I haven't been in the best writing shape this year, perhaps because I've leaned my time towards finishing up some artistic goals. I kept promising myself and the readers of the Terrordomes that I would be writing more frequently what was on this mind. I find myself repeating some things over and over and reading past work makes me write something yet different. With next year planned to be less of an artistic year than the past few I want to direct my path towards more frequent output. Things pop up in droves sometimes like the tragic home invaded shooting death of NFL Washington Redskins player SEAN TAYLOR.

With the economy headed into more dangerous territory,Madison Avenue and their companies in their desperate searches for 'streetcred' are finding themselves toeing a critical line. The hood walls so marketed to and from are closing in on the people that resemble the players, rappers, and entertainers the world seems to love so much. Who seem to love the close to one million black males that look so similar. Add four to this collection. The same four that took the life of someone who rose up from similar conditions. I heard that SEAN TAYLOR had some turbulence during his 23 year rise up to the age of 24. Like a fleeting jet in order to get to smooth air you gotta bust through the clouds. I also heard that Mr TAYLOR could handle himself and if there was any beef or static headed his way, he could reason and even perhaps fight to protect his interest. Added the fact he was entering adulthood finally 'getting it, and trying to do his best didn't erase any other resume he might have already had. Thus we want our heroes to ''SHINE..." it's only right and a given automatic sense of local extended family pride.

SEAN TAYLOR'S death comes as a shock to many in this country, especially to those that have been in denial or plain ignorance of how the conditions of the so called hood are closing in. The have'nots have steadily increased from a meltdown of a middle class facade that Amerikkka had padded with ballooned statistic rather that dealing with the reality of ghettoed inflation. In turn the 'haves' have been falsely propped with swollen press releases from sport and entertainment publicity machines that always toss the 'gross figures' like grenades to a sliding public. There ain't really been no black middle class per se just a lotta folk that were able to finally get behind on some credit. The hood sees all of this hungry for the economical feeding, while being starved on education, environment, and self knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

While there is no excuse for them four cats that killed SEAN TAYLOR, the hood can no longer sweep itself into denial mode. It's been a road winding like a downward spiral for 27 years since R&B; Reagan and Bush. These leagues and industries have forsaken any 'social development ' of their product. Totally have gotten away with not teaching their so called product how to handle the environment they come from and sometimes where they still reside. I mean this in general and not specifically in the SEAN TAYLOR case. Denver Bronco DARRANT WILLAIMS was assassinated at the top of the year when some hoodcat sprayed his limo up after a club. The college player at TAYLORS alma mater MIAMI was killed this year. I've read many sports journalists takes on what has happened and what seems to be the problem. A tragedy like this brings a lot of wrong takes from many areas regarding this rare incident simply because the whole thing seems wrong. Those four young black men had some illusion planted in their heads that this robbery was doable and there were all kinds of possibility for a success here. Oh, how the hype has seeped into the reality of our existence.

It starts with the 'SHINE'. It's far more noticeable in the depleted hood than other Amerikkkan communities. Supposed to be. The descendants of slaves who seem to have the passed down slavery traits of low self esteem, lack of self worth, history, geography etc. in our millennium social genes, bust out of that surrounding glowing in the dark. Rising out of those hood ashes are athletes and entertainers. ESPN and Hollywood BET, Viacommed hype and access are always putting the SHINE on blast. There has never been a need for the black Amerikkkan athlete to SHINE down, they've been considered teflon, practically untouchable protected goods in the USSA.

I remember the shock of one of my favorite athletes growing up, baseball player LYMAN BOSTOCK. An outfielder who had just signed this big contract with the CALIFORNIA ANGELS after tearing up the American League for a few years with the MINNESOTA TWINS. Hanging out in his old stomps in GARY INDIANA he was shot and killed while riding in the back of some friend's car. Details were sketchy at the time for me, but I recall the disbelief of it all. In music I recalled folks talking about SAM COOKE, JACKIE WILSON'S stabbing, and SCOTT LAROCK in rap at the start of my career. At the time in 1987 killing a major rap star was inconceivable, thus when ERIC B came to my ROCKFORD ILLINOIS hotel room that late August while on tour , it changed the teflon factor in celebrity for me.

