Hip Hop: Art & Life

Da'Lux Blaze - Turn the Lights On! (mixtape)

2010-11-10T18:15:00.004-05:00

Princeton is full of such talented people across the artistic spectrum. Case in point: Denzel "Da'Lux Blaze" Cadet. Reppin the great class of 2010, Da'Lux has def earned the respect of me and all his peers by continuing to exercise his talent for emceeing in the name of God. I'll let him tell it:

Natural disasters. Broken families. Recession. Depression. Injustice. Abuse. Pain and suffering, both personal and global. These all add up to a dark situation indeed, and one doesn’t have to look far to be confronted by this darkness. The lines of many emcees clearly depict these circumstances in our world, but few offer us hope. However, in my debut mixtape, Turn the Lights On!, I add my voice to the mix, and aim to do just that.
Part autobiography, part journal, part social commentary, and part call to action, the project represents my heart in lyrical form. I hope to take the listener on an emotional and sonic journey back in time in my own life, through the darkness that currently engulfs our world, and finally towards the light at the end of the tunnel.
For the casual listener, it confronts problems of pain, suffering, injustice, and emptiness that anyone can easily recognize, and audaciously seeks to offer hope in midst of these dark circumstances.
For those who profess to be Christians, it encourages a second look at the brilliant, eye-opening grace of God as manifested through Jesus, and seeks to inspire a (re)new(ed) commitment to blaze brightly as lights for all who suffer physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Check out the mixtape. 17 tracks featuring production and vocals by other Princetonians including DJ D. Scott, Jeff Zhao, Maraiya Symone Hakeem, Aldwin Crooks, Tyrell Hall and Miriam Camara as well as other producers.
You can download the mixtape here: http://daluxblaze.bandcamp.com/

Swizz Beatz – DJ Play The Beat f. Estelle

2010-10-25T12:49:00.003-04:00

Ahh the deep 808s. Swizzy has been on a roll lately. This one recruits Estelle for some madness. When I heard this the vision was Adetola and Dania rockin. Shouts to LawnDawn.

Swizz Beatz – DJ Play The Beat f. Estelle
http://hulkshare.com/8kmdb6xkugrg

Props to 2dopeboys

Wiz Khalifa - In My Car ft. Juicy J

2010-10-25T00:29:00.002-04:00

For the Taylors. I'll be bumpin this thru fall break.

Wiz Khalifa ft. Juicy J – In My Car (Tha Puff Bus)
http://usershare.net/qub9m5ax4iyv

BET's Top 10 Rappers of the 21st Century

2010-10-17T12:46:00.006-04:00

#10: Rick Ross
#9: Jadakiss
#8: Young Jeezy
#7: Drake
#6: Ludacris
#5: T.I
#4: 50 Cent
#3: Kanye West
#2: Lil Wayne
#1: Eminem

Now don't get me wrong I believe everyone on the list is hot but if you haven't been relevant for at least 5 years you can't make the cut. After talking to JI she cleared it up for me why everyone made the cut. And I agree it's kind of hard to replace the rappers on there who I didn't believe should have made the cut. But besides the fact that I think Drake and Rick Ross have been relevant for about 2 years the one person that should have been on this list was Lupe Fiasco.

Lupe dropped Food & Liquor in '06 and has undeniably been killing the game lyrically and delivery-wise. Honestly, I know that Lupe doesn't care much about what pop culture thinks, but I thought that BET would be the first to honor that.

As I've said before I believe in hip-hop, I believe it's coming back, and I agree with a significant portion of this list. But I think that this list is also omitting the rappers that have contributed to its growth. I don't think that you should have been able to put Jada, Drake, and Rick Ross in the same category, you either choose Gucci to round it out, or place Lupe and Fab in the mix to keep it moving. But if this is the current state of hip-hop, I'm still okay with that, we got more coming that may have BET take a second glance at that list.

the revolution will not be televised.

Check out more footage on BET.com as to why Jay-Z, Nas, & Snoop didn't make the cut.

Child Rebel Soldiers - Don't Stop!

2010-10-09T00:11:00.002-04:00

While Promoting his film for Runaway, Kanye let it be known the the Child Rebel Soldiers project (Kanye x Pharrell x Lupe) is still in effect. A man of his word, he followed through with this edition of Good Friday. The beat is ruckus and Ye snaps on it. Good Friday indeed!

Child Rebel Soldiers - Don't Stop!

http://www.mediafire.com/?hzgs2n2swqsac8i

Jay-Z X Warren Buffet

2010-09-22T19:03:00.002-04:00

My My My how Hip Hop has grown. Jay said he wanted the cover of Forbes magazine and it appears he's about to get his wish. Hov sits down with Warren Buffet, one of the world's richest men and most powerful investors, for a 60 minute conversation. Hustle recognizes hustle.

Waka Flaka Flame- Untitled, because I have no words

2010-09-12T15:13:00.004-04:00

2191183219
Uploaded by yardie4lifever2. - See video of the biggest web video personalities.

I'm not sure what upsets me more. Waka Flaka Flame for coming onto 106 intoxicated (obviously) or 106 for putting him on the show?

I give 106 and BET the benefit of the doubt DOE! I believe that they try to show kids that rappers can be positive influences, outside of their music. Waka #failed DOE.

KanYe West Feat. Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross & Bon Iver – “Monster”

2010-08-28T01:36:00.004-04:00

You're gonna need this one.... naw but seriously though. The first installment of Kanye's twitter series is called monster and rightfully so. Wow @ the beat. Wow @ two dope verses from Ye and Jay. And WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW @ Nikki destroying the last half of this song.

KanYe West Feat. Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross & Bon Iver – “Monster”
http://www.mediafire.com/?sh3g0dqupat07ad

Big K.R.I.T. Wuz Here (mixtape)

2010-08-23T19:22:00.003-04:00

Many of us have dreams of being famous, powerful, or a combination of the two. You can hear this in the music, where damn near everyone has claimed to be the King of something. For me, these aspirations for royalty seemed to mask insecurity and pain derived from living in places much less than lavish (read: less than acceptable, think: ur friendly neighborhood trap or project.) We've seen T.I., Jay-Z and others wear the crown, but who would have thought a rapper from Meridian, Mississippi could make a claim to a crown and be taken seriously. The Big King Remembered In Time does exactly that, releasing K.R.I.T., a dirty south monstrosity of a mixtape that may as well be called an album, that will draw comparisons to Tip, David Banner, and the Underground Kingz Pimp C and Bun B, while fitting comfortably in the rotation of freshman mainstays like Wiz Khalifa, Yelawolf, Curren$y, J. Cole and others. Most of the production is handled by Krizza on this effort, which amazes consistently. Peep tracks like "Hometown Hero", referencing influences as far as Adele and Friday Night Lights, or "Country shit" which just straight up bangs. Like Graffiti written on a small town wall, this album is bound to become a landmark for those from the region, and with the power of the internet, and testament to how the underground in hip hop was at 2010. This is an great piece of work. We live in exciting times.

Big K.R.I.T. Wuz Here
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LN1R5GPX

WAKE UP EVERYBODY

2010-08-20T00:14:00.002-04:00

Got so juiced when I saw that they had completed this video because the first time I heard of this project was when John Legend was sitting in front of Dub J and I in Daphne and Imani's Black Music class this past spring semester. I don't think the track originally had all these people but Common and Melanie Fiona are a bomb addition to John Legend and the beautiful sounds of The Roots.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Enjoy =)

New J. Cole - Blow Up

2010-08-14T00:33:00.003-04:00

This track is so tough and wasn't on the original "the Blow Up" mixtape. His flow on this particular song kind of reminds me of an old Kanye. What do yall think???

Download Link: The Blow Up- J.Cole

COBE OBEAH- Flames

2010-08-12T14:21:00.002-04:00

His verses go hard. Naija stand up!

#shoutout to Yema for puttin HHAL on

Erykah Badu ft. Rick Ross - Window Seat X Get Munny (Video)

2010-08-07T23:05:00.001-04:00

Eminem ft. Rihanna - Love the Way You Lie (Video)

2010-08-05T22:47:00.001-04:00

KanYe West - Power

2010-08-05T22:38:00.001-04:00

The Portrait of Power is here.

