RAC Done, Cowher Out, Pioli Up

Time and time again I've preached to my fellow Browns fans that Cowher was not coming to save us! The chants, the scenarios, the cries were all wasted energy. Trust me guys. I wanted him too, but I knew that it wasn't going to happen. Unfortunately, no one wanted to listen. Well, now you have to listen because the reports are out! Romeo is done, Savage is done, and yes I'm sorry to say it but, Cowher is done as well. Mary Schottenheimer? Well, there's no reports on him either, although once again, if you ask me... it's not happening. :( I wish!

Randy Lerner said he met with Bill Cowher Saturday night in New York in an “informal” setting and that Cowher told him right up front that he did not anticipate seeing himself coaching in 2009 and not to include him in candidates.

Lerner said he “would’ve liked to dig in deeper with him” and said that Cowher was not doing a dance and clearly spoke his position and said he felt that option was over when he left the meeting. (scout.com)

What's next? Rumor central over at scout.com says...

The New England Show is being lined-up for a run in Cleveland.

Based on what we've been hearing, Randy Lerner has spoken with Robert Kraft. The Scott Pioli, Josh McDaniels and Eric Mangini (unless he gets feelers on a HC spot) show could come to a black-eye city in the near future.

We have been told that Belichick expects Pioli to leave the NE organization - soon.

How do I feel about this?

Well, my only concern/question is. Do we really want to do this again? Didn't we just get done trying out the New England thing? Bottom line is this. NE is good because of Bill Belichick. So, unless I start hearing rumors of Belichick wanting to head to lake Erie, which by the way isn't happening this century, I have no reason to get excited and neither should you. You know I'm normally not this pessimistic but the Browns future looks pretty bleak right now. :(

Jam it Up ... Dance fer mi!

Haha!

Snow Dog

Grammy Update...

Lil Wayne Leads Grammy Nominations!

Album of the Year – Tha Carter III

Best Rap Performance by Duo or Group – “Mr. Carter” featuring Jay-Z

Best Rap Solo Performance – “A Milli”

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration – “Got Money” featuring T-Pain

Best Rap Song – “Lollipop”

Best Rap Album – Tha Carter III

The Superstar Rapper Also Received 2 Nominations As A Featured Artist

Best Rap Performance by Duo or Group – “Swagga Like Us”

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration – “Swagga Like Us”

NEW YORK (Billboard Publicity Wire via Business Wire EON) December 5, 2008 -- Cash Money/Universal Motown superstar Lil Wayne is Grammy’s man of the year, drawing a total of eight nominations – more than any other artist -- for his blockbuster multi-platinum album Tha Carter III, and for his featured performance on “Swagga Like Us” by T.I. featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. The nominations itself are unbelievable, I’m going to continue doing what I’ve been doing, but I’m going to do it better, say Lil Wayne.

Tha Carter III is nominated in the prestigious Album of the Year category as well as for Best Rap Album, and all of its first four smash singles drew individual recognition: “Lollipop” featuring Static Major is nominated for Best Rap Song; “Got Money” featuring T-Pain for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration; “A Milli” for Best Solo Rap Performance; and “Mr. Carter,” featuring Jay-Z for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. These are the New Orleans native's first Grammy nominations for his own album. For his collaborations on other projects, “Swagga Like Us” is nominated in the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rap Song. The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, and broadcast on CBS.

News Image “We’ve worked with Lil Wayne since he was a teenager, signing him as part of the legendary hip-hop group the Hot Boys with Juvenile, B.G. and Turk. We have had the pleasure to see him grow and mature, both artistically and personally, into a multi-platinum superstar. The success of Tha Carter III was the result of Wayne’s tireless work ethic and incredible creative ability, and on behalf of his New Orleans hometown, and my brother, Birdman, we are honored to salute him as the artist with the most nominations at this year’s Grammy Awards,” says Cash Money Co-CEO Ronald ‘Slim’ Williams on Lil Wayne’s Grammy Nominations.

"What is so rewarding about Wayne's Grammy nominations is that they are not merely a reflection of commercial success, but of real artistry, achievement, and influence. He delivered a brilliant, original album that defines the state-of-the-art in hip-hop, and it was not only embraced by his fans but by his peers in the industry. Receiving an amazing eight nominations is a wonderful recognition and validation of his creative accomplishments. All of us at Universal Motown congratulate Lil Wayne and his team at Cash Money Records for this landmark career moment," states Universal Motown Records President Sylvia Rhone.

Tha Carter III sold over 1 million units in its debut week and is the best-selling album release of 2008, having sold well over 2.7 million copies domestically since its release in June. Lil Wayne was the first artist since 2005 to sell 1 million albums in the first week of release. The album held the No. 1 position on the Billboard’s Top 200 for three weeks and “Lollipop” topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for five weeks. In August, Lil Wayne set a record for charting 13 tracks as a lead or featured artist on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart simultaneously, including the No. 1s “Lollipop” and “A Milli.”

The music awards season has already acknowledged the amazing banner year of Lil Wayne. He won the artist-voted MTV Europe Music Awards Artist’s Choice Award, and won seven BET Hip-Hop Awards out of twelve nominations in October. Lil Wayne was also received three American Music Award nominations and one People’s Choice Award nomination, and has won MTV’s Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video, as well as BET’s Viewer’s Choice Award.

In a victory lap that extends into the New Year, Lil Wayne headlines the all-star “I Am Music” tour, kicking off Dec. 14 in Miami, FL and wrapping Jan. 19 in Worcester, MA. He’ll be sharing the stage with T-Pain, Keyshia Cole, Gym Class Heroes and Keri Hilson, making a January stop in his hometown of New Orleans.

"I AM MUSIC" TOUR DATES:

December 14th Miami, FL American Airlines Arena

December 18th Houston, TX Toyota Center

December 19th Dallas, TX American Airlines Center

December 21st Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheater

December 22nd Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheater

December 23rd Oakland, CA Arena

December 26th Detroit, MI Joe Louis Arena

December 27th Chicago, IL United Center

December 28th Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center

December 29th Greensboro, NC Coliseum

December 30th Washington, DC Verizon Center

December 31st Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena

January 2nd Charlotte, NC Bobcat Arena

January 3rd Hampton, VA Hampton Coliseum

January 4th Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena

January 8th St Louis MO Chafeitz Center

January 9th Kansas City MO Sprint Center

January 11th New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena

January 14th Montreal, CAN Bell Center

January 15th Toronto CAN Air Canada Center

January 16th New York (LI) Nassau Coliseum

January 17th Hartford, CONN New England Dodge Music Ctr

January 18th Atlantic City, NJ Boardwalk Hall

January 19th Worcester, MA DCU Center

Some Dates Subject to Change

Just Cause

Pitchfork

OMG It's in my head ... make it stop!

And The Winner Is

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.

Time Lapse...

City Hall

The Heart of the City!

Fire Riots! (Why?)

I'm a MySpace Freak

Ok, I have held back long enough, but it's gotten to the point where I have to speak up and say something. MySpace's last update has been a complete disaster. I am annoyed beyond all possible annoyance.

For a company as big as News Corporation, and I can say this because my last day at Fox is tomorrow, to launch something, to which I consider to be one of the biggest music ventures of the last ten years, and to not make sure that it's tested!? AHHHHHH WTF! Everything is screwed ... plays are screwed. Songs are screwed. People can't even upload new material. Pages are slower to load. Indie labels are hurting because ... to be honest. Who the hell wants to release an album right now? You can't put up the new music! One third of your promotion is missing if you use MySpace as a tool to promote. And, let's be honest most Indie labels use MySpace to promote.

