"A Mere Reality" is my first book/screenplay, I wrote it a few years back. The story is about the trails & tribulations of a B-Boy from Chicago that found the love of himself, his people, and a woman by the way of the art form known as Hip Hop. I entertained the idea of publishing the story via paperback, hard cover, or print on demand, but first I wanted to test the market. With that said I will post an excerpt a week until the story is complete, after that I will delete it. Please feel free to comment.
Pt.1

Rollie Gray

I've been giving myself a crash course in PhotoShop CS3...this is a picture of Bennie Frank of Central Division...I right clicked this picture from his myspace page.....

I don't know but for some reason what Obama said about Black Fathers has stuck with me. I had a conversation with a friend and she opened up to me indicating that the reason she was “wild” back in high school was because of her poor rapport with her father. She spoke of the lack of communication and lack of emotional support. While on the train I heard a loud, flamboyant young man blaming his homosexuality on his father. Now I'm a father of three, I have literally been with them since birth and on occasions I even get blamed for not investing more time with them.

The recent pinch that America has been feeling is what many African American males have been feeling for years...I would like to take this moment to thank the Bush Administration for allowing the rest of Americans to get a glimpse of the “black experience”. I often tell my wife that I've never been a father or husband before, therefore this is an “on the job learning experience”. Not to say that I didn't have an example...my father was there but no one is perfect. I hear people speak of slavery and indicate that's it's over and to just let it go. I see Black Fathers who do just that everyday despite the daily obstacles that many of us encounter. We still hold back the pain and reach deep down inside to be a little bit stronger for the ones we love. As my high school history teacher used to say, “nothing is absolute”...the longer I live I understand more and more how true that statement really is for there are black fathers that shun their responsibilities.

As children we all have aspirations to be great and to do great things but when do those dreams fade? Dreams fade when society continuously tells you that you're a failure and diminish or steal what you create. You begin to believe that you are “an endangered species” and the stereotypes. Now I'm assuming that it is easier for a father with a Lexus to provide for his child than it is for a father pushing a stroller on public transportation....but we don't hear those stories...and don't hit me with that Chris Rock shit....that's what's father supposed to do! In America there are a slew of things that should be done that are not. Black Fathers appreciate and need acknowledgment...Black families as a whole are still feeling the lasting impression of slavery..in short we all are still figuring it out.

Maybe my friend's father could have spent more time with her? Maybe the father of the guy on the train could have invested more time with him? And maybe I could do more with my children? But what can society do for Black men besides give them a bad rap?

Rollie

Last night the DSCC's Road to Victory series caught Barack Obama backstage just before he made his dramatic surprise appearance at the convention. Obama talks about how important it is to elect enough Democratic Senators to pass his agenda in 2009 (and note him whispering to the camera while you can hear Senator Biden giving his acceptance speech to the convention hall).

This shit is funny!!!!!

Good Morning from videos222 on Vimeo.
Click the Button below to download the video off of I-Tunes...

I first heard of Chilly O around 2006-2007 when I was working for Grip Magazine. The brand caught my eye, the name was cool, and the t-shirts were fly. I guess those doubles D's that the logo was displayed across also assisted in getting my attention. Since that time the name "Chilly O" has been a constant on Atlanta's fashion and music scene. With that said, it's only fitting that "Chilly O" is the first fashion "Shout Out" on 48Bars. Currently Chilly O is a very busy man, therefore it was a bit of a challenge catching up with him, but hey it's 2008 so I emailed him a few questions so here they are.....

Who is Chilly-O?

SCRIBBLE JAM 2008
MC BATTLE + DJ BATTLE + B-BOY BATTLE
BEATBOX BATTLE + GRAFF EXPO
OCTOBER 23-26, 2008
CINCINNATI, OH
Venue: Annies NightClub
RAIN OR SHINE
Booth at Scribble Jam
Please email info@scribblemagazine.com
for information on how to obtain a booth.

