Common and McLovin remake Training Day. Funny stuff. [Nah Right]

Looks like MTV might be leaving Times Square at the end of the year. [PopCrunch]

Find out what a girl’s alcoholic beverage of choice really says about her. [Holy Taco]

The Hundreds teamed up with SE Bikes to create this two-wheeled banger. [Daily Drop]

Looking at almost naked pics of girls you’ll never meet is always fun. [Double Viking]

Don’t feel bad if you’ve put on weight recently. Here are some advantages of being fat. [Flisted]

Check out the 10 most controversial iPhone apps. [Coed Mag]

Although Cudi, Kanye, and Common all rock under the GOOD Music tree, their individual styles, as evidenced by the video, are all distinct. And we know while watching the video you were thinking to yourself, “How could I ape one or all of these fresh looks?” Stop frontin’, it’s OK. Complex is here to help, not hate. So to save you some time on Google, we’ve put together a quick buyer’s guide inspired by the “Make Her Say” video. We can’t guarantee these ‘fits will make her say anything, but they’ll get you closer to pokin’ her face than your current get-ups. Word.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

KANYE WEST

————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

COMMON

For now, enjoy Mr. Mescudi’s new video “Poke Her Face” “Make Her Say” with them G.O.O.D. Music boys. Now that we think of it, that’s three Complex cover stars—Kanye, Common, and now Cudi. Welcome to the club, partner!

Sometimes, when Ayo! Scott is in the heat of passion, his lucky conquests have accused him of being a Terminator-like cyborg. Not because he’s tediously robotic but because he’s a fuck-machine who never needs to stop for food or rest while killing the punani. Does that have anything to do with Terminator Salvation? In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800: negative. Ayo! just thought you should know your lady-friend likes the rise of his machine.

Like many a robot-loving fanboy, Ayo! was skeptical when McG, director of such film “classics” as Charlie’s Angels and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, got his hands on this classic sci-fi property. He’s not a visionary filmmaker like James Cameron, who wrote and directed The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. How then could he reboot the series and recover from the scrap metal (emphasis on the “crap”) that was Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines?

It turns out McG does have some vision, and it’s beautifully bleak. In 2018, post-apocalyptic California is lit up by the sun for the first time in the history of the franchise, and it’s crumbling, smoking and dust-covered, ruined either by Judgment Day or Governor Schwarzenegger’s term in office. Ashy Los Angeles is deserted save for two kids, which isn’t all that bad, considering the city is currently overpopulated with douchebags.

The franchise’s fourth installment focuses on the development of the technology seen in the earlier movies. Terminators are still relatively primitive, Skynet having not yet created one that blends in with humans who have massive pecs and thick Austrian accents. The development of the T-800 infiltrator model, using human captives in sick experiments, is at the center of Terminator Salvation, which starts forebodingly with death row inmate Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) donating his body to Cyberdyne’s scientific studies in 2003. On the human side, John Connor (Christian Bale) is systematically fighting the machines but is not yet the leader of the human resistance; he’s just a questionable cult leader who preaches about his mom’s prophesies, referring to the cassette tapes she left him as if they’re holy texts.

Though man and machine mix it up in the movie, they work well together in the making of it. Quality CGI and actual life-sized Terminator robots balance well with strong performances from Bale, Australian newcomer Worthington and Anton Yelchin. Yelchin plays Kyle Reese in his teenage years, well before he’ll travel back in time and impregnate his idol John Connor’s mom with John Connor (lube your skull for that mind-fuck). As with all Terminator movies, the action is of utmost importance, and here the clash of metal and flesh is as intense and unrelenting as Ayo!’s aforementioned Terminator strokes (Ayo! would like to sincerely apologize for your girl’s concussion).

