Ahmad Fazli Sham continues to show he is the best on the Sepang International Circuit (South) when he timed the fastest lap for the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship Expert category today.

The 27 years old who represents Shell Advance Yamaha Maju clocked 1:21.482s in lap 3 followed by Novice Champion who has moved up to the Expert category, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Raceline with 1:21.763s. Third fastest for the day was Fazli’s teammate, Abd Muhaimin Roslan with 1:21.910s. All three riders ride Yamaha machines.

Though most would find his results satisfactory, the2007 and 2008 Expert Champion said he could have done a much better lap time. “I am delighted with the results from today’s time practice but I personally think I could have done a lot better. However, that will require me to push my Yamaha bike to the limit therefore it’ll be wiser to do that tomorrow during the heat and race,” said Fazli who hails from Taiping, Perak.

“I am looking forward to winning this round because I really need the points to keep my title chase alive because the point gap between Md Zamri Baba (PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Ah Hong) and Ahmad Fuad Baharudin (PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Raceline) is very close. Each and every point plays a big deal now. My biggest desire now is to pull a hat trick and bag my third Expert title. Yet, I don’t think it will be easy because Hafizh has now joined to race with the big boys and for a 15 years old, he is without a doubt very talented,” said Fazli.

He also said, “Right now I am confident with my machine and rhythm. So tomorrow I will go all out and try my best to win and not taint my good Sepang record and I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow because then I will have to hold back.”

As for the Novice class, Modenas Yuzy Pachi Racing duo Md Farid Ahmad and Malaysian Wildcard rider Md Zulfahmi Khairuddin clocked the best lap time out of 28 riders. Farid outshines his teammate with 1:23.670s while Zulfahmi came in with 1:24.883s. Third fastest for this class was Zaidy Md Zaifaizal of Motul Yamaha YY Pang (1:25.047s)

Farid was pleased with his performance today extending his gratitude towards the team mechanics for doing a good job setting up the bike.

“I feel fulfilled after knowing my results. Adding on to the sweetness, I did it on my favourite race track (Sepang)! No words can describe my feelings at the moment and I want to do a better job tomorrow during the heat session and score pole position. This is all possible thanks to the team mechanics and crew. They made early preparations and this helped me alot today,” said the 21 year old.

Farid went on to add, “For Round 5 in Sepang a few months back I started the race from second last grid but managed to get onto the podium so imagine the results if I started from pole. Still, I will have to be careful with Zulfahmi, Zaidy, Md Hafieenaz Md Ali (PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Raceline) and Md Rozaliman Zakaria (Shell Advance Yamaha Maju).”

Meanwhile, Zulsyafiz Rosli was the fastest out of 34 riders in the Wira epg class. The 14 years old who rides also rides a Modenas machine timed 1:28.363s in lap 3 followed by another Modenas rider Md Azzeroy Aziz (1:28.457s) and Md Azhar Abd Jalil of MCS MHR Racing (1:28.554s).

Zulsyafiz said he never expected to make the best time and he is very glad he did. Zulsyafiz also said that in comparison to Round 5 which was held here on the same Sepang (South) track, his bike is much faster now.

“I never thought I would be the one who timed the fastest time. Though my bike is faster than it used to be for Round 5, there is still a lot more room for improvement because it broke down right after I clocked the fastest time. Hopefully things will be better tomorrow and I really want to win this race,” said Zulsyafiz who came in third in Kluang.

Moving on, the fastest rider for the Yamaha LC 135 one make race was Md Fitri Ashraf Razali. He timed 1:24.424s. Second fastest was 13 years old Md Ramdan Md Rosli (1:25.117s) followed by Md Amin Md Azahar (1:25.131s).

The timed practice for the Honda icon Challenge was dominated by Md Solehin Md Sukor with his best time of 1:43.059s followed by Ahmad Afif Amran (1:43.227s) and Md Razzi Hafizzi Raduan (1:43.810s).

