We put you on to Rockstar Games’ latest music based game, Beaterator, a few weeks ago.

Now, the brand that’s most famously known for Grand Theft Auto and Midnight Club has released a new video for the music production title dubbed “Beaterator Sessions: Max & Clay,” which showcases two young kids playing the game and showing its ease.

Now that you see how relatively easy is it to make a beat, all you’re going to need is Lil Wayne’s phone number and some radio connects to get a hit record.

Beaterator will be released for the Sony PSP on September 29, 2009.

Rockstar also dropped the debut trailer for the game, which can be seen below.

Still riding on the heels of the uber-successful title Grand Theft Auto IV, Rockstar Games has released the newest trailer for “The Ballad of Gay Tony” from the downloadable pack Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City.

Check out the first trailer, “You’ll Always Be King of This Town,” below to see all of the new mayhem including the some of the most over-the-top stunts ever featured in the franchise.

“The Ballad of Gay Tony” goes on sale for 1600 points ($20) on October 29 on XBOX Live and will also be sold in as part of a disc compilation with the original GTA IV expansion pack, “The Lost and Damned.”

Don’t have any friends? Or don’t like the way they look? Well with the B-Bot app for the iPhone, you can create your own homies or tailor the ones you have to be more form fitting for when they call.

Developed by Thunderdog Studios, the app allows you to create an avatar and then, using the iPhone’s touch mechanic, scroll through a bevy of options – including clothes, sneakers, facial features and more – to customize you newly created character all to sound of music produced by Dante Ross.

Check out the video above for a step-by-step demonstration of how the app works and then head over to Apple’s iTunes store for where B-Bot can be purchased for $1.99.

Producers, if you recently dropped a few Gs on an MPC or production software, you may want to search for the reciept when you see what Rockstar Games and producer Timbaland have cooked up.

Behold Beaterator, an integrated production game for the Sony PSP, which drops this Fall. I’d get into all of the details, but I think Timbo does a pretty good job of detailing it in the video below.

If you’ve been paying attention for the last 14 years or so, you’ll note that Raekwon’s highly anticipated  album Only Built for Cuban Linx II has been one of hip-hop lore, or rather a record that will presumably never come out. When we were working on the Sept. ’09 issue of GIANT which included the Raekwon feature “Iron Chef,” the Wu-Tang wordsmith’s record got pushed back from its intended August 2009 release and into September, which made us (well…me) wonder if this album is ever really going to come out, because, let’s face it, in the time that Raekwon’s been promising this record, he’s made some interesting questionable moves.

And while we don’t debate The Chef’s ability to cook up another classic, we do look somewhat side-eyed at a few of his decisions. For example…

-He followed up his seminal solo debut album Only Built For Cuban Linx with I.M.M.O.B.I.L.A.R.I.T.Y. and actually made the nonsensical non-word of “immobilarity” into the working acronym for “I Move More Officially by Implementing Loyalty and Respect in the Youth.” Maybe he was trying to replicate Wu-Tang Clan’s success with getting “C.R.E.A.M.” into everyone’s vocabulary?

- He was going to originally release Cuban Linx 2 on Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment label and have Busta Rhymes executive produce it. Dr. Dre and The RZA producing the bulk of the album would have been the win, but having Busta Rhymes – an artist whose guest appearances on other people’s album far outshines his records – would have been a recipe for disaster. (See what I did there? I made an allegory to cooking, because Raekwon calls himself “The Chef.”)

- He released The RZA-less album The Lex Diamond Story, which by all accounts was a story no one wanted to hear.

- His crew beat up Joe Budden. Ok, that’s really not Rae’s fault, but let’s just say that at this point giving Joe Budden an eyejammie is like beating up an Internet nerd who spends all this day blogging, vlogging and thinking up things that he can blog and vlog about. Because that’s essentially what Joe Budden does.

