Janelle Monae and Badu with thay Stargate swag :-) 17 hours ago
RT @MMFlint: Malcolm X's b-day. At 4yrs old, white supremacists in East Lansing, MI set his house on fire. FD, all white, just stood by & w… 17 hours ago
The specter of Antonio Margarito’s 2009 suspension for illegal hand wraps hung over today’s press conference for his November 13 fight with Manny Pacquiao.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who promotes both men, spoke passionately about Margarito’s situation as being an “injustice” against the legal system. Referencing his past as a lawyer, he framed Margarito’s current position opposite of Pacquiao as a triumph of their hard work to clear Margarito’s name.
“One thing I can’t tolerate is injustice, particularly in this country,” Arum said. “Antonio Margarito did not know that those hand wraps were illegal; not one shred of proof. Some writers says he got off because there wasn’t clear and convincing evidence. Bullshit! There wasn’t one shred of evidence! Inspectors from the California commission who have since been fired had testified in affidavits that the observed him with his hands being wrapped. They were willing to testify that he did not know.”
“Look, there is still justice in this country,” Arum continued.”And I don’t care what minority you come from, you’re entitled to the highest level of justice. Evidence is what convicts. Lack of evidence means there shouldn’t have been a penalty in the first place. He served his time and thanked God the people in the Texas boxing commission who reviewed all the testimony came to the same conclusion. That’s America, evidence determines guilt or innocence.”
Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz criticized writers who have called this championship fight a farce and Margarito a disgrace to the sport. While not proclaiming Margarito was innocent of any wrongdoing, he argued that the Tijuana Tornado had served his suspension and is entitled to resume his career. Koncz also defended the fight on business terms instead of ethical arguments, explaining the fight made the most financial sense in light of the second failed negotiations with Floyd Mayweather.
“I want to thank the media, it’s always good to have the support. But on the other hand I want to scold the media,” he stated. “The media that’s writing we shouldn’t be fighting Margarito, I think it’s absurd. He served his suspension, it’s over with. That was the most viable opponent for Manny to fight. It’s a business and we have to look at it that way. If you’re not going to support the fight, maybe don’t write anything about it…That’s all I’m asking for.”
Antonio Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) himself is aware of the skepticism regarding if he is still an elite fighter a year and a half removed from a beating at the hands of Shane Mosley. Margarito’s May comeback bout hurt his profile as he displayed little of the ferocious aggression that he made him one of the most avoided fighters in boxing from 2006-2008.
With Pacquiao, he vowed to show he is still a top fighter.
“I’ve been asking for this fight for a long time,” Margarito said. “I’m very happy and motivated…Everything that’s happened is in the past, we are now in the present. It’s time to show everyone I’m still very good. No one wants to miss this fight.”
Pacquiao’s conditioning coach Alex Ariza dismissed concerns about Margarito’s size. At 5’6 and with a 67 inch reach, Pacquiao will be facing the biggest opponent of his career in Margarito, who stands 5’11 with a 73 inch reach. But Ariza notes Pacquiao has not only previously defeated bigger opponents like Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey, but he’s also dominated each bout. He believes this fight won’t be one-sided, and predicts boxing has found its Fight of the Year.
“We’ve always had a tough fight on our hands. Every fight we’ve been in [recently] the guy is bigger and stronger and supposed to do this that and the other,” Ariza detailed. “But Manny ultimately prevails, and he’s gonna prevail in this fight as well. Manny defines a fighter. He’ll show up anytime and any place, against whomever and whenever…It’s going to be a war. Margarito comes to battle [and] Manny comes to battle. I think it’s going to be Fight of the Year.”
Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) declined to address the debate on whether Margarito should be allowed fight and the criticism of this bout being for the WBC junior middleweight title. The Filipino icon instead praised Margarito’s fight style and believes it’s conducive to creating an explosive, action-packed fight
“I’m just a fighter doing my job. It’s going to be a great great fight,” Pacquiao promised. “I believe Margarito has capabilities to give a good show. His fighting style is very impressive and aggressive. He’s stronger and bigger than me, so we have to train hard to give a good show November 13.”
