Random News Shit: NBA Free Agency Edition Pt. 1

1) LeBron To Meet With Knicks Thursday
Wait a second, so the aren't even flying LeBron out to New York, they're going to meet in Cleveland?? Man, I thought they didn't stand a chance before, now they're totally out of it. The only thing the Knicks can do at this point is show LeBron the "Cleveland, At Least We're Not Detroit" video on a continuous loop.

This is just a formality, LeBron is NOT going to the Knicks.

2) Nets Try To Woo Free Agents With Jay-Z/Prokhorov Billboard
My main question about that billboard is do you think jay-Z had any say on whether his image with on it?? I doubt it. New Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov would've sent some Russian mobsters down to Brooklyn to tune Hov and the Roc Nation up if he didn't agree. And that's suggesting he even bothered asking Jay-Z's permission, he could've just said fuck it and did it.

Whatever, the Nets aren't get anybody anyway. Maybe an Amare or Boozer, but none of the big three.

3) Dirk Nowitzki Opts Out Of Mavs Contract
This is intriguing, but I don't think Dirk wants to leave Mark Cuban. It's sad too because Dallas is never going to win with Dirk as their best player. It's just not gonna happen. He's best off in a situation like playing with Wade in Miami or with LeBron in Cleveland...or maybe Chicago?? I'd love to have Dirk in Miami, but like Bill Simmons said yesterday on ESPN's free agency summit, the city of Dallas would kill themselves if Dirk left them for the team that beat them in the Finals in '06. I think Dirk either goes to Chicago, or stays in Dallas.

4) Paul Pierce Plans To Opt Out
Oh stop it Paul, we all know you aren't going anywhere.

5) Amare Testing Free Agency
I can't wait to see who gives Amare Stoudemire a max contract so he can give you 15 and 8 next year. Yeah, he averaged 23 and 9 in 09-10, but that was when he played with Steve Nash. If he goes to New York or Miami he'll be asked to create his own shots. That's right, now more super easy baskets in the paint off perfect passes from Nash. Amare needs Nash more than Nash needs Amare.

My gut feeling is that he'll end up playing for the Knicks because after they get burned by all of the big three they'll have to bring in something so the city doesn't take to the streets to riot.

6) Richard Jefferson Gives Up $15 Million To Opt Out
I thought Richard Jefferson was an idiot when he dumped his fine ass fiance last summer, but that doesn't have SHIT on this. By optioning out of the final year of his contract with the Spurs, he's agreeing to give up the $15 million he's due to make next season for a chance to make less than half of that somewhere else. Did he not see himself play last year?? Talk about Idiocrary 101.

7) Allen Iverson Will Try To Comeback Next Season
I love A.I., but it's time to give it up. He doesn't want to be a role player, so what's the point?? I could see if his goal was to win a championship, but his goal is to start. He totally has the wrong mindset to contribute on a winner at this point in his career.

8) Doc Rivers To Remain Coach Of Celtics
Good for Doc. That is all.

9) Cavs In Negotiations With Byron Scott To Coach
Smart move on the Cavs behalf, Scott is a very good coach and he won't just be a suit like Mike Brown was.

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DJ Khaled - All I Do Is Win (Remix) (feat. Various Artists)

I missed out on posting the remix when it first dropped in late April, but I'm right here with the music video to redeem myself.

Man, it's awesome to see Fabolous and Jadakiss in the video because Lord knows they weren't given that look Sunday night on the BET Award.

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DMC - I Got More Songs Than You

DMC is a legend and all, but this song is terrible. Back in April he was talking it up like it was the song of the year, but this is shit. It sounds like a cracked out version of a Gnarls Barkley song. DMC, do me a favor and stay retired.

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Lil Twist & His Aunt Make Kat Stacks Apologize

I'm not gonna lie, I do kinda, sorta starting to feel sorry for Kat Stacks. I know, I know, just hear me out.

Okay, do I think she deserves all these bad things that are happening to her?? Yes, 100%, she brought ALL of this on herself. But look at her face, she just looks so gotdamn pathetic, almost as if she doesn't know why this is happening to her. How could you not feel sorry for her (unless you were one of the rappers she tried to put on blast)?? It almost felt like they were harassing a mentally challenged kid...wait a minute, maybe they were??

If for one second you think this chick is in her right mind, you're about half as crazy as she is. Now I'm no doctor, but I'm almost positive she suffers from some sort of mental disorder...and no I'm NOT joking. Doesn't she live here in Florida?? Somebody in her family should have her Baker Acted. I bet if they did they'd find something wrong with her.

Where is her family anyway, don't they see her life spiraling out of control?? I know she's grown, but if Cougar Stacks can scream on Chopper, then she can do something about her daughter. Or better yet, done something about her before she turned into the cumdumpster she is today.

How about this, we find ol' Cougar Stacks and send her ass to jail?? Parents need to be held more responsible for the seeds they create and unleash on society. Kat Stacks didn't just turn into what she is today overnight, this has been brewing for years, and her mom never did anything about it. Now she's our problem. Bullshit! Go arrest Cougar, and Baker Act Kat. Done and done, problem solved.

So in closing, I don't feel sorry for Kat Stacks in the sense that she is getting what she's been asking for, but rather in the sense that she's most likely not working with a full deck and was allowed to be unleashed on us all.

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Jadakiss On Lil Kim/Nicki Minaj Situation

I haven't spoken on the whole Lil Kim/Nicki Minaj situation because I honestly don't care enough about it, BUT I do care about whatever Jadakiss says because he's so hilarious to me lol. This video isn't overtly funny or anything, but I just like hearing Jada's opinion on things.

(Side note: How awesome of a show would "Jada's Opinion On Things" be?? It could have Kiss speaking on Hip-Hop issues as well as global issues, like the BP oil crisis in the Gulf. I can't think of one other rapper I'd rather listen to speaking on random shit than Jadakiss. Not one. I'd tune in to hear what he says, as well as how he says it, every gotdamn week! That's something to think about MTV and BET. You're welcome.)

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NBA Free Agency Summit 2010

Here's the full ESPN NBA free agency summit special I was talking about earlier featuring Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon, Bill Simmons, Dan LeBatard. Awesome show! ESPN should consider making this a regular show on the network. I much rather watch this than The Sports Reporters. I'm just saying.

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Random News Shit: The LeBron/Free Agency Edition

1) Miami Now Front-Runner To Land James, Bosh, & Wade??
Could it be true?? Could this picture possibly be more than just that of a Photoshop expert's dreams?? Answer: I don't know.

Really, who knows?? I don't even think LeBron, Bosh, or Wade know. Normally I would say, "only God knows," but I'm not even sure he does either. God could be up in the kingdom of heaven telling Jesus to stop playing and put it on ESPN. Who knows??

Honestly, I don't believe any of this media fodder coming out over the past few days. One second LeBron is leaning towards staying in Cleveland, the next he's planning to meet with the Knicks July 1st, then he's leaning towards going to Chicago with Bosh, and now Miami is the front-runner. For all we know, LeBron's camp could be putting out all these rumors to confuse us, or to light a fire under Cleveland's ass to build him a super team. Again, who knows??

Here's what we do know: 1) LeBron James wants to win championships, 2) Chris Bosh wants to play wherever LeBron is playing, 3) Dwyane Wade isn't going to leave Miami, and 4) money is NOT a major factor.

Now here are the options for LeBron: 1) stay in Cleveland and hope Bosh changes his mind about not wanting a sign-and-trade there, 2) go Chicago and play with Derrick Rose, Bosh, and Joakim Noah (who LeBron doesn't even like by the way), 3) go to New York and play with Bosh and Joe Johnson and a possibility of another big free agent next season when they dump Eddie Curry's contract, 4) go to New Jersey, which has the richest owner, and play with Bosh and some other players, or 5) go to Miami and play with Wade, Bosh, and a bunch of scraps. Tough decision.

Personally, though I'd LOVE to have LeBron and Bosh in Heat uniforms, I have a gut feeling that he's going to stay in Cleveland and convince Bosh to come with him. But that's just me.

If you don't agree with my take, check out the takes of Michael Wilbon, Tony Kornheiser, Dan LeBatard, and the one and only Bill Simmons tonight on ESPN at 7pm! Also, LeBatard and Simmons are going to be on the "5 Good Minutes" segment on PTI today so check that out too. I know I will.

