Hoop Dreams

     Nike tries to instill hope in the basketball world by releasing this new commercial titled "Basketball Never Stops".  It features some of the top names of the game such as King James, Kevin Durant, Coach Mike K., Dirk along a couple cameo's from hip-hop's Questlove and J.Cole.  It's a reminder that regardless of the NBA strike and what seems a bigger feeling that the general public doesn't care, that basketball will never stop being played, ever.  Images of college, high school, rec league, and random pick up games by people of all ages, colors, boys, girls shows where the game is truly played and appreciated.

Section.80

     One of my favorite aspects of hip-hop, or any musical genre, is when a new artist has a distinct sound, voice, topic matter, flow, et cetera, it can be anything, but you know it when you hear it.  More specifically to rap is when someone lyrically separates himself from everyone else.  It literally makes you think and process the words, metaphors, and similes in ways others don't.  He's not wasting any words.  Not to discredit your Soula Boy and Waka's, okay, yes, to discredit them, but there are artists that make it an art form and poetry.  Kendrick Lamar is one of them.

     West Coast rap has a new ambassador in this young lyricist hailing from Compton, California.  A product of the 80's, Kendrick lays layer after layer of verbal chapters that can be listened on replay without skippage on his debut album, Section:80.  A fully entertaining album that you end up liking more with every listen.  You'll hear an honesty that draws you to the songs that explains the emotions of stories, relationships and thoughts of misguided youth.  The production is also fantastic and it doesn't sound like your typical west coast beat album at all.  More like a mix of that Chi-town soul, NY underground and southern draw that compliments Lamar's flow perfectly.  

     It's reassuring to know there are young artists like K.L. providing art that still pushes the envelope in the right direction.  Especially when hip hop seems to have tangents in every direction, some with more gimmick than substance. 

He recently released a video of one of the best lyrical songs on the album, produced by Willie B, called "Rigamortis".  It has K.L. almost competing with the horns on the track.  He picks up the cadence as it progresses as he serves up lyrical dessert that has subpar rappers checking themselves. Also checkout the J.Cole produced "Hiiipower", another gem, video below.  Video for "A.D.H.D" is also posted, love the beat on this one, produced by Sounwave.

As he says "Smoke good, Eat good, Live good".   

Video via BlowHipHop TV.

Shady Records Shoe Game

     Paul Rosenburg, Eminem's manager, narrates this video that shows the collaborations between Em's Shady Records label and Nike, Jordan Brand.  They've had a relationship for quite some time with Nike releasing some of their most rare kicks of their most popular runners and J's.  Awesome stuff.

Steve Jobs - 1955-2011

     Apple has announced this evening that their founder, Steve Jobs, has passed away at the age of 56.   It's been known that he's been battling cancer as he stepped down from Chief Executive of Apple in August, also taking a medical leave in January of this year.
     Rightly considered a modern genius for his innovations and world changing influence of consumer technology, he will be recognized as one of the greatest pioneers of any era.  He's responsible for advancing personal computer to developing todays iTunes, iPod, iPad, iPhone, the App store, et cetera.  He revived Pixar Animation Studios as well, after he purchased them and released Toy Story and Finding Nemo to name a couple.  His resume will be discussed through every outlet countless times in the days, months, years following, well deservedly.  It's only fitting as I found out of his passing on my iPhone and type this up on my iMac.  His influence is literally with and used by millions of humans every day.

God Bless

Pics from Apple.com

Unemployed Royalty

     There's a certain percentage of the unemployed population that are trying to find ways to keep themselves busy while their union is on strike.  Celebrity charity basketball games having been popping up on the regular in the last couple months as the NBA owners and Players Union try to negotiate a new agreement.  The season looks destined to definitely be postponed indefinitely but the jobless ballers are keeping busy by playing games in various cities in the name of charity.  Kudos to them for doing something productive while showcasing some of their world class skills.  Here's a video highlight reel of some of the games best at Chris Paul's charity game in Winston-Salem, NC.  King James, DWade, CP3, Durantula, John Wall and others get busy and show there unbelievable athleticism.