Album Review: Dreamchasers 2 - Meek Mill

Certainly Philadelphia-born, up-and-coming hip hop artist Meek Mill faced a tall task in releasing his latest effort, Dreamchasers 2, on May 7th; after all, his first tape, Dreamchasers, exceeded 500,000 downloads, ranked #5 on datpiff.com's list of the greatest mixtapes of 2011, and brought him to the forefront of the popular hip-hop along with fellow Maybach Music labelmates Wale and Rick Ross.  Ten days after the release of the project, it is clear:  Dreamchasers 2 is simply a continuation of the start to an impressive career, garnering an astounding 2,750,000+ downloads on datpiff.com alone, an improvement nearly sixfold over his last effort and good enough to be the most-downloaded tape of 2012 thus far.  Named the seventh hottest rapper in the game right now by MTV in February, one could make an argument that just three months later Meek Mill, christened Robert Williams, is hotter than any of the artists who had been listed ahead of him.  Incredible flow and sound, impressive and rapidly improving lyrical talents, depth of experience that seems almost a prerequisite for a success in rap (Williams has already served one jail sentence on gun charges), and a deal with MMG bode well for a successful career.  At the very least, the Dreamchasers series as well as his less acclaimed Flamerz series have provided plenty of quality music in a remarkably short period of time.

Below is a track by track review of DC2.  Give it a read, but more importantly, give Dreamchasers 2 a listen and continue to keep an eye on Meek Mill and Maybach Music in years to come.

1) Intro (prod. by The Beat Bully):  If perhaps this intro does not match the lyrical hype provided by the A One-produced Intro from the original Dreamchasers, the sample from a Muhammad Ali speech that sets the self-lauding tone that Meek uses throughout the tape.  If DC1 was about chasing dreams, DC2 is a reflection on having achieved those dreams (and, of course, aspiring for even greater).  This is an excellent two-minute lead-in to a series of excellent songs at the outset of the tape.
Notable bars:  "Yeah, it's a lot of bad b-tches in the building, Amen / Came in the game killin' n-ggas, J Lin"

2) Ready or Not (prod. by All Star):  Essentially an extension of the Intro, this song features a reflective by Meek on his coming to fame, eloquent interjections by mixtape host DJ Drama on the nature of dreams, and a beat by All Star that can best be described as, well, dreamlike.  In particular, this song speaks to all that Robert Williams overcame to become the Meek Mill that we know today:  poverty, fear that he might be killed in his sleep, legal troubles, and friends that turned against him.  There have been plenty of hype rappers that emerge for a few years but fail to find a permanent niche in the rap game; however, few of these put the feeling into their music that Meek Mill does.  This track serves as another reminder of this.
Notable bars:  "The meek shall inherit the earth / So I'mma own this b-tch until I'm buried in dirt"; "And I don't know why, I just feel like I'm the one / They label me a victim but now look what I become / Or should I say became, I don't do it for the fame"; "The system made me stronger / And being broke just gave me my hunger"

3) Amen ft. Drake, Jeremih (prod. by KeY Wane):  This is a feel-good track with a bumping beat; in other words, Meek Mill at his very best.  Although he is possibly outshone on this particular track by Drake's excellent verse (certainly there is no shame in this), this song still stands out as one of the best on the tape.  The chorus is catchy, Drake and Jeremih both come strong, and Mill is on top of his game also.  Since both the Drake feature and the upbeat tone to the song are conducive to radio airtime, don't be surprised if this song becomes a soundtrack to your summer.
Notable bars:  Drake - "And good ain't good enough, and your hood ain't hood enough / Spent my whole life putting on, you spend your whole life putting up"; Meek Mill - "Lord forgive me for my sins, I'm just tryna win and sh-t / Devil in a dress but if she knock I let her in"

4) Burn ft. Big Sean (prod. by Jahlil Beats):  This is, in my humble opinion, the absolute best track on the tape.  Big Sean and Meek Mill have styles that complement each other perfectly.  The pace is breakneck, the bass knocks like crazy, and the lyrics are a steady stream of self-lauding, cocky, badass-ness, executed, of course, to perfection.  'Burn' is this tape's 'I'ma Boss'; it has all the components of a successful rap song.  A quick sidebar:  this is Big Sean's best work in a very long time.  A Meek Mill-Big Sean collaboration tape would be absolutely incredible.  One can wish.
Notable bars:  Meek Mill & Big Sean - "Cause we next and we flex like / 90PX, working all night no breaks or recess"; Big Sean - "My cousin finished school can't believe he graduated / Threw him 20,000 dollars told his ass congratulations"; Meek Mill - "And they say life's a game of chess, you can play checkers on my jacket / Cause it's Damier and we bombs away on y'all big rappers"; Big Sean - "Oh that's your girl?  Damn n-gga you ain't learn sh-t / She naked in my studio, I'm on that Howard Stern sh-t"

