Thursday, February 27, 2014
Check out my single Baker Man (feat. Fly Tie & Pcp) distributed by @tunecore and live on iTunes!
Check out my new single Baker Man (feat. Fly Tie & Pcp) distributed by @tunecore and live on iTunes!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
East overcomes Griffin, Durant to beat West in NBA All-Star game
NEW ORLEANS -- The Eastern Conference finally stopped Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin as it stopped its losing streak at the NBA All-Star game.
Kyrie Irving had 31 points and 14 assists and was voted the game's MVP, Carmelo Anthony made a record eight 3-pointers and scored 30 points, and the East rallied for a 163-155 victory over the West on Sunday night in the highest-scoring All-Star game ever.
"It's a great honor," Irving said. "We had a few MVPs. Everyone out here today is an MVP."
Durant and Griffin each finished with 38 points, four shy of Wilt Chamberlain's All-Star game record. But the East scored the final 10 points to pull out a game it trailed by 18.
"We wanted it," LeBron James said. "I've been a part of the last three and in defeat."
Irving scored 15 points in the fourth quarter as the East ended a three-game losing streak. James had 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
"The superstars of our league were just telling us to compete on every play," Irving said. "Trying to play as much defense as possible. You know, sticking to our game plan. We had a game plan going in and we executed."
The 318 points broke the record of 303 set in 1987.
Griffin shot 19 of 23, while Durant finished with 10 rebounds and six assists.
But the West was shut out after Durant's 3-pointer gave it a 155-153 lead with 1:59 left. Indiana's Paul George made three free throws, Anthony nailed his final 3-pointer, and James scored to make it 161-155. George closed it out with two more free throws and finished with 18 points.
The game that usually doesn't get tight until the final minutes was close throughout the fourth quarter, neither team leading by more than four until the final minute.
Chris Paul had 11 points and 13 assists, and first-time All-Star Stephen Curry had 12 points and 11 assists for the West. But the best point guard on the floor was Irving, who shot 14 of 17 and helped the East ring up 87 points in the second half after it surrendered a record 89 in the first.
In a colorful tribute to New Orleans, players wore sneakers and socks that ranged from green and blue to orange and purple, making the game look like a Mardi Gras parade.
The parade was one of layups and dunks for the West, which scored 44 points in the first quarter and 45 in the second. Griffin had 18 points in the first quarter and Durant had 22 at halftime, both two shy of records set by Glen Rice in 1997.
And there was plenty of music, the rosters and starting lineups introduced around a concert by Pharrell Williams, who was joined by his own All-Stars in Nelly, Busta Rhymes, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Snoop Dogg.
Magic Johnson led a band, too, encouraging the All-Stars to join him in singing "Happy Birthday" after the first quarter to Hall of Famer Bill Russell, the NBA's greatest champion who was celebrating his 80th.
The All-Stars played better than they sang.
The East finished with 61 percent shooting, needing all sorts of offense after it simply couldn't defend Durant and Griffin.
Durant made 6 3-pointers and easily blew past the 28.8 points he had been averaging in All-Star games, which was an NBA record.
Outside of the ugly sleeved jerseys, it was a good look for the NBA's midseason showcase, bouncing back strongly from an uneven All-Star Saturday night.
The new format of the slam dunk contest Saturday wasn't a hit, but every night is a dunk contest when Griffin is involved.
The guy who once jumped over a car to win a slam dunk contest had eight slams in the first 11 minutes, the backboard often barely finished shaking from the last one when he threw down the next.
The West began to open a gap in the second quarter behind a hometown star and a former one -- Anthony Davis of the Pelicans and ex-New Orleans guard Paul. Durant made a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left to make it 89-76 at the break, one point better than he and the West had two years ago in Orlando.
Durant and Griffin each had 30 points by the end of the third quarter, but the East trimmed what was a West 18-point lead to 126-123 after three.
James Harden started for the West in place of Kobe Bryant, who was elected by the fans but was knocked out by a broken left knee. Bryant said before the game his recovery is "coming slowly" but hopes to be back in another All-Star game.
With Bryant sitting out and longtime regulars Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett not selected, it was a chance for the younger guys to make their mark. The rosters were loaded with players 25 and younger, including first-time starters George, Irving, Stephen Curry and Kevin Love.
The All-Star newcomers also included official Violet Palmer, who became the first female to referee a major U.S. sports league's All-Star game.
LG G Pro 2
LG recently unveiled its new G Pro 2 smartphone. A successor and larger version of the G2 that launched late last year, the 5.9-inch model shares many aesthetic similarities with its predecessor, but now features an improved camera that can capture both 4K video and 120fps slow-motion HD video as well as edit it on-device. Other new features include Knock Code which allows users to unlock their device with a custom pattern of two to eight taps on anywhere on the screen as well as Mini View. This option lets users shrink the size of the display so that it can be operated with one hand while Dual Browser facilitates multi-tasking by displaying two browsers at once.
