Ice Cube Interview On Good Day New York

Ice Cube is in town promoting the L.A. Raiders documentary 'Straight Out Of LA' which is premiering tonight at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.

Ice Cube: 'Straight Outta L.A.' Raider Documentary L.A. Times Article

(photo courtesy of Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The title of (Ice) Cube's project, "Straight Outta L.A." is a play on the title of the landmark album he and gangsta rap group N.W.A. recorded just over 20 years ago, "Straight Outta Compton."

"Straight Outta L.A.," which does not yet have an air date, chronicles how the Raiders between 1982 and the team's announced departure in 1995 were embraced by gangsta rappers as hip-hop exploded on the music scene. In one of the first instances of merchandising synergy between sports teams and cultural cliques, rappers started wearing Raiders gear -- black and silver jackets, hats and hoodies emblazoned with the team's logo of an eye-patch-wearing pirate. They showed up at games, and their rowdy behavior was an integral element of the ambience that intimidated calmer fans.

Said Cube, "I thought I had died and gone to heaven when they moved here." He and others responded to the team's outsider persona. "It was like the way it was with rap. We got tired of trying to play the mainstream game. So we decided we would just do records for the 'hood."

With the success of the group and his own solo work, Cube was able to buy Raiders season tickets. He pointed to a far-off section of the Coliseum: "There they are, around the 20-yard line, about 13 rows up. We'd come with the family, and with all the homies in their gear. The crowd was everything, from rowdy to tame. If you had the courage to be here, you belonged in Raider Nation."

Read the full article here:
Los Angeles Times - Ice Cube documents Raider love in 'Straight Outta L.A.'

In addition, Ice Cube vs Rod Woodson on ESPN in a quiz about the L.A. Raiders - Silver and Black Showdown.

Motown 50th Anniversary Recognized With NFL Halftime Thanksgiving Day Show

via NFL press release

NFL fans will be dancing in their seats at home and at Ford Field in Detroit during the 2009 United Way Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show: A Motown 50th Anniversary Tribute. The Motown tribute will take place during halftime of the first game of the NFL's Thanksgiving tripleheader when the Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, November 26 at 12:30 PM ET on FOX.

Bringing the unforgettable songs of Motown back to the Motor City are: Melanie Fiona, who brings together vintage grooves in her debut album; KEM, a leader in the neo-soul movement with two gold-plus albums and two No. 1 singles; international Top 10 hit singer/songwriter Shontelle; and the alternative rock/electronic six-man band Forever the Sickest Kids. The halftime show also features two newcomers: Vita Chambers, who honors Motown's classic era with a mix of rock, pop, and soul, and Hal Linton, who updates the great vocal tradition of Motown's Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder for the new century.

The halftime show set list will be taken from the golden era of Motown, the company founded by Berry Gordy that revolutionized contemporary music in the late Fifties through Seventies with its influential fusion of pop, blues, R&B, rock and gospel elements.

In addition, singer-songwriter Jadyn Maria will kick off the game in Detroit with the National Anthem. She also is a member of the Universal Motown family and was the first artist signed to Grammy-winner Ne-Yo's Compound Entertainment label.

Following the halftime performance, fans can visit NFL.com/Thanksgiving to find out how to download a copy of the halftime medley as well as music from each of the artists. Proceeds will benefit United Way.

Melanie Fiona, Kem, Hal Linton, Shontelle and Vita Chambers also will join United Way to volunteer at the Detroit Boys & Girls Club's "I Am Thankful" Dinner on Tuesday, November 24 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. CT. (source)