- He tried to give us the American Cream Team. If Wu-Tang Clan was comprised of nine emcees and those nine rappers cultivated a talent pool of understudies that was up to their standards, then they would be the most powerful rap consortium – ever. Sadly, this wasn’t the case for American Cream Team, who in the Wu-ranking fell somewhere above GP Wu and below Sunz of Man.

DONNIS – 10 Deep Mixtape x Norway from DONNIS on Vimeo.

You may not have heard about Donnis yet, but with the release of his new 10. Deep sponsored mixtape The Diary Of An Atlanta Brave this Thursday, August 20, you’ll get familiar.

10. Deep has had a knack for calling the next “big” artists with its mixtapes, most notably KiD CuDi’s A KiD Named CuDi mixtape, which spawned the massive hit single “Day and Night.” The brand also released Wale’s Seinfeld-inspired opus The Mixtape About Nothing and helped him garner accolades outside of the blogosphere (but not his label, Interscope, who has yet to release his album).

Whether or not Donnis becomes the next big thing remains to be seen, but given 10 Deep’s track record of calling two artists which subsequent buzz and essentially doing the work of the major labels, it looks the like the Atlanta native has all of the marketing he’ll need already in place.

Most games set in World War II follow a common thread: Lock and load, shoot Nazis, repeat. And while Velvet Assassin (South Peak Studios) does stick to this theme of killing the enemy, it does so with cinematic grace, thanks mostly in part the dark, shadowy setting and tactile pacing. 

Taking on the role of Violette Summer, a female British spy, you’ll work covertly in Nazi controlled Europe taking careful strides to sabotage various operations the organization has set up. Velvet Assassin is shrouded in darkness and since you’re a spy, you’ll need to tip-toe and skulk in the shadows in order to snake through missions, kill enemies and achieve your goals. 

Most of the hand combat requires you to move behind enemies – which are seemingly always patrolling around you – in order to off them and trigger the stealth kill cut-scene. Overall, the key to winning is patience. Within the game’s 12 missions, you’ll need to stalk your enemies, observe their movements and time your attacks to ensure a seamless kill. Velvet Assassin approaches combat with well paced tension and lets the player utilize their creativity in order to reach the end of the mission, ensuring that scenarios can play out differently. While you’ll be armed with a knife, at times, you can use a gun to execute enemies, but the targeting system can be frustrating as aiming your weapon often proves to be difficult.

Despite a few missteps in the weapon targeting area, Velvet Assassin proves to be a solid effort, combining stealth play with gritty visuals and grim setting that serves as a reminder not all wars are fought on the battlefield. Some are silently waged in the shadows.  

Velvet Assassin is available now on XBOX 360 

Remember when I told you about the side project Zack de la Rocha (Rage Against the Machine) and Jon Theodore (formerly of The Mars Volta) were doing together last year called One Day As A Lion?

Of course you do. 

Well it seems that in between de la Rocha’s touring with a reunited Rage and Theodore’s other projects, the duo found time to film a video for their single “Wild International.” Check it out above.

The future is here…almost.

Tesla Motors, the brand behind the sporty Lotus inspired electric car the Tesla Roadster recently leaked photos of its upcoming five-passenger, electric battery powered sedan, the Tesla Model S.

Taking styling cues from Maserati, pulling 0-60mph in about five seconds and clocking in 300 miles per charge, the Model S will start at a base price of $49,900 (after a $7,500 tax credit). The car charges in about four hours with fueling (charging?) costs coming it about $4 per charge.

Reservations are being taken now, but you’ll have to be patient as the Model S doesn’t go into production until 2011.

A sultry Padma Lakshmi chomping down on a disgustingly large, hunk of beef decked out with bacon is almost enough to make the strictest of vegetarians reconsider their stance on a living a cruelty free, animal- friendly lifestyle (watch the video below).

Well, not really.

But since Hardees/Carl’s Jr. knows that sex sells anything, I’m willing to view this new commercial spot a more than a few times, just to see how she fit the whole monster sized burger in her mouth (ZING!). Seriously, it’s like she’s got the jaws of a reticulated python.

Be sure to check out our epic throw down Padma Lakshmi and designer Rachel Roy here!

