Why American Gangster is My Second Favorite Jay-Z Album
November 6, 2007 marks the ten-year anniversary of American Gangster. I’ll be discussing why this album is now my second favorite of his catalog.
Author: Ron Quixote
Music lover who just likes to blog
#MrRobot: eps3.3_m3tadatapar2 Recap
“Whatever he does, it’s not me”
#IWasVeryBad is the Dark-horse Album of the Year
“Really I’m a good boy but that Trapaholics tag turn me into a hood boy”
The @BarbershopPod – Water Skiing
After a brief hiatus, the Barbershop Podcast is back. Check out the latest episode below. We tried to discuss whether men or women are more superficial when it comes to appearance of the opposite sex? … and then ValenTyne came thru like a tornado. Music: Mental x @officiallyrocki
McElwain is Gone–What’s Next for Florida??
After a terrible 2013 season, Will Muschamp was placed on the hot seat. His employment was conditional and changes had to be made. He fired offensive coordinator Brent Pease and hired Kurt Roper from Duke. Expectations were high for the 2014 season and Muschamp’s Florida was up and down. So it was time to make … Continue reading McElwain is Gone–What’s Next for Florida??
#MrRobot Eps3.2legacy.so Recap: Gods Among Us
No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the Lord – Deuteronomy 23:1 Forget everything I said last week, this show is back in my good graces. This episode even makes episode 2 more relevant. There aren’t any fancy hacks in this episode. No push-pull scenes between Mr. Robot/Elliot. … Continue reading #MrRobot Eps3.2legacy.so Recap: Gods Among Us
Let’s Appreciate 2016’s Most Underrated Album
Do you have that one song you absolutely hate to love? That one song that constantly stays on your mind? You hear it so much that you end up humming it all the time. For me, this was “Cha Cha”. I thought it was one of the most ridiculous songs I’ve ever heard and had … Continue reading Let’s Appreciate 2016’s Most Underrated Album
#MrRobot: Eps3.1undo.gz Episode Recap
A civilization which leaves so large a number of its participants unsatisfied and drives them into revolt neither has nor deserves the prospect of a lasting existence. – Sigmund Freud
Did DC Unintentionally Come Up With Their Best Idea Ever?
Sometimes, ingenuity is cultivated through failure. We’ve heard the stories of Thomas Edison having thousands of failed inventions before the light bulb. Steve Jobs promoted numerous failed devices but we only remember him for the iPod and iPhone. Instagram started off as a geotagging app before it became what it is today. DC turned one … Continue reading Did DC Unintentionally Come Up With Their Best Idea Ever?
Dear Football Gods: Please Don’t Take Butch Jones from Us #TennesseeHateWeek
Pssst. The featured photo isn’t from an actual bowl game. It’s from the Battle of Bristol, which was the first game of the 2016 season. Remember: Championship of life > Actual championships
#BlackPanther Official Trailer
The Black Panther trailer is here!!!
Welcome back, #MrRobot: Eps3.0power-saver-mode.h [episode recap]
After a long hiatus, Mr. Robot is back. Needless to say, the first episode of the new season didn’t disappoint. The first episode immediately introduces a new character, Irving, portrayed by Bobby Cannavale. Judging from his encounter with the cashier of Red Wheelbarrow** BBQ, he likes rules and objectives to be clear. He seems … Continue reading Welcome back, #MrRobot: Eps3.0power-saver-mode.h [episode recap]
Blade Runner 2049 is a Modern Sci-Fi Masterpiece
Blade Runner 2049 is the best sci-fi film since Children of Men.
The Best Names in CFB History
This idea came from a TL discussion, as most of these posts do. I decided to compile a name of some of my favorite names in CFB history.Our all-star team is lead by Coach Bronco Mendenhall. We have Sky working hard trying to make LaceDarius Dunn a two-sport athlete. We chose not to renew Boom … Continue reading The Best Names in CFB History
Why Movies Like mother! Deserve a Chance
In a Rotten Tomatoes world (I’m guilty of this as well), ignore the rating and go see the movie people are buzzing about.
