A Blog For Mama

I'll keep this concise 'cause you want to spend as much time with Mom as possible today.

I know that without the love and support of my mother, I wouldn't be who I am today. Sometimes I take for granted what she's sacrificed for me and my siblings, but I really have been trying lately to let her know that I'm thankful for all she's done.

To those whose mother's have passed, I will say a prayer because I know she's somewhere smiling. Be strong.

HFTB would like to wish all the mothers out there a very Happy Mother's Day. To celebrate, here are five tracks paying tribute to all the women that have given the gift of life.

Now go tell Moms you love her, Enjoy!

Check the CBox--->

1. Boyz II Men - A Song For Mama

There were so many times
Lookin back when I was so afraid
And then you come to me and tell me
I can face anything


2. Kanye West - Hey Mama

I know I act a fool,
But I promise you I'm going back to school 
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me

3. Nas - Dance

Thinking of how amazing she was 
A angel gave me love 
I'm thankful, to ever know a women so real

4. Talib Kweli - Momma Can You Hear Me?

The rain is gone, now I can see you clearly
Momma, I love you dearly
Momma, I need you near me
'Cause the sun goes down every night
And your son don't go down without a fight


5. Tupac - Dear Mama

There's no way I could pay you back
But my plan
Is to show you that I understand

Rockin' The Bells

Not as good as last years Rock The Bells NYC line-up with A Tribe Called Quest headlining, Nas, Meth & Red, De La, and the rest but I'm still amped for it.

Excited to see K'naan, Slaughterhouse, Evidence and Alchemist, and the House of Pain reunion.

Stay tuned for more information as it leaks.

Via ML

Hop Up Out My Bed

.. Get my blog on!

Got some good stuff for y'all this morning, I woke up to some great new tracks and a quality article guaranteed to spark some discussion.

I'm working so I can't write much right now, but definitely check out the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Battles (.. And Their Winners) by my favorite resident hip-hopper over at About.com, Mr. Adoso. He gives concise run-downs of rap's most historical beefs, ranging from Kool Moe Dee and Busy Bee's early rap battle to the Coastal feud between Biggie and Pac to the epic beef between Nas & Jay-Z.

He even goes out on a limb to give the winners, which is quite ballsy to say the least. I agree with most, the only glaring difference in our opinion is he's got Pac defeating Biggie. But that's a debate for another day..

Let's get hump day (I always laugh at that term, Ha!) started right with new tracks from Method Man & Redman featuring UGK, Q-Tip featuring Kanye & Consequence, and an acoustic remix of Yeezy's "Amazing" by Mike Maven.

Shouts to The Kid Legend, Nigel D and Khal for the muzak, and Ivan for sharing Adoso's well-written article on Google Reader, Enjoy!

Links in the Cbox --->

Method Man & Redman ft. UGK - City Lights

Q-Tip ft. Kanye West & Consequence - We Fight, We Love (Remix)

Mike Maven - "Amazing" (Acoustic Cover)

Then And Now

There's no question that Nas is among the elite lyricists in the game, past or present. Which is why I'm always intrigued to hear new material, especially when it reinterprets one of my favorite songs in his diverse catalog.

"If I Ruled the World '09," featuring Marsha Ambrosius and part of Smirnoff's Signature Mix, has a more mature Nasir updating the lyrics to his '96 banger for the times. Also, the new beat reminds me of 2008's "Hero," which is a very good thing.

So has Nas still got his magic touch of street poetics and gritty lyricism? Personally, I prefer the original because of the emotion Nas and Lauryn captured plus the video was insane, but I'm definitely vibing to the new version.

Nas spitting then:

Imagine smoking weed in the streets without cops harassin 

Imagine going to court with no trial 

Lifestyle cruising blue behind my waters 

No welfare supporters

More conscious of the way we raise our daughters 

Days are shorter, nights are colder 

Feeling like life is over, these snakes strike like a cobra 

The world's hot my son got not evidently 

It's elementary, they want us all gone eventually 

Trooping out of state for a plate knowledge 

If coke was cooked without the garbage

We'd all have the top dollars 

Imagine everybody flashin, fashion 

Designer clothes, lacing your click up with diamond vogues 

Your people holdin dough, no parole 

No rubbers, go in raw imagine law with no undercovers 

Just some thoughts for the mind 

I take a glimpse into time 

Watch the blimp read "The World Is Mine"

And, Nas rhyming now:

I don’t say I’m maintaining, that’s a lame’s language

Poor English, From a wise man I learned patience

Me not distinguished is like a fiend-less Queensbridge

I don’t say I’m grindin, ‘cause everything I do’s redefining

‘Cause when you know the streets to the science

Apply it very moderate to your business and watch you profit

Rap game, NBA, the NFL, the kids’ll yell

Will I win or fail or end up in a cell?

