Lyfe Jennings: Cops Up [Video]

I love Lyfe Jennings but I'm not feeling this song that much. Hopefully it'll grow on me before the album drops but the video isn't too bad. Check it out.

Angel Lola Luv: KING Magazine Shoot

I hit y'all with the XXL shoot last month, so it's only right to present the KING magazine shoot. Enjoy.

Janet Jackson: MTV Spoof Commercials

I thought this was pretty funny to see Janet make fun of the shows on MTV. Check it out if you haven't seen it yet.

Danity Kane/Day 26 Album Covers

Keep in mind that these are tentative but, here's the album covers for both groups. Both are scheduled to drop next month so be on the lookout for that.

Flo'Rida Feat. Timbaland: Elevator [Video]

You know, before I even heard this song I was wondering if I would even be interested in what Flo'Rida had to say on his album, but I must say that I'm kind of looking forward to it now. Don't get me wrong, I still think the guy is average and that he probably won't make any leaps and bounds when it comes to lyrical content but, still, I'm interested. Anyway, here's the latest video from him and it's called "Elevator" featuring Timbaland.

Flo Rida Feat Timbaland - Elevator
Uploaded by FresHipHop

Andre 3000 on Semi-Pro & the State of Hip-Hop

There aren't too many rappers I fully respect but Andre 3000 is one I admire the most. If things come through as I hope, his long-awaited solo album will drop sometime in the near future and just imagine the impact something like that will have on Hip-Hop. It'll be be big, no doubt, but it's all wait and see for now. Anyway, here's a video of Andre 3000 talking about his upcoming film, Semi Pro, as well as the current state of Hip-Hop. Enjoy.

"S" On My Chest

This is insane. I've never seen anything like this and if there was any doubt to the NBA slam dunk contest being back, this is all the proof that we need. Dwight Howard has taken things to a whole new level and I can't wait to see if he has anything in store for next year. Anyway, here's the infamous "Superman" dunk from All-Star Saturday night. Enjoy.

Def Poetry Spotlight: Al b. Back

For those that know me, I think it's pretty well known that my favorite movie is ATL. That being said, I'm sure a lot of you who have seen the movie will recognize Al b. Back so check him out as he recites his poem "Super Negro" on Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam.

M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening [Trailer]

M. Night Shyamalan has gotten a lot of negative criticism following the string of releases since The Sixth Sense. His unique style and reliance on the ever elusive "plot twist" has turned fans off and it's sad because I'm one of the few that actually enjoy his work. I think the guy is extremely talented and I've loved every movie he's made so far. Save for Lady in the Water, which I thought was decent, I think M. Night is a modern day genius of his era so I'm anxious to see what he has in store with his latest film, The Happening.

Starring Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel, The Happening is a paranomal thriller in which a family must survive a global economic crisis. Now, on the surface, this seems kind of bland when compared to M. Night's previous work but fans of Night know not to assume anything when it comes to his films. Anyway, here's the trailer for The Happening and it is scheduled to hit theaters Friday June 13, 2008. {On a side note...this will be M. Night's first R-rated release...just thought I should mention}

Untraceable

Let’s face it. Technology can be a gift and a curse in our day and age, but it’s not without its flaws. YouTube has become a worldwide phenomenon and it’s amazing how things have become so readily accessible, to the point, that all it takes is one simple click of the mouse. Regardless of what you want to see, anything can be found on the net and the new movie Untraceable explores this fact, not only explicitly, but rather well, if I must say so myself.

First off, in no way am I advocating that this is a good movie because it’s average at best. Unlike most films that build on the hype and speculation of the person behind all the wrongdoing, this film fails to do so and it kinds of leaves you with no incentive to watch after you find out what’s going on early on. And what’s that you ask? Well, basically the premise of this film is founded around a serial killer who rigs contraptions to kill his victims based on the number of hits received through a website (www.killwithme.com). Featuring a live streaming video of the events as they happen, the more people that log on, the faster the victim dies. Perpetuating this fact, Diane Lane plays a cyber cop named Jennifer Marsh who must race against time to piece together this mystery, in regards to the wellbeing of herself and her family.