5) A1 Everything ft. Kendrick Lamar:  Forgive me if I'm biased on this track; Kendrick Lamar is perhaps my personal favorite young MC in the game.  If 'Burn' is the strongest track on DC2, then 'A1 Everything' is a very close second.  This is album-quality music:  the lyrics are flow are impeccable, the production is commendable, the final product is a work of art.  Kendrick Lamar and Meek Mill are actually both currently touring together along with Drake on his Club Paradise tour, and there is a May 30th tour date in Detroit.  If I can grab a tough ticket, this blog will certainly see more than a few pictures.
Notable bars:  Meek Mill - "So I'm just riding around in my Rolls, about to get on my bike / Just to touchdown in my hood and I put that on my life"; Kendrick Lamar - "Pray to God I washed my hand, but I be damned / 2012 100 racks to Uncle Sam / A 24 year old millionaire / Don't read the contract 'less a mill in there"

6) Use to Be ft. Jordanne:  I hate to draw too many parallels between DC1 and DC2, but this song is very much comparable to 'Dreamchasers' off of the first edition.  The solemn, reflective tone is a change of pace from the first five tracks of the tape.  Rather than focusing on newfound fame and success, the lyrics ponder the life that Robert Williams left behind, aided by a catchy, nearly haunting hook by R&B artist Jordanne.  This is probably the song that provides the most insight into the captivating story of Meek Mill's rise and all that he escaped.  Pay particular mind to the lyrics when listening to this song; they are truly heartfelt.
Notable bars:  Jordanne - "I used to grind in the dirt / I used to cry 'til it hurt / I will look up to the heavens / When is my time gonna come"; Meek Mill - "Looking at my son while his head lay on my shoulder / Thinking in my head will I make it to see him grow up / Or will I catch a bullet from something these n-ggas throwing"; Meek Mill - "Trying to get a couple bricks so I can make a house / Close friends hating on me really trying to play me out"; Meek Mill - "The man with the gold makes the rules / And one who makes the rules breaks the rules / Some n-ggas make it alive, some make the news / It's either family or money, I hate to choose"

7) Flexing (prod. by Jahlil Beats):  Another banger, as one can come to expect when Meek and Jahlil Beats work together on a track.  The attitude and characteristic frenzied tone are back for Meek Mill on this track.  This is exactly the sort of track that has made him popular; although devoid of features, the money-flaunting, braggadocios flair that Meek Mill brings so consistently makes the track at the very least a great song to vibe to.
Notable bars:  "Heater on my hip, trunk full of that work / I say my shooters like Dirk, 10 racks and you murk"; "I don't chase no b-tches, I just chase my dreams / We ridin' 'round so dirty in this whip that's so clean"

8) I Get It ft. Travis Scott:  Most notable on this track is that Travis Scott, a nineteen year old MC from Houston, comes correct and hangs with one of the game's best.  Travi$ Scott has worked with T.I. before on a track called 'Animal', which is likely where he came upon this connection, but this track will likely provide his first taste of nationwide notoriety.  Already he has been the subject of an XXL piece this month; no doubt, this is a name to watch.
Notable bars:  Meek Mill - "Hustle hard in that daytime but I ball off in that night life / My chain lit with them black stones, but they shine as hard as yo white ice"; Travis Scott - "Ride around just me and Meek, a couple dimes and that's 20 / Sit behind while we pull around, we might blind with canaries"

9) Everyday ft. Rick Ross (prod. by Cardiak):  The two best hype rappers in the game right now, not to mention MMG labelmates, come together for a bass-pounding song, repping both MMG and Philadelphia fully.  As the past two years have proved, a chorus by Ross is a recipe for success; this song is no exception.  I said earlier that no two rappers complement each other so perfectly as Meek Mill and Big Sean.  If there is an argument against this, it is that Meek and Ricky Rozay are just that much better.  My only complaint is that this is Ross' only feature on the tape:  if Meek Mill can feature three to four times on Rich Forever, Rick Ross should have appeared at least as much on DC2.
Notable bars:  Meek Mill - "Diamonds flashing like a camera, my whip sound like a monster / My b-tch on that sh-t, she got a million dollar sponsor"

