History Making Hov

It's been about three months since Noel Gallager, lead singer of the band Oasis, said, "I'm not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It's wrong." This was Gallager's reaction to the announcement of Jay-Z being announced as one of the performers at the Glastonbury Festival in England.

On a stage usually reserved for rock bands like Oasis, Jay-Z was the first rap act to ever perform at Glastonbury. In addition, he was the headliner, performing on the final day of the festival.

From the reviews I've read, Mr. Carter shut it down. Every person in the audience knew every lyric to every song. One fan, who experienced the festival for the first time, called Hov's performance, "brilliant."

Check out the video to watch Jay open the show performing Oasis', Wonderwall.


-Ant

The Crack Report

The Crack Report: A weekly report on any & everything that I think is dope. Let me know if you agree.


New York Exclusive Billionaire Boys Club New Era Cap (only sold in the NYC store)


Louis Vuitton - Elan Damier Canvas Sneaker Boot


2008 Marc Jacobs 186 Sunglasses


-MiKe

So You Want To Be A Millionaire?

I know I am not the only one out here that aspires to be a millionaire. Not just because I want to be comfortable and not worry about where my next meal is coming from, but most importantly, because I know all the ideas and projects that I have in the works are worth millions. Well, for everyone else out there who has the same goal, CNN.com has given us some inspiration. Last week CNN reported that the number of people around the world with 1 million or more in assets has reached 10 million people! "The combined wealth of the globe's millionaires grew to nearly $41 trillion last year, an increase of 9 percent from a year before, said Merrill Lynch & Co. and consulting firm Capgemini Group." The article also noted that the growth of wealth is outpacing the growth of the population and that 1 out of every 3 millionaires lives in America. All this report tells me is that it is time to get on my grind even harder, because there is money out there and I want my piece of the pie.

-MiKe

Warren?? Really?

"...one of the most recognizable voices in gospel music, ladies and gentleman, Warren Sapp????" ~D.L. Hughley

I watched about 15 seconds of the BET Awards but in that time, I got to hear D.L. Hughley introduce Warren Sapp to sing a gospel song. Don't know where his head was at, but he meant to introduce Marvin Sapp (above pic). D.L. Later apologized to Marvin, but the damage was done. BET's coonery lives on.

I'm back on my strike.

-Ant

Baby Boom

Tomorrow's future is looking more bleak as the days pass. At Gloucester High School, there is a student body of approximately 1,200 students. Of those 1,200 students, 17 of them were pregnant as of summer vacation. This is an alarming number for any school, let alone a small high school in Massachusetts. Even more alarming is that half of those girls, none older than 16, confessed that they made a pact to get pregnant!! That's right they did this on purpose. One girl even admitted that the man who got her pregnant, is a 24 year old homeless guy.

As overwhelming as 17 pregnant students in one school sounds, the number could have been larger. Girls flocked into the school clinic to get pregnancy tests starting back in October of last year; some even came back multiple times throughout the school year. The ones who found out they were not pregnant, seemed upset. However the ones who found out they were, took it as good news and some even high-fived and started planning on baby showers.

The saddest part of this story is the motive behind these illogical actions. One student, who had her baby four years ago as a freshman, says that she thinks the girls involved in the pact are looking for love and companionship. They are all friends who plan on being pregnant and raising their babies together. They want to help each other out and have someone to "love them unconditionally."

Have high school relationships become this emotionally devastating? Do we live in such an elitist society, that it takes a pregnancy pact for a group of girls to feel like they belong? What does it say about parenting, when your child feels so unloved, that she thinks a baby will give her the love she needs to be happy?

These girls don't realize that a child will not cure their feelings of emptiness and isolation. They needed to develop stronger relationships with their parents and their families. Having a child is not an accomplishment, it is a responsibility. These girls have already proven to be irresponsible, and if they keep it up as parents, 16 years from now we could be reading another story just like this one.

-Ant

For My Detroiters...

