Virgil - "Fortune favours the bold."

YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT!

~~~

I'M SORRY MAMA, I NEVER MEANT TO HURT YOU-U-U:

'Eminem is a depressed recluse, comfort eating his way to obesity,' reveals his mother
By ANNETTE WITHERIDGE -

Deeply depressed rapper Eminem has become a virtual recluse, comfort eating his way towards obesity.

The once skinny Slim Shady, who spent four days in hospital over Christmas suffering from pneumonia and suspected heart problems, is just 5ft 7inches tall but has ballooned up to 14.5 stone

His family and friends fear his massive weight gain is causing him long-term health woes but the deeply depressed star refuses to stop binge eating.

Is Eminem going the same way as Elvis? His mother claims he has become an obese recluse surrounded by an army of hangers-on who pander to his every whim

Eminem, who once boasted of his love for Ecstasy and Vicodin pain-killers, survives on a diet of calorie busting Mexican takeaways and heart clogging fillet minion steak.

He thinks nothing of eating the same food day in day out, ordering from a nearby posh restaurant and paying for his army of hangers-on.

The chronic insomniac – an avid nightclubber at the height of his fame - is often in bed by 9pm but rarely sleeps more than a few hours at a time.

He usually gets up at dawn but instead of working on new songs in his home studio he lolls around watching TV or playing mind-numbing computer games.

His mother Debbie Nelson, who has just written a book 'My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem' about her son, says he is barely recognisable nowadays.

Happier times: Eminem with ex-wife Kim. His mother claims that her son hasn't recovered from the breakup of their second marriage

"He's let his blond hair grow out, so everything but the ends are dark, his face has broken out in pimples and he's put on so much weight that he's causing all sorts of other health problems for himself.

"Since childhood he's suffered bouts of pneumonia. He's always had acute throat infections, like tonsillitis and he's asthmatic. His diet can't help."

Debbie, whose book was published last month, says: "I fear for him every waking moment.

"I worry about his health all the time. He's always had high blood pressure and his cholesterol levels must be sky high.

"He orders filet mignon takeout from an expensive restaurant almost every evening. I dread to think what his bills are – he pays for everyone hanging around the house."

She believes he is becoming more like Elvis Presley – the star he has constantly been compared to for taking the music of poor black singers and turning it main stream – every day.

The grossly obese Presley retreated behind the gates of his Graceland mansion, surrounded by a Memphis mafia of hangers on who catered to his every whim. He died of a heart attack, aged just 42, after years of drug abuse.

The real slim shady: A toned Eminem performing at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards in New York

Eminem's mother fears he is also heading for an early grave if he doesn't totally change his life style.

The rapper first retreated behind the doors of his Michigan home 18 months ago after his best mate and fellow rapper Proof died in a hail of bullets outside a sleazy 8 Mile Road club.

Debbie says Proof was the only person Eminem truly trusted after he shot to fame in 1999 with 'The Slim Shady LP'. They'd known each other since their teens and Proof pulled him up on his drug taking and problems with on-off wife Kim.

In the months after Proof's death, Eminem was once again battling Kim.

Their second marriage had lasted just 82 days with Kim claiming he was back on drugs – after a brief stint in rehab - and refusing to get help.

Eminem has known Kim since he was 15 and she was just 11. He says she is the only woman he has ever loved but his mother believes Kim is another bad habit that he just can't give up.

They share custody of their 11-year-old daughter Hailie and live on the same exclusive gated estate on the outskirts of Detroit. And despite their often knock-down, drag-out fights, they still flit in and out of each other's lives. After their first divorce, he dated superstar Mariah Carey but ultimately went back to Kim.

Friends say she has recently wheedled her way back into his affections after discovering that he was seeing a new girl.

His inner circle, including protégé 50 Cent, say it is unlikely Eminem will ever tour again because he likes to be home every night for Hailie. But at 12 she is becoming independent, throwing teenage-style temper tantrums and refusing to stay in with her doting daddy.

Even so, she is one of the few people who can actually persuade Eminem to leave home. He drives her to private school most mornings, attends parent teacher association meetings and goes to all of her dance recitals.

But the chronically shy singer, who won an Oscar and critical acclaim for his movie 8 Mile, usually wears a hooded jacket, spectacles and a scarf over his face to hide his features.

He cannot walk anywhere, even the local shopping mall, without being stopped by fans so on rare outings he surrounds himself with bodyguards and travels in a convoy of cars.

Last year he was slated to star in 'Have Gun – Will Travel', a movie remake of an old American western TV series, was expected to bring out his autobiography and was said to have a new album in the works.

But none of the projects went ahead.

Three months ago he surprised 50 Cent by phoning in to a radio show he was on to wish him well.

When the disc jockey asked what he up to, Eminem said he was 'in limbo'. It is the only public statement he has made since he spoke at Proof's funeral, although he has emailed Detroit radio stations in the past to offer his opinion on things.

He still has a stable of acts, including Akon and Stat Quo, attached to his own record label plus a radio programme to showcase new music but even his D12 crew – once headed by Proof – are all now working on solo projects.

Debbie says that her son used to be a workaholic, constantly scribbling lyrics down on odd scraps of paper, then working in his studio constantly revising songs.

But now he appears to be suffering from writer's block, wasting entire surfing the internet and watching TV.

Eminem has also cut many relatives and friends out of his life, claiming they only want him for his money.

He fell out with his mother when they became embroiled in a nasty court case over interviews he'd given saying she was a pill popping alcoholic who lived off welfare benefits and boyfriends.

Single mum Debbie was devastated by the fall out, along with his hate filled lyrics towards her in hits like 'Cleanin' Out My Closet'.

She claims he invented a new life for himself to get street cred with the Detroit rap crowd and then started to believe the tales he'd told.

He also confided that he was so strung out on drink and drugs that he had no memory of 1999, the year he made it big and married Kim for the first time.

Debbie says that was one of the reasons she wrote her book. She wanted it to be an open letter to her son to remind him of the good times they once had.

Growing up Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers the Third, was a mummy's boy who was too shy to play with other children. Debbie says they were so close that, even as a teenager, relatives commented that it was as though the umbilical cord had never been cut.

But once he reached adulthood he started lashing out at her, even beating her up on his 23rd birthday.

Debbie refuses to blame her son, saying Kim created many of the problems between them and then once he became famous he was surrounded by a crew of yes-men and women.

"No one prepares you for the downside of celebrity," she says, in her book.

"Marshall says fame brought a slew of problems he never expected. He no longer trusts anyone. Everyone wants a piece of Eminem, the mega star, not Marshall Mathers the man. I call these people the circling vultures, they spot dollar signs and swoop in for the kill."

And after discovering her son had spent Christmas in hospital, Debbie is even more worried about him and his destructive lifestyle. She has offered to do anything she can to help him.

"If he needs me, I'll be there in a heartbeat," she adds.

• 'My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem' is published by John Blake.

