Through Angelique’s Eyes from mrjeffdess on Vimeo.

“Kembe La” from mrjeffdess on Vimeo.

What do you want to see next???
write on.
j/d

what basketball moment do you want to read about???

NEXT WEEK: Smith, Smith Again.

TOP 5 REASONS (young people) PEOPLE CHEAT.

5. Social Media

I know what you’re thinking, Facebook or Twitter or G-Chat or whatever can’t make someone cheat. Au Contraire mon Frère. These places have become breeding grounds for some sultry suspect behavior. All starts with the friendly out in the open comment or tweet which is not serious at all. Those little blips turn into playful banter which turns into private messages, which leads to the social media stalk. It begins with late night photo gawking, asking yourself, “Hmm, I wonder how she would look with me? Or Wow I never knew he had such a nice smile. After the back and forth flirting comes the texting. After the texting comes the potential phone call. After the phone call comes “let’s do lunch.” After lunch you both are still eating and thus cheating. Game Over.

4. Only Way Out

There comes a time where the relationship has to end but you have no clue how to get out. The exit strategy is to cheat. Who wants to be known as the person who dates a cheater? Not me. This is the optimum get out of jail free card. Had the US cheated on Iraq or Afghanistan maybe this war would’ve been over a long time ago. I kid, I kid. Or am I?

3. Case of the Ex

The ex is the most dangerous factor. Here’s some advice I received from a wise friend: Stay away from the Ex! If it ends well that only makes the cheating more inevitable. Sure it’s all over and yeah we’re just friends. Suddenly the next morning you wake up looking at each other asking how we got back here. But of course this magical experience was only one time and it didn’t mean anything. My friends, don’t get it twisted the EX is not safe. Even in the cases of a messy breakup, the first time you run into the EX with a hotter, cooler, lover, FINNITO

2. Definition

Girlfriend, My Man, Friends with Benefits, My Homie, all poppycot! I can’t think of how many times I’ve met two folks whose definition is unclear. One is saying how much they are feeling their girlfriend/boyfriend and how things are going so well. The other is hitting me with I hope they don’t think we’re serious. Her Facbook says “IN A RELATIONSHIP” and his says “IT’S COMPLICATED.” I present to you the infamous undefined. If we don’t know than it can

1. Boredom.

Excitement keeps every relationship alive. The lack thereof will likely lead to a break up or yup you guessed it, Cheating. If you were taking me out to the great shows and theater and now we’re watching one of these Tyler Perry programs, this may lead to cheating. If we were having great dinners and now we’re grilling up some cheese sandwiches that ans issue that may lead to cheating. If it goes from toe sucking to toenail clipping, that too may lead to cheating. If the sparks that lit up the relationship dim out well you get the point.

For the Record I’ve Never Cheated…well all depends on your definition of cheating of course!

My beloved Knickerbockers beat the Suns last night who also happened to have the best record in the NBA. We’ve been trash for so long that this  game caused for a little reminiscing. I remember when my starting five was Ewing, Oakley, Mason, Starks and Harper! With those memories vivid in my brain, allow me to take you back to the TOP 5 MOMENTS OF THE NEW YORK KNICKS (90’s edition)

5. The Dunk
Arguably the most famous dunk in Knicks history, there was no way it could be kept off of the list. I will say that the legend of the dunk has outgrown the actual play. Honestly it happened so fast that I barely remember it. I do remember a few things though. I remember having that poster in the room and I remember the fact that Jordan also got dunked on!

4. Chris Childs Snuffs Kobe Bryant
Now if you are a true 90s or early 2000s Knicks fan, you shall remember this play and might even remember where you were. I recall it was an afternoon game that Knicks were losing. I believe Chris Dudley had got dunked on something ugly and things were getting testy. As soon as Kobe got two pieced, I called my fellow Knick fans and we all celebrated a good laugh!

3.Larry Johnson 4 Point Play
Whether you were there, at home or at your local sports bar, it doesn’t matter. This has the makings of a number 1 play. The dramatics, the impossibility and LJ’s beard made this moment an unforgettable one. The overhead shot of the Garden celebrating is one that is now used for big plays all across the basketball coverage. LJ had definitely hit his militant stage at this point and this militant led a community of fans to the promise land or at least to the next round of the playoffs. Peep the post game interview and how Larry bigs up his islamic faith as well.

2. Allan Houston Gamewinner
Allan Houston is often remembered for his unsuccessful 6 year 100 million dollar contract. I remember his sweet jumper, his deadly triple threat and of course one of the biggest shots in Knicks history. The game winner helped the Knicks become only the second #8 seed to beat a #1 seed in the playoffs. What I remember most is me literally jumping on my bed and breaking it, as I celebrated. The bed never recovered. Game Over!

1. Patrick Ewing dunks on Zo
I may be a little biased on this one, but I shall not have Patrick Ewing off of the list. This was huge because it was perhaps the last great highlight of this NYK warrior’s career. Taking place in the Eastern Conference finals against the hated Miami Heat, Ewing would not be able to play in the finals due to injury but this dunk or his Hoya comrade was a memorable one.

