Shawty Is A Teeeennnnnnnn: Amerie

Amerie... You are killing me. Next level fine. That is all.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

Random Question of the Day: Interracial Dating Edition

If a man dates a woman outside of his race, do you think he's a "sellout"?

Bonus Question: Why don't more black women date outside of their race?

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Recognition: Ludacris & T.I.

When rappers do something stupid or illegal, it's world news. When they do something charitable, it usually gets overlooked. This little tidbit almost slipped by me, hidden in the corner of the Atlanta Journal-Constitutions website.

Through the Ludacris Foundation, rappers Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and Clifford "T.I." Harris are each donating $10,000 to help flood victims from the recent storms in the Atlanta area. It was also reported that Ludacris is considering partnering with Home Depot and Sam's Club to put together a food bank for the victims. The Ludacris Foundation also held a benefit earlier this month, that saw Ludacris partner with Nissan South to donate 20 used cars to needy citizens of Atlanta.

Great to see those who have, give back to those who need...especially in their city!

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Laughing All The Way To The Bank...

Me: Tiger, how you holding up in this recession
Tiger: Recession? What recession??? I'm rich bit*h! Hahahahaha

Upon winning the 2009 FedEx Cup last weekend, Tiger Woods became the first athlete to go over the $1 billion mark in career earnings. These earnings include prize money, appearance fees, endorsements and his golf course design business. Not Jordan, Lebron, Mayweather, Bryant, Holyfield, Vick, or any other athlete you can think of can stake claim to that amount of money (legally...after taxes...pre-divorce...pre-child support).

Let me hold something!!

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

New Joint: Consequence ft. Kanye West & John Legend - "Whateva You Want"

G.O.O.D. Music artist Consequence drops the first single from his forthcoming album, Cons TV. Cool joint and I dig the effect Hype Williams put on the video chicks, but overall the video is more of the same old rap video.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

Bleak Future for Today's Children

Stories like this make growing up through the drug and gang polluted era's of the 80's & 90's seem like a dream come true compared to what today's youth are faced with. 16 year old honor student, Derrion Albert, was beaten to death after getting caught in a fight between two rival groups of students who attended or live near Fenger H.S. on the south side of Chicago. What began with a shooting outside of the school, culminated in a fight where 2X4's were used as weapons, and a young man with a bright mind was killed for no reason other than a lack of ambition among so many of today's youths.

A video of the fight was caught on tape by another student and it shows the final minute of Derrion Albert's life. What these children did was absolutely disgusting. This was no schoolyard fight, this was a brutal murder and it was senseless to say the least. The video was turned into a local Fox news station, who subsequently turned it into police. Officers have made three arrests so far, and more are pending investigation. The three young men, ages 16, 18, and 19, have been charged as adults with first-degree murder, and are being held without bond.

The kids growing up today are not just victims of socioeconomic disadvantages. Parenting and discipline starts at home. I have lived in filthy motels (plural), two family flats, rented duplexes, and low-income housing. I grew up with a father who spent a significant portion of my childhood in jail. My family has dealt with domestic issues that no family should have to deal with, yet in no way shape or form was my upbringing ever used as an excuse for failure.

My parents showed me that hard work, perseverance, and faith will bring you through whatever cards you're dealt in this life. They made sure that I knew that they believed in me, and they would not allow me to fail. Not enough parents are raising their kids though. Instead, they're letting the streets, gangs, and other misguided people raise them, then they're surprised when their child takes part in events such as the fight in Chicago.


Don't get me wrong, this isn't all on the parents. At a certain point young adults become old enough to be held accountable for their actions. When hard working parents have to work two and three shifts at work to provide for their families, more youths should take advantage of options like recreational centers and extracurricular activities, as an alternative to sitting at home watching tv and finding a way to get into trouble. More schools should make their facilities available to children who have little or no options once classes end.

A combination of factors can cause children to grow up not valuing their lives or the lives of others, but it starts at the home, and continues in school. This isn't the first senseless act committed by teenagers, and it won't be the last. We all need to take accountability because this could have very well involved someone close to any of us. God bless all families and parties involved, including the perpetrators. They did just as much damage to their own lives as they did to the one they took.

