(New Music Alert - Rated *HOT) Nas - The Don produced by Heavy D (RIP)

Nas is back with the real. Produced by long time friend Heavy D, Nas proves its still possible to make listeners bob their head without following trendy music. The Godson is original in style as always. This is one of the reasons he is one of the greatest rappers alive. Leave a comment on what you think of the new track "The Don"

Antoine Walker’s D-League comeback isn’t going so smoothly

By Kelly Dwyer |

Antoine Walker of the Idaho Stampede (Getty Images)

It's not a sad tale, that Sports Illustrated's Chris Ballard wrote on former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker. It's not a confirming tale, either, or a heart-warming one, or a particularly inspiring one. There's too much going on with Walker to fixate on one part of his life -- his early promise, the poor hoop habits that never went away, his off-court largesse, his current struggles in the NBA's minor leagues -- and sign Ballard's story off as a one-note affair. No, it's just another expertly penned piece from one of North America's finest sports writers, on one of the more frustrating figures in NBA history.
After the NBA collectively decided to take a pass on Walker's declining game back in 2008, reports started to surface about the former Boston Celtic's increasing debt. It appears as if Walker had for years emulated Michael Jordan's lavish off-court lifestyle (including frequent trips to casinos) with Jordan at times but without Jordan's accumulated wealth, and without Jordan's ability to say "no" to hangers-on and family members. As a result, Walker is deeply in debt, and playing for the D-League's Idaho Stampede in the hopes that one more NBA contract (even a year at the minimum would just about wipe away his debt) might be in the offing.
According to Ballard, it doesn't appear that a contract like that is a possibility. We'll quote one of the many must-read passages:

The air is thick with the smell of smoke. The blinds are drawn. A lighter sits on the coffee table, next to a giant jug of Crystal Geyser water. Unlit incense sticks are nearby. On the TV a game of NBA 2K12 is paused in the second quarter—the Pacers versus the Spurs. There is a large box of Cheez-Its on the floor and bagged-up cartons of Kentucky Fried Chicken in the corner. Boxes of Corn Pops and Cap'n Crunch line the top of the refrigerator.
In five hours Walker will take the court for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA's Developmental League. For now he has agreed to talk about how and why he came to be here—a three-time All-Star living in a $915-a-month apartment he shares with reserve guard Chris Davis, and playing for a salary of less than $25,000. He has no car, subsists mainly on cold cuts and fast food and plays in front of crowds as small as 155.

That paints a pretty sad picture, especially when Ballard relays later that Walker is at least 40 pounds over his NBA playing weight, and he wasn't exactly the sveltest specimen during his 12-year NBA career.
It shows in his stats with the Stampede. Walker starts about half his team's games, and averages 25 points per game. Despite his All-Star pedigree and accrued wisdom, the 35-year-old (that's it?) averages just 36 percent shooting, and takes over 4 1/2 3-pointers in those 25 minutes despite shooting just 20 percent from behind the arc. He makes less than half his free throws, and has nearly as many turnovers (82) as assists (84) this year. This isn't to kick the guy when he's down, we're just relaying the chance he's been given by coach Randy Livingston (who I think will make a fantastic NBA coach someday) at one last NBA tour.
Ballard's piece is predictably fantastic to read, and he makes a joyful noise to end it, with Walker showing brief signs of his old all-around game in a Stampede blowout win. But there are also tales of missed flights, and delayed interviews -- not just relayed to Ballard after the fact, but in SI's attempts to talk to Walker. This is a man desperate to get back to the NBA, and yet he still can't be bothered to keep up appearances when a major magazine sends a scribe all the way out to Idaho (sorry, Idaho; but you're pretty far away from midtown Manhattan), and Walker can't be bothered to even tidy up. Much less show up.
It's a little depressing, and as it usually is with Antoine, frustrating. Like we mentioned earlier, Walker is only 35. He may only have a few years left by NBA standards, but … he has a few years left! He's a 6-8 guy with touch and basketball smarts that could still contribute to an NBA team if he got in terrific shape, cut out the bad habits off the court, and canned it with the perimeter obsession on the court.
You know, the sort of things people were begging him to do over a decade ago.
Walker had money back then, though. He had a chance at more contracts and his prime to look forward to. He may have been spending too much, and employing too many people, but the pressures and expectations were different. A smart stint in the D-League could have been his way out, and instead it looks like his old habits are getting in the way of Walker taking advantage of his last viable chance.
I suppose it is a sad story, after all.

Pagination

(Video Alert) Documentary ->> Vinsoun - Prelude to Soulful 7

Irv Gotti didnt get it........Def Jam Names Joie Manda As Label President

by Allen Jacobs

                                                

After Irv Gotti's unsuccessful campaign for the position, Joie Manda moves from Warner Urban Music to the house that Russell Simmons built.