Now, will they get away with it? Yes, of course they will... they're MySpace. Will the frustration all go away once things are ironed out? Yes, it will. If you really take a look at what has happened over the last year it's pretty impressive. MySpace has found a way to incorporate the big four major labels into their music. Now, all four major music labels are participating, giving MySpace Music the world’s largest online catalogue available for streaming. Although, the lack of Indie that has been made available erodes my excitement. Eh, almost.

But, Hey, let's face it, there are too many addicted teens, freaks, fans, dependent musicians, labels and stalkers to stop using MySpace. Still, what has happened to the integrity of business. Are we in such a hurry to get something up now a days that we sacrifice quality and service? H mm ... maybe I'm overreacting, maybe this was the only way they could update without shutting down? Maybe I'm a MySpace Freak!


Good Article HERE.

Air Force Test

I lasted 13 seconds. That's after trying 15 to 20 times.

This will drive you nuts!! Have fun!

The object of the game is to move the red block around without getting hit by the blue blocks or touching the black walls.

If you can go longer than 18 seconds you are phenomenal. It's been said that the US Air Force uses this for fighter pilots. They are expected to go for at least 2 minutes.

Give it a try but be careful... It is addictive!!

Click Below:

AIR FORCE TEST

http://www.keatingeconomics.com

The current economic crisis demands that we understand John McCain's attitudes about economic oversight and corporate influence in federal regulation. Nothing illustrates the danger of his approach more clearly than his central role in the savings and loan scandal of the late '80s and early '90s.

John McCain was accused of improperly aiding his political patron, Charles Keating, chairman of the Lincoln Savings and Loan Association. The bipartisan Senate Ethics Committee launched investigations and formally reprimanded Senator McCain for his role in the scandal -- the first such Senator to receive a major party nomination for president.

At the heart of the scandal was Keating's Lincoln Savings and Loan Association, which took advantage of deregulation in the 1980s to make risky investments with its depositors' money. McCain intervened on behalf of Charles Keating with federal regulators tasked with preventing banking fraud, and championed legislation to delay regulation of the savings and loan industry -- actions that allowed Keating to continue his fraud at an incredible cost to taxpayers.

When the savings and loan industry collapsed, Keating's failed company put taxpayers on the hook for $3.4 billion and more than 20,000 Americans lost their savings. John McCain was reprimanded by the bipartisan Senate Ethics Committee, but the ultimate cost of the crisis to American taxpayers reached more than $120 billion.

The Keating scandal is eerily similar to today's credit crisis, where a lack of regulation and cozy relationships between the financial industry and Congress has allowed banks to make risky loans and profit by bending the rules. And in both cases, John McCain's judgment and values have placed him on the wrong side of history. (Taken from WWW.KeatingEconomics.com)

The Rich Get Richer....

I-M

Analysis

Grading the First Presidential Debate

By MARK HALPERIN / OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI (Sat Sep. 27, 10:20 AM ET)


John McCain

Substance: His arguments were hard to follow at the beginning, but he found his voice as the debate progressed, although he never seemed fully in control of his message. He had plenty to say about the economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Russia, but often bogged down his own answers when trying to unfurl quips and soundbites. Stuck with bumper sticker slogans on the economy, and while he got a bit more detailed on foreign policy, he stayed at his usual level of abstraction. If he truly knows more about the world than Obama, he didn't show it in this debate.

Grade: B-

Style: Cluttered, jumpy, and often muddled. Frequent coughing early on helped neither his arguments nor his image. Jokes about being deaf and anecdotes about Normandy and George Shultz seemed ill-advised - even his pen was old. His presentation was further hindered by his wandering discussion of the differing heights of North and South Koreans and his angry assertion about how well he knows Henry Kissinger. Fell into the classic politician's trap of inserting familiar stump speech applause lines into debate responses - which only works if done with enthusiasm and clarity (and if received by applause - a big No-No in Lehrer's auditorium, which the audience obeyed seriously and silently). Keenly aware of the grand, grave occasion, McCain wavered between respectful and domineering, and ended up awkward and edgy.

Grade: C-

Offense: Emphasized his bread and butter issues of taxes and spending, and hit Obama on his failure to visit Iraq and his expressed willingness to meet with dictators. But while mocking his opponent on a few occasions, which reflected his acute disrespect for Obama, he did so in an insufficiently sharp and detailed manner - and unevenly worked elements of his rival's record into his attacks. Still he was utterly confident about his own experience, knowledge, and policies, even when tripped by his own tongue and distracted by the strains of debate practice. The main problem: Obama's obvious preparation and sharp answers contradicted McCain's frequent claims that the Democrat was uninformed and "didn't understand" key issues.

Grade: C+

Defense: He managed to ignore most of Obama's jibes, but was eventually baited into giving an extended answer about his policy differences with President Bush, after his opponent repeatedly mentioned McCain's regular support of Bush's budgets. Was visibly riled when clashing with Obama over a variety of issues, including Iraq, sanctions, and spending. He also chose to boast about Sarah Palin (although not by name) as his maverick partner, who, after her shaky week, may no longer be his ace in the hole.

Grade: B-

Overall: McCain was McCain - evocative, intense, and at times emotional, but also vague, elliptical, and atonal. Failed to deliver his "country first versus Obama first" message cleanly, even when offered several opportunities. Surprisingly, did not talk much about "change," virtually ceding the dominant issue of the race.

Overall grade: B-

(Read Mark Halperin's take on Barack Obama's performance)

Barack Obama

Substance: Quite manifestly immersed in the past, present, and future details of policy, and eager to express his views, which have been expanded, honed, and solidified during the last 18 months of hard campaigning. Still, he did avoid the nitty-gritty details of policy positions in favor of broad principles and references to working Americans, thereby not presenting the kind of specifics that some voters are waiting to hear from him.

Grade: B+

Style: Polished, confident, focused. Fully prepared, and able to convey a real depth of knowledge on nearly every issue. He was unhurried, and rarely lost his train of thought even when the debate wended and winded - and uttered far fewer of his trademark, distracting, "ums." At times, however, Obama revealed the level of his preparation by faltering over a rehearsed answer. He seemed to deliberately focus on the moderator and the home audience, with McCain as an afterthought - except when on the attack. Chose to avoid humor, for the most part, in favor of a stern demeanor, and in the process, came off as cool as a cucumber.

Grade: A

Offense: Linking McCain to Bush in his very first answer, he kept it up as his primary line of attack. Forcefully hit McCain for his early support of the Iraq War. Though he never drew blood, he did keep McCain a bit off balance, often with clever references to McCain's recent statements.

Grade: B

Defense: Had a reasonable answer for every charge that came his way - with little anger, bluster, or anxiety. Often interrupting McCain attacks with swift explanations and comebacks, he managed to spin accusations of being liberal as evidence of his relentless opposition to George Bush (in replies that were clearly planned). Offered a rather clumsy alternative to McCain's well-known, moving story of wearing the bracelet of a soldier lost in Iraq (a gift from the soldier's mother), with a story about a bracelet of his own. Fearless, without condescension, he attempted the gracious move of agreeing with or complimenting a McCain position, occasionally to his own detriment.

Grade: A-

Overall: Went for a solid, consistent performance to introduce himself to the country. He did not seem nervous, tentative, or intimidated by the event, and avoided mistakes from his weak debate performances during nomination season (a professorial tone and long winded answers). Standing comfortably on the stage with his rival, he showed he belonged - evocative of Reagan, circa 1980. He was so confident by the end that he reminded his biggest audience yet that his father was from Kenya. Two more performances like that and he will be very tough to beat on Election Day.

