Outkast - "Slump"
This song came on my iPod on my way home from work last night and the volume went from a 25 to a 42 instantly. I don't care if it made my ears ring, it was completely worth it. I don't need to say much about any song from Aquemini, it's one of the best hip-hop albums to ever be released. I know Speakerboxxx/The Love Below got 'Kast the most recognition globally, but nothing in their catalog compares to Aquemini. It's a hip-hop classic in every sense of the word. "And forever yellin' Hootie-Hoo..."
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Song of the Day
Apollo Brown & O.C. - "The Formula"
Spent last week spinning Trophies and it lived up to my expectations. It's raw underground hip-hop with terrific lyricism from O.C. and solid production from Apollo Brown. This song has that mid-90's NY hip-hop sound. It's a head nodder and O.C. brings the heat lyrically as per normal. There are no fancy words to describe Trophies, so I'll keep it simple - it's hip-hop in it's purest form.
Spent last week spinning Trophies and it lived up to my expectations. It's raw underground hip-hop with terrific lyricism from O.C. and solid production from Apollo Brown. This song has that mid-90's NY hip-hop sound. It's a head nodder and O.C. brings the heat lyrically as per normal. There are no fancy words to describe Trophies, so I'll keep it simple - it's hip-hop in it's purest form.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Song of the Day
Reks feat. Action Bronson - "Riggs & Murtaugh"
Alright, for starters Reks' final verse on this track is crazy good. Secondly, it's 2 of my favorite underground rappers switching back and forth on the mic over some Statik Selektah production so you know it's going to be dope. Now, I listened to Straight, No Chaser a few times over the past 2 days and it's definitely an Album of the Year contender. I like the Reks-Statik collabo for the album, I just wish there was some other production like DJ Premier and Pete Rock, who both brought bangers for R.E.K.S., but that's nitpicking. Reks is 100% on his game for the enitre album and brings more than just battle raps, he's got some insightful songs and thought provoking songs as well, which he normally does anyway. And as for Bronson, I saw him perform live this past Tuesday and he was a beast. The dude just raps his ass off and gets the crowd heavily involved as he walked off the stage 4 or 5 times and walked around the crowd stopping to spit his rhymes while fans rapped right along with him. I was lucky enough to have him stop right in front of me and my group as he was performing "Barry Horowitz" which is my favorite Bronson joint, so it was definitely a memorable night. If Action comes to a city near you, make sure you peep his live show. It's well worth it!
Alright, for starters Reks' final verse on this track is crazy good. Secondly, it's 2 of my favorite underground rappers switching back and forth on the mic over some Statik Selektah production so you know it's going to be dope. Now, I listened to Straight, No Chaser a few times over the past 2 days and it's definitely an Album of the Year contender. I like the Reks-Statik collabo for the album, I just wish there was some other production like DJ Premier and Pete Rock, who both brought bangers for R.E.K.S., but that's nitpicking. Reks is 100% on his game for the enitre album and brings more than just battle raps, he's got some insightful songs and thought provoking songs as well, which he normally does anyway. And as for Bronson, I saw him perform live this past Tuesday and he was a beast. The dude just raps his ass off and gets the crowd heavily involved as he walked off the stage 4 or 5 times and walked around the crowd stopping to spit his rhymes while fans rapped right along with him. I was lucky enough to have him stop right in front of me and my group as he was performing "Barry Horowitz" which is my favorite Bronson joint, so it was definitely a memorable night. If Action comes to a city near you, make sure you peep his live show. It's well worth it!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Song of the Day
Boyz II Men feat. Treach, Craig Mack, Busta Rhymes & Method Man - "Vibin' (Remix)"
Saw Boyz II Men perform this weekend and they were absolutely terrific. Great show, great vocals and some nice nods to the old school including some classic dance moves. Went back to listen to some of their old records and remembered this gem from 1995. Boyz II Men don't do any more than sing the hook on this remix, but all four MCs are on their game as this was dropped shortly after the likes of "Woo-Hah!!", "Flava N Ya Ear" and "All I Need" all hit big. Gotta love the video as well as Big Lez is in the crowd. Shout out to Rap City, which I used to watch everyday after school. (Shout out to Joe Clair aka Joe Cleezy too!)