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Random News Shit: Old News Edition

1) Pornographic Magazine For The Blind Launched

Lord, I've seen it all. Wait, poor choice of words.

On some real shit though, I don't think not being able to see porn even cracks the top 50 of problems facing blind people. Anyway, my first question is why are there gonna be naked males?? Is there any male who'd turn down a blind chick if she asked to feel his dick?? Nope, so what's the use??

Also, blind men are still men, they don't wanna feel no damn brail ass titties, they wanna feel some real titties. A blind dude's life is hard enough, now he has make love on himself to brail?? And that's not even to mention the girls aren't even hot! Who are these pictures of?? The one on the left looks like Rick Ross wearing The Mask. No, I'm not down with this at all!

And I'm not the only one against this magazine, I texted Stevie Wonder earlier and he wrote back, "ghyeddx bduydhjdiksagha hgdgh hgdgre younatrgrba gdytewasqifbzmf!!" Ouch!

Here's an idea: a blind dating service! You know, something like eHarmony, we could call it SeeHarmony...okay, we'll work on the name. Stick with me here though, single blind men meeting single blind women, where's the downside?? There isn't any. Okay, well getting them to and from their dates (or intimate encounters) might be a task, but other than that it's all upside, right?? Right! Let me start getting my business plan together now.

2) Indonesian Teen Chops Off Penis & Throws It In Well After Girlfriend Planned To Marry Another Man
Good luck trying to find a new girlfriend without a penis. Like the Eddie Griffin slave joke used to go, "you can show up with one foot and get some pussy, but you can't show up with 2 good legs and no dick."

How about his girl though, she's a lousy bitch, aint she? But to be fair, she probably knew he was crazy and that's why she left him. I'm sure his dick size played a role as well. Pause and all that, but if you got a porn star dick, cutting it off is not even a plan double-Z option. I'm just saying.

Okay, last question: Why did he throw it down the well?? Now the village's only option is to drink blood & dick punch (or "Penissy") or go thirsty. Ain't that some shit??

3) Woman Stabs Common-Law Husband Over Bad Sex
Well I say this was a win for this guy. I mean, she could've just stabbed him, at least he got some pussy first. I'm sure other domestic stabbees have no sympathy for him.

4) Teachers Accused Of Sprinkling Holy Water On Atheist...At My Old High School!
I like the part where the 2 teachers just happened to overhear the conversation and just happened to have holy water on hand. Who brings holy water to work, let alone walks around with it?? Then again, if you bring holy water to work, why not walk around with it?? Exxxxactly!

Seriously though, I think this story is some ol bullshit. They threw holy water on her?? Stop it.

Now unfortunately I don't know either of the teachers accused, BUT the atheist broad does look kinda familiar. Oh well.

5) Upcoming Movie To Focus On & Embarrass Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg
I'm not even sure I believe this is actually going to happen, but if it does, Zuckerberg has so much money I'm sure he won't care. I know I wouldn't.

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Dr. Dre Says Under Pressure Is Not Finished

As any regular reader of my website knows, I gave up on Detox long, long ago, and though I did hear Under Pressure the day it dropped I never posted it. It was clearly undone and I wasn't impressed by what was laid down anyway. Whatever, I'll believe Detox is dropping when I have it in my hand.

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R.I.P. Sen. Robert Byrd

I'm just hearing that West Virginia senator Robert Byrd passed away early this morning. He was 92 years old. In honor of Sen. Byrd, I'm going to bring back this old classic that brought me so much joy in years past. No disrespect. R.I.P.

SOURCE

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Outside The Lines: Purple Drank

When I saw "purple drank" on the front page of ESPN.com, I just HAD to click the link. Inside was this video clip of an "Outside The Lines" segment on syrup. It's a nice piece, but to be honest with you, I forgot all about the lean. Of course I don't live in Houston, but it just doesn't seem as prominent in Hip-Hop since Pimp C passed away from overdosing on it in 2008. I'm glad it's gone too. I don't believe in getting high off anything, but this had to be by far the dumbest drug since crack.

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Jay-Z & Eminem Perform On Letterman

I've been meaning to post this video, BUT not because it's Jay-Z and Eminem performing together. No, we've seen that plenty of times. I wanted to talk about why they hell they haven't made another song together yet. I mean come on guys, Renegade is damn near 10 years old now, make a new song!

Anyway, Hov's interview with Letterman is after the jump.

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Kevin Hart As Money Mayweather

LMAO!! Man, this shit had me DYING! You know K. Hart is a great comedian because he doesn't even have to be telling a joke to be funny, it's just natural. I can't wait until "Seriously Funny" pops off July 11th at 10pm on Comedy Central!

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The Rapping Weatherman Skeetox Forecast

I wanna thank my homie Whitney for bringing this guy to my attention, he's so G! I don't know what else to say, the man is just captivating lol.

How long do you think it takes him to write and memorize these verses?? Does he do it like Jay-Z do it all in his head?? Are the words on a teleprompter?? Is the black guy ghostwriting for him?? What's the deal?? I have to find out more about this guy when I get off work today lol.

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Big K.R.I.T. Signs To Def Jam

I still remember being in my homegirl's (and former co-worker's) car in like 2008 and her telling me about this guy named Big K.R.I.T., and now look at him in 2010. Def Jam definitely isn't the force it was in year's past, but the man has come a LONG way and is helping prove that real rap is back. You're gonna have to have mic skills to hang around in these upcoming years because these labels aren't giving away deals to just anybody ol' dude now.

Anyway, congrats to K.R.I.T., and man, Def Jam y'all might wanna hired my homegirl Tonya because she keeps her ears to the streets and saw this YEARS ago lol.

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T-Pain's Video Auto-Tune App

Y'all know I'm a huge detractor of auto-tune, but I can't front, this is pretty damn gangsta. Yeah, it'd get annoying after awhile, but hell, its free.

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The Winners & Losers Of BET Awards 2010

Five and a half hours of entertainment at the BET Awards 2010. Some good, some bad, but one this is for sure: there were plenty of winners and loser! Lets go!

Winners: Dondria's body; foxtails; Naturi Naughton's body; Trey Songz's momma; Trey Songz for bringing his fine ass momma; Kanye West's performance; Queen Latifiah's rap verse over Forever; Jada Pinkett's legs; Alicia Keys; bronzer; Swizz Beatz for upgrading his R&B singer wifey; smoke machines; Usher; Mike Epps; the show "The Game"; T.I.; Nia Long; Lorenze Tate; Drake; Alicia's performance; B.o.B; Keyshia Cole's vocals; Eminem's performance; Monica's performance; lip-synching; light-up jackets; Young Jeezy; Trey Songz momma again; El DeBarge; Gary Coleman; Todd Bridges; Teddy P; Tyrese; dark skin brothas; John Legend; J. Cole; Janelle Monae; Esperanza; Alicia Keys one more time; Patti LaBelle; Prince; Jehovah; Chris Brown; Ludacris; lip-synching; DJ Khaled; Tommy Lee.

Biggest Winner: The smoke machine!

Losers: B.o.B; Bruno Mars replacement; T.I.'s suit; fake Glee choir group (Crenshaw High Elite); African fashion; Dondria's vocals; Cassie's hair; Doug E. Fresh; Nokio's hair; Nicki Minaj's everything; Roscoe Dash's hair; Carmelo Anthony sweater; Soulja Boy for ever recording Pretty Boy Swag; Kanye West's performance outfit; the rest of Queen Latifah's opening act; Willow Smith, Mashonda; Keyshia's hair; B.o.B's sailor hat; Monica's outfit; Diddy-Dirty Money; Michael Jackson; Chris Brown; Drake's live performance; BET's censors; Debra Lee; Janelle Monae's hair (as usual); Alicia's unborn child; Rick Ross' shirt; Busta Rhymes; Diddy again; Nicki Minaj again; Fabolous' verse on All I Do Is Win Remix.

Biggest Loser: Barbers & hair stylist in L.A.

Overall, the show was pretty damn good. I mean, the 2 worst performances (Diddy-Dirty Money and All I Do Is Win Remix) weren't even all that bad. In facet, the main show was so good, half of the losers are from the pre-show and all but 5 of the winners were from the main show. Yeah, that good. I pleasantly surprised.