R.I.P. Derrion

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Can I Get A Do Over?

There used to be a time where young people graduated high school and prepared to go to college to study that with which they excelled and had interest in. If you were good at math, you studied something in that field. If you were interested in science you studied something in that field. But if you were interested in something like theatre, or music, or english literature, there was a place for you to go to a major college, graduate and still find success doing what you enjoyed.

Nowadays, the economy has changed the way people approach higher education. People are having to make the decision to spend four (to 8) years studying subjects they have little to no interest in so they can assure they get a degree that hold some weight in today's economy. Many people with degrees are enrolling in certificate programs, and professional development courses so they can get yet another piece of paper that validates why they should be among today's employed.

Aside from certain majors (pre-med, pre-law, dentistry, engineering, nursing, etc.) everyone who walks away from a reputable institution with a degree is qualified to start at an entry level position and work there way up. Personality and hard work should hold just as much weight as an area of study. Instead, you have people with degrees who are hesitant to even apply for certain positions knowing that based on what their resume says they went to school for, they won't be deemed qualified by a prospective employer.

Those who have been fired or laid off due to the recession are not the only casualties of the war on economics. Students have now been unwillingly pulled into the fold. They make decisions to study what they're interested in, or study what they know will at least look good enough on paper to get them an interview, whether they want that particular job or not.

Question: If you could go back to school, would you study something different, knowing that job availability isn't what it once was?

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Today We're All Lions...

The Detroit Lions won there first game since December 23, 2007!!!!! After losing 19 games in a row, the Lions have finally ended the second longest winning streak in NFL History. It was a shame that the game was blacked out on television though. Let's show some support to the home team Detroit!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Ya' Turnin Me Off Pt. 2

Keri Hilson wears enough unapproved clothing that it's looking like this may become a new segment starring her. She looks GREAT in the face but she dresses like a misguided stowaway at times. She has potential to be hot fire but when she wears stuff like this, or this, I can't help but be completely turned off.

Again, some people don't know the difference between funky fresh and freakin' foolish when they get dressed. I'm starting to think Keri Hilson is one of those people. Fail...

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Dope or Nope?: Birdman ft. Drake & Lil Wayne "Money To Blow"

Drake using the autotune and not Lil Wayne???? Different...

You tell us, is it Dope or Nope?

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Dope Covers: Wale x Amerie

I dig the mix of photography and graphic design.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

Doernbecher J's

Air Jordan 6 Doernbecher - I heard these drop in November. Cold.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

Ryan Leslie Returns

Ryan Leslie "You're Not My Girl" Official Video from Ryan Leslie on Vimeo.

Ryan Leslie is Back with the first visual from his upcoming sophomore release, Transition, in stores November 3rd.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

Just When You Thought It Was Safe...

For all you expecting parents who like to keep the bedroom hot even during pregnancy, WRAP IT UP!!! If you don't, there's a chance someone can get pregnant while she's already pregnant. Don't believe me? Ask the woman from Arkansas (above picture) who's ultrasound revealed two fetus' nearly three weeks apart.

The condition is called superfetation, or conceiving while pregnant. The condition is rare but very possible. The Arkansas couple expect to have their babies at the end of 2009 and again at the beginning of 2010.

This is weirder than the pregnant man...I think :-/

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

"You Got A Monkey In Your Ear"

A Bathing Ape “Milo” Earphones

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

New Joint: Drake ft. Everybody Hot Right Now - "Forever"

Hype Williams directed - I see some Belly-ish effects, lol. Simple, but cool visual.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

The Ant & Mike Show Reading List

Ant & I are on a literary kick right now and I figured I would share with you guys the books we are currently individually checking out. I thought I was the only person who enjoys reading multiple books at once, but I guess Ant is on that multiple books at-a-time grind as well lol. Look out for forthcoming reviews on the books that we think should be on your radar.







-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

Facebook Headquarters = DOPE!

If I never wanted to work for Facebook before, I definitely want to head to the Palo Alto, CA-based offices now! Great design! Shout out to Limited Hype for the dope pictures.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

Complex Magazine: Clipse & KAWS

The Clipse will be on one of three covers of the October/November issue of Complex Magazine, featuring artwork by New York based artist/designer, KAWS.