Saw Boyz II Men perform this weekend and they were absolutely terrific. Great show, great vocals and some nice nods to the old school including some classic dance moves. Went back to listen to some of their old records and remembered this gem from 1995. Boyz II Men don't do any more than sing the hook on this remix, but all four MCs are on their game as this was dropped shortly after the likes of "Woo-Hah!!", "Flava N Ya Ear" and "All I Need" all hit big. Gotta love the video as well as Big Lez is in the crowd. Shout out to Rap City, which I used to watch everyday after school. (Shout out to Joe Clair aka Joe Cleezy too!)
Friday, May 18, 2012
Song of the Day
Killer Mike feat. Bun B, T.I. & Trouble - "Big Beast"
Killer Mike dropped a new album, R.A.P. Music, this Tuesday, produced entirely by El-P. This was the first track I heard off the album and as it came on my iPod today, I realized I liked it a lot more than I initially though. Killer Mike brings his normal energy, while Bun and Tip both add solid verses in a guest role. I think I might check this album out as I'm a fan of Big Mike and El-P seperately, I'm just curious how an entire album of Mike over Producto production will sound.
Killer Mike dropped a new album, R.A.P. Music, this Tuesday, produced entirely by El-P. This was the first track I heard off the album and as it came on my iPod today, I realized I liked it a lot more than I initially though. Killer Mike brings his normal energy, while Bun and Tip both add solid verses in a guest role. I think I might check this album out as I'm a fan of Big Mike and El-P seperately, I'm just curious how an entire album of Mike over Producto production will sound.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Song of the Day
Nas - "Daughters"
I've had this song for a few weeks now, but never really gave it a solid listen. After a long day yesterday, I was exhausted and feeling a little stressed and put this on when I was going to bed and it completely took my mind away from all the other shit that was going on. This is classic Nas. No I.D. on the production as Nas gives insight into being a father and having to worry about his baby girl. Check this line, "They say the coolest players and foulest heart-breakers in the world/God gets us back, he makes us have precious little girls."
I've had this song for a few weeks now, but never really gave it a solid listen. After a long day yesterday, I was exhausted and feeling a little stressed and put this on when I was going to bed and it completely took my mind away from all the other shit that was going on. This is classic Nas. No I.D. on the production as Nas gives insight into being a father and having to worry about his baby girl. Check this line, "They say the coolest players and foulest heart-breakers in the world/God gets us back, he makes us have precious little girls."
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Song of the Day
Nas - "Dance"
Happy Mother's Day! Nas paid homage to his mother who lost her battle with breast cancer on 2002's God's Son. It's a touching song and a great reminder to all of us to love and appreciate every moment we have with our mom's not only on this day, but every day.
Happy Mother's Day! Nas paid homage to his mother who lost her battle with breast cancer on 2002's God's Son. It's a touching song and a great reminder to all of us to love and appreciate every moment we have with our mom's not only on this day, but every day.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Song of the Day (R.I.P. Maurice Sendak)
Aesop Rock - "Babies With Guns"
With the passing of author Maurice Sendak, I've lost two figures from my childhood in the past week. When MCA passed away, I listened to Licensed To Ill that night to remember him. I may watch Where The Wild Things Are this week to remember Sendak, but in the mean time I figured I'd give him a shout out in hip-hop form. So what does that have to do with "Babies With Guns" you ask? Aesop spits, "I walk face first through the sex, guns and church/With Wild Things that make Maurice Sendak question his early works." Only Aesop could spit something that ill. Thanks for the memories Maurice.
