RuleYork

Champions League round of 16 Round Up

2013-03-14T00:38:45Z

The Champions League round of 16 took place over the last week with some great games being played. Here are some of the highlights of the round:

Manchester United were beaten by Real madrid amidst some controversy as Nani was sent off for a high foot when Utd were up 1-0. The game then changed completely and Madrid were comfortable winners with an extra man, scoring 2 goals and coming out 2-1 winners. This resulted in a 3-2 aggregate win boy Real Madrid as they had drawn the first leg 1-1. The winner was inevitably scored by Man U old boy Ronaldo.

Glasgow Celtic were beaten by Juventus in Turin by 2 goals to nil. Celtic played quite well but two mistakes lead to the goals and Juventus showed they’re class with goals by Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella. Juve had taken a 3-0 lead into the second leg which gave them an aggregate win of 5-0.

Barcelona went into the second leg of they’re tie with AC Milan trailing 2-0 from the first leg. The second leg turned out to be the Lionel Messi show with the Barca frontman scoring 2 stunning goals to silence any critics he had because of having a quiet game in the first leg. There was also goals by Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba to give the spanish giants a 4-0 win, resulting in a 4-2 win on aggregate.

Arsenal had a bit of a shock win as they beat Bayern Munich away from home by a score of 2-0. This was not enough to get them through however as Bayern had won 3-0 at the Emirates and this meant they go through on the away goals rule. Olivier Giroud and Lauren Koscielny scored the goals for Arsenal but they could not convert a decisive third goal.

There was also aggregate wins in this round for Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint Germain, Galatassary and Malaga. This is the first time since 1996 that there is no english soccer club in the quarter finals of the Champions league.

The quarter finals will feature Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Malaga, Paris Saint Germain, Galatasary, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, with the draw being held in 2 days time on friday 15th March.

@MoistMurderer

photo:bleacherreport.net

New Music: Birdman feat. Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj & Future – ‘Tap out’

2013-03-13T02:13:03Z

Birdman has released a new track called ‘Tap Out’, which features fellow YMCMB rappers Nicki Minaj, Mack Maine and Lil Wayne as well as regular hook man Future.

The song is the second single taken from The upcoming compilation album from YMCMB, ‘Rich Gang: Flashy Lifestyle’, which is due for release on May 21st.

Birdman tweeted earlier that they filmed a video for ‘Tap Out’ today. Directed by Hannah Lux Davis, who was the director for Lil Wayne’s ‘Love Me’, the video is expected to be released in the next few weeks.

@MoistMurderer

photo:LilWaynehq.com

A Fan’s Perspective on Concussions and the NFL

2013-03-09T16:15:16Z

-Feature Photo courtesy of Bing.com

By: Sophia Stanton-Cross

He was an original…no one can come close to him when it comes to his talents on or off the field. His character spoke volumes among multitudes of people. He was a leader and to many, he was the definition of a football player. On May 2^nd, 2012, the entire NFL league was rocked to its core with the news:

“Junior Seau, age 43, was found shot to death in his home…”

Since his untimely death, two developments have been reported. For one, it was discovered that for many years, he along with countless current, retired and deceased players, had suffered from multiple concussions from playing this sport for many years prior to his retirement from the NFL. Another development that was reported was the focus of how he left this Earth. He was found shot to death in the restroom of his home with a gunshot wound to the chest. Although it was ruled a suicide, many people would call this his final selfless act because he preserved his brain so that doctors can do some research in hopes of finding a cure or ways to reverse the effects of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). (HUGE thanks to the Seau family for honoring his final wish.)

Now there is a huge lawsuit against Roger Goodell and the National Football League from various players within the league on the grounds of withholding the long term damaging effects of concussions. Around the same time, there have been quite a few unsigned football players that have turned down hefty contracts due to one of two things: either they don’t want to live with the effects of concussions or they have already began to suffer from concussions and they didn’t want to add onto what was already going on.

So, because of all of this, many have asked two major questions.