Def Jam has announced Joie Manda as the label's president.
In a press release revealing the news, the imprint revealed that Manda will be taking on the lead role at the legendary company. Manda, who previously served as an executive at Warner Bros. Records, acknowledged the big shoes he has to fill, as previous persons to hold the position include Jay-Z, Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles.
"Running Def Jam is the greatest challenge of my career," said Manda. "The Def Jam artist roster has always been synonymous with the greatest in hip-hop, and I intend to carry that tradition into the future."
"As we look to expand Def Jam and our creative urban music activities even further, there is no one better to lead them than Joie," said Chairman and CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Barry Weiss. "He has emerged as one of the most respected young executives in today's urban music landscape, possessing all the qualifications and experience that are essential to run Def Jam, the world's most important hip-hop destination."
Irv Gotti previously campaigned for the position, stating that the lack of a president since Hov in 2007 was disrespectful to the culture. "Def Jam, I shouldn’t even comment on it because it makes me angry because there hasn’t been a president of Def Jam since [Jay-Z], really. It’s a terrible thing because it’s so important to the culture and they’re just letting it go away, they ain’t paying no attention to it."

Lil Wayne Partners With Mountain Dew; Building Skate Park In New Orleans

by Roman Wolfe 

Rapper Lil Wayne has partnered with Mountain Dew to build a skate park in his hometown of New Orleans.

The new deal is part of a new partnership between Lil Wayne, Mountain Dew and Blueprint Group.

Blueprint Group is a new artist development and management company that was formed as a result of a merger between Gee Roberson’s Hip Hop Since 1978 and Bryant’s Bryant Management.

Under the new partnership between Blueprint Group, Lil Wayne and Mountain Dew, a new advertising partnership will be launched titled “DEWeezy.”

The rapper’s campaign will feature advertisements, personal appearances and the building of the skate park.

The campaign is being produced by the Glu Agency, which will be charged with executing the campaign.

“We are excited to partner Lil Wayne’s brand with a brand like Mountain Dew, a household name. Representatives from the Glu Agency approached us with the idea over a year ago, which was surprising to us because corporate America is often very conservative and Lil Wayne is a unique artist,” said Cortez Bryant, co-CEO of Blueprint Group. “However by showing interest in Lil Wayne, both Mountain Dew and the Glu Agency showed us they were forward thinking and valued the impact that Lil Wayne’s brand has had and will continue to have on global pop culture.”

Lil Wayne and Blueprint Group will announce more details about the Mountain Dew partnership at this year’s SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas.

The news of Lil Wayne’s joint venture with Mountain Dew comes on the heels of the recent release of his clothing company, TrukFit.

S.O.B.’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Moved To Bigger Venue Due to Demand

by Grouchy Greg 

A highly anticipated concert featuring Slaughterhouse, Machine Gun Kelly, 2 Chainz and others at SXSW has been switched to a larger venue, due to the overwhelming response.

S.O.B.’s will celebrate their 30th anniversary at SXSW, with an all-star concert headlined by rap super group Slaughterhouse, MGK, Nikki Jean, CJ Hilton, Elle Varner, Maya Azuceña, Travis Porter and others.

S.O.B.’s 30th anniversary concert will now take place at The Belmont, which is twice the size of the original venue’s capacity.

Additionally, new clothing company Dallas Lives has jumped on board as the event’s exclusive sponsor.

Dallas Lives is an emerging streetwear brand founded by entrepreneur Cody Bustamante, to honor his fallen brother Dallas.

The clothing line represents the ideals, lifestyle and culture that two brothers shared.

S.O.B.’s 30th anniversary concert will take place on March 14 at The Belmont, which is located at 305 W. 6th St. in Austin Texas.

Anyone can attend S.O.B.’s concert with official SXSW badges, on a first come, first served basis.

Select media will be given access to talent for interviews.

Tune in to AllHipHop.com for pre-show content and post-show coverage.

50 Cent To Perform “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” Album At Shady 2.0 SXSW Showcase

by JP DelaCuesta 

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It’s been officially announced thatthis year at SXSW, Shady Records will be putting on a very unique showcase that will feature G-Unit founder 50 Centperforming his debut album Get Rich Or Die Tryin in it’s entirety.

In addition to 50′s performance, Shady Records artists Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf will also both have sets of their own at the showcase which is being presented by Beats By Dre, Fuse, Lipton Brisk and The Village Voice.

Shade45 and Rap Radar will also be involved with the Shady 2.0 showcase as they present “The Next Phase” which will be hosted by Sway and feature performances from Big K.R.I.T, Action Bronson, Don Trip, Schoolboy Q, S.T.S. and The Foodchain.

The Shady 2.o Showcase will take place on Friday March 16th at the Austin Music Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m.

For more information visit www.ShadyRecords.com