It wasn't all good though. The first major problem was the fact they didn't even present all the awards. Seriously, who won Best New Artist, Best Gospel Artist, Best Group, Video Director of the Year, and Best International Act?? They made up an award pre-show and gave it to Chris Brown for crying (and yes they made the award up, if you say they didn't then tell me who else was nominated for it??), but they couldn't do any of these awards they actually released nominees for?? Now they could've come on while I wasn't paying attention...but I doubt it.

The only other major problem I had with the show itself was Chris Brown's Michael Jackson tribute. I know everybody loved it, but the move weren't that crisp. Usher should have done it since he is the one Michael anointed to take his place. The light-up jacket dance sequence was dope though.

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Nominate @FiyahMuZik To Be MTV TJ Because...

Aight here's my latest video! There's so much more things I wish I could've done in it, but I think it turned out great nevertheless. Oh, and sorry for the slip up on the website posts, I meant to say forty-six hundred not 46,000. I guess that's why you shouldn't stay up until 6:30am editing a video lol.

Also, its still not to late to head over to zync.mtv.com and nominate your boy @FiyahMuZik to be the first ever MTV TJ!

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The Top 5 Real World-less Cities of America

Real World season 24 "Back To New Orleans" marks the second time MTV has re-done a location, so I figured I'd help out and assemble a list of the "Top 5 Real World-less Cities of America."

5) Phoenix
Why no love for AZ?? Everything poppin' that happens in the state of Arizona, happens in Phoenix. Trust me, I have family in Sierra Vista, and I lived there for about a year (so what I was 6 years old when I got there and 7 when I left lol). Plus, it's hot so more opportunity for skin and random nakedness.

The only downfall is the recent immigration laws being enforced in AZ. MTV might not want to support a state that essentially allows racial profiling.

Potential Job: Teaching online classes for the University Of Phoenix... or discovering why AriZona Ice Tea was founded and is based out of New York.

4) Houston
Houston, TX is a scene unlike any other in the United States. It's almost like its own little country, it's that different. It would definitely be a great place for a Real World because it has great nightlife (well at least in the hood lol).

Potential Job: Working in TV Johnny's jewelry store making and selling grillz.

3) Baltimore
Baltimore is a very underrated city. Yeah, there is crime and all that stuff, but everything isn't "The Wire" in B-More. And just think of all the great things they've given us: the aforementioned series "The Wire," Babe Ruth, crab cakes, Cab Calloway, Edgar Allen Poe, Mugsy Bogues, Frederick Douglass, Dru Hill, Johns Hopkins (hospital and university), Mo'Nique, Mel Kiper Jr., Jada Pinkett-Smith, B&O Railroad in Monopoly, Montel Williams, and of course David Hasselhoff. What more can I say?? No, what more needs to be said??

Potential Job: Finding Mo'Nique's brother and whoopin' his ass!

2) Dallas
Besides the fact that I'm a massive fan of the Dallas Cowboys, everything I'm hearing is that Dallas is a city on the rise. After the 2010 NBA All-Star, that was all you heard! "Dallas is awesome!" "Dallas is the most underrated city in the U.S.!" Well it's time for MTV to crack that baby wide open with a "Real World: Dallas."

Potential Job: Anything involving the Dallas Cowboys including (but not limited to) dancing in the steel cages over the field during game, ironing Jerry Jones' wrinkles, and trying not to get lost in Cowboys Stadium.

1) Atlanta
And then there's Atlanta. How has MTV gone 24 seasons of the Real World without making a stop in Georgia, let alone Atlanta?? "Real World: Atlanta" has greatness written all over it! Plus it has the 2 things Real World loves the most: hot chicks and gay men. Also, there would be no excuse to not have at least 3 black people on there! This HAS to happen. MTV, I'm begging you, please!

Potential Job: Cleaning the stripper poles at Magic City, Strokers, and the 87 other strip clubs in the city of Atlanta.

Honorable Mention: Detroit
Detroit is definitely one of the most famous cities in America, so it would kind of make sense to give them a Real World. I'm not sure who would audition to be on it (I know I sure as hell wouldn't), but I'm sure someone would.

The reasons it could never be chosen includes the following: Even MTV couldn't find jobs there, it's a cold weather city, and it has a lot of "first Real World cast member to be shot" potential.

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Who Should Win, Who Will Win: BET Awards 2010

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Alicia Keys
Rihanna

Who Should Win: Alicia Keys

Who Will Win: Alicia Keys

My Take: Rihanna is still considered a R&B artist??

Anyway, Beyonce is always great, but over the past year all she's done with make 2 videos with Lady Gaga. Mary J. Blige had a decent year sales wise, but no real hit singles. Melanie Fiona is great, but lets be serious. Rihanna does mainly pop and alternative music, and Rude Boy alone isn't enough to win her this award. That leaves Alicia Keys. She had several hits over past year, stayed relevant the entire time, and her album went platinum fairly quickly. She's GOT to win this award.

(Side note: How in the hell did Melanie Fiona beat out Monica for a spot here?? Not only has Monica outsold her, BUT SHE HAS A TV SHOW ON BET!)

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Raheem DeVaughn
Maxwell
Trey Songz
Usher

Who Should Win: Usher

Who Will Win: Trey Songz

My Take: Let the records show now that if Trey Songz does indeed win, he deserved it. This was his breakout year, and you'd be hard pressed to find a female who doesn't want to help their neighbors know his name as well. I would give it to Usher though because I can't go anywhere without hearing OMG, Lil Freak, or There Goes My Baby! Whether I'm watching TV, driving in the car, or getting my haircut, you just can't escape them. And that's not to mention he's already outsold Trey, even though his album dropped 7 months later. Yeah he's Usher, but Trey is on fiyah right now with the ladies, he should have sold MUCH more than he has at the moment.

Also, Don't sleep on Maxwell. Ladies love him just as much, if not more, than Trey Songz and Usher. That's evidence by him coming from out of nowhere last year and selling 316,000 of his BLACKsummers'night in its first week. Here's the dark horse that could actually steal this one from the front-runners.

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Ester Dean
Lil’ Kim
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Trina

Who Should Win: Nicki Minaj

Who Will Win: Nicki Minaj

My Take: Even though Nicki hasn't really done much over the past year outside of a few cameos here and there, she's got to win this one because her competition is basically non-existent. The nominees were essentially thrown together just to say they gave out this award. Seriously, Ester Dean, Lil Kim, Rasheeda, and Trina?? Ester Dean had a minor hit, then disappeared, Lil Kim is only in the news because of a feud with Nicki and Drake, Rasheeda is still an underground artist, and Trina's Amazin' album dropped with so little fanfare than I'm not even sure Slip-N-Slide knows it's out yet. They might as well had thrown Foxy Brown and Missy Elliott in there too. If anything, Nicki wins by default.

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
B.o.B
Drake
Fabolous
Jay-Z
Ludacris

Who Should Win: Jay-Z

Who Will Win: Drake

My Take: Jay-Z dominated the competition again over the past year notching another #1 album, a platinum plaque, and 3 top 10 singles. Even so, this award will be given to Drake to reward him on his big first week numbers. Oh well, I doubt Jay will be trippin' off of this loss.

Best New Artist
Justin Bieber
Melanie Fiona
Nicki Minaj
Wale
Young Money

Who Should Win: Nicki Minaj

Who Will Win: Nicki Minaj

My Take: Justin Bieber?? Really?? Has BET even aired any of his videos?? Like the last award Nicki won, this one was seemingly thrown. I mean, Young Money is literally nominated for "Best New ARTIST," even though they're a group.

Oh well, it's not her fault there haven't been many hot new artists over the past year.

(Side note: Why isn't B.o.B nominated here?? I mean, yeah, he's been out for awhile, but so has Nicki, Wale, Melanie Fiona, and pretty much everybody in Young Money. B.o.B having two #1 singles to his credit cancels out the fact that he just dropped his debut album this past March?? If Melanie Fiona can be nominated for "Best Female R&B Artist" and "Best New Artist," why can't B.o.B be nominated here and "Best Male Hip-Hop Artist" too?? If he were nominated, he'd surely win.)