Overall grade: A-

American Dream

Palin Spells Disaster For GOP

Take Note....

DeSean Jackson has got to be THE most unselfish player in the NFL. Who else would run all the way to the endzone only to drop the ball at the 1 in hopes that one of his team mates would pick it up and take it in for the glory?! Unfortunately, none of his team mates would step up to the plate. Actually, not a player on either team would take that glory away from Jackson. So, there on a hot night in Dallas, the ball stood still, on the 1 yard line. At first there was disbelief as to what had happened, but upon further review it was clear, Jackson simply wasn't ready to score. No one was.

When DeSean spoke with ESPN reporter, Mike Wilbon, Jackson had this to say, "Sure it would have been a great touchdown, but I just wasn't ready. You know like when your at Subway and your lookin at all those veggies and someone behind you is like, Hey man hurry up and getcho' veggies!, and you're like, Hey man, I'm not ready! It was kinda like that. Anyway, I put tha ball down, but no one wanted it. So, after the play I was like fuck it, and went to the bathroom to take a shit and drink a Sobe Life Water." Mr. Wilbon did not have a follow up question.

- j

Sacrilegious

I-M PISSED OFF!

You know ... I am so sick of front runners. I have met sooo many Patriots fans over the last couple of years. I have seen Yankees fans recently jump ship only to say that they never really liked the Yankees then they go running over to Boston. I have had CLEVELAND people actually tell me that they would be Browns fans if the Browns knew how to win, but since they don't they've decided that they would be Steelers fans.

W T F ? What does this speak about a person's character? What does it say when a person can't stand behind someone or something or some group going through tough times. Some people would say - "These people are smart, they are winners." Personally, I wonder how these people feel about themselves when they lose. It's sickening and it makes me want to throw up.

I have been a Browns fan since I was a kid growing up in Copley, OH. I have stood by them through their worst years and have never thought once about jumping ship. When I moved to Philly I started liking the Eagles as well. I told myself that it was okay to have an AFC team and an NFC team in hopes that one day they would play each other in the Superbowl. (yeah I know it's a long shot) I have stood by the Eagles in their toughest times with no thoughts of jumping ship.

Enough about me because it's obvious that I have a spine... one of the few from Ohio who do. I consider myself a winner! Should I not because I think this way?

You know, I have never seen a state so ashamed of itself. Ohio people have zero state pride. I'm calling the whole state out!!!! How many of you would really be Buckeyes fans if they sucked?

FRONT RUNNERS!!!!

I don't know. What do I know? Wait, maybe I'm behind the game. Maybe I should be a front runner too! Maybe I should throw anyone who I've ever stood by that has a rough patch in life to the side and just give up on em! That's ethical right? RIGHT?! After all, arguably one of our greatest athletes ever already has. I wonder if he's really a Cavs fan at all?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Say goodbye to LeBron, Cleveland

Posted by Jamey Codding (09/10/2008 @ 2:21 pm)

Braylon Edwards speaketh the truth:

“LeBron (James) isn’t a Cleveland guy. LeBron only plays for the Cavaliers, and who knows if he even likes the Cavaliers? He doesn’t like the Indians. He doesn’t like the Browns.”

The Browns receiver made his comments after LeBron James hung out on the Dallas sidelines during pregame warmups prior to the Cowboys/Browns game Sunday afternoon, hugging Terrell Owens and Adam “Don’t Call Me Pacman” Jones, chatting with owner Jerry Jones, and wearing a Yankees cap.

Of course, it was a Yankees cap that first had people questioning LeBron’s loyalty to his hometown. As a (tortured) Cleveland fan, I was pretty fired up when LeBron wore a Yankees hat to Jacobs Field for the Indians’ opening playoff game against the Yanks last year:

Cleveland is most definitely a football city, but LeBron is without question the face of Cleveland sports right now. That doesn’t mean that he has to root for every Cleveland sports franchise, but he crossed the line when he wore a Yankees hat to the game last night. That’d be like David Ortiz donning a Peyton Manning jersey during a Colts/Pats game in New England or, even worse, Tom Brady wearing a Yankees hat to a Sox/Yankees game at Fenway. You just don’t do it.

At the time, what irked me most wasn’t that LeBron wore the hat to the game, but that he taunted the fans — who are, of course, his fans during basketball season — by holding the hat above his head and egging on the crowd. It was an immature and classless move, and at the time I said that it spoke very poorly of his so-called loyalties to his hometown.

And now this.

As I mentioned previously, athletes are fans too, and they can root for whomever they want. I’m not ragging on LeBron for being a Cowboys fan or a Yankees fan or even a Bulls fan, all of whom he rooted for as a kid growing up in Akron. I do think it’s fair to call him a frontrunner, since all three of those teams were winning titles back then, but that’s not the point.

In fact, LeBron choosing to publicize his allegiances in front of Cleveland fans and, in the Indians/Yankees case, even taunting the fans in the process, isn’t even the point anymore. The point now, as Braylon Edwards pointed out, is simple: LeBron James isn’t a Cleveland guy. And that’s very bad news for the Cavaliers and their fans.

LeBron can opt out of his contract after the 2009-10 season, at which point the Cavaliers will be able to offer the star forward more money than any other team in the league. That may sound like a big advantage for the Cavs, and maybe it will prove to be. But working against Cleveland is the fact that LeBron’s contract with Nike will reportedly pay him more if he moves to a larger market like New York or LA. Maybe that’s just a rumor, because I haven’t found any concrete numbers on this, but it’s a widely reported rumor that LeBron has never bothered to shoot down. Add on top of that the fact that LeBron would make even more money in endorsements playing in a big city while also inflating his already enormous worldwide popularity, and however many more millions the Cavaliers can offer LeBron will look like chump change in the final equation.

And then, of course, there’s LeBron’s buddy Jay-Z, who just happens to be part owner of the New Jersey Nets. The Nets just happened to shed a bunch of salary by trading Richard Jefferson this offseason. They also just happen to be planning to move to Brooklyn and open a brand new arena in 2010. And Brooklyn just happens to be LeBron’s “favorite borough” in his favorite city of New York.

Throughout all of this city-wide “will he stay or will he go?” fretting, the one ace the fans thought they had up their sleeve was the fact that LeBron was a hometown guy who actually wanted to stay in Cleveland. Well, I’m not buying it, and neither is Braylon Edwards:

“He’s a guy from Akron who likes everybody but his hometown. I don’t know how that’s possible, but it is what it is, and he is who he is. You know, it’s LeBron.”

Preach on, Braylon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Browns Videos ... Check out the Braylon interview

Are there any real champions left?

FURIOUS!

I-M

LOL Must See TV

This video is hilarious!

Fox 29 Philly Ad Club Presentation Video .

Lock 3 Live

Lock 3 Live experienced Hip Hop in its purest form for the first time this weekend. Here is the article written up on Ohio.com about its success! Visit Ohio.com! Also, big ups to Ace Boogie from Akron who performed in the concert. Mad Love! 4 Pillars! Visit: http://www.myspace.com/nappygrooves and http://www.myspace.com/meccamediainc for more on Ace Boogie.

Malcolm X Abram: Lock 3 Live season closing with a bang

Sharp Dressed Man, Rock Bottom to perform on Friday; hip-hop rules Saturday with legends, area talent

By Malcolm X Abram
Beacon Journal music writer

POSTED: 12:32 a.m. EDT, Sep 04, 2008

All my old(er)-school hip-hop heads say ''Ho-oh!''

This weekend is the closer for Akron's 2008 Lock 3 Live concert season. It begins with beards and Texas Boogie and ends with a human beatbox and hip-hop bang.

