plies: "You know what I'm trying to say my n***a, just buy my album, I'm from the South my n***a, we don't learn no grammar. My Album out August 7, 2007, cop three copies each, it's Christmas in July fo' real, ya dig?

My peoples from the South, I gotta get ya'll opinion on this one.



This is when 'Fest opened for A Tribe Called Quest for their reunion tour last year.

I gotta got get my haircut, ya dig? So on that note... I'm out.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger...

Before he was a college dropout and registered late...



Mr. West is now getting ready for "Graduation"

1. Goodmorning
2. Homecoming (Feat. Chris Martin)
3. Stronger
4. Champion
5. Goodlife (Feat. T-Pain)
6. I Wonder
7. Even More Broke Phi Broke (Skit)
8. Can’t Tell Me Nothing
9. Drunk And Hot Girls (Feat. Mos Def)
10. Everything I Am (Scratches by DJ Premier)
11. Goodnight (Feat. Mos Def & Al Be)
12. Big Brother
13. Graduation (Skit)
14. The Glory

It's going to be on September 11th. And for the record, I'm glad to see Black Dante getting some guest appearance work. I hope he lays a verse down, and not just sings (although I enjoy Mos' singing as well). Also, I'm glad 'Ye brought back a "Broke Phi Broke" skit. I was in tears when I first heard those skits on L.R.



As you read this now, Barry Bonds is now the reigning home run king with a career number of 756 home runs, passing the Hank Aaron. I going to keep this short and sweet. While this may be unthinkable coming from a Dodger fan (for those of you who don't watch baseball, the San Francisco Giants are our rivals. Do you research on our histroic history), I am happy for Barry. Yeah, I said it. And let me tell you why. Baseball can only blame itself for it's cheating ways. Performance enhancers have been a part of the game like hot dogs and baseball gloves. Shoot, cheating in general has been some what tolerated in "America's pastime:" Spit/Snot balls, tar, corking bats, pitching to bean the batter (aka Chin Music), stealing signs (although I do not see this as cheating. This is just the catchers fault for not cover the signals better), the list goes on. Cheating is a part of baseball, just as fixing fights is to boxing. Furthermore, Major League Baseball has had MULTIPLE opportunites to "clean up" the game, only to turn their heads and played stupid.

The face expression on MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's face and the image of him putting his hands in his pockets and without a clue to do next after Bonds hit 755 was priceless. It resembled the look I would give my mother when I did something wrong. That dumb founded, "Scooby Doo" look. It is when displaying this look that I would realize "I fucked up." And Bud Selig had that same feeling and phrase running through his head that night. Now, this whole thing is not Bud Selig's fault, as these problems long existed before he became commissioner of baseball, it is just he had an opportunity to go down in history to be the man who "helped clean up baseball," only to become Charlie Brown on the pitcher's mount.

So, any sportswriters, fans, and or anyone else who wants to throw shots at Barry Bonds should not just throw stones at him, but at Bud Selig and the game itself. The problem is not Barry Bonds, ALTHOUGH HE IS WRONG FOR TAKING THE PERFORMANCE ENHANCERS IF HE DID SO (I wanted to put that in bold print you know I am not for cheating). The problem is baseball. Barry is not the first, not the only, and more than likely, will not be the last to be called under question for being tight with Balco products or any other performance enhancers. Barry Bonds is not a disgrace to baseball, Barry Bonds has only become a symbol of the disgrace the game has become in regards to fair play. Baseball is just angry that the hand that fed them for so long has now bit them. So baseball, in the words of Lucy, you are all just a bunch of BLOCKHEADS!!!!

One other thing... COMMON HAS THE NUMBER ONE ALBUM IN THE COUNTRY THIS WEEK!!!! That's what's up!!! Now, we need to get it to gold, then platinum. If you have not copped Finding Forever, you are missing out on one of the best, if not the best, Hip-Hop album this year. If you find yourself complaing 24/7 about Hip-Hop on the radio and on MTV & BET, and want to make change to create balance in Hip-Hop, here is your chance to do. As a matter of fact, there are many more chances coming up. Talib Kweli's "Eardrum" is FINALLY dropping 2 weeks from today, Little Brother has the "Getback" dropping next month, 9th Wonder's solo joint drops October 9th, Lupe's "The Cool" could be here by Halloween, and of course we have "CURRRRRTIS (c) Camrom" Vs. Ye on 9/11. Make a statement, DON'T BOOTLEG OR DOWNLOAD DOPE MUSIC (only do this with wack records). Cop these albums at your local record stores or online on I-Tunes. Show that we, the people, control Hip-Hop. Not record companies, not radio, not the media, THE PEOPLE!!!

