ILL Picks: WK 2 Edition

Gambling is bad.

With that disclaimer out of the way, I can say I did quite well last week.

11-5 straight up aint bad (Damn You Bengals for ruining my 12-4 week)

And

9-7 versus the spread will keep my legs from getting broke.

Can my success continue? Let us find see………

PITTSBURGH VS CHICAGO (VEGAS: STEELERS BY 3)
There is no other word to describe this game more fitting than intriguing. Jay Cutler’s life is rapidly deteriorating before him, and Bears fans might concoct makeshift gallows if his interception count reaches 2 before halftime. Under normal circumstances I would say Cutler would need personal sheriff protection like a southern college football coach leaving the field, today after facing the Steelers, but Troy “Head and Shoulders above all others” Polamalu’s injury is a huge detrimental factor as far as Pittsburgh’s pass Defense is concerned and gives hope to Jay being productive. Productive is nice, but its not 2 time Super Bowl champion great, and that’s what the Steelers have on their side.
MY PICK: STEELERS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: PITTSBURGH MINUS THE 3

HOUSTON VS TENNESSEE (VEGAS TITANS BY 7)
I wonder if the good people of Houston still hold any animosity towards the Titians. I know Browns fans still hate the Ravens, but unlike Clevland, Texans fans actually have pseudo reasons to think that they actually should be could so it would seem that they would more pressing concerns to attend to then to be angry at the Titians. One of those concerns should be a secondary that made Mark Sanchez look like a Pro Bowler. The Titans are coming off a season opening overtime loss to the Steelers, and we all know there is no shame in losing to the Steelers.  Tennessee wins .
MY PICK:  TITIANS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: TITIANS MINUS THE 7

NEW ORLEANS VS PHILLY (VEGAS: SAINTS BY 2)
Okay its official Drew Brees is on some Dan Fouts, Dan Marino, taking the good and bad that comes along with such a role, and Philly is recent Tampa Bay ish and stocking up quarterbacks like can foods in the 50’s.  Blame David Klinger, for my lack of faith in qb’s  who played D-1 ball (screw this new FBS ish) at Houston, giving my dearth of belief in former cougars, I can see Kevin Kolb, who shares a uncanny resemblance to Kenny Powers having a rough day
MY PICK:SAINTS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: SAINTS MINUS THE 2

NEW ENGLAND VS NY JETS (VEGAS: PATS BY 3½ )
This is definitely one of this weeks premier games. The Medowlands will be rocking today as the hated Patriots come to town amped up on bulletin board material. Here I’m torn between thinking that the Jets aren’t nearly as good as they looked last week, and the significant home field advantage the J-E-T-S will have today. Well the deciding factor is Tom Brady, who we have all witnessed come out looking spectacular at the end of situations much more difficult than this.
MY PICK: PATS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: JETS PLUS 3 ½

CINCINNATI VS GREEN BAY (VEGAS: PACKERS BY 9)
You know, I really like “Hard Knocks” and find it to  be another testament to the excellent programming HBO produces. Yet, this season I didn’t watch one solitary episode. Why not? The Bengals were on it. The Bengals suck, and probably will continue to do so until Israel loves Iran. Maybe it’s the football Gods punishing the city for its horrible racial relations, nahh that can’t be it, just look at New England. Well the Bungles are going to the slaughterhouse today.
DAME PICK: PACKERS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: PACKERS MINUS THE 9

OAKLAND VS KANSAS CITY (VEGAS: CHIEFS BY 3)
Is it wrong to think the Raiders actually have enough talent on their team to be good?  I know its right to feel the Chiefs suck.
DAME PICK: RAIDERS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: RAIDERS PLUS 3

ARIZONA VS JACKSONVILLE (VEGAS: JAGUARS BY 3)
Super Bowl hangover thy name is Arizona Cardinals
DAME PICK : JAGS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: JAGS MINUS THE 3

MINNESOTA VS DETROIT (VEGAS: VIKINGS BY 10)
I can’t say anything positive about Detroit. I mean it, I’m fu***g spent over here. Favre loves him some Detroit to. Smh this is gonna be ugly.
DAME PICK: VIKES / DAME AGAINST THE BOOKIES: LIONS PLUS THE 10

CAROLINA VS ATLANTA (VEGAS: FALCONS BY 6)

The wasting away of Jake Delhomme has been a truly painful thing to witness. I want to believe it has to come to a end, but I have no evidence to substantiate such a view.