Smoke DZA - George Kush Da Button

2010-08-05T12:26:00.005-04:00

Check out Smoke DZA's new project, George Kush Da Button. I know, I know. After looking at the cover your first instinct might be to pass on what looks to be a sophomoric tape of pothead songs, but you'd be missing out on a dope project with that assumption. Tied together by silly George Bush quotations, George Kush Da Button is often light hearted, as DZA approaches typical subject matter without real innovation. The star of the show then, is Ski Beatz production, which classes up the entire affair greatly, doing for this mixtape what it did for Curren$y's (great) album Pilot Talk (in stores now). DZA is a competent MC, and though not as charismatic and appealing as Spitta or Wiz Khalifa, he does possess a charm, especially when he raps about lost love ones on "Lost". Songs to check for include "The Secret" with an on fire outing from Big K.R.I.T., "Sour Hour" and "etc. etc.".

Smoke DZA - George Kush Da Button
http://www.mediafire.com/?ukqusduxb36zuxa

Ski Beatz ft. Curren$y and Smoke Dza

2010-08-05T12:22:00.002-04:00

Curren$y defies gravity, floating over this Ski beat with his partner Smoke DZA for Nothin On Us at track of Beatz' 24 Hour Karate School. Speaking of Smoke DZA and Ski Beatz....

Kanye - Power (Live in Singapore)

2010-08-05T12:16:00.004-04:00

Kanye Performs Power in Singapore, glowing in the dark like shining is his job. The "portrait" (music video) for Power premieres tonight after Jersey shore. Get your GTL on to prepare.

Janelle Monae - Cold War (Video)

2010-08-05T12:07:00.002-04:00

With all the color, violence, and psychedelia I see in my mind whenever I listen to this song, the last thing I expected Ms. Monae todo was give us her naked, crying, in an out of focus self in the video. The effect of the visual is that the audience must pay attention to Monae's message, timely and vital as ever. Do you know what your fighting for?

Wale - More About Nothing (mixtape)

2010-08-03T12:18:00.004-04:00

Straight from DJ Omega, here is a working link of DMV hero Wale's sequel to the Mixtape About Nothing. Can More About Nothing top the original? DL below:

http://limelinx.com/files/b915e0f2cfcbfb4be3f236ca21c126c3/

The Game - Brake Lights (mixtape)

2010-08-03T12:14:00.001-04:00

To ease the anticipation for Chuck Taylor's pushed back Red Room album, homie made a mixtape that has the internets going nuts...
The Game - Brake Lights (mixtape)
http://www.mediafire.com/?pjn6ns75bzhj5rk

Only one mixtape could steal shine from this and that one is about nothing...

Nuthin But a Hero - Tabi Bonney

2010-07-26T23:38:00.003-04:00

DC Native Tabi Booney's new joint "Nuthin But a Heo" literally inspires me. Another artist who has heavy rotation on MTV Jams but who hasn't quite reached mainstream stardom (Charles Hamilton anyone?!). You've prolly heard "The Pocket", "Beat Rock" and "Jetsetter", if you're a heavy hip hop head. Here Tabi Bonney presents to the public his very first mixtape featuring some of these hits. Take a listen to "Nuthin but a Hero", you won't be disappointed. The video is pretty cool as well. Peep the download link the mixtape "A Place Called Stardom" after the video! bow!

"A Place Called Stardom" - Download

New Lauryn Hill "Repercussions"

2010-07-26T14:26:00.003-04:00

this joint is BANGIN. yesssssss it is.

Download It Here

Curren$y Talks Young Money, Lil Wayne & Current State Of Hip-Hop

2010-07-22T12:41:00.003-04:00

Curren$y gives some great industry insight from an artist's perspective with his hilarious drawl and charisma.

Pay attention when he talks about the state of the game.

NICKI MINAJ- Your Love

2010-07-21T13:35:00.004-04:00

I would like to say that I am a Nicki Minaj fan, for numerous reasons, many of which are in this video. Now, I am not condoning this song as good music, quite frankly, as a fan I'm disappointed that she would choose "Your Love" as a single.

But there are no excessive hoe tendencies in this video. For one, if she was imitating Lil Kim that would be a main factor in the video. And it's different. Japanese culture in a hip hop video by a female? Creative.

Waka Flocka Flame - Hard in the Paint (Video)

2010-07-18T20:27:00.003-04:00

It's catchy, ignorant, violent, amusing, gang affiliated and repetitive. It's angry, morbid, and youthful. It's barely censored.

Its Waka Flocka Flame's new (late) video, and its a document of this slice of Hip Hop (read: American culture) in the year of 2010. Don't even try to ignore it.

Curren$y - Roasted ft. Trademark & Young Roddy (Video)

2010-07-08T16:27:00.002-04:00

Curren$y - Roasted (ft. Trademark & Young Roddy) from Creative Control on Vimeo.

JETS FOOL!

Laws Ft. Emilio Rojas x Big K.R.I.T. - “Hold You Down (Remix)”

2010-07-08T12:39:00.003-04:00

Wanna hear some crazy ish? Laws, Big K.R.I.T. and Emilio will hold you down.

Laws Ft. Emilio Rojas x Big K.R.I.T. - “Hold You Down (Remix)”
http://www.mediafire.com/?helimxkmmhj

Rick Ross feat. T.I., Jadakiss & Erykah Badu - Maybach Music 3

2010-07-06T15:04:00.003-04:00

These Maybach Music Joints are like events everytime. This one features Erykah on the hook, another moving, jazzy production from the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and dope rhymes from da Kang and J to the Muah. Ross comes thru at the end to solidify another summer heater.

Rick Ross feat. T.I., Jadakiss & Erykah Badu - Maybach Music 3
http://www.mediafire.com/?i2yjnjwmvim

DJ Jazzy Jeff x Mick Boogie Summertime (mixtape)

2010-07-03T21:09:00.002-04:00

Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie come thru with somethin for you to bump while ur riding around on this beautiful (hot) three day weekend. One look at the tracklist (below) and you can tell this is an instant download.

1. Summertime Intro
2. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness (Live Version)
3. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness
4. Quincy Jones: Summer In The City
5. Ahmad: Back In The Day
6. Ice Cube: It Was A Good Day
7. Roy Ayers f/ Mary J Blige: Everybody Loves The Sunshine
8. Pharcyde: Passin’ Me By (Ffej Remix)
9. Jay-Z f/ Babyface: Sunshine
10. Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess
11. A Tribe Called Quest: Find A Way (Ffej String Edit)
12: Bush Babies f/ Mos Def: The Love Song
13. Jodeci: Get On Up
14. The Commodores: High On Sunshine
15. J Dilla f/ Dwele : Think Twice
16. Erick Sermon f/ Marvin Gaye: Music (Mick’s Marvapella Edit)
17. Bernard Wright: Who Do You Love
18. LL Cool J: Loungin’
19. A Tribe Called Quest: Hot Sex
20. Main Source: Live At The BBQ
21. Nuyorican Soul: Nautilus
22. Pharcyde & Sublime: Summertime
23. Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff: Summertime Remix
24. Michael Jackson: I Can’t Help It
25. De La Soul: Breakdawn
26. Musiq: Just Friends
27. Carl Thomas: Summer Rain
28. Faze-O: Riding High
29. Dionne Warwick: Walk On By
30. Skee-Lo: I Wish
31. Black Moon: Who Got The Props
32. Frankie Beverly and Maze: Before I Let Go
33. Nu Shooz: I Can’t Wait
34. Montell Jordan: This Is How We Do It
35: The Roots f/ George Benson: Breezin’
36: Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff: Time To Chill
37. Biggie: Can’t You See
38. James Brown: The Payback
39. En Vogue: My Lovin’
40. Bobby McFerrin: Sunshine Of My Life
41. Fifth Dimension: Let The Sun Shine In
42. Mos Def: Sunshine
43. Nine: Whatcha Want
44. Otis Redding: Sittin’ On The Dock
45. 2Pac: I Get Around (Mick’s String Edit)
46. Zapp: Computer Love (Terry’s Mirage On The Water Mix)
47. Seals And Croft: Summer Breeze
48. Jay-Z: Dear Summer
49. Weldon Irvine: Morning Sunrise

DJ Jazzy Jeff x Mick Boogie Summertime (mixtape)
http://usershare.net/ploibccxvi6c

JANELLE MONAE feat. LUPE FIASCO & B.O.B.- Tightrope (REMIX)

2010-07-02T16:20:00.003-04:00

JUST AS DOPE AS THE SONG.

