April 19 has been set aside as Record Store Day. Tons of independent record stores plan to celebrate the day with goodie bags, discounts, music performances, and what not. Fat Beats is even handing out 10% discounts on everything.

The official Record Store Day website has some great quotes from various artists, including hip-hoppers like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Slug, Del tha Funky Homosapien, and others on the essence of record stores. Jazzy Jeff says the indy record store is the only reason he still makes music; Slug says it’s a great place to meet awesome women. (more…)

Michael Eric Dyson speaking to the New York Times about Big Boi’s upcoming hip-hop ballet showcase:

“My gut reaction is ‘bravo,’ ” said Michael Eric Dyson, a professor at Georgetown University and the author of, most recently, “Know What I Mean?,” a critical examination of hip-hop music. He said with a chuckle, “Even if it falls on its face.”

Professor Dyson, echoing several young Atlanta artists who weighed in on the project, sees in “big” an opportunity for hip-hop to re-examine some of its more self-destructive tendencies, including violence and “the blitzkrieg of misogyny that passes for commentary on gender.” If anyone could get hip-hop to open up, he said, it would be one of the adventurous stars of OutKast.

Dyson has a strong point. But is this really a good look for hip-hop?

I completely feel Jay on this issue.

I’m sick.

Postings resume after the doctor’s visit and a slew of antibiotics.

Jay Smooth on Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” speech.

Thoughtful. Straightforward. Sensational.

[Props to Enigmatik for the heads up]

Tomorrow is the big day here in Texas. So, if you’re in the Lone Star state, I invite you to get aboard the Hope Express. There’s room for everybody. If you’re still undecided, hit up BarackObama.com and get acquainted with his policy ideas. You won’t agree with all his positions. And he won’t deliver on all his promises (honestly, no candidate will). But you’ll respect his vision, because it’s not addled by political meandering. It’s drawn from a bottomless well of moral judgment and genuine conviction.

In the famous words of Bill Clinton, “if one candidate’s appealing to your fears and the other one’s appealing to your hopes, you better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope.”

If all else fails, choose the candidate with decent bball skills.

Sean Bell’s widow angered the NYPD by appearing in Rocawear’s “I Will Not Lose” ad campaign. The president of the Detectives Endowment Association called the move a publicity stunt. (more…)

Apparently some people got bent out of shape about Michelle Obama’s comments on C-Span, “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country.”

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Now that I got your attention, let’s talk about HIV/AIDS. Common wants you to help him fight the lethal disease. So, head on over to Aminutecontest.com and help his cause by participating in a rhyme-crafting contest. In true Comm style, the Chi-town MC says he’ll “take the hottest, freshest lyrics and perform them on MTV.” And just like that, you’ll become an overnight celebrity … for a day.

Fellas, please remember to stay strapped during your Valentine’s Day sexcapades.