While everyone is excited about 50’s return to the hard core with his new album. (Cant front. The joint is MEAN. You NEED that), I’m excited about the goodies that go with it. Included with Before I Self Destruct are two movies. 50’s directorial debut, Before I Self Destruct, and a documentary about the legendary DJ of RUN DMC, Jam Master Jay.

50 has made crafted a media persona around the fact that he gives a raw uncut opinion about everything. So in the spirit of the movie’s star, I have to say that I fully expected that this movie was going to be the worst. When I saw that the rapper was not just taking on a movie role with Before I Self Destruct but becoming a film auteur by writing, starring and directing I was prepared for whole new level of bad.

But what I got was a surprisingly entertaining effort. Before I Self Destruct tells the story of Clarence (50 Cent), a high school dropout who becomes a ruthless street enforcer. Shot in HD BISD is a hood film to the next level. Like 50’s music there is a certain gallows humor that runs through the film which makes it entertaining. Not necessarily Oscar worthy but definitely a hood favorite in the making.

The second film is one that is a passion project in the truest sense. Boston born Filmmaker Stephon “Phonz” Watford started working with his cousin Jam Master Jay before he left high school. Being friends with his brother and in the music scene in Boston, I used to see him before his treks in and out of town. He used to come back from tour with JMJ with nuff stories to tell and new music. In fact my introduction to Onyx and 50 Cent’s music was through Phonz. He was a part of the legend’s inner circle. It wasnt just a job for Phonz. That was his family. So as you can imagine that the still unsolved murder touched him deeply. And once the pain subsided, he wanted answers.

He took that pain and turned it into the passion that created this film. He was relentless with this. This is a deeply personal documentary that traces the life and death of a Hip Hop legend. Because he worked so closely with Jay he was afforded a level of access to the key players like Rev Run and Russell Simmons that no journalist could ever have. Thats what separates this film from the average doc. The intensely personal approach as he searches for answers has you rooting for him on his quest.

You may get the new 50 for the music but the visuals that go with it make it a truly worthy purchase.

This is another new voice that’s starting to bubble out of the south. Remi makes it a little more radio friendly this time. This dude has some real tough joints. Definitely a cat I will be keeping an eye on. Shout out to Jim Nice and Blast Music Concepts

Remi -Do our Thang

For more Remi and Blast Music Concepts joints hit here

In support of her debut album Let The Truth Be Told, soul singer Laura Izibor hit the stage at Wednesday November 4 at Foxboro’s Showcase Live. The Irish born Izibor used her hour set to display real musicianship and soulful vocals in a stunning fashion. With a 4 piece band and herself on keys, she brought a smooth energy that made Showcase Live feel more like Wally’s Café. Less a belter than a Mary J Blige, Laura’s absolutely beautiful voice has a rich 60’s soul vibe to it. But don’t let the throwback feel of songs like “Shine” or “Mmm” fool you. She is very much a child of her generation. Coming from behind her keyboard she transformed her “From My Heart To Yours” into Mary’s “Real Love” seamlessly. The near sold out crowd in this intimate setting should count themselves as lucky. With performances and material like this it won’t be long before she is playing much bigger venues.

As the New York Post reported, shortly there will be a sociology class revolving around HBO’s hit television show The Wire.

‘THE Wire,” HBO’s gritty series about life in the Baltimore ghetto, is about to become a course at Harvard.

The announcement came at a panel discussion at the school featuring several of the show’s stars, according to the Harvard student newspaper, The Crimson.

The class will be taught by sociology professor William J. Wilson, one of the best-known African American history professors in the country, who has made no secret of the fact that he is a huge fan of the show.

“I do not hesitate to say that it has done more to enhance our understanding of the challenges of urban life and the problems of urban inequality, more than any other media event or scholarly publication,” Wilson told the audience before poking fun at himself, “including studies by social scientists.”

Sonja Sohn, who played Det. Kima Gregs, Andre Royo (Bubbles) and Michael Kenneth Williams (Omar Little) were on the panel talking about the show’s unusual impact.

The series ran for five seasons, starting in 2002. Each year, it took on a different aspect of urban life — from drugs to schools to the news media.

Harvard will be not the first college course on “The Wire.” Other students commented on The Crimson’s site that courses on the TV show already exist at Duke University and Middlebury College.

ThatsMajor editor G.Valentino Ball was at the first panel regarding the introduction of this course into Harvard’s overall offering of curriculum to the incoming student body, and has provided an exclusive glimpse into the panel discussion that transpired.

if you prefer youtube, you can view the footage at our YouTube Channel

If you don’t know who DJ Doo Wop is then you should just hit the X in the corner. Around here we respect greatness. And Doo Wop is just that; great. His tapes had two main hallmarks. He pushed the pitch up on all his records which automatically gave his mixes that extra energy. But what makes Doo Wop that dude is his intros. The Bouncemaster and his crew the Bounce Squad, came with the murder business with his freestyles. In fact his freestyles were better than some of the records on his tapes. Anyway he is touching down in the Bean thanks to the good people at Laced. Laced is one of the top lifestyle shops in Boston and I have a feeling this is just round one in their takeover. BIG TINGS a gwan in the Bean. Come through and buy me a drink or 3.

City Slickers (Mr. Moses, Capitol J, Tommy Tony) team up with Dre on the Clipse jawn and beat it up real quick. This is from their upcoming Hurry Up & Wait mixtape. Guess my Pollymore family decided to get back to their mic abusing ways. NIIICE!

CITY SLCIKERS feat. Dre Robinson - Kinda Like A Big Deal

“Back to show you how we do my town/Pick your Adogs up time to put the Nikes down”

New joint from the brother Dre Robinson featuring Amandi on the hook. He keeps it real Boston on this one with shout outs to local scene staples like DJ Chubby Chub & Termanology. Kinda tough! Actually real TOUGH. Production duties by The Nyce Guys. Dre told me that he has a couple of mixtapes in the clip so this is a little appetizer for the Fall/Winter. Enjoy.

Dre Robinson feat. Amandi - Let\'s Go (Clean)

“THIS IS WHAT THE F*&^ I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!”

The Kid Daytona teams up with Mick Boogie for one of the more creative mixtape ideas I have heard of in a while. All the tracks for this mixtape sampled “Nautilus” by Bob James. Classic! I rock with Daytona cuz he doesnt come off as a character. He is not trying to be “conscious brother”, “superthug” or “extra hipster”. He just rhymes fly. A lot of cats have style. Some have skill. He has both. And with Hip Hop how it is now, we need more of that. Enjoy.
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