In America, you’re often told from a young age that you can be anything you want to be. What they don’t tell you is that sometimes you might suck at what you want to be. And in that case, it’s probably best to not make a video documenting exactly that.

On top of looking like a long-term homeless person and mumbling like he forgot to take the sheet of acid out of his pocket, Joaquin Phoenix’s Letterman interview goes so badly it’s hard to watch. In fact, it’s almost hard to believe. Either this guy’s completely lost it, or he’s pulling the biggest stunt since Kaufman’s Tony Clifton. I’m hoping it’s that – because if not, it would seem the damages are irreversable.

When we heard last week that P. Diddy would be producing a rap album for Joaquin Phoenix, we thought it was just some bad joke. Turns out, it’s true. But after seeing Joaquin bust his ass falling off a stage during a rap performance, we realized that it is still just a big joke.

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Remember back in the day – you know, like ‘97 – when Hip Hop used to be all about the bling and b*tches and shooting people, and every single rapper dressed in pants big enough for an entire posse? Well, it looks like the scene is going through some serious soul searching. And who have they come up with as the new model for Rap Fashion? None other than Steve Motherf**kin’ Urkel.

In this recent photo of Jay-Z we see Hova trying to pull off a new look we are dubbing, The Urkel. It might just be the glasses and the geeky look he has on his face, but it seems like Jay-Z is trying to bring mid-90’s family sitcom nerdiness into style. That’s all cool with us. But if he starts snorting when he laughs, that’s where we draw the line.

I can’t even explain this:

There’s nothing like a classic Christmas jam to really make you feel in the holiday spirit. Check out “Christmas in Hollis” and get in the mood!

Donda West, mother of outspoken hip-hop auteur Kanye West, passed away over the weekend from complications during cosmetic surgery. With big-name MCs like Jay-Z offering up condolences we figured today would be a good day to honor the greatest dedications to mothers in hip-hop.

Kanye West – “Hey Mama” (Late Registration)

In lieu of recent events Kanye’s “Hey Mama” has taken on a more important role: what was once a jubilant track dedicated to his mom raising him is now a heartfelt, last-goodbye on record. Over world-music inspired beatwork and gospel claps ‘Ye sounds far different than the heartless, egocentric MCs most associate him with. Humility goes a long way, and I’m sure he will revisit this subject with even more honesty in the near future. (more…)