At the staredown, Margarito was much thicker and broader in his shoulders and chest area than Pacquiao. However, Pacquiao only appeared to be a few inches shorter. Manny didn’t take the face-off too seriously, jokingly tugging with Margarito on the WBC belt and breaking into a laugh during the staredown.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has confirmed his Dallas Stadium will be formatted to seat 70,000 fans. HBO will utilize their 24/7 series to lead into the November 13 PPV.
Former G Unit member Young Buck has filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection following an IRS raid earlier this month.
The news became public yesterday (August 30) after sealed documents were released by the Nashville U.S. District Court.
Buck, real name David Darnell Brown, had his home raided by IRS officials on August 3 for owing an estimated $305,000 in back taxes from 2006-2008. Through the seizure the IRS was able to collect on $70,000 of the debt by appropriating over $20,000 in music equipment, a $31,000 Breitling Bentley Watch, and other assorted music memorabilia from his career. The rapper has criticized the raid as being overtly harsh, stating the authorities even seized his children’s video game systems (records show an Xbox was taken in the raid).
“The worst part of this isn’t the material stuff–that will all be replaced,” he explained earlier this month. “It’s what it does to the people around me. They took my kids’ Playstation, my assistants’ computers, and baby’s mothers’ jewelry. They took my home studio so I can’t even record.”
Buck filed for Chapter 13 protection on August 19, stating that he has liabilities of $1.04 million dollars. His estimates his current assets at $1 million, but the Nashville artist noted a $5 million lawsuit he has pending against G Unit Inc. and CEO Curtis Jackson (50 Cent). Young Buck has been fighting for over a year to obtain a release from G Unit. He had a very public falling out with 50 in 2008, where the Queens mogul accused Buck of having substance abuse problems and released a private phone conversation of a despondent Buck speaking woefully about his money problems.
The Chapter 13 will restructure his listed outstanding debts on a repayment plan to be decided by the courts. Should Buck miss payments on the plan, the creditors can request the bankruptcy be dismissed. As long as he remains under the plan, Buck is “protected” against any further creditor action such as liens, or the recent IRS seizure.
In 2004,Young Buck was featured prominently on G Unit’s platinum group debut Beg for Mercy, and released a platinum debut of his own with Straight Outta Cashville. His sophomore album Buck the World was released in 2007.
Last week, Vlad TV reported that Young Buck had secured his release from G Unit Records, allowing him the ability to record with other artists and sign with another label. At press time, that report remains unsubstantiated by Young Buck and 50 Cent.
Buck third studio album, The Rehab, is set to be released digitally as a “mixtape LP” on September 7.
Boxing is a sport where no matter how good you are, there’s always someone out there who can take you. Aside from the rare case, the majority of boxers will taste a bitter defeat at some point in their career. Sometimes, that loss is not a close defeat, but an emphatic, brutal beatdown. The game has seen many of the latter in its 100 plus years of existence. Today, I take a look at the fights that I’ve deemed the worst beatdowns since the year 2000.
For this list, considerations were made regarding the amount of punishment received and how long the beating took place. You’ll notice the majority of these fights go into the latter rounds despite the victim taking hellacious shots. That’s not only a testament to the brutality of this sport, but also the undying will to win of most fighters, even when the odds are hopelessly stacked against them.
Without further adieu, here is The Biggest Boxing Beatdowns of the 21st Century.
#10 Mikkel Kessler vs. Librado Andrade (March 24, 2007)
“Are you human?!” HBO commentator Max Kellerman to Librado Andrade after the fight
Despite losing every minute and getting his head snapped around repeatedly every round, this was the fight that made Andrade’s career. This is one of the best displays of chin that you will ever see outside of heavyweights George Chuvalo and Tex Cobb. Librado Andrade never stopped coming forward and took wincing bombs from a prime, hard and accurate punching Mikkel Kessler. This fight made many proclaim Kessler as having the best 1-2 in the business.
Kessler landed 348 punches in this bout with the majority being head shots.
