First off take a long, hard (II) look at the picture above.

Notice the date?  Friday the 13th, as in four days prior to Before I Self Destruct hitting store shelves and about 400 days since the first stalled it’s original single “Get Up” surfaced.  I was wondering what 50 had up his sleeves to add a little buzz to his release.  Lord knows a building single, decent album & accompanying movie aren’t enough for Boo Boo.  He used little brother last time, so big brother is only the natural progression.

Seeing as how he’s been playing chess ever since GRODT, I wonder how long he’s been building up this all out assault on Jay-Z?  I mean what other business would him and Beanie Sigel have to talk about on a song?  Countless videos have been floating around the net about how 50’s wanted to sign Beanie to G-Unit for a few years, but Jigga’s pride wouldn’t let that happen.  It would also go a long way as to explaining why Beanie felt compelled to go at Jay seemingly out of the blue.  Bean’s may see it as initiation into G-Unit, but 50’s been waiting to go all out at Hov for a minute & Sigel’s situation* is the perfect springboard for that.

As well as a great way to bring some attention to Before I Self Destruct.  Think about it, 50 needs to make his albums into an event because the music isn’t strong enough to pull people in on it’s on.  Not that the music isn’t quality, but the persona of 50 Cent surpasses the music at this point.  His interviews, assaults on lesser rappers, movies & insights on the music industry keep people entertained & him continually in the public eye.  The music is secondary at this point.  I think if he kept all the extra curricular activities goings and didn’t put any more music out most people would be none the wiser.

TC summed it up with this gem the other day: “I don’t think anyone of you care if this gets a 1 or a 5 lol.”

A telltale sign that he’s reached retirement age in rapper years.

*Of cousrse I could be wrong and “I Go Off” was just made for the sake of making great music.

Whatever it is that’s rejuvenated Snoop, I’m for it. Maybe it’s what he’s not doing anymore. Anybody seen the Bishop Don Juan recently? Anyways, “Upside Down” finds Boss Dogg alongside Nipsey & Problem over a marching drum beat.

Sidenote: I told Legend a couple of weeks ago, “Gangsta’s Life” has been on constant repeat. Snoop & Hussle need to stay making music together right now. West up and all that there.

Download — Snoop Dogg Feat. Nipsey Hussle & Problem - “Upside Down”

Obie’s back with his first full length since the departure from Shady Records. For Special Reserve, Mr. Trice gets with MoSS - the first producer signed to the legendary DJ Premier’s Works of Mart production company - allowing the beatsmith to handle all the sounds for the album. “Got Hungry” features frenetic production and cuts by DJ Grouch while Obie tells how he’s still just as determined as ever.

Download — Obie Trice - “Got Hungry” (Prod. by MoSS)

“Who’s the best emcees? Biggie, Jay-Z and Nas…”

That’s where it gets cloudy for me. I’d obviously remember if I saw Biggie and I don’t recall that. Specifically Nas and Jay are hazy for me. I think I saw Nas around the time of whatever album “If I Ruled The World” was out and his pink suit was in. I remember him doing one of the shortest sets for a headliner ever. And in my mind, I swear I saw Jay perform during the Hard Knock Life tour. But coincidentally around the time the millennium was threatening to wipe away the earth so I was partying like it was indeed 1999, my system filled with the adrenaline that fast living creates, alcohol and other stimulants.

So in recent years, I wiped my list clean and started anew. And on Friday, I’ve been afforded “media access” (quotations because I’m not sure what media access means) to see Jay-Z, along with Wale & J. Cole, as they come to perform @ Vanderbilt University for the Nashville stop of the current tour.

Anticipating it? Yes and no. It’s well documented that Gotty™ hitched a ride on the Wale bandwagon early, dating back to when “Dig Dug” was still only getting regional burn. Saving you the word count, I’ve tracked & supported his career faithfully, despite TC’s objections to my lauding of his mixtape performances. As well, I saw him perform earlier in the year and walked away with my faith intact.