10) Racked Up Shawty ft. Fabolous, French Montana:  With Fabo coming strong once again, and French Montana fresh off of his release of Coke Boys 3, this track had potential for success.  Somehow, however, it the result was one of the least inspiring songs on the tape.  The beat is decent, but the chorus seems to lack both energy and lyrical creativity.  Needless to say, I'm disappointed; in my opinion, this is Meek Mill's worst performance on the tape, coupled with a French Montana verse that seems ill-suited to the beat.
Notable bars:  Fabolous - "Won't catch me in that passenger, and that's word to Pac (damn) / That's word to B.I.G. (damn), rest in peace to the legends (yeah)"; French Montana - "Ass fat can't sit straight, ballin' like Griff Blake / Chain blue or white - Penn State, touring off a mixtape"

11) Lean Wit It (prod. by Cardiak):  This beat is extremely well-suited to Meek Mill's flow and style.  This is perhaps not the most polished piece on the mixtape, but could be album-worthy with a feature or if the lyrics were cleaned up or made more inspiring.  Perhaps it is just the high standard set by the majority of the music on DC2, but this short stretch does not live up; 'Lean Wit It' is the last such song that really didn't do anything for me.
Notable bars:  "Club LIV my last tag, I could've bought a fast Jag / The way these b-tches waving at me you would think a cab passed"

12) Big Dreams (prod. by All Star):  Street gospel.  This track is gold, and needs no features, none of Meek Mill's characteristic yells; it needs nothing besides the story that Meek Mill has to tell.  Beginning with another brief cameo by DJ Drama, the piece dives into all of the work and all of the hardship on the road to success and fame.  Good rap songs come, essentially, in two varieties:  bangers, relying on flair and bass to wow and hype their way to hit status, and songs like 'Big Dreams', which is more in the line of a personal narrative or a social commentary.
Notable bars:  "If you ain't got a dream, you ain't got nothing / A lot of n-ggas changed on me when I got money"; "Papa gotta eat, n-ggas shooting right around my momma way / Cops run in my sister crib, I swear I gotta find a way / Tryna touch a million dollars and I'm like a dime away / Never ask a n-gga for a handout, I would grind away"; "I was sixteen getting on my little knees / Asking the Lord please help me get a little cheese"; "Get a ad, picture that, he don't want no job / Lost hope, some n-ggas don't even want no God"

13) Take U Home ft. Wale, Big Sean (prod. by Beat Billionaire):  More great work.  Big Sean makes his second appearance and, once again, puts forth a very solid effort, joined on this song by Wale, another MMG frontman who is a personal favorite due to his status as rap's most renowned sneakerhead.  Having seen all of these artists in concert, Wale is certainly the most impressive in person; he puts on an excellent concert.  The same statement I made regarding Rick Ross on this tape also applies to Wale:  why so few appearances?  I know it's not an MMG collaborative or anything, but Wale definitely could have made valuable additions to a number of songs on the tape.
Notable bars:  Meek Mill - "Got that from bruh Jeezy and then I put Dean on / I'm seven looking like Heaven, I love when them jeans on"; Wale - "He ain't talking about no paper we don't listen to him / I try to love 'em in the physical not literal"; Big Sean - "Man I like my drinks high, my lights low / And I'm stacking paper like trifolds / 'Til my momma neighbors them white folks / 'Til my account triple O, oh, triple O, oh"

14) The Ride:  I don't have a lot to say about this song except that it's not anything remotely near as good as Drake's original.  I'm not sure why Meek tried this particular cover.  The beat and flow required are not really suited to his personal flair and style.
Notable bars:  "There's jack-boys downstairs, no man with the big bag / Just a man with a big gap tryna take your sh-t back / 'Cause he feel the world owe him / And his daughter want a Barbie doll for Christmas"

15) Face Down ft. Wale, Trey Songz, Sam Sneaker (prod. by Sam Sneaker):  Wale returns, but the highlights of 'Face Down' are excellent production and an excellent chorus by Sam Sneaker, and a full verse rapping from Trey Songz, who is often relegated to singing the chorus during many of his features.  This is excellent all around, and an excellent vibing song (if a bit R-rated lyrically).
Notable bars:  Meek Mill - "I take her home I touch that down, you take her home and you gon' punt / 'Cause y'all gon' kick it, and about my business"; Wale - "Couple bad independent women in my section / You be tricking dollars I don't even pay attention"

