Only Adding To Our Legend

Songs of the Year

With 2012 wrapping up it's time to look back and count down the five best tracks of the year.

Choosing just five songs was no easy task considering how much music came out this year. Everyone from Lil' Wayne somewhat returning to form, to the Dungeon Family's Future cracking out hooks left and right, to rap cliques MMG and G.O.O.D. Music both putting out compilation albums full of hits, 2012 was undoubtedly filled with radio-friendly singles. But through the airwaves if you looked hard enough 2012 was also filled with quality music that only shows promise for the future.

Now, before I start rambling here are my five best songs of 2012. Feel free to comment and discuss what you feel should have made the list or what have been excluded.

5. T.I. feat. Andre 3000 - Sorry

Quiet as it's kept, Tip had been on a killing spree prior to his 8th album Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head. With guests verses on Future's 'Magic' and the 2 Chainz hit 'Spend It', T.I. not only catapulted his fellow ATLiens into the position they're in now, but also renewed interest in himself after many fans had abandoned him. On 'Sorry', T.I. is in rare form as he spits two unapologetic verses defending some of his decisions in the past, stating that if you were in his position you might have made those same mistakes. The third verse finds Andre 3000 stealing the show as always, as he uses more than sixteen to ask for forgiveness for his mashaps. The highlight of any optimistic Outkast fan comes with a personal apology to Big Boi for being the reason why the duo is in hiatus. Although coming at the end of the year, Andre's verse only (He doesn't even like rapping fast!) makes this one of the best of 2012.

4. Nas - Daughters

For two decades Nas has made songs dealing with so many topics I'm surprised he hasn't run out yet. With his summer release Life is Good, Nas tackles his toughest subject yet; his own daughter. When Nasir's daughter Destiny made some of her latex collection public earlier this year, the Queens emcee responded the only way he knew how. With help from producer No I.D., Nas crafted one of his most personal tracks ever. He took full responsibility for some of his daughter's decisions, claiming that maybe he should have focused on being the best father and not the best rapper. With a cameo from Destiny in the visuals for the song, it seems like their relationship is better than ever. With over twenty years in the game. Nas not only looks the same as when he started, he's still rapping the same too.

3. Frank Ocean feat. Andre 3000 - Pink Matter

So, basically in 2012 all you had to do to make a classic song was catch Andre 3000 in his trailer while he was doing his other career and ask him for a verse. In all seriousness, 'Pink Matter' would have been a classic without the 3 Stacks feature. It is Frank Ocean at his best; soft instrumentals, organic production, and emphasis on his song-writing. The standout track from his debut channel ORANGE, the song is without a doubt a new millennium vocal jazz song, with remnants of Etta James or Ella Fitzgerald. Slightly underproduced (which makes the song what it is), 'Pink Matter' is undoubtedly the song that led to Ocean's six Grammy nods. While Ocean has said that his debut might be his first and final album, he has given us a song that will reach timeless status.

2. G.O.O.D. Music - Mercy

The first single for Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music debut compilation album had everyone with a radio either saying "swerve", "2 CHAINZ!", or thinking they were Ric Flair. With verses from Big Sean, Pusha-T, Titi-Boi, and 'Ye himself, 'Mercy' stayed in rotation for damn near a whole year (I guarantee you'll hear it somewhere today). The track prepared us for Cruel Summer and only propelled 2 Chainz' stock even further. After freestyles from seemingly anybody and everybody, the Getting Out Our Dreams crew's posse cut has made it to the exclusive instant classic hall of fame. With new albums from Sean Don, Pusha, and maybe Kanye himself, he looks like G.O.O.D. Music will roll over their success into the new year and take over 2013 also.

