The Written Truth

Drake- Take Care Album Review

2011-11-09T17:21:00.001-05:00

Drake's highly anticipated sophmore album Take Care hit stores November 15th. So of course I had to download it and give it a listen, I've only been waiting for Take Care to drop since June.

I threw on the Dre Beats and cranked the volume up as soon as it stopped downloading, I haven't stopped listening. This album is ranks near the top of 2011. An artist typically drops a sophomore album that gets away from what they originally sounded like and fans seem to tune out. However, Take Care might be the best work yet from the Young Money co-captain Drake.

What I respect most about Drake is that he didn't really care that his album leaked. The way he reacted to it leaking made it seem like he knew people were going to go buy the album anyways. It also seemed as if he was relieved, like a huge monkey was finally off his back. Drake took to Twitter to comment on it and had this to say.

The music speaks for itself on this one. It has the classic Drake hooks and the lines that will make you think. Of course he talks about money and the lavish lifestyle a young millionaire lives. He raps about hooking up all his friends that have been there since the beginning and always believed in him.

The reason I love this album and the reason why I will always listen to Drake even though naysayers say he is the softest in the hip-hop game right now, which might be true, is because he raps about getting hurt. Yeah I know rap songs are suppose to be about money, fame and women but the dawn of a new era has come to hip-hop. Even though this may sound really soft I like listening to songs about not always getting what you want and meeting the wrong women who hurt you all the time. I know everyone can relate to getting hurt by the opposite sex and being down on life.

Let's get to the songs on the album. My favorite songs so far are Crew Love, Take Care and Lord Knows. Crew Love features Drakes best buddy at the moment The Weeknd. Two guys who have merged their own tag-lines to create OVOXO. Whenever they are on a track together you know it's going to be a hit. Take Care features the bombshell Rihanna, which surprised me she was on the album after what allegedly happened between them two. It's also surprising because this song is about two people who have been hurt and promise to be there for each other. Ricky Rozay makes an appearance on Lord Knows and as usual he kills it. The two also plan to drop a collaboration in the future called Y.O.L.O. (You Only Live Once).

Drake is unlike many other rappers out right now. Whenever he features on a song or provides a hook you know that song will hit the radio waves and your iPod's eventually. You can love Drake, you can hate Drake but there is no denying he puts out well produced and well written music. He'll never be the guy you listen to if you want to get pumped up, with the exception of some songs.

Drake makes sure he is putting the best product out for his fans and never wants to disappoint. So go out and buy Take Care. Not many artists put as much effort into the production of an album as much as Drake does.

Album Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Why Peyton Manning Should Retire

2011-10-31T17:27:00.001-04:00

One word comes to mind when Peyton Manning is mentioned, greatness. Maybe the greatest quarterback of all-time, without a doubt the best of his generation. A man who puts the team on his back not only during the 2-minute drill but in every single quarter he plays.

His time has passed.

It's the new generation in the National Football League. The generation where some "experts", that means you Skip Bayless, actually believe Tim Tebow will have success as a starter. The generation where a quarterback is 6'5 and 250 pounds but can out run a defensive back on his way to the end zone. The generation where another Manning is a household name.

It's time to move on.

The Colts have realized that they are the laughing stock of the NFL without Peyton Manning. Which makes people wonder, what will they do when Peyton is really gone? Maybe they should trade him and draft Andrew Luck. The Colts could get so much in a trade for Peyton that their basement dwelling place in the standings would not last long. Who knows if Peyton will actually come back and play the way he used to. Like in Wall Street, sell high while you still can.

It's time to retire.

Peyton should ride his white horse into the sunset. Go and be an NFL analyst on whatever station you want because we all know that is your next career, right before you become the greatest offensive coordinator to ever live. Don't come back and ruin your legacy like that other guy, yes that means you Brett Favre. You know better Peyton. You've been to 11 Pro Bowls, 4 time MVP, a 5 time First-Team All-Pro member and winner of, gulp, one Super Bowl. A 14 season long illustrious career that no one will ever forget.

Leave before it's too late.

I do not want Peyton to come back and play great then blow it late in the season like that other guy, sorry Brett. I would hate to see him go to another team lead them to the game before the Super Bowl then blow it, again I'm sorry Brett. Take your legacy as it is right now and run with it. Fans know you gave it your all and we would understand the reason you retired. Your health comes before everything. Every fan knows you were the guy who we would pretend to hate but deep down we loved you.