Nonsense, ‘cause they can grow to be part of the Congress

Be responsive to these inner city problems

Behind the tints with a chauffeur

I rep for the culture

Rep for the thugs and still see eye-to-eye with Oprah

I was a dream, a wisher with hope for

A better life for these kids while I’m sipping mimosa

I planned yo, used to watch a black and white Sanyo

Who’s the best? Next to me, they couldn’t light a candle

Looks like, despite the haters, Nas hasn't lost a step.

Thanks to Splash for the heads up, Enjoy!

Links in the Cbox --->

Nas ft. Marsha Ambrosius - If I Ruled The World '09 (Smirnoff Signature Mix)

Nas ft. Lauryn Hill - If I Ruled The World (Imagine That) [Original CDS]

Ain't No Slummin..

Aight, perhaps un poco. Only 'cause I'm watching the Best Picture-winning Slumdog Millionaire tonight.

But first, let's service that aural addiction. (What's 16 homo minus 16 homo?)

I'm dumb excited the tagless version of the Kanye West & T-Pain collab "Flight School" leaked. The NMC hooked it up properly Friday with the premier then Yeezy himself liberated the CDQ. Says 'Ye:

FLIGHT SCHOOL WAS BEING SAVED FOR GLC ALBUM AND WASN'T SPOSED TO BE LEAKED YET BUT IT'S ON THE RADIO NOW...

Other than that, we've got heat from Nas produced by Yeezy, another T.I. Detox reference track, Rapper Big Pooh, DOOM, Joe Scudda featuring T-Pain, and a huge remix of Capone and Nore's "Rotate," and Big Mike and DJ Thoro's latest mixtape 4th Quarter Pressure (I know what you're thinkin, 4th Quarter?.. I don't get the title either.)

Thanks to Nigel D, TSS, 2D and KSY-Music for the newness, Enjoy!

Kanye West ft. T-Pain - Flight School

Nas - The World prod. Kanye West

Dr. Dre ft. T.I. & Kobe - This Is Detox (I Am Hip Hop)

Rapper Big Pooh - Radio

DOOM - Light Works

Joe Scudda ft. T-Pain - Keep On Drinkin'

CNN Ft. Swizz Beatz, Busta Rhymes, Ron Browz & Jadakiss - Rotate Gucci NY Remix

Download:

Big Mike & DJ Thoro - 4th Quarter Pressure Part III



Track List:

1. Jadakiss - Magic City
2. Jadakiss & Pharell - Rocking Wit The Best
3. Tony Moxberg Feat Jadakiss - Look What The Game Made Me
4. Jayz - Mind Rite (Blueprint 4 Exclusive)
5. Jadakiss - Turn My Swag On
6. Jadakiss - Jumping Out The Window
7. Jadakiss & Styles P - The People
8. Styles P - All I Need
9. Max B - Feel It
10. Max B Feat Mall G & T.P. - Oww,Oww,Oww
11. French Montana - Im So Special
12. Camron - Say Aye
13. Juelz Santana - Rnb
14. Jadakiss - Wheres The Cash At
15. Jadakiss & Barrington Levy
16. The Game Feat Lil Wayne
17. Lil Wayne - Swag On
18. Lil Wayne - She Said He Said
19. Remo Da Rapstar - Recession Proof Freestyle
20. DJ Big Mike Feat Paperboyz, Mook N Fair, Conn Artists, Oscar Black, Smooth
Haines – CT Go Hard
21. Dice Lux - Dont Fall
22. 360 - Choose Your Own Destiny (Rule The World Ent)
23. Rawdoggz & Mike Gully
24. B.E.N.N.Y. - For Us
25. Hustleman - Freestyle
26. 50 Cent - Tia Told Me(Rick Ross Diss)
27. Rick Ross - Know The Ledge/Lets Get It (50 Cent Diss)
28. Lloyd Banks - Officer Down (Rick Ross Diss)

Shit Popped Off..

.. all day today, so I had to bless these glorious innanets with some audio goodness.

Apparently, the leaked T.I. verse from his collab with Dre & Nas was a reference verse for Detox. How does shit like this leak, Dre? Get your camp together and talk strategy, this is just unacceptable when it comes to your high hopes for the album. For us bloggers though? Shiiiit, we love it. Keep 'em coming.

..And they do keep coming today as another T.I. verse from a reference version of "Shit Popped Off," another joint supposedly from Detox. With songs like these, Dre could put it out without spitting a bar, just on the production, and it'd be classic. T.I.'s pen game is on fire right now.

Other noteworthy leakage today includes unreleased Drake plus Clipse featuring Pharrell, new Lil' Wayne, Moxberg featuring Jadakiss, Colin Munroe featuring Young Buck (you read it right, Get Buck with the Unsung Hero) and a remix by 88-Keys, Pac Div, and RJD2.

Shouts to Khal, Ivan, Cipha Sounds, Shake & Meka, Sean, and Splash for the tracks, Enjoy!

Links over thurr --->

T.I. - Shit Popped Off prod. Dr. Dre

Drake - Congratulations

Drake - Friends With Money

Lupe Fiasco ft. Drake - Kick Push Remix

TreaZon ft. Drake - Tonight

Clipse - Pussy ft. Pharrell

Lil' Wayne - February 18th

Moxberg ft. Jadakiss - What The Game Made Me

Colin Munroe - Last Cause ft. 88-Keys (Cause N Effect Remix)

Colin Munroe ft. Young Buck - I'm Fine

Pacific Division - Mayor

RJD2 - To All Of You

Topless Detoxification?

.. Honestly, who knows?

A Hot 97 radio rip courtesy of DJ Envy was floating around yesterday for this Dre-produced T.I. & Nas collab "Topless."

I'm not even going to guess if this is supposed to be on Detox or not 'cause you know my stance - Detox is a publicity stunt intended to keep Aftermath relevant to push new 50 and Em material. Yeah, I said it.

I'm not mad, though. Here's the CDQ though, Tip rips through his verse and even outshines one of my favorite MCs (stop slackin' Nas !!).

Shouts to Christopher Truth at The Press Play Show for the link, Enjoy!

Link in the Cbox --->

Dr. Dre ft. Nas & T.I. - Topless

You Could Find The Abstract..

.. Listening to hip-hop
Pops used to say it reminded him of bebop

Let's bring it back real quick to the days of pagers and shell-toes with the help of the highly-anticipated J.Period mixtape The [Absract] Best, a remixtape/compilation of Q-Tip joints.

Just glancing at the track list makes my mouth water for some good music - peeping appearances from Cannonball Adderly, Stevie Wonder, Beastie Boys, ?uestlove, Nas, J Dilla, Talib Kweli, Blu and more plus plenty of ATCQ classics and remixes.

Big thanks to Honey Soul for hooking up the link below. It'd be a shame if you didn't peep this one, Enjoy!

Download: J.Period - The [Abstract] Best

Track List:

1. J.Period f. Prince Paul, Questlove & Randy Watson– Rhythm (Scratch Intro)
2. Cannonball Adderly / Excursions Intro
3. J.Period f. De La Soul – Excursions (Tribute Remix)
4. Aquarius Interlude #1: Welcome
5. Q-Tip f. Busta Rhymes – Getting Up (DJ Scratch Remix) (The Renaissance)
6. Behind the Scenes: Ghetto Origins [Produced by J.Period]
7. What the Fuss f. Stevie Wonder (Shook Remix)
8. Queens Represent (Interlude)
9. Mobb Deep f. Nas & Q-Tip – Give Up the Goods (J.Period Remix) [Produced by Q-Tip]
10. Apache – Gangsta Bitch [Produced by Q-Tip]
11. ATCQ – If the Papes Come (Intro)
12. ATCQ – Check the Rhime
13. Behind the Scenes: Don’t Walk Away (Interlude)
14. ATCQ –Award Tour
15. Behind the Scenes: Award Tour (Interlude)
16. Hot Butter (Interlude)
17. J.Period f. Dres - Jazz Pt. 2 (Tribute Remix)
18. Behind the Scenes: We Got the Jazz (Interlude)
19. J.Period f. Blu– Jazz (Tribute Remix)
20. Skypager: Bob Power & Big Daddy Kane (Interlude)
21. Q-Tip f. Jay Dilla – Let’s Ride
22. Behind the Scenes: Bob Power You There? (Interlude)
23. Q-Tip – Vivrant Thing (Remix)
24. Q-Tip – Move (The Renaissance)
25. Q-Tip – Breathe & Stop (J.Period Remix)
26. Respect to Phife Dawg (Interlude)
27. J.Period f. Consequence & Kid Cudi – Buggin Out (Tribute Remix)
28. ATCQ Consists Of…
29. Behind the Scenes: The Native Tongues (Interlude)
30. De La Soul f. Jungle Brothers, Q-Tip, Monie Love & Queen Latifah – Buddy (Remix)
31. Respect to Ali Shaheed Muhammed (Interlude)
32. Q-Tip f. Busta Rhymes – N.T.
33. A Message From Talib Kweli
34. J.Period f. Questlove, Talib Kweli & Randy Watson – Youthful (Tribute Remix)
35. Q-Tip f. Amanda Diva – ManWomanBoogie (The Renaissance)
36. Chris Rock: Men vs. Women (Interlude)
37. De La Soul f. Q-Tip – Saturdays
38. De La Soul f. Q-Tip & Phife – Saturdays (Remix)
39. Q-Tip – She Likes to Move (J.Period Remix)
40. Dee-Lite f. Q-Tip – Groove Is in the Heart
41. Beastie Boys f. Q-Tip – Get it Together
42. Behind the Scenes: What Is Kapelka? (Interlude)
43. J.Period f. Skillz, Questlove & Randy Watson – What? (Tribute Remix)
44. Behind the Scenes: Busta Rhymes / Scenario (Interlude)
45. Busta Rhymes – Scenario (Unreleased Demo Tape)
46. Behind the Scenes: Hood R.I.P. (Interlude)
47. Hood – Scenario (Remix)
48. Aquarius Outtro
49. Behind the Scenes (Bonus): Reinvention (Kamaal the Abstract – A Million Times)

Nat King Cole.. Remixed

Just got word of this upcoming project of Nat King Cole remixes, which looks like a pretty official idea if you ask me.

