Looking Forward To This..

Whoa!

.. But I'll say it again, I still think Joe Budden's Padded Room will not drop February 24th, I foresee another push-back 'cause that's how it is for Jumpoff Joey.

Then again, I dunno - Amalgam Digital is pretty persistent in its promo. Matt from MAC Media shot me a press release from Amalgam today about the Jersey MC's sophomore LP and it sounds pretty serious:

"Throughout his trails and tribulations with Def Jam and sparring with Hip-Hop’s heavyweights, Joe Budden has largely reinvented himself without losing what endeared himself to fans; his deep thinking lyrical brilliance (can anyone forget Joe’s brilliant “Who” trilogy?).

In fact, with his “Joe Budden TV” videos going viral and becoming a staple on blogs worldwide, Joe has to a large extent become Hip-Hop’s “peoples champion” as Joe’s personality and “every man” personality transcends and fans can undeniably relate to his daily life (could a reality series be far behind?).

Joe’s relentless grind culminates on 2-24-09 with the release of his official sophomore LP Padded Room (which has already received rave reviews from XXL, Spin and Smooth Magazines) and the LP’s lead-single “The Future” featuring former adversary The Game is already burning up the Internet and the duo will also be filming a video for the track shortly."

Word. I'm definitely looking forward to PR - shit, it's been a long-time coming and I love seeing my home state reppin' (Stand up!). He needs his time to shine, let's see if Joey can step up and deliver a gem.

Thanks again to Matt from MAC Media and Shake & Meka for the track list heads up, Peace.

Joe Budden - Padded Room

Track List:

1. Now I Lay (produced by Blastah Beatz)
2. The Future f/ The Game (produced by Fyu-chur)
3. If I Gotta Go (produced by the Klasixs)
4. Don’t Make Me (produced by Blastah Beatz)
5. Blood On The Wall (produced by Moss)
6. In My Sleep (produced by Blastah Beatz)
7. Exxxes (produced by the Klasixs)
8. I Couldn’t Help It (produced by the Klasixs)
9. Adrenaline (produced by Dub B)
10. Happy Holidays (produced by Quan)
11. Do Tell (produced by Blastah Beatz)
12. Angel In My Life (produced by Blastah Beatz)
13. Pray For Me (produced by Versatile & Dilemma)

Only Gettin One Life..

So I gotta live it up

.. That's right fam, I'm livin' right now. Just got back from my office's holiday party early and I'm lovely. I got the dopest present - but don't get it twisted, I had to earn it.

We had an NFL pool throughout the first 14 weeks where we would try to pick the winners for the games every Sunday, and you're boy tied for first place in the whole office.

What was my prize, you ask? Well, let's just say I'll be gettin' my Ron Browz on this New Years with this here bottle of Vueve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut! I can't find my digital camera right now or else I would have posted a real pic, my bad but I'm so amped, chyea!

Also, I got to kick it with the one-and-only homie William Cooper a.k.a Booth 'cause he dates one of my co-workers. For those that don't know, he's a producer/rapper from Jersey who has worked with Wu-Affiliates, 9th Prince, Tragedy Khadafi, Black Market Militia, and other dope underground MC's. He gave me the inside scoop on his debut album coming soon - he's got appearances from Nature, Ill Bill and possibly Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks so I'll keep you all updated on the album's progress, good looks Coop!

Other than that, I'm off work early so I'm coolin - bout to clean my car and knock off some more of the must-listen hip-hop before I compile my year-end lists and submit my picks to the Rap Critics Poll. Here's how I'm doin (I added a couple that I want to peep):

88-Keys - Death of Adam (Check, it's aight but waaay over-hyped)

Akrobatik - Absolute Value

Astonish - From Now Until Forever (Check, I'm feelin it)

Big Jess - High Rule

Braille - The IV Edition (Check, definitely some deep shit here)

Common Market - Tobacco Road

Elzhi - The Preface (Check, this is goooood)

Grip Grand - Brokelore

Jazz Liberatorz - Clin d'oeil (Check, I'm lovin' the jazz-hop)

Kanser - Future Retro Legacy

Knonam - Length of the Blade (Check, dude is real powerful on the mic)

Moe Pope - Moe Pope and Headnodic are Megaphone (Listening now)

Murs - Murs For President (Check, probably my favorite so far, Murs is a microphone fiend)

Reks - Grey Hairs (Check, it's not bad)

The Mighty Underdogs - Droppin' Science Fiction

The Mighty Underdogs - The Prelude

..So, I'll probably get through the rest of Moe Pope & Headnodic's today and move onto Big Jess and Kanser later on. I'll be round, holla!

