Keepingitreal

Taking the Stage: A Goose Bump Moment

Taking The Stage - MTV Shows

Bulls beat Celtics in 3 OTs, force Game 7

CHICAGO(AP) — One more thriller, and now, the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics will play a decisive seventh game.Derrick Rose scored 28 points and blocked Rajon Rondo's potential game-winner, John Salmons scored 35, and the Bulls beat the defending champions 128-127 in triple overtime Thursday night to tie the first-round series at three games apiece.Ray Allen scored a career playoff-high 51 points for the Celtics, but the series will go back to Boston for Game 7 on Saturday after another classic battle in a series that had already seen its share of drama.Three of the first five games went to overtime, including one that needed two extra periods. Another came down to the wire in regulation, but this easily trumped them all.Rondo penetrated and pulled up on the left block with 8 seconds left and turned, only to be rejected by Rose. The rookie of the year then missed two free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining, before Rondo launched a harmless heave from beyond midcourt.That ended the game. The series, however, continues.Tied at 123 in the third OT, Joakim Noah stole the ball and broke upcourt for layup, got fouled by Paul Pierce and hit the free throw with 35.5 seconds remaining. Eddie House quickly answered with a corner jumper, his feet on the 3-point arc, to pull the Celtics within 126-125, but Chicago's Brad Miller then hit two free throws to get the lead back up to three with 28 seconds left. CONTINUE READING...

MP3: Finale - "A Pipe Dream And A Promise" prod. by Oddisee

Finale Delves Deeper on the Title Track from his New Album ~ Critical Praise for Finale:
"Finale's latest... shows his perseverance paying creative dividends. Grand Finale." - Chairman's Choice Feature, XXL -- "Abrasive, impassioned, and heartfelt" and: "A Pipe Dream And A Promise is a solid first effort not to be denied. Motor music indeed." - URB.com"Finale's debut album may be the rap fan's rap scene fan's rap record: really, really unflashy, and really, really good." - CokeMachineGlow.com "Finale's mic presence channels Rakim... You would be hard-pressed to find a more inspiring artist in 2009 than this talented and righteous emcee right here." - HipHopDX.com "Finale is clearly running Detroit where rhymes are concerned." - Frank151.com"He brings the best of the city (Detroit) on wax, with an old school mindset and plenty of originality to match. Finale does what the name suggests, providing hard-hitting wit, optimal word play and nimble ability to ride a beat like a Yamaha." - AllHIpHop.com Having been featured everywhere from Wired.com to your favorite hip-hop blog and in magazines from around the world, including a recent feature in XXL's Chairman's Choice, Finale's new album, A Pipe Dream And A Promise has been on shelves for almost a month now. The reviews have been pouring in, and the verdict is clear: Finale has a stellar album on his hands. "A Pipe Dream And A Promise," the title track from the Detroit rapper's debut LP, shows off some of the best that Finale has to offer, mixing his patented complex flow with introspection not often heard from rappers. With somber horns, courtesy of the legendary Allan Barnes of the Blackbyrds, and sentimental keys, Oddisee's production sets the perfect backdrop for Finale on "A Pipe Dream And A Promise" as he provides listeners a mirror into his mind and an explanation into the meaning behind the title of his album. Finale raps, "My mother, my grandma, my grandfather, my brother/ My sister, my girl, my landlord/ The fans, and my compadres/ I promise the world to y'all and come up short/ Every time; my chase ain't over." By the time you get to the chorus, with Monica Blaire singing "Thank you, for believing in me," it becomes clear Finale is holding nothing back as he details his struggles and motivation for success. As Finale himself says, "What's realer than that?" A Pipe Dream And A Promise is now available everywhere. Please post buy links if you can! http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=310552492&s=143441 Finale recently released Super Finale, an innovative, Super Mario Bros-themed video game, starring Finale as the main character, in which fans can win track the track "One Man Show" from the album upon completion of the game. A Pipe Dream And A Promise features production from J Dilla as well as Nottz, Flying Lotus, Oddisee, MPhazes, and Black Milk, who produced the album's lead single "Motor Music."Play Super Finale: http://www.imculture.com/_superfinale

