Happy September peeps! And it sure is a perfect late summer day out in NYC, Shaolin reppin’. The kinda day you can go to the park and chill or hit the track over by CSI. Whatever floats your boat. As school starts up, we await another great autumn full of changing leaves falling from trees along with a cool breeze, reminding us that Halloween’s around the corner and Turkey Day ain’t far behind.

Football starts up and hockey comes in a month while the best tennis players are front and center in the Big Apple for the final grand slam in Flushing Meadows, the U.S. Open. This is a pretty special time. Ten days from now, we’ll commemorate the 10-Year Anniversary of 9/11, honoring and paying tribute to all those men and women who lost their lives due to pure evil. Many FDNY, NYPD and soldiers sacrificed to protect our way of life. Like a good Jimi Hendrix tune, “Freedom,” that’s what it means to be an American. Appreciate what you got. Embrace it.

We send our best wishes to anyone who suffered at the hands of Hurricane Irene. Our thoughts are with you. Especially in Vermont. Mother nature can go a little haywire around this time. So, please be safe out there!

Today, we bring back our latest installment of Video Of Day with a little classic 2Pac. This one’s a throwback to when things were chilled out as kids growing up in parks, playing games and ice cream trucks and Italian Ices didn’t cost an arm and a leg for families. Yeah. Remember those days?!?!?!?!?! Exactly. Freezer Fresh was my favorite growing up along with Good Humor. Now there’s Lickety Split, Ralph’s, etc. Man. I should’ve gone into the ice cream business cause we all SCREAM for ICE CREAM! As Makaveli would say, “We’re gonna kick it a little old school.”

2Pac: \”Old School\”

Today, they’re saying goodbye to our friend Lyndzay Richburg back home in Atlanta. We said ours Monday at an emotional wake that featured plenty of tributes to a great person whose life was taken too soon. God bless ya Elroy Dyaygo Escobar Futuristic!

On a day they lay him to rest, a fitting song by a band he liked Oasis which definitely applies to how we feel about you Lyndz. You’re our shining star who’ll continue to shine brightly up above, reminding us daily of your presence. Smiling, laughing, working on those magic beats that made you our star and showing the love which will never be forgotten. Rock on with your Bob Marley hair in that other dimension I referenced the other day right alongside him, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrisson, 2Pac, Biggie, Elvis, Janis Joplin and John Lennon. LEGENDS NEVER DIE!

Oasis: “Live Forever”

Maybe I don’t really want to know
How your garden grows
I just want to fly Lately did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain
As it soaks it to the bone

Maybe I just want to fly
I want to live I don’t want to die
Maybe I just want to breath
Maybe I just don’t believe
Maybe you’re the same as me
We see things they’ll never see
You and I are gonna live forever

Maybe I don’t really want to know
How your garden grows
I just want to fly Lately did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain
As it soaks it to the bone

Maybe I will never be
All the things that I want to be
But now is not the time to cry
Now’s the time to find out why
I think you’re the same as me
We see things they’ll never see
You and I are gonna live forever
We’re gonna live forever
Gonna live forever
Live forever
Forever

Any day can be reserved for 2Pac. Makaveli was a poet and ya ‘ll God damn know it. Let’s look at some of the lyrical genius whose legend lives on.

LEGENDS NEVER DIE

“Ghost”

[Tupac - speaking]
The only way, for me to come back, is by Makaveli
That’s it! All these motherfuckers stole from me
I’m takin back what’s mine

[slowed down voice]
[laughing] You motherfuckers can’t stop me
Even if I die, I’m gon’ be a fuckin problem
Do you believe in ghosts, motherfucker?
Real live black… ghosts
Feel me?

[Verse One: 2Pac]
Some say I’m crazy, these punk-ass cops can’t fade me
Mama tried to raise me, but had too many babies
Papa was a motherfuckin, joke
Used to find dope in his coat
And nearly choked when he’d tell me not to

“Still Ballin”
(feat. Trick Daddy)

Straight motherfuckin ballin
Part two, still ballin
Westside

[Verse One: 2Pac]
Now ever since a nigga was a seed
Only thing promised to me was the penitentiary, still ballin
Ridin on these niggaz cause they lame
In a six-one

“One good thing about music, when it hits- you feel no pain.”

“Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction.”

“Don’t gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold…”

“When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself.”

“In this bright future you can’t forget your past.”

“Don’t worry about a thing, every little thing is gonna be alright.”

“The good times of today, are the sad thoughts of tomorrow.”

“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality . Wake Up and Live!”

ONE LOVE. Rasta! Anyone who knows me well will tell you what a huge Bob Marley fan I am. When I think of the legendary Jamaican singer, I’m reminded of his powerful message of Peace and Love. He would’ve turned 65 today and been raising the roof to a whole new level because let’s face it, the man knew how to parrrrtty!

