Quit Playing Games...The Sequel

Okay so there was a comment on my recent post, "Quit Playing Games," and it got me thinking. First off, in response to the young ladies comment, I want to say I appreciate her opinion, however I disagree 35,000%. If a girl gives me her number (which I did not ask for), and brushes me off when I call, SHE'S PLAYING GAMES!! More importantly, I'll be damned if I say, "oh well she has the right to play me because men play women all the time."

ATTENTION LADIES: I Don't Have Anything To Do With The Guy(s) That Played You.

That being said, no man or woman should have to suffer presently, because somebody did you wrong in the past. This eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth dating is the quickest way for everybody to stay single. Men and women, especially black men and women, need to stop communicating with a chip on our shoulder. If you think the worst of someone before you get to know them, then they never stood a chance to begin with. All this does is perpetuate the cycle of miscommunication, lying, lack of standards and misguided hostility among the sexes. Additionally, to think that you can do somebody wrong because someone did you wrong, shows that you lack the same morality that the former person was missing.

Ladies, having suffered or seen another woman suffer through trials related to a man, does not excuse you to perpetrate those same indiscretions nor does it exclude you from the ridicule and contempt that comes with mistreating someone who is undeserving. What's wrong is wrong, regardless of which sex is the facilitator. She gave me her number, I gave her a call, she gave me no response. By all means, tell where I messed up...

-Ant

I Accept Your Apology...sort of

For the first time, after Civil Rights Movements, racially motivated assasinations, landmark court rulings, Million Man Marches, and questionable law enforcement, the Federal Government finally apologizes for slavery.

Rep. Steve Cohen (a white rep for a majority black district in Memphis), introduced a resolution on Tuesday that apologized for and acknowledged the "injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow." The resolution also stated, "African-Americans continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow -- long after both systems were formally abolished -- through enormous damage and loss, both tangible and intangible, including the loss of human dignity and liberty, the frustration of careers and professional lives, and the long-term loss of income and opportunity."

I guess this is cool. They apologized for overthrowing the Kingdom of Hawaii, and they apologized to Japanese-Americans who were detained during World War II (approximately half of those detainess were alive at the time of the apology, and they received $20,000). Neither of those apologies took over 100 years to happen, so it feels like we still got put on the back burner. Nevertheless, I'm glad they had the balls to address it, and man up for an apology.

Editors Note: The resolution presented did not address the long standing issue of reparations being given to the descendents of former slaves.

-Ant

Quit Playing Games

Alright so Mike and I go to this grocery store just about every day to grab something during lunch. There is a bank branch inside the grocery store, and randomly one of the tellers just started waving at me. At first I thought she made a mistake because I definitely didn't know her. To my surprise, she waved again the next day...and the next...and the next.

She waved every time I came in the store. Sometimes she added a smile, other times, a wink. In my head, I'm thinking, she's cute, but more importantly she seems nice and approachable (two qualities a lot of women lack...especially the cute ones). One day I decided to go speak to her. I walked up, we chit-chatted for a few, and she pops her number through the bank window. Just like that...I didn't even ask for it. No games, no b/s (so I thought).

So when I call her she picked up and does the "girl from the club" routine. That means she started asking stuff like: "Anthony? Anthony who? Where do I know you from? Who you be with? What were you wearing?" Editors Note: Unless you were slobbery drunk when you gave out your number, don't ask a man all these questions. YOU REMEMBER HIM! Get over yourself. After we figured out who I was, she told me she was at work and would call me later. But I never heard from her. I saw her at work a couple more times, and she told me yet again, she's gonna call me. And I never heard from her

Ladies, if a guy doesn't ask for your number, and you don't really want him to call you in the first place, here's a hint: Don't give him your number! Why waste your time and more importantly why waste mine? I'm bout to sign up for e-Harmony. At least on there, they know what they want from jump.

-Ant

Random Thought of the Day:

If I ask a woman to marry me, and the first thing she does is take a picture of the ring and put it on Facebook, I'm calling the engagement off.

-Ant

The Crack Report: 7/29

The crack report is long overdue. Time to get ready for the Fall. Let me know if you are feelin' what is posted.



LoopWheeler Fleece Jacket (ShoutOut to F.M. Phenomenal)



Lanvin Acne Sneaker



Ice Cream New Era Hat

-MiKe

Shawty Is A Teeeeeeeeeeeen...

Def Jam Recording Artist, Amerie.

