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Monday, April 18, 2011

#MYOL News: Lebron Becomes Le Brassus, Switzerland Audemars Piguet Watches Global Brand Ambassador! (April 10th-16th)



In the same week that Lebron James and The Miami Heat clinch the #2 seed in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, Audemar announces  that Lebron will be its global brand ambassador. I am a fan of Lebron on the court but I am a bigger fan of Lebron when it comes to being an entrepreneur. With this move he's become my favorite entrepreneur with #2 - 50 Cent and #3 - Jay-Z right behind him. Although Lebron is a great basketball player and Audemar's are amazing watches the venture includes phiilanthropic efforts across the world and that is what's most important and very impressive.


#MYOL News: 8th Annual Jackie Robinson Day; All Players Wear #42 (April 10th-16th)


Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball (MLB) player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. As the first black man to play in the major leagues since the 1880s, he was instrumental in bringing an end to racial segregation in professional baseball, which had relegated black players to the Negro leagues for six decades. The example of his character and unquestionable talent challenged the traditional basis of segregation, which then marked many other aspects of American life, and contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement. In addition to his cultural impact, Robinson had an exceptional baseball career. Over ten seasons, he played in six World Series and contributed to the Dodgers' 1955 World Championship. He was selected for six consecutive All-Star Games from 1949 to 1954, was the recipient of the inaugural MLB Rookie of the Year Award in 1947, and won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949 – the first black player so honored. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. In 1997, Major League Baseball retired his uniform number, 42, across all major league teams. Robinson was also known for his pursuits outside the baseball diamond. He was the first black television analyst in Major League Baseball, and the first black vice-president of a major American corporation. In the 1960s, he helped establish the Freedom National Bank, an African-American-owned financial institution based in Harlem, New York. In recognition of his achievements on and off the field, Robinson was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Hip Hop History: Lupe Fiasco Covers XXL; Album "Lasers"#1 On Billboard Sales (April 10th-16th) #Chicago #Midwest


I am a big fan and supporter of hard work, thats the basic principle behind #MYOL. Rappers like J.Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T. and more have big followings early in their careers but before the "underground", real Hip Hop with a message had such a major internet following Lupe Fiasco lead the pack in conscious Hip Hop. With his first hit "Kick, Push"Lupe made an analogy between Hip Hop and a skateboard which was a genius way to stay true to his roots of being an MC and crossing over with a single. Since then Lupe has been in a constant fight with record labels and himself to stay true to being an MC and not selling out. Lupe has paid his dues and they have paid off, salute to the most-enlightened MC in the game from Chi-Town!


Hip Hop History: Bun B & Lupe Fiasco Debate Rappers Being Role Models (April 10th-16th)


Hip Hop: R.E.K.S. ft. Styles P - Why Cry (prod by Alchemist) (April 10th-16th) #LAWTOWN #NYC #FAREAST




"Yeah, ghetto misery, over alchemist symphonies
/One third of century just ain't making no sense to me
Sending me to cells where hell's real, get name killed/
Body for a dollar and who we power and lust/Cowards bust, we coward dust, chop it up to the game
, illegal life cops is living the same”

"Rest in peace to Timmy went through his brains/
sorry for your mama's pain, R-E-King-Supreme remember fiends and dreams of good life/not talking Yeezy whips and chains, living greezy cause we needy mang/
my city stains my memory visions of remains like the break your ankle game/
brother kill brother, yeah I'm talking Able Cain for the paper, fame" -R.E.K.S.

“Little n****** is different they got me tripping cause/They don't know tradition or, they don't know addition/ Just new clothes but they know the limited edition of a new whip,
 new ship, that's why I throw to deuces/On my Nas shit, I could smoke with Medusa
/Ain't a n***** tight of budget, ain't a nigger looser” - Styles P

Hip Hop: Kendrick Lamar – Hiii Power (prod. by J. Cole) (April 10th-16th) #WESTCOAST #INSTANTCLASSIC


"Back to put you backstabbers back on your spinal bone/You slipped your diisc when I slipped you my disc/You wanted to diss but jumped on my dick/Grown man should never bite they tongue/Unless you eating p-ssy that smell like it’s a stale plum"