You think with all of the money Lil Wayne spent to bolt diamonds onto his teeth, he afford some guitar lessons.

Maybe someone should tell him that you can use more than one finger, like these guys do. 

Source: NahRight

Truth be told, I’ve only seen a few episodes of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, and as it was exactly what I expected it to be. Fallon bombs his opening monologue, smiles nervously to the camera and has the interviewing skills of semi-retarded house cat.*

*Although Mary HK Choi claims that a cat of such intellect is too charming for Fallon. 

The show’s one saving grace however has the been its house band, The Roots. The crew has managed to make ice cold lemonade out of the lemons that Fallon tosses out on a nightly basis. And last night was no exception. Flanking musical guest Public Enemy as the backing band, The Roots delivered a lively rendition of “Bring The Noise.” Black Thought even came in to drop a verse. 

But it’s not the first time that PE’s pulled off some sick collaborations. Check out these other musical team-works.

“Bring the Noise” feat. Anthrax    

“Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos” w/ Rage Against the Machine 

“He Got Game” feat. Stephen Stills 

“Soul Power (Black Jungle)” Wu-Tang Clan feat. Flava Flav

“Machine Gun” Portishead featuring Chuck D. 

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
4 ½ stars
Nintendo DS
Rockstar Games

For Grant Theft Auto’s first Nintendo DS iteration, Rockstar Games culled a new Triad-gang based storyline set in Liberty City.

As a recent transplant to the infamous metropolis, you’ll have to adapt to the life of a hired gun by robbing rivals, boosting cars and cooperating with seedy characters in the famed fashion of the franchise.

A graphic throwback to the days of overhead arcade titles, Chinatown Wars also presents a fun, tongue-in-cheek campaign and seamless utilization of both the DS’s touch screen and D-Pad, making it, so far, one of the best titles to hit the handheld console.

BUY IT

Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard

1 1/2 Stars

Verdict: Skip It 

You don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to enjoy Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard. You just have to have played more than Wii’s Super Smash Bros. in order to understand all of the video game parodies in the game. But if you really want to enjoy the third person shooter, you’ll also need a to have a high tolerance for aggravation. 

The game finds you taking on the role of Matt Hazard, a former video game action star who since the era of 8-bit has been a video game icon. Signed to a lifetime deal with his game publisher, Hazard has also made a few mistakes in his career, starring in video games that even Nintendo’s corporate whore mascot Mario wouldn’t take. Hazard’s career takes a tumble until he’s called back into duty and featured in the Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard - the game you’re playing.  

If that all sounds a little meta to you, it’s because it is a little meta. Actually, it’s a lot meta.  

Whether the game works as a parody depends on how deeply you’ve been invested into video games since the 80s. Obvious nods like the generic zombie enemies, Mario and standard Japanese game adversaries provide some good moments of “Oh I know what you’re making fun of” and keep you playing to see who else developer D3 has worked into the title. 

At points, the story is a little disjointed, but it actually excels when compared to how Eat Lead actually plays. Where the game could have been the dose the of humor that the shooter genre needs, it’s marred by a clunky, unrefined control system which can make gameplay as frustrating as getting your Genesis unplugged when you’re on the last level of Sonic The Hedgehog.

While Hazard moves easily, his targeting often times feels “off.” What makes that even more frustrating is that enemies can spawn all around and so you’ll need to use a little strategy and knowledge of the game’s weapons to take down various foes, over and over again in some instances. But, since your targeting is already clunky and you’re fighting with slight better equipped enemies, your chances of success are slim and therefore you spend time replaying the same parts of levels. 

Level wise, Eat Lead‘s also a disappointment. Sterile, repetitive environments only add to the game’s overall status of mediocrity. Sure, one could (and keep in tune with the game’s meta-tactics) that the boring level design is meant to mock the third-person shooter genre, but since there are so many recent third person shooter games with excellent level design (Gears of War 2, anyone?) those points would be moot. 