With the passing of author Maurice Sendak, I've lost two figures from my childhood in the past week. When MCA passed away, I listened to Licensed To Ill that night to remember him. I may watch Where The Wild Things Are this week to remember Sendak, but in the mean time I figured I'd give him a shout out in hip-hop form. So what does that have to do with "Babies With Guns" you ask? Aesop spits, "I walk face first through the sex, guns and church/With Wild Things that make Maurice Sendak question his early works." Only Aesop could spit something that ill. Thanks for the memories Maurice.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Song of the Day
Black Rob - "Authentic"
I saw this shit posted online and it grabbed my attention because I was interested in how Black Rob would come on his new shit. Then I saw it was produced by Erick Sermon and I clicked on the link immediately. I've always liked B.R., but as with most artists, I was afraid his music would really fall off from a production standpoint without any real support or in house production team. But E-Double brought him a grimy backdrop for B.R. to get street on and delivered a solid new track. It ain't groundbreaking, but it's nice to hear Black Rob go hard again.
I saw this shit posted online and it grabbed my attention because I was interested in how Black Rob would come on his new shit. Then I saw it was produced by Erick Sermon and I clicked on the link immediately. I've always liked B.R., but as with most artists, I was afraid his music would really fall off from a production standpoint without any real support or in house production team. But E-Double brought him a grimy backdrop for B.R. to get street on and delivered a solid new track. It ain't groundbreaking, but it's nice to hear Black Rob go hard again.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Song of the Day
Blueprint - "Trouble On My Mind"
This song came on my iPod as I was driving home from work at 3:30 a.m. this morning and brought a huge smile to my face. My head started nodding and I thought about Blueprint's terrific 1988 from 2005. Blueprint is one of my favorite artists and his work with RJD2 as Soul Position is some of the best hip-hop of the past 10 years. But he went for dolo on 1988 and didn't miss a beat. Of course the Public Enemy influence on this track's title wins points with me as well. Welcome to the Terrordome.
This song came on my iPod as I was driving home from work at 3:30 a.m. this morning and brought a huge smile to my face. My head started nodding and I thought about Blueprint's terrific 1988 from 2005. Blueprint is one of my favorite artists and his work with RJD2 as Soul Position is some of the best hip-hop of the past 10 years. But he went for dolo on 1988 and didn't miss a beat. Of course the Public Enemy influence on this track's title wins points with me as well. Welcome to the Terrordome.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Song of the Day
Red Eye feat. Ruste Juxx, Reks, Reef The Lost Cauze,Shabaam Sahdeeq, M-Dot, Sha Stimuli, Nutso & Midaz - "Unfukwitable"
This posse cut is just so damn dope. Red Eye brings a group of underground heroes to flow over a sample of The Who's "Love Reign O'er Me" to terrific results. Every MC steps up to the challenge of the rapper before them and I was so happy to hear Sahdeeq again. I haven't heard him in a while and I expected his career to take off along with Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch back in 1999. Not to mention Reks is on this joint as well, as he's been one of my favorite MCs of the past few years. The whole track is close to 7 minutes of certified dopeness.
This posse cut is just so damn dope. Red Eye brings a group of underground heroes to flow over a sample of The Who's "Love Reign O'er Me" to terrific results. Every MC steps up to the challenge of the rapper before them and I was so happy to hear Sahdeeq again. I haven't heard him in a while and I expected his career to take off along with Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch back in 1999. Not to mention Reks is on this joint as well, as he's been one of my favorite MCs of the past few years. The whole track is close to 7 minutes of certified dopeness.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Now my name is MCA....
Today marks a sad day as another hip-hop legend has passed. Adam Yauch, aka MCA of the Beastie Boys, died today at the age of 47. Yauch had been battling cancer for the past three years and passed away this afternoon. The Beastie Boys are one of the first rap groups I ever heard, as their debut, Licensed To Ill, dropped in 1986 when I was only 7 years old. My older brother got the tape for his birthday and listened to it over and over and over again. I remember hearing "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" for the first time and asking my dad what "skeezing with a whore" meant. It's not every day your 7-year-old is asking what a whore is.