-MiKe

The Misadventures of a Mayor: KWAME STEP DOWN

This guy just won't stop! In addition to the text-message scandal perjury charges that are still pending, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has now been accussed of felonious assault on a Wayne county deputy. Kilpatrick is accused of physically removing the deputy from his sister's porch on the westside of Detroit, after the deputy inqured about a pending warrant for one of Kilpatrick's associates. Under Michigan law, a person assaulting or obstructing an officer "or duly authorized person" trying to serve court papers could face a felony with a maximum 2-year prison term and/or a $2,000 fine. Michigan State Police are investigating the incident. Judge Ronals Giles spared the Mayor jail time in the initial hearing, but did require him to bost bond ($7500), restricted his travel and has now required the Mayor to submit to random drug testing!

When is enough, enough? When will the embarassment stop? I can go on and on about what this is doing to the Detroit economy and most importantly, the people of the city, but I won't. All I will say is - Kwame, you have dug your hole deeper than even you can dig out. Leave our city out of it. KWAME STEP DOWN.

-MiKe

Dope or Nope: Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine Sullivan is the next artist to get the Clive Davis Stamp of approval. Yeah, Clive Davis, the same guy who discovered Whitney Houston & Alicia Keys. Jazmine has been making moves in the music industry since "wow"-ing the Apollo theater audience at 11 years old. 10 years later at 21, the stage has been set for Jazmine to take this industry by storm with her incredible voice. Check out the videos of Jazmine performing songs from her J Records debut, Fearless, for Seventeen Magazine's staff and check her out at myspace.com/jazminesullivan.







-MiKe

Who Tuned In?

Did anyone watch the CNN: Black In America series? If you did, what was your reaction to it? I read a pretty interesting article by Karen Hunter, and she gives her perspective. However, her take on the series is not about whether or not she liked it, it is about whether or not the show reached its intended audience. She makes some valid points, that make you question who this show really influenced.

Please read Karen Hunter's article and let me know if you agree with her or not, and what your thoughts on the series were.

-Ant

What Happened to that Boy??

When you're riding around in a Bugatti, you got Kim Kardashian in the passenger seat, and your house cost nearly $11 million, it seems like life couldn't get any better; unfortunately for Scott Storch, it didn't. Just a few years after all the guys were banging "Lean Back" and all the girls were listening to "Baby Boy," the producer is apparently in serious financial trouble. He had a warrant out for failure to pay child support and failing to show up in court last month. He also owes half a million in 2006 and 2007 real estate taxes and is currently trying to refinance his waterfront mansion. All of this comes after he put his $20 million yacht up on eBay for a starting bid of $600,000.

This is a perfect case of what NOT to do when you come up financially. You do one of two things with money at all times: spend it or stack (save and invest) it. Too many young people are not taught to do the latter. We were raised in a purchase-on-sight era, and that mentality causes us to live in excess of our means. Storch represents so many people who get a few dollars and spend it faster than they earned it.

For everybody trying to get involved in professional sports, entertainment, or any occupation that offers you more money than you're used to, learn how to manage your income. You can lose millions of dollars just as fast as you can lose a couple of hundred; maybe even faster. According to Storch's lawyer, the child support case has been settled, and he still owns his house, but that isn't a relief. The bigger picture is that someone with millions would have rather bought luxury cars and yachts before he made sure his kids were good and he had some money in his account. Before you go out and spend your bread on something, consider whether you've handled your financial obligations first. Even the richest man can lose his wealth and assets...all he has to do is throw it away.

Mike posted a blog a few months ago about cutting back expenses and saving money. Take a look at it here.

-Ant

Sayounara Asian Village

To My Detroit Residents: If you don't know by now, Asian Village is closed. After just a year, the nearly $5 million restaurant operation has officially shut down. It was a pretty popular venue on the weekends from what I hear. It wasn't reported exactly what the cause was, but one can only assume that the struggling economy played the most significant role. The restaurant may have also lost potential business when it's offerings changed for a more upscale experience. The coffee shop and the Asian themed food court were closed, and the restaurant, Fusia, changed its menu. I wouldn't be surprised if the MGM and the new Motor City Casino was taking a lot of business away from Asian Village as well.

Nevertheless, that's one less thing to do in downtown Detroit. Please start going to the new spots in the city folks. Detroit needs all of its new businesses to flourish or they won't be around for more than a year (plus I need stuff to do when I come home).

-Ant

"Fox keeps feeding us toxins..."

