The Greatest

So many emotions in the past week, it's hard for me to put into words.

As a child I absolutely idolized Michael. Some people say that, but for me it was a truth. I used to learn entire dance routines and perform them at school talent shows. I still vividly remember gathering up a group of totally unwilling friends and forcing them to recreate the Motown 25 special with me in 5th grade. I literally got Joe Jackson on these poor kids, forcing them to rehearse for hours on end until we had something somewhat decent put together for the Jackson 5 medley. Then once that was done, I took the spotlight for my Billie Jean solo.. Moonwalk and all. Ah those were the days.

As soon as MJ passed i dug my box of memorabilia out of the closet. I used to have TUNS of this stuff from magazines, photos, books, imported cd's, rare singles.. You name it. But one item caught my eye in particular. An unopened letter from a young me, addressed to Michael Joseph Jackson C/O Epic Records. Returned to sender of course, I had no idea where to send it... But reading it now totally broke my heart. I suddenly realized how deeply Michael's life impacted my own. How he allowed me to fall in love with music. There had to have been a period of at least 6 years where I would absolutely refuse to listen to any music other than Michael. In fact, I remember buying my first Hip-Hop CD after hearing Heavy D's verse on JAM.

The thing i think i took away from Michael most though was his attention to detail, he was an absolute perfectionist. To this day I try to emulate that in my craft, sometimes to a fault. People always ask me how do you spend weeks on one beat? To me it is never good enough, and the more i study Michael's creative process, the more I am proud of that standard for greatness I set for myself.

As far as Michael's impact in music and on the world in general. I firmly believe not only is he the most important/influential/greatest entertainer in history, I also believe that he will never be matched. I could write for hours on end as to why, but I'll save that for another time.

I have so much to say about Michael, I could seriously write a book. But right now I'd like to share something I created in the last week or so. I wanted to make a MJ mix for my girlfriend of all my favorite songs that you might not have heard 1000x times this past week. No Billie Jean, no Beat it, etc. At the same time, it's not just a bunch of rare stuff for the sake of being rare.

To me, this is a wonderful education for someone looking to truly understand Michael's genius, and for a die hard fan such as myself it's a beautiful trip down memory lane. It don't fit on a CD, I couldn't trim it down so sorry bout that.. Ipods/Data CD's only... I will post vol. 2 shortly, which is even crazier! Enjoy, from the bottom of my heart. I put a lot of time and thought into this.

-Elite

RIP The Greatest. My Hero

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Nas & Damien Marley - Distant Relatives (Preview)

I really love where music is at right now. This is the type of project that gets me EXCITED! Two brilliant musical minds coming together for an entire project. Beautiful things occur. Just ask Gnarls Barkley. I'm such a huge fan of collaborations in music, not just songs, but whole albums/projects. It is a dream of mine to produce a whole album for an artist/group. I hope to do many. Anyways, here is a preview of the upcoming album.

Sidenote - Isn't it cool to see Nas actually WRITING his lyrics? Nothing against those who don't... But I for one respect the craft of WRITING.

Spotted at PPlus Mag

NAS & DAMIAN "JR GONG" MARLEY DISTANT RELATIVES preview from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Elite's 2009 NBA Draft Preview Vol. 2

OK so the big change is Minnesota traded Foye/Miller to Washington for Pick no. 5.

This is what I got the day of the draft... Let's see how Accurate I end up being.


1. L.A. Clippers - Blake Griffin

Still the Obvious #1 choice. Nothing changed.

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet

The rumored Darko Milicic for Q-Rich deal makes me think that Memphis plans on taking the 7 foot + shot blocker. Interesting I heard Jim Behiem today called Thabeet the "best shot blocker in conference history". That means better than Ewing, Mutumbo and Zo. lol wow. I would love for the Knicks to grab that kind of defensive stopper!!!!

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - Ricky Rubio

So apparently the Thunder have hired a lawyer to expediate the Rubio contract situation in Spain. This is just too much evidence to ignore. I personally think James Harden is a much better fit for Oklahoma and wouldnt be too shocked if they grab him, but this sure does change everything.

