Those that are in the know are already aware that at almost every Roots show they do what's called "Hip Hop 101," where they'll briefly cover current and past Hip Hop and R&B hits.

I've had the pleasure of hearing Black Thought crack the hell up while trying to do Common's "Come Close," ?uestlove doing a really good Michael Jackson, "Mama se mama sa mama kusa..." and have seen Kamal attempt the Beyoncé booty bump from "Crazy in Love."

During Thursday night's Hip Hop 101, a familiar beat kicked in and I saw Black Thought break out into this huge, but kind of embarassed, grin. I started yelling right when I recognized it but it took a second or two for my friends behind me to realize what it was. When my one friend (a Roots virgin at the time) finally got it, she screamed her giant fangirl head off.

Oh yes, my friends, The Roots brought the SexyBack.

I love The Roots. LOVE. THEM.

Originally posted on elel.vox.com

For the past few days the neighbors have noticed that there have been quite a few random kids coming through the neighborhood. My Dad, being the upstanding citizen, actually called the cops on a few of them when he noticed that they were carrying alcohol and disappearing over a fence.

About 50 feet behind our house lies this huge ass water tank. When my older brother was a teenager, this was where he first got drunk with his friends and I never thought much of it ever since then.

Well, guess the cops found out that one of the reasons why we've suddenly gotten an influx of kids is because there's a 50 foot high mural of the late Vallejo emcee Mac Dre.

YADADIMEAN?!

So, of course my ass had to hop (okay, shut up, I used a ladder) our back fence to check it out myself. Little did I know that I'd be greeted by some dope ass graff work! Guess word of the Mac Dre mural just hit MySpace, so folks have been coming to check it out. Click the thumbnail for more goodness.

Edit: I just realized y'all probably think I live in the ghetto now. I can hear y'all saying, "Note to self: Do not visit her." HAHAHA

Where's my $5? Dave Chappelle turned up at Rock the Bells today during Talib Kweli's set. Got everyone in the damn ampitheater to jump to their feet and roar. Besides him, Phife, Dres (from Black Sheep) and DJ Kool (Let me clear my throat!) did a little somethin' somethin' too.

I am RIDIC exhausted. Spent all day at AOD yesterday hanging out with the cool kids, cheering on ziggybecket at his photography panel, and realizing that Piano Squall is, in fact, pretty freakin' dope. Spent all day today at the Concord Sleep Train Pavilion throwing my hands in the air and waving 'em like I just didn't care. Current theory is that Mos Def randomly breaks out into song at odd moments during his set just so he can hear the collective sound of panties dropping by the female audience members. Saucy, come toss me!

My friend and I actually left before Wu-Tang Clan came on because 1) it was cold and 2) by the time Mos Def had finished his set, we had been sitting in the sun for almost seven hours. I got the retarded tank top tan lines to prove it. Also, the only Wu-related thing I wanted to do was yell out "Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothin' to fuck with!" and hold up the two-handed "W" sign. I figure I wouldn't hate my life too much if I chose warmth over Hip Hop this one time.

So these past four days I've basically run the gamut in entertainment: Dave Chappelle on Thursday, Anime (Animation?) Overdose on Saturday and Rock the Bells (AKA: More Hip Hop than you can shake a stick at, suckaaaa.) today. And you know what's the best way to celebrate this achievement?

PASSING THE EFF OUT. Good night.

R.I.P. Jay Dee. Hip Hop MUSIC loses another one.

He was a producer for tons of Hip Hop, R&B and Soul artists. He passed away this morning due to liver failure.

All of the following were produced (read: he made the beats) by Jay Dee AKA Jay Dilla. Check 'em out and listen to the talent:

Slum Village - I Don't Know
Jay Dee also emceed with Slum Village when they first started.
One of the best choruses to sing along to: "I don't know why the fuck I'm fuckin' with you."

The Brand New Heavies feat. Q-Tip - Sometimes (Ummah Remix)

The Roots - Dynamite!

The Pharcyde - Runnin'

Erykah Badu - My Life

I could go on... but you get the idea. Check out his discography to see how active this guy was.