With Russell going on Oprah standing firmly on the position that essentially said "poets should be given poetic license to say what they want" only to a few days later come out and say that he is leading a coalition to ban the use to harsh curse words...I AM CONFUSED!!! Is this the best solution a room full of geniuses could come up with to fix the problem?

It would appear that Hip Hop is finally being forced to grow up........you mean to tell me - no one was ready? no one saw this coming?

*
The reaction to the question of ......"Imus has been fired - now what?" has varied.......and I'm cool with that, but the most alarming of all ofthem all is the one that represents the status quo.

*
(i.e.)

Local view point (BALTIMORE SUN PAPER):

Dismissal may signal change

Perhaps the clearest indication of the unsettling effect of Imus' abrupt firing was the number of radio executives yesterday who declined to be interviewed.

"Unfortunately, our company won't let us comment on the matter," said Victor Starr, program director at WERQ-FM 92.3, Baltimore's top-rated urban station. Similar replies abounded.

Parks, the University of Maryland professor, serves as host of a radio talk show on Towson University's WTMD-FM 89.7 and said the Imus case echoed controversies past, but she saw hope in the future.

"The history of broadcasting is such that we have these uproars, and everybody promises change," she said. "Then after a while when things quiet down, it's back to the way it was before the uproar. But this new show of power by African-Americans in the industry and on the boards of major corporations is the kind of thing that will have a permanent effect on the media landscape."

*
Ahhhhhhhhhh shucks!


FADER MAG is FEELING our guy, NOE
"Baltimore Noe just dropped a neutron bomb of a MTV Jams tribute in the form of "Headlights." The guest verse by Jimmy is fine and all, but THAT BEAT?!?!?! Goddamn! 2008's about to sound like 1988 and we are totally fine with that."

*

&........according to magoo.com:
"This beat really is the most ridiculous beat of the year. There's a lot of hip hop coming out of Baltimore these days and I'm all for it. Srsly, this beat!"

*
"That beat" - J~Funk might be on to something with this one, yall! Produced by my main man, Jay Funk and featuring Jim Jones............ "Headlights" is destined to be a huge hit !!! I'm so estatic for everyone!!! Make sure you peep the sample of C.O.M.P. from "Sunglasses" in the hook - THAT'S HOT

*

Its been a while since I've seen a music-related City Paper article written by Jason Torres. I was so glad to see that he was the one chosen to give voice to NOE's truly interesting story. Although it barely scratched the surface of this multi-layered individual (Its a "No Cover" story) .........
*
Hopefully with more press.....and huge hits like the hugely popular Headlights..... NOE will get the consideration and respect I already feel his music deserves. If the FADER link does not work.....click here.

*

For my B-More Club heads:
The Club Beat With Scottie B.

*
NOT SO LOCAL....but wanted to share:
Saw this amateur video the other night that had this really really cool rap song on it......I won't tell you what site or what kind of movie it was because.....well.....that's just too much dang information....LOL! Let's just say.....I never would have imagined anyone ever pairing up what they were doing with a quirky rap song..... GYM CLASS HEROS is the name they go by. I'm liking this alternative. I pray we'll see more of this.

*

.................................................................................

I've been listening to alot of talk radio......MAAAAAAN...this war we are engaged in is NOT going very well. I don't know how we are going to get out of this. I do not think our country is ready to deal with all the service men and women who are going to come back with TBI. You all are in my constant prayers. Shout out to all my Bmore Hip Hop Heads, all over the globe, representing in our Armed Forces. Stay safe my American brothers and sisters!!! You are so much braver than anyone probably knows. Thank you for serving our country so bravely. ............................................................................................

more news soon.....I just wanted to make sure I wrote something!

check me out: www.itsbaltimorebaby.com