¤ Art. Imitating. Life. ¤

My friend Erica has been waiting for this for months now and it's finally here! Which is good. I'm happy she'll finally have a chance to play it here in a couple of days (if she ever buys it), but I've never gotten the concept of these kind of games. The only actual "sim" game I've played is Roller Coaster Tycoon and let me just say...I don't think I'll be designing any theme parks any time soon. Besides, if they take as much time and effort as the "sim" implies, then I'm better off quitting while I'm ahead.

But The Sims has more of a following than Roller Coaster Tycoon. A huge following actually and that's what I was kind of surprised to find out. A lot of people love this game and have been looking forward to its release, so I hope it lives up to the hype. From what I understand, it's supposed to be the most interactive Sims yet and as to what that means? I have no idea...I just know that Erica has been talking this shit up to be the next best thing since fire and, hopefully, she's right.

Which she probably will be. The last video game I turned my nose up at was Guitar Hero and I actually liked it after I gave it a try. Again, I don't think being a rock star is in my future; but I held my own. Albeit on beginner nonetheless.

But I digress. I had better luck playing Street Fighter 4 than I did anything else and, you know, all this talk about video games has got me really wanting to finish Gears of War 2. Me and Ralph started playing a few months back, only to pick up NBA Live 2009; and for what ever reason, we just never got back around to it. It's his fault though. Something about he doesn't want to pay $9 bucks @ Blockbuster to rent it. I say he's cheap. He says he's selective with his money. Go figure.

On a lesser note, however, none of this can happen until I get my X-Box back. This is twice in less than a year and a 1/2 that I've experienced the red rings of death and I've had it UP to here with X-Box. Details in a blog coming soon. In the meantime, The Sims 3 is in stores people! Go buy it. Or, better yet, buy it for Erica. She'll be your friend if you do.

Nick Cannon Covers GIANT Magazine

[Click here to view more pics]

Nick Cannon is quite the businessman and I think that often goes overlooked at times. Which is understandable. Other than Drumline, Wild-n-Out, and his marriage to Mariah Carey, he isn't known for much else; yet people still knock the guy for whatever reason.

Which always bothered me. Why do people hate Nick Cannon so much? I could see if he was making power moves (like say a Russell Simmons), but the only lucrative venture he's had thus far is his short stint with MTV.

Whether people would like to admit it or not, Wild-n-Out was a good show and not only proved once and for all that Nick Cannon could be a master of his craft; but more so proved the value of his own brand. It's just ironic in a sense seeing that he still hasn't gotten his just due.

Keri Hilson Interview With Karmaloop

¤ Audio Delight @ Low Fidelity | Beats by Dr. Dre ¤

I can't even begin to describe how dope these Beats by Dr. Dre headphones are but, trust me, I'm more than happy with the current pair of Skullcandy that I already own.

Besides, the hefty price tag of $399.95 is a little out of my price range. Maybe if they were a little cheaper I would splurge and buy 'em for myself, but I just can't see myself spending "x" amount of dollars on something as frivolous as headphones. I can think of more important things to invest my money in but, still, that doesn't mean I would pass them up as present. My birthday is right around the corner you know (July 26th); so if anybody wants to get 'em for me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Then again, who am I kidding? Even I wouldn't spend that much money on someone for their birthday, so the last thing I expect to get is some Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. Don't get me wrong, it would be nice. But how naive would it be for me to actually believe that I was getting a pair as a present? Exactly...

Truth be told, I'll be in New York for my birthday, anyway, and I can just imagine how much fun that will be. I'm headed up there to see my uncle, Jim Rice, get inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame and, personally, I think it was long overdue. And what do you know...he's getting inducted on my birthday (it's my cousin's as well) no less so it's going to be all the more special. ( ....pause...) It would be even better if he bought me those headphones, too, now that I think about it; but, hey, a guy can dream can't he?

¤ Death To Popeyes ¤

I absolutely refuse to feed into this stereotype that ALL black people love chicken; but, the more I try to defend it, the more I realize how true it actually is. Which isn't a surprise. You have no idea how many people went crazy a few weeks back whenever Popeyes had their 8 piece for $4.99 sale [video] and, the sad thing is, I witnessed it with my very own eyes.

Now, I'm not trying to sit here and social analyze this particular issue as if it was a problem; but, one thing I will say, is that niggas love chicken. Now that I have your attention...how about we dig a little deeper now, shall we?

It's not so much the fact that I don't enjoy chicken because I [happen to] eat wings with the best of 'em...it's just that I feel like I'm literally feeding into the stereotype when I do. Sure, I understand that being a little less self-conscience about it would ease things somewhat; but, when Oprah announced that she was giving away free chicken, I fucking lost it!

Are you serious!? That's the two worst things you could say to a black person, let alone mention both "free" and "chicken" in the same sentence. If that isn't a recipe for disaster, then I don't know what is.

