Wishing you a Peaceful Journey. On November 8^th, the iconic hip-hop presence known as Heavy D passed away due to respiratory problems in Los Angeles. Heavy D is remembered for the success of his group, Heavy D & the Boyz, along with his numerous acting appearances and outstanding mobility for a man of his size. He eventually became the owner of the label that signed his crew, Uptown Records, and helped fuel the New Jack Swing movement of the late 1980s. Just one month prior to his death, D performed at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards, for his first live act in 15 years. Heavy D is the second member of the crew to pass after Trouble T Roy’s death in 1990, which inspired Pete Rock & CL Smooth to create their classic, They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y) joint.

Get well Erick. News came in late last week that Erick Sermon, legendary member of EPMD, had suffered from a heart attack. EPMD’s DJ Scratch tweeted about Erick’s condition, stating that he was “ok,” but for everyone to continue praying for him. We here at Pound acknowledge that “Rap Is Outta Control” and we praise Erick and Parrish for teaching us all such a vital piece of information. EPMD is hip hop. Get well soon Green Eyed Bandit, we’re all rootin’ for you.

Fat Joe on Hip-Hop’s “Gay Mafia.” Joey Crack spoke up recently about who he thinks is running the rap game right now. “[Hip Hop] is the greatest gay market in the world. The Hip Hop community is most likely owned by gay. I happen to think there’s a gay mafia in Hip Hop. Not rappers - editorial presidents of magazines, the PDs at radio stations, the people who give you awards at award shows. This is the fucking gay mafia, man. They’re in power,” he said. We have heard stories about a world run by an elite dark force such as the Illuminati, and maybe even some devil worshippers, but damn Joe, now the gay society!? On a side note, Joe wasn’t bashing the homosexual community in the interview, he as actually encouraging them to come out.

Take Care. The pride of our city, Drake is releasing his sophomore album on Tuesday of this week, so I’ll be seeing many of you in line at downtown Toronto music vendors. You all diggin’ that “Practice” joint? It was inspired by Juvenile’s classic “Back That Azz Up” and Juvi also gives Drizzy’s version the thumbs up! If you haven’t heard the song yet, no worries, it’s featured on Take Care.

I know it's been some what of a bad week in hip-hop but to help comfort the many, we're dishin' out 'Soul Pounds' to all of our brothers and sisters.

Keep on politickin'.