The lead singer of his own band Bob Marley & The Wailers created the kind of soulful music people enjoy listening and getting down to. Reggae. With renown hits such as “I Shot The Sheriff,” “Is This Love,” “One Love,” “Get Up Stand Up,” “Stir It Up,” “Buffalo Soldier,” “Jammin,” “No Woman No Cry” and the spiritual “Redemption Song,” he was the definition of cool. Listen to any song and it’ll get you going. Feel the vibe and let it all hang out!

Legend is the biggest selling reggae album in history (13.5 million) going platinum. That it came three years following Marley’s death speaks to the true legend he really was and still is today. His music can still be heard at parties and on the radio a la Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, 2Pac and Biggie. They’re all dead but as I’ve said before many times and shall echo again:

LEGENDS NEVER DIE

Sadly, the traditional concert that remembers Marley in his home Jamaica has been canceled for the lamest reason known to mankind. ‘Noise complaints.’ Are they freaking KIDDING?!?!?!?!?! How ridiculous can you get? Today, we honor the Man, Myth and Legend that shall live forever.

HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY BOB MARLEY

Another July day here in NYC. And why not another classic 2Pac video. One which is old off Yo! MTV Raps. The scene is really cool. Check it out!

Undoubtedly, it ain’t 2007. No idea where they got that from. And it’s during his Juice Era. Just the beginning of one of the greatest rappers ever!

The music of Jim Morrison and The Doors will forever be remembered leaving a long lasting legacy like most legends.

Originally, I was going to do some new The Fray from their second album being that they’ll be performing in the city later tonight at Webster Hall. I really want to go but it’s not looking too good especially with it being soldout.

They’re supposed to webcast it on their official site with a start time of 9:10 ET. Maybe I’ll check it out assuming I don’t luck into scoring tix.

So, I was on YouTube and came across one of my favorite Doors songs. I just love The Doors. Jim Morrison! What else needs to be said?

Instead of previewing some new stuff, I decided to change it up and sprinkle in a few of my favorite Doors songs. The legend of the eccentric Jim Morrison shall live on forever just like my idols Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, John Lennon and 2Pac. Janis Joplin too.

What is it about age 27 (Morrison, Jimi, Joplin) and why does it seem like most legends die so young? I guess it’s part of leaving that legacy. Gone but never forgotten.

Anyway, here are some of my faves. Enjoy!

 

It’s such a weird vibe song but done so well. Kind of odd video too from this user. Well, it’s a dark song with great lyrics and appropriately shot.

 

 

You can’t have a Doors video feature without linking up their most popular and best song. Well, to me at least. “Light My Fire” embodies so much and is utterly amazing. That I was able to discover a live version from Europe is even better as they really do sound good.

It’s got that nostalgic feel. Just listen to them play in the middle which to me has always been the best part even as Morrison kicks it into high gear at the epic conclusion. The guitar, drums and keyboard are magnif! And of course watching Morrison do his thing on stage is a story all to itself.

 

 

Another epic with so much meaning and feeling. He just was on his own planet in some other dimension. But hey. So was Jimi!

 

 

Alright. This is kind of an odd place to play but whatever. “Touch Me” is such an upbeat sexy track with much appeal. It’s played fast and Morrison controls the tempo like always. Solid performance!

Absolutely tremendous! Nothing else to add.

This is the final day of 2008 and I’ll be over a friend’s for a New Year’s Eve party raising the roof literally.

I felt like a cool video to get the day started. A rare 2Pac “Changes” Acapella version where you can really hear the words which bring in plenty of meaning.

Changes. An appropriate theme for a new year no matter who you are. Things can always be better. Whether it’s the Jets firing their coach searching for a new one or one of us deciding to do something more productive, it’s time to start making changes!

2Pac’s message lives on:

Come on come on
I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself
is life worth living should I blast myself?
I’m tired of bein’ poor & even worse I’m black
my stomach hurts so I’m lookin’ for a purse to snatch
Cops give a damn about a negro
pull the trigger kill a nigga he’s a hero
Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares
one less hungry mouth on the welfare
First ship ‘em dope & let ‘em deal the brothers
give ‘em guns step back watch ‘em kill each other
It’s time to fight back that’s what Huey said
2 shots in the dark now Huey’s dead
I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhere
unless we share with each other
We gotta start makin’ changes
learn to see me as a brother instead of 2 distant strangers
and that’s how it’s supposed to be
How can the Devil take a brother if he’s close to me?
I’d love to go back to when we played as kids
but things changed, and that’s the way it is

[Bridge w/ changing ad libs]
Come on come on
That’s just the way it is
Things’ll never be the same
That’s just the way it is
aww yeah
[Repeat]

[2]
I see no changes all I see is racist faces
misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it takes to make this
one better place, let’s erase the wasted
Take the evil out the people they’ll be acting right
’cause both black and white is smokin’ crack tonight
and only time we chill is when we kill each other
it takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain’t ready, to see a black President, uhh
It ain’t a secret don’t conceal the fact
the penitentiary’s packed, and it’s filled with blacks
But some things will never change
try to show another way but you stayin’ in the dope game
Now tell me what’s a mother to do
bein’ real don’t appeal to the brother in you
You gotta operate the easy way
“I made a G today” But you made it in a sleazy way
sellin’ crack to the kid. ” I gotta get paid,”
Well hey, well that’s the way it is

[Bridge]

[Talking:]
We gotta make a change…
It’s time for us as a people to start makin’ some changes.
Let’s change the way we eat, let’s change the way we live
and let’s change the way we treat each other.
You see the old way wasn’t working so it’s on us to do
what we gotta do, to survive.