The issue goes on sale Oct. 6...DOPE!

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Multicultural is the NEW General Market

Congratulations are in order for the leading multicultural advertising and marketing agency, GlobalHue (www.globalhue.com). Chrysler Jeep has awarded their fourth-quarter Jeep creative assignment to the Detroit-based ad agency. With all the talk about race in the news lately, it is great to see Chrysler take a step into the future in recognizing that a multicultural agency can affectively produce a general market campaign. The reality is that the General Market is now Multicultural! This isn't the first time a Multicultural firm has received a General Market assignment, but I think it is time to recognize the occurence when it happens. Can't wait to see the campaign.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

Was Bill Maher Right?

Recently, Bill Maher, host of HBO's Real Time With Bill Maher, made some interesting statements on President Barack Obama and the recent lack of attitude being shown by the Democratic party. His criticisms were that President Obama and his cabinet, are basically allowing Republican party members and other politically opposing pundits to say whatever they feel like, whenever they feel like, with little or no rebuttal. Maher, in so many words, said that Democrats are acting soft and allowing Republicans to not only speak uncharacteristically bad about the president (See: Rep. Joe Wilson), but they're also changing policies to keep Republicans happy.

"What got Van Jones fired was they caught him on tape saying that Republicans are assholes. And they call it "news." And Obama didn't say a word in defense of Jones and basically fired him when Glenn Beck told him to. Just like we dropped "end of life counseling" from health care reform because Sarah Palin said it meant "death panels" on her Facebook page.

Crazy evil morons make up things for Obama to do, and he does it.

Same thing with the speech to children this week. If you missed it, the president attempted to merely tell school children to work hard and wash their hands, and Cracker Nation reacted as if he was trying to hire the Black Panthers to hand out grenades in homeroom. Of course, the White House immediately capitulated. "No students will be forced to view the speech," a White House spokesperson assured a panicked nation. Isn't that like admitting that the president might be doing something unseemly? What a bunch of cowards. If the White House had any balls, they'd say, "He's giving a speech on the importance of staying in school, and if you spineless jackasses don't show it to every damn kid in your school we're cutting off your federal education funding tomorrow."

Additionally, President Obama has shot down notions made by former President Jimmy Carter that recent remarks and actions toward Obama were rooted in racism and not politics. Politically, Obama is never going to play the race card or any other defensive cards because of his position, but if an 80-something year old former president is the only person willing to speak up for the current president, maybe Bill Maher had a valid point; maybe the Democrats need to toughen up.

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Pray for us...

For those of you not watching the news, Georgia is facing one of the worst weather systems it has seen in years. It's been raining in the metro Atlanta, and North Georgia area since last Wednesday and it's not expected to stop until next Monday. There are entire cities flooded, and so far four people have been confirmed dead due to the flood waters, including a 2-year old who was literally swept out of her father's arms.


















The rain and floods have not been nearly as devastating as recent hurricanes, Katrina and Ike, but after the recent anniversary of those hurricanes, it's hard not to draw even small comparisons, especially when looking at those pictures. Some cities have already been asked to evacuate. 30,000 people in the metro Atlanta area do not have electricity. The state of Georgia needs prayers from everyone, as we try to beat Mother Nature.

















-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Random Question of the Day: Attraction Edition

Why do people seem to be more attracted to someone who is involved in a relationship, as opposed to someone who's single?

Bonus: If a person cheats on their significant other with you, would you want a relationship to come out of it, knowing that person has been unfaithful?

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Where Have All The Black Films Gone???

You are sitting back watching T.V. and the next commercial that comes on tells the story of a young entrepreneurial, upwardly mobile couple of best friends who along the road to success in the music business realize their love for each other, despite the fact they are both romantically involved. This feature film isn't starring Jennifer Aniston or Shia Labeouf. It is an ensemble cast that just so happens to feature African-American actors and actresses. The movie is Brown Sugar and the year is 2002. Taye Diggs and Saana Lathan are the chief characters in this romantic comedy that also featured the thespian talents of Mos Def, Boris Kodjo, Nicole Ari Parker and Queen Latifah. This masterfully written screenplay not only told the age-old story of friends-turned lovers, but also deftly revealed the love affair of young black Americans with the cultural explosion that is Hip-Hop. Not only was this movie a fresh take on the romantic comedy, it was a positive display of African-Americans in the new millennium landscape.