On Friday, WONE's Rock the Lock series closes with Rock Bottom, a local party/cover band that will be playing its final gig ever. The evening's headliner is another tribute band called Sharp Dressed Man, a tribute to ZZ Top. Members are from Austin, Texas, and they've got beards, sharp suits and a supercool drum kit with lighted ZZ Top logos on the kick-drum heads, so you know they're serious about their Southern fried boogie woogie.

On Saturday, the season's final concert will be the first Akron Hip-Hop Showcase. Designed to be a family affair that bridges the generation gap between older hip-hop heads tired of gangsta cliches, odes to strippers and lists of material possessions and younger rap fans who may not know there are alternatives to the aforementioned.

The concert has an early start time of 3 p.m. and will feature a mix of area talent, up-and-comers and a couple of bona fide legends.

Among the local cats featured will be Cleveland's Poetic Republic, a six-man crew whose lyrics and beats recall the smooth jazz-inflected grooves of the mid-'90s era from groups such as Black Star, Slum Village and the Roots. The group — Rembrandt, Ahp Qwes, DJ Ceven, Asante, Angelo and Frank Soul — is nominated for a 2008 Ohio hip-hop award for best group.

They don't bother much with champagne popping or ho hopping (hey, that rhymes!) instead rhyming about their lyrical skills, underdogs of the world and love (as opposed to lust).

Also from the local talent pool is Akron's own poet/rapper/producer Ace Boogie. I've seen him perform several times and he never disappoints, always bringing a lot of energy, positive vibes and usually some live musicians.

Boogie is a blue-collar rapper bringing some social consciousness to his lyrics as well as a basic desire to rock the party.

Also from Akron is Random X & Cap C, a duo that deftly works the old braggadocio style of street-corner battle rappers.

Straight outta D.C. comes the Low Budget collective featuring Kev Brown, Kenn Starr and producer Oddisee, who is connected to turntable legend DJ Jazzy Jeff's A Touch of Jazz production company that helped launch Jill Scott.

Also from the nation's capital is rapper/educator Asheru, who provides the theme for the animated series The Boondocks and is a co-founder of the Hip Hop Educational Literacy Program (H.E.L.P), which uses hip-hop in schools to help make reading interesting and culturally relevant for at-risk youth.

In addition to the Saturday gig, Asheru — aka Gabriel Benn — will be giving a teacher's symposium along with Hip-Hop Showcase sponsors Keepers of the Art Inc. from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Gardner Student Center at the University of Akron. Benn will present a H.E.L.P. curriculum and stress culturally relevant education. The symposium is open to all social workers and area teachers.

The afternoon's headliners are hip-hop legends Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, who both as a team and as solo artists have given hip-hop several of its established classics including The Show, La-Di-Da-Di, Keep Risin' to the Top, Mona Lisa and the heavily imitated cautionary tale Children's Story.

Fresh, whose beatboxing skills (along with the deceased Buff ''The Human Beatbox'' of the Fatboys) are still a template for all that followed (yeah, Justin Timberlake, too) is the self proclaimed ''Greatest Entertainer.'' He brings that old-school, party-rocking vibe with lots of audience call and response and participation. Expect to throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care.

Holding down the grooves between acts will be Cleveland's world traveling DJ Mick Boogie and Akron B-Boy veterans Illstyle Rockers, which will offer back breaking and acrobatic break dancing.
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.

All my old(er)-school hip-hop heads say ''Ho-oh!''

This weekend is the closer for Akron's 2008 Lock 3 Live concert season. It begins with beards and Texas Boogie and ends with a human beatbox and hip-hop bang.

On Friday, WONE's Rock the Lock series closes with Rock Bottom, a local party/cover band that will be playing its final gig ever. The evening's headliner is another tribute band called Sharp Dressed Man, a tribute to ZZ Top. Members are from Austin, Texas, and they've got beards, sharp suits and a supercool drum kit with lighted ZZ Top logos on the kick-drum heads, so you know they're serious about their Southern fried boogie woogie.

On Saturday, the season's final concert will be the first Akron Hip-Hop Showcase. Designed to be a family affair that bridges the generation gap between older hip-hop heads tired of gangsta cliches, odes to strippers and lists of material possessions and younger rap fans who may not know there are alternatives to the aforementioned.

The concert has an early start time of 3 p.m. and will feature a mix of area talent, up-and-comers and a couple of bona fide legends.

Among the local cats featured will be Cleveland's Poetic Republic, a six-man crew whose lyrics and beats recall the smooth jazz-inflected grooves of the mid-'90s era from groups such as Black Star, Slum Village and the Roots. The group — Rembrandt, Ahp Qwes, DJ Ceven, Asante, Angelo and Frank Soul — is nominated for a 2008 Ohio hip-hop award for best group.

They don't bother much with champagne popping or ho hopping (hey, that rhymes!) instead rhyming about their lyrical skills, underdogs of the world and love (as opposed to lust).

Also from the local talent pool is Akron's own poet/rapper/producer Ace Boogie. I've seen him perform several times and he never disappoints, always bringing a lot of energy, positive vibes and usually some live musicians.

Boogie is a blue-collar rapper bringing some social consciousness to his lyrics as well as a basic desire to rock the party.

Also from Akron is Random X & Cap C, a duo that deftly works the old braggadocio style of street-corner battle rappers.

Straight outta D.C. comes the Low Budget collective featuring Kev Brown, Kenn Starr and producer Oddisee, who is connected to turntable legend DJ Jazzy Jeff's A Touch of Jazz production company that helped launch Jill Scott.

Also from the nation's capital is rapper/educator Asheru, who provides the theme for the animated series The Boondocks and is a co-founder of the Hip Hop Educational Literacy Program (H.E.L.P), which uses hip-hop in schools to help make reading interesting and culturally relevant for at-risk youth.

In addition to the Saturday gig, Asheru — aka Gabriel Benn — will be giving a teacher's symposium along with Hip-Hop Showcase sponsors Keepers of the Art Inc. from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Gardner Student Center at the University of Akron. Benn will present a H.E.L.P. curriculum and stress culturally relevant education. The symposium is open to all social workers and area teachers.

The afternoon's headliners are hip-hop legends Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, who both as a team and as solo artists have given hip-hop several of its established classics including The Show, La-Di-Da-Di, Keep Risin' to the Top, Mona Lisa and the heavily imitated cautionary tale Children's Story.

Fresh, whose beatboxing skills (along with the deceased Buff ''The Human Beatbox'' of the Fatboys) are still a template for all that followed (yeah, Justin Timberlake, too) is the self proclaimed ''Greatest Entertainer.'' He brings that old-school, party-rocking vibe with lots of audience call and response and participation. Expect to throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care.

Holding down the grooves between acts will be Cleveland's world traveling DJ Mick Boogie and Akron B-Boy veterans Illstyle Rockers, which will offer back breaking and acrobatic break dancing.

The Real GWB

The Summer of Monsters!

Ok, I know this isn't about music, but since I'm a monster myself I couldn't resist.

This summer has been the summer of monsters like no other. They are coming out of the wood works like crazy trying to take my shine! Take a look at what has been washed up, captured and spotted in the U.S. over the last month or so.

First off, there was the Montauk Monster, found in the Hampton's late July.

HELL VISITS THE HAMPTONS!

Then, there was the Chupacabra said to be a mythical dog like creature spotted by police in Texas.

Chupacabra
by guanabee

Now, we have reports that Bigfoot has finally been caught!

Hunters claim to have nabbed Bigfoot, Internet goes nuts

By Caroline McCarthy, CNET Thu Aug 14, 12:02 PM ET

A couple of hunters in northern Georgia (the state, not the country) claim to have found a carcass of the legendary creature known as Bigfoot (or Sasquatch, if you prefer).

