Saturday, October 23, 2010
Kanye's Album Art Controversy
By now you've all heard at least some mention of Kanye's album art controversy. He apparently tweeted angrily about Walmart's ban of his upcoming cd because of the obscene art on it's cover. Walmart insists that no such ban is in place. My concern is the fact that Kanye's attempt to create hype around his new cd, will fall on deaf ears. Didn't he get the memo? No one even buys cd's anymore. I don't think his target demographic will be looking for his cd on the shelves of Walmart anyway. Most of us save the time and effort by downloading new music. I don't know why he is so disturbed by this alleged ban. Kanye and his management had better tune in to the 21st century if they are going to have effective marketing ploys. There are supposedly 5 versions of the album cover in the works. Kanye's new album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is due to be released on November 22, 2010.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
SONG OF THE DAY
Wiz Khalifa - Black and Yellow
If you're not on this one, promptly go play in traffic. You're worthless.
If you're not on this one, promptly go play in traffic. You're worthless.
Who's the Real Asshole???? Just askin....
Looking back at Kanye West's VMA performance makes me wonder about a few things. First of all, how many apologies does he owe Taylor Swift? I mean the whole incident happened in 2009. Nobody cares! If Taylor hasn't gotten over it by now, it's clearly because she has some personal issues and may need to see a shrink.
As it relates to Kanye's actual performance, I was speechless. That is, until Pusha T stepped on stage in a salmon colored suit. I could have fallen off of the couch onto the floor. Pusha T should have been out there promoting his 2009 clothing line- Play Cloths! Instead, he was somehow coerced into wearing this fishy apparel by another asshole who wanted to look like Santa's abandoned helper.
You figure it out. Who's the real asshole here? The man in the Santa suit, or the man with his own clothing line and yet he appears on stage disguised as chicken of the sea?!!!
As it relates to Kanye's actual performance, I was speechless. That is, until Pusha T stepped on stage in a salmon colored suit. I could have fallen off of the couch onto the floor. Pusha T should have been out there promoting his 2009 clothing line- Play Cloths! Instead, he was somehow coerced into wearing this fishy apparel by another asshole who wanted to look like Santa's abandoned helper.
You figure it out. Who's the real asshole here? The man in the Santa suit, or the man with his own clothing line and yet he appears on stage disguised as chicken of the sea?!!!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Center Edge Territory- New Rap Supergroup?
So, Dame Dash has another clever idea. If you know anything about this man, you will never count him out. That being said, even Jay-Z and his alleged Illuminati connections aren't capable of stifling this man's ability to have original thought and innovative ideas. In his latest stroke of genius he has assembled Mos Def, Curren$y, and Jay Electronica to form the super group, "Center Edge Territory." They've been recording together pretty consistently and Dame seems to like the product. Ski Beatz is the track-producing force behind this trio, and if you're familiar with his work, you know this combination could be a force to be reckoned with, in today's hip hop. If you're not familiar with Ski Beatz, he is known for his work on Jay-Z's Dead Presidents, and recently for his release entitled 24 Hour Karate School. Look out for my review of 24 Hour Karate School.
Curren$y feat. Stalley- Ski Beatz on the track
From 24 Hour Karate School- Aerials Curren$y and Jim Jones
Curren$y feat. Stalley- Ski Beatz on the track
From 24 Hour Karate School- Aerials Curren$y and Jim Jones
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
What does a BMF Freestyle really prove?
I think I'm Bill Gates.... I think I'm Janet Jackme..... I think I'm Trademark.... I think I've heard them all. There is one thing that goes without debate. This track lends itself to every suck-ass, lame, has been, and fall off, in the game! They even put a 10 year old on this track and he killed it. This track is so slow that RICK ROSS made a hit off of it! We won't even get into my feelings for Rick Ross on this one. You do the math, is the game really full of hardcore villains or is this track the perfect camouflage?