DAME PICK: FALCONS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: PANTHERS PLUS THE 6

ST.LOUIS VS WASHINGTON (VEGAS: SKINS BY 10)
I actually watched the whole Redskins game last week, and strangely found myself rooting for them. What a waste. There is no way they can lose to the Rams at home tho. Right?
DAME PICK: SKINS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: SKINS MINUS THE 10

TAMPA BAY VS BUFFALO (VEGAS: BILLS BY 4 ½)
The T.O show will be on today.
DAME PICK: BILLS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: BILLS MINUS THE 4 ½

SEATTLE VS SAN FRAN (VEGAS: 49ERS BY 1)
This is actually going to be a good game. I’m still rooting for Singletary  and Shaun Hill.
DAME PICK: SEAHAWKS  / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: SEAHAWKS PLUS THE 1

BALTIMORE VS SAN DIEGO (VEGAS: SUPER CHARGERS BY 3)
The Chargers are a big step up from the Chiefs, yet it seems that the Chargers D is disgustingly bad also.
I’m going with the Ravens.
DAME PICK: RAVENS / DAME VS THE BOOKIES: RAVENS PLUS 3

CLEVELAND VS DENVER (VEGAS: BRONCOS BY 3)
When you place the Broncos against any team from the state of Ohio, your guaranteed to see some major suckage go down. Denver shoulda lost last week, and a dramatic victory can’t cover up the wreckage this team is. It will be rough for the Browns but they will get the win.
DAME PICK: BROWNS / DAME AGAINST THE BOOKIES: BROWNS PLUS THE 3

NY GIANTS VS DALLAS (VEGAS: COWBOYS BY 3)
I would not put money on this game, New York was unimpressive last week, and Dallas is bi polar.
DAME PICK: GIANTS / DAME AGAINST THE BOOKIES: GIANTS PLUS THE 3

INDIANPOLIS VS MIAMI (VEGAS: COLTS BY 3)
What a horrible Monday night game.
DAME PICK: DOLPHINS / DAME AGAINST THE BOOKIES: DOLPHINS PLUS THE 3

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/odds

Gamble at your own risk………..

Random NFL Illnesss WK 1 Edition

As the great (overrated?) poet Tupac Shakur once said “Revenge is the sweetest joy next to the first Sunday of the NFL season”. Wait what? Never mind then, lets just get into the joyous festivities…

Maybe Adrian Peterson isn’t Human. There is no way you should be able stiff arm a man who is to the right of you, well into the side line on your left side which is a good distance away from you both. Film Study is going to suck for this week for Eric Wright.

What kind of genius juice is Pete Carmichael, Jr drinking? Who the hell is Pete Carmichael Jr you ask? He’s a nobody really, who just happens to be the offensive coordinator for New Orleans. I know the Saints played the Lions this week, but having your QB throw 6 td’s in the season opener to a cadre or wr’s with negative q ratings is more than impressive. Carmichael replaced former offensive coordinator Doug Marrone whose choreographed x’ and o’s helped guide quarterback Drew Brees to put up Dan Mario like numbers last year. Amazingly Marrone was only able to parlay his impressive work into a job with perennial football power house Syracuse. Here’s saying that the name Carmichael will be bludgeoned into your head by the Mort’s of the world as a “name in consideration” if he keeps up the good work, for an NFL job not a horrible not Big East one.

Reason # 5093802 Why Fantasy football is evil.

Much like the “field” reporting by the NFL network suggested, Steelers fans can be first seen waving terrible towels during ultra sounds. Being one born a raised Pittsburgh _______ (sorry I’m no yinzer). I like you most likely are, am a beyond proud member of the Steeler Nation. I’m also a addicted fantasy football player/shi* talker. During my draft I tried entwine my Black n Gold love as much as I logically could within my fantasies. Such intentions caused me to draft the Steelers D and Troy Polamalu on one of my teams. After realizing I drafted two defensive players on my team, and the other guy would probably would gain more points for me I cut Troy right before game time for the ever dangerous Darren McFadden. Well I don’t haft to tell you how Troy looked like the perfect footballing specimen in the first quarter in the season opener, but while as a Steeler fan I was losing my mind due to a case of defense induced euphoria, as a fantasy owner who just cut Troy tho I felt like the idiot scum of the earth. Fast forward the game and the unstoppable Troy gets hurt and will be out for a substantial bit of time. The 99.9 percent of my being that is a Steeler fan, is extremely dismayed. The .1% me that is a fantasy owner yells “yes I am a fantasy genius good move by me!!!”

