Common enlisted so many well-known peers for his second annual benefit concert at the L.A.’s Hollywood Paladium last Saturday (September 26) that the show had to be abbreviated as “Common and Friends”on the venue’s marquee.
And it was certainly a night that could qualify as epic, given that De La Soul, The Roots, Ludacris, Nas, Mos Def and Talib Kweli as Black Star, Heavy D and Queen Latifah all gave spirited sets that flowed seamlessly, one into the next.
The night’s absolute highlight came when Common took to the mic to announce that the night’s surprise guest, Kanye West, would not make an appearance due to the backlash from his recent MTV Video Music Awards controversy. But before Common could finish the message, DJ Dummy dropped the beat to “Get ‘Em High” and Ye ran onto the stage, sending the crowd into hysteria.
The night had many other interesting turns. Nas joined Ludacris to do his verse on “I Do It for Hip-Hop” and then, after performing “One Mic” and “The World Is Yours” alone, Common joined Nas to deliver “New York State Mind.” For fans, it was an incredible sight to behold as Com delivered the first full verse of the classic track, word-for-word, while Nas looked on.
Both greats then introduced the next guest, Heavy D. The early-90s superstar took it back with “Nuttin’ But Love.” Then, Queen Latifah came out to do “U-N-I-T-Y,” as Kanye, Talib Kweli and Mos Def remained on stage, providing the occasional adlib.
Before the show, Common told XXLMag.com that he wasn’t alone in handpicking the artists, although he admitted he “made a couple calls, too.” “I have a team that works with me and they suggested some of the names, and made the efforts to get a lot of the artists,” Common said.
The event was the second major benefit for the rapper’s Common Ground Foundation, which raises money to donate to worthy causes. “We raise money so that we can give money to different programs that support what we’re into and what we’re into is encouraging the youth towards entrepreneurship, towards reading more, towards self-love and self-empowerment,” Common said. “We locate programs that already focus on that and we take this money and give it to them.”

Big Up XXL Magazine for sharing this joint, for real!

Damn! If you follow the rope tied to her shoes you can only think that it is tied to her neck! Damn shortie, was the shoes that crazy?! Or your toes all jacked up? WTF??? LOL Ladies why would you do that to yourselfs? But you know what, they hot still so do you, ladies, do you!!!

Sean "Jay-Z" Carter and Beyonce "BK" Knowles are the Cool Kids for the day. The swag that is totaled between the two is uncountable and unmeasureable. Why do I say this? Damn one can go one way and the other goes the other and they will be right back together within the next day unless they are touring. They keep their days filled with stuff to do that they barely have time to miss each other. Now that's some craziness if I've ever seen any. Anyway... Holla Back!

Grand Jury Allstars...... "ALLKRAZEE"

Kid Cuddi was rocking the Jimmy Kinnel show the other day. This is a hot sweater because it goes back to the school days that we were used to. I am feeling this 100 %. Just seeing the trend rewind the time is something outstanding in my mind. BBC keep it up! Grand Jury Allstars.... Let's Get it!

Air Yeezy's. Wow what can you say? The game done stepped up and it's time for us all to make that move. They look like moon shoes but that's what was said about the Space Jam Jordans! Now that's something new! Holla Back!!! Grand Jury Allstars..... Let's get it!!!

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American recording artist. After being signed to and quickly dropped from Def Jam Records at age 19, she began performing in the rock music scene of New York City's Lower East Side. During this time, she was also working at Interscope Records as a songwriter for several established acts, including Akon, who, after hearing Gaga sing, convinced Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovineto sign her to a joint deal with the label and Akon's Kon Live Distribution label.

Her debut album The Fame was released in August 2008 to critical and commercial success. In addition to receiving generally positive reviews, it has gone to number one in four countries, also topping the Billboard Top Electronic Albums chart in the United States. The album's first two singles, "Just Dance" and "Poker Face," have become international number one hits, and the former was nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 51st Grammy Awards. In 2009, after having opened for New Kids on the Block and the Pussycat Dolls, Gaga embarked on her first headlining tour, The Fame Ball Tour. To date she has sold over 20 million digital singles and 3 million albums worldwide.^[1]

Musically, Gaga is inspired by glam rockers such as David Bowie and Queen, as well as pop singers such as Michael Jackson and Madonna. She is also inspired by fashion, which she claims is an essential component to her songwriting and performances. She is also very supportive of the gay community, crediting them for her early mainstream success.

Well hopefully with all this Swag she got inherited, she should keep it popping like Madonna!

Grand Jury Allstars!!!! Let's get it!!!