16) Str8 Like That ft. 2 Chainz, Louie V:  2 CHAINZ!  Even Meek needed a verse from 2 Chainz, Tity Boi, or whatever name the former member of Playaz Circle will go by, the current rapper of the moment.  2 Chainz is not a particularly gifted lyricist but what he lacks in this respect he makes up in flow and pure swagger.  If asked to name the top hype rappers in the game right now, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who would not name Meek Mill or 2 Chainz within ten seconds.  The result is something like a club-banger.
Notable bars:  Meek Mill - "And like Alakazam!  This shi-t way out of my hands! / And I'm with black card shawty, vroom-vroom jumpin' out of that Lamb"; 2 Chainz - "All I do is turn up, I'm about to show y'all / Early bird get the worm, I'm up way before y'all"; 2 Chainz - "My rhyme style's unorthodox, my weed stank no Tic-Tac / Asking me where I get that, Gucci sat on my flip flap! / Paint job cost me ten stacks, rim cost me another ten / So tell a friend to tell a friend to tell a friend to tell a friend"; Meek Mill - "'Cause I'm balling, like Spalding / My wrist flooded, New Orleans / And I'm sh-tting on 'em, no toilet / And no referee, I called it"

17) House Party Remix ft. Fabolous, Wale, Mac Miller (prod. by The Beat Bully):  A horrible remix to a great song.  Really disappointing.  Mac Miller comes correct and deserves recognition for doing so, but overall this version is simply inferior to the original 'House Party' off of DC1.  It's never a good idea to change a hook that was as wildly successful as this one, even if it is ever so slightly.  There is quality here lyrically, but the remix does not stack up to the original song.
Notable bars:  Meek Mill - "If I score and her her girlfriend, I'm calling that And-1 / If I murder that from the back, I'm calling it 'redrum'"; Mac Miller - "You only getting one shot, I hope your picture takes / B-tch I'm spitting ont his remix like I'm Kid and Play"

18) Real (prod. by SAP):  This is a solid track, although short, and although the mixtape doesn't exactly end with a bang the way one might prefer.  However, the last few songs focus once again on Meek Mill's roots and all that he overcame.  In 'Real', Milly focuses on the purpose and meaning of life, and how different these concepts can look in dire economic straits.  Songs like this and the next one are evidence of Williams' gradual maturation and lyrical improvement.
Notable bars:  "I said I used to get high, just to get by / Couldn't deal with my reality, was livin' in a lie / Sometimes I asked God is we livin' just to die / Conversations with my dad, and he livin' in the sky"; "I think 'am I goin' crazy?' or is this sh-t for real / The spirit of a n-gga who will or is appealed / Fightin' to see the light and I'm fightin' to keep it real / Like a n-gga with no lawyer I'm ready to take a deal"

19) On My Way (prod. by All Star):  As 'Real' transitions into 'On My Way', we hear the transition in Meek Mill's story from being lost and without greater ambition than selling drugs or keeping his family afloat to a brighter future provided by his talents in rapping.  The beat, tone, and lyrics are all suddenly less dark, and hope can be heard in Meek Mill's voice; he does a great job of recreating the hope that came into his life when it became clear that he was destined for greater things than could be found in his impoverished neighborhood.  This is street gospel at its best.
Notable bars:  "Look, I'mma give you a tip / Never let nobody tell you what you can be / They told me I couldn't / But I bet they told Obama he couldn't be the president either"; "I had basketball dreams, they deflated / I wasn't as good as Michael Jordan so they faded"

20) Outro (prod. by All Star):  After a few tough bars, DJ Drama comes in to provide in to provide a number of informational snippets to tie the mixtape together.  First, he alludes to Dreamchasers as a group with "exclusive membership", and lists Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Philadelphia 76ers point guard Lou Williams, Def Jam president Joey IE, and himself.  Having made these shoutouts, he finally hints at Meek Mill's next project with a short allusion:  "'Dreams and Nightmares' up next.  The rap game will await eagerly.