The passing of the torch.

Peyton you gave us some great years. All-around exciting football, the Manning to Harrison connection was always a treat on Sundays. Those times are over. So pass your torch like the Olympic flame. Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford and maybe even your own brother, yes I said it, will overshadow you if you do come back. You aren't the player who likes to take a backseat but I hate to say it, you are now.

We love you Peyton Manning.

Greece’s Economic Future

2011-10-26T22:37:00.001-04:00

The main currency in Europe called the Euro (Photo topnews.com)

The economy of Greece has been in economic turmoil for the past two years. Unfortunately there seems to be no solution in solving the Greece’s debt problem without further trouble for other countries.

In Greece the Euro is the form of currency, which is also the currency across many of the European continent. A debt crisis has worldwide affect on not only Europe but the United States also.

In 2010 Greece had a -15.8 percent budget deficit in terms of Gross Domestic Product. The learning of this caused a downward spiral for the Greeks.

April of 2010 was also a tough month for the country of Greece. Standard and Poor’s downgraded the Greece debt rating to BB+, essentially the lowest debt rating you can receive. They did this in fear of Greece defaulting.

If Greece were to default this would cause many problems for the countries they have been indebted to. A default would mean that Greece no longer has enough money to pay back its debts.

This would have a great affect for the Euro because it would be of lesser value. Which would hurt Europe because currently the Euro is $1.39 compared to one American dollar.

There is hope that the European Union will find a solution to the Greece crisis and avert a total disaster that would have a ripple effect worldwide. Billions of Euro’s have been pumped into the Greece economy but nothing seems to be working as the struggle for a solution continues.

Here in America stocks have fluctuated up and down. Wall Street is not stable at the moment. The Greece economic problems are reaching a point where a resolution needs to found sometime in the immediate future or financial chaos will surely be felt across the world.

Libya's Greatest Challenge

2011-10-25T15:59:00.001-04:00

After 8 months of bloodshed and the killing of innocent people the civil war in Libya has reached an end. Moammar Gaddafi was finally found and killed by the revolutionaries on October 20^th, 2011, which in turn effectively ended the war. Now it’s on to the hard part for the people of Libya.

A democracy is what Libyan citizens have dreamed of for many years under the rule of Gaddafi. A totalitarian form of government had been oppressing the people of Libya dating all the way back to 1969 when Gaddafi first took control of Libya.

Gaddafi was a man who believed everything he did was for the good of the country. A man who took no one else into consideration when he made a decision.

When a political party would form that was not part of his government Gaddafi would order the execution of these citizens. Any sign of revolution or seize of power by the Libyan citizens would be squashed immediately. Gaddafi never gave the people a chance until the revolution started last February.

Now he is gone, something Libyan’s have only dreamt about. The graphic photos of the killing of Gaddafi were shared throughout the world to show what Libyan’s thought he deserved. Photos and videos were released displaying the gruesome death Gaddafi had to suffer. In the end though does anyone truly feel bad for the way he was killed?

The celebration for Libya will be short-lived however. Trying to create a full-functioning and successful democracy will be their most difficult challenge yet. They will soon find out that hunting down and killing Gaddafi was the easiest part of their struggle to freedom.

A new constitution will now have to be constructed, something Libya has not had to since Gaddafi abolished it in 1969 shortly after he came to power. Leaders will have to emerge for the group of rebels who liberated the country of Libya.

This process of forming a democracy will not be easy, especially in the Middle East where many different religions strive to be the only religion. Libya has a vast culture of different beliefs and upbringings.

Libya will have to form a system of human rights. It is essential for them to justify the difference between right and wrong in their legal system. The first piece of legal legislation should be an investigation into how Gaddafi died.

The revolutionaries fought for freedom and a fair government towards its people but the way they murdered Gaddafi judged by the pictures seems to discredit their righteous beliefs. To torture a man and brutally kill them was the reason they fought this civil war against Gaddafi’s regime.

The bloody death of Gaddafi makes these people no better then the man they killed. Libya has to establish a ruling government where killings of this sort do not happen

Kanye Occupying Wall Street

2011-10-11T00:06:00.000-04:00

Of course our boy Kanye West is in the middle of something controversial again. Kanye is spotted hanging out on Wall Street protesting with his fellow Americans and fighting for the cause. It's crazy how a guy who is worth $80 million got himself involved in this. I thought the protesters on Wall Street were complaining about people like him? Maybe not. Regardless I got respect for Kanye for going down and joining the fight, damn the man.