Much like the parody flicks that run on Comedy Central on a Saturday afternoon, Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard is one of those games that you’ll play if it’s just there and you can’t be bothered to find another disc.

But really, when has that ever happened?

Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard is available now on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.   

Mavado

Mr Brooks: A Better Tomorrow

4 Stars

VP Records

For many dancehall reggae stars, breaking out of Jamaica’s local sound clash scene to the glitzy glossed over stages in America is dream achieved by very few. Most recall Sean Paul’s ascension to fame, where he was able to blow smoke in the face of censorship and sneak his pro-pot patois onto radio waves, and become the sound of Spring Break ‘03. But for every radio friendly star that ascends from the island to pop status, there are artists who carry the genre, encapsulating dancehall’s 80s vibes and mixing it with contemporary flair, skewing the border between “culture” jams and a hardcore tunes.

On his sophomore effort, Mr. Brooks, Mavado accomplishes that feat by carefully walking the line between conscious topics such as enlightenment (“Don’t Worry”) and detailing intensely ferocious moments of violence (“Nah Bleach Wid Cream”). By weaving illicit, raunchy sex tales (“Ina Di Car Back”), he also sordidly covers dancehall’s favorite topic, with the same tenacity that helped him become a breakout star with his debut album, 2007′s Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks.

Segueing his signature ballad introductions into triumphant, fevered chats, Mr. Brooks finds Mavado effortlessly riding a collection of riddims that can be sonically disturbing to those unfamiliar with real dancehall’s uniquely stripped down sound. On the album’s stand out track, “So Special” he takes the “Unfinished Business” riddim (which lifts the refrain of producer’s Dave Kelly’s famed “Showtime” track) to new heights, crafting a cut that demands a flurry of rewinds after the conclusion of the first verse.

Though it is unlikely that Mavado will be dominating the primetime radio stations anytime soon like Sean Paul did, the vivid illustrations of roots, reality and culture heard in Mr. Brooks, are poignant enough to be on par with some of modern dancehall’s most diverse offerings and should be played on a sound set of any size.

*Buy It*

Mavado’s Mr. Brooks: A Better Tomorrow is available now at music retailers and on iTunes.

When Killzone was released in 2004 for PlayStation 2, the first person shooter gained a cult following due to its over the top violence and the hype that it would be the one game to put down XBOX’s Halo. Nearly five years later, Master Chief has since retired, but Killzone‘s only on its second installment, which is now available for PlayStation 3.

As a brutally bloody mix of first person shooter action, amazing visual presentation and meticulously designed multiplayer maps, Killzone 2 may be the only shooter you’ll play for the rest of 2009. That is, if you’re not on hung up on subtle details, like a storyline. 

Set on an off-world colony in the future, you’ll playas Thomas Sevchenko of the ISA (International Strategic Alliance), and venture to the home world of the Helghast, (who are a war-faring human-like species) in order to thin out their ranks. If you haven’t played the original Killzone, it’s not really clear why you’ve set out to wipe your the Helghast, but rest assured that you’re taking up arms to settle a beef they started. The plot is Killzone 2‘s weakest point, but thankfully the gameplay and graphics more than make up for the story’s short oversights.

In traditional first-person shooter style, you’ll wield a variety of guns and ammo with which to wipe out your foes. Through  your payload is filled with weapons like the LS13 Shotgun and Bolt Gun, the M82 assault rifle will probably be the one you use most often. A good mix of fire power with a strong zoom, makes this gun the most versatile weapon in the game.

The refined duck and cover system is what makes Killzone 2 a compelling title to play. While most will want to barrel though the terrain and decimate enemies, they’ll need to hone their strategy to a mode of  fire-duck-fire in order to get through successfully. The game is also weighted properly, as your movements correspond to the amount of armor you’re carrying, providing a more realistic experience.   

Even as the single player campaign is strong enough to warrant a few additional plays once the game has been completed, Killzone 2 succeeds extremely well in the online multiplayer mode. Playing with up to 32 players in eight available maps, first person shooter fans will be able to smack talk their way to online supremacy across the game’s rich visually lush presentation. Multiplayer also supports a variety of customizable options including:  classes & badges ( to combine abilities from different player classes), clan recruitment and the online-only feature of battle replay. 