Fall TV Shows You Should Be Watching
Every year, I give a list of shows you should be watching. If you aren’t watching, shame on you. First, I’d like to pour out a little liquor for Quarry. Nobody appreciated you over there on Cinemax, but I did. Sorry you couldn’t stick around to see 2017. I’ll miss you. Fret not, here are a list … Continue reading Fall TV Shows You Should Be Watching
We Bringing Love Back Episode #13: We Bringing Hot Takes Back featuring @LightSkinLeroy4, @__wag_ & @BiigPapi_
We’re bringing love back (with sports) this week as we analyze the upcoming football season (NCAA, NFL) (brief NBA discussion). Gabe, Varian, and Wag stop by to discuss the fate of their beloved teams (and mine, too). We’ll be back in 2 weeks. *Also, we’ll be doing weekly college football picks in conjunction with WBLB podcast. … Continue reading We Bringing Love Back Episode #13: We Bringing Hot Takes Back featuring @LightSkinLeroy4, @__wag_ & @BiigPapi_
Keloid Season 1 Finale
In the season finale, Keloid finally gets the answers he seeks, but is he ready for them? Meanwhile Evelyn makes a determined decision that changes the game completely. Does Blake finally get his revenge? He’ll have to get through Marielle first. This new webseries is for all the nerds and blerds out there like us. … Continue reading Keloid Season 1 Finale
Marvel’s The Defenders Review
Ron and AJ review The Defenders. Does it pass the test?
Keloid Episode Six: Trackers
In episode 6, Keloid struggles to deal with the fact that his mother is being hunted. Omar jokes at the wrong time with serious consequence, and Evelyn finally gets the break she desperately needs. This new webseries is for all the nerds and blerds out there like us. Part sci-fi, part supernatural, with each episode, … Continue reading Keloid Episode Six: Trackers
Koji the Bandit (@KojiTheBandit) – Never Enough [Album]
Fresh off winning the Craft Syndicate beat making contest, which gave him the opportunity to have a studio session with Don Cannon, Koji the Bandit releases Never Enough. Easily one of the best instrumental tapes you will hear all year. Enjoy.
Keloid Episode Five:Trackers [Web Series]
This web series is becoming my new favorite thing. Hopefully, you’ve been keeping up as well. If you enjoy the series, then make sure season two is bigger and better than the first. There is a campaign below to support this show and every little bit helps. Keloid: Season 2
The GPG Podcast #29 – Put the Country in Rice
The crew is back giving another unique take on the culture. This week they get into the fallout surrounding the Charlottesville protests, Boosie’s infamous IG post and North Korea trying to get us out the paint. They also revisit the friends with benefits topic. As always follow us on Twitter: @TheGPGPodcast
Rejoice! King Cutler Returns
Future Vanderbilt Sports HOF QB Jay Cutler returns and the NFL is better for it.
Keloid Episode Four [Web Series]
Before we get started, I have something to admit. I forgot to post episode three last week so here it is: Hopefully, you’re up to speed now. Enjoy this week’s episode.
Tzu Vega (@Tzu_Vega) – Fist of God EP
As someone who tries to shine a light on the hip-hop scene in Alabama, I have something new for you. Fist of God comes from Tzu Vega, a rapper from Mobile. It features production reminiscent of Jedi Mind Tricks (with one obvious nod to Vinnie Paz) and razor sharp lyricism. Check it out and let us … Continue reading Tzu Vega (@Tzu_Vega) – Fist of God EP
T.I. – Writer featuring Translee & B.O.B. [video]
Yep, you can pretty much expect any and all things Translee to get posted from here on out. This is a single from T.I.’s underrated Us or Else album.
Dunkirk: The War Movie That Doesn’t Know It’s A War Movie [Review]
Christopher Nolan’s big-budget war movie is his least intricate movie yet. It’s also his first true masterpiece.
Please Don’t Get Lost in the Sauce: The Translee (@Translee) Interview
The Kids Wear Crowns crew went to Workplay (Birmingham) to interview Translee, a rising star from Huntsville. He tells us about how T.I. discovered his music, what’s next for his career and a throwback R&B group that’s one of his biggest influences.
Keloid Episode Two: New York
Hopefully, you’ve watched the first episode of this web series by now. Episode two picks up after that dramatic conclusion and answers a few questions while giving a few more to ask. I can’t wait to see where this goes.