~~~

JOKES:

The Homometer (pronounced "Ho-MOM-e-ter", ha ha!)

0. Wildman/Hall of Famer- Lives in the wilderness, kills his own food, doesn’t bathe- ever; alternately, has fucked women in the multiple 1000s
1. Man’s Man- Construction workers, lumberjacks, football players, mercenaries, etc.
2. Joe America- Football, BBQs, beer, etc.
3. Office Guy- City dwelling, white-collar professional
4. Mr. Vanity- Ostensibly straight, but a little too much time spent on gym, grooming, clothes, etc. Smiles a bit too much.
5. Dabbled in College/Hipster/Art Fag- Your average Williamsburg resident
6. Full-on Bisexual- David Bowie in the 70s
7. Closeted Gay Man- Jim McGreevy six months ago
8. Average Gay Man- Your gay uncle
9. Flamingly Gay- Half of a Las Vegas magic team
10. Sky’s The Limit- Liza Minelli impersonator

How to use the chart-

Determine which category describes the subject best.

Many subjects fall between two categories, so partial ratings (2.5, 5.3, etc.) are permitted.

If the subject in question appears to fall under more than one category, find the average of the two.

Remember, the chart can be used as a gauge for actions as well as personality types.

For example, Gene Simmons from the rock band KISS has slept with thousands of women, placing him at an enviable 0. However, he has also spent a significant portion of his life prancing around in leather, makeup and heels; Level 6 behavior at best. His ultimate score on the Homometer: 0 + 6 / 2 = 3.

Adjustments-

1. The “Pussy” factor- At every level on the EGGS (Empirical Graduated Gay Scale), there are guys who seemingly meet the required criteria, but are nonetheless soft, lightweight and all around bitchmade. In other words, pussies. You know one when you see one. Add 1 point. It is unclear whether this principle applies above Level 6.