OVERALL:  4.5/5 STARS.  This rating falls below perfect, only slightly, for one reason; as great as this tape is, I did not like it quite so much as DC1.  Since DC2 has only been out now for a total of about three weeks, it is possible that this opinion could change, but the original was one of my very favorite mixtapes of all time.  Everything is stellar about this mixtape:  production, features, lyrical content, proper variation of styles and tones, and overall execution.  I can scarcely wait for 'Dreams and Nightmares', which is rumored to be on pace for an August 2012 drop.  Stay tuned.

-EA

Pacers vs. Heat Game 4: LiveBlog

Few pastimes are as American as enjoying sports with friends.  For this generation, that experience is often expanded to include the internet and social networks.  For some, including Bill Simmons, my absolute favorite person in sports journalism (check out his work at Grantland) the experience has taken the form of a LiveBlog.  With good friend and fellow NBA enthusiast Rivers Upchurch, I thought I would give it a try.  Perhaps the results are entertaining or funny; perhaps we failed to adequately recreate the experience of watching a game in the company of good people, eyes affixed to a basement flat-screen.  In any event, we had fun writing it.  Feedback appreciated, as always.

3:31 All is right in the world.  Few pleasures surpass watching a great basketball game with great people. I have the Heat by eight:  I'm expecting a better game from LBJ and a bounceback performance from Wade.  No player as good as either of those two plays two games in a row as uninspired as the one both turned in on Thursday night.  I have the Heat evening the series tonight, and taking the series in seven.
3:32 Rivers:  Pacers by six.  They've been the better team.
3:33 I like the addition of Shane Battier to the starting lineup.  He brings veteran presence, as well as a significantly crispier hairline than Joel Anthony.
3:34 We tipped approximately two minutes ago and already Indiana has another quick lead.  Chris Bosh has to be subtly concealing a smile as he watches from the bench in street clothes:  where are those that would diminish his importance to the team now?
3:37 Rivers:  My comprehensive list of NBA players who are worse than Joel Anthony:  Ronny Turiaf.  The list, unfortunately for the Miami Heat, ends there.  You could maybe, MAYBE, make a case for Josh McRoberts.  (left)
3:39 The Pacers are hacking plenty and the officials seem to be 100% on board with that.  Of all people, LeBron James has failed to get a call twice on his way to the basket, and Wade was just pushed blatantly on the baseline.  The Heat are still yet to score; my prediction is looking more and more like the work of a delusional fanboy by the minute.
3:44 Of all people, Joel Anthony finally breathes life into the Miami Heat.  Sorry, my friend, for talking shit.
3:45 And that block is followed by a classic LeBron James slam.  (The exchange, as can be seen in this video, is a thing of beauty.)
3:47 My friend over here has love for Psycho T that is only slightly less passionate than Dick Vitale's.  Apparently I am going to hear a running stat line on Indiana's seventh man all game long.
3:48 Rivers:  SIXTH MAN.  Darren Collison doesn't get tick like that, fool.
3:50 Hibbert, in game three and thus far in game four, is the most important player on the floor, despite the presence of more prestigious names.  The count on shots quickly and awkwardly flung up onto high glass to avoid his massive, shot-blocking hands is at four even at this early stage.
3:54 Rivers:  I am nearly 100% certain that this isn't appropriate for this blog, but Larry Bird's daughter could absolutely get it.  Apologies to the great Larry Bird.
3:55 Rivers:  Tyler!  My dude has three buckets already.  Tar Heels, represent.
3:57 LeBron is definitely in his aggressive mode, which is nice to see this early in the game for a change.  The Chosen One is perhaps out to silence critics.
4:00 A huge shoutout to Joel Anthony for temporarily appearing as if he belongs in the game, much less the league.
4:03 A quick note on those DirecTV ads that use a sequence of events to describe calamity that could possibly arise from being a cable subscriber:  funny at first, but the series is now certainly in steady decline.  After watching this curly-headed guy lose all of his money and sell his hair for sustenance for perhaps the third time today, I would say that the concept grows old.
4:04 And, wow-- am I the only one that thinks that the NBA's BIG advertisement on the Heat is a shot at LBJ and Wade?  As for whether the trio qualify as big:  Bosh is a definite no, Wade is probably no longer, and the jury is out on James.
4:08 Is it odd that I root for Wade to miss every shot he takes?  I guess I can't stand the perception that Wade is in some way James' superior or that he is a more clutch player.  I had fun watching him struggle to a five point outing the last time out, and I can't say it rankles me to see him continue his poor play today.
4:09 The dunk from Haslem provides a spark, and Dwyane Wade roars to life with a steal and beautiful pass to Wade.  Certainly, this is Sportscenter Top 10 material.
4:10 LeBron James is on one tonight.