Despite facing racial attacks and discrimination throughout his entire life, Cole is one of the most historic musicians of the past century. He first emerged as playing piano while leading his own jazz trio in the 30's then expanded his repertoire as one of the most prolific singers over the course of the next three decades.

On Re: Generations, his work will be revamped by the likes of DJ Cut Chemist, Just Blaze, Nas, The Roots, will.i.am, Cee-Lo Green, and Izza Kizza among others. I dunno about y'all, but I'm sure looking forward to this one.

Two tracks have leaked thus far featuring The Roots and Nas & Salaam Remi. Check them out below, while the EPK video is up top. Lifted from Eskay, Enjoy!

Links in the Cbox --->

Nat King Cole ft. Nas & Salaam Remi - The Game Of Love

Nat King Cole ft. The Roots - Walkin’ My Baby Back Home

Grammy Posters

Don't know how much y'all really care, I'm just really feelin these posters right here of Kanye, Rihanna, and of course the Martian.

The 51st Grammy's are next Sunday and will feature the first live performance of "Swagga Like Us" plus performances by Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Paul McCartney, and the luckiest man alive Justin Timberlake (if you don't know why, ya don't know me) among others.

You can check the full nominee list here. I'm pullin for Coldplay for Record of the Year, Weezy for Album of the Year, "Viva La Vida" for Song of the Year, "A Milli" for Best Rap Solo, "Royal Flush" for Rap Group Performance (Even tho "Swagga" is guaranteed to win), "Superstar" for Collab AND Best Rap Song, Nas for Best Rap Album, John McLaughlin for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Pat Metheny for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, and Brad Mehldau Trio for Best Jazz Instumental Album.

Shouts to Nigel D for the posters, Enjoy!

My (Almost) President is Black..

Jay-Z My President is black Remix LIVE 1-18-09 from benjamin Johnson on Vimeo.

In fact, he's half white
So even in a racist's mind, he's half right
So if you got a racist mind, it's alright
My president is black but his house is all white

Whew, Jay-Z goes in on this live performance of the rumored remix to "My President Is Black" with Jeezy and Nas.

Someone liberate the CDQ, ASAP please! Maybe before tomorrow so we can all play the Young Hov Remix for the inauguration? Now I really wish I didn't have work tomorrow or else I'd be making the journey to DC for Jigga's concert tonight.

This raw footage will have to suffice for now. Props to Obese for the link, Enjoy!

Little Bit of Hip, Little Bit of Hop..

What up mid-day Monday! I'm back in the grind mode at work but I'm taking some time off to bless my loyal readers with some info on upcoming NYC events and some new tracks I'm feelin.

Producer and MC 88-Keys will be hosting a special performance and signing autographs at Fat Beats NYC this Thursday, the 15th. If you haven't already, you'll have the chance to cop that Death Of Adam LP and maybe even see some special guests swing thru. Good looks to Deadly Melody for the info, check the flyer up top for details.

A little further down the road on Thursday the 22nd, Jersey rep Joe Budden is performing at S.O.B.'s with the Slaughterhouse crew - Royce Da 5'9, Crooked I and Joell Ortiz. Presented by Amalgam Digital, sounds like a real dope line-up - if you want to scoop tix, get 'em right here. Shouts to knobbz at Metal Lungies for the heads up.

Don't forget about those Mos Def shows at the Blue Note, he'll be rockin 2 performances a night for 3 nights starting the 23rd.

And now, for your listening pleasure..

50 Cent - Shut Your Bloodclot Mouth prod. DJ Premier (50 is hungry again, and you already know how Primo does)

Blu - Vanity

Ciara ft. Lil' Wayne & Lil' Jon - Roll Call

Kat Deluna ft. Lil' Wayne - Unstoppable

Nas - Fear of Mandango prod. DJ Green Lantern

Nas - Livin' It (Both Nas cuts are unreleased off Untitled)

Young Chris ft. Wale - Searching Remix

15 Favorite Mixtapes of '08

[courtesy of ivan]

Welcome to 2009 everyone, I hope it's your best year yet and I wish all of you good health, prosperity.. all that good stuff.

