Toni isn’t up for a Grammy this year but I AM! “Tha Carter 3″ is nominated for ‘Album Of The Year,’ the most prestigious category awarded to each of the Artists, Producers, and Engineers on an album, and Best Rap Album! Pray for me, and if you’re a NARAS member, vote for “Tha Carter III”! Check out Grammy.com for the full list of Nominees.

Click the pic for the full storyJust when I thought that the homey had ditched sampling in favor of a totally new original sound, I got a reality check over at HipHopStreet Blog. They expose some original samples that went into the creation of the “808s and Heartbreak” album. Don’t get it twisted, I commend ‘Ye on all of his success and I hold him in very high regard as a producer, but I feel a little bamboozled. My readers went IN when I first spoke on Yeezy, what do ya’ll think now?

Me and Cube’s single “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It” off the “Raw Footage” album is featured on Rockstar Games’ latest blockbuster “Midnight Club Los Angeles.” I copped it for XBOX and it goes hard! Check out Rocstargames.com for the soundtrack credits.Listen to the remix featuring Cube, Nas, and Scarface…

Ever since it was brought to my attention that chicks ‘google dudes’ I’ve made it a custom to throw my name in the search pane and check my ‘googleability’. This time I unearthed a piece on RapReviews.com for Dem Franchize Boyz’s album “Our World Our Way.” Just when I thought the chances of being recognized for my tracks on this joint were as slim as McCain’s chances of being president in 2012, I was pleasantly surprised!

“…Every now and then they can pick one or two and decide on a “#1 Girl,” a Vaushaun “Maestro” Brooks produced track that could sneak its way into a quiet storm mix on urban radio without disrupting the flow. “The Life” featuring City Black is pretty slick too.”

Yeah City Black, my ‘googleability’ is on swole, now its time for you to upgrade your status! Big up to JPB, City Black, Mookanooks, and 2/4 FMG for making our “Ride or Die Thanksgiving” a memorable one!

I’ve always been a huge Fugees fan (Clef’s “Carnival” was an extraordinary album) so I was deeply saddened when the homie John Forte was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being caught with $1.4 Million worth of liquid cocaine. On December 22nd, he will be released courtesy of a pardon from President Bush! Enjoy your freedom homey. Read the whole story @ Washington Post.com. I credit Forte with producing/performing one of my all time favorite hip hop songs…Listen & Enjoy President George W. Bush has pardoned rapper John Forte, an affiliate of the Fugees, who has been serving prison time for smuggling drugs, sources told AllHipHop.com.

Forte was one of 14 persons that Bush has pardoned or granted commuted prison sentences.

This wave of White House pardons is Bush’s latest, as he has less than two months in his presidency. A pardon cannot be overruled.

Forte was arrested at Newark International Airport in 2000 and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute. Police caught him accepting a briefcase with about $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine in it.

Forte was hit with a 14-year sentence in a federal penitentiary under minimum sentencing laws even though it was his first offense and he was a non-violent offender. He began his bid in jail in 2001 and has fought the laws vehemently.

Through the ordeal, he maintained his innocence and turned down a plea deal.

John Forte has released two albums, Poly Sci and I, John.

John found an ally in legendary singer Carly Simon and her son Ben Taylor, both close friends. Forte lived at Simon’s estate in Martha’s Vineyard for about six weeks in 1999 and even spent the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with the family. Simon and Taylor have lobbied on Forte’s behalf since he was incarcerated.

Much speculation has been made of others Bush may opt to pardon. Most of these involved those that government employees that may have unjustly interrogated suspected terrorists in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.

A pardon of these cases would severely impede president elect Barack Obama from investigating such crimes.

The big homie B Cox talks Gear, Technique, and Attitude in this new Remix Magazine feature. Check it out HERE…a must read for Logic users and aspiring producers!

Get like me and be the first person in your hood who’s up on the fly exclusive ish! Head over to the ‘Play Cloths’ online store to cop the ’80’s Jack Tee’. Also stay tuned for Maestro to drop heat on the new Clipse Album coming in early ‘09. Ya’ll know me and the Clipse go way back and the new tracks are even more RETARDED!

Antares Auto-Tune EFX Vocal Effect & Pitch Correction Plug-In is available for a limited time for only $99 at Guitar Center. Also comes with an iLok ($39 value) Sounds like deal to me! For those who don’t know what Autotune is, read this!

Although I voted for Barack I can honestly say that I don’t share the overwhelming elation that most black Americans are feeling right now. My parents hail from a small impoverished island and immigrated here with hardly more than the clothes on their backs, but I’ve never once felt that being Black was a limitation. I’ve always known that hard work and outstanding achievement leads to excellence. Unfortunately, many Blacks in America have never shed the shackles of slavery although its been ‘over’ for 145 years. True mental slavery has always been perpetuated by the erroneous belief that the color of a man’s skin weighs more heavily than the content of his character and his pockets! Sadly, I feel that Barack’s victory is based more on ‘racism’ in his favor than on his merits. Don’t get me wrong, I truly believe that the best man for the job won the election! But when has a Black man with such stellar credentials tried to achieve such a feat before? When has a Black man with such strong values and charisma ever attempted to lead a movement? Its highly likely that with the right leader and unified support the struggle that Black American’s have endured for so many years may not have lasted as long. Overall I’m more proud of Obama’s quality than his color. MY PRESIDENT IS SMART!! Why didnt anyone forward THAT text on the 4th?

I’m saddened by this news. I’ve seen lesser men devoid of Shake’s many gifts withstand seemingly insurmountable obstacles so its hard to imagine the pain he must have been going through. My heart goes out to his family and friends.