"My issue wasn’t televised and you aint gotta tell the wise/how to stay on beat cause our lives an instrumental/This is physical and mental/I wouln’t sugar coat it/You’ll die from Diabetes if these other n***** wrote it"

"Frightening, so f-cking frightening/Enough to drive a man insane/I need a license to kill/Im standing on a feild full of Landmines/Doing the moonwalk hoping I blow up in time/Cause 2012 might not be a f****** legend/Try and be a f-cking legend/The man of mankind"

"No conspiracy my fate is inevitable/They played musical chairs, once I’m on that pedestal/Frightening, so f****** frightening/Enough to drive a man insane, a woman insane/The reason Lauren Hill don’t sing or Kurt Cobain/loaded that clip and then said BANG!/The drama it bring is crazy/Product of the late 80′s/Tryna stay above water, thats why we shun the navy"

Hip Hop: Currensy ft. Freddie Gibbs - Scottie Pippen (April 10th-16th)




"I'm living a life worthy of capturing on camera/document it, I want it to last, live/lets get it, how I rolled up in the drop/how I rolled up that sticky"

"Keep it G, them n***** not original motherf****** house of mirrors/not quite the image, I'm on that popeye spinach/momma, my tie sippin'/she love a square n***** but now she trying something different/Windy City Bulls mention the nets, wool jackets and sweats and Scottie Pippen's/thats my description/high off that fuzzy green perscription" - Currensy

"Rather be counting stacks than stuck in the county, washing the dishes /Or washing drawers in the pen?/I had to go pay the correct correctional officer to walk him in/Bail money on debt, come at my neck/Plus that boy cause that same place where him? where he slept /I issue eternal rest, sign up and be a subscriber/The price of life that's so high that I must make sure I stay higher"

But believe I got the balls to clear up all of my altercations?Leave faces with operations, closed casket console/Tryna make million dollars, f-ck a million downloads/But if that equal the same, smash it up and give me my change/I made a lane up in this game so n***** goin' remember the name" - Freddie Gibbs

Hip Hop: Young Jezzy Signs Freddie Gibbs To CTE (April 10th-16th)

NBA: 2011 Playoff Seedings (April 10th-16th)


The NBA is back and at the best its been since the Michael Jordan era, not only in viewers but in talent. Lets be clear comparing the Michael Jordan "era" and Michael Jordan in talent its totally different. By the era I mean that Jordan dominated in his prime but their were still great players present in the league like Karl Malone, Charles Barkey, Pat Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Reggie Miller, older Magic and Bird, etc. Jordan won one of his first NBA titles against Magic and The Lakers which is comparable to where Kobe Bryant is in his career. Who will be the  NBA Champion this year? Honestly, I don't know. Every match up  is tough for the higher seeds in the first round except fro the Miami Heat. Will an easy first round help the Miami get a title? Will Lebron James and The Heat beat the "Old" Big 3, dethrone the 2-time championship Lakers and create the Lebron-era amongst Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmello anthony, etc. We'll see! #2011NBAPlayoffs (@makeyourownlane)

NBA: Blake Griffin Highlights Of 2010-11 Season! (April 10th-16th)




#2011RookieOfTheYear (@makeyourownlane), just watch the video!

NBA: Heat Drop Celtics, Clinch 2nd Place In The Eastern Conference (April 10th-16th)




The "new" Big 3 has beat out the "old" Big 3. Lebron's "decision" has lead to the #2 seeding in the #2011NBAPlayoffs (@makeyourownlane) and as much as people say it D.Wade's team, the Miami Heat were not in a top 4 seed last year but the Cavs were #1 in the league with Lebron winning his second consecutive MVP. The Miami Heat is Lebron James team but D.Wade is a better clutch player, Miami needs to just except that and they can truly reach their prime a a team for at least 5 years. In present time they will be facing the Philadelphia 76ers in the #2011NBAPlayoffs and will end up facing the Boston Celtics or NYK's in the 2nd round. Although the "new" Big 3 has beat out the "old" in the regular season it only matters when it comes to home court. With the Celtics experience and the Heat's lack of it I can see the C's stealing one game in Miami. I guess, we'll find out soon, lets go Celtics! #2011NBAPlayoffs (even though I hate that they trade Perkins) 

