Auto designer, racer Carroll Shelby dies - May. 11, 2012

Auto designer, racer Carroll Shelby dies - May. 11, 2012

The latest car he put his name behind..The Shelby 1000

Man was a legend. Produced some DOPE CARS and added his touch to countless of others behind the scenes..(and not so behind the scenes..)

 

(Video) @AllenIverson sighting! Plays with Legends All Stars in China..

Him and Steph Marbury playing against each other..

(Video) Shawn Kemp (Yes THAT SHAWN KEMP) does Shakespeare with Steve Kelly..

(Words/Guest Blogger) Words by @jg24lyfe X Mr. Wiley Can't Be Happy

BLOGGER NOTE: I am mad I didn't write this. I promise I am. Hats of to Graham for this.. For real.

It's around 2:30 am and I'm making that dreaded trip to the toilet. No matter how well positioned, your slippers are never truly visible in the dark. Under normal circumstances no big deal but this morning the dream was too good and too real. Ralph Wiley was talking to me...

 Now, I've had celebrities in my dreams but breast and ass always set the stage but not tonight. Ralph Wiley was talking to me...


Mr. Wiley was angry. And needs you to keep his name out your mouth.

      For those of you who don't know Mr. Wiley was a wordsmith with the ability to charm and blast you without as much as a deep breath. Socially aware and outspoken in both written and broadcast journalism. Not one to compromise or retreat because if he said it, he meant it. A superior knowledge of NFL, NBA, boxing and MLB made the most basic sports fan stand at attention or in my case sit in awe. He inspired me with his command. He was "telling the truth". A Black truth.

 

    "Graham, wake up. I need to talk and you're going to listen." 

Face was familiar but didn't catch the voice. What the fuck, didn't matter because I wasn't resting well.
   
     "Did these negros not expect me to come back? Was I expected to rest in peace as they continue to sight me as a part of the inspiration in their approach to sports journalism?"

     "Oh shit! Its Ralph Wiley! Haha, my man...wait, shouldn't this conversation take place with one of the ESPN types who profess their undying love for you?"
    
     "Tried that. You think I'd come to you first? Not likely but I knew you'd listen, besides...you weren't sleeping well and about to make that can run."

      "True." He had me there and the overriding thought was hurry up cause I'm not going to make it through one of those SportReporters type slow drags.


     "Besides, I could take this to Online Black something or other." 

     "Would you really do that Mr. Wiley? Really?" 


     "No, he's part of the problem. I think he still prays to me. Nice guy though but I digress. You listening or what?" 


     "Yes sir."

     "I'm going to keep this short and to the point. You don't have to tell it but I have to get this of my chest. You know I died of a heart attack right? Anyway, I can't believe that the people who swear their inspiration is me can have their voices muted by a mouse. Really, Mickey has the power to quiet the voices that say I'm their guide, the one that moves them to be better? To be great?" 


    I'm sitting up now. Why? Because it's the truth. 


     "This is a dream so lay your ass down. Do you know how much it pains me to see all these wonderfully talented writers and minds controlled by an entity that wears white gloves, clogs, & no shirt?"

 
     "Mr. Wiley, they point to their paychecks. The money is the driving factor. They speak their minds only when they think no ones watching. Hard to reach and question because of their position."

     "Bryant H. McGill once said, and I quote, "The world is not fair, and often fools, cowards, liars and the selfish hide in high places." 

     Wow. Could it be that my thoughts all along were true? I'm really feeling this thought process. I'm smiling like shit. This dream should have come with a pause button. Dream or no dream I got to piss. 


     "Graham here is my heart...I want...no, no, no, I need someone, anyone, to step up and be the voice I lost too soon. Can you do this? I'm not sure but I trust you to try. This won't make you popular amongst those who desire to be me or like me but our black athletes need an uncompromising voice who values the personal story above the check. Someone who will communicate what's right and not what they're told."


     "Yes sir."


     "You don't need to sir me. We're talking, well I'm talking. You continue to give me this time and I'll take care of you."


     "....."

     "At some point I'm hoping these young brothers and sisters have a true Ralph Wiley moment and voice what they think when it's not hidden on twitter DM's and Facebook messages." "We can't keep hiding." 

     Mr.Wiley voice is getting louder but becoming stained. His eye's are red but it's anger and sorrow. Frustration of a man who can't reach the masses and has little to no faith that the black sports journalist can no longer shake the power of the mouse. 