#9 Alfonso Gomez vs. Arturo Gatti (July 14, 2007)
2007 was the end of the road for popular all-action fighter Arturo Gatti. For years, Gatti had thrilled fans with dramatic comeback performances (Wilson Rodriguez, Gabriel Ruelas) and slugfests (Mickey Ward trilogy). But at age 35 and at too high a weight class for his frame at welterweight, Arturo Gatti was nothing but a punching bag even for limited fighters like Carlos Baldomir and Alfonso Gomez. What was on display in this sad final fight was simply Gatti’s warrior spirit, but not much else. For those who followed Gatti, Gomez’s final overhand right was a sad end.
#8 Felix Trinidad vs. Ricardo Mayorga (October 2, 2004)
When Felix Trinidad announced his comeback in 2004 against Ricardo Mayorga, there were some questions. Could Trinidad withstand Mayorga’s wild pressure and brawling tactics? Could Trinidad, who has regularly hit the canvas with flash knockdowns, handle Mayorga’s power? Would Mayorga’s chin brush off Trinidad’s power?
Turns out, Trinidad picked the perfect opponent to look good against. Outside of the brazen display in the first round where Mayorga taunted Trinidad into hitting him with several left hooks, Trinidad administered a methodical, beating that resulted in the Mayorga hitting the canvas for the first time his career. This fight proved the Nicaraguan’s toughness, but his form was never the same after the amount of left hook bombs Mayorga took in his fight.
#7 Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya (December 6, 2008)
Hindsight is 20/20. Leading into this fight, most journalists believed Pacquiao had taken too big a leap in moving to welterweight to face Oscar De La Hoya. The consensus was that De La Hoya, a former world champion at the weight, would be too strong for Pacquiao, who was jumping 12 pounds for the contest.
It turns out the opposite was true. De La Hoya had not competed at welterweight in seven years, and the pushing his body back down to the 147 pound limit weakened him. On the fight, his reaction time was bad and he was nothing more than a sitting duck for a fighter possessing the speed and power of Manny Pacquiao.
After smacking him with hard counters in the early rounds, Pacquiao pressed his attack in the mid and latter rounds on a hapless De La Hoya. Realizing he had nothing left, De La Hoya retired on his stool after the eighth round and called it a career. He conceded afterward that his former trainer Freddie Roach was right in that he could no longer “pull the trigger.”
#6 Roy Jones vs. Jeff Lacy (August 15, 2009)
Roy Jones had been down as an elite fighter since 2004 when he suffered back to back knockouts to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson. But even a diminished 2009 version had more than enough to dominate a younger but damaged Jeff Lacy, who following a rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder and a beating from Joe Calzaghe had nothing to combat Jones’ speed and caginess. Jones rope-a-doped, clowned and abused Lacy.
Lacy has not fought since 2009 and may be done with boxing following this stoppage loss.
#5 Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson (June 8, 2002)
Just because two fighters are close in age doesn’t mean physically they are at the same stage of their careers. So was the case with Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson, a fight that should’ve conceivably happened in the mid 90s. By 2002, Lewis was still the formidable heavyweight champion of the world. Tyson, who’s crouching and explosive style tends to result in shorter primes (see Marciano, Frazier), was a mere shell of his former shelf with nothing resembling his late 80s form except punching power.
After a decent first round, Lewis commenced to bludgeoning Tyson with wincing right hands round after round. Lewis would later remark about his astonishment about the shots Tyson was taking. But everyone has their limits, and Tyson’s reached his in the eighth. Lewis scored a knockdown off a snapping uppercut and effectively ended Tyson’s career as a contender with a follow-up overhand right for a second knockdown. Lewis pushed for another payday in a rematch, but Tyson refused.
#4 Floyd Mayweather vs. Arturo Gatti (June 25, 2005)
Years from now when Floyd Mayweather’s career is over, people will look back on this fight as the beginning of the “Money Mayweather” character and his ascent to mainstream boxing superstardom. Mayweather had been in the Top 5 pound for pound rankings for several years, but had failed to generate a significant following with his defense first style. He broke that tradition with this fight by constantly deriding Arturo Gatti for his past alcohol problems, his fighting ability(“he a paper champion and C+ fighter”), and even his appearance after years of fighting (“Gatti looks Chinese”).
