JOELL ORTIZ IS CLASSIC…

May 14th, 2009

classics

I fux with JOELL ORTIZ because he is such a student of rap music. He is cut from the same cloth as a Black Thought. He isn’t yet on B.T.’s level of micsmanship, but I am sure he can get there if he gets motivated. This mixtape is proof positive of his skillset.

Joell Ortiz Covers The Classics via OnSmash

This mixtape has been months in development. Because JOELL is such a big fan of Hip-Hop it wasn’t easy to convince him to cover some of rap’s greatest classics with his own flavor. JOELL thought it was sacrilege to apend these songs in a mixtape or any other recorded format. Something akin to rewriting the rap bible.

I think what JOELL did was better than a REWRITE. He did a REMEMBER. This mixtape remembers our history. People that don’t understand rap’s history of learning life’s lesson through communication think that rap is a contact sport where challenges are issued in an arena of one-upmanship. These are the vultures that thrive on Hip-Hop’s dysfunction. Each one teach one was never the motto of those executives and carpetbaggers.

Instead of keeping the focus squarely on himself JOELL ORTIZ reminds us why these songs mattered in the first place. Definitely put this mixtape in your portable music player. Pick up the original records that were sampled for this tape.

Respect the architects.

Remember your history before it becomes HIS story.

Happy Born Day BIG L.

Rest in peace.

Brooklyn Is Wonder-Full…

May 14th, 2009

stevie

Today is actually STEVIE WONDER’s birthday.

On Saturday will be his birthday party.

I’ll be there.

Will you?

Why not?

Saturday May 16, 2009

KeiStar Productions Presents

WONDER-Full™ (XI)

Annual Tribute To Stevie Wonder

Featuring DJ SPINNA & BOBBITO a.k.a Kool Bob Love

Spinning All Stevie Exclusives, Covers, Samples, Remixes, etc…

@

The BK Studios Lofts

525 Waverly Avenue (Btwn Atlantic & Fulton St.) Brooklyn, NY 11238

**Advance Tickets Are Required For This Event**

Click Here To Purchase Tickets Online

Or In Person At:

Fat Beats (NYC) 406 6th Avenue (Corner of 8th Street) 212.673.3883

Pieces (BKLYN) 671 Vanderbilt Ave (Corner Of Park Pl.) 718.857.7211

The Life & Style of 40 Diesel: Vol.1

May 13th, 2009

40 deez

Editor’s note: Everyone say “Welcome back” to 40 Deez…

Whats up to the DP DOT COM Consortium of Interconnected Networks, belovedly known as “INTERNETS x 3”. Its been a while since I’ve dropped a blarticle (trademark pending) in the spot. It’s a beautiful day in NYC and now that the rainy season has taken a break, and the temperature and the sun becoming consistently consistent, its time we move into our summer stages (no Central Park). Traditionally this transition leads us to swapping out our seasonal wears, cracking into the kicks we the Sneaker Fiend iced all thru the mess of winter, and getting your shades game correct.

However another part of the summer lifestyle (and not THEE Lifestyle) that often gets overlooked in these preparatory weeks is one’s choice of beverage when you’re getting right for the night (or day). Heat changes your palette and we have to adapt to that, I mean I love Guinness, but it is really not what is hitting on a 90+ degree day. So we tend to move to lighter, more refreshing drinks, served in big cups with lots of ice for the long haul on a hot day. These drinks will be your alcoholic oasis.

Last but not least – with the other climate change we need to consider… That’s right people ECONOMICS… Whether on Eastern Parkway, or East Hampton, these recession proof delights will lace your pocket, your palette, and your party. With out further ado…

1. The 40 Dawg Mimosa – They often say that necessity is the mother of invention, well this is a mother of an invention. A twist on the brunch classic, this could be made as Rakim once said – “From ghetto to ghetto, backyard to yard.” These ingredients can be found anywhere, and was born out of what was left in my fridge one dismal day in Winston-Salem, NC. This simple concoction is best made in a 40 bottle. Take one 40 of Olde English, drink down to label. Fill the bottle up back with Sunny Delight, and mix the ingredients by gently inverting the bottle several times (with the cap on for you slow folk). Fill plastic cup with ice. Pour a finger’s width of Peach Schnapps on the bottom, fill cup with OE/Sunny D mix, drizzle a little more Peach Schnapps on top. Enjoy.