J. Cole? Well, reflect back to A3C, where he headlined one of the nights for Perfect Attendance. Uhh…I was on stage snapping pics for that. Dude’s tall. Oh yeah, and he can rock. Furthermore, Tinsley keeps me updated on everything Cole-related so…yeah.

But now Jay-Z? After the Fuse show, I realized that no rapper before and maybe not after will amass the body of work that Jay has. Say what you will but the man performed for two hours…and you knew the words for at least one and a half of those hours. Think about that. Imagine yourself @ a karaoke bar where they played nothing but hits you still probably would have to sit out a few songs where you didn’t know the words. Not the case with Jay.

So, again, yes and no.

A resounding yes applies because it will afford me the chance to finally meet DJ Neil Armstrong. Basically, without Neil, we probably wouldn’t be in the position where I could ask the events manager “Hey, let TSS get media access to this show.” If you’re unfamiliar, back in the days when we were still heavy bootleggin’, I posted Neil’s catalog, he found us and politely asked us to pull it. I agreed and politely asked for an interview in return…nevermind the fact that I’d never conducted an interview before in my life. Thus, the lighter was sparked for our first Session, I’ve remained in contact with Neil, yada ya.

The only suck ass part of the whole deal is I won’t be given backstage access. Well, I could but only under the pretense that it would be to conduct an interview and then be ushered back out. Jay’s got that joint locked down tighter than 1600 Pennsylvania Ave and I’m not about to have Julius sideswipe my ass for lookin’ @ Beyonce’s ass (Technically, I’ve already been in arm’s reach, Jay, and I didn’t act a fool). I asked Neil and I could hear the apprehension in his voice so I didn’t press the issue. Wale? Enh, like I said, I “know” Wale @ this point through his music, his Twittering and briefly spoke with him last time he was in the city (Me speaking to an artist = “Hey, I like your music. Keep making it” and then I’m off to smoke a cigarette). Lastly, we’ve interviewed him previously. Only thing I want to chop it up with him about is getting a connect @ Beaverton or razz him about the ‘Skins. The lovely J. Cole Session was just a few months ago so no need in really going back to rehash that.

That’s one thing about me: I really don’t have much to talk to about with artists. That’s TC’s bag. Hell, I barely carry on empty conversations with people in my daily routine. When I see Pill, we talk about shit other than music. Same for Mike. I like Buff1, as he’s a cool character. Joe “Tall Can” Scudda had me talking about college football & blogging.

So even though I have media access that will probably have me in some camera pit with 80 other motherfuckers where there should only be 40, catch me in the crowd with the rest of the plebeians. I’ll snap a few pics and have a report for everyone, doing my blogger duties. But if one of you knaves steps on my sneakers, coverage will be cut short fam.

Behind Michael Jordan, Ken Griffey Jr. likely ranks as my favorite athlete of the 1990’s. For good reason, too. The Braves were/still are my favorite team, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find myself pulling for the Mariners back when they had Randy Johnson (with the mullet), a very young Alex Rodriguez and KGJ24. They were baseball’s version of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin…minus the championships and drugs (well, A-Rod had yet to…nevermind).

Once the trio disbanded and Griff migrated to the Midwest and became more known for his injuries than homers, I still supported dude. All was proven right in the world when I learned he’d finish his career where it started. Well, it looks like homie has at least 162 more games in him as he’s decided to lace up the cleats for one more campaign.

Ken Griffey Jr. has reached agreement on a one-year deal to return to the Seattle Mariners in 2010, according to a baseball source.

The deal is similar to the 2009 contract that paid Griffey a base salary of $2 million and earned him $3.15 million total with incentives, the source said.

The Mariners are expected to make the official announcement Wednesday before the conclusion of the general managers’ meetings in Chicago.

Currently sitting fifth all time at 630 home runs, he’ll likely end up with around 650 at next season’s end if my predictions are correct (I’m no Peter Gammons). Yet and still, I’ll always be left to wonder how many he would really have had it not been for those years in Cincinnati. Regardless of what his true legacy will amount to, one thing is for sure.

Griffey had, BY FAR, the illest swing and baseball sneaker of all time. I dare you to disagree.