NBA: Derrick Rose Covers Sports Illustrated; 1st Chicago Bull Since MJ! (April 10th-16th)


I got the chance to be in Chicago this summer and there's 3 things that Chi-Town plays no games with. Thats its Deep Dish Pizza (different blog), Gangster Culture and Basketball! Derrick Rose was born and bread in the South Side of Chicago, enough said. When Derrick Rose was in the United Center winning state championships the Michael Jordan statue was outside, every time Rose hit the floor in that gym it was engrained in him that it was home court of the greatest player of all-time and the most influential player ever in his city. I'm not sure if Derrick Rose can ever attain what Michael Jordan already has but the ceiling is so high and Rose's motivation is at an all-time high and I doubt he's in his prime yet as he should only be a senior in college entering into a possibly locked-out 2011 NBA league draft. Anyway, we'll see if Rose can earn the most important reason to be in a conversation with Michael Jordan and thats an NBA Championship. #2011NBAPlayoffs

#Pointgod Watch: Ty Lawson Makes History; First To Hit 10 Straight 3s & Career-High 37 (April 10th-16th)





Make no mistake Ty Lawson is only 5'11'', I'm not sure what the NBA has his height at but he is no taller than 6 feet.  As a small true #pointgod in an NBA full of giants you have to be very smart, quick, and/or explosive. If there was a true guard under 6 foot you had to create to play in the NBA, the player you would create would be indentical to Ty Lawson especially now that he's proven he is a 3 point threat. At about 5'10" and a half Lawson is best in the combination of fast and quick, he is a pass first point guard that can get to the basket and dunk on you or quick out for a wide open three. When he was at Carolina I liked his game a lot but I thought the talent they had won because of the talent on their team more so than him being the #pointgod. He is a proven winner and college champion with more spacing on the floor post-Melo and he has had to prove that he can hit the 3. I think he has done that, check the video. 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

#MsLMstaus: Maya Moore's UConn Career Ends, WNBA Career Begins (April 3rd-9th)


Maya Moore is an American basketball forward for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA, and the winner of the 2006 and 2007 Naismith Prep Player of the Year. She was selected as the John Wooden Award winner in 2009 after leading Connecticut to the undefeated national championship. The following season, Moore led Connecticut to capture its second national championship and continued its overall undefeated game-winning streak at 78; in the 2010–11 season, she led the Huskies to extend that streak to an NCAA both-gender record (all divisions) of 90. I've watched Moore's 4 years at UConn is she is possibly the best female college basketball player to ever play in the NCAA.

#MsLMstatus: Texas A&M beat Notre Dame 76-70 in NCAA Women’s title Game; 1st Championship for Aggies! (April 3rd-9th)


#MYOL News: Idris Elba Set To Open Health Clinic (April 3rd-9th)


Idrissa Akuna "Idris" Elba is a British televisiontheatre, and film actor who has starred in both British and American productions. Elba grew up in Canning Town, East London. One of his first acting roles was in the soap opera Family Affairs. He has worked in a variety of TV roles including Ultraviolet and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.  He is also known for playingRussell "Stringer" Bell, the drug dealer who aspired to become a high powered businessman, in HBO's The Wire. Elba is also a DJ under the moniker DJ Big Driis / Big Driis the Londoner, and a hip-hop soul recording artistIt’s been reported that Idris Elba, along with his cousin, who’s a nurse, are planning to fund and open a heath care facility in Sierra Leone, to provide support for sick families in the country. Elba, who was born in the U.K. to African immigrant parents – his father from Sierra Leone and his mother from Ghana – has never visited his father’s homeland, though that’s something he plans to to address very soon. As he was recently quoted in the Observer magazine: “It’s embarrassing. I have to go. There are plans, serious plans! I can’t wait. I want to go to Sierra Leone with something — whether it’s some sort of contribution to health care, or to the entertainment industry. My cousin is a nurse; we are talking about opening a clinic.” Elba has starred in movies and TV Shows like "Takers", "Daddy's Little Girls", "The Wire" and more. Its great to see fame and fortune be used for philanthropy! #MYOL

