XXL Freshman Cover 2013

XXL Magazine is about to release its annual Freshman Cover.  There have been some talk about who should make the list (some pretty bad choices) but here's my take.

Action Bronson - I don't rock with him like that but I respect his grind even if he does sound like an SNL version of Ghostface.

Childish Gambino - Camp = Classic Album Royalty = Dope Mixtape ... + he sings and produces?!?!?!

Riff Raff -- If Lil B made the cover from his buzz you gotta give it up to Jody Highroller.

Ab - Soul - Solo been killin' for awhile now let that man EAT.

Joey Badass -  The kid has been on his game of that 90's flow

Troy Ave -- he is holding it down for the streets of NY.

Trinadad James - his 2 million dollar deal, the buzz, the GOLD.  He's gotta get it.

Casey Veggies - the kid has been doing it for a minute.  He has the drive but he needs that hit.

Angel Haze - after releasing her mixtape Classick and scrapping with Ms. Banks, Angel Haze should grace the cover.

Last one is a toss up between --- Chris Webby, Tito Lopez and Trouble.

That's my list I'm probably missing a few artists just because I'm thinking as I go.  Childish Gambino isnt' even an option but that has never stopped them before.

XXXXL

DRAG

The American Dynasty

Three Sovereigns and the Five Emperors (Sān Huáng Wǔ Dì) ruled China for 782 years.  That was the longest ruling house in China.  Every Dynasty ends.  Every ruler sees it's end.  Whether through natural causes or through a nasty takeover.  The Spanish ruled.  The Mayans ruled, The Aztecs ruled and America ruled / rules.  Think about the entirety of that statement.  America has only been established for 236 years as it was broke away from the British in 1776.   The years that followed America become the super power for manufacturing, inventions, business and health care.  It seems now though with China having more money than us and America owing China so much monetarily that America is on the decline.  America is the first one to be asked for help, military wise and financially.  And the first one blamed when things go wrong in those situations.

Between the political structure of the US, the declining value of the dollar and the super Corporate nature of America, I'm just waiting for the implosion.  I believe in the next 50 years tombstones will have corporations names on them among the names of the deceased.  Almost every sports Stadium is owned and named for a Corporation.  Corporations even have stake in election outcomes.  Comcast owns NBC, Disney owns Marvel and Google owns everything else.

The US dollar has seen a great decline over the last 20 years.   The dollar used to command a great return but now the Euro and Pound are dominant.  Jobs are down while drugs and guns are way up.  America acts as the Boss of everyone and can't even control itself.  We are about 25th in the World in education.  Our grip seems to be slipping in the areas in which we were once a force.  If we don't get a hold of things soon we just may disappear like the Ancient Egyptians, Mayans and Greeks.

Old Glory Indeed

DRAG

NFL Post Season 2013

HERE IT IS!!

Last weeks game BAL v. DEN was the greatest game I have ever seen IN MY LIFE.

SF v. ATL  winner --- SF -- If Colin Kaepernick has the same type of game like he had last week, The Falcons are in trouble!  -- Plus never had faith in the Falcons.  But even with that being said Atlanta is due they have been knocking at the door for 5 years.
BAL v. NE  winner -- BAL

Let the Harbaugh Bowl BEGIN!!

Django Unchained

First of all Django is a classic!  98% of the people I know that have seen the film agree.  As a fan of Quentin Tarantino films this falls right in line.  Its everything that you could ask for, action, humor, violence and a nip slip from Kerry Washington.  The biggest uproar about the film is the use of the word "nigger" throughout the movie.  While in 1858, in America, in the South White people certainly weren't greeting Black people (slaves) saying "Hello Fine Sir (or Madame)"  so I really am confused as to what the big deal is.

Some people inferring to the film say "slavery wasn't funny,"  indeed it was not, but these same people had nothing to say about Tarantino's last film Inglorious Bastards and Hitler was being mad fun of. So the Holocaust and World War II is hilarious?  I get it, you only need to be vocal when it's against your ancestry alone?