[3]
And still I see no changes can’t a brother get a little peace
It’s war on the streets & the war in the Middle East
Instead of war on poverty they got a war on drugs
so the police can bother me
And I ain’t never did a crime I ain’t have to do
But now I’m back with the facts givin’ it back to you
Don’t let ‘em jack you up, back you up,
crack you up and pimp smack you up
You gotta learn to hold ya own
they get jealous when they see ya with ya mobile phone
But tell the cops they can’t touch this
I don’t trust this when they try to rush I bust this
That’s the sound of my tool you say it ain’t cool
my mama didn’t raise no fool
And as long as I stay black I gotta stay strapped
& I never get to lay back
‘Cause I always got to worry ’bout the pay backs
some punk that I roughed up way back
comin’ back after all these years
rat-tat-tat-tat-tat that’s the way it is uhh

[Bridge 'til fade:]
Some things will never change

This is as good as it gets. 2Pac and Biggie. Need we say more?

Dope ass beat from an unreleased track made back in the day. I like Biggie’s line about running from the Police but worrying about an asthma attack and not being afraid.

This next one is also pretty good with East and West colliding:

This next one is great. Loving the pic:

A little something I just wrote in a spare amount of time cause that’s how I roll!

“Untitled”

by Derek Felix AKA D Flex

Check it Check it
1-2 3-4
It’s D Flex on the mike
Bangin’ down your door
Ya better take a hike
Cause I got mad skillz
In this kinda game
Giving ya’ll cheap thrills
So you’ll remember my name
I’m the one you gotta pay mind to
Cause I blow it up till I reach the top
Like Snoop said you got no clue of what I can do
When I’m kickin’ it play the sirens call the cops
Dial 911 cause you’re about to be run out of town
By the one and only D Flex representin’ NYC
So scream holler yell and make your frown
It won’t do no good when I go off on a spree
Cause I’m the one ya’ll best be worried about
Like 2Pac in Juice when I decide to busta cap
Your doomed and you know there’s no doubt
This is my game and my mind don’t fall into the trap
I turn it up a notch raising the roof
Like AI crossing over for a sick reverse
Get ‘em up out of their seats giving some proof
Knowing full well I’m the opposite of a curse
Cause Flex is a winner through and through
Who’s got the fire burning once again
And will go opposite field on ya like Rod Carew
I’m Gretzky, Bird, Magic and Lemieux rolled into one
Finishing ya off with my mad skills with one final promise
You’ll remember me when I’m really done

This is just a totally random edition. And the best aspect is each video has nothing to do with the other. One is actually highlights from England’s recent 5-1 win over Kazakhstan in soccer while the other is a classic retro 1980′s music selection which I’ve been in the mood for lately.

Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is” was once prominently featured in 2Pac’s “Changes.” Only one of my faves. And hey. It combined my all-time favorite rapper with one of my fave 80′s songs. The one I linked up actually combines both artist’s lyrics with the cool piano solo in the background. It actually sounds quite good.

As for the original track, It makes for a perfect combo because it actually works. And well, 2Pac always could make anything work. The great rappers often can.

Here’s Hornsby’s most popular song which can still be heard on the radio:

Bruce Hornsby: “The Way It Is”

I haven’t posted much about soccer since summer but I caught England’s win featured on YouTube and enjoyed watching the goals. God. Aren’t they so cool? Especially those headers setup off misdirection feeds. It so reminds me of a hockey goal where a player puts a slap pass in a spot for a cutting player to redirect in/deflect home.

I will always maintain that these two sports are very similar. Only differences are one’s played with a soccer ball on a field featuring two 45 minute halfs while the other’s played on ice with a stick and puck featuring three 20 minute periods. But you have offsides in both, penalties. Though soccer is usually even unless someone gets a red card. Hockey has power plays. Goalies have to be very good in both tho soccer netminders face a lot less shots on net but still need to cover more ground. And what about free kicks or corners? You don’t got that in hockey.

To me, they’re both similar emphasizing team oriented play, defense and unselfish passing. Global sports as well which are extremely popular in Europe. Though I doubt soccer is big in Canada.

And there’s also that common frustration where both along with tennis are disrespected here. And that’s even if tennis does get coverage for the four grand slams. It’s not on the same landscape as main sports like baseball, basketball and football.

So, here’s the cool highlights from England’s win with David Beckham getting in on the fun:

England vs Kazakhstan 5-1 Goal Highlights

love the team concept!