Song For The Moment: The Roots

Why - The Roots

Is anybody listening, without a pot to piss in?

If I disappear, I wonder if the world will know I'm missing..

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

Today's Mathematics

.. It's Friday, so you know what that means. You don't? Well, HFTB is bringing you some of the newest, realest, and dopest new music and any other fly ish I see fit to post.

Hope everyone's enjoying the start to their weekend, I know I am. I'll also be working on a pretty substantial post that I everyone will be excited to see. Guaranteed.

So what's on the menu like TGIFridays? An unreleased Jay-Z track, new Jada & Raekwon, and resurrected tracks from Collie Buddz, T.I., The Roots, Kanye, and a throwback Montell Jordan jam for all my Friday nighters.

As a special treat, got a nice soundtrack for you - Dave Chappelle's Block Party OST. Go find that on another blog, I dare ya. I'm strictly addressing the hater(s), not my loyal readers. I love y'all both - haters for motivation, loyal readers for the support.

Another thing, all my sneaker heads check out the Dunk XChange tomorrow in Manhattan, peep the flyer below for more info.

Throw in a new mixtape from Styles P, and have ya self a wonderful evening.

Thanks to the Kid Legend, Splash, and Boxden Fresh for the audio, Enjoy!

Download:

Links in the CBox --->



Styles P & Big Mike - Phantom Empire




Dave Chappelle's Block Party OST



Random Hits:

Collie Buddz - Hustle

Jadakiss & Raekwon - Cartel Gathering

Jay-Z - Maybe prod. Sean V & LC

Kanye West ft. Common & Talib Kweli - Get 'Em High

Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It

The Roots - Here I Come

T.I. - I'm Illy

A Presidential Weekend..

R.I.P. Lamont "Big L" Coleman
May 30, 1974 - February 15, 1999

(HFTB Disclaimer: Long Post alert.)

What's up my good people? In light of the events that transpired Friday night, I took a little break this weekend to get my shit together. The best part is that I'm off work tomorrow, so Happy President's Day all! Shouts to Barack.

I'm all ABOUT long weekends, so let's see what else is going down..

I can't believe it, but today marks the 10-year anniversary of Big L's tragic murder. The Harlem-born lyricist was one of the slickest on the mic but his career was ended prematurely after recording only 2 studio albums, Lifestylez of the Poor & Dangerous and the posthumous The Big Picture.

Still, his impact as a member of Children of the Corn with Cam'ron, Bloodshed and McGruff and Diggin' In The Crates (D.I.T.C.) with Showbiz, AG, Fat Joe, Lord Finesse, O.C., Diamond D and Buckwild plus as a solo artist reigns supreme in hip-hop to this day. I've uploaded some of my personal favorites from the flamboyant MC, showcasing his unparalled freestyle ability, punch-line stylistics and flashy, creative lyrics. Hip-hop misses you, L. R.I.P.


Flippin it to sports real quick, the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest went down last night. Nate "KryptoNate" Robinson of the New York Knicks, at just 5'9'', won his second title (literally) over last year's champ "Superman" Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. Though Howard completed an insane slam on a 12-foot backboard, Nate took the cake after he jumped over the 6'11'' Howard before dunking it home. Talk about ups! Peep this link for a highlight video.


What would a HFTB post be without some new music? It'd be blasphemous, that's what it' be. So we'll keep it righteous this week with a blazing Blu mixtape, Her Favorite Colo(u)r. Download below to vibe out to the Cali native's imagery-laced poetics and heartfelt content. Big props to the wonderful homie SHE for the hook up.


Also, I scooped a fresh Talib Kweli track ripped from DJ Premier's show on Sirius XM. "My Favorite Song," produced by Statik Selektah, will be on the soundtrack to Xbox 360's Grand Theft Auto: Lost and Damned.