At it's core this is a love story and it should be celebrated as such.  Some things didn't make sense and some things are hilarious.  I take no offense to a movie, especially a period piece set in America in the deep south during slavery.  In a world where people want the truth and want people to "keep it real" why be afraid of the how it was.  I do understand for some that the brutality towards black people during those times that were depicted in the movie was extreme but those were extreme times.  Additionally if it was watered down then people would have had something to say about Tarantino down playing the brutality of black people during those times.

Interestingly enough it seems that the issue is that because Tarantino is white people feel uneasy about the use of "nigger."  So if it was a black director with the same dialogue then what?  It's ok?  That's not for me to figure out.  I enjoyed the film and look forward to the next Tarantino movie.  It's still weird that a movie can invoke so much uproar when people don't have anything to say or any action against the everyday injustices that go on daily.

What's that nigger doing on that NAG?

DRAG

Postseason 2013 pt.2

BAL v. DEN --- winner --- BAL  --- the only problem is our corners -- Payton knows it --- everyone knows it --- if we can get to Payton and control the corners BAL should win.  I'm not really worried about their run game.
GB v. SF  --- winner ---  GB -- I hope that SF wins really BUT I think and hope that Harbaugh benching Alex Smith bites him in the ass.
SEA v. ATL --- winner ---  SEA  --- as weird as it seems nothing really impresses me about ATL --- they are either going to win the Superbowl or lose this game.
HOU v. NE   --- winner --- NE --- the Hoody has been waiting .

Movie Rundown

DREDD was better than I thought it would be, but that's not saying much because I didn't expect much. I never have really saw the 1st Judge Dredd film and never want to see it.  This had much action and violence but the effects of the "slomo" drug in the film was done a bit too much at times making it a little gimmicky.  But  for the most part it was a good film.

Flight started off great and John Goodman really stole the show.  Denzel really is a great actor, though he has the same mannerisms in every film.  The ending of this movie crashes just like the plane did though.  My thought is, if a movie is over 2 hours it should have a good ending, I mean you make people watch it for that long they should get rewarded.

As a fan of the Anime I think this live action version was done well.  Ruroni Kenshin is about a warrior how has changed his ways from killing.  He is still a bad motherfucka though.  I think Korea makes these live action movies?  But if so they do a damn fine job.  The only complaint is that its about 2hrs and 15 minutes and a few scenes could be taken out or just shortened to fit in a 1hr 45 range.  

FILMS!

DRAG

NFL Postseason

Going 139W / 82L isn't that bad, I'll shoot higher next year.

This postseason has some interesting first games.

CIN v. HOU   --- winner ---  HOU --- Cincy has a lot of fight in them though so it should be a solid game.
MIN v. GB   --- winner ---   GB  --- I just don't think MIN has it in them. And Rodgers is still mad.
IND v. BAL   --- winner ---   BAL    --- emotional game on both sides.
SEA v. WSH  --- winner ---   WSH   --- With SEA being on the road I think RG3 and the boys should win --- but it should be a great match up!

NFL Week 17 2012/13

The thing about this week is that alot of these teams don't need to win because they are already headed to the playoffs.

TB v. ATL --- winner ---  ATL (but they dont need to win)
NYJ v. BUF --- winner ---  neither team is going anywhere --- BUF
BAL v. CIN --- winner --- BAL
CHI v. DET --- winner ---  DET
JAC v. TEN ---winner ---TEN
HOU v. IND ---winner --- IND
CAR v. NO ---winner --- NO
PHI v. NYG --- winner --- NYG
CLE v. PIT --- winner --- PIT
KC v. DEN --- winner --- DEN
GB v. MIN --- winner --- GB -- interesting game though
MIA v. NE --- winner ---  NE
OAK v. SD --- winner --- SD
ARI v. SF --- winner --- SF
STL v. SEA --- winner --- SEA (WHO ARE THESE GUYS??)
DAL v. WSH ---winner ---  WSH -- DAL can't finish games

NFL Week 16 2012/13

RAVENS LOSE AGAIN!!! I had a rough football week last week but I'm still 116W and 73 L so it not that bad.