Unable to get a fight with the true champ of the division in Kostya Tszyu, Mayweather essentially used this fight as a PPV showcase and totally outclassed and humiliated Gatti. Whether it was triple overhand rights or Fight Night-type hooks to the body, Gatti had no answer for Mayweather’s offense. After just six rounds, both of Gatti’s eyes were swelling and he had yet to land a significant punch. His trainer Buddy McGirt stopped the massacre, and Gatti found out the answer to his question regarding whether he had the skill to handle the elite fighters of the division.
Mayweather would have his final non-PPV fight in his next bout against Sharmba Mitchell. Since then Mayweather has gone on to become the biggest PPV fighter of all time.
#3 Manny Pacquiao vs. David Diaz (June 28, 2008)
Manny Pacquiao only made one appearance at lightweight. But that appearance was an absolute annihilation of belt-holder David Diaz. Diaz would admit later that while he could handle Pacquiao’s power, the speed was just too much for him. By the later rounds, even right jabs were snapping Diaz’s head back and visibly bothering him. The knockout would come in the ninth when a Pacquiao left hook resulted in a bloody Diaz sinking to his knees and slowly falling on his face.
Pacquiao was so impressed with Diaz’s heart that he gave his opponent a portion of his purse.
#2 Shane Mosley vs. Antonio Margarito (January 24, 2009)
Before this fight many were fearing for Shane Mosley’s safety. In his mid-30′s and coming off an uneven showing a few months earlier against Ricardo Mayorga, many believed Mosley was in store for beating against reigning welterweight champion Antonio Margarito.
Margarito had become one of the most feared men in the division. He had twice KO’d Kermit Cintron, and stopped Miguel Cotto after easily shaking off the Puerto Rican star’s punches. The belief was that Mosley would also be overwhelmed and possibly stopped late.
Someone forgot to tell Shane Mosley that. The man nicknamed Sugar turned in one of the best performances of his career. He easily bullied Margarito on the inside and used his superior handspeed to punish the Tijuana Tornardo with hard right hands and a left hook. Margarito’s famous chin was on display, but only take the shellacking for so long. A straight left hand and right hook hurt Margarito and resulted in a knockdown in the eighth. In the ninth, Mosley cornered him and ended matters with several hooks that dropped Margarito again.
Magarito’s reputation would be forever sullied when illegal, hardened plaster-like wraps were found in his hand wrappings before the fight. He would be suspended for over a year, and many fans and critics would later say the beating he received during the fight served as karma.
#1 Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy (March 4, 2006)
Famed trainer Emmanuel Steward called this the most-lopsided superfight in boxing history. If you happened to catch this fight, you’d be inclined to agree.
Joe Calzaghe was viewed by many, especially in America, as a fraud. He was considered the stereotypical European fighter that defended their belts in their home country and failed to seek out stronger challengers in the U.S. After nine years of defenses in the UK, Calzaghe finally secured a fight with a top U.S. challenger in Jeff Lacy.
Lacy was viewed as the heir apparent to the division. Undefeated and with huge knockout power, many were predicting Lacy to simply blast Calzaghe out of there early.
Instead, fans got a performance that validated Calzaghe’s career and signaled the end of Jeff Lacy’s. To say Calzaghe dominated would be an understatement. The Welshman utterly destoyed Lacy, winning every second of the fight for the entire 12 rounds. Early on Calzaghe realized Lacy was no match for him, and began smiling at the American as he pummeled him with combinations. Because Calzaghe was not a puncher, Lacy had to take rounds and rounds of punishment.
Lacy’s corner could have pulled him around the eighth, but they kept him in there to take unnecessary damage. It did no favors for his psyche, and Lacy was never the same mentally after this fight. He physically suffered a huge setback in his next bout when his best weapon, the left hook, was taken away following extensive rotator cuff surgery.
