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truth about coco......

some new Kanye for ya >>----->

The "What It Is" Demo just got leaked... pretty dope song, prolly still being worked out, doesn't sound like a final yet. needs more snare!!! big ups to 2dopeboz, as always... happy weekend errrbody.

Kanye West - What It Is (demo)
Download Here

Wale x Tabi x Raheem DeVaughn x Phil Ade x X.O. Haiti Benefit

Untitled from Jaime Aquino on Vimeo.

Great concert. Write-up and IIIrd World photos to follow.........

Climate Change Building

From Diplomacy.edu

WORLD BANK: Treasury Department issues coal lending guidelines

Here is some great progress for the Treasury Department. We made these recommendations to Treasury a few months back, and it's great to see them put our recommendations into effect.

If you haven't read it yet, please check out the report we wrote on public international finance of coal-fired power plants, "Foreclosing the Future: Coal, Climate and International Public Finance."

From E&E News:

For the first time ever, the U.S. Treasury Department is preparing guidelines aimed at discouraging the World Bank from lending money to build coal-fired power plants.

In a blueprint that quietly appeared on the agency's Web site last month while world leaders met in Denmark to craft a new climate change plan, the Treasury Department calls on multilateral development banks to "remove barriers to and build demand for no or low carbon resources" that meet the power needs for developing countries.

It recommends supporting fossil fuel plants only if the banks are unable "after substantial effort" to help secure additional funding to pay for the lower-carbon alternative.

"The guidelines were developed in response to increased concern about climate change, a desire to strike the right balance between the goals of poverty alleviation and the global environment, and the need to be transparent," Treasury Department spokeswoman Natalie Wyeth said in an e-mailed statement.

Experts said the guidelines are essentially an internal Treasury Department policy paper that does not affect World Bank decisions. But it comes at a critical time as the bank tries to position itself as the main channel for billions of dollars in climate financing, and several sources said the guidelines are likely to cause consternation within the World Bank and among developing countries.

World Bank officials were not available for comment yesterday, and Treasury officials declined to discuss the guidelines in person.

Public funding for coal-fired power plants remains one of the most divisive issues for the World Bank. The institution has developed a new framework that calls for boosting renewable energy lending and screening new coal projects for climate impacts and cleaner alternatives. But despite a steady drumbeat of criticism, it has steadfastly refused to rule out lending for coal altogether.

The World Bank notes that it is primarily concerned with alleviating poverty. Dirty infrastructure projects, it and developing countries often argue, are sometimes the only way to bring energy quickly and cheaply to millions still living without power.

Environmental activists, meanwhile, praised the Treasury Department for developing the recommendations but pointed to loopholes in the language and questioned whether the political will exists to implement it.

"They're the first to issue this set of guidelines," said Athena Ballesteros, a senior associate at the World Resources Institute. "Doing that sends a very strong political signal that the U.S. is serious about helping support low-carbon development in developing countries."

But Ballesteros as well as advocates from the Bank Information Center, the Sierra Club and others told the Treasury Department in a series of written responses that the World Bank needs to account for the greenhouse gas emissions associated with its energy investments. The practice known as "carbon accounting" is the best way to integrate the cost of climate change into proposed projects, many said.

Bruce Rich, a senior adviser to the Sierra Club, said he questions the agency's definition of "low carbon," and noted that a World Bank loan last year for the rehabilitation of a coal plant in India was announced on the bank's climate Web page because the fixes were aimed at making the plant more efficient and emit less carbon dioxide.

"Of course, the lifetime emissions of the modernized plants would get an extension of over 20 years, a huge net increase of CO2, as opposed to letting the plants shut down as planned and channeling the money into true low-carbon alternatives," he said.

Agreed the Bank Information Center (BIC) watchdog group, "the implication of these policy loopholes is the potential justification for the financing of projects that would otherwise be phased out due to their obsolete generation technologies."

Yong Chen, a sustainable energy expert at BIC, called the guidelines "a positive step." But he added and others said the guidelines might have gone further in actively encouraging the World Bank to find and fund low-carbon energy projects.

"They are trying to push the bar higher without having too much trouble with the multilateral banks in how they're going to adopt them," Chen said. "It's not that useful, except for sending a signal."

The guidelines did not appear in the Federal Register, presumably because they do not affect U.S. government policy. Environmental groups said they met informally with U.S. Treasury officials late last year to discuss the development of the recommendations, and have been asked to submit comments.

Agency officials did not say whether they expect to revise the guidelines, but Wyeth wrote that the Treasury Department will work with other World Bank shareholders and staff "with the goal of operationalizing this guidance, recognizing we are but one shareholder."

Go Green?

"Dream Reborn: My President is Green" is a powerful statement on its own. It also provides an opportunity to find and lift up more stories like it. In conjunction with the video, Green For All is launching a month-long multimedia competition to showcase the best video, song and visual art of the movement for an inclusive green economy. The competition will be decided by user submitted votes, and the grand prize will be $1,000 and a chance to have a professionally shot video to tell your story.