But then I thought about it. The response for something like this would be overwhelming and the demand would more than exceed the supply. I'm no business major I mind you, but even a broken clock is right at least two times a day and what do you know...I was right [video]. A lot of people took to sit-ins when KFC couldn't make good on their promise but, in the end, it wasn't KFC that lost; it was us as a society.

Whether you would like to agree or not, the fact of the matter is that more people protested [video] over some bullshit nonsense like this than those that went out and voted and actually understood the whole process. Meaning, they knew the issues and weren't basing their decision solely on skin color.

Which is sad, for obvious reasons of course, because other important issues could be warranted for protest; yet we, of all things, decide chicken to be one of 'em. It just doesn't make sense. Mainly because, in turn, people are dying from heart disease and high blood pressure and, last I checked, heart disease is the leading cause of death in our country.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we should ban together for a boycott on chicken; I'm just saying let's enjoy it in moderation. Besides, we've already established the fact that a black man can become president; what better way to follow that up then to erase this ugly stigma/stereotype that we ALL love chicken.

Now, if only we could work on this whole red kool-aid thing...

Aija Nicole is XXL's June Eye Candy

[Click images for larger view]

So, The CW Canceled The Game...

and lot of people seem to be bothered by this. The thing I don't get is why? It's not like the show was any good anyway and the strong following it DID have was only in part because of its second life on BET. Maybe had fans taken interest beforehand this kind of thing wouldn't of happened, but to get into all that would be a waste of time. What's done is done and the only saving grace for fans of the show is that it is currently being shopped around to the likes of BET and TBS for a forth season.

Now, it's highly unlikely that The Game will return in any shape, form, or fashion; but anything is possible. Take, Family Guy for instance. That show found new life on Cartoon Network and was able to be revived due to a strong fan response. The Game, on the other hand, is a completely different story. Fans have gone out of their way to voice their opinion and I'll give credit where credit is due--so have the cast. It just wasn't enough.

But I think the more important issue here is not with the show itself being canceled but more so with The CW. This makes their third African-American based sitcom to be canceled along with Girlfriends and Everybody Hates Chris; so, of course, the issue of this being a racially motivated move has run wild on message boards, blogs, and so on.

Which really got me to thinking. Was it? It's no secret that The CW has gotten a lot of flack since it became a merger of WB and UPN; and, as it stands, the only remaining program with African-American ties is America's Next Top Model. Which...isn't...all that black, if you get my drift.

Does it make it fair? Of course not but, let's be honest, the writing was on the wall for The Game way before The CW decided to pull the plug. Never once did the network go out of its way to promote The Game like it does 90210, Gossip Girl, and One Tree Hill; and I think that's what a lot of people have failed to realize here. If a network does not even have enough faith in a show to promote it, it really won't matter how strong a show's following is. It's the sad reality of it all, I suppose; but, for now, I guess it's game over.

Dane Cook's "Isolated" Incident

May have been an absolute waste of time, but that doesn't mean I'm succumbing to the naysayers that think Dane Cook's comedy isn't funny. If anything, I would say he's misunderstood; but that all depends on who you ask.

I, for one, think the guy is superbly talented and have enjoyed his previous stand-ups (i.e. Harmful If Swallowed, Vicious Circle, Retaliation, etc.); but there was just something about Isolated Incident that was missing. I'm not sure if it was a certain pizazz or what. I just felt like his performance was a microcosm of all the negative criticism he receives and the fact that I didn't laugh much didn't help either.

Then again, for all I know, maybe his appeal is starting to wear off. It's no secret that his immense popularity has opened doors for him in Hollywood and, for whatever reason, his focus on comedy hasn't been quite the same since. Is that to say his lack of renewed creativity is to blame? By all means no, but hopefully this, too, (like the title of his latest stand up) is only an isolated incident. At least one could only hope anyway.

Jeremih | Birthday Sex [Video]

Ocean's 7 Feat. Bow Wow | So Much Swagg [Video]

Next Day Air

It would be easy to criticize Next Day Air for its innocuous use of stereotypes or even for its [somewhat] predictable plot but, to do so, would not save this movie from being worse than it already is. Instead, it would be better suited to lament this film for ever being made in the first place.

Far be it from me to pass judgment on something I’m quite sure was time consuming, yet required little to no effort to write; but just in watching, one can easily tell that not much thought went into the creative process. It’s bad enough movies with an all black cast are downtrodden enough as it is and, sure enough, Next Day Air is no exception.

Directed by Benny Boom, Next Day Air is nothing more than an urban crime drama with a little bit of satire, as well as action, thrown in for good measure. Now, on paper, the added involvement of Mike Epps would seem like a surefire project that a lot of people would be dying to check out but, trust me, none of the above elements work well together whatsoever. In fact, it almost feels as if everything was slapped together and the end result is that of which you can’t help but watch mindlessly, wondering why the hell you just paid to see it. Not to mention, the acting isn't all that great either.