First: Is there an ACTUAL connection between the sport and the damaging long term effects of concussions?

There is a mixture of responses. On the one hand, many will say that there IS an actual connection between the two. From my perspective, out of all of the existing sports-football, baseball, hockey, and basketball-football is THE one sport that will test a player in every aspect of the word: physically, mentally, psychologically, and emotionally-to his breaking point. Reports show that for every football game that is played, a player suffers one to five concussions PER GAME. So, the longer a player stays in the league, the higher the chances of that player suffering with the effects. In fact, reports show that soldiers that are exposed to a roadside bomb and football players that are exposed to concussions suffers extremely similar side effects. Let’s also keep in mind that many of these players who have suffered from concussions during their professional career may have a high chance of coming into the NFL with the damages from their colligate football career. In fact, that is the driving force that made some of the 2012 free agents change their mind of coming into the league.

However, there are some players and other individuals that are stating that either there is NO connection between the two OR there is a balance of stabilizing the effects of the concussions. For example, Running Back Ricky Williams of the Miami Dolphins has stated that he does not see a connection between the two. According to his interview on the subject with ESPN’s Dan Le Betard, although he recognizes that football is a rough contact sport and yes players will get hit, he states that also takes the time to treat his body. For the amount of time that he spends taking such hard hits, he also takes that same amount of time to treat his body with such activities as yoga and self-healing activities.

Second: Can there be compensation for this? If so, what is it?

This is another question that has to be looked into deeply prior to a verdict being rendered. First, although the list of players is quite long and there are players that are being added on to the lawsuit by leaps and bounds, one has to wonder has the statute of limitations for the players to seek compensation ran out. The second part of this situation is to ponder what kind of compensation can actually be given in situations like this. Many people will say that the financial compensation that they can receive will help out with the bills that have to endure. However, many other people (including myself) state that there is no amount of money that can do such. Many of these players that live with these suffering results of the concussions can never get back their peace of mind or their normal lives once the season has ended…regardless if they have retired or not. Let’s pause and also think about this: how can the league compensate those players who are deceased? They can’t be forgotten in this situation. It will be a high disrespect to them if they do so. There is one last point that has to be made (and yes you may say that I am playing Devil’s Advocate) but we can’t use the court system to solve every situation. Best example of this: the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803). If you have never read this case, take a look at it.

What is my opinion on this situation? It’s quite a complex one and because there are so many unanswered questions and loopholes, I will have to really have to think this one through. I will say this now: I DO hope there is a resolution for everyone involved-both those still living and those that are deceased.

Thoughts? Questions? I welcome them all. You can always find me at Twitter.com/Cherriasian42

Until we meet again, may your days be sweet and your nights are sinful and delicious.

-Sophie

RG3 and the Redskins Renaissance

2013-03-09T16:23:59Z

-Featured Photo courtesy of Yahoo!.com

Sophia Stanton-Cross

Alright sports fans, after all of the football buzz…after all of the spectators’ guesses and debates, on April 26^th, 2012, the Washington Redskins made the second pick and carved their name into the books by signing one of the most talked about players into their franchise. Robert Griffin the third (or better known as RG3) is officially a Redskin.

Griffin’s arrival to the NFL and the Redskins nation has brought so much attention from…everywhere. Redskins’ fans, non Redskins fans (such as myself)…even celebrities. Best example: Breakout Kings star and proud Redskin fan Laz Alonso (who can be reached on Twitter.com/@lazofficial) has even made (and kick started) a welcome message for the new quarterback. (Take a peek here: http://www.twitvid.com/UKADT)

What mainly gets the Redskins nation (as well as the rest of the NFL universe) excited is that the talents that he brings to the table. Let’s face it, prior to RG3 coming, the Redskins have went through what the Atlanta Falcons went through: lack of faith within the franchise as well as with the fans. As a former Atlanta Falcon fan, I can recall the days by in which the Falcons couldn’t get the city of Atlanta to rally around them. Then a wave of change came: coach Dan Reeves, players Warrick Dunn, T.J. Duckett, and Jamal Anderson (y’all know the player that started the “Dirty Bird” dance.) Although we had that fire, we needed the one key ingredient that can bring it all together and give us that BOOM! Enter the one…the only…Michael Vick. Once he mixed his talents with the rest of the team, we had it! Fans started selling out the Georgia Dome, started representing Atlanta and started to be proud to call Atlanta home.