Here is an article about this movement and the organization from Grist:

America is struggling.

Families strive to make ends meet while facing an uncertain economic future. The deterioration of our environment - rather than slowing - continues to gain speed. At a moment when we need every opportunity possible, climate change threatens the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people at home and around the world. 



We are all impacted by these hard times, but it is the historically disadvantaged - people of color and low-income communities - who find themselves at the point of the spear.

This challenge is the Civil Rights Movement’s unfinished business.

As we seek solutions and look for strength, it is fitting to turn to Dr. King and the movement he represented, a struggle for equality and justice.



The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s shifted the hearts, minds, and laws of our nation. The solutions to today’s challenge must be no less sweeping, and our movement no less powerful, righteous, or relentless.

For all of his strength and grace, Dr. King was also the face of a movement of tens of thousands of people who struggled daily for a better existence. Their work was not glamorous; their courage didn’t make the evening news. But these ordinary people, their ordinary battles, are what comprised the Civil Rights Movement - and what changed our nation.

We are not without heroes today, heroes whose leadership is often as moving as Dr. King’s. President Obama is an inspiration to a grassroots movement - people who do what they can to improve their communities and to help America live up to its promise. But as we honor President Obama for his leadership as we look towards the anniversary of his inauguration, we must look beyond the hero to the energy and solutions that power his inspiration.



Today, I want to tell you about another, less-acclaimed leader: Markese Bryant. Markese was born and raised in East Oakland. At the age of six, he lost his mother to the streets and his father to the prison system. Markese nearly met the same fate after being caught selling crack cocaine – but, given the opportunity, he enrolled in community college. There, he was inspired – learning from the Civil Rights Movement to build, not destroy. He learned the role he could play in his community.

Markese’s inspiration turned into action upon discovering the movement for a new, green economy. He learned about those bringing good jobs in the clean-energy economy to communities thirsting for opportunity. He read about solar power, urban gardening, and about energy-efficiency retrofits. He learned that these practical, almost mundane innovations have all of the glamour of riding the bus – but that these simple actions, like those of Rosa Parks, can shake the core of our society.

Markese is now organizing his campus and his community as a Green For All College Ambassador, talking about the opportunities presented by an inclusive green economy and, in doing so, helping to build a movement.

Markese, also a rapper, tells his story through his music. Today, he is releasing a video, in partnership with Green For All, that tells much better than I can the story of the people-powered movement for green-collar jobs - and how it builds on the legacy of Dr. King and the inspiration of President Obama.

Dr. King’s legacy is thriving, as evidenced by Markese’s creativity. Yes, the solutions to our problems look a little different now. Dr. King did not know green-collar jobs or the clean-energy economy. But the principles of equality, justice and opportunity remain the same.

This movement – the movement started by Dr. King, reignited by President Obama and exemplified by Markese – is strong, and growing.

The Coal Report: Coal Comfort

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Coal Comfort - Margaret Palmer
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Economy

Gil Scott-Heron - Me And The Devil MP3 Download

I NEEDED to have this song, so I found the MP3. Keep an eye out for the album next month.

Gil Scott Heron - Me and the Devil by treylord

Gil Scott-Heron - Me And The Devil

On February 9th, the timeless Gil-Scott Heron (you may remember him from "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised") will be releasing his first new album in 15 years (40 years since his first solo album), I'm New Here. Here is a video from the LP for, "Me and The Devil." Video directed by Coodie & Chike and Michael Sterling Eaton.

Not only is the song smooth, soulful, bluesy, and spiritual, but the video is a dark and haunting vision of how we are all ghostly. His poem at the end is pretty deep.

Wyclef's Personal Statement on the accusations against Yele Haiti

We haven't posted anything on the accusations about Wyclef's foundation because we didn't want to dignify the rumors, but here is his response.

You can still save lives in Haiti. Information about how to help (INCLUDING DONATING TO YELE) by clicking:

HERE

For the record, the writers of the IIIrd World have given to Yele, and we are proud to have done so. We would encourage everyone to do the same, just as we would encourage you to donate to the Red Cross, World Food Program, and many other great organizations helping with the cause.

presenting... The Half

Dirt Dogg & JB are...

THE HALF

The Exclusive IIIrd World Interview and Album Download >>-------->

the Self-Titled Album:

1/2

1. the Daily
2. the Watchout
3. the Classics
4. the Process
5. the Dream
6. the Fountain of Youth

7. the Rotation
8. the Man
9. the Story of My Life
10. the Bar Stool Blues
11. the Push Back
12. the Blaze
13. the Undefeated
14. the Ride

THE HALF - 1/2
DOWNLOAD HERE

-- January 16th, 2010 --

The IIIrd World Crew sits down with the HALF for a short interview and chillings session to discuss their self titled debut project...

the iiird world: where are you guys coming from, physically that is?