I know my history and know my black community. Animosity, jealousy, envy, are a hair trigger away without the knowledge of 'hoodplomacy'. The agents, lawyers, owners, seem to never know or give a damn about this mix of humility, language, style, and de-hyping needed to 'SHINEDOWN'. Increasingly these times require it, because of the way the masses are fed on hype to keep them distracted from the 'bullsht of reality.' I had known from minute one when my raggedy 1979 MERCURY ZEPHER was broken into in front of 510 S Franklin HQ while on tour, simply because I had a melted PUBLIC ENEMY YBRTS cassette in the back window. I said 'whoa' and figured I better try to play myself down because a new spotlight was upon me. Even more so than HANK, PE , BOMB SQUAD cats back around the way because they were less recognizable. The times I pulled up to the stoplight and someone would recognize my face and figure how they would be driving something two or three times better and more expensive than mine. In ways it made them feel less intimidated. In walking in public places, jewelry and showing off on top of the false floor of fame was figured redundant. I was also helped by witnessing the local rise to superstardom of EDDIE MURPHY when I saw my total hometown area become under the influence of FAME. Thus I became a believer of 'SHINEDOWN' not a master because in the hood anything can happen, but the pulse has to be always read. To live in an area you come from there must be a method in turning down the mythology of fame.

We're in a day where pro athletes salaries are blasted in everyday pages , many of them black and with friends and family knowing those exact 'gross figures swimming in their domes. The sports pages have more money figures than the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The SHOWBIZ television, radio, and print industry mimics this 'crapology' as well. Anytime a NBA ballplayer rolls into any club post , pre, or off season game there's a change in the atmosphere. The lighting seems to change as does the collective body language of the whole joint. The height makes the basketball player stand out thus as easily makes them targets. Football players are shorter and feel they compensate for them being usually anonymous under helmets by wearing NFL pendants , jewelry or the same invincible chip on their shoulder that has made them successful warriors on the professional field in the first place. They were bred as warriors for the past 15 -20 years in many cases, field-wise , maybe campuses wise but frozen socially. Baseball players appear the most normal and would have to be obnoxious and loudest to get any buzz, because the game is no longer popular in the hood like it was up to 1970. The reality is that they make more on a longer basis than the afore two sports.

No developmental programs to teach these players how to make social adjustments in the club, in the street, and even on front of the media. I'm here to tell you whatever they have presently are weak attempts in what is looming to be a USA depression. Its already known how rappers and entertainers have absolutely NO social teaching or development , so they continue to boost and boast stories of parallel financial status ( myth)to the hood and band-aid the side effects with heaps of just as un-trained security companies. And the excuse that follows is that a person should be able to go anywhere, eat anyplace, walk any turf they want. They should be told 'yes' in theory, no the practicality is prevented by the color of the in-fame red beam scoped on them at all times. The companies, agents, lawyers and accountants all get their piece in anonymity, why should they be concerned with social development of what they deem as simply 'product'?

Ten years after TUPAC and B.I.G., my man SPICE ONE is shot and critical, I hope he gets well. Nice guy but the persona wouldn't let you know that. Nor will JIVE when they try to digitally move their catalog. The more black funerals I see of celebrity I wanna count the faces of the extended 'family' outside of the connected characteristic. This image of superhero athlete and entertainer streetcred doesn't seem to come with a cut off switch, a fader control, or a tag saying 'Hood Gauge Not Included'. Thus the art of 'SHINEDOWN' must be taught for these upcoming tough times ahead.

