Experience Culture: June 2009

Monday, June 29, 2009

Photos from Michael Jackson's Last Video

It has been reported that Michael Jackson had been working on a promotional video for his 50-show tour prior to his death. According to anonymous sources one scene was described to be reminiscent of the cemetery scene in Michael Jackson's 1983 video,"Thriller," while another scene is described as being a construction site with male background dancers wearing carpenter's belts. Shooting for the video has been reported to have taken place from June 1-9 and is expected to be completed some time next month.
For more information click here: http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=417851&gt1=28102

Here are some of pictures taken from the set.

http://celebrities.gearlive.com/vip/article/q209-michael-jacksons-last-video-shoot-in-pictures/

Here's some from his concert rehearsal.

MMA Reporter Gets Choked Out by Female Fighter

Be careful of what you ask for.

Jay-Z: D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)

You all have been waiting for it, so here it is.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Choose Your Weapons Wisely

Check out the video at 1:12 it's an ego bruiser.

Word to the wise, "Choose your weapons wisely." Also, I didn't know a water bottle could be so lethal. I would've never suspected that a water bottle could prove to be more efficient and devastating than a sword.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Event Reminder

Today is the start of the Rock the Bells tour. It kicks off at 1:00 PM at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL. Artists like Nas and Damian Marley, The Roots, Busta Rhymes, Slum Village, Tech N9ne, Big Boi (Outkast), Slaughterhouse, and many more artists will be performing.
http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/407579

Also, yesterday was the start of the 15th Annual Korean-American Olympics. This year Chicago was selected as the host city. The event is being held at Harper College in Palatine, IL. It runs till Sunday. Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Swimming, Taekwondo(태권도), Baseball, Ice Hockey, Wrestling, Judo (유도), and many other sports will be on display. It is estimated that over 4,000 athletes representing over 25 cities will be competing.
http://korean.meetup.com/138/calendar/10437554/

And lastly, the 29th Annual of the Taste of Chicago started yesterday and will continue until July 5th.
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/taste_of_chicago.html

Friday, June 26, 2009

Say What?!

This blog was posted immediately after word came out that MJ was taken into UCLA Medical Center.
One Word: Crazy!!!!
Hate most definitely is the new love.

RIP Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett

Rest in Peace to the King of Pop. Your legacy will reign for generations to come. Thank you for giving the world such classics like Rock With You, Thiller, Beat It, Billie Jean, Man in the Mirror, Bad, Smooth Criminal, Don't Stop til' You Get Enough, P.Y.T., Jam, Man in the Mirror, Black or White, Remember the Time, You Are Not Alone, The Way You Make Me Feel, We Are the World, Dirty Diana, You Rock My World, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', and many, many more hit songs. Once again, "Thank You."

Also, Rest in Peace to Farrah Fawcett. For the past 3 years she had been battling with anal cancer. She's best remembered for her role as Jill Munroe in "Charlie's Angels." In her career she was nominated for 3 Emmys and 6 Golden Globes.

For more information on her life and career click here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090625/ap_on_en_tv/us_obit_fawcett

This iconic poster that was first published in Life Magazine back in 1976 is the bestselling Pin-Up Poster of all times, selling more than 12 million copies.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The 59th Anniversary of the Start of the Korean War

Today marks the 59th Anniversary of the start of the Korean War (6·25 전쟁/한국전쟁). On June 25th, 1950 North Korean troops crossed over the 38th Parallel into South Korea and began what would be a 3 year engagement. On July 27th, 1953 a military armistice was signed, in which both Koreas agreed on an immediate cease-fire. Technically, because only a cease-fire agreement was signed the two countries are still at war.

Often times the Korean War is nicknamed, "The Forgotten War," for it took place between two of the United States' most polarizing wars of the last century, World War 2 and the Vietnam War. It is estimated that over 2.5 million people lost their lives, during the war. Soldiers from the U.S., U.K., Australia, Belgium, France, Ethiopia, Canada, Colombia, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, and the Philippines, who are all members of the UN came to back Democratic South Korea. While China and the Soviet Union came to the aid of Communist North Korea.

The Korean War saw for the first time US troops integrated, since the War of 1812.

For more information click here:
http://korea50.army.mil/history/factsheets/integration.pdf

For a deeper look into the history of the Korean War click here: http://www.history.army.mil/books/AMH-V2/AMH%20V2/chapter8.htm

http://www.korean-war.com/TimeLine/1953/timeline1953.html

The Legend of Mike Tyson Vs. Mitch "Blood" Green

Round 1: Street Fight Aftermath

Round 2: The Taunts

Round 3: The Fight

Check in and listen to what the announcer has to say at 9:20.

Round 4: The Reunion

Check the video around 2:12 for a pleasant surprise.

Sometimes life truly is stranger than fiction. This story has Hollywood written all over it.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Group of the Week

What's better than having one dope mc on a song? How about having 4. Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Crooked I, and Royce da 5'9" together combine to make up the newest rap supergroup Slaughterhouse.