Before we get things jumping, I gotta look back to see what mixtapes I kept on heavy rotation last year. And there were some good ones. If you haven't heard these, I advise you to before the '09 hip-hop faucet starts leakin':

Mick Boogie & Terry Urban – Viva La Hova (Coldplay vs. Jay-Z)

Fav Tracks: "Lost Part 1," "Hola Blanco"

10. Deep presents Wale – Mixtape About Nothing mixed by Nick Catchdubs

Fav Tracks: "The Perfect Plan," "The Star"

10.Deep - The New Deal mixed by DJ Benzi
Fav Tracks: "2nd Time Around" ft. Wale & Brother Ali, "Piano Lessons" ft. Colin Munroe & Joell Ortiz prod. Black Milk

Nas & DJ Green Lantern – The Nigger Tape

Fav Tracks: "Esco Let's Go," "Nas Timeline" mixed by Statik Selektah

Joe Budden – Halfway House

Fav Tracks: "Just To Be Different," "Sidetracked"

Lil’ Wayne & The Empire - The Drought Is Over Part 6 (The Reincarnation)

Fav Tracks: "Best Thing Yet," "Put Me In The Game"

Legend & DJ Blazita - Real Hip-Hop No Gimmicks

Fav Tracks: Big Boi ft. Andre 300 & Raekwon - "Royal Flush," Talib Kweli ft. Blu & Joell Ortiz - "Hostile Gospel Remix"

10.Deep presents KiD CuDi - A KiD Named CuDi produced by Plain Pat & Emile

Fav Tracks: "Man on the Moon (The Anthem)," "Day N Nite"

Asher Roth – Don Cannon & DJ Drama present The Greenhouse Effect Vol. 1

Fav Tracks: "The Lounge," "ROTH Boys"

Mick Boogie, Shuko & The Gunna - Brooklyn Soul (Jay-Z vs. Marvin Gaye)

Fav Tracks: "Hello Brooklyn 2.0," "Party Life"

DJ Doc Rok – The Biggie Hendrix Experience

Fav Tracks: "Hypnotize/ Wild Thing," "Juicy/ Are You Experienced"

Mick Boogie & DJ Treat – Complex Magazine presents Leaders of the New Cool

Fav Tracks: B.o.B. - "I'll Be In The Sky," The Knux - "Fire"

Torae - Daily Conversation

Fav Tracks: "Click" ft. Skyzoo prod. DJ Premier, "Switch" prod. Black Milk

The Cool Kids - Instant Classic Mixtape

Fav Tracks: "Eighty Eight," "Pump Up The Volume"

Charles Hamilton – DJ Skee presents Crash Landed

Fav Tracks: "November 10th," "Ambitions of Musicians"

HFTB's Ten Favorite Albums of '08.. Plus More!

*Slick Rick voice* And heeeeeeere we go..

1. Nas - Untitled

From the first piano chord of Jay Electronica's beat on "Queens Get The Money" and Nas' phenomonal verse ending with "Bring back Arsenio/ Hip-hop was aborted so Nas breathes life back into the embryo/ Let us make men in our image/ Spit it, I'm Huey P in Louis V at the funeral throwin' molotovs for Emmitt... I'm the shaky hand that touched George Foreman in Zaire/ The same hand that punched down devils that brought down the towers," I knew Untitled was one for the ages.

Beyond all the uproar about the title, Nasir focused on speaking his mind without a damn care in the world for the haters. He addressed politics, the industry, the media, Obama, and still had time to holla to the streets. From the amped-up revival anthem of "Hero," the venemous attack on U.S. media of "Sly Fox," and the uplifting tone of "Black President," Nasir did his damn thing to resuscitate the very music that he deemed lifeless just years ago.

2. Q-Tip - The Renaissance

Amidst all the golden era acts trying so damn hard to become relevant once again (Marley Marl, EPMD, etc), Q-Tip returned effortlessly with his second solo disc. The Abstract flows smoothly over the LP's 14 tracks (self-produced except for one, I might add), gliding through the female-friendly "Gettin' Up" and feel-good-yet-still-raw "Official."

The best part comes during the J Dilla-produced "Move/ Renaissance Rap," as the late producer reinterpreted a Jackson 5 groove for an (gasp!) intelligent dance song. Then, just when the listener thinks it's over, the beat switches up to a laid-back boom-bap as Tip spits, "Gather around, the renaissance, man it's finally appeared/ And I'm astonishing rap characters and causin the tears/ Quasimoto in the quotables I speak from my mouth/ And no doubt, we rubbed you wrong I'm rubbin you out."

Though I doubt it will cause any true change in hip-hop's tendencies, the disc plays as a modern-day throwback to an era gone but not soon forgotten.

3. The Roots - Rising Down

Adopting a darker sound that emerged on Game Theory, the hardest-working group in hip-hop delivered a politically-charged, conscious record with Rising Down. Drummer ?uestlove admitted that they branched off from their standard live sound by using more synths and exotic instruments, and it worked.

Lead MC Black Thought is one of the most underrated lyricists of our generation, ripping through various tracks like the lyrical onslaught of "75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)" and "Rising Up" featuring Wale & Chrisette Michele.

The stand-out joint here comes early in the disc with "Rising Down," as Mos Def and Styles P aid Thought over a synthy-bass sonic backdrop. Thought expresses his anguish with today's bullshit, spitting furiously, "Yo I don't wanna floss, I done lost my passion/ And I don't wanna climb, I done lost my traction/ They makin' me break, my contents under pressure, do not shake/ I'm workin' while the boss relaxin'."

Yet another quality release from the Philly pioneers.

