hip hop music

Gawker reports that Jadakiss got paid by Coogi to mention them in his "Letter to BIG" tributw. What do y'all think is there an ethical issue here? I have to imagine that Biggie would heartily approve of this hustle, so I'm not offended by Jada doing it in a tribute song, and it fits in naturally, seems like something he's say anyway.. but in general does it seem a little creepy for people to be getting secret checks for dropping brand names?

Jadakiss Got Paid To Rap About Coogi?
gawker

Rappers have been dropping brand names in their lyrics for cash for years; it's tasteless, but widespread. But why would you turn a memorial track for your dead friend into a Coogi ad?

...In his first verse, Jadakiss (who's wearing Coogi in the video) says, "In your memory I keep Coogi in my closet." Why? Well, Biggie did love those crazy ass Coogi sweaters. But a more important reason: because, a good source tells us, Coogi paid Jadakiss tens of thousands of dollars to drop their name in the song.

Maybe save the product placement for normal, non-memorial-to-my-deceased-friend songs?

Jadakiss Got Paid To Rap About Coogi?

Great opening skit from Jimmy Fallon's Late Night premiere, slow jamming the news with Black Thought and the Roots. Black Thought killing it.

VIDEO: The Roots and Jimmy Fallon "Slow Jam The News"

VIDEO: The Roots and Jimmy Fallon "Slow Jam The News"

I'd expect slow-jamming the news to become a regular segment, and hopefully they'll work the Roots in as often as possible! Especially as Jimmy Fallon works through his nerves early on.

Santigold (formerly Santogold) on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, along with Spankrock.

VIDEO: Santigold on Jimmy Fallon

VIDEO: Santigold (Santogold) on Jimmy Fallon

New rhyme from Ghostface, dedicated to Rihanna. Spit over the Glenn Lewis "Don't You Forget It" instrumental.. what ever happened to that guy?:

"Message from Ghostface" song for Rihanna - Audio

stream/download

Message from Ghostface" song for Rihanna - Audio

Excellent web video work from D Nice

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Never thought the show came together well, but still sorry to see it go, just on principle.

DL Hughley Cancelled by CNN
source

Comedian D.L. Hughley was pummeled by critics when his weekend talk show debuted on CNN last fall. "What the hell was CNN thinking?" a columnist for AdAge asked after watching the first episode. It remains unclear what was running through the minds of CNN execs when they signed D.L. Hughley up for the spectacularly unfunny program featuring painfully awkward interviews. But the network may have come to its senses or at least decided to cut its losses. A source tells us that CNN has decided to cancel the DL Hughley show due to "budgetary constraints...."
Here's an official statement from a rep from CNN, who tells us that it was Hughley's decision to end the show and not specifically related to budget issues:

"D.L. approached CNN about being permanently based in Los Angeles, where his family lives. To accommodate this, we agreed upon a new role where he will be a contributor for the network based in Los Angeles. We are eager to continue our relationship with D.L. who is a tremendous talent and a valued colleague."

DL Hughley Cancelled by CNN

A much deserved smackdown of CNBC and Rick Santelli by Jon Stewart, After Santelli backed out of appearing on the Daily Show to defend his absurd "tea party" rant.

Jon Stewart Ethers CNBC
source

The Daily Show on Wednesday was supposed to feature guest Rick Santelli, a reporter on CNBC. Santelli is infamous for his rant against Obama's mortgage plan, calling homeowners who are struggling to pay their loans "losers."

Santelli backed out, or err, "bailed out," as Stewart put it, from the interview. Instead, Stewart launched into a nearly nine-minute take down of the business news channel. Here are some of the highlights:

Jon Stewart Ethers CNBC

In this video President Obama delivers the ether to Dick Cheney, on 60 minutes last night: