NE$$ & Baby J Share "Third World Poor" & "Rona" from Upcoming Collaborative Album 21st Century Blues Benefiting Russell Maroon Shoatz

First time we ever saw/heard was at a Greedhead Records showcase at a Das Racist concert held at Union Transfer in Philly around 2012-13. Prior to Das Racist's headlining set, attendees were treated to sets from signees to Himanshu "Heems" K. Suri's now-defunct imprint, Greedhead: SAFE, LE1F, Lakutis, and Weekend Money. Das Racist's set, from what would be their final tour, was pretty great, as expected... but the opening acts were equally phenomenal! Weekend Money (W$) were hands down, our personal favorite! Honestly, I don't think NE$$ & Baghdaddy had even released their debut EP, Naked City, at the time. Since, W$ self-released their full-length, Freddie Merkury (2014) and have been teasing a proper follow-up ever since. It has been referred to as both The Death of Pablo, 8-Ball Emoji, and The Emperor Wears New Clothes during various stages of completion between 2014-20. While a number of singles from said third Weekend Money project have been released over the years, it appears as though they're temporarily putting it on hold. So, for the time being, W$ emcee NE$$ has been working on a separate project of his own called 21st Century Blues with UK-based producer Baby J. Between them, NE$$ & Baby J have collectively collaborated with the likes of A-Alikes, Amy Winehouse, Plan B, Mark Ronson, India Irie, Skinnyman, and dead prez.

Entirely written and produced remotely during The COVID-19 Lockdown, NE$$ & Baby J explain the music contained on 21st Century Blues "is an expression of systematic oppression and institutionalized racism faced by Black people in America; unpacking themes of street life, police brutality, poverty, and more..." Ahead of it's proper/tentative release on Friday August 21, 2020, NE$$ & Baby J have shared two poignant pre-album singles, "Third World Poor" and fittingly-titled "Rona." NE$$ even manages to incorporate a modified hook lifted and interpolated from Michael Jackson's 1995 single, "They Don't Really Care About Us" from HIStory: Past, Present & Future, Book I. Both tracks incorporate themes of social injustice, COVID-19/Rona Lockdowns, Stimulus Checks, and other recent, albeit terribly unfortunate happenings, in this mad world. 100% of the proceeds raised from the sales of "Third World Poor" & "Rona" will be donated directly to the campaign of Russell Maroon, a political prisoner, who has been imprisoned for 50 years; 22 of those, in solitary confinement. NE$$ tells The Witzard, "we have that W$ album still coming, but, for now, we're gonna be focusing on this release." Although, he assures, "we have a couple visuals coming soon..." NE$$ & Baby J's 21st Century Blues is currently available for pre-order on Bandcamp and will see a wide release on Friday, August 21, 2020.

"To say "art imitates life" would be a cliché, but, rightfully so. In these unprecedented times, NE$$ x Baby J bring a new project, 21st Century Blues, which paints a picture of the times we live in. Written and produced remotely during The COVID-19 Lockdown, between The US & UK, the music is an expression of systematic oppression and institutionalized racism faced by Black people in America. Unpacking themes of street life, police brutality, poverty, and more, rapper NE$$ (Weekend Money, A-Alikes) paints the harsh realities of life on the edge of society in America, while Baby J (Amy Winehouse, Plan B, Mark Ronson, India Irie, Skinnyman, dead prez) sets a broken dystopian scene with his production. The music is not designed for the radio, the club, or to fit with a current trend—it just is. The first two tracks, "Rona" & "Third World Poor," are [now] released with all proceeds donated to the campaign of Russell Maroon Shoatz, a political prisoner who has been imprisoned for 50 years, 22 of those in solitary confinement. A former Black Panther whose life and opinions would have been in sync with today's sentiments, Russell is one of many forgotten political prisoners."

- NE$$ x Baby J (@nesstagram & @babyjbiz)

"Let Me Shine for You:" Lindsay Lohan for Playboy (Winter 2011-12 Leak)

Lindsay Lohan essentially embodies exactly "What NOT to Do In Hollywood :" Fame, fortune, success... sex, drugs & Rock "N" Roll . Within a fairly short period of time, Lohan somehow managed to obtain a plentiful helping of POWER @ a very young age. This gradual rise-downfall was captured on film; Between 1998-2010, she portrayed a wide array of roles across the silver screen in movies including: Mean Girls, Bobby , Herbie Fully Loaded , Georgia Rule, Machete , and Freaky Friday . Between rapid-paced film shoots, Lindsay Lohan also found time to record 2 Pop Rock albums for Casablanca , Speak (2004) and A Litter More Personal-Raw (2005). Needless to say, Lindsay Lohan has gotten roped up in a lot of troubles and woes with the law over the last 3-5 years... a vicious cycle of drugs, arrest, court, rehab, "daddy issues," jail time [Repeat]. That's the pure basics of it - But Google that shit for additional info, if necessary. Towards the end of

[W]reckless, Topless American Youth: Lana del Rey - "Born 2 Die" (Britney Spears Birthday 30)

Lana del Rey [Lizzy Grant] effectively became 2011's "It Girl" with the release of her phenomenal debut single, "Video Games" (Stranger) . Like many struggling singer-songwriters, Grant has been signed, dropped, and significantly changed her public image since bursting onto the scene (2009). With that said, it can be assumed that Lana del Rey has collected just as many "haters" as she has avid supporters. To be perfectly honest, the only other artist I can think of that made this much commotion... garnered so much wide-spread buzz/hate and critical acclaim -- right out of the gates -- with just one track is Britney Spears . And maybe in this post- Mike musical era, that's the true synthesis of Pop Culture: Britney Lynn Spears . After months of repeated teasing and speculation, Lana del Rey 's major label debut, Born 2 Die will [finally] be released this coming Jan. 30-31, 2012. Pitchfork reports that it will feature "Off to The Ra

Liberty Bell Cracked In 1/2: Ween - "Freedom of '76" (Gene Ween's Final Send-Off)

Chocolate & Cheese (1994) was one of the first albums I bought with my own money. I was in some sort of BMG Music Club , where you'd buy 5 CD's and then get 10 for "FREE." It was all sent through mail order and you picked the titles from some special booklet. I'm almost positive that Chocolate & Cheese's side boob-baring album cover was what initially drew me in... mind you, I was 12-15 and the zany Ween logo/middle finger CD graphic really didn't hurt either. Honestly, I forget how I really felt about it @ the time, but a few years later, my older cousin Josh told me that Ween were this BIG college "jam band." CKY did some sort pf 93.3 radio takeover to promote their new album and played "Freedom of '76" late that night on air. Needless to say, I re-visited Chocolate & Cheese @ about 20-something this go 'round and I fucking loved it! Ween were really weird, yet talented... almost too talented. I can vaguel

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