Before I go, I spotted some events at the homie TECHIE's blog that I'm dumb excited for. I was surprised to read that The Roots will be taking some time during their busy schedule as Jimmy Fallon's Late Night house band to take up a residency at Highline Ballroom NYC. The band's "The Jam" start Thursday, March 5th, two days after my born day, so I've already grabbed me some tickets for their residency debut. Check out Highline's site for info.


And lastly, Tri-State sneaker heads should be amped for SneakerCon NYC, a new convention for all things footwear. Taking place Sunday, March 1st at the Times Square Arts Center, SneakerCon will have around 30 vendors and feature never-before-seen Nikes and more. Save the date on the flyer below, this should be a good ass time.


Thanks to Techie once again for the event info and SHE for the Blu tape, and Eskay, Shake, and Mick Boogie and Co for the other good vibrations, Enjoy!




Download: Blu - Her Favorite Colo(u)r

1. Love
2. Amnesia
3. Since
4. Morning
5. Melo
6. Wind(terludeOne)
7. When(terludeTwo)
8. Silent
9. Pardon
10. Vanity
11. Beggars’/BlackGold
12. Celln’Ls
13. Untiled(LovedU)2
14. Peace

Other Links in the Cbox --->

Talib Kweli - My Favorite Song prod. Statik Selektah

Big L - Ebonics

O.C. ft. Big L - Dangerous

Big L - MVP (DJ Premier Summer Smooth Mix)

Big L & Jay-Z - 7 Minute Freestyle

Big L - Put It On

Big L ft. Tupac - Deadly Combination

Big L - '98 Freestyle (Parts 1 & 2)

Big L ft. McGruff, I Born, C.L. Smooth - NY Freestyle

Big L - Size 'Em Up

Big L - Flamboyant

D.I.T.C. - Day One

D.I.T.C. - Internationally Known

D.I.T.C. - Thick

D.I.T.C. - Tribute [L's not on this but it's a tribute from his D.I.T.C. brethren]

Children of the Corn - Danger Zone

Children of the Corn - The Corn


Events info:


The Roots present: The Jam
Starting March 5th

Produced by: Jill Newman Productions

All Shows Start @ 11:30

Doors open @ 11

Tickets:
$10.00 in advance

$12.00 day of show.

Highline Ballroom
431 W 16th St
New York, NY 10011
Between 9th and 10th Ave

Sneaker Con
March 1st (Sunday) Noon - 7 pm

Times Square Arts Center

669 8th Avenue

New York, NY 10036
Between West 42nd and West 43rd St.

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

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!

Another Friday Night Event..

.. It's at times like these I wish I could defy the laws of physics and be in two different places at once.

Friday night is shaping up to be a huge night for hip-hop in the Big Apple. First, we've got the aforementioned Pepsi and Fools Gold show featuring DJ Premier & Cipha Sounds among other guests.

Now, my homegirl D @ The D-Diaries put me onto another crazy event. The Knitting Factory is having its last hip-hop show before it moves to Williamsburg section of Brooklyn and this one could be HUGE!

Just listen to this line-up.. Rakim headlining with performances by Black Thought of the Roots (a solo set, whoa!), Keith Murray and DJ sets from Psycho Les of the Beatnuts, DJ Dante Ross, DJ JS-1 and Chairman Mao among others. I told you it looked official!

So here's what I need y'all to do - contact your local physicist and see how he or she is progressing on their latest molecule-splitting experiment. I NEED to go to BOTH of these and can't get their on my own, ugh!

But seriously, which would you go to if you had the choice? Both look fresh but I gotta choose one.. Hmmmmm Decisions, decisions..

Here They Come

.. Actually, not yet. But NBC's new Late Night host Jimmy Fallon introduces his new house band The Roots a.k.a. the most entertaining act in hip-hop. I'm so amped! See them live starting March 2nd '09 every night at 12:30, Enjoy!

We Just Don't Stop

.. I felt a certain type of way when I heard the news over at illRoots that organic hip-hop jazz pioneers The Roots are halting touring (temporarily I hope!) since they landed a gig as Jimmy Fallon's in-house band when he steps in for Conan this upcoming spring on NBC.