Now Washington is in the same boat that the Falcons used to be in. They lack the faith within each other and the fans lack the faith in them. They have a little chemistry there…they just need that one main ingredient to bring it all together to make them a worthy contender in the NFL world. Well last night, their prayers were answered.

So, if they have what they are looking for, why is there a small wind of concern that blows through me? Well, a few things come to mind.

For one, although the Redskin nation and the vast majority of the NFL world (including myself…I won’t deny it) are sold on him and believes in him and his abilities, one red flag that comes up in my mind is “do the coaches believe in him?” “Are the coaches sold on the fact that they have a sure-fire thing in their possession?” Seriously, stop and think about it: the Denver Broncos had an awesome quarterback in their possession and, despite everything he brought to the Broncos franchise, they released him and took Peyton Manning. If many can recall (and I am very sure y’all can), one of the reasons that Tim Tebow was released was that “they didn’t believe in him”. So, I wonder if the Redskins will make that same move later on down the line.

Another thing that concerns me is that of the coaches themselves. Take a pause for a moment and try to answer this question: “why can’t the Redskins keep a good quarterback?” The answer to this question is truly essential and it has to be answered ASAP! (Redskin fans and NFL lovers, I will surely welcome any answer to this situation as well as a great debate about this issue.) As soon as the coaches and coordinators can answer this question and do the complete opposite of what they have been doing in the past as well as design the plays around the quarterback, then, as the saying goes “by George, I think they got it!”

So, now that they have him, what do I think they need to start doing? Well, a few things. First, analyze him and find out what all of his talents are…inside and out…prior to the preseason. Once the preseason comes in and he is actually on the field and in rotation, they can get a complete picture of what kind of quarterback he actually is and what style of play will best suit him. Next, design the plays around him. Then, tap into all of his talents and let him loose on the field. Finally, all the things that they did to quarterbacks in the past…DO THE OPPOSITE!

To RG3, welcome to the NFL. May your time in the league be a positive one. To the Redskins nation, I deeply pray that he is the one that will lead y’all back into NFL’s mainstream and kicks off the “Redskins Renaissance” and y’all experience what the Falcons did when Vick was our quarterback: flurries of love and faith in the team and from the fans. Who knows, maybe we will see y’all in the SuperBowl (if it’s against MY Patriots, don’t count on winning it.).

As we all know, if we pray hard enough, our prayers will be answered. The Redskins had theirs answered. Only time will tell if it was all worth it.

Thoughts? Comments? Of course, I welcome them.

Until we meet again, may your days be sweet and your nights are sinful and delicious.

-Sophie

*Quick update: Now that the season’s over I can say that they may not have made it to the Superbowl BUT it clearly shows that RGIII is a PERFECT fit for the team! S.S.C

Kiss It or Diss It: Should The NFL Preseason Stay or Should It Go Away?

2013-03-09T16:33:36Z

-Photo courtesy of NFL.com

-Feature Photo courtesy of Bing.com

By: Sophia Stanton-Cross

Every year, the football season comes around like clockwork. It’s the one time of the year where everyone gets hyped up like kids waiting on Christmas. Yet before we get to enjoy all of those new additions to the team, those expensive yet delicious meals at the stadiums…before we get to plan those wild tailgate parties, enjoy all those bragging rights and most importantly watching our team raise and hold the Lombardi trophy after winning the SuperBowl, all thirty two teams must play four games before the season starts…which is known as the Preseason.

When the topic of the preseason comes up, many football fans have a wide range of mixed views about it.

So here’s the question: should the NFL’s preseason be kissed (stay) or should it be dissed (go away)? As with any situation, we have to look at both sides before we come to a conclusion.