I started thinking about back in the day when, every year a bunch of us would go downtown Detroit on a warm night in late June. All the finest women would be down there acting more stuck up than ever. Their hair would start out freshly done at the beginning of the night, and then it was sweated out by the time things were over. All the dudes would be downtown too; some with real Cartier glasses, most with the fake ones. Every guy would try to look smooth to the ladies, but try to mug all the other dudes. Nevertheless it was always a good time

It was a reunion of sorts. About a month or so out of school, you got to see folks you probably wouldn’t see again until August. You got a chance to get on that girl you liked in school, because apparently you were cuter or had more swag than you did all school year. Here was your chance to show off what you bought with that summer job money. This was your opportunity to drive an older, more wealthy, family members' car or truck (with the risk of getting it broken into), and stunt like it was yours (but no one ever saw you in it again when school started back up).

Hell it was even a chance to get some exercise in, because you were guaranteed to run a few blocks when a fight broke out. The last time I went, I cut the back of both my ankles running from a stampede, hopping over a fallen bicyclist and dodging a cop all while wearing a pair of Mauri’s (gator dress shoes and sneakers for you out of towners). My friend got her Carties snatched while thinking she was too cute to speak to anybody. A dude who lived down the street from me punched a girl who started abrasively clowning his gear when he asked her how she was doing. From the late great Coleman Young, to a faithful Kwame, Anita Baker and Tommy Hearns, everybody who was anybody could be spotted there.

These were the times. So I ask you...who’s going to the Fireworks????

-Ant

Art Spotlight: Demont Peekaso

I had the opportunity to check out the "Art Of Love" tour on Friday starring Raheem Devaugh & Chrisette Michelle. Aside from being an incredible show with great performances from Raheem and Chrisette, the show provided an introduction to the incredible art work of acclaimed artist Demont Peekaso. Demont paints on canvas during every Raheem Devaughn performance. His work has been featured on various sites and he even designs artistic clothing for celebrities such as Jay-Z and Patti LaBelle.The picture above is actually a portrait of "Art Of Love" tour opener, Solange Knowles' son, Juelz. Check out Demont's incredible work at www.demontpeekaso.com.



-MiKe

Obama / Clinton - Is This "The" Ticket?

CNN.com reported on Friday (6/20) that Democratic Presidental Nominee, Barack Obama and his former competitor, Hillary Clinton, will be hitting the campaign trail together this week for the first time. Now I know Clinton said she was willing to do whatever it takes to get her supporters on board with Obama, but this looks like this maybe the early signs of an Obama / Clinton ticket. In my opinion, this could be an incredible union and a smart move for Hillary. I personally feel that the U.S. isn't ready for a female President, there is still too much sexist political rhetoric and it will take some more time before those walls are broken down. But, stepping into the role of VP could open those doors.

What do y'all think?

Is this the ticket?

Do you think this is a step backwards for Hillary?

- MiKe

"Dope or Nope" : Musiq - Radio

A new Musiq Soulchild record, "Radio", has surfaced and it very different from the neo-soul style that we have come to know and expect from Musiq. Let me know if you think this is Dope or a Nope!



-MiKe

To All The Dad's In the World

Good dad's are hard to find and we're lucky enough to know a couple. For all the father's out there Ant and Mike are wishing you a great day.

"Not Guilty But I'm Filthy..."

So the Porn King of R&B got acquitted of all charges in the child pornography case. Personally I'm not surprised one bit. Back in 2002 when they dropped all his charges in Florida, I felt like the Chicago charges wouldn't hold up. There are so many technicalities when you're prosecuting someone, and based on a grainy video and some so so character witnesses, there was too much room left for reasonable doubt.

I will say R. got away with one though, because nobody on this planet can tell me that he wasn't on that tape. We can sit this one right up there with the O.J. case as one the system got wrong (hell even O.J. wasn't on video). Maybe now that he isn't trying to rush and do music before he goes to jail, he can take his time and make a good cd.

-Ant

He's Baaaaack...

The Ant & Mike Show favorite, Ryan Leslie, has posted a new video blog. In this clip, Ryan showcases the process of laying down a melody - without having written the song yet. Check out his next hit, before it even has a name. LOL.