Nas is having a busy month. Recently it was reported that the rapper had inked a partnership with Fila to help design an 80’s inspired clothing line. Today it was announced that Nas’ current album, Untitled, debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. However, the number one album in the country wasn’t what the hype was about for the Queens rapper. Today he and political organization, ColorOfChange, protested in front of Fox News headquarters in New York. Their gripe with the station came from what they see as a, “long racist smear campaign against the Obama family.”

The racism Fox is being accused of comes from some controversial references to Barack and Michelle Obama. Anchor Bill O’Reilly casually used the term “lynching party” when he was talking about some of the attacks on Michelle Obama’s character. Fox also had an on-screen graphic referring to her as “Baracks baby mama.” The most recent problem came when Fox anchors constantly referred to the couples “terrorist fist jab” (they just gave each other a pound…some dap…an innocent gesture).

ColorOfChange connected with Nas after reading the lyrics to his song Sly Fox, which ironically speaks about the racist propaganda that they too had accused the network of. Today they got together with Nas, and hand delivered 620,127 signatures that demanded that Fox president, Roger Ailes “find a solution to address racial stereotyping and hate mongering before it hits the airwaves.” The petitions were rejected, but The Colbert Report, which airs on Comedy Central, will accept them.

No word on what The Colbert Report has in store for the petition. In the meantime check out Sly Fox, from the new Nas album, Untitled.


-Ant

Malice At The Palace...Part 2!

The whole world (especially Detroiters), remembers a few years ago when the Pistons and Pacers got into the biggest fight the NBA has ever seen. Well now the WNBA has brought its own brawl to the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock had a mini-scrap last night during their game. I'm not an avid WNBA watcher, but I'm almost certain this is the worst thing the league has seen. A couple of players and a coach were removed from the game, and there will surely be suspensions and fines handed out.

In related news, former Piston "bad boy," Rick Mahorn, allegedly pushed Lisa Leslie during the altercation. He always was a dirty player, but damn you pushing women now? Come on Rick...

-Ant

Turn On CNN Tonight!!!

Make sure you tune in to CNN tonight to watch Black In America: The Black Woman and Family. This is part one of a two part documentary, reported by CNN anchor and special correspondent, Soledad O’Brien (who is GORGEOUS…and well educated). Part two, Black In America: The Black Man, airs tomorrow night.

I wrote about this series at the beginning of the year when the station was asking people to send in clips of them saying what it means to be black in America. O’Brien has interviewed everyone from high school students, to prison inmates, all in an effort to capture the struggles and the triumphs that blacks face in this country.

Turn on CNN tonight and tomorrow at 9pm ET to watch, what is sure to be a groundbreaking, eye opening special report.

-Ant

Jeezy & Yeezy..."Put On" Video

What ya think?

-Ant

R.I.P. Estelle Getty (July 25, 1923-July 22, 2008)

Best known for her role as Sophia on The Golden Girls, Estelle Getty was easily one of the funniest women on tv during the 80's and early 90's. She died in her home today, of natural causes. She would have been 85 on Friday.

-Ant

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NELSON MANDELA!!

Today the former president of South Africa turns 90 YEARS OLD! 27 of those illustrious years were spent in a prison cell, as he was jailed for spearheading the fight against apartheid. His fight to turn the multi-racial culture of South Africa into a united democracy, has even garnered the respect of the men who condemned him.

Last month, a tribute concert was thrown in London for his birthday. As musicians like Eminem, and Amy Winehouse performed, Mandela was honored by guests that included Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey and a host of world leaders. This was a testament to the admiration Mandela’s efforts for peace have harvested over the past nine decades.

No longer in office, Mandela continues to be a face for courage, nobility and peace. He single handedly represented a country in turmoil, and deserves the utmost acclaim from everyone privileged enough to know how important his legacy is. Happy Birthday, Nelson Mandela.

-Ant

Diamond Girl - The Movie

On the heels of our Exclusive Ryan Leslie Interview, Leslie has released the "Diamond Girl" short film. Check it out.



-MiKe

Exclusive Interview With Singer, Songwriter, Producer RYAN LESLIE

Ryan Leslie is the new breed of entertainer. He has delivered hits for everyone from Beyonce to New Edition and he took the world by storm with his production on the #1 hit single "Me & U" by Cassie, the first artist released from his entertainment lifestyle platform, Next Selection. He is an established producer and a successful record executive, but now he is stepping into new territory, as a recording artist in his own right. With the fast approaching September 16th release of his self-titled debut, Ryan took the time to sit down with the Ant & Mike Show to talk about his take on his music, his peers, and what he is looking for in a "Diamond Girl." Read this in-depth interview and be sure to comment!


