Wu-Tang Clan Drop 'Keep Watch'

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After a long wait, we finally get a new song from the Wu-Tang Clan. The hip-hop collective dropped a new track called ‘Keep Watch’ today, which is apparently from their oft-delayed album, ‘A Better Tomorrow.’

Produced by DJ Mathematics, the track features Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna and the GZA rapping over a marching beat and a soul sample. R&B crooner Nathaniel is also featured singing the ‘Keep Watch’ hook.

The foursome pretty much spit tough-minded rhymes for the streets. Meth kicks the song off rapping, “I’m killing instrumentals with that all so simple can it B-boy / Shout to Lil Cease, B.I.G., boy / And Funk Doctor Spock, I mean Redman that’s not Leonard Nimoy.”

Deck also comes through with some intricate bi-lingual wordplays. “Codename sensei, I live what my pen say / Game hall of fame, flow is MJ / Muy caliente, je m’apelle Rebel, capiche, comprende?” he spits.

Finally, Cappadonna and the GZA wrap things up with some gritty rhymes and planetary lyrics, respectively, which are Wu certified.

‘Keep Watch’ is available at the Wu-Tang Clan’s online shop. There’s still no word on when ‘A Better Tomorrow’ will arrive in stores.

Listen to Wu-Tang Clan’s ‘Keep Watch’

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GoldieBlox Apologizes to Beastie Boys for 'Girls' Use in 'Princess Machine' Ad

Donald Weber, Getty Images

GoldieBlox has already removed the Beastie Boys‘ song ‘Girls’ from the company’s ‘Princess Machine’ commercial, which debuted last year, but it looks like the toy company has gone a step further and is issuing a public apology to the two remaining members of the hip-hop group.

The toymakers reveal that they should have contacted the Beastie Boys to “secure the proper rights” to the track before putting it in ‘Princess Machine.’ The ad the soon went viral after its release. However, it’s unlikely that the toy company’s request would have been granted after late member Adam “MCA” Yauch will stated that anything he’s in, wrote or created can’t be used for advertising purposes.

GoldieBlox wrote on its website:

“We sincerely apologize for any negative impact our actions have had on the Beastie Boys. We never intended to cast the band in a negative light and we regret putting them in a position to defend themselves when they had done nothing wrong.

As engineers and builders of intellectual property, we understand an artist’s desire to have his or her work treated with respect. We should have reached out to the band before using their music in the video.

We know this is only one of the many mistakes we’re bound to make as we grow our business. The great thing about mistakes is how much you can learn from them. As trying as this experience was, we have learned a valuable lesson. From now on, we will secure the proper rights and permissions in advance of any promotions, and we advise any other young company to do the same.”

While the Beastie Boys didn’t try to take GoldieBlox to court, the toymakers flipped the script and sued the hip-hop group. Claiming they didn’t use the actual song, but a parody of it instead. However, the suit didn’t hold up, and GoldieBlox did take the song down in the end. The company’s founder Debbie Sterling explained that she was unaware of Yauch’s wishes.

Hopefully, this will put the whole saga to rest.

Mississippi to Drug Test Welfare Recipients

A law passed in the Mississippi Senate which will require some welfare recipients to undergo drug tests. The law, which has the support of Gov. Phil Bryant, will go into effect July 1.

The new law will require applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to fill out a questionnaire which will ostensibly evaluate their likelihood of drug abuse. If applicants are deemed at risk, they will be required to take a drug test. A positive result will require them them to undergo substance abuse treatment. A second positive result will cut their benefits for 90 days, while a third will deny benefits for up to a year.

Critics of the tests, which are estimated to cost TANF about $36,000 per year, argue that the money could go towards benefits such as cash assistance, child care assistance, job training programs, and others.

Source: thinkprogress.org

Lil Wayne Says He's 'Older, Wiser' on 'Tha Carter V'

Lil Wayne says he’s in tune with himself on his next project ‘Tha Carter V,’ which is reportedly his final album.

In his interview with MTV News, Weezy believes the project is a more mature effort compared to his previous releases.

“I say it’s different, because I’m older and wiser, and I know more things and I know more about myself now,” he states.