Lastly,Wazir Abd Razak who rides a Suzuki machine was fastest for the Privateer class with 1:28.932s. Second was Md Noor Azizi Abd Naser (1:30.053s) on a Modenas and Md Mazlan Jusoh (1:31.450s) also on a Suzuki.

(Versi Bahasa Malaysia)

Fazli tekad tawan Sepang

PENYANDANG juara kelas Expert dua musim berturut-turut, Ahmad Fazli Sham tekad untuk menawan Litar Antarabangsa Sepang sekali gus mengukuhkan lagi pungutan mata keseluruhan selepas mencipta masa terpantas sesi ujian masa Kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia AAM PETRONAS yang berlangsung di Litar Sepang Selatan semalam.

Pelumba Shell Advance Yamaha Maju yang muncul juara Expert 2007 dan 2008 mengakui saingan Pusingan 9 ini cukup penting demi merealisasikan impian bergelar juara Expert buat kali ketiga berturut-turut.

“Sepang menjadi tanda aras buat saya. Amat penting bagi saya untuk mencapai kemenangan di sini. Ia juga membolehkan saya mencabar kejuaraan Expert dengan cukup selesa pada pusingan terakhir kelak,” ulas Fazli mengenai saingan Litar Sepang Selatan.

Fazli mencatat masa 1:21.482 saat diikuti juara Novis musim ini, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Raceline) yang beralih angin mengikuti perlumbaan kelas Expert di Sepang ini dengan catatan masa 1:21.763 saat. Sementara itu, rakan sepasukan Fazli, Abdul Muhaimin Roslan di tempat ketiga dengan masa 1:21.910 saat.

Ketiadaan juara Novis musim ini, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah yang beraksi dalam kelas Expert di Sepang pada pusingan ini, membuka peluang buat pencabar-pencabar yang lain untuk menerajui sesi ujian masa kelas Novis.

Dua pelumba Modenas Yuzy Pachi Racing Team, Md Farid Ahmad dan Md Zulfahmi Khairuddin selesa untuk mengungguli kedua-dua saingan kumpulan apabila berjaya mencatat masa terpantas sesi ujian masa kategori tersebut.

Farid dan pelumba wild card MotoGP tanahair, Zulfahmi masing-masing mencatat 1:23.670 saat dan 1:24.833 saat untuk meraih kedudukan barisan depan ujian kelayakan esok.

Farid yang ditemui berkata sekalipun tanpa Hafizh, saingan yang diterima tetap sengit dan mencabar. “Hari ini, saya beroleh keputusan yang cukup gembira. Jentera saya berada dalam keadaan terbaik, begitu juga dengan prestasi saya yang cukup memberangsangkan.

“Jika kedua-dua elemen ini membantu, saya yakin, pasukan Modenas Yuzy Pachi Racing mungkin akan mengakhiri kemarau kejuaraan pada perlumbaan akhir esok,” ujar Farid.

Beraksi pada tiga pusingan sahaja jelas tidak menghalang Zulsyafiz Rosli untuk melakar sejarah peribadi apabila dia berjaya mencipta masa terbaik saingan kelas Wira epg sesi latihan semalam. Begitupun, agak malang bagi pelumba itu apabila dia gagal meneruskan perlumbaan tatkala jenteranya berdepan masalah untuk meneruskan baki saingan.

Zulsyafiz mencatat masa 1:28.363 saat pada lap ketiga sebelum jentera Modenas miliknya berdepan masalah mekanikal sekali gus menghalang Zulsyafiz dari terus mencipta masa yang lebih baik. Bagaimanapun, pelumba yang masih menuntut di Tingkatan Dua, Sekolah Menengah Maxwell, Kuala Lumpur mengakui cabaran sebenar adalah pada ujian kelayakan dan perlumbaan akhir esok.

“Esok merupakan penentuan sebenar buat saya dan pelumba lain. Saya juga tidak menyangka mampu mencipta masa terpantas memandangkan pelumba-pelumba pilihan dalam kelas ini cukup hebat. Namun saya berkeyakinan mereka (pelumba pilihan) menyimpan kekuatan dan hanya memperagakan watak sebenar pada perlumbaan esok.