DD: "The heart of Madison, Wisconsin."

JB: "Madtown, Wisco, Midwest."


the iiird world: where are you coming from as far as your rapping/beats stylin'?

DD: "As far as beats go, it's all about my Mpc2000xl and some dirty ass vinyl. Honestly, I've just been making it up as I go. I'm not really musically trained or anything like that, but I know what sounds tight. I think that's part of the reason people like our sound, you know the basic means, where it's comin' from. It's based on feeling and movement more than anything else. When it comes to rhyming, it's pretty much the same idea. I'm an on the spot type of writer. I think in both aspects you can see our progression on this album. From "the Fountain of Youth" where I was strictly gonna produce for JB, to "the Undefeated" where I feel like we were really dialed in. You'll see a lot more of that on our second project called "Pushin'", which is coming out sometime soon in 2010."

JB: "Dirt is the man when it comes to beats, he's always bringing something different and funky, shit that I love. My rapping style is lyrical word play combined with a story telling aspect. Right now the story I am trying to tell is the one of us getting started and us getting our name and product out there to the world...but it's basically just some funky party music that people can dance to and have a good time."

the iiird world: what might make you guys different?

DD: "I think it's the fact that on a lot of shit that comes out these days, cats are trying so hard to sound like someone, probably someone they're not. We make straight up hip-hop from the soul. We just make music, plain and simple. That, and our shit is funky, everyone loves funky shit even if they don't know it."

JB: "We stay true to ourselves and don't try to be something we aren't. We like good hip hop that makes you dance, makes you laugh, and makes you think. We don't take ourselves too serious, we just wanna make good music people like."

the iiird world: what other artists would you like to work with?

DD: "Mos Def."

JB: "In Madison: The Crest & Profound, both went to our high school, Profound is a good friend from back in the day. As far as anyone in the World, hmmm Talib, Nas, Common. Basically, cats who we could see lending their ears as well as vibing with us."

the iiird world: who are your top five MC's of all time? this is a tough one (other than Dylon Dylon Dylon Dylon and Dylon, I spit hot fire).

DD: "In no particular order, Ghostface, Rakim, Phonte, KRS-ONE, Big L. Did I say Elzhi? That is a tough one, damn son."

JB: "In order? Damn; Pac, Nas, Hov, Wayne, Talib."

DD: "Pac! Yeah, Pac shoulda been on mine. Somewhere."

the iiird world: favorite producers?

DD: "I'll say Dre, RZA, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, ANT, 9th Wonder. But, lately Black Milk has been on my radar."

JB: "DJ Premier, 9th, Hi-tek, Dre, Dirt."

the iiird world: anything else to say for now???

DD: "Can we smoke in here?"

JB: "This first album is pretty raw in production, hopefully this gets us some exposure so we can make the second with a studio tech dude who has worked with hip hop. Give Madison some love, we have a good hip hop scene and are just waiting for someone to get noticed so others can follow..........why not the One Slash Two???"

For more: The Half's MySpace music page (click here)

more to come, stay tuned here at the iiird world...

(The Half, live at the Annex Nightclub, 12/16/09. photo by K. Amato)

DMV Helps Haiti Benefit Concert at 9:30 Club Jan 18th

D.C. artists are coming together Monday, January 18th at the 9:30 Club to raise much-needed financial support for earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Wale, coming off of two sold-out shows at the 9:30 Club earlier this month, will headline. He’ll be supported by other D.C. area artists including D.C. Don Juan, Tabi Bonney, Phil Ade, XO, Kingpen Slim, K-Beta, Que (formerly of Day26) – and special surprise guests will take the stage as well. The benefit concert will be hosted by Chris Cole of BET’s College Hill South Beach. Organized by DMV Helps Haiti, all ticket sales will be donated to the Partners in Health Organization and Yéle Haiti, founded by Wyclef Jean. The artists are donating their performances, the 9:30 Club has donated the use of the venue, club employees are donating their wages and the advance ticket sales service charge also will be donated.

Buy Tickets HERE

Twista - 911 (Freestyle for Haiti) & Kida - Prayer for Haiti

911 (A Freestyle For Haiti) by treylord



Prayer For Haiti by treylord

INFORMATION ON HOW TO HELP IN HAITI

?uestlove & Ringo Starr Drum Off!

Last night Ringo Starr was the guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. In a web exclusive that should have percussion fans and fans of good music in general salivating, Ringo and ?uestlove drummed together as The Roots continued to play after the closing credits. It's only a minute long, but clearly a drum-off for the ages.

What You Can Do to Help in Haiti

Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps is deploying an emergency response team to the island nation. Donate here, build your own Mercy Corps fundraising page or add a Mercy Corps Haiti banner to your Web site.