4. Black Milk – Tronic

Talk about a repeat. Detroit producer/MC Black Milk had an outstanding ’07 with his across-the-industry production credits and debut full-length solo album Popular Demand, so what does he do? Return stronger than before with a refined lyrical game and extended prowess on the boards.

Tronic is just a raw album from the jump with in-your-face heater “Bounce” and multi-layered single “Give The Drummer Sum.” The rest of the disc follows in a similar vein, with Black Milk at his best on “Hold It Down” and “The Matrix” alongside Pharaoh Monch, Sean Price & DJ Premier.

Thankfully, Black stepped up the only aspect lacking previously – his ability on the mic – for arguably the most solid all-around self-produced effort of ’08, save Q-Tip’s aforementioned album.

5. Common - Universal Mind Control

Longevity - it’s what an artist strives for yet seldom achieves. But Common isn’t your ordinary MC. Though many complain that Universal Mind Control resembles Electric Circus too much, I gotta disagree.

Yeah, Common went a little outside of the box for UMC – especially with the Planet Rock-influenced title track and bouncing pop tune “What A World” with Chester French – but he never strays too far from what has made his career, and that’s socially-relevant, fresh rhymes. Take the the album’s best track “Inhale” for instance, where Comm rhymes “I breathe deep like a old man in a deep sleep/ Or Indian peace-piped in a tepee/ The beginning, the end, the first, the last/ Breath into eternity, the verse will last.”

The experimentation is well-intended here as Comm pushed past conventional hip-hop, a daring move that always seems to bring along its fair share of haters.

And rounding out my Ten Favorite Albums of ’08 are..

6. Murs - Murs For President

Best Tracks: “Everything,” “Lookin’ Fly” ft. will.i.am

7. Jake One - White Van Music
Best Tracks: “Bless The Child” ft. Little Brother, “The Truth” ft. Freeway & Brother Ali

8. Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter III

Best Tracks: “A Milli,” “Mr. Carter” ft. Jay-Z

9. Pete Rock - NY's Finest

Best Tracks: “Till I Retire,” “Best Believe” ft. Redman & LD

10. Kanye West - 808's & HeartBreak

Best Tracks: “Heartless,” “Welcome 2 HeartBreak” ft. KiD CuDi

Honorable Mentions:

Elzhi - The Preface

Best Tracks: "The Preface," "Motown 25" ft. Royce Da 5'9

Tanya Morgan - The Bridge EP

Best Tracks: "The Bridge" ft. Elucid, "Got 2 Get Done"

T.I. - Paper Trail

Best Tracks: "Whatever You Like," "I'm Illy"

Statik Selektah - Stick 2 The Script

Best Tracks: "To The Top (Stick 2 The Script)" ft. Cassidy, Saigon & Termanology, "So Good (Live From The Bar)" ft. Naledge, Reks & CL Smooth

EMC - The Show
Best Tracks: "EMC (What It Stand For)," "Traffic" ft. Little Brother

Cool Kids - Bake Sale EP

Best Tracks: "88," "Mikey Rocks"

The Game - L.A.X.

Best Tracks: "Big Dreams," "My Life" ft. Lil' Wayne

Little Vic - Each Dawn I Die

Best Tracks: "The Exorcist," "The Evil That Men Do"

Jay Electronica - Style Wars EP
Best Tracks: "Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge)," "I Feel Good"

Common Market - Tobacco Road

Best Tracks: "Gol'Dust," "Winter Takes All"

There you have it. I'll be back soon with my favorite mixtapes and tracks but your boy needs to go get ready to party like it's 2009..

Happy New Year!

Analyze This..

How come I've never heard this? Shiiiit who cares, I'm amped I found it today.

The homie Chuck over at Hip Hop & Vinyl Giant liberated this 12'' vinyl rip of a mid-90's heater called "Analyze This" featuring an all-star line-up - Nas, Jay-Z and Lord Tariq (yes, of "De Ja Vu" fame with the senior Gunz) over head-nodding Pete Rock production.

Anything I write can't even describe this raw, vintage hip-hop, so I'll let the MC's do it. Jay's up first:

Everything's for dough now
Flow, you gotta pay a little mo' now
It's platinum nowadays, we put the gold down
We stepped it up, y'all don't even want a show down
Get wetted up by the sleeve that leave the bezzle out
Y'all don't like it? Sue me, fuck, I'll settle out
Ghetto-ed out in the vehicle, bent
These days I've mellowed out, see success make a fella content

Gotta love Jigga's laid-back swag from back in the day. Tariq is on deck:

Ain't nothin changed but the players, the game remains the same
I had a ten-year run, hey, I can't complain
Took the next step see, from coke to Pepsi
From the BX we ridin' to South Beach on jetski

Not bad. Then Nasir closes things out like a healthy Billy Wagner:

Bought my clique glaciers and pagers
Ten deep to Las Vegas
Copped a live crop, chopped it up, hit my block off wit gators Feedin peoples from the Bridge to Decatur
By now, 2 years, five months and 30 days later
I still put out the street flavor

A great end to a solid throwback joint, I'm lovin it.