The two hunters teamed up with a fellow named Tom Biscardi, head of a group called Searching for Bigfoot; they plan to hold a press conference on Friday in Palo Alto, Calif., to show off DNA evidence and photos--but not the body itself. That's apparently being kept under wraps. (Yeah, right.)

Biscardi's Web site, searchingforbigfoot.com, proceeded to crash under bandwidth pressures.

According to a press release, the creature:

• Stands 7-feet-7-inches tall.

• Weighs more than 500 pounds.

• Looks part human and part ape-like.

• Is male.

• Has reddish hair and blackish-gray eyes.

• Has two arms and two legs, and five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot.

• Has flat feet that are similar to human feet.

• Has a footprint that is 16.75 inches long and 5.75 inches wide at the heel.

• Has hands that are 11.75 inches long from the palm to the tip of the middle finger and are 6.25 inches wide.

• Walks upright. (Several of them apparently were seen on the day the body was found.)

• Has teeth that are more human-like than ape-like.

• Has been undergoing DNA testing.

I wonder what we will see next?

Maybe this post was about music?

2 Lost 1 Weekend

Rest in Peace ... the joy you both brought to the world will never be forgotten.

Emotiv elegant, lightweight EPOC headset

Let video games read your mind with headset

By Marco R. della Cava, USA TODAY
Tue Aug 5, 8:19 AM ET

SAN FRANCISCO - Luke Skywalker, eat your heart out.

Emotiv's elegant, lightweight EPOC headset is a piece of cutting-edge technology that grants Yoda-like telepathic powers, allowing players of computer games to move items on screen with merely their thoughts. Due for release by year's end, the $299 device will come bundled with an adventure game in which players complete tasks for an Asian sensei.

"We're hoping to help evolve the way humans interact with machines," says Tan Le, CEO of Emotiv, an Australian company with researchers in Sydney and an engineering lab here.

The EPOC is at once intuitive and complex: Slap the sleek white or black helmet on, fit the 16 brain-wave sensors in place, and you're ready to program the device. Software automatically logs in a baseline for a range of emotions (relaxed, tense) and expressions (from winks to grimaces). Then users are asked to imagine 11 cognitive actions - "lift," "push," "pull" - for a few seconds each.

Even the player's emotional state is under surveillance; EPOC is capable of ratcheting up the difficulty level if it detects the brain-wave equivalent of boredom.

A test run reveals EPOC can be difficult to learn but mesmerizing once mastered. To think "vanish" and watch a cube disappear borders on unnerving. "Telekinesis has always been one of mankind's fantasies," Le says. "After Star Wars came out, I wanted to use the Force to make my cereal box float into my hands."

The technology has its roots in decades of scientific research on brain waves. Skull caps with countless sensors intercept brain activity in a process known as electroencephalography, or EEG. Emotiv's scientists have spent five years distilling that technology into a commercial product.

"For now, we're focused on the video game application (for EPOC), but we see possibilities beyond this, such as market research or health care," Le says.

Emotiv's work could well benefit far more than just game fanatics, says Monica Fabiani, professor at the University of Illinois psychology and neuroscience program. "Often, when companies make products that are comfortable and easy to use by the public, interesting applications on the medical side" follow, she says.

Emotiv execs acknowledge that medical use of their handiwork is a long way off. "Anything like that would require approval from the Food and Drug Administration, which takes years," says Steve Sapiro, Emotiv's vice president of engineering. "But the possibility is there, if simply from a cost standpoint. Our product is in the hundreds, whereas most EEG machines cost between $50,000 and $250,000."

Some gamers aren't sold on EPOC yet. "I'm not sure it's at the point of being as precise as it would need to be" to function as a console substitute for most games, says Brian Crecente of gamer blog Kotaku.com, who had early experience with EPOC. "I don't see it being a mainstream device in this form. That said, it's certainly beyond a gimmick. Game issues aside, it's uncanny."

But that gee-whiz factor, echoing the broad success of Nintendo's Wii, may be enough to drive gamers to checkout lines, says Jamil Moledina, executive director of the Game Developers Conference, an annual gathering of game creators. "When the (item on-screen) did what I thought it to do, it was surreal," says Moledina, who concedes his learning curve was steep. "This is science-fiction stuff. (Emotiv) has jumped the first hurdle in simply making the device. Now, they have to make it work with most games. If they do, this could hit the jackpot."

And in a preview of possible future applications, EPOC's ability to both read an emotional state and transfer facial gestures - a smile, a wink - from a player to its on-screen character also makes it a natural for virtual-world games such as Second Life, says Le.

"Right now, when you want your (Second Life) avatar to grin, you type it, which is completely unnatural," Le says. "If we have it our way, EPOC will make avatars truly come to life."

10 Indie Moments, 10 Indie Years

This article speaks of important Indie events that have happened over the last 10 years. These events have helped to mold Indie into what it is today. They also help to draw a picture of where Indie is headed. Take a look into the Past, Present and Future of Indie!


INDUSTRY NEWS:
From Aimee Mann To Z-Trip, CMJ Charts

The Last Ten Years In Independent Music
Jul 2, 2008
By Michael Tedder

In 1998, online retailer GoodNoise sold the first legal mp3s on the internet. Because the major labels would consider the format tantamount to piracy for the next few years, GoodNoise's catalog was restricted to independent and unsigned artists. And though it would take GoodNoise several years, and a name change to eMusic, to make a sizeable dent in the marketplace, the digitial rubicon had been crossed.

For the most part, the independent music scene embraced internet distribution while the major labels fought it kicking and screaming. That's a primary reason why the former has experienced unprecedented success since, while the latter has struggled to survive. To mark the American Association of Independent Music's Independents Day 08 event—a celebration of everything that the independent community has achieved—CMJ is counting down the ten most important moments in the past ten years of indie music. Sure, no list could possibly hope to capture everything this community has experienced in the past decade, and we'll cop right away to a variety of omissions, such as the rise of weblogs and satellite radio. That said, CMJ is proud to have taken the bumpy ride through the past ten years of independent music along with the legions of artists, labels and fans. It's your day, people. Enjoy it.

Link to article HERE.

Movin on up!!!

Movin on up!!!





Thanks to all who have supported Legacy and Legacy Streetz! Legacy Streetz is the newest addition to the Legacy Recording Company empire and in just a matter of months shot up to over 29,000 profile views!!!! THANK YOU ALL!

Support Indie, Support Legacy, Support tha Movement!

MUCH LUV!!!

LRC 2008

You gotta be IN it to WIN it!

You gotta be IN it to WIN it!





-----> Brand spankin new News for August + Industry News Video feeds courtesy of Voxant Newsroom and MTV! <-------

For more info about Legacy Recording Company check us out at www. LegacyRC. com!



www. LegacyRC. com
www. MySpace. com/LegacyRecordingCompany
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Ghetto Fab 330

330

Video from the Unicity Festival Delaware

Top 10 Mistakes Artists Make

Top 10 Mistakes Artists Make
By David Hooper | August 2008

If you want to get a record deal, get people to your shows, or sell music like crazy, the answer isn't some kind of "magic pill" website that you post your music on, blindly sending out a bunch of demos, or anything to do with having good music... although good music certainly helps. The answer is to develop a mindset that naturally attracts people to what you're doing as well as an understanding of how the music business game is played.

As you develop as a person, your music career will develop with you. Sounds crazy, but it's true, and I've seen it time and time again, with thousands of acts that I've worked with, from garage bands, to the guys selling out arenas.

