News

50 Shots Is CRIMINAL, Secret RTB Show, + Jay Elect Interview, 88 x Tanya Morgan, Lupe On Radio1, Kanye Check-In, New Videos From Estelle & KITH.

• Its a sad, sickening, and moreover frightening day in America’s history of criminal justice as the three cops who fired 50 shots murdering Sean Bell are acquitted on all counts. I hope this is a wake up call for anyone who claims the ignoramus mantra “racism doesn’t exist anymore.” The message sent by our judicial system is clear: we might as well be in the post-slavery south where the KKK routinely got off slack free for their lynchings. Although we are living through a unique moment in American history, with the very real possibility of our first black president, it is clear that this country is still embedded with a deep-seeded racism. What value do we place on a black man’s life when his murderers are not held accountable? To discuss, vent, rage, and question this madness take it to The Lesson. If you are in NYC, come rally for justice for Sean Bell today at 5:30 at the Queens DA Office, 125-01 Queens Blvd. (between Hoover Ave & 82nd Ave.).

The Roots - “Criminal” ft Truck North & Saigon

• Feeling kinda cheated on this one, but apparently there was a secret show in Claremont, CA to go along with that press conference the other day announcing the Rock The Bells lineup. Here are some pics and vids from the show. The Performers included Wale, Jay Electronica, Murs, Raekwon, Supernatural, and De La Soul. Make sure you watch all of them and check the Jay Electronica interview at the end.

• Looks like Kanye West has joined the ranks of artists to get down with the vocoder. My dude Zack Lee at theexactly has got a snippet of a freestyle ‘Ye did on that Lil Wayne “Lollipop” beat. In other Kanye news, he was recently announced as one of the headliners (along with the aforementioned lil weasel) for Hot 97’s Summer Jam concert in NY. Via his blog, here are some pics with him and “Celebs” backstage as well as a vid of him playing Connect 4 with Jonah Hill (chubster from Superbad).

• New Joint from 88-Keys featuring Tanya Morgan called “Cuddle Bums”.

This one is from 88’s forthcoming mixtape “Adam’s Case Files” which will be available exclusively on Decon’s upcoming Fresh Rhymes & Videotape Tour kicking off in June. 88-Keys will be performing tracks from his upcoming solo album, The Death Of Adam executive produced by Kanye West, to be released in early September.

• While in the UK Lupe Fiasco did an interview with Tim Westwood, where Tim proceeds to ish all over Lupe’s jewelry game. Lupe brushes it off for the most part claiming he had big chains and fancy jewelry when he was young. I think it hits an all time low when Tim asks Lupe if he started rockin Bapes because of Soulja Boy….wow.

• CurrentTV gets hip to Estelle with this video feature, running through a quick history of the singer, from 2004’s The 18th Day, and it’s single “1980,” to her signing with John Legend’s Home School Records to create ’08’s Shine. Her single “American Boy” was the UK’s #1 single for four weeks.

• Tryna cop a Bentley for under 7 G’s? Well the Kidz In The Hall got you covered with this ill deal on a Bodacious Bentley for only $6,901!

-shamz & gingerlynn