SCRIBBLE JAM 2008 OFFICIAL LINE UP!
PERFORMANCES BY:
ATMOSPHERE
KRS ONE
BLUEPRINT
CHANNEL LIVE
ABSTRACT RUDE
DJ DSTYLES
MR. DIBBS
EMBEDDED MUSIC SHOWCASE
(Bisc1, Iller Than Theirs, Loer Velocity, Junk Science)
SUPASTITION
BROOKLYN ACADEMY
CYMARSHALL LAW

Scribble Jam is an annual hip hop music festival hosted in Cincinnati, Ohio, which has been called "America's Largest Hip Hop Festival." The festival was founded in 1996 by Fat Nick, Founder of Scribble Magazine.

American Blackout
Chronicles the recurring patterns of disenfranchisement witnessed from 2000 to 2004 while following the story of Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who not only took an active role in investigating these election debacles but also found herself in the middle of one after publicly questioning the Bush Administration about the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Some call Cynthia McKinney a civil rights leader among the ranks of Shirley Chisholm and Malcolm X. Others call her a conspiracy theorist and a 'looney.' American Blackout gains unprecedented access to one of the most controversial and dangerous politicians in America and examines the contemporary tactics used to control our democratic process and silence political dissent. The film features interviews with: US Congressional Representatives, John Lewis, Cynthia McKinney, John Conyers, Bernie Sanders, and Stephanie Tubbs-Jones; former US Civil Rights Commissioner & Dean of UC Berkeley's School of Law, Christopher Edley; BBC journalist Greg Palast; and, Van Jones, Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center. Written by Ian Inaba
www.imdb.com

There is a developing story on Drudgereport.com about Mccain office in Denver receiving white powder and death threat. I had a conversation with the crew about this shit awhile ago. You see my thoughts on it is this....Mccain is such a poor choice for the Republican party that they will attempt to assassinated him in order to win this election!!! What could unify the GOP more then the death of a war hero presidential candidate? Remember we are only a few days from the Republican convention, and on February 7, 2008 Mitt Romney announced the suspension of his campaign...Mccain is the presumptive nominee...the presumptive nominee is a political candidate who is all but assured of his party's nomination, but has not yet been formally nominated. How fitting is it that this strange envelope appears day before the convention? The death of Mccain would seize the media attention that the Republicans have been craving for since the primary elections. I wish no harm on no man, but these past eight years I've have wittiness things that I never thought I would.

Published: Thursday - August 21, 2008
Words by Miles Bennett

In the leaked page, Faith claims that during one evening in Cali, she visited Tupac's hotel room to receive payment for a collaboration she had previously done with the rapper. However, once there, Pac allegedly made sexual advances, and tried to persuade her into being his "bitch" before he'd pay her for her services.

Here's short excerpt of Faith account of the meeting:

"The situation with the money is like this," he. "If I give it to you, then you have to be my bitch."

"Your what," I said. I felt a chill go up my back.

"You heard me. You gotta be my bitch."

I got up and moved farther away from where he was standing.

"I'm not anybody's bitch," I said, trying to keep my voice even and steady.

"You Biggie's bitch."

Then later on, Faith says Tupac became angry after she asked for her money, cursing at her, before she stormed out of the room in tears:

"Look," I said. "You hired me to do a song. I did it. I want money and that's it."

"Oh word, it's like that? You just want your money?"

"You told me it wouldn't be a problem," I said. "The only reason why I came up here is because you said --"

"So you not trying to suck my d***?"

"What!" I screamed. "What are you talking about."

Tupac raised his voice. "You know you want to suck my d***, bitch! Don't f***ing lie." I burst into tears and grabbed my purse. "I have to get out of here."

The pages leaked by Miss Info are shocking. Faith also recounts the first time meeting Pac and agreeing to collaborate on a song, and then being ambushed by the rapper at the premiere of "Waiting To Exhale.
ballerstatus.com

Dear Caroline,

We've never met, so I hope you don't find this letter too presumptuous or inappropriate. As its contents involve the public's business, I am sending this to you via the public on the Internet. I knew your brother John. He was a great guy, and I know he would've had a ball during this thrilling and historic election year. We all miss him dearly.

