Filed under: Images, NFL, Sports | Tags: Buccaneers, cheerleaders, orange, retro, slideshow, Tampa Bay
The NFL has been on a retro kick this year, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers even busted out their orange creamsicle jersey this past weekend, helping them win their 1st game of the season. Good for them for not duplicating last year’s 0-16 Detroit Lions but I think the real story from the game was the Bucs cheerleaders also rocking retro attire (Check out the 1976 cheerleaders here). I say the team should go orange permanently. What say you?
Filed under: Athletes F'ing Up, Comedy, Images, MLB, Sports | Tags: Michael Jackson, pale, Sammy Sosa, skin, vitiligo, white, woman
It looks like Sammy Sosa has taken the loss of Michael Jackson rougher than most.
He recently showed up at the Latin Grammy’s in Las Vegas looking about as creepy as possible. Slammin’ Sammy has brushed off the comparisons to MJ, Casper the Friendly Ghost and Powder, saying he is undergoing some beautification process to rejuvenate his skin after decades of sun damage.
Former Cubs employee Rebecca Polihronis, who speaks with SS regularly, said:
“He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin. Women have it all of the time. He was surprised he came out looking so white.”
I’m not up-to-date on female skin rejuvenation, but I have never seen anyone lose 70% of their pigment by using a moisturizer. Jesus, even his ears are white.
Keep an eye on Sammy in the coming months, let’s see if he goes back to black or continues his chemical attempt to join the white team.
And for those who wish to remember the old Sammy…
Filed under: Download, Hip-hop, Music | Tags: Black Thought, Download, free, Hip-hop, Jimmy Fallon, live, Questlove, The Roots
One of hip-hop’s most beloved live acts, The Roots, have been rocking shows around the world since the early ’90s. From huge music festivals to small clubs to grand concert halls to college campuses, The Roots have been stunning fans with one of the most robust live shows in music today. Anyone who has seen or heard them perform live can testify to this. They aren’t just a rap group from Philly or Jimmy Fallon’s house band. The Roots are one of the great bands of the last 20 years, and their reputation as amazing musicians and performers reinforces that claim.
While Rock music has been battling concert bootlegs for 40+ years, concert bootlegs haven’t been nearly as prevalent in the hip-hop community. A few bands have released live albums (like MF Doom’s “Live From Planet X“) and occasional soundboard recordings of live shows do float around the torrents and blogs, but not on nearly the same scale as Rock music. However, this apparent “rule” of hip-hop doesn’t apply to The Roots. They have TheRootsLive.com, the online source for free, high-quality concert bootlegs.
Go check out the site and get your download on. I would recommend any of the Montreux Jazz Festival recordings (their 2003 performance is available here). Or just search around and listen to a random concert. It is bound to be good.
TheRootsLive.com has over 40 full concerts for download, all good quality, all free. They also feature a great history of the band, which you can read here.
And as always, support artists that you love. Buy their albums, go to their shows, maybe even watch the awful Jimmy Fallon show sometimes, if only to watch hip-hop royalty rock the stage like no other.
Filed under: NBA, Sports, Television | Tags: back injury, Bill Walton, ESPN, Frank Caliendo, Grateful Dead, highlights, retirement
Today is truly a sad day for basketball fans, aspiring announcers, UCLA alumni, hippies, dead heads and red heads. Due to constant back issues that have required multiple surgeries, kept him from the broadcasting booth over the past couple seasons and generally cause him to walk like Frankenstein, Bill Walton has decided to retire from ESPN and broadcasting all together. Bill had this to say, in typical Bill Walton-speak:
“As I return after a grueling multi-year, life-threatening, life-changing ordeal with back problems, it is time to dedicate the rest of my life to service” (via Sports Business Daily)
I am a huge Bill Walton fan. His hyperbole and ability to compare basketball with renaissance art is unparalleled. You could always count on Bill to say something that would make you laugh, scratch your head or both, and no one can knock him for his unbelievable contribution to the game as one of the most prolific and skilled big men ever. Much like we did for John Madden upon his retirement, R&S has put together some of the best clips we could find featuring Big Red. Enjoy.