-MiKe

Unfair Race

Anybody that watches NASCAR has probably never heard of Mauricia Grant; probably because she doesn't compete in the races. Until 2007 she was just a technical inspector for NASCAR. Why is she important? On Tuesday she filed a $225 million lawsuit against the racing giant. Her claims include racial discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliatory termination (she got fired for complaining).

In her suit she claims she was often referred to as "Queen Sheba" "Nappy Headed Mo" and "Ho-Mo." Grant says that she was often told that she worked on "colored people time," and that some co-workers repeatedly referenced the Ku Klux Klan around her. In addition to her claims of racial discrimination, she also alleges that some of her male co-workers made sexual advances toward her and even exposed themselves to her. In 2006, Grant says one of her co-workers showed her some loose diamonds and rubies and offered them to her if she would be his mistress.

The only question mark that comes up in her suit is that Nascar officials say she never reported any of these incidences, which occurred between January 2005 and October 2007. However, Grant says she reported her complaints through the chain of command instead of human resources, because she thought the director of her department would address her problems. Two weeks after reporting to the director, human resources gave her a call and let her know she'd been fired.

Of the 17 people named in the lawsuit, two have already resigned. Both of them said that Grant's claims had nothing to do with it. It seems unrealistic to think that this day and age someone would put up with this kind of treatment for two years before they reported it. I'm not saying I don't believe her, but I am saying she better be ready to prove it. If you sue somebody for $225 million of them thangs, and they actually have it to lose, that means they have more than enough to try their best to make you look bad in court. Hope she's ready to race with the big boys.

-Ant

"Aint No Love In The Heart Of The City"

Now I know that a lot of people in Detroit are mad at our irresponsible mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, but this one hurt! Take a look at the response Kwame got last week when he spoke at the Red Wings championship parade. It was also reported that when Kwame was standing next to one of the River Boat's shaking hands, someone screamed out, "don't shake his hand." Kwame then replied with, "I wish you were down here." I guess Kwame was gone bust his head.

Where's Christine Beatty when you need a shoulder to lean on?

-Ant

Take A Bow

Hill,

You get my props for stepping aside with class and the realization that the Democratic party has to unite. Who knows - You just might end up as our VP !?!?

-MiKe

Diddy's A Barack Fan

-Ant

Apple Celebrates Black Music Month

Apple is sponsoring special performances at Apple retail stores to recognize BMM. A variety of recording artists will be involved across the country. Be sure to check a performance out when it comes to your city.





Apple Store, SoHo
6/1, 3:00 p.m., Tiffany Evans
6/9, 7:00 p.m., Wyclef Jean
6/13, 7:00 p.m., Mike Phillips
6/20, 7:00 p.m., Vaughn Anthony
6/26, 7:00 p.m., Talib Kweli

Apple Store, San Francisco
6/19, 7:00 p.m., Goapele
6/26, 7:00 p.m., Mistah F.A.B.
6/30, 7:00 p.m., E-40

Apple Store, Lenox Square
6/15, 3:00 p.m., Mike Phillips
6/16, 7:00 p.m., B.o.b.
6/23, 7:00 p.m., Pastor Troy/Killer Mike
6/28, 7:00 pm., David Banner

Apple Store, Perimeter
6/9, 7:00 p.m., Janelle Monae
6/17, 7:00 p.m., Anthony David

Apple Store, Lincoln Road
6/25, 9:00 pm., DJ Irie

Apple Store, North Michigan Avenue
6/12, 7:00 p.m., Marvin Sapp
6/15, 7:00 pm., Yung Berg
6/28, 7:00 pm., Michelle Williams

Apple Store, Third Street Promenade
6/2, 7:00 p.m., Malcolm Jamal Warner
6/20, 7:00 pm., MC Lyte
6/21, 7:00 pm., David Banner

Apple Store, Somerset
6/6, 7:00 p.m., Dwele

-MiKe

The Nu America

Living History.

The Battle is not won.

But the Victory begins.

