This is the most insane ending to a basketball game ever. I’m not even gassing you. This is crazy. And it happened in White Plains, yesterday, at the Westchester County Center. Just watch above as dude from New Rochelle hits the illest buzzer beater ever from half court to upset Mount Vernon in the conference finals. And it’s not your average buzzer beater. Dude from New Ro inbounds the ball with 2.9 seconds left, it gets stolen at half court by MV, then he steals it back on a hustle play and launches it from behind half court for the win with the clock running out. Absolute mayhem in the 914. Watch above.
Listen, I grew up in White Plains, and have been to plenty of big games at the County Center, but never have I seen some shit like this. And for those unfamiliar with the local sports politics in Westchester, New Ro upsetting Mount Vernon is A BIG DEAL. Yo, this might go down as the wildest, most amazing ending in the history of Westchester County sports. Everyone in the country is talking about this shot right now. And rightfully so. It was sick.
You gotta feel bad for Mount Vernon, though. Tough loss, and as ridiculous a shot as it was, it would’ve never happened if they didn’t throw a lazy pass after the steal. But props to New Ro. They came back, and made big run to get themselves in position to win the game. And then, of course, “The Shot.” Holy cow.
My dude Killa Whale from White Plains dropped this “Fatality” freestyle a few weeks ago over one of my favorite beats from last year, the Alchemist-produced posse cut “Elimination Chamber,” and I’ve been meaning to post it for a while now. And since I’ve been literally listening to it on repeat for the last week, in the whip and in the crib, I just had to finally get it up here while it’s fresh on my brain. Always loved Whale’s bars and flow and demeanor in general, and this is just a good old-fashioned mixtape-type cut that perfectly displays his talent. You gotta love the line, “Matter fact, it’s a triple entendre, ’cause I’m high on this plane I’m on, and in the Plains I’m on.” Hard body.
Shout to all my fam in WP. Holler at your boy. Cheah.
I posted some stuff from The Underachievers recently, and last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing them for Complex. These guys are super dope, and definitely on some next shit. Check my intro, then click the link to read the full feature…
Brooklyn, New York is ripe with new hip-hop talent right now, and one of the latest groups to emerge from the borough is the quick-spitting, ganja-toking, enlightened duo of Flatbush natives known as The Underachievers. Comprised of rappers Issa Dash and AK, they created a buzz last year by dropping a string of compelling rap videos, including the one that recently garnered over one million YouTube views, “Herb Shuttles,” all of which impressed famed producer Flying Lotus enough to sign them to his Brainfeeder record label.
Earlier this month, The UA dropped their debut mixtape, Indigoism, a 17-track barrage showcasing their superlative, rapid-fire, tag-team rap skills, unique production ear, and interests in psychedelic drugs and spirituality. It set them apart from their local allies Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies, but also fell right in line with the powerful Beast Coast movement coming out of Brooklyn, rooted in lyricism, consciousness, and let’s not forget, dope ass beats.
In an effort to give us more insight into their music and budding rap career, Dash and AK fell through the Complex offices last week to talk about their influences in and out of hip-hop, their preference for psychedelics, how they got on FlyLo’s radar, opening up for Kendrick Lamar on New Year’s Eve, and their relationship with all the artists representing the new New York, from Joey Bada$$ to A$AP Rocky.
Plus, they broke down their debut mixtape, discussed how they’re approaching their first official Brainfeeder project, and remembered their close friend Capital STEEZ.
It’s time to get elevated and find out Who Are The Underachievers?
News flash. Roc Marciano and Action Bronson are still the best rappers out. Been so fucking busy that I haven’t had much time to go in-depth here at Westcheddar like I used to, but understand that it’s after 1 am on a weeknight and I’m exhausted, but I’m still putting in the extra effort to make sure this shit gets put on the site. It has to. It’s too dope. Shit, the Bam Bam record has been out for weeks. WTF is taking me so long! I’m actually mad at myself, because this shit is sick, and Hot 97’s been giving it mad burn. As for the Roc Marc shit, well, he says he’s got the “crib in White Plains” on the track, which you may recognize as the intro to O.C.’s Lord Finesse-produced classic “Jewelz.” Man, just listen to these shits. Now. They’re both incredible.
I’ll get at you guys later. Got some more stuff I need to bless you with. Hope all is well. One.
This is dope. Even if you don’t like Drake, you have to admit, this is a great music video. I’m a Drake fan, I can’t front. I prefer his more R&B stuff to his straight rapping, but I like this song. The beat is ill, and his flow is on some next shit. I like it. Haters can keep on hating, that’s fine with me. But you have to admit, this video is really entertaining and well made.
For the record, I still knock Take Care on the reg. Hasn’t left the disc changer in the minivan since it dropped. LOL.
Sorry, I don’t have much time to talk. I’ve been crazy busy. My grind is insane right now, Westcheddar. But I gotta make sure I keep you in the loop. This blog is my baby, and I can’t neglect it. Just pardon me if I haven’t been going in hard here, but know that if I do take the time to post something up, it’s because I’m fucking feeling it on some next level shit. Like this new Local Natives song, “Ceilings,” off their sophomore album Hummingbird. This shit is insanely beautiful. Give it a listen.
Jeff Garlin, who plays Larry David’s agent on Curb Your Enthusiasm, started his own podcast. And who better to have on the first episode than his buddy LD. Expect to learn lots of new things about Larry, and share some great moments with these two longtime friends and co-workers. I loved every minute of it, and if you’re a big time Larry David fan, you will too. It’s free on iTunes, click the link to download.
