Remember BET’s Cypher during the 2009 BET awards? Imagine that, only not scripted and featuring local emcees, local production and hosted at a local boutique. Yeah. I was excited too. The Go! experiment is all of the above hosted by PHLI guy Dave Jeff (good looks on the skull cap) and took place at Leaders 1354 on Wells in Chicago. Fake Shore Drive, Enstrumental, Endanged Peace also had a hand in the show as well as some pretty awesome product placement. Its split into five segments of heat, and I’m sure that you’ll hear at least one rapper you can feel. If you don’t look at any other segment, check out Set 4. Between Mikkey Halsted, Cold Hard and Naledge, I squealed at least five times (II). Read more for all five sets.

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“I….am a Greek. And I don’t play that #$%@!” -Julian. I’ve always wanted to find a use for that quote. The Sprite Step Off came to Chicago for its semi-final round for all of its midwestern teams. If you haven’t already, check out the website. The intro is Bananas! Sprite is doing it HUGE and the best part of it all, is that they are doing it justice. This is real deal stepping from real Greeks and not at all Hollywood. The icing on the cake is that they are giving away 1.5 mil in scholarship money. The show also featured the “Flavor” DJ battle and some pretty big name performances. Big up to Coca-Cola/Sprite for making this happen and taking the time to do it right. Read more for the musical performances from the show, Wale and Ludacris. Please be advised: the camera work is kinda shoddy and the crowd was DEAD for Wale’s performance. Tragedy. They also booed the only traditional turntablist in the DJ competition. What gives Chicago?

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The reality of tragedy in Haiti has finally hit home for a lot of us. Death tolls are in and the media coverage is unavoidable. While our hearts pour out for the people of Haiti and their families, its not always easy to lend a hand or to know how you can help, especially if you don’t have the means to travel or the resources to make proper donations. In this internet age of networking and communication, its become easier than ever to make a difference. Here are a few ways city kids and urban dwellers can make a difference and impact the lives of a devastated people.

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Sen. Harry Reid said it best when he spoke about President Obama’s uncanny ability to speak “without Negro Dialect, unless he wanted to have one.” Here is the tee to represent your ability to do the same. The Negro Dialect Switch. Turn it on when you need it, turn it off when don’t. This is a handy tool for Black professionals and apparently, politicians. Read more to see more pics and to order yours!

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…but I do like sneakers shoes. Because of this obsession, I did something today that I said that would never do. Something so unthinkable and so mundane that I’m almost embarrassed to be blogging about it. Alas, I’ve got a story to tell. Today I delve into the world of the sneakerhead: A person so entralled by sneakers that they will endure days of sidewalk camping, and shell out hundreds of their hard earned paychecks for mere bragging rights. They live for the stare from other heads impressed by the score. On this day, December 23, 2009, I waited online for kicks. This is my story.

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