Gucci Mane – Mr. Zone 6 (Mixtape)

2010-07-02T16:14:00.003-04:00

This has been out for a minute, tearing up the Inter-streets with bangin beats and ignorant rhymes. Gucci's the best at what he does, and once again proves it on this tape. BURR!
http://rapidshare.com/files/401103298/DJ_Drama___Gucci_Mane_Present_Mr._Zone_6__Mixtape_.zip.html

2 Mixtapes from the Tanya Morgan Collective

2010-07-02T10:48:00.003-04:00

Check out these two fly mixtapes. Von Pea's solo tape dropped today but if its anything like The Sandwich Shop with Donwill you're gonna wanna download both. "Dope beats, Dope rhymes, What more do y'all want?"

Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan) - So Motivational: The Most Skullduggery Of Mixtapes (Mixtape)
http://www.mediafire.com/?nwwyjdnokmu

Tanya Morgan presents Donwill & Von Pea - The Sandwich Shop (Mixtape)
http://donwill.bandcamp.com/album/the-sandwich-shop

Rick Ross - Live Fast Die Young ft. KanYe West (prod. KanYe West)

2010-07-02T10:41:00.002-04:00

Yeezy and Rozay Tag team this one w/ spectacular results. I'm hyped for Teflon Don and Good Ass Job.
Rick Ross - Live Fast Die Young ft. KanYe West (prod. KanYe West)
http://www.mediafire.com/?ekewvml32nz

Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa - Scaling The Building

2010-07-02T10:36:00.002-04:00

Certified Dope. But what else do u expect when the dynamic duo get together?
Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa - Scaling The Building
http://www.mediafire.com/?mzda0myyjyz

Kanye - Power (Live @ BET Awards)

2010-06-30T14:07:00.003-04:00

2010BA-KWP from CaCHooKa Man on Vimeo.

If you didn't catch the BET Awards, u missed Chris Brown's snot bubbles and Kanye's return to the stage. Wearing a 300,000 dollar Horus Chain and Four Finger Ring combo, Ye did Power justice on top of a Mountain. *cue heavyhanded symbolism*

UCB - Diana ft. Wale

2010-06-30T14:04:00.002-04:00

DC GoGo Legends UCB hook up with the homie Wale for the new summer banger "Diana", which features a sample from Ain't No Mountain High Enough. Put a smile on.
UCB - Diana ft. Wale
http://www.mediafire.com/?yytuhtzwuwn

Remember the Time

2010-06-26T02:19:00.002-04:00

I know, lame title. And I know I'm super late, but I couldn't really find words to write a sufficient post until now. I knew today would be overwhelming, with all the MJ specials, and I haven't watched any of them. Not because I don't love MJ, but in a weird way I'm growing tired of the fact that he is just getting his tribute now. I don't like the fact that the world chastised, abused, and teased him in his later years, after he stopped making music, and perceived him more as a monster than a generous, loving artist.

The title of this post is named after my favorite MJ song. And it's amazing how I remember the time and place of the first time I cried seeing the "Thriller" video, when I saw An American Dream, and when TMZ and CNN confirmed and announced his death. He is the only "celebrity" that that will ever happen to, because I'm very positive it's not me.

Anyway, this post isn't necessarily about my favorite MJ song but more about the artist. There's definitely something special about Michael if I can recall the time, place, and what I was doing. Like DubJ, my household was raised to love Michael and to block out the negative media frenzy revolved around him. If there's one thing I couldn't understand about this world, is the way they could take so much from a person and never say thank you. Michael gave so much to this world with his music, talent, and life, and often times I felt like the world abused what he gave; tried turning him into a monster. And honestly, that's what hurt most to me about his death, that he left this Earth without receiving as much as he gave.

But you can't always get closure from this world. Sometimes you just have to move on.

Every night, for one month, MJ would be in my dreams, and every morning, the sun would remind me that he is no longer on this Earth. That's crazy for someone I had never met before. I woke up every morning, for one month, feeling as if something was missing. Broken-hearted, that's what they call it. That's how you know Michael is significant, he is the representation of living in truth and love through his craft.

If you enter this world knowing you are loved, and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.

Peek Into the Shadow

2010-06-26T01:11:00.000-04:00

Somebody please take mercy, because I just can't take it...

A year ago today, I was working abroad in South Korea, having quite possibly the worst time of my life. I was homesick, I was heartsick and my job was so stressful that I was literally days away from being hospitalized. I woke up a year ago feeling as if my world were going to cave in, as if everything I knew was going to be suddenly upended. I ignored the feeling, because, well, every day that I had to go to work meant that in some way or another, a little piece of myself was going to die. However, when the first words you hear in the morning as you walk into a job you hate are "Michael Jackson's dead", more than a little piece of you dies inside. I actually started a huge (read as: loud, angry and belligerent) argument with the offending coworker out of sheer disbelief, until he told me to look at all the news online, at which point, I screamed, burst into tears and felt as if someone had come along and carved out my heart.

Throughout my life, Michael's music has been a balm to my soul. Since I was a child, MJ's music has played a key role in my life. It was his music that lulled me to sleep as an infant, his music that accompanied me to my first day of school, through my first crush, my first heartbreak, and every experience in between. My parents introduced me to him at infancy, and up until I was about seven, I didn't really realize that there were other genres of music besides Michael, Oldies and "White People Music" (I was seven, cut me some slack). However, despite all of his singles, hits and albums, one song always stood out to me the most.

When I was eight, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I came out, and the lead single from that album was "Scream". I was a precocious eight year old and understood that Michael was very angry at the news, and it didn't take a genius to figure out why. Although my parents had done a bang-up job of molding my musical tastes, they didn't do quite as good a job at sheltering me from the news. I had heard all of the stories about the crazy things that Michael had done: all that plastic surgery (which scared the bejeezus out of me), adopting a monkey (which I secretly thought was awesome --and still do), offering to buy the Elephant Man's bones (which I didn't believe because I didn't think he'd be that weird. I was right.), and worst of all, abusing children. As a child, I routinely overheard conversations about whether or not he'd done it, and I found myself so angry at those who accused him without ever really trying to hear his side of the story. I thought it unfair that no one listened to him and instead just made things up.

At 8, I thought I understood the rage that Michael felt when accused of things that he didn't do.

At 22, I have a much better picture.

Listening to the raw emotion on "Scream" as he snarls his way through, supported by his baby sister, my heart twists in agony. This is a man who has been pushed to his limits. This is a wounded soul and not so coincidentally, this is the same period of time when Michael began his abuse of prescription drugs to quell the roar of the tabloid mill as it churned out more lies and scandal bearing his name. This song represents the downward spiral that led to that fateful day last year, and the anger and sadness and bitterness and frustration ringing through the lyrics reaches me to the bottom of my own soul, reaches out to the hurt little girl I once was, dealing with a whole lot of issues that a child should never have to face.

I listen to this song when I'm sad. I listen to it when I'm angry. I listen to it when I'm facing an obstacle, be it a person, thing, or merely my own doubts and fears. Knowing that someone is there, was there, that knows the sort of feelings I'm feeling makes me feel less alone. What makes the song even more outstanding is the appearance by Janet, whose presence, although she is outshone by Michael six ways to Sunday, adds to the feeling of "You're not alone. I've got you." in the face of all detractors, antagonists, and straight up malicious folks.

"Scream" isn't just a song about the media. It's a song about coping with life. We all feel pressured by external (and sometimes internal) forces. And sometimes, the feeling that "this just isn't right" is so powerful that it makes you want to scream.

I screamed that day last year, because to me, the ultimate injustice was that this man, this legend, was taken from us all too soon.

To Err is Human

2010-06-25T23:47:00.006-04:00

A three-year old drifts off to sleep in her mother's bed, watching moonlight seep in through a rift in the curtains. A wooden face-plated clock radio with lavender backlighting and fading yellow digits traipses onward…10:01…10:02…Though it's barely a whisper, the radio's heart is beating. Undertones climb up the bottom register before they fall back down to try all over again; fighting to break free of some unseen restraint. Then a man cries "why" into the darkness…into the baby's dreams.