The preseason has quite a few benefits. For one, it allows and gears the players back into football mode. As we all know, the football season lasts only six months (four months in the regular season and two months in the postseason…that is IF the team survives throughout the postseason games, the Wild Card chase and such). Regardless on when a team’s season end (either losing in the playoffs or winning the SuperBowl), their bodies are getting used to a resting period. With the preseason, it allows them to get ready physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, etc. I am sure there is a unanimous agreement across the board that football is THE one sport that will test a player to his limits in every aspect.

Another benefit is that the coaches and coordinators can get a three dimensional view of the entire team’s situation-what areas need to be left alone, what areas need to be worked on, and what areas need some SERIOUS help. It’s easy to talk about the team’s issues. With the preseason’s games, the issues become much more obvious and can be addressed.

A third benefit is to see if all the players are perfect fits for both the team and the position. Let’s face it: during the NFL Draft, when all thirty two teams are eager to announce to the world their new additions, it all sounds and looks good on both paper and in theory but what about in person? Or on the team?

Okay, so you may be saying to yourself “these sound like interesting points. What’s wrong with that?”

Well, in an interesting conversation with four awesome and intelligent people on Twitter: @aw4real, @tdani31, @mikachu02, and a certain male who I have to keep under wraps (let’s just say that he’s a pure #TripleThreat: intelligent, talented, and super sexy and if you follow him, he’s worth it!), we were able to come together on why the preseason is not needed. (Actually, it was #T.T that made a statement on Twitter, I responded and everyone else fell in tune which was nothing less than remarkable!)

One major disadvantage to the preseason is that quite a lot of multitalented and /or star players are injured before the regular season even begins. It’s very true: players take some serious hits during the regular season yet when it happens during the preseason that alone will scare the hell out of the vast majority of football fans (including myself). This past preseason has been one that many would say has been a mix of exciting yet brutal: exciting because of all the new additions to the league and brutal due to the fact that quite a few multimillion and/or star players were seriously injured. The last time a preseason was this brutal…I believe it was the 2008 NFL preseason. (I could be wrong.)

Another point that was mentioned was that the preseason itself is a HUGE WASTE OF TIME! In fact, there was a study done on the feelings of the NFL preseason and the vast majority of those that were used for the study came up with the same thing that a whole lot of us would say :”Who the heck cares about it?!”

With all of these mixed emotions about the preseason, I posed the following question: “If there were changes made to the preseason, would they like it anymore than they do now?” According to this group of intelligent folks that I had the honor of having this discussion with, depending on what those changes were, they STILL may not like the preseason. #T.T even replied “not disagreeing but things need to change.” True indeed

Now, if there were to be any changes made, what exactly would those changes be?

During this preseason games, the New England Patriots made a bold move: they made quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Rob “the Gronk” Gronkowski and other key players sit out of the game(s). (Note: during the preseason game(s), the Washington Redskins, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Minnesota Vikings, and a few other teams made the same move.)

In my opinion, #T.T made a statement about the preseason that Roger Goodell and the National Football League should take notice of. “The preseason SHOULD be strictly for players on the chopping block. See who stays and who goes-not risk guaranteed starters you’re going to need for the next four months.” @mikachu02 also made an interesting point: “This time [the preseason] should be a time for bubble players to prove themselves.” (Writer’s note: although a lot of the teams decided to sit some of their key players out of the preseason games, let’s keep in mind that it was totally the decision of the coaches and not a rule in the league for them to do so.)

During this conversation, #T.T even made a suggestion that I thought would be both a bold and interesting move: to eliminate the preseason and add those four games to the regular season. In honesty, for the league to make that kind of move would be a risky move. Although it would allow the football season to start earlier and allow us football fans to enjoy the sport even more. However, the players would get burnt out earlier and/or have a higher chance of breaking down during a crucial point in the season.

So, NFL fans…should the preseason stay or should it go away?

Regardless of how you feel, your comments are welcomed.