Barack Obama selected you to head up his search for a vice presidential candidate. It appears we may be just days (hours?) away from learning who that choice will be.

The media is reporting that Senator Obama has narrowed his alternatives to three men: Joe Biden, Evan Bayh and Tim Kaine. They're all decent fellows, but they are far from the core of what the Obama campaign has been about: Change. Real change. Out with the old. And don't invade countries that pose no threat to us.

Senators Biden and Bayh voted for that invasion and that war, the war Barack ran against, the war Barack reminded us was the big difference between him and Senator Clinton because she voted for the war and he spoke out against it while running for Senate (a brave and bold thing to do back in 2002).

For Obama to place either of these senators on the ticket would be a huge blow to the millions that chose him in the primaries over Hillary. He will undercut one of the strongest advantages he has over the Hundred-Year War senator, Mr. McCain. By anointing a VP who did what McCain did in throwing us into this war, Mr. Obama will lose the moral high ground in the debates.

As for Governor Kaine of Virginia, his big problem is, well, Obama's big problem -- who is he? The toughest thing Barack has had to overcome -- and it will continue to be his biggest obstacle -- is that too many of the voters simply don't know him well enough to vote for him. The fact that Obama is new to the scene is both one of his most attractive qualities AND his biggest drawback. Too many Americans, who on the surface seem to like Barack Obama, just don't feel comfortable voting for someone who hasn't been on the national scene very long. It's a comfort level thing, and it may be just what keeps Obama from winning in November ("I'd rather vote for the devil I know than the devil I don't know").

What Obama needs is a vice presidential candidate who is NOT a professional politician, but someone who is well-known and beloved by people across the political spectrum; someone who, like Obama, spoke out against the war; someone who has a good and generous heart, who will be cheered by the rest of the world; someone whom we've known and loved and admired all our lives and who has dedicated her life to public service and to the greater good for all.

That person, Caroline, is you.

I cannot think of a more winning ticket than one that reads: "OBAMA-KENNEDY."

Caroline, I know that nominating yourself is the furthest idea from your mind and not consistent with who you are, but there would be some poetic justice to such an action. Just think, eight years after the last head of a vice presidential search team looked far and wide for a VP -- and then picked himself (a move topped only by his hubris to then lead the country to near ruin while in office) -- along comes Caroline Kennedy to return the favor with far different results, a vice president who helps restore America to its goodness and greatness.

Caroline, you are one of the most beloved and respected women in this country, and you have been so admired throughout your life. You chose a life outside of politics, to work for charities and schools, to write and lecture, to raise a wonderful family. But you did not choose to lead a private life. You have traveled the world and met with its leaders, giving you much experience on the world stage, a stage you have been on since you were a little girl.

The nation has, remarkably (considering our fascination with celebrity), left you alone and let you live your life in peace. (It's like, long ago, we all collectively agreed that, with her father tragically gone, a man who died because he wanted to serve his country, we would look out for her, we would wish for her to be happy and well, and we would have her back. But we would let her be.)

Now, I am breaking this unwritten code and asking you to come forward and help us in our hour of need. So many families are hurting, losing their homes, going bankrupt with health care bills, seeing their public schools in shambles and living with this war without end. This is a historic year for women, from Hillary's candidacy to the numerous women running for the House and Senate. This is the year that a woman should be on the Democratic ticket. This is the year that both names on that ticket should be people OUTSIDE the party machine. This is the year millions of independents and, yes, millions of Republicans are looking for something new and fresh and bold (and you are the Kennedy Republicans would vote for!).

This is the moment, Caroline. Seize it! And Barack, if you're reading this, you probably know that she is far too humble and decent to nominate herself. So step up and surprise us again. Step up and be different than every politician we have witnessed in our lifetime. Keep the passion burning amongst the young people and others who have been energized by your unexpected, unpredicted, against-all-odds candidacy that has ignited and inspired a nation. Do it for all those reasons. Make Caroline Kennedy your VP. "Obama-Kennedy." Wow, does that sound so cool.