Of course, part of developing includes making mistakes along the way. Check out these ten common music business mistakes, and ways to avoid them...

10. Being too difficult (or too nice)
First of all, let’s get this clear... Just because you wrote a few good songs and recorded them, it doesn’t mean the world revolves around you. Lots of people write and record good songs, so get in line.

Contrary to what the online rumor mill or media would have you believe, people in the music business are involved because they love music, and they’re not making enough to deal with jerks. And they won’t deal with jerks. If you’re a pain, they’re just go to the next guy, who also writes good songs, but has a better attitude.

With that said, don’t be too nice. You don’t have to say yes to everything. Pick your battles. If there is something you really feel strongly about, don’t settle for anything less.

Bottom line: Keep your ego in check and behave with courtesy and respect. At the same time, don't let anyone treat with you anything less.

9. Trying to convince people of anything...
You play music, and people have strong opinions about music. Either people get what you’re doing or they don’t.

So, some reviewer, booking agent, or manager doesn't like your new album. Let it go! Don't try to convince him he'll like it better after a second listen. He won't. And the more you press him to give your music another shot, the more he’ll remember how annoying you were. This means he’ll be far less open to ever listening to you again.

There are a lot of people who won't "hear it" when you approach them. So what? Move on. There are plenty of other people in this business who can help you. Go find the people who do "hear it" and put your energy into building good relationships with them instead.

8. Looking for industry approval
There was a time when the "industry" had a lot more pull when it came to breaking an artist, getting them distributed, and everything else. This is a new time, so we're playing with different rules now.

Distribution is easy. Every day, more and more albums and songs are being sold online, physically and digitally. Recording music is easier than ever. You are not limited by a lack of options for getting something recorded that sounds professional.

But more importantly, once you get a recording together, you don't need the industry to tell you your music is worthy. The consumers, the people who buy music, are really the only opinions that matter. And when you have the love of the consumers, the industry will come around.

The thing is, in the music industry, technology has changed faster than mindset. Stop believing you are at the mercy of any record label executive. You're not. Connect directly with your fans on your terms. The feedback, loyalty and money you receive from them will be far more gratifying than you spending your time beating your head against a wall trying to figure out a way to get an approving nod from a record label.

7. Not building strong relationships with fans
People aren't stupid. They know when they're being marketed to. They know when you're looking to sell them something.

Do they mind? No.

In fact, if you have a good relationship with your fans, they won't mind being marketed to, and if you do it well, they look forward to being marketed to. However, they have to know you care. Building relationships with fans take time. You have to show them you care.

Do things like:
• Give them a few free songs to download.
• Have message board on your website and build a community there.
• Do a "fan appreciation" show.
• Record a holiday album or an EP that you give out exclusively to members of your fan club.

Show them in special ways that you not only care, but that you're willing to go the extra mile to show your appreciation. In turn, they will buy your music, travel to see you play, call radio stations on your behalf, and promote you all over the web.

Every day – no matter if you're busy recording, on the road, or at home worrying about how you're going to find the money to make your project happen – do something (no matter how small the gesture is) to reach out to your fans.

6. Not "getting" how the fan/artist relationship works
You’re the leader and your fans do the following. You make the offer, they choose whether or not to accept.

Take charge, record the music, play the shows, print the t-shirts, and let them have the options of buying your album, coming to see you, or getting something to wear.

The average person has enough leadership duties to deal with in his or her own day. People are looking for somebody else to take control, so take control and let them ride along for a little while.

5. Laying Everything on the Table...
You're a rock star. You’re living the dream. Keep up that fantasy. Don't tell people how broke you are, that you're still living with your mother, or anything else that breaks the image of you fans have in their minds.

One of the reasons people like music is because they have the opportunity to live vicariously through the people they are listening to. When you are on stage, they're up there with you. When you're on the road in your tour bus, they're riding shotgun. Don't take that away.

Give them insight into your life and what it's like in your world, but always remember, you're not just selling music – you're also selling a persona.

4. Thinking the key to success is just musical talent, money, or looks
Yes, if we're talking about pop music, MTV, or the major label system, a certain amount of a contrived "image" probably helps sell records.

Obviously, money helps things. And it's always good if you can play and sing.

But "image" without marketing won’t get you on MTV. Good songs without marketing won’t get you on the radio. You can play well, have money, and look like a model, but if you don't have the marketing to back you up, none of it matters.

You know what? If you don’t have a good, solid marketing plan in place, everything else doesn't matter so much.

3. Giving up power
Keep control as long as you can. Yes, a label deal will give you opportunity that being an indie won't. And a professional manager has connections that you don't.

But when you sign with these guys, you're handing over your career to somebody else. Nobody cares as much about your career than you do. When you and your talent are the most important commodity you have to offer, do not give up your power easily and without a damn good reason.

Your music is worth something. You are worth something. Think of your career as being "virtual real estate" which, if marketed correctly, will pay dividends for years to come. So, treat it like that.

2. Jumping at every opportunity
You don't have to say yes to everything. In fact, sometimes, saying no to something can be more beneficial to your career than saying yes.

Why do you say yes to things? Take a look at your standards and make sure they’re high enough. As an example, just because a club has a PA system, it doesn't mean that it's worth playing there. There are some gigs that just aren't worth playing. There are some connections that just aren't worth developing.

When you say yes to something, especially something that takes your time, you're likely saying no to a host of other things by default. Leave yourself open to saying yes to the opportunities that really matter.

Trust your own judgment. If something doesn't feel right and you want to say no, it's okay. At that moment, you may worry you're passing up a great opportunity and will be missing out. The reality is better opportunities (that are a better fit for you) will come if you are open and ready for them.

1. Not getting help
You don't know everything. This business has been around for a long time – long before you were involved.

Read books, get advice from people who work in the industry and keep studying every aspect of the industry. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You can bypass a lot of the problems you're likely to run into simply by asking people who have already been in, and dealt with, the situations you find yourself in.

Remember this: Time is worth more than money. You can always earn more money, but you have a limited amount of time. Don't waste your time. If you don't know something, or need specific help, don't be afraid to pay somebody to help you deal with whatever obstacle you face. Don't let anything stop you from having all the knowledge and know-how you need to have the success you aspire to have.

David Hooper has been serving the independent music community for over a decade and is host of the syndicated radio show, Music Business Radio. Visit www.MusicMarketing.com for more information on David and additional music business advice. For more Top 10 lists, go to www.musicmarketing.com/top_10/.

True Story

Strange Lions Filmed on Safari - Watch more free videos

Via - J

TVs of the Future

Actually the future of television isn't too far away according to a news article I found on Yahoo.com this morning. Check it owt below. I can't wait!

How TVs Will Get Much, Much Flatter

Wed Jul 30, 1:05 AM ET Click Here for the Yahoo.com news article.

Dan Tynan

Plasma is dead. Front and rear projection? Fuggeddaboutit. LCD has a few good years left, and then it's sayonara, baby. TV technology's future lies in tiny phosphorescent molecules.

Organic light-emitting diodes--OLEDs--employ a thin layer of organic material that emits light when electricity passes through it. OLED displays need no backlight, so they're ultrathin and flexible. They are also brighter, cheaper to manufacture, and more environmentally friendly than plasma displays or LCDs. Over the next few years, OLED will be coming to a boob tube near you, and later maybe to the walls of your house, or even the windshield of your car.
Thin and Rich

When Sony showed off its 27-inch active-matrix OLED flat panel at last January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, you could hear jaws dropping. A contrast ratio of a million to one, with pure blacks, blinding whites, and brilliant colors; no problems with viewing angles or ambient light; faster response times than LCDs; and low energy consumption--all on a pane of glass thinner than a Bic pen.

