Wu-Tang Strikes Again

Last day of Job hunting, for now at least. While talking to Deep Focus, which seems to be one of the coolest marketing firms ever, the media planner told me that Wu has confirmed their album release! Spin has an online article spiting the facts, and is subtitled with the most awesome RZA quote ever:

"How can hip-hop be dead if Wu-Tang is forever?"

Smarten up, Nas. The album is called 8 Diagram, and should be automatic hood. Riots in the streets if we're lucky. I didn't see a release date, but I'll play optimistic and say before Thanksgiving.

The Wu will also be playing at the Rock the Bells show, which is three dates, one on June 28th, the others August 11 and 18. These shows will be played with Rage Against the Machine. Screw bonnaroo, this is the place to spend all your summer job money.

Lets Get Known

Today has been rough. I've been interviewing all day, and those thangs are brutal. One aspect that was awesome is that I got fed this awesome, fancy feast (not of the cat food variety), and got to listen to top execs chat it up. I don't know how I get into these sweet situations, but today I learned some inside info about the media industry. Now I shall share this with you all!

Apparently the major freak out in the media world is over channel branding and multi-platforming. Jeff Gaspin, El presidente a NBC Universal Cable (and also the father of VH1's "Behind The Music") said that branding is very essential to the market because people don't want choices in terms of things they want on any given channel. They want one channel for specific things, and that's where branding comes into play.  This opens up the necessity of digital viewing and the extra channel capabilities that come with it.

They are also freaking out over future of media and the interweb. Joshua Sapan, CEO of Rainbow Media said, and this is no joke, that due to the unlimited availability of content on the intertents, that "the last bastion of live, communal interaction, is American Idol".  How have we let ourselves come to this?? With Apple TV getting closer to being released, the media industry is about to change hella quick and with results that will change life as we know it, at least in terms of viewable content...and maybe even American Idol (ominous chords!!!)

Guess Who's Bizzack?

I've finally made it back to NYC. I'm staying with my friend Age, and just kind of lounging around until the job hunt starts up tomorrow. It was a huge pain getting here, some of this pain is attributed to getting lost in Chinatown. Now that I'm safe and sound, I can crank out this post, and get some rest. I'm so dedicated.


SO---Welcome back to Mr.Morrissey! The CMJ dropped the news with a butt load of tour dates for the Moz for the first time in tres anos. The tour is in support of his "Ringleader Of The Tormentors (Attack)" album. Tickets will prob be a bajillion dollars, but if you have a bajillion to kill, here are the dates:

04/27 - Stockton, CA - Bob Hope Theater
04/28 - Sparks, NV - John Ascuaga's Celebrity Showroom
04/29 - Sparks, NV - John Ascuga's Celebrity Showroom
05/01 - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theater
05/02 - Santa Rosa, CA - Wells Fargo Center
05/05 - Spokane, WA - INB Performing Arts Center
05/06 - Seattle, WA - Paramount
05/08 - Salt Lake City, UT - E Center Ford Theater
05/09 - Denver, CO - Fillmore
05/11 - Omaha, NE - Orpheum
05/12 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside
05/14 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater
05/15 - Chicago, IL - Auditorium
05/17 - Cleveland, OH - Playhouse Square Center
05/18 - Columbus, OH - Palace Theater
05/20 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Center
05/22 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
05/23 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater
05/25 - Dallas, TX - Palladium
05/26 - Austin, TX - Backyard
05/28 - Houston, TX - Verizon
05/30 - El Paso, TX - County Coliseum
05/31 - Tuscon, AZ - Music Hall
06/02 - Phoenix, AZ - Maricopa County Events Center
06/03 - San Diego, CA - Bayside Concerts
06/05 - Ventura, CA - Majestic Ventura Theater
06/06 - Riverside, CA - Riverside Municipal Auditorium
06/08 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl
06/09 - Las Vegas, NV - Pearl
06/10 - Bakersfield, CA - Rabobank Arena
06/26 - Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion
06/27 - Northampton, MA - Pines Theater
06/29 - Philadelphia, PA - Mann Center
06/30 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
07/02 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap
07/03 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head
07/05 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata
07/06 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
07/09 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
07/10 - Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre
07/12 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
07/14 - Boca Raton, FL - Mizner Park Amphitheater
07/15 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
07/17 - Jacksonville, FL - Morocco Shrine Auditorium
07/19 - Birmingham, AL - Alabama Theatre
07/20 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park
07/21 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House Of Blues


