Soulja Boy to try and fill Tupac's Shoes

Okay… I thought I have heard it all….. UNTIL NOW!

My boy back home recently informed me of something that made me realize one of two things….

Either I am getting old, or the world is just getting plain dumber.

Of course, I must agree with the latter because I am beginning to realize that many people do not understand a major philosophy when it comes to an item that has garnered the description of a classic…  

It should be left alone.  

So if people are going to accept the fact that SOULJA BOY is planning to remake arguably one of the best street films of all time, the entertainment industry should roll over and die. PERIOD.  Not only does he plan to remake the movie Juice, he also plans to play the role of BISHOP…. Yes the very same role that Tupac played and ripped apart on the big screen. 

Oh you must think I am joking or pulling some late April Fools 'ish on you huh… Well peep this interview he had with Vibe magazine

Remember how that movie made people develop a love/hate relationship for Bishop, but a ridiculous love and respect for Tupac at the same time. Anyone who watched the original film remembers this scene like it was yesterday…

That scene almost made you forget you were watching a movie... You could feel the tension between Q (Omar Epps), and Bishop (Tupac) as if you were sitting in the room with them.

Now someone please tell me if you think Soulja Boy can nail that part…. 

Anyone?

…. Anyone?

I didn’t think so. 

So another one of my friends just asked me, what about the old Jordan’s, those are classics that have been remade…

It is obvious that my simple friend has missed the point just as he missed the short bus years ago…. 

 One strong piece of advice for the homie, "Think about it before you Speak about it….".

Would the people get mad if Prince came back on stage to perform Purple Rain? No.
Would the crowd get pissed if Michael Jackson was to perform Pretty Young Thing in concert? No.

Why not??? Because they are the originators bringing the people what they want….

Nike (the originator) brought the classics back for the people to enjoy…   Now if Pony (a follower) tried to come out with some Jordan’s, well we would have a serious problem!

Just think of Tupac (Originator) as the Nike’s and Soulja Boy (Follower) as the Pony’s and tell me which would you choose?

On the truth....

After all that being said, I can only wish the dude good luck. As I like to see everyone succeed, I would hate to see this marking the end of his career. 

However, this just doesn't seem to be a wise choice.

- Slim

Another Hip-Hop 101 Top 10 ... (East Coast Edition)

Think back to the days where you actually go into your closet, pick your freshest pair of jeans, a crisp Polo, and white on white sneakers

Then you would go out to the car with the smell good all through the inside, Armor All on the tires, and something beating in the trunk. Turn the ignition, reach over and grab a CD, (or tape depending on how old you are) and put it in the Alpine or Kenwood and just ride.

Think about how mad you would be if that mixtape you spent hours putting together was gone. Then think about how mad you got when you realized that the fool you let ride with you the day before took it.

What makes music so powerful is that a specific song can help you calm your nerves, get you hype for the night and do some stupid crazy mess that you normally wouldn’t do, or simply get you through a 6 hour trip to Panama City when you’re 16 (Holla at me J-Alexander).

<=== Of course Fresh Prince’s Summertime joint is the official summer jam of all-time…. But it didn’t make this list.

  

So for this Hip-Hop 101, we are going to take it back to the 90’s. Back when the Tank was in full-swing, when Wu-Tang was nothing to F’ with, and when the west coast made us all want push a drop 64.

Since I have so many to choose from, I’m gonna start with 10 of my fav East Coast joints that experienced heavy summer rotations in my old Nissan Maxima. I know that a lot of you are gonna feel me on these and I am sure more of you will e-mail me at lifeismyhigh@gmail.com to tell me that I must be bananas for leaving something out…

With that being said…..

10) Smif N Wessun – Wrekonize
I remember when Bucktown dropped and I was immediately hooked, eventhough none of my friends were feeling me on it. It wasn’t until I hooked up with some up north heads in college that I found some people who appreciated Smif N Wessun like I did.

9) Tribe Called Quest – Electric Relaxation
I can name at least 15 Tribe songs that I could have put on this list. This used to be the song I played to get me ready for a Saturday night, until the Wayans Brothers used it as the intro music for their tv show. Now all I can think about is Marlon, Shawn, and crazy Pops....

8) Big L – MVP
MVP was an immediate entry simply because everyone who got in my car always asked who this was. After hearing his mixtapes and unreleased flows, I have to admit this dude was destined for stardom. R.I.P.

7) Camp Lo – Luchini
Everything from the artwork, to the music video and ridiculous flow made this an instant classic

6) Blahzay Blahzay – Danger
“When the East is in the house… Oh My God. Danger!” I remember the Syracuse Orangemen would chant this before each game during their run to the NCAA Final Four in 1995-1996.  The hook alone was enough to get airtime.

5) Wu Tang – C.R.E.A.M.
Cash Rules Everything Around Me… This dropped well before I was 16 and able to drive, but please believe it was the first tape I popped in my first car. Summer wouldn’t be the same without the CREAM.

4) Jay Z – Dead Presidents
Before he was with Beyonce, running with NBA VPs, and dropping his own clothing line, Jay was simply trying to explain to us that in 96, he was still spending money from 88. (That line should be etched in stone somewhere)

3) Nas – The World Is Yours
Nothing elaborate, just a direct flow with a simple video is what Nas was about on his first album. Tony Montana told us the world is yours. Nas just made it seem a little more realistic.

2) Notorious Big – Big Poppa (So So Def Remix)
Definite club banger. The fellas felt it and the ladies loved it. The original was classic, but you gotta give up to the remix on this one.