I also remember loving "Brass Monkey" but having absolutely no idea what "Brass Monkey" was. Now, I listen to that album and reminisce on my high school and college years when Licensed To Ill was officially "old school" hip-hop. It's still one of my favorite albums to this day.
Yauch and the group grew musically over the years, teaching themselves how to play instruments and continuing on a rock/alternative hip-hop sound on Check Your Head and Ill Communication and bringing us such classics as "So Whatchu Want," "Sabotage," and "Sure Shot" among others.
I saw the Beasties perform along with A Tribe Called Quest and it remains one of my favorite shows of all time. Their music will always mean a lot to me and I'm glad they were recognized with the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame honors this past year. I'm just sad I won't get to see them perform again or get any new music from the Beasties.
The Beastie Boys released their final album last May which is quite a feat considering their first album dropped in 1986. Thank you MCA for all the great music over the years. You will be missed.
And now, here's "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" - go listen to Licensed To Ill and sip a cold one!
I also remember loving "Brass Monkey" but having absolutely no idea what "Brass Monkey" was. Now, I listen to that album and reminisce on my high school and college years when Licensed To Ill was officially "old school" hip-hop. It's still one of my favorite albums to this day.
Yauch and the group grew musically over the years, teaching themselves how to play instruments and continuing on a rock/alternative hip-hop sound on Check Your Head and Ill Communication and bringing us such classics as "So Whatchu Want," "Sabotage," and "Sure Shot" among others.
I saw the Beasties perform along with A Tribe Called Quest and it remains one of my favorite shows of all time. Their music will always mean a lot to me and I'm glad they were recognized with the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame honors this past year. I'm just sad I won't get to see them perform again or get any new music from the Beasties.
The Beastie Boys released their final album last May which is quite a feat considering their first album dropped in 1986. Thank you MCA for all the great music over the years. You will be missed.
And now, here's "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" - go listen to Licensed To Ill and sip a cold one!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Song of the Day
Kendrick Lamar - "Average Joe"
Went back and downloaded Kendrick's Overly Dedicated project from 2010. I don't know if you would call it a mixtape since Kendrick said he doesn't really do mixtapes, but whatever it is, it's really dope. This song is among the highlights as it has that true West Coast laid back vibe while Kendrick flexes his lyrical muscles all over the beat. The hook is "I'm no gangsta, no killer, I'm just your Average Joe." Simple enough, but dope regardless. Kendrick flips an Eminem line with "I don't do black music/I don't do white music/I do every day life music." Looking forward to that new Kendrick album.
Went back and downloaded Kendrick's Overly Dedicated project from 2010. I don't know if you would call it a mixtape since Kendrick said he doesn't really do mixtapes, but whatever it is, it's really dope. This song is among the highlights as it has that true West Coast laid back vibe while Kendrick flexes his lyrical muscles all over the beat. The hook is "I'm no gangsta, no killer, I'm just your Average Joe." Simple enough, but dope regardless. Kendrick flips an Eminem line with "I don't do black music/I don't do white music/I do every day life music." Looking forward to that new Kendrick album.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
New Release Tuesday
I mentioned last week that Apollo Brown & O.C.'s collaboration album, Trophies, was released exclusively on iTunes a week early, but if you were waiting for the physical copy or you buy your music on Amazon, Trophies is available today. What you can expect from the album is throwback production from Apollo Brown to match one of the best MCs and most slept-on MCs of the '90's making a big time return here in 2012.
O.C. never really went away, but his appearances have been few and far between over the last decade, so having him back for an entire album is very welcome. I've heard "Prove Me Wrong" and "We The People" as well as snippets of some other songs and it's exactly what I expected - truly dope hip-hop music in it's purest form. If you're looking for a party starter, a club banger or a track that's going to get routine radio rotation, you won't find it hear. If you're looking for head nodding beats with lyrics for days, then you've come to the right place. With this album and Reks' Straight No Chaser being released in consecutive weeks, it's a great time for lyrical hip-hop to shine.
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