Frank Caliendo’s Bill Walton Impression
Bill Being Bill
Bill Walton vs. Will Ferrel
Bill Walton talking MJ, Bird and Trail Blazers with Bob Costas
Incredible Highlight Reel
Filed under: Download, Hip-hop, Music, NBA, Predictions, Sports | Tags: Blake Griffin, Kno, Kobe, Lakers, Lamar Odom, Lebron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, QN5, Raymone, tip-off
With opening tip-off just hours away, let’s celebrate the upcoming season with a hot new jam from the QN5 crew.
“This Year” features a sick beat from Kno, while Session and PackFM rock it over an accompanying montage of highlights from last season. I love the entire QN5 crew, and can’t wait to see Cunninlynguists in Bellingham, WA next month (Listen to their new single and pre-order their new album, Strange Journey Vol 2 here). But until then, let’s focus on some round ball. If you like the track, you can download it here.
R&S Predictions
MVP: Lebron Raymone James
Defensive Player: Dwight Howard
6th Man: Lamar Odom
ROY: Blake Griffin (even with the broken kneecap)
Finals: Lakers over Magic in 6 (again)
video via 2dopeboyz
Filed under: Fantasy Sports, Links, NBA, Sports | Tags: 2009-2010 season, Bill Simmons, follow, important, Mark Cuban, NBA, Ron Artest, Shaq, Social Media, Sports Guy, Top 20, Twitter
20. J.E. Skeets: @jeskeets
- Skeets runs the Yahoo Sports NBA blog Ball Don’t Lie, a great source of NBA stories and articles. Some hip-hop stuff on his Twitter too.
19. Stephon Marbury: @StarburyMarbury
- I know he doesn’t play in the League anymore, but this is worth it for the unintentional comedy alone. Seems like it is mostly responses to Starbury haters, but he drops some definite pearls of wisdom too.
18. Rick Kamla: @NBATVRick
- From NBA TV, Kamla delivers the passion for hoops, both real-life and fantasy. I rank him as the #1 source for fantasy basketball analysis.
17. Dwyane Wade: @dwadeofficial
- “Flash” is a perennial MVP candidate and a potential FA after the season. He updates regularly and it should be an interesting read as the the season progresses.
16. Henry Abbott: @TrueHoop
- Henry runs ESPN’s TrueHoop Blog and he is on top of everything related to the NBA. He is a Kobe hater and a Blazers homer, so be wary, but his daily NBA links are can’t miss.
15. Blake Griffin: @blakegriffin
- The consensus lock for ROY, the #1 pick will have a huge impact on the Clips. Follow Blake for the rookie perspective.
14. Kenny Smith: @TheJetOnTNT
- Would love to be able to say Charles Barkley was representing the TNT family on Twitter, but the Jet will have to do. Should be some good comedy on here during TNT broadcasts, and would love to hear him Tweet on Sir Charles wanting to be a GM.
13. Dwight Howard: @DwightHoward
- Superman 2.0 has over 1 million followers and has sent almost 7,000 tweets, showing that blocked shots and rebounds aren’t the only categories where he puts up huge numbers.
12. Marc Stein: @STEIN_LINE_HQ
Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash’s favourite reporter, Steiny-Mo offers insider info on the Mavs and all things NBA, as well as a little Manchester City soccer for those interested.
11. Chris Paul: @Oneandonlycp3
- The league’s best point guard and a Jordan Brand athlete. Two good reasons to follow him right there. Does some contests and updates regularly.
10. Baron Davis: @Baron_Davis
- B-Dizzle was looking good when I saw him in Vancouver for Nash’s charity soccer game, and all indications are that he is going to have a rebound year for the much-improved Clippers. He is also quite the character, so check his feed for random B Davis productions and general tomfoolery.
9. Chad Ford: @chadfordinsider
- ESPN NBA Mock Draft master dishes some good insider knowledge.
8. Lamar Odom: @RealLamarOdom
- Lamar might not have made this list a month ago, but with his new found popularity amongst the TMZ crowd, his feed should be a good source of gossip. He also has a bird’s eye view into the Lake Show and it will be interesting to see his tweets about old friend and new Laker Ron Artest.
7. Kevin Durant: @KevinDurant35
2009-10 has been anointed as the year of KD, so follow him now so you can see the rise of an NBA superstar through the prism that is Twitter. Too bad he plays for the Zombie Sonics. And if you haven’t watched “Sonicsgate”, please do yourself a favour and watch it for free here.
