Lil’ Scrappy decides to address the current elephant in the room.
Five Minutes To The Stage: Chance The Rapper
Myspace caught some dope footage of Chance The Rapper right before we went on for a sold-out show at Manhattan’s SOBs (sometime shortly after the release of Acid Rap).
The Cool Kids Feat. Aaron LaCrate – FootWork
Another track that will end up on Aaron LaCrate’s upcoming mixtape.
The DangerFeel Newbies Feat. Julie Dexter – Gotta Live My Life (Lyric Video)
Modern soul music out of Atlanta…you can enjoy the above lyric video and head here to download the track.
LIVE STREAM: George Zimmerman Trial (UPDATED)
Thanks to WTSP.com, we get to see the George Zimmerman trial as it unfolds. Tune in (the audio is occasionally muted intentionally).
Here is what has happened in the trial so far (courtesy of The Week):
Monday, June 24, 2013
“We are confident that at the end of this trial you will know in your head, in your heart, in your stomach that George Zimmerman did not shoot Trayvon Martin because he had to,” says prosecutor John Guy to open the trial. “He shot him for the worst of all reasons, because he wanted to.”Zimmerman’s attorney, Don West kicks off his defense with a knock-knock joke meant to illustrate the difficulty of getting his client a fair trial:
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
George Zimmerman.
George Zimmerman who?
Good, you’re on the jury.West makes the case that Martin was armed with a deadly weapon — the concrete sidewalk, which he called “no different than if he picked up a brick or smashed his head against a wall.”
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
The focus turns to Zimmerman’s role in the neighborhood watch and whether he had a history of reporting black males to the police. The prosecution plays four calls of Zimmerman warning police about black men he witnessed in the neighborhood after break-ins.Donald O’Brien, president of the Twin Lakes homeowners association, testifies that the neighborhood watch volunteers were told to stay away from suspicious people and call police instead.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Rachel Jeantel tears up while giving testimony on June 26. (Jacob Langston-Pool/Getty Images)Rachel Jeantel, 19, testifies that she was talking on the phone with Martin right before the shooting and heard him say, “Why are you following me for?” and “Get off, get off” before the call was disconnected. Two other eyewitnesses claim they heard a boy, who they believe was Martin, cry out for help during a struggle outside.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Zimmerman’s defense attorney cross-examines Jeantel, questioning the veracity of her past statements to police and asking her if Martin used the term “cracker” to describe white people. He also asks her why a letter she wrote to Martin’s mother describing the events didn’t mention race as a factor in the shooting.Later, Jenna Lauer, a resident of Twin Lakes who called 911 after hearing “yelping” outside, testifies that she couldn’t identify which of the two men was yelling for help.
Friday, June 28, 2013
John Good, Zimmerman’s neighbor, testifies that he saw Martin straddled on top of Zimmerman throwing down punches in a “ground and pound,” a term from mixed martial arts. He says that he could not tell whether it was Martin or Zimmerman calling for help and that he could not actually see any of the punches connect.Monday, July 1, 2013
The prosecution plays four statements Zimmerman made to police, pointing out inconsistencies in his story, including different accounts of what Martin supposedly said to Zimmerman as he allegedly approached.Chris Serino, the case’s lead detective with the Sanford Police Department, testifies that he doubts Martin landed 25 to 30 blows as Zimmerman claims.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda demonstrates a possible scenario while questioning Sanford police officer Chris Serino on July 2. (Joe Burbank-Pool/Getty Images)Serino testifies that there were no “major” differences in Zimmerman’s various statements to police, and that Zimmerman seemed “very elated” when investigators told him that the incident could have been caught on tape.
Dr. Valerie Rao, a medical examiner who reviewed evidence of the case, says Zimmerman’s injuries “were not life threatening… very insignificant.” Rao claims that if Zimmerman was attacked as severely as he said he was, he would have suffered severe damage and bleeding; instead, she says, his injuries weren’t bad enough to require stitches.
Wednesday, July 3
Military attorney Alexis Carter testifies that Zimmerman got an “A” in his criminal litigation course, which included information about Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. The prosecution charges that Zimmerman lied about his knowledge of “Stand Your Ground” last year on Fox News, while the defense team argues that Zimmerman’s actions were permissible under the law.Friday, July 5
When asked if the voice heard screaming in the background of a 911 call belongs to her son, Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, responds, “I heard my son screaming.” Gladys Zimmerman, mother of the defendant, identifies the voice as “My son, George.”Monday, July 8
Sanford police officer Chris Serino says that when he asked Tracy Martin whether the voice crying for help on a 911 call belonged to his 17-year-old son, Trayvon Martin, he “looked away and under his breath, as I interpreted it, said ‘no.'” The prosecution posits that Tracy Martin might have just been expressing denial at his son’s death.On the stand, Tracy Martin denies Serino’s story, saying, “I was listening to my son’s last cry for help.”
The defense team brings in five people: Mark and Sondra Osterman, who refer to George Zimmerman as Mark’s “best friend”; Leanne Benjamin and her partner John Donnelly, who says he considers Zimmerman almost “as a son”; and Zimmerman co-worker Geri Russo. They all say the voice on the 911 call belongs to Zimmerman.