Clinton Foundation: Helping to provide immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors. Donate here. Text “HAITI” to "20222" and $10 will be given to the Clinton Foundation's Haiti Relief Fund, charged to your cell phone bill.

MADRE: MADRE is bringing emergency medical assistance and supplies, including bandages, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and water tablets to prevent cholera outbreaks, to areas in Haiti that have been hardest hit by the earthquake. Donate here.

Red Cross: Donate to the international response fund here. You can also call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or text "HAITI" to "90999" to donate $10.

Yéle Haiti: Wyclef Jean's foundation will also be on the ground. Donate here or text "Yele" to 501501 and $5 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects through the organization.

UNICEF: Children are among the most vulnerable following any natural disaster, and the United Nations mission to Haiti was destroyed in the earthquake. Donate here.

Water.org: They work to provide sustainable sources of clean, safe water to under-served populations, and will be helping facilitate the repair and construction of new sources of water in Haiti. Donate here.

Partners in Health: The community-based organization is funding relief efforts. Donate here.

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres: The organization is airlifting emergency medical providers into Haiti to treat victims of the earthquake. Donate here.

CARE: They are deploying emergency teams to Haiti. Donate here.

Oxfam America: They are rushing folks into Haiti from nearby areas; the organization has years of experience on the island. Donate here.

Save the Children: The organization is working to support families and children in need. Donate here.

International Medical Corps: This L.A. non-profit provides medical care in some of the world's most dangerous regions. They're on their way to Haiti. Donate here.

World Food Programme: WFP is already on the ground and has" launched its emergency procedures, which involve distributing high energy biscuits and other emergency food assistance to those affected." Donate here.

World Vision: The organization is sending relief supplies to be distributed in Haiti. Donate here.

B.o.B "The Biz"

Here is a new joint from B.o.B going over the "Shook Ones pt.II" beat entitled "The Biz," which will be on his upcoming mixtape, May 25th, dropping in February.

May 25th is supposed to be the release date for his LP. Yes, it's confusing.

B.o.B - The Biz by treylord

Download B.o.B "The Biz"

NNeka - The Uncomfortable Truth

The next Lauryn Hill? Love the Nigerian strongstress. The Uncomfortable Truth EP out now!

Her mixtape with J. Period is available HERE

Earthquake in Haiti. Please give support you can.

This is important IIIrd Worlders.

Wyclef Jean shares some very important News for Haitians on Earthquake. Important news on how to, and where to help the people of Haiti who are suffering from a recent earthquake January 2010.

$5 to Yele Haiti, txt YELE to 501501

$10 to Red Cross, txt HAITI to 90999

Partners in Health at pih.org

World Food Program at www.wfp.org/donate/haiti

Sick! : )))------>

DJ AM & DJ Premier NIKES

From KicksOnFire.com ------> "Since DJ AM passing, we have mentioned his Nike Dunk Hi x DJ AM on several occasions. Likewise, we have previewed the DJ Premier x AF1 collaboration. This time we are letting you know about a special edition two-pack release. Although both shoes will be available worldwide on January 9, 2009, Nike Sportswear at 21 Mercer and the Nike Sportswear at The Montalban will have a special event commemorating the launch on January 7 and January 9, respectively. At these events, the AM and Premier footwear will be enclosed in a custom two-pack box, paired with Serrato vinyl that hooks back to the colors of each DJ’s shoe. 100% of the proceeds from these launches will benefit the DJ AM Memorial Fund."

From Nike Sports Wear:

"Representing the EAST: DJ Premier

When it comes to the East Coast and legendary hip hop producers, DJ Premier will be named their turntable king. Adopting Brooklyn as his home, DJ Premier chose this icon of East Coast culture to represent his presence in the design challenge that was placed before him. Signature East Coast style, the Air Force 1 has been revered on the streets as not only a staple, but also as a name of respect in the city boroughs. Nike Sportswear Design Director Jesse Leyva worked with Premier on this shoe and he mentioned that, “Premo wanted to put his name somewhere on the shoe, but not in a loud way.” This was accomplished with a subtle laser on the back heels. Using the palette of NYC as his inspiration, DJ Premier colored up his AF1 in black, forest green, and white to represent the current styles of his city

Representing the WEST: DJ AM

It is no secret that DJ AM, aka Adam Goldstein, was not only obsessed with sneaker culture, but was also infatuated with one of the most celebrated of Nike Sportswear icons, the Nike Dunk. Coupled with his love of the brand and his affection for the Dunk, DJ AM rendered a classic in the most traditional form. Leyva said, “It’s crazy to think we hadn’t yet worked with DJ AM.” Taking inspiration from old school Air Jordan colorways and his massive collection of sneakers, DJ AM brings you the Dunk rendered in red, black, and gray. DJ AM’s passion for deejaying would only result in a shoe that has numerous references to his craft. Dot detailing on the back heel of the shoe represents the flashing lights only a DJ can see reflecting from spinning turntables. The black and grey colorway is a hint to the materials he used to ignite a dance floor. With the color red as the base, his DJ AM logo is embossed on the tongue tab of the shoe as the final detail."

new hot Drake song: "zones"

Drake - "Zones" (produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League)

(DOWNLOAD HERE)

I don't know why, but it's a purp day, ain't that right Drizzy...