Reaching out, I touch her shoulder; I'm dreaming of the street.

I didn't know what that song was until I was 14 years old. Driving in the car one night with my mother, I asked her, singing the haunting rift that had stuck in my mind all those years. She gave me the name of the song and though I was ecstatic that it was a Michael Jackson tune, I obstinately told her she was probably wrong. I don't remember anything about "human nature." And what a lame name for such a great song. When we got home, I reluctantly pulled out our Thriller LP and looked at the track listing. There it was. Side two: track three. I instantly fell in love again and promised to never let it's identity slip from my memory.

Even at 14, I didn't understand why that song still shook me to the core 11 years later. Lying on the floor of my living room, I slurred over the verses, barely catching the ending rhymes "begins to beat…dreaming of the street." I didn't really care what he was saying either. I was just so happy to be reunited. Nostalgia evocatively washed over me. I cried.

To attempt to discern its meaning, I'd turn to Human Nature like an odd puzzle piece. If my mother yelled at me, I'd play it. If a fickle teenage romance soured, I'd turn it on. Abstruse teen angst? iTunes. This really didn't help my quest. The song always soothed me. Now, 7 years later, I get it. They have been 7 tumultuous years, but at least I get it.

The funny thing is, the song itself really doesn't give a good explanation of what human nature is. Imagine you're Michael Jackson's girlfriend (or if that's too much, someone else you really love). Here you are being faithful, loving him completely, and he just won't love you back the way you think you ought to be loved. You have no idea WHY he is doing this to you. You beat yourself up at night trying to find answers. You press him for answers and seem to push him further away. You can't understand why when the daytime comes he's distant, because every night you fall asleep in his arms and the world seems right to you. Finally, the time comes when things are in shambles and there's nothing to hold onto anymore. You ask "why?" And he shrugs and says regretfully "it's human nature. I like living this way." Michael just hit you with the beloved platitude "it's not you, it's me."

But Human Nature is so much more than a man married to a dream that doesn't happen to include the woman he's currently with. The man singing the song is also searching for the answers to the questions he's being asked. For anyone who's ever looked at Michael Jackson and not fully understood him (which is about 99.99% of the population) I think he explained himself in this "ballad" quite plainly. "Let me answer your question with another question," he proposes, "why do any of us do what we do to begin with?" *kanyeshrug* Some outside force is pulling him away from his current station, and to answer this call will unintentionally devastate the people who depend on him. We all constantly hurt one another, without meaning to, in pursuit of seemingly selfish dreams.

I don't think that's too complicated to understand. So why is Human Nature able to elegiacally transcend it's simple message? The music. That Sisyphean synthesized bass that either resets itself or tumbles further down the register only to regroup itself and come back; that pervasive organ-synth motif that maintains its rhythm no matter which key it transforms into; the steady tick of the percussive instruments; the simple melody of the verses merely attempting to break free at the end of the musical phrase; all these elements are as repressive as the four walls that Michael yearns to be rid of. And then he does it--sort of. His voice soars over and above, not daring to look back. The midrange guitar flies with him, albeit at a lower altitude, catching high notes on the breeze of Michael's feather-weight timbre. Up and down they race, the sheer will of his tenor piercing sonic space in a direction that had been restricted before. It seems his voice has flown around the world and back in search of an answer to the question, but the notes bring him back down to reality every time, empty handed.

And it's because the music has exactly the right tension that Human Nature was able to console me through any hardship. It's for anyone that is constantly restless, or living a lifestyle that seems innate but unfulfilling…anytime you know you have to let someone down in order to satisfy a hunger, or if you've ever had to break away from the established norm to feel comfortable with yourself…and of course if you've been on the receiving end of any of these situations. Human Nature (the song and ideology) is a lesson about incomplete moral reciprocity. And reciprocity is the basis for all human interaction.

So am I digging a little too deep here for meaning that isn't there? Maybe, but I don't think so. You don't give a song a 'dumb' title like "Human Nature" unless you actually think you can capture the essence of human nature in 4 minutes. And if there's anyone who could've done it, it was Michael Jackson. A year has passed and I still don't think I've begun to cope with what the world lost 365 days ago. But at least we can share these kinds of stories with each other.

For the Stranger in Moscow.

2010-06-25T17:20:00.005-04:00

"Even the sun goes down. Heroes eventually die. Horoscopes often lie. And sometimes "y". Nothin' is for sure. Nothin' is for certain. Nothin' lasts forever…" -Andre Benjamin

When I first heard "Stranger in Moscow", on my aunt's copy of HIStory, I was too young too understand what Michael Jackson was singing about in this song. He had been thoroughly vilified by a press that lost all sense of objectivity, and yet my family had been able to shelter my sister and myself from the accusations and media slander. Jackson had been a hero to us more than we could even understand, and I must thank my mother, for had she let us understand what the world was trying to do to this man, we would've quicker lost an innocence that was already suffering blows from the world around us. Had I been exceptionally perceptive those 13 years ago, I wouldn't have let myself be hypnotized so completely by the echoing percussion that begins the song, lulled into the beauty without understanding the reason why it was beautiful. My body and subconscious felt the cold, but my mind could't fully grasp it. Clearly the song was sad, but what was all this KGB, Stalin imagery?

Years later I come back to the song, more critically and with more experience. I know that cold feeling very well. The darkness that comes with a rainy day as I sit at the window, forehead pressed to the cold glass. Tears fall down my face. When a song attempts to remind a listener of a feeling and succeeds, it can change lives. Michael's made music so successful at doing exactly that, but this song is different. It doesn't attempt to sound like rain. Or attempt to sound like loneliness. Stranger in Moscow simply is both of these things. How can I connect with the planet? The billions walking the earth right now, when its hard for me to connect with even one person? Whereas in my adolescence I'd built an emotional wall around myself, Michael had to exist as a prisoner, a spirit surrounded by a fortress. When he made this song, and for the majority of the years of his life, there was no way he could have hoped to connect with people personally. I felt him as a teenager coming to terms with myself. I understood.

As a young man now, I hear the song and the metaphors are not lost on me. Everyone wanted a piece of this man. Yet no one tried to put themselves in his shoes. Take my name and just let me be. The media seemed determined to break him, and he was willing to let his name, the brightest among posters, be defiled if he could just have some peace of mind. Lord have mercy, because clearly no one else did.

I hear this song and my mind conjures the image of his statue on the HIStory album cover. A modern day Ozymandias. I read Shelley's poem, I hear Jackson's song, and the conversation between them saddens me. Jackson describes the process of deterioration for the listener, the erosion of one's spirit by outside forces that leaves a shattered visage on the ground. Michael was not faultless - the size of he ego is hard to describe - yet the way in which he used his iconic status makes his ultimate fate different than that of the Ozymandias in Shelley's poem. People look at Ozymandias and are reminded that pride is foolish in the face of time. The lone and level sands stretch far away from that colossal wreck. Michael's love, however, will remain intact in the hearts and minds of anyone who hears his music, now and generations from now.

The song moves me to tears. He screams at the end. Of danger. Of loneliness. It was frightening before his death, but now that he is no longer here, the warning is twice as dire. I hear it and I am motivated to make the most of my connections with people, to tear down the bricks in the wall around me. For that inspiration, that exposure to the extremes of desolation, I have to thank you Michael. Your work will of course live on, but if people really want to understand your spirit, they must look upon this opus and despair. And then love.

I hope you look down and feel us moving closer toward love as a people, even in these trying times. Even as things fall apart around us, you remain.

J. Cole- WHO DAT

2010-06-21T23:25:00.002-04:00

J. Cole - Who Dat (Directed by BBGUN) from bbgun on Vimeo.

This dude's hunger is ridiculous... Hot video, pure talent-- no cars, chains, money, or video girls. It's da Roc!

The Roots - Dear God 2.0 (Video)

2010-06-21T19:54:00.002-04:00

Black Thought sees the world through his rearview in this Jason Goldwatch directed clip for The Roots' Dear God. 2.0. Moving.