Now, I've seen the innovative, entertaining hip-hop band three times now but I wish Powerhouse 105.1's concert wasn't the same night back in Oct when the Roots crew rocked with Gym Class Heroes, I would've loved to go. Hopefully they'll do a few more shows around the tri-state so I can catch ?uestlove, Tariq and the fellas before their stint on Late Night.

In light of the news, I've compiled my a list of some random gems from The Roots' deep 15-year catalog that they'll return to performing if Fallon flops, Enjoy!

The Seed (2.0) / Melting Pot / Web [Live]
Album: Home Grown! The Beginners Guide To Understanding The Roots Volume 2

The Seed (2.0)
Album: Phrenology

No Alibi
Album: Illadelph Halflife

Proceed
Album: Do You Want More?!!!??!

Rising Down (ft. Mos Def & Styles P)
Album: Rising Down

Long Time
Album: Game Theory

Village Voice Makes A Point

..Couldn't have said it any better myself. I'm not a Wayne hater by any means - I enjoyed many parts of his new disc but think he peaked at Tha Carter II - but the Village Voice makes a valid argument that hip-hop is too caught up on the free-flowing N'awlins boy that it has overlooked some pretty damn good albums this year. Citing new LP's from The Roots, Guilty Simpson, Kidz in the Hall and Webbie, the article pleads for fans to realize Wayne is far from the best rapper alive and hardly the only artist to drop quality material this year. Real Recognize Real.. Enjoy!

See Ray Run..

Congrats to rugged RU running back Ray Rice, drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2nd round, #55 pick overall. Can't wait to scoop that all-black jersey and see Willis & Ray-Ray do big things in the league.. Best of luck, homie.

Got some new jams for your Saturday night listening pleasure, Enjoy.

Kidz in the Hall ft. Pusha T, Bun-B & The Cool Kids - Drivin' Down The Block Remix

Lupe Fiasco ft. CL Smooth - Paris, Tokyo Remix

The Roots - Lost Desire ft. Talib Kweli & Malik B

The Roots & Such..

... are coming. For now, I'll have to allow a low-fi web-rip of Rising Down to hold me over until the good quality hits the blogosphere. With that said, enjoy these leaked tracks and some random jams from lyrical newcomers Wale & Skyzoo, Yonkers slick-talker Jadakiss and (borderline) insane veteran MC Nasir Jones.

Be sure to cop the latest from the illest hip-hop organic jazz crew The Roots NEXT TUESDAY! Pre-order here at Okayplayer.com and support original, quality artists!

Listen here:

The Roots ft. Chrisette Michelle & Wale - Rising Up

The Roots ft. Saigon & Truck North - Criminal

Skyzoo ft. Wale - Lyrically Inclined

Nas - Be A Nigger Too

Jadakiss - From Then 'Til Now prod. Alchemist


The Roots' Rising Down Track List:

01. The Pow Wow
02. Rising Down feat. Mos Def & Styles P
03. Get Busy feat. Dice Raw, Peedi Crack & DJ Jazzy Jeff
04. @15
05. 75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)
06. Becoming Unwritten
07. Criminal feat. Saigon & Truck North
08. I Will Not Apologize feat. P.O.R.N. & Dice Raw
09. I Can't Help It feat. Malik B & P.O.R.N.
10. Singing Man feat. Truck North & P.O.R.N.
11. Up There (Unwritten) feat. Mercedes Martinez
12. Lost Desire feat. Talib Kweli & Malik B
13. The Show feat. Common
14. Rising Up feat. Chrisette Michelle & Wale
15. Birthday Girl feat. Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy

Fresh Monday Medly..

Spending spring break applying for jobs and reviving last year's Soulive disc, I felt the urge to update you with some fresh material from The Roots' new album Rising Down, The Game's new album L.A.X., and Talib Kweli's mix-tape with Mick Boogie the MCEO Mixtape. Gotta hit the weights/cardio now, 'til next time.. Enjoy!