1. Kendrick Lamar feat. Jay Rock - Money Trees

Song of the year, ya bish. Like it or not, Kendrick Lamar came through in 2012 to crush the buildings and single-handedly change the culture of hip hop music. While Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City plays out like a movie that could be turned into a Spike Lee joint one day, 'Money Trees' is the song that put K. Dot on top. Partially set in '03 when Lamar is 17 (PLEASE listen to this album all the way through to understand the story), the proclaimed leader of the new West West raps on his dreams of becoming a rapper. With a final verse from TDE's own Jay Rock, Kendrick and company put to rest any doubt that Black Hippy is going anywhere any time soon. With everyone from fellow Compton rapper The Game changing his album cover to mimic his autobiographical theme to Big Sean including skits on his next album to follow his format, Kendrick Lamar has directly and indirectly changed the game; and it's only the beginning.

Young Man's Game

Music has always been looked at as one of the most timeless expressions of art. The combination of nostalgia and In the modern era, musicians have earned the iconic status that was formerly reserved entrepreneur tycoons and revolutionaries. The difference with musicians is that a majority of the time this legendary prestige is only gained after investing decades and decades of work into the craft; for most genres. Then it hit me. While aging in other genres of music is celebrated, maturing in the hip hop culture is viewed as a weakness.

I initially questioned this after being reminded on Twitter that today is ~~Ether Day,~~ I mean Jay-Z's birthday. At 43, Hov is without a doubt the one of the most successful rappers in history, and even in his forties is still one of the most popular and influential emcee's. While Jay-Z has found the formula to stay relevant, it has been a secret that has remained elusive for most other rappers.

The root of this problem stems from the genre itself, where some of the strongest features also leads to lack of longevity. Hip hop is the most personal form of music in the world. In contrast to other music, rap albums have become audible autobiographies. Especially in the internet age, fans do not want the music as much as they want to know the story behind the music. What happens much too often is that once a rapper becomes successful, the things they use to rap about become unbelievable. Atlanta star T.I. is a prime example. It's easy to authenticate dope boy rhymes when you're fresh out the trap. It's not so easy to believe when you have been a millionaire for the past decade with a reality show. It becomes hard to believe that the same person driving the newest Bentley on BET is still in the hood serving fiends on the block. And just like that, fan appeal and interest declines.

While realness and authenticity has always been a reason for fans to abandon an emcee, the current state of the genre can also be to blame. With artists' work being so easily and readily available, the value that music once had is non-existant. In this mixtape generation, the strategy has gone from innovation to imitation. Whereas artists before tried to distinguish themselves from others by always being fresh, the artists of today have developed the habit of hoping from trend to trend, which results in the music being forgetful rather than timeless.

While the hip hop fans marvel at '90s artists like Jay-Z and Nas for still being relevant, the genre has to find some way to restore the value back into the music. As I write this Fleetwood Mac is preparing to do a world tour while celebrating six decades of work, Wayne Newton is still doing weekly shows in Las Vegas, and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler is hosting American Idol while a majority of rappers from five years ago don't even have a record deal. Hip Hop is the music of the moment, but if there is not a way to truly innovate the culture, then it may not be the music of the future.

In The Tapedeck: Big Sean - Detroit

I step in the booth and change the world like I was voting ~ Big Sean

After saying that he didn't like his debut album, Big Sean hit us with his fourth mixtape Detroit. Released just days after Lil' Wayne's Dedication 4 and named after the city he reps so much, Sean guaranteed to return to his mixtape roots, and it's obvious he has only grown since his Finally Famous series days. With a mix of soulful and trap beats, Detroit has a track for every occasion and a song for everybody.

One of the qualities that separates Big Sean from a lot of newer rappers that have come up with him are lyrics. Like it or not, Big Sean is a lyricist, and Detroit proves it. Opening up with 'Higher' Big Sean laces the hookless song (which flips to the G.O.O.D. Music hit 'Mercy' halfway through) with bars after bars of his trademark witty lyrics. The deep content that is often overlooked also returns on this mixtape after being absent from his album; "less trigonometry and more about taxes, how about preparing us for life instead of lab rat us" as he raps in '24K of Gold'. The highlight of the tape comes at the fourth track 'How It Feel'. Backed by a crazy Barry White sample, Sean Don keeps up the player persona and crafts a song that sounds like it should come with a bottle of champagne. With big name features such as Wiz Khalifa, Wale, and Chris Brown and all original songs; Detroit sounds more like an album than a mixtape, and I'm sure this is the album Big Sean wanted to release from the start.