Ron Artest - Champion (Video)

2010-06-21T19:47:00.000-04:00

Shouts To Brandon Bell. Even though I'm not a Lakers fan and I hated the outcome of this years finals, I can respect when someone makes a dope song. An Ron Artest did exactly that. Peep Champion. What a pleasant surprise.

Diddy & Dirty Money Hello Good Morning Remix ft. The Bawse and Nicki Minaj (Video)

2010-06-21T19:43:00.000-04:00

Diddy's summer banger from Last Train to Paris gets a facelift as Nicki Minaj talks about killing the Queen (Bee?). Shots fired. Either way she kills this ish.

Eminem - Recovery Review

2010-06-21T18:09:00.003-04:00

Me and Pitchfork , one of the most respected Indie music review websites for a while now, are not seeing eye to eye. Last week, they gave Drake’s new album an 8.4/10, .2 points higher than Kanye West’s College Dropout, and now they’ve given Eminem’s new album Recovery a 2.8, completely disrespecting the grand return of one of the best lyrical technician’s to grace a mic. They took off points off for corny metaphors ("Girl, shake that ass like a donkey with Parkinson's") and bad chemistry with the production. There’s only one Dre track here, and the rest of the beats are handled by DJ Khalil, Denaun, Boi-1da and others.

I gotta beg to differ. Yeah, the album has its fair share of corny metaphors, but since when has an Em album not had goofy moment or two. What makes up for those moments is Em’s flow and ability to attack each track, and both of those skills are more than intact on Recovery. From the opener “Cold Wind Blows” Em sounds as hungry as he’s been in years, and he overpowers each beat with internal rhymes, lines jam packed with syllables, and his normal delivery (no more of that whiny voice from Relapse, Thank God). In fact, he’s so honest here that he admits on more than one occasion that Relapse and Encore were wack, he finally spits sincere about his problems with drug addiction and the sadness he felt over Proof’s death.

There are a few missteps here, namely “Space Bound”, which highlights Em’s lack of ability to speak to women on record without resorting to misogyny and violence, and “W.T.P.” or white trash party, which really needs no explanation for its stupidity. These are more than made up for when he uses his history with Kim to pull off an amazing twist ending on “25 to Life”, bodies anything that moves on “On Fire”, and tag teams with hypeman Lil Wayne on No Love, which has Just Blaze sampling the old Night At The Roxbury meme “What is Love” by Haddaway (its like Just Blaze is purposefully picking the cheesiest things to sample just to show that he can flip them and make them dope.)

At the end of the day, this is his best album since The Eminem Show. His decision to drop the the Freddy Kreuger channeling and just rap has made this album a definite heater, and more than erases Relapse from my memory. Maybe time will soften some of the critics reception to this album, but as far as I’m concerned this album gets 4/5 spins. And to Pitchfork, get your minds right homies.

Kanye Makes A Beat in Hawaii

2010-06-18T12:15:00.002-04:00

Kanye in Hawaii cookin up a beat that may or may not be on Good Ass Job. He sampled Wicked the musical of all things lol.

Thank Me Later (Revisited by J.I.)

2010-06-17T12:50:00.009-04:00

Thank Me Later was... *pause for dramatic effect* .... amazing, a solid debut effort from Drake. I hate to play devil's advocate but I'm reading these reviews (including HHAL's very own A. Dre, love this girl!, and I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. Is everyone going crazy?!!!

Hip Hop fans are thirsty. They're ready for a new king to take his or her (yes, her, its possible no matter how minute the possibility) throne, to come up and represent progress. Drake's mixtapes led hip hop fans to believe Drake was that ice cold Gatorade on a hot summer day, but our thirsts weren't exactly quenched after hearing Thank Me Later. Does that mean it was anything from amazing? NO. Does it mean the hip hop game is dry? YES
Drake was supposed to be a savior of sorts and I believe that this is the reason why fans are so hard on him. We've been listening to his MIXTAPE tracks on HEAVY rotation for over year. Back then, he was something new, refreshing. We expected his album to be a revolution. and it wasn't. BUT, we seem to forget that this is Drake's FIRST album. What did the hell did yall expect? He put out a REALLY good album maaan. Did he take risks? He sure didn't, but I wouldn't either. Was it different from So Far Gone? Not really. Was it get good? Absolutely.

This album had amazing production ranging from Timbaland, Kanye, Boi1da, Swizz Beatz and many many others. Stylistically, it sounded perfect. His lyrics were smooth, well delivered, including those oh so lovely punch lines "Just like you said I avoided the Coke game and went with Sprite instead" who doesn't love that?! lol, and of course banging featured artists to complement. I really don't know what people are looking for, but if you're look for a really good album in 2010, that you can pretty much listen to all the way through, this is it.

Now to address some of the main points made by the opposition (yes hip hop politics ladies and gentlemen):

1. The Mixtapes were better: I agree. Does that make Thank Me Later bad? NO. I played the CD the whole way through one time and was not surprised, but impressed.
2. He can't sing: He actually can, heard him live in concert. Do I think he could have toned it down a little? Perhaps. But he can try different things in his SOPHOMORE effort. He put out records we would like, and I did.
3. Production was much better than the actual rhymes: We will argue to the death about this so lets suppose I agree. The beats were crazy and Drake's flow wasn't outstanding. However, I can't see anybody else rapping on these beats. Everyone seems to compare him to this new wave of rappers J. Cole, Cudi, Wale, B.o.B, Khalifa but I don't think they're judged the same. People raved about Khalifa's Kush & OJ and it was wack (sorry). If we were to criticize Khalifa, the same way Drake is being judged right now then that mixtape wouldn't have even achieved mediocre success.
4. All he talks about is fame and girls: Perhaps. He spoke about what he knew, what was comfortable and I applaud him for not trying to be something he's not. Remember people this is his FIRST album.

But enough of that, on to the actual album. I liked 12/14 songs Karaoke and Find Your Love being my least favorites. Unforgettable (dig the Aaliyah sample), Fancy, Light Up, Over, Shut It Down and Miss Me being my favorites.

I think as a hip hop community, we need to realize that in actuality we're mad at the hip hop game, not at Drake. We're mad at the lack of talent out at the moment. We're mad we can't have B.I.G or Tupac back. We're mad this lightskin pretty boy from the suburbs of TORONTO is representing the AMERICAN hip hop game. He's not even one of our own. But at the same time, we're mad he wasn't hip hop's savior. Should we crucify him though? NO. Thank Me Later was a GREAT album. We're harder on Drake because we recognize that he is in fact good, he represents so much more than we would like to give him credit for. Personally, I believe in him. I really think he'll be one of the greats by the END of his career because of his work ethic. He won't quit. Is he BIG or Tupac? Naah. Should we compare him to Jay-Z or Nas? Not yet. He has lot of time to grow, to get better. If I remember correctly, Wayne did. Let's see if Drake follows in his mentor's footsteps.

Kid Cudi - REVOFEV

2010-06-17T02:01:00.003-04:00

Pronounced Rev of Ev, as in Revolution of Evolution. Supposedly this is the first single from Man on the Moon: The Legend of Mr. Rager. Produced by Plain Pat with the awesome and familiar strings from Larry Gold. This in combination with "All Talk" has me hella hyped for the album

Kid Cudi - REVOFEV
http://usershare.net/x5iz1rgxkxyf

Thank Me Later for…uhh?

2010-06-15T12:14:00.005-04:00

If you hang out around people who like good music, you've probably been hearing that Drake's new album sucks…wait…let me start again.

Today, Aubrey Graham (a.k.a. Drizzy Drake, b.k.a. Jimmy Brooks) released his debut EP entitled Thank Me Later *side-eye*. Surely you've heard the album's ubiquitous singles "Over," "Miss Me," and "Find Your Love" by now. Featuring collabs from most of hip-hop's A-List (Jay-Z, Lil' Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and T.I. among others), the album boasts 14 beautifully produced tracks, and if you're happy about the hip-hop that has sprouted in the wake of Kanye's 808s, then you will probably enjoy all 14 of them.