Technical specifications for the G Pro 2 include a 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor running Android 4.4 Kitkat, an Adreno 330 graphics processor, 3GB of RAM, a removable 3,200 mAh battery, and 16GB or 32GB of on-board storage with a microSD card slot for additional space. While pricing information has yet to be released, the LG G Pro 2 will launch in Korea later this month with other markets soon to follow.
Technical specifications for the G Pro 2 include a 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor running Android 4.4 Kitkat, an Adreno 330 graphics processor, 3GB of RAM, a removable 3,200 mAh battery, and 16GB or 32GB of on-board storage with a microSD card slot for additional space. While pricing information has yet to be released, the LG G Pro 2 will launch in Korea later this month with other markets soon to follow.
Jordan Brand “IP S&S” Pack
Quietly released without any fanfare or explanation is the Jordan Brand “IP S&S” pack. Consisting of the Air Jordan 1 Mid and Jordan Flight 45 High, both models feature predominantly black looks with a nice mix of materials. The Air Jordan 1 Mid features a black nubuck upper with what appears to be black denim overlays and silver Branding and logos, and a white outsole below. The Jordan Flight 45 High is certainly the flashier of the two thanks to the black snake print leather overlays atop the black suede base and a crisp white midsole. No word yet on the story behind this pack so stay with us for more and check out the shoes now at select stockists including Sneaker Politics.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
A look back at my 4th video "Freaks / Telle" by Young Guidance featuring Franchise & Mall Tsunami
Freaks Telle by @youngguidance
& @kingofcuyahogacounty
Filmed & Directed by
@djstepone
YG revamps one of our favorite
past times (House Party) in his latest offering. Press play, you won’t regret
it.
Money Dance / FMECN by Young Guidance
Money Dance/ FMECN by
@youngguidance & @kingofcuyahogacounty
Filmed & Directed by
@djstepone
YG takes us out on the town and shows you a little bit of his nightlife, afterwards he then takes you for a stroll thru his hood known as East Cleveland.
Bringing Worlds Together with Neima Khaila of Pink Dolphin
Known for its use of bright, eye-catching color schemes — the Pink + Dolphin wrapped Ferrari 458 Spider is proof enough — and ambitiousness in establishing itself as household brand, Pink Dolphin has come a long way in a short time. Founded by Cena Barhaghi, Neima Khaila and Lloyd Omadehbo (aka Young L), we caught up with Neima at Pink Dolphin’s Los Angeles flagship store to find out more about the brand and its upcoming collection. Sandwiched next to some of the biggest names in the industry on Fairfax Boulevard, the retail space can be easily identified by its aqua-colored facade along with the brand’s signature “Waves” logo. With constant evolution, Khaila hints at a push for greater technical pieces and bringing more of the team’s personal elements into the clothing and accessories — with a longstanding interest in automobiles and sports. The video above serves as evidence to all young brands on the come-up on the importance of perseverance. Look for Pink + Dolphin’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection to drop February 8 on its online store.
Kanye West and Chief Keef Collaboration Has Been Confirmed
Following last week’s rumors that fellow Chicagoans Kanye West and Chief Keef are secretly collaborating on new music, Keef’s manager Peeda Pan confirmed the hearsay is very much true. While sitting down with XXL to speak on his artist’s upcoming Bang 3 project, Peeda Pan mentioned “Yeah, they working on a few songs for each other’s projects,” and “Kanye will definitely be on Keef’s album.” As the interview continued, he went on to discuss the unique bond between the two rappers, saying the Grammy-winning West is like a mentor to the GBE founder. Stay tuned as more information will surely come about very soon.
Steelers safety explains why some of his teammates smoke marijuana
NFL players smoking marijuana - for various reasons - has been a hot topic lately.
Jets CB Antonio Cromartie said Wednesday that he thinks NFL players should be allowed to smoke pot.
Cromartie got some support Thursday when Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who says he doesn't smoke pot and never will, said the following on ESPN's "First Take:"
"I know guys on my team who smoke. A lot of it is stress relief. A lot of it is pain and medication. Guys feel like, 'If I can do this, it keeps me away from maybe Vicodin, it keeps me away from pain prescription drugs and things that guys get addicted to.' Guys look at this as a more natural way to heal themselves, to stress relieve and also to medicate themselves for pain. Guys are still going to do it."
You might remember that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed this topic before the Super Bowl, saying:
"I'm not a medical expert. We will obviously follow signs. We will follow medicine and if they determine this could be a proper usage in any context, we will consider that. Our medical experts are not saying that right now."
While marijuana is legal in Washington (state) and Colorado, the NFL lists it as a banned substance. Clark, however, said the league's testing system isn't that tough to get past.
"They're fighting a losing battle. The testing isn't stringent," Clark said. "There is one random test during OTAs and minicamps during the offseason, and everybody will be tested early in training camp. After that, there are no more tests. So guys understand the ways to get around failing a drug test."