4:13 Is there anything better on television than Blake Griffin's Kia ads?  His awkwardness makes for a hilarious commercial.  He approaches Peyton Manning status in terms of being an ideal spokesperson.
4:14 Rivers:  The eTrade baby ads are the only ones that come close.  Quality.
4:14 Rivers:  I was really excited for that Duets show that premiers on Thursday but the more ads ABC force-feeds me the more it is looking like a low-budget version of The Voice.
4:15 I promised I was done with the Joel Anthony jokes, but I can't resist.  This guy is not an NBA-level player in any aspect of his game.  He plays basketball like a highly intoxicated version of an aging Dale Davis.
4:19 Regardless of the outcome of this game and the series, Indiana has earned all of my respect.  They are scrappy, unselfish, and well-coached; the San Antonio Spurs of the north.
4:20 Rivers:  As I watch Collison pour in yet another one, it pains me to have to admit that T-Hans is indeed a seventh man.

4:22 Roy Hibbert seems like such a kind, softspoken man.  If he wanted to my best friend, I would not object.  Hit me up, Roy Hibbert.
4:33 Another run for the Pacers.  In this first half, at least, its LeBron James versus a well-oiled machine engineered by NBA executive of the year Larry Bird.
4:34 Wade for three.  The word you are looking for, Mike Tirico, is 'finally'.
4:35 Hubie Brown is a-- I am having a hard time tailoring my description of him to a level appropriate for a blog read primarily by my teacher-- less than intelligent man.  I cannot believe that he just criticized Hibbert, of all poeple, for not challenging a shut.  Cue the Colin Cowherd guffaw.
4:37 I can't believe they are actually calling Conseco fieldhouse "Banker's Life Fieldhouse".  Both Rivers and I wondered aloud at the possibility of it being a different facility.  The name change seems almost blasphemous.
4:39 Danny Granger plays NO games.  He has been ready to pick a fight in every game in this series:  LeBron James on Thursday, Dwyane Wade today.  He really sets the tone for this Indiana team.
4:40 Halftime.  Leandro Barbosa is a smooth criminal.
4:50 I need me a Ticket Oak.
5:01 This game is, at this point, in the hands of LBJ completely.  I have loved his aggression today, and he has started the second half in the same manner.  The baseline move around Hibbert showed adaptability (he had gotten trapped down there previously), not to mention incredible athleticism.

***For a period of nearly a quarter, I had to run an errand for my mother.  Such is life for a seventeen-year-old dependent; I could not refuse.  In my stead, Rivers took over, and did only a slightly less awesome job.***

5:11 Rivers:  In Evan's absence, ya boy has taken over the LiveBlog.  Similarly, LeBron James appears to be taking over this game, as he ties the contest by leading a 10-0 run.
5:13 Rivers:  Joel Anthony and Ronny Turiaf are both horrible players.  They also both have four fouls.  If this results in a playoff appearance by the great, ancient Juwan Howard, I will be overjoyed.
5:14 Rivers:  D-Wade hits a three in rhythm to give the Heat a lead at last.  The Pacers should bring in Psycho T to bring some energy.  Woo Tar Heels.
5:16 Rivers:  LeBron with a dime to Wade.  My prediction of Pacers by seven is looking highly unlikely at this stage.
5:19 Rivers:  Every point in the third quarter thus far has been scored by either James or Wade.  They are dominating this game completely on both ends of the floor.  Heat by four.
5:23 Rivers:  A commercial appearance by the fat guy from Modern Family.  He is that dude; very, very funny.
5:24 Rivers:  Enter the great Tyler Hansbrough.  LeBron immediately bricks two free throws.  Coincidence?  I think not.  (Edit:  very likely a coincidence.)
5:26 Rivers:  LeBron James and Dwyane Wade now have Miami's last 35 points.
5:26 Rivers:  In other news, the referee just tripped over a player and appears to have rolled an ankle.  I ROFL'd, for sure.
5:27 Rivers:  And one for James.  Cue the M-V-P chants and the proclamations of "chosen one".  The Heat now appear to be running away with this one.
5:29 Rivers:  A Haslem free throw ends Wade and James' streak at 38 points consecutively.
5:31 Rivers:  Tyler for two.  He would work James Jones in the post if Darren Collison would just give him a damn look.  The Pacers have now cut it to six on the strength of Tyler's hustle-- and also a speedy drive to the rim by Collison.
5:33 Rivers:  Hansbrough ends the quarter with two turnovers.  It was fun while it lasted.  The Pacers had better pick it up; they were truly horrible both offensively and defensively in this quarter.
5:36 Rivers:  This Ferris Bueller commercial with an aging Matthew Broderick is a cold piece.
5:39 Rivers:  Brent Barry has to be at least a little salty that despite having a much better career as a player than his brother Jon, he's stuck at NBAtv while little brother has the hookup at ESPN.  It really doesn't make a lot of sense.
5:42 Rivers:  Lou Amundson just dunked, confirming that he can indeed dunk a basketball.
5:44 Rivers:  The Pacers are going mad small, and it actually appears to be working.  There are four ball-handlers in the game, and my man Mike Miller is getting exposed.
5:46 Rivers:  We are trading buckets at this point.  This really is a great basketball game.
5:47 Rivers:  Amundson just elbowed the poop out of Udonis Haslem.  They've stopped the game to stop the blod flowing down his face.  Lou Amundson is adequately filling his role as "exceedingly clumsy white guy".  (right)