Brother Ali - Good Lord

Economist: Let my people stay - Why the World Cup’s Somali singalong rapper is proud of his kinsmen

Economist:

THE latest African voice to resonate across the world belongs to a 31-year-old Somali singer known simply as K’naan. His hip-hop number, “Waivin’ Flag,” is poised to bring him global stardom, because it has been chosen by Coca-Cola, a sponsor of the coming football World Cup in South Africa, as the tournament’s anthem. It will be released in 150 countries and some predict it will even outsell Luciano Pavarotti’s rendition of “Nessun Dorma”, the cup’s theme tune when it was held in Italy in 1990.

Born Keynaan Warsame in Somalia’s seaside capital, Mogadishu, he is now a citizen of Canada. But he cherishes his Somali roots. Several tracks on his new album, “Troubadour”, have Somali lyrics. “Waivin’ Flag” refers to Somalia’s banner, a five-pointed white star on a bright blue background.

K’naan’s appeal is wide. He has been singing alongside the football trophy on its journey through 15 African countries. At last year’s South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, known as SXSW, he entranced a huge crowd from the cowboy state. “I figured I’d like it,” says an American radio presenter. “I just didn’t expect to see people crying.” His latest album was recorded at the house of the late Bob Marley, the reggae king, in Jamaica.

The Somali rapper says he suffers “something like survivor guilt”, thinking of the people he grew up with. Several of his boyhood friends were shot dead in front of him. He handled a machinegun and exploded a hand-grenade accidentally but says he never killed anyone. His family was intellectual and well-connected. His Aunt Magool was a famous singer. But as Somalia collapsed, he fled abroad aged only 13.

More recently he has stirred controversy by partially excusing the activities of Somalia’s pirates. He blames Western companies for illegally hoovering up tuna fish off Somalia’s coast and says that European criminal gangs have dumped toxic waste along it. Piracy, he says, is an understandable response. He told an American radio station that the pirates had at least had the effect of “cleaning up the environment”: on that score, he has a point.

In any event, K’naan says he wants to help unite Somalis. Fighting between the clans has been a cause of the country’s breakdown. For that reason he refuses to say which clan he hails from.

Were he to return home, that might not help him. The Shabab fighters who control swathes of the country have banned music. Some Shabab commanders have publicly whipped musicians. “They don’t like me very much,” says K’naan. A suicide-bomber might even target him.

For all that, he and his music are defiantly hopeful. Despite their warrior reputation, Somalis love poetry and music. K’naan thinks the Shabab’s austere version of Islam will fail. The country’s vibrant culture, he insists, will win the day.

WP Op-Ed by DREW BREES: Saints' quarterback Drew Brees weighs in on NFL's Supreme Court case

I'm pretty impressed actually. Here is a thoughtful and articulate op-ed by Pro Bowl QB Drew Brees in the Washington Post:

As the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, I am used to competing on the football field, not in a courtroom, and I rarely offer a public opinion on complex legal debates. But in a few days, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in American Needle v. NFL, a case that could have a profound impact not only on my sport but on all of American professional athletics. So even as the playoffs are beginning, I feel compelled to venture beyond the gridiron to share my thoughts on what is at stake.

The case involves a multimillion-dollar deal struck in 2000 between the National Football League and Reebok that grants Reebok the exclusive rights to make hats, sweatshirts and other gear with NFL team logos. What does that deal have to do with the ability of my teammates and me to perform our jobs and entertain football fans around the country? Potentially, quite a bit: The gains we fought for and won as players over the years could be lost, while the competition that runs through all aspects of the sport could be undermined.

American Needle is a small manufacturer of hats located in Buffalo Grove, Ill. As a result of the NFL's deal with Reebok, American Needle was excluded from the NFL-branded hat market, so it sued the league and Reebok. American Needle argued that the licensing deal violated antitrust laws because it restricted competition between businesses. The nation's antitrust laws constitute a fundamental part of our economic system and have protected consumers for more than 100 years, providing us with lower prices and fostering innovation.

The NFL originally won the case because the lower courts decided that, when it comes to marketing hats and gear, the 32 teams in the league act like one big company, a "single entity," and such an entity can't illegally conspire with itself to restrain trade. The NFL-Reebok deal is worth a lot of money, and fans pay for it: If you want to show support for your team by buying an official hat, it now costs $10 more than before the exclusive arrangement.