Fast forward to 2009 and the idea of a Black Movie either involves a straight-to-DVD opus about a hair salon or an over the top big budget film prominently centered around an adult black male dressed in drag as a stereotypical grandmother. Gone are the days where we had multiple black films in the movie theater at the same time. Gone are the days of vivid and poignant portrayals of inner city life such as Menace II Society and clever and witty depictions of love and career in classics such as Boomerang. Now it seems that the Black Movie has lost its stance in the American market place, unless it has the Tyler Perry stamp on the film reel. I am not discrediting the work of Perry and the place that his films hold in the history and legacy of Black filmmaking, but the void in black films is painfully apparent when the marketplace has been reduced to merely a quarterly dose of Madea. Spike Lee, The Hughes Brothers, Malcolm Lee, Hype Williams, Rick Famuyiwa and the list goes on and on. These Black screen writers, directors and producers have injected popular thought, pride and entertainment into the theaters and homes of America through their timeless films and my only question is why has the production ceased?





Has Hollywood official done to the movie industry what has been done to the television realm - A virtual Blackout? I for one miss having a Black film on my list of must see movies each month and as much as Perry has his place in Hollywood and the history books for changing the game, I want that old thing back. I want those films that covered a diversity of distinctly African-American issues in a variety of landscapes and societal dialects. Judging solely by Madea's constant record breaking box office numbers, there is a wide demand for films that explore the Black American experience. So I am left to wonder, where have all the Black Films Gone...

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

Pete Wentz Rocks New TK Supras

Burgundy TK Society Supra joints hit the streets on October 1st. Pete, undo the straps on the sneakers. Thanks.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

Keri Hilson "Slow Dances" with The Roots

Keri gives a solid performance @ Jimmy Fallon Live.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

For All The BP3 Heads

BBC gives Jay-Z's "So Ambitious" a visual representation with these T-Shirt mock-ups. Not sure if these are hitting the market, but I am sure the Blueprint 3 fans will scoop them up if they hit retail.

-MiKe

mike@theantandmikeshow.com

They Don't Sing Like This No More

And they don't dance like that either...or do they??? R.I.P. Dino!

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Random Question of the Day: Integrity Edition

If you cheated on a significant other and got away with it, would you take the risk and tell them that you did, or would you go on like nothing ever happened?

Bonus: If your significant other told you they cheated, one time, a long time ago, would you respect their honesty and stay around or would you leave knowing they broke your trust?

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Female Rap: The Lost Art

When hip-hop took the world by storm in the late 70's, it was quickly a male dominated art form. However, in the 80's, female rappers began to interject themselves in a way that commanded respect, not just by their male counterparts, but by fans all around the world. Starting with Roxanne Shante, and progressing with Mc Lyte, Queen Latifah, and Salt 'N Pepa. During the 90's, artists like Da Brat, Lil' Kim & Foxy Brown continued the trend of women who could easily stand up lyrically to any male in the game.

Things started to turn a risky corner with the sexuality that Lil' Kim and to a lesser extent, Foxy Brown, exhibited in their lyrics. Nevertheless, the two of them found a way to use their sexuality as another form of empowerment for women, and female rap remained alive and well.

However, female mc's have now become an endangered species. Too many sexual references, too much overcompensating with foul language and street rhetoric. Those ladies who possess skills that do go beyond the normal cliches have been met with a bias in the music industry. In the early days of 80's and 90's hip-hop, fans only cared about who had skills. If you could stand in the ring and go toe-to-toe with other rappers, it didn't matter whether or not you were a man or woman. Now in the days of declining record sales and men barely going gold, ladies are having a hard time holding their own when it comes to getting people to purchase their work.