Yet and still, I guess the films only saving grace is that of Yasmin Deliz. Her feisty and charismatic portrayal of Chita breathes a little bit of life into the movie and her presence also makes for some rather nice eye candy.

In the end, is it enough to make the movie watchable? By all means no, but it all depends on your preference. I, for one, found nothing in particular to be remotely entertaining about Next Day Air, yet some will argue that it's the best thing since sliced bread. To each's own, I suppose; but, in this case, I think return to sender would've been the perfect label for it. You be the judge.

Rating: 1 inkblot out of 5

CoCo as Marilyn Monroe

[Click images for larger view]

SNL Digital Short | Motherlover

Teyana Taylor Is Legal!

For some strange reason, I kind of have this thing for Teyana Taylor. Odd, I know, but sometimes things are better left unexplained. That being said, I realize she turned 18 in December but, damn, I didn't know she got down like this. I'm so use to seeing her dressed down and what not, but it's nice to see her accentuate the makings of her. Anyway, I'm sure it was a sad day for pedophiles around the world; but, at least, I'M still close enough in age to appreciate such a thing. Ya dig?

NFL | Detroit Lions Select QB Matthew Stafford With #1 Overall Pick

The definition of parody in the NFL would clearly have to be the Detroit Lions. Following the New England Patriots 16-0 regular season, the Lions somehow managed to go 0-16 and made history as the first team to NOT win a game. Thus, awarding them the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Now while some would argue that a defensive player would've been better suited for their needs, I can also understand why they went with QB Matthew Stafford. The guy has a cannon for an arm and, in watching him at Georgia, his leadership shines through in his play on the field.

That being said, I guess what I [really] don't understand is how much the Lions seem to have invested in this guy. Need I remind you, Stafford has yet to take a snap in the NFL; so to offer him a six year deal worth $78 million and $41.7 million of that guaranteed seems a little "iffy" to me.

If anything, a bulk of that money could've been used to address the Lions much needed defensive needs; but who am I to have an opinion? All I can do is be the avid NFL football fan that I am and focus on teams that I actually care about (i.e. Patriots, Steelers, Eagles).

High School Cheerleading Coach Fired After Posing Nude In Playboy

It seems highly unlikely that any of this would ever happen in "real life", but apparantly this sort of reality does exist. It's just funny how it never does in mine.

Be that as it may, I find it interesting that the gym teachers I remember were never this attractive and it kind of makes you wonder how so many people seem to slip through the cracks when it comes to educators and background checks. You would think, that's one job that you can't afford to have a bad judge of character; yet, no preventive measures seem to have been set in place amidst the recent rise in school related scandals.

Seriously. It doesn't require much effort to Google somebody to see if something doesn't add up and, trust me, I'm quite sure the board of education (or whomever) would've come across a red flag had they have done so. Seeing that they didn't, the negative press that comes along with a firing only promotes Playboy and could inadvertently send the wrong message to teenage girls.

Meaning. The confusion that comes along with something like this could lead them to believe that this sort of behavior is acceptable. Which it is? In a way, I suppose, but it all depends on how you look at it. I, myself, believe that if you make the personal choice to pose nude then, by all means, you absolutely have the right to do so. It's your body and you can do with it whatever you please.

However, on the other hand, I also feel as though you have a personal responsibility to not only yourself, but the ones around you as well. So regardless of how much money may come along with it, the drawback of doing so will always outweigh the positive. At least, in my opinion.

Be that as it may, I found this issue to be interesting enough to write about so feel free to read /comment on the [actual] story below for yourself.

[Click here to read story]

Troy Polamalu & Larry Fitzgerald Cover Madden NFL 10

Considering the fact that I have the Pittsburgh Steelers as an odds on favorite to win Super Bowl XLIV, you could only imagine how disheartening it is to see Troy Polamalu on the cover of Madden NFL 10.

For those unaware, a "Madden Curse" has plagued those who have appeared on the cover in recent years; and although I'm more of a firm believer in coincidence than curses, I still find it hard to argue against the reality of it all. It is what it is but, now with John Madden retired, maybe the curse will retire along as well.

Yet and still, I have to admit that this cover is actually kind of dope. It fits perfectly with the "Fight For Every Yard" theme that Madden NFL 10 is going for and who better to personify that than Steelers S Troy Polamalu and Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald. Both of these players embody the heart and soul of their team and it'll be interesting to see if they make it through the season unscathed.

As for Madden NFL 10 itself, I've been reading more and more about the game and it seems like it will be a much improved upgrade from last year's installment. Far be it from me to criticize one of the top selling football games of all times but, be that as it may, I've simply found NCAA College Football to be a better game in recent years and hopefully the realization of that will push the Madden franchise to improve significantly.

I ♥ Diznee

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Not even Walt Disney himself could envision something as heavenly as this.

