Oh, it’s on. Another hip-hop feud involving an Atlanta rapper has set the Internet aflame —and thankfully, this one has nothing to do with 18-year-old “Crank That” performer Soulja Boy. A spokesman for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign issued a stinging rebuke to A-town heavy hitter Ludacris last week, in response to “Politics (Obama is Here),” a mixtape track by Luda and DJ Drama.

 

In the song, Ludacris notes that Obama has named him as one of his favorite rappers. Apparently not content with his lot in life as a restaurateur, Grammy-winning rapper and respected actor (“Fred Claus” notwithstanding), Luda throws his hat into the ring for consideration as a running mate, drawling “put me in office/make me your vice president.” 

He then leaps into attack-dog mode against President Bush and Senators Hillary Clinton and John McCain, with such lines as “Hillary hated on you so that bitch is irrelevant” and “McCain don’t belong in any chair unless he’s paralyzed.” (Our favorite, in response to Jesse Jackson: “If you said it then you meant it/Where you want it, head or gut?”—a clear reference to the immortal 1991 Bruce Willis/Damon Wayans action vehicle “The Last Boy Scout.”)

 

Obama spokesperson Ben Burton was quoted as saying that “while Ludacris is a talented individual, he should be ashamed of these lyrics.” At the time of this posting, Ludacris had not responded to the statement, and rumors that Sen. McCain was composing his own diss track with Luda’s “Battleground Earth” co-star Tommy Lee were unconfirmed.

 

But the news wasn’t all bad for Ludacris last week: On July 28 it was announced that Chris Bridges himself is slated for induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame next month, along with Athens jam-rockers Widespread Panic, songwriter Keith Sweat, guitar makers Fred and Dinah Gretsch, deejay Hamp Swain and the late singer and songwriter Dottie Rambo. The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards will take place Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Tickets are $75-$1,000 (for a table of 10). For more information, please call 770-491-9494, ext. 15, or visit www.georgiamusic.org.

 

 

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In this wallet-crushing economy, we're looking for the best bang for our buck. Vinings boutique Hand in Pocket just annouced its end of season sale, starting July 31 and running through August 3. Just in time for tax-free shopping this weekend. All summer items are heavily marked down. Plus, fall items are 20% off for a limited time. Shopping online? Use code summer20.
Hand in Pocket
1675 Cumberland Parkway 
Suite 405 
Smyrna, GA 30080 
678-309-9550
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New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez is 33 on July 27. What to get a rich baseball player? Since he’s allegedly dating Madonna, how about a tetanus shot? We’re just sayin’ …

 

Atlanta hip-hop performer Soulja Boy hits the big 1-8 on July 28. And we’re sure he’ll celebrate the big day like the mature young gentleman he is.

 

Academy Award-winning “90210” alum Hilary Swank is 34 on July 30. She and Mr. Ed—separated at birth? Discuss.

 

Bodybuilder, politician and bad actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is 61 on July 30. Could he be the first robot president of the United States?

 

“Harry Potter” creator J.K. Rowling is 43 on July 31. For her birthday, she plans to buy all of England—just because she can.

 

“Blade,” “Blade II,” “Blade: Trinity”—make it stop! Actor and tax evader Wesley Snipes is 46 on July 31.

 

Rapper Coolio (pictured) is known for “Gangster’s Paradise” … and that’s about it, really. He turns 45 on Aug. 1.

 

Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images 

 

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1. Blayne from “Project Runway”: for his adamant over-usage of his own invented buzzword, “girlicious.” Just when you thought there were already enough tired catchphrases on Bravo …

 

2. Jason Connery: While creating an entire existence based around his father’s fame, Sean Connery’s D-list actor son was allegedly cut from Dad’s will after threatening to change his last name to something “not Connery.” Well played, Jason.