ATL v. DET   --- WINNER --- ATL
NO v. DAL   --- WINNER ---  DAL
TEN v. GB   --- WINNER --- GB
IND v. KC   --- WINNER --- IND
BUF v. MIA   --- WINNER --- MIA
SD v. NYJ   --- WINNER --- SD
WSH v. PHI   --- WINNER --- WSH
CIN v. PIT   --- WINNER --- PIT
STL v. TB    --- WINNER --- STL
OAK v. CAR   --- WINNER --- OAK
NE v. JAC   --- WINNER --- NE
MIN v. HOU   --- WINNER --- HOU
CLE v. DEN   --- WINNER --- DEN
CHI v. ARI   --- WINNER --- CHI
NYG v. BAL   --- WINNER --- NYG
SF v. SEA   --- WINNER --- SEA


We shall see!

With These Tickets....I Quit!

Friday's Maryland 4 digit lottery numbers were 4307.  With that being said, I used to have an address of 4207, but I never play that b/c it never comes out.  I missed the number by one number twice in one night.  Also, I haven't won all year!  And to think of it, even if you win I think people still spend way more playing the Lottery than they will ever win.  Unless you win PowerBall or Mega Millions or something.  But as I figure it I will save over $500 a year by not playing.  I like those odds way more.

Let Yourself Play

DRAG

NFL Week 15 2012/13

I went 10 and 5 last week bring me to 109W - 65L for the season.  Ravens lose again to a lesser team.  New England destroys The Texans and The Seahawks simply dismantled the Cardinals.

NYG v. ATL--- WINNER ---NYG   I think ATL's runs is over
GB v. CHI--- WINNER ---GB      CHI
WSH v. CLE--- WINNER ---WSH  
MIN v. STL--- WINNER ---STL   Jeff Fisher is an excellent coach.
JAC v. MIA--- WINNER ---JAC  
TB v. NO--- WINNER ---NO  
DEN v. BAL--- WINNER ---BAL
IND v. HOU--- WINNER ---HOU  Houston gotta bounce back from that humiliating game last week.
SEA v. BUF--- WINNER ---SEA  These guys should be pissed tested all week.
DET v. ARI--- WINNER ---DET   THE DIRTY D!  Arizona is finished
CAR v. SD--- WINNER ---SD   Cam versus Rivers -- should be high scoring at least
PIT v. DAL--- WINNER ---DAL   -- this is really an iffy game.
KC v. OAK--- WINNER ---OAK  
SF v. NE--- WINNER ---NE   --- should be good but the PATS are in KILL MODE!
NYJ v. TEN --- WINNER---NYJ -- A Monday Night Game?!! What a horrible game.  This should have been a Thursday game.  Who really cares.  Unless Tebow was starting.

JASE - Waiting...

The wait is over! JASE's solos project is here.  It features most of TAGMG with production by Street Scott, Jay Feddy, myself (DRAG) and more.  JASE shows growth on this project and really goes off and lets you know the lane that he is craving out for himself.


DOWNLOAD HERE

Wait No More

DRAG

Week 13 2012/13

99W - 60L Flacco lost the game last week against the Steelers.  The game was basically won and he found away to get that "L."  Maybe it was a bad week for the Harbaugh boys, because the Rams came back to beat the 49ers in what looked like another tie game was going to happen.

STL v. BUF --- STL
DAL v. CIN --- DAL
KC v. CLE --- CLE
TEN v. IND --- IND  --- I think Luck will prevail.
CHI v. MIN --- CHI  --- Seems like Chicago is for real this year.
SD v. PIT --- PIT  --- Big Ben's back -- Phillip Rivers is a has been who never was.
PHI v. TB --- PHI  --- Even with no big names playing they are oddly still an OK team.
BAL v. WSH --- BAL   --- Ray is back.  Suggs had to give up his guns.  Hopefully they can contain RGIII
ATL v. CAR --- ATL
NYJ v. JAC --- NYJ  ---  this game stinks
MIA v. SF --- SF  --- 49ers need to stay in the hunt, Harbaugh playing guess the QB has to end.
NO v. NYG --- NYG --- this time of year the Giants are deadly.
ARI v. SEA --- SEA --- Seattle at home is a win.
DET v. GB --- GB
HOU v. NE --- NE  -- GREAT GAME

Grammy Noms

Grammy Nominations were released last night.  And here are my thoughts on the whole thing.  

