Julian Lynch- "Back" Video

It is difficult to clearly identify the Ridgewood, NJ native's sound; as the PhD student (joint Ethnomusicology and Anthropology program) finds time to create an appealing indie/alternative swag, different from your traditional artist. He combines various exclusive and untamed aspects of sound in addition to his clearly modest but intriguing scholarly credentials; to create something truly unique to Julian Lynch. After studying his undergrad in Scotland, Lynch resided in Madison, WI; where he has released 3 successful LP's, while completing his PhD. If you haven't already, check out the LP's; Orange You Glad (2009), Mare (2010), and Terra (2011), as well as the video for the track Back, off of his latest album Terra.

Check the video for Back:

Phil Jones- United & England's Future

Jones (left), Smalling (right)

If you are a fan of English football or the Premier League at that, and you've yet to hear of Phil Jones; do note that it won't be long until you can't stop raving about the teenage phenom. After a successful season at Blackburn last year, it was a three way race to land the signature of the 19 year-old. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United were all rumoured to be after the youngster's talents, but after receiving a personal visit from Sir Alex himself, Jones knew where he was going to end up. United paid a very modest £16.5 million for young footballer who can play in any defensive role as well as in the midfield and looks to have the all of the ingredients to become England's next captain; or at least rival and Man City defender Micah Richards thinks so.

Richards explained "Phil Jones is going to be England captain one day, he's got everything: pace, reads the game well, is good on the ball." Richards continued to The Guardian, "He's at the right club as well because Sir Alex Ferguson promotes young players." Quite the high praise from a player who is competing against Jones for a spot on the England squad, as well as competing for a Premier League, and Champions League crown as a part of United's bitter rival, Man City. 

Another reason why Jones is capable of becoming England and even United's next captain is because of one of the main contributing factors as to why Sir Alex was convinced to sign the young defender. Last season, when United was picking apart Blackburn, winning the game by a score of 7-1; Jones was furiously yelling at and commanding his team, as they seemingly gave up on the game. Jones was half the age of many of the players on his supporting Blackburn cast, but was playing with the experience of a veteran, never settling, or giving up on a ball. Jones was the only player on the Blackburn side who seemed to give a shit that they were losing and he displayed it; and Sir Alex loved it.

He has since won over a key role in United's first team, alongside fellow youngster in 21 year-old Chris Smalling; dubbed to be England's new 'dynamic duo' in defence. In addition, Jones is rumoured to gain his first England cap on Friday, against Montenegro.

Keep your eyes open for Phil Jones.

Leafs Acquire Steckel

Tuesday evening, it was confirmed that the Leafs acquired Dave Steckel from the Devils in exchange for a 2012 4th round pick. 

Steckel is great pick up as he is an elite face-off man who can add some much needed depth in the centre position as well as a helping hand on a weak Toronto penalty kill, that ranked 28th last season. Burke adds yet another American to the Leafs squad, as the 6'5 Wisconsin native has collected 59 points in 309 NHL games with the Capitals and Devils in vital defensive forward roles. Unfortunately, he is best known for the hit that put Crosby out during last years Winter Classic. 

The Stepkids-Legend In My Own Mind

The Stepkids are a trio of singers/songwriters signed to one of the dopest labels around, in Stonesthrow Records (Mayer Hawthorne, J Dilla, Aloe Black also signed to Stonesthrow). Each member have had successful stints as musicians touring with the likes of Alicia Keys, Lauren Hill, 50 cent and Zox; and combine all of their musical talents equally on their debut self-titled LP. Check their hilarious video for the track Legend In My Own Mind. 

Drake- "Headlines" Video

Drizzy released the video for Headlines, the first single off of his forthcoming sophomore album Take Care. Drake posted the Lamar Taylor and Hyghly Alleyne directed video over his October's Very Own blog; as it consists of various shots of him accompanied by a posse of dudes with OVOXO gear at Toronto's historic Guild, along with various solo shots in Toronto at the Skydome (ye that's right SKYDOME) and what looks to be the CN Tower elevator. 

His upcoming album Take Care is set to drop October 24th. Check the video:

"Goon" Trailer

Minnesota-native and hockey fan Sean William Scott teams up with another hockey-loving actor, in Canadian Jay Baruchel for a comedy about the life of an enforcer in the Minors.

Due out in early 2012.

Young Jeezy and T.I.- F.A.M.E.

Young Jeezy collaborates with T.I. on his latest track, about the inevitable haters that come along with the fame in the game; hence the song name, F.A.M.E. (Fake Ass Mothafuckas Envy). The J.U.S.T.I.C.E League produced track is the perfect platform for the two rappers to hit reflection mode as Jeezy comments on the haters and bullshit in the game, and T.I. touches on his latest stint in prison. The two go off on the third track released off of Jeezy's upcoming LP Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition, as the album has once again been pushed back; set to release now on December 20, 2011.

