Common Wants To Curb Chicago Youth Violence

Source: MTVNews.com  Steven Roberts, with additional reporting by Jayson Rodriguez

Following death of Derrion Albert, rapper says it’s ‘our responsibility’ to teach kids to value their own lives.

In the wake of the tragic death of 16-year-old Derrion Albert, many hip-hop artists have spoken out about violence, not only among the youth of Chicago, but in other cities like Atlanta and Newark. Nas wrote an open letter to Chicago teens following the honor student’s senseless beating death, urging them that they were fighting the wrong war.

Killer Mike blogged forXXLmag.com, apologizing to Albert and the four teens charged with his murder, Silvonus Shannon, 19; Eugene Riley, 18; Eugene Bailey, 17; and Eric Carson, 16, for letting them down. David Banner also addressed the situation in his song, appropriately titled, “Something Is Wrong.”

MTV News caught up withCommon at Wednesday’s Hennessy Artistry 2009 Seriesshow in New York, and the legendary Chicago MC echoed their sentiments. “For me, I grew up around it, but I have a great mom, have a wonderful stepfather and great family around, and I know every kid is not provided that blessing which we should naturally have,” Common said.

Continue article at MTVNews.com

Frankie Breaks Down at BET Awards

Got to admit I’ve been a fan of Frankie & Neffie…but this is not the best look.

Navy Ammo Ship to Be Named for Medgar Evers

Source: BlackAmericaWeb.com

Navy Ammo Named after Medgar Edvers

A Navy ammunition ship will be named today for the late civil rights leader Medgar Evers.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus is scheduled to make the announcement at noon Friday at the 26th Annual Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Symposium Lecture Series at Jackson State University.

Evers was a field secretary and chapter organizer for the NAACP in his native Mississippi, where he led civil rights efforts to secure the right to vote for African-Americans and to integrate public facilities, schools and restaurants.

He was assassinated June 12, 1963 when he was gunned down in the driveway of his home. He was just 37 years old.

In Iran, 2 get death sentences for postelection uprising

Source: Los Angeles Times by Jeffery Flieshman & Ramin Mostaghim

The sentences are the latest sign that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s hard-line camp is intensifying efforts to block another round of anti-government rallies.

Reporting from Cairo and Tehran - Iran announced Saturday that two people have been sentenced to death for joining the nationwide uprising after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed reelection in June, when hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters clashed for weeks with police and paramilitary forces.

The death sentences are the latest indication that Ahmadinejad’s hard-line camp is intensifying efforts to suppress another possible round of anti-government rallies. Security forces, including the Revolutionary Guard, have backed the president and in recent weeks have imposed a tight grip on Tehran and other major cities.

Continue reading at LosAngeles Times

20 Dead After Bloody Siege At Pakistan Army HQ

20 Dead After Bloody Siege At Pakistan Army HQ

Source: NPR, Associated Press

Pakistani commandos freed dozens of hostages held by militants at the army’s own headquarters Sunday, ending a bloody, 22-hour drama that embarrassed the nation’s military as it plans a new offensive against al-Qaida and the Taliban.

The standoff killed 20 people, including three captives and nine militants, who wore army fatigues in the audacious assault. The rescue operation began before dawn Sunday, ultimately freeing 42 hostages, the military said.

Continue Article at NPR.ORG

Some Credit Cards Increase Rates before New Consumer Protection Law

Rep. Betsy Markey, D-Colorado, and 17 other lawmakers sent letters to credit card banks asking them voluntarily to freeze their rates while Congress decides whether to move up the phase-in date for the new law to December.

Markey said a CNN report about Ohio couple Chuck and Jeanne Lane inspired her to act. The Lanes said they did everything right but felt bankrupted by a sudden change in their credit card payments.

The Lanes have a low-interest Chase credit card that was sold as a way to consolidate large debts and pay them down responsibly over time. The Lanes showed CNN that they have excellent credit, have never been late with a payment and in the last two years cut their outstanding balance in half. They said they were shocked when Chuck opened their online statement to discover Chase had driven up their monthly payment from $370 to $911.