Back 2 The Basics, Again

.. Since I'm at work grinding before our holiday luncheon today, I won't be able to post more than this until I get home (early, I hope!). I downloaded On Smash Presents.. Legend, DJ Nice & DJ Green Lantern's Back 2 The Basics 2 last night for, I mean, obvious reasons - DJ Green Lantern is a beast and the track listing looked incredibly dope.

I only listened to a couple tracks before calling it a night, the "Set It Off" Remix and Fashawn's "Freedom" produced by Exile bang heavy but I can't vouch for the entire thing just yet.

Good looks to Rizoh for the heads up and for upping Vol. 1 which you can download here, Enjoy!

On Smash Presents Legend, DJ Nice & DJ Green Lantern - Back 2 The Basics 2

Track List:

1. Ced Hughes & Emilio Rojas- Kick In The Door (Produced by The Kickdrums)

2. Raekwon & Special Ed - Hood Story (Produced by Huu Banga)

3. Curren$y - Got It (Produced by Monsta Beatz)

4. KiD CuDi - Can I Be

5. Nipsey Hu$$le - HoodStar

6. GoDChilD - Toast 2 Life (Produced by Black Friday)

7. Sha Stimuli - Next Up (Produced by J.Cardim)

8. The Kid Daytona - Lately (Produced by Ill Bomb)

9. Theo - Roberta Flack Revisit (feat. Dolly) (Produced by Flying Lotus)

10. Killer Mike - Grinding

11. Nino Bless - Murdera

12. Kardinal Offishall - Set It Off (Remix) (feat. Dr. Dre & The Clipse) (Produced by Boi-1da)

13. Novel - Noise (Produced by Breeze The Beatmachine)

14. Chip The Ripper - Moses Freestyle

15. D-Black - Hold Up (Gangsta Shit) (Produced by Illmind)

16. Fashawn - Freedom (Produced by Exile)

17. Joell Ortiz - Say No

18. Mickey Factz - OnSMASH (feat. CurT@!N$)

19. The Insomniaks - Crashin Whips

20. Mikkey Halsted - Karma (Produced by No I.D.)

21. Skyzoo - Catch Up (Produced by Ski)

22. Billy Danze - Undescribable (feat. Busta Rhymes)

23. Wafleek - The Hollows

24. Harlem’s Cash - Modern Day Malcolm (feat. Santogold) (The Government Remix)

25. A.Pinks - In My Own World (Bonus)

Imaginary Foundation

For anyone searching for a dope T-shirt to give a unique person in your life or if you're just looking for a creative look, peep game.

Mick Boogie and the good folks at Press Play Fashion Forward hooked up a link to The Rumplo Holiday T-Shirt Guide, which is dope itself to find a last-minute fashion item for the holidays.

From there, I found my way to eclectic gear site Imaginary Foundation - and I gotta say I'm impressed by their designs enough to consider placing an order right quick. The only catch is that they're kinda expensive, hitting you up for 30 bucks a pop.

I've posted my favorite from IF's Men's tees below.. What do y'all think?

"Believe In Music"




"Albert"





"Mic Math"





"Giant Step"




"Puzzle"

Obviously the "Man"

"Man of the Year," that is. I mean, who did you expect? Thank GOD he beat out Paulson, that guy had no clue what was going on until it was too late then he changed TARP on a whim. I hate indecisiveness in my leaders.

An excerpt from the main page:

"In one of the craziest elections in American history, he overcame a lack of experience, a funny name, two candidates who are political institutions and the racial divide to become the 44th President of the United States."

Now go and party like a Barack Star!

Check out all of Time's coverage here, Enjoy!

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..

Time Is Money..

.. And I wish I could spend it on this fresh-ass timepiece designed by Lifted Research Group and Casio - it would perfectly compliment my BAPE & G-Shock watch.

A special 10th anniversary edition in the Casio G-Shock "Frogman" series, this bad boy retails for around 600 beans (whew!) and only around a thousand will ship - making it ultra exclusive.

Thanks to Hypebeast for the heads up - and if you wanna surprise me with this for Christmas, you can pre-order it over at Karmaloop.

More pics below, Sweet!

This Friday..

.. I'll be bashin' holiday style with DJ Premier and Cipha Sounds in Manhattan. Major props to my personal homie DJ Sickroc for the heads up on this event presented by Pepsi Proper & Fool's Gold, featuring The Brothers Macklovitch, Sammy Bananas & Nick Catchdubs.

Don't worry, this event is even recession-proof - it's FREE with RSVP to foolsgold@epiphanymediallc.com.. I've sent in mine, will you?

