Don’t F*ck With Alex Ovechkin

About seven minutes into the third period Tuesday night and with the game pretty much decided, Bruins rookie defenseman Johnny Boychuk decided to introduce himself to Alex Ovechkin by knocking the two-time MVP onto the ice. The Boston fans, the ones who hadn’t left yet, stood and cheered. In the next 30 seconds, Ovechkin landed three hits of his own on Boychuk, eventually leaving the rookie laid out on the ice:

In more important news the Caps defeated the Bruins 4-1 for a franchise best 11th straight victory.

Source: D.C. Sports Bog

Goodie Mob (Reunion Tour) - Thu., Feb 11 @ The 9:30 Club

SOUTHERNPLAYALISTIC MUZAK IN YOUR EARHOLE - Their first show together in 10 years - With an opening set from B.o.B (aka Bobby Ray), THIS is Goodie Mob’s official reunion tour. Buy Tickets here.

Black History Minute: George Washington Carver

During the month of February, join Grand High as we recognize great moments in Black History. Today, Brother Shabazz K. Morton on George Washinton Carver:

Black History Minute: George Washington Carver from J. Christian Guerrero on Vimeo.

Capitol City Cipha Part 2 ROUND 1 (Acy, Mista Forty, Chuck Diesel, LikeBlood, Pstew )

Clipse - Freedom (Music Video)

Probably my favorite track off the album, speaks on all the record business bs and personal issues the Clipse have been through the last couple of years.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Gilbert Arenas may be gone but not forgotten. Wizard DeShawn Stevenson comes out during pregame warm-ups with the words ‘Agent’ and ‘Zero’ -Arenas’ nickname - written on tape above his shoes. “He’s still a part of the team, right?” Stevenson said. “He’s still part of the team, he’s my brother, so I’m going to stick to him through rough times. It’s like my little tribute.”

The Wizards removed all Arenas-related images and merchandise from the arena and edited him out of the pregame video after he was suspended indefinitely by the NBA on Wednesday. Arenas is under investigation for bringing guns to the Verizon Center and related incidents.

Source: CBS Sports

Sade - Soldier Of Love (Official Video)

“I only make records when I feel I have something to say. I’m not interested in releasing music just for the sake of selling something. Sade is not a brand.” - Sade on her 10 year hiatus

This morning, Amazon premiered the official video for “Soldier of Love”, the title track and lead single for Sade’s sixth studio album Solider Of Love. Soldier of Love will be out Tuesday, February 9 (pre-order it here).

Source: Okayplayer

DMV HIP HOP DAY PHOTO - NOV 1, 2009

A Beat in the Bloodline
A historic display of unity and success sheds light on new age for music in Washington, DC (photographer: Ajani Truth)

Influential hip-hop regions have understood that just because no one is looking doesn’t mean there isn’t something going on. Houston did it. Atlanta did it. Now in a new decade of the millenium, Washington, DC is making it happen.

For more than 20 years, rap music in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area has existed with very little acknowledgment from the media and from major labels. But with the constant development of artist coming from the district, it’s hard to deny the movement. And there is a picture to prove it.
Judah, one of the DMV’s most demanded producers, took the opportunity to capture the motion in which he has been able to participate for the last 10 years. On a rainy November 1st, in front of the legendary Lincoln Theatre stood the offspring of hip-hop born of the nation’s capital, waiting to stamp their moment in history. Nearly 200 artists, dancers, DJ’s and hip-hop tastemakers attended the historic photo shoot.

“The hip-hop scene in the DMV area is at an all-time high,” said Judah. “There is so much good music coming out and what better time to recognize it than now?”

Many may believe that Wale was the first to be signed to a major label from the DMV area, but there have been several who stood at the gates of national recognition, eating off of a hip-hop plate. Black Indian, whose presence graced the photo shoot, was one who had a deal with MCA in 1999 and released his debut album, “Get Em Psyched.” Also at the photo shoot was Section 8 Mob who had a great run in the 90’s with several EP’s released on Solar Records in ’94 and ’95 and their most recognized project “Guilty by Association,” which was released by Tommy Boy Records. What’s more astonishing than the careers of various emcees from this region is the endorsement from one artist to another. The hip-hop scene existed prior to the boom that ignited within the last decade; however, rappers didn’t have the blogs and other social media areas such as Facebook and Twitter to connect it to other facets of the DMV fashion and art culture. Now that the connection has been made, there is a resurgence of dynamic artwork and photographs with captivating videos, compelling other realms of colorful mediums to support their “local” artists. Ajani Truth, the photographer of the affair, keeps his business going by being one of the most requested photographers in the DC metro area with his work in fashion and music promotion.

“The growing hip-hop scene in the DMV has created an opportunity for more collaboration between rappers, models, singers, photographers, graphic designers, videographers, visual artists, clothing venues, writers and more,” said Truth. “Hip-hop is a major player in fashion and art in our society, so when a local hip-hop scene grows fashion and art will have to respond.”

DC is not new to the music industry AT ALL. Columbia Records (now Sony Records) formed at 709 G Street in NW DC in 1888. Duke Ellington made his mark in the early 1900’s. Marvin Gaye also got his start here. Chuck Brown, the god-father of go-go, originated the sound in 1976, dropping his first
national hit, “Busting Loose.”

“A lot of rappers sprung out of the go-go scene back in the day,” said Judah, as he remembers the sounds of the well-known band, the Northeast Groovers. “Go-Go was another outlet for artist to get their music out.”

This fresh year looks to acknowledge a new element as Judah is in the process of working with the city of Washington,DC to declare November 1st as DMV Hip-Hop day. This motion would turn a photographic memory into an event to be recognized and marked in the region’s musical history forever.

“No one can deny us,” said Judah. “DC, Maryland and Virginia have been here [hip-hop]…we’ll always be here.”

Source(s): For The DMV Only, Sasha Vann, EGO Marketing and Branding Constitute (sasha.vann@gmail.com)

NBA Suspends Arenas Indefinitely

Tired of the Gilbert’s act (see pic above) and the media frenzy surrounding this story, NBA Commisioner David Stren has told Gilbert Arenas to take his ball and go home (”Indefinitely”):

“The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a matter of the utmost concern to us. I initially thought it prudent to refrain from taking immediate action because of the pendency of a criminal investigation involving the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department, and the consideration of this matter by a grand jury sitting in the District of Columbia. For the same reason, I directed the Wizards to refrain from taking any action. Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA.”

After the suspension was announced, Arenas sent an apology, not via a tweet, but through a statement released by his lawyer:

“I feel very badly that my actions have caused the NBA to suspend me, but I understand why the league took this action, I put the NBA in a negative light and let down my teammates and our fans. I am very sorry for doing that. While I never intended any harm or disrespect to the NBA or anyone else, my gun possession at the Verizon Center and my attempts at humor showed terrible judgment, I take full responsibility for my conduct.”

Ovechkin Voted 14th Captain Of The Washington Capitals

Source: Alexovetjkin.blogspot.com