Mike: Where are you at today?
Ryan Leslie: Just got back into New York City from Milan.

Mike: Wow – What were you doing in Milan?
Ryan: I was out there for Men’s Fashion Week.

Mike: Cool. Cool. Well, first off, wanted to start out by letting you know that the Ant & Mike Show Blog is a social commentary. We are two young black males who just wanted to have our voices out there, and speak since we aren’t heard from that often. So, hopefully our readers will come away from today feeling that they know you better too.
Ryan: Certainly.

Ant: Everybody knows your story. You got a 1600 on the SAT, graduated from Harvard. Talk about your parents' reaction when you said you were going to pursue music?
Ryan: My parents initially… were extremely encouraging, always. They were the ones who encouraged me to start my academic career as early as I did. You know their initial reaction was one of concern because of the personal and financial risk associated with making the decision to pursue a career in an industry as volatile as the music and entertainment industry. I believe that initially in order to protect me from some of those risks, they initially advised against, not my pursuit of music in general – because I had grown up in a music family, but just against the idea of depending on an industry or depending on my talent, and depending on my desire, discipline and drive to provide me with a decent living as a musician.

Mike: What’s your take on formal education? Do you feel like you needed to go to college to have the experience you are having now?
Ryan: I wouldn’t trade my college experience for anything in the world. I encourage anyone to not only take advantage of the opportunity, but to vehemently pursue the opportunity to attend an institution of higher learning. The reason is twofold - number one is the network and social relationships that you are able to forge at those institutions. I can name quite a few of my colleagues and peers who graduated from Harvard with me that now serve as invaluable resources in the various industries that they have gone on to be successful. The second reason that I believe a formal education is important is that a rigorous academic environment trains your mind to be a problem solver and creatively look at ways to overcome challenges and obstacles in your career path. For me it was an entrepreneurial pathway that is changing drastically and the climate changes and the ways that music is monetized and the ways that people are exposed to and consume music is changing. It was my responsibility to find ways to take advantage of the advances in technology and media to present my music, my artistry, and my entrepreneurial vision to the world. Cassie, I believe, was a great example of this. To bring it back to your question, those problem solving instincts were honed, natured and developed thanks to the fact that I was able to subject myself to a rigorous academic environment, like the one I was privileged to have at Harvard.

Ant: With everything not taking off immediately after college and you having to move back home with your parents temporarily, what kept you from not giving up when everything wasn't coming together, musically?
Ryan: Really, what kept me motivated was the belief that the product I was putting together was definitely sellable and that I could earn a living from it. That motivation combined with the belief of my father and other folks that have been on my team since day one. That encouragement, coupled with my own belief, was the foundation of my motivation.

Ant: Describe the new project. What does it sound like? What we can expect to hear in the material?
Ryan: To do an album and this album is a personal testimony of all the human experiences I have had to date. To do an album, when it’s personal, requires you to do some living. It requires that you do some soul searching. Requires that you experience some things. I forwarded a lot of my experience in the lyrics and music of this album and I am talking about a lot of different concepts. Whether it is the idea of falling for a girl who is coveted or whether it is losing love, falling in love, new love, all the things that make the world go round when you are not buried in your work. It is an interesting paradigm, because my work is my love and my love is my work, but I have taken the time to forge some meaningful relationships and I have invested too much time in my career and lost some meaningful relationships, so all of those concepts are touched on and I wrote songs about on this project.

Mike: Are there any songs from your original album on this new project?
Ryan: Yeah, I want the album to be a complete thought so where those records that I feel are appropriate in the sequence, will appear on this album.

Mike: What was the inspiration for the Diamond Girl video? It had a really different look visually.
Ryan: Well, I actually shot two videos for DG. One was a long-form video, which is a short form movie, an 11 minute short film that I shot initially. It has an entirely different concept. In it I play myself, as a producer who is recruited into the service of military intelligence to retrieve a diamond from a Russian superstar. It was an ambitious undertaking and I will be releasing it in the coming weeks online. But for the music video, which you have seen - that was inspired by a performance that I saw by James Brown on the Ed Sullivan Show in the '60s. I wanted to reintroduce that sort of Big Band, Live performance feel. I wanted to perform on a stage like he did. I actually commissioned a production company to rebuild that same stage and I worked with my friend and choreographer, Anthony Rue (?) to put together the movements of the band and myself for this video. Then I went to Connecticut and shot it. I brought it to the label and said this is my vision and let’s work with a director to weave a story around. We got with Chris Robinson and that’s how the video came about.

