World Health Organization (WHO) raises alert to level 5, one notch short of full pandemic

De La Soul Teams Up With Nike For Original Run Series

Eminem To Premiere ‘3 A.M.’ Video On Cinemax

The World's Most Influential Person Is...

Hong Kong Flu (1968-1969)

The Hong Kong Flu was a category 2 flu pandemic This pandemic of 1968 and 1969 killed an estimated one million people worldwide. The pandemic infected an estimated 500,000 Hong Kong residents, 15% of the population, with a low death rate. In the United States, approximately 33,800 people died.

The first record of the outbreak in Hong Kong appeared on 13 July 1968 in an area with a density of about 500 people per acre in an urban setting. The outbreak reached maximum intensity in 2 weeks, lasting 6 weeks in total.

By July 1968, extensive outbreaks were reported in Vietnam and Singapore. By September 1968, it would reach India, Philippines, northern Australia and Europe. That same month, the virus entered California from returning Vietnam War troops. It would reach Japan, Africa and South America by 1969.

A “pandemic” occurs when a strain of the flu virus mutates to become readily transmitted person to person and is resistant to the common flu vaccines.

Russia widens U.S. meat ban due to swine flu

Studios Combat ‘Wolverine’ Piracy With Multiple Endings

How Fresh Is She? Yasmin Deliz

Yo.... U can catch mommy cita in the new movie "Next Day Air" w/ Mike Epps, Wood Harris, Donald Faison & Mos Def

Swine Influenza (Flu)| Update

Swine Flu website last updated April 28, 2009 11:00 AM ET

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
(As of April 28, 2009 11:00 AM ET)

State	# of laboratory confirmed cases
California	10 cases
Kansas	2 cases
New York City	45 cases
Ohio	1 case
Texas	6 cases
TOTAL COUNT	64 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization

The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional cases of confirmed swine influenza and a number of hospitalizations of swine flu patients. Internationally, the situation is more serious too, with additional countries reporting confirmed cases of swine flu. In response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 4. A Phase 4 alert is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause “community-level” outbreaks.” The increase in the pandemic alert phase indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased.

CDC has activated its emergency operations center to coordinate the agency’s emergency response. CDC ’s goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this swine influenza virus. Yesterday, CDC issued a travel warning recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. CDC continues to issue interim guidance daily on the website and through health alert network notices. CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is releasing one-quarter of its antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to help states respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

www.cdc.gov/swineflu

Guerilla Union Rock The Bells 09 Dates, Venues and Line-Up

Obama's First 100 Days: The Good, The Bad, and the Geithner

The swine flu outbreak in the U.S. has grown to 40 confirmed cases

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
(As of April 27, 2009 1:00 PM ET)

States # of laboratory confirmed cases

California 7 cases
Kansas 2 cases
New York City 28 cases
Ohio 1 case
Texas 2 cases

TOTAL COUNT 40 cases

International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health Organization External Web Site Policy.
www.cdc.gov/swineflu

My Sneaks 4 tha Week

I had to continue this week where I left off last week -you know with the ill running sneaks. I mean how fresh r they really? I need a pair of these joints right now as a matter-of-fact every one of the homeboyz should have a pair in their closet!

My 8 year old son asked me why Biggie got shot?

I was at work and my 8 year old son called me and asked me why Biggie got shot?? Not to infer that there's any comparison ….but when he asked I couldn’t help but recall when as a child I asked my father why Malcolm X got shot? I paused because I knew the answer I gave could deeply effect his outlook on life. I haven’t answered the question, I will do so on an outing with him this weekend. I have came up with four possible explanations, I would appreciate if you all could help me chose between the four.

1. I could cop out and say the “I don’t know” and that the authorities never founded the murders of Christopher Wallace.

2. I could use the “how you draw and who you draw with is who you rise or fall with” scenario…i.e. that “Biggie” was an ex-drug dealer and at times no matter how you try it’s hard to hide from your past.

3.I could tell him about Karma….the law of cause and effect. “Ready to Die”….”Life After Death”, "Who shot ya"...when you put that energy out in the world it finds it’s way back to you.

4. Or should I tell him about the senseless beef between him and Tupac Shakur and how the media played a big part in that drama?

This is no disrespect to the memory of Mr. Wallace or his family , but when movies are made and the media makes humans appear larger then life the youths are going to ask questions. As responsible adults we should supply truthful and responsible answers.

Rollie Gray-

"IT'S 3 AM in the mornin........."

Yo ...THIS SHIT "right here nigga!" OOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWEEEEE!! It sure is good to see tha homeboy back ...welcome back HOME Em!

10,000 Mark - Thanx Yall!

Wus poppin Yung World?? In just under a year (10 months to be exact)- we here @ 48 BARS.COM would just like to say thanx as a gesture of are appreciation to all of u who came thru to check us out.