"OLEDs...reproduce the exact colors a movie maker intended," says Barry Young, OLED expert for DisplaySearch. "LCDs [and plasmas] can't produce 100 percent of the grayscales in the original image...; OLEDs can."

Right now, only one model is available: Sony's XEL-1, which measures 11 inches diagonally, costs $2500, and has a short useful-life span.

But the XEL-1 is mostly a proof-of-concept item, says Young. OLEDs using newer materials are proving more robust, and eventually they'll long outlast plasma and LCD sets, he adds.

This year, the flat-panel industry woke up and smelled the diodes. Samsung SDI--the world's largest maker of OLEDs for cell phones and portable media players--is pumping half a billion dollars into new manufacturing plants. Epson, LG, Toshiba, and other major manufacturers of OLEDs are following suit.

Janice Mahone, vice president of technology commercialization for Universal Display, says that consumers should start to see OLED panels in the 20-to-30-inch range in 2009. But it's likely to be two years or more before OLEDs can compete with LCDs on price.
A Flat Future

OLED isn't the only promising new TV technology. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)--LED-powered displays that employ millions of microscopic shutters to control light passing through them--use less power than OLEDs, but they trail OLEDs in development.

Mahone admits that LCDs have lots of life left, and manufacturers--who are loath to cannibalize their LCD sales--will likely try to keep OLED prices high for several years. In the long run, though, OLED sets will become cheaper to produce, thanks to having less electronics.

"You could have a paper-thin, wall-size OLED that displays video, shows photographs, or provides ambient light with a flick of a switch," says Mahone. Transparent OLED technology could provide the same instant control for the windows in your room or for a heads-up display on the windshield of your car.

If you're planning on buying a big-screen TV set this year, it won't be an OLED. But your next TV after that one very well could be--if it isn't built into the walls of your next house.

Estelle Getty

You Will Be Missed!



Link to article HERE.

Granny Don't Play

By David Pierce
Pocono Record Writer
July 12, 2008

STROUD TOWNSHIP — This rabid fox was crazy enough to mess with the wrong family.

Avis Blakeslee, 77, was attacked by a rabid fox Monday near her Cherry Valley Road home and came away from the confrontation with multiple bites on her right leg and left arm, severe loss of blood and four days of treatment at Pocono Medical Center.
Rabies in Monroe County

The fox was pinned to the ground by Blakeslee, held there by grandson, Matt Blakeslee, 17, and shot to death by her son, Richard Blakeslee. All this happened after Avis Blakeslee walked out of her white brick farmhouse at about 6:30 p.m. Monday to tend to her petunia garden, growing inside a tractor tire near the road.

"I had been home and eaten dinner and went out to look at the garden," she said Friday from a hospital bed set up in her home. "I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I said, 'Dog,' and it came out and bit me. When I saw it, it was right beside me. But I don't know where it came from."

The fox bit her leg first.

"I tried to shake it off my leg and it bit my arm," Blakeslee recalled. "I pushed it to the ground after it bit my arm and held its jaws shut."

Blakeslee, who takes a blood-thinning medication called Coumadin for a heart condition, began to bleed heavily.

"I'm down on my knees holding its jaw shut," she said. "Finally this one car came. I just kept my hand on the jaw and signalled with my other arm."

Andrea Bittenbender stopped to assist, grabbed a blanket out of her car and threw it over the fox's head. Then Bittenbender ran to a nearby house for help. Grandson Matt, meanwhile, heard Bittenbender's pleas for help and ran out of his house next door, just east of his grandmother's home.

"Matt ran out the door and my husband (Richard) loaded the gun," said the victim's daughter-in-law, Diane Blakeslee.

"I ran in the wood shed and grabbed the sledgehammer," said Matt, glancing over to address his grandmother. "I was ready to beat it, but you were worried I was going to hit you with it."

Matt pressed the hammer end of the sledgehammer against the fox's head, pinning the animal to the ground so his grandmother could let go. Richard Blakeslee arrived moments later and shot the fox with his 12-gauge shotgun. The entire incident lasted just a couple of minutes, Avis Blakeslee estimates.

"Most of the time if the animal becomes positive with rabies they become very docile and find a place to lie down and die," Bentzoni said.

Avis Blakeslee, who has lived in Cherry Valley since she was 10, is as surprised as anyone to be attacked by a fox.

"I had never seen a fox," she said. "I've seen a dead one once."

Beef and Oranges

As hot as Florida is, it has become a bit hotter over the last month or so. Trick Daddy seems fed up with today's state of "Hip Hop" and I can't say that I blame him. He seems angry... but who is his anger aimed mostly at? Some say it's Rick Ross the boss of the state, but recently, Trick said he is the boss of the state.

Trick spit, "Let's set this record straight/ N---a, I run this whole state/ There's only one mayor of Dade/ And y'all n---as is my protégés."

A lot of fans are taking this as a direct diss to Rick Ross since it's been rumored that there has been some friction betwunx'd the two artists. I heard an interview today on Shade 45, Sirius satellite radio, where a reporter asked Rick Ross about the notion of Trick Daddy allegedly starting the rumor that Rick Ross used to be a corrections/probation officer. Rick was heated and began to pretty much beg Trick Daddy for some confrontation.

There is no proof that Trick Daddy started the rumor. Trick Daddy also denies any sort of animosity towards Rick Ross.

Though Trick denied any animosity toward Ross, he did admit to having a beef with today's hip-hop in general, calling it predictable. The rapper said he's tired of artists getting signed to labels based off one song and then not being able to follow up with a strong album. (MTV News)

Can't say I blame him.

I-M

The Whole Thang?

Words out via MTV.com that Timbaland is producing Jay Z's entire next album. According to Timbaland it's going to be a classic.

"He wants me to do the whole thing this time around," Timbaland said Monday during a visit to the MTV News office. "I'mma make it a classic too. You better believe it. It'll be a monster! I always say this: You get a first single from me, I'mma get you up to gold. And it's hard to get you up to gold in this day [and age]." (MTV.com)

MTV hasn't reported a production start date or a release date for the album.

Why the F?

WHY the F would you ask Marshall for his autograph while he is pissing? I mean there is a time and a place for everything. It's one thing that the man is probably sick of being mobbed by people wanting something ... "Kyle Pratt" but to bother a man during personal time as private as using the bathroom? OH, and then have the nerve to turn around and sue, because Marshall did what 90% of people in America would have probably done in the same situation, is effing ridiculous. I would have peed on him. I mean who was this guy? Stan?
So the story goes...

Two years ago Eminem beat up a guy in a strip club. No big surprise, right? Right. We haven’t heard a lot from Eminem in a while, but it makes sense that when we would, it’d be for some kind of fight. Well even though the guy laid low for a couple years, he’s decided that NOW is the time to sue the rapper – for the gigantic sum of $25,000.

A man has sued Eminem, claiming the rapper punched him two years ago while they were in the bathroom of a Detroit strip club.

The Detroit News reports Miad Jarbou of Royal Oak filed the lawsuit Thursday in Oakland County Circuit Court seeking more than $25,000 in damages. The suit claims Eminem punched him July 13, 2006, at Cheetah’s On the Strip Gentlemen’s Club.

Eminem spokesman Dennis Dennehy declined to comment Friday on the lawsuit.

Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, wasn’t charged following reports of an incident at the club in 2006.

The strip club is located on Eight Mile Road, the border between Detroit and the northern suburbs made famous by Eminem’s hit 2002 film “8 Mile.”