Early complaints about the album seemed to center around whether Drake knew he wasn't a singer (he isn't -- as he demonstrated on, the perhaps self-deprecatingly titled, "Karaoke"). Yet, I don't think that's this albums biggest issue. As I mentioned before, the album contains 14 beautiful tracks and the biggest let down comes when Drake opens his mouth to rap. I enjoyed So Far Gone. It was (somewhat) different when it came out. What Drake has demonstrated in Thank Me Later is that he really isn't comfortable outside his comfort zone and chooses to sing where others choose to switch up their flows. I think the potential is there; I enjoyed the energy in his verses on the Kanye produced "Show Me A Good Time" but he resumes his lethargic pace soon after.

Content-wise, don't expect anything outside of the bromides of So Far Gone "ahh, I'm famous; I get all these girls, but not the ones I want; I have all this money; fame is so empty." That's fine. Not many rappers in the game are gifted with the breadth and depth of good conversation. But what-would-be energetic tracks are hampered by Drake's listless flow. You could've probably called it languor in So Far Gone, but now it's just boring. I found myself wishing that Drake would stick to making cameos and hooks, but giving the tracks to other artists. I think Lupe, J. Cole, or B.o.B could've done most of these tracks more justice.

Overall, I guess it works as an album. Drake won't lose any fans from his freshman effort. If you like what he did in his last mixtape, he certainly delivered it again (about 14 times over), but frankly I don't think he lived up to the hype. Then he has the nerve (after calling it Thank Me Later) to demand that we pay homage and Thank [him] Now on the last track…yeah…about that.

But in the words of LeVar Burton, don't take my word for it.

Big Boi - General Patton

2010-06-14T13:50:00.001-04:00

Hardest ish to come out in a minute!

Wiz Khalifa - Up

2010-06-09T17:11:00.000-04:00

Performance video for my favorite track off Kush and OJ

Eminem ft. Rihanna- Love the Way You Lie

2010-06-08T18:53:00.004-04:00

I'm just curious as to whether or not Rihanna wrote her verse, either way it must have been emotional for her. Good for her.
Love the Way You Lie Download

Courtesy of Necole Bitchie

Janelle Monáe ft. B.o.B & Lupe Fiasco - Tightrope (Wondamix)

2010-06-02T16:29:00.003-04:00

Ms. Monae rocks the tightrope beat out a lil bit, but gets Lupe and B.o.B. to add some balance.

http://www.jmonae.com/blog/listen-janelle-monae-tightrope-wondamix-ft-bob-lupe-fiasco/

Sean Paul - Wine It

2010-05-28T10:08:00.003-04:00

Sean Paul Drops a new joint over the Hold Yuh Riddim, for the ladies to Wine to as we get into this Memorial Day Weekend.

Sean Paul - Wine It
http://bit.ly/aDIaeo

Drake Ft. Jay-Z - Light Up (Tags)

2010-05-28T09:51:00.004-04:00

Drizzy's album continues to drizzle as what one could argue is the most anticipated song on the tape leaks in an unmastered format. Jay-Z puts on a flossin clinic, baiting beefers and conspiracy theorists with a hell of a verse. Drake's flow is always in the pocket on these beats, but there was no way he could compete with Hov on his worst day.\

Drake Ft. Jay-Z - Light Up (Tags)
http://usershare.net/gd7dgjnjiyke

T.I. - Fuck A Mixtape

2010-05-28T09:33:00.003-04:00

The Kang's been on a roll lately with hot new music from both King Uncaged and Fuck a Mixtape leaking to public approval. Now, Tip hits us with his first full length mixtape since leaving the slammer. Stream and Download Below.

Download Mixtape Free | LiveMixtapes.com Mixtape Player

T.I. - Fuck A Mixtape
http://www.mediafire.com/?zlwtozywytq

Kanye West - Power feat. Dwele

2010-05-28T09:11:00.002-04:00

The wait is over. After a self imposed several month hiatus, we are finally able to hear a sample of what Mr. West has been working on for Good Ass Job. The project has been extra secretive, so the arrival of this track, featuring Dwele comes as a complete surprise, but the subject matter does not, as Kanye talks about the pain of power and the effect of notoriety on his actions, turning suicidal thoughts into a chant by song's end. West's music has been about the creation of moods his whole career, and this song is no different, as the vocal sample and tribal drums suggest moving past 808's and Heartbreak toward a new sound. Good to have you back Ye.

Kanye West - Power
http://usershare.net/rj4u5zto85jn

Big Boi - Shutterbug

2010-05-26T20:34:00.002-04:00

Funk and the Absurd. Roger Troutman, Kanye, The Nike Lebron + Kobe Puppet Commercials, Geto Boys and UGK.

Everything Collides in the Chris Robinson directed clip for Shutterbug, the official first single (but third if your counting) from Big Boi's Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty.

Asher Roth - Muddy Swim Trunks (video)

2010-05-14T22:06:00.001-04:00

Asher Roth - Muddy Swim Trunks (Directed by BBGUN) from bbgun on Vimeo.

Hilarious new video and dope rhymes from Asher Roth. This kids album didn't do as well as expected, but he is a clever talent and still on my radar. What will he do next?

Jadakiss, DJ Green Lantern & DJ Drama present The Champ Is Here 3 (Mixtape)

2010-05-04T13:59:00.002-04:00

@CMayyne Put me on, and its the dopeness!

Jadakiss, DJ Green Lantern & DJ Drama present The Champ Is Here 3 (Mixtape)
http://www.mediafire.com/?iewgq5yjdo0

DJ Don Cannon + Young Jeezy - Trap Or Die 2

2010-05-04T13:48:00.003-04:00

After several delays, a switch of DJ's, and a couple of dope song releases, its finally here.
Tracklist:
1. Introduction
2. Trap Or Die Reloaded
3. Stop Playin Wit Me
4. Insane
5. Problem
6. Camaro
7. Lose My Mind Ft. Plies
8. Greatest Trapper Alive
9. Ill’in Ft. The Clipse
10. Just Saying
11. The TakeOver Ft. Bigga Rankins
12. D Boyz Produced By Don Cannon
13. Hood Politics
14. Ride Wit Me Ft. Trick Daddy, Scarface
15. Go Hard
16. Talking
17. Time
18. I Remember
19. Grape
20. My Tool Ft. Baby, Bun B
21. Da Greatest
**Bonus Track**

DJ Don Cannon + Young Jeezy - Trap Or Die 2
http://www.sendspace.com/file/0tsud1

WALE- Diary

2010-05-03T12:30:00.002-04:00

Director Rik Cordero and Wale team up again for Wale's "Diary" off of Attention Deficit.

Wale - New Music - More Music Videos

French Montana feat. Wiz Khalifa, Nipsey Hussle & Big Sean - I’m On It

2010-05-02T22:58:00.001-04:00

2 things. 1. This shit goes hard. 2. Taylor Gang bitches.

French Montana feat. Wiz Khalifa, Nipsey Hussle & Big Sean - I’m On It
http://usershare.net/l0z583zbcjs8

Cuz I Feel Like It - Jay Electronica - The Pledge (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)

2010-04-29T03:29:00.001-04:00

ATTENTION!!

If you've heard this fine, but if not...

Give me 9 minutes and 5 seconds, your open mind, and your undivided attention and I'll make you a believer.

Willy Wonka. Politics. An pretty, percussion-less soundtrack from a strange Jim Carrey Movie. A righteous attitude. Mystery. Paranoia. Spiritualism.

Jay Electronica molds all these influences and concepts into a lengthy poetry collage of an experience that never disappoints. Its essentially 4 poems, spit to the eeriest, mood provoking soundtracks you'll hear anywhere. His flow hear is pulled completely out of the air, as there are no drums to guide him, and it is phenomenal. Read along with the song and note the beautiful shape of the lines as the carve out their place on the page. Follow his logic and rewind when you have to. Soak this shit all in, because when your done, you will understand the underground hype the man gets. Funnily enough, I remember when this first came out 3 years ago and not understanding what I was hearing. I was entertained, but I wasn't ready. I'm ready now, and I want more.