Click Here to Read More at CNN.com

Obama: Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama restated his campaign pledge to allow homosexual men and women to serve openly in the military, but left many in his audience of gay activists wondering when he would make good on the promise.

“I will end ‘don’t ask-don’t tell,’” Obama said Saturday night to a standing ovation from the crowd of about 3,000 at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay civil rights advocacy group. He offered no timetable or specifics and he acknowledged some may be growing impatient.

“I appreciate that many of you don’t believe progress has come fast enough,” Obama said. “Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach.”

Obama called to layout plan to dissolve Don't Ask Don't Tell

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama restated his campaign pledge to allow homosexual men and women to serve openly in the military, but left many in his audience of gay activists wondering when he would make good on the promise.

“I will end ‘don’t ask-don’t tell,’” Obama said Saturday night to a standing ovation from the crowd of about 3,000 at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay civil rights advocacy group. He offered no timetable or specifics and he acknowledged some may be growing impatient.

“I appreciate that many of you don’t believe progress has come fast enough,” Obama said. “Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach.”

Click here for entire article at Chicago Tribune.

What is your opinion on the Don’t Ask Don’t tell Policy?  Leave a comment.

Early Saturday Night Live: Eddie Murphy

Early Saturday Night Live: Eddie Murphy (1983)

On Oct. 11, 1975, NBC debuted a scrappy late-night sketch comedy show, giving it a shot as a replacement for reruns of Johnny Carson. Three and a half decades later, it may not be as funny or fresh as it once was, but Saturday Night Live is still kicking. In the 2003 oral history Live From New York, James A. Miller and Tom Shales interviewed the show’s cast and crew about the good, the bad, and the ugly of those early days — now, go down memory lane with those stories, plus archival photos of Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, and more.

Click here to visit Life Magazine Official Site

Education is Inspiration: Chicago’s Providence St. Mel

We hear a lot about the tragic murders in Chicago but the film “Providence Effect” is an opportunity to highlight those that are uplifting the community. Check out the trailer below as well as TheProvidenceEffect.org.  Click here to read their article on NPR.org.

Shout out to all my Chicago people who remember the purple Providence St.Mel McDonalds on Laramie & Chicago Ave!

An image from the new documentary The Providence Effect, which follows a year in the life of the highly successful inner-city Chicago school and its founder, Paul J. Adams.

Smokey Robinson: Throwback Def Poetry Jam

I thought this was very inspirational!  Black is Beautiful!

[video] Wild Bar Shoot Out Caught on Tape

Source: Thisis50

Miraculously no one was hit.

via Thisis50

Toledo police are seeking information about five men recorded by security cameras at a West Toledo bar in a gunfight that resulted in at least 20 shots being fired.

The video shows a melee near the bar counter that escalated into a gunfight about 11:55 p.m. Thursday at the Route 66 Bar at 406 North Westwood Ave. Police said the fight began when a bar employee attempted to eject someone who was selling drugs.

The video images, which were released by police Friday, show several men shooting at each other, some under the cover of a pool table and others outside the bar. No one was hurt, police said.

Deputy Chief Don Kenney said detectives are trying to locate the men involved and determine a better timeline of what happened.

“Once the case is fully investigated, we’ll have a much clearer picture of what happened,” he said. The deputy chief added that it appeared that the bar employees attempted to turn out those who were causing trouble when the incident occurred.

Eight bullet holes were visible in the bar’s main door, just feet from a large sign that warned, “Notice. Video Surveillance Camera.”

[video] WTF: Rats Run Wild In Pizza Truck

Rats this business is over.

via HuffPost

New cell phone footage shows a pack of rats running around the famed Vinny Vincenz Pizza Truck.

A Chelsea fixture, Vinny Vincenz caters to late night club-goers from a big red truck in front of Pink Elephant, a celeb-laden hotspot.

The video shows the rats scurrying around the truck, chomping on fresh pizza, and jumping on coolers.

