Showing posts with label listen to me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label listen to me. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Listen To Me: "We Made You" Edition



I know most of my internet-savvy readership has heard Eminem's newly leaked single "We Made You" featuring Dr. Dre on the boards. You might have even seen the video where Em continues in his usual antics, parodying Dustin Hoffman in Rainman, Bret Michaels, Amy Winehouse, Sarah Palin and more.

I've got to be honest, the song doesn't do it for me. I'm happy that Marshall is finally putting out music after his multi-year hiatus, but I'm not excited by this particular track. The video is decent, kinda funny but it's predictable. I started listening to Em to hear what type of crazy ish he'd say and now his style is formulaic.

In fact, there's so much other audio leakage on the internets that I'd rather listen to. These tracks have what I like to call "replay value" - it's pretty self-explanatory so I'll spare y'all the talk.

If Em or any of his peoples are reading this - which I'm sure they are (LOL) - I'd like to see more effort, emotion and passion next time around, please.

Let's get things started.. The Top 10 new releases I'd rather be listening to than "We Made You"

1. Asher Roth ft. Cee-Lo - Be By Myself

Sure it's got a crazy organ loop and the incessent "Ohhh" in the background, but Asher is hungry on "Be By Myself." He puts in the type of effort that I can respect, even if I don't like everything he says. That's something we haven't seen from Em since his Slim Shady persona. Combine Asher's linguistics with Cee-Lo's one-of-a-kind vocal touch and you've got yourselves a winner.

I'm too young to be locked down
Not now, need a new car

Drive around with the top down

New broad with her bra and her top down

Chillin' in the backseat, screamin' out loud


2. KiD CuDi ft. Kanye West & Common - Poker Face (Lady Gaga Sample)

Traditionists will beef with this song, but they have to realize that hip-hop is changing so the best MCs are able to transition to the newer era. I read someone Twitter-hating Common's verse, most likely the "Blame It" reference, but I actually dug his verse the most. Plus, Yeezy is on it and this is probably the only Lady Gaga song you'll hear me play.. & actually enjoy.

3. Any song featuring Blu

I've said it before, I'll say it again - Blu is the illest freshman from the West right now. especially on new songs like "LoveLine(s),DedicatedToLastFe’vrier" over Exile's "Love Line" or with Flying Lotus on the remix to "GNG BNG." As Gotty from TSS describes him, he's a "lyricists lyricist" - I couldn't have said it better myself.

4. Incubus - Black Heart Intertia

Your eyes haven't failed you.. I said Incubus, cot dammit! Ever since I heard "Aqueous Transmission" and "Drive," I knew this was the type of rock music I could listen to. Their new song off upcoming album Monuments & Melodies will be a hit, and I'm down with it.

5. Joell Ortiz ft. Novel - Stand Up

Okay this ones not that new, it's off Joell's Free Agent tape, but who cares. "Stand Up" reminds me of Maino's recent banger "All The Above," except with a Fakon hook courtesy of Novel. Just like Maino, Joell Ortiz has street cred with the proper delivery right now but needs some radio-crossover appeal. "Stand Up" is a step in the right direction.

Rounding out the Top 10:

5. Jackson 5 - ABC Remix prod. K-Salaam & Beatnick

6. Beyoncé ft. Kanye West - ''Ego''


7. Scratch (formally of The Roots) ft. Musiq Soulchild - Tonite


8. Slaughterhouse - Wack MCs [Okay, not exactly that new but the mixtape just came out]

9. Melanie Fiona ft. Talib Kweli - Give It To Me Right (Remix)

10. Elzhi - The Genesis (Snippet) [off his Nas-inspired LP Elmatic]


All links in the CBox, per usual --->

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Listen To Me.. Again.


Peace to everyone celebrating St. Patty's Day today while I'm at the office grinding away.

Here we've got the second installment of HFTB's Listen To Me series, showcasing my picks for what you should listen to. Why? 'Cause you like dope music and kicks, don't ya?

... Pretty simple right? Good. Let's begin.

New Tracks:

Links in the Cbox --->

Bobby Ray (formally known as B.o.B.) - Mr. Bobby

DOOM - Rap Ambush

Fabolous ft. The-Dream - Throw It In The Bag

Fabolous - What It Look Like prod. DJ Khalil & Alchemist [Both joints of Loso's Way]

Fashawn - Remember The Times prod. Black Friday

Ghostface & DOOM - Chinatown Wars [From GTA IV Lost and Damned]

Jadakiss ft. OJ Da Juiceman & Swizz Beatz - Who's Real [Off The Last Kiss, dropping 4/7]

Slaughterhouse - Wack MCs

UGK - Still On Da Grind [Pimp C Version]

Featured Mixtape:



Outasight plus special guests like Tunji and Donny Goines over production from 6th Sense & Cook Classics.. and more.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Listen To Me


.. 'Cause I'm not your typical blogger.

Unlike these dime-a-dozen, copy-and-paste, NMC-wannabe blogs, I refuse to post any music without listening to it first. The only time I don't is when I'm at work and I haven't had the chance to - and I always put a disclaimer up in this event.

As a result, I'm not one to half-ass my blogging. I wanna give my honest opinion, not just post up "exclusive" material that I blindly copy from another site. There's enough of those blogs flooding my Twitter feed and Google Reader that I've grown sick of 'em. All of 'em.

Where am I headed, you ask? I'm gonna continue my HFTB tradition of posting good music, kicks, events, videos, etc with my new Listen To Me series. And when it's not good, you're gonna hear it. Plain and simple.

Which brings me to today's topic of tunes that I've been circulating recently that I think y'all might enjoy. Let's get it.




Native New Yorker and sure-fire MC Emilio Rojas should be on your rap radar (What up YN), especially after his recent mixtape Recession Proof hit your favorite e-bodega.

Presented by DJ Noodles and Legend, the tape is packed front-to-back with Emilio's sharp rhymes and captivating versatility. Personally, I've been bumping "Keys to the City" for the past two days straight. I highly advise you not to sleep right here.

Sneak Peek:





Indie rap vet Brother Ali returns to the scene nicely with his latest The Truth Is Here EP. The Minneapolis-born lyricist has laced the community with his heartfelt words and spiritual guidance for over a decade, and this project is no different.

With tracks like "Palm The Joker" and "Good Lord," Ali proves he'll forever be comfortable in his own skin, not bowing to industry mularky and rhyming how he knows best - from the heart to please his loyal fans. AndI'm proud to be one.

Sneak Peek:

Check out Rhymesayers' website for more info.





And finally, to wrap this edition of HFTB's newly instituted Listen To Me series, is cross-country production duo Keelay & Zaire's newest album Ridin' High, which dropped yesterday. The Utah/San Fran rep and Virginia native, respectively, provide the sonic backdrops for smooth hip-hop grooves and funky R&B ballads on their first full-length disc.

I was hooked since I posted the album sampler, vibing to "Addicts For Real" with Tunji and "Trapped" with Supastition & Slo Mo and appearances from Phonte, Emilio Rojas, Blu and Planet Asia among others. Ridin' High is a definite must-listen.

Sneak Peek:

Click Here to listen to "Addicts For Real," shouts to DJ Booth.net

Download Ridin' High from iTunes, and support good muzak.


That's all for now, it's back to work for me. Enjoy!