AvBro, contrary to popular belief, does indeed have a Day Job, and does indeed work (from time to time). Thus, in the interest of time, here's a quick rundown of some stuff that's interesting, but not interesting enough for the full post treatment.
Newark College Student Killers Found
I opined last week that mayors, like Newark's Corey Booker, can't be held responsible for murders, just for making sure the right people are in place to solve them. Turns out I was somewhat correct here. Six men, presumably illegal aliens associated with the MS-13 Salvadoran gang, have been arrested in connection with last week's gruesome triple murders. No motive has been given yet, but some suspect the slayings were gang related, possibly a part of some bizarre initiation ritual.
While this certainly doesn't bring back those Delaware State students, at least the family can find some solace in knowing that the alleged killers will have their days in court. That has to count for something.
Manhunt nets last of 6 suspects: Arrest in Newark crime takes place in Elizabeth [New Star-Ledger]
When Art Doesn't Imitate Life
I was too lazy to write a review of Don Cheadle's excellent movie Talk to Me, which may or may not still be in theaters. Still, I wondered just how accurate the movie's depiction of legendary DC talk radio host Petey Green actually was. Turns out: not so accurate. A recent Post article exposed the movie as a made for Hollywood star vehicle for Cheadle, which wasn't very true to Green's real life story, and overplayed the relationship between Green and radio magnate Dewey Hughes to turn what was an icy relationship into a feel-good buddy film. While the movie is certainly entertaining, it's lack of accuracy has outraged Green's family, who weren't even invited to it's local premiere, and had to pay to see the movie themselves. They also weren't even consulted while the film was being made, nor have they received any royalties. Green's burial site doesn't even have a headstone.
Maybe it's somewhat karmic that the movie, however entertaining, is tanking at the box office.
Left Out of the Picture: For Petey Greene's Family, 'Talk to Me' Is Anything but a Feel-Good Hit [WashPost]
All Is Forgiven When You're 6-11 With A Jumphot
Washington Wizards forward, Andray Blatche, was of course arrested a couple of weeks ago for soliciting sex from an undercover police officer. At the time, I said that while Blatche's indiscretion probably wouldn't mean the team would completely cut ties with him, the 5 year, $12M offer he had on the table would likely be greatly reduced.
Turns out AvBro was completely wrong after all (for once). Blatche just signed a 5 year, $15M contract with the team. So, if my logic and math are correct, it seems that he was actually rewarded an extra $3M for soliciting a prostitute.
What. A. Country.
AverageBaby isn't even a year old, but I've already got him working on dribbling (juice and basketballs) to his left. Now, if I can just find a child-friendly version of one of those ancient stretching racks, we'll be well on our way to millionaire status is about 17 years. To hell with flashcards and Baby Einstein. Education is for punks anyway.
James Worthy is crying inside.
Despite legal woes, Wizards re-sign F Blatche [AP]
Some Rappers Should Really Just Shut The &*#% Up
Al Sharpton, with his snazzy perm and tricky vocabulary, is an easy target for many, but rapper David Banner is perhaps taking things a bit far with his recent tirades against Sharpton and Oprah Winfrey.
As previously reported by SOHH, Sharpton organized protests across the nation earlier this week, calling for the end of the music industry's government funding, unless rap artists clean up its act. The reverend is specifically demanding the removal of the words n***er, b***h and h*e from rap recordings.Boy, talk about subtle critiques.
Now, members of the hip-hop community are speaking in their own defense against Sharpton's crusade. David Banner weighed in on the subject, saying that he is not and has never been a fan of Sharpton and that he is doing more to hurt the situation than to help.
"The next time you see Al Sharpton, tell him I said @#*$ him and he can suck my @#*$," an animated David Banner exclaimed. "I might change the name of my album from The Greatest Story Never Told to @#*$ Al Sharpton. I hate Al Sharpton. This is the kind of @#!* that I'm talking about. They're killing kids in New Jersey and all across the country and all a @#*$% got to talk about is rap lyrics? @#*$ that about they're our elders and we gotta respect them. I'm tired of this. They're like the parents, but the parents are crucifying the kids.
"They tried to crucify Nelly and Akon...we need to come together because they're only doing this because we're not saying anything," Banner added. "He's [Sharpton] a permed-out pimp. Him and Jesse Jackson are out here charging people to do rallies with them. They're more worried about their investors than our kids. Tell him David Banner said it."
"@#*$%s talk a good game about we need to clean up the hood and the lyrics and all that. But I'm out here doing it. Who can say that?"
Banner, like many rappers, is missing the bigger point here. Reverend Al may indeed have some issues of his own, but if your entire (misguided) point is to defend your right to free speech, is this really the best way to go about that?
Banner, the rare college educated rapper, with not one, but two degrees, should probably be more savvy about how to approach such a topic, and how to show reverence for his elders. Then again, if my career prospects hinged on my ability to continue making songs such as "Like A Pimp (Make Them Hoes Get Down On The Floor)", and "Don't Play Wit It' (Work Them Hips, Run Girl)", maybe I'd be a bit desperate about music censorship as well.
Note to David Banner: Do Better.
Listen to Banner talk (ignorantly) about rift with Sharpton/Jesse [EUR.com]
Daily Hip-Hop News: SOHH Exclusive: David Banner Revolts Against The Rev, "F**k Al Sharpton...He's A Permed-Out Pimp" [Sohh.com]