Like some of the more prominent first person shooter games out there, Killzone 2 lacks in the aspect of creating a strong narrative, but it’s more than acceptable given the sharp visuals, array of weaponry and varied multiplayer options. For those looking to get the lead out, Killzone 2 is your game for 2009. 

Killzone 2 is available now exclusively for PlayStation 3. 

Is Street Fighter IV the best Street Fighter game ever?

Well, if you go by the lines of the people who lined up for the game’s midnight release at Gamestops around the country, then the answer is a resounding yes.

And if you go by the amazing graphics, fast and furious gameplay, robust online mode and return of the 12 core characters like Guile, Chun-Li and Blanka,  the answer is a deafeningly loud, hadouken enshrouded, yes.

While many still cling to the greatness that was Street Fighter II (and it’s various incarnations), there’s one thing that the classic 2-D brawler lacked- depth. Street Fighter IV solves this problem by adding a 3-D element to the game, but still making it a head-to-head brawler in a traditional 2-D fashion.

At the game’s start, you’ll be greeted with an incomplete roster, which you’ll need to fill in by completing the game several times. Doing so will get you Cammy, Gen and Dan, amongst others. But while you may not have everyone at your disposal, you will have host of characters to occupy your time. Fans of the series will be able to dive in immediately as the controls have essentially stayed the same.

Remember, if you knew how to throw a fireball in 1992, you can do it 2009.

Aside from the game’s impressive single player campaign which pits you against the world warriors and ultimately main boss Seth, SFIV‘s online campaign makes for the best way to solve beef.

(Perhaps 50 Cent and Rick Ross can settle their dispute over a match?)

The story mode is quick play through (depending on how good you are) yet it offers enough variety for continued replay value. Fans and newcomers will be able to quickly be able to pick up the controls and adapt the new super combo system, which when fully charged allows players the ability to deliver a devastating combo.

Mixed with the amazing visual presentation, a nimble control system and great story and online mode, Street Fighter IV is a game that will jump start fans who stopped playing at Street Fighter II or are just getting into the franchise for the first time.

Street Fighter IV is available now for XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3

The one that started it all, the Super Soaker 50 will once again be hitting shelves this Spring. Celebrating its20th anniversary this year, the pump action water gun retains all of its former glory including the neon green bottle which can be filled water,  Sprite or any other liquid that you can use to ruin an outfit.

Since the Super Soaker will only retail for $15, come Summer you’ll be able to build your own T.I.-like arsenal with small stockpile.   

Source: Gizmodo

With the exception of the debut of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, there weren’t many new highlights at the 2009 Chicago Show. However, there were some current models that stood out.

Check out the photo gallery below to see the ones that we’d be pushing on our way to work at GIANT. 

Want to know what your cell phone says about you? Check this video to see if you’re more StarTac, handsfree headset or everyone’s new favorite, the ego-centric iPhone.

Andy Samberg of Saturday Night Live and Lonely Island comedy troupe fame teamed up with Auto Tuner T-Pain to proclaim their love of being on a boat. Lonely Island will be releasing their full length comedy album Incredibad on February 10, 2009.

Check the hilarity below.

Seth Myers also had a hilariously honest take on the Michael Phelps “controversy.” Watch it below:

In the case of rapper P.O.S., I’m thinking it was the sub-zero temperatures and piles of snow that cover his native Minneapolis that inspired him to come up with such an inventive way to package his sophomore album, Never Better (due out Feb. 3 on Rhymesayers). After all, when it’s too cold to go outside, you’ve got to find other ways to occupy your time in doors, right?

Featuring six transparent inserts and 16 solid ones, it’s actually one of the few CDs that I’d buy just for the assembly.

Check out the video below to see all of the fun that can be had.