Congrats, Mr. (Future) President.

-MiKe

The Music Industry Takes Another Hit

"Do you remember back in the day when we used to play those old, shiny discs... CD's... those were the good old days."

That statement is not as far fetched as you think. This week will serve a simultaneously monumental and devastating point for the music business, as we know it. One of the largest music distributors in the world, Handleman Corporation, has announced that it is exiting the music business! The Troy, MI based company has begun the sale of it's assets in the music realm and acknowledged that close to 300 workers will be laid off, due to this drastic change in their business model. In what The Detroit Free Press calls a "winding-down process that eventually will put the Troy company out of business", Handleman plans to continue to operate is video game distribution entity, Crave Entertainment Group, though the prospect of a sale has not been ruled out. Handleman President/CEO Albert A. Koch offered, "CD music sales have been declining at double-digit rates for several years, both industry wide and at our customers' stores, resulting in a sharp drop-off in our business. Unfortunately, even the significant steps we've taken over the past two years to reduce our costs have not enabled the company to return to profitability."

It kills me to hear this, since I worked in the same office with Handleman sales reps and executives, during my stint with Universal Music Group Distribution: Detroit, but I can't say it comes as a surprise. I can't blame Handleman, because no one foresaw how the music industry business model would change. Apparently, it is time for formal introductions - Hello, Digital Music Era. Goodbye CD.


-MiKe

Let's Celebrate!

It is Black Music Month and all this month, in addition to our regular posts, look out for special music features, news, and basically anything music related that we think is dope!

-MiKe

Kanye Blacks Out @ Summer Jam

DOPE!!!

-Ant

Diddy Does It Again

Just when you thought Puff was done pulling tricks from up his sleeve, he does it again. Next up for the serial entrepreneur is a new endorsement deal with Burger King. Diddy has signed on as the new "Late Night Ambassador" for Burger King's new advertising campaign to support their new extended hours of 2 a.m. on weekends. Also, look out for the "Sean John" designed beverage cups at a BK drive thru near you.

Diddy on the new brand alignment, "Last year's campaign was a huge success and this year, I wanted to do something bigger and better. Everyone knows I own the night, as 'Late Night Ambassador' it's my goal to get everyone involved, whether they're leaving a club, concert, or studio session. BK is the only place that does late night right."

The new ads, shot by acclaimed director, Spike Lee, began airing today. For more on this story, check out Target Market News.

-MiKe

Pharrell: Bag Swag Gone Wrong

I am all for being fresh, but when dudes start carrying a purse and peddling it off as a duffle - I don't care how much it costs. It's wack!




Pharrell - don't go off the deep end homie!

-MiKe

Walking Through Revolving Doors

Barely a year out of juvenile imprisonment, Nathaniel Abraham may be spending the next 20 years in a federal prison. Abraham was charged last week with felony posession with intent to deliver narcotics. He was arrested in the parking lot of a Sunoco after police saw him do a hand-to-hand with a man on a bicyle. When police approached him, he threw a Crown Royal bag to the ground. Officers found the bag and inside was 254 ecstasy pills.

Those of you from Michigan may remember Nathaniel Abraham. He was the youngest person ever convicted of murder in Michigan history. At 11 years old he killed 18 year old Ronnie Greene in Pontiac, MI. Had he been convicted of first degree murder, he would have spent his entire life behind bars, but because of his age, he was charged with second degree murder at the arraignment. He spent nearly 10 years imprisoned and supposedly rehabilitating. However, we have another case of someone being released from the system, yet doing their best to stay in it.

I was really interested in the initial murder case for Abraham, and I remember hoping that this kid would come out a better person. For all the mistakes he made, he was only an 11 year old boy. He did grown man time, having to wait for his 21st birthday before he could be released. Now here he is again, back in that same Pontiac court he walked out of over a year ago. This time he faces up to 20 years, which would make him 42 when he gets out. Think about that for a second. Out of 42 years, only 12 of them will have been spent in the free world.


