Ken Haddad's Blog

If you don't know already, Jake Gidell and I have been doing a podcast for a few months now, and we've had pretty good feedback. We don't know how much longer we're going to be doing it, but I hope people are enjoying it, as much as we enjoy doing them. People always ask if we do it for school, but we don't. We just do it in our free time. If you haven't heard it, you can hear some episodes here http://kenhaddad.mypodcast.com

Or you can listen to the Newest Episode, featuring Stevie Soul HERE > http://www.divshare.com/download/11126164-640

And Stay Tuned for a brand new look to www.StevieSoul.com, a all new, more powerful blog is coming...

B.o.B. aka Bobby Ray is FINALLY dropping his album this week. Although the album has already leaked to the inter-webs, I am predicting that BOB sells more albums than Kid Cudi and Wale. I'm not saying he's better than them, but he definitely connects with more people. His mix of rock, hip hop, blues, and reggae is FRESH! The album is dope, Bobby Ray is dope, and I think he's going to be around for a while.

ALSO...

If you haven't messed with Chiddy Bang yet, you're missing out. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, check out the mixtape "The Swelly Express". Thank you.

Secrest Out.

The NFL released the Detroit Lions' 2010 schedule tonight. Here it is (we'll have more analysis to come):



• Sept. 12 at Chicago, 1 p.m., Fox

• Sept. 19 vs. Philadelphia, 1 p.m., Fox

• Sept. 26 at Minnesota, 1 p.m., Fox

• Oct. 3 at Green Bay, 1 p.m., Fox

• Oct. 10 vs. St. Louis, 1 p.m., Fox

• Oct. 17 at New York Giants, 1 p.m., Fox

• Oct. 24 Bye

• Oct. 31 vs. Washington, 1 p.m., Fox

• Nov. 7 vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m., CBS

• Nov. 14 at Buffalo, 1 p.m., Fox

• Nov. 21 at Dallas, 1 p.m., Fox

• Nov. 25 vs. New England, 12:30 p.m., CBS

• Dec. 5 vs. Chicago, 1 p.m., Fox

• Dec. 12 vs. Green Bay, 1 p.m., Fox

• Dec. 19 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m., Fox

• Dec. 26 at Miami, 1 p.m., Fox

• Jan. 2 vs. Minnesota, 1 p.m., Fox

This is kinda hot... I just don't know if he actually wrote this. Who's House? Diggy's...

I had to rub my eyes for this one... But... Its true. Check it out.

Ladies and Gentleman, courtesy of Chris Daniels, I introduce to you, XV.



You might say, Ken! Who in the hell is XV? Well I'm here to tell you. XV, or Vizzy, is one of the top 5 upcoming artists in the hip hop world right now. Some people might call me late on this one, but I really don't care.
XV brings content, lyrics, the right beats, even the ones that aren't his. He's arrogant when he needs to be, and he's humble when he needs to be. He provides a wide variety of topics, unlike some rappers, like Drake, he has a broader spectrum of lyrics. As for the rest of hip hop... Right now it's a big waiting game. With albums expected from Big Sean, Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B., Kid Cudi, Mike Posner, Drake and J. Cole, the sky's the limit. It's the takeover.... 2010, the year of the NEW SCHOOL.


Mixtapes to check out from XV: Recycle Bin, Everybody's Nobody, 30 Minute Layover.

Lyrical mastermind J. Cole has taken another step towards being noticed by the hip hop community. In my opinion, J. Cole is the best young rapper out yet. His mixtapes are stellar from front to back, and the most impressive thing is that he does most of his own beats. He's gracing the upcoming issue of Source magazine, which is a good put on for him. I can't wait for his first album.

1. Dylan
2. Dylan
3. Dylan
4. Dylan
5. Dylan

This is a Chappelle Show tribute.

J. Cole is frightening.

On his sophomore mixtape, J. Cole exhibits a mastery of the mic that few artists manage with their best album. The potential this man represents is terrifying. On the song 'Dreams' he successfully uses story-telling rap to tell the listener a story. It is also nice to see that he deviated from the standard 3 verse format that rap has become so accustomed to.

All music is composed of 3 parts. Beat, lyrics, and delivery. The selection of beats is pretty solid on 'The Warm Up', but as it is a mixtape, it remains to be seen whether or not he can find a solid producer for his first album. Lyrics and delivery are very very good for a mixtape. On a few songs, it is agreeably lackluster, but he has definitely put himself on the radar with 'The Warm Up'.

J. Cole graduated magna cum laude. The man is smart. And I am scared. He is TERRIFYINGLY good.

The Detroit Lions

The Lions. Just the sound of it makes me cringe. It makes me think of all the miserable Sunday's I've been apart of the last 19 years of my life. Alone, in my family room, without another game on CBS, with only Velveeta's cheese dip (thanks Big Ten Network) . But deep down inside, I know I couldn't live without it. The Lions are bad, and if it wasn't for the Cleveland Browns, they would probably be the worst. But, as a normal Lions fan, I see hope. I see a top 3 caliber wide receiver in Calvin Johnson. I see a rookie quarterback, Matt Stafford, who I think will become a good QB. I see a few pieces on defense to build around like, Delmas, Peterson, and Foote. I see a coaching staff with a good mind set, and a winning attitude. I see a bright future for this team, but we just need to be patient. Zach Follet.






