Recently I started a play through of all 1500 songs on my MP3 player in order to revisit some old favs and delete some shit I didn’t even know was on it. One of many artists that stood out in its personal timelessness is J Dilla. As an ex hip hop fan and having worked in the Mix Tape/DJ retail business for two years, I’ve heard about everything there was to listen to. I currently have very little hip hop left in my MP3 player due to its lack of actual instruments and redundant themes. The Big Ls, Tupacs, and Biggies left a void in the genre that can never and will never be filled in my opinion.
Dilla however stands out as a musical super talent even with my own super critical view of hip hop. Sadly he died prematurely but his body of work is amazing nonetheless. Even though he’s gone, I smile and turn up the volume whenever he randomly pops on my playlist. That’s about the best legacy anyone could ask for.
With Boston Pride reaching an all-time high, I’ll take this opportunity to introduce you to Slaine. Some of you may know him simply as “the fat dude” from Gone Baby Gone and The Town. However, Slaine has broke into the scene years before his acting debut. Born George Carroll, he can be found collaborating on Special Teamz and La Coka Nostra compilations and mixtapes. Slaine’s solo effort, The Boston Project dropped on April 15th the day following the Boston Marathon Bombings.
Easily my most listened to song of 2012, had to give Volumes some props. They were my go to snowboard (and gym) soundtrack this season which saw some pretty spectacular powder days so I’ve definitely bonded with their last album VIA.
Caught them at 2011 and 2012 NE Metalfests, these guys show up live too and the ones I met are super cool guys. If you’re already a fan go buy some merch and support these dudes.
Mufasa and Scar duke it out again. Pretty incredible footage. Possibly the first WSHH video I’ve seen where “Worldstar” wasn’t shouted over and over obnoxiously. Females still get in the way, though. And what’s with the people standing by chatting nonchalantly while nature is putting on a furious show?
Nice concept. Horrible execution. +1 for sentiment. -1 for completely ignoring Little Mac. -1 for placing emphasis on tank tops. A nice simple hoodie would have sufficed. I don’t think the 8-bit gamers fit into the tank top wearing demographic. If anything, save that for T & C Surf Design retros.
Spike Lee really opened up a can of worms with all of his Django hating. He couldn’t just let Tarantino have his moment to shine. He had to go and make a big fuss. I find it funny how the equally controversial director behind the racially charged “Do The Right Thing,”“Jungle Fever” and “Miracle at St. Anna” has his jimmies rustled over the portrayal of an ethnic group in film. He needs to take a look in the mirror before he starts throwing stones.
This was one of those brutal (almost hard to watch) back and forth bouts where I’m now fearing each of the fighters will emerge in future contests as merely shells of their former selves. Just too much blunt force trauma to not have a lasting effect. In the early and late middle rounds, it had a Meldrick Taylor – Cesar Chavez likeness. Bradley was taking an absolute bludgeoning, but refusing to succumb. He impressed me not only in that he took the punishment he did and remained in the middle of the ring, but also having the gas left to respond. And respond violently he did. I understand making Rocky references in comparison to real prize fighting is a bit of a cliche. However, it would have been perfectly appropriate for Provodnikov to make his way to the corner after the first couple of rounds and uttered the words “he is not human, he is like a piece of iron.” If you haven’t had a chance to check out the replay of this war, treat yourself.