Bakery leader indicted in journalist's slaying

(04-29) 17:48 PDT OAKLAND -- More than a year and a half after Oakland Post Editor Chauncey Bailey was gunned down while walking to work, an Alameda County grand jury indicted the leader of the now-defunct Your Black Muslim Bakery on Wednesday on charges that he ordered the journalist killed.The indictment accuses Yusuf Bey IV, 23, of murder for allegedly telling two followers to kill the 57-year-old Bailey on Aug. 2, 2007. The grand jury that returned the indictment heard two days of testimony last week from the alleged gunman, Devaughndre Broussard, 21, who until Wednesday was the only person charged in Bailey's death. Broussard, a former handyman at the bakery, told prosecutors in March that Bey wanted Bailey dead because he believed the journalist was working on a story about Your Black Muslim Bakery's internal problems. He said Bey also blamed Bailey for the 2003 death of his father, Yusuf Bey, who founded the black self-empowerment group in 1968 and led it until dying of cancer. In addition to Bailey's slaying, the indictment accuses Bey of murder for allegedly ordering the killings of two men in July 2007, 36-year-old Michael Wills and Odell Roberson Jr., 31. He is also accused in a December 2006 incident in which someone shot into an unoccupied car in Oakland. The charges carry the special circumstance of multiple murder, meaning that Bey, if convicted, could be sentenced to death. Prosecutors have not said whether they will pursue the death penalty. Another bakery figure, Antoine Mackey, 23, was also indicted on murder charges in the shootings of Bailey, Roberson and Wills.  He and Bey are scheduled to appear in Alameda County Superior Court on May 6. Both are already in custody, Bey on unrelated kidnapping and torture charges, and Mackey for a burglary conviction. Earlier Wednesday, Bey was ordered to stand trial on six counts stemming from the kidnapping case. CONTINUE READING

Senate to vote on outlawing prison cell phones

(04-30) 04:00 PDT Sacramento, California - -- Cellular phones have become so popular in California's state prisons that inmates are using them to coordinate escapes and, authorities suspect, to orchestrate crimes outside the gates. More than 2,800 cell phones were found on inmates or hidden around the facilities last year, prison officials say, double the number confiscated the year before. In an attempt to curb the problem, the state Senate is expected to pass a law next week that will make it a crime for the nearly 172,000 state prison inmates to possess cell phones or for people to smuggle them into prisons. "Every one of these phones is a threat to everyone - officers, prisoners and the general public," said Sen. John Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes (Riverside County), who introduced the bill to outlaw unauthorized cell phones in the state's 94 prisons and other facilities. Such actions are now punishable by administrative penalties. If caught, inmates face the loss of 30 days of credit for good behavior. More than half the phones in prisons come from staff at the facilities - including guards, cooks, health care workers and others who sell them for between $100 and $400 apiece, state officials say. Others are concealed in food containers and packages sent to inmates, while still others are hidden at work sites where minimum-security prisoners can retrieve them, authorities say. At least two inmates have used cell phones to coordinate their getaway after escaping, said Richard Subia, associate director for the division of adult institutions in the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. CONTINUE READING..

DELS, live supporting Yo! Majesty 10/03/09 @ Nouveau Casino, Paris

Critical Praise for Del: "...Del's reputation has remained strong in both fan and critic circles." - Thrasher Magazine "The Homosapien is one hell of an entertaining MC" - YRB