When Ford released the Flex in the 2008, the reaction to the automakers first foray into the Crossover Utility market was polarizing. Some critics, drivers, and fans (like Nelly) were absolutely enamored by the elongated two-tone design of the automobile. Others however, dismissed it as vehicle that didn’t know what it wanted to be – a car or an SUV.

Lucky for Ford, the Detroit’s Urban Wheel Awards erred on the side of enamored and bestowed the Flex with “Urban Truck of the Year” award at its 2009 ceremony. Judged by an independent and multicultural panel, the Ford Flex bested competitors the Dodge Ram and the BMW X6 to take the coveted title.

“Ford’s Flex offers design, comfort, flexibility, good looks and technology in a distinctive package that is an utterly fresh statement,” said judge Brian Armstead of AutoSense. “Thoughtful touches like the hidden rocker panels, capless fuel filler, and the illuminating touch pad locking system set the Flex apart in a very crowded segment.”

Ford’s Group Vice President of Global Quality Bennie Fowler and Earl Lucas, Lead Interior Designer on the Ford Flex (pictured above) were on hand to accept the ‘Urban Truck of the Year’ Award on behalf of the Flex.

I have a two-year-old niece, who by all accounts, is the most delightful niece in the history of nieces.

The other day, I was playing with her and through my linguistic skills in deciphering baby talk, I realized that she wanted to watch her favorite cartoon, Nickelodeon’s tripped out series Yo Gabba Gabba. But as I reached for the remote to turn on the TV, she motioned to the computer, which is where she watches her Nick Jr. programs on demand and on her two-year-old terms.

Then it occurred to me: For my niece, there will be never a time when a portable computer or high-speed internet wasn’t easily accessible.

And much like that fact she will never fully understanding the concept of dial-up or life before any internet connection, there will never be a time in her life when the criteria to become the President of the United States is limited to being an old, usually decrepit, white man.

I think about the conversations we’ll have when she’s old enough to speak about politics and how she’ll look at me with a confused look as I try to stress to her to the significance of exactly what Obama accomplished by becoming the 44th President of the United States, before he ever even made an executive decision on anything. Moments in American history (for better or for worse), will be measured before and after Obama took office. Kind of like some of us do with Giuliani and his run in New York.

In effect, I’ll remind her that not only I am eons older than her, but also that the world I was most familiar with is no longer the world that exists.

*Cues up “The World is Yours” by Nas*

Damn, I almost feel like Wall-E, the archaic robot.

And while it remains to be seen exactly how Mr. Obama will change the course of this country for the better, it’s good to know that for the first time in a very long time, America has taken a progressive step.

Now, if only I can get my niece to get into a more sensible cartoon, like say Voltron: Defender of the Universe.

Don’t you hate it when you’re immersed in session of Resistance 2 and get a message from an online buddy and, although you’d like to type back, you won’t simply because it takes too much time to write using your PS3 controller? (This is what happens when Kevin Clark hits me.)

Well, then this latest peripheral from Sony PlayStation, The Wireless Keypad, is for you.

Snapping on to any official PS3 controller, the QWERTY keyed, Bluetooth enabled device allows users to enter text and chat with friends online. It also features a touchpad mouse and short keys for quick connectivity to the PlayStation Network. And just like the PS3 controller, the keypad is charged by pairing it to a PS3 unit with a USB cable.  It’s also especially useful for those who will be frequenting PlayStation’s new social gaming community for the PS3, PlayStation@Home.

(Sure you could use a full sized keyboard, but what are you, some kind of PC gamer?)

Available now at Sony Style and wherever else video games are sold , the PlayStation 3 Wireless Keypad retails for $50.

Though President Obama, VP Joe Biden and their wives will only make brief appearances at 10 of the balls, here’s a list of the hottest looking inaugural galas that you may want to check out if you’re in the D.C. area.

Neighborhood Inaugural Ball – Washington Convention Center (Jan 20.)

President Obama will host the first-ever “Neighborhood Inaugural Ball” with tickets available free or at an affordable price. It is the first official inaugural ball of its kind to be held during a presidential inauguration.