#MYOL News: “The LeBrons” Animated Series; Episode's 1 & 2 (April 3rd-9th)


R.I.P Kurt Cobain; Nirvana Superstar (February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994)


"I get a little honest, and I ask my self 
If the time come will you save me if I ask for help 
Send my mind on a journey to the outermost 
To document what it had seen, and Cc: me the notes 
And ask Kurt Cobain why, cause I need to know 
He stopped when he had such a long way to go" - Big K.R.I.T.

Rest In Peace

Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band NirvanaCobain formed Nirvana with Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1985 and established it as part of the Seattle music scene, having its debut album Bleach released on the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989. After signing with major label DGC Records, the band found breakthrough success with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" from its second album Nevermind (1991). Following the success of Nevermind, Nirvana was labeled "the flagship band" of Generation X, and Cobain hailed as "the spokesman of a generation". Cobain however was often uncomfortable and frustrated, believing his message and artistic vision to have been misinterpreted by the public, with his personal issues often subject to media attention. He challenged Nirvana's audience with its final studio album In Utero (1993).
During the last years of his life, Cobain struggled with heroin addiction, illness and depression, his fame and public image, as well as the professional and lifelong personal pressures surrounding himself and his wife, musician Courtney Love. On April 8, 1994, Cobain was found dead at his home in Seattle, the victim of what was officially ruled a suicide by a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. The circumstances of his death have become a topic of public fascination and debate. Since their debut, Nirvana, with Cobain as a songwriter, sold over 25 million albums in the US alone, and over 50 million worldwide.

Hip Hop History: Sade ft. Jay Z - Moon & The Sky (Remix) (April 3rd-9th)



"I was the one/I who could, pull in all the stars above /Lay them on your feet, and I gave you my love/You are the one who got me started/You could have let me love anyone but I only wanted you/So why did he make me cry/Why didn't you come get me one last time"


"You'll always know/The reason why/We could have had the moon and the sky/You'll always know/The reason why this love, reason why this love/Ain't gon' let you go" - Sade


"I know we could have had it all/I wasn't ready to go steady no not at all/Smoke and mirrors clouded my vision we hit a wall/Couldn't see the moon and the sky behind the fog/Pregnant pause/Damn your baby tall, what you been up to/I don't blame you my doll/Yeah, we kinda stalled/As god as my witness, timin' was my mistress/I guess it's in the stars for me to love you from a distance/Uh, our ship sail, uh, the wind blows/The door's always open but our window was closed/You always thought "what if?"/But that'll just drive you crazy baby, girl interrupted/Thinkin' 'bout what wasn't/Thinkin' 'bout what was it?/Was it somethin' I done?/Somethin' I could do better although nothin' could be done/Sometimes you get what you need/Now what you think you want? /So baby no moon and sky, got a beautiful sun" - Jay-Z

Hip Hop: Cory Gunz MTV Reality Show “Son of a Gun” Trailer (April 3rd-9th)



It might just be coincidence but I think there is some awkward reason that both the "Like Father, Like Son: Dell and Stephen Curry" trailer was released in the same week "Son of Gun" trailer was released. Being that I am Hip Hop's Pee Wee Kirkland its only right that we bring light to two types of black fatherhood where fame, fortune and family legacy is at stake. One type is professional athletes which was written in the (NAME) blog right before this one. The other is Hip Hop artists who have become fathers and have children that are ready to make their own lanes. I think that this new generation of Hip Hop that has those relationships and family legacy will be interesting to watch. How will fathers like Peter Gunz, Rev Run, Ice Cube, Diddy and more use their fortune and fame to promote fatherhood?I don't come from either of those two type of relationships with my father but its not easy to feel like you have to fulfill what your father has done in his time and reach for more. My point is Cory Gunz is the first possible Hip Hop superstar to be a son of someone who had success in the Hip Hop game. Will he make it even though he's signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money, Cash Money records with labelmates Drake and Nicki Minaj? We will see, check out the trailer!