Del's reputation has remained strong in both fan and critic circles." - Thrasher Magazine
"The Homosapien is one hell of an entertaining MC" - YRB (April 29, 2009 - Brooklyn, NY) Less than a year after the release of his last album, Hieroglyphics member and co-founder Del the Funky Homosapien joins the ranks of Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails with the free release of his new album, Funk Man: The Stimulus Package via Funnyman Entertainment. Del is currently on a nationwide promotional tour for the album and will be playing in over 30 cities. As an early adapter of technology and having the status and perspective only a veteran can possess, Del takes advantage of his unique position to adopt a still experimental distribution strategy with Funk Man's release. Even with longevity, very few artists can hope to successfully launch a free full-length album. However with Del the Funky Homosapien's solid fan base and sponsorship deals with Arnette, Skull Candy, Osiris Shoes, and Bandcamp.com, Funk Man's release not only ensures support for the creative process, but also gives fans easy access to music they crave.With a six year hiatus between Del's prior two solo releases, fans and critics may be surprised by the release of Funk Man: The Stimulus Package, which is out only a year following Eleventh Hour (Def Jux/Hieroglyphics). Del attributes this timing as a reflection of his life. Having shed the negativity that plagued him in past years, he feels a sense of renewal, which has resulted in newfound creativity. Additionally, after working consistently with record labels in his previous projects, Del is reenergized by his ability to produce music independently.Being without a record label shouldn't be cause for alarm because Del, known for his intricate, honest, and humorous word-play, funky beats and artistic versatility, continues to deliver his signature style on Funk Man: The Stimulus Package. The high-energy album is comprised of raw lyrics, driving rhythms, and Del's undeniable funkiness. Throughout Funk Man, Del challenges the listener to be genuine, especially when he says, "it’s okay to be who you are. You can be free. So what if people are taking about you, they’re going to be talking about you anyway and they probably want to be you. They wish they could by funky, let their hair grow out, be like you." Del shows his commitment to this message and the funk in each track, from "Get It Right Now's" sense of urgency, to "And They Thought That Was Hell's" pop culture warning, and "Straight From the Big Bad West Coast's" historical breakdown.Funk Man: The Stimulus Package marks Del the Funky Homosapien's 14th project as he has been in this hip-hop game for almost two decades. Starting at the tender age of 17 as protégé to his cousin, Ice Cube, Del quickly rose to the top of the underground hip hop scene with his albums, I Wish My Brother George Was Here (1991) and No Need for Alarm (1993), both released through Elektra Records. Soon after parting ways with the label, Del joined the Hieroglyphics family, comprised of notable emcees Pep Love, the Souls of Mischief, Casual, and Domino. In 1998 the critically acclaimed album 3rd Eye Vision was the first to be released under the Hieroglyphics Imperium label and since then Del has had consistent success with his solo and joint efforts, including Deltron 3030 (2000), Gorillaz (2001), Full Circle (2003), and Eleventh Hour (2008) to name a few.As a witness to the destructive technology, i.e. video games, that replaced the comic book industry thirty years ago and seeing the same trends within the music industry today, Del has taken a proactive approach with Funk Man, in his reluctance to rely on standard distribution models. Funk Man: The Stimulus Package is Del's journey back to basics and the timely message coupled with the LP's free release display's his acute awareness of his fan's needs and the music industry at large. Download Funk Man: The Stimulus Package Here: http://delthefunkyhomosapien.bandcamp.com/

Today's Papers: One Step Away From Full-On Pandemic

It was supposed to be President Obama's big 100^th-day party, but swine flu has taken over. Everyone leads with the World Health Organization warning that a global pandemic of the A/H1N1 virus appears imminent. The Geneva-based U.N. agency raised its global pandemic alert level to Phase 5 "because the virus appears to be spreading easily person-to-person and cases are appearing that have no link to Mexico," explains USA Today. The next level, Phase 6, means a pandemic is ongoing, and WHO officials made it clear that's where they think we're headed. "All countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparation plans," said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan. The first death outside of Mexico was reported yesterday in Texas, where a 23-month-old boy from Mexico City died this week at a Houston-area hospital. The Washington Post points out that increasing the alert level "could prompt a variety of measures, including more intensive efforts to identify cases and stricter measures to prevent the illness's spread, such as discouraging or banning public gatherings." The number of known cases in the United States is now at least 91 from 10 states, while Mexican officials say as many as 159 people may have died from the virus. The New York Times points out that while the WHO urged calm, Chan "at times spoke as if a pandemic had already begun." Speaking to reporters, Chan said: "The biggest question right now is this: How severe will the pandemic be?" The Los Angeles Times is by far the most optimistic and points out experts seem to be coming to the conclusion that, in its current form, the H1N1 virus "isn't shaping up to be as fatal as the strains that caused some previous pandemics." Although the virus does appear to spread easily, it doesn't seem like its mortality rate will get anywhere close to the typical flu season that kills 36,000 people in the United States. The Wall Street Journal points out that some Mexican doctors believe many more people had the virus than the official numbers indicate, "suggesting it could turn out to be a relatively mild pandemic." But, of course, the flu virus is very unpredictable, and we're still at the early stage, so it could just as easily mutate and become much deadlier.

To continue reading, click here.

Sandpeople To Release Long Story, Short...