Caroline, thanks for letting me intrude on your life. How wonderful it will be to have a vice president who will respect the Constitution, who will support (instead of control) her president, who will never let her staff out a CIA agent, and who will never tell her country that she is "currently residing in an undisclosed location."

Say it one more time: "OBAMA-KENNEDY." A move like that might send a message to the country that the Democrats would actually like to win an election for once.

Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com

Russell Simmons: Taking Back Our Families

The other day my brother Reverend Run texted me with some exciting news: the parenting book he recently wrote with his wife Justine, Take Back Your Family: A Challenge To America's Parents, had just made the New York Times bestseller list. While some might be surprised that a parenting book written by a rapper and his wife would hit the bestseller's list, I wasn't shocked that people of all backgrounds were interested in Run and Justine's views on raising a successful family.

For five seasons, their hit reality show Run's House has inspired families with its' honest dialogue on how to enjoy the good times and survive the hard ones. Since Take Back Your Family shares their parenting philosophies in even greater detail, it was only natural that the book would reach so many people.

But the full impact of Take Back Your Family was really brought home to me when I got a call from a friend of mine who had just finished the book. "Please tell your brother how inspired I was by his book. I loved how positive and uplifting his message was," he told me, before adding. "Too bad Obama didn't use the same tone when he talked about parenting. He might not have rubbed so many folks the wrong way."

My friend was referring to Senator Obama's now infamous Father's Day speech, in which he suggested that too many African-Americans think that parenting "ends at conception" and that they need to show more "courage" in raising their children. Jesse Jackson's response to that speech might have gotten all the headlines, but the truth is he was voicing frustrations felt by many in the African-American community. There was a perception that not only was Obama speaking down to people caught up in the struggle, but even worse, in doing so he was providing conservatives with another opportunity to point their fingers at Black men.

But while I respected my friends' view, I had to tell him I thought his frustrations were misplaced. I encouraged him to see that while he felt inspired by Run and frustrated with Obama, in fact they were both promoting a very similar message. "It's just that you've never felt any sort of judgment coming with Run," I told him. "You're so used to him promoting love and acceptance through Run's House that you were open to everything you read in the book. Obama wasn't really saying anything other than, "Take back your families." It's just that since he was delivering that message from the political stump, you heard it as a judgment instead of as encouragement."

What I wanted my friend to understand is that both Run and Obama are incredibly dedicated family men and are qualified, because of the commitments they've made in their own lives, to deliver a message of parental responsibility. And I really believe that when someone like Reverend Run or Barack Obama encourages you to make family your first priority, they're not saying it out of judgment or a sense of arrogance. Instead, they're just trying to help you tap into some of the joy, stability and tranquility that family has brought to their own lives.

But ultimately, I was just thrilled that family has become such a passionate issue, especially in the African-American community. When I hear a very healthy debate about the responsibilities of fathers, when I see Take Back Your Family on the bestseller list or pictures of Barack Obama playing with his daughters in every newspaper, it lets me know a very positive change is taking place in this country. You don't have to dress a certain way, speak a certain way, hold a particular kind of job or even look a certain way to be considered a "family man" anymore. Your race, your religion, your background, the kind of music you listen to--thankfully all of that is becoming irrelevant. Instead, all that matters is that you make a commitment to putting your family first.

(Chicago, IL)
During the Fall of 1980, Coach James 'Smokey' Lilly worked with the defensive side of the football team at Robert Lindblom High School on Chicago's south side. One day during practice the defensive players that were under Smokey's tutelage were having a pretty good day against the starting offense, which resulted in Smokey, almost jokingly calling us the Crunch Bunch. The Seniors, namely Captain Tim 'TJ' Johnson, starting running back Dennis 'DJ' Johnson, and Angelo 'Gelo' Maynard added credibility to the group of underclassman as the Crunch Bunch was formed.
I became a member of the Bunch in 1988. All I know is that the brotherhood we developed is something serious. This weekend I went to the Chi for the Bunch Reunion...It was good seeing old friends...I had a good one...Hey Yummy Yummy, Hey Yummy Yummy, Hey!!!!