Ciara's Wet Dream

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I genuinely have a love/hate relationship when it comes to Ciara. On one hand, I think she's superbly talented in spite of the constant criticism she tends to receive; but, on the other, I think she relies too heavily on sex appeal in order to sell records. It's kind of like a double edge sword, I suppose, and I guess the only balance between the two is that she has somehow milked her career thus far to be three albums deep.

A testament nonetheless, Ciara is featured in this month's Men's Health Magazine and, as you can tell, the spread is (*surprise* surprise*) slightly provocative to say the least. In the meantime, Ciara's is gearing up to release her third album, Fantasy Ride, on May 5th so be sure to check for that as well.

[Click here to view Ciara's spread in Men's Health Magazine]

Lil' Wayne On The View [Video]

Eminem Covers XXL Magazine as The Punisher

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The more and more material that leaks off of Eminem's upcoming Relapse project, the more convinced I become that Eminem has lost it. Gone are the glory days of Slim Shady and instead we have become witness to a watered down, pop dependent shell of his former self. Don't get me wrong, for all I know this could all be a ruse and Relapse could be a classic; but my thing is, "We Made You" and "3 A.M." are not songs indicative of what I consider "groundbreaking". If anything it only adds to this notion that Hip-Hop is Dead and if Eminem can't breathe life into the game then, by all means, maybe Nas was right after all.

Tahiry & Keyshia Cole Cover KING's Farewell Issue

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It still hasn't quite hit me yet that another issue of King Magazine won't see the light of day, but at least I can rest assured knowing that one of "The Illest Men's Magazine's Ever" went out in style. Trust me, the $4 bucks or so you'll pay for this is well worth it and big ups to KING for finally listening to their readers. Tahiry on the cover is a good look!

KanYe West Feat. Young Jeezy | Amazing [Video]

Eminem's Relapse Album Cover

Lil' Kim On Dancing With The Stars [Round 6]

¤ Little Miss Sunshine ¤

I think, as a guy, that the hardest thing for us to do is swallow our pride and just admit when we are wrong. No amount of pride is worth holding on to if it means you lose someone special over it and, as I sit here and write this while I listen to Chris Brown's "I Wanna Be", I can't help but feel like wanting to just press rewind and do everything all over again.

Is it natural to feel like that? I'm quite sure it is but, still, a part of me knows that a good majority of the blame falls on my shoulders. I never should've questioned you the way I did and, although I can't take back all the mean and hurtful things I said, at the end of the day, I still have some kind of love for you that just won't go away regardless of how hard I try.

Something about you got a hold of me a long time ago and to just deny that seems unnatural. Maybe that's why from time to time, I can't help but think about you and all the "good" times we had. For once in my life, I was close to happiness; and as I look around at what I'm faced with now, I realize how dumb it was to sit idly by and just expect you to always be there. Was it naive of me to think that? Sure, without question, it was. But an apology now wouldn't change things. All I can do is be humble about the situation, admit that I fucked up a good thing, and go on knowing that I may have missed out on being apart of something special.

It's crazy. I don't normally put my feelings out here like this for the whole world to see, but I guess I'm looking at the bigger picture here. And what's that? Simple. The fact that you're not in it. I would give anything to have you be apart of it once again,but I know, like you know, that a relationship between us would never work. For some reason, our personalities clash with one another and, oddly enough, that same reason is what makes us absolutely right for one another. Wouldn't you agree? ...

...Probably not. And, I understand, why you wouldn't. It's just that, I don't want you to think that I'm writing all this in a desperate attempt to win you back. No, that's not it at all. This right here is absolutely genuine and is everything I wanna say, but can't say.

Trust me, you have no idea how many times I've wanted to just pick up the phone and call you. Or, how many times I wanted to hit send on a text message. Thoughts like these are constantly on my mind and, as much as I would like to sit here and type all day, no amount of words in the English language could express how sorry I am. That's how much I wish I could hit rewind and pretend like none of this ever happened; and, if I could, I would do it in a heartbeat...

...and that's when reality sinks in. No longer do I see your name pop up on my phone for an incoming call and no longer do I get any of your random text messages. Instead, I get what I gave you. Nothing.

So, while a part of our relationship may be forever damaged, the last thing I would ever want to lose is you as a friend. I know now that a lot of mistakes on my part was the reason for our downfall and, as I humbly swallow my pride, I want you to know that I'm sorry and would love nothing more than to make things right. If not for the sake of us, simply because...

--"I Wanna Be"--

T.I.

Solange Knowles Dropped From Geffen Records

I pray to God that this is nothing more than a nasty rumor but, from what I'm hearing, Solange Knowles has been dropped from Geffen Records. The thing I don't understand is why?

Sure, her album, Sol-angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, was not as profitable as one would have hoped; but it was damn near better than Beyoncé's I Am...Sasha Fierce. The only difference is, Beyoncé is more of an established artist and the marketing push behind her project was far greater than the one Geffen was willing to give for Solange.