Sandpeople, a ten member collective from the Pacific Northwest, is proud to announce the release of their new studio EP, Long Story, Short... available May 26, 2009 via Sandpeople Music. The Juice Crew; Wu-Tang Clan; Native Tongues; these names conjure memories of a time when hip-hop collectives reigned dominant. Comprising 10 members in total, each with unique styles and abilities, Sandpeople is working tirelessly to solidify the importance of the hip-hop crew once more. Ethic, a rapper and one tenth of the group says, "The collective is not something you see too much of anymore; it's a unique group structure. Being from the Pacific Northwest puts us at a disadvantage, but being a crew adds a dynamic and cohesive element to what we're doing that helps us stand out amongst the crowd." With the release of Long Story, Short..., the group's cohesive sound at once harkens back to the crew aesthetic of the past while carrying the torch for the potential of the future. For Long Story, Short..., operating entirely in-house, including recording and mixing, allowed the EP's creation process an organic feel, while remaining streamlined and efficient. That process begins with Sandpeople producer, rapper, and multi-instrumentalist, Sapient, whose diverse production is on display throughout the EP. The rappers in the crew, each with a unique style, choose the beats they want to work with, brainstorm concepts, and self-select to decide who will fit the song style and concept for each song. The result of this tried-and-true process for Sandpeople is a stellar nine track EP, including the album's lead single, "Hate Aside," which the collective will be shooting a video for in the near future.Since the 2005 release of Sandpeople's debut album, Points of View, the group has seen a growth not only in their own numbers, but also in their rate of musical output. The Sandpeople collective comprises several sub-groups, each recording and releasing their own respective works in conjunction with the group projects, expanding the Sandpeople catalog and stretching the reach of their music from Japan to Australia and throughout the United States. Among the ten artists who comprise the Sandpeople is ILLmaculate, a Portland native who has accumulated numerous accolades for his rapping abilities, including being crowned champion of the 2004 Scribble Jam rap battle at the age of 17. TheSaurus, another member of the crew, also won the 2006 and 2007 World Rap Championships hosted by JumpOff.TV. Along with the group's producer Sapient, who has garnered recognition from his work with artists such as Tech N9ne, Inspectah Deck, and Aesop Rock, Sandpeople have the firepower to put on a great show and to make great music. Listen to "Money Is on Their Minds" http://media.audibletreats.com/Sandpeople-Money_Is_On_Their_Minds.mp3

"I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!"

The Faces of the Future - S E A N J O H N

Sean John is looking for some new leading men to be featured in its new upcoming FALL/WINTER Ad Campaign. All participants must be at least 18 years of age or older.
All submissions must be submitted by May 1st.
To enter click the link shown below:

http://www.seanjohn.com/contest/

We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

The 2009 Coretta Scott King Author Award
Artist Kadir Nelson received the 2009 Coretta Scott King Author Award for We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, the first book he both wrote and illustrated. (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group, 2008. ISBN: 9780786808328)

Ex-Child of Destiny Farrah Franklin on Millionaire Matchmaker

An easier way to fix your credit report

At some point in your life you, or someone you know, will find a mistake on their credit report. Disputing an error isn't all that difficult, but it can be confusing. Thankfully, Five Cent Nickel has an incredibly detailed and simple guide to disputing a credit report error. With tightened credit, new employers checking your credit report and the allure of refinancing at a lower rate, now is the time to make sure your report is error free. Not only does Five Cent Nickel show you the correct way to get your report, but details how to dispute the mistake with Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. Whether you want to file a dispute online, call the agency or dispute the matter via snail-mail, this guide shows you who to call or mail and how to do it. There's even a sample credit report dispute letter so you can fill in the blanks Mad Lib style, and get on your way to a correct and better credit report. If you think a credit report error couldn't happen to you, think again. Two years ago I found several errors on my credit report which, no surprise, were pulling my credit score down. Thankfully it was a quick and painless process to dispute them online and I didn't even need to submit additional documentation.  This article is especially useful since my in-laws are attempting to refinance their mortgage and found a Sallie Mae loan erroneously attached to their credit report. After verifying the obvious with Sallie Mae and their bank they were still left with the question of how to fix the problem, since the advice given to them was simply to go online and dispute it. Now they can just fill in the blanks and get their debt to income ratio back to normal. It can take some time, 4-6 weeks, for errors to be disputed and removed, so you should take the time to make sure your credit report is accurate and start fixing any errors you find right now. You'll be happy you did the next time you get your credit pulled; which could be sooner than you think. Source

Blackberry Entertainment Blog Buzz

Kobe Bryant slam-dunked Spike Lee right before the taping of “Kobe: Doin’ Work” by demanding creative control over the documentary and forcing the director to drive to his house to beg for a meeting to save the project, after Lee had worked for months to get permission from Bryant, the Lakers team, coach Phil Jackson, the NBA and ESPN, for the day-in-the-life documentary.Source: Bossip Internet rumors have been circulating that Jennifer Hudson is pregnant. While her manager and publicist deny the rumors, two sources close to the Oscar and Grammy winner confirm exclusively to ESSENCE.com that she is indeed expecting. This would be the first child for Hudson. Source: Bossip Fans of Mo’Nique who fretted over her departure from radio may just be in luck. Word is that BET is offering a new late-night show to advertisers next week that will be hosted by the “Queen of Comedy” and called “Breakin’ Up With Mo’Nique,” according to the Los Angeles Times. Source: Bossip “Hell no,” is what the NYPD said when Fat Joe, cameras, and hordes of questionable characters and law abiding citizens alike flocked to peep the shoot for his new video, Hey Joe. Source: Bossip The day that being gangsta is seen as a negative aspect is a day we can all rejoice. According to Jay Z, that day is coming thanks to Obama being elected as the President. The hip-hop icon says that President Barack Obama’s election marks a decline of the “gangsta” image in the black and Latino communities. Source: Bossip

