D.C. Hip Hop

I thought I'd blog a little on what my final project will be for the class.

I'm doing a piece on the D.C. area hip hop scene and what it is and, more importantly, why it hasn't taken off and found the same success as New York, L.A., Atlanta, or even...Minnesota??? Yes even Minnesota has more of a national following than D.C., which is unfortunate because there are many talented artists in the region that should gain recognition. Seez Mics of Educated Consumers has toured with Atmosphere and rocked Scribble Jame. Flex Matthews was a URB Next 100 member. Guns n' Butter have made beats for NORE and Cormega. The one thing they all have in common is that they can't seem to break away from the Go-Go dominated D.C. metro region.

I will be exploring why this is and what the artists feel they can do about. I will also be showing the class a little of what the D.C. scene is and hopefully they may give it some support.

Skate or die

Ah good ol' skateboarding. Crazy kids grinding, riding, and kick pushing away from the police... and they make soem damn entertaining videos to watch and wonder "How did he do that?" or "That dude is F***ing nuts!" I had this video of William Spencer sent to me today and I found it quite interesting. I've never heard of the guy, but he has a unique take on skating. Check it out

Georgetown the Final Four

I'm supposed to go to Richmond next weekend, but I'm starting to think I should stay here and go to Georgetown instead. I unfortunately missed all the madness that came with Mason's trip to the Final Four last year and want to take part in what it is like to go absolutely ape over a basketball game.

My prediction for next weekend is Georgetown beating Ohio State and then demolishing Florida in the title game. Madness indeed

Music Festivals in the U.S. on the Upswing

When I was in High School it seemed the only place you could go to see tons of bands perform on one stage was either HFStival or somewhere in Europe. For the past couple of years the U.S. has been putting on larger and more iconic festivals such as Coachella and Bonnaroo. To an American who loves music this is very important.

Coachella has become the premiere music festival in the world and has featured such acts as Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails, and the Beastie Boys. This year they are putting on their best festival yet with the reunification of Rage against the Machine, Bjork, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many more. It is becoming the annual Woodstock of my generation.

I haven't had a chance to attend any of these festivals (with the exception of Tibetan Freedom Concert and HFStival in high school), but I will be attending the Rock the Bells festival in New York this summer. It has been dubbed the Coachella of hip hop and it is being held on the east coast for the first time. This year it has promised to be a legendary show of hip hop greats old and new. Headlined by the iconic Rage Against the Machine and Wu-Tang Clan it is becoming better than it has been in the past. Others on the lineup include Cypress Hill, Nas, The Roots, Public Enemy and many more.

The U.S. has finally caught up with its European friends and are putting on memorable festivals for the masses to bear witness across the country.

March Madness

My bracket is wrong, but now that we are halfway through the 2006 Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament I have a few predictions of who will be advancing and who will not. Florida, almost losing in an upset to Purdue, will make it to the Final Four trying to repeat last year's title run. I don't think they will get an opportunity to do so. Either Kansas (which my money is on) or UCLA will knock them off. Back to back titles are rare in the tournament. So it will be Kansas or UCLA in the title game, but I figure Kansas has the best shot at beating UCLA and then Florida.

On the other end I have Georgetown and Ohio State meeting in the Final Four. Oden versus Hibbert! Should be great. Although Oden is a better player, Georgetown is a more rounded team, so I pick them knocking off the number one seed and meeting, probably, Kansas in the title game. Once again I feel Georgetown is more rounded and has better depth which will carry it to its first national title since 1984. A team led by Patrick Ewing Sr., the father of current Hoya Patrick Ewing Jr. How fitting would it be if both father and son got the title?

My Seven Favorite TV shows

Here are some of the pleasure I indulge on TV when I get the chance. I only have about seven shows I really like so this will be MY TOP SEVEN:

THE WIRE - This is the best television show ever made. Period. Realistic as any thing that has ever been brought to any screen, big or small. It portrays police, politics, society, and criminals in such a realistic way that the NYPD pleaded with the producers to stop because criminals watching the show were learning tricks to avoid being arrested. The series takes patience and is more like a book with every episode a new chapter in the same story. Last season was as emotionally devastating, yet rewarding as anything else I can think of on TV.

ROME - Started off a bit slow, but then took off quickly. Full of double-crosses, vicious killers, and conniving amoral politicians that you actually feel for. Pullo, a simple, yet loyal man is a cold-blooded killer, but the writers of the show made him one of its most likable characters. Can't believe there are only two episodes left.

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THE OFFICE - Haven't seen the British version, but Steve Carrell and Rainn Wilson make this comedy one the most hilarious, if not painfully awkward, shows on television.





ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT - I still hate Fox for cancelling this original and smart story of the most dysfunctional family ever on TV.










CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - Larry David is a comedic genius... and a huge a-hole. This improvised series of Larry getting himself into one horrible situation after another is one reason I still have HBO. Now I just hope they bring the show back.






24 - Sure it is unrealistic, but no matter, it the most entertaining action series on TV. I can't imagine a Monday without Jack Bauer saving Los Angeles from certain destruction.









ENTOURAGE - This insider look at what it is like to be a young superstar nails my generations dialogue and actions to a tee.

My favorite albums of last year

In no particular order here are some of my favorite albums that came out in 2006 and, so far, in 2007.

• TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain - The best rock album I have heard in nearly a decade. Experimental, yet traditional these Brooklyn based guys managed to get a fan to lend his vocals for their first major release...a fan named David Bowie. This IS my favorite album of the year.
• The Roots - Game Theory - The Legendary come back with a dark and deep album. Their most socially conscious work to date, but never too preachy and Malik B. makes a triumphant return.
• Edan - Beauty and the Beat - Came out in '05, but I still listen to this album as if it just came out yesterday. Take Big Daddy Kane, Jimi Hendrix, Prince Paul, Led Zeppelin and throw them in a stew. Cook. Stir. You have Edan.
• El-P - I'll Sleep when you're Dead - I haven't heard all of it yet, but the few tracks I have heard have me drooling over the Brooklyn hip hop anarchist's second album.
• Ghostface - More Fish - Actually better than the more popular Fishscale. The Amy Winehouse collab on "You Know I'm No Good" is in heavy rotation on my Ipod.