It's now apparent that Big Sean has become the self-proclaimed ambassador of Detroit in the hip hop world. Since Eminem is still working his Howard Hughes angle, Big Sean has gladly come in and assumed the role of representing Detroit and Michigan as a whole. From naming this mixtape after his city, to making the Lions logo famous again, to hopping on tracks with local rappers such as Dusty McFly and HBK Big Sean is doing what is needed to bring Detroit into the limelight musically. As important as it is to bring Detroit to the forefront, what Detroit really did was show doubters and haters that Big Sean can rap. Not only can Big Sean rap, but Big Sean can really rap, and might be one of the best from this era. So no matter where you stay, listen to these Detroit player rhymes and enjoy it as Big Sean has without a doubt made one of the best mixtapes of the year.

Download Detroit here

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Flicks: The Dark Knight Rises

So, yesterday after putting on my vest and find a seat by the nearest exit I finally saw this summer's blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises. Starring Chritian Bale, Tom Hardy, and Anne Hathaway, TDKR concludes direcor's Chris Nolan's Batman trilogy.

After some initial worries I can say that this film both lived up to expectations and disappointed. At 165 minutes it is Nolan's longest Batman film, but the length serves a purpose. There is a lot of story here, and at times too much. Nolan also focuses the story more around the development of Bruce Wayne and the decline of Batman. The first look at Wayne is eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, where he has become nothing more than a recluse shacked up in his mansion (I think I was the only person in the theater under fifty who caught the Howard Hughes reference). That serves as the theme for the rest of the movie; does Batman have to die for Bruce Wayne to live? From then on, Bane steals the show. Now, myself personally loved and hated Bane. Tom Hardy played one of the best villains ever put on screen (I don't think a lot of people realize how hard it is to act just using your eyes). Created using Nolan's lust for realism, Bane is transformed from his comic book freak show look to a menacing criminal mastermind. Although it is hard to fully buy into Bane's new look, you can't deny Hardy's talent as an actor. By putting emphasis on his intellect rather than his physicality, Hardy has crafted one of the darkest villains in any Batman film.

As great as TDKR is, it also feels rushed and jammed-packed at times. Through the many story lines and abundance of characters, there are many moments in the film where there is too much going on. It looks like Nolan tried to combine the heavy storyline of Batman Begins with all the action sequences of The Dark Knight, which results in a overly produced movie going in too many different directions. Nolan also strays away from the original comic too much in this movie way more than in his previous. From Bane's look, to the multiple different names given to some characters, it's like Nolan just created his own Batman universe, which is hard to grasp for those who grew up on Batman. With all this said, the biggest disappointment is the most obvious one; Heath Ledger. Ledger was the best and worst thing to happen to the Batman franchise. After his award winning performance as The Joker in TDK, a conclusion to a trilogy without him just isn't right. In fact, there is no mention of The Joker at all in this film, which shows how Ledger is gone, and took The Joker with him.

The Dark Knight Rises was a great film to end the Chris Nolan era of Batman films. For the man who resurrected the franchise after the disastrous Joel Schumacher titles in the 90s, Nolan has set the bar for not only future Batman films, but all superhero films in general. I highly recommend you go see TDKR, but watch it with an open mind. Nolan's realism and dark themes work perfectly in ending this chapter for Batman.

In The Tapedeck: Frank Ocean - channel ORANGE

You don't know how much you matter until you're all alone ~ Frank Ocean

I imagine that's how Frank Ocean must have felt in the days leading to the early release of his debut album channel ORANGE. With the recent news that Ocean was a bisexual, many critics didn't know how the announcement would affect reaction of his album. It seems like the controversy only helped promote the album, which is on pace to sell over 125,000 copies in the first week, despite being released a week early and exclusively sold through iTunes. While the numbers don't lie, public opinion about if the album lived up to expectation, and it definitely did.

