I’m pretty exhausted but then again, whose fault is that? I’ll get my rest and watch some U.S. Open tennis and maybe even check on this girl’s soccer game on the net. I kinda promised to follow how she does and well, I did do a special interview feature a few months ago which came out pretty fly if I may say so!

Anyway, I didn’t feel like blogging about the dreadful losses by either New York baseball team yesterday as it pretty much spoke for itself. Hey. At least one team has heart even if it’s not the one I’m crazy about. Ahh.

So, I felt more like linking up a cool more current video which I like and well the song rocks even if it’s Usher. He’s one of the few R&B homeys I can tolerate along with Chris Brown and “Rated” R. Kelly. :rofl: God. That’s so evil! Hahahaha.

Okay. Well, even for a dude like myself, it’s not too hard to admit that Usher’s got talent and is a genius who continues to churn out hit after hit. “Love In This Club” is just the latest hot track from the talented solo artists who the ladies probably scream the most about. You know what I’m talkin’ about here? So don’t deny it!

It’s been played all over the radio on Hot 97 and 105.1…And why not? It’s got IT! That special vibe which draws ya in. I can still hear it blaring over the loudspeakers at the Athletic Center in Park Slope.

“man i love dis song.”

With comments like that on YouTube, what’s not to like?!?!?!?!?!

Anyway, enough chatter. Here’s the latest Usher masterpiece:

Usher fea. Young Jeezy: “Love In This Club”

love the video too as he’s daydreaming and suddenly the club springs to life. pure genius.

I have had this cool throwback remix video of sorts for a while on my list of faves. However, I never got around to posting it until today. It’s one of those classic oldschool mixes which would annihilate anything today on the rap/hip hop scene. No disrespect.

When you have the late great Eazy-E and 2Pac on any track, it shoots right up to the top automatically. Plus Ice Cube, who teamed with Eazy in NWA is on this making it a classic Compton West coast phenomenon.

If you like oldschool with classic beats and vintage lyrics from some of the greatest rappers on the scene, then this is for you. Either way, I suggest ya’ll check it out:

Eazy-E fea. 2Pac, Ice Cube: “Real Thugs”

the way this is done is great. they really did a sound job with the edits capturing the best of Pac and Eazy from epic videos. Classic scene!

I was up late for some reason. And well, I don’t plan on getting up too late today. However, I felt like adding a video I like from R&B singer Chris Brown. This song was pretty hot back in the Spring when I was scoring basketball games in Park Slope.

And for at least myself anyway, I think “With You” is his most complete song to date. It just is very very good and well sung. Such emotion in it and the video’s top notch which doesn’t hurt one bit.

I feel it’s a very uplifting track and worthy of an HB feature. I wouldn’t say I’m a big R&B guy but this is one of those songs which draws you in from the words to the cool beat. It just feels pretty special for some reason. I can’t quite put a finger on why.

Anyway, here it is:

Chris Brown: “With You”

i like the way this is shot on with him walking the street and dancing. Funky hoodie. the bus at the beginning is pretty cool and how they shoot it in fast motion works throughout.

Other than this dope video, one random thought. Michael Phelps is incredible. We’ll have much more later on his record-tying seventh gold in Beijing.

Mariah Carey's looking as fine as ever these days still putting out big hits.

Okay. I’ll admit that Mariah Carey is ridiculously hot and talented. Her latest is just too hot not to link up. What I want to know is what she’s been doing over the past decade cause she sure looks damn good for 38.

Granted. She’s a rich pop star and can get anything she wants. But god. Who the heck cares?!?!?!?!?!?!

Anyway, her new hit single, “Touch My Body” is excellent and has been played a bunch on the radio. Here it is:

Mariah Carey: “Touch My Body”

as usual, the songstress looks off the charts in any sexy outfit she has on with the emphasis on the final word cause it may as well not be. cute, comical video too with that computer repair nerd daydreaming. now, who hasn’t?

When the Staten Island Yankees first came here 10 years ago, they played their home games on the College of Staten Island campus better know as CSI to people out here in Shaolin, NYC.

I can still remember it like it was yesterday when then MTV’s own Tom Green decided to visit a ballgame and play one of his unpredictable pranks by doing his own version of PA announcing in a game between the home club and the Expos Low-A affiliate. To say the zany Canadian comedian took it to a whole new level would be understating it a bit.

