COMMON SENSE | “SOUL BY THE POUND”

“While you’ll be draggin’ last, I’ll be kicking like Bruce Lee Roy. Sho nuff!” OK, this isn’t Common’s debut video, but it’s my favorite track off of his first album. Looking back, Common was definitely on a different aesthetic back in ‘92. Dude was like a hip hop Tarantino. Damn near every line had a pop culture reference and he had mad energy to burn didn’t he? It’s all to the good, cause this joint is dope.

XHIBIT | “PAPPRAZZI”

Hmmm… so you went from recording “Paparazzi” to spitting lines like “If I catch you touching mine, you get a flatline. Dead on the floor.” Interesting how his steelo switched up a bit once Dre came calling. I’m not hating, but it is funny watching this video, knowing how things turned out. I guess he couldn’t envision “Pimp My Ride” back in ‘96. Regardless, it’s still a dope track.

WEEZY WITH BG FEATURING CASH MONEY | “BLING BLING”

“They be like no-na-no-na-no-no-no he didn’t.” Yes, actually he did. It’s hard to believe that Weezy’s been in the game for almost a decade, but he is indeed a veteran. Of course, back then he was Lil’ Weezy and not Weezy F. Baby [please say the baby]. His current steelo is a little different, but I knew dude had something special in him. I remember telling my boy Smooth, that Weezy was gonna be a star. His reply was, “Uhhh, I don’t know about all that.” Well what you gotta say now, punk? I know what I’m talking about…when I’m talking…

FATHER MC | “I’LL DO 4U”

If you look past the rapping Chris Rock impersonator and listen closely to the hook, you will hear a familiar voice. Is that? Could it be? Yep, it’s a young Mary J. Blige doing what Mary J does. However, the end of the song is funny, because Mary doesn’t rip it like you know she wanted to. She holds back a little bit. If this song were recorded now, Mary would blow the wire mesh off the microphone.

NAS WITH MC SERCH FEAT. RED HOT LOVER TONE & CHUBB ROCK | “BACK 2 THE GRILL”

“Serial killer who works by the phone book.” Nas on a MC Serch track? It may seem funny now, but a lot of people forget that Serch executive produced “Illmatic.” After I heard this song, I couldn’t wait for Nas’ album to come out. When I heard “Halftime” I was like uhhhhhhh….nice video. But “Ain’t Hard to Tell” came out soon after, and it was all good again. Well, until that whole “Nastradamus” period, which sucked a** through a straw. But, he has rebounded nicely the last few years.

Diallo Tyson is a filmmaker, comedian and old school music junkie. When he’s not busy, he is a rapper with the group “Two Pimps and a Dream.” Step into a groovin’ time machine every week on UTC.

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Here’s the dirt. The wannabe stud & bad boy was told by management at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC to get his sh** and get to stepping.’ Allegedly…yeah you heard me. Allegedly, he was told to leave because hotel security found a stash of marijuana and a drug called “Boat,” which is kinda like ecstasy, in his room.

Now my thing is, don’t they need a search warrant to go into your room, even if it is their property? Humm… I need to check my law handbook and see what’s the deal, because if I come back to my room and find somebody sniffing through the G-strings in my suitcase, we’ve got a problem, feel me?

Anyhoo, Ray J got “busted” after he returned from partying and someone dropped a dime to hotel management. When hotel security went to his room, they found all the weed and the “Boat” drug. Now you know they kept some for themselves right? I wonder what else was missing.

Ray J acted a complete fool with the hotel, sticking his little chicken chest out, throwing the base in his voice, but eventually his own security stepped in and took him to another hotel, reportedly a Holiday Inn nearby.

CAN BOW WOW BE THE NEXT WILL SMITH?
Hollywood is buzzing with the news that Bow Wow will become a regular on HBO’s “Entourage” when the show returns for its fifth season this fall.

I still look at him and say, “He’s gonna be cute when he grows up!” I know, I know, he’s legal at the age of 21, but ladies y’all feel me right? Anyway, Bow Wow will be playing the role of Charlie, a stand-up comic who becomes the latest client of Eric, played by Kevin Connolly.

Bow Wow breaks it down by saying, “After 16 years in the music industry and six successful albums, I’ve decided to shift my energy to something else I’m passionate about, acting. I’m going to try to be the next Will Smith.” I’m still trying to figure out what happened to the TV show he was planning with Solange Knowles. That’s Hollywood for you baby…a contract today, the boot tomorrow. My check please!

Shad Moss, I mean Bow Wow, is also currently filming the New Orleans-based sports drama “Patriots” opposite Forest Whitaker and Isaiah Washington. Dang, and actors like Bokeem Woodbine still can’t get no work.

I’m not hating… milk Hollywood for all you can… let them ask me to do a scene w/ Bow Wow, I’d flash my SAG card so fast and be running to the bank w/ a smile on my grill.

MAY XZIBIT’S SON….REST IN PEACE
X to the Z… Xzibit known by his mama as Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, has posted a sad notice on his personal blog about the death of his newborn. Because he is my friend, and my heart goes out to anyone for their loss, let’s observe a moment of silence and take a moment to have a serious reality check.

Xzibit’s statement reads:

ITS 4:32 AM AND I HAVE SOME BAD NEWS……..

“As you all know, I shared with you the announcement of my newborn son Xavier Kingston Joiner on May 15th and also informed you that he was born prematurely. Well, this week was extremely difficult for him because his lungs were not strong enough to handle regular oxygen on his own. Xavier passed away this morning at 3:30am and I must tell you this, it is unnatural for a parent to bury a child.”

“I am telling you this because of the same reason I tell you when I’m having great times, life is too short to be fake. Hold on to your kids if you have them, protect them and show them you love them everyday you wake up and see them. Don’t take a second you get to hug them, teach them, and care for them for granted. You can have all the material wealth in the universe, but it is NOTHING compared to having your family.”

“I am thankful for all of my blessings, and I’m not one to question God’s perfect plan, so I leave you with great love and thanks for the love that was sent earlier on my previous blog to my son. Of course, I need to take some time and handle my loss. STAY FOCUSED PEOPLE. It’s not promised to any of us.”

See ya’ll next week, and remember, if your life flashes before your eyes, make sure its worth watching!

Big Lez has interviewed everyone from Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. to Mary J. Blige and Tom Cruise. She was host of and producer of BET’s landmark show “Rap City” and has enjoyed an extensive tenure in radio as co-host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show in Los Angeles, plus stints at New York’s WQHT/Hot 97, Atlanta’s WAOK/V103, LA’s Big Boy Morning Show at KPWR/Power 106 and Sirius Satellite Radio. Currently, Lez is partnered with DVA Media + Marketing as producer and host of the syndicated urban radio report, “The Urban Eye,” which launches nationwide this summer.

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