4. Sacramento Kings - Tyreke Evans

How does Evans go from 10 to 4?? That's how much Oklahoma taking Rubio changes things. It's between Flynn and Evans here, but I'm going with my gut thinking Sac takes Evans. Even though I think Flynn is a better fit next to KMart.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Harden

James Harden dropping out of 3 opens the door for Minny to nab him here. A good all around player who definitely replaces the void left by Mike Miller

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Johnny Flynn

Ok I'm really goin out on a limb here... My gut tells them they take Stephen Curry.. But my Knick ties are pushing me aside. I think the Wolves could possibly take Flynn here, only because they lost Foye in the swap for #5. They need a true PG and Flynn is the best available.

7. Golden State Warriors - Jordan Hill

So some people think if Curry dropped to 7 Golden State would pounce, I just don't see it. They have Monta Ellis who is too identical of a player. Jordan Hill fills a HUGE need for Golden State. Size and toughness. It's a no brainer.

8. New York Knicks - Stephen Curry!

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! Ok so I may be dreaming... But I think it is highly possible NY Steals Curry at 8. If however Minnesota takes him at 6, I could see them taking Flynn here. If Flynn is taken by Golden State at 7 look for the Knicks to take Gerald Henderson from Duke. That's my guess!

9. Toronto Raptors - Demar Derozan

I still think Toronto takes Demar here, no question.

10. Milwalkee Bucks - Jrue Holiday

With Ramon Sessions likely heading elseware, I could see Milwalkee looking to take a risk and add a possible PG of the future here. Not sure though, Gerald Henderson or TWill are both possiblities. Hansboro the sleeper here.

11. New Jersey - Gerald Henderson

Same as before "I'm just going off what I read here, that New Jersey really likes him. Sleepers at the 11 pick could be Tyler Hansboro or Terrence Williams who the Nets had in to work out twice along with Henderson."

12. - Charlotte Bobcats - Terrence Williams

Same as before "I think it's between Henderson and Wiliams for Charlotte. So if New Jersey scoops up Henderson, Williams is the pick.. But if Henderson is still available at 12... Charlotte Def takes him cuz Larry Brown loves him. "

13. Indiana Pacers - Tyler Hansboro

Same as before "A lot of sites seem to think Indiana was blown away by Tyler in workouts. So I'll just make the guess he goes here. Jennings and Lawson the sleepers. But I doubt it. "

Elite's 2009 NBA Draft Preview Vol. 1

I did one of these last year, and was semi-accurate.. Ok not really lol but I'll try again. This time I might do a second mock-up the day of the draft. But here is what I got so far:

1. L.A. Clippers - Blake Griffin

Obvious choice here, the consensus #1 pick. Mike Dunleavy even admitted they would be taking Blake. Griffin is the only prospect in the draft who's low end seems to be "All-Star". I've heard Karl Malone comparisons. We'll see.

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet

This is prolly the hardest pick to guess, and honestly I think the Grizz are going to trade down, but assuming they keep it my bet is on Thabeet. Even though Hasheem canceled his workout with Memphis and is said to not want to play in Memphis (nobody does), I think The Grizz take him anyways. A Rubio/Mayo backcourt just doesn't make sense to me, two really flashy playmakers who need the ball. I don't see it. And Memphis could really use a shotblocking force inside.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden

A Westbrook/Harden backcourt sounds pretty dangerous to me. James has been said to have the most potential out of all the 2G's in the draft. And I see Oklahoma passing on Rubio mostly because of Westbrook but also because of Ricky's pesky contract situation. He's scaring a lot of teams away with that.

4. Sacramento Kings - Ricky Rubio

I think Rubio finally gets snagged up at 4. The only team to actually interview and work out Rubio has been the Kings, and they desperately need a playmaker ever since Mike Bibby left. The drive and kick Rubio would hugely benefit Kevin Martin and his deadly outside shooting. Think Jason "White Chocolate" Williams part 2.. The Euro version lol.