The "Negro Please" Quote Of The Day:
"My first blow job was from a man, but I didn't know it was a man. That's where that comes from. It's based on personal experience. It happens to a lot of people. That happens to a lot of heterosexuals. You meet a girl in a bar, and it turns out she's not a girl. I think a girl should tell you if she's a girl or a man--that way it's your preference. It's comedy.”

- Brett Ratner, Director of The Rush Hour movies, Money Talks, X-3, etc.

Brett, honestly dawg, you really should have kept that to yourself. But don't worry, you will get my $7 for Rush Hour 3 this Friday. So you really didn't have tell me your crazy experience with a transsexual to drive me to movie theatre.

I was rocking with "The Platform" yesterday, and decided to really give "Expansion Team" a listen to day. Oooooooooohhhh!!! This beat is now in my Preemo Top 5. The way the beat changes up is bananaz!!!



And on that note, I'm out.

"The Circus Is Closed Down" (c) J. Dilla

This is what Dilla jokingly answered to Mr. Choc back in 2004 during an interview on Power 106's "Friday Night Flavas" when asked about Common's infamous 5th album, "Electric Circus,"(I'm still mad they took off that show. "The Wake Up Show" is the only good radio show left!). Many see E.C as the one "dark spot" in Com's catalog. Sure it was far out, sure most people would not get it, and sure some many even go so far in blaming the eclectic feel of the album on Com's then relationship with a certain singer known to wear a headwrap on stage. But you cannot knock Com and The Soulquarians (a production team made up of ?uestlove, Dilla, Philly keyboardist James Poyser, among others) for pushing the boundaries. You can't make "Like Water For Chocolate" twice.

I have a confession to make. As big a fan I am of Com's, along with "Can I Barrow A Dollar," E.C is the only Com album I do not own. For some old reason, I always make an excuse when I go record shopping not to buy it. I have had that album in my hands a couple of times while heading for the register before changing my mind and buying something else. I usually one to not read reviews and decide about an album (or movie) on my own, but E.C has been dogged so much, it makes you not want to buy the album (thank you Okayplayer Haters (c) Talib Kweli). But over the years, I have heard bits and pieces of E.C. Of course you can not deny "Come Close." I remember buggin' out late last year when finding out The Neptunes were behind that. For years I thought it was The Soulquarians. Another Pharrell and Chad track called "I Gotta Right Ta," (Key put me on this one), and other joints I can not think of right now. But everytime I heard something from the album, I always had the same reply, "This is some shit right right here." And although I liked it, I don't know why I have still not bought it.

It has been 5 years since E.C and for some reason everyone wants to play cornerback and backpeddle, saying things such as they liked it the whole time, and Dilla, Com, and Co. were geniuses for recording an album so experimental. Pussss!! Ne-gro please!! This is not the first time fickle Hip-Hop fans have pointed fingers at Dilla and Com. This is the same Dilla you blamed for "ruining" A Tribe Called Quest and same Common you said that "fell off." Don't try to front and jump on the bandwagon. It's perfectly fine to change your mind and said it grew on you, but don't lie and say you liked it the whole time. Sure it is not my favorite album from Com, but I'm not going to front and said it is to look trendy. Give them their credit for being artistic and pushing Hip-Hop into foreign terriories, but don't ride their nuts and say you like the album the whole time. Stop it!!!

Since Com is on the verge of having his first album to debut at number one this week(and The Roots were in Common's hometown of Chicago for a performance at Lollipolooza), ?uestlove thought it would be appropriate not only to tell the tale of the Circus, but to also post unused demos from the album. It is on his myspace. Here is the link.

www.myspace.com/questlove

This is a great read, and if you are a Myspace member (like everyone else and their mamas are), give the man 2 kudos. As far as me buying E.C, I think it is finally time. Mostly like next paycheck I'll buy a ticket to the wildest show on wax.

As an extra piece, here is that interview I was referring to in the beginning. You gotta love Okayplayer for the rare user hook ups. The funniest part of the interview(besides Madlib ditching the inteview to make a beat in the radio green room on his portable Beat Doctor), is DJ, Beat Junkie, and later touring DJ for Dilla, J. Rocc putting Dilla on blast playing the orignial samples he used on his songs. Apparently, Dilla was a little nervous, most likely thinking to himself "this dude is going to cost me thousands in attorney fees if he doesn't stop(if you know where I'm going with this)."