Snowfall and the Importance of Having Patience With “Slow-Burn TV”
From the moment I saw the first teaser for Snowfall, I was intrigued. The crack “epidemic” is a definitive era in American history and we still feel a lot of those effects today. Although this era gets romanticized endlessly through every medium imaginable and I shy away from it (See: Narcos) Snowfall still had me curious. Maybe it … Continue reading Snowfall and the Importance of Having Patience With “Slow-Burn TV”
Keloid: The Black Sci-Fi Web Series You’ve Been Waiting For
Disclaimer: Never ever try to find this web series by simply typing ‘keloid’ into the YouTube search bar. Keyword searches are your friend. The more keywords, the better. I nearly didn’t have the stomach to type this but I was able to click away before I saw too many grotesque stills. If you’re one of those … Continue reading Keloid: The Black Sci-Fi Web Series You’ve Been Waiting For
Boomerang: The Best Rom-Com of All Time
Milestones are the thing to celebrate these days so here’s an important one: On June 28th, 2017, Boomerang turned 25. It was directed by Reginald Hudlin (House Party, The Great White Hype) and was based on a script by Eddie Murphy (Literally everything in the 80s and 90s). It featured a star-studded cast with names such as … Continue reading Boomerang: The Best Rom-Com of All Time
The Barbershop Podcast (@BarbershopPod) – The Flesh is Weak
When the p**** is chasing, we can’t run that fast. w/ @RonQuixote_ @Snook24 @PrinceHAK33M @lexielovesbama @Pattric & @McDeedus Music: Drippin x Paper nolassnaym Follow us on Twitter ===>>> @BarbershopPod
The Listening Club: Big Boi – Boomiverse [review]
It’s been awhile since we’ve done one of these but we couldn’t let Big Boi’s album pass without reviewing it. Well, the wait is over so let’s jump straight into it.
Top 25 Movies of the Century According to @RonQuixote_
New York Times recently posted their Top 25 Movies of the Century. I’m not sure why 2017 is a benchmark but when I see a list it’s my duty to analyze it. While going through their list I noticed that I’ve missed quite a few acclaimed movies since the Y2K scare. I’m going to use … Continue reading Top 25 Movies of the Century According to @RonQuixote_
Hot Take: _____ ______ is the Greatest Action Star of Our Generation
I have levels to my movie watching. Level 1: I HAVE to see this the day it’s released Level 2: This movie looks cool but I don’t have to see it in theaters. I’ll catch it on Blu-Ray. Level 3: Will Netflix have this in a year? Level 4: I have no interest in seeing … Continue reading Hot Take: _____ ______ is the Greatest Action Star of Our Generation
We Bringing Love Back (@WBLB) Podcast – The Language of Love
his week we discuss Love Languages with 4 special guests (one being on Skype). We all share our Love Language quiz results and go from there. Of course we take it left (just a bit), but we do manage to spread the daily message of bringing love back. Guests: @TheDakari, @MsDomi13, @longlivliv, @beetaylora lovelanguagelanguageoflovewblb
Heritage or Hate?: The Case Against “Our” Confederate Dead
Monument (noun) – a statue, building, or other structure erected to commemorate a famous or notable person or event. The modern-day meaning of “monument” derives from the Latin word monere which means “to remind”. Monuments have always been a staple of prominent civilizations because they serve as a reminder of the past. An immortal symbol that reinforces … Continue reading Heritage or Hate?: The Case Against “Our” Confederate Dead
No Suh Foster (@NoSuhFoster) – Premie Late EP
If you’ve been following this blog long enough, you know we try to highlight local rappers and No Suh Foster has been a name that has appeared here numerous times. So I urge you to please check out his powerful new EP, Premie Late. This EP chronicles the experiences of a black boy growing into manhood. … Continue reading No Suh Foster (@NoSuhFoster) – Premie Late EP
Lil Yatchy isn’t Bad for Hip-Hop, You Are. With Your ol’ Dusty Ass
Let’s start with a bait & switch. If you thought this would be a defense of Lil Yatchy, you’re dead wrong. Dead ass wrong. He sucks. I’d rather listen to a CD of tugboat sounds than hear him rap. God, he’s awful. As awful as he is, though, he isn’t bad for hip-hop. You are. Hip-hop in … Continue reading Lil Yatchy isn’t Bad for Hip-Hop, You Are. With Your ol’ Dusty Ass
Meet the Browns: The Art of Rebuilding a Terrible Team
This time of the year provides some of the hottest sports takes. Some QB you’ve never heard of gets hyped in December and he’s the guy you must draft. Everyone knows he’s trash beside the experts but you’re foolish to not take this guy. _________ will shore up someone’s defense and be a contender for … Continue reading Meet the Browns: The Art of Rebuilding a Terrible Team
The Listening Club: Nick Grant – Return of the Cool [review]
This is our 3rd review so far. Hopefully, you’re following along with us. The first was Goldlink and the second was Mack Wilds. This review is Nick Grant, a rapper from South Carolina. This album dropped in January, but we had to revisit it per AJ’s request. Let’s jump into it.
The Listening Club: Mack Wilds – AfterHours [review]
Hi! We’re back again with another roundtable review. We’ll be doing these often, so I hope you’re following. Last time, we did Goldlink-At What Cost. The album we’re reviewing this time is AfterHours by Mack Wilds.