Green Inaugural Ball -  Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW. (Jan. 17)

Featuring organic food and drink, LED lighting, entertainment audio-visual production will be created to minimize environmental impact and keep the party’s carbon footprint light. Wyclef Jean will also be performing. Tickets: $500 and are available here.

Lincoln 2.0 Inaugural Ball -  Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F Sts. NW. (Jan. 18)

Takes place in the landmark building where Lincoln celebrated his own inauguration in 1865. Proceeds benefit The American Art Museum and The American Experience Foundation, a charity that develops national programs to educate the public about the arts, culture, American democracy and unique heritage of Washington, DC. Tickets: $375 and are available here.

HBCU Inaugural Gala Ball - Sequoia at Washington Harbour, 3000 K St. NW. (Jan. 19)

Sponsored by Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Tickets: $300 and are available here.

Africa Aspire Inauguration Night – A Celebration of Change for the World -  Smithsonian Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. NW. (Jan. 20)

The celebration will include African cuisine, music and cultural presentations. Black Tie or traditional attire. Tickets: $500 and are available here.

We The People –  Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW. (Jan. 20)

The ball is an initiative by a group of volunteers who worked as part of the “grass roots movement” supporting Senator Barack Obama’s campaign. Tickets: $295 and are available here.

Inaugural DC Ball - Old Post Office Pavilion, 1110 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. (Jan. 20)

Set to benefit Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Clubs, the entertainment will feature Washington DC’s legendary Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown. Tickets: $150-250.

We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration – The Lincoln Memorial  (Jan 20.)

In celebration of Obama, performers scheduled for the event include: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Heather Headley, John Legend, Usher and Stevie Wonder. Free and open to the public.

To see a complete list of all of the Inaugural Balls taking place in Washington D.C. from Jan. 16 to Jan. 20, click here.

In terms of hip-hop getting on board for the political process, there was no bigger year than 2008. While most were instances of artists like Nas, Common and The Kidz in the Hall dropping songs and mixtapes to support the man who is about to run the Oval Office, some of hip-hop’s sounds actually came from within Obama’s campaign.

Here’s a look back at some of the joints and jams that got the hip-hop generation motivated to get out and vote for Mr. Obama.

“99 Problems”

The hardest track on Jay-Z‘s The Black Album was also the song Obama chose to come out to when he got the nod from the Democratic Party to run for President instead of Hillary Clinton.

“Yes We Can”

What do Will.I.Am, Scar-Jo, Tatyana Ali, Fonzworth Bentley and Herbie Hancock all have in common? Why, this video of course.

“Work to Do (Remix)” feat. Talib Kweli and Bun B

The Kidz in the Hall were so enamored by Obama’s run for the White House that duo not only re-did their song “Work to Do” in favor of the then candidate, but also recruited Talib and Bun for the fun.

“My President (Is Black)”

Young Jeezy and Nas teamed up to not only unite the trappers from the North and South, but also to give pledge their support to getting Obama elected.

“You’re All Welcome”

Mary J. B and Jay-Z jocking, jocking…

“I Got a Crush on Obama”

Sure, it was a video that was went to be funny, but we’re pretty sure that Obama Girl‘s gyrations help motivate a few people to pull the lever.

“Politics (Obama is Here)”

Even though the Obama camp distanced themselves from the song, Ludacris’s intention was still a good one. Plus, he, unlike a few rappers of his stature actually said what everyone else was thinking.

“Politrikkks”

dead prez‘s M1 and stic.man are no strangers to controversy. While the duo didn’t endorse any politician, they brought up many valid points that were being swept under the rug once the Obama-craze took full effect.

“Barack Obama”

You know how much of an impact Obama’s had on the world when a reggae legend like Cocoa Tea is literally singing his praises, despite the fact that he can’t vote for him.

Bonus: “Why? (Remix)” feat. Nas, Common and Styles P.

On this remix if Jadakiss’s song “Why”, Common nominated Obama for president in 2004.