Press Play.
The Poetry.
Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind

She said she never fell in love with a superman
Christian, Muslim, Protestant, Lutheran,
I told her that being a mortal is the portal to the true nature of growth; the Christ like Buddha man
That's why I never spit the traditional garbage of a night fight, bright lights, white ice to the fans
The radio is just a stereo, like the house aint a home, and a chair is just a chair, ask Luther Van
Go to work; go to church let your dreams die
Bowtie, final call, and a bean pie
yarmulke for Hanukah, wish list for Christmas
This is the jist of the life that we lead, why?
So you can fit in, with the close minded in the sit-ins, and clotheslined in the ed-end
I could care less about a plaque and Bidd-enz or get Punked on TV by my frid-ends
Don't get a nigga wrong, I get tempted by the rewards that all come along with making nigga songs
But what does it mean if I'm a Muslim and you a Jew and because of that alone we don't get along
And when you talk like this, and try to walk like this the radio stations'll never put a nigga on
Just Mims, just Fifty, just Wayne, just Jeezy, Dem Franchize Boyz, and Jimmy Jones
Fuck that, fuck rap this God-hop,
King-dom mu-sic for the hard rocks
Imma spit it till T-R-L get it and Hot ninety-seven hit the nigga with a bomb drop
Ask Flex, ask Slay, ask Who Kidd
Just blaze said Jay is the new kid
I took Eternal Sunshine and I looped it
No drums no hook just new shit

Paper Thin

the handling of a hearts
a very delicate art
cause it's paper thin
one irrelevant thought
that started out as a spark
could be a poisonous dart
that leaves a permenent mark
thats ice cold in the day and burns in the dark
and makes you never wanna see her face again
tee-hee what a place im in
lead me to the sta-tio-n
a one way ticket, dont look back
one cold tear that frozen crack
a whole lotta pain im holdin back
sheriff said f that roll the sack
i said if my skull was cracked
and blood ran out to the culdesac
that could not match me where im at
my memories flash me there and back
yup there goes me right there in black
holdin hands not starin back
she starts cryin i start denying and its my fault
and im aware of that
man in hindsight signs be glarin back
wheres the map
to show you where your at
i can hear the crowd yelling i can smell the tire smoke
i can hear the starter pistol wheres the track
ring no answer came home late
jane told dick she had a date
but they was just chillin
and at that moment the right brain says to the left just kill em
make the headlines make the front page wild out in the court house man thrill em
theyll say the boy dead wrong but i feel em

Voodooman

Voodooman, chickenbone chickenbone
I can make a thunderstorm from a light rain
My ears start ringing
My nose get bloody
I feel a lil' bit of pressure on my right brain
Intermission transmission
Put me in submission
Glistening trapped in the light prison whistling
the christ told me come closer to the light man
I went blind woke up in front of a mic stand

Voodoo man, tap dancing in the French Quarter
Walking on water with a scroll in my hand
The bluerprints for disc shaped like a vessel
that was chiseled out of metal off the coast of Japan
Fasting on the top of a mountain I went to postland
Saw a shiny object floating out of the ocean
I'm sort of like a postman
You can get the message if you want to understand
From the rap slumber man

Voodoman, civilize the savage
Criticize the parish
Spreading false doctrine
terrorize the cleric
for carrying on nonsense
specialised lies to paralyse the conscience
voodoman
chit chatter
abracadabra
Spitting out matter
While i'm shitting out data
mmm, chew em up shitting out rappers
Sipping Pelegrino while i'm giving out matches
Set yourself on fire
Let the wisdom of Elijah
purify ya take a nigga higher
Sold your soul to the high-est buyer
Now you're on the wire
talking about two-foot tires
Saying you sell crack
clapping at cats with macs
but you a liar
pants on fire
Same old rugged cross
different crucified messiah

FYI

while you was blowin X amount of dollars on a bracelet
the sovereign nation of france was openin they files on the UFO phenomenon i-e spaceships
its just the facts jack may as well face it
every rhyme i write the seal get cracked in the chapter of revalations
a atom get cracked in the blackness of meditation
mysterious shit
call me Jay Dogon im on some serious/sirius shit
scholars wonder why do he bust
allah blessed me with a midasy touch
everything i lay the hands turn to ethopian gold shiny and buffed
i got a firm understandin on the minus and plus
so i aint got time to argue with a rapper bout how he aint got rhymes
thats fuckin with mines
im trying to kill lucifer, so if i have to brake
cuz a rapper in my face
tellin me that he the great
you can bet a shiny nickel ill blast his motherfuckin ass way past jupiter
you couldnt be stupider
fuckin with the nuc-l-ear
mayan
aztec lion
asiatic black man from zion
quetzalcoatl supreme
lettin off steam
dimethyltriptamine make a man dream
but yall would much rather hear me rappin bout trash
the size of erykahs ass blunts and cash
we need savin
mines are consumed with swine we need bathin

Are you watching closely?

2010-04-29T01:51:00.004-04:00

Drake - Find Your Love (prod. KanYe West)
http://usershare.net/7pgax49s5nlr
My Two Cents:

Lupe Fiasco - I'm Beamin (Video)

2010-04-28T22:44:00.000-04:00

This summer is shaping up to be great for Hip Hop. Just gotta make it through this effin JP and I can actually enjoy the music comin out in waves. Enjoy the Lupe Video.

Lupe Fiasco ft. Alicia Keys (prod. Chad Hugo)

2010-04-26T20:19:00.003-04:00

Lupe hops on an upbeat production from The Neptunes' Chad Hugo. The track features a certain A. Keys, and its ripe for the summer.

Love Letter to the Beat
http://usershare.net/epckqbobv83i

The Game - The Red Room (mixtape)

2010-04-26T20:16:00.002-04:00

The Game has dropped a mixtape on us, and if it lives up to his single "It Must Be Me" then the album is gonna be bananas.

The Game - The Red Room (mixtape)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O3KJ6EFM

Lose My Mind - Young Jeezy ft. Plies (Video)

2010-04-26T20:14:00.003-04:00

One of my songs of the week from a while back finally gets a video treatment as the release of Trap or Die 2 and TM:103 draw steadily nearer. Try and keep your head as Plies and Jeezy lose theirs in the club.

As We Enter - Nas and Damien Marley (Video)

2010-04-26T20:10:00.002-04:00

Here is the first visual from Nasir and Damien's Distant Relatives project. The track, which we posted a while ago, is flames, and the video takes on a rebellious feel as the pair trade barbs in a warehouse full of goons. Gully.

T.I. - I'm Back (Video)

2010-04-26T20:03:00.002-04:00

As the visual flips back and forth from Black and White to Color, T.I. seems to step out of the Paper Trail, out of the Cage, and back into the vibrant spotlight. I'm back is just as hard as any Tip record and the fire and passion doesn't seem reignited, but as though it never went anywhere. At the end the Kang reminds us he's just getting warmed up... clearly its gonna be a hot summer.

LITTLE BROTHER - Curtain Call

2010-04-21T15:42:00.002-04:00

What the game's been missing. I know I have.

RIP GURU

2010-04-21T15:12:00.002-04:00

We've been out the loop for a while, but in case you have yet to hear, Guru, 1/2 of Gangstarr lost his battle to cancer yesterday. The rapper, aged 43, wanted to keep his cancer private until he was able to beat it; unfortunately this was not the case. Gangstarr, made up of DJ Premier and Guru, was a prevalent hip hop group in the 80s and 90s highly known for their intellectual and conscious rhymes as well as sonic jazz influences. However, the group broke up in 2003.

Guru had some parting words in the following the letter:

I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options.

I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody's feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.

I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.

The world was blessed by your music Guru. You will greatly be missed.

MACY GRAY- Beauty in the World

2010-04-15T00:39:00.001-04:00

Glad she's back :)

MAXWELL-Fistful of Tears

2010-04-15T00:37:00.000-04:00

Not exactly hip-hop, but dude is dope.

Drake - Over (Video)

2010-04-12T08:20:00.003-04:00

Drake's video for Over is very interesting... not what I expected, nor what you'd think the mainstream would want, yet its here. How ya feel about it?

Gil Scott Heron ft. Nas - New York is Killing Me

2010-04-06T01:28:00.003-04:00

The hottest shit to come out today was cold. Everyone who pays attention to NaS knows his weed filled everyman persona is better with some topics then others. Here he hooks up with his father's old partner, the legendary Gil Scott Heron, to remix Heron's New York is Killing Me.