Jay Dot Rain (@JayDotRain) – Ca$h Talk [video]
First single off the new album coming soon. Very soon. Also, check out my playlist on Zambah music featuring Jay Dot Rain.
The Curious Case of the Wonder Woman Movie
With a little less than two months left until release, Wonder Woman is DC’s forgotten movie.
The #ThorRagnarok Trailer Just Dropped and It’s a Sight to Behold
Ron and AJ here. We’re back. Doing what we do best: Hyping superhero movies months before they even drop. We get it. Solo Thor movies are a hard sell. He’s basically the dumb blonde of the Avengers movies, so his comedic relief isn’t enough to carry entire movies by himself. [Although Thor: The Dark World … Continue reading The #ThorRagnarok Trailer Just Dropped and It’s a Sight to Behold
The Listening Club: Goldlink – At What Cost [Review]
What keeps me sharp is surrounding myself with a group of like-minded, yet diverse individuals. The staff of The Kids Wear Crowns all have different tastes although we share the general overarching interests. This helps to bounce around ideas and different viewpoints. I think it also provides you, the reader, with opportunities to be hipped … Continue reading The Listening Club: Goldlink – At What Cost [Review]
The Lunatic is in Your Head: How Legion Controls Your Mind
You know the greatest thing I loved about comics as a kid? They suspended reality. It was an opportunity for me to escape reality, if only briefly. Even though some stories would be emotionally driven and mirrored real life events, they still served as a fantasy world. They formed a mythology. This mythology only existence on thin … Continue reading The Lunatic is in Your Head: How Legion Controls Your Mind
The Greatest (Worst) Power Rangers Rip-Offs You Forgot All About
You were probably one of the millions who ran to theaters this weekend to chase nostalgia. The Power Rangers was important to our childhood but we often lose historical context. We only remember the greats. No one remembers the bench player. The 90s had a lot of greats, but trust me, there were a lot … Continue reading The Greatest (Worst) Power Rangers Rip-Offs You Forgot All About
You Might See Me in the Tweets: A Musical Introduction [Guest Blog by @abuggslyfe]
A life soundtrack by guest blogger @abuggslyfe
More Than Mighty Morphin’: Ranking Our Top 5 Power Rangers Seasons
I grew tired of seeing the disrespect and decided to make a list of my favorite Power Rangers seasons. Note: We use “season” loosely here because we really mean series. Mighty Morphin ran for quite a while and other series got two seasons. We’re ranking titles. My list is first, then AJ’s follows. 5. Zeo Zeo … Continue reading More Than Mighty Morphin’: Ranking Our Top 5 Power Rangers Seasons
The Maybach Music Power Rankings
Which “Maybach Music” is your favorite?
Holy Hell, Iron Fist is Pretty Bad
A spoiler-free review of Marvel’s Iron Fist
Dear Hollywood, I’m Sick of Your Shit
No idea under the sun is original. Your favorite thing is likely influenced by the creator’s favorite thing. This will become someone’s favorite thing and influence them to create someone’s favorite thing. The cycle repeats. With that said, there are two things I hate the more than anything else in entertainment: Bad Boy remixes and … Continue reading Dear Hollywood, I’m Sick of Your Shit
No Country for Old Men: The Logan Review featuring @RonQuixote_ and @AJ_Phx
“Now you run on home to your mother and tell her…There aren’t any more guns in the valley”
Plot Twist: After Years of Making Cinematic Poop, I’m an M. Night Shyamalan Fan Again
Think about a movie that influenced you. A movie that changed the way you viewed movies forever. From the moment you saw it, you knew it would be the standard which you judged other movies. Now, I know when most self-appointed film geeks name their most influential movies, they usually include something like 2001, Apocalypse … Continue reading Plot Twist: After Years of Making Cinematic Poop, I’m an M. Night Shyamalan Fan Again
A.J. Phoenix Recalls The Difficulties Of Being A “Blerd” Before It Was Cool
Originally posted on Joe Hova's Mindframe:
Childhood is one of the most difficult experiences of life. Your parents don’t understand the harsh judgement that other kids dish out just for being yourself (sometimes they contribute to that judgement). The more I look back on my childhood I see it was my destiny to be…
True Life: I’m Addicted to NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
Everyone has their wormhole of the internet they get trapped in. For some people, it’s brawl videos. Some people watch funny Facebook videos that give birth to memes. Some people watch those disgusting Dr. Pimple Popper videos. Much like Sky (@CheesusSlice) and his love for Triple J cover videos, my wormhole deals with music too. … Continue reading True Life: I’m Addicted to NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
The Black History Month Reading List
The orange president decided to switch it up this year by calling February 2017 National African American History Month instead of Black History Month. For obvious that are too long to list, that doesn’t work for us. We’re still calling it Black History Month around these parts.