***Evan hurriedly returns to the basement, highly irritated that he ever had to leave.***

5:47 I'm back for the fourth quarter.  Stay classy, y'all.
5:49 LeBron clearly commits offensive goaltending in throwing down a ferocious tip-slam.  The zebras know better than to blow a late whistle on Daddy.
5:50 If LBJ is letting you by him into the lane, just... don't... do it.
5:51 Mike Miller is down for the count, I think.  White people and their back problems.  Remember the reference to the fact that he was being exposed by quickness?  I think that quickness put his back out.
5:51 It goes unnoticed just how good Danny Granger is, as he throws in a tough leaner.  He was a top three or four scorer in the league back when the Pacers sucked.  (Fact Check:  In the 2008-09 season, Granger was fifth in the NBA in scoring at 25.9 points per contest.)
5:55 Another difference between LBJ and the other greats of the game:  Kobe Bryant would never, ever, ever, settle for a fadeaway jumper in an isolation situation against David West.  This isn't really a criticism; it's more of an observation of his personality.
5:59 Rivers:  Is that an NBA championship ring I spy on Hubie Brown's finger?  Who in the hell did he win a title with?  (Turns out, it's an ABA championship ring.  I have mad love for the ABA, but that ring from a defunct league still probably wouldn't make the daily rotation.)

6:01 Danny Granger is a dawg.  He bangs home a three as Chalmers crashes into him.  That one should have come with the additional free throw.
6:03 Tonight, LeBron wants the free throws!  Twice he grabbed a rebound and twice he waited to be fouled rather than passing the ball off.  He'll get one of two.
6:03 Rivers:  Two of two.
6:04 And the result, of course, is one of two.  I'm glad that at least one went down so we don't have to hear that broken record anymore.
6:06 And the King drains two more to ice it.  40-17-9 for this monster.  Whassup, Skip Bayless.
6:08 One last rebound, and the final line is 40-18-9.  Wade also scored thirty points.  Only the hand-eye coordination of Joel Anthony could have stood between LeBron and a triple-double this afternoon.
6:11 That about wraps it up, y'all.  The series is evened at 2-2 and headed back to Miami for Tuesday night; best believe we'll LiveBlog that also.  It's games like the one today that have me completely infatuated with LeBron James, the world's greatest.  Thank you for hanging with us.

Premier x Nike SB Dunk Low.

From Grand Rapids, MI, and renowned sneaker boutique Premier, comes this collaborative effort with Nike SB to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the shop's opening.  Themed after the cool Lake Michigan water and the Petoskey stone, which is a fossilized coral found only in that very specific region of the state.  The rippled, grey tumbled leather resembles these stones somewhat, as well as patterning and branding on the insoles and also dustbags that come in the package; the cool blue is a tribute to Michigan's Great Lakes.  A translucent outsole also sets this particular pair apart from a general release Dunk, appearing for only the second time in the history of the Nike SB brand and calling back memories of last year's Space Jam release.

This quickstrike, priced at $104 releases on Saturday, April 28th, at Premier; presumably there will be a wider release soon after.  With any luck, I will have my hands on a pair.  Stay tuned.