The early reports are in, and its looking like, I might haft to empty out one of my pockets to put my (football) hate for Matt Ryan in. I came into this year thinking that young Mr. Ryan was mostly a media creation, but his first week showing is making me feel like a spiteful old football fan that has to acknowledge that he is mad that the Michael Vick experience ride is no longer featured in Atlanta.

McNabb is so fragile. So so fragile…..

Week 1 might have been painful for Mr. Glass, but the true pain and mental torture will begin for him in week 3.

Jake Delhomme reminds me of one of those catchers who suddenly can’t throw the ball back to the mound.

As much as I want to say Mark Sanchez needs more people, he looked damn good today. The Bills suck, the Patriots aren’t anything like they used to be, and Miami looks to be very average. If the stars align properly in the AFC East sky, Mr. Sanchez could well be on his way to making the top 10 people you would like to switch lives with.

I don’t follow nor adhere to Roger Goodell’s dictatorial, profit driven, sinister logic. Given my liberated thought on matters of pro football I espouse this truth from the highest mountain top:

“If you choose to cut down the number of preseason games it is not mandated by the football Gods that you must add games to the Regular season. “

The Denver /Cincinnati game proved two things to me.

The Bengals still and probably with forever suck. 2. At least one of the Broncos 4 wins this year was the result of utter bullshit. One day in the near future Marvin Lewis will turn on MSNBC hear a story about the new unemployment rates, and feel that he has a strong connection to the report.

I swear the God if I was a Redskins fan, I don’t know if I would even like football anymore.

Baltimore scored 38 points because the Chiefs suck, The Ravens gave up 24 points to K.C because things aren’t what they used to be as far as Baltimore’s D is concerned. Brody Croyle should never look good that good attempting anything.

I can’t wait to read the Chicago news papers today. Way to go Jay, keep up the good work in week 2 please.

ILL Picks Wk 1 Edition

You know what it is Football Season is BACK. So lets get into it shall we?

TITIANS VS STEEELRS (VEGAS STEELERS BY 6.0)
You know somewhere along the way to winning a record setting 6th Super Bowl and then winning a Stanley Cup no less, this Pittsburgh fan somehow forgot to be/ remain angry at Tennessee.  Normally any desecration of the Terrible Towel is enough to wish the tree man sickness upon you for your remaining days. Ala T.J Houshmanzada who I wish nothing but the worst in all endeavors. Returning to present matters, the Steelers get (earned) the privilege to kick off the NFL season, and return to the field (gasp) even better then when last seen in championship splendor. Tennessee comes to town with a great defense sans a great defensive tackle offseason  loss.  Chris Johnson may run wild this game, but Kerry (Damien hates Penn State and The Only thing Bill Romanoski ever did that he liked was break his jaw) Collins will have a very very rough night under the Thursday night lights.  Steelers roll
MY PICK: STEELERS / VEGAS PICK: STEELERS -6

DOLPHINS VS FALCONS (VEGAS FALCONS BY 4.0)
Okay let me state now that I think the Matt Ryan love fest is going to encounter America’s famous 50% divorce rate this year. Yeah I know they added a aged yet still productive Tight End and have Pro Bowl running back San Diego would gladly trade for, but after going a full season stating that young Mr. Ryan was overrated, my orations finally came to fruition when the Cardinals DESTROYED  the Falcons in the first round of the playoffs. Expect more of the same this season. But home field advantage and opening hype juice gets them over the Dolphins….this week.
MY PICK FALCONS/  VEGAS PICK FALCONS -4

