Ken Haddad's Blog

So, if you haven't heard, the Big Ten added a twelfth team, taking effect next year. That team being Nebraska, thus causing the Big Ten to split into two separate divisions.

First of all, I could think of at least three teams who would have been a better fit for the Big Ten (Notre Dame, UConn, Missouri), but I guess I'll have to get used to another loss on the schedule. Nebraska is no joke, ranked a top ten team in the pre-season, and a pretty solid pick to win the Big 12 this year, as well as make a run at the national championship. Michigan and Michigan State are going to have to step it up if they want to keep competing, or at least trying (Michigan) to compete.

As for this year, it's really a two team race in the big ten. Ohio State vs Iowa. I don't see any other team except MAYBE Wisconsin, if they can stay healthy, making a run. Teams like Penn State and Michigan State will provide good match ups for them also.



Michigan of course, coming off two disappointing seasons, must win some games this year.
Rich Rodriguez is on the proverbial hot seat this year, and it's already not off to a very good start. With players transferring, and injuries in camp. Troy Wilfolk, possibly the best corner Michigan has, is out for the year, which add's to an already beat up, and lets face it, horrible secondary. The overall defense is not good, which doesn't boad well for the offense. I'll give them no more than 7 wins, but that's if the offense can put up points, because thats the only way they win. Of course, depending on who the QB is, Tate Forcier, or Denard Robinson, they will have to be efficient with the ball, and RUN the ball well to win. I do like the new UM AD. I trust he'll make the right decision.


Michigan State is plagued by some of the same issues. But one major issue State doesn't have that Michigan does, is that of QB.
Kirk Cousins is one of the best QB's in the Big Ten this year, but if his defense can't stop teams, he might have a rough year. Jake Porter told me that Nick Hill is going to be a star, I don't know about that, but I'll take his word for it. As long as State doesn't go around beating kids up this year, I can see them winning up to 9 games. Go Green! Go... sigh.

Another issue I have, is the thought of moving the UM vs OSU game. I don't think thats an option. It would in some ways kill the rivalry. It's tradition, it's the biggest rivalry in college football. If they change it, it won't be the same.

Hopefully everything works out. For the sake of college football. Good day. Go Blue.

So, it's that time again. Time to make Sunday's an important day yet again, (and Monday's and occasional Thursday's and Saturday's). Yes, football season is here, and it's time, to make some predictions.

AFC WEST - San Diego
AFC EAST - New York Jets
AFC NORTH - Baltimore
AFC SOUTH - Indianapolis
WILD CARDS - Cincinnati, New England

NFC NORTH - Green Bay
NFC EAST - Dallas
NFC SOUTH - New Orleans
NFC WEST - San Fransisco
WILD CARDS - Washington, Minnesota

SUPER BOWL

DALLAS VS BALTIMORE



Winner- Baltimore.


Lions - 7-9 :D

Yeah, I signed the petition.

Dear Atlantic Records,

The fans have been below have been waiting for the release for Lupe Fiasco's album "Lasers" for over a good year now. Since when it was originally announced finished last summer, there has still yet to be a release date announced. It has even been stated by Lupe Fiasco the artist himself, that the album si in fact completed. Enough is enough, we demand that you stop playing around and give us the album that we have been highly anticipating since the release of The Cool.

Sincerely,


Ken.

This is a short film my team made for the 48-Hour Film Project.

Video -
Written & Directed: Kenny Haddad
Camera Operator/D.P.: Rachid Fakhoury
Grip & Gaffer: Ryan Burbank
Editing: Tony Tale
Other Crew: Karl Williams, Stephen Day, Ryan Brady, Jeremy Williams. (Champion Media)

Just felt like writing some stuff down.


Kid Cudi
Erase Me is kinda weird. I mean, I thought he was getting back to mixtape fundamentals. And the Kanye verse is decent, but not vintage Kanye. I hope the album is better than this.


G.O.O.D. Music
The concept of releasing three major albums (Kanye West, Kid Cudi and Big Sean) all on the same day, is genius. I'm getting all of them.

NBA
I hate you.

NFL
I still love you.

Thank Me Later vs Recovery
WINNER: Thank Me Later

The Roots vs Thank Me Later and Recovery
WINNER: The Roots

STAY TUNED! NEW MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTED BY ME, COMING SOON.


Freedom,
Calls,
For love.

This is dopeness. Eminem is the man.

Produced/Edited by Ken Haddad
Camera by Joel McNamara

First off, let me say, I am not a huge fan of Nas. I don't think he's as good as people play him out to be. He's put out a plethora of music that has been average at best. That being said, I wouldn't have downloaded "Distant Relatives", the new Nas & Damien Marley album, if Damien Marley wasn't on it. So, for the first time on the Ken Haddad blog, I am reviewing an album with Nas on the cover.


"Distant Relatives" is a 13-track album featuring Nas and Damien Marley. I must say, I love the mix. The combination of reggae and hip hop has always been a great relationship, but this was done to perfection. And also, the album has a message, which is always good in my book. I recently read that Nas said that Damien Marley "Saved Him". Whatever that means. I refuse to give Nas too much credit for me liking this. I am a reggae fan, always have been. Nas is simply a compliment to Damien on this album. And in my book, Nas is a good compliment.

On another note...

The new Reflection Eternal album, RPM, is another classic from the Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek duo. They never seem to disappoint. They are real hip hop, get familiar.

P.S.
You can like rap again.

Why should you listen to Chiddy Bang? Well, not for the name. Chiddy Bang is ridiculous. Infact, they sat rotting on my C drive for a good week because I couldn't convince myself to listen to someone called Chiddy Bang.

But looking through the tape, one track stood out like a sore thumb. Slow Down ft. Black Thought. Yup. Black Thought, of The Roots. So, I winced, and listened to Chiddy Bang.

Not bad. Infact, the new group is pretty good. And not dumb either. In the ongoing skit, they refer to a manager of 'Major Label Inc.' who goes by the name of 'Mike Hoffman' (my coffin). I laughed when I got that. Nothing like industry commentary from brand new artists.

The intelligence actually seeps into their songs as well:

"They ask, 'how you make the world feel it?
I say it's DNA; it's just in my double-helix"

Dope. They're rhyming about chemistry. Definitely innovative.

It's very hard to describe what they sound like. There is a very light, pop feel, combined with prominent hip-hop lyricism. So, if you don't trust me, trust Black Thought. Download Chiddy Bang's The Swelly Express today.

Reflection Eternal & J-Cole "Just Begun" from THADOUBLEO.COM on Vimeo.