Is it fair? Yes and no, I suppose, but it all depends on how you look at things. Because of the current recession we're in, a lot of people have cut back on spending and the music industry has been hit hard because of that. No longer are major labels shelling out big bucks to invest in an artist's career. Instead, the primary focus has shifted from quality to quantity and the more ringtones an artist can sell seems to be the gold standard nowadays.

It's a sad reality when you think about it and I feel bad for an artist like Solange. Sol-angel and the Hadley St. Dreams was an incredibly dope album and, regardless of how many numbers it did at SoundScan, to put a price on quality music goes against why we fell in love with music in the first place.

Not only does it allow us to express ourselves in ways unimaginable, but just the notion of vibing out to music, in general, is enough to have anybody so far gone. Wouldn't you agree?

Yet and still, I'm sure Solange will find a new recording home like most artists do after being dropped and, hopefully, this time she can align herself with a better A&R. She deserves way better than this and for proof of that, I suggest you check out Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams for yourself. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

¤ Click here to listen to Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams ¤

Observe and Report

Seth Rogen’s likeable personality has persevered in movies such as The 40-Year Old Virgin & Superbad, however, Observe and Report is an interesting vehicle for him in that it never really quite works as it’s [clearly] intended to. For lack of better words, Observe and Report is not the laugh out loud movie one would expect going in and, in watching, you can’t help but feel a little guilty for actually paying to see it.

Sure, what’s a couple dollars here or there especially if a good laugh is involved; but if that laugh never comes, isn’t that warrant enough to ask for your money back. That’s exactly how I felt afterward and the thing I don’t get is how coy the producers could be in marketing this film. Not only is it a blatant rip off of another mall cop movie we’ve already seen (Paul Blart: Mall Cop), but it uses Seth Rogen’s name as a way to pull in his legion of fans. Do not be fooled, I mind you, this is not Knocked Up, nor is it Zack and Miri. Instead, Observe and Report stands alone in Seth Rogen’s catalog and will, undoubtedly, be regarded as his first misstep along his recent string of hits.

Be that as it may, I understand that Observe and Report is a black comedy and that things that are considered taboo are fair play; but, honestly, what’s funny about date rape? You have to be one fucked up individual to laugh at something like that and I, my friend, am not that.

To each his own I suppose, but the real problem lies within the fact that Observe and Report never makes up its mind on what it wants to be. It’s “Napoleon Dynamite-esque” awkwardness resonates throughout the 86 minutes or so of running time and, even still, the characters you come in contact with leave no lasting impression whatsoever. Instead, all the audience can do is be polarized about what they're seeing on screen and, speaking honestly, I was just not impressed one bit.

Love it or hate it aside, I guess what I’m trying to say is that Observe and Report is disappointing in more ways than one. Not only is it a second rate, mall cop comedy, but to watch it and marvel at how much time and talent was wasted on something as mindless as this is remarkable. Therefore, like the title suggests, Observe and Report is nothing more than a defense mechanism for how I feel the writers/producers pieced all this crap together. Nothing about this movie is organized and the sad thing about it is that 75% of the people that see this will probably feel the same way that I do. Need I say more?

Rating: 1 inkblot out of 5

Lil' Wayne Covers Rolling Stone

This whole rock star persona that Lil' Wayne has taken on lately has grown on me ever so slightly and, although I [once] ridiculed "Prom Queen" as a disgrace to rock music, I find myself having to eat my own words. Why? Well because it seems like all I ever do is listen to that song!

Maybe it was the video that helped piece the visuals together and won me over? For all I know, it very well could have. All I know is that this Rebirth album is shaping up to be something of note and, being the genius that he is, I'm damn near certain that Lil' Wayne could pull it off.

Especially if the direction he's going in is anything like what I've heard so far. "Prom Queen", "Hot Revolver", & "I'm Not Human" are all equally impressive and, while some fans may be a little turned off, I feel as if Wayne is venturing so far into left field that a mash up collaboration of Hip-Hop and rock music will never come close to what Wayne is doing right now. Wouldn't you agree?

For more pics of Lil' Wayne in this month's Rolling Stone, click here.

Artists You Oughta Know | Santigold

Santigold may not be much of a household name just yet but, trust me, she will be. Click here to read her interview with XXL.

¤ Life Between A Pair of Headphones ¤

1 | The-Dream (Feat. KanYe West) | Walking On The Moon
2 | Keri Hilson | Slow Dance
3 | Beyoncé (Feat. KanYe West) | Ego (Remix)
4 | Young Money (Feat. Lil' Wayne, Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, & Mack Maine) | Every Girl
5 | Rick Ross (Feat. Lil' Wayne, KanYe West, & T-Pain) | Maybach Music II
6 | Kid Cudi | Day 'N' Nite
7 | Electrik Red (Feat. Lil' Wayne) | So Good (Remix)
8 | Lil' Wayne | Hot Revolver
9 | Asher Roth | I Love College
10 | Eminem | We Made You

California Love

As mindless as it was, A Real Chance of Love [actually] had a few things going for it. (1)It had Rabbit and (2)It had Cali.