5. Ernest Givens-Houston Oilers
Jerry Rice was easily the best WR in the game but Givens was my favorite. With an equally superb Warren Moon at QB one could rack up huge numbers with this guy. I challenge anyone out there to stop my Houston Oilers passing game! I guarantee 300 yards.


4. QB Eagles- “Randall Cunnigham”
Before Michael Vick in Madden 2004 there was QB Eagles aka Randall Cunnigham. Of course he had the great Keith Jackson to throw to but the fun part was the running! Like some crook running through Center City in Downtown Philly, QB Eagles was always out and was not getting caught.

3. Christian Okoye -Kansas City Chiefs
Bo Jackson and Barry Sanders are the popular picks for best running backs in this game. The Nigerian Nightmare should definitely be added on that short list. There was no tackle that this man could not break. Dude would shed defenders like he was Keanu Reeves fighting some suits in the Matrix. Okoye dominated like Kimbo Slice would in backyards. This guy put Nigerians on the sport map in my book. Tecmo Legend.

2. Lawrence Taylor- New York Giants
The fact that he’s the only defensive player on this list should say something. LT was fast, strong and his tackles would never be broken. He played on another level, as if he was high on coke or something. Throw Taylor in the right position and he was blocking FG’s and extra points with ease. Sacks, interceptions you name it LT did it.


1. Bo Jackson Oakland Raiders
Anyone who’s every played video game knew this was coming. I am convinced that whatever God you believe in, took part in creating this 8 bit monster. There has never been a more dominating sports star in a game and maybe real life for that matter. Bo Jackson was literally unfair if you had an ounce of skills. We’ve all been a part of majestic runs like this one below before:

To discuss Shellstein is to delve into something deeper and rather ugly. His fam has been on the block for a minute. Shellstein’s money was Jane Pittman old if not older. There’s no proof how far back they go, in large part due to the fact that all family records are untraceable. Straight prestige. Shellstein was a graduate of the Ronald Reagan Academy and from then on cashed in a first class ticket to Cambridge. Harvard was in the blood. There he perfected his business plan and his ability to chump people of color, which eventually led to starting and running a hip hop label. When signing quality artists and getting airplay become an issue. Shellstein knew exactly what to do next.

Cats were getting bought into submission. Radio Stations dropped to their knees one by one. DJ’s at Cool 89.1 in LA were banking 1 million per for their assistance. Programmers at NY’s Power 93.5 and Hot 108 were caking from the Shellstein Payola. Everybody who was anybody knew what the deal was and they collected whatever they could get to assure fat pockets.

It was sad to see reputable labels bought out or crumble by the wayside. They simply couldn’t compete with Shell Master. Companies who were them from the beginning were getting chewed up. Historical Hip Hop heads faded into the abyss. There were a few small labels left but they were merely a dent in Shell Master’s plans.

The biggest machete to the face came when Sam Shellstein received government support. It started as a rumor. Then it became a whisper. And just like that states were loudly voting left and right on additions to their disorderly conduct laws. Applied to all ages, kids to grown folk could now get bagged for the following:

A) Unnecessary unsanctioned dancing
B) Rhythmic chanting or spitting of any kind for a sustained period of time
C) Outdoor unsanctioned artwork or performance
D) Playing of unsanctioned music that includes heavy bass lines.

Laws were laws, and best believe that police departments across the nation gladly obliged. They enforced disorderly conduct with the force of Papa Doc’s Ton Ton Macoutes. Dance circles in Dallas were deaded in dastardly ways. Syphers in San Francisco were shot down by rubber bullets and artists in Arkansas were assaulted with much aggravation. Vibrant communities of young people had their creative juices sucked dry by a vacuum of monotony. Slowly they would succumb to the Shell Master.

Being applied were some of the best get down or lay down tactics ever seen.

Signing with Shell Master wasn’t exactly Eden. There were two divisions Killer Masters and Dance Masters. In other words if you didn’t rap about murkin or murder or make that booty clap, you didn’t rap. Shellstein sucessfully saturated the market with two types of artists. Fans could barely differentiate who was nice or whack anymore. Gun slingin and ass shaking dominated on some 96 Chicago Bulls shit. Signing to Shell Master was equivalent to what one could call slavery. He owned you. Contracts were signed with intentions of the longest terms sans a signing bonus. Rappers broke a little bank but their cash flow failed in comparison to the master of the operation. The artists were given Black American Express cards that strangely had limits and strangely served as honing devices. Shellstein put chips in each one. Gotcha! Odd behavior or any unnecessary advancement was dealt with forcefully and swiftly. Cats still haven’t caught on. The uber hypeness created by the card, never failed at blinding rational thoughts.

Sam Shellstein was always in control and there were no signs of falling off.