Sadly, like Skynet’s machines, the flick is not without its weaknesses. Ayo! doesn’t like to delve too deep into issues of time travel in sci-fi films for fear of ruining the fun, but it makes zero sense that John Connor should be baffled by human-machine hybrids. He did, after all, become homies with Schwarzenegger in T2, and he’s aware that his mom and father were once pursued by this same model. Also, McG would have done well to terminate a few pointless characters, like Star (Jadagrace), Reese’s mute-girl sidekick who does little more than look cute and shut the hell up, but who still gets a lot of screen time needlessly. Then there’s the undying issue of the rapper/actor. Common, who plays Barnes, one of Connor’s loyal resistance fighters, makes his rap name sound like an aspiration (if only he were as good as average). Ayo! suspects that Hollywood has latched onto him because he’s a peace-loving, tofu-eating, affable, bohemian MC who shows up to set on time and doesn’t intimidate people (he’s no DMX, who might delay shooting by weeks for a crack binge, then pop up suddenly and assault anyone who tries to disturb him while he sleeps under a trailer). Perhaps studio execs think he’s a draw for black audiences, but that assumes black people love shitty acting (burn Hollywood burn!). It takes special talent to butcher the line “Huh?” but Common manages to because, unlike his diet or the crocheted caps he used to wear, his delivery ain’t all natural. He acts hard as unbelievably as he raps hard, which is why it’s so frustrating that he keeps landing the role of steely-eyed soldier, steely-eyed assassin (Wanted, Smokin’ Aces) or steely-eyed drug dealer (Street Kings, American Gangster). Ayo! thinks he might really shine in the RuPaul biopic. Then again, maybe not—he ain’t that fierce.

These film farts are like viruses in the Terminator Salvation program, but McG does enough positive stuff that the franchise doesn’t require another reboot, just a systems check. Hopefully in the next installment, which plans to deal with the development of time travel technology, Common will be sent back to the time of dinosaurs and eaten before the opening credits. If there’s even the hint of that happening, Ayo! Scott will do like the Terminator and be back for more. Check out the trailer and decide if you’re ready for some man-on-machine action.

But he’s not the first rapper to launch an anti-climactic clothing line, and we’re sure he won’t be the last. So in an attempt to dry Mr. Brown’s tears and show him that he’s no so alone afterall, we’re taking a look back at the history of failed clothing lines launched by rappers. Pour a little liquor below…

BROOKLYN MINT
Created By: Notorious B.I.G.
Founded: 1995/6

• Even though he was Black and ugly as ever, Biggie still managed to stay dipped in the finest fashion labels. So it’s no wonder that his clothing line was going to be aimed at larger fellows that dreamed of being Gucci’d down to the socks. Unfortunately, Big passed before the label had a chance to blow up. In 2005, his mother and former managers Mark Pitts and Wayne Barrow tried to bring the name back, but by that time we had enough straight to Marshalls/TJ Maxxx rapper lines to clothe the needy.

BUSHI SPORT
Created By: Busta Rhymes
Founded: 1999

• 1999 was a good year for Busta'he had two great albums under his belt, his Flipmode imprint found a home at Elektra and, like any other successful rapper, he was in the midst of dropping his own clothing line. According to Busta, Bushi meant: “Japanese warrior; Brooklyn’s way of saying bourgeois; a cool way of saying, ‘Busta’s shit!’ and “Couture meets the street.” Sounds like a perfect match for anyone named Spliff Star.

NOSTIC
Created By: Jim Jones
Founded: 2007

• Looking to capitalize on the skull and crossbones rocker style that he and Julez traded their throwbacks, Girbaud jeans and Vasque boots for, Dipset/ByrdGang Capo started a clothing line presumably so he didn’t have to go far for his glittery glamor. Strangely, as soon as Jimmy’s music career took off, Nostic disappeared'even on 125th St.

SNOOP DOGG CLOTHING
Created By: Snoop Dogg
Founded: 2000

• Before he launched his Rich & Infamous clothing line, which is a generic clothing line re-branded with his logo and random bandanna designs, Snoop launched his eponymous apparel line which basically consisted of re-branded t-shirts, jeans and sweatshirts. Same ol’ G thang.

FJ560
Created By: Fat Joe
Founded: 1997

• Fat Joe wasn’t always a Johnny-Come-Lately when it came to new trends. His FJ560 line started with the best of intentions: Fed up with the way blacks and Latinos were sending their money outside of the community when they bought clothes, Joe opened up a store called Half-Time and started accepting designs from local designers to sell in the store. What happened to FJ560? We’re not sure, but we’re guessing Armageddon, Cuban Link and Tony Sunshine could point us in the right direction.