Hip Hop: Mobb Deep ft. Nas - Dog Sh*t (prod. by Alchemist) #NYC (April 3rd-9th)



"Dog S***, I s*** you not/you bring that larceny, danger or harm around me? / Dog S***, listen to me good we the grand goons/you just a lil nickle, dime hood"

"I'm the epitome slime ball, f*** up out my eyesight/f*** is on your brain dog s***, I'm not the clown type/die before I let a n**** play me like some baby s***/ Dog S***, you deaf, dumbb or blind? I'm the craziest" - Prodigy

"To, every gang, every hood’s in my veins/It’s my thing, it’s real, I’m in tune/I chill like the cold side of the moon/Silence you dudes like an empty room/Empty out with silencersYou get murdered like how it was in a saloon/Anastasia that is/Haters can’t live, talkin about they putting 8 in my wig/I got my dollars up, try ya luck, you die, no trial for us/Court appointed lawyers as foul as f-ck and I’m too fly/Cause when you’re locked in prison, you’re clock stop ticking/Now, you came home, the same age you went in/Mentality wise, get iller when boxed in/Fresh home, and right up top, you get it poppin/Freedom is a vitue, n-ggas hanging way past they parole curfew/Blowing on that purple, know my street ties, beef wise/I let three fly over ya head, Welcome home P/Let gets get this bread, Dog shit" - Nas

Hip Hop: Nipsey Hussle – Rose Clique #WESTCOAST (April 3rd-9th)




"played out p**** please don't offer me, no/if sex is weapon she could not kill a mosquito/lil mama lost her grip, pastrami round her peehole/got too many miles, baby thats a repo/shorty's in denial really tryna f*** with me though/I'm way out your league so, please excuse my ego"

"Young Nipsey Hussle aint some s*** that you should sleep on/rich before rap, had to let the streets go/faith in my transition I knew I'd be back in Beastmode...still somehow I understood that I could make a seed grow/and that one that tree would bare fruit to feed my people/that one day is upon us grab your fork its time to eat bro"


NBA: "Like Father Like Son": Dell and Stephen Curry (April 3rd-9th)



The story of the Curry Family is right out of a book. Whether its in your local area or nationwide there are families that are dedicated to the game of basketball. Every once in a while families that have had the game of basketball influence their lives fir decades produce new generation of basketball players. I come from a basketball family starting with my father and I know that when me or my brother have children that they will be involved in the game of basketball. Dell Curry was a sharp shooter in the 90's most notably with the Charlotte Hornets playing with Alonzo Mourning and Larry "Grandmama" Johnson. He also played for random teams towards the end of his career as a shooter of his caliber always has a spot somewhere on a team. Throughout Dell's whole journey his son's Stephen and Seth were there on the floor shooting around before games and hanging out around the NBA life since birth. Now there time has come as Stephen is the starting PG on the high scoring, high energy Golden State Warriors and Seth is a returning Junior next year at Duke. Watch the trailer, it is great to see Stephen Curry make his own lane after the one his father set for him.

NBA: Bulls Clinch No. 1 Seed in 2011 v Cleveland Cavaliers! (April 3rd-9th)


The last two years prior to the 2010-11 NBA season, Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Eastern Conference. This year Lebron is on a far better team than any lineup that was on the floor with the "King" at Cleveland. Derrick Rose was always predicted to be a superstar but his hype was never anywhere near the type of hype Lebron James has gotten throughout his career. With nicknames like "The Golden Child" or "The King" which were given and have been self-endorsed by Lebron himself. His only argument of upholding those nicknames is his 2 consecutive MVP Awards and numerous records he has broken in his career thus far but still no NBA Championship. Derrick Rose has never been given any nicknames, walks off the court and not shake hands after losing a playoff series or makes efforts to be an international brand. The one thing that D.Rose and the Bulls do have is the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and possibly the whole playoffs. Chicago's is chasing down the best record in the league while the league leading Spurs have two games left but have chosen to sit there best players Parker, Ginobili and Duncan. The Bulls also have the unanimous MVP this year, will they get a title before the Heat? #2011NBAPlayoffs