As he continued to bask, his phone suddenly rang…

The mayor of New York City was a dapper fellow. He was known for an array of sharply tailored pinstriped suits and an immovable coiffed hairdo always slicked to perfection. Tyrone Guiliano Jackson never needed words to make his presence felt. He was the type who would pump up the volume of his car stereo and drive through any of the 5 boroughs crooning to Old Blue Eyes. The tinted windows hid Jackson’s darker skin but the special edition Mayoral Mercedes familiar to everyone always gave him away. The aroma given off by some of the mayor’s favorite habits trailed his vehicle like children behind an ice cream truck on an August day in the Boogie-Down. He sure loved Cubans and sipped cognac every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On this day video vixen to the stars, Ms. Boo Tay sashayed across the mayor’s office with a bottle of brown liquor in one hand and a box of smokes in the other preparing for the weekday festivities. Nelly’s “Tip Drill” vibrated the walls as well as the giant gold medallion around Jackson’s neck and the party was soon to commence. Unbeknownst to the couple, as this particular hump day came to a close, there would be no cigars or V.S.O.P. tonight.

A spirit has arrived.

As the alcohol was on the verge of being popped, Vito Jenkins stormed in with such reckless abandonment; a startled Ms. Tay dropped the intoxicative beverage to the ground. Mayor Jackson didn’t seem bothered by the crash of a Hennessey bottle to his parquet floor, but was visibly peeved by his assistant’s untimely interruption.

“Vito you know my rules. This better be good. I’m about to work out on my boo,” said the mayor.

As he wiped a drop of sweat from his brow and caught his breath, Vito replied, “I’m sorry boss man but the phone has been ringing off the hook. It seems as if something scary has popped off New York City.”

“That’s quite absurd. Everyone knows that my city is immune to it all. What type of problem we got goins on?”

Vito, now with a shook look on his face apprehensively answered. “According to the NYPD and the doctors, it’s something they haven’t seen in years.”

Ms. Tay butted in with disgust. “My dude, you are messing up our high!”

“Boo, you are not here to talk. Fall back. Now Vito, be real with me what’s really good?” asked the mayor.

“Boss man, have you heard of the Boom Bap?”

“Boy, you have got to be buggin.” The mayor’s voice now trembling with shock and awe continued, “This can’t be true. How can you be so certain?”

“Well sir, the doctors are on their way to confirm,” responded Vito.

Before another word was spoken a knock came to the door. As the doctor stormed into the office, it was apparent that sweat had engulfed his entire body. His white shirt rendered transparent, was a sign of intense perspiration.

“Vito take my boo outside, this is about to get private.”

Ms. Boo Tay, her booty and Vito disappear into another space.

“So what’s the verdict?” the mayor inquired.

“Well, 5 of them have been trapped thus far. Their customs, attitudes, desires and ambitions seemed to have been shaped by a radically different life. We’ve tried to regulate their behavior but the drugs, advertisements and subliminal messages ain’t working. Sleep is the only way to sedate them.”

“Is there anything that I should keep my good eye out for doctor?”

“Well mayor the signs of danger are pretty diverse. Dynamic colors streaming across subways and borough buildings are taking over the city. There are unusual scratching sounds bellowing from basements across the metro area. I’ve heard reports from Harlem of people moving their bodies in an aggressive boogie fashion. It’s pretty super bad. Worst of all folks are assembling on street corners, backyards and cafeterias throughout the state, simply spitting. They stand in circles bopping uncontrollably while reciting rhythmic rhymes from decades ago. We’ve seen crazy Negro jive of this sort before, but nothing quite like this.

“There is complete disregard for the disorderly conduct laws,” the doctor continued.

The mayor was becoming extremely disconcerted. A look of frustration began to set in. “Just put them all in prison, like we’ve done before. Whatever needs to be done get to it fast, I’ve got an upcoming presidential election to win.”

The doctor snapped back, “Don’t you get it, you incompetent nigger? Electoral votes should be the least of your worries. If this BOOM BAP goes down and pops off all control will be lost. Society is not prepared for such a sudden change. There would be no recovery.”

“You’re the fucking doctor, do something!”

“Well I’ve heard of this psychologist that is familiar with BOOM BAP. Maybe he can be of assistance. He lives in Queens, right on Queens Blvd. We could probably throw his ass in jail. It’s a stretch, but we’re desperate.”

“I’ll telephone the president as soon as we’re done. I will not allow this thing to derail our plans” said the mayor.

As the mayor and doctor conjure up a strategic comeback, sounds of a hip hop hullabaloo come from outside. With Air Force One’s on his feet mayor Jackson and the doctor storm out of office only to find Ms. Boo Tay filled with delyte and a microphone spouting out lyrical linguistics. She looks directly at the mayor and spits.

“I said slow down, I know you wanna shake me down/ I’m not one of the girls to be rippin around.”

Vito on the other hand had found two aerosol cans and already left his mark throughout the room. The entire scene had been tagged by oranges and blacks. Out of the blue the mayor feels an unfamiliar twitch creep up into his neck. He starts with a Capoeira type two step and suddenly Jackson is on the floor body contorted and spinning rapidly in a 360 degree circle. The lights go off and at an individual pace each window begins to shatter. As uproar continues, the doctor shook as can be drops to floor in astonishment.

As the sun rises to illuminate the next day, it reveals that THE BOOM BAP has arrived and rocked 1 million New Yorkers.

This all seems way too familiar.