 

3. Brooke Hogan (pictured): When asked who she would vote for in the upcoming presidential election, Hulk Hogan’s bleach-blonde intellectual superpower of a daughter insisted that she isn’t voting because “It’s kinda crazy that a woman is running, because they have PMS and menopause and stuff.”

 

4. Andy Dick: In an attempt to salvage his fledgling career, Dick decided to get wasted at a Buffalo Wild Wings, and grabbed a 17-year-old girl’s breasts in hopes of a media onslaught. We hope he had fun in L.A. County Jail.

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

 

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Apparently, they're casting for CBS's Million Dollar Password this Friday and Saturday at the Marriott Suites on 14th. If you're selected, you'll be flown to L.A. next week and (presumably) paired with a celebrity or two and put on national television. Sound good?

The audition runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, and you have to be at least 18 to participate. Other than that, we have no idea what the audition will entail. Hopefully there will be an obstacle course. But probably not.

You can see the flyer on MySpace.

If you get chosen, remember this 47-year-old piece of Password wisdom: If someone says, "Push!" the answer might be, "Shove!" But if they say, "Puuuuush?" the answer is almost definitely "Pull."

You can have that one for free. Break a leg. (Full article and comments)

Thanks to 99x.com, alternative band Filter will be playing a free show tonight at the Tabernacle's Pontiac Garage! Filter is joined by local Atlanta bands Sleep Therapy and The Julia Dream. Doors are at 7:30. Admission is first come, first served, so show up early!
 
“Filter is one of the many bands who shaped 99X’s alternative sound through the mid and late ’90s with “Hey Man Nice Shot” and “Take a Picture.” This show means a lot to us longtime fans of both the band and 99X.” —Eric (Dutch) Van de Steeg
 
The show is all ages, and you can get more info on it at 99X.com. (Full article and comments)

Just a word to the folks in DeKalb County. The county has issued a Boil Water Alert for all of DeKalb County. This includes all areas within the City of Decatur. DeKalb County is currently working to resolve this issue. However, it is unknown how long this situation will last. For further information, you may call the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management at 770-621-7200 or stay tuned to your local news broadcasts. Click here to read more. (Full article and comments)

Listen in to Australian radio show Dads on the Air as Stephanie Ramage discusses shared custody and Georgia's family law courts tonight at 8:40 p.m. EST streaming at www.dadsontheair.net
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1. Nap Day (July 20, pictured): Thanks—don’t mind if we do.

 

2. National Junk Food Day (July 21): Chances are, anyone who observes this holiday  probably doesn’t need an excuse to eat Cheetos, anyway.

 

3. 45th Anniversary of Froot Loops (July 22): We hear the current Toucan Sam is a fake: The original developed a drinking problem, was arrested for tax evasion and now resides in Bolivia.

 

4. Mosquito Day (July 23): Insert obligatory “that’s every day in the South!” joke here.

 

5. Instant Coffee Day (July 24): Mmmm! Watery, transparent “Hazelnut Delight” in the break room for everyone!

 

6. First Birthday Cake Day (July 25): The birthday cake was created in 55 B.C. Anyone got a line on 2,063 candles?

 

7. National Aunts and Uncles Day (July 26): Celebrating decades of cheek-pinching and awkward, forced gratitude for that special birthday sweater.  

 

Photo by Maria Dryfhout  

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We love local fashion designers, especially when they're close to our heart, like SP's very own web developer and graphic designer Kristina Ackerman. The snazzy crafter debuts her jewelry line, Gangbusters, at the Atlantic Station Market tonight, from 5 to 10 p.m. The cool collection is comprised of nearly 200 never-before-seen Gangbusters pieces, from comic books to vintage magazines to pretty florals, all ready to be worn. By you. And in honor of The Dark Night—which, if you haven't yet seen it, is the perfect excuse to be at Atlantic Station this evening—Ackerman says she'll have a couple dozen excellent Batman pendants on display... perfect for you or the Batman fanatic in your life. Can't make it tonight? Shop her Etsy e-boutique anytime by clicking here. (Full article and comments)