There is a show on my birthday in Texas....just throwin it out there

The Low Pro Ho Should Be Cut Like An Afro

There is a riddle that goes a little like this:
"A man walks into this "one horse" town. This town is very small, yet has two barbers. One barber's shop is very clean, and filled with anxious patrons shootin the shit, as they say. It's nicely decorated, with nice furniture and artwork. A real ritzy joint; class like gangbusters, so to speak. The barber has a real nice cut. No cowlicks, or uneven edges. Dapper-Dan. This other barber's shop is a real dingy dive. There are broken lamps, it lacks ventilation, and there is a thin layer of hair and mud which has become part of the floor. Hopefully its mud. The shop has no customers and the barber has the worst haircut ever. There are patches missing, and two cuts in his eyebrow, tryin wild out. So this traveler is trying to make a decision which to go to, and thus the riddle."

I came across a similar scenario today, and now have the moral of this parable ingrained into my skull. Literally. As I prepare myself to go to NYC for job interviews galore, I realize that perhaps I should go to interview for "Kid n' Play: The True story" movie, instead of a legitimate career. I intended to get my hair trimmed, so I could be taken "seriously" in the real world. Stupid real world, always causing problems. Trim in West Chester Barber terms must mean "make you look like an idot."Now it seems that the barber will prevent my serious appearance. Unless I'm applying for the job of in store, serious, novelty pencil. Is FAO Schwarz hiring?

The Whole Industry Can Hate Me, I Thugged My Way Through

This upcoming week holds a lot of weight for me. I'm going to try and do a little maturing, and finally try to get a job. Pondering the outcome of this week has been consuming a lot of time, so I'm a little light on good ish, but hopefully we can get through this. Also, StrandedinStereo.com has asked me to start contemplating a weekly column topic, so I've been trying to think about that as well. I'll try to focus on blogging first...

Luckily, sneakers always help me come back to earth. Dinosaur Jr. has just gotten a sneaker deal with Nike for some pretty hot kicks. It looks like rap isn't the only genre that is addicted to sole power. There a limited time offer, so you better get to Nike quick if you want to surprise me.

Speaking of addiction, Uk based Addict Clothing is tryin to lock down hip hip-hop fashion for the summer. Graphic print tees designed by known artists is the them of this label, which hopefully translates to the stitching not being the only tight aspect of the clothing.

To add some Tech news to the mix, Wired reports thatWiki founders seem to be in a small tiff about the direction of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. In true "take my ball and go home" fashion, two members has resigned, frustrated about the future of the organization that recently raised over a million dollars in donations to help support the Wikipedia foundation in their new endeavors.

That's it for now...

Shell Shocked...

Yay weekend. Jalisa and I, in lu of her last minute job fair cancellation, went to go see the TMNT movie. It was pretty awesome. The graphics wer sick, the storyline was pretty decent, and the soundtrack even had a song done by Cobra Starship and also my good friends Gym Class Heroes. You know you've hit the big time when you do a Turtle movie, just ask M.C. Hammer. Now I must share them with a whole generation of 5 year olds, not to mention the MTV crowd. Luckily, not that many people were there.

In other movie news, Air Guitar Nation opens today in NYC. I read Bjorn Turoque's, To Air Is Human, last semester, and it was awesome. The movie chronicles the weird trend, and the equally weird members who compete in air guitaring. I one day aspire to be an Air Guitarist. Luckily, the schedule for competition will be released soon!!