Fat Beats has confirmed the final in-store peformances before it closes its retail location in New York City.
Today (August 30) is the first day of in-store appearances for the New York location. Through Saturday (September 4), Fats Beats will host free events from 4Pm-9Pm that celebrate the history of the brand, offer relevant panel discussions, and memorbilia opportunities with artists. September 4 will mark the final day for Fats Beats’ New York store. The schedule is as follows:
Monday, August 30th: Artifacts, Da Beatminerz, Immortal Technique, and more Tuesday, August 31st: Ras Kass, Sav KIllz, DJ Ready Cee, panel discussion, and more Wednesday, September 1st: Bobbito, Mayhem, Riz, Juggaknots, Sputnik Brown, and more Thursday, September 2nd: Rob Swift, Torae, DJ Concept, DJ Amir, and more Friday, September 3rd: Masta Ace, J-Live, Pacewon, Tanya Morgan, and more *FINAL DAY* Saturday, September 4th: Just Blaze, A-Trak, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, and more
Fat Beats’ Los Angeles location will close its doors on September 18. That location’ss final week in-store will be announced soon.
The Lincoln Foundation in Louisville, Kentucky bestowed its hometown sports legend Muhammad Ali with a community service award for his humanitarian work in the city.
Ali’s wife Lonnie was on hand to accept the award and received a standing ovation from the 400 plus attendees at the banquet held at Churchill Downs. Ali himself could not attend due to fatigue from traveling.
According to the Lincoln Center , the award Ali received is given to individuals who have shown exemplary leadership skills, commitment to their communities and education.
With financial contributions from colleagues like Lennox Lewis, Ali opened his own museum and cultural center in Louisville called the Muhammad Ali Center. The $80 million dollar project opened in 2005 and features exhibits and memorabilia to celebrate Ali’s boxing career, philantropy and spiritual beliefs.
Muhammad Ali was the first fighter to win the heavyweight title three times, defeating Sonny Liston (1964), George Foreman (1974) and Leon Spinks (1978). Compiling a record of 56-5 with 37 KOs over 21 years, Muhammad Ali fought the best of two separate heavyweight eras and boasts a record of 11-3 in 14 bouts with fellow Hall of Famers Archie Moore, Sonny Liston (2x), Floyd Patterson (2x), Joe Frazier (3x), Bob Foster, Ken Norton (3X), George Foreman and Larry Holmes.
Ali remains one of the most recognizable figures in the world and was credited by TIME magazine as one of the most influential people of the 20th century.
Waka Flocka Flame and Gucci Mane were on hand in Queens this past weekend to hand out school supplies as a part of 50 Cent’s second annual 40 Day event.
The G Unit sponsored event made national headlines last year when 50 took hundreds of children from his Southside Jamaica Queens neighborhood to Six Flags and held a private concert.
Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka’s relationship has been the source of media speculation for weeks following a Vibe interview where Flocka said there was “no relationship” between them due to Gucci’s management dismissal of Flocka’s mother Debra Antney. In subsequent interviews, Antney vehemently denied there was any tension despite Vibe posting audio from their interview. Earlier this month, Gucci Mane walked out of an interview with Richmond’s Power 92.1 when he was asked about a brewing Waka Flocka “beef.”
In addition to helping children, the 40 Day event served as a public display of unity between the pair.
New Brick Squad affiliate French Montana was also on hand to participate.
Before moving to Atlanta as a teenager, Waka Flocka was originally a resident of Queens’ northside.
James Toney’s nine months of MMA training were no match against MMA legend Randy Couture, who easily submitted the former boxing champion in one round.
Toney came to the ring looking immensely confident to the sounds of Rick Ross’ “BMF.” Despite scattered boos, Toney should no visible apprehension about stepping into a new combat arena.
Couture look determined and took less than 10 seconds before he shot on Toney’s legs and got the boxing star on his back. From there Couture was methodical, working short hooks to a hapless Toney’s midsection and head. Toney tried to stifle the attacks by covering up and pulling on Couture’s head, but the Natural had no concern for Toney’s defense. After pushing Toney into the cage, Couture punished him with more ground and pound before locking in an arm triangle. The crowd knew Toney was out of his depth, and carried on “UFC” chants throughout the drubbing.