Sadly stories like this are nothing new.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/09/vinny-vincenz-pizza-truck_n_315466.html

Book Alert: Lies Startups Tell Themselves to Avoid Marketing: A No Bullsh*t Guide for Ph.D.s, Lab Rats, Suits and Entrepreneurs

This book right here is great for all you people out there looking to start a business and don’t have a clue about how to market your service or product. This frank discussion about marketing with no chaser, is a great and easy read with priceless information that can be used across all industries.

Sandra Holtzman along with Jean Kondek have crafted this gem and I am just waiting for them to drink a glass wine and to come up with a new book for all of us young entrepreneurs who need to get beyond all the muck out there and get going. Must read.

You can buy it here

Eminem Performs Rock The Bells (VH1 Hip Hop Honors)

Just plain dope.

more about “Eminem Performs Rock The Bells (VH1 H…“, posted with vodpod

N.E.R.D confirms new female group member RHEA

Source: NEPTUNES

There have been some rumblings about this before but now they have confirmed and she is very cute. Now the question is will they push units like Black Eye Peas?

via Neptunes

Claiming that their music is now ‘very 3-D’, Pharrell Williams says NERD are working on a new album ‘Instant Gratification’ with new member Rhea. Rumor that NERD have a new member named Rhea has been confirmed by Pharrell Williams. “Musically, we’re just somewhere else [with her],” he told MTV News. “The music is now very 3-D. It’s something you have to hear.” “We’re definitely somewhere else,” he continued. “I want to leave that impact moment for when you purchase your download and you purchase your CD. The music is very three-dimensional. We’re just really excited. We feel like NERD has always been the punks of hip-hop and the outcasts of alternative music – just a little different. But this time, we’re taking no prisoners.”

FULL STORY HERE…

[video] New iPhone App Lets You Blow up Japanese Girl’s Skirts

Source: HuffPost

Okay all you pervs with iPhones I guess this one is for you.

South Park: I See Dead Celebrities (ft. DJ AM, Billy Mays, Michael Jackson,Walter Kronkite)

These guys are sick! Funny but sick!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH FULL EPISODE

via HuffPost

“South Park” returned last night with an episode called “I See Dead Celebrities,” in which Billy Mays, David Carradine, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, Walter Cronkite, DJ AM, Michael Jackson, Bea Arthur and more are trapped in purgatory, waiting to enter Heaven.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH FULL EPISODE

BILLY MAYS’S CHIPOLTAWAY AD

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/08/south-park-returns-takes_n_313688.html

(pic) Marge Simpson is Playboy Covergirl:TMZ

They are gonna sell tons of issues.

via TMZ

TMZ has obtained the cover for Marge Simpson‘s November issue of Playboy — and needless to say, she’s got a bangin’ bod for having popped her first kid out thirty years ago (Show debuted in 1989, Bart was 10 … and still is).

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2009/10/09/marge-simpson-strips-down-for-playboy/#ixzz0TRTjeoNj

President Obama Wins The Nobel Peace Prize

Okay Obama time to bring the troops home.

President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.

The stunning choice made Obama the third sitting U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize and shocked Nobel observers because Obama took office less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline. Obama’s name had been mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to award the president.

FULL STORY HERE…

[video] What is Google Wave?

Email is forever changed.

[video] William Kamkwamba Helps African Poverty With A Homemade Windmill

Source: HuffPost

Simply Genius. Props to the Daily Show and Jon Stewart (who still is a regular guy which I evidenced when I saw him in the Apple Store earlier this year with his kid).

Daily Show Helps Slim Thug Cut His Entourage in a Recession

via HuffPost

No one is immune from this recession, not even rappers. And as Wyatt Cenac showed us last night on the “Daily Show” every sector of the rap economy is hurting. Jewelers to the raps stars can’t sell diamond encrusted guns, strippers who used to give rappers lap dances are lapless, and entourage members are getting laid off left and right. That’s where Mr. Cenac can be of real service–helping rappers like Slim Thug thin his posse with simple performance reviews.

“One Foot Out The Door” Episode 1: Back To School…And Off To Atlanta

I know absolutely nothing about this cat but I have seen his name a few times and now we have a webisode explaining everything in his life including him getting signed and staying in college.