Moving to music, T.I. has released his concept for his next album, titled T.I. vs T.I.P. The idea is that he is competing with his alter ego, for rap dominance. T.I. told pitchfork that he feels there is no one else on his level so he had to challenge himself. It's funny, Cassidy, the Philadelphia native rapper, had an idea such as this, first with his Split Personality release in 2004, and then the I'm A Hustla, where the first track, "The Problem Vs. The Hustla", involves Cassidy battling himself due to lack of other equivalent adversaries. Apparently, the dearth of competition has also left T.I. grasping for creativity. What you know about that?

Bounce Like You Ass Got Hickups

Timabland's Shock Value is now leaking out to all those with a thimble full worth of internets savvy. I seldom attempt to review albums, mostly because I'm just no good at it, but I feel that this album may prove to be my muse.
Frankly, I'm torn. Timbaland is the king of beat making, there is no doubt, and this release is clearly a testament to his musical genius. Unfortunately, I feel the major shock is derived from Timba's choice in lyrical marinade. His heart jostling drums are smothered in a heavy, stomach turning layer of cliche "I'ma busta cap in your dome" pontificating, which hurts the value of Value. Timba is not a persona that strikes fear into the heart of all who dwell either on street corner, or plush suburb, and his background is not exactly riddled with nefarious activity. Plus...the album has Fall Out Boy on it, a fact which, significantly decreases your street cred, believe me. Even if one over looks the collaborators, which they should, and listen purely to Mosely, you can almost feel his angst and discomfort with what he is saying. He sounds almost forlorn, estranged from the good times and goofy antics he has become associated with, to pursue acceptance in the realm of mainstream artists that he has produced to the top, but has never been categorized with. Luckily, this is only if you listen to the "gangstafied tracks."
If you look past these few, yet noticeable foibles, what is left is a chewy center of goof. Not like, chopped up disney characters, because thats just gross, but tracks clearly dedicated to being pure dumbness from the jump. In "Way I Are" Timbaland captures my heart, and the hearts of any man who wants to wine and dine the ladies, but is struggling to "red bean and rice" himself. With lines like:

"I ain't got no money, I ain't got no car to take you on a date
I can't even buy you flowers, but together we'd make the perfect soul mates"

Timbaland detracts from the attempted hood seriousness of other tracks, which helps to save face. Its a shame that this isn't the element that was chosen to market, and instead singles are released to start beef with a less than worthy opponent, Scott Storch. This being the case, I'm going to create a list of key lines to win the public, and help Tim gain his 50x platinum status. I just want things to work out for him. If interested in tackling the tracks on your own, "Bounce", "One and Only", and "Way I Are" are good places to start. If not, any one of the songs on this album will undoubtedly hit a club scene near you.The Album drops April 3rd.

Expect the list of awesome lines sometime this weekend. Just note a lot of them make fun of Ms. Spears (Thanks JT).

Timbaland Myspace

Sweet Justice

Blogger has it out for me. When I attempted to post two awesome posts yesterday, and also my usual daily Monday post today, blogger deemed it necessary to instead, eat the posts. This never happened with my old, slow, reliant blogger account. Thanks a lot Google! Maybe if you focused on doing a few things really well, instead of a lot of things half-assed, I wouldn't have to rub that Viacom v youtube fiasco in your face. Internet puta. Oh yea, I went there. Here is a refresher on the brain, since those at Google have lost their damn minds. Sorry if its a little late...

Troubled Waters

Sunday, I can't believe its Sunday already. Spring break (whooo) has come and gone, and now its time to refocus and concentrate on the next few moves. I remember when I was in high school, the last few months of the semester were relatively easy. I didn't go to class much, and was trying to figure out where i wanted to swim in college. Swimming was a big deal for me back then. I was the best in my school, slapped ass at states, and was looked up to by all the other little swimmers I coached. Now that swimming is nothing but a distant memory, I'm forced to get nostalgic due to the occurrence of the film Pride, which is to open in theaters across the country on March 23 and stars Bernie Mac and Terrence Howard....and Tom Arnold. I'm anxious to see how this movie fairs, due to the small percentage of people who will actually relate to this film. For several reasons:

1) Swimming movies aren't fun for people who don't swim.
2) Swimming movies are often always filmed inaccurately, which then offends the swimmers that would see it.
3) This movie is about racism in swimming which is something even fewer swimmers want to relate with.
4) The director and screenwriters are no-names.