BRONCOS VS BENGALS (VEGAS BENGALS BY 4.0)
The Battle of the Worst occurs early this year. Poor Denver. Remember the days when the Broncos could just grab any running back off the street and have him run for a stack, and had a respected tenured coach? Now what do they have, a coach that looks younger then me, a disgruntled WR not utilizing the proper technique in practice, and a qb’ whose best accomplishment is being better (some days)  then Rex Grossman. Damn homie what the F**k happened to you?
Now don’t get me wrong, the Bengals suck to, and personally I’m tired of hearing how good Carson Palmer is, when he hasn’t really been good since January 06 but that’s another rant for another day. Bungles win.
MY PICK BENGALS/ VEGAS PICK BENGLAS – 4.0

VIKINGS VS BROWNS (VEGAS  VIKINGS BY 4.0)
Damn just when I got used to saying “New York Bretts”. …
As I’m sure you know O.G gunslinger, playoff game imploder and impending A&E “Intervention” show subject matter. Brett Favre has become a Minnesota Viking. (Yawn) Now I’ll be the first to say I believe the Vikes are going to be a problem this year, but whats the point of even caring when you know on some random day in January  America’s favorite (indecisive) quarterback  will throw 3 interceptions causing teammate Jarred Allen to contemplate extreme violence against him.
MY PICK VIKINGS/ VEGAS PICK VIKINGS -4.0

JAGUARS VS COLTS (VEGAS COLTS BY 7.0)
Okay after being forced to watch 18 million commercials involving #18 ( somehow I just thought about copping a chicken, Damn You O.J the Juice Man.. DAMN YOU!!!!!) I recently finally say a Peyton commercial I liked. The new oreo one with Donald Trump. Something about those exploding terrorist fist jabs is just hilarious. When it comes to matters on the field  this is a game between two teams I predict really won’t be factors this season.  The Jag e warrrs suck tho so I’m going with the Colts
MY PICK COLTS / VEGAS PICK COLTS -7.0

LIONS VS SAINTS (VEGAS SAINTS BY 13.0)
Okay everybody who really knows Dame knows that the Lions are my B team. Such rooting inclinations may just have made me be the only fan to ever have his Main squad win the Super Bowl while is his B team went winless. Let’s not talk about the painful 2008 for the Lions . Instead let us just rejoice that the scourge of Matt Million will not be around at all this year. As far as this game, Saints win, but don’t cover
MY PICK SAINTS (VEGAS PICK LIONS +13.0)

COWBOYS VS BUCCANEERS (VEGAS PICK COWBOYS BY 6)
Has there been a more overrated QB this decade then Tony Romo? I went to high school with a cat who was a huge Dallas fan. Cool guy, but like most Cowboys fans, when it came to matters concerning his team, he was a obnoxious fuck. I wish I still was in contact with him now cuz I would enjoy torturing him this whole season which is going to suck for “Americas Team”. T.O scapegoating will not get you victories. Btw, the Bucs are one of my surprise teams for this year. More on that next week .
MY PICK BUCCANEERS/ VEGAS PICK BUCCANEERS +6.0

EAGLES VS PANTHERS (VEGAS PANTHERS BY 1)
The Eagles will be good this year, really good, who said the football Gods don’t like scumbags?
MY PICK EAGLES/ VEGAS PICK EAGLES +1.0

CHIEFS VS RAVENS (VEGAS RAVENS BY 13.0)
You know, I kinda feel bad for the K.C fan base these days.  Yes, I’ve long gotten over Joe Montana ripping my heart out of my chest many years ago, and feel like they are a devoted lot who deserve much better than they have at the moment. Well where the chips  proverbially fall has nothing to do with how the  f***  I think tho, and the Ravens are going to kill the Chiefs this week.
MY PICK RAVENS/ VEGAS PICK RAVENS -13.0

JETS VS TEXANS (VEGAS HOUSTON BY 4.5)
Hollywood Matt goes to Texas, and the Texans go Yee Haw on that ass.
Side note: USC is getting close to being a better version of Florida when it comes to pro Qb’s to me
MY PICK TEXANS/ VEGAS PICK HOUSTON -4.5

REDSKINS VS GIANTS ( GIANTS BY 6.5)
Redskins fans are a good example of our country as a whole, they continue to support bullshit no matter how egregious it is, empowering those in charge. Going into my 4^th football season living in the D.C metro area, I can honestly state I never been privy to witness a more bland franchise up close and personal. Giants win Giiiiiaaannntsssssss win.
MY PICK GIANTS/ VEGAS PICK GIANTS -6.5