Lady Luck- F*** You, Pay Me
The Joker
Lighter AKA Prince of Africa
Yo Gotti
Lil Flip
Lil Niqo
Lady Luck- F*** You, Pay Me
The Joker
Lighter AKA Prince of Africa
Yo Gotti
Lil Flip
Lil Niqo
Monday, October 18, 2010
Another New Orleans lyricist -She's Speaks the Truth!
TheSeKondElement FEAT. LYRIKILL - DEAD OR ALIVE
NOLA UNDERGROUND HIP HOP AWARDS NOMINEE
The inspiring spitta is nominated in several categories! Her album The Kommencement is also nominated for "Hottest Album of the Year."
NOLA UNDERGROUND HIP HOP AWARDS NOMINEE
The inspiring spitta is nominated in several categories! Her album The Kommencement is also nominated for "Hottest Album of the Year."
Sunday, October 17, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EM!!!!
YOU GET MUCH LOVE! However, despite the birthday love, make no mistake I do not agree with BET's claim that you are the greatest rapper of the 21st century. I don't even think Eminem is the greatest rapper of 2010. I repsect Eminem's lyrics and presentation. He definitely has talent. However, the list was mostly a way of kissing up to the celebs they love, as with all things BET. I'm not sure actual talent was even considered. Especially considering the fact that 50 Cent even appeared on the list! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 50 might be the greatest hustler of the new millenium. I would give him that, but I would scarcely call him a rapper nor would I imply that he's good at it! So as far BET's bogus list, I didn't bother watching as I expected some kiss ass, we are the world, we accept white rappers bullshit. BTW, surprise!!! That's what we got.
Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek- Just Begun feat. Jay Electronica, J Cole, & Mos Def
If you appreciate music, you can appreciate this jazzy display of effortless flow. It seems like this all-star roster of lyricist reached the musical zenith on this track. The music has that laid-back feel, but the lyrics are anything but relaxing. From Talib Kweli's excited rhymes to Mos Def's smooth, undaunted delivery you can't keep your head out of this one. You start off vibing to the beat and the brash sound of the sax, then you find that you're hanging on every word of this skilled group of artist. In turn, appreciation for you dedication!
Fayetteville, Stand-up!
Some of us have been listening to this guy for at least a year now. There are those who feel the need to compare this dude to Drake. However, there is no comparison. This man actually has a struggle to rhyme about. Hip hop has always been the music of the disenfranchised! No struggle, no credit! Enough about Drake, J. Cole has a classic, rhythmic, rhyming cadence coupled with a unique story telling ability. He brings you to his hood and spoon feeds you his life experience. If you haven't heard The Warm-Up 100 times or more, catch-up. You're slippin!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Joe Budden - Inception ** NEW EXCLUSIVE 2010 **Inception by Joe Budden (...
I guess Joe Budden is "Gettin' his extreme make-over." He might be turning himself into a rapper. I haven't heard him rap with such vigor in a while. I was starting to doubt that he had it in him. Hmmm.....
HE IS AN OASIS!
I dare not begin this blog without giving you my take on Lil Wayne's, I Am Not A Human Being. I began listening to the EP with mediocre expectations. I find myself more entertained by Wayne's mixtapes than much of his commercially released music. Simply stated, his mixtapes are the unfiltered version of Wayne and I tend to appreciate him more in that fashion. This EP was particularly entertaining. Lil Wayne, in true Libra style, exposes himself unapologetically. I appreciated the limited track list, as it was filled with quality. There were more songs that I played on repeat than any cd I'v heard in the last six months (Well minus that Chris Brown mixtape In My Zone). This EP is a testament to Wayne's ability to present the good, bad, and the ugly in a way that entertains and captivates the listener.
I read the title of track 1 and the word "Gonorrhea" conjured up images of Kat Stacks and the sewer she crawled out of, followed by images of the ATL group 1st Lady and their song about selling pussy. However, since I am no newbie to hip hop or Lil Wayne, I expected some metaphoric analogy to how he was so "sick" with rhymes or maybe as to how the rap game is infested with lames. As I listened I found that it was probably some of both. His warning to "pussy ass niggas" was certainly felt as he describes their fake-ness as a disease transmittable by contact. The song also features Drake, who is completely overshadowed by Wayne's presentation and wordplay.