Gil Scott Heron ft. Nas - New York is Killing Me
http://www.mediafire.com/?njmjtkenmmm

Bobby Ray - Don't Let Me Fall

2010-04-06T00:49:00.006-04:00

Post 808's & HeartBreaks, we've seen the best of the new generation of rappers get creative with melodies. Of that new generation, it's pretty apparent that ATL's B.O.B. is at the front of the pack. This Track represents everything he does well - flow, sing, play guitar - and it comes out great. Get Excited for the Adventures of Bobby Ray, Comin on April 27th.

Don't Let Me Fall - B.O.B.
http://www.mediafire.com/?wjw0xdne3qq

Big Boi - Shutterbug

2010-04-05T22:28:00.006-04:00

Finally. Big Boi, whose flow is just as elastic, bouncy, and dope as its ever been, has dropped the first single off his long awaited Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, scheduled for May 4th. Its robofunk for the post autotune era and it knocks. Support this man's music and cop that disk when it drops. ATL.

http://www.mediafire.com/?jtmgzeytynz

Bias ft. Glenn - Stencil

2010-04-04T13:30:00.003-04:00

The fresh ATLiens of Far Out come thru with another heater. Bias and Glenn have swag to spare but biters take note: Trace Carefully.

Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi - Tightrope (Video)

2010-03-31T20:36:00.003-04:00

Swaggerful Funk. Janelle Monae channels James Brown in her new video for Tightrope, a track that's sure to get you out your seat and trying to emulate the smooth footwork in the video. The ArchAndroid album drops May 18th, you can be sure creativity will be spilling out of the cd.

Erykah Badu - Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long

2010-03-26T17:39:00.003-04:00

http://usershare.net/h8h1jy04a1f8

I know I just posted one of her songs last night, but she's one of my favorite artists. This one's smooth, and it will be the last one I post. Go cop the album next tuesday!

Erykah Badu - “Turn Me Away (Get Munny)”

2010-03-26T01:50:00.003-04:00

Every song leaked off her album has been dope so far. This is no exception. Sampling the same joint that the Junior Mafia did for their classic "Get Money", Erykah puts her thang down. MARCH 30TH GO COP IT!

Erykah Badu - Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY) by Hypetrak

BONUS: The Sample, Sylvia Striplin’s “You Can’t Turn Me Away”

Big Boi Ft. George Clinton and Too Short - For Your Sorrows (VIDEO)

2010-03-21T13:40:00.002-04:00

Big Boi just signed with Def Jam this week so the record that is Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty is on its way this summer. Big Boi keeps dropping great records from this opus, including this interesting song with George Clinton and Too Short, bringin the funk thats missing from the radio these days.

PAC DiV- Shut Up

2010-03-18T22:27:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite tracks of their Church League Champions mixtape.

LUPE FIASCO & KENNA- Resurrection

2010-03-16T03:32:00.001-04:00

Tribute track to Haiti.

Don't forget.

Bobby Ray - Nothin On U (Video)

2010-03-09T23:29:00.001-05:00

B.O.B.'s radio friendly smash gets a magazine inspired visual. His record comes out in April and its one of my most anticipated of the year. I hope its sales match its quality, cuz dude is sure to bring a platinum worthy record in a month's time.

Kid Cudi - Pursuit of Happiness (Alternate Video)

2010-03-09T23:20:00.002-05:00

The alternative visual for Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happyness" is just as unique, breathtaking, weird, and dope as the original! Cudi keeps waking up on his couch, alluding to the dream/nightmare trope he established on Man on the Moon to great effect.

He's Back...

2010-03-08T17:01:00.003-05:00

T.I. is out of prison and is celebrating his release with this hard hitting track.

T.I. -I'm Back

Drake - Over

2010-03-04T20:43:00.001-05:00

The Official first single off of the highly anticipated debut album Thank Me Later, Over took me a few spins but now its stuck in the dome. Def bout to be one of the Bday bangers!

Drake - Over
http://usershare.net/0s4guh2vb4lq

LUPE FIASCO- He Say She Say

2010-03-03T02:57:00.002-05:00

#Smh at my tardiness, but this is my first time seeing this video. Beauty and simplicity at its finest.

Also reminds me of Us Placers directed by Vashtie Kola who will be at our symposium later this month. While you stay tuned, enjoy =)

Young Jeezy ft. Plies -Lose My Mind

2010-03-03T00:42:00.003-05:00

Off that highly anticipated TM:103. This is my track 4 the week. Even Plies can't fuck this one up lol.
Young Jeezy ft. Plies -Lose My Mind
http://usershare.net/5jl8sln9en8w

Little Brother - Curtain Call

2010-03-02T23:59:00.002-05:00

Little Brother is back for the last time with this effort from their Final (sigh) album, LeftBack. The joint is smooth and bumps. Enjoy it now, cuz when it's curtain call then that's all your gonna get.

Little Brother - Curtain Call
http://www.mediafire.com/?zmg5vtlzkzn

Ludacris ft. Diamond, Trina & Eve “My Chick Bad” (Remix)

2010-03-02T23:44:00.004-05:00

The Remix to Luda's My chick bad (where he doesn't rap w/ his lazy ass) takes the party to the south, the beach, then the streets of ~~philly~~ hollywood. EVE is back and this beat is official.
Ludacris ft. Diamond, Trina & Eve “My Chick Bad” (Remix)
http://usershare.net/YouHeardThatNew/dyvzv91gby43

Bonus: Luda Performing How Low with Twerk Team on David Letterman

Big Sean ft. Mr. Hudson - Way Out

2010-02-28T14:01:00.005-05:00

Big Sean is here with a joint supposedly on his album Finally Famous. Way Out features Mr. Hudson and a glossy Kanye production, sparse on beats but heavy on instrumentation. It's pretty dope and has me excited for the direction he's takin the album.
Big Sean ft. Mr. Hudson - Way Out
http://usershare.net/YouHeardThatNew/pdzberkzdklm

J. Cole on the Come Up

2010-02-27T03:23:00.003-05:00

Firstly, I apologize for taking forever to put up this post, but it's also a post close to my heart. This year, I attended the Yale Black Solidarity Conference for a second time, and it was just as amazing as last year. (I strongly encourage every college student to go, it's great for networking). Anyway, J. Cole performed and it was ultimately amazing. Now maybe it's because I'm in love with hip hop or maybe it's the fact that I'm in love with J. Cole, but either way there was something about that concert that made me feel like my purpose in life was beyond just wanting to be involved in music; it's about inspiring others.

Anyway, I was able to meet J. Cole after the performance, and granted he hasn't dropped an album yet, but he's definitely one of the most humble cats out. Dude's mixtape is raw, (both of them, if you don't have The Come Up or The Warm Up I suggest you cop them now) and his flow is ridiculous if you didn't already know. He understands that there's still so much for him to accomplish, regardless of the fact that 90% of his audience can recite his verses back to him. Not to diss other cats that are out there right now with their Sprite commercials, I respect their hustle, but there's something bout J. Cole that has you begging for more. He comes with a different story every time. He's lyrically strong, diverse, and clever. And he doesn't come in a box. You can't market J. Cole in one aspect of hip hop. He's not trying to be the backpacker, the gangsta, the poet, the hustler, he's just him, J. Cole. I respect this dude's grind. If his mixtape didn't already confirm it, his performance, and my meeting him definitely did. J. Cole's on the come up, and though it may be a slow rise, he's gonna be on top for a LONG time.

Murs & 9th Wonder - 3:16 Pt. 2

2010-02-24T23:57:00.001-05:00

This is like hot cocoa on a cold day. Right in to the Smooth Hip Hop playlist. 9th always delivers the dope beats and Murs has been nice on everything i heard him on. Fornever is officially on my radar.

Murs & 9th Wonder - 3:16 Pt. 2
http://usershare.net/4h70s0czugek

Coldest Winter - Kanye West (Video)

2010-02-23T02:14:00.002-05:00

Lol @ Yeezy still droppin vids from 808's and Heartbreaks. Me and my man L shot a video to this track last winter (its still stuck in editing lol). The visual is directed by Nabil Elderkin and looks like the trailer for a new Lord of the Rings... Or Harry Potter... or Whatever in 3d. Its dope tho.

Emilio Rojas ft. Asher Roth and Styles P

2010-02-22T23:55:00.004-05:00

This song wakes me up in the morning. Yeah, I know I'm the shit.
http://usershare.net/xcy3fys56khw