“Begitupun, saya masih tetap optimis untuk melakar sesuatu di sini. Sejak Pusingan 5 (Litar Sepang Selatan), jentera dan prestasi saya semakin meningkat dan saya percaya mampu berada pada kedudukan terbaik atau podium jika jentera saya dapat dibaik pulih sepenuhnya.

Sementara itu, Md Azzroey Aziz meraih kedudukan tempat kedua dengan masa 1:28.457 saat diikuti Md Azhar Abd Jalil dari pasukan MCS MHR Racing Team di tempat ketiga dengan masa 1:28.554 saat.

Dalam sesi ujian masa Yamaha 135 Challenge, Md Fitri Ashraf Razali mendahului pelumba lain apabila mencatat masa 1:24.424 saat diikuti Md Ramdan Md Rosli di tempat kedua (1:25.117 saat) dan Md Amin Md Azahar di tempat ketiga (1:26.131 saat).

Sesi ujian masa bagi Cabaran Honda icon Challenge Cup menjadi milik Md Solehin Md Sukor dengan masa 1:43.059 saat diikuti Ahmad Afif Amran (1:43.227 saat) di tempat kedua sementara Md Razzi Hafizzi Raduan di tempat ketiga dengan masa 1:43.810 saat.

Wazir Abdul Razak masih mendahului pelumba persendirian lain apabila berjaya mencatat masa terpantas sesi ujian masa Kategori Persendirian dengan catatan 1:28.932 saat. Md Noor Azizi Abd Naser di tempat kedua (1:30.053 saat) diikuti Md Mazlan Jusoh di tempat ketiga dengan masa  1:31.450 saat.

Issued by: Global PR Sdn Bhd

Copyright to: Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd

Exactly one week from today, it will be my first anniversary here at Microsoft. It has been quite an experience and eye-opener for me. I knew that Microsoft Consulting Services is always changing in order to better server our customer’s needs and to improve our customers and partners experience.
Combine that with the turbulent times we lived in the last 2+ years and as a result we have constant change. I joined MS in December 2008 and 7 months later the Global Practice had been reorganized and refocused. Our new focus is more what I was used to with my previous employers, so it was a change that I quickly internalized.
In this new role I have been exposed to mission critical projects for real customers. It has been exciting to work with the best side by side in establishing the Microsoft Platform in areas that usually are owned by Unix/Linux.
In this year I also had the opportunity to meet and get to know people outside the MCS organization. It has been exciting working with them and supporting them in readiness events around the world. Readiness is another exciting and familiar line of work for me. I started my career in 92′ as a Sybase and PowerBuilder instructor and technology consultant + support engineer. That was a role that I really enjoyed and accelerated my growth in the technology space. I do remember putting together custom training on Visual Basic 1.0 and how to develop Client/Server apps in VB 1.0 and Sybase. I remember “jimmy-rigging” the MS Access db scripts to execute them in Sybase in order to connect MS Access directly to a Sybase DB. good times!
You must me thinking, what a geek! Well, part of me still a geek, but in the last 10 or 11 years I discovered that in order to continue to grow I had to become business savvy and bridge the gap between technology and business. These two models exist in any enterprise and someone has to make them work together. That is a role I enjoy. As I continue to do that here at Microsoft I get a chance to do just that with a Platform that is Business and Enterprise Ready.

Mr Hudson is having a remix contest for his next single Anyone But Him. The song is from his debut solo album Straight No Chaser on Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint. It’s an incredible album but is only (legally) available in the homeland (read UK) currently. It gets released here tomorrow according to wikipedia though I can’t find really any other information on it. Please find a way to get it and immerse yourself in heartache.

If you’ve got what it takes you could feature on Mr Hudson’s next single ‘Anyway But Him’, which is set to be released in the new year – Kanye West features on the album version but it could be YOU on the digital release.

Mr Hudson is looking for fresh UK MCs to record their original verses onto an instrumental of the track. Whoever lays down the sickest 16 bars will get the chance to hit the studio with Mr Hudson and will feature on the song which will be digitally released on March 15th.