Now, there are many things wrong with this film but to get into them all would be a waste of time. A full-length theater release was not warranted here and would’ve been perfectly acceptable as a straight to DVD flick but don’t waste your time (or money) on this. It’s not worth the price of admission and you’ll be happy you did.

Rating: 1 ½ inkblots out of 5

Consequence Feat. John Legend: Feel This Way [Video]

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Conseqence but this guy deserves more recognition then what he gets. His critically acclaimed debut album, Don't Quit Your Day Job, was released last year and it is, by far, one of the most slept on since I can remember. He may not be for everybody, so be forewarned, but he is a part of Kanye's G.O.O.D Music roster and Kanye knows what he's doing. Anyway, here's the latest video from Consequence and it features John Legend. The song is called "Feel This Way" and the video is actually pretty good so check it out.

Ashanti: The Way That I Love You [Video]

tiI'm not sure if this is the official video or the director's cut as others are saying it to be but, this is surely different for Ashanti. I've never heard the song before finding this on YouTube but I kinda dig it to be honest. Ashanti has always been cool to me and I've always had her as this "girl next door" type but as long as she doesn't go crazy like this in real life, then everything will be cool. Anyay, enough dialouge. Check out the video and let me know what you think.

Return to St. Elsewhere

I don't know about you, but I'm anxious for the impending return of Gnarls Barkley. I loved their alternative, yet mellow approach to music packaged as St. Elsewhere last year so once I got word that the follow up, The Odd Couple, would be dropping this spring I just had to blog about it. It's all about the music with these guys and the fact that they could care less what other people think, is what people and fans alike are drawn to. Now, things like the above makes you kinda question what goes on in their head but the motto of "dare to be different" is stretching here. No amount of desire to seperate myself from the pack would propel me to wear a wedding dress but Cee-lo, you're obviously more of a man than me. As long as the music is good and the same formula is applied that worked the first time around, I'm sure i'll be content with this new offering. Sadly, I guess all I can do now is just wait.

In honor of their upcoming release, I figured I'd take it back to where it all began. Here's the flashback of their innovative video for "Crazy" and this video is, by far, the best thing in a long time. It showed that some people in the music industry actually care when it comes to being creative and this takes creativity to a whole 'nother level.

Ooh La La

Sports Illustrated has kinda fallen off, in my opinion, but I think these pics of La La Vasquez may change my mind. I dug the recent swimsuit issue, a while back, that featured Beyonce and this latest spread only moves things back in the right direction. My only question is, why hasn't Carmelo wifed this girl yet? They've been engaged for like forever and a day. It just really bothers me because he's letting all this go to waste and leaving the door open for another man to come in between them, when/if things start to go sour. Then again (pauses to contemplate)...forget about everything I just said. Carmelo, continue to do what you want because dreams do come true and after these pics, I know one wish that's moved to the top of my list.

Kanye West: Flashing Lights [Video]

Maybe it's just me but does anybody get this new video from Kanye West? I mean, I like the song and everything but it's not exactly what I had envisioned for the video. From what I understand, this is only a teaser of the real thing but I hope that's true because this is just weird...even for Kanye. For what he's known for in the past, as far as his videos are concerned, this is a little too simple so I'm sure he has something up his sleeve but I can't hate. Rita G (the girl in the vid) looks great so, if nothing else, this video makes for some good eye candy. Anyway, here's the vid. Check it out, comment, let me know what you think cuz I'm confused.

Trey Songz: The Last Time [Video]

Needless to say, I'm a huge fan of Trey Songz and his latest CD Trey Day is a certified classic as far as I'm concerened. Really, it's that good. Anyway, here's the lastest video from Trey and it's called "Last Time" so check it out.

Kanye West : Through The Fire

Is it even a question as to who shut it down at the Grammy’s last night? Kanye West did his thing and all of his hard work has paid off big time. Already going in with 8 Grammy nominations, Kanye picked up 4 of those including Best Rap Album for Graduation, Best Rap Solo Performance for "Stronger," Best Rap Song for "Good Life" with T-Pain and Best Rap Performance by a duo or group for "Southside," a collaboration with fellow Chicago rapper Common. All that aside, Kanye killed it on the performance tip, as well, so for those that missed it here’s the video of how it all went down.