Toney tried in vain to make it to his feet, but only got to a knee before being pushed back down. Toney motioned to the ref he was ok. Couture seemed impressed and could be heard audibly stating “you didn’t want to tap out, huh?”
Like a cat playing with a doomed mouse, Couture rained down a few more punches before again locking in the arm triangle choke. Toney was now on his back and completely helpless, and had no choice but to tap out.
Couture conceded in the post-fight interview that it was unrealistic to expect Toney to become a capable MMA fighter after just nine months. In addition, he praised Toney for stepping into the Octagon and hopes more boxers will do the same.
“Boxing is awesome,” Couture stated. “I’m a huge fan of boxing…Hopefully there’s a lot of boxers that will step in MMA.”
“I didn’t think he was going to be so aggressive at first,” a sheepish Toney said afterward. “I think my ground game is ok.”
On whether he’ll continue his MMA experiment, James Toney promised a return to the UFC.
Segura Weathers Early Storm to Break Down Calderon
Ivan Calderon’s (34-1-1, 6 KOs) undefeated streak and seven-year championship run came to an end Saturday night (August 28) at the hands of a relentless Giovanni Segura (25-1-1, 21 KOs).
The first three rounds of the contest were vintage Calderon. The 35-year-old champion picked off the wild swinging Segura with sharp left hand counters. The huge 24×24 ring gave Calderon ample room to play matador, and he made Segura look foolish with counter shots. By the fourth, Calderon gained confidence that he had the fight in control and stood toe to toe with his younger opponent. Through quickness and accuracy, Calderon got the better of a late exchange off the ropes and seemed poised to possibly get a rare KO in the later rounds.
But in round five, it was Segura who nearly earned a knockout. He corned Calderon and strafed him with vicious body shots. Calderon got a brief reprieve after a questionable fall to the canvas was ruled a slip. But Segura went right back to work and emphatically took the round as Calderon went back to his corner looking like a fighter ready to quit. The fans in Puerto Rico thundered their support for the Iron Boy, chanting “Ivan! Ivan!” to re-energize their man who was clearly in trouble.
In rounds six and seven, the Calderon successfully avoided prolonged periods on the ropes and fought on even terms by countering and keep the action in ring center. The problem was Segura refused to concede, and continued to punctuate his constant pressure with debilitating body punching. While the rounds could arguably go to Calderon, the effects of Segura’s work downstairs made Calderon’s movement more labored and showed every observer who would have the momentum if the fight went late.
Round eight would prove to be the end for Ivan Calderon. Unable to use the darting movement he had earlier, Segura cornered Calderon and punished the Puerto Rican star with more thudding shots to the body. Calderon wilted and took a knee to stop the barrage. With both eyes swelling and a cut, Calderon took the 10 count and relinquished his WBO title.
The win makes Giovanni Segura the unified holder of the WBO and WBA straps at super flyweight. Before the fight Segura said he would chase his “prey,” and expressed satisfaction in executing his game plan.
“I know how it feels to wait for that super fight from your champion and that’s what I was thinking about,” he stated.
Calderon wasn’t impressed with Segura physical talent, but noted his conqueror succeeded tonight because he had the will to be champion.
“He doesn’t have style or good movement but he showed he’s a great champion,” he said.
Ivan Calderon also verified he does not plan to retire. He will rest for the remainder of 2010 before evaluating comeback plans next year.
Corley Gives Maidana All He Can Handle
Wily veteran DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (37-14-1, 22 KOs) gave Marcos Maidana (29-1, 27 KOs) all he could handle in a spirited unanimous decision loss.
Many expected Corley to be blasted out early by the hard-punching Argentinian, but grizzled contender showed no fear initiating exchanges with his younger foe. Despite being briefly buzzed in the second, Corley’s chin held up well and he continued to force Maidana into competitive firefights throughout the fight.