In the follow-up track "Hold Up," Wayne takes you to a gunfight. He paints a picture as murky as a Quentin Tarantino film. The track is absolutely sinister. T-streets contributes some substantial lyrics. as well. However, it is the tone and cadence of Wayne's voice that puts this track over the edge!
"With You" is certainly a track I've listened to on repeat. After hearing from Wayne, the callous murderer, in the previous track, it was certainly welcoming to hear from Wayne, the uncertain lover, in this rap ballad. The motown-esque oooh's in the background take you straight to the love zone. Despite Drake's monotone singing voice, Wayne certainly gets his point across. He effortlessly woo's his female fans, all of whom are certainly wondering about the subject of this song.
So, as with any perfectly organized EP about one-third of the way through the track list, the title track hits us. It's perfectly timed after giving us a rest from the harsh imagery. Wayne took us somewhere beautiful and then dropped us into the abyss of his mind. This rock/rap anthem is an animated ode to his talent and confidence. He declares that he is a "Rhyming Oasis" and this EP certainly pleads his case. If there were a 2010 re-make of the movie "Office Space," Peter Gibbons would be listening to this track on the way home. It is the ultimate re-build your self-esteem after being ripped to shreds at work kind of music!
Alright come down off of that high. The next track "I'm Single" is Wayne being the hot, no-good dog that he is, and make no mistake we love him for it. Every girl wants a bad boy and Wayne had no problem presenting himself as that guy.
"What's Wrong With Them" wasn't exactly my favorite track. The hook threw me off. There was some off topic rambling on this one.
After a moment of "What the eff is wrong with this song?" I was spared by "Right Above it" I love this song. It's that right after you win a basketball game, or you've aced a test or gotten a promotion song! It's the song for that moment in life when you look at all you've been through and realize that it's all beneath you now. Wayne's flow and intensity propel you to another level, even if you're slightly resistant by the end of the song you no longer have the restraint to remain grounded.
Yet another version of Wayne the lover emerges on the track "Popular." Here he is the aggressive and manipulative lover. He appeals to every whore's need to have sex with a man to gain status. Wayne's keen understanding of that dynamic makes it appealing on levels that might disgust person with any degree of moral standards.
Then, he wows us again with "That Ain't Me." If Wayne's lyrics (But, I know my Lord, I am God's own) and Jay Sean's melodic voice (You can try to lock me up....) don't lift you from the muck and the mired clay, then you are hopeless, kill yourself now.
"Bill Gates," is Wayne's obvious homage to a financial and ideological mastermind. It's his opportunity to brag and show us that in case you doubted him, he is certainly on another level from you mentally and financially. You can hear elements of the classic hip hop mantra "More money, more problems" in the lyrics of this song.
I can't think of a better place on this track for this song (Well, this could have been the final track for all I care). "YM Salute" is your chance to hear from the team. They give you reason to salute as the whole team presents itself well here. Wayne steps in as commander and chief and takes charge of the song in like fashion. Salute!
Gudda Gudda starts off the song "YM Banger," and is quite possibly the reason this song is not one of my favorites. If you can get past the monotony of his voice, you might be able to appreciate formidable contributions from Nicki Minaj and Tyga.
Conclusively, in light of all of the hype surrounding this EP, I doubt that any of you are sleeping on it. However, in the rare case that you have been cut off by society due to natural disaster or you have been subjected to compulsory isolation, I urge you to check this one out. Check out the LP version as well which includes the song "I Don't Like the Look of It." There may certainly be better rappers than Lil Wayne in the game. The problem is that they aren't giving us anything to listen to. I appreciate Wayne for accepting the challenge and on this EP, he met it.