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the future.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Woman executed in Texas for 1998 torture killing
![Execution in Texas: Suzanne Basso is scheduled to die for for the torture slaying of Louis “Buddy” Musso, a mentally impaired man near Houston more than 15 years ago.]({"default":"http://newsbcpcol.stb.s-msn.com/amnews/i/ba/daaeedeb9fee1491ed75fb3d07ccb/_h353_w628_m6_otrue_lfalse.jpg"})
The 59-year-old Basso was sentenced to die for the 1998 slaying of 59-year-old Louis "Buddy" Musso. His battered and lacerated body was found in a ditch outside Houston.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A woman convicted of torturing and killing a mentally impaired man she lured to Texas with the promise of marriage was put to death Wednesday evening in a rare executionof a female prisoner.
The lethal injection of Suzanne Basso, 59, made the New York native only the 14th woman executed in the U.S. since the Supreme Court in 1976 allowed capital punishment to resume. Almost 1,400 men have been put to death during that time.
Before being put to death, Basso told a warden who stood near her, "No sir," when asked to make a final statement. She appeared to be holding back tears, then smiled at two friends watching through a window. She mouthed a brief word to them and nodded.
As the lethal dose of pentobarbital took effect, Basso, dressed in a white prison uniform, began to snore. Her deep snoring became less audible and eventually stopped.
She was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m. CST, 11 minutes after the drug was administered.
Basso was sentenced to die for the 1998 slaying of 59-year-old Louis "Buddy" Musso, whose battered and lacerated body, washed with bleach and scoured with a wire brush, was found in a ditch outside Houston. Prosecutors said Basso had made herself the beneficiary of Musso's insurance policies and took over his Social Security benefits after luring him from New Jersey.
The execution, the second this year in Texas, came about an hour after the Supreme Court rejected a last-day appeal from Basso's attorney who argued she was not mentally competent.
Lower federal courts and state courts also refused to halt the punishment, upholding the findings of a state judge last month that Basso had a history of fabricating stories about herself, seeking attention and manipulating psychological tests.
Leading up to her trial, Basso's court appearances were marked by claims of blindness and paralysis, and speech mimicking a little girl.
"It was challenging, but I saw her for who she was," said Colleen Barnett, the former Harris County assistant district attorney who prosecuted Basso. "I was determined I was not going to let her get away with it."
Basso's attorney, Winston Cochran Jr., argued she suffered from delusions and that the state law governing competency was unconstitutionally flawed.
Her lawyer said a degenerative disease left her paralyzed, but Basso, who used a wheelchair, blamed her paralysis on a jail beating years ago. At a competency hearing two months ago, she testified from a hospital bed wheeled into a Houston courtroom and talked about a snake smuggled into a prison hospital in an attempt to kill her.
But she acknowledged lying about her background, including that she was a triplet, worked in the New York governor's office and had a relationship with Nelson Rockefeller.
She originally was from the Albany and Schenectady areas of New York.
Prosecutors said Musso was living in New Jersey when he met either Basso or her son at a church carnival, then moved to Jacinto City, east of Houston, with an offer of marriage. Evidence showed Basso was already married but took over Musso's benefits and insurance.
An autopsy showed Musso had several broken bones, including a skull fracture and 14 broken ribs. His back was covered with cigarette burns, and bruises were found all over his body.
Basso became a suspect after reporting Musso missing following the discovery of his body. Five others also were convicted, including Basso's son, but prosecutors only sought the death penalty for Basso.
"Suzanne ran the show for sure. ... She was the one in charge. She directed them. She wanted the money," Barnett said. "She's a heinous killer."
Among witnesses testifying at Basso's punishment trial was her daughter, who told of emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her mother.
About 60 women are on death row in the U.S., making up about 2 percent of the 3,100 condemned inmates. Texas, the nation's busiest death-penalty state, now has executed five women and 505 men.
The last woman executed in Texas before Basso was Kimberly McCarthy, who was put to death last June for killing her neighbor near Dallas and cutting off the 71-year-old victim's finger to steal her wedding ring.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Bieber friend rapper Lil Za charged with drug possession
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A friend of Justin Bieber's has been charged with drug crimes in connection with a raid on the teen pop star's home this month, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said on Friday.
Xavier Smith, 20, better known as rapper Lil Za, was charged with possession of MDMA and oxycodone and vandalizing the Los Angeles County Sheriff's jail where he was held, said Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for the district attorney.
Smith was arrested on January 14 during a Sheriff's Department raid on Bieber's home in Calabasas, about 30 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
If convicted of the three felony charges, Smith faces a maximum penalty of four years and four months in county jail. He is due to be arraigned in Los Angeles on February 4.
MDMA is better known on the street as ecstasy. Oxycodone is a prescription painkiller best known under the name OxyContin.
Investigators were searching Bieber's home for evidence in a vandalism case in which he is accused of pelting his neighbor's house with eggs when they found a white powder initially thought to be cocaine, the Sheriff's Department said at the time.
Bieber, 19, was arrested last week in Miami Beach on charges of driving under the influence, resisting arrest and driving with an expired license. The Canadian was also charged on Wednesday with assaulting a limousine driver in Toronto.
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