Fox sticking with schedule instead of Obama

Fox became the first broadcast network to turn down a request by President Barack Obama for time, opting to show its drama "Lie to Me" on Wednesday instead of the president's prime-time news conference.Fox will direct viewers interested in the news conference to Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network, which will both carry it. ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC and CNBC are all carrying the 8 p.m. EDT event, on Obama's 100th day in office.This will be Obama's third prime-time news conference as president, a schedule that has caused some private grumbling among network executives. Carrying a news conference costs the four broadcast networks an estimated $10 million-plus in lost advertising revenue.Yet with an economy in distress, two wars and now a swine flu outbreak, the pressure on networks to agree to Obama's request as a public service is enormous.Executives at Fox, owned by News Corp., would not comment on the decision Monday. It's not without precedent for the network; Fox didn't carry a prime-time speech by President George W. Bush in November 2001 despite a request from the White House."I can't imagine it was politically motivated," said Shelly Palmer, industry analyst and host of "MediaBytes," a daily show about technology and the media. "I'm assuming it was financially motivated."The news conference comes at the start of a ratings "sweeps" months, where viewership is watched closely to set local advertising rates. Not only will Fox keep its advertising for the hour, it will offer the only broadcast entertainment program, potentially giving a boost to the new series "Lie to Me," about a crime-fighting expert who can spot liars. "American Idol" follows "Lie to Me" on the schedule.The Fox broadcast network was the most likely to have made this decision. Unlike ABC, CBS and NBC, Fox does not have its own news division to analyze the event. Even though the broadcast network is in more homes, cable's Fox News Channel traditionally gets more viewers for its coverage of these events than the Fox network. CONTINUE READING...

Obama's First 100 Days

O'Day Accuses Diddy Of Portraying Her As A 'Slut'

Former Danity Kane singer Aubrey O'Day has accused former boss Sean 'Diddy' Combs of portraying her as a "slut" on his reality TV show "Making The Band." O'Day landed a role in the band after triumphing in a previous season of Diddy's talent show, but was booted out last year, with the rap mogul blaming her poor attitude for her departure. But the star -- who recently stripped naked for Playboy magazine -- accuses the rap mogul of giving her a slutty reputation. She tells Hip Hop Weekly, "Puff (Diddy) isn't helping out (her reputation) on the new season of 'Making the Band' either. "I've heard little comments here and there about the reasons why I've become a streetwalker and why I ruined Danity Kane."

Freeload: Lenny Kravitz, "Let Love Rule (Justice Remix)"

Once upon a time, there was a dreadlocked satyr who danced in the forest, sang about love and deflowered Cosby kids. In another part of the land were leathered elves who brought forth the sounds of hell from a mighty cross made of light. For many eons the satyr and the elves walked peacefully and innocently, naive of each others powers. Until one day, when the heat fell upon the great city of New York and forced all from their enclaves to gather at the Shake Shack, the satyr and the elves met on common ground and from then on the world was never the same, for their mighty energies merged to form ONE OF THE MOST AMA… oh wait this is kind of exactly what you'd expect. Oh well!  Download: Lenny Kravitz, "Let Love Rule (Justice Remix)"

Parties Scheduled Nationwide to Encourage Reading

Parties have been scheduled in Little Rock, Memphis, Miami, Atlanta, Raleigh, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Flint, Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville, Washington D. C., New York City and Seattle. Each is free and open to the public, however, those who attend are asked to bring a new or gently used book as a donation that will go to either the Read Across America Project, CityKids Foundation, the Common Ground Foundation, Everybody wins, Adele's Literary Library, Reading Tree or a library in need within that particular city. These events are sponsored in part by For The People Productions, Hype Magazine, Industry Standard Magazine, Poetic Monthly and Crunk Magazine. Special guests include Derrick Hargrove and Nikki Shallwani from MTV's 50 CENT: The Money & The Power, New York Times Bestselling author Scott Sigler, author Mark Eller and author Richard Emmell. To find out more about the reading parties, when and where they will be held and the work that The Write Stuff is doing in general, visit http://www.thewritstufftv.com. For more information about the project and how you can get involved, contact Herschel Dixon at 1.502.994.7852 or Cyrus A. Webb at [email protected].