DMX SIGNATURE CLOTHING
Created By: DMX
Founded: 2006

• In order to feed his “lifestyle”, DMX started a clothing line to be sold at concerts and specialty shops. We can’t say we were as surprised as DMX to find out that no one wanted to dress like a transient crack head garbage man. X should have stuck to doggy clothing, doggy.

NO LIMIT CLOTHING
Created By: Master P
Founded: Early 90’s

• In addition to his record label, movie company, credit card company and toy line, Master P decided to add clothing to his portfolio. He even designed face plates for pre-paid mobile phones he sold to match the pieces in the line. But when No Limit records went bankrupt, everything else went with it. No worries, though, Master P re-up’d and launched P. Miller clothing which is still going strong at Wal-Mart. So, yeah, there’s that.

CEO
Created By: Dame Dash
Founded: 2006

• With his stake in Rocawear dead and gone, Dame set out to start another empire. Only this time he had no superstar rapper to pawn all the shit he was trying to sell, so the CEO line went the way of the Roc Box. Remember the Roc Box? Didn’t think so.

OUTKAST CLOTHING
Created By:Outkast
Founded:2002

• When Outkast announced that they were going to launch their own clothing line, Andre said that fans would be able to get “everything…the furs, the leathers…hats…everything.” But when it hit stores it looked like a rehashed Enyce. It didn’t represent 3 Stacks, the George Clinton of hip hop style or Big Boi’s fly pimp stylings. It was just kinda boring. And they never wore it. Rule #1 of the celebrity clothing game: If you don’t wear your clothes, no one else will.

SOJI
Created By: Common
Founded: 2007

• Looking to capitalize on the success of Be and Be Pt.2: Finding Forever, Lonnie decided to get into full capitalist mode and team up with Italian hat company La Coppola Storta on a line of high-end hats. We were excited for the Complex cover star until we found out the hats that could best be described as “bohemian driving caps” were priced at $125. Come on. Smarten up, Com.

Common drops knowledge on school kids in Georgia. [Nah Right]

Can you beat out these Nike Air Force One designs that just hit 21 Mercer? [Nice Kicks]

You won't have to worry about laptop damage if you cop this carrying case. [Like Cool]

Karl Lagerfeld got a custom Louie iPod case. [High Snob]

But Lonnie Rashid topsy-turvyed the game. His last two albums, Be and Finding Forever , have taken him to new commercial and critical heights, and his consistent acting roles have turned him into a seriously promising Hollywood player. So what does that all add up to in rap's dollars and cents? A spot on the Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings list, as well as a role in next summer's potential blockbuster Terminator 4. But Comm still loves good music, and he’s finally made some time in his busy schedule to unveil his long overdue Invincible Summer-turnt-Universal Mind Control album, which drops December 9. We spoke with the Chicago MC weeks before the release to get his thoughts on No I.D, Kanye vs. Pharrell, dating (or not dating) Serena Williams, and our new President-elect Barack O'Bama…

Interview By Joe La Puma

Complex: So December 9th is the day for Universal Mind Control. What can we expect?

Common: You're going to get something you've never heard from Common and in hip-hop as a whole. It's a fresh new sound, and I think it's the future of hip-hop in many ways. We did a lot of electronic stuff, and a lot of different elements and styles. It's the future of music, but it also deals with the basics of it. We were thinking about the future the whole time, but it turned out to sound like “Planet Rock.” It goes to show you how ahead of the game Afrika Bambaataa was, and the influence they had on us.

Complex: When you renamed the album, was there any altering to the music itself?

Common: Nah. The funny part about it is a friend of mine that works with me, when I told him that I'm not going to change the title of the album from Invincible Summer; I was like I'm just going to keep it as Invincible Summer and deep down inside I wanted to change the name a little bit but I didn't have another title that was better. And she said, “After hearing the album, it sounds like Universal Mind Control. And it was like a light bulb went off. It does sound more like Universal Mind Control. You know, focusing on the essence but creating futuristic things with it. That's what it sounds like.

Complex: Fans are really pumped about the news that you’re working with No iD for the next album, The Believer…

Common: [Interrupting] Oh. Oh. Oh. A. We didn't even start on that yet. You know we just…..