Best Gospel
The Anointed Pace Sisters
Kirk Franklin Presents Artists United For Haiti
Tamela Mann
Marvin Sapp
Vickie Winans

Who Should Win: Marvin Sapp

Who Will Win: Marvin Sapp

My Take: I won't claim to know all there is about Gospel music, but I do know Marvin Sapp has been the most commercially successful over the past year. It's his award.

Best Group
Black Eyed Peas
Clipse
Diddy-Dirty Money
New Boyz
Young Money

Who Should Win: Young Money

Who Will Win: Black Eyed Peas

My Take: The Black Eyed Peas sold more records than all these acts combined over the past year so they will win, but if you ask me, they shouldn't even be nominated. 1) They aren't a Hip-Hop or R&B act (anymore), and 2) I'm not even sure they get any play on BET. I don't watch 106 & Park or The Deal, but I'm almost positive Boom Boom Pow or I Got A Feeling were getting much play.

Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ Lady Gaga – “Video Phone”
B.o.B f/ Bruno Mars – “Nothin’ on You”
Drake & Trey Songz – “Successful”
Drake f/ Lil Wayne, Kanye West & Eminem – “Forever”
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”
Trey Songz f/ Fabolous – “Say Aah”

Who Should Win: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”

Who Will Win: Drake f/ Lil Wayne, Kanye West & Eminem – “Forever”

My Take: Drake is the hottest artist out right now, so they have to get him more camera time than just one award and one performance. Plus, the strength of the featured artists makes it easier to explain why it will beat out 2 #1 records in Nothin' On You and Empire State Of Mind.

(Side note: Why isn't Run This Town nominated?? It charted higher than 4 of the 6 songs that were.)

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Gil Green
Anthony Mandler
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams

Who Should Win: I don't know.

Who Will Win: I don't know.

My Take: I'm not gonna lie, I hardly ever pay attention to who directed the videos I watch, so I don't know who did what. BET is banking on you not knowing either so they'll give it to either Benny Boom or Chris Robinson because we know who they are. We know Hype Williams too, but I doubt he actually directed many videos over the past year.

Video of the Year
Beyoncé f/ Lady Gaga – “Video Phone”
B.o.B f/ Bruno Mars – “Nothin’ on You”
Melanie Fiona – “It Kills Me”
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West – “Run This Town”

Who Should Win: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”

Who Will Win: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”

My Take: Since Empire State Of Mind will get snubbed in Best Collaboration, BET will make it up by giving this one to Hov and A. Keys.

Viewer’s Choice
Beyoncé – “Sweet Dreams”
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”
Monica – “Everything to Me”
Rihanna f/ Young Jeezy – “Hard”
Trey Songz f/ Fabolous – “Say Aah”
Young Money (Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz, Drake, Tyga) f/ Lloyd – “Bedrock”

Who Should Win: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”

Who Will Win: Young Money (Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz, Drake, Tyga) f/ Lloyd – “Bedrock”

My Take: This award will be interesting seeing the viewers select the winner, and not BET. I know it's out of BedRock and Say Ahh, but I'm leaning towards BedRock because of Drake, Nicki, and Lil Wayne.

Best International Act
Kojo Antwi (Ghana)
Chipmunk (UK)
Dizzee Rascal (UK)
Estelle (UK)
Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) (South Africa)
K’NAAN (Somalia)
M.I. (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Corinne Bailey Rae (UK)
Sade (UK)

Who Should Win: Sade

Who Will Win: Sade

My Take: This award is stupid, but I'm be totally shocked if Sade didn't win.

Centric Award
Melanie Fiona
Maxwell
Chrisette Michele
Monica
Sade

Who Should Win: Maxwell

Who Will Win: Maxwell

My Take: This award is really a slap in the face to Chrisette Michele, Monica, and Sade. BET is basically saying, "you weren't good enough to get nominated in any of the real R&B categories, so we'll give you this one."

Nevertheless, if Maxwell doesn't steal the "Best Male R&B Artist" award, they'll throw him a bone and give him this.

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Real World: Back to New Orleans Trailer

Yes! Two black people!! Hey MTV, as coach Herm Edwards would say, "we can build on this" lol. Look, I've gone on many of rants about why The Real World should always have more than one black person in the cast, but its good to hear they're listening.

The only problem that I have is the location. Why are we doing New Orleans again?? Las Vegas again, Hollywood again, L.A. again, Miami again, fine. But New Orleans?? I don't hate the decision, but I'm just saying, there are a bunch of major American cities they haven't even hit yet. Matter of fact, sounds like a new post: "The Top 5 Real World-less Cities of America." Meet me back here in later!

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Ron Artest - Champions

Here's the video for the single Champions Ron Artest promised in his post-game interview following game 7. You know what?? The song actually isn't terrible. It isn't great either, but if you've heard any of Ron's previous work, Champions is like a 500% upgrade. Awesome.

All I wanna know now is what would've happened if the Lakers had loss game 7?? This is the best song he's ever made, so you know he wouldn't have thrown it out. And what would've happened when Kobe heard it?? I think we might have had our first inter-team NBA murder lol. Anyway, the mp3 is after the jump.

Ron Artest - Champions

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Drake & Jimmy - Tweet Tweet

This is from when Drake was on Jimmy Kimmel Live Thursday night. The song is funny, but I don't think anybody has ever looked weirder in a doo-rag than Drake does lol. I'm just saying.

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EmWow: Vince for Eminem's Recovery (Extended Version)

HILARIOUS! Vince has come a long way from that unfortunate prostitute beat down. Even if I didn't plan on buying Recovery, I definitely after seeing this.

But wait, there's more! Here's another funny promo for Recovery after the jump.


My point exactly!

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Diddy Announces DiddyBlog.com

I know this is a bit old, but I still wanted to put the word out there if you hadn't heard. If you ever get tired of all the hilarity and insanity FiyahMuZik.com has to offer, you can always shoot over to DiddyBlog.com and "inspire, believe, feel, create, love, and grow." I get it. I'm down. DiddyBlog.com! DiddyBlog.com! DiddyBlog.com!!!!

(Side note: I have GOT to get one of those camera Diddy used to make this video!)

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Drake - Thank Me Later (Review)

I know you've been waiting on this one for awhile, but it has finally arrived! Let's do it!

1) Fireworks (feat. Alicia Keys)
Fireworks stays true to the So Far Gone sound that made him famous. Smart move. Shades of Lust For Life, but nothing major. This track gets no complaints from me, its virtually flawless from beat to lyrics to hook to concept, etc. Awesome way to start things out.

2) Karaoke
I remember in late 2009 hearing that Drake was trying to work with Sade, and after hearing Karaoke, I think I know what song he had set aside for her. You can't tell me those singing portions don't sound like they were originally made specifically for Sade. I could be totally wrong, but that's what it sounds like to me.

Anyway, with or without Sade, Karaoke is still amazing. It effortlessly blends in following Fireworks, and the lyrics and beat are top notch. I would have liked to hear another rap verse, but that's an extremely minor issue. Shades of Houstatlantavegas in the arrangement (singing, more singing, rap verse) as well, but I ain't mad at that.

3) The Resistance
The So Far Gone similarities continue on The Resistance, which sounds a lot like a Trey Songz-less version of Successful. It's deeply personal and cleverly worded, just like Successful, and over a beat of similar tempo. Normally following the blueprint you set on a previous body of work this closely is a bad thing, but Drake is working it to perfection thus far.

(Heads up: if you like rap songs with 3 verses, either savor this track or turn the album off now because they become scare after this point. Fair warning.)

4) Over
We already know how I feel about Over, and if you don't, just click here.

5) Show Me A Good Time
Another hit. Show Me A Good Time is pretty much flawless. Great flow, great verses (especially the last 12 or so bars of the 2nd verse), great hook, and great beat. Kanye really laced Drake with some hot shit, and he belted it out of the ballpark like Mark McGwire in '98. He's making it really hard for me to critique so far... but I'm sure that will change sooner than later.

(Side note: This really has nothing to do with how the song sounds, but am I the only one who caught Drake's "can't get me right and not do Wayne" line in the 2nd verse?? That suggests Drake has already moved passed Lil Wayne on the "pulling pussy for the crew" latter. So when Mack Maine, Gutta Gutta or any of the other lesser Young Money guys are trying to fuck something they say "you know I know Drake" over "you know I know Lil Wayne" now??