Amazingly, after the NFL won the case, it asked the Supreme Court to dramatically expand the ruling and determine that the teams act as a single entity not only for marketing hats and gear, but for pretty much everything the league does. It was an odd request -- as if I asked an official to review an 80-yard pass of mine that had already been ruled a touchdown. The notion that the teams function as a single entity is absurd; the 32 organizations composing the NFL and the business people who run them compete with unrelenting intensity for players, coaches and, most of all, the loyalty of fans.

I know of this competition because, along with hundreds of other professional football players, I live it every week of the season. I also know about it because in 2006, after five years with the San Diego Chargers, I became a free agent and witnessed firsthand the robust competition among teams for players. Thanks to free agency, I had the opportunity to sign a six-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, and for the past 3 1/2 years, my wife, Brittany, and I have been honored to live in and contribute to the amazingly resilient and welcoming community of New Orleans. We've been privileged to journey with our neighbors on the long road to recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

I could choose to sign a contract with the Saints because of a crucial player-led antitrust lawsuit in 1993 that secured players' rights to sell our services as free agents. Until that case, team owners had acted together to control players and keep salaries low, while the popularity of the game and teams' revenues grew exponentially. Today, if the Supreme Court agrees with the NFL's argument that the teams act as a single entity rather than as 32 separate, vigorously competitive and extremely profitable entities, the absence of antitrust scrutiny would enable the owners to exert total control over this multibillion-dollar business.

What might the owners do? They could agree to end or severely restrict free agency, continue to enter into exclusive agreements that will further raise prices on merchandise, lock coaches into salary scales that don't reward them when they're promoted and set higher ticket prices (including preventing teams from competing through ticket discounts). These and other concerns prompted the NFL Players Association -- along with the players associations of Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League -- to file an amicus brief with the Supreme Court last fall, arguing against the notion of the NFL as a single entity.

At the moment, the NFL Players Association and team owners are negotiating over a new collective bargaining agreement, and the threat of a lockout looms over the 2011 season. Historically, players have made significant gains, such as free agency, by challenging the NFL on antitrust grounds. If the Supreme Court rules that the league's 32 organizations constitute a single entity that is exempt from antitrust laws, players will lose this important leverage.

In this postseason, my fellow players and I are encouraged and humbled to see that professional football is thriving in our country, even during the most dire recession in decades. Fans continue to express their passion for their teams by spending their limited resources to show their support. Every week during the season, players compete fiercely on the gridiron, and throughout the year, team owners compete to sign the best players and attract fans' loyalty and dollars.

I hope that the justices of the Supreme Court recognize and ensure the continuance of the intense competition inherent in this game, and in the business behind the game. As readers of The Washington Post know well, NFL teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins are by no means a single entity -- just ask Dan Snyder or Jerry Jones.

Musings: Black Thought Dominates

Have you guys checked out that Roots Mixtape trey put up? I've been listening to that a bit and one thing is clear: Black Thought is a beast. He's straight up eating people alive on their own songs. I was listening to the Clipse "Grindin", feeling it because it's what played at every frat party I went to freshman year, and then it happened...Black Thought started rapping. I thought to myself "he's not on this song, what's going on here?" What was going on was he was bringing the HEAT. I think even the Clipse were kind of pumped with how much he was rippin it. Watch it again and peep their faces: they love it.

I was never that into roots until the last few years, but i'm making up for lost time. Good music.

Giggs Ft B.O.B - Dont Go There

Newest and the truest from UK rapper Giggs, featuring the ATL star B.o.B aka Bobby Ray.

Well people gon’ be people, ain’t nobody gon’ change. But we can keep it peaceful if we leave it the same. If you don’t go there, don’t go there, don’t go there, no, don’t go there…

Musings: A New IIIrd World Feature

Sup readers,

My name is Tom and I will be joining IIIrd World to add some sick ass insight and hilarity. It looks like trigga trey and MTAk47 are more than holding their own when it comes to finding beastly mixtapes and thought provoking environmental content, so what's an additional blogger to do? Well I spent some time thinking about it and I decided I'm gonna hop on this train and serve some occassional and (hopefully) entertaining analysis of all things IIIrd World. So look forward to me discussing hip hop, the environment, well...mostly hip hop.

And if ya don't know, now ya know!

Late Night w/ The Roots (Mixtape)

Christmas comes early and often. I’ve been wanting something like this for quite some time. A nice little collection of performance clips from Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon compiled by DJ Heat. Ludacris, Clipse, Wale, Q-Tip, 50 Cent, Raekwon, Goodie Mob, Black Star, Public Enemy and more rocking with the legendary Roots crew!

While it would be dope if The Roots released something official with the soundboard recordings (ala the Sandwiches EP); this will definitely do.