Kanye West f/Daft Punk-Stronger

Kanye West-Hey Mama

Flavor of Love 3

I guess if at first you don’t succeed try again, but this is starting to get ridiculous. Now, I’ve never watched a season of Flavor of Love but I’m sure I’m not missing much. I’m not knocking anybody who does but how many times are we gonna be reduced to the same ’ol recycled crap that VH1 is starting to put out. Just because Flavor of Love was mildly successful doesn’t mean that any of use were interested in seeing Brett Michaels, Tila Tequila, and New York find love as well. All of this shit is basically the same show, just with different washed up people with no talent so it just doesn’t make sense to me that people actually watch.

To each its own I suppose, but I just had to write about this when I saw that the new season of Flavor of Love premiers tonight on VH1. The casting call special for this was kinda entertaining, I’ll admit, but it’s just sad knowing what some of these women are willing to do to “be” with Flav. Don’t any of these women have any respect for themselves? Or better yet, do they know what Flavor Flav looks like? Dude is ugly as hell and that’s being blunt but who cares? Half the girls that come on the show are only looking for their 15 minutes of fame but I really think that this whole love thing is starting to overstay its welcome. All these love shows have made me lovesick and if I see one more season of this crap, I swear I’mma throw up.

Sorry for the visuals but you gotta feel me on this. Reality TV is ruining the general public and the more we feed into it, the more we’re subjecting ourselves to in the future. The solution? Be creative and craft something for a change instead of being cheap. Then again that would require a thought, or innovation, and apparently Hollywood has been too far corrupted by the almighty dollar to do such a thing.

Trina: Smooth Magazine Cover

It’s amazing how much photo shop can help a picture look this good but it’s no secret that Trina has lost a lot of weight either. Her thickness that she was known for is no longer there and it kind of makes you mad a little bit but at least she looks better than she did a few months ago. I’m not exactly sure of the timeframe but I remember this whole deal of a photo shoot she did and she looked anorexic. Now, knowing what she use to look like it’s a pretty big deal but as long as she’s comfortable with her look then I guess I can’t complain. All I’m saying is that I prefer the old, thick Trina and I’m sure a lot of her fans would agree as well.

Anyway, here’s the Diamond Princess gracing the latest issue of Smooth magazine. Go pick it up for more pics but if you’re lazy then look ’em up on the internet. I’m sure they’ve leaked by now so someone probably already has them.

Def Poetry Spotlight: Amanda Diva

On the surface, Amanda Diva may seem like just another average connoisseur of Hip-Hop but for her to temporarily replace one of the members of Floetry, that’s saying a lot. Her unique, yet innovative, style is refreshing beyond most and can, simply, be attributed to what she brings to the table as a performer. Whether it’s intellect, humor, political points of view, you name it…Amanda has a diversified range of talent to express herself through. The world is her stage and we are merely listeners in this Hip-Hop odyssey spoken by Amanda Diva.

It wasn’t until 2001 that this beautiful, young poet came onto the scene but her impact has been felt ever since. More recognizable from her work as the “face of Hip-Hop” on MTV2, Amanda Diva has surely made ends meet. Whether it’s blessing mics at Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam, performing alongside The Last Poets, or holding it down on Sirius Satellite radio, Ms. Diva has undoubtedly become a triple threat.

Although most of her work goes unnoticed, the persistence and perseverance remains the same. Poetry is passion and finding ways to express that passion can be hard for some, but Amanda is unconventional in that she is able to not only express herself through spoken word but through singing as well. Due to creative differences between the two original members, Amanda was temporarily linked to being a part of Floetry but has since withdrawn to being solo. Just so you know, Floetry has since reconciled their differences also but this is still a huge honor for someone like Amanda to be apart of. Her flexibility for expression has no boundaries and that right there will lead her to heights that people only dare to dream.

For more of Amanda Diva, check out her website by clicking here.

I thought I’d add a little video or something to show y’all what I mean about Amanda Diva. I think she is highly talented when it comes to spoken word but you can be the judge. This is called “40 Emcees” and it’s pretty good. Check it out. Tell me what you think.