L&D boys made a feature in WAD magazine, one of the U.K’s most prestigious publications. The article discusses L&D and its sister line Hiqee. Take a peek and be in the loop!

Continue reading »

Anytime a pure lyricist comes along they hot for like two minutes…then a Kanye joint drops and folks realize there’s no stock in those kind of MC’s. I’m feeling kinda restless these days when it comes to Hip-Hop so I’m pumping this Jay Electronica joint tough! This dude is the truth; none of that battle rap bullshit that folks think are lyrics…This shit literally had me back in 1997. Just Blaze shows great restraint on this beat and Jay is like MF Doom in rehab, totally cohesive and over-focused. Its a mellow joint but pump it in the hoopdie and you riding like a big dog! Kudos to Jay Electronica, this wont be the last time he pops up on ASBS.

-Manhattan

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama (C) answers a question in front of Vice President-elect Joe Biden (L), Michigan Governor, Jennifer Granholm (2nd R), former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman, Paul Volcker (2nd R) and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (R) during his first press conference following his election victory in Chicago, November 7, 2008.

America seemingly impatiently awaits the inauguration and turn over of power to President-Elect Barack Obama. I think many of us have figured out we need some type of change and want to see Obama’s vision of change made more tangible and fleshed out. One of the President-Elect’s most important tasks now is to stock his cabinet- not with Ramen noodles, which is what I’ve been stocking my cabinets with, but with presidential staff members and advisors.

What is a 24 hour news cycle without some type of controversy you say? Nothing really except premature scrutinization, punditry and celebrity minutia. Already Obama’s choices Continue reading »

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 10: U.S. President George W. Bush (R) walks on the colonnade with U.S. President-elect Barack Obama at the White House November 10, 2008 in Washington, DC. This is the first visit for Barack Obama to the White House before he is sworn into office as President of the United States. First lady Laura Bush took soon to be first lady Michelle Obama on a tour of the White House as the President and Mr. Obama walked along the colonnade to the Oval Office where they will have a meeting. On January 20th Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

In case you”ve been living under a rock the guy on the right is the one on his way out and the guy on the left is the new president!

-ASBS

Grammy award winning artist Clifford Harris known as T.I. smiles as he speaks to media at the Henry County Voters Registration Office after voting early, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 in McDonough, Ga. This is the first time Harris has ever voted.

Friends this has been one very long, exhausting presidential election campaign season- if I’m not mistaken, 20 months long, the longest in U.S. history. We’ve tried to keep you updated with some of the news of the campaign without covering every time McCain picks his nose. This is a historic moment as you no doubt have heard several times over the past several months. That can get lost in all of the chaos going on now. To be sure, this will be a historic election and has already been a historic campaign season. The first (half) Black man elected the candidate for a major party and the first female vice presidential candidate of a major party in addition to the times that we are in make this possible the most important election of most of our lifetimes. Here’s some of the amazing coverage we’ve done on the election thus far. Bowling for Baracka, Snakes on a Plane, Clinton Suspends Campaign and Foot In Moth Disease: John McCain are some of our finest journalistic achievements (lol) on subject of the election, politics and politricks.

-Madam Toussaint

FASHION: TYRA IN BAAZAR’S FALL FASHION ISSUE
FOOT IN MOUTH DISEASE: JOHN McCAIN
CLINTON SUSPENDS CAMPAIGN AND ENDORSES OBAMA
OBAMA MAKES HISTORY- WROTE A SONG ABOUT IT, LIKE TO HEAR IT HERE IT GOES…
POLITRICKS: McCAIN AND OBAMA VICE PRESIDENT BUZZ
AFRICANS FOR OBAMA AND OBAMA BEER
JUST TO SEE YOU SMILE AND ENJOY YOURSELF: PRESIDENT BUSH
DOVER’S ELECTION COVERAGE IS PAPER THIN
OBAMA IS FORCED TO “DENOUNCE” LUDACRIS
ASBS DOES INDEPENDENCE DAY
WHATS BEEF?-WITH PIECES VS. GAVIN: OBAMA
RUSSELL PRESENTS - YES WE CAN: THE MIXTAPE

LYRICAL SOLILOQUY: NEW YORKER OBAMA COVER
BREAKING NEWS: SNAKES ON A PLANE
BOWLING FOR BARACKA
GREAT STYLE PROFILE: THE WHITE HOUSE
RICK ROSS THE BOSS BEATS AROUND THE BUSH

After creating a fever with their “Millie” beat, BET Hip Hop award winning production team Bangledesh have made another hit. This track is Muffy’s “Dopeboi” and it quenches the thirst of all who’ve been waiting patiently for something new and different. Bangledesh goes IN on this beat in a way that only they can and Detroit native Muffy, who cites amongst her musical influences Badu, Bjork and the Powerpuff girls, hits you with a different vocal. Of course the comparison to Kelis must be made because really, alot of this jumping out-of-the-box ing that these chicks are doing, she paved the way for. Although the title summons that drug-laden colloquialism, the Muffster assures her fans that this isn’t about drugs at all, but swag. Give a listen to her swagnificent track.

