Say That Then!

News From Around The Way

Seaspot is in mourning. We thought he was immortal, because if what he had already done to himself couldn't kill him, he would probably live forever. But Funk's original Super Freak has left the building. Rest In Peace Rick James.

Stop the spread of Haterade in the Hateration Nation. Hot damn folks, even in a city as supposedly progressive as Seattle, Hip Hop is still catching the heat. This time it's from one of the people who give Republicans a bad name (not that that really narrows it down, does it?). Hans Zeiger has come talking out the side of his neck in the Seattle Times about attempts to get the Hip Hop nation involved politically: "These are the forces of soul destruction gone political. Voting is not meant to be cool for gangster rappers, or hip for the young, or unconscious of its heritage. Voting is a great privilege to be entered into only by citizens who understand the gravity of the issues they hold in their hands." You need a password to see the Times' archives, but you also can find the whole piece here, although, I'm warning you - you may actually get dumber just reading it. And please remember, if you ever did run into this kid, it would probably get you thrown in jail if you stomp him out.

And speaking of haters, P. Diddy cornered Bill O'Reilly recently at the Democratic Convention. What followed was the most civilized discussion of Hip Hop that has ever included Bill. He almost has you believing he's not a total loser until: "But I like hip-hop. I'm hopping all the time, man." Note to Bill: Not only are you still a hypocritical, overly arrogant jackass, you're also the most out of touch dweeb on television. Urkel has more street cred than you.

"I'm rich, B***h!" According to USA Today, Dave Chappelle got $35 million out of Comedy Central for the next two seasons of The Chappelle Show. Dave also has enough juice to be getting a cut of the DVD sales. Bling for decades.

Is anybody else worried about Team USA's chances of bringing home Basketball Gold from Athens? When they win, it's just barely (Iverson at the buzzer against Germany, barely holding off the Turkish team), and the Italians gave them a straight up whuppin', killing them by 20. Let's hope A.I. and Tim Duncan can breathe some life into these cats.

The Ruler's back, and we don't mean Jay Hova. Slick Rick will be blowing up Club Premier here in Seattle on Aug. 14th. Having recently resolved some immigration issues, Rick is wasting no time getting back on that hustle. Also appearing, oddly, will be Kool Keith. Now we all love Dr. Octagon and every other incarnation of The Black Elvis, but it does seem like a weird pairing. But don't miss it, the heat will be blistering.

For all you fans of the late, great X-Clan, if the old albums just aren't satisfying your jones, you can go on E-Bay and bid on a day with Professor X. If the bidding reaches $500, they'll even include bus fare for the winner. I'm not kidding.

The buzz is growing on the next release from Bone Thugs alumni Krayzie Bone Gemini: Good vs. Evil. Look for it around the end of September.

Will Smith has confirmed his reported threats to return to the rap game with a new single and dance.

There are two new nights to be on the lookout for. Grown and Sexy has taken over Des Amis on Wednesday nights, providing something for those older cats who are looking for something a little more low key. That doesn't mean it ain't crackin', check it out. The goodfellas up at Vito's are back with So Sexxxy. Trying to take Big Pimpin' to a whole new level in Seattle, So Sexxxy will have RSVP tables, go go dancers and resident DJ Lovesick Larry. Seattle's on and cracking baby!