Well I'd like to believe Lil Wayne could still pull his own hoes at this point in his career, but who knows, maybe Drake pulls more?? If Drake is indeed getting hoes for Wayne, I guess that explains why he's fuckin' beautiful hoes like Lauren London while Jae Millz and them fuckin' irregular boob job hoes like Kat Stacks.)

6) Up All Night (feat. Nicki Minaj)
And just like that we have our first critique-able song. Unlike the flawless Show Me A Good Time, Up All Night is flawed in a few areas.

First off, Drake's verse is BARELY better than Nicki Minaj's. I'm sure no one who knows anything about Hip-Hop would ever confuse Nicki with a good rapper, so if you're Drake this shouldn't have even been close. We should be saying, "damn Drake ripped that shit, why the hell was Nicki Minaj on it anyway?" Not "man, Nicki almost outspit Drake." Its like when a sports team plays down to their competition instead of up at the level we all know they're capable of. We could've had a great verse by Drake to accompany Nicki's "average for most, but hot as hell for Nicki" verse, but got some "aightness" instead.

Both verses had at least 1 overtly wack line in them too. Drake's was, "I'm busy getting rich, I don't want trouble. I made enough for to niggas, boy, stunt double." And Nicki's was, "The fuck I look like ho? I look like yes, and ya look like no." That's just bad.

Flaw number 2 is the hook. That shit was wack and sounded like some Soulja Boy backwash. You can float these out there for a mixtape, but through 5 songs he was flirting with a classic, so its disappointing to hear.

The 3rd flaw is that the song is so freakin' short. It's essentially just 2 minutes because after Nicki's verse, all we get is beat and more of that awful hook for a little less than 2 more minutes. Where is the 3rd verse?? Did you realize we're 6 tracks in and there has only been 13 Drake verses thus far?? That's about 2 verses per track. We're gonna need more than that.

The saving grace for Up All Night is its incredible beat. Why not put Young Jeezy on this one?? I'm sure he could've at least made a better hook than the one currently in use. Oh well, it took 6 tracks to get to this point, so he's still doing fine overall.

7) Fancy (feat. T.I. & Swizz Beatz)
First and foremost, I wanna know who was the engineer that recorded this song, who mastered it, and how did neither notice Swizz Beatz said "nare done" instead of "nails done" in the first half of ALL of the hooks?? The damn song is 5 minutes and 19 seconds long, how does no one catch that??

Now I've gone to some popular lyric websites and they all have Swizz as saying "nail done" in the first part and then "nails done" in the 2nd, but I specifically hear the "r" sound in there which makes it sound like "nare" to me. He could be saying "Nair," as in the hair removal cream, but why would he say hair twice and nails once?? I think Swizz just fucked up and either no one had the balls to correct him or they just didn't notice. I'll pray for the latter. And sorry for dedicating so much time to this minor issue that probably only bothers me lol.

Anyway, Fancy starts off slow, but really hits its stride once T.I.'s verse starts. Tip completely takes ownership of the track until the bridge came, the beat changed, and Drake finally unleashed a 3rd verse. The bridge was a tad long, but overall this is still a very good song.

(Side note: I predict "oh you fancy, huh?" will become the next overused, and eventually fucked out, phrase in Hip-Hop. The process has already begun on Twitter.)

8) Shut It Down (feat. The-Dream)
Its rare that an unfinished version of a song sounds better than the final version, but that's exactly the case here. Have you heard of the term "addition by subtraction?" Well this album version of Shut It Down is "subtraction by addition."

What was the point of adding The-Dream's verse here?? It literally added nothing to the song. At best it was a lateral move... but in actuality that wack ass verse was a downgrade. I mean, majority of it didn't even rhyme. I'm serious, look at it and tell me where the rhymes are:

"Girl you're the greatest. And if he say you ain't, girl he's out his mind. You're the finest. And if he say you ain't, that boy done lost his mind. Hey baby, every time you come around, shut it down like computers. Hey lady, step into my heart and put you in the Louboutins."

See. The only thing he rhymed was "mind" and he rhymed that with itself, so really that doesn't even count.

Drake didn't really help things either with his effort on the 3rd verse. It was wack line after wack line. Check it:

"Shooting stars all around her. Fire. Comets. I could bring her through and shut them down, Onyx."

"You feel the hours pass, until you find somethin'. I feel like when she moves – the time doesn't"

"Yeah, baby you finer than your fine cousin."

That's just bad. Maybe this is the reason for the lack of 3rd verses on earlier tracks?? Okay, well if that's the case, I take back what I said before. We need less 3rd verses.

Well somebody must've got in Drake's ear about how wack the song had become because he comes back for a 4th verse to stretch the track to nearly 7 minutes. I appreciate the extra effort to make up for earlier missteps, but this makes the song way too long. Why not just delete the 3rd verse and replace it with the 4th?? This track is now very skippable.

9) Unforgettable (feat. Young Jeezy)
I still can't figure out if Unforgettable was really meant to be Drake's song or not. Young Jeezy dominated the track in a way that makes me think it was originally intended for Thug Motivation 103 and not Thank Me Later.

Well whoever's album it was meant for really needs to come and finish the song because it sounds majorly underdone. It's funny because it comes right after the super overdone Shut It Down.

Regardless, the hotness of this record can't be denied. The beat is sweet, the Aaliyah sample is perfect (most producers would've went back and sampled the original Isley Brother's version), and the 2.2 verses were useful. I like it...though I still would've loved to hear Jeezy on Up All Night instead.

10) Light Up (feat. Jay-Z)
I know on Shut It Down I said needed less 3rd verses from Drake after that wackness he laid down there, but now I take that back. I don't know how many more 1 verse tracks I can take. Either Drake needs to cool it with the features, or get his bars up because there are just too few verses, rapped or sung.

Besides that, Light Up is still a tad off. I don't know what it is, but it seems like it's supposed to be a little better than it actually is.

Both Drake and Jay's verses were good overall, but both had their flaws. Drake tried to force in too many of his patented "describe something, take a pause, then say the word/name/phrase" punchlines (he didn't even have room for most of the pauses), and Hov dared to spit the elementary "I don't do too much bloggin'. I just run the town, I don't do too much joggin'."

The hook is decent, and the beat is good enough. I like the song, but it was a bit underwhelming.

11) Miss Me (feat. Lil Wayne)
I could be wrong, but aren't there 3 more tracks left on the album?? Okay, so why does Miss Me sound like the end??

In my opinion, this would have been a great closer/outro, but then again, I guess that's why I'm not in the music industry now. Silly me.

Anyway, we still only get 1 verse from Drake, but it is a memorable one, to say the least. Drake not only declares he has a crush on Nicki Minaj and wants to marry her some day, but he rips it. The whole verse was fiyah. Unfortunately the same can't be said for Lil Wayne's. Maybe my standards are too high for Weezy, but I think even his biggest fans would admit for someone so lyrically gifted, his verse wasn't all that.

Wait, what am I saying?? No, they wouldn't. The biggest of Wayne's fans would tell me I'm "hatin'" and that this verse was incredible. Nevermind.

12) Cece's Interlude
For everybody to be whining about Thank Me Later being "too R&B," it sure did take a long time to get to the first full R&B song. Well I loved it. Very sexy, very sensual. If it were about a minute or so longer, it'd be a legitimate baby maker. Oh well, as it stands it's still a panty-wetter, and that's more than enough to ask for from a rapper.

Hold up, speaking of full R&B Drake songs, isn't there another one floating around somewhere??

13) Find Your Love
Ah, here it is, the other full R&B song, Find Your Love! For a second I was thinking it didn't make the album lol.

It seems weird we had to wait this long into an album to hear its 2nd single. I mean, how often do singles come from the back end of albums?? Not really a complaint though, more of an observation.

Anyway, Find Your Love had grown on me in a major way since it first hit the internets back in late April. As you might remember, when I first heard it, it struck me as an 808s & Heartbreak reject. Then I played it again. And again. And again. And again, until it was firmly planted in my brain no matter what I was doing. Now I love it. It still sounds 808s & Heartbreak-ish (that's how I guessed Kanye produced after just one listen), nevertheless it's a great song. Oddly placed on the album, but a great song nonetheless.