BTW, the picture of Dilla in the album cover box was drawn by my homeboy Brennon. Brennon was also the dude who designed the logo for H.F.P.



Lastly, finally completed my Dilated Peoples' album collection today (just came in the mail from CDNow.Com)...






This has been my jam all day...


And on that note, I'm out.

In 2007, We're Gonna Help You See Clear Vol. 1

Studio Sessions Day 1 & Day 2:













7 Years of writing rhymes, hundreds of pause tape beats, 4 years of DJing, 2 Mixtapes, 1 Group L.P, 1 Group E.P, a radio show, 19 years of growth, a dream and the grace of God has brought me to this point. I have been waiting to record my official debut album for a long time. As it would turn out, I will not be making this journey alone. But I couldn't have been blessed more with a better friend and "partner in rhyme" then Keyon. His thoughts and point of view helps broaden this album, while helping maintain the tread essence of our message. We have one of those working relationships where our chemistry can be non-verbal. We know what needs to be done and how to do it without saying a word. I guess that is in part why we are close friends.

We were friends way before I founded H.F.P. As a matter of fact, he did not know I rhymed until late into our Freshman year of High School. We met through trying out for the basketbal team (he played all four years, I was cut all four years). I also did not know he wrote poetry until late sophomore year. Is was not until the end of our junior year did I ask him if he wanted to start turning those poems to songs. The concept of us recording an album together was conceived almost a year and a half ago. But I going to leave the full story behind the album for the liner notes. I will have those posted here and on H.F.P's Myspace page once the album is out.

Sidenote, the dark brotha in the first picture is Stephen, a homeboy of Key & I's that went to high school with us. Keep came through to hang out with us and kick one of the funniest freestyles I have ever heard. I may posted it up here one of these days. Oh, one other thing, I usually not one to give out details on projects I'm working on until right up to the release, but I can tell you this...

1. The album's name (if you don't know by now)-
V.I.S.I.O.N.S

2. The MCs that are so cold, they make mics freeze-
DJ Chuck "thE oLd SouL" & Key-Real "The Poet"

3. Production-
All handled by your truly

4. Guest Appearances-
Some people I've worked with before, somebody I have not worked with before.

5. How many tracks?-
14 Bangas with 2 Interlude Beats stuck somewhere in between (a la Pete Rock, Soulquarians).

6. When Does It Drop?-
This September

DJ Chuck & Key-Real- V.I.S.I.O.N.S.
In 2007 We're Gonna Help You See Clear... Coming September 2007

Yahoo has finally posted that Common show Key, P, and myself was at 2 and a half weeks ago. Just go to Yahoo, click on music, and you'll see it under "Nissan Live Sets." Three of us were on the left side of the stage and could be seen clearly at some points (if you look hard). It was easy to point myself out because I had a hat on (plus my glasses were reflecting off the camera like a mirror). Just look for a skinny brotha, wearing a Navy Blue and sliver Kangol hat and a black "J Dilla Changed My Life" T-Shirt on. You'll find me along with Key & fellow blogger Patrick.

This made my Friday when I saw this...


I have bought 12 albums in the last week, this is one of them (took me a while to get this)....


Another must have from the HOJ team... Getback is next...



And on that note... I'm out.

"Pelican Brief These Jokers On Who I Be..."

Yahoo has still not posted the Common show from a couple weeks back! But while we wait for that, once again, Youtube has come through in the clutch like Jerry West. This was a freestyle he did while the camera crew was reloading film. I doubt this made the final show, but this is to give you an idea of the live atmosphere of the show (this dude went damn near 5 mins straight!)



Secondly, shouts out to my homegirl Wanja all the way in Germany. She has me on her weekly podcast "I Still Love H.E.R" this week on the ones and twos. Check it out the link for the show. You can also subscribe to it on I-Tunes. It's real Hip-Hop, ya dig? (I'm on Show 3)




Lastly, my love and prayers out of to everyone in Minnesota. If you have not heard, a bridge collapsed during rush hour and killed 7 people. Here's the full the story...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070802/ap_on_re_us/bridge_collapse_49

Love, Peace, & Hip-Hop ya'll and on that note... I'm out.