Once again, big props to Chuck at HH&VG for the crisp vinyl rip, Enjoy!

Nas ft. Jay-Z & Lord Tariq - Analyze This prod. Pete Rock

Link in the Cbox, fam --->

Obligatory Nas vs. Jay Post

Find me, Virgin Islands
Crown Bay marina, '88 Filas
Marijuana aficianados, grade-A reefer
I ain't stressin' shit
This recession don't affect the rich
Count 100 G's in 100 degrees
But Mumia's locked up so none of us are free

.. Leave it to Esco to amp my mood up on a cold Saturday afternoon. I've always like Nas' ability to combine words and phrases that no one else could A. think of or B. use effectively. I might catch heat for this one from the Jigga dick-riders (I could understand why, he's arguably top 3), but their beef on wax sparked the never-ending discussion of Jay vs. Nas.

This is my take. Nas is more pure MC on the mic than Jay, he's a poet first - then a hustler. Jay's swagger is his best attribute, not to mention the rag-to-riches mentality that permeates his entire catalog a la Biggie Smalls.

Don't get me wrong, I love both dude's music - but Nas' lyrics intrigue me on a different level than most. Where Jay is flashy, Nas bears all - for better or worse. Jay's overall verses are more memorable because (usually) he flows better, but Nas' lyrics are too unique and thought-provokingto ignore.

I'm gonna disappoint y'all and declare that I can't decide between the two. My bad, it's just that I like 'em both too much to put the other down - their styles are too independent to compare.

Anyway, on to the good stuff. I grabbed the ultra rare video of the Queensbridge MC freestyling with the G.O.A.T. from my homegirl Shenda (thanks ma!) and I got my hands on a spankin' new Nas track featuring June called "Smoke," via Eskay.

Real heads recognize - relax and Enjoy!

Nas ft. June - Smoke ----->

Something 'Fowl'

Radiate conscious clear
I'm about to have a monstrous year

.. Sorry, I just had to do it LOL 'cause today's about the only day I can get away with a corny title like that.

First off, Happy Thanksgiving y'all! Amidst the food and football, stop for a sec and be thankful for those people that the Almighty has put into your life. I know this year has been tough economically, but that just reveals the real meaning of today - being around those that you love and are thankful to have in your life.

Aight, enough of the emotional stuff. Here's a little something from Nasir off Tapemasters Inc.'s latest project This Is Hip-Hop Vol. 2. I've linked it in the Cbox to the right, thanks to Heather for the MP3, Enjoy!

Nas - Something Foul Click The Link ------------>

And I Got What It Takes..

.. To rock the mic, right!

I gotta give heavy props to the home girl Shenda a.k.a. Super Woman(!!) for hookin' this video up. I worked late and didn't even see this 'til after I studied tonight - hand me a late pass but this is some real ish people that went down in Britain at the G.O.O.D. Music after-party. Fly MC's rappin' off the dome - including Mos, De La, and Nasir - proves hip-hop is alive and breathin'.

Great moments at 2:10 ("Stay fresh in a black bubble jack/ I'm sure Biggie would be proud of that"), 5:30 (When the DJ drops the Black Star instrumental, Def both shut it down AND opened up shop), and 6:55 (Now dude drops "Made U Look," I got chills from the instrumental, not to mention Kanye's hoodie). I wish they showed Yeezy or CuDi rhyme but hey, I'm content with what Semtex gave us.

Man I hope they bring this to the tri-state and see how we set it off, Enjoy!

Election Night

.. The final count is steadily approaching. Check out the NYTimes for What to Watch for on Election Night and peep the Nas & DJ Green Lantern collab recorded last night, Enjoy!

Nas & DJ Green Lantern - Election Night

Lyrics To Go [Part I]

Vibin' to the Black Album today in the whip, I noticed something that's been bugging me for a while about hip-hop lately - no one cares about lyrics anymore. Today it's all about hooks and beats, while lyrical content has been sacrificed as the music expands to a mass audience.

Now don't get me wrong, I love wildin' at the bar to some guilty pleasures (Ying Yang in this thang!). Plus, today's music serves a purpose - dumbed down lyrics mean it's easier for more people to get down.

But, aficianado that I am, I want to bring the focus back to rhymes real quick. So here it is, dom corleone's look back at 10 of hip-hop's most exquisite, tongue-flippin' displays of diction. Here are the first five and explanations - Feel free to comment and add to this list!