[roots]

The Roots ft. Styles P, Mos Def & Dice Raw - Rising Down (Hum Drum)


[game]

The Game - Big Dreams


[kweli]

Talib Kweli ft. Novel - I Am

Talib Kweli - D'Evils 2008 prod. 6th Sense

Ego Trippin' & Beyond

That's correct youngin', it's the flyest O-G entertainer in the game right now Snoop Dogg back with his latest album, Ego Trippin' set to drop next week, I believe. Though there are some obvious throw-aways here, the Long Beach vet's disc is quality overall. Check out these tracks from Ego Trippin' plus some bonus \
picks from yours truly including new material from The Roots, Q-Tip, & Clipse.. Enjoy!

Snoop Dogg - Whatever U Do


Snoop Dogg - Staxxx In My Jeans


Snoop Dogg - Why Did You Leave Me


Snoop Dogg ft. Charlie Wilson - Can't Say Goodbye




Bonus Jams:

Clipse - You Ain't A Killer 2008 (from Paul Rosenberg's show on Hot97)


The Roots ft. Dice Raw, Peedi Crakk, & DJ Jazzy Jeff - Get Busy


Q-Tip ft. Cool & Dre - Midnight '08 (Smirnoff Signature Mix) Clean

New Pete Rock Plus Roots' Rare Joints & Remixes

Paying homage to James Browns' Hell with his album cover design, veteran producer Pete Rock will be dropping a new LP in February (thanks to NahRight for the picture). If this song featuring one half of Little Brother MC Phonte, Justus Leaguer Joe Scudda, dictionary acrobat Wordsworth and underground legend Masta Ace is any sign of the guest appearances and musical quality, Pete's return to wax could be exactly what heads need in the '08:

Pete Rock ft. Phonte, Joe Scudda, Wordsworth, & Masta Ace - Bring Y'all Back

---

The Roots - Organamix (Roots Rare & Remixed Vinyl)

I recently came across this vinyl LP on ItsBX (good lookin' out randm for this vinyl rip!). It's a collection of some hard-to-find Roots material, including remixes and extra verses from some well-known hip-hoppers. I listed the tracks below and uploaded some of my favorites for your listening pleasure.

Track list:

1. Good Music
2. Proceed II ft. Roy Ayers
3. Silent Treatment (Kelo's Mix)
4. Meiso ft. Black Thought & Malik B (produced by DJ Krush)
5. Da Jawn ft. Bahamadia
6. The Show
7. 1.9.8.6. Remix ft. ILL Advised, Rasheed, Black Thought, & Malik B
8. Silent Treatment (Da Beatminerz Mix)
9. Da Notic
10. The Battle (Skribbles Vs Rahzel)
11. The Good, The Bad & The Desolate
12. Super Lyrical ft Big Punisher (classic, I had to share this one)
13. Silent Teatment (Black Thought's 87 You & Yours Mix)
14. Meiso (The Four Natural Ingridients Mix by Four Hero)
15. Listen To This (Walkin' Large) ft. Black Thought
16. Proceed III (Feat Bahamadia)

[i am in fact lacking confusion
as to what's real and what's illusion]

Madlib's 2003 Invasion into Blue Note & More......

It's been a while since we did this, ladies and gentlemen. And I've been on this crazy jazz/indie hip-hop tip today so, here goes..

Dust Off The Crates - 3rd Edition

Madlib - Shades of Blue (2003)



Gaining unlimited access to masters from jazz imprint Blue Note Records, Oxnard, C.A. producer/multi-instrumentalist Madlib reinterprets the catalog of legendary American recordings in his own THC-inspired way on 2003's Shades of Blue. Madlib flips classics like Donald Byrd's "Steppin' Into Tomorrow" and Ronnie Foster's "Mystic Brew" in addition to playing a cover of Horace Silver's "Song For My Father" to tribute his own dad, singer Otis Jackson, Sr. Shades of Blue is a brilliantly musical LP packed with jazzy, rugged hip-hop hybrids.