Record of the Year Category is tough --- Lonely Boy by the Black Keys is my shit --- But Goyte or Swift will Prob will

Album Of The Year -- My Vote is For Black Keys --- but I think Mumford and Sons will win

Song Of The Year -- Call Me Maybe

Best New Artist -- either Fun. or Frank Ocean

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance -- Maroon 5 - Pay phone -- i don't personally like the song but certain ppl do so there's that

Best Pop Vocal Album -- Pink

Best Dance Recording -- Skrillex or Calvin Harris -- Skrillex is due

Best Dance/Electronica Album --- TUFF -- still think Skrillex is due -- BUT Grammy's be on the old head shit -- so Chemical Bros might take it

Best Rock Album -- another tough one --- but that old head rule applies here -- Bruce Springsteen for the win

Best Alternative Music Album -- Goyte

Best R&B Performance --- Estelle couldn't perform her way out of a paper bag --- since Chris Brown isn't in the cat -- give it to Usher

Best Traditional R&B Performance - Beyonce

Best R&B Song -- Refill son

Best Urban Contemporary Album -- Frank Ocean -- it is amusing that Frank and Chris Brown are in this category -- Frank should just go ahead and take the fade

Best R&B Album -- they know R. Kelly not gonna show up -- so -- Tyrese

Best Rap Performance -- Black People in Paris should win --- but Mercy was pretty mean too

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration -- No Church in the Wild

Best Rap Song -- may I give a speech before I select? How in thee hell is a song off Mac and Devin go to High School nominated ???? Please explain this shit. Like 4 ppl saw the movie and 12 ppl heard the song. Like really Mac and Devin --- A. Its off a soundtrack B. Its like a million better songs then that which came out this year. Much love to Snoop and his son Wizard but nawh man -- no way in hell. I hope Daughters wins.

Best Rap Album -- nominating Take Care for best Rap album is foul son. Its like 4 rap songs on there. The rest are him singing about who he made some bitch or miss some bitch or want some bitch. This WHOLE category is weak as hell. 2 Chainz album was bad. Lupe's album was hit and miss ... Rick Ross??? nawh man -- I can't listen to a Roots album anymore -- please let Nas win this


And the Grammy Goes To

DRAG

The Expendables 2

Revenge of the old guys.  This one is way better than the 1st one.  Jean Claude Van Damme comes out of his cave and returns to movies. This movie is pretty much like the first except its more believable even though its still pretty far fetched.  It looks like a Quentin Tarantino film, every time somebody gets shot their head blows up for no reason.  Its mindless and enjoyable.  Carl Weathers should be in the next one.  The dude that was the villain in Blood Sport (Bolo Yeung) should be the villain in the next film. 

<<<< Terry Crews' Gun 

DRAG

Red Hook Summer

Listen I'm not going to tell you I watch a bunch of Black people movies.  They just aren't my thing.  This film is supposed to be about what happens when The Pastor of the church's grandson comes to spend the summer with him from Atlanta in Red Hook Brooklyn.  DON'T WASTE TIME WATCHING THIS FILM.  Nothing happens.  It's boring.  It's 2 hours of absolute meaninglessness.  Spike Lee was in an interview and bashed the upcoming Tarantino film Django Unchained.   He didn't give a reason why he was so outraged about the film he just said wait and see it.  Sooooooo you bash a film that you want us to go and see?  Furthermore you make a movie about nothing ( the 1st film he has made in years) and about 3/4 of the way through the movie you find out the Pastor is a pedophile?  Ok Spike so you want me to see the movie about the pedophile but be outraged about the movie where a Slave is fighting back against slave masters?

In a sick way though it was interesting to see the approach used to abuse the little boy.  The approach that the Bible is right and since I am "a man of God" the things I say and do are right.  Shit was just sick man.  Do the right thing and don't see this movie.