Jay-Z - Lucifer
Lyrics
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This is the one that sparked this list. When Jay starts from the jump with "Lord forgive him, he got them dark forces in him/ But he also got a righteous cause for sinnin," his bargaining with the Creator to understand his actions instills chills. Continuing "On permanent, hi-atus as I skate/ In the Maybach Benz flyer than Sanaa Lathan" a slightly younger Hov shouts out my future wifey AND car in the same line - props!
The Kanye-produced chorus complete with signature sped-up, scratchy sample leads into Jay rockin' again "Spread love, to all of my dead thugs/ I pour out a little Louis, til' I head above/ Yessir, and when I perish, the meek shall inherit the earth/ 'Til that time, it's on and poppin, church." Jay's swag and flow is unmatachable. Threatening lines like "The more you talk, the more you irkin us/ The more you gon' need memorial services/ 'The Black Album' second verse, is like/ Devil's pie, save some dessert for us" alongside tributary momentos to his fallen friend "Curse the day that birthed the bastard/ Who caused your church Mass, reverse the crash/ Reverse the blast and reverse the car/ Reverse the day, and there you are," reveal why this Brooklyn boy-turned-mogul is a definite top 5 G.O.A.T.


Outkast - ATLiens
Lyrics
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Not only could I have picked material from any 'Kast album, but almost any track on Andre 3000 and Big Boi's most consistent disc ATLiens (okay, maybe Aquemini too). I went with the title track on their '96 rap classic for two reasons - first, it's got two of the smoothest lines ever and secondly, the Atlanta duo's fast-paced wordplay showcase their inherent lyrical prowess, way before the shine.
The aforementioned rhymes are as follows: Big Boi's "Well it's the M - I - crooked letter, ain't no one better/ And when I'm on the microphone you best to wear your sweater/ Cause I'm cooler than a polar bear's toenails" is laced with ultra swagger. 3Stack's "Now, my oral illustration be like clitoral stimulation/ To the female gender, ain't nothin' better" shows an unusually structured speech pattern that flows like lava - the perfect compliment to Sir Luscious Left Foot's country-fried pimp game.



Raekwon ft. Nas & Ghostface - Verbal Intercourse
Lyrics
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On their own, these three lyricists are among the best. United, the product is epic. Nas rips into the mic early with "Through the lights cameras and action, glamour glitters and gold/ I unfold the scroll, plant seeds to stampede the globe/ When I'm deceased, by then the beast arise like yeast/ To conquer peace leaving savages to roam in the streets" and finishing it off with street scripture, "From the womb to the tomb, presume the unpredictable, Guns salute life, rapidly, that's the ritual."
Rae's Staten Island imagery then comes to the front, as he rhymes "Police questioning, rooftop cats invested in/ Tradin' in they Lexus' GS's, sendin messages/Two and two makes four, Cristal's crazily pour/ Gun wars, my crew phantom like swords."
Ghostface's bugged-out, dust-laced rants dazzle, like "What I strive for is what I live for/ Infatuated by material things, and it's wild like for war/ Like somewhere over the rainbow, I see a big pot of gold/ Future stacks, yo, I hold." All in all, you can't ask for much more.


Big Punisher ft. Black Thought - Super Lyrical
Lyrics
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This one's a no-brainer - hence the name. The undisputed lord of Latin-American hip-hop was in the upper echelon as far as lyrics were concerned.
It's no wonder he recruited Roots leadman Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter for a guest verse on debut LP Capital Punishment, track #3.
The tandum didn't disappoint. The ever-proficient Pun pushes the limits of verbiage with "Just call me Baby Jesus cuz lady niggaz be praisin' me/ Just for the way I blaze the beat crazily, tape to CD lasery/ It pays to be amazingly flavery/ Daze 'em to my rhymes that basically hypnotize you occasionally."
Tariq ices the cake as he schools his peers, rapping , "My instrumental's the Renaissance, no resem-ba-lance/ To nothin' you come across, lyrical holocaust/ The crowd pleaser emcees freeze then catch seizure/ They praise the Lord of rap thesis, true believers." 'Nuff said.



Notorious B.I.G. & Bone Thugs & Harmony - Notorious Thugs
Lyrics
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Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace was arguably the best lyricist to ever hop on a mic. With a combo of street narrative, fierce battle raps and existential poetics, Biggie was a natural. Teaming up with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony on this lead track from Life After Death disc 2, Frank White transcends first with, "Armed and dangerous, ain't too many can bang with us/Straight up weed no angel dust, label us Notorious" and effortlessly maneuvers through "Fuck the luck shit, strictly aim/ No aspirations to quit the game/Spit yo' game, talk yo' shit/Grab yo' gat, call yo' click/Squeeze yo' clip, hit the right one/Pass that weed, I got to light one/All them n*ggaz I got to fight one/All them hoes I got to like one/ Our situation is a tight one/Whatcha gonna do, fight or run?" Whew.
The fellas from Bone Thugs hold their ground in the great one's shadow, creating memorable verses. Bizzy sounds off with "Test me now, contender never no surrender, no pretend/Pick up my pen, in my hand/One of my trusted friend friend, hey/Open it, let's see if we're real, we all suited/Beg my pardon to Martin, Baby we ain't marchin we shootin" and Krayzie eases the stress with "Now let me get done with the grime/Gotta go purchase a dime/Put in a state to get done with the crime/Smokin the reefer to ease my mind."
But, rarely does anyone out-rhyme the best that ever did it and this here is no exception.

Stay tuned for Part II, coming soon to a theater near you!