1) Mobb Deep – Shook Ones Pt. II
Ask any of my peoples in high school that used to ride with me, and they will tell you that they used to get tired of me running this one on steady repeat. The entire album was sick, but Shook Ones has to be arguably one of the best joints ever made.

That was the 10 of my fav East Coast productions that are a constant reminder of summertime in the 90’s. There was no deliberation, if I forgot about a song while making this list, then it must not have deserved to be on my list. I will bring it back later with 10 from the Dirty Dirty and the West Coast.

- Slim

The Thrill of Victory & The Agony of Defeat (NICKI MINAJ & STEVE NASH)

THE THRILL OF VICTORY…….. And the Agony of Defeat

Let’s start with the Thrill of Victory shall we, and welcome NBA star Steve Nash to the forum…. 

After reaching the NBA Western Conference Finals last year only to be trumped by the Lakers last year, the year was considered to be a disappointment by many.

However, being the A+ baller that he is, he gets treated with perks. Free meals, clothes, shoes, cameos on Entourage. 

Oh and lap dances from Nicki Minaj…. 

 Yeah - Nicki Minaj came through Phoenix and provided the baller with an onstage lap dance during her concert.

Now, those that know me know that you will never hear me speak about Nicki. Nothing negative, but I can admit that she is of an era that follows mine. I can't relate, so there is normally nothing to talk about. But when I heard on the radio that she put it on Steve Nash while onstage.... I had to verify. Granted it was all for show, but you gotta admit - the shot of Steve’s face was priceless…..

Now on to the Agony of Defeat…. 

Which I have to put the spotlight on Von Wafer, who not only missed a dunk a couple of weeks ago, but was so into himself that he posed and flexed to the crowd without even knowing he missed it….

Then on top of that, as he ran back on to the court, be bumped into his own teammate who was trying to clean his mess up and was called for traveling. You think I’m making this up???? Okay see for yourself....

 

So I wonder if that display of raw talent gets him an onstage lap dance from one Nicki Minaj??? What you think Nicki? ============================>

Yeah, that face sums it up... I'm sorry for even asking.

- Slim

Way Back Wednesday – The Sneaker Love Edition

So I have to admit… 

My man back in Atlanta has reignited me to re-up my sneaker game and he didn’t hesitate to show me how to kick the door in during the process. I have bought shoes online, bought shoes during lunch, hid Foot Locker bags in my trunk, and I am out looking for more…..

My infatuation with sneakers has actually made me take a trip back in time…. a trip to remember some of the things that fueled my love for shoes.

First we are going to take it back to 91…. the introduction of Mars Blackmon, the unofficial hype man for Michael “Air” Jordan. Jordan’s had already been introduced, but this is around the time they began to take on a persona of their own.  

Dudes were getting jacked for them.

Girls were buying baby Jordan key chains.

Even trains were getting looted for them (ask anyone you know from Memphis about that)

And worst of all… so many off brand shoe companies made imitation versions (In the south we called them  “Buddies”. And yeah my mom bought me some, but that’s another story for another day)

If you were coming up back when the ORIGINAL Jordan’s were dropped, you have to remember these commercials..

But the commercials do not sum up how the true sneakerheads felt about their shoes. However, after a long hard search, I think I have found the proper video that captures a man’s love for his shoes. So let’s take it to Brooklyn of 89 and see what would happen if you stepped on a grown man’s shoes (particularly – Jordans)

Yeah - that movie was a classic.... What's crazier is looking at the young (AND SKINNY) Martin Lawrence trying to toss gas on the situation.

You know I can't leave you on a Wayback Wednesday without a throwback video. YouTube video comments say the video was on a sneaker documentary called "JUST FOR KICKS". Regardless, this video complements the song perfectly. 

Actually made me want to go buy a pair of Adidas...... But nah, I'll stick to my AM90's for now

Well enough of the small talk, I need to get at my man back in the “A”  on his KickDeals FB page to see what’s droppin next and if any sales are to be found.

I love sneakers, but I a damn fool when it comes to sneakers on SALE! 

- Slim

Jay Z costs the New Jersey Nets $50,000???

Are you serious? The NBA fined the New Jersey Nets $50,000 because Jay Z decided to congratulate the UK basketball team after their victory over Ohio State in the tournament a couple of weeks ago.  Full story here at ESPN.com

50 stacks….. Really? 

He greeted each player and took photos with them. I’m sure he wasn’t talking draft status or potential contract negotiations. Nevertheless, NBA rules are rules.

So how can someone like Jay Z come up with 50k to hand over to NBA commish David Stern??? I got 5 suggestions for Hov if he is strapped for the cash.  

5 Ways for Jay Z to come up with 50k to pay the NBA

5: Go tell Dame he can come to the 40/40 club this weekend for a 50k cover.

 

4: Promote a Pay per View Oil Wrestling bout between Rihanna and Beyonce. Then cancel it at the last minute due to an unnamed injury. (I  like that Rihanna pic just as much as the Beyonce pic - I just had to throw it in there)

3: Reach in your pocket and throw it in David Stern’s face. We know you got it, you even told us back in ‘96 that you were still spending money from ’88. You probably feel like pulling a Debo on em, and rather spend other peoples money!

 2: Just take 50k out of Beyonce’s purse. I'm sure she got a few hundred stacks laying around here and there throughout the house .

 

1: Eff It! Don’t pay him and tell him to come get the money his own damn self if he is bad enough.  Then if he shows up, slap him across the face like Rick James slapped Charlie Murphy! Oh just in case you forgot how that went down... well just look below and refresh your memory.... 

Ahhhhh all jokes aside,  we all know that Jay is gonna be alright… but just in case you don’t know, allow him to reintroduce himself….

- Slim