ENTRANTS

1. Download the ‘Anyone But Him’ MP3 Instrumental for free by registering your email address in the box below.

2. Write & Record your original rap over the Instrumental.

3. Submit your finished track to Mr Hudson’s Dropbox (see Right)

The entries will be judged by Mr Hudson & the best verses will be posted on Mr Hudson’s website & online profiles. The winner will get to record the final track in a professional studio with Mr Hudson.

You can enter as many times as you like.

Good Luck!

Anyway, the remix contest says it is for UK emcees, but I feel like if a rapper from elsewhere in the world submits something and it’s super ill…why would they deny it?? The original track features a Kanye West verse (which is dope in its own right and I don’t understand why they’d change it?..but)
So in the light of hope for the extension of personal expression…find the instrumental here and record your best translation of self absorbed jealousy in 16 bars.

Peace and al green love…because.

Here are my top 5 MC’s…

(5) Phonte (Little Brother)

(4) Lupe Fiasco

(3) Jay-Z

(2) Notorious B.I.G.

(1) Masta Ace

Male sand lizard, breeding colouration Chris Packham / naturepl.com

Counting down the hours to go now, have just skipped visiting one of my best friends today (boy, did i get in trouble for that) as will have to get up at 7am on Sunday in order to make the long trek North to Salford.

This morning I thought I should do a bit more research on my creature, to avoid looking totally stupid tomorrow and when people ask me in general about the Sand Lizard.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the sand lizard lives mainly in SE England including Hampshire, Dorset, Sussex and Surrey and was recently re-introduced in other parts of the country. I am planning to try and see them in the wild now at one of my favourite places The New Forest. They live in heathland and sand dunes, so there is a tenuous connection with the sea. The threat to their survival appears to be linked to habitat destruction.

Next report: from the tattooing, before and after photos to follow!

PS Really chuffed with raising £260 so far for the Marine Conservation Society, over half-way towards my target. Everyone has been soooooo kind and generous ^_^

If you read the print version of the NZ Herald today you would have seen featured on the front page a miraculous case of a man [Rom Houben] recovering from a persistent vegetative state and communicating with the world through a touch screen with the help of a carer. The topic of persistent vegetative state (PVS) is an interesting one and has received increasing attention in recent years. It would seem that this man was incorrectly diagnosed after an accident as being in a PVS while at the time of the accident it is more likely that he was in a minimally conscious state (MCS). A fine distinction sometimes and an excellent summary of the differences between the two diagnoses and the difficultly of accurately deciding between them can be found at the Science Based Medicine site.

Essentially a PVS is defined as the patient exhibiting no signs of consciousness, as with everything, whether you find something is dependent on how hard you look, simply opening a couple of drawers and glancing in the cupboard may not turn it up. In determining a case of PVS a more thorough search will reveal fewer legitimate cases as you may find extremely subtle signs of intermittent consciousness that will then flip the designation to a MCS. This process is also dependent on the sensitivity of the equipment used to perform the examination, the sophisticated scanning technology we have today simply did not exist 20 years ago. This equipment is the equivalent of rummaging around in the back of the couch and looking behind the fridge.

That this man was unfortunately diagnosed incorrectly is not in dispute, we have made significant advances in brain imaging technology that allows us to determine activity quite well. The issue here is the man’s ability to communicate so coherently and poetically. After so long without mental stimulation it seems bordering on the fantastic that this could be the case. When watching the video of the touch screen being used to bring this man’s thoughts to the world it seems very close to a practice known as Facilitated Communication, (this is actually confirmed in the TimesOnline article) this consists of a facilitator supporting the arm or hand of a subject ostensibly to allow them to then choose letters and words themselves which otherwise they would not have the strength or the focus to do.