His announcing got so loud that it distracted players from both sides. He was even tossing in some play-by-play which eventually got him the heave ho from the plate umpire. There aren’t many workers left these days but current Community Relations VP John Davison is still there and was in view on the infamous episode escorting him out of the press box.

It’s still one of the more memorable skits from his show and of course one of my personal faves. If you haven’t yet, see it for yourself now:

Tom Green PA Announces at SI Yankee Game
It still cracks me up till this day.

Today’s edition features one of my fave tracks from the new Lil Wayne Tha Carter III album appropriately entitled, “Mr. Carter” featuring Jay Z where the 25 year-old rap star fires back at his cynics with some cool lyrics and also with Brooklyn’s own Jay Z which always helps.

It’s been played over and over on Hot 97 and for good reason as it’s just the bomb. The beat and words are kicking. I never really was into Weezy but he’s pretty good. That rant near the conclusion where he says, “Hector Camacho Macho Man Randy Savage far from average,” is pretty deadly.

Lil Wayne fea Jay Z: “Mr. Carter“-song with cover

Lil Wayne fea Jay Z: “Mr. Carter“- official video

love the end too with the kids singing as a chorus in the background. pretty cool stuff.

Lil Wayne fea Jay Z: “Tha Carter 3-Alternate“

I kind of felt like linking up some Mobb Deep videos. I’ve been listening to their old stuff lately blasting it in the car from the classic The Infamous. I swear it’s one of the tightest hip hop albums. Period. Everyone song is dope. You can FEEL it. Every word is coming in loud and strong right at ya.

Anyway, let’s roll it up and look at some of their best stuff:

Mobb Deep: “Quiet Storm“-original track

how in the world could this be under related while the remix featuring Lil’ Kim isn’t?!?!?!?!?! Unlike most, I don’t hate the remix but the original is just better and where it’s at!

Mobb Deep: “Got It Twisted”

i love the beat in this but it’s nothing like their old stuff. just not enough words going on. if this were done back in the day, this could’ve been so much better.

Mobb Deep: “Survival of the Fittest”

now this right here is from The Infamous and is the real deal. everyone always talks about Shook Ones I and notoriously II which is off the hook but this is a classic in your face track which comes at you with words and action in the video itself. it’s hardcore!

Mobb Deep fea. Nas: “It’s Mine”

another winner off the 1999 Murdah Muzik featuring the one and only Nas. how could you go wrong with that killer combo? the video’s shot great and is super hot.

Mobb Deep: “Hoodlum”

this is a little different but with a cool beat and awesome throwback Godfather scene befitting of the track. it’s also coming from the heart. what’s not to like?

Mobb Deep: “Shook Ones II”

the best ever track from Infamous featuring the second part of the one and only Shook Ones. One of the best rap songs ever made.

I’m only 19 but my mind is old

And when the things get for real my warm heart turns cold

Mobb Deep: “Shook Ones I”

the original debuted in 1994 a year following their debut album Juvenile Hell. i got to agree with what one YouTube user said referring to the beat and the song as “like a shotgun through your speakers.” talk about a heavy beat and delivery. this is the one we never hear but just mesmerizes you. if you like hardcore rap from the inner city streets, then this is your deal. it’s just dope. i have always loved II but there’s something about the original which just registers making you go, ‘Wow.’ teenage geniuses.

Mobb Deep: “Hell On Earth (Front Lines)”

from the self-titled 1996 album coming straight at ya from the streets with that epic Infamous feel from dynamic duo Havoc and Prodigy telling it like it is.

Mobb Deep: “Street Life”

a classic track about survival of the streets with a killer beat and lyrics to go with it.

Mobb Deep: “We Up”

it’s from their 2004 album Amerikaz Nightmare and has that old feel to it which made them so special.

Hot 97′s Peter Rosenberg interviews Prodigy (before he goes back to jail earlier this year)

worth watching as he asks Prodigy about how he and Havoc met and got started in the industry and how they rose to fame. he credits Q-Tip for their early success as he listened to it and gave them instant feedback. interesting to note too that celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan and Mariah Carey are all huge Mobb Deep fans. most interesting were Prodigy’s political views on the upcoming election. i really respect what he said. a great interview.