I read the title of track 1 and the word "Gonorrhea" conjured up images of Kat Stacks and the sewer she crawled out of, followed by images of the ATL group 1st Lady and their song about selling pussy. However, since I am no newbie to hip hop or Lil Wayne, I expected some metaphoric analogy to how he was so "sick" with rhymes or maybe as to how the rap game is infested with lames. As I listened I found that it was probably some of both. His warning to "pussy ass niggas" was certainly felt as he describes their fake-ness as a disease transmittable by contact. The song also features Drake, who is completely overshadowed by Wayne's presentation and wordplay.
In the follow-up track "Hold Up," Wayne takes you to a gunfight. He paints a picture as murky as a Quentin Tarantino film. The track is absolutely sinister. T-streets contributes some substantial lyrics. as well. However, it is the tone and cadence of Wayne's voice that puts this track over the edge!
"With You" is certainly a track I've listened to on repeat. After hearing from Wayne, the callous murderer, in the previous track, it was certainly welcoming to hear from Wayne, the uncertain lover, in this rap ballad. The motown-esque oooh's in the background take you straight to the love zone. Despite Drake's monotone singing voice, Wayne certainly gets his point across. He effortlessly woo's his female fans, all of whom are certainly wondering about the subject of this song.
So, as with any perfectly organized EP about one-third of the way through the track list, the title track hits us. It's perfectly timed after giving us a rest from the harsh imagery. Wayne took us somewhere beautiful and then dropped us into the abyss of his mind. This rock/rap anthem is an animated ode to his talent and confidence. He declares that he is a "Rhyming Oasis" and this EP certainly pleads his case. If there were a 2010 re-make of the movie "Office Space," Peter Gibbons would be listening to this track on the way home. It is the ultimate re-build your self-esteem after being ripped to shreds at work kind of music!
Alright come down off of that high. The next track "I'm Single" is Wayne being the hot, no-good dog that he is, and make no mistake we love him for it. Every girl wants a bad boy and Wayne had no problem presenting himself as that guy.
"What's Wrong With Them" wasn't exactly my favorite track. The hook threw me off. There was some off topic rambling on this one.
After a moment of "What the eff is wrong with this song?" I was spared by "Right Above it" I love this song. It's that right after you win a basketball game, or you've aced a test or gotten a promotion song! It's the song for that moment in life when you look at all you've been through and realize that it's all beneath you now. Wayne's flow and intensity propel you to another level, even if you're slightly resistant by the end of the song you no longer have the restraint to remain grounded.
Yet another version of Wayne the lover emerges on the track "Popular." Here he is the aggressive and manipulative lover. He appeals to every whore's need to have sex with a man to gain status. Wayne's keen understanding of that dynamic makes it appealing on levels that might disgust person with any degree of moral standards.
Then, he wows us again with "That Ain't Me." If Wayne's lyrics (But, I know my Lord, I am God's own) and Jay Sean's melodic voice (You can try to lock me up....) don't lift you from the muck and the mired clay, then you are hopeless, kill yourself now.
"Bill Gates," is Wayne's obvious homage to a financial and ideological mastermind. It's his opportunity to brag and show us that in case you doubted him, he is certainly on another level from you mentally and financially. You can hear elements of the classic hip hop mantra "More money, more problems" in the lyrics of this song.
I can't think of a better place on this track for this song (Well, this could have been the final track for all I care). "YM Salute" is your chance to hear from the team. They give you reason to salute as the whole team presents itself well here. Wayne steps in as commander and chief and takes charge of the song in like fashion. Salute!
Gudda Gudda starts off the song "YM Banger," and is quite possibly the reason this song is not one of my favorites. If you can get past the monotony of his voice, you might be able to appreciate formidable contributions from Nicki Minaj and Tyga.
Conclusively, in light of all of the hype surrounding this EP, I doubt that any of you are sleeping on it. However, in the rare case that you have been cut off by society due to natural disaster or you have been subjected to compulsory isolation, I urge you to check this one out. Check out the LP version as well which includes the song "I Don't Like the Look of It." There may certainly be better rappers than Lil Wayne in the game. The problem is that they aren't giving us anything to listen to. I appreciate Wayne for accepting the challenge and on this EP, he met it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)