Now, to choose between the two would be the "typical" guy thing to do but, personally, I would've taken Cali any day. For some reason, I was absolutely drawn to her lustful ways and, what can I say, I'm a sucka for girls like her girls. Period.

So much so that curiosity will sometimes get the best of me, and who knew how much damage one click of the mouse could cause?

Needless to say, I now know why California is home to the silicone valley; and maybe, just maybe, you will too.

Reindeer Games

In what some will probably consider a dead giveaway, Prancer of VH1's Flavor of Love and I Love Money 2 made news this week when nude pics of her surfaced on the internet.

Albeit with her consent, it's a little surprising to see Prancer follow in the footsteps of other VH1 debutantes that have exposed themselves; but what's even more surprising is to see that she has "enhanced" a few things.

Now, I'm all for such a procedure if it's done in good taste and for all the right reasons; but, even before, I thought Prancer was attractive and made do with what she had. Sure, a little bit more only accentuates her femininity: but, at what costs? Is it that important to prolong your time in the limelight that you sacrifice yourself in the process? If so, I must be one naive individual; but I think that goes without saying.

[Prancer | Pic 1] [Prancer | Pic 3]
[Prancer | Pic 2] [Prancer | Pic 4]

Eddie Murphy Lost For Letting Mel B. Go

You know what I don't understand. How could somebody as successful as Eddie Murphy have all the money in the world, yet not want one of the greatest gifts known to man in Mel B? It makes no sense whatsoever and regardless of whether it was a matter of love or not, sometimes swallowing your pride can go a long way.

Trust me, I would not think twice if given the chance with Mel; but, let's be real for a second, my heart is with Scarlett Johansson. Not to mention, I'm kind of also torn between Rosario Dawson and Raven-Symoné and to choose would be splitting hairs. What can I say? I'm a closet womanizer. Sue me.

That's not to say that I don't appreciate women. In fact, wholeheartedly I do. It just so happens that I hold these three to a higher standard. Is it wrong of me to feel as though nobody will ever measure up? Sure it is, but in the words of Drake, "It's not the way it has to go/it's just what I prefer". Words to live by, indeed.

Kid Cudi | Day 'N' Nite [Video]

Electrik Red Feat. Lil' Wayne | So Good (Remix) [Video]

KING Magazine Folds Due To Failing Ad Market

KING magazine has been a semi-monthly favorite of mine for years and it's sad to see that a failing ad market will, ultimately, be its demise.

It's really unfair, in a sense, especially when considering that other magazines like Oprah and Martha Stewart seem to do so well; yet anything Hip-Hop related seems to have a shorter shelf life (pun intended).

My thing is, out of all the magazines that could've folded, KING is of the elite and the last thing I expected was to see them fold. If anything, The Source deserved to close its doors, simply because of the fact that they have no credibility whatsoever anymore and the same could be said for XXL.

At least KING magazine was dope enough to be diverse and feature models and editorials and, fittingly, they found the perfect balance between the two. Sure, I can understand the constant criticism of their "exploitation" of black women; but, if that's the case, why are magazines such as Maxim, Playboy, Penthouse, & Hustler still prevalent? My point exactly.

R.I.P. King Magazine 2003-2009

Eminem | We Made You [Video]

Young Money | Every Girl [Video]

NCAA Men's College Basketball Final: Michigan State Spartans Vs. North Carolina Tar Heels

The college basketball season comes to an end later tonight and in dramatic fashion, no less. The "heavily favored" North Carolina Tar Heels are set to square off against the battle tested Michigan State Spartans and, going in, the Tar Heels are already a 7 1/2 point favorite.

Now, being the unbiased college basketball fan that I am, I just feel like everything seems a little premature in crowning North Carolina national champions. Sure, I won't argue against the notion that their the best team because, clearly, they've proved that thus far; but, my thing is, Michigan State just defeated two #1 seeds in Louisville and Uconn and did it in back-to-back games I mind you. If that isn't something that should be dually noted then, by all means, I've lost all respect for anybody who claims to know anything about sports. ESPN included.

Would it surprise me if Michigan State won, however? Yes and No. No, in the sense that they already busted my bracket twice already so to each his own; but yes, in the sense that a Michigan State win would not only cement coach Izzo's legacy but would also label this North Carolina team as one that couldn't get it done. Trust me, that stigma would haunt these players for years; especially since the bulk of this team chose to forego the NBA in hopes of bringing a National Championship back to Chapel Hill.

Will they get it done? That remains to be seen. So, with this prediction sure to go wrong, all I can do is go with what my gut is telling me. Therefore, I'm taking Michigan State. Read it and weep.