The difficulty here is that this technique is very susceptible to the unconscious influence of the facilitator. In this way it can seem as though it is the patient communicating when in reality it is the thoughts of the facilitator that we are hearing. It is difficult to say for sure in this case, the video is ambiguous as to how much control the patient has over his movements so it is possible that we are indeed being exposed the inner world of a man with a very unique perspective but from the evidence shown it is equally plausible that the facilitator is the true originator of these words.

I would be interested in if any simple tests to determine the true origin of this material have been carried out, some of the suggestions I have seen elsewhere include swapping the facilitator for someone who does not speak the patient’s language, asking the patient questions that presumably only he would know, or asking the facilitator to leave the room while the patient is shown an object or told specific information and then seeing if this can be reliably produced after the facilitator returns. Any of these would help determine whether this man is truely communicating.

The print version of the Herald is mostly credulous in it’s coverage of this story but it appears that enough scepticism has filtered through the journalistic world that the online version has incorporated some of it. Better late than never.

[EDIT: The incomparable Dr Novella of the SGU and SBM has posted his take on this news item, as I hoped he would. Get the thoughts of a neurologist. Also had to add a link to this video from Dr.N's site that shows the patient typing with his eyes closed, simply not possible. Added Patient's name]

Whew! Why is it so hard for us to believe? It is very disappointing to hear about so much greenwashing going on. Consumers, we have to be on our toes!

Dr. Bronner’s press release:

Top-selling natural soap brand Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps applauds the final recommendation by the Certification, Accreditation, and Compliance Committee (CACC) of the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on Solving the Problem of Mislabeled Organic Personal Care Products set forth this week. The recommendation urges the National Organic Program (NOP) to regulate personal care products and “ensure consumers and businesses alike that the products have an unquestioned home in the USDA National Organic
Program.” The current regulatory approach fails to protect consumers from misleading and deceptive organic labeling of personal care because compliance with the NOP is currently voluntary, not mandatory.

President of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, David Bronner said, “Dr. Bronner’s strongly believes that the best and most effective way to protect consumers of organic personal care products is for the USDA to make the National Organic Program (NOP) standards mandatory for personal care. We applaud this recommendation as a step forward in improving the current regulatory regime.” The Certification, Accreditation and Compliance Committee will present the recently released document to the NOSB at its public meeting in early November for a vote. Dr. Bronner’s full formal comments submitted to the NOSB can be found at the link below. In related news, Whole Foods is requiring that all supposedly “natural” and “organic” personal care products in their stores test below 10 parts per million for the probable carcinogen 1,4 Dioxane. 1,4 Dioxane is produced when the petrochemical Ethylene Oxide is attached to primary cleansing and moisturizing ingredients in a process called Ethoxylation. “We’re fed up with organic cheater brands who use high-foaming ethoxylated detergents in bodywashes and shampoos that produce 1,4 Dioxane contamination” says David Bronner. “Petrochemical compounds like Ethylene Oxide have no place in organic personal care ingredients. This is just
one of many violations of basic organic criteria by organic cheater brands, and demonstrates why federal NOP regulation is necessary.”

In July, Dr. Bronner’s filed its Second Amended Complaint against numerous personal care companies that use non-organic pesticide-intensive agricultural and/or petrochemical material to make the main cleansing and moisturizing ingredients of their mislabeled ‘Organic’ products. That Complaint charges defendants with false advertising in violation of the federal Lanham Act, based on the fact that the labeling and marketing of their products as “Organic” is misleading and confusing consumers. Defendants had the case transferred to federal district court in San Jose, CA and moved to dismiss the case on the grounds that USDA/NOP is considering
regulating personal care products even though these same defendants strongly oppose such regulation. Arguments on those motions will be held on Friday, September 25. The entire Second Amended Complaint along with background on the case is posted online at:
http://www.drbronner.com/usda_organic_body_care.html
###

On their website, we’re urged to boycott these “fake” organic brands.
Amazon Organics, Avalon Organics, Desert Essence Organics, Earth’s Best Organic, Giovanni Organic Cosmetics, Head Organics, JASON Pure Natural and Organic, Nature’s Gate Organics, Organics by Noah’s Naturals