RIP Ed McMahon

RIP to Ed McMahon. He died today at age of 86 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. The cause of death isn't known yet, but during the past few months his health had been ailing due to bone cancer and a multitude of other illnesses. He is survived by his wife Pamela and his five children. Ed McMahon had one child, Michael, who died before him.

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/06/75587/index.html

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=415668&GT1=28103

Don't Kiss Me

Lesson learned keep your lips to yourself.

Old School Video of the Day

Bobby Brown - On Our Own

A timeless classic from the Ghostbusters 2 soundtrack. Check Bobby Brown with the gumby and various cameos (Iman, Rick Moranis, Christopher Reeve (RIP), and Donald Trump).

Al Sharpton On Soul Train

Don Cornelius interviews James Brown and 19 year old Al Sharpton on Soul Train.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Lupe Fiasco's Concert Update

Chicago's own Lupe Fiasco's free performance this Friday at 5:30 PM in Grant Park has been moved to the historic Chicago Theatre at 9:30 PM and will now cost $20. According to allisports.com the change was to prevent overlaps with music events going on at the Taste of Chicago at that time. The concert is a part of the BMX Open, which here in Chicago runs from June 26th to the 27th.

You can buy tickets for the Lupe Fiasco show here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/070042D1D35E962F?artistid=1036994&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=3

For tickets to the BMX Open click here: http://www.allisports.com/node/16466

"Skate On My Brotha!"

Black Eyed Peas and Entourage Allegedly Assault Perez Hilton

Will.I.Am Response

Wow!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

N.E.R.D. at Depaul Fest 09'

My sister a few weeks back bought a friend and I concert tickets to the N.E.R.D. show at the Depaul Fest 09' for my birthday. The energy was high and the crowd was packed. All was well. For a moment I thought I was at Lollapalooza.

Q-Tip, DJ Z-Trip House of Blues Show Recap

Last week my friend and I were at the Q-Tip and DJ Z-Trip show at the House of Blues here in Chicago. Q-Tip brought his band and DJ Scratch out on the 1s and 2s. Z-Trip held it down, as well. He mixed music from various genres and was mixing Hip-Hop records that I would've never suspected went well together. For example, Pharoahe Monch's "Simon Says" to Wreckx-n-Effect's "Rumpshaker," or a Lil' Wayne verse to Dead Prez's "Bigger than Hip-Hop." Great show guys. And this was all free. Life is good.

Check 1:05 to 1:10. I think Tourettes got the best of him.

"Q-Tip on the speakers, Son!"

Craziest Moments in Boxing II

Knockout sucker punch after the fight.

I remember seeing this on TV a few years back. Wow! That was truly unsportsmanlike.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Day Before Juneteenth U.S. Senate Apologies for Slavery, Segregation

Friday was the 154th Anniversary of Juneteenth. Juneteenth (June 19th), also known as African-American Emancipation Day, commemorates the announcement of the abolishment of slavery. The day before the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution officially apologizing for slavery and racial segregation. The next step is for the resolution is to be okayed by the House of Representatives.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-us-senate-slavery-apology,0,1953967.story
http://www.juneteenth.com/

Gov. Schwarzenegger's Testicle Sculpture Gift

Gov. Schwarzenegger's latest gag gift to California Senate pro Tem, Sen. Darrell Steinberg wasn't well received. Reportedly, Schwarzenegger sent Steinberg a metal sculpture of bull testicles, as a gesture to indicate to Steinberg that he and fellow Californian senators needed to act boldly to find a solution to their state's budget woes. Steinberg upon receiving the gift had it returned with a note attached stressing the importance of ongoing negotations to solve their state's budget crisis. Previously, Steinberg had sent Gov. Schwarzenegger a package of mushrooms to poke fun of Schwarzenegger's comments about how Californian Democrats' budget proposals were, "Hallucinatory."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31443342/ns/us_news-life/?GT1=43001
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-me-arnold-gift18-2009jun18,0,3589705.story

Friday, June 19, 2009

Iron Man 2 Photos Released

Can you see the War Machine suit in the background?

Mickey Rourke as the main villain, Whiplash.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Johnny Depp, Christian Bale in Chicago For Public Enemies Premiere

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6871557

This is exciting to see. Last year they were filming, "Public Enemies," all over Chicago. The movie stars Johnny Depp (John Dillinger) and Christian Bale (Melvin Purvis) and was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann (The Last of the Mohicans, Heat, Ali). The movie tells the historic tale of famous Depression-Era bank robber John Dillinger and the FBI's top agent Melvin Purvis' attempt to take him down.
I'm geeked. HA!

Hold On! Do my ears deceive me. Did Rich Moskal from the Chicago Film Office, just say, "Nightmare on Elm Street," is currently being filmed here in Chicago. Check out the video from 1:55 to here the announcement.

Public Enemies hits theaters July 1st.