14) Thank Me Now
Though Thank Me Now sounds like a less hot remix of Jay-Z's Thank You on the surface, lyrically it's on point! Very clever wordplay and lyricism by Drake throughout. Makes you have to wonder where all these lines were when he was opting to lay down only 1 verse on a gang of songs.

Possibly my favorite bars on the album came in the last verse where he spit, "I'm in the world where things are taken, never given. How long they choose to love you will never be your decision." Sickness.

The downfall of Thank Me Now is the lackluster Timbaland beat. Tim is definitely one of the all-time great producers, but you'd think he'd lend something a little bit hotter to an artist who gave him a #1 single. Tim isn't the only one to blame though, Drake had to pick out and accept this track also.

Let me stop complaining, the album could've ended much on a MUCH worse note than this. I'm just happy he brought his A game lyrically.

Favorite Song:
Show Me A Good Time (Prod. By Kanye West & No I.D.)

Least Favorite Song:
Shut It Down (Prod. By Noah "40" Shebib)

Overall
This is an over excellent debut album from an artist who'll most likely be around for awhile. Hopefully it only gets better from here, and we're not looking back 5 years from now saying, "Nah, this 3rd (or 4th or 5th) Drake album still isn't as good as Thank Me Now. TMN was a classic!" My fingers are crossed already because when your fans have to go back and name assert that your first album was a classic, that probably means your albums that followed weren't as good.

Thank Me Now did flirt with perfect for awhile, but slipped up in a few areas after track 5. The biggest problem was not enough Drake verses, and too many features. In fact, of the last 9 tracks, 6 of them had features. That's too much for any album, let alone a debut.

Then there were the lack of Drake. Here is a break down of every song and how many verses each had:

Fireworks: 3 rap verses

Karaoke: 1 singing verse, 1 rap verse

The Resistance: 3 rap verses

Over: 2 rap verses

Show Me A Good Time: 2 rap verses

Up All Night: 1 rap verse, 1 featured artist verse

Fancy: 2 rap verses, 1 featured artist verse

Shut It Down: 2 singing verses, 1 rap verse, 1 featured artist verse

Unforgettable: 1 rap verse, 1 featured artist verse

Light Up: 1 rap verse, 1 featured artist verse

Miss Me: 1 rap verse, 1 featured artist verse

Cece's Interlude: 2 singing verses (1 verse if you don't consider that long silence in the middle of the song as the end of the first verse and beginning of the second)

Find Your Love: 3 singing singing verses

Thank Me Now: 2 rap verses

That's 14 songs and only 34 total verses, including 6 featured artists verses. Drake rapped a total of 20 verses, and sang a total of 8, which means we got 1.4 rap verses and 0.6 singing verses per song through 14 tracks. I'm no statistician, but that's not good. On the next album he'll need to carry more of the load.

One last thing, if somebody complains that Thank Me Now is "too R&B" or "too girly" please slap them for me, please. It's Drake's album, not DMX's. I mean seriously, what did they expect him to talk about his rough upbringing as a Jewish Canadian turned child star?? Besides, what was So Far Gone?? How could you like So Far Gone and not like Thank Me Now?? If anything, it just lets you know how many people didn't listen to So Far Gone and just jumped on the bandwagon because Drake got hot. And as Drake would so eloquently say: Damn.

4/5

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MTV TJ Nomination Tutorial

See, that wasn't that bad, right?? Right! Lets make it happen! Go to zync.mtv.com and nominate @FiyahMuZik! You DO NOT need to have a Twitter, just Facebook. I'm on my Diddy shit right now, LETS GOOOOOO!

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Help Fiyah Become The 1st MTV TJ!

Here's the deal, you know what a MTV VJ (video jockey) is, right?? Well now MTV is looking for their first ever TJ (Twitter jockey)! The winner will get to move to New York and a one year opportunity to work for MTV!

They are looking for 20 contestants to compete in an online Twitter competition (or "competwition" if you will) in July. MTV has already picked 18, and they're living it up to you to decide who will fill the last 2 slots! We need to make sure one of those slots is for me!

Here's all you have to do: go to www.zync.mtv.com, follow the instructions, and nominate @FiyahMuZik when prompted. It's THAT simple!

Now I'm just finding out about this competition last night, so we only have until Sunday the 27th to get me in. That's not a problem though, I know we can do it. If we can get over a million video views on YouTube, we can get me an chance to work for MTV!

Look, I've never asked y'all for anything in the 3 long years I've been doing FiyahMuZik.com, but if you guys can help me out here it'd be HUGE for me. Plus, if I got the gig, I could quit my current job that takes up so much of my time and go back to posting daily! Wouldn't that be awesome?? Hell yeah it would!

Nominate @FiyahMuZik!!!!

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Why???: Guy Caught Jackin' Off & Finger Bangin' Himself At Work!

LMAO! This is a failure of epic proportions! Seriously, who does that?? Well I mean, obviously this guy does, but what the fuck?? Beating off at work is one thing, but anal pleasures as well?? Some shit should just be done at home (pun slightly intended lol).

And I love how he thinks his employer recording him assturbating is disgusting, but him actually doing it (at home or at work) is normal. Awesome.

I wonder where this guy is today?? Tosh.0 should try to find him and give him a Web Redemption. Yeah, he probably wouldn't do it, but they at least gotta try, if they haven't already ready.

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Riley's Fuck You Rant

"My president is black and my Lambo is blue, nigga. Now get the fuck out my hotel room! And if I see you in the streets, I'm slappin' the shit outta you!"

That quote is a straight up classic! I'd say it's the front-runner for quote of the year so far. Top it. I dare you. You can't.

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A Few Thoughts On The NBA Draft

Okay, if you hadn't already come to this conclusion, let me be the first to tell you that in 5 years we'll look back at this draft class like Lil Wayne will look back on Rebirth when he gets sober. What a waste of time. I got off work at 8 last night and rushed home to see the draft, only to be reminded I was only familiar with a few of the players...and they had all been drafted by the time I got home.

First off we have John Wall. He's a fine point guard and all, but I'm not sold that he's gonna be this perennial All-Star like everyone else is right now. His game still seems to be still developing, so if he ever becomes great, it'll be 3 or 4 years down the line. And he's no Derrick Rose, so if he doesn't improve his jumper drastically, I don't see him being more than a 15ppg scorer. Now, I could be wrong, but I just don't see it from the times I've watched him play. Don't get me wrong though, if I had the first pick in the draft I'd take Wall too, but that's more of an indictment on this draft class than on his game.

I have a feeling the #2 pick, Evan Turner, might end up being the best player in the draft. As it stands right now, he's easily the best scorer, but at 205 pounds I doubt he'll be able to clean up on the boards like he did last season for Ohio State (he averaged 9.4 rebounds a game to lead the Big Ten). If he bulks up a bit, I think he can be dangerous. Philly either just got the next Kevin Durant, or the next Danny Granger, but either way, they should be getting 25 a game out of his within 2-3 years.

I don't know much about Derrick Favors, but I'm almost positive he's not better than DeMarcus Cousins. Yeah, throwing Cousins that close to New York could be a potential disaster, but that's a risk I'd be willing to take. It'll be interesting to see how Cousins' career goes. Will he live up to his potential, or will he be a headcase that nobody wants around?? Only time will tell...but he shouldn't get into too much trouble living out in Sacramento. I mean, that's no Utah or Indiana, but it's better than New York or Miami.

The biggest shock for me last night was Gordon Hayward going at #9. Again, that goes to show you what kind of draft class we're working with here. There is no way Gordon Hayward ever averages more than 13 points a game in the NBA. Hell, I'm not sure he'll even score over 13 in one game. It's not like the Jazz really are gonna need him to anyway, but I'm just saying, there's zero chance Hayward is ever anything more than a role player in the NBA.

Aight the draft sucked ass and I'm tired of talking about it, bring on football! You can click here to see who else got drafted last night.

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Thursday Billboard Update - 6/24/10

As expected, Drake's Thank Me Later has a big first week and debuts atop the charts at #1 with a whooping 447,300 sold. I over shot him a tad last week, but that's still an impressive number, and he'll be a platinum artist within the next 3 weeks.