01 The Roots – How I Got Over (Live)
02 Ludacris – I Do It For Hip Hop / Last Of A Dying Breed (Live)
03 Mos Def – Casa Bey (Live)
04 Beastie Boys – So Whatcha Want (Live)
05 Black Star – History (Live)
06 Snoop Dogg – I Wanna Rock (Live)
07 Ghostface – Baby f. Raheem DeVauaghn (Live)
08 Wale – Pretty Girls (Live)
09 Raekwon – Catalina (Live)
10 50 Cent – Baby By Me / Do You Think About Me (Live)
11 Clipse – Popular Demand f. Black Thought (Live)
12 Clipse – Grindin’ f. Black Thought (Live)
13 Q-Tip – Barely In Love (Live)
14 Goodie Mob – Soul Food (Live)
15 Public Enemy – Bring the Noise (Live)

Download Late Night w/ The Roots (Mixtape)

Check out the Legendary's most recent guest, The Clipse, performing that classic GRINDIN'.



Would it be wrong to call the show "Late Night with the Roots"?

Economist: Somalia's pirates - A long war of the waters

We at the IIIrd World have been covering the issue of Somali piracy since it first became a major international issue last year. Here are some of the latest developments on the international efforts to control and understand them.

Economist:

TWO years ago Somalia’s weak transitional government agreed to let foreign navies chase pirates into its territorial waters. Since then, the sea off Somalia’s coast has seen an increasing number of warships mainly from rich countries trying—with partial success—to fend off pirates from the poorest. Ships steaming along maritime corridors in convoys are safer than they were. So the pirates are being forced to venture ever farther out into the Indian Ocean to seize their booty. This means that the remoter reaches are still very dangerous.

Many of the world’s most powerful navies are involved. The French and American ones have killed Somali pirates while freeing their own citizens. For the past year the European Union has deployed its first-ever joint naval force, named Operation Atalanta, to protect ships passing in and out of the Red Sea on their way from or to the Suez canal. Russia has an active anti-piracy mission, helping, among other things, to revive its rusting navy. China has asked if it could set up a naval base in Kenya or elsewhere in the region to support its anti-piracy patrols. The Japanese and South Koreans have sent warships to protect ships carrying their cars. India, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Africa have also joined the anti-piracy fray.

Yet the pirates are still hijacking ships and receiving ransoms with apparent impunity. In the past fortnight they have captured four more big ships. Two of them, the Singaporean-flagged Pramoni and the British-flagged St James Park, both tankers carrying chemicals, were nabbed under the nose of the foreign navies patrolling the Gulf of Aden.

The pirates’ methods remain rudimentary. They use hijacked tuna-fishing boats or local dhows as the mother ship, then launch attacks from skiffs, usually at dawn or dusk. They hold the crews hostage with machine-guns and semi-automatic pistols, then force the captain to anchor off the northern part of Somalia’s coast for several weeks until a ransom is paid.

The patrolling navies say they have begun to do better. Yet the number of recorded hijackings rose from 32 in 2008 to 42 in 2009. The average ransom paid by shippers also rose, from $1m to $2m. If unpublicised pay-offs are included, some by Spain’s government, the pirates probably earned around $100m last year. That must be shared with their financial backers, especially in Lebanon, Somalia and the United Arab Emirates. Well-organised criminal gangs in Yemen also help.

To avoid the patrols, the pirates’ geographical range has increased sharply (see map). Shippers must pay extra insurance premiums, even if they ply a course far from Somalia’s waters. A Greek-owned freighter, Navios Apollon, was captured by Somalis on December 28th, fully 370km (200 nautical miles) east of the Seychelles, which is more than 1,300km from Somalia.

Plainly there is no purely naval way to stop the pirates. Somalia’s coast is more than 3,000km long. They seem unafraid of the warships. If accosted, the pirates usually dump their guns and grapple-hooks in the sea. The patrolling navies are reluctant to arrest them because of the legal complexities. On the rare occasions when pirates are taken aboard, they are usually given medicine, water and enough fuel to go back to Somalia. Within days they will set off again to seek their prey.

The EU has signed a deal with Kenya to imprison captured pirates. But there are concerns that Kenya is asking for too many favours in return for embarking on what is bound to be a messy legal process. If the EU and other concerned countries could get the governments of Tanzania, the Seychelles and other countries in the region to agree to prosecute pirates in their own courts, the legal deterrent against them would be stronger.

The pirates’ main advantage is the lawlessness of Somalia which has long been enmeshed in a civil war. Western governments fear that if they were to send their security forces to attack towns such as Haradheere, a pirate haven, the Islamist fighters of the Shabab militia, which controls much of south and central Somalia and is linked to al-Qaeda, might be strengthened.

Besides, the pirates could yet prove to be odd allies in stopping the Islamists from spreading their jihadist net. The Shabab considers piracy for profit unIslamic. The militants violently disapprove of the pirates’ boozing and whoring. The pirates and the Shabab could yet fight each other, which might benefit everyone else. So far, however, the pirates’ wealth protects them at home. Somalia is one of the world’s poorest countries, yet a low-ranking pirate can probably earn at least $20,000 a year.