2. If the subject is Black and appears to be a 4, downgrade to a 3. This applies only to Level 4s, not an overall downgrade for Black men. No one’s quite sure how they pulled it off, but Level 4 behavior is acceptable among Black males. Also, a propensity for wearing gaudy jewelry or typically queer colors like purple, pink or lime green should not impact a Black man’s score as long as it is in moderation. Sorry Cam.

For instance, Deion Sanders comes in as a 1 and a strong 4.5. Due to his African-American heritage that 4.5 is marked down to a 3.5, placing him at: 1 + 3.5 / 2 = 2.25 on the Homometer.

3. If the subject is French, add 1 point to the FINAL score. Native French speakers from countries other than France add ½ point. This rule is self explanatory and is calculated independently of adjustment #1.

~~~

WHAT. THE. FUCKIN. BLOODCLAAT.?!?!!



WOW, THIS IS KINDA TIGHT STILL!

~~~
UNRELEASED NAS VIDEOS:

THESE ARE OUR HEROES -


U.B.R.-


~~~

http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2008/01/15/emi-restructuring-plan-includes-2,000-layoffs

London - Major record label EMI Group on Tuesday announced a major restructuring, that will see between 1,500 and 2,000 of the company's 5,500 employees let go, and other initiatives the company says will reduce costs by $393 million annually. "We have spent a long time looking intensely at EMI and the problems faced by its Recorded Music division which, like the rest of the music industry, has been struggling to respond to the challenges posed by a digital environment," said EMI chairman Guy Hands, whose private equity firm Terra Firma acquired EMI last year for $4.7 billion.

In addition to the layoffs, the company will merge all of its various sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution units into a single division.

EMI plans to invest more in its A&R operations, as well as offer new revenue streams for artists through enhanced digital services and corporate sponsorship arrangements.

"The changes we are announcing today will ensure that this iconic company will be creating wonderful music in a way that is profitable and sustainable," Hands added.

~~~
50 Hip Hop Albums That Matter This Year (that are not by Mindbender or Conspiracy :)