Needless to say, Pride is going to have a tough time at the box office, but still, I admire the effort in tackling the topic. It definitely a film that I'll have to see at some point, although I am so familiar with the topic, I could have written it myself. I was suppose to swim on the team the film is based on, and the coach is good friends with my dentist, so I'm familiar with the subject. Without getting overly personal, the story told is definitely worth the watch (despite some of the inaccuracy of some of the information if you're not familiar) and actually care to learn, about the infamous "PDR"swim team of Philly. If not, there's always that movie about football with Marky-Mark.

Duke Booty

It's back to rain here in the east...whooo! After a few hours at work, and spending the rest of the day with Jalisa, I've come back to just sit on my tuffet, so to speak. I figured, why not post some real info since I've just been lazing around all week?

Firstly, Movies! Jalisa and I were thinking of going to see either the Ninja Turtle movie, or the New Adam Sandler & Don Cheadle movie. Don Cheadle, who I think is stellar in many of the projects he takes on, is to direct and star in the biography of Miles Davis. For those who are not really too aware of Miles real life are in for a treat. I hope they don't take the route of showing miles as a musical genius, and instead stay true to the dichotomy of monster and musician that he really was. I'm pumped for it, and will go on the list of movies I'm really excited to follow. Currently the list is: Sex and the City: The Movie










Travis McCoy, of Gym Class Hero fame, is joining his home town homies of the project Bernnie Allen, to produce their own clothing line. Since I'm busy building an Indie Hood empire, I wont be purchasing any, but I feel its only fare to give a shout out. It's essentially spry paint--graffiti fashion, which is pretty cool, I suppose. I'm more of a minimalist kinda guy.

I've Got A Date With A Dream

The beautiful reality which is the inability to sleep is upon me once more. Since I can't sleep, there is nothing on TV, and no food in the house, I decided to go book shopping. While in Cali, Joey turned me on to the author Alain De Botton. I enjoy him because his musing on everyday activity reminds me of the humor things I try to keep to myself, to prevent people from thinking I'm weirder than they already do. Since I'm in a book buying mood, I deiced to pick it up off of amazon. One would think after the shopping in LA, id be tapped out, and running myself into the poor house. Which is true. I'll just tough it out!
Botton has a gift for capturing universal and simple thoughts and transform them into almost social blueprints, without producing a preachy-self help voice, that can sometimes put off a reader (Sorry Joel Osteen). It doesn't solve any overarching problems, but thats not really what philosophy is for. It will, however, make you laugh, and thats just as good. If only it could rock me to sleep too.

Here I Stand, Six Feet Small

Sometimes I make childish mistakes that make me feel like I'm 6 again. Like forgetting what time my flight leaves, or leaving my cell phone in CA...but those are just extreme..."made up" examples. Now in Phoenix, on the last leg of my journey, I'm taking this time to analyze some music I grabbed in CA. Firstly, the Amy Winehouse Album. Its not much unlike the Lily Allen album, on basic production, but differs in its strong doo-whop structure. The horns provide a deeper bass foundation, which the guitar then builds off, and with the addition of Amy's voice, almost pounds the gritty emotion home. The musical accompaniment provides enough space that she really breezes in and out of the track. Its a good vibe.

That's it....see you on the east coast!

Are We Growing Up, or Just Going Down?