Now, let me start off by saying that if you are not a fan of true, traditional music composition you might want to save your $10 and keep this off the iPod. This is the type of music you play at the top of a penthouse suite on a Friday night in Las Vegas with a bottle of champagne on ice by the mini bar. With one of the most unique musical directions I heard in a long time, Ocean's debut has a vintage feel with a new age perspective.

When listening, there's an obvious focus on songwriting and Ocean's voice. With features limited to fellow Odd Future member Earl Sweatshirt, John Mayer, and ~~Outkast,~~ the rest of the project solely relies on Ocean himself. While the production on the album helps propel songs likes "Lost", "Monks", and the ten minute single "Pyramids", it's Ocean's vocals on the slower tracks that really show his strength as a musician. Songs like "Sierra Leone" and "Pilot Jones" display Ocean at his best; stripped down instrumentals that allow Frankie's raw emotions to come out through his lyrics. Nothing shows this better than the standout track of the album "Pink Matter", featuring Andre 3000. Over a quiet string section and a crying guitar, the song showcases nothing more than a man and his music.

When I finished listening to Nostalgia, Ultra for the first time I thought nothing more than Ocean being a promising up and coming R&B singer that seemed to have a talent for songwriting. By the end (and I mean literally "End") of channel ORANGE I felt like I could not even compare him to an R&B singer anymore. Frank Ocean has discovered the art of musical improvisation, similar to the way a jazz singer does. When listening to the vocals they are rarely, if ever, doubled. When singing, there are no ad-libs recorded on separate takes. Ocean simply follows where the music takes him. In the same way as Billie Holiday, Ocean lets the melody guide his voice, which only makes his records that more authentic. Now, I'm not saying that this is Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite or Baduizm, but as far as debut albums go this is more than a solid effort. While it might not be a classic, Frank Ocean has made a debut that can be enjoyed by music fans of all genres. With it's authentic feel to it, channel ORANGE delivers in terms of debut solo projects. I recommend you pick this up, even if it's your only purchase of the summer. With music this honest, the replay value is endless, and should be in every music lover's collection.

You can purchase on iTunes here.

Songs For (Women)...

Who the hell knows what Purple Rain is and am I standing in it? - Frank Ocean

A few days ago after a BBC Radio listening session for Frank Ocean's upcoming LP Channel Orange, many began to believe that some of the lyrics may have been hinting at Ocean being bisexual. While it was strictly rumors and speculation when first mentioned, it was confirmed by Frankie himself when he published this letter on his Tumblr. In the letter he admits that he had an encounter with a man four years ago, and that he is indeed bisexual.

Now, I myself had no idea that all this time Frank Ocean was gay (even though now that I look back he left clues, such as in the Odd Future song Oldie with the line "Hi and I'm bi, wait I mean I'm straight...?"). The question Ocean faces is not how will coming out affect his life. In this generation is seems that homosexuality is becoming more and more acceptable. Just recently, popular talk show host and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper made the announcement that he's always been gay. The question that looms over Frank Ocean is how will it affect his career? From a women's perspective one of the newest rising sex symbols is off the market. While it's true that there are real female fans out there, a part of that fan base is just there for the visuals. I mean, do women really go to Chris Brown concerts to listen to him sing? On the contrary, he might have lost his male fan base all together. Our worst fear has come true, that maybe the slow jam we sang to our girlfriends late at night was originally written to a man. In a society where men, especially black men, are brought up to be homophobic coming out might have already caused irreversible damage; but only time will tell.

In the bigger picture outside of music, maybe Frank Ocean coming out will do more for others keeping the same secret. I personally believe that the entertainment industry has a slew of artists who are living in the closet that just don't want to commit career suicide. Fat Joe shared my feelings when he said in a DJ Vlad interview that the "gay mafia" was infiltrating hip hop. You even see how artists tests the waters about their sexuality, such as Miguel's mysterious transformation from having a suspect look to a more masculine and womanizing image seemingly over night.