I can't express enough how good this CD is.....if you haven't checked out New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) do urself a favor & do so.....I'm still waiting on New Amerykah Part Two.

I checked this movie out last night on supernovatube.com...I dig it....and not because the movie had Jessica Biel, Joy Bryan, and Paula Patton it in... but the plot and acting was dope. I know I'm like three years late, but hey you can't catch everything!!!!!!

Kanye West "Champion Video" Official Directed by NEON from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Author: Aliya Ewing
VH1 has announced today (August 13th) the honorees for their fifth annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors. This year, VH1 will take the time to show appreciation to rappers Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort.
hiphopdx.com

Whut up yung world..... right back at yall with the latest and greatest hip hop news reporting live from Houston, Tx. So...its day 2 ...everybody from Ozone finally settled in they rooms and got the official itenarary 4 the weekend. We had a formal meeting with the Hotel staff (I won't disclose which hotel) and they were all stern and givin their no non-sense speeches about what they will and won't tolerate. Truth of tha matter is ....I really don't know if these people really know what is about 2 go down up in this piece yall. Dude who is tha Mgr talkin bout only 15 or so people are allowed in the listenin suites at any givin time. Yea right... good luck on that one....its about 2 be soooo so many people here that the shit at even funny. It's tha takeover....3rd annual TOA's .....they not gon know what hit em'!

So later..... we go pick up a few more of our staff then head out. Our next destination.... J Prince (Mr. Rap-A-Lot himself) rec center 4 some late nite hoops! As soon as we hit tha door who do I see... none other than tha man who started the Houston based rap empire with early hip hop heavyweight legends like -Tha Geto Boyz, Scarface, UGK just 2 name a few. He was posted right at tha front door coolin with one of tha NBA's finest, who just happens 2 be like 1 of my personal favorite pt guards who really re-defined tha position ("Big Guard") by dunkin on any and everyone in tha league....my nicca Stevie Franchise! He wasn't suited up 2 play or nothin but he was in tha building checking out some of the action. So....after watchin these young super talented (everybody seem like they had hops) kats play a few games ya boy....feelin like a old and out-of-shape dude got out there 2 play. Now..once upon a blue moon l was cold...but I got be honest wit yall ...reality set in quick than a mufucka! These young niggas ran circles around ya boy...I'm mean a nigga still held his own and shit but niggas definitely got tha best of us (we came bck from 9 pt deficit) 2 win not once but twice. Ugly right...yea I know. So after that it was probably like 330am went back to the telly and passed tha fuck out...

So yo I just woke up....day 3 ...I'll hit yall back later....1 time!

Adero Dawson
Ozone mag

(I know we're a little behind on the postings about the Ozone Awards...but hey I don't work on the weekends..... why? Because that is so 80's!)

Yesterday I asked the question-Why are Russia and Georgia at War? Well after more research I learned that Georgia's oil pipeline runs to Asia....you do the math!

Battle for Oil:

EU’s hope to bypass Russian energy may be a pipe dream

There are two people other then crew that has influenced me profoundly on my hip hop quest, DJ EZ Eddie D in Dallas TX and Quanstar. Back in 2003 I was managing “Central Division” a hip hop act out of Chicago. New to Atlanta, I gave the true meaning of the word grind, out hustling every night of the week on the underground circuit. While on the grind I kept running into this kid that called himself Quanstar, reppin' “First Team”. New to the town and hungry for knowledge, I was peppin' dude's style-his moves were always precise, a quite person but his actions were loud. We began to have conversations about this hip hop shit in the ATL, he once told me that the “underground market in ATL is only about 300-400 people that will buy your shit, take it to the road”. Since that conversion Quanstar has put together a tour consisting of Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, California, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana. His documentary “Do It!” will be screened at theUniversity of Arizona, University of Georgia, Art Institute of Atlanta, and Bennington College this fall. You can check Quanstar out at:
http://www.firstteammusic.blogspot.com
http://www.soundclick.com/quanstar
www.myspace.com/quanstar
Quanstar "2: The Alias and Eardrumz Saga" out now www.cdbaby.com/quanstar2
Quanstar "Sometimes You Gotta Stand Alone" out now www.cdbaby.com/quanstar
available now!!!!!!!!!!!
First Team Music
"Do It!: A Documentary" and soundtrack www.lulu.com, www.filmrunner.net