Positions 1-4 all remain the same, but Drake's Find Your Love is up 5 spots to #5 this week. Now that's more like it, this should have happened weeks ago.

The Billboard 200 1-10
first week debuts in bold

1. Drake - Thank Me Later (1)
2. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Mojo (2)
3. Sarah McLachlan - Laws of Illusion (3)
4. Various Artists - Now 34 (4)
5. Jack Johnson - To The Sea (4-5)
6. Various Artists - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2-6)
7. Justin Bieber - My World 2.0 (6-7)
8. Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (8-8)
9. Christina Aguilera - Bionic (3-9)
10. Glee Cast - Glee: The Music, Journey To Regionals (1-10)

The Billboard Hot 100 1-10
first time top 10's in bold

1. Katy Perry - California Gurls (1-1)
2. Usher - OMG (2-2)
3. B.o.B - Airplanes (3-3)
4. Travis McCoy - Billionaire (4-4)
5. Drake - Find Your Love (10-5)
6. Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug (5-6)
7. Lady Gaga - Alejandro (6-7)
8. Mike Posner - Cooler Than Me (14-8)
9. Eminem - Not Afraid (8-9)
10. Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart (7-10)

• Shontelle's Impossible finally cracks the top 20 jumping 8 spots 25-17.
• Drake's Up All Night featuring Nicki Minaj debuts at #49 this week.
• Ciara's Ride is starting to gain a little northward momentum as it jumps another 9 spots 65-56.
• Drake's 9 AM In Dallas debuts at #57. Isn't this just a freestyle?? Yep, Drake is definitely on fire.
• Drake's Fireworks featuring Alicia Keys pops off at #71.
• Soulja Boy's ultra awful Pretty Boy Swag enters the charts at #90 this week.
• Jaheim's Finding My Way Back debuts at #95.
• And one last new entry from Drake, Fancy featuring T.I. and Swizz Beatz.

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Thursday Billboard Update - 6/17/10

Christina Aguilera returns to charts these with her 4th English speaking album, Bionic, which moved 152,000. Also releasing his 4th album, Plies' Goon Affiliated sells 56,500 in its first week in stores. The imaginary goon seems to be fading a bit, huh?? After peaking with Definition Of Real selling 214,000 first week and going gold, he returned with Da REAList 6 months later and sold 114,000 first week, and is now down to 56,000 first week with Goon Affiliated. I'm just saying.

Eminem's Not Afraid returns to the top 10 this week at #8, possibly being aided by the buzz surrounding the Recovery leak. Drake's Find Your Love finally makes it to the top 10, I'm sure it'll hang around for a few weeks. Sadly, B.o.B's Nothin' On You finally exits stage left from the top 10.

The Billboard 200 1-10
first week debuts in bold

1. Glee Cast - Glee: The Music, Journey To Regionals (1)
2. Various Artists - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2)
3. Christina Aguilera - Bionic (3)
4. Jack Johnson - To The Sea (1-4)
5. Plies - Goon Affiliated (5)
6. Justin Bieber - My World 2.0 (2-6)
7. Glee Cast - The Music Volume 3: Showstoppers (3-7)
8. Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (4-8)
9. Dierks Bentley - Up On The Ridge (9)
10. Jewel - Sweet & Wild (10)

• Travis McCoy's debut solo Lazarus checks in at #27 with just 15,100 sold.
• Welp, I guess I was right, nobody cares about Crunk Rock because Lil Jon's comeback album starts at #49 with 8,900 sold.
  

The Billboard Hot 100 1-10
first time top 10's in bold

1. Katy Perry - California Gurls (1-1)
2. Usher - OMG (2-2)
3. B.o.B - Airplanes (3-3)
4. Travis McCoy - Billionaire (5-4)
5. Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug (4-5)
6. Lady Gaga - Alejandro (7-6)
7. Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart (6-7)
8. Eminem - Not Afraid (11-8)
9. Black Eyed Peas - Rock That Body (9-9)
10. Drake - Find Your Love (13-10)

• Nicki Minaj's ultra annoying Your Love makes a huge 25 spot jump this week 51-26 in just its 2nd week on the charts. If she keeps up this pace maybe Cash Money will let her release an album a year after her hottest point too.
• Jaden Smith makes music now too?? Well either way, Justin Bieber has a track called Never Say Never, which is said to feature the new Karate Kid, and debuts at #33.
• Christina Aguilera's title track to Bionic debuts at #66.
• Ne-Yo's Beautiful Monster, which Joe Budden thinks is about a bad bitch he wanted that has a STD, debuts at #67.
• Lil Jon's Hey debuts at #70.
• Ludacris' Sex Room jumps 12 spots 85-72 in its 3rd week around.
• Christina Aguilera's Not Myself Tonight debuts at #75.
• And lastly, Christina's collabo with Nicki Minaj, WooHoo, debuts at #99.

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This Week In Flops 6/15/10

A bunch of albums dropped this week (including ones by Nappy Roots, Pastor Troy, and Case), but only one truly matters on this day, Drake's debut Thank Me Later. This album is clearly LONG overdue, so no need to discuss that. Instead I'm just going to be happy a day that I was starting to think may never come finally has.

Lets talk buzz. As long as Cash Money dropped the album at some point within 2 years of his initial hotness (around Spring '09), there was still gonna be interest in the album, so I'd say his buzz is pretty decent right now, though he has cooled off a bit. Not much, just a little bit. I certainly thought Over and Find Your Love would have found even more radio and mainstream success at this point, but then again, when the artist is hot, it doesn't really matter what his/her singles are doing (See Susan Boyle).

Now, I've already made the declaration that Drake will NOT sell a million first week, and he won't, but I do have him cracking 500,000. I guessing somewhere in between 490-525k.

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Eminem - Recovery (Review)

Lets not waste time with an introduction, and go right in.

1) Cold Wind Blows
Recovery starts out with an OK track in Cold Wind Blows. A very curious choice for an intro. I would've liked to jump this off with a bigger bang (see Kill You), but nope, this is what we get. Fine. Its not like the song is terrible or anything, just not ideal for its placement on the album.

The beat sounds like a Relapse leftover, and the hook is, in a word, wack. I've heard better hooks than this in freestyle cyphers. Lyrically Em didn't burn too many calories either, but it is nice to hear his own voice and not that weirdo accent that plagued Relapse.

(Side note: Why is he going at Michael J. Fox in the 2nd verse??)

2) Talkin' 2 Myself (feat. Kobe)
Question: If Em was essentially gonna go without an album intro, why wasn't this the first song?? I mean, this song doesn't have that "bang" I was referring to above, but it sounds more like an opening than Cold Wind Blows does. And that's not to mention it was just a better song in all aspects (beat, hook, and lyrics).

Anyway, how about the revelation in the first verse that Em actually thought about going at Lil Wayne and Kanye West, among others, for no reason?? Now, when he says "dissin'" I'm sure he means "take small jabs at" like he did every pop star at the top of the millennium, and not give them the full-on Benzino treatment. It's still pretty shocking to hear either way. And no he wouldn't have got his ass handed to him by either. Lil Wayne dick sucking was at an all-time high at the time though, so the effects would've been felt other ways besides lyrically.

Anyway, tight song. I still think it should've been track #1 though.

3) On Fire
Slim Shady?? Is that you?? By golly, I believe it is!

The beat is dark and sinister, and Slim totally sets it "on fire" with a blazing first verse. Then, after a lazy, bullshit hook, he makes fun of it at the top of the 2nd verse, as only Slim Shady could. You gotta love it! Even though this track really has no purpose, it sure is dope.

4) Won't Back Down (feat. Pink)
Overall, Won't Back Down is dope, but I'd be doing this review an injustice if I didn't call Eminem on some of the wack shit he spit on it. "Girl, shake that ass like a donkey with Parkinson's," may be the wackest shit Em has ever spit in his career. I mean, that was just pathetic. It didn't get any better a bar later when he again calls out Michael J. Fox saying, "make like Michael J. Fox is in the draws playing with an Etch-a-Sketch."

Fortunately those bars were the only downfalls of this song lyrically. The other downfall isn't even a downfall really, its more of a point of preference. I personally don't like Rock-influenced beats, so this obviously isn't my cup of tea (I felt the same way about Jay-Z's 99 Problems, in case you were wondering). I get it though, so he loses no points because of it. He just doesn't gain any either.