As this whole thing unfolds I really hope it doesn't affect his career negatively. I've always believed that business is business, and what you do in your personal life should not influence business. So, as for me I still plan to listen to Frank Ocean because he makes good music. It will be a shame if his music isn't enjoyed because of his sexually preference, and hopefully critics won't go out of their way to not support him (besides, it always seems like the most homophobic people are always the most concerned with what gay folks are doing). So in the mean time, put Nostalgia, Ultra on for another spin while you wait for Channel Orange to drop on July 17th. Ocean is making timeless music, and it would be tragic if you don't find the time to listen.

Good Job, Good Effort

Last night after a clutch 3-pointer by Paul Pierce, the Miami Heat found themselves from being in cruise control to a championship, to on the brink of elimination. For the second straight year it seems like the South Beach boys might fail in their one goal; bringing the title back to Miami. After watching them in this year's playoffs, one thing seems crystal clear now. The Miami Heat do not have the team to win a championship.

Now, if you know me you know that LeBron James is currently my favorite NBA player (outside of Pierre McGee). If you really know me you know that I will fight to the end to prove that LeBron is the most underappreciated player since Shaq, and his talents truly won't be admired until long after he retires. He still is scrutinized over every move he makes. He still is having his whole career downplayed over the fact he hasn't won a title yet. But perhpas the biggest gripe about James is his decisions in the clutch. Although I myself agree that in some situations in the past he has been way too passive in the final seconds of a close game, but the way people hold a double standard when it comes to him and other superstars is outrageous. To this day I will never understand how when the Spurs' Ginobli takes a desperation 3-pointer over a double team sports analysts say he should have passed it to someone more open, but when LeBron passes out a triple-team, led by former defensive player of the year Kevin Garnett, he has a twenty minute segment conducted by your's truly. Anyway, before I get on a rant let me say this; James is not going to win a ring this summer.

Looking back at "The Decision", it's obvious now that The King took his talents from Cleveland to Sunny Cleveland. Besides Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, LeBron is still alone. Looking back at history it shows that you can't win a championship playing 3 on 5, no matter how talented those 3 are. When Bosh went out in game 2 of the Pacers' series, Miami's worst fear came to a realization. The basis in which they built their team on was gone. While a team can get pretty far with three all-stars, making it to the Finals with only two is damn near impossible. Honestly, does anyone think that a team with Joel Anthony and Shane Battier starting can win a championship? When you look at the rest of the conference finalists, you see well-coached t-e-a-m-s. The Thunder are a team, Boston is a team, the Spurs have a team. Miami just has three amazing players with a coach who doesn't know what he's doing. That's a team that will win a lot of games, but doesn't have what it takes to win it all.

So, rather it ends up in Kevin Durant's first or Tim Duncan's fifth, it's almost certain it won't be LeBron's first. Now, I highly doubt LeBron will go through his whole career without winning at least one ring, but it won't happen with this current Heat squad. Best believe changes are coming, and coming sooner than you might think. Mr. Riley doesn't like mediocrity, and with standards as high as Miami has put upon itself, that's what has happened the past two years. So prepare to see a very different Miami Heat team next year, one with one less superstar, and more quality role players. They say no man is an island, so it is kind of ironic that James plays in Florida; a state that appears to be off by itself like an island, but at the end it is still connected to it's neighbors. There may be an 'I' in King, but not in team. Basketball is a collective effort, and the King needs all his men in line to bring him his crown.

JUSTICE4TRAYVON

Cops don't give a damn about a negro, pull the trigger and kill a nigga he's a hero - Tupac Shakur

I was planning on leaving this whole Trayvon Martin case alone, seeing that events like this happen every day. But after doing some more research I sit here utterly amazed that a killer is walking the streets free man, while another family is burying their child. This incident, as sad as it is, really doesn't come as a surprise to me. It just adds further proof that racism is still very much alive.