Dr. Bronners also urges us to buy these certified USDA organic brands.
Alteya Organics, Baby Bear Shop, Badger, Bubble and Bee Organic, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, Indian Meadow Herbals, Intelligent Nutrients, Kimberly Parry Organics, Little Angel, Mercola, Miessence Certified Organics, Nature’s Paradise, OGmama and OGbaby, Organicare, Organic Essence, Origins Organics, Purely Shea, Rainwater Organic Lotion, Rose Tattoo Aftercare, SoCal Cleanse, Sensibility Soaps/Nourish, Terressentials, Trillium Organics, Vermont Soap

Do you look for the certification logo when you buy?

Maybe going with the word “Organic” on the label isn’t enough.

Read more about the campaign

Dr. Bronner’s video on the topic:

Crashing is synonymous with CFS, a state of bodily destruction for which you often do not know the cause but that can come upon you with little regard for what you might have planned in life.

Pulled under by the unrelenting tide of another crash, it is hard not to at times feel suffocated by the merciless pressure exerted against my fragile body.

Time crawls by while still I tumble about in this ocean of madness for how could an illness such as this be anything sane.

Day blends into day as time passes along without me. Now and then I come up for air, the gasping of breath painful in my ears before I feel the tug of the tide pulling me down once more.

This limbo of increased pain, fatigue so great I feel hardly able to sit to eat most meals, and incredible cloudiness to my thoughts all blend into a background mosaic upon which is seen the anguish of my homelessness in sharp relief.

Life passes on, the tide rolls in and with it I am consumed once more.

Convidamos todas as Facções da cidade de São Paulo do Estado e da Federação , bem como os MCs e amigos dos Bodes do Asfalto , a participarem conosco desse evento que vai fechar o ano de 2009. DATA : 18/12/09 LOCAL O POINT BAR…Rua da Coroa,1810-Ponte da Vila Guilherme ( Dentro do Posto BR ) BANDA Acesso Remotoooo… DOAÇÃO 2 kg de alimentos não perecível ( menos sal de cozinha ) + 1 produto de limpeza OU higiene pessoal , Bringuedos e roupas tambem serão aceitas, pois pretendemos arrecadar no minimo 500 kgs Todas as doações serão revertidas ao Projeto Mudar , encabeçada pelo nosso Grande Irmão e Amigo Cel.Gilson Lopes ( www.mudar.org. br ) Não perca a oportunidade de alimentar e fazer alguem feliz ( mesmo que seja só por um dia ) . Dividir um pouco com quem não tem NADA é um ato de nobreza. Quem não abaixa a cabeça não acha dinheiro…. NINGUEM É TÃO BOM QUANTO TODOS NÓS JUNTOS vamos animar a festa

CunninLynguists @ Highline Ballroom December 11, 2009

Cunninlynguists @ Highline

CunninLynguists

Featuring –
Grieves with Budo
Looptrop Rockers
Tunji

Doors Open @ 11:00 p.m.
Show Starts @ 11:30 p.m.

Tickets – Advance – $15
General Admission / All Ages
Standing Room Only

Buy Tickets

Highline Ballroom
431 W. 16th St.
New York, NY 10011
1.212.414.5994

For More Information

Jean Grae Live @ Joe’s Pub in New York City on November 28, 2009

Jean Grae

Tickets – Advance – $15

Buy Tickets

Show To Start @ 11:30 p.m.
November 28, 2009

Joe’s Pub
425 Lafayette St.
New York, NY 10003
Joe’s Pub

@JoesPubNYC

For More Information

For more Information on – Jean Grae

For More Events Featuring – Jean Grae

Jean Grae

Talib Kweli @ Highline Ballroom on December 23, 2009

Talib Kweli @ Highline Ballroom on December 23, 2009

Talib Kweli @ Highline Ballroom on December 23, 2009
Featuring -
Jean Grae
Strong Arm Steady
Pete Rock

Doors Open @ 7:00 p.m.
Show Starts @ 9:00 p.m.