6. Daryl Morey: @dmorey
- Morey, or “Dork Elvis”, is the only NBA GM who has a Twitter account, and he is quite active on it. Worth following for the insider access to a team from an executive POV, and that doesn’t even consider the fact that DM is a stats guru who loves himself some bball metrics. For basketball nerds only.
5. Mark Cuban: @mcuban
- Pro sports most out-spoken owner is a Twitter fanatic, posting his thoughts on the Mavs, the NBA, HDNet, UFC and his blog. You never know what he is going to say next, and most of the time it is really thought-provoking stuff. Like him or not, his Twitter feed is one of the best out there.
4. Steve Nash: @the_real_nash
Captain Canada and 2-time MVP Steve Nash has quite a web presence, from his vids with Baron Davis and Vitamin Water, his movie production (ESPN 30 for 30) and his various philanthropic endeavors, he is everywhere. Well, you can get a concentrated dose of all things Nasty Nash from his Twitter feed.
3. Shaquille O’Neal: @THE_REAL_SHAQ
- The man who put Twitter on the map. Enough said.
2. Ron Artest: @96TruwarierQB
- The craziest man in the NBA also has one of the craziest Twitter feeds (go figure). He is on Twitter a lot, doing everything from sharing hip-hop tracks to announcing milkshake giveaways. I think he is on his 3rd Twitter profile by now, so make sure you keep up-to-date on the account he is currently using. But much like Ocho Cinco in the NFL, this is one athlete who everyone on Twitter should follow.
1. Bill Simmons: @sportsguy33
- Say what you want about his Boston bias but the Sports Guy is THE source for all things basketball. He drops knowledge like a broken bookshelf at the Library of Congress and his articles are always good for some laugh-out-loud moments. He’s been all over Twitter lately, so expect lots of couch-side and court-side tweets throughout the season. And go buy his new book.
UPDATE: For more insight into NBA players and Twitter, check out this amazingly detailed article on the most popular players/teams on Twitter. Stats a plenty.
Filed under: Hip-hop, Music | Tags: 7th, new, Rakim, Rakim Allah, sample, Seventh Seal, the greatest MC
The big year in hip hop releases continues with a couple more epic drops in November. We’ve already talked about the latest FELT project dropping November 17th, but that same day will also see the unveiling of the latest album from one of hip hops greatest and most influential MC’s… none other than Rakim. “The Seventh Seal” features production from several producers, including Nottz, Ty Fyffe, Jake One, and Nick Wiz, as well as guest appearances by New York emcees such as The L.O.X., Maino,Busta Rhymes, and his own daughter Destiny Griffin.
Listen to a sample of the album below. I’m not loving the production, would have preferred the original concept of The R teaming up with Dr. Dre, but new Rakim is still new Rakim.
via Okayplayer
Filed under: Clips, Hip-hop, Music | Tags: aesop rock, Felt, Get Cake, Murs, Rhymesayers, Slug
The new FELT project is eagerly anticipated at R&S, and Rhymesayers have released this latest video featuring the whole FELT 3 gang: Slug, Murs and Aesop Rock. A little look behind the scenes in Aesop’s adopted home of San Fran.
“Ninja turtles are to pizza what FELT is to Thai food” – drunken Murs
Album drops on November 17th.
Filed under: Video Games | Tags: Contra, Donkey Kong, Duck Hunt, mashup, Mortal Kombat, Pac Man, Sonic, Video Games
Amazing 30 second mashups of classic video games. What more can I say?
via Neatorama
Duck Hunt vs. Contra
Sonic vs. Pac Man
Filed under: Hip-hop, Music, Television | Tags: Bobby Digital, Colbert Report, RZA, Tao of Wu, Wu-Tang Clan
The RZA aka The Abbot aka the RZArecta aka Bobby Digital aka Prince Rakeem aka Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah was a guest on The Colbert Report this Thursday. He was pimping his new book, The Tao of Wu, which delves into the philosophies that motivated Robert Diggs to create one of the most influential and innovative hip-hop crews the world will ever see. Wu-tang, Wu-tang!