[From the Huffington Post]

The incident happened after Jarbou and a friend approached Eminem for an autograph in the club’s bathroom. The rapper was at the urinal, and his bodyguard turned Jarbou away. According to his account, he was trying to explain to the bodyguard that he wanted to meet Eminem when the rapper turned around and punched him.

Bravo. Like I said before, "peed on em."

I-M

HA

WTFLMAO so funny

The Maddest I'll Ever Be

Kanye's reaction to the criticism over the Bonnaroo incident was clear and to the point.

"This is the most offended I've ever been... this is the maddest I ever will be. I'm typing so fucking hard I might break my fucking Mac book Air!!!!!!!!" Kanye

Kanye's performance was supposed to begin at 2:45am and didn't get underway until 4:25am. Needless to say, fans were pissed. However, it allegedly wasn't Kanye's fault, which I believe by the way. Kanye reports that his camp and the people at Bonnaroo had been going back and forth for weeks on whether or not the specs for his stage would fit properly. Kanye further responds saying that Bonnaroo had originally planned for him to perform during day light which would have ruined his whole plot of a glow in the dark performance for "Stronger."

"BONNAROO SHOULD HAVE RELEASED A STATEMENT IN MY DEFENSE BUT SINCE THEY HAVEN'T LET'S BREAK DOWN THE WALLS ON THIS TRUMAN SHOW AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT REALLY OCCURRED!!! FOR OVER A MONTH WE WENT BACK AND FORTH ON WHETHER OR NOT WE COULD EVEN FIT MY STAGE AT THE FESTIVAL. ONE DAY THEY WOULD SAY YES... WE'D SEND THEM OUR SPECS THEN THEY THEY'D SAY OK... THEN THEY WOULD SEND SPECS BACK THAT DIDN'T FIT THE STAGE. WE WERE OBVIOUSLY DEALING WITH FUCKING IDIOTS WHO DIDN'T REALLY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO REALLY PUT ON THIS SHOW PROPERLY. THEY TRIED 2 GIVE ME A TIME SLOT WERE IT WAS STILL LIGHT OUTSIDE ... I HAVE A FUCKING LIGHT SHOW DUMB ASS, IT'S NOT CALLED GLOW IN THE DARK FOR NO REASON SQUID BRAINS! MY PEOPLE WORKED OUT A COMPROMISED STAGE PLOT AND A 3AM TIME SLOT AND I AGREED. FAST FORWARD TO THE DAY OF THE SHOW. MY PRODUCTION MANAGER TRIED TO LOAD IN FOR 24 HOURS BEFORE I WENT ON STAGE BUT THE FESTIVAL WOULDN'T ALLOW US TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL PEARL JAM LEFT THE STAGE. PEARL JAM ENDED ONE HOUR
LATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AT THAT POINT WE'RE RACING AGAINST THE SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kanye

Visit Kanye's blog here www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/. Lots of interesting posts on electronics and fashion. Good stuff!

I-M

BET AWARDS 2008 NEYO ON STAGE

BET Awards

Usher @ BET Awards 08

BET Awards

Tha Carter III

As refreshing as a bottle of vitamin water after a 50 Cent concert, this new notch in the Cash Money/Universal belt is getting rave reviews. Not to mention it blew the doors off the Billboard top 200, and made a hot shot debut on 3 different charts. Best rapper alive?

40 guest appearances since 1999 each of which he spat HOT FIRAH on. Check it owt! I'm sure you will LOVE it, especially if you are a LiL' Weezy connoisseur. If you are on the fence, you may not be for long. "A Milli" ("I'm a venereal disease/like a menstrual I bleed")

I-M

Summer Sale

With rising gas prices, hold on, who am I kidding? Let me rephrase this. With gas prices already ridiculous, we at Legacy Recording Company sympathize with consumers. Life's expensive right now and every little bit helps. That's why we have decided to knock down the prices on everything with a LRC logo on it, starting with IE's debut album "Truth is Found." Yep, right now you can purchase IE's debut, full length album for only $8 at legacyrc.com.



That's a total of 15 songs for only $8.



The album will also soon be lowering at Digstation.com and CDBaby.com. So, go grab one!! Also, thanks for the huge support thus far! Without you wonderful people supporting Indie the way you do, we would have no motivation at all.

Much Luv!

I-M

2008 MTV Movie Awards

2008 MTV Movie Awards

Coldplay "Viva La Vida"

Distro Deal

Cool news out of Cleveland ...

Cleveland and LA based Standby records inked a distro deal with Victory records out of the CHI. Standby was founded in 2007 in Toledo, OH and then was quickly bought up by super entrepreneur Neil Sheehan who also owns and runs HM live. Victory ... well who is Victory? Only one of the largest Indie rock labels in the US! **SMACK**

Be on the look out for new artists on Standby to be pumped world wide through Victory. I believe Victory's distro is through RED.



Tony Brummel, Founder of Victory Records was quoted saying, “The independent music scene continues to be the growth sector and beacon of hope for the music industry." True, True. Indie is that shining light in the dark shadows of the BIG 4. I'll give Tony some props there ... just some tho, I'm still steaming over Victory's alleged beef with "Taking Back Sunday". Pay your fucking artists!

Viva La Vida

Ahh, the US tour begins in Philly I believe. Not sure if I will be able to go. Yep, how sad is that? It sucks working too much.

The two brand new singles are amazing. "Violet Hill", "Viva La Vida", heard em both on Alt Nation Sirius channel 21. The album can be pre-ordered now on itunes.com, I believe you get special treatment for doing so.



I waited a while for new Coldplay. I did however live off rationing from the Chris Martin features on both the Jay Z and Kanye West albums, but it wasn't enough. (I thought the Jigga man's was better by the way sorry Kanye... ya big brother gotcha) Anyway, at least now I can say that the wait was worth it.

I-M

Success ...

I have been searching around MySpace for BANGIN and I think I have found it.



Indie is a wonderful thing, and in this case a wonderful thing comes to us via Paper Rival. NICE The music is smooth, deep, and meaningful. Indie Monster likey. I'm very impressed and I think these guys will be around for a while. The label is PFR/Gize. Check em owt at www.myspace.com/paperrival. Oh yeah, and the Full length CD entitled Dialog will be hitting stores June 3rd.

I-M

As Expected

Death Cab For Cutie claims its first No. 1 album as "Narrow Stairs" starts at the top slot on the Billboard 200. The Atlantic set moved 144,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen Soundscan. Death Cab's prior album, 2005's "Plans," debuted at No. 4 with 90,000 and spent 50 weeks on the chart. (Billboard.com)



Congrats guys! I loved "Plans" and now this ... truly talented.

When I heard "I Will Possess Your Heart" I knew they had made something special. For those who haven't heard the new SPECTACULAR music from DCFC please do so NOW you will be enlightened. http://www.myspace.com/deathcabforcutie

I-M

New to Warner Bros

American Idol contestant, Josiah Leming, was just picked up by Warner Bros for recording and publishing ($$$). I don't know if you remember his audition, but he was the guy that surprisingly sounded British when he sang for the judges. Crazy, straight Coldplay from the dirty dirty, USA. He did make it to Hollywood but was soon rejected by surprise to many... including me. I thought he was good. Anyway, dude used to live in his car and now he could end up on MTV Cribs one day. Ya never know?

Check em owt!



www.myspace.com/josiahleming

DCFC

Crappy Weather

Speaking of Rainy Monday's ... STG's single rang out loud today right before I heard The Black Key's for the first time on Alt Nation. NICE Akron represent!

Get at me guys, new blog posts coming, new stuff to legacyrc.com as well.

Dos Equis

Cheers!

W O W

Ha Ha Ha Jason Got Me...