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I hear two rapcats, SAIGON and LUPE FIASCO, are thinking about calling it quits. I really get discouraged when young artists seem to think that the industry is some organism that has the intent of not making you rich AND famous. Out of the millions of artists doing hip hop , these cats should feel fortunate. Seems that many have forgotten that this is cultural art. There must be a passion beyond doing this beside the hype of it all. These guys have known names there should be some scale recognized here. Help me on this one , is it the JAYZPUFFYRUSSELLNELLYUSHERWILLSMITHQUEENLATIFAHbasketballownerclothingmagnate filmstar success stories killing these young cats vision of what this really is all about? LIL WAYNE has recently quoted that 30-35 he wants to exit the game and like own a basketball team. WEEZY has been proficient in his older age and will realize that he will always have something to say. He'll make more sense when he really realizes want this all means in the span of time itself. His words to describe the time and mind he's in. Again its not what you have...... its what you do. --------------------- MAY SEE? With JAY Z the exception, I never dug executives trying to get more 'shine' than their artists. SUGE KNIGHT had something to say about that some years back about the PUFFSTER. Personally speaking I cannot stand that MACYS XMas commercial with RUSSELLPUFFYTRUMPHILFIGER and JESSICA SIMPSON pulls the plug and says 'my bad'. ??? Hate it. Precisely I think the intention. Let the producers, executives, develop this lost talent base instead of soaking up every morsel of media for their 'shine' Damn. =============== ST JOHNS At Hip hop Event at ST JOHNS U in QUEENS NY, a panel was live and popping especially one with my hero POPMASTER FABEL showing the ST JOHNS audience how true poplocking should be done. filmmaker MARTHA DIAZ of H2O HIP HOP and BAKARI KITWANA were solid in their expressing the art form KOOL HERC , DANNY HOCH, and others really I was really impressed by an artist by the name of BLITZ THE AMBASSADOR a product by way of GHANA who thoroughly ripped and impressed me enough to have him open for PE on our December 19th and 20th dates in Manhattans IRVING PLAZA and Brooklyn respectively. I also had him come down to the radio show and gave him an interview.

PITTSBURGH Two days in the STEEL CITY had me speaking to the BRADDOCK YOUTH CENTER and later the next day in the community at the HUGHES -STRAYHORN THEATER. The time was also spent talking to the students at WESTINGHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL. As I entered through the millennium high tech security system of the 1930s built building , I immediately was floored by the many graduates spanning the past 60 years of the schools past. 95 % black faces, many which had been moved out of the city AND state to do big things. The students heads were of course swamped with BET and local radio. Took me about 15 minutes to get their total focus and attention on the real deal rather than appeasing them with entertainment hype. Earlier at BRADDOCK the students were locked into what they wanted to do with their education and collegiate lives. I encouraged students and later on artists alike to learn how to shoot, and edit video as much as possible to take advantage of the MYSPACE, FACEBOOK, and YOU TUBE sites available / They dug the direction.

DETROIT University of MICHIGAN @ DEARBORN had me shocked by the low cost of the sprawling HYATT HOTEL. In the major cities and the abroad countries I was getting shellacked with the astronomical costs. HYATT was just $69 for suite like conditions. Reminded me of the 1980's. The school itself was a great neat facility next to FORDS empire....when I drive in those parts its like driving through an American Babylon, great buildings and large business tracts of abandoned land.

VASSAR There's nothing like a late fall drive in NY STATE, after appearing at ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, I drove alongside the storied remains of the ERIE CANAL thought about some old WALT WHITMAN writings and crossed the pre new deal MID HUDSON BRIDGE into POUGHKEEPSIE NY. The same town I remember ANTHRAX whippin' our asses the first night of the US ANTHRAX-PE-PRIMUS tour of 1991. The campus talk was a social education to the majority white students on the true cultural respect aspect of hip hop and its ability to bring the human family together. There was a noose incident on campus. The black student body was informed to never dumb themselves down or to take their privilege for granted. All told it was the opportunity to defuse mythology.

TAMPA University OF SOUTH FLORIDA had a panel of images in hip hop. BYRON HURT, DA BRAT, BRIDGET GRAY and KARRINE STEFFENS were also on the panel to discuss. BYRON's film BEYOND BEATS AND RHYMES is self explanatory its introduction into the problem influences of the music culture, make it really easy to engage into step two of how to approach fixing these areas. He is traveling across the earth because of the great work. DA BRAT has come into her own as a woman who is starting to realize that she can be the voice of many women and girls within the genre. Poetess BRIDGET GRAY spoke well and left her dialogue with HIP HOP plastered in the minds of the packed SUNDOME audience. KARRINE STEFFENS was breaking down the reality of the business treatment of women, from a experienced standpoint. She was knocking the illusion and fantasy off of the business, and really relating to the many young women who only could guess where they would stand if the opportunity knocked. She and the other panelists kept it very real. My real talk was saying although I understood to the fullest of their perceptions of what the game was all about, my truth is that I'm not in my teens, 20's, 30's... and will be leaving my 40's real soon. Thus they have to be equipped to handle leadership of self and reject the younging-dumbing down processes inflicted on them by 30-40-50 year olds in tucked away boardrooms .....somewhere.