Final Score Prediction
Michigan State 74, North Carolina 69

Charles Hamilton | Loser [Video]

Asher Roth | I Love College [Video]

B.o.B | I'll Be In The Sky [Video]

Asher Roth | Lark On My Go-Kart [Video]

Allen Iverson To Miss Rest of Season With Sore Back

As much as I love and support Allen Iverson, something tells me that more than a sore back is keeping him out for the rest of the season. Perhaps it's pride but, if so, a man's pride can be his undoing and unfortunately Allen Iverson has never been one to swallow his pride.

Which I don't understand. Being that he's been in the league for 13 some odd years and has only been to the finals ONCE, you would think that a player of his pedigree would jump at the chance to play with a contender like the Detroit Pistons. Not only did he have the supporting cast around him to win a championship, but the fact that he was back in the wide open Eastern Conference was reason enough for him to try and make this thing work. It just goes to show that pride can indeed be a tough thing to swallow and unless you're willing to get out of your own way, things can only be stagnant.

That being said, the question still remains: what's next for Allen Iverson? Clearly, his immediate future is not with the Detroit Pistons but, according to a segment on ESPN's 1st and 10 yesterday, his future with any NBA team may be bleak. So much so that even the possibility of playing overseas has been discussed. Now, while I highly doubt A.I. will leave the states to play ball, I still think playing overseas is a viable option. Just not the logical choice. His best bet is to accept the forthcoming pay cut and play his position as a backup for a championship contender. It's the only way he can validate his career and, last I checked, scoring titles and league MVP honors can only carry you so far. Wouldn't you agree?

Dangerously In Love

What is it with network TV reality stars and their nude pasts? It seems like every show has at least one or two cast members who have either posed nude or have been exposed and VH1's For The Love of Ray J is no exception.

As most of you know, Danger is currently on this season of For The Love Of Ray J and has been "interesting" to say the least. Not only has she come off as crazy but the mere fact that gossip mills are running rampant that she may be pregnant by Ray J is all the makings for an eventual spin-off sometime down the road. Which, I'm sure, VH1 actively pursued in the event that she doesn't win the show.

Yet and still, I'm a little bothered by what I came across and, as chauvinistic as it sounds, I'm somewhat disappointed to say the least. These pics did absolutely nothing for me and maybe it's because I just don't find Danger to be the least bit attractive. I just figured everything was one click of the mouse away so feel free to take a look for yourself and I'll allow you to be the judge.

Bruno [Trailer]

¤ Life Between A Pair of Headphones ¤

1. Lil' Wayne | Prom Queen
2. All-American Rejects | Gives You Hell
3. Bow Wow (Featuring Johnta Austin) | You Can Get It All
4. Keri Hilson (Featuring KanYe West & Ne-Yo) | Knock You Down
5. Soulja Boy | Turn My Swag On
6. MIMS | Move (If You Wanna Move)
7. Day26 (Featuring Yung Joc & Diddy) | I'mma Put It On Her
8. Cam'Ron | Get It In Ohio
9. Young Dro | Clean Wit It
10. Ryan Leslie | How It Was Supposed To Be
    

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Leaks Online

Less than 4 weeks away from it's scheduled release date, an unfinished print of X-Men Orginis: Wolverine has been leaked online.

Now, being the admitted pirate that I am, I would usually jump all over something like this; however, a part of me is kind of upset that things like this happen. Don't get it twisted, I have no qualms whatsoever about seeing a movie early, but my thing is some movies are actually worth the price of admission and I would rather take part in the "movie going" experience than to sit in front of my computer and enjoy something of lesser quality. To each his own I suppose...so to the 75,000 that chose to forego the $7 bucks or so they would've had to pay on May 1st to see this movie, I guess this is directed towards you.

SNL Digital Short | I'm On A Boat

A Picture Worth A Thousand Words

They say in every game there's a defining moment that decides whether or team wins or loses; but none have been more defining than the one captured above. Plain and simple, I {♥} this game.

Jennifer Hudson Sings The National Anthem @ Super Bowl XLIII

Jacki-O Covers Smooth Magazine

What little bit of relevance that Jacki-O once had, came and went with the release of her debut album, Poe Little Rich Girl. Featuring the controversial single "Pussy (Real Good)", Jacki's blatant attempt to shock the world came off as nonsensical and was even dismissed as most considered her to be a Trina wannabe.

Clearly, this struck a nerve as the two went back and forth for awhile over who, indeed, was the madam of Miami; but, really, who cares? If both of their bodies are as good as advertised, I could care less about the music.

Is that misogynistic of me? Slightly, in a way but, again, I could care less. Besides, as much as the two boast their sexual prowess on vinyl, you would think something as small as a little comment would not be taken as offensive. See my point?

Anyway, Jacki-O is apparently planning her return to the rap game and my thing is, how many people are [honestly] anticipating such a thing. Go ahead. I'll give you time to think about it... (...) ... (...) ... (...) ... (...). Exactly. Nobody. It just goes to show that sex sells and if a couple units are satisfactory for Jacki-O then so be it. I, for one, will not allow myself to buy into such a thing; however, in closing, is it me or is Jacki-O thicker than usual? Photoshop maybe?