Complex: [Interrupting] But that's set in stone? That he's [No iD] going to helm most of the project?

Common: Nah, nah. Basically, Kanye had spoke about how him and No iD were going to do some production on The Believer when it's time. I don't even know if The Believer is going to be the album, to be honest. Basically where just saying that I'm going to work with Kanye and No iD.

Complex: How excited are you for that?

Common: Ah, man. It's like being able to work with somebody that I grew up with that is really one of the most talented producers out there. And to be able to have him and Kanye, creates something for me that's going to be incredible because we all just blend well. We all have chemistry. It's real, it's natural, it's Chicago, it's love for music, it's talent. It's like we all have this chemistry that's there. I'm excited to work and have some beats done by No iD.

Complex: You have been working with Pharrell and Kanye a lot. Where did those two differ the most?

Common: I would say Pharrell, first of all he does have a production partner but regardless he comes up from scratch with the music so the process is different. He just might come in and create some music from scratch. Where as with Kanye, we listen to the samples and decide what we may do, and he may chop something up and flip it or we may play something that's been inspired by samples. Basically what I'm saying is the process is a little longer with Kanye, as far as creating. And Kanye is definitely like, “Let's go in this direction” or “Let’s go in that direction.” Where as Pharrell, it's more suggestive. I'm trying to think of the biggest differences because they have more similarities than differences. They're both really talented at coming up with hooks and giving you a direction for the song. Like, “Man, maybe you should rhyme like this.” Or they might reference something. I would call them geniuses.

Complex: Who would you say is the most talented producer that you have worked with?

Common: I would say J. Dilla. God bless his soul. Dilla was the most incredible. I used to think, like where is this coming from? It was a whole new sound and different. You just wouldn't know where he was coming from with it. It was just incredible music that he made. It was soulful and timeless. I mean, you can still listen to his stuff now. It has a great sonic sound to it. I would say he's the most talented out of all the ones that I've worked with.

Complex: Barack is the President Elect. Where were you when he was elected?

Common: I was in Chicago at Grant Park. When I heard the news exactly, I was en route from Grant Park to an election party I had to host. Man, it is like heaven on earth. It's one of the greatest feelings and experiences I've ever had in my life. It's like walking through a dream.

Complex: On the “Why” remix in 2005, you spit “Why don’t we impeach him [Bush] and elect Obama,” which made you the first rapper to mention his name on record. Is that one of your proudest lines?

Common: Yeah, especially now. But even at the time, I was geeked about it. At that time I was really inspired by Obama and what he was doing, and what he stood for. That was the only time I really got political. People call me political, but I'm more of a conscious artist. When people bring up me rapping his name, I feel really proud. Everybody else's support for him is a great thing too. It's not about me, or the artists though'Barack Obama is encouraging people to do better in life. We're going out and speaking on issues and using our platform to bring people to a better place in life.

Complex: Did you ever imagine acting, and not rapping, would land you on the Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings list?

Common: I never thought that back in the day, but my goal is to be a Will Smith in this. As far as acting goes, I want to be one of the biggest movie stars in the world. I want to have a great career, and produce my own sales. My plan is to be at that 20 million-plus a movie.

Complex: Did you ever feel that it's karma, that you're landing acting roles, given that critics always felt you should have been selling more records than you were?

Common: It's not just money. It's the notoriety that has come with it. You never know where God is going to take you, you just have to listen and believe. You have to be open to trying and doing different things, and when it feels right to you, you got to go with it. At one point I was scared at trying to act. But when I got up in front of an acting class, I was like, Man, I really love this, so I started to pursue it. When I got to a bigger acting level, I started to really believe it was divine. And this is one of the gifts God gave me. It's funny how I'm reaching other audiences in a different way. My music has always been close to heart, and true to me though. Maybe because my music was different sounding it didn't get mass appeal that it should've got. It helped me develop things in my character though, that allows me to handle new situations better.

Complex: You're in the new Terminator movie, right?

Common: Yeah it's coming in May. It's a new movie directed by McG, and is the newest film in the Terminator franchise. Staring Christian Bale, and it's going to be something special. Summer time release,

Complex: So now, you're dating Serena Williams?

Common: [Laughs] Nah man, I'm dating hip-hop.