Skilled rappers like Shawnna, Remy Ma, and even vets like Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown have not been able to get the buzz generated that they saw early in their careers. Lil Kim's risque style has been carbon copied so many times that it has become old, causing her career to be reduced to a lifelong comeback. Remy Ma and Foxy Brown made some legal decisions that hindered their progression in their respective careers. Shawnna, who I've personally seen on stage ripping every dude who stood next to her, wasn't able to pop even with a big label and a hit single.

Nowadays, new female artists are barely able to make an imprint in the game. Artists like Nicki Minaj, Lil' Mama, and Kid Sister have all seen their music backed by either a big name or a hit single, yet none of them have been able to catch on. Record companies have no problem signing talented lady mc's, but without a guaranteed hit single on their hands, the labels won't put enough money behind the project to even get it on the shelves.

The rap game has regressed for women, not just in support from labels and fans, but also in talent. We've gone from "Lyte as a Rock" and "U.N.I.T.Y." to women trying their hardest to rap like men, instead of just being themselves. Because of this female mc's have lost the one thing they could always count on, the support of female consumers.

In a male dominated industry, women came in and commanded that their talents be heard, and that the powers that be give them the same opportunity that men were getting. Now the talent level and the record sales have both declined drastically. Half of the women who rap today care less about earning respect and more about doing whatever it takes to earn a check. They'll let record labels mold them into cliched sex pots, or carbon copies of female mc's who've seen their time pass, in hopes of finding success.

Whether women can return to hip-hop glory remains to be seen. Until then, female mc's have to sit back and watch men dominate this genre of music just as they did in the early days of rap. All of this, while hoping that history will repeat itself, and ladies will be able to open the doors to an industry that keeps hinting that there are no women allowed.

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

New Video: Keri Hilson "Slow Dance"

What do you think about the video?

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

Recognition: Dick Vitale

Most people, myself included, are familiar with Dick Vitale more for his booming voice than his noble deeds. What he did for a Florida family recently, might change how you look at him.

17-year Jasmine Thompson, a Bayshore High cheerleader was riding in a car with her friends after a football game. An 18 year old man walked up to the car and tried to solicit the girls for sexual favors. After he was told no, the young man turned to walk away, and in an instant, turned back around and shot up the car. Jasmine Thompson, a senior, died before she could get to a hospital.

Dick Vitale read this tragic story in a local newspaper. While reading the paper, he also read that Jasmine's mother and family could not afford funeral services or a cemetery plot and would require charitable contributions to pay for everything. With the State of Florida offering to pay for the funeral services, Vitale has come forward and offered to pay for a cemetery plot.

In addition to helping to pay for the cemetery plot, Vitale also plans to start a scholarship program in the names of Jasmine Thompson, and Dejuan Williams, another student from Bayshore High who was killed earlier this year.

For a celebrity to do something charitable is one thing. But to do something for people you don't know, just because they need it, is truly a blessing. Shout out to Dicky V.

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com

The Day The World Changed

Today marks the eight year anniversary of the worst act of terrorism on American soil. Rarely does our country rally around each other whole heartedly, but on this day, at one of our darkest hours, we all felt the pain, fear, anxiety and courage that went through New York, the Twin Towers, and the Pentagon.

To the soldiers, citizens, police and fire departments who sacrificed their lives to protect the rest of us, we say thank you.

-Ant

ant@thentandmikeshow.com

The Best That Ever Did It...

Today, perennial All-Star, 6 time NBA champion, 10 time NBA scoring Champion, 2 time Olympic Champion, and the only reason that Nike didn't fold to Adidas and Fila in the 80's, Michael Jordan (and others) will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Jordan's presence alone has doubled the usual attendance at the Hall of Fame inductee ceremony, and the venue had to be moved to accommodate the large crowd. This man is single handedly the reason that athletes today can make more money in endorsement money than in their contracts. If anyone is deserving of the Hall of Fame, it's the Legendary 23.

Entering the Hall along with Jordan will be John Stockton, Coach Jerry Sloan, David Robinson, and women's basketball Coach C. Vivian Stringer. Congrats to all the inductees!

-Ant

ant@theantandmikeshow.com