49ERS VS CARDINALS (CARDINALS BY 6.5)
I’ve like the Cards from a far for a while now, but damn near causing me a heart attack this February has deaded all that sh*t. I fucks with the Christian Soldier but I’m really rooting for Mike “crazy eyes” Singletary. Lots of Gore this game, and not the Vice Presidential or Rob Zombie type
MY PICK 49ERS/ VEGAS PICK 49ERS +6.5

RAMS VS SEAHAWKS (SEAHAWKS BY 8.5)
Fu*k the Seahawks. Seahawks win. Fu*k the Seahawks
MY PICK SEAHAWKS/  VEGAS PICK SEAHAWKS – 8.5

BEARS VS PACKERS (VEGAS PACKERS BY 3.5)
Now this is a intriguing QB match up. While I ponder Jay Cutler’s T.O like off season actions as I formulate my opinion of him, I can’t deny he can sling the rock and makes the Bears somewhat believable this year. That being said I’m rooting for Aaron Rogers in all things that don’t adversely effect the Steelers this year. To bad I think he’s gonna lose his home opener.
MY PICK BEARS / VEGAS PICK BEARS +3.5

BILLS VS PATRIOTS (VEGAS PATRIOTS BY 10.5)
News flash. The Pats are not going to be Pat like this year. 10-6 would not surprise me at all. Yeah they are gonna win this boardroom devised television spectacle but cover? Nahhh
MY PICK PATRIOTS / BILLS +10.5

CHARGERS VS RAIDERS (VEGAS CHARGERS BY 9.0)
If there is one QB that I get angry about when he doesn’t get the credit he deserves (sans Ben) its Phillip Rivers.  Think he’s an a**h*** ? Fine, but dude is a beast. The Raiders? Smh The Raiders. I’m still mad at the stupidity of the Seymour to really talk about them
MY PICK CHARGERS / VEGAS PICK RAIDERS +9.0

Have fun watching the games, and gamble at your own risk…….

“Dame n Los Show” special Best Rapper Ever Edition.

I’ve been doing the aptly named “Dame n Los” show with my friend Los for a good 7 months now having lots of fun along the way. What originally started out as two sports junkies commenting on the pressing sports matters of the day, eventuality morphed into us talking about well, “everything”.

One of the topics that happen to fall under everything is Hip Hop.  Given both hosts love for said music genre/way of life,  it was inevitable that matters revolving around the world of rap would come up.  Over time one of those matters has been Vibe magazines Best Rapper Ever Brackets, which have created much controversy and discord over the past two months or so.

Even though they are flawed in some ways (what human creation isn’t) Vibes brackets create starting point for ultimately deciding the eternal question of “Who is the Best MC of all time?” (Insert Ali or God Like Voice). Los and I had already went  through the first 3 of the 4 NCAA style brackets,  various issues have slowed down the taping of the bracket 4^th bracket show, until now.

I can honestly say I found this show to be one of if not my favorite. Lots of insightful/ hilarious discussion ensues as Los and ya boy along with a couple special guest debate the merits of various mcs. This show isn’t just relegated to “Bigge, Jay-Z or Nas” talk. We also discuss pressing matters in the news such as the Dr. Gates and Ben Roethlisberger controversies, while also lighten the mood with Nas and Richard Jefferson Talk.

Trust me you Gonna Like it

Word to Lou Pappen

Dame n Los show Stream

Dame n Los Show Download

Instant Reflection

Every so often, we are abruptly reminded, that life is a fleeting experience.

While at work yesterday I took my daily passing glance at one of the many high definition televisions that decorate the workplace.  Usually the monitor is adorned with bombastic talking heads of a particular political bent, so I tend to look for other stimulus to engage my senses on after the initial glimpse of the screen.

Yesterday was different.

The Breaking news signature at the bottom to the screen was typical in nature but the imagery that accompanied it was far more disturbing than normal.

From what I could glean there seemed to be a train accident with one of the cars settled completely on top of another. It took a few seconds to register that they were local D.C “Metro” trains and millisecond to personally notify my being that I used to ride the particular line involved on a daily basis.