Nathaniel Abraham left Oakland County jail after he posted a $10,000 bond on Friday. He is now sitting at home with a tether on his ankle awaiting his trial. As of now, he has only been charged, and not convicted of anything. If he gets sent back to jail however, he could spend the next 20 years locked up, wondering where all the time went.

-Ant

"That little nigger deserves the chair."

Harsh words right? What if they came from your lawyer, in a case that would decide whether you'd die or spend the rest of your life in prison? With his execution coming up on June 4th, Curtis Osborne tried to get the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles to ask themselves whether or not that statement and inadequate representation was enough to spare his life. However, according to the state, it was not.

Osborne is a former drug addict, who, in 1990 confessed to the double murder of a man and his girlfriend over a $400 debt. The court appointed lawyer, according to some of his clients, was more famous for entering guilty pleas than actually fighting cases. Not taking the necessary time or effort to defend a capital murder case, the lawyer, Johnny Mostiler, let Osborne get convicted and sentenced to death. Years later, a former client of Mostiler said he overheard the lawyer say, "That little nigger deserves the chair," and that he wouldn't tell Osborne that the state offered a plea bargain that would have sentenced him to life in prison.

Mostiler told judges that Osborne had denied the plea bargain and even though Osborne said he never got word of it, judges took the lawyers word over his clients'.

Osborne just got his last appeal denied and is scheduled for execution this Wednesday. His former lawyer died in 2000, so how he handled this case can not be questioned directly. The courts have said that as far as appeals go, whether Osborne had a bigoted lawyer wasn't relevant. They said he waited too long to file his appeal and that his claim was barred from review.

I'm not saying that the man doesn't deserve to be punished for murdering two people, but life in prison is punishment enough. This man has spent the last 18 years in prison awaiting his death. More importantly he spent it wondering whether he would have had a chance at life had he gotten a more suitable lawyer. With better representation, would Osborne have been sentenced differently? Maybe, maybe not. But in a capital case, when his lawyer felt he deserved to die, Osborne's life was over back during his initial trial. Johnny Mostiler is finally getting his wish, and unfortunately for Curtis Osborne, that means he's finally getting the chair his own lawyer said he deserved.

-Ant

Be Careful Who You Trust, Ladies

Action 2 News in Atlanta is reporting that a man posing as a doctor fooled Piedmont Hospital, as well as his own wife. Eric Perteet told his wife, Tammi, that a painful past had taken him away from his profession as a doctor when they first began dating, Yet, shortly after they were married, he told her that he was returning to the ER. Once Eric returned to practicing medicine, Tammi dropped Eric off at the hospital each morning. He would call her multiple times during the day, telling her about his day. Well, last week, Tammi called the hospital when she hadn't heard from her husband that day and to her surprise, the hospital informed her that no Dr. Perteet worked there. Perteet went on to call the cell that Eric stated was only for emergencies and the woman who answered stated, "Are you talking about the guy that had this cell phone? He was arrested last night for impersonating a doctor."

Come on ladies! You have to do a background check on these dudes. Tammi dated and married a lunatic and she didn't even know until last week. Don't get caught up in a foolish situation like this. Put these on your mandatory checklist:

*Take a look at the guy's I.D. - You don't know who he is, until you see what the State I.D. says.
*Visit the home of any man you are dating. If he doesn't let you come over - "Houston, we have a problem."
*Call/Visit their job - not early on, but eventually you need to know if they are living like "Tommy" off "Martin".

- MiKe

Believe It or Not: Undiscovered Tribe

Late last week CNN reported that researchers have discovered one of the last un-contacted tribes in the Amazon rainforest. The jungle dwellers are believed to have had no contact with the outside, modern world. This was verified in pictures that showed the seemingly war-painted tribe attacking an airplane, by which photos were captured, through means of bow and arrow.

This is crazy! It is amazing to think there are possibly hundreds of tribes still left in the world that are living with no idea of modern technology, airplanes or even electricity! It makes me very grateful to be an American. Despite all our issues, I feel blessed to live in the epicenter of the world.

Read more on this story here.

-MiKe