Until we meet again, may your days be sweet and your nights are sinful and delicious.

Sophia Stanton-Cross

*Quick update: Commissioner Roger Goodell has announced that he is considering of ACTUALLY of taking out the preseason. Will he actually do it? Only one way to find out…stay tuned. S.S.C

Take Cover Guys….Women On Their Sports Flow

2013-03-09T16:30:28Z

-Photo courtesy of ESPN

When it comes to the major sports in this country, one point that is brought up is that every sport-baseball, basketball, football,, hockey, golf, soccer, wrestling and other sports-were always male dominated: players, coaches, announcers, and commentators. When many men are asked about their feelings on women and sports, many men will say that (directly or indirectly) “women don’t really know what goes on in the sports world” or “women can’t keep up with sports or play sports like the fellas” or, as one guy put it: women and sports are like oil and water…it just DON’T mix.

Well, thank the Creator that times-and some rules and feelings-have changed. In today’s times, females play (and in some cases, have even dominated) many of the same sports their male counterparts play and/or work in. There is a HUGE increase of women covering sports on both television and/or major social networks such as NFL on Fox’s Pam Oliver, @Lizzs_Lockerroom, who can be seen on Twitter giving some awesome advice on sports. Not to mention the ladies that can add their two cents to any sports subject: @Te_Cheeks, @theNFLchick, @TiffanySportsWorld, and of course the Southern Belle herself…yours truly (@cherriasian42.) as well as many countless ladies who can do it flawlessly!

When it comes to this topic, there’s another star that is on fire. She’s a plus size model and an actress (she was in the motion hit movie “The Best Man” as one of the exotic dancers at the bachelor party). Yet, what a lot of people may not know about her is that not only is she a huge football fan but she’s one of the hosts of Football Le Femme on Monday nights during the football season in New York. Allow me to introduce to y’all the one and only Ms. Liris Cross.

-Photo courtesy of Bing

S.S.C How long have you been a fan of the Baltimore Ravens and why?

L.C.: Started following them in 99 & Baltimore is where I was born & raised. I’ve very hometown loyal & Ray Lewis is my overall favorite player so that’s why I’m a fan of the team.

S.S.C: Watching the Ravens’ preseason as well as the first few games of their regular season, how do you think they are doing?

L.C: What areas do you think the team needs to concentrate or improve on? I feel they are doing ok but I wonder how much better they would be doing with Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs & LaDarius Webb playing! They are all key components that could greatly affect the strength of our team. They need to focus on cornerbacks & work on the offensive flow.

S.S.C: If you were offered an opportunity to coach or help out with the team, would you concentrate offensively or defensively and why?

L.C: I would concentrate on the Offense since Cam Cameron just got fired! I would probably get Bryant McKinnie back into the starting offensive line, switch Michael Oher into his original position. We have to give Flacco the best chance to throw the ball! We could continue to run the ball with Rice.

S.S.C: Stepping away from the Ravens for a bit, have you been keeping an eye on the new rookies that has came into the NFL (Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, etc), which rookie has made the biggest impression on you and why?

L.C: I must say Andrew Luck has turned that team around & I’m very proud of his 1st year stats! But i recently attended the Redskins vs Giants game& to see him play live & to come back & win the game was amazing even though it was against my Giants. His poise in the pocket, the way he crowd backed him up and how he has turned things around record wise for their franchise that was unstable at QB!

S.S.C: Out of all the 32 teams in the NFL, if you can create the ultimate Superbowl, which two teams will it be?

L.C: Fully healthy Ravens team vs The NY Giants! I love both teams so I wouldn’t be terribly heartbroken if either team won LOL!

S.S.C: In your opinion, should the preseason stay or should it go away and why?

L.C: I think the preseason should be 2-3 games & that’s it because every time a player goes out to play it’s a chance of injury plus these games don’t count& fans can’t get to see players playing their hearts out like a regular season game.

