On the DL

With the Grammys mere days away, the Canadian music industry's equivalent, the Junos has released its nominations. Among other nominees such as K-OS, Ottawa's DL Incognito is nominated in the Rap Recording of the Year category. While Life's A Collection of Experiences deserves the nod, the issue I have with the Junos is underlined by the category it is nominated in. While I have no problem with Kardinal Offishall at all, I have no idea why his admittedly ridiculously dope "Bang Bang" single is nominated in the same category as DL Incognito's album.

With The Game holding down the number one spot in the Canadian national album chart, for a while now, i think the organizers should be considering more than one category for hip-hop and not lump albums and singles together in the same category. This isn't the first time I've seen this at the Junos, but it's the only awards show to my knowledge that seems to do it.

The irony of this is that when I spoke with DL Incognito recently this very subject of rap albums and singles in the same category came up as part of the conversation. Of course, hip-hop at the Junos has been an issue in the past, gaining the most attention when the Rascalz declined the award back in 1998.

Anyway, the list of all year-end lists for albums and singles, Pazz & Jop 2004 is up.

I apologize if you've seen this before, but this Ashlee Simpson iPod is pretty funny ( via Ian and Dub dot dash).

What's up with Rafer Alston & the Raptors part 2, or is it 3 now?

Last but definitely not least, I can't forget Ossie Davis (R.I.P.) . The man had such a graceful presence and aura. He will be missed.