Check it:

CurrenSy- Light Snacks

Spitta drops yet another laid back track called Light Snacks on Friday; as it seems the hard workin' rapper releases tracks on a daily basis now. Stay tuned as plenty more tracks should be on the horizon,  leading up to the release of his upcoming mixtape Puff Daddy as well as another studio album in Pilot Talk III.

Check the track:

Drew Doughty Verbally Commits to the Kings

The Los Angles Kings can take a breath of fresh air, as come opening day, Drew Doughty will be in their lineup. Late Thursday night, it was confirmed that Doughty finally committed to the Kings; after a painfully long negotiation process. The financial terms have yet to be released but the LA Times report that it is an 8-year $56 million deal (yearly average of $7 million). Though it was said that the Kings weren't budging with their last offer and were refusing to pay Doughty more than Kopitar ($6.8 million a year); the Kings had to make a move and have now locked up arguably the best Canadian Olympic defencemen as well as one of the most highly sought after young players in the game. 

The 21-year old London, On. native and former Norris Trophy candidate has collected 33 goals and 92 assists in just 3 seasons in the NHL. If his young career is a preview of what is to come, the Kings might have possibly held on to the cornerstone of a potential Stanley Cup team.

Curren$y's- Ways To Kill Em' Video

Curren$y drops a sick video for the track Ways to Kill Em', off of his latest mixtape Verda Terrace. The dude is set to go on tour in the next couple of weeks with Method Man and Big KRIT for the annual Smokers Club Tour; with a Oct 21st Toronto show at Kool Haus. Should be a crazy show. "Why buy you a purse, when I can buy me a Regal" bahaha.

Check the Vid:

The Weeknd's Remix of "Shake it Out"

The Weeknd remixes an unlikely counterpart's jam in Florence and The Machine's track Shake it Out. Despite Abel Tesfaye's lack of vocals on the track; the track embodies all of what you would expect from The Weeknd, remixing such a track. The Weeknd transforms the track with a more triumphant and uplifting sound into his signature pitched-down, dark and wounding feel.

The Weeknd is set to play 2 upcoming Canadian shows at Guelph's Guelph Concert Theatre (Oct 1) and London's London Music Hall (Oct 2). 

Check the track:

Leafs Preview

Kessel, Connolly, Kadri, Lupul

It is difficult to believe that the last time Leafs fans witnessed their team in the post-season was before the 2004-2005 NHL lockout. Last year, despite narrowly missing the playoffs, the Leafs were able to take away 2 plus' after a late season run; the Grabo, MacArthur and Kulimen line as well as the emergence of James Reimer. It has clearly been a long wait for Toronto, but with a few savvy moves by Burke, the team looks to have their best chance to make to playoffs in quite some time. Burke acquired the likes of Connolly, Liles, Franson, and Lombardi via trade and free agency while earlier gaining the services of Lupul, Gardiner, and Colbourne during last season. This summer, Burke was also able to lock up Luke Schenn to a 5-year deal and also agree to terms with Clarke MacArthur, keeping the successful trio (Grabo, Kuli, Mac) together for at least another season. 

Despite all of this, this current Leafs roster still holds plenty of question marks. Can Connolly and Lombardi stay healthy? Can Connolly develop Kessel into a 40-goal man? Are the Grabo-Kuli-Mac line going to follow up last season with a successful sophomore run? And lastly, can James Reimer live up to the hype, and deal with the Toronto media after only 37 NHL games? With that aside, the Leafs do potentially have the deepest defence in the NHL as well as having young forwards with the likes of Frattin, Kadri and Colbourne to fill up their depth charts; if they did in fact make a run at the playoffs. But realistically, though the team has their best chance they have had in a while; this team can easily be 6th, 7th or 8th in the East, just as easy as they could be 9th, 10th or 11th in an extremely tight conference. 

Gardiner and Frattin have impressed during this years camp and preseason, so look for the to be the dark-horses to crack the squad. But one of the best stories of this years preseason is Matthew Lombardi's seemingly remarkable recovery from post-concussion syndrome; now making noise to crack the squad before opening day.

Here is my mock of the Leafs potential opening day roster:

Kulimen, Grabo, MacArthur

Kessel, Connolly, Lupul

Kadri, Bozak, Armstrong

Lombardi, Boyce, Orr

Extras: Frattin, Dupuis

Gunnerson, Phaneuf

Schenn, Liles

Franson, Gardiner/Aulie

Extras: Komisarek