The Detroit Pistons


Coming into this season, many people, including myself, had low expectations for this team, and for good reason. A new coach, a whole new group of players, a new strategy. But for some reason, in watching this team, I am impressed. People thought the Pistons would have a tough time on defense, but they're 15th in the NBA. The offense hasn't been a problem, even without Rip Hamilton (who has missed 10 games with a sprained ankle, which is unheard of) and Tayshaun Prince. Ben Gordon, Charlie V, Stuckey and Bynum have been stepping up big time, also Ben Wallace has been a pleasant surprise. Look for this team to build chemistry, and become something to watch.





Michigan's Football Program (If thats what you want to call it)

I'm embarrassed to be a Michigan football fan right now. The program is filled with scandal, lies, and of yeah, bad football. Solution? FIRE RICH ROD. Yes, thats right. I'm on the ship, the fire Rich Rod ship. Two years without a bowl. A lot of people say "give him one more year", i'm not willing to do that. BRIAN KELLY TO THE RESCUE!!!!
BTW STATE SUCKS TOO SO SHUSH.

1. The College Dropout - Kanye West
2. Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z
3. Ready to Die - Notorious B.I.G.
4. The Love Movement - ATCQ
5. The Cool - Lupe Fiasco
6. Tha Carter 2 - Lil Wayne
7. Get Rich or Die Tryin - 50 Cent
8. The Chronic 2001 - Dr. Dre
9. Encore - Eminem
10. Life After Death - Notorious B.I.G.

Honorable Mentions:
Graduation - Kanye West
The Blueprint - Jay-Z
Port of Miami - Rick Ross
Food and Liquor - Lupe Fiasco
The Documentary - The Game

This is so sick.

I can't get over Busta in this video. Cracks me up. Tribe always come hard.

CHECK OUT J. COLE'S MIXTAPE "THE WARM UP"

I haven't blogged in a while, so here's some things on my mind lately.

The Best Rapper

During an argument at school, someone told me, "How can Biggie be the best rapper if he only has two albums?" That my friend is FALSE. The term best rapper means best RAPPER. People seem to think it means, most success, or most popularity, but for the most part, it means lyrics. Notorious B.I.G. without a doubt wasn't as mainstream, or as popular as say for example, Tupac or Nas, or even Jay-Z. But what he DID have was a lyrical method that no one can match up to even today. The fact the he only had two albums (the second one being a double-disc) doesn't mean he's not eligible for a best rapper label. The argument will continue...

Baseball, on TBS?

Ok, seriously, this isn't funny at all. Why is the MLB Playoffs on a network with the slogan "Very Funny". TBS sports should have never been developed. The only thing "very funny" about it, is the clear lack of commentary skills. I cant hear it anymore. I just mute the TV. TBS could have at least hired some good commentators, make it look legit. But when you throw some people who clearly know nothing about the game out there to call it, its going to be ugly, and it is.

For the record: Dodgers vs Yankees, Dodgers in 6 (World Series)


Throw Back Track (2001) Jay-Z- Song Cry

MUSIC

The Blueprint 3-- Jay-Z

The Blueprint 3 leaked last week, and it was released in stores today (COP THAT). I must say, I was kind of disappointed with the first couple tracks that leaked. But once the whole album came out, I realized how good this CD really was. People always say "we want the old Jay back!" Well, you ain't getting it. He said it himself, that's not his life anymore, he's grown up. Thats why its real hip hop. I give this album 4.5/5.

Man on the Moon: End of Day-- Kid Cudi

I've been waiting for this album since October 2008, when I discovered A Kid Named Cudi. MOTM is a reveloutionary album, with innovative ideas, thoughts, and beats. Kid Cudi is not hip hop, he is a unnamed genre. Someone asked me, what album is better between HOV's and Cudi's. I said that its impossible to compare the two, they're two totally different types of music. I give this album 4.5/5. This is Cudi's first album, could be a classic in my eyes.






SPORTS

Lions Name Matt Stafford Starting QB


When I heard the Lions were starting their number one pick at QB, I was in disbelief. How could they do this? Daunte Culpepper was the OBVIOUS pick here. Experience, knowledge of the system, he's in shape. Stafford would have gotten a chance, if not this season. I just think they needed to preserve him, let him learn. Its worked many more times than not. (ex: Tom Brady, Carson Palmer, Aaron Rogers, Ben Rothlisburger, Steve Young) I guess we'll have to trust this coaching staff, but I don't see any good coming out of this.




Tigers Look Poised to Take Division


About a month ago, I wrote that the Tigers wouldn't make the playoffs. That was before we acquired Washburn, Huff and apparently a brand new, healthy Carlos Guillen. With great starting pitching, and a lineup that seems to be waking up, the Tigers are running away with the AL Central. Now, don't get it twisted, this is the weakest division in MLB. But lets not take away from what this team has done, for fans and for the city. You can't complain about baseball in October.