5) W.T.P.
When W.T.P. began, it really struck me as a filler, but once I kept listening, I found that I actually enjoyed it. I can't even find much fault with it, even though it feels like I should. The beat is hot-ish, the hook is good enough, and Em kinda rips it, outside of lines like the last one on the song ("you got more junk in your trunk than I do in my car").

There were shades of Hello from Relapse in W.T.P., and it's almost like a nicer version of it. Also, W.T.P. marks the closest Recovery gets to the "silly songs" Em routinely used as first singles for each and every one of his major label releases. Definitely not a bad thing.

6) Going Through Changes
Okay, Going Through Changes almost makes me want to take back everything I just said about W.T.P., it's that good. This track is absolutely incredible and definitely should have been directly after Won't Back Down. I'm not saying W.T.P. shouldn't have made the album, but after you hear Going Through Changes, the placement seems kinda odd. Whatever, I love this song, it's a perfect 5/5. There's nothing else really to say about it.

7) Not Afraid
Well we all know how I feel about this track, so I won't spend too much time on it. Super dope, and it fits the album even more than I thought it would when I first heard it. Also, I've warmed up to the beat as well. I mean, I didn't hate it before, but it was just aight then, and now I think it's definitely above average.

8) Seduction
It's almost weird to hear Eminem rapping about taking people's hoes, but this works. How could it not work with the pure lyricism brought to the table here?? That was simply amazing. The track was nice too, and the hook was sweet and fitting.

Now, if I didn't already know Eminem and Jay-Z were cool, I'd think he was taking jabs at him in the 2nd verse by doing that "Ah!" shit Hov does after every few words now. I'm sure all is well though, and Beyonce isn't cheating on Jay with Em lol.

9) No Love (feat. Lil Wayne)
Let me be clear about this, Lil Wayne's verse did NOT suck. BUT when compared to what Eminem spit, it did. Get it?? Aww fuck it.

Recovery is really starting to hit its stride after a somewhat pretty average start. What's not to like about this song?? They took Haddaway's gay techno song What Is Love, most famously known for the SNL skits with Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell and the movie "A Night At The Roxbury," and turned it into solid 24 karat Hip-Hop gold. The verses were both cold (Em's was obviously colder), the sample was useful, and the beat was stupid. Win, win, win.

I even liked how Wayne adlibbed parts of Em's verse. I hate when someone is "freestyling" and their homie keeps spitting their verse with them, but it sounded awesome on this record. I never thought I'd say this, but Em and Wayne have great chemistry and should definitely work together more in the future. So far, they are 2 for 2 (unfortunately for Wayne the song with Em was the only thing on Rebirth worth listening to).

10) Space Bound
And yet another exceptional all around track by Mr. Mathers. Space Bound actually something truly special because it's good to the point of being beautiful. Here's what I mean: You can attached memories to any song (ex. whenever I hear Master P's Make Em Say Ugh, I think about the 1st time I heard it as a 6th grader, just getting home from school), but only masterful ones, such as Space Bound, evoke the emotions from you. Yes, I think its THAT good.

11) Cinderella Man
The classicness just keeps coming! The title of Cinderella Man is inspired by boxer James J. Braddock, who was nicknamed "The Cinderella Man" and had a movie, by the same name, made about his life in 2005 starring Russell Crowe. Braddock overcame a severely broken hand and returned to boxing for the money during The Great Depression and ended up becoming the Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Eminem was once the baddest man in the land of Hip-Hop, but his issues with drugs was handicapping like Braddock's broken hand. Now he's healed and is clearly on top of his game.

Cinderella Man is hot in all aspects, as were the last 5 tracks. It has elements of Till I Collapse from The Eminem Show and Mosh from Encore, but is great in its own right. He's now 6 of his last 6.

I liken this streak of absolute heat on Recovery to Ray Allen in the 1st half of game 2 of the NBA Finals. Remember how it seemed like Ray couldn't miss, and no matter what he threw at the basket was going in?? That's where I'm at with this album. It feels like Em has found his stroke and can't miss. At this point, only 11 tracks in, Recovery has officially passed Nas and Damian Marley's Distant Relative for this year's album of the year honors.

12) 25 To Life
On the surface, 25 To Life is a great song, but if you dig a little bit deeper, it's a curious choice of topics for Eminem to tackle. Obviously the song is about Hip-Hop and not a girl (original, I know), so it seems weird to me he'd want to divorce "her," especially considering all the bars so far about how Relapse sucked and these last few years were his fault because he was on drugs and fuckin' up. I just thought he was going to take the blame instead of dishing it off on Hip-Hop.

I don't know, maybe its just me, because it could also be looked at as Em being mad at Hip-Hop for making him crazy and pushing him into drugs.

Either way you want to look at it, there's no denying it's a very, very good song, despite its unoriginality. Also, I like how at the end of the last verse he took a little shot at the bullshit MTV "Hottest" MCs list that glaringly left him off last year. Hopefully MTV has banished that foolishness, or picked a smarter panel.

13) So Bad
Well we knew the hot song streak couldn't last forever. So Bad is definitely an album filler and brings all momentum to a screeching halt. The Dr. Dre beat sounds like another Relapse leftover and the rest of the song is lazily put together, at best.

The good thing is that we haven't had a song this non-hot since the first song on the album, so that's not "so bad" after all. But be clear, So Bad is the worst song on the album...and the most boring.

(Side note: What does it say about Dr. Dre that he produced 2 of the worst tracks on the album?? Is his production falling off the real reason for the Detox super delay?? I don't know. Well he did produce Space Bound as well, so I guess there is hope.)

14) Almost Famous
I'm not sure if this song is actually good, or its just sounds good after listening to the super average So Bad. I don't love it, but I do like it, and it definitely more worthy of a spot on the album than the song that precedes it.

There is one thing I don't get though. Just going by the subject matter of the song, why wouldn't they put this in front of 25 To Life instead of 2 tracks later?? He's talking about finally becoming famous AFTER he talked about divorcing the game for making him famous?? That just doesn't make any sense, unless there's some other meaning to this track that I'm not aware of.

Either way, Em still brings it lyrically, the hook is hot, and the beat isn't totally bad, though its not my taste.

15) Love The Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)
Another all around strong record in Love The Way You Lie. Perfect use of Rihanna here on the hook. It fits her strengths perfectly, and her singing talent deficiency wasn't exposed. It's a pleasant surprise because when I saw Rihanna was gonna be on the album I really didn't know what to expect. Don't be surprised if this is the 2nd or 3rd single.

16) You're Never Over
Finally Eminem dedicates an entire song to slain friend Proof...and it only took 4 years. It's both a good song and a touching tribute. I'm sure this is the most important song on the album to Em. Great way to end things.

17) Here We Go
But wait, there's more! Eminem takes an extra 3 minutes to basically put on one final lyrical exhibit before officially bringing Recovery to a close. Though Here We Go really has no point, its still nice to get one last hooray.

Favorite Song:
Space Bound (Prod. by Jim Jonsin)

Least Favorite Song:
So Bad (Prod. By Dr. Dre)

Overall:
I must say, I was thoroughly impressed by this Recovery album. Eminem managed to evaluate all the flaws of Relapse and completely turn things around only a year later. There were no more awkward cadences or silly accents this time out, and from a production standpoint, it's his best work since The Eminem Show in 2002.

Though Recovery is less creative in its subject matter than previous releases, it is easily his most introspective album yet. As far as I'm concerned, that totally makes up (if not overcompensates) for the lack of imaginative, clever story telling Em does so well.

The flaws were far and few. There was no song on the album that completely sucked, but tracks like So Bad and Cold Wind Blows usually aren't found on classics. I feel like some of the tracks were out of order, but that is easily overlooked, especially in the day of iPods and mp3 players that allow you to arrange things to suit your preference. Also, it was a bit weird that this album not only didn't have an intro or outro, but no skits. No Ken Kaniff, no Steve Berman, no Paul Rosenberg, no nobody. All Eminem albums have skits, even Infinite had one, and it only had 11 tracks. Definitely not a fatal flaw, but I do enjoy his skits.

4.25/5

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