Griffey To Return For 2010 [ESPN]

Like sunshine on a rainy day, behold one of the best verses of the year. More so for formalities, just in case you missed it.

“I phone home to the real they wanna know just how it feel
Who woulda thought a lil’ nigga from the ‘Ville could get a deal
And tell them niggas at the top we want yo spot we are for real
And yet we heard you got it locked but like them socks we on your heels
So you best be on your toes nigga
‘Specially on your flows nigga
Cause man they keep on checking for me — ’specially all your hoes nigga
Catch me on your doorstep, you see me let me in
All I wanna do is eat, I’m like a freaky lesbian
Now all I wanna do ball on TV, me ESPN
They heard I’m bout to blow so all my enemies say ‘let’s be friends’
And all these rappers know just know where I’m bout to go so catch me then
Where all the girls that we knew scream fuck you
Go let me in
I’m definitely in a class of my own
And dinner with Hov hoping that he pass the baton
He just pass the patron
Ain’t nothin’ given dog, it’s earned
If you just livin’ dog you learn
I let you niggas see the light
I’m like the prison yard I yearn
For that living large, but Mama I ain’t done yet
Sit back and watch your son rise [sunrise]
Kick back and know that yo son set [sunset]
Forever I ain’t run yet and I never will
Nas told me “Life’s A Bitch”
Pac said “Fuck The World” and I ain’t cum yet
You up yet?
My punchlines like gut checks, I’m raw dog
I’m rough sex, I’m on deck, I’m up next
I’m God Blessed, I’m success so fuck stress
You can get the fuck from around me
And if you listening, I know you wondering where the fuck they found me
I’m from the ‘Ville boy…Ay Wale…good lookin’”

J. Cole from “Beautiful Bliss” off Wale’s Attention Deficit

Whamp whamp! Today’s shaping up to be a good day as Jovi Rockwell releases her long awaited mixtape Psycho Therapy today.

By now, either you know and have wisely accepted it, or you’ve allowed her music to pass you by. But I’ll sum it up in short one more time for those with fingers firmly implanted in your ears. Beautifully eccentric style, original flavor. Groove-inspired music with some conscious sensibilities. Expect it with Psycho Therapy, featuring guest appearances from Akon, Diplo, Major Lazer and more.

Download — Jovi Rockwell - Psycho Therapy Mixtape

Pete Rock gifts Warlock Louch with a nice flip of “Eleanor Rigby” and Sheek does not disappoint by holding up his end of the bargain lyrically.

Download — Sheek Louch - “Everyday” (Prod. by Pete Rock)

Normally I’d be hesitant to post a song by a band my girlfriend liked before me, but in the case of Vancouver indie pop duo Tegan & Sara, I have found an exception. Nonstop jamming to their aggressive new Sainthood single “Alligator,” I realized these two sorta-sexy lesbian twins have brewed a fresh cup of anti-love attitude with an awakening aroma full of heavy drums, clanky hats and an unremorseful baseline that shrugs haters off on sight. And since it’s so damn good, the blatant girl power doesn’t even phase me.

This will probably get more play in my car than you’d expect.

Download — Tegan & Sara - “Alligator”

Capone-N-Noreaga preached about parole violations over a decade ago but since the South came to power, most of the older classics don’t even matter anymore. It’s disheartening, disappointing and any other word you can think of to attach the “dis” prefix to see this go down.

Why Boosie? Just why? When you got the deuce, it certainly wasn’t anything to dismiss candidly but now that Bayou Boys hit him with the double up, that 730 on the calendar surely seems more inviting than imaginable. It’s important for our Y.B.E. that The Man is always watching well before they’re able to slap a device to your ankle. A disconnected judge presiding over a rapper’s case? Anything other than a guilty plea is a waste of time pimpin’. The judicial system can prove to be bigger haters than any Lil’ ___ in hood. They have the power to knock your hustle legally for the slightest slip-up and it fucking sucks.

Sadly there is plenty of time to let this resonate. I would tell him to keep his head up but TC doesn’t suck d!ck. No buddy.

Download — DJ Folk, DJ Got Now & Lil Boosie - The 25th Hour