When it comes to sports, many men will proudly scream (in the words of James Brown) “This is a man’s world…” Well, guys duck and take cover because (in the words of Beyonce) “Who run world…GIRLS!” and we are here to show the world we can cover sports just as well as the guys…maybe better!

Until we meet again, may your days be sweet and your nights are sinful and delicious.

Sophia Stanton-Cross

EXTRA EXTRA…READ ALL ABOUT IT: What You Should Know about the NFL Franchise Tag Craze

2013-03-09T10:14:20Z

-Photo courtesy of Xfinity Sports

By Sophia Stanton-Cross

Okay, so here we are: miles away from so much in the NFL world: The NFL Draft, the training camps, the pre, regular AND post season…and of course…the Super Bowl itself.
Yet, the huge announcement has been made: the NFL Franchise craze is underway!

Now for many people, it’s an exciting moment for their team and they are amped up about it. Yet in all honesty, many folks are lost in all of the “Franchise Tag” hype.

Well, before you become another lost number in the crowd, take a read at this information here.

According to the famous Wikipedia,

“In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag (of either the exclusive or non-exclusive forms) and one transition tag. As a result, each team may only designate one player each year as that team’s franchise player. It has been designed to reduce player movement (often to bigger markets) which is often evidenced in other major pro sports leagues.

Usually reserved for players of great skill or of high importance to the team, a franchise tag allows a team’s general manager the privilege of strategically retaining valuable free-agent players while seeking talent through the NFL draft or other acquisitions without exceeding the League’s salary cap. A team may also franchise tag a player with 2 or more years left on a contract…”

So basically, what it means is that it’s a way for coaches and owners to keep their most valuable asset in their possession. It also helps the team in the salary cap and/or the franchise’s finances. Now let’s not forget to mention that the team can also exercise the option to NOT use the Franchise tag at all for any of its players.

So far, players to mention that have been tagged are: Wes Welker (New England Patriots), Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Fred Davis (Washington Redskins), DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles), Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens), Matt Forte (Chicago Bears), Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles), Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts). Of course, there are countless others to mention.

To many fans, it’s a time that holds some value in the NFL due to the fact that both the fans as well as every NFL franchise will love to see the face that will represent the entire franchise. Many coaches and/or owners go through the roster with a fine tooth comb in order to select that ONE main player that will “carry the torch” for the entire team. I am sure that for the team’s that have actually used the NFL Tag, they may agree that the right choice will add more popularity to the team…which usually means more cash in the team’s pocket.

So, with the knowledge of the benefits that comes with the NFL franchise tag, is there a downside to it? Well, depends on how you look at it.

Some may say that one downside of the tag is that for those that actually desire to become a free agent once the season is over? Keep in mind that although the tag option is 100 percent optional, situations can spring up. For example, let’s say that the franchise wants to pick a particular player for the tag however he’s expressing that he wants to take a gamble with the NFL free agent AND after analyzing the entire situation, this player is a HUGE asset to the team. The pressure’s on HEAVY! So, what does one do? It’s just like the famous question from the movie “War of the Roses” “How do you keep someone who wants to go and how do you get rid of someone who wants to stay?”

Another downfall to it is that what if the “wrong choice” was tagged? If many fans judge the franchise according to the “tagged” player, many will argue that if the wrong player was “tagged” or they thought someone else was better, what happens then? Will the choice come back to haunt them? OR can it still be worked out in their favor?

Okay, so with the info and the playing field set up and explained, the next question is: WHO will be (or SHOULD BE) selected to wear the Tag? To many of the fans, that is where the fun part comes in. According to @tuckjt, he says that Keller should get the tag (yet he knows someone who deserves it more than he does.) When it comes to the New England Patriots, it’s honestly hard for me to say who should get it. One player that will NOT be tagged this year is Wes Welker, one player that has been tagged before. In fact, I would not be surprised if they along with other teams in the NFL do not exercise their option to tag this season.

The NFL franchise tag is one of the many situations that come with both a gift and a curse. As many philosophers would tell the coaches and owners of every franchise-two simple words: “choose wisely”

Until we meet again, may your days be sweet and your nights be sinful and delicious.