Tickets – Advance – $15 / Day of Show – $?
General Admission / All Ages
Standing Room Only

Buy Tickets

Highline Ballroom
431 W. 16th St.
New York, NY 10011
1.212.414.5994
Highline Ballroom

For More Information

[Presented by Jill Newman Productions]

Q-Tip, DJ Gravy, and Va$htie @ Santos Party House on Fridays

OPEN Hosted By Va$htie Featuring Resident DJ Q-Tip and Special Guests

Q-Tip of the legendary group A Tribe Called Quest, not only a talented MC, but also a DJ and producer. Join Q-Tip and Special Guests Every Friday @ Santos Party House.

Ongoing Every Friday @ 10 p.m.

Tickets – Advanced – Unavailable / Day of Show – $15

General Admission / 21 & Over

VIP Table Reservations – tables@santospartyhouse.com

Featuring Special Guests –

DJ Scratch and Iron Lyon on November 13, 2009

Legendary DJ Grandmaster Flash on November 20, 2009

Hip Hop legend Grandmaster Flash, the first artist to use the turntable as a musical instrument, played a pivotal role in the birth of hip hop during the 1970’s. Grandmaster Flash was also the DJ for the classic group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, one of the first hip hop groups in history.

Questlove of The Roots on November 27, 2009

Questlove of The Roots – also known as ?uestlove and Questo – this pioneering artist from Philadelphia continues to prove his longevity as drummer for critically acclaimed group, The Roots, whose live performances are among the best in hip hop.

D-Nice on December 4, 2009

Santos Party House
96 Lafayette St.
New York, NY 10013
1.212.584.5492
Santos Party House

@SantosPartyHaus Twitter

Santos MySpace

School Cleaners Test Results

EWG tested over 20 cleaners used in schools in California, and detected hundreds of air contaminants not listed as ingredients by manufacturers.

Further testing shows that cleaning a model classroom using 3 widely used, certified green products produces far less air pollution than cleaning the same classroom with 3 common conventional cleaners.

See results.

Here’s How I felt on the topic:

Jay-Z in Concert

Hip-Hop Block Presents, “MTV- The List: Top 10 MC’s of 2009”

One of popular culture’s biggest influences, MTV, recently compiled a list of the hottest emcees/rappers for 2009. MTV, as a major player in the our-opinion-trumps-others music field, has caused a lot of ruckus and backlash from hip-hop fans worldwide.

The rappers that appear on this list (in no particular order) are Lil Wayne, Kanye, Drake, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Fabolous, 50 Cent, Young Jeezy, Jay-Z, and Raekwon. The majority of the rappers on this list, I’m sure mainstream music has forced onto the airwaves, are household names.

For example, anybody that has skimmed the airwaves on their radios past a hip-hop and R&B (rhythm and blues) station has heard of Lil Wayne and Drake. There is a joke in the hip-hop industry that Drake, who is signed to Lil Wayne’s label Young Money, has purchased the radio stations with all the airplays he receives.

Then, we have Gucci Mane. Gucci Mane has appeared on a number of spins on the radios as well, ranging from Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed” and singer Mario’s “Break Up.”

Raekwon, the least known name on the list, ranked in at number 10, but his last released album, “Only Built For Cuban Linx Pt. II” is the only album to bring back the gangster rap we have come to love from the early-to-mid 90s.

A question you may have is how MTV decided on who made the list and who got cut?

That answer can be found on their website; however, the list is lacking in substance and somewhat accuracy in the minds and hearts of true rap fans. Some of the factors that come into play when determining a rapper’s level of hotness are how their words on the microphone penetrate the ears of the mass media. Another factor is the artist’s talent and how it relates to the quality of the music, followed by success musically and entrepreneurially. Do they sell albums, ringtones, or singles? And last but surely not least, are they trendsetters and the number of airwave plays on the radio these rappers receive.

Sway, the animated host for the great hip-hop debate of 2009 was the moderator of 8 MTV staffers who discussed the aforementioned factors along with others to determine the list. Stemming from these artist’s work over the past 8-12 months, I present to you MTV’s top ten hottest mc’s in the game (of rap).