www.hiphopsite.com

1. Dr. Dre - “Detox” (Aftermath)
2. Ghostface / MF Doom - “Swift & Changeable” (Nature Sounds)
3. Nas - “N***er” (Def Jam)
4. Raekwon - “Only Built For Cuban Linx 2” (Aftermath)
5. Lil Wayne - “The Carter 3” (Cash Money)
6. The Roots – “Rising Down” (Def Jam)
7. Del - “The 11th Hour” (Definitive Jux / Hieroglyphics)
8. Atmosphere - “When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold” (Rhymesayers)
9. T.I. - “Paper Trail” (Atlantic)
10. J-Live - “Then What Happened” (BBE)
11. Papoose – “Papoose - The Nacirema Dream” (?????)
12. The Game - “The D.O.C. (Diary Of Compton)” (Geffen)
13. Skillz - “The Million Dollar Backpack” (Koch)
14. Fat Joe - “The Elephant In The Room (Koch)
15. Rhymefest - “El Che” (J Records)
16. Sa-Ra Creative Partners - “Nuclear Evolution: The Age Of Love” (Ubiquity)
17. 50 Cent - “Before I Self Destruct” (G-Unit)
18. Lupe Fiasco - “L.U.P.End”
19. Busta Rhymes - “Back On My Bullshit” (Aftermath)
20. Kanye West - “A Good Ass Job” (Def Jam)
21. Madlib + MF Doom - Madvillan 2 (Stones Throw)
22. Mos Def - “The Ecstatic” (Downtown Recordings)
23. Stat Quo - “Statlanta” (Shady/Aftermath)
24. J. Dilla - “Jay Love Japan” - ??????
25. KRS-One - “Adventures In Emceein” (Koch)
26. AZ – “Undeniable” (Koch)
27. Foxy Brown - “Brooklyn's Don Diva” (Koch)
28. Kool G. Rap - “Half A Klip” (Koch)
29. Akrobatik - “Absolute Value” (Koch)
30. Ludacris - “Theatre Of The Mind” (Def Jam)
31. Timbaland - “Shock Value II” (Interscope)
32. Saigon - “The Greatest Story Never Told” (?????)
33. Bishop Lamont - “The Reformation” (Aftermath)
34. Royce Da 5'9 - “The Revival” (Babygrande)
35. Andre 3000 Solo LP (LaFace)
36. Big Boi Solo LP (LaFace)
37. Snoop Dogg - “Ego Trippin'” (Geffen)
38. The Cool Kids - “The Bake Sale” (Chocolate Industries)
39. Cesar Comanche - “Die In Your Lap” (Hall Of Justus / ABB)
40. Pete Rock - “NY's Finest” (Nature Sounds)
41. Lil Jon - “Crunk Rock” (TVT)
42. G-Unit – “Shoot To Kill” (G-Unit)
43. Missy Elliot – “The Countdown” (Atlantic)
44. Edgar Allen Floe - "The Streetwise LP" (MCEO Records)
45. Sean Price & Chaundon – “A Tale Of Two Seans” (Duck Down) (lol)
46. 9th Wonder & Buckshot – “Chemistry 2” (Duck Down)
47. Rock of Heltah Skeltah – “Shell Shock” (Duck Down)
48. Cee-Lo & Jack Splash “Love Stink” (Counterflow)
49. Gnarls Barkley – Sophomore LP (Downtown Recordings)
50. MF Doom – “Doomposter” (Rhymesayers)

~~~

THIS MATTERS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE THOUGH:

JANUARY 23RD @ THE GLADSTONE HOTEL (1214 Queen St. W @ Gladstone, one block East of Dufferin) 9pm

http://iankamau.blogspot.com/

This time last year I was in Nairobi, Kenya. I decided that it was time for me to go to Africa so I made the decision and took the opportunity to attend the World Social Forum...I stayed in Nairobi for a month after the forum from mid-January to Mid-February before going on to Johannesburg (South Africa) and then to Accra (Ghana)...and then back to Kenya for a few days to catch my plane back to Toronto.

I'm a poet and a hip hop artist and when I was in Nairobi I connected with a lot of amazing artists, singers, painters, poets and other hip hop artists, I performed, I went to performances, I participated in a hip hop program for youth who love hip hop and live in the slums of Nairobi. Most importantly I met people, everyday people. Many of these people lived in the slums (Kibera, Dandora, Mathare, etc)...I work for an organization called Schools Without Borders running leadership programs so I was connected to artist and community workers and people that fell into both categories. I had an amazing time. My experience in Africa in general and Nairobi, Kenya specifically changed my perspective in subtle but definitive ways. I didn’t change my mind about anything, I had a wonderful experience that evolved my understanding of the world and specifically my community, the Black community. It made me grow, I evolved, it wasn’t life changing it was life affirming and it solidified a lot of things in my mind about Black peoples connection to Africa.

So...when I began to hear on the news that the Elections on Dec 27th were rigged, and the resulting violence was costing people their lives, their homes and their community I sent an email to my friends in Nairobi...I've copied some of the responses I received below.

So far 600 people have been killed in the violence (rioting, looting, random violence, frustration related to the elections and some underlying tribal divisions…this is complex though and I don’t want to simplify it). There has also been a lot of deadly police aggression. I've heard as many as 1,500 woman have been raped due to the violence, homes have been burned down, as many as 250,000 people have been displaced because their homes have been burned down or there communities are unsafe. I've been to these places and walked on these streets so it's personal to me, but much more personal to the people, my friends, that live in kenya and work in these communities...I was only a visitor, this is their home.

I asked my friends in Nairobi what I could do...they told me that they needed the basics, food, clothes and shelter...people have been scared to leave there homes for fear of violence, shopkeepers have been doing the same so food isn’t available, people are homeless and living with friends, in shelters, churches, etc…I thought the quickest simplest thing I could do was to try to raise funds. so that's what I’m attempting to do on the evening of January 23rd at the Gladstone Hotel.

I also want to bring more awareness to the issue because it seems to me that it is already dropping out of the news and people don't know about it although the problems in Kenya are ongoing, the "president" has sworn in his cabinet which is basically an insult to the entire process of democracy. Many people have begun comparing this situation to the past situations in Rwanda and the present ongoing political situation in Zimbabwe.

Here are some responses to my email and some press stuff on the continuing situation....these are people that made my experience in Kenya a great one and it burns me to know what they are experiencing while making me feel quite helpless. Raising funds is only a small thing, it will not fix the political and social situation in Kenya, but it might help some people to live more comfortably through it….