Ant: If you could do a song with any artist past or present who would be? And why?
Ryan Leslie: James Brown. Just because I believe his performance, his songwriting, his musical sensibility is incredible. Prince, Stevie Wonder - All just amazing musicians and artists. The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix. All for the same reason, because I have been inspired by the music and by their recording techniques, because I am a recording engineer as well. I believe that they all have contributed so much. Queen, as well. I would love to learn and soak up their techniques and weave them into the fabric of the music I am creating.

Mike: Speaking of Prince, one of our loyal blog readers, Sabrina, made a comment on one of our posts about you in which she said, “Is Leslie the ‘Artist formerly known as Prince’ 2008?” How does it make you feel to hear a supporter compare you to an artist that you admire so much?
Ryan: I would just say that I appreciate it, I definitely appreciate it. I appreciate it and knowing full well in terms of the way that I look at Prince, and the way that I appreciate his music ability and talents. I feel like he is light years ahead of where I currently am [musically]. It is encouraging and it lets me know that is the level that I can aspire to musically. But in the mean time, it is definitely rewarding that people are responding to what I am doing. I think that is encouraging to everyone who wants to pursue music, because it let's them know that if you put out your best and put your heart into it, people will respond.



Ant: Who would you like to work with in the music industry that is out currently?
Ryan: Out Currently? I feel like I have had the privilege to work with a lot of the artists I have always wanted to. Whether it was Usher or Beyonce. I would like to work with Chris Brown ‘cus I think he is dope.

Mike: What is coming up for the Next Selection brand? Is there anything in the pipeline besides Cassie's new record?
Ryan: Definitely. We have a new site that we are building. It will be a content aggregator of some of the most influential and talented content creators online. We have albums coming form Uness, Nia Rose, Cassie new album is coming, also Chris Ivory. Definitely a lot of fun projects on the horizon, as well as few film projects in the pipeline.

Mike: What drew you to Cassie? What made you select her as the artist to launch your record label?
Ryan: I would say this; Next Selection was launched and continues to be representation by the artistry of myself. I saw Cassie as a vessel, as an accessible, magnetic, and charismatic vessel, to drive people to the music I was creating. Our first studio session showed that the chemistry that we had was magical. The response to those records online showed that the music we were making, with her as a vessel performing that music, was viral, impactful and influential. There were legions of people responding to this music and for me, I respond to the response of people. The way they responded to Cassie, it was clear that was a project I need to pursue and that was exactly what I did.

Ant: How will the new Cassie project differ from the first album?
Ryan: The first project was really her absorbing, from a musical standpoint, what was my influence. On this record she has taken it upon herself to grow as an artist. She worked with a lot of producers. The names of which reads like a “Who’s Who” of the music industry – Eric Hudson, Kanye West, Swizz Beats, Chauncey & LV, Bryan Michael Cox, 7 Aurilus, Jim Jonsin, Rodney Jerkins. So, she definitely has spread her wings as an artist. You will expect to hear a lot more from her as an artist. The first album was really all me. So this one is her. She played a huge role in the selection of songs and a huge role in the execution of this album. So it will be interesting to see how people respond.

Mike: What's an off day like for you?
Ryan: There are no off days. If there is something that people should know, if you are pursuing a career that is as engaging and demanding as the one I have chosen to pursue there really are no off days. So everyday, me and my staff are on board and we’re working and doing this.

Mike: What is your favorite restaurant?
Ryan: my favorite restaurant? I would say I frequent a restaurant called Perlay (?), which is on the Upper East Side. My good friend Enrico owns it, Perlay Italian – It means “For Her”. I’ve had a few nice dinners there.

Mike: What kind of car do you drive?
Ryan: I actually have two Mercedes Benz G Class Trucks, and a 1967 Classic Dodge Charger.

Ant: You are a real fashionable guy. Who is your favorite designer?
Ryan: I like a lot of designers but a lot of my fashion is personal. All of my suits are made in Naples, by my own design. Including, all my denim and jeans - [they] are made personal for me by my tailor in Boston. If you were to gauge a favorite designer by the one I wear the most, I would say myself.

