Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Last 24 Hours...


I cannot remember a 24hr period in Hip Hop that has been this absurd. For those who are unaware of what I'm talking about, I'm going to break this up into 3 parts...

1) Last night, Lil Wayne dropped a brand new official mixtape called No Ceilings. I haven't listened to it all the way through yet, but I will say this... it is nice to hear Wayne really spittin' again. He sounds especially great on the D.O.A. and Run This Town beats. I'm gonna be bumpin' this for a while...


2) Just Blaze, my favorite producer, dropped an absolute bomb on everyone last night during Tony Touch's radio show on Shade45 radio. He premiered the song "Exhibit C" by Jay Electronica, as well as an unreleased NaS joint, and a cut off of Saigon's as-of-yet unreleased album, The Greatest Story Never Told. "Exhibit C" is insane. Period. I really have no other words to describe how hot it is, just check it out. The unreleased NaS song has one of the hardest/craziest beats I've heard in a while. How dare NaS not put this on whatever album it was meant for. Finally, the Saigon song, entiled "Friends & Enemies," is exactly the tight, introspective track you would expect from the former Entourage star. And as if these three gems weren't enough... just wait, there's more...

"Exhibit C" ... "Eatin' wack rappers alive, shittin' out chains"... Jay kills this track

3) After last night, I thought things couldn't get any better. Then I woke up this morning only to see that Saigon leaked another song off of The Greatest Story Never Told called, "It's Alright." Produced by Kanye West & Just Blaze (!), and with Marsha Ambrosius on the hook, it's a beautiful song off of what has long been one of my most anticipated albums. Sai also released a song called "Say Yes Pt. 2 (The Art of Storyrhymin'), although I'm pretty sure it's not on TGSNT. Finally, Jay Electronica decided to drop another unreleased song called "2 Step." Not as hot as "Exhibit C," but worth checking out nonetheless.


For more Jay Electronica, make sure you check out "Who's Next? Part 1," if you haven't already. "Who's Next? Pt. 6" coming soon...

Monday, October 26, 2009

Throwback

Not necessarily a throwback, but this parody video came out back in August. It features the likes of Lil' Wayne, Drake, Birdman, Young Jeezy, and Rick Ross. Brought to you by the guys at itsthereal.com. Enjoy.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Big Pimpin'


One of my friends recently showed me a vintage video of Jay-Z in the studio with Timbaland. Timbo is showing Jay some tracks he made, and when he first gets to listen to what would be the Brush Your Shoulders Off beat, he knows it's gonna bump. He goes to work in the studio and the end result is what we know today. You see the work that an artist puts in to create a successful track.





Soon after seeing this video, I had my iPod on shuffle and came across Bun B's The Story. In part of the song, he raps about working with Jay on Big Pimpin' and what it was like to get a taste of the industry. This song was on Bun's debut album Trill. He talks about the ups and the downs of the industry, and how UGK went about it their own way - keeping their fan base happy.

Bun B - The Story

Back By Popular Demand


I don't think I have been this excited for something in a long time. (Maybe besides Modern Warfare 2). One of my all time favorite rap groups, The Clipse, are finally releasing their third studio album Till The Casket Drops. The date is December 8th, so mark your calendars.

This album is complete with usual release date push-backs and leaked tracks as any Clipse album would be. This honestly makes me want the album more. Kinda Like A Big Deal was dope, All Eyes On Me got me moving, I'm Good added a some more buzz, but this newest leak seems to bring me back to the old, gritty Clipse that I fell in love with. Like Mr. Evans, Hell Hath No Fury was my favorite album of 2006 - one of the few albums I purchased that year.

I'm looking for a little of the same from the Thornton brothers, and I hope we hear some real quality material released. With production from the Neptunes, the Hitmen, and DJ Khalil, as well as numerous features, I can see this album as hopefully nothing short of a success so those who doubt The Clipse can be silenced.

Hopefully Popeye's can do it's best to hold listeners over until it's released. Cam's verse sort of left me wanting more, but the Neptune's beat as well as Pharrell on the hook keep this song is constant rotation. And I think it goes without saying that Pusha T and Malice go in hard on every verse.

The Clipse ft. Pharrell, Cam'ron - Popular Demand (Popeye's)


For the three earlier leaked track's, check out Mr. Evan's post Still Got It 4 Cheap. Definitely worth the second look.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Way of the Wu


Last week, the 'abbot' of the Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, released his introspective semi-biographical book, The Tao of Wu. For those who don't know, RZA is more than just a hip hop producer (one of the greatest producers of all time, for that matter). He is nearly a chess master, as well as a deep philosophical thinker who has studied Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. As a member of the Nation Of Islam, and a self-proclaimed 5 percenter, RZA has amassed a vast amount of knowledge over the years which he reveals in The Tao of Wu. I bought it last saturday evening, and decided to stay home that night just because I could not put it down. A collection of past experiences, as well as philosophical beliefs, The Tao of Wu is truly an enriching experience that I can't recommend enough.