I don’t know about you, but I grew up a HUGE Cypress Hill fan. So when I was asked if I wanted to do an interview feature with DJ Muggs for Complex, my answer was simple: YES. So a couple weeks ago, I met up with Muggs at the Ace Hotel in Manhattan to talk to him about the stories behind all the old Cypress classics, as well as his production work on House of Pain’s “Jump Around,” Ice Cube’s “Check Yo Self,” and all the Soul Assassins joints he did with RZA, GZA, Mobb Deep, Kool G Rap, and more. Click the link below to check out Part 1 of the feature. This is a must read for all Cypress Hill fans, and hip-hop heads in general too. Part 2 coming soon.
Westcheddar alumnus Nick Kroll has a new sketch show coming out on Comedy Central, and one of the characters he’s bringing back is everyone’s favorite Jersey Shore wannabe Bobby Bottleservice. In this new clip, Bobby B finds who quite possibly may be his soulmate online, and they engage in a hilarious video chat. You gotta love when Bobby describes himself as “a very cool, very white Jay-Z.” Watch above, and tune in to the premiere of Kroll Show this Wednesday, January 16th at 10:30pm.
Action Bronson had a huge 2012. And I’ve covered it along the way on Complex and Pigeons & Planes (and one piece on NOISEY), from daily blog posts to long form features to “best of” lists to interviews. And of course, I always bring it back here to my home base site. So to finish the year off strong, I saved one special list just for Westcheddar, kind of like when Kanye says he saves the best beats for himself.
See, Bronson is a fucking amazing rapper, and he made some ridiculously awesome music this year, but he’s also a hilarious, entertaining, and captivating public figure who gives a great interview. So it’s my honor to present, as my final publication of 2012, The 10 Best Action Bronson Video Interviews of 2012, listed in chronological order.
And please, pardon the light commentary. I’ve been spending all the time I can this past holiday week with my kids. But I did include my favorite quote from each interview just to make sure it’s crystal clear that I’m out here. Let’s does this.
1. Reebok Classics Present: Behind the Scenes of Blue Chips with Action Bronson
To help promote his first of two major projects of the year, Blue Chips, Bronson takes us to the Flushing Mall for a Chinese soup lunch. Some dope live clips in here as well.
Westcheddar Quotable: “I hate salmon….but I’ll cook the fuck out of it.”
2. Nardwuar vs. Action Bronson
The G.O.A.T. interviewer Nardwuar catches up with Bam Bam at SXSW, and hilarity ensues. Crotch-grab on the final still shot is priceless. No homo, of course.
Westcheddar Quotable: “702 was a good band. They were hot. I wanted to have sex with them.”
A quick, up close (literally) and personal Q & A with Bronson live from the Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey. Great questions, perfect answers.
Westcheddar Quotable: Fuse: “When’s the last time you took a bubble bath?” Action Bronson: “Often.”
4. Pitchfork Selector: Action Bronson Gets Interviewed in an Ice Cream Truck
I mean, fuck, the set-up is too good. Bronson as the ice cream man! He gives out ice cream in Williamsburg, does an interview from the truck, then turns it into a freestyle session where he spits one of the sickest raps I’ve ever heard over the ice cream truck jingle. Incredible.
Westcheddar Quotable: “There’s nothing like finding that good loop.”
5. MySpace: Action Bronson Makes Zucchini Blossoms
Bronson prepares a delicious lunch while MySpace follows him to the Union Square outdoor marked and also to Whole Foods, where he has an unforgettable interaction with one of their employees. The guy obviously had no clue who he was dealing with.
Westcheddar Quotable: “I learned how to cook to get pussy, honestly.”
6. Snoop Dogg Interviews Action Bronson on GGN
Bam Bam visits Snoop’s web show, completely blitzed off the G Pen, and smokes continuously during the entire show while Snoop asks him light questions about his career. Epic stoner shit. Let’s get these two on a track together, asap.
Westcheddar Quotable: “Catch me doing back-flips in and out of vehicles, jumping out of planes landing on jet-skis in tuxedos.”
7. Noisey: Back and Forth with The Alchemist and Action Bronson
Bam Bam and Alchemist crack jokes with each other while sitting on Venice Beach blazed out of their minds. Best. Conversation. Ever.
Westcheddar Quotable: “I have three dicks.”
8. Action Bronson Interview with This Is 50
It’s cool that This Is 50 showed love to Bronson before the release of Rare Chandeliers, especially since him and 50 Cent are both from Queens. That’s another collabo I’d love to hear. Anyway, this is a fun interview, and kind of historic, too.
Westcheddar Quotable: “I don’t fuck. I just sit and get head.”
9. Action Bronson Interview on Real Late with Peter Rosenberg
Ah yes, my buddy Peter Rosenberg invites Action over to his crib to record an interview for his Real Late show on Hot 97. Good vibes. Cameo by Big Body, too.
Westcheddar Quotable: “I got Dr. Schlepowitz on the joint.”
10. The 20,000 Quid Interview with DJ Semtex
The intro alone in this interview with UK’s DJ Semtex is classic, but Bam Bam also talks about wanting to work with DJ Premier and Kool G Rap, and mentions a crazy song he recorded with Joey Bada$$. I’m excited for that one.
Westcheddar Quotable: “Go fuck your father.”
*BONUS*
If you missed any of the Action Bronson features I did in 2012, here’s all of them.
If you prefer podcasts to video interviews (I like both), listen to Bronson’s appearance on Food is the New Rock. My favorite podcast of the year, by a mile.
Westcheddar 