For those of you who somehow still don't know anything about the case, Trayvon Martin was a seventeen year old African-American male from Florida who was gunned down by neighborhood vigilante George Zimmerman. The reasoning for the slaying? Zimmerman claims that Martin looked suspicious because of his hoodie and acted in self defense. It was discovered that Trayvon was unarmed and was carrying a pack up skittles and a can of sweet tea. Yes, a child gone forever while he held a bag of candy. And yet this still doesn't warrant the proper reaction from me as it should because it's nothing new.

Now, racial profiling leading to acts of violence by the police have been well documented over the years. From Amadou Diallo in the Bronx, to Sean Bell in Queens, to the most ~~famous~~ infamous case with Rodney King the police have long been getting away with brutality and murder against minorities. The thing that makes the Martin case standout is that he wasn't killed by the police, he was murdered by another citizen. Now first let me remind you that vigilantism is illegal. Yet, even though Zimmerman acted illegally with no justification, he was never even arrested. Let me say that again. Zimmerman was never even arrested for shooting an unarmed person who was not committing a crime. The part that saddens me the most is that you know it was racially motivated. If Trayvon would have been a seventeen year old white teenager named Taylor there would never have been any doubt in Zimmerman's mind that he was out of place in that neighborhood. Although Zimmerman says it wasn't a matter of race, his 911 calls are saying otherwise. But of course like other important leads in this case, the police have came out and said that they must have "missed" that part of the emergency call. It is honestly insane how the police are doing everything to avoid bring Trayvon justice.

So now the question is what to do. In 2012 there is no reason for minorities not to take a stand for injustice they are still receiving. President Obama kept quiet about the issues until recently (remember it's an election year, that's just the game) when he said "if I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon". Besides, the President cannot take on every local issue. So no relying on Obama to fix our problems, what needs to be done? Maybe we should have a 2012 L.A. riot and burn half the city down? Or maybe we should do as Geraldo Rivera says and stop wearing hoodies. Or maybe we should just stick to the same routine and have Al and Jesse do some interviews and marches, and move on to the next one. Whatever it is something has to be done. I don't mean having another black male throw their life away by killing Zimmerman out of rage. I mean something has to be done legally. For far too long the criminal justice system has not been in our favor. As unfortunate as it is that this kid had to die for nothing, let's not have his murder be in vain. We need to use this as opportunity to gain justice the legal way, and hopefully we won't have anymore tragic stories like Trayvon Martin.

Black Thoughts

Make black history every day, I don't need a month - Kanye West

With February coming to an end it marks the end of another Black History Month. In what has become more of a faux honorary holiday, it seems like Black History Month has just become routine to many, including many African-Americans. As everyone is aware of the struggles black people have gone through in this country, the question is in 2012 is a month dedicated to black history really necessary?

Stemming from the early days of slavery to as recent as the 1960s African-Americans have been the most oppressed people in the short history of America. After enduring everything from Jim Crow laws to separate but ~~equal~~ policies black people have been through years and years of irreversible damage. With leader such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X paving the way in martyrdom for equal rights it would seem like in the years since their deaths that the African-American people would follow their example and move up the ranks in society. In reality, the truth is black people have remained stagnent. With no real leadership (looking at you Jesse and Al) and misguided priorities, black people have gone ten steps backwards, and by the looks of things it doesn't look like that wil change anytime soon. Instead of building a better community, we find ourselves more intrigued with who's the newest signee of Maybach Music. Instead of sharing with our brothers and sisters you see young people killing each other over overpriced shoes. Instead of uniting together to improve our lives, we have people fighting over the color of the shirt they wear and dying over blocks that have been there before them, and will still be there after them. We care more about appearing rich rather than accumulating real wealth. When we finally have an opportunity to have some representation on a world stage in the form of a black president, we use it as an excuse to sag our pants. With this state of mind true change doesn't seem plausible in the near future.