I’m going to try to put up some more later. Hope you enjoyed this special video feature.

edit: any Mobb Deep video review would be incomplete without this next track from Juvenile Hell. Their first ever single.

Mobb Deep: “Peer Pressure”

they look so young in it, it’s scary. the scene and song is about the peer pressure of the urban ghetto with the lyrics taking on a very strong meaning and sending a powerful message. a classic.

Today, I just felt in a mood to go with a throwback from one of my fave rappers LL Cool J. Sure. He’s making a comeback but come on. There will never be anything like his classic stuff when he first came on the hip hop scene taking it by storm as a high school dropout.

One of my personal favorites is “Mama Said Knock You Out” as the lyrics and beat are freaking kicking. I remember when he performed it on MTV’s Unplugged and he just rocked the mic and owned the stage.

I will say that his Mr. Smith album a decade ago was pretty dope featuring hits such as “Hey Lover” and “Doin’ It.” Those were hot videos too with smoking chicks. Aren’t all rap videos like the best when it comes to that? Sure. There have been some hot chicks in rock videos too but rap is where it’s at.

Anyway, I’ve always dug the LL jam, “I Need Love.” It’s sung at a slower more deliberate pace so he could get his message of love out there. But most of all, the video’s great and 100 times better than the radio version just for the scenes they have of the rapper coming out getting the “Oohhs and Ahhss” from every hottie outside mobbing him as he went to his car.

Did they holla much? Who wouldn’t want to be a star rapper with that kind of fanfare? Sure. There’s lots of pressure to stay on top of your game and it’s plenty more demanding than our average existences. But still. From the outside glass, I think it’s worth it. Still, considering their hectic schedules, it’s no wonder quite a few turn to alcohol and drugs with some even burning out.

In any event, here’s the cool video which still rates as one of LL’s best:

LL Cool J: “I Need Love“

Today’s video features a Spanish band inspired by the Telemundo hit show Rebelde. Even though I could hardly comprehend what was said in this show which believe it or not I did watch from time to time a few years ago, the acting was very good.

What became abundantly clear was how gifted the stars were when it came to singing songs during the sitcom about their elite private school and the shady goings on. This show had your usual drama and kind of reminded me of a better version of 90210. No. Not the cheesy one which is coming out this Fall. Good god. How could they actually consider doing another one?

In any event, when Rebelde finally ended, the stars stuck together and formed a very popular group RBD. In four years together, this Mexican pop group has already sold more than 11 million albums. It consists of six people including the ridiculously hot Dulce Maria Espinoza Savinon. All the chicks in the show were pretty but the stunning 22 year-old redhead is a cut above. She’s an extremely talented actress who’s also written poems and a book and written songs for the group. She’ll be filming a movie this summer.

The band also contains beautiful blonde Anahi Giovanna Puente Portilla, who is a very good singer from Mexico City. Maite Perroni Beorlegui also starred in Rebelde debuting and is engaged to a producer. The male trio consists of Alfonso Herrera Rodriguez, Jorge Christian Chavez and Christopher Uckermann, who is currently working on a book.

Together, their music has become huge in Latin America. I’m not big into pop as I’m more into rap, alternative and classic rock and some metal. However, their stuff is very good and dwarfs most of the pop played on the radio here. It just works.

Here’s their Rebelde video:

RBD: “Rebelde”

 

Why did I go off the radar and choose this? Because Spanish music is different. I like to watch mun2 and sometimes Spanish rap videos are great. It just has a very good sound which works.

Tonight, I just felt like something different before I retire. Man. At a normal time too. Wow. It’s just nice to be able to chill out after a fun day of working out and blogging.

Damn right I feel good. It’s amazing how much getting in shape helps. I’m so glad I was able to get in this week. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get in tonight for a brief session too before the SI game. We’ll see.

Anyway, I just felt like linking up one of my fave U2 songs, “One.” I really like this song and the words have such meaning and backbone behind them. I’m all about that.

For some reason, this song focuses me. So I think it’s fairly appropriate given how I’m feeling.

One from the greatest Irish rock band and one of my favorites:

U2: “One”

Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without

Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head