In the premier episode of Mike Posner’s web series “One Foot Out The Door”, Mike heads back to Duke University for his senior year but before he can even take a breath, he’s off to Atlanta for a show at Emory University. Tune in as Mike talks about going back to college with a record deal, what his life will be post-graduation and his upcoming packed itinerary. Tune in October 14th for Episode 2 as Mike rocks a show at Duke with Wale and heads to Virginia Tech with superproducer/partner-in-crime Benny Blanco.myspace.com/mikeposnertwitter.com/mikeposnerelitaste.comDirected/Edited by Justin HantzProduced by Mike Posner and Daniel Weisman

[pics] The Princess and the Frog BillBoards

Probably will be a huge smash.

via Coming Soon

rom the creators of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. The film marks the return to hand-drawn animation from the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements, with music by Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman (Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story).

The Worldwide Campaign To Bring Tracy Morgan to Twitter

Source: BuzzFeed

I would love to hear daily rants from Mr. Morgan.

Update:Chris Rock Sued for $5 Million over ‘Good Hair’ Documentary

Update #1:

I was sent the official court documents via Twitter from the The Nappy Roots Facebook page and I am posting the link here if you would like to read the case in detail.  Here is a new video interview with Ms. Kimbell and her lawyer.

Harry Connick Jr. Criticizes Racist ‘Jackson Jive’ Skit while on Australian TV Show

Source: BuzzFeed

Applaud this man for letting these idiots know that skit was way outta line and that in this day and age is unacceptable. For the host to act so innocent is unbelievable.

The producers knew that this god  awful performance would be offensive and nobody on this earth with half a brain would interpret this being a loving a tribute to the Greatest Michael Jackson. I believe the name of this piece of shit show called Hey Hey Its Saturday.

Cop Beats Special Need Student for Breaking Dress Code

The madness continues.

via HuffPost

A south suburban Chicago police officer was caught on a security camera beating up a high school special education student, CBS2 reports.

Marshawn Pitts, 15, was walking down his school hallway when he says a Dolton, Ill. police officer went from berating him for his untucked shirt to slamming him to the ground and beating him.

“The officer was in his face because he didn’t have his shirt tucked in,” Pitts’ attorney told CBS 2′s Davis Savini. “That’s the officer put in that school to protect these kids, and instead of doing that, this officer is literally assaulting this kid.”

Neither school nor Dolton officials responded to CBS 2 about the story.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/07/marshawn-pitts-cop-caught_n_312354.html

Burger King Goes ‘Futuristic’ With New Design

Well regardless to how we feel, some people are gonna eat hamburgers and Burger King has decided that those customers need a more futuristic looking restaurant. Below are some pics which show off the new sexy design and where our next outbreak of E.Coli will come from:

via HuffPost

CHICAGO — Burger King Corp. plans to swap its generic fast-food feel and bland tiles and tabletops for a vibe that’s more sit-down than drive-through.

As part of a plan to be revealed Wednesday in Amsterdam, the company will announce a massive effort to overhaul its 12,000 locations worldwide. The sleek interior will include rotating red flame chandeliers, brilliant TV-screen menus and industrial-inspired corrugated metal and brick walls.

“I’d call it more contemporary, edgy, futuristic,” Chairman and CEO John Chidsey told The Associated Press. “It feels so much more like an upscale restaurant.”

FULL ARTICLE HERE…

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/06/burger-king-plans-edgy-fu_n_311830.html

The Ear: A Short Film By Yi Zhou featuring Pharrell Williams

via Hypebeast

Inspired to Gogols short story, entitled The Nose, from the Petersburg tales, Yi has written her latest short film about the absurd story of the loss of an ear. The ear is actually the key element of the film, shot in RED and partly to be made in 3D animation. Throughout the film, the ear and inner ear as a whole turn themselves into an EarBridge as they get crossed by a bridge. The EarBridge is part of a public project proposal for Baku, Azerbaijan that includes a number of important international contemporary artists. The Ear features Pharrell Williams, music by Ennio Morricone, and costumes by Rick Owens and BBC/Ice

[video] Future Designer laptop – ROLLTOP

The future is here.