Complex: I don't know man, I saw you on a surfboard in Hawaii with her…

Common: That was my first time surfing, and I had an incredible time. I've been on vacations with groups of friends, but of course they're going to keep me in the pictures with Serena. They're not going to film one of my boys, or one of my homies, like they would Serena and I.

Complex: So you're saying you're not dating?

Common: Nah, I'm dating hip-hop. My love is hip-hop.

Complex: So is Serena your best girl-friend?

Common: Ha, nah man. My best girl-friend is hip-hop. I'm a single man.

Complex: Alright. How do you feel about Kanye's new album, with the singing and heavy auto-tune?

Common: Ah man, I love that he's expressing himself. I think he's talented even when he's singing it feels like he has soul with it and it's coming from his heart. I told him when I heard the album, that he's innovating and doing something. What he owes as an artist is to be honest. I tell myself that too, to express what you truly feel. If you look at it, people come to me now and say they dig Electric Circus more now. At the time, people were definitely not trying to hear it. But I feel like, even if people aren't digging it, you need to create what you feel, that's what art is. That's what the therapy is.

Complex: Yesterday it was reported that he felt the MTV Awards were fixed. Do you think his tantrums are ever warranted?

Common: I think he's one of the most honest in the entertainment industry. I think a lot of times when he speaks out, it's truthful. People don't want to hear it sometimes, but he's definitely speaking the truth. Even if it's his truth. You got to honor someone that's not scared to say what he feels. I admire that in people.

Complex: You nearly witnessed a fatal shooting at a barbershop in Brooklyn. Will you continue to get your hair cut there when you're in town?

Common: Yeah, I was just there. Incidents happen, things happened and it's unfortunate. I feel for the family and the people it happened to. I thank God that I'm here, because you have to live and I've been going there for years.

Complex: How Internet savvy are you? Do you read blogs?

Common: I'm starting to get into it more. I'm about to launch my website it's called ThinkCommon.com. I'm going to be on it a lot more. I don't really be on websites, or blogs. Sometimes when I release something I like to see what they're talking about, but I'm not on them much. I definitely think Nah Right is cool. I also like Hypebeast. I like both of them.

Since it’s all about side bets these days (peace to our peeps flippin’ Default Credit Swaps like weight), Complex has decided to look at this year’s supposed holiday releases and set the odds on whether big dogs like Eminem, Jay-Z, and Kanye West can get it together in order to save their bosses’ jobs. Read on for our exclusive analysis and get ready to place your bets…

• Artist: Jay-Z
• Title: Blueprint 3
• Release Date: TBD
• Odds It’ll Drop: 10,000-to-1
• How Badly L.A Reid Needs It:

Sales Pitch: The greatest rapper of all-time revisits his greatest masterpiece'and it’s long-winded, extraneous sequel'in an effort to end his Def Jam career on a high note and redeem the franchise, while re-aligning himself with little brother Kanye West, in the wake of ‘Ye’s undeniable midas touch.

THE CATCH? A couple weeks after Jay expressed interest in releasing a Kanye-helmed album, even leaking the West-produced track “Jockin’ Jay-Z,” ‘Ye surprised the world'and possibly Jay'by announcing that he too intended on releasing an album in the 4th quarter. Since West holed up in Hawaii to make his LP, there hasn’t been a peep from Jay…

—————————————————————————————————————

• Artist: Common
• Title: Universal Mind Control
• Release Date: Dec 9th
• Odds It’ll Drop: 4-to-1
• How Badly Jimmy Iovine Needs It:

Sales Pitch: Fresh off a year of chunky checks courtesy of his Hollywood success (to the tune of 15mil, according to Forbes) Lonnie Lynn is looking to express himself through rap again. But his ace Kanye West, who resuscitated his career and helped him put together his last two critically acclaimed, and commercially successful, LPs, has his hands full, so Com is exploring an electro-funk, dance feel with Pharrell and Mr. DJ.