Now this may not seem like such a milestone to u out there in the "intergalatic bloggin network of the known universal world"...known by its more common tag *Tha MATRIX* -but this right here is not only very important us... it marks a new era for us. From here on out its only gonna get ...(to quote tha homie LL) -"BIGGER and DEFFER".

Everyone make sure that you all are in attendance for our 1 year celebration at Grant Park (ATL ...not tha crib -although I wish that were tha case ..it would be fun to be back in CHI). Details will be disseminated at a later date!

I can't tell yall enough about how pleased we are with this venture. When my partner first shot me the idea about doing our site I was excited as much as I was uncertain because I am fully aware of tha process and I know it can take a very long period of time to really "pop off" like that- therefore, a nigga was a little apprehensive. I'd say like ...hmmmn! -maybe like 3 or 4 months in when shit really first started click'n between me and Ro ...seem like the combination of writing styles meshed... and really did us well. 2 very different "artists.. "PEN PROS" in their own right really put it down 4 yall with our "Politics and hip hop" web page. Come 1 come all lend us your eyes & ears and let us here @ 48Bars.com know what ur thinkin!?

So in close... thx again to all who tune in and check 4 us out here..we definitely appreciate U and value your time and interest!

-Peace, and MUCH LUV to ya-
AD

P.S. -and No thas not supposed 2 b "Pinky" in the pic (she big in anotha kinda way)... ha ha lol

April 29 will be the 100th day of Barack Obama’s presidency

MySpace co-founder Chris DeWolfe steps down after falling behind rival Facebook

Because Myspace sold out to corporate!!!!

Retrospective: A Eulogy For The Boombox

Before there were iPods, or even CDs, there were boomboxes. It's been 20 years since the devices disappeared from the streets, but the nostalgia for boomboxes isn't just about a trend in stereo equipment. We've changed the way we listen to music, and to each other.

I'm going on an airplane, And I don't know if I'll be back again| Kanye West and Amber Rose

Earth Day Report: Up Broken CFL Bulbs (They Contain Highly Toxic Mercury)

Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival

How Fresh is She? Joy Bryant

Retrospective: Sony Walkman

There's a surge of public interest in legalizing marijuana

M.I.A. Takes Center Stage At Coachella Festival

Delegates walked out of the assembly room on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Geneva

PhRMA will announce a deal it has struck with the liberal advocacy group Families USA

My Sneaks 4 tha Week

Yo ...I had to switch up the steez this week. As yall know... the weather is finally breakin in all the less tropical states (and believe me -ATL is one of em), so I had to buss out these Air Max "South Beach" editions. Just the right thing to welcome in the season of Spring.

A Shout Out to Jeanine Smith

In 2005 I quit my job and decided to go hard with this music shit. I began working with Boostmoblie RockCorp and we had just pulled off a Hip Hop concert at Fox Theatre here in the ATL. RockCorp asked me to come to New York to help promote a concert at Radio City Music Hall. The only person I knew in NY was Tarrey Torae, but she was on tour with Talib Kweli at the time. Tarrey linked me up with another home girl from the Chi Town. This is how I met Jeanine Smith.

The first thing I noticed on Jeanine's wall in her apartment is something that I want dearly….and something that Duke Williams, Tarrey Torae, and Jeanine all have in common…. A Grammy Nomination Plaque! One of the first things that stood out to me was her work ethic. Up to the pre-dawn working on a song, then hitting the gym before going to the studio. I swear, seeing this really made me step my game up.

When I first heard “baby it anit over” I realized how talented Jeanine is. My first week in NY.... I would go to work, then hookup with Jeanine so she could show me around. She always would be working on this song…“I don’t want nobody else”…I would be ready to go and she would not leave until I heard the song at least ten times! Ironically, this is my favorite song ….now I could go on about her accolades, but you can check her myspace page for that.

Jeanine is very driven….I invited her to the concert at Radio City, when Jeanine walked in Kelis was performing…Jeanine stayed for five minutes and began to walkout!? I asked why she was leaving??? She responded by saying ..that while she is watching Kelis perform she could be working on her next hit! How could I front on that??? Don’t believe me check for yourself here are some links to the world of Jeanine Smith…..

www.myspace.com/jeanineishot
cdbaby.com/jeanine

-Rollie Gray

CAMP LO & STYLES P: On Smash/89 of Crime

This is a "BANGA!" ...I'm feeling the homage thas being paid on this 1 right here ... both jointz

Mr."Day N Nite" inks a deal with Motown Universal

Kid Cudi's debut- "Man on the Moon: The Guardian" is slated for a summer release.

Some "Stills" from Yeezy's New Video -shot by HYPERION

Yo Hype.... as usual these visuals are "SIIIIIIIIIIICKNIN'!!!" I believe them guys was in Brazil or some shit!

The ILLEST Headphones Anywhere!

Yo Dre.... these are the illest sound isolation headphones ever! -Beats by dr. dre

-4 more stats click pic.