After making the requisite phone calls and e-mail ensuring everyone personally known was okay and ensuring others of my safety, I began to embark on a full night of watching disaster coverage which lead  to conflicting feelings.  While their craft is indispensable, I was disturbed by the reports seemingly feigned compassion for the victims of the crash, and incessant focus on death toll numbers. No matter ones profession, eventually everyone becomes desensitized by their work , the expression of that truism seemed more callous then ordinary yesterday though.

I had to question myself while in the midst of angry criticism however.   Why such concern on my part personally? Had I not been the same person who conjured up thoughts internally about tv shows and movies during a recent horrific tragedy?

We all must compartmentalize, and callous as it sounds, disregard death in order to function.  In the few instances we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed with empathy, sadness and anger, our understandable feelings sadly usually an adverse effect on ourselves as well as those around us.

So what is there to do? Personally I’ve decided to take the opportunity to invest one of the many time tested adages in concerning life.

Tomorrow is not promised

DA ILLNESS Presents “DA ILLNESS KNOWS THE GHOST IS REAL”

Approximately a year ago a old friend lamented to me about their lack of music, and asked me what I happened to be listening to at the time and if I could send him some cds. After chastising him for even mentioning mailing as in “USPO” cd’s. I told him that I was on a heavy Joe Budden and Gucci Mane rotation and I’d lace him up with some ish he could download. That conversation would spawn “Da ILLNESS”

“Da ILLNESS” is basically a series of greatest hits collections crafted by yours truly. I’m not, nor have I ever attempted to be a dj, so these works are more amalgamations of the best tracks by some the illest artist than anything else. In other words…

My Ear  + My Hard Drive =  Excellence

The First ever ILLNESS created was

DA ILLESS IN THAT MOOD

In that mood isn’t  as many who received it at first thought a best of Joe Budden, instead it is a best of Joe Buddens amazing Mood Muzik Trilogy.  “In That Mood” turned out to be the perfect collection of music to.

A.Introduce those who never heard of Joe Budden to his music.

Or

B. Alter the hardened view many have that Joe Budden is wack as fuck. (p video)This is  Da first ILLNESS created and prolly still my favorite.

DA ILLNESS GUCCI MANE

I really can’t remember, but I would guess that I hadn’t decided that every ILLNESS had to have a catchy name when I made the one for Gucci Gucci. While Radrick Davis is known to create songs at a pace that can compete of 2 Pac and Lil Wayne, and has crafted many more bangers after this was created, anyone who wants to hear the many Gucci bangers from 2005-(early)2008  this you NEED  this in your life.  I find it amazing that that this collection includes 211mb and I had to leave music off of it.

DA ILLNESS PREDICTS DOOM

I basicly took a year off from making illnesses. Its not that I didn’t have Ideas  (show picture)  I messed around with the idea of creating one with a Jedi Mind Tricks Theme, a  “OJ Ain’t Locked UP”  assortment before Mr. Simpson was convicted and the Bolder Crest shortey made the whole world say “Aye” even a 3/6 version…which I quickly deaded upon better thinking.

It took my boy Dunn to bring the ILLNESS out of retirement when he asked me if I ever heard or listed to MF Doom….   Had I!!??!!  Mr. “overthrow it like throwing rover a biscuit” happens to be one of my current favorite mc’s so I was more then glad to create

DA ILLNESS PREDICTS DOOM

If there is a banging MF Doom Song its on this compilation. The only tracks missing are those from his latest Album “Born Like This” which I think you should definitely buy.

Now I bring to you

DA ILLNESS KNOW S THE GHOST IS REAL

Some mc’s no matter how high their talent level or connections to some the worlds my noticeable starts, remain relatively unknown to the masses.  Despite being associated with Puff during apex of Bad Boys popularity,  lacing certified hits by likes of Akon amongst others, and beefing with industry 50 Cent and Jay-Z and various times, Styles P has never really truly appreciated by those outside the underground realm.

Even those who have a ear for subterranean sounds and might even be D-Block fans tend to Jadakiss acolytes and diminish or worse yet dismiss Styles talents. This collection is for all of these types of people.

The “Ghost” as he adamantly  declares  himself  to be, is most certainly one of the hardest out. The adage of “Its not what you say but how you say it” greatly applies to Styles body of work.  Few other can express such strong conviction instilling believability within the listener while traveling  along a rugged landscape. Few artist can dully display such a penchant lyrical aggression and  poignant reflections of modern life.