THE CATCH? The LP was originally titled Invincible Summer'’cause it was *duh* supposed to come out during the summer'but the lukewarm reception to the single and an even chillier response to the idea of a Kanye-less Common album seems to have put the breaks on things temporarily (Note to Rashid: Might wanna swing some of the ‘Universal Mind Control in K.West’s direction and get some tracks… Not sayin’, but we’re sayin’…). Adding insult to injury, now Common, Kanye and No I.D. have already started talking about Com’s NEXT album, The Believer, which they’ll be producing together, further indicating UMC’s possible lame-duck status.

—————————————————————————————————————

• Artist: Eminem
• Title: Relapse
• Release Date: TBD (Dec 23rd has been speculated)
• Odds It’ll Drop: 7-to-2
• How Badly Jimmy Iovine Needs It:

Sales Pitch: After several quiet, seemingly bored-with-rap years, Eminem has found the fire and is penning potentially his final opus with beats by himself, Dr. Dre and possibly even outside guys like DJ Premier, too. And as the freestyle he leaked in support of his autobiography, The Way I Am, indicates, Marshall has gotten his lyrical weight back up and is intent on reminding the world that he can still rap his ass off. Watch out, Wayne.

THE CATCH? There seems to be no indication that the LP is completed, or that a single has been set, and it seems like an awfully important record, career-wise, for the highest-selling rapper of all-time to rush out without the right set up in order appease Jimmy Iovine, Doug Morris, and the Universal share-holders.

—————————————————————————————————————

• Artist: Kanye West
• Title: 808s & Heartbreak
• Release Date: Nov 25th
• Odds It’ll Drop: 1-to-1
• How Badly L.A Reid Needs It:

Sales Pitch: Having enjoyed enormous success and enormous heartbreak in the last 12 months Kanye has decided to step left and make a mostly auto-tune-singing art record to express his changed outlook. All you need to know is that he’s doing it so it’s gonna be good, and he’s working hard and you should be appreciative, fuckers.

THE CATCH? None. The record is in the can and LA Reid’s already cashed his bonus check for getting ‘Ye to deliver in ‘08.

—————————————————————————————————————

• Artist: 50 Cent
• Title: Before I Self Destruct
• Release Date: Dec 16th
• Odds It’ll Drop: 2-to-1
• How Badly Jimmy Iovine Needs It:

Sales Pitch: After licking his wounds having been bested by Kanye last year, and then getting the swift kick to the nuts that was Terminate On Sight’s sales figures (the album was fire, but c’mon, numbers don’t lie) this summer, 50 Cent is back… and he’s fulfilling his recording contract'so he can get the fuck off of Interscope'like his life depends on it! Oh, and he’s reconnected with Em, Dre, and Sha $XL and they’re going back to the Colonel’s original recipe of aggressive content and consistent content, too.

THE CATCH? If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?

Which got us thinking: this isn’t the first time a rap act has carved out a dope sound with a certain producer and then parted ways to dismal effect. After the jump, check out our compilation of those rappers and their respective before/after track records.

RAPPER: JERU THE DAMAJA
O.G. PRODUCER: DJ PREMIER

BEFORE: “Come Clean”

AFTER: “99.9 Pa Cent” (Produced by Jeru)

Verdict: Pras said it best in his Damaja dis: “Without Premier, you couldn't sell it.” When Pras is dissing you, you know you got a problem.

RAPPER: COMMON
O.G. PRODUCER: NO I.D.

BEFORE: “Resurrection”

AFTER: “The Light” (prod. by Jay Dee)

Verdict: We have much love for Dilla (R.I.P.) and the track has its merits, but Com's post-No-I.D. sound is altogether soft like Twinkie filling. With a sleeveless turtleneck on top.

RAPPER: RAEKWON
O.G. PRODUCER: RZA

BEFORE: “Criminology” (feat. Ghostface Killah)

AFTER: “Live From New York” (prod. by Infinite Arkatechz)

Verdict: The sad thing is, “Live From New York” is leagues better than most rap out today. But it's severely lacking when compared with any track off Cuban Linx.

RAPPER: SNOOP DOGG
O.G. PRODUCER: DR. DRE

BEFORE: “Gin and Juice”

AFTER: “Snoop's Upside Ya Head” (prod. by DJ Pooh)

Verdict: His longevity has proven that Snoop can rhyme (or sing) well over virtually anything, but his entire Dre-free sophomore album was a major letdown. Probably his worst album to date.

