Here's a good new rap song from New Orleans rapper B.G., who was Lil Wayne's partner on Cash Money Records when they were both still in their teens, and one of the millions-selling Hot Boys crew that led the label's rise to national prominence in the late '90s. Most importantly, probably, in world-historical terms, B.G. is credited with popularizing (if not the inventing) the now ubiquitous term "bling bling," an ideophone meaning "jewelry." B.G. was a heroin addict for a while, and I like the way his voice sounds with the woozy nod of the horns on this track, which was made by local producer Big Ro, for B.G.'s independent company Chopper City Records. (And I'm glad B.G. is off heroin. It is, after all, the second-most dangerous drug...)

God, the news is bad. Bin Laden is calling for "drastic solutions." (More drastic?!) The Italian mafia has been sinking cargo ships full of radioactive waste in the Mediterranean. Paul Krugman should basically start ending his pieces on the administration's economic policy with "but I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance." But know hope: I think we may have found the answers to all these problems, and more: New Orleans rap kingpins Ronald and Bryan "Baby" Williams Williams, cofounders of Cash Money Records, have started an "environmentally friendly" energy company, Bronald Oil & Gas. READ MORE