You should definitely get familiar with the Ghost.

Once again  all of  DA ILLNESS’s  are available for download.

DA ILLESS IN THAT MOOD

DA ILLNESS GUCCI MANE

DA ILLNESS PREDICTS DOOM

DA ILLNESS KNOW S THE GHOST IS REAL

If you have any questions or issues with downloading the files just leave me a message in the comments, twitter, facebook etc…

Enjoy the music  fam..

Dame n Los vs The Best Rapper Ever Bracket Parts II & III

This is turning out to be a lot of fun.

A decent amount of you decided to utilize a hour of your valuable time to listen to  Los and I (f**k proper grammar Dame n Los) debate, argue, dispute and humorously agree who should progress in the “The Best Rapper Ever” bracket, and for that trust we are truly thankful.

Now one thing about me is that I’m my worst critic in almost all of my endeavors, I can do something 99% of the people who are exposed to it like or love, and I’ll  dislike or maybe even hate it.

The curse of my powers is that I used them against myself……

That being said, I thought the first show was ok….not bad not great basically cool, good maybe….

These two we just did tho…..

As Katt Williams would say….

“This shit  right here ni**a!…. This shit right here!!!” 

Trust Bracket 2 is a banger of a show… 

Dame n Los vs The Best Rapper Ever Bracket Part II (double click to play/right click and save target as to download)

or

click this link to stream

 

And Bracket 3 is even better…

Dame n Los vs The Best Rapper Ever Bracket Part III (double click to play/right click and save target as to download)

or click here to stream

 If you know me personally, you definitely know I’m a humble dude, so this comes for the Damien seal of honesty.

 Have a listen and enjoy…

 And 

Don’t be afraid to leave a comment Your thoughts are welcome fam

 Enjoy the long weekend..

 Peace..

New York Negros and Carolina Crackers…

While I’m an avid despiser of the all too popular Black trinity strain of thought towards business creation (clothing company,  high end liquor, and record label) there was a fairly recent time where I seriously pondered creating  a  t-shirt company of my own.  It seemed simple enough, emblazon various fabric articles with some thought provoking lines and imagery, then behold self perceived majesty of my product in our eternally sinister highly fickle capitalist market.

Sadly “ILL T’s” never got off the ground.

It’s a shame really, for the world never got a chance to cop the illness that would have been my first sports edition featuring two works.

The New York Negros 

And 

The Carolina Crackers

A prejudicially themed shock clothing line Dame? We thought better of you.

Thankfully there is no need to infuse your perceptions of me with negative connotations. The whole idea behind the New York and Carolina T’s was to bring attention to the flat out disrespectful and inherently if not overtly, racist aspects of certain sports logos…

The Washington Redskins logo in particular.

Few symbols define the oblivious disrespect shown by the masses then the Redskins “logo”.   As stoic as the Indian face seem while resting upon helmets, jackets and other merchandise, it screams of a conquered  people now being reduced to caricature.

To self righteous you say? If the Pittsburgh Steelers were the Pittsburgh Redskins I wouldn’t care at all? 

Well I must admit there once was a time where Florida St was my favorite College Team, I wished mightily that my high school would do the tomahawk chop at its football games, and  I obviously didn’t care about the possible insensitivities of sports logos…

Excellence

 

Low cut fade stayed bushy...

We live and we grow.

 Leaving the past behind to shed light on more current events, there was a intriguing ruling handed down regarding the Redskins logo recently. In 1992 a group of Native Americans brought a lawsuit against the Washington Redskins organization stating that its logo was racially offensive. Seventeen years later they are still fighting the Football behemoth, enduring a tough loss during legal proceedings last week.

What makes the U.S court of appeals ruling in favor the 3^rd most valuable sports franchise in the world so interesting is the rationale behind it. While the plaintiffs in the case main argument against the Logo’s existence is its intrinsic insensitivity, the Redskins legal team brazenly ignored the question its position tried to posit and dehumanized its legal adversary with brutal fiscal honesty. Such financial candor happened to win the case the team representing the nation’s capital.

“The court agreed that the seven Native Americans waited too long to challenge the trademark first issued in 1967. The judge did not address whether the Redskins name is offensive or racist. She wrote that her decision was not based on the larger issue of “the appropriateness of Native American imagery for team names.”.