ERASING HISTORY In sports white Amerikkkan way have repeated itself ,EH? Taking MARION JONES medals, giving an asterisk to BARRY BONDS, reversing titles, and changing the perception of the all American QB with the no ghetto pass protection of MICHAEL VICK has the sports world changing history. Just like white Amerikkka. Just change history. Oh yeah did somebody say crime and cheating? Well I didn't take off Columbus day. ...and this past Thankstaking day I went to MEXICO and felt proud to be a world citizen all the way up to the two hour wait on line getting back into SAN DIEGO from TIJUANA. Damn they rob everywhere else in this hemisphere to make you feel glad to cross back over...but there's a different tune coming out of CANADA. The shock of the CANADIAN dollar being backed by OIL and WATER ( YES they DO mix) surpassing these green presidents has them BENJIs rolling over in them graves.

SUMMER REDSTONE To show you how I'm tired of VIACOM's bullsht I been calling out SUMMER REDSTONE to a duel, a match, even perhaps an arm wrestle. I don't call out emcees. The definition of cracker is not racist because it was worn as a badge of honor by plantation owners and overseers during slavery. The 'crack' of the authoritative whip on the backs of black people, who had their skin 'cracked' open by that same whip doubled the term.

LED ZEPPELIN Well sometimes I wonder how rock legends keep their status. The support system is vast and solid. They reunite and the whole world stops, or starts. Go figure. MR JAMES BROWN passes last XMAS and there's been a year of barely a whimper. Thus in my song LONG AND WHINING ROAD masterfully composed and produced by GARY G WIZ and AMANI K SMITH and video magic by DAVID CDOC SNYDER, the point is that hip hop must fight for longevity and respect that rock and roll has. There's even a difference about the different generations in rap itself. On YOU TUBE PE views on videos range into the 200,000 - 300,000 range while WU TANG-OUTKAST-acts from the 90's range into the millions. Its the generational downside as far as numbers are concerned. Simple fact that the fans in the 80's had to be converted while the ones in the 90's grew up in it. I'd like to continue to make the PE brand like the STONES or ZEP in the hip hop circles , but things must be built to support. ROCK THE BELLS this year was an example, not only were many of the fans seeing us for the first time , but they were most likely seeing their favorites previously being exposed mainly through the media of TV, RADIO, and FILM now live and doin it on stage.

JAMES BROWN It all comes down to this: Come December 25th it will be one year since the passing of Mr JAMES BROWN. It has been a year of media silence as far as I'm concerned, I know life goes on ...but damn. These black radio stations rarely play anything by him. We wait for classic stations to support. These stations swear by calling themselves homes for Hip Hop and R & B and dont know the histories of either. We at SLAMjamz have released TRIBB TO JB where as a special terrordome the liner notes will emerge later this month. We felt that our studios, producers, singers, musicians, rappers, deejays, engineers,and label participants could come with a tribute without the constraints of time and terms. DJ JOHNNY JUICE and BRIAN HARDGROOVE made the improbable ,...possible. The plans are to revolve a press conference around the PE dates DEC 19-20. Possibly REV AL SHARPTONs NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK will house the conference and direct the proceeds.On top of this events are forming all over , PRINCETON U had a symposium commemorating MR JB and along with key academics headed by DR CORNEL WEST,notable authors like GREG TATE, ROBERT CHRISTGAU, music notables AMIR ?uestlove THOMPSON, mgr ALAN LEEDS ...but definitley JBs MR FRED WESLEY and PEE WEE ELLIS in the house. Had a great talk in the lobby with DAVEY D and funkwritergod RICKEY VINCIENT over some fantastic food.

CHUCK D HONORS JAMES BROWN WITH TRIBB TO JB

Collection of Songs Interprets Classic and Beloved Songs Featuring Chuck D, Kyle Jason and Introducing The Artists on SLAMjamz Records

In Stores Now

To mark the one-year anniversary of James Brown’s passing, Public Enemy’s Chuck D is releasing a tribute album that pays tribute to the music, legacy and enduring influence of one of the most important figures in music. Tribb To JB, in stores November 27, features vocals by Chuck D as well as the artists from his own SLAMjamz Records, including Kyle Jason and the baNNed, EEYCS Posse, Dirty North, Crew Grrl Order, Jahi, Most Hi-Fi, Heet Mob, The Scallions, The Impossebulls and Kendo The Almost Famous. The album was helmed by longtime Public Enemy turntablist DJ Johnny “Juice” Rosado and includes a special appearance by Professor Griff.

