Popcorn Playas

Blackout 2 scheduled to drop April 28th? That's what the latest news is...and really, that's a team-up I can always enjoy. Rarely will I skip over a Meth and/or Red track. Muddy Waters could very well be my favorite late-90s diamond-in-the-rough type album. This dynamic duo's first outing, "How High" from the soundtrack to The Show, is probably the only reason I kept the album, not to mention the driving force behind it's heavy rotation many a Saturday night in my formative high school years. Weiss has a some linkage to their new track, "City Lights," which really just makes me want to pack a bowl and hit the streets. Immature? Yes, but I'm harkening back to my teenage self. Check out Meth & Red, dressed as Beavis & Butthead. High-larious.

Funniest Thing I've Seen in a Long Time

and...



Sheer Brilliance.

Brand Loyalty

According to hiphopDX, Kid Cudi was tasered and arrested at the NBA All-Star Weekend event in Cleveland. Early word is Cudi was scheduled to perform at a party hosted by Reebok, and a fight broke out because Cudi wanted to wear his Air Jordans, threatening to stomp a Nike swoosh all over Reebok's stage. Obviously, this disagreement was worth a fight erupting between Cudi's crew and promoters.

If I were Nike, I'd be all over this promotion. Cudi took 20,000 volts in support of brand loyalty.

Please proceed in "don't tase me bro" jokes.

It Was All a Dream

So, a couple weeks ago, the biopic "Notorious" hit theaters. Mixed reviews abound, I haven't seen it yet (don't get to most movies until it's DVD time) but intend to, mostly because I find the story incredibly fascinating. People Magazine recently revisited it, with interviews with Momma Smalls and NYPD's Derrick Parker. It's worth a skim, but I'm more partial to an in-depth story done in an early millenium issue of Rolling Stone by Randall Sullivan. The story begins with a so-unbelievable-it-can't-be-real shootout between two LAPD cops, Frank Lyga and Kevin Gaines, and continues through the eyes of lead investigator Russell Poole, who eventually worked on and was shut out from both the Biggie and Tupac murders. The Notorious B.I.G story was optioned for a film not too long after this surfaced in 01, and I always envisioned the movie being told from this aspect. From what I've read it's not, which I'm sure is largely due to Puff Doodle Cheez's influence in the producer role. Either way, the 12 year anniversary of this tragic loss to hip-hop approaches us in early March.

Elsewhere, Lil Wayne leaked the first track from his upcoming rock album. I'm always up for some new Weezy, and I haven't made up my mind about this, but I'm sure once pop radio gets the refined album cut, it'll have the girls rockin out of their hopples. Listen for yourself.

Cover

It's said that The Roots are retiring from the road to be the backing band on "Late Night" when Conan gives up the seat to Jimmy Fallon. I'm not sure why Jimmy Fallon has to be involved in this...I guess "Late Night" is switching to a more impression-based format. Maybe they'll have a tribute to Rich Little on every night. So, barring any future bus accidents, if you get a chance, catch ?uestlove, Black Thought, Tuba Gooding Jr, and the rest of the P5D when you can. I've seen them twice, and they put on an all out jamfest. Plus, you might get treated to a rarity like this:



Cee-Lo should cover everything. I want an album of him, ?uestlove, and Jack White belting out covers.