The Young Money leader explains that he’s more conscious about his lyrics this time around, considering that some of his off-the-cut verses has gotten him in major trouble in the past.

“I’m more careful about what I’m doing and trying to be more careful what I’m saying,” Wayne says. “I knew that I had people above me or around me that was gonna make sure whatever I said or shouldn’t have said or whatever I did or shouldn’t have did. Well now, I’m those people, and I’m telling me what I should do and what I shouldn’t say.”

Overall, Wayne believes that fans will enjoy what he’s bringing to ‘Tha Carter V.’

“It’s awesome; it’s coming together dope,” the MC shares. “I think the Wayne fans are gonna like it. I hope so.”

Nick Cannon Enlists Future, Migos And Traphik For New Single, 'Pajama Pants'

It’s been quite some time since we really heard any new music from Nick Cannon, although he did drop that song ‘Dance Floor’ dedicated to his wife Mariah Carey in January. It looks like the rapper, actor, comedian and TV personality is back with a song that’s not only going to get you back on the dance floor but it might inspire a new style trend at the clubs.

‘Pajama Pants’ might sound like an innocent slumber party song, but with the inclusion of a slow but bass-heavy beat and Future, Migos and ‘Wild ‘N Out’ comedian Traphik included with Cannon, the track sounds more like the next twerking anthem.

“Don’t wanna see you in no skirt / Don’t wanna see you in no blouse / There some hoes / There some hoes / There some hoes in this house,” Cannon delivers.

This potential twerk anthem doesn’t only give shout outs to the ladies but also to their grannies, which makes things sound a bit more ridiculous. “But don’t believe the rumors / From college girls to cougars / They creepin’ in my room / Trying to cut like Freddie Cruger / Strippers, I salute ya / Girls, hallelujah / Even got your grandma twerk, twerkin’ out her bloomers,” he yells on the mic.

‘Pajama Pants’ is off Cannon’s upcoming album, ‘White People Party Music, set for release April 1. Co-executive produced by Cannon, Polow Da Don and DJ Buddah, the 18-track project will also feature many guests including Afrojack, Pitbull and Akon.

Listen to Nick Cannon’s ‘Pajama Pants’ Feat. Future, Migos & Traphik

Texas Rapper Ray Jasper Set For Execution, Pens Final Letter

Ray Jasper, an aspiring rapper, will be executed today (March 19) barring any last-minute appeals. A U.S. district court judge in San Antonio, Texas has rejected the 33-year-old’s appeal of his death sentence.

Jasper was convicted in 1998 of slitting the throat and stabbing David Alejandro, a recording studio owner, so he could rob him of his equipment. Jasper and two friends recorded at the studio for about two hours and then took out knives to attack Alejandro.

“Jasper slashed Alejandro’s throat from ear to ear, but did not kill him,” the Texas attorney general’s office said.

Afterward, Jasper and an accomplice repeatedly stabbed Alejandro until he was dead. About $10,000 to $30,000 worth of equipment was stolen from the studio.

Jasper admitted to cutting Alejandro’s throat to steal equipment, but he insists a partner was responsible for the studio owner’s fatal stab wounds. Two other men with Jasper during the attack are now serving life in prison.

The state of Texas, which executes more people than any other in the U.S., plans to execute Ray Jasper at 6PM CDT by lethal injection at its death chamber in Huntsville.

Jasper recently sent a final letter from death row to Gawker, in which he describes the prison industry as slavery.

Understandably, he’s also not fond of the death penalty.

“I don’t agree with the death penalty, ” he writes. “It’s a very Southern practice from that old lynching mentality. Almost all executions take place in the South with a few exceptions here and there. Texas is the leading State by far.”

“The death penalty needs to be abolished,” he continues. Life without parole is still a death sentence. The only difference is time. To say you need to kill a person in a shorter amount of time is just seeking revenge on that person.”

Jasper signs off the letter with this statement:

“I’m a father. My daughter was six weeks old when I got locked up and now she’s 15 in high school. Despite the circumstances, I’ve tried to be the best father in the world. But I knew that her course in life is largely determine by what I teach her. It’s the same with any young person, their course is determined by what we are teaching them. In the words of Aristotle, ‘All improvement in society begins with the education of the young.’”

Read Ray Jasper’s final letter here.