2. The Nat Turner – Consider this the payback for the Lynchburg Lemonade, plus after a pitcher of these you’ll be ready for war. In a large pitcher combine equal parts – Absolut Citron (or any citrus Vodka), Bacardi Limon, Limoncello (and Italian lemon liquor), Triple Sec, and either E & J (aka “The Sponsor”) or Henny (depending on your budget). Mix one part of the liquor blend to two parts of Minute Maid Lemonade (the chilled carton stuff) or any Lemonade of your choice. If you’re feeling extra spunky add a spritzer edge with citrus seltzer or Sprite.

3. The Clifford – This is a new age homage to an old turn of the decade (‘80’s/’90’s) classic, The Formula. I remember when I was a 40 Pup, and St. Ides just killed urban radio with their campaigns, and brain cells with their brew, cats took this potent swill a step further. Mixing Ides with Pina Colada Champale, begat The Formula, perfect vacation drink when all you were doing was slacking off (and became “Special Brew” later). Well 15+ years later I put a spin on it – The Clifford. Named after the big red dog of children’s lit, this is a big red drink that will dog you out. Another malt based beverage, this one is again served over ice in a large cup (preferably something of the McD’s, BK variety). It’s a mix of Remy Red and Olde English, topped with an airplane bottle of Remy. Consistency of the drink is key on this one – you have to counteract the syrupy viscosity of the Remy Red with the Old Gold, until you have a nice fruity refreshing carbonated beverage, which you can enjoy with a straw. Trust me on this one. If you didn’t know what was in it you’d love it.

4. The Dallas Penn – Yeah I had to save the namesake drink for last. I enjoy being DP’s partner[ll] in obamas and he’s got some great footage of them. DP and the Diesel have been working in the lab trying to figure out a new partner for The Sponsor (aka E & J) other than the generic ginger ale. Well alas one day DP introduced me to the future as we were headed to the Highline Ballroom on night for the Jada joint. This is truly a seasonal drink because one of the components is only available from Spring thru Labor Day. What is this drink you ask? McDonalds Sweet Tea and E&J Brandy. Mix in proportions of your choosing and go. Also this is the ultimate on the go beverage because the container is perfect camouflage. Get on it people. Time is ticking.

So I hope you enjoyed these early suggestions. Please do not wretch at these ingredients until you’ve tried them. Seriously I enjoy my better booze as much as the next man, but in these times its usually when someone is footing the bill. So when you’re trying to get fine on your own dime, drop me a line, and give these some shine. Trust in Diesel, I got you.

A New Coronation In The Association…

May 13th, 2009

lebreezy

As the Association playoffs bounce towards the conference finals the chaff is separated from the wheat. It is the end of the weak. Literally, and figuratively.

I like the fact that Boston will return to the Eastern Conference Finals because the champions should be shot in the head, as opposed to shooting themselves. There is nothing worse than a suicide on this level of competition.

No fucking finger rolls.

No fucking CHARLES SMITH layups!

The Celtics can take a game from the Cavaliers, but not two.

The bigger question is whether Denver can use the strength of CHAUNCEY BILLUPS and the desire of CARMELO ANTHONY to shut down Darth KOBE? BILLUPS turned KOBE into a bitchmade crybaby during the Detroit vs. L.A. finals a few years ago. That was a long time ago though and BILLUPS is older and KOBE is smarter and harder to kill. The Western Conference Finals will be going the full monty. I see the Lakers breaking through the seventh seal. BOBBITO GARCIA might take exception to that.

Also-Rans In Afghan…

May 13th, 2009

afghanis
^ One of my favorite images. Peep how son is trying to figure out how the Lawes RPG works. “What is this button?” Ka-BOOM!

Would someone care to give BARACK OBAAMA a history lesson on western intervention in Afghanistan?

1st Anglo-Afghan War

The Russians couldn’t tame the Afghani in the 1880’s and neither could the British 150 years before them.

You can’t win in that bitch.

Go the fuck home.

That is the strategy we need to adopt. The opium suppliers are stronger than they ever were. Was the initial design of the G DUBBZ administration to increase opium production? That has been the only negligible effect of the war in Afghanistan.

From the early reports I think the president is replacing the commanding general with an idiot savant philospher. The quote went something like this, “He really does understand that you’re not going to win the war by killing all the enemy.”

WTF?!? How else do you win a war?

I still don’t understand what we are getting at in Afghanistan anyhoo? I thought we wanted OSAMA BIN LADEN? How did that mission morph into war with the entire country? Especially since no one has ever beaten these dudes on their home court, which is a cave.

Please explain?