Filed under: Comedy, Hip-hop, Movies, Music, Nerds, Television | Tags: Eminem, Fantasy, Flight of the Conchords, Frodo, gangsta, Klenginem, Klingon, Lazy Sunday, Narnia, rap, Star Wars, WarCraft
Meet Klenginem, Klingon’s version of Eminem and King of all dorks. I don’t even know what to think right now. I knew that some Trekkie dorks out there spoke Klingon, just like Hobbit uber-fans are known to converse in Elvish. But Klingonese rappers? This takes the cake.
While Klenginem might be the worst musical monstrosity to come out of Germany since David Hasslehoff, it does give R&S a chance to reflect on some great Fantasy-themed raps, which are thankfully spat in English. Follow us as we get our nerd on.
Flight of the Conchords – “Frodo”
Lazy Sunday (Narnia Rap)
Star Wars Gangsta Rap
WarCraft: The Rap
We tried, but it looks like there are only 4 cool Fantasy-themed raps in existence. Know of some others? Hit us up in the comments.
Filed under: Boxing, Sports, Television | Tags: Andre Dirrell, Carl Froch, Don King, Evander Holyfield, Jermaine Taylor, Mike Tyson, Oprah, Showtime, The Rumble, World Boxing Classic
As many of you probably heard, Iron Mike was on Oprah earlier this week. He talked about all the things you’d expect Oprah to ask him about: Robin Givens, the tragic death of his infant daughter, his legal/personal struggles and chomping Evander Holyfield’s ear. I watched most of the interview, and thought Mike was looking/acting mighty fragile.
For a great recap of the Oprah interview, please read the thoughtful and extremely well-written post done up by Dave Larzelere over on The Rumble. Great stuff from a top-notch boxing blog. Read Dave’s article here.
One of the nuggets gleamed from Oprah’s interview was that Tyson and Holyfield haven’t really spoken since The Bite, and Mike admitted he was not truly sorry when he initially apologized right after the fight. Well, Oprah didn’t become the Queen of the World by letting opportunity pass her by, so she did what O does and now… this Friday… Tyson AND Holyfield will sit down with the Mighty O to talk ears, lost fortunes and more ears. Set those Tivo’s.
After getting emotional watching Oprah, all you boxing heads best be watching the Super Six this weekend. Carl Froch vs Andre Dirrell and Jermaine Taylor vs Arthur Abraham get the middleweight super tournament started Saturday on Showtime and it should be some great action. I really think this sort of tournament is the kind of stuff boxing needs to do more off. It increases the quality of the card (taking a page from the UFC’s book), highlights a strong division and puts six of the top middleweights into a fair battle for 168 lb supremacy. But Don King is getting paid off of it, so it’s not all good. Learn more about the Super Six here.
If you like the Tyson image above, check out Nick Gentry’s photostream on Flikr. Excellent stuff.
Filed under: Television | Tags: 2009, 80s, Captain Lou Albano, death, Public Service Announcement, R.I.P., wrestling, WWF
2009 has been a rough year. MJ, Billy Mays, Roc Raida, Farrah Fawcett, The Swayze Express, John Hughes, Les Paul, David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Dom DeLuise, Bea Arthur, Ricardo Montalban and now… “Captain” Lou Albano. Terrible. If “Mean” Gene Okerlund and Mister Fuji go to the “big squared-circle in the sky” before the year is out, I’m gonna lose it.
Used to love Lou Albano back in the day. I remember collecting my WWF Sticker Book and always getting Albano, and he was a key part of the Saturday morning ritual Rock ‘N Wrestling from back in the day. Because of him, one of my life goals is to have a goatee that’s long enough that I can put colored elastic bands in it. I think Drew Gooden has already checked it off his life goal list…
As a final tribute to Captain Lou, check out this hilarious PSA he did back in the day, when he was also known as Mario on the terrible Mario Bros. TV show. And always remember Cap’s words:
If you do drugs, go to hell before you die
Filed under: Comedy, Movies, NHL, Sports | Tags: black, Hockey, Mighty Ducks, Soul on Ice, Tracy Morgan, trailer, Willie O'Ree, Youngblood
I don’t have many details about the trailer above, all I know is that it looks like the best hockey movie since “Youngblood” (or maybe “Mighty Ducks 2“). I’ve watched this trailer about 5 times, and I think I laugh harder each time. I don’t know when this movie was made, when it comes out, if it’s real or any other details. But I do know its blend of social struggle, race issues and America’s 9th favourite sport is sure to make it a big hit.