     "Graham, understand my man, all of them aren't bad. Those who have other income generally speak from the heart with little regard of backlash or having to play Minnie." 


     "Mr. Wiley, can you see this ever changing? Is it truly possible that we can see a more candid, unabashed, thought sharing black sports journalist in the face of Disney control?"


     "If none emerge it will further kill the public image of our black athlete. Most times we're all we have. We've already done damage that will never be repaired." 


     "I understand...totally."


     "Get up and go to the bathroom. I'll be here when you get back so we can discuss the coonish behavior of the negros sitting across from Skip Bayless." 


Sitting up I throw my feet over the bed and damn, slippers right there. I heard his voice inside my head saying, "I told you I'd hook you up. I'm in heaven and I think Jesus likes my work!" 

 
     In his last piece, Mr. Wiley began with these words: "All a man's got is the integrity of his work." I believe that. If only they believed that in the face of Mickey. If not, continue to "protect that check and your money" & I'll continue to say fuck you and we're both satisfied. 


Peace, Grahamzlaw        
   

(Video) In case you missed it..@Nas X Behind the Music (full ep)

Get More:
Behind The Music, Behind The Music, Behind The Music Nas, Nas Videos, Nas

(Video/Words) By now I trust you have ALL seen the Tupac Hologram at Coachella.....

If you haven't...here you go. I guess my question is this though for some of you...

Why do you care so much (in a negative way) about the fact that Snoop and Dre did it? I mean, are we waiting for Suge to do it? (I hope not..) I don't agree with looking at it in that fashion so I am ASKING some of you why? I mean, the man is being honored so can't we leave it at that? This is the problem with some of you, you just can't 'let go'. Thus you think it is acceptable for others to 'hold onto grudges'. I mean imagine if Dre and Snoop NEVER acknowledged Pac? Then it would be 'Damm, they just forgot about homie..." or (for some of you anyway) " He is the reason I even fooled with them anyway...they need to honor him..."  They can't win either way it seems with a whole lot of you.


Some of you act like you DON'T REMEMBER HOW PAC's situation evolved into him even COMING TO WORK WITH HIM and the mystery surrounding his death. If you are still gonna be 'upset' by some shit, be upset by the fact no one has STILL been charged with his death. Not that he is being honored...

(Audio) Just what I asked for. @Phontigallo X Take Over Hour 1 (and now Hour 2!) @WNAA

Here is hour 1


Listen to HOUR 2 including the interview with Phonte below...

(Mixtape/audio) @jperiodBK X Best of Nate Dogg....

FREE DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE NOW!! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD!!

J.PERIOD PAYS TRIBUTE TO G-FUNK'S KING, NATE DOGG, WITH NEW MIXTAPE

This Thursday, March 15, 2012, the mixtape game’s master storyteller, J.Period, is proud to present The Best of Muthaf#ckin Nate Dogg an epic tribute to the fallen King of G-Funk.  Commemorating the one year anniversary of Nate’s passing, The Best of Muthaf#ckin Nate Dogg features a who’s who of hip hop luminaries including Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Eminem, Nas, Ludacris, Dr. Dre, Mos Def and more—an all-star lineup that reflects the worldwide impact of Nate Dogg’s musical talents.  The Best of Muthaf#ckin Nate Dogg also marks the first-ever West Coast hip hop tribute from Brooklyn-based J.Period, originally born in Los Angeles, and raised on West Coast hip hop.  Because J.Period is primarily known for collaborations with conscious artists like John Legend, Q-Tip and Lauryn Hill, The Best of Muthaf#ckin Nate Dogg also marks a thematic departure for the DJ—hip hop icon Questlove has already dubbed this his “most ignant mixtape of all time!!”—but proves definitively that J.Period's DJ skills extend into any arena in hip hop.  If the music is hot, and there’s a story to be told, no one does it better than J.Period.

To listen, CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW or stream the mix exclusively at HipHopDX.com by clicking here.

(Video/tribute) A Tribute to Heavy D... Will Smith and many more speak on him in this joint..

You can catch it on Centric (and as soon as they MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO BE EMBEDDED, I will embed their link...hint..hint..nudge..nudge...PUSH..) smh


I was an UNAPOLOGETIC HEAVY D FAN as a youth and as an adult. I know some of you 'respected him' but really didn't start giving it up to him until MUCH LATER. Never that over here. I always loved his music.