Ant: What was the first major purchase you made?
Ryan: What would you consider a big purchase?

Ant: [laughs] A Car, Condo, A House.
Ryan: I got my Mom a car. I bought my Mom a Mercedes Benz.

Mike: We loved the "Mother" video that you posted to Youtube man. We sent it to our Moms!
Ryan: [Laughs] Yea man, I love my moms. I was in New York City for Mother’s Day. I wasn’t able to get home, so I thought I could send her that. The reason I made it public was so that I wanted her to see people's response to it. That proved to be just as much a gift as the song itself.

Ant: You have a lot of female fans. I am sure they want to know; does Ryan Leslie have a “Diamond Girl”?
Ryan: I am trying to actually avoid that. A lot of the heartbreaks that has resulted from my pursuit of Diamond Girl conflicting with the pursuit of my career is embodied on the album. Having a DG is diametrically opposed to pursuing a career the way that I pursue it. This is an open call to any young, fashionable, smart, energetic, charismatic, and understanding young lady who believes that they would be able to tolerate a relationship with me.

Mike: What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?
Ryan: Honestly, this is the only business I have ever dreamed about being in. I went into college pre-med, but I could only do that which I am passionate about. That’s why when I took that break and went home, and came right back [to this]. I really wouldn’t be doing anything else other than what I am doing.

Ant: How do you plan to combat the changing state of sales in the music industry?
Ryan: CD sales may be declining, but the consumption of music is more widespread than ever. There are various other ancillary income streams when you are creating good music, ticket sales being one of those. The artists that are able to get on the road and present their art live; those are the ones who have sustainable careers. I have created a blueprint in my artist career, so I can be one of those acts.

Mike: Speaking of touring, do you have any tour plans for this summer?
Ryan: I am headed to Europe in two weeks to do a run of dates. I will also be stopping in Dubai. We are also working with CAA to develop a tour for the States in the fall.

Mike: When is your album coming out? Is there anything you want to say to your fans?
Ryan: My album is coming out September 16th. I would really just like to say Thank You to my fans. Their encouragement and support is the reason why I am as driven and dedicated to my career as I have been and I will continue to be.

Ant: Ryan, We want to thank you for taking the time to talk with us today. The next time you are in Atlanta, hit us up and we will show you the city and introduce you to some "Diamond Girls"!
Ryan: That’s what it is. We will make it happen.

Mike & Ant: Thanks for your time. Have a good day.
Ryan: God Bless.

Ryan's new single "Addiction" featuring Cassie is available now on iTunes. Check Ryan out at myspace.com/ryanleslie and let him know you read the interview at The Ant & Mike Show!

Terrance Goes Hard on Rocsi

Terrance J & Rocsi of 106 & Park fame, usually clown each other when they make countless flubs on air, but this past Friday, I guess TJ went too far. Terrance clowned Rocsi the entire show and she eventually walked of the set before the last video aired, leaving Terrance to close out the program solo. Wonder if she was really mad? I couldn't really tell, but real talk, both of them suck as hosts. Can't wait until they are replaced.



-MiKe

Sibling Rivalry

This story really bothered me when I read it. Martin Luther King III and his sister, Bernice King, are suing their brother, Dexter King. The two allege that Dexter King, who controls their father's estate, took money for "his own benefit." In addition, the suit also alleges that Dexter "wrongfully" took money from their mother, Coretta Scott King's estate.

Bernice King is the administrator on their mother's estate, and the lawsuit says she is "entitled to immediate possession" of any transferred funds. Even though Dexter controls Dr. King's estate, his sister and brother are shareholders and the suit says he "wrongfully appropriated assets."

I hope there is some sort of justifiable explanation for this, and that the suit gets settled smoothly.

-Ant

Rotten Apples

Anybody that knows me, knows I am NOT a Steve Jobs fan. Not because he doesn't make a hell of a computer, but because people treat him as if he's a God and he willingly feeds into the role of a cult leader. Well I might not be the only person who has a problem with him or his products. The iPhone 3G was released on July 11th and some consumers are not happy.

After spending hours, and even days waiting in line, the anticipation of getting the phone was quickly deflated when people found out that the phones didn't work. Well sort of. The server for the iPhone 3G was experiencing a "global problem" that didn't allow the phone to be activated in the stores. Instead, consumers were being instructed to complete the last step for activation on their home computer if they want to use their phone. [Editors note: Some people reported that when they performed the final step at home, the phone only allowed them to make emergency calls and remained unusable.]