So as I think to myself all the time if we even deserve a whole month dedicated to history that we don't acknowledge, I still believe Black History Month is a necessary part of the year. I still find it amazing that it took me until my third year of college to learn any type of African-American history besides MLK, Malcolm X, and the "guy who did his thing with peanut butter". It's a vital part of American history, and of the many things I'd change about the public school system is more education focuses on black history. When I went to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan last year I thought to myself that everyone should visit at least one. Then it dawned to me that the majority of people probably wouldn't even know that it's located downtown. Maybe if I could get Big Sean to perform there then people might realize one of the hidden gems located in the heart of Detroit. Black history is American history, and as important as past events are it is equally important to keep making history. My personal hope is that maybe that change Sam Cooke was talking about can finally come, and the African-American community can fully appreciate the amazing feats that those before them accomplished.

What's a Mob to a King?

Last night's 61st annual NBA All Star wrapped up a weekend that was lackluster at best, but resulted in one of the best games in recent memory. As the East staged a Lebron-led comeback in the 4th quarter, a costly turnover in the final seconds sealed the victory for the West. Kevin Durant added to his mantle collection by winning the MVP award with 36 points.

Now, before I go into all the problems of All Star Weekend I have to talk about how great this game was. In the 1st quarter both conferences put on a show that put every dunk contest of the past ten years to shame. Led by Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin, almost all of these dunks would have earned a 50 in Saturday's contest; especially this dunk by the King. The 2nd quarter showed how much the game has evolved with point guards Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose stealing the show. It's amazing how point guards are considered some of the best dunkers in the league now. The second half of the game was dominated by the many records that were broken. Both Durant and Lebron were knocking on Wilt Chamberlain's all time single game All Star scoring record as they both racked up 36 points, just six points away from Mr. 10,000's 42 point mark. Dwyane Wade recorded the game's third triple double, joining Michael Jordan and Lebron James as the only players to do so. The greatest record broken was Kobe Bryant passing Michael Jordan's all time All Star scoring record. The Black Mamba even did the MJ travel as he passed His Airness. In the 4th quarter Lebron James single handedly brought the East Squad back by hitting nine straight, including six 3's as the Eastern Conference got within one point. As amazing as the actual game was, it almost doesn't make up for how bad the rest of the weekend was.

After that fiasco that was the dunk contest (with four people you have never heard of), I could honestly care less if they cancelled it. It's a shame when the D-League dunk contest it better than the NBA's. One of my personal solutions is to invite players from outside the NBA to participate such as Kenny Dobbs, Air Up There, and James White. Those three together would be a hell of a show, but we all know what needs to happen. LEBRON JAMES IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN BRING THE DUNK CONTEST BACK. Last night I found myself agreeing with Reggie Miller for the first time when he said the league has to do something to make Lebron do it. It's unfair to the fans and the game for Lebron James to never participate in a dunk contest. When asked what would make him change his mind, he responded that if the prize was $1 million he may reconsider. Now, as much as I defend Lebron there's no way I can defend that. It shouldn't be about the money, it should be about the fans and showcasing your talent. Lebron is the best dunker since Vince Carter, and it still amazes me how he has not done it just once.

The 2012 All Star Game in Orlando was both a success and a failure at the same time. The game will go down as one of the best ever, but all most people will remember is the decline of the dunk contest. It used to be about superstars coming up with the most creative dunks, now it has transitioned into who can ride a motorcycle into the arena or strapping an eye-cam to you. As talented as other dunkers such as Westbrook, Rose, and John Wall are, the King has to get off his throne and bring the excitement back into All Star Weekend. Whether he likes it or not, he's the face of the league, and all of the burdens are on his shoulders. While no one has there hopes up, we can only dream that Lebron will finally step up and save the dunk contest. If he doesn't it may go down as one of the greatest tragedies in sports.

Highlights and box score of the game can be found on here.

Howdy Folks.

Songs of the Year

Young Man's Game

In The Tapedeck: Big Sean - Detroit

Flicks: The Dark Knight Rises

In The Tapedeck: Frank Ocean - channel ORANGE

Songs For (Women)...

Good Job, Good Effort

JUSTICE4TRAYVON

Black Thoughts

What's a Mob to a King?

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