Source:  Premier

Dr. Romanelli x Lebron James x UNKNWN Heat Jersey

It might as well be established early so that perhaps I am forgiven in the long run:  I am an unabashed and passionate fan of Lebron James.  You can learn much about what sort of sports fan one is by their opinion of Lebron James, and make no mistake:  I am dazzled by athleticism and flash, and choose to ignore or deny shortcomings in his personality or any possible failings in the realm of basketball.  I want to hate Lebron James, but it is not in my constitution.

So it is much to my delight that this collaboration by Dr. Romanelli and James' retail brand, UNKWN, releases today coinciding with the launch of UNKNWN's online store.  Using the away jersey of the Miami Heat as a template, Romanelli used a variety of textiles and materials to re-patch the jersey in a pattern that it calls Stealth.  Although distinctly unique materially from any sort of previous NBA jersey release-- snakeskin patterns would never have a place on a game uniform-- the color scheme is consistent with the Heat's team colors; the result is a lifestyle jersey, released in limited quantities, that will sell out in minutes or perhaps seconds after the site goes live.  Lebron James is certainly a polarizing figure, but his jersey sales were only eclipsed this year by the cultural phenomenon that is New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin; this release figures to be at least as well received.

No doubt, criticism of Lebron James come playoff time will rouse my passion enough to right him, his game, and his play in the clutch a fiery defense on this blog.  But that is an argument better made at another time, especially considering the Heat's loss to Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls last night.

Source:  Hypebeast

-EA

It begins.

Thus begins my blogging career.  Please... enjoy.

-EA

An introduction to CURRENT.

If you, as a reader, are to be expected to invest any degree of interest in this blog, it is fair that you should have an accurate picture of who, exactly, the blogger is and what lens, exactly, he sees the world through.  That is the purpose of this post, which will contain the only references to myself from here forward; that is, if I can muster the discipline to feign unbiasedness.

My name is Evan Anderson.  I am a seventeen year old senior at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a freshman-to-be at the University of Notre Dame this upcoming fall.  I love sports and sneakers, movies and blogs, rap music and XBOX.  For me, there is perhaps no greater joy than sitting in the stands at a baseball game, or the feeling one gets in a pair of crisp new sneakers.  I live and die by Notre Dame football and my Detroit sports teams, and spend countless hours of shameful procrastination scouring YouTube for particularly fierce dunks or anything that can capture my interest.   I am as materialistic as my conscience permits me to be before, in epiphanies or bursts of self-consciousness, I realize the revolting, shallow extent of my materialism.  Thus:  I am very much your typical male Ann Arbor teen.

CURRENT** is, admittedly, my senior project and a requirement for my completion of my AP Literature course with a positive grade (although at this stage of high school, my level of concern for grades certainly dwindles).  That does not, however, have any sort of implication as to my level of passion for this project.  Once I realized, far after everyone else had realized, that a decent three-point jumper would not render me a multimillion-dollar NBA contract, much less playing time on the varsity team, my career dream immediately shifted to finding my way to ESPN.  Those who know me well would confirm that I am especially passionate about three things:  God, family, and idle, pointless, and borderline obsessive sports chatter.  This blog is intended to mirror Bill Simmons' Grantland*, but with a slant very specific to this generation, and if I perhaps fail miserably at objectivity even specific to me and my group of friends.  Expect movie and literary reviews, plenty of pictures of sneakers, my opinions on sports and fashion, and the occasional senseless rant.  I know with confidence that this project will be a powerful outlet for my own creativity; on the other hand, I can only hope that those I write for derive the same pleasure.  I think if I achieve my purpose fully, this blog will elude a label as a fashion, or pop culture, or sports blog, and will encompass all three.  If I have piqued your interest with this, I beg you to stay tuned.  If I have bored you or you question the necessity of this monologue, stay tuned still:  this blog, and myself, are both works of progress.  I have interesting things to say.  I promise.

-EA



* Sidebar:  Bill Simmons, if you are ever, and I mean ever, looking for an infusion of youth to a staff of writers that is older than I know you'd care to admit, please contact me.  PLEASE contact me.
**If anyone has a better idea for a title to this blog, I would absolutely love suggestions.  CURRENT is a bit bland for my taste, and I'm not even entirely sure how well it fits.  If I am entirely honest with myself, CURRENT was the title I casually punched into a piece of paper as a hurriedly finished a senior project outline assignment at 12:40 AM on a Sunday night.