“’Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud’ was a benchmark in my life,” explains Chuck, “as I was born in 1960 with ‘Negro’ on my birth certificate. By the mid-sixties we were classified as “colored” and after the murders of Dr. King and RFK along with the flipping opinion on the war in Vietnam, by the end of the decade “Black” was beautiful and we were damn proud to scream it. This was because of Mr. JB, at least to myself.”

On Tribb to JB, artists from Chuck D’s own SLAMjamz record label reinterpret 10 of the Godfather’s classics, including “It’s A Man’s Man’s World,” “Superbad” and “Say It Loud I’m Black And I’m Proud.” The CD comes with a bonus DVD filled with several videos of the album tracks, as well as liner notes that reveal the highly personal inspiration behind the album to Chuck and producer “Juice.” In addition to the SLAMjamz vocalists on the album, Tribb To JB was recorded with musicians Shawn Franklin, Mike Franklin (various instruments); Khari Wynn (guitar); Jason Metcalf (flute, baritone saxophone); Jeff Sheloff (saxophone, horns); Brian Hogans (alto saxophone); Matt Townsend (tenor saxophone); Marc Osterer (trumpet); Matt DePalma (trombone); The Depalma Horns (horns); Victor Burks (keyboards); Ricky Gordon (vibraphone, percussion); Brian Hardgroove (bass guitar); Rocky Bryant (drums); Johnny "Juice" Rosado (congas, bongos, percussion, turntables) and DJ President Ike (scratches).

Tracks from the album can be streamed and downloaded from www.beyond.fm. Further information on the album as well as the artists who appear on it can be found at www.SLAMjamz.com. The album was produced by DJ JOHNNY JUICE ROSADO and associate produced by BRIAN HARDGROOVE.

For further information, please contact: Jolyn Matsumuro The Brookes Company jolyn@brookescompany.com

PE 20 GIGS IN CLOSING Wrapping up year 20 in the PE story we are closing down with yet two more NEW YORK area performances. The great venue at IRVING PLAZA will get the total PE machine on DEC 19th and Brooklyn will host a gig the next night on DEC 20. There is yet to be anything planned for 2008 other than myself stepping up in the realm of collaborations and projects. As for the gigs SYNCLIVE.COM will host the events as a closing so yall can check it out live wherever you be,,,,check it/

PUBLIC ENEMY LIVE IN NEW YORK DECEMBER 19TH AND 20TH ON SYNC.COM Synchronicity LiveSM Web Site Community Relaunches as SyncLive.comSM Fans Watch Free Streaming Music and Shows as Artists Broadcast Live to the World

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla., -- Synchronicity LiveSM was piloted in the summer of 2007 and is now available for fans and artists around the world. Fans from more than 125 countries are tuning in regularly to watch new and established artists perform live. Users can access the site even easier at www.SyncLive.com and can experience free streaming music.

SyncLive.comSM is a web-based, live music community that presents artists with an opportunity to showcase their talent by broadcasting live at any time and from any place including a loft apartment, club, studio or a large-scale venue. Fans can experience a wide selection of live music for free, chat with other fans at shows and watch archived shows of their favorite artists.

"As a musician myself, we are thrilled to bring artists and fans together via a worldwide stage on SyncLive," said Aric Berquist, Founder & CEO of SyncLive. "It's amazing to see fans interact with each other in virtual shows and concerts where they can participate in group chats with other fans and artists."

Berquist stated that musicians will have an incredible opportunity to expose themselves and their original material for free to a global audience through the creation of their own band pages where they can promote upcoming shows and merchandise. SyncLive is also introducing new show editing capabilities, enhanced audio features and customized how- tos to help fans, artists and venues maximize their experience on the site.

SyncLive has already established relationships with a number of artists, bands, venues and sponsors. PUBLIC ENEMY will appear with SLAMjamz Artists KENDO THE ALMOST FAMOUS, THE IMPOSSEBULLS along with the X-VANDALS , and BLITZ The AMBASSADOR...

Well there you have it..... one mo gin TDome that is before the end of the year. Peace Chuck D mistachuck@rapstation.com =