By Sonia Murray The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Nelly will perform a free concert here Aug. 19, at the Tabernacle. The show is part of the second annual Samsung AT&T Summer Krush concert series, where in addition to being able to see such notables as Mariah Carey, LeAnn Rimes and the Smashing Pumpkins for nothing, the sponsor hopes to entice you into one of their interactive phone booths to try out the Samsung Blackjack II. Local radio stations V-103 and 95.5 The Beat are giving out tickets to its listeners, but you can also sign up for them HERE.

The two are fighting over the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia. There are ethnic Russians living in that region, who are close to Russia (having Russian passports, using Russian money, etc.). South Ossetia wants to be independent, and declared its independence back in 1993. Its ‘independence’ was not internationally recognized, however, and Georgia wants to have none of it.

John McCain is hilarious! It amazes me when I hear people say that Obama is running from a debate with him. When they debate after the Conventions, it is going to be like when the Celtics blewout the Lakers during the finals! No matter how Fox News try to put a twist on it you can't compare to two of them. Watching McCain diligently attempt to read the teleprompter and tell those jokes (McCain it's all about timing!), it reminds me when I was living in Chicago and a senior citizen lost control of the car while driving on Lake Shore Drive a hit several people on the beach! Somebody please take McCain's license to public speak! I mean really the Republican party had this coming to them-God don't like ugly! In July 2007 McCain's campaign was in shambles, very low on funds and key staff members left! I am impressed that he is now the Republican presumptive nominee. It kills me will I hear these “undercovers” like O'reilly, Hannity, Medved, Limbaugh, Ingram, in their futile attacks on Obama, the shit is almost comedy- where is Dave Chappelle when you need him? It is sad that even with this poor excuse of a President candidate that some people still won't vote for Obama! If I'm telling it like it is I have to call out "my people" that ridicule Obama! He “talks down to people”, “he must be apart of a secret society”! I know this for certain-I have voted a president that didn't resemble me since I have been eligible to vote and everyone of them had flaws! The bottom line is this-Obama is acting presidential and McCain is acting like a senior citizen! Every great national has fallen! Like Black Sheep said-the choice is yours! You get with this or you can get with that!

Whut up yung world? This tha BIG Homie AD .....me and the rest of tha
Ozone staff just hopped in tha "CRUNK" wrapped Ozone Suburban and hit
the road. Destination: Houston, TX ....where the boppers be boppin,
candy paint be drippin, tha music is chopped & screwed and you gotta
chuck them duces! We're headed down a day b4 all the events and choice
activities get underway to make sure everything is prepped and ready 2
go. The weather is pretty nice right now.. we hit a lil patch of rain
clouds but nothin major....I hear that there is a tropical storm that is
supposed 2 hit Tx in tha next couple days so I'm on tha lookout. Real
quick.....here's my dilema -No blunts ..No squares ....and No brews
.....nothin but about 12 hrs of road ahead of me u know... a nigga gotta
b responsible and shit! It's all good though, I'm keepin busy listen to
tha tunes on my mp3 -got that brand new heat from tha mighty "CENTRAL
DIVISION" (my crew)- and I'm keepin yall posted on wus crakkin wit me
by writing these entries.