The EU says its naval force’s main mission is to protect freighters carrying the food aid on which Somalis have depended for the past five years, and has thus staved off a full-blown famine. Its next priority is to “deter and disrupt” piracy in general. The warships may also deter illegal fishing in Somali waters and the dumping of toxic waste. But they are a small force in a big sea. At last count, there were seven patrolling vessels from six EU countries.

In any event, some shipping people privately say that the effects of piracy have been exaggerated. It may still be cheaper and more convenient to pay higher insurance fees and risk being attacked by pirates than to incur the extra cost of diverting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.

The International Maritime Bureau in London says that last year 22,000 ships passed safely through waters in range of Somali pirates, whereas actual attacks were in the low hundreds. The bureau also reckons that, as ships take more precautions, the pirates’ success rate will drop.

Most ships now steam along narrow corridors at night and at full speed. In the Gulf of Aden they are usually in a convoy. Many raise the height of the freeboard (between the waterline and the deck) to make it harder for pirates to haul themselves up the side. Others are poised to use sirens and fire hoses. Some American-flagged vessels now have security guards, though it is generally agreed that they should remain unarmed, otherwise the violence and deaths would probably increase.

Plainly, the problem is far from solved. As ransoms go up and get paid, pirates will think it worth taking the risk. Above all, they are sure to persist as long as most of Somalia, including its ports along the coast, remains an ungovernable hell.

DJ CHONG WIZARD: The ECLECTIC RELAXATION Mixtape (+American Ironman BONUS)

A Proper tribute to A Tribe Called Quest
(everyone's favorite group)

DJ Chong Wizard does it again...

His 2008 release of Jay-Z + Ghostface, American Ironman (download here), is a classic. 01. Jay-Z - American Ironman
02. Jay-Z - Black Super Hero Music
03. Ghostface Killah - Hero or Villain
04. Ghostface Killah - Broad Day 'Em
05. Jay-Z - Comic book Dreamin
06. Jay-Z - Is this what success all about
07. Jay-Z - Pray For Camay
08. Ghostface Killah - Success @ The Apollo
09. Jay-Z ft. Beanie Sigel - Ignorant After The Smoke
10. Jay-Z - Blue Marvel
11. Ghostface Killah - Haunted
12. Ghostface Killah - Say Hello To The High Guy
13. Jay-Z - Sweet Controller
14. Jay-Z & Ghostface - No Hook, No Weep
15. Ironman's Theme

Now he teams up to bring Tribe lovers an amazing tribute.

(2dopeboyz.com) - "DJ Chong Wizard hooks up with Thick Magazine & KevinNottingham.com to present Eclectic Relaxation: A Tribute to A Tribe Called Quest. This mixtape has been a work in progress since last summer when a beat contest was hosted on KN for producers to recreate their favorite ATCQ tracks. Hundreds of entries were submitted and the best made the cut. Featuring emcees such as Del The Funky Homosapien, El Da Sensei, The Lessondary (Jermiside, Tanya Morgan, etc), Frank Nitti (of Frank N Dank), Moka Only, Bootie Brown and many more, Eclectic Relaxation is sure to give Tribe fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for… a proper tribute."

1. DJ Chong Wizard - Check The Classic (prod. by Complexxx)

2. El Da Sensei - Can I Kick It (prod. by LoKeyNote)

3. Del The Funky Homosapien - To Go (prod. by Bidimridim)

4. The Lessondary [Jermiside

5. A.B.N.G

6. Tanya Morgan & Elucid] - Check The Rhime (prod. by Bidimridim)

7. Muneshine Roshin & DJ Sonik - Steve Biko (Stir It Up) (prod. by Muneshine)

8. M.I.C. [MeccaGodZilla Junclassic & Monsta X] - Award Tour (prod. by Zup)

9. Frank Nitti [Frank n Dank] - Eclectic Relaxation (prod. by G.C.)

10. Jovi Rockwell - Gotta Get Out {Bonita Applebum} (prod. by Ro-Data)

11. Dre Biggity - Find A Way (prod. by Damar Davis & Fonkee1)

12. Moka Only - Push It Along (prod. by Moka Only)

13. Jeff Spec & Moka Only - Butter (prod. by K-Murdock)

14. Phoenix Jones & Big Norf Da God - Verses From The Black E.T.z (prod. by DJ Chong Wizard)
15. Phoenix Jones & Jis The Future - Jazz (prod. by Has-Lo)

16. The Googlenaires [Moka Only & Bootie Brown] - Skypager (prod. by Moka Only)

17. Donny Arcade - Scenario (prod. by Don Joe)

18. Dutchmassive - The Love (prod. by Remot)

19. St. Mic & Tomorrow's Yesterday - Pad and Pen (prod. by St. Mic)

20. Wax & EOM - A Date Called Quest (prod. by EOM)

21. The Movement Fam - Oh My God (prod. by Bidimridim)

DOWNLOAD HERE