Maidana scored a knockdown in the eighth, but was buzzed himself when he recklessly rushed in to the end the bout. Corley refused to the yield in the championship rounds, and was actually the fresher fighter down the stretch. But Maidana’s knockdown and the benefit of fighting in his home country gave him wider scorecards than the fight actually warranted (117-110 twice, 115-112).
The lackluster win hurts Maidana’s profile, but still the clears the path for him to face rival Amir Khan for the WBA junior welterweight title on December 11.
The fascinating, tumultuous life of slain Hip-Hop legend Tupac Shakur will receive big screen treatment from the Oscar-winning writing team of Stephen J. Rivele and Chris Wilkinson.
The pair received an Oscar-nomination for their work on the screenplay to the 1995 film Nixon, losing out to The Usual Suspects. In addition, the duo also wrote the screenplay for Will Smith’s 2001 biopic Ali.
After digging deep in Shakur’s history, Rivele characterizes the controversial emcee as a multi-faceted artist who created personas to due to the pressures and expectations of the Hip-Hop industry.
“It became clear that he was essentially a 19th century Romantic poet who found himself in the 21st century,” explained Rivele toVulture, also adding he knew nothing about Shakur before beginning his research. “This is the story of an artist whose character is at odds with his medium He was a really sensitive, very romantic, talented young poet who also could sing, dance, and act. But the realities [of the hip-hop record business] were that he had to create this persona of the gangster.”
The 25-year-old Tupac Shakur was murdered in a drive-by shooting on the Las Vegas strip in September 1996. Despite the brazen, public execution of one of the music industry’s biggest stars, the killing remains unsolved nearly 14 years later.
There has been several documentaries on his life, but possibility for a movie opened in 2007 when his mother Afeni Shakur sold the film rights.
In the years following his death, Shakur’s legacy has grown to saintly proportions in Hip-Hop culture. However, Rivele feels it is important to note his emotional instability and philosophical contradictions in giving a complete picture of the man and artist. The story will use the last day of Shakur’s life as a centerpiece, and review the last four years of his life (1992-1996) through flashbacks.
“He was obviously very angry, and had been subjected to a great deal of violence at home, in the streets and in prison,” Rivele concedes. “But he was just beginning to shed that anger and look for a purer voice…He was in the process of changing himself, and entering a new phase of his life — essentially a Romantic vision — and had set up a new label, and a new production company to create it.”
Shakur’s death has spawned many theories, ranging from the obvious (a gang-related shooting) to the conspiratorial (a COINTELPRO approved assassination). Rivele doesn’t believe the murder was due to Shakur’s altercation earlier that evening with Crip member Orlando Anderson. Instead, the writer subscribes to the theory that it was Shakur’s own people who arranged his murder after becoming aware of his plans to leave Death Row Records
“He saw the contradiction between the musical persona of ‘Thug Life,’ and his essential nature as a gentle, sensitive person,” he says. “And that was partly responsible for his murder: He was not a gangster, but the people around him were. They saw he was going to leave, that they were going to lose him, and so I think they decided to kill him.”
The film will be directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Brooklyn’s Finest). A targeted release date has not been disclosed.
At press time, Shakur is expectedt to be played by a unknown actor.
The rumors of James Toney being in “good shape” were nothing more than smoke and mirrors, as the boxer known as “Lights Out” hit the scales yesterday for UFC 118 at a career-high 237 pounds.
Toney’s weight issues are nothing new to boxing fans who’ve followed his career since his standout days as a middleweight champion in the early 90s. But for nearly a decade, Toney has carried considerable flab going into significant fights. After coming at a good weight of 217 for Evander Holyfield in 2003, Toney’s average weight over his last 10 fights has been 230 pounds, far too much for his frame.
He seemed to be briefly redidcated last year, when he showed up to his fight against Matthew Greer back at his 2003 weight of 217. But yesterday (August 27), Toney was back to matching his career high of 237 pounds.
Randy Couture, 47, weighed in at 220 pounds. It will be his second fight of the year. In February, Couture submitted Mark Coleman with a rear naked choke at UFC 109. He has been installed as a -800 favorite to win.