Jay-Z And Beyonce's Baby Due Date Announced

2011-10-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

The power couple of Jay-Z and Beyonce have announced to the world that their first child will be entering this world sometime in February 2012. I wonder how musically talented this little kid will be. Hopefully HOV doesn't pull an MJ and dangle his newborn off a balcony

Top 10 Sports Stadiums In America

2011-10-10T23:54:00.001-04:00

View Top 10 Sports Stadiums Across America in a larger map

I composed a list of some of America's greatest landmarks in the history of sports. These stadiums have held some great games and have had a lot of history pass through it walls. Some of the greatest athletes of all-time played in them. Check it out.

Occupying Wall Street

2011-10-06T12:25:00.003-04:00

Photo Credit: Christopher Vetter

By: Christopher Vetter

It’s quite and dull outside the New York Stock Exchange a few hours before the closing bell, metal blockades restrict walking to the sidewalks but a block away the streets are alive.

When the occupiers of Wall Street first broke ground on September 17^th there was not much hype around. It seemed to be just another protest consisting of NYU students, hipsters and the homeless looking for a place to sleep.

Since then the protests have grown larger and more revolutionary. However a main goal still has not been established amongst these protesters.

They picket, they dance and they shout. Mostly about corporate greed and how banks have been the reason for the recession. Arguing that stockbrokers and financial bankers get richer while the middle-class loses their jobs.

The Headquarters for Occupy Wall Street is located in an interesting place. It’s called Zuccotti Park, sandwiched in between the World Trade Center and the New York Stock Exchange. One side of the park features hope and American pride while the other features stress and yelling between the hours of 9 AM to 4 PM.

You’ll know you are at the park because the smell is horrendous. Protestors have been camping out in sleeping bags and seem to not be showering.

News reporters are everywhere trying to get the latest scoop on what is going on down at the park. The words of these protesters have been heard from coast to coast. Los Angeles and Boston have started their own versions of Occupy Wall Street.

On the far side of the park a young male adult tapes a dollar bill over his mouth with a sign saying, “I could lose my job having a voice”. The picketer next to him stomps and shouts while a television network is interviewing him.

Organization has finally started to formulate in the ‘Occupy’ movement. Labor unions have started to join in and more protesters are welcomed to the fight daily.

Occupiers have even started to get arrested, signs of a successful protest. Last Saturday hundreds were thrown into jail as they tried to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, which exponentially lead to the blocking of traffic on the bridge.

The charisma of these protesters is compelling enough to make you want to join them. The passion and dedication to this fight, even if they have no idea why they are there, is real.

They fight against the corrupt and for the people, a Robin Hood type of mentality. They hope for change and reform to our society. The torture that some Americans have endured from the wrongdoings of these banks and brokers has been unbearable at times.

No one knows how big the protest will get or how long they will ‘Occupy’ the streets of lower Manhattan. One thing is for sure, they will not be taken lightly and their voices will be heard.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs Dies

2011-10-05T20:47:00.000-04:00

The man that brought us the iPod, iPhone, iMac and iPad has sadly passed away. Apple's former CEO Steve Jobs single-handedly changed the world of technology forever. Founding Apple in a garage in 1976, Jobs went on to become one of the most influential people in the world. Recently due to his undisclosed illness Jobs named Tim Cook his successor and the man to lead the Apple brand to the next level. Ironically Jobs passes away the day after Apple's big announcement of the new iPhone 4S. It's a very sad day for Apple and the rest of the world affected by Jobs. Rest in peace Steve Jobs, age 56.

Drake Headlines Music Video

2011-10-02T20:02:00.000-04:00

Check out Drake's new music video for the smash single Headlines off his upcoming album Take Care dropping in stores on October 24th.

Obama Jobs Bill

2011-09-26T17:25:00.001-04:00

On Thursday September 8^th, 2011 on Capitol Hill President Obama announced to congress a new bill that calls for a proposed $447 billion in tax cuts and government spending. The main component of the bill is the American Jobs Act, which is worth $240 billion .In a country where in the month of August the unemployment rate was 9.1% President Obama decided it was time for a change.