@BarbershopPod – Culture
Super Bowl Week Patriots vs. Falcons: Who ya got??? Migos Album review Which “Migo” is the best rapper? feat, DJ CJ Da Sticman
A Farewell to President Obama (From Little Black Boys Like Me)
When I was around the age of 4 years old, I would go to my grandma’s house while my parents worked. Since I went there very early in the morning, I was usually greeted with pancakes or french toast. She would sit in her chair and watch her “stories” while I would read a stack … Continue reading A Farewell to President Obama (From Little Black Boys Like Me)
The Young Pope Arrives When We Need Him the Most
This is usually the section where I introduce a show to you, tell you what it’s about, and then, why you need to watch it. First, the name of this show is The Young Pope. Second, what is this show about? A pope? A young one? I’ll tell you what little I do know. This show picks … Continue reading The Young Pope Arrives When We Need Him the Most
A Procrastinator’s List of Favorite Movies from 2016
Look, time is a man-made concept. The Earth doesn’t rotate a perfect 24 hours a day. There was no Year 0. For all intents and purposes, it could still be 2016 in an alternate universe. No? Well, I’m done making excuses for my chronic procrastination. This was an arduous task, though, as it is every … Continue reading A Procrastinator’s List of Favorite Movies from 2016
Ron’s Favorite TV Shows of 2016
For this post, I feel like it’s only fair to break it down in two ways. First I’m going to highlight the best currently running shows of 2016 and talk about my favorite episodes. Then, I’m going to talk about the newcomers.
The Best of 2016 Playlist
Yes, this playlist has Bad and Boujee. Duh.
The Kids Wear Crowns Album of the Year Show (featuring “Prolly” Drunk @Pattric)
Ron, Ryan, Aj and guest @Pattric talk about their favorite albums and the most trash albums of the year.
Why Rogue One is the Best War Movie of the Year
Long ago, in a galaxy far far away…there was a trilogy. This trilogy predated its trilogy of prequels by 22 years. Sixteen years later, the first movie in a new trilogy of movies that takes place right after the events of the first trilogy, which is now thirty-eight years old in its origin, was … Continue reading Why Rogue One is the Best War Movie of the Year
Lobotomix Se7en Years of Hip Hop [ D Gut (@theOnlyDGUT) Interview]
On November 25th, a host of local MCs gathered to celebrate Lobotomix‘s seven years of hip hop coverage. This show made it clear that Alabama has a large underground hip-hop following. Many of the rappers performing were in the crowd rapping along to other rappers songs. The Alabama hip-hop scene is a fraternity and everyone … Continue reading Lobotomix Se7en Years of Hip Hop [ D Gut (@theOnlyDGUT) Interview]
What’s Your Favorite Album of 2016?
Last year, we made a poll for the best album of 2015 and we’re doing so again this year. There are 10 entries but you can put just 5 albums if that’s all you have. AJ and I will reveal the results during our live end of the year show.
Why Doctor Strange Might Be Your Least Favorite Marvel Origin Movie –(And Why That’s a Good Thing)
“I don’t believe in fairy tales about chakras or energy or the power of belief.”
TV’s Most Underrated Shows
Luke Cage broke Netflix this weekend. Atlanta is the new best thing on TV. Queen Sugar is receiving critical acclaim. There’s even Designated Survivor if that’s your thing. All of these shows are ones you probably know about already. As usual, there are a few shows every season that gets blinded by the spotlight although they … Continue reading TV’s Most Underrated Shows
I Watched Designated Survivor (So You Wouldn’t Have To)
The most relatable part of Aziz Ansari’s great sitcom, Master of None, wasn’t the tragedy of dating in the 21st century or navigating through adulthood. I’m embarrassed to say it’s when Aziz’s friend Brian told his father a little white lie: I have to leave soon. I like to get to the movies early to play … Continue reading I Watched Designated Survivor (So You Wouldn’t Have To)
“If Martin Luther King, Jr Was Alive Today, What Would He Say?”
“And what is it America has failed to hear?…It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met.”
Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor Reflection by @RonQuixote_ #FnL10thAnniversary
Where were you when you came across “The Next Big Thing”? That thing that would alter your life the moment you discovered it. For me, these moments are very few in my life. I remember being in total awe as a kid while I was watching the “Southerplayalistic” video on Rap City with my big … Continue reading Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor Reflection by @RonQuixote_ #FnL10thAnniversary
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