So stay tuned........ I will get back at yall once we close our
proximity on tha "H-Town"...... l'm Audi 5000-
BIG AD.
Adero Dawson
Subscriptions Mgr.
OZONE magazine, inc.
Subscriptions@ozonemag.com

With the hottest stars taking the stage at the coolest venues, Heineken Red Star Soul is a music experience like no other. This year's line-up features today's top R&B and soul music ARTISTS performing live at select cities nationwide, plus the presentation of the Heineken Independent Achiever Award. Who's playing where, and when? Check out the EVENTS CALENDAR for concert dates and performance locations near you.

Venue: Opera
www.operaatlanta.com
date: 08/20/08
artist: Lyfe Jennings, Estelle, D-Nice, Kenny Burns, Danella

KREATIVE SOULS MEDIA NETWORK, LLC, is driven by the idea of taking its clients’ to the next level. The KSMN team is comprised of proven media professionals who have come together from a variety of media related backgrounds (print, graphic & web design, marketing, photography, video, etc.) in an effort to carry out a common cause. Our most immediate interest is providing the necessary tools that help our clients’ position themselves among the industry elite.

So ...last nite me and tha homie "Dirty Goosby" went 2 see Nasir Jones
and Talib Kweli at Center Stage in the ATL. First of all it was raining
pretty good out there... but did that slow shit up? Hmm ..not even 4 a
millasecond....it was a line around the fucking corner. Some kats came
prepared with umbrellas...well tha ones who brought chicks with them but
not many. Everybody else had 2 kinda fend fo they self.....luckily there
was a few "rock star" street hustlas out there sellin panchos 4 like 5
bucks. Glad we had tickets at will call....so anyway, we3 get inside its
crazy crowded...Kweil was performin and I'm guessin we just missed
Badu's newest baby-daddy "Jay Electronica" perform as an opener. Kinda
disappointed bout that 1 ...wanted 2 see what all the fuss is about. So
next intermission hits.... we find some cool seats just 2 the right of
the stage upfront, burn a "L" and wait 4 "GOD SON"... in comes Nasir
rockin some cool goggles, white tee with a high-fashion scarf (guess
thas like the latest craze or some shit....seem like everybody's doin it
even in tha summertime??.), camoflauge shorts and some supa classic
kicks (he was rockin some 880 AVIA's white on white). He proceeded to
wreck shop for dolo all tha classic "ILLMATIC" shit, some nice joints
off "IT WAS WRITTEN"..."I AM"..."NASTRADAMUS".."STILLMATIC"... and some
new shit off the controversial "UNTITLED" (formerly titled NIGGER)
album! Hey man.....say whay u say about Nas, Jigga may have bigger hit
records but Nasty Nas got plenty of songs and plenty of timeless hits as
well! He did everything but "ETHER" (was probably in his contract not 2
do it). My high-light of the night was probably when he shut it down
with his new joint dissin FOX News and Bill Oriley's punk ass....pretty
illmatical as GOD SON closed out by sayin and I quote..."Neva let me get
2 Big in this ...I am here 4 yall...I Fuck with the People...not
Politics!"

Adero Dawson
Ozone Magazine
--
Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®

Rollie --

A few hours ago John McCain, the same man who just months ago promised to run a "respectful campaign," said he is "proud" of his latest attack ad.

That's the one attacking your enthusiasm, comparing me to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, and making false claims about my energy plan.

Now, we're facing some serious challenges in this country -- our economy is struggling, energy costs are skyrocketing, and families don't have health care.

Given the seriousness of these issues, you'd think we'd be having a serious debate. But instead, John McCain is running an expensive, negative campaign against us. Each day brings a desperate new set of attacks.

And they're not just attacking me. They're attacking you.

They're mocking the desire of millions of Americans to step up and take ownership of the political process.

They're trying to convince you that your enthusiasm won't amount to anything -- that the people you persuade, the phone calls you make, the donations you give, the doors you knock on are all an illusion. They believe that in this election the same old smears and negative attacks will prevail again.

They're wrong.

And right now, we have a few hours left to prove them wrong in a very concrete way.

Make a donation of $5 or more before the July fundraising deadline at midnight tonight.

Show the strength of our movement for change.

Thank you,

Barack