Hook, Line and Stinker

DRAG

Week 12 2012/13

93 W / 52 L That's an OK record.  Charlie Batch killed PIT.  The Saints lose at home to the replacement QB.  Green Bay lose to the G Men.

JAC v. BUF --- WINNER  JAC
SEA v. CHI --- WINNER CHI
IND v. DET  --- WINNER  DET -- The Dirty D
MIN v. GB --- WINNER  --- GB
HOU v. TEN --- WINNER  --- HOU
CAR v. KC --- WINNER --- CAR
SF v. STL --- WINNER  --- SF
NE v. MIA --- WINNER  --- NE
ARI v. NYJ --- WINNER  --- Ugly Ugly Game  --- Ugly Ugly Game --- Arizona
TB v. DEN --- WINNER  --- DEN --- tough game
CLE v. OAK  --- WINNER  --- CLE  I think Oakland's heart is gone
CIN v. SD   --- WINNER  --- should actually be a good game SD at home
PIT v. BAL  --- WINNER  --- BAL --- no BIG BEN means trouble
PHI v. DAL --- WINNER  --- another ugly game DAL
NYG v. WSH --- WINNER Great Game!  Giants

Lawless

This is a 1 hour and 55 minute film.  For 1 hour and 30 minutes Shea LaBeouf  is getting his ass kicked.  Then the main "villain" of the movie could have been killed a long time ago.  They knew where he lived, they could have went up there and killed him.  But no they wait til the end of the movie and kill him?? Of course.  The movie was shot well and had some good violent scenes, but overall I can see why it didn't do well in the theaters.  Gary Oldman was in it for about 10 minutes.

Cricket

DRAG

NFL Week 11 2012/13

Last week I went 100% on my picks!! Pretty crazy! Lets see what week 11 has for us.  Sidenote -- the Pats are still a force! And the Jets still stink.  As bad as they say Tebow is atleast play him a game to see, they really can't lose any worse. I still don't get the HOU v. DET game and the non - call by the refs.  Dude was down since and the refs didnt blow the whistle, the guy goes in a scores a TD?  And you can't challenge that because??  Even under the rule that all touchdowns are reviewed, that should have came back.

MIN V. CHI --- WINNER  ---  CHI  (if Cutler plays jason Campbell sucks)
OAK V. CIN --- WINNER  --- CIN

PIT V. CLE --- WINNER  --- PIT

BUF V. IND--- WINNER  --- IND

DEN V. KC --- WINNER  --- DEN

SEA V. MIA --- WINNER  --- MIA

ATL V. TB  --- WINNER  --- ATL

TEN V. JAC  --- WINNER  ---  TEN

BAL V. SD  --- WINNER  --- SD

SF V. NO  --- WINNER  --- NO  (Good game no Alex Smith starting??  We shall see)

STL V. ARI  --- WINNER  --- STL

GB V. NYG  --- WINNER  --- GB

CAR V. PHI  --- WINNER  ---  Ugly one --- PHI (doesn't matter b/c they are all getting fired anyway)

NFL Week 10 2012/13

75W / 47 L NOT BAD!! ATL finally got dethroned temporarily.  Honestly they are due, they have been close for about 4 seasons. San Fran game ends in a tie?  That is very rare in Pro Football. 

ARI v. ATL winner ATL 
CLE v. DAL winner DAL Dallas going for 2 wins in a row!
GB v. DET winner GB
CIN v. KC winner CIN  Kansas City doesn't know what year it is.
NYJ v. STL winner NYJ If the Jets lose this somebody will be FIRED!
PHI v. WSH  winner ????? This is an interesting game.  If Vick isn't playing ..... WSH wins
TB v. CAR winner Buccs
JAC v. HOU winner HOU
NO v. OAK winner NO
SD v. DEN winner DEN
IND v. NE winner NE
BAL v. PIT winner BAL
CHI v. SF winner Two hard fighting teams --- No Alex Smith and No Cutler??? Ugly game San Fran only b/c its a home game.