Who's Next? Pt. 5: Big Sean

Big Sean brings to the game, a charisma and energy that is completely unique. Born in Santa Monica, CA but repping Detroit, 'Sean' got his big break when he had a chance meeting with Kanye West. As the story goes, Big Sean worked hard on establishing a relationship with local Detroit hip hop station 102.7 FM. One day 'Sean' heard that Mr. West was at the station for an interview, so he made his way over there to see if he could pass his demo off to him. Due to his relationship with the station, they let him in to speak to Kanye, and he freestyled for him. Kanye left impressed, and in 2007 he signed with West's G.O.O.D. music record label. Big Sean has since signed with Island Def Jam, which needless to say, is pretty official.

Earlier this year, Big Sean graced us with his Mick Boogie hosted mixtape, U Know Big Sean- Finally Famous Vol. 2. It's a dope mixtape, and was hot enough to earn himself a spot in the "Who's Next" series. He is incredibly talented and has the lyrics and personality to become of the brightest stars in Hip Hop.



Also, check out the Hype Williams directed video for "Getcha Some," here.



Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Return of the Ultimate Hustler


Dame Dash, the mastermind behind Roc-A-Fella records, has been gone for too long. After a pricey divorce, and some poor business decisions, Dame seemingly disappeared from the music industry. Now, however, he is making his triumphant return. Teaming up with the Blues/Rock group The Black Keys, he is producing a compilation album called Blac Roc. With an impressive internet marketing ploy, it has quickly become my most anticipated album for the remainder of the '09 year. The CD will be eleven songs, featuring eleven different artists including Mos Def, RZA, Ludacris, Billy Danze of M.O.P., Jim Jones, Q-Tip, Pharoahe Monch, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and Raekwon among others. The album is due for release on 'Black Friday,' which is generally the Friday after Thanksgiving. The first single off the album is called "Hoochie Coo" and features Mos Def & Jim Jones. I've had it in constant rotation, and it's probably my current favorite song so be sure to check it out.

You can view the trailer for the project here, and also watch various web-episodes on their website.


Thursday, October 08, 2009

Big Boi, He Put Us On


I recently heard a track that brought up more than a blip on my rap radar. Big Boi came tough with his next leaked track, giving us a taste of his new album with the song For Your Sorrows. His album Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty is something many have been anticipating a while, but sadly there is no word on its release date yet. Unlike Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, Big Boi and Andre 3000's solo albums will be released separately instead of as a two disk set.

The song itself is everything that an alternative hip-hop song should be. Captivating and progressive are just a few of the words that come to mind when I hear this track. There's just something different about it that screams OutKast. Not only does Big Boi go all in on the track, but he has a strong, unique supporting cast behind him made up of the legendary George Clinton of Parliament-Funkadelic and pimp himself, Too $hort.


"Just to let you know that everything is straight, I say stank you very much 'cause we appreciate the hate."

Before They Were Stars


One of my favorite new artists is without a doubt Atlanta's very own B.o.B. It's like I can't get enough of him, and everything he comes out with seems to be more innovative and straight fire. I'm not the only one that feels this way either - even my fellow blogger Mr. Evans is featuring B.o.B in his Who's Next feature as artist number seven.

Not to steal any thunder from his upcoming post, but I felt the need to share with you some unreleased Bobby Ray circa 2007. Even before the new mixtapes and all the hype he was doing it big. The song, Paper Chase, is everything that B.o.B is now but three years ago. He was ahead of his time even back then and that's why he is one of the industry's hottest new artists.

B.o.B - Paper Chase


"I just create poems, and throw on some instrumentals."

I Might Be A Million To One


For any of you that caught the VMA's a couple weeks ago, you may have noticed one of the hottest newer emcees ripping up the set during commercials. Freshly dressed and lyrically inclined, Wale has been peaking the attention of many, and had his first national recognition with the song Chillin' with Lady GaGa. Soon enough, he will be gracing us with his first studio album, Attention Deficit, on November 3rd, which I am definitely looking forward to.

His music just always has a flare to it and the beats just get listeners lifted. I recently just heard one of the newest songs to be released, entitled Bittersweet.

Wale ft. Colin Muroe - Bittersweet

The song has a pretty dope sample of he Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony, and I think it works because Wale goes hard over slower beats, like in Ice and Rain.
The track features Colin Munroe on the chorus, a talented producer and singer making his way out of Canada. The first I heard from him was a remix he did to Kanye's Flashing Lights. The video made a splash a while back on the internet.

Colin Munroe - I Want Those Flashing Lights




Another amazing track that Colin is featured on is a collaboration with Joell Ortiz, an amazing lyricist and one quarter of the hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, which is off his Colin Munroe is an Unsung Hero Mixtape. Each artist individually does his thing - Colin brings out his story through his words and Piano playing while Joell goes in on the beat and doesn't leave much more to be wanted.

Colin Munroe ft. Joell Ortiz - Piano Lessons


Each of these tracks are bomb in their own respect. Enjoy them until there's more to come.

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Just Blaze on Relapse 2 & Detox?! Whoa...


Words cannot describe how excited I am right now. It was recently announced that Just Blaze, who in my opinion is the craziest Hip Hop producer on the planet, has five tracks on Relapse 2, as well as a joint on Detox that features The Game. The picture above was taken yesterday, and posted up on Game's twitter. I was pretty disappointed by Dre's beats on Relapse, so I'm pleased to hear that other producers are handling the bulk of the production. Eminem recently talked to Shade45 radio to discuss a variety of topics, and announced that Denaun Porter and The Alchemist have tracks on his new album as well. Check out the interview below...