Must See: Road Rage Brawl Happens on NYC Street (Holy Sh#t)

Source: HuffPost

Wanna see a classic NYC brawl? Here a pedicab and a cab driver have a brawl down the block from David Letterman where a film crew was doing a story and happened to catch the fracas.

more about “Must See: Road Rage Brawl Happens on …“, posted with vodpod

Grafh ft. Sheek Louch – Bring The Goons Out

Did yall forget we like raw Hip Hop over here?

more about "Grafh ft. Sheek Louch – Bring The Goo…", posted with vodpod

HBO pushes film to new heights with Cube Installation

Now I did not know what to expect when I visited the HBO Imagine website but I was knocked off my seat with this new way of storytelling. HBO has created a cube whereas two films, each 2 minutes in length and each played twice successively, on a rotating basis.

The experience is probably the most innovative way to view a movie. Click here to experience the next level in movie making and be sure to post the link on Facebook and get other people to check it out. Below is some more info about the project which will be in the DC area this week.

Here is the plot:

• Heist: Four disparate scenes culminate, revealing themselves as different facets of a single, intricately orchestrated crime.

• The Affair: A husband and wife, their maid and someone’s half-dressed lover are framed from four perspectives, showing the characters in different lights and implying different relationships.

The HBO Cube  Installation will travel to DC soon…

October 8-10: Washington D.C. (Plaza at Adams Morgan)

Fat Guy Goes ‘Ape Sh#t’ Over McDonalds Chicken (video)

This chicken has got to be damn good.

[video] David Letterman – Dave’s Monologue Preview

This is his first day back since his scandal broke last week. As I said many chips still to fall.

Letterman apologizes to wife on tonight’s show

Even with an apology he still is deep in trouble and this story is not going anywhere. The alleged blackmailer’s lawyer is chomping at the bit to cross examine Dave and all of his interoffice dirty deeds.

Don’t think this will get to trial, some type of plea and settlement will happen before a long drawn out trial destroys what’s left of Dave’s career.

via Newser

David Letterman will use his opening monologue tonight to publicly apologize to his wife and his current and former colleagues, according to numerous audience members. “Wow, that weekend went fast,” he joked before turning serious during this afternoon’s taping, his first public appearance at the Ed Sullivan Theater since Thursday, when he revealed the extortion plot that arose from his sexual dalliances with subordinates.

“He apologized, he talked about how it was tough on his family and it was also tough on the people that work on the show and the women in particular, and it was real heartfelt,” an audience member told the local CBS affiliate. Guest Steve Martin later took the stage and lightened the mood, opening with, “So, how was your weekend?”

—M. Morris

BET Co-founder Sheila Johnson mocks Democratic canidate for Stuttering Problem (video)

Source: HuffPost

This is really gonna be a big  stink. The silence in the room was deafening. Epic apology 5,4,3,…

via HuffPost

The Virginia gubernatorial race took an ugly turn this past weekend when a prominent endorser for Republican Bob McDonnell mocked the slight stutter of Democrat candidate Creigh Deeds.

At a rally for McDonnell’s campaign, Sheila Johnson was taped discussing the importance of communication skills in the state’s next governor.

“We need someone who can really communicate,” she said. “And Bob McDonnell can communicate. The other people that I talk to, especially his o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-opponent… could not articulate what needed to be done.”

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/05/creigh-deedss-stutter-moc_n_309654.html

Gucci Mane “Wasted’ Featuring Plies

The homie Earl from Myspace just shot this over. Two of the south’s biggest stars get together for their latest hit. Gucci Mane “Wasted’ Featuring Plies.

more about "Gucci Mane “Wasted’ Featuring Plies", posted with vodpod

Peter Wentz declares ‘Death of Emo’ cuts hair on stage

Source: The Life Files

Peter Wentz takes a page from Jay Z and declares ‘Death of Emo’ and commences to shave his hair by one of the link 182 guys. I guess he has had it with the self hate and is ready for a rap career. (Don’t worry guys I will post some new Young Jeezy very soon).