Yesterday, Joey, Christoper( one of Joey's roommates), and I played hookie from tourist attractions. We just went to the mall, hung out, no big deal. The whole laxed attitude is really rubbing off on me. So much so, that I actually don't have any major news to post. I'm sure something has to be happening, somewhere, but not anything that really interests me. Tomorrow I leave this fantasy world, so today, one more day of hookie, and we's goin to the beach. Look for us on Laguna. "Toat"

Left Coast Mondays

This is a lot better than being in school! The left is quite nice, people are more relaxed, its warm, and folks use words like "rad" and "toat." I may not come back. Which means I kinda would disappear from east coast life. And by doing such, I would be nothing more than an east coast ghost (this wins the award for worst segue thus far). So please, learn about ghosts!

How Many Licks Does It Take...

Pinkberry. Learn the word, love the taste. It's a new west coast thing Joey & I came across today which is said to be "the taste that launched a 1,000 parking lots." Or at least that's what the LA Times says...which, frankly, is a lie. It took forever to find a parking spot. The concept behind it is that it is all about customization, as is much of the trendy components of contemporary society. Anything you want, you can have it your way, and we're not just talkin whoppers. Sneakers, cell phones, hoodies, frozen yogurt; all able to be molded to your personalized specs. After the whole pinkberry deliciousness (mine had fruity pebbles & mangoes on it!), Joey and I made our way to Neighborhoodies where I customized my own hood. It is most likely the first step in creating my fashion empire. The name of the hoodie?-"Indie Hood", of course.

When She Called My Sneakers Tennis Shoes, I Knew She Was From The West Coast

Yesterday was pretty exhausting. I was en route to CA for the better part of the day( thanks to Ja-Lisa), and was privileged to sit in front of two children who enjoyed pulling my hair while I attempted to sleep. Aside from that, and lack of free wireless interweb in NC, alls good.

For those who are interested in Justin Timberlake, his tour seems to be going quite well. A point of interests is that Timbaland will be doing his own promotional set to get anyone within ear shot hype for his new album Shock Value, which should be out later this year. The album is basically a tribute to Timb's beat skillz and is dedicated toward the progress of "gloabl" music, from Timba's perspective...whatever that means. Their is an article in GQ that provides insight to Walter Mosely's genius, which I read on the plane. Check it out, along with other males fashion insight. It also provides a hint to Justin's new album, which they are working on while on tour.

While I'm out here, I'm going to try and take a look into finding some sneaker inspiration. I want to do something different, and since all I do is gripe about shoes, I feel its time to take some progressive action. Wish me luck, as I peruse the land of slide vans and laced chucks.

You Ain't Got No Soul Power

The guest list is def where its at in terms of show going, and if you're ever presented the opportunity, go at it with full force. The folks at polyvinyl records, in conjunction with Bryan Poole hooked me up this time to go see Of Montreal at the Troc. It was an awesome show, with no "wardrobe malfunctions" like the show in Las Vegas. Thanks the lord. There were some fantastic costume changes, eye makeup* abound, and less fantastic underwear flashing, but I suppose that comes with the territory. Of Montreal puts on an excellent show and if you have the chance to get tickets, I fully encourage it! Perhaps the harmonics of the Troc boosted their over all production, but whatever the case, they sounded and looked amazing. Grand Buffet came on before Of Montreal, and if you're all about white boy nonsensical rapping, they're your steez.


*Seriously, the Man looks good in eye shadow, too much blush tho (unless you like cheap hookers).

Its Not Funny!

Today is bananas-crazy. I'm running all over town trying to secure some last minute items before departure, and also trying not to neglect the schoolwork that has to be turned in...but the latter is not really a priority. Clearly, trying to regain some dependability in the posting regimen is. So a few things before I go scramble all over creation looking for oral b toothbrush heads.

First, let us just get TJ's "I told you so" out of the way. MacRock will not be happening this year, and has been postponed till 2008. Those in charge sent me a message and web link to their updated site, garnished with gorillas, stating that MacRock is on "safari." Which is all well and good, minus the initial heartbreak, but the loading page pretends that there is in fact a MacRock 2007. Rat Bastards. Now we can all just invest our time in either SXSW or Bamboozled. sigh.