10. Raekwon
Raekwon is a hip-hop legend. He can be heard on the Wu-Tang Clan records from back in the day that stress the value and importance of what hip-hop means today. He released the sequel to his first album, “Only Built for Cuban Linx” in September 08, 2009 and has sold 110,000 units so far. Starting off where his first album left off in 1995, Raewkon keeps his raps authentic, meriting him the tenth spot on the list.

9. 50 Cent
Many people can argue that they haven’t heard any music from “Fiddy” Cent this year; however, he is doing his thing in not only the mixtape arena, but also the online scene. Check out thisis50.com for new artist and rap beefs. He also helped Rick Ross sell with the entertainment or internet beef these two rappers had.

8. Fabolous
By dropping his fifth solo album, Fabolous claims the eighth spot. Eighth spot? Just throw it in the bag. “Loso’s Way” inspired by the movie Carlito’s Way was released in July and has sold 99,000 units.

7. Young Jeezy
Although his first two albums went platinum (over a million units sold), his last album “The Recession” has sold 260,000 his first week, and he earns the right to be in the 7th spot, just check out his song “My President is Black” that owned the airwaves in November of 2008.

6. Gucci Mane
Trapper turned rapper, Gucci Mane, is the king of the South right now with his slurring rap delivery. He is on the hottest pop songs of 2009 as well. His head-banging beats belong in the car stereo- you can’t do homework and listen to Gucci, he’s too cold (Burr).

5. Rick Ross
His last album has sold just fewer than 600,000 units this year. With hot guest appearances and an internet scuffle with 50 Cent, Ricky Ross proves he’s the boss at the 5th spot.

4. Kanye
Kanye changed the game with his platinum selling album “808s and Heartbreaks” without even rapping. Auto-tune produced and Kanye approved. VMA’s anyone? Kanye’s going to let other’s speak, but not until he’s left his mark. (Drops Microphone).

3. Drake
“Successful,” “Best I Ever Had,” “Forever,” or “Money to Blow.” Apparently, if you throw Drake on the track, you’re destined to get airplay. He takes the third spot with just one officially released mixtape. Word? Word!

2. Lil Wayne
Weezy F. Baby. His last album, “The Carter III” has gone 3x platinum.

1. Jay-Z
“Death of Autotune” Jay-Z single-handedly dismantled the entire hip-hop culture and destroyed the artists who overuse Auto-Tune. Someone tell T-Pain, “hey hey hey, goodbye!”

So, here’s the list, but there are some discrepancies. Rapper Jadakiss has said if you take this list and ask the rappers on it who belong, they will tell you they have Jadakiss on the list.

Where does Lupe Fiasco end up on the list? (Wait a minute. He didn’t make it). Did he not kick-push the airwaves in 2008?

The most noticeable absentee from the list is rapper Eminem. He sold just a bit over 600,000 copies his first week? Rappers are lucky to even skim those numbers in overall sells, yet he doesn’t deserve to even be an honorable mention?

If I had it my way, DOV, instead of MTV, we would see a major change in the list. But for now, hip-hop fans have to digest this propaganda of the hottest rappers given to us by MTV.

~Keep Hip-Hop Alive~ (especially if MTV doesn’t’).

*Thanks to Antonio Westmoreland for gathering the necessary information for this article.

Goodie Mob (Cee-Lo, Big Gipp, Khujo, T-Mo) & Scarface of Geto Boys & Slick Rick @ B.B. King Blues Club on Friday, November 13, 2009 @ 11:30 p.m.

Featuring -

Bad Rabbits (Live Band to Perform with Slick Rick)
Outasight
Special Guests

Doors To Open @ 11 p.m.
Show To Start @ 11:30 p.m.

Tickets – Advance: $35 / Day of Show: $40

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VIP Booth Reservations Available for 4 & 6 People -$60 per ticket
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B.B. King Blues Club
237 W. 42nd St.
New York, NY 10036
1.212.997.4144
B.B. King Blues Club

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