[Click here to view Jacki-O's spread in Smooth Magazine]

Jazmine Sullivan | Lions, Tigers, & Bears [Video]

Super Bowl XLIII | Arizona Cardinals Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Although last year's Super Bowl was an anomaly, I firmly believe this year will be a return to normalcy. Albeit the game involves an improbable, yet resilient, Arizona Cardinals team; the Pittsburgh Steelers have been mightily impressive themselves and I think that's what a lot of experts/analysts are seeming to overlook. Sure, to the casual fan, the Arizona Cardinals are a trendy pick and who doesn't love a Cinderella story? Last year's upset of the New York Giants over the undefeated New England Patriots was one of the most watched Super Bowls in recent memory and I think that the impact of that game was far reaching than one would've ever imagined. Bitter, I can't help but feel a little begrudged being that I AM a fan of the patriots; but, still, I digress.

I guess what frustrates me the most is that I still don't believe that the Arizona Cardinals have done anything to get here. First, they beat a rookie QB that didn't change up his snap count and were then handed a game courtesy of Jake Delhomme and his 5 interceptions. Combine that with the fact that they allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to score 19 STRAIGHT points in the second half of the NFC Championship game only to score 8 of their own to win the game; I just feel like this offense of theirs is only predicated on hoping that the team their facing self-destructs.

And that, my friend, is the biggest misconception about these Arizona Cardinals. It's not so much that their red hot but, rather that the mistakes they make have been minimal as compared to that of their opponent. Will that trend continue in Super Bowl XLIII? Who knows but, dare I say it is highly unlikely. The Pittsburgh defense is #1 in the league for a reason and will come ready to play. Not to mention, Big Ben has a lot to prove following his dismal performance in Super Bowl XL and all signs point to him having a much better game. If he stays within the offense, makes a few plays down the field, and rely on the strong running game of Willie Parker, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be victorious. A recipe for success nonetheless. Wouldn't you agree?

Final Score: Pittsburgh 31, Arizona 20

Kobe Bryant Covers Complex Magazine

There's nothing more satisfying than to see Kobe Bryant and the Los Angelas Lakers lose, but maybe that's just me. Truth be told, I've never been fond of Kobe and the Lakers [even in their glory days] so, as much as it pains me to see their rise to prominence once again, it's comforting to know that a big (3) in Boston exists and that teams like Orlando and Cleveland are equally hungry as well.

Let's face it. If healthy, the Lakers are the favorites to win it all this year; but something is telling me different. I don't know if it's intuition or what have you, but last night's injury to Andrew Bynum has nothing to do with it. I just feel like the Lakers are little too over hyped to be considered title contenders and only time will tell.

In the meantime, Kobe Bryant is featured on this month's Complex magazine so be sure to pick up a copy when it hits newsstands. Ironically enough, I think it will be a pretty good read. Go figure.

Jamaican Paradise

[Click here for more pics from the pictorial]

The word hedonism came to mind when I came across this particular spread of Jesikah Maximus and, again, SHOW magazine seems to be just on a roll when it comes to quality content. In a previous post, I commented on how impressed I had been of late and this spread maintains that same degree of standard.

Aptly titled "Paradise Found", it's no secret that Jesikah has been a favorite of mine and has had numerous posts on here and, surely, that will continue. I must say, however, I find this spread to be one of her best so check it out for yourself and let me know what you think.

Bow Wow & Jermaine Dupri Cover The Source

I'm all for paying homage to the golden era of Hip-Hop, but this just isn't "fresh" in the least bit. Neither of these two have really done anything to be considered monumental and I think their "time" has come and gone.

Don't get me wrong, the two work well together and, seemingly, have a knack for crafting solid, radio records; but no one ever really takes them seriously. I sure as hell don't. Maybe it's naive of me not to but, it is what it is, so I could really care less.

Bow, apparently, has a new album coming soon entitled, "New Jack City Pt.2" and when I caught wind of this I was more so scratching my head than I was interested.

Seriously? New Jack City Pt. 2? What exactly is Bow trying to prove? That the fact that he's getting older signals a shift towards grimier material? Whatever the case, Bow's bubblegum past will be his glory years and, is it me, or does Bow sound eerily similar to Lil' Wayne? You be the judge...

Cubana Lust Covers SHOW Magazine

[Click here for more pics from the pictorial]

Cubana Lust has a lot going for her. Body aside. Not only has her fanbase grown since her debut last year as an internet sensation courtesy of WSHH.com, but it's only fitting that her introduction to the world would come thanks to SHOW magazine.

Oblivious or not, SHOW magazine has been on a roll as of late and this spread of Cubana Lust is definitely one of the best I've seen. My thing is, I'm wondering why they opted to photoshop out Cubana's signature tattoo?