President Obama emphatically pressed the issue to Congress by repeatedly stating, “Pass this jobs bill”. The main focus of the bill is to get the economy moving again and to operate the way it was 10 years ago. With another recession feared by economic experts and with re-election in roughly 13 months Obama needs something to inspire American’s.

Taxes for employees in the impending jobs bill will be cut in half through 2012. The bill also calls for 140$ billion for repairs to American schools, roads and bridges across the nation. Another perk that in the eyes of small business owners seems to glisten is they would get tax holidays when hiring new employees. In addition to that small businesses would also receive a cut in their payroll taxes.

During his speech President Obama drove home to Republicans and Democrats that this jobs bill needs to be passed in order for America to stay ahead of the rest of the world. In a country where many schools are falling apart and students are not learning as much as they used to a more innovative place to study and learn will be more appealing to the youth of America.

In what is wildly becoming known as the ‘Buffett Rule’ President Obama called for a higher taxation of the wealthiest in America. Warren Buffet publicly came out in an article published by the New York Times stating that America needs to “Stop coddling the super-rich”. Buffett would even be welcome to the idea of a double taxation by the American government on the billionaires of America.

Congress plans to vote on the American Jobs Act sometime within the next month. For President Obama’s sake it is a necessity his proposed jobs bill gets passed through Congress quickly, if it does not the future is grim for him and his administration.

Big Sean On Wiz And Currensy Tracks

2011-09-21T17:14:00.001-04:00

J. Cole Talks About Him And Rihanna

2011-09-21T17:12:00.000-04:00

Luxurious Pools

2011-09-15T12:52:00.001-04:00

Random post but I came across this today and damn does it make me miss summer now. These pools are wild, out-of-this-world type shit. Check it out.

J. Cole ft. Jay-Z- Mr. Nice Watch

2011-09-15T12:44:00.000-04:00

This song will most likely be the next single of Cole's forthcoming album. Many have been waiting on this collaboration. What do you think? Classic or bust?

Scarlett Johansson Nude Photos Leaked

2011-09-14T23:42:00.001-04:00

To the pleasure of guys all across the world Scarlett Johansson has been hacked and naked cell phone pictures of her have been spread across the worldwide web. They may be real, they may be fake, that's for you to decide. Scarlett Jo Nude

Cole Word: The Sideline Story

2011-09-14T23:31:00.000-04:00

Get hyped J Cole fans, it's finally here. September 27th our boy Cole will drop his rookie album. Here's the final track list. Fingers crossed for no more push backs.

1. Intro
2. Dolla and a Dream III
3. Can’t Get Enough
4. Lights Please
5. Interlude
6. Sideline Story
7. Mr. Nice Watch (Feat. Jay-Z)
8. Cole World
9. In the Morning (Feat. Drake)
10. Lost Ones
11. Nobody’s Perfect (Feat. Missy Elliott)
12. Never Told (prod. by No I.D.)
13. Rise and Shine
14. God’s Gift
15. Breakdown
16. Cheer Up

Ari Gold's Future Position

2011-09-14T22:55:00.000-04:00

When the final credits were done rolling on the finale of the HBO original series Entourage we were all left wondering what was next. The other question many may have been wondering is who is the real life John Ellis(The man Ari is seen talking to on the phone in the final scene)? I did some digging and it wasn't hard to find who this person may actually be. I present to you Jeffrey Bewkes, CEO of Time Warner.
Complete Business Profile

Young Jeezy And Wiz Cookin' It Up In The Studio

2011-04-19T18:03:00.002-04:00

New Techno March 29th, 2011

2011-03-29T19:36:00.002-04:00

Some new techno for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Snoop Dogg: Eyez Closed

2011-03-22T15:29:00.002-04:00

This is some fire right here. Definitely a Kanye beat, which always means good things. John Legend is on the chorus. Kanye spits a hot verse too.

B.o.B.- NY NY

2011-03-21T19:49:00.002-04:00

New song by Bobby Ray inspired by the new video game Crysis 2. Short but good. Check it out.

The Dean's List- Dear Professor

2011-03-20T00:33:00.000-04:00

Fire.

Wiz Khalifa- DayToday Season 3 Episode 9

2011-03-16T22:14:00.002-04:00

Last episode in Wiz's 3rd season of DayToday. TGOD.

Kanye West- All Of The Lights Remix

2011-03-16T22:08:00.000-04:00

Rumor has it more people are to be added to this remix but with Lil' Wayne, Drake and Big Sean I'd say it's a pretty good start.