Viability of a patent over human dignity…hmmmmm

Redskins attorney Bob Raskopf said millions have been spent on the Redskins brand and the team would have suffered great economic loss if they lost the trademark registrations. “It’s a great day for the Redskins and their fans and their owner Dan Snyder,” he said.”

It’s highly ironic that the judge deemed “the appropriateness of Native American imagery for team names.” the larger issue of this case, when the rationale for the ruling itself seems to suggest that money was determining  factor which would seemingly make it the dominant concern of those passing judgment.  The practice of deft evasion has once again shown its usefulness. Instead of belittling its opposition with claims of “oversensitivity” or boldly defending its practice with any shreds of faux principle, the Redskins  (ugghh) just flat out said “This is gonna cost us money!” giving the judges an out to mention but not discuss the non monetary impact of Washington’s football symbol.

Money over people is such a refined American tenet.

Residing in he D.C for the past 3 years has made me aware that

If I would have placed the “Stop wearing Native American Logos” on the back of my t’s and  wore them around Washington zealots would be more than happy to express their displeasure towards me their fist.

And

Few people move themselves to a mental plane that allows them gain understanding or express empathy.

The fall will soon come and nearly every chartable demographic in the area will adorn Redskin paraphernalia. Devoid of anger because its not them, lacking perspective, because it easier that way.

  Related.

Dame n Los vs The Best Rapper Alive Bracket Pt.I

 If you are a Hip Hop fan in any serious sense then you’ve more than likely had conversations and heated debates about “Who is the Best Rapper/MC” of all time. I often shy away from such subjective duels and related “Top 10 MC’s” list for the simple reason that nobody has devised a decent standardized formula of what comprises the best ever. What elements go into the equation?  How much weight does each variable hold? 

Setting aside the scientific theory talk for a moment, I must say that I was kinda surprised when my boy Los hit me up Sunday morning with very good reason not to do a Dame n Los on sports show.

“Why not do conquer the Vibe Best MC Ever List?  It’s Hip Hop related and its sorrta sports related with the NCAA tournament bracket setup.”

Upon shaking off Saturday nights Stella consumption I had to agree that Los had come up with a good idea.  Sure he left me with no time to prep or get gather audio for the show, but he did come up with a good and timely topic, given the exposure Joe Budden has given it, topic of discussion.

So here I present Dame n Los on The Best Rapper Ever list Part 1, here we tackle the first round of the 1^st of 4 brackets encountering some interesting matchups which spurred some strong opinions… 

You can right click and download it here. 

Or you can just go to this website and stream the show.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Dame-n-Los

D-Wil is At It Again……

 

I’ve been slacking a lil on my D-Wil reading lately, mainly because.

A. Basketball doesn’t intrigue me like it used to,

B. Baseball damn near doesn’t interest me at all anymore

C. They’re  the only major sports in Season right now  (I love Hockey too, you go tell ESPN its major tho)

 So I’ve stayed away from SOMM recently along with the insightful, honest, and abrasive to some (including me sometimes) writings that go on over there.

I do have their webpage bookmarked on my phone however,  and while I was waiting for the Dopest Ethiopian (literally) to bring me my food  I was reminded why I think D-Wil is one of the better writers out there, especially on matters concerning sports.

Being that yesterdays  Nuggets vs Mavs game was the opening act to what would become a glourious Penguins day for me, DWil’s article: 

Denver-Dallas: A Bennett Salvatore-Led Crew Does in the Mavs Again – and ESPN ’s “Doublethink” and “Crimestop” 

Caught my attention immediately, and proceeded to espouse truth throughout. 

And a  second recent article 

The Other Side of hCG and Manny Ramirez 

Gives a very enlightened, almost never traveled path, view on the latest Major League Slugger “busted” for using steroi…  errrr performance enhancing drugs 

 Yes, while they are sometimes rooted in irrefutable logic, his views on racial matters can be disconcerting. 

And

No I don’t like the fact he has forced me to put more thought in the influence gambling has on sports.

But with all the power vested in my subjectivity, I would say it’s a fact the man writes his ass off.

If you’re a fan of Sports, Good Writing, or both, you should go check him out.