Fans who missed out on buying or downloading indie-rap outfit Atmosphere’s (out of print) 2002 album God Loves Ugly will have the chance to make up for their mistake on January 20 when the its lable Rhymesayers Entertainment reissues a remastered version of the album. 

Also included with reissue will be the hard to find bonus DVD Sad Clown Bad Dub 4, which is a compilation of footage featuring live performances from the album’s release parties. 

Check the trailer below to see the ugliness that’s to come. 

ATL rapper B.O.B pretty much sums up the wackness that comes with overuse of Auto-Tune in the hilarious spoof video below.

Editing the video games section of GIANT is a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. After meticulously playing every game from 2008, I complied a “best of the best” list of must have titles from this year. Check them out here:

Best Third Person Shooter:

Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)

Epic’s gritty anti-alien adventure not only expanded the Gears saga, but also refined the elements that made the original so great. The guts, guns and gory-glory were ever present, and the lengthy campaign and over the top run and gun game play kept your finger on the trigger and ready to slice up Locusts. And if that wasn’t enough to satisfy your appetite for destruction, the online multiplayer and co-op play options added massive amounts of replay value.

Best First Person Shooter

Resistance 2 (PlayStation 3)

Although Resistance 2 fell short in terms of a delivering lengthy single player campaign compared to Resistance: Fall of Man, the 60-player online campaign more than made up for it. Couple those game options with co-op story mode, and you’re essentially getting three games for the price of one. Given the price of video games, that’s a pretty good deal.

Best Social Game

Rock Band 2 (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii)

These days, it’s too expensive to go out for drinking and if you’ve stumbled into a karaoke spot that actually plays the music you want to hear, you know it’s going to take more than a few Bud Lights to really get grooving. Enter Rock Band 2. For the one time price of the average Friday night bar hop your whole crew can be thoroughly entertained by each others ability (or inability) to rock out on the guitar, bass, drums and mic.

Most Addictive Game

LittleBigPlanet (Playstation 3)

Why play through other people’s games when you can create your own? Seamless incorporating platforming elements with quirky fun, LittleBigPlanet proves that a game doesn’t need to have over the top violence in order to be fun. From a social aspect, it’s also one of the most engaging titles, allowing users to share the levels that they’ve made with other players through the PlayStation Network.

Best RPG

Fable II (Xbox 360)

“Should I live my life as a law abiding citizen and marry one mate and raise a family while embarking on an epic quest for revenge? Or should I loot, pillage and slaughter while committing varying degrees of adultery on my epic quest for revenge?

These are the questions you’re faced with in Fable II. And depending on what actions you choose to take, the look of your character will change. It’s the varying levels of morals that you choose to (or not) adhere to that make Fable II such a unique experience to go through.

Best Nintendo Wii Game

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Equally  addictive for the casual player as it is for the hardcore gamer, the third entry into the series dropped in slick gameplay and mixed it with the familiar Super Mario Bros. mechanics of jumping and hitting. Sometimes the best video games are the simplest ones.

Best DS Game

GRID

Packing a solid racing experience into the DS was no easy task, but Codemasters managed to pull it off while also adding elements not seen in Xbox 360 and PS3 version of the game. With the inclusion of the track creator, players could create their own tracks and share them with  friends. Couple that with the licensed cars and the fact that GRID is set up to feel like you’re playing a console game in  the palm of your hands and  you’ll be as fast as you are furious.

Best PSP Game

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

In addition to being one of the best RPGs to ever hit the PlayStation Portable, Crisis Core‘s mix of new and old Final Fantasy elements, interlocking storylines and rich graphics also make it one best RPGs to drop in the last three years on any platform.

Best Game of 2008

Grand Theft Auto IV (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

The most visually compelling and robust Grand Theft Auto, ever. IV takes it “there”. And there, is almost anywhere you want it to be.

60+ hours of game play, loads of side missions, a compelling story line, multitude of hidden gems and an open world where cash is king and guns are the tools of the trade, made Rockstar’s first foray into next-gen consoles a must buy, must play and must replay.