RAPPER: T.I.
O.G. PRODUCER: DJ TOOMP

BEFORE: “U Don't Know Me”

AFTER: “You Know What It Is” (Produced by Wyclef & Jerry Wonder)

Verdict: T.I. vs. T.I.P. is the only T.I. album without a DJ Toomp joint. It's no coincidence that it's also the worst T.I. album. The lesson? As always, never fuck with Wyclef. Thankfully, Toomp has a joint on Paper Trail.

RAPPERS: CLIPSE
O.G. PRODUCER: THE NEPTUNES

BEFORE: “Grindin'”

AFTER: “My Life's the Shit” (Produced by Illfonics)

Verdict: We fucks with a couple tracks on the new LP, but overall we can't get past the ABC production. Yo P'your boys need help.

The duo plays a pair of tough guys who kill at will in this summer's criminally minded blockbuster Wanted, which is based on Mark Millar’s ruthless 2003 comic book. Expect to see the seasoned Chicago MC break out as a respected actor in this greasy role. Scottish actor McAvoy is no slouch either, already boasting a Golden Globe nod. To get into the minds of Common and McAvoy and to see how well the co-stars know each other, read the feature from our June/July issue right HERE.

On his new album Invincible Summer (does he know that k.d. lang already used that name?), Com is ditching the soulful sound that personified his last two efforts. Instead of Kanye, he’s working exclusively with The Neptunes and Outkast producer Mr. DJ. DJ Skee and Reflex just leaked the first joint, “Universal Mind Control,” and it definitely makes good on Com’s promise to use a more “electro-tinged” sound. For the video, we can already see him controlling the crowd in a crazy Afrika Bambaataa robe and viking helmet. Listen to the song below.

Common f/ Pharrell “Universal Mind Control” (2008)

from Invincible Summer

[Nah Right]

Related: N.E.R.D., Kanye, Lupe & Pusha Remix “Everyone Nose”

• Healthy: Prodigy maintains he’s not sick despite reports by his lawyer. And although the judge delayed his incarceration for a 2nd time due to so called medical conditions, the rapper claims he’s fine. Ouch, someone’s getting into trouble.

• Sound off: Common, KRS-One, and Q-Tip are remixing their classic tracks in a new campaign with Smirnoff with the help of some legendary producers, “Just Blaze is remixing Common's 2000 song “The Light,” DJ Premier will work on KRS-One's 1988 hit “I'm Still #1,” and Cool & Dre are remaking Q-Tip's 1999 party track “Vivrant Thing.” They will all then perform live at a launch party for the vodka maker on February 26, and the tracks will be available for download on Smirnoff’s website.

• Innocent: Marvin Bernard aka Tony Yayo has been found innocent of slapping the shit out of Jimmy “Henchman” Rosemond’s 16-year-old son.

• Flying colors: Swizzy got down with the Gap and their “Sound of Color” campaign. Basically each artist was assigned a color and they created an original song for it. The mega producer and Kidrobot partner did a song called “Candy Green.”

The never-ending list of T-shirt brands is getting a kick in the pants, um chest, with the new Gap ad campaign featuring Jeremy Piven, Aaron Eckhart, Natasha Bedingfield, Common and Eva Herzigova. Chill, they're not dancing around in khakis singing show tunes. This fall season the retailer teamed up with these notable faces to hawk their T-shirts. Yesterday, we dropped in at one of the Gap's New York locations where Common silk-screened custom tees for shoppers young and old, some of whom hadn't even heard of the Chi-town rap vet. Watch out for mom when she starts ogling your aNYthing tee.

Be the silk-screen.

Common’s simple sketch design.

You’ve seen this ad for the Gap’s T-shirt Shop campaign. No music to accompany this one.

After partying away the Memorial Day weekend, the last thing we needed was to come back to work with a package from Hennessy waiting for us. Fortunately, the company hadn't slipped us a bottle of the Henn-dog, but instead Hennessy's new coffee table book, Manifesto X.O. Teaming up with renowned classy rapper Common for some guest editing, Manifest X.O. quenches our thirst for style by supplying dudes with useful tips on dining etiquette, bedding a lady (like a gentleman, of course), and picking the best timepiece. Now we'll finally make it to the second date.