-Sophia Stanton-Cross

*Quick update: it has been announced that the vast majority of the NFL teams, including the Patriots, have decided to NOT use the Franchise Tag option. Only a total of eight teams have actually used the option in comparison of 20+teams that used it last season.

IS BIEBER HEADING FOR A BREAKDOWN?

2013-03-08T22:49:55Z

Justin Bieber has made the headlines again today however it wasn’t good press that the young star was receiving.

The star was filmed snapping as a photographer as he left his hotel in London earlier today. Footage from surrounding cameras show the star push a member of the press and they yell back ‘”Watch it Jus – that’s assault.” to Justin and his entourage.

Justin was then heard yelling “What the f**k you say? What d’you say? I’ll f**king beat the f**k out of you man!” whilst being held back by his security who were trying to get Justin back into the car.

Justin later took to Twitter with the following tweets after the news broke most news channels in the UK - “Trying to feel better for this show tonight but let the paps get the best of me. Sometimes when people are shoving cameras in your face all day and yelling the worst thing possible at you – well, I’m human. Rough week. Not gonna let them get the best of me again. Gonna get focused on this show tonight. Adrenaline is high now. Gonna put it on the stage. Only way someone can break you is if you let them,”

This latest press attention comes after Justin was late on stage earlier in the week as well as needing medical treatment during last night’s show. Video footage has emerged of the youngster performing and then all of a sudden he appears to be out of breath and struggling to finish the routine as he left the stage.

Scooter Braun, Justin‘s manager took to the stage to explain that the singer had been complaining about being “light of breath” for the whole show and had gone to get checked out by emergency medical technicians and a doctor.

Justin later took to the stage 20 minutes later to complete the show before being rushed to hospital, where it is reported he spent the night.

Could the Bieber bubble be about to burst?? One thing is certain – this popstar looks like he desperately needs a break!

Post: @LaraUKSU

Photo: uk.omg.yahoo.com

SPOTLIGHT ON ANNA BELTON-FORD: BRING BACK JA CONTEST

2013-03-08T15:36:55Z

As you all may have heard already, Ja Rule’s release date has been postponed till the end of July 2013. And so, the Bring Back Ja Contest will continue until then.

The Rule York team would like to say a big congratulations to Anna Belton-Ford for being selected to feature on the Rule York website, as part of the Bring Back Ja Contest. She’s showing love to Ja all the way from London, England! Here’s what she has to say about why she loves Ja:

“I love Ja Rule because when I listen to him I feel connected and his lyrics are really deep, and I just love his voice especially in his deep songs like ‘passion’ and ‘pray for the day’.. You can just hear the pain in his voice. Also, all of his songs have really good beats lol I just love him sooo much!! He has this thing about him that no other rapper has.. I would love to meet him one day tbh. He seems like he has a great personality as well (I only think this because I’ve watched most of his ‘in studio’ videos and that mtv cribs thing). There’s not a song of his I don’t like, which is weird. I have also watched a lot of his performances on Youtube. I would love to go and see him live because he sounds great live as well. Oh yeah and he’s really good looking as well ”

For a chance to be featured on the Rule York website, tell us why you love Ja! Send responses to bringbackja@gmail.com, along with a high-resolution photograph of yourself. Remember to include your full name, hometown, twitter handle, and Facebook name.

Congratulations again, Anna!

Post: @queenmoremi

Photo: Anna Belton-Ford

RuleYork

Champions League round of 16 Round Up

New Music: Birdman feat. Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj & Future – ‘Tap out’

Top 5 hip hop stories of the week

Lil Wayne- I’m not a human being II Cover art

Juelz Santana “Dipset will reunite”

Buck 3000 in the studio with Uncle Murda

Snoop dogg explains squashing beef with Suge Knight

Sway Responds to Kanye West Comments

A Fan’s Perspective on Concussions and the NFL

RG3 and the Redskins Renaissance

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