Madlib - Mystic Bounce

Madlib - Song For My Father

Madlib - Slim's Return

---

Grant Green - Live At Club Mozambique (1971)



Grant Green, the often-overlooked soul jazz and hard bop guitarist who recorded prolifically for Blue Note in the 60's and 70's, glides effortlessly on his 1971 live disc Live at the Mozambique Club. The tracks selected here display Green's funkified licks and up-tempto improvisations.

Grant Green - More Today Than Yesterday

Grant Green - Jan Jan

Grant Green - One More Chance

---

Madlib - Studio Kinda Cloudy Vol 2 (2002)



For the final disc here in this edition, we return to the West Coast's eclectic, sample-lovin' musician Madlib. Studio Kinda Cloudy Vol 2's quirky, blunted environment leads to hazy remixes of dope hip-hop tracks (Gangstarr's "Just To Get A Rep," Fat Joe & Noreaga's "Misery Loves Company"), bugged-out relics of the art's golden era ("Make Them Clap" featuring Wildchild, "My World Primiere" featuring Peanut Butter Wolf's deceased homie Charizma), and odes to true heads ("Loopdigga" and "Variation of the Rain 8"). Definitely cool.

Madlib ft. Medaphoar - Loopdigga 12 Inch Mix

Madlib ft. Charizma - My World Primiere Madlib Remix

Madlib ft. The Roots - Variation of the Rain 8


[u don't see us, but we see u]

New Blog Title & Mission Plus New & Old Hip-Hop Gems!

See, I got this idea. I think it's my duty to bring you constant updates, when I can, of some dope music and interesting news surrounding music culture. That's why you need to check it on a regular basis and click on my ads on the bottom while you're here (it takes barely any time and you can X out right after)! I'll still post reviews on the journalism tip but I want to stay grinding to help you get the proper hits from this blog.

Shouts to LowKey at You Heard That New, Ivan at Hip-Hop Is Read, Nah Right, Michael at Fifteen Minutes To Live, Oh Word, Ill Roots, etc.. I'm the newcomer in this blog game and I appreciate your updates.

Saigon's New Song, Bloggin' & Buggin' at Joe Budden


Saigon - "Wake Up," Moral Of The Story

Here's Saigiddy's newest track, the typical deep single I'd expect from a dude who's been through all that this Brooklyn/Mooseknuckle (say what?!), NY MC has. And for those that didn't know, Saigon's been voicing his opinion on his blog regarding Joe Budden's one-liner referencing his punkin' of Prodigy of Mobb Deep. The Yardfather needs to realize it was wordplay and keep his music movin'.


Styles P Suffers From DeJa Vu


Styles P ft. Black Thought - Cause I'm Black, Super Gangster: Extraordinary Gentlemen

Didn't LOX rep Styles P already make a song about the struggles of his skin color? Seems like Pinero is suffering from deja vu, but I like this one better than the one with that Floetry chick especially 'cuz Roots lead MC Black Thought spits real tough.

Dust Off the Crates: Hits from the Past - 1st Edition


I had to post this after watching the movie recently. Denzel does the damn thing there while Chuck D and Flava Flav drop some knowledge God over a craftily-placed sample from Buffalo Springfield's 1967 hit "For What It's Worth." Yeaaa Boyyyy!

Public Enemy - He Got Game, He Got Game Movie Soundtrack


Y'all Know The Rules: Stay Cool



The Roots - Y'all Know Who, Okayplayer: True Notes Vol. 1

I had to finish up with a slept-on jam from hip-hop's legendary Roots Crew. This fast-paced bass-thumping blitz is off 2004's Okayplayer: True Notes Vol. 1 which my homie DJ J Past put me onto recently. Even I over-looked this ill collection so grab it here if you missed it, too.

[i'm ghost, peace and much love]


My wandering got my ass wondering
Where Christ is in all this crisis
-Chuck D, Public Enemy - "He Got Game," He Got Game Movie Soundtrack