Tuesday, July 9
Dr. Vincent DiMaio, the former chief medical examiner in San Antonio, Texas, testifies that the trajectory of the bullet and traces of gunpowder are “consistent with Mr. Zimmerman’s account that Mr. Martin was over him, leaning forward at the time he was shot.” When cross-examined, DiMaio concedes to the prosecution that it’s possible that Martin was pulling away from Zimmerman at the time of the shooting. He also tells the court that he was paid $2,400 by the defense.DiMaio goes on to say that it’s likely that Martin was conscious for 10 to 15 seconds after being shot, which would make it possible for him to move his arms. Zimmerman initially said that he moved Martin’s arms out to the side after the shooting, which appeared to contradict photos that found Martin with his arms under his body.
Wednesday, July 10
Assistant State Attorney John Guy uses a foam dummy on July 10 to demonstrate the altercation between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin. (Gary W. Green-Pool/Getty Images)Dennis Root, a public safety consultant called by the defense, testifies that Martin was probably in better shape than Zimmerman. During cross-examination, the prosecution straddles a foam dummy to demonstrate that it would have been hard for Zimmerman to grab his gun with Martin on top of him, which is what the defense team claims happened. Root later agrees with the defense team that Zimmerman might have been able to reach around Martin’s body to grab his gun.
When asked if the gunshot angle was consistent with Martin getting off of Zimmerman and backing away, Root replies, “It could be consistent with any kind of movement… We weren’t there so the info that we have is George Zimmerman’s statement.”
After a testy spat with the judge, the defense waits until the last minute to inform the court that George Zimmerman will not testify. That makes the last defense witness Zimmerman’s father, Robert Zimmerman, who identifies the voice yelling in the 911 call as his son’s.
The defense rests its case. After rebuttal witnesses are called, both sides will make their closing arguments, and then the case will be sent to the jury.
Lil Kim “Looks Like Money”
Lil Kim turns 39 today and she decides to let go of her new record. Make sure to wish her a Happy Birthday.
Ice Cube: ‘Fuck Dwight Howard!’
Ice Cube goes off on Dwight “Coward” during the Kings of the Mic Tour at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.
Willie The Kid Feat. Action Bronson & Roc Marciano – Medusa (Prod. Alchemist)
Willie The Kid seems very promising as far as being a rap star……at least he still makes dope music. His collaborative album with The Alchemist, Masterpiece Theatre, drops July 23rd.
Mike WiLL Made It Speaks On ‘Beach Is Better’ With 3 Little Digs
Mike Will speaks on the importance of working with the legends of the game as well as the up and comers. He also talks about “Beach Is Better” the 56 second banger off of Jay Z’s “Magna Carter Holy Grail” possibly becoming a full song. – 3 Little Digs
Hiatus Kaiyote Feat. Q-Tip – Nakamarra
Don’t know how Australian group Hiatus Kaiyote got Q-Tip on the record (oh wait, I do — because they’re freakin’ dope), but they got him. They’re officially under boutique label Flying Buddha, who is planning to re-releasing their debut album Tawk Tomahawk come 16th July. It only makes sense that this would be on that project, right?
Raekwon To (Hopefully) Appear On ScHoolboy Q’s ‘Oxymoron’
Get More:
Music News
From MTV:
Schoolboy Q is busy cooking up his major-label debut, but before Oxymoron is ready, Q hopes to add the flavor from Wu-Tang Clan’s head chef.
“I’m trying to get Raekwon on this record,” the Los Angeles up-and-comer told MTV News while on the set for his upcoming “Collard Greens” music video on July 2.
While on the Red Carpet for the 2013 Bet Awards, Q hinted that he was looking to work with one of the members of the hip-hop collective on his upcoming album in an interview with Vibe.com, but never specified which one until now. “Me and Raekwon, we’ve been talking and we’ve been trying to get a record, and I think I finally found the record for him,” he said, even though the song isn’t complete yet. “I’ma say thank you ahead of time to the Chef.”
Q says he would’ve loved to collaborate with deceased Wu-member Ol’ Dirty Bastard, but the Brooklyn MC passed away in 2004, seven years before Schoolboy dropped his debut independent album, Setbacks. “I couldn’t get ODB, may he rest in peace, he’s long gone and that’s who I really wanted,” he said.
X Priest X (@XpriestX_) – Samurai
Eletro blend coming from out of Orlando, FL. I dig it….you can check out more from this artist here.
Jadakiss Talks Female Rappers On Juan Epstein (Video)
Jadakiss talks female rappers on Hot 97 with Peter Rosenberg and DJ Cipha Sounds. Was this taken from this interview (I can’t remember and I’m too hungover to listen)?
BEHIND THE SCENES: Chris Brown (& Nicki Minaj) At The 2013 BET Awards
Watch what really went down behind the scenes leading up to the BET Awards on Sunday. From dance rehearsals, wardrobe checks to Breezy getting in the zone with collaborator and music superstar Nicki Minaj! Backstage access!
Wu-Tang Clan Perform In Quebec
Courtesy of Montreality:
Quality footage of the entire Wu-Tang Clan performing live in Quebec, Canada for a crowd of over 70,000 people. Friday, July 5th 2013.
Tony Williams – Wake Up Girl (Prod. Kanye West)
This video was unintentionally hilarious, I imagine.
You are tuned in to the video for ‘Wake Up Girl’, the second single from the upcoming re-release of King of The Fool, Tony’s debut album, completely re-mixed and re-mastered and containing brand new material!!
‘Wake Up Girl’ was produced by Kanye West and co-produced by Erwin Murphy and Chris ‘Cutta’ Baldwin.
Pick it up July 23, 2013!!!
Ciara Performs On Good Morning America
Ciara performs ‘I’m Out’ from her new album Ciara on Good Morning America.