Hosting the Indian Premier League should benefit South Africa economically

Crew Returns To U.S., Telling Tales Of Pirate Attack

Miguel Ruiz (left), 16, listens as his father Miguel Ruiz, a crew member from the Maersk Alabama, speaks to the media, with Myra Ruiz, 17, on Thursday at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. AP

GOVERNOR SAYS TEXAS CAN LEAVE THE UNION IF IT WANTS

How Fresh Is She? Zoe Saldana

I hear baby girl has a steamin hot sex scene with Captain Kirk in tha new Star Trek joint. Of course she plays "Uhuru" (tha only black until Star Trek Generations TV Show)

Em Is Back From Hiatus

The lyrical "Monster of the Midway" is back! Back in Black to grace the cover of XXL magazine (June issue to be exact) as "The Punisher!" After a 3 year hiatus to sort out a lot of personal issues - Eminem aka Marshall Mathers returns with his 5th solo album -"Relapse."

His album is slated for a late May release. Hey Em... u think u could hit up Dre and find out where in tha fuck is DETOX!!!

For full interview-
xxlmag.com

President Obama still seeing "Glimmers of Hope"

What good do your words do If they can't understand you? Don't go talkin' that shit ……

Why is Hip Hop fucked up? Cause we're living in fucked up times. You can't have sick people and healthy music, some cats are out here spittin' positive shit and people act like they can't do no wrong (ask Michael Phelps), like positive folks don't get blunted, fuck with the ladies, or even make mistakes. Some just rather speak on a positive note, we got enough indiviuals regurgitating bullshit about sex and money, it's a spiritual war going on and we got to fight with everything we got.

Shit is so simple but yet very complex, there's only a hand full of entities that got the industry on lock. which means that if they want garbage to be put out, it's going to get put out, it's not like there are more people that talk/write about "non relevant shit", then "conscience" folks.....conscience voices are not given a chance, this is America, a country that was built on...well let's say on deceit.

We must understand the game before we can master it, one must learn the rules of the game, the masses don't know how to do shit but the norm or to follow the current trend.... which is cool, but what kills me is that they don't try to learn. You see this shit all the time in sports.... an underdog team is playing an experience team, in the final seconds, the underdog team lose because of a rule violation and the experienced team capitalizes from it. This is the view that I take on the Industry. The bottom line, black, red, brown, all people have to take on the powers that be as humans, entertainers, and children of hip hop...we have to do our part.

It is clear that a small percent of America has the upper hand, and like any person, people, group, in power -that percent does not want to relinquish their power. We must maintain and not fall short of traps, what traps? Glorifying drugs, guns, sex, violence, broken families, incarceration, and all things that cause the demise of our people. By understanding the game we can revise the game. Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah.......

-Rollie Gray

adidas Originals Coastal Collection Launch Party| Thurs. 6-9pm April 16th Atlanta Ga

adidas orignals store
3393 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30326

Mony Karlo : Gotta Couple

Yo wus good young world?? I'd like to introduce to yall a hot new artist turning a lot of heads in tha A-Town lately... I give yall Mony Karlo! If its "riddin muzic" that gets u amped and u perfer bangin ass tracks as opposed to that other bubblegum bullshit goin on out here -then just pay attention to tha homie Mony Karlo.

The first single to tha streets is basically anthem status- "Gotta Couple" sounds like its gonna be right on time and target for the summer. As soon as u here them saxes during the horn intro u anticipate a hard... up-tempo bang out! When that beat drop all the way in ....oooowee -shit it's time to roll up that sticky-icky-icky, grab a fif of yak and ride out! With already well over (45,000) hits/song on MySpace -the strip clubs and all ya favorite spots should be bangin' this one out no later than June. So keep ya ears peeled and an eye out for Mony Karlo ...ya dig?

Yo I actually got a chance to meet dude and his squad at an open mic show held over at Scores Sports Bar & Grill last week. My man Mony definately did his thing... high energy, stage presence.... more importantly it didn't look like it was forced.

So yall should absolutely find out more about Mony Karlo- go buy his music, book him for a show ...support ya local artists! To hear more trax or to contact Mony- hit him up:

http://www.myspace.com/monykarlo

-Adero Dawson

Tarrey Torae & Common

My Sneaks 4 tha Week

Just like to say... shout to Puma, I can still remember getting my very first pair of low-top suede joints with tha phat laces. This really solidified the status of "Tru B-Boy" for me back in the late 80's. If u rocked those back then u had better know how to at least "UPROCK!!"

Well check out these high-tops! Puma has really come back strong with a resurgence of demand for vintage tru-skool era kicks. These are pretty damn sick ....so u know I had to post em'.

Jimi James "Everything" in "A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy" (2008)

I was viewing this film....I mean really feeling it, laughing, talking to the T.V. and shit.....then I hear our girl Jimi James (featured in the July 10th Shout Out), song "Everything" off her debut album "THE TRUTH"....If you get a chance check for the movie...good shit......
read the review:
Good Day to Be Black and Sexy