If you had the first iPhone and you thought that you could simply buy the updated software, you were in for a treat as well. Those who installed the software were surprised to find that after installation, their phone no longer worked. It was shut down and officially reactivated through iTunes. The problem was, when the phone came back to life, it was completely void of any previous information stored in it.

The cultish environment surrounding Apple products will remain, but hopefully people realize that this is still technology. Just because the computer's rarely get viruses, doesn't mean that they won't just stop working after a couple of years (ask Mike about his iPod). Just because you're good at building computers, doesn't make you a genius at creating cell phones. Hopefully this is an ego check for the sect-leader, Steve Jobs, and a vanity check for the "cool kids," who have to be the first, with the latest in everything. PHONE CHECK FOOL!

-Ant

Sagging Rights

As if there weren't enough problems in Flint, MI [ranked one of the most violent cities in the nation, a dwindling population and a suffering economy], now they have officially started arresting people who sag their pants.

Flint Police Chief David Dicks, says that sagging is a "national nuisance." His official laws are as such: Pants pulled completely below the buttocks with underwear showing is disorderly conduct; saggy pants with skin of the buttocks showing is indecent exposure, and saggy pants, not completely below the buttocks, with underwear exposed results in a warning.

I have two problems with this "law enforcement." First of all, as extreme as sagging can be, it is just a trend. It's no more or less trendy than EVERY girl wearing belts over their stomachs instead of on their waists. This makes these laws seem targeted at urban youth, in an attempt to put something on their record regardless of how minute. You tend to think that in urban areas, criminal activity is rampant enough that this is wasting time on a subjective offense.

My second problem is that, though the interpretation of the law doesn't specify it, this possible misdemeanor is aimed at young men, not women. Literally every day that goes by, I see some girls' butt! Not because I got it like that, but because every time they sit down, the cuts of their jeans expose their thongs and cracks. It may not be sagging, but women's asses damn sure see the light of day, and if that aint exposure I don't know what is. [Editor's Question: Women, how do you not feel when your ENTIRE BUTT is out?. And why aren't some of yall moisturizing?]

Other cities, including Atlanta, Pontiac and Auburn Hills [the last two are also Michigan cities], are currently debating the issue of sagging and whether to make it a law. Regardless of what cities enforce this, the potential of black men being disproportionately arrested on this law is staggering. Lets save jail space for the criminals.

-Ant

Escobar Season Has Returned...

Somebody over at Fila must've realized that the "fake Prada" endorsement deal with Hurricane Chris was two mishaps rolled into one. Now the Italian shoe and apparel company has signed a one year partnership deal with Nasir Jones himself.

Known for avoiding brand partnerships, Nas was proud to sign with Fila. "My best friend Will and I loved Fila," Nas told Billboard. "It represented prestige and everything that was cool to us. When Will passed, we buried him in a black Fila sweat suit, so doing a deal with them has a lot of significance for me."

Fila and Nas have a reciprocal partnership. This means that Fila will provide finances for the an ad campaign as well as financial support for Nas' next tour (His album, which is still untitiled, releases this Tuesday, July 15th). In turn, Nas will wear Fila products, and co-create an 80's inspired Fila apparel line.

Seeing the success of past endorsement deals with shoe companies for Jay-Z and 50 Cent, this deal puts Nas right on track with the big dogs as far as branding himself and becoming bigger than his music. Nas is usually fresh, so desiging 80's inspired clothes with Fila, should really help in resurging the company's relevance in fashion.


Here is the latest video from Nas for his first single "Hero" feat. Keri Hilson & Polow Da Don

-Ant

Ryan Leslie Interview - 7/14 !!!!

So, many of you have contacted me asking where is the Ryan Leslie interview??? The interview is done and it is great!!! I can honestly say I have been crazy busy and haven't had time to get it up on the site, so bear with me. The interview will be on the blog, with no excuses, this coming Monday (7/14). Sorry once again for the delay, but in the meantime, check out Ryan's new single, "Addiction" featuring Cassie.



-MiKe

Shawty You A Teeeeeeen...

Tia Mowry @ The Hancock Hollywood Movie Premiere (Click Pic for Full Size)

-MiKe

Jesse, Jesse, Jesse!

