Fiddy Cent thinks Yum! Brands, which owns Taco Bell, has been using his name like chop meat in a recent ad. He's suing them. Putting the chihuahua in a dis track wouldn't be quite as potent anymore now, would it? [Rolling Stone]

People don't buy techno records these days because of the skyrocketting price of vinyl. Like, duh! [Pitchfork]

Hip-Hop Liberace Scott Storch--that's what the paper calls him--is getting a different lean on these days. One on his house. A bank is forclosing on the $10 million dollar estate that mediocre beats built in Miami. There's a lesson here: Don't make records with Hulk Hogan's daughter and Paris Hilton. Dude! Never put the brown sugar before the dirty green cream. [Palm Beach Post]

Tonight, Brooklyn Radio returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park for their Movies With A View series. On the big screen: the animated adventure Wallace and Gromit. On the turntables: DJ Soulstatic supplying the sun splashed soundtrack from 6pm until sundown. Get there early to snag a spot on the lawn, a bite to eat from Rice, and a chance to win some cool prizes. Click here for the remaining July schedule. Check back to the site later today in case of a rain postponement.

Photos: Nathan Fridley

There is something really romantic and independent about suffering to hear music. It feeds into our perceptions of the artist as martyr, of the devoted fan who is so into "the real" they'll will endure great extremes to obtain it. A lust for authenticity produces sneers from the crowd-- "Air conditioning? Whatever! All we need is THE MUSIC." But as every New York City July proves to be even hotter than the last, I have to ask myself... just how willing am I to suffer for art? On July 16th, at the un-air conditioned Market Hotel, I gained a crumb of an answer.

Hola, crime fans, and welcome back to the Crime Blotter! You know, with all the excitement this election year over the possibility of the United States having its first black or woman president - JUST THINK! - not too long ago, black people and women weren’t even allowed to vote. So we’ve come pretty damn far, folks. But sometimes I wonder if it’s enough. Maybe it’s time for a candidate who represents all races, and all genders. Oh yeah, you know who I’m talking about: Michael Jackson! How cool would that be? I predict that one of President Jacko’s fist actions in office would be to make Beat It the national anthem. Plus, every American citizen would be guaranteed his or her own troupe of dancing zombies. Epic win! Of course, no presidency is without it downsides. I can see how appointing Bubbles the Chimp as Secretary of Defense might raise a few eyebrows. And that whole “No Child Left Untouched Act” thing will definitely need a good reworking. On second thought, screw it, let’s just elect Oprah. She could buy off all the terrorists and dictators of the world with brand new convertibles! Hey, speaking of terror, the Crime Blotter is where each week, we take a look at Brooklyn’s villains, good guys, victims, dumb asses and straight up crazies. After the jump: Enjoy The Silence…

photos courtesy Dario Sbrana

Last Friday, the leaders of Brooklyn's DIY scene, kings of underground venues, invaded Music Hall of Williamsburg for the release of Ninjasonik's Tight Pants EP.  Oh, you bet your ass I was there.