The Shadow League

Sports and culture with the real... Insights, commentary and analysis.

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Brilliant column from Sally Jenkins in the Washington Post on Aaron Hernandez, the reaction and the reality of NFL stereotypes. http://wapo.st/14QsHQr

But the NFL is not the only organization that unwittingly harbors criminals. The military had 26,000 cases of sexual assault last year. And for sheer volume of criminal activity, don’t look at the NFL; look at financial institutions, which in 2011 accounted for 1,719 FBI cases. The statistics suggest the men who play football are, on the whole, less criminally violent than soldiers and more ethically respectable than looters with Harvard MBAs who commit acts of grand larceny with “financial instruments.” Or the middle management creeps employed by Cleveland Browns owner Jim Haslam at Pilot Oil, who have pleaded guilty to bilking long-haul truckers.

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This is what happens when A$AP Rocky and Skrillex hit the Dominican for a video shoot.

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Kidd Kidd was booted from the video: http://bit.ly/16TvSJW

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It's been almost two years since Tyler, the Creator dropped Goblin, but the Odd Future is all set to drop his second project Wolf. Due April 2nd, Tyler decided to release the track listing a few weeks early. Many OF members or former members can be found up and down the list as well as Dave Matthews and Pharrell. 

Tracklist: http://bit.ly/10F8mO1

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Here’s the truly amazing thing about the season LeBron James is having: He’s turned the Most Valuable Player race into an afterthought despite the fact that Kevin Durant is having the best season of his career.

Home stretch for NBA awards races and playoff match-ups (via sbnation)

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Prince's epic performance at South by Southwest, which didn't shut down until 3 am and featured six encores, is now hitting the road. Prince will be performing two shows a night with 3rd Eye Girl along the West coach. 

Here are the dates and venues.

April 15 & 16: The Vogue. Vancouver, BC

April 18 & 19: Showbox. Seattle, WA

April 23 & 24: DNA Lounge. San Francisco, CA

April 26 & 27: The Joint. Las Vegas, NV

April 30 & May 1: Marquee Theatre. Tempe, AZ

May 3 & 4: Hard Rock Hotel. San Diego, CA

May 7 & 8: The Grove. Anaheim, CA

More: http://bit.ly/YgwnNy

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Mack Maine is out in LA clearing up any doubt.

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If music holds outsized importance in your life, like it does in mine, then one of the biggest disappointments over the last ten years or so is that D’Angelo has yet to record another album. This is different than Dre’s Detox shenanigans, because Dre still releases music. I mean, Kendrick Lamar’s joint was basically a Dre album. With D’Angelo though, we had a man that was destined to be the greatest artist of his generation – and a stalwart for black music – just drop off the music map. -- http://bit.ly/WRzue4

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Given the fact that 65 percent of NFL players are black, and team scouts and doctors are overwhelmingly white, the images produced at the Combine call forth the slavery comparison at its grizzliest: the sight of scantily-clad, muscle-bound black men being measured under the gaze of white men with dollar signs for eyes brings the auction block to mind whether or not you want to acknowledge it. And beyond the physical examination, there’s the sight of the black male body at work: running, jumping, exerting its energy to its limits for the ultimate satisfaction of the collective gaze of NFL stakeholders and fans. - Megan Livingston.

  Read More: http://bit.ly/Yraioj

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Jay-Z And Roc Nation Finalize Deal With Warner/Chappell Music Group

The Carter-Knowles family keep making power moves.

“I first partnered with Jay in 1996, and it’s been thrilling to work with my friend over the past 16 years as he’s grown into one of the world’s best songwriters and become a global icon. At the same time, Roc Nation is one of the most dynamic and influential music companies around. It is home to an extraordinary collection of hit-makers, who are writing and producing many of today’s most popular songs and collaborating with the world’s most successful artists. I couldn’t be happier to continue my relationships with Jay and Roc Nation and build on our partnerships at Warner/Chappell.”

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Dwyane Wade and Li-Ning Will Make You A Believer:

DWade has spent his whole career beating the odds. He's poised to do the same thing to the sneaker game.

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For those of you who always complain that Black History Month is a parade of the same names, well, you guys are running out of excuses. Premiering last night on PBS (and running throughout the rest of the month), the series Independent Lens profiled Civil Rights Era leader Whitney Young. You need to watch this. Check your local listings or catch it online. Do it now. http://bit.ly/YDQAGA

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Weezy, tell 'em why you mad. Or prove to us that you aren't a cornball. Either way, do you. http://bit.ly/15qiJHy

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When Did Black Folks Stop Sangin'?

Rhythm & Blues has lost the blues and its soul.

“I’ve seen Prince, I’ve seen Tina Turner, the Isley Brothers, Earth Wind & Fire, the Commodores, and Chaka Khan, live,” DJ Premier says. “Everybody went all-out to make sure they were on pitch and gave a memorable performance. These new R&B artists are very spoiled. They don’t understand that it’s beyond making a good record. You have to be very groomed in being a sure-shot artist for the rest of your career.” http://bit.ly/W5RFXq

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Kyrie Irving’s ball handling is prettier than a Playboy Playmate. Did you see the way he split the double team with one hand and finished in the lane in the first quarter?

TSL 5-On-5: http://bit.ly/WS0KH0

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Every day–almost literally—there seems to be another story attached to another athlete being accused or pre-indicted of using something to get a leg-up on the comp or to enhance his performance.

F-that. I’m tired. We all should be: http://bit.ly/12Oio1Q