His brother Floyd sent this to me via Twitter. It is Floyd's daughter singing in tribute to her Uncle Heavy..

 


In the meantime though, Yardie came through with it..

(Here's the clip where that scene you see up top came from..In case you are wondering.. Classic movie.. 







21222726 by YardieGoals

(Words) My thoughts are with Bobbi Kristina....

First of all, R.I.P. to Whitney Houston. Lets start off there. No, I don't 'know' any of them. Lets clear that up too. smh. Doesn't stop me from feeling for them though. It's called being a decent human being. Some of you should try it out sometimes.


I have been relatively quiet on the subject, sans a few RTs here and there because my thoughts on the subject go IMMEDIATELY to her child. I actually CAN imagine how she is feeling (along with MILLIONS AND MILLIONS...AND MILLIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE WENT THROUGH THAT..) so that is where my thoughts go. Not to 'who' is to 'blame' for her trials and tribulations (I'll get to that in a minute though. Trust me..). Not to the reality show. Straight to Bobbi Christina. I know she is in an amount of pain she has never even come CLOSE TO EXPERIENCING at a young age. While definitely not the first child to lose a parent early on in their travels to adulthood, she has a unique set of challenges ahead. Very critical time in her life. I've seen all the prayers extended towards her though and I am pulling for her in these trying times.


Here she is singing Adele's Someone Like You....




As far as speculating on who is to 'blame' for Whitney's 'downfall:


I think it is INCREDIBLY unfair to blame Bobby Brown for much of anything truthfully. Whatever issues that Whitney had were HERS (and she was fighting them as we saw). I find it VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ONE PERSON is to blame for her issues. I just can't do it. Sorry. It is easy. It is convenient to blame him as we love to pass 'blame' on SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. I won't take today (or any other) to just GO IN ABOUT THAT. It is a disease. She had it. @ her addictions. She was a human being. The end.

Rather than sit here and dwell on the BAD ABOUT WHITNEY HOUSTON AND BE GOSSIPY, I'd rather just enjoy the memories. Rest in Power Whitney. Go on ahead and take you place in the choir up there*


 






















































*As for you folks on the Internet 'telling people how to mourn'....Save it. Folks are gonna do what they do. Some people have actual GOOD MEMORIES and they are tied to music and songs. Don't be mad that you don't have that connection to something. Or that you don't care about Life or treasure it. That's not our fault fam. Take that bitter beer face shit somewhere else.

(Video) Courtesy of @DJPRemierblog: KRS-One Tells The Story & Meaning Behind The '93 Album "Return Of The Boom Bap"

Learn your history... He talks about the P.M. Dawn shit and how it changed his career..

(Interview/AUDIO) Courtesy of my peoples @OG_Nitty: @UltraMan7000 Kool Keith aka Dr. Octagon

 Very thankful to him for sharing this with me so now I am going to share it with YOU.. Enjoy. (Nitty, come on up off those other classic interviews you have over there...We are waiting outchea! No seriously, thank you fam...)

(Video/hip hop) Ice Cube X Interview (Ice Cube Celebrates the EAMES

I kinda thought everyone had seen the video, otherwise I would have put it up earlier this week. Clearly we all haven't seen it. So I'm sharing it. O'Shea speaks on what subject he went to school for...It may surprise you or it may not..Take a listen..

(Picture/Live Performance) Hip Hop LEGEND: ..@UltraMan7000 aka Dr. Doom aka Kool Keith (UltraMagnetic MCs founder) .

If you don't know who he is...let me enlighten you. I will provide some footage..

 

(Mixtape/dedication) @Real_ MrCee's tribute to @HeavyD (68 mins long)

 I haven't written much about Heavy D's death because I am honestly still wrapping my head around it. He was TRULY ONE OF MY FAVORITE RAPPERS. I know that folks never 'mentioned' him when they spoke about the 'best' but he was somewhere on my list. He was 'REAL' before it became cool to say you were 'real' if you know what I mean. Rest easy Dwight. Thank you for the music and the good times you bought us.

Mister Cee’s 'Dedication to Heavy D' Tribute by Thisis50Songs

Congratulations to @SnoopDogg on winning the BMI Icon Status Award....video