Shouldn’t you be out dribbling the basketball… with your homies?
Hilarious stuff. The hockey scenes look less realistic than the football scenes in “Any Given Sunday“, the fights look like a reenactment of arcade favourite Final Fight and the soundtrack sounds as black as a Nickelback concert. Bottom line… this looks awesome.
They should have got Tracy Morgan to play the lead. Brother knows hockey.
Willie O’Ree must be so proud.
Thanks to Kutos for sharing such a gem with the world.
Filed under: Hip-hop, Music | Tags: Busta Rhymes, DJ, DMC champion, R.I.P., Roc Raida, turntablism, X-Ecutioners
Legendary DJ Roc Raida passed away suddenly this past weekend. He was a member of the X-Ecutioners and was a true pioneer in the DJ game, combining his deck skills with great showmanship to create a crowd-pleasing stage show that had won him legions of dedicated fans and allowed him to be crowned the 1995 DMC champion. Roc Raida was Busta Rhymes touring DJ and will probably be best rembered for his Harlem Globetrotters style of scratching… behind the back, under the leg, with the nose, you name it. He was 37.
R.I.P. Roc Raida.
Filed under: NBA, Sports | Tags: 2009, air jordan, Byron Russell, David Thompson, Hall of Fame, induction, Leroy Smith, Michael Jordan, MJ, speech
Much has been made of Michael Jordan’s Hall of Fame induction speech, which he delivered last Friday. Yahoo’s! Adrian Wojnarowski was deeply offended by it, long-time MJ believer Michael Wilbon loved it, and the talking heads have been calling it everything from “childish” to “refreshing and real”. Here’s my take:
Sure MJ called out some “little people” like Byron Russell and Leroy Smith (not this Leroy Smith, the real one) and a couple big ones like Jerry Krause and Isiah Thomas. It might not have been the most gracious induction speech of all-time. But it was probably one of the most authentic things His Airness has done since he became the world’s largest marketing juggernaut since the Marlboro Man. He talked of his “real” motivation, what pushed him to succeed, and how he fed off the most minuscule slights and off-handed comments to continue to motivate himself when he was already the greatest basketball player to ever lace ‘em up.
It was the rarest of looks into one of the world’s premier athletes. And he was far from ungrateful, making sure to thank the Robin to his Batman, Scottie Pippen, college coaching legend/mentor Dean Smith, his dedicated mother and his childhood idol, David “Skywalker” Thompson. So what if he forgot to thank long-time trainer Tim Grover, Doug Collins, Steve Kerr and Bennie the Bull? How many Oscar winners forget to mention the set director, their personal trainer, the movie-set intern who got their coffee or the hundreds of extras? It was MJ’s night, and he used it to be personal, forthcoming and honest. Good for him. He deserves all the accolades he has ever received, because the bottom line is he put in the uncountable hours practicing, he shouldered the media swarm during the Bulls glory days, he played with the flu against Utah, and he kept himself motivated when most would be content to count their $$ and keep lapping up the praise. He was the greatest because he pushed himself harder than any great athlete ever has. While many helped him along the way, it was always him who made the shot, willed his team to victory or motivated his teammates to play above their natural capabilities.
Some say his speech was a “disgrace” to the Hall, that it was uncalled for and demonstrative. But it was the truth… a truth corporate PR has constantly tried to smother for the majority of Michael’s time in the spotlight. Be thankful that during the crowning of his magnificent career, we got a glimpse of the man… and not the legend.
And plus, I believe him when he finished by saying he is coming back to play when he is 50. Would you really doubt him? Byron Russell did, and look where that got him.
Filed under: Hip-hop, Music | Tags: aka, beat, Lyric, Lyrical God, pens, rhyming, South Philly, Still I Ride
Lyric AKA Lyrical God is a youngen from South Philly who absolutely kills it with his mad penmanship. Seriously, I spent my fair share of time busting out pen tricks in high school and I couldn’t hold a flame to his pen control. The beat is really good, and extra credit is given for his creativity. And don’t forget he’s spitting a rhyme while bouncing pens at Flash speeds. Wait till he evolves and starts pounding scissors, No. 5 pencils and uhu glue sticks… his classroom will never be the same.