5. Washington Wizards - Jordan Hill

I see Washington taking Jordan Hill, because they need an upgrade from that Brendon Haywood/Eton Thomas bullshit they got goin on down low. They have plenty of scorers with Butler, Jamison and Arenas. So I think Hill is the logical choice here. A lot of talk today about The Knicks possibly trading for the No. 5 pick, and if that were to be the case I see them taking Curry.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Stephen Curry

Unfortunately I see the Wolves stealing Curry at 6. I would love for him to drop to my beloved Knicks but I think he fits Minnesota's needs too perfectly to get passed up. Al Jefferson posting and kicking to Curry? Yikes.

7. Golden State Warriors - Johnny Flyn

This is where it gets tricky, I'm not sure who Golden state would take here... It comes down to Flyn, Evans and Holiday. Evans seems to have the most talent out of the group, but the Warriors are stock piled at 2g. Holiday could be the pick, but he is a bit slow for the Warriors run and gun style. My gut tells me they go with Flyn to run the uptempo Don Nelson system, but I could be wrong... Don't be surprised if they take Holiday in favor of some defense.

8. New York Knicks - Jrue Holiday

This isnt exactly who I want NY to take, but it looks like it's who they are going to take. Evans is just too much of a Larry Hughes clone and lord knows thats the last thing NY needs right now. Jrue's strenghts are decision making and defense. Two things NY desperately needs improvements in.

9. Toronto Raptors - Demar Derozan

I Have read all over the net about how much Toronto loves this kid, Colangalo is a good GM and he knows what he's doing. I think Toronto goes with the most upside and that's probably Demar. Plus that whole Vince Carter part 2 thing he keeps talking about seems like a good fit. Hard to see Evans dropping lower than 9 but there is just too much Derozan to Toronto talk to ignore.

10. Milwalkee Bucks - Tyreke Evans

A lot like Jaryd Bayless last year, Evans will be the free faller imo. For a lot of the same reasons, nobody wants these Jamal Crawford, Larry Hughes type shooting guards anymore who stop the ball movement and don't shoot well. But Milwalkee could use a scorer, and they have said they will take the best available player. That would be Evans.

11. New Jersey - Gerald Henderson

I'm just going off what I read here, that New Jersey really likes him. Sleepers at the 11 pick could be Tyler Hansboro or Terrence Williams who the Nets had in to work out twice along with Henderson.

12. - Charlotte Bobcats - Terrence Williams

I think it's between Henderson and Wiliams for Charlotte. So if New Jersey scoops up Henderson, Williams is the pick.. But if Henderson is still available at 12... Charlotte Def takes him cuz Larry Brown loves him.

13. Indiana Pacers - Tyler Hansboro

A lot of sites seem to think Indiana was blown away by Tyler in workouts. So I'll just make the guess he goes here. Jennings and Lawson the sleepers. But I doubt it.

So lets see what happens, of course trades can totally change everything... I might do another one the day of the draft.. as you can see I love this draft shit lol.. Stay tuned.

Wale feat. J. Cole & Currency - Rather Be (Prod. 9th Wonder)

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Off the new Wale/9th Wonder mixtape.

Dope joint, Currency really came off too man, I like his verse a lot!

J. Cole - "Warm Up" Album Release Party

Shouts to Pardonmeduke for the sick photo! I'm the only one smiling as usual!

Man this shit was ill, I had a great time. Shout out to everyone who came out to support young Simba. Too many to name, but the love was crazy!

Check out this video posted by my man Dre over at Nahright.com

U hear all those requests for Heartache??????????? Yeah boy!!!! Cole showed me a tun of love even though he forgot to put the song on the show cd LOL... next time ! Great night man! Oh and def shout to DJ Green Lantern for comin thru last minute and playing a bunch of Cole's music.. The crowd was dyin for it!

J. Cole - The Warm Up (Mixtape)

Here it is!!! FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!

An absolute classic in my opinion. Judge for your self, let me know what you think!

I produced the track "Heartache" if you didn't already know :)

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!! Spread the word people!!!

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