By now, we all have heard how Rev. Jesse Jackson got caught on Fox News audio saying some crude comments about Presedential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. However, I didn't see the video until today. Check out the footage of the incident and Jackson's attempt to clean up the situation.



Jesse - you let us down. Period.

-MiKe

Spike Lee 1.0

In 1996, Spike Lee became a trendsetter in urban fashions. He asked baseball cap giant, New Era, to create him a red New York Yankees fitted. It was the first of its kind. With all the alternate colored/non-traditonal baseball caps people wear today, who would've thought that Spike Lee was the first person to have one. In honor of Spike's pioneering request, New Era has created the Spike Lee 1.0. It is a limited addition, navy blue New York Yankees cap, that features each of the 26 championship pennants that the Yanks have won. This hat will be the first of the, "A Spike Lee Joint" Collection, which, starting with the 1.0 will be created and released annually.

The hats will be available on July 12, 2008, and can be pre-ordered here.

-Ant

What's Beef?

For my Michigan and Ohio folks. I'm a little late on posting this because I got busy, but if you haven't already been to the spital (hospital), then this still applies. Kroger did a RECALL on June 26th, for all ground beef products bought between May 21-June 8 of this year. The beef may contain E. coli bacteria.

As of June 26th, 16 cases in Michigan had been reported compared to 19 in Ohio (Toledo and Columbus areas). 14 people have already been hospitalized. Kroger is providing full refunds to anybody who is concerned that they bought some of the contaminated meat.

NOTE: As of now, I live in Atlanta, and therefore remain unaffected by this news. I will be having burgers and beef franks on the 4th!

-Ant

Like It, Love It, HATE IT!

I told yall this stuff was overrated, and now I got entrepreneurs to back me. A large number of people who bought their own Cold Stone Creamery franchise, are selling their store, filing for bankruptcy, or going bankrupt trying to keep it open. Word is the business model they got when they bought their franchise, presented numbers that didn't add up in the end.

The cost of running a shop made it hard to see a profit, especially with a "Like It" scoop costing as much as a gallon of gas. Franchisees also said that the company made it harder on them by requiring them to buy ingredients from a costly single supplier, instead of allowing them the freedom to look for reasonable prices somewhere else. The company also put out "Buy One Get One Free" coupons, that hurt profits for even the most optimistic franchise owners. Some people even said that the company gave them inaccurate revenue numbers from existing stores.

Last year 100 stores closed, and according to a Cold Stone website, 303 were up for sale (more than 20% of the amount of existing stores) as of the beginning of this year. Some franchisees say the company expanded too much, and made a once unique, premium product, seem common.

From the first time I walked in a Cold Stone, I was disgusted. Their prices were ridiculous, and then they told me they didn't make orange sherbert (my fav), instead offering me tangerine sorbet. Needless to say I cussed and walked out, but I knew that day that they were up to no good.

-Ant

Be Kanye...New Absolut Promo

-Ant

Exclusive Interview with Superstar Singer/Songwriter/Producer, RYAN LESLIE - Coming Monday 7/7/08

We told you guys that we were working on big things here at The Ant & Mike Show Blog and we are proud to present our first celebrity interview with the musical genius Ryan Leslie. We had a chance to talk with Ryan yesterday and he opened up about his career, record label and personal life. The in-depth interview will go live on the Blog on Monday (7/7/08).

For the Detroiters, check out Ryan @ Elysium this Friday, July 4th.



-MiKe

$200 For A Burger?

I didn't belive this one when I read it, so I had to share it with the Blog. AdAge.com ran an article Monday on the most expensive burger in the World and suprisingly, it is not from Wolfgang Puck or Nobu. The World's priciest burger is on the menu at - Burger King ?!?!? Yes, Burger King!

The exact price is $190 and the burger features "Wagyu beef, topped with white truffles and Pata Negra ham (which owes its nutty flavor to the fact that the pigs are fed on acorns), the burger nestles in a bun spread with organic-white-wine-and-shallot-infused mayonnaise, plus pink Himalayan rock salt, and dusted on top with Iranian saffron. It is served with Cristal champagne onion straws and a garnish of lamb's lettuce (AdAge.com). "

Don't go into your local BK looking for this Whopper. It is only being served in one Burger King location in London. This particular BK has set up a special dining room for patrons of the new burger, complete with linen table cloths and free-flowing 2003 Tapanappa Cabernet Shiraz. As crazy as all this sounds, the great thing about this high priced treat is that all the proceeds of this burger go to a London-area children's charity.


-MiKe