Muffy - “Dopeboi”

- Pieces

Official MySpace
Digital Underground: Sha-Mecca’s “Petit Pays (Haiti)”
Digital Underground - Thunderheist
Digital Underground - Hollowman

Akon has the King Midas touch. Every track the man touches turns at least gold. Lil Wayne has the platinum touch cause every track he touches goes there. Jeezy notwithstanding, I think the only thing that could ensure this song greater success would be putting T-Pain’s 3-ring circus hat wearing ass on it. Normally when this many artists of this caliber are on a song, the expectation is so high it’s almost certain you will be let down. Fortunately for us, this song is really good. I already have it on repeat and I’m sure you will next.

Akon ft. Young Jeezy and Lil’ Wayne - “I’m so Paid”

- Pieces

“Crying is like taking your soul to the Laundromat” a comforting voice sang to me a few years ago. At the time I had plenty to cry about but was conditioned to believe that letting it out in that way was a sign of weakness. I listened to those reassuring lyrics and broke down. I discovered that this young man, Lyfe Jennings, wrote this song while incarcerated for 10 years on arson charges when he too had plenty to cry about. Upon release, the album that song “Cry” was featured on went on to create a small buzz but nothing close to what the singer/songwriter truly deserved.

I kept thinking that the next single would be the one that would cement him as the force to be reckoned with that he was and when that “S.E.X.” started to pick up steam, I was proud. Not much long after though, the female vocalist featured on it (LaLa Brown) was found murdered in the studio with her producer boyfriend.

My heart went on to a Lyfe who persevered despite his many difficulties. So hearing that he has been arrested now for shooting a firearm (it’s illegal for convicted felons to even posses firearms) and leading the police on a high speed chase, my heart broke for him. Lyfe babes, you have so many fans who know there’s another side to this story and who are waiting for you to tell us. Until then, take comfort in the gift you gave that comforted me.

Lyfe Jennings - “Cry”

- Pieces

One of the best femcees we know and friend of the blog, Sha-mecca, is trying out for MTV’s next season of their popular show, The Real World. We’re trying to make sure as many people know about this so that she gets as many votes as possible. Why should she be choosen for The Real World, you ask??? She’ll tell you herself, how bout that:

"Mtv would have countless footage of me spitting my phenomenal rhymes into the confessional. i would do a weekly rap up where i would talk shit about all my housemates and what they did to annoy me that week, in a rap. nah i wouldn't but that's a good idea ain't it? hmmm... all in all i'm cool peoples. i got a distinct sense of humor so i would hope overall to bring good times and laughs to the show straight up."

And back here in The real Real World, Sha’s still rhyming. Here’s one of her latest too-true-tutorials for all of those carbon copy, naked, puppeteer-ed female rappers entitled “Stay Hot”.

Sha-mecca - “Stay Hot”

- Pieces

VOTE SHA-MECCA INTO THE REAL WORLD HOUSE!!!
Digital Underground: Sha-Mecca’s “Petit Pays (Haiti)”
Official MySpace

Diddy along with Liz Claiborne Inc. and his business partners, Yucaipa Cos. just purchased Enyce clothing for $20 Million dollars. Diddy had this to say of the move:

"Enyce is a brand that I have always admired, and they have been a very important player in the young men's sportswear arena for over a decade. I am really excited to bring it into our portfolio of brands that already includes Sean John and Zac Posen. Given our track record of success in marketing products such as Ciroc Vodka, Unforgivable by Sean John, and all of our television titles, I look forward to adding our expertise to an already hot fashion line.

Our long-term plan is to grow the Enyce brand through innovative marketing, expansion of the menswear and boy's lines, and launching into new licensing categories. The current economic climate may be challenging, but we believe it is also an opportunity, and we are really excited to add Enyce to our lineup."

- ASBS

Now I’m not a big Jonas brothers fan as I am far removed from my Disney Channel days. I admire their talent and the incredible work ethic necessary to be a Disney star though and for that reason I respect them whether I’m a fan or not. It just happens that I liked their performance on this years VMA’s and they just dropped the video for that song “Lovebug”. The video is really good too. So good that you might reconsider your non-fan-dom. Yeah I make up words. And what??? I thought so, watch the video and cool your heels.

- Pieces