James Toney, 42, is making his UFC debut tonight. He boasts a boxing record of 72-6-3, and is promising an early knockout.
A sideshow at its finest. If you’re on this site you are likely an avid follower of boxing, and know James Toney is far gone as an elite boxer.
Randy Couture has no doubt seen better days, as now he is a 47-year-old athlete. But the Natural is facing Toney in a sport he’s dedicated his whole life to. Outside of an extremely foolish move (like attempting to trade with Lights Out), he should be able to take Toney down rather easily and end matters in the first round with either a submission, or a KO from mounted strikes. If he’s seeking to humiliate Toney, who’s never been knocked out despite competing from middleweight up to heavyweight, he’ll go for the latter.
Just like a UFC fighter would be out of his league against a veteran pugilist in a boxing ring, we’ll see the same tonight with James Toney in the Octagon. He’s getting paid roughly $750,000, so perhaps the payday is worth the embarrassment.
UFC 118 is available tonight on PPV starting at 9PM ET.
“Love! / I don’t get enough of it/All I get is these vampires and bloodsuckers/All I see is these niggas I made millionaires/Milling about, spilling they feelings in the air….”Jay-Z
To say Kanye West has been on his grind is an understatement. With smoke still in the air from his concluding verse on the “Power Remix,” ‘Ye is back at it with a new all-star track aptly titled “Monster.” The song is the inaugural offering of his new weekly G.O.O.D. Friday music series, where he will release a new track every week for the rest of the year.
After a vocally distorted intro reminiscent in style of Prince’s 80’s work, Ross does a well executed Biggie impersonation to serve as Kanye’s intro. West is at his cocksure best with lines dripping in wretched excess and overt sexual imagery. There are many crass line, but coming out of Kanye’s mouth you always get the feeling there’s an implied “wink, wink” behind his shit talking (“Have you ever had sex with a Pharaoh?/Eh, put the pussy in a sarcophagus/Now she claiming that I bruise her esophagus/Head of the class and she just won a Swallowship..”).
Jay-Z stops by again for his second consecutive ‘Ye guest spot. Like the “Power Remix,” he takes aim at more serious commentary, this time directing his sharp analysis at disgruntled past associates. You would think tracks like “What We Talkin’ About” would close the book on the matter, but as long as former friends keep releasing disses (like Beanie Sigel’s recent “Haters” freestyle); Jay will make it a point to get the last word. Referencing pop culture’s current craze with all things vampire, Jigga dresses down his adversaries as lifeless bloodsuckers who took advantage of his love and sincerity. While Jay does reference the business angle, this verse offers a new perspective in acknowledging that at one time he had love for these individuals beyond music, something his former friends claim he didn’t have.
“Everybody wanna know what my Achilles Heel is/Love!/I don’t get enough of it/All I get is these vampires and bloodsuckers/All I see is these niggas I made millionaires/Milling about, spilling their feelings in the air…”
Nicki Minaj gets the coveted final spot and doesn’t disappoint. In light of Irv Gotti’s recent comparison of her to Lauryn Hill, Minaj had a lot to live up to alongside these heavy hitters. The self-proclaimed Barbie attacked the mic by combining precise wordplay, her trademark pitch alterations, and varying her flow from soft and delicate to loud, highly accented bars. The variations give her words strong effect, and like Jay-Z’s veiled jabs gives you the impression her ire is directed not just at critics, but peers who have recently challenged her worth as an emcee.
“Let me get this straight/Wait, I’m the rookie? /But my features and my show’s 10 times your pay?” she heckles in a mock sweet voice. “50k for a verse, no album out! /Yeah my money so tall that my Barbie has to climb it…”
Kanye West isn’t the first artist to adopt the song a week format (see Crooked I’s Hip-Hop Weekly), but this “Monster” offering has put a superstar stamp on his series and raised expectations of what to expect for the remainder of the year.
Even monsters have their good points.
Kanye West feat. Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver ”Monster”