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RESPONSES….to my email

My Brother,
Sorry taken time for me to reply but things have improved for the last few days and it seems that they have decided to start talking. I guess the slum communities are the most affected apart from Rift Valley and it has turned out to be more of Ethnicity where you see tribes displacing each other. We at CFK are all safe but many of our volunteers have been affected.
Kamau, i know the feeling, but believe me, you can be a voice to the people you met in Kenya and let others know that we are not all hungry for power and divided by tribes. They have finally decided to talk and lets hope that they will be able to settle whatever it is. I am tired of African politics and makes me really angry, upset, sad with all the efforts we have made and then in a week, we are back to start all over again. We cant give up the fight and Love and peace will prevail Inshaalah
-Salim Mohamen (Carolina For Kibera)

‘Sup dear,
great to hear from you, am ok. for now, things are not good at all. especially in the ghettos! check out www.ghettoradio.nl we have stories from people in the ghettos who were affected by this and still are. kamau its crazy here! i dont have the right words to tell you how it is man! bodies are still lying in some parts of kenya and nairobi. things are crazy man! we are really hoping that the president and raila leader of the opposition party come together so this can stop. i dont eve n know who to trust coz the same neighbours i have know for years are burning my house and raping others. tell me if your friends from mysa holla at you and if not i will check on then and let you know how the situation is. but one things for sure bro, mathare was one of the places that was worst affected with kibera. Anyway boy you take care of your self, and lets keep in touch.
-Angel (Ghetto Radio)

Hi Bro,
Everything is almost back to normal after a very scary two weeks. Am glad that most of kenyans are peace loving otherwise it would have much worse than it is. Most of our kids are okay but they have had they houses burnt and are spending nights in the cold and hungry. We got together some of the mysa staffs and we donated some of our clothes and we are in the process of raising funds to buy them food. Am glad that peace has prevailed and as sooner as it is safe they will go back home while others have opted to move to areas that are populated by their communities.
I will keep you posted.
Peace Bro,
-Ndichu (Mathare Youth Sports Association)

Hello Kamau,
Thank you very much for your concern, I am well with my family and praying hard for peace and calm to return.
I believe the guys in mathare are well but i do not know them. It has been very bad but things are getting back to normal though most innocent kenyans have lost their lives and thousands displace. We hope with time the will be allowed to go back to their homes though things will never be the same again.
The help needed is for foodstuffs and clothings, if you can help from that end please do so.
There are so many dropout venues here most of them churches, supermarket, radio stations just to name afew.

I hope your friends in Kenya are well as well.
Thanks amil for your concern and God bless you.
Join us in praying for reinstoration of peace in Kenya.
- Joyce Ye Ye


Hi Ian,
Hope you are well and fine,with us we are trying to hold on to the fragile situation at hand.Things are really volatile after the elections and the past weeks have been horrible to the extent of no communication,no food because most of the shops and businesses came at a standstill as everybody was scared.
Currently the situation is improving and our leaders are trying to negotiate power sharing or other alternatives(pnu/odm)Otherwise we have been keeping close contact with our artists especially in the slum areas(korogocho, mathare, kariobangi)where the situation is highly volatile and we are happy to report that most of them are okay.
Otherwise we are holding on to prayer and hoping for the best.
Best Regards,
-Nancy Onyango (Sarakasi Trust)

Kamau,
I did speak with Kah last night and he is safe as well as the rest of the group. There is dire need for the things you have mentioned and one way we can be able to do is maybe through SWB. Distribution of food by other agency has been very crazy especially in Kibera where today there was a stampede and someone was killed. we have been buying food vouchers that they can use at Nakumatt to get food. we are also able to visit people at home and really have conversations even if its for 10 minutes. You can do a cloth drive but getting the stuff over to Kenya will be expensive and will take time.
My Brother, i too have most respect and you are my brother for life.

-Salim


Hi, I hope ur ok there, am bad in keeping contact but am ok also ukoo flani mau mau, am yet to find out about everyone I know in the affected areas, happy new
year,peace is finally returning we hope it will stay that way, have agood day and thanx 4ua concern.

amani

-Kah (Ukoo Flani Mau Mau – Dandora)


Hi Kamau, its good u remebered us. The situation is not rosy.
We are holed up at our project base and in our estate; Dandora more than thirty people have already lost their lives to the riots. WE cant
leave coz we dont have anyhwere to go and we also have about 5 kids to look after at our project. Also most of our members belong to the wrong tribe, the Kikuyu. So cant just move around. the rest had gone to their families.
But we hope the situation will cool down. Tomorrow there are more rallies therefore we just sit and hope they will NOT turn violent.
say hi to the others
This is good news for you to remember us during this time!
God Bless
-Felix

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NEWS…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7186275.stm

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgindex.asp

http://www.eastandard.net/news/?cid=159&PHPSESSID=210baabd9e58c93e7bdbac590bfe57e8

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=5764143483355226942&

~~~

I am BLESSED to not have to deal with those kind of struggles.
Earth Goddess save them all.
Mindbender loves everybody