Props to C-Unit for the link.
Filed under: Movies, NBA, Sports | Tags: Clay Bennett, David Stern, Howard Schultz, Oklahoma City, relocation, Seattle, Shawn Kemp, Sonicsgate, Supersonics, Thunder
I’ve been reading a lot lately about how the Oklahoma City Thunder are the NBA’s most talented young team and how Kevin Durant is the sport’s next superstar and to be frank, it’s really pissing me off. Why, you ask? Because I live in the Pacific Northwest.
I live in Vancouver, BC, and the loss of the Grizzlies still stings my soul. While the team was God awful and suffered from some of the poorest management in modern NBA history, it really sucks that a global, basketball-loving city like Vancouver got a sweet taste of the NBA nectar, only to lose it to the thriving metropolis of Memphis, Tennessee. But I was able to treat my NBA withdrawal with a 3-hour drive from Lotus Land to the Emerald City.
Like all good things, my NBA pilgrimages came to an end. In 2008, the Seattle SuperSonics suffered the same fate as the Grizz, and there is now a hole in the heart of the Pacific Northwest that all the NBA exhibition games and Steve Nash charity soccer matches in the world could never fill.
Well, the sad story of Seattle’s loss has been chronicled in a new documentary titled Sonicsgate. It chronicles the myriad of circumstances, characters and calamities that led to the demise of a 41-year-old basketball tradition that only lingers in fading memories. With a soundtrack featuring some of Seattle’s best acts (Saturday Knights, Blue Scholars and Jake One) and interviews with those closest to the entire ordeal, Sonicsgate delves into the dirty truth behind one of David Stern’s biggest regrets as NBA supreme ruler commissioner.
The movie will premier on the web October 12. Should be required viewing for anyone who is a fan of the NBA, sports business and the Pacific Northwest. And for fans of the Indiana Pacers or Sacramento Kings, it could be foreshadowing the fate of your NBA team.
To help lighten the mood, enjoy a little Shawn Kemp action.
Filed under: Clips, Hip-hop, Music | Tags: Ant, Brother Ali, Fresh Air, Rhymesayers, tour, Us
Dynamite new track from my boy Brother Ali. His new album, entitled “Us”, drops September 22nd and you can get your pre-order on here.
Ant laces the production and Chuck D even makes an appearance. Can’t wait to hear those two on the same track.
Look for Ali and Evidence in a town near you on the “Fresh Air Tour“.
Filed under: Comedy, NBA, NFL, Sports | Tags: Allen Iverson, Crown their ass, funny, I'm 40, I'm a man, Jim Mora, Playoffs, practice, press conference, They are who we thought they were
I know both of these soundbites have been around the block, but with AI still without a team and a new NFL season about to fire up, I thought it was fitting to revisit the two greatest sports press conferences of the past decade. With all due respect to Dennis Green and Mike Gundy of course.
Filed under: Sick Highlights, Sports | Tags: biking, Danny MacAskill, freestyle, insane, tricks
Saw this on Hot Clicks this morning, absolutely blew my mind. Makes me feel like a tool for hopping curbs on my bike. This guy is the truth.
Filed under: Comedy, Download, Hip-hop, Kicks, Music, NBA, Sports, Videos | Tags: Andre Iguodala, DJ Quik, Hyperize, Hyperizers, Kevin Durant, Mo Williams, music videos, Nike, Rashard Lewis
Nike is the king of marketing and promoting, especially when it comes to basketball. From Air Jordan to the Fun Police, they are always doing something to build a groundswell of interest in their latest kicks. This time, they harnessed the vibe of the early ’90s West Coast with the new “Hyperizers” music video to promote the Nike Hyperize.
Featuring Mo Williams, Kevin Durant, Rashard Lewis and Andre Iguodala and with a beat crafted by none other than DJ Quik (who makes a cameo in the video), the Hyperizers show that they are smooth both on and off the court. Honestly, if it was 1993 and this song came on the radio, I probably would have gone down to HMV and picked up the CD. This track is bangin’ and is hilarious to boot.
Check out more from the Hyperizers on their official site, where you can download the track, ringtones, wallpapers and all that jazz.