Luckily, to balance out this egregious error in the universe of music, Dj Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five are to be inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of fame on March 12. Which is pretty hood. Congrats Ole' heads!






Lastly, ever persistent to find sneakers that I'll drool over but most likely never purchase, I bring you, limited edition Air Maxes! Yes, I already have a pair of custom air maxes, but I'm looking for an excuse to re-up on kicks anyway, so these are the perfect choice. I shotty dibs on the pink ones. No word on when they'll be out, but maybe a quick jaunt to the niketown store in Midtown NYC will keep you privy to the drop date.







Now I must be off. Adventures await. I'm going to try to post from various points in my travels, but after last weekend...don't hold your breath.

Wednesday is The New Monday?

As I sit in my living room, watching my roommates amuse themselves with Fifa soccer for xbox, after I was watching TLC specials on weird human addictions, I can't help but to question if this is a perfect illustration of an addiction. Since sitting here watching them makes me almost as frustrated as Monday mornings, I'll just pretend that this is a legitimate enough segue to make this post on Video Games!

This Is How I Disappear

Sooo...I'm back! I spent last weekend in Point Pleasant/Bay Head/ Tom's River, NJ and it threw off my timing some. My hat goes off to Trent at Pink is the New Blog, because I was never aware of how difficult it is to do some traveling and still post consistently. And I only went to one state over. Gah! I'm just going to jump into show posts, and the rest of the important news will follow.

Philadelphia, PA
-Of Montreal @ The Troc on March 7th, 2oo7
-Maria Taylor @ The First Unitarian Church on March 15th, 2007
- Explosions in the Sky @ The Starlight Ballroom on March 18th, 2007
-Appleseed Cast @ The First Unitarian Church on March 19th, 2007
- Battles @ The First Unitarian Church on March 22nd, 2007
-Cold War Kids @ The First Unitarian Church on March 29th, 2007
-Plastic Little @ Danger Danger on March 29th, 2007
-Do Make Say Think @ The First Unitarian Church on March 30th, 2007
-Menomena @ Johnny Brenda's on March 30th, 2007

New York, NY
-The Walkmen @ The Bowery Ballroom on March 8th, 2007
-Harlem Shakes @ Southpaw on March 8th, 2007
-Matt and Kim @ The Bowery on March 9th, 2007
-Of Montreal @ Irving Plaza on March 9th and 10th, 2oo7
-Amy Winehouse @ The Bowery Ballroom on March 13, 2007
- The Shins @ Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2007
-Appleseed Cast @ Knitting Factory on March 17th, 2007
-Explosions in the Sky @ Webster Hall on March 20th, 2007
-The Decemberists @ Landmark Lowes Theater on March 21st and 22nd, 2007
-El-p and Def Jux All Stars @ The Bowery Ballroom on March 22, 2007
-Cage @ Landmark on Main Street on March 23rd, 2007
-Menomena @ The Bowery Ballroom on March 28th, 2007
-Do Make Say Think @ Southpaw on March 28th and The Bowery Ballroom March 29th, 2007
- Bishiop Allen @ Mercury Lounge on March 30th, 2007
-Diplo @ Studio B on March 30th, 2oo7
-Bloc Party @ United Palace Theater on March 30th, 2007
-The Spinto Band @ Williamsburg White Room on March 31st, 2007

Los Angeles, CA
-Menomena @ The Echo on March 10th, 2oo7
-Mountain Goats @ El Ray on March 11th, 2007
-Diplo @ Safari Sam's on March 13th, 2007
-Dr. Dog @ Troubadour on March 13th, 2007
- Clipse @ El Ray on March 16th, 2007
-Amy Winehouse @ The Roxy on March 19th, 2007
-Bloc Party @ The Wiltern on March 19th, 2007
-El-p @ Troubadour on March 26th, 2007
- Gym Class Heroes @ House Of Blues on March 26th, 2007
-Lyrics Born @ Knitting Factory on March 3oth, 2007
-TV on The Radio @ Henry Fonda on March 30th and 31st, 2007