Here's the full scoop from the Fool's Good blog:

Like we always do at this time… it’s the return of the annual Fool’s Gold holiday party!

This year we teamed up with Pepsi Proper to bring you the “Friends & Family Holiday Bash,” featuring the legend DJ Premier and the big dawg pitbull Cipha Sounds, along with tag-team DJ sets from FG’s own Nick Catchdubs and Sammy Bananas and The Brothers Macklovitch. NOT TO BE MISSED! Come through and close out an amazing 2008 with all of us.

The party is completely free with RSVP, and it’s going down this Friday (12.19) at Twelve/21 in NYC aka the old Sound Factory aka Cheetah (”from Club Cheetah, to Club Amnesia, Peanuts in LA, bubblin in Dublin,” yes that one). Full address and info after the jump.

Pepsi Proper presents

FOOL’S GOLD FAMILY & FRIENDS HOLIDAY BASH

with special guests
DJ PREMIER
CIPHA SOUNDS
and
THE BROTHERS MACKLOVITCH
SAMMY BANANAS & NICK CATCHDUBS

FRIDAY DECEMBER 19th
9pm-1am / 21+
FREE w/ RSVP
foolsgold@epiphanymediallc.com

TWELVE21
12 West 21st St
New York City

UnCommon Classics

.. I always love finding hidden gems. Finding something that's rare or unique is just a rush, you feel like your eyes are open to unchartered territory- it's quite ill.

Hand me a late pass, but I found Kevin Nottingham's dope ass hip-blog today and I gotta shout dude out for these discs of unreleased and rare Common material. Comm one of the nicest out - but this is stuff you've never heard, or at least I haven't heard most of it so it's new to me. If y'all heard it before, then props 'cause this is exclusive.

Enough bullshit, let's get to the point - During their "Common Week" last week, Kevin Nott and Co posted Comm's original demo tape and various other lesser-known stuff from his earlier catalog.

Yours truly provided the Mick Boogie Uncommon, the demo leaked on FSD, Risky Bizzness compiled two UnCommon Classics tapes and DJ Giavanny & Team Invasion West hooked up Common Cold.

Check the links, & Good looks Kev!.. Enjoy!




Mick Boogie - UnCommon

1. Common Intro 0:42
2. 1999 ft. Sadat X 2:38
3. Claimin' Respect ft. ED O.G. 2:05
4. State to State ft. NO I.D. 2:52
5. Who Shot Ya? ft. KRS One 1:58
6. Resurrection 3:10
7. Common Interlude 0:16
8. The Bizness ft. De La Soul 2:32
9. Car Horn 1:52
10. Sun God 1:52
11. Like They Used To Say 2:17
12. May Be One Day ft. Brand Nubian 2:49
13. Verbal Murder ft. Big Pun 1:58
14. Play Dis ft. Saukrates 2:34
15. High Expectations 3:11
16. Life Goes On ft. AZ 1:51
17. Slam Pit ft. The Beatnuts 0:59
18. The League Freestyle 2003 1:06
19. Days of Our Life ft. De La Soul 3:37
20. The Hurricane 1:14
21. Hip-Hop 101 (Live) 4:05
22. Common Interlude 0:17
23. Respiration ft. Blackstar 3:24
24. Reminisce ft. Mos Def & Bilal 2:30
25. In The Sun 1:23
26. Act Too (Live on MTV) 4:11
27. The Truth ft. Pharaohe Monch 2:16
28. 6th Sense (Live in Germany) 2:29
29. The Future of Hip-Hop 1:05
30. The Bitch In Yoo 2:42
31. The Bitch In Yoo Part 2 (Demo) 1:01
32. The Remedy ft. Q-Tip 4:06
33. Come Close Part 2 ft. Q-Tip 2:20
34. Come Close Part 3 ft. Phife Dawg 2:28
35. Common Outro 0:19
36. So Cool (Bonus Track) 2:37




Common - UnAmerican Caravan - The Demo Tape - 1991

1. First Days of New School
2. Take It Easy (Demo Version)
3. 2 The Temple
4. Who Stole The Clippers
5. The Caravan Train
6. Divide & Conquer
7. A = For Effort

Risky Bizness - UnCommon Classics

1. Freestyle (feat. Prince) - Live @ The Metro; Chicago IL 11/22/00
2. Soul By The Pound (Thump Remix)
3. Tekzilla
4. Confusion (w/ Just Ro)
5. Slam Pit (w/ The Beatnuts)
6. Interview (f/ Joe Clair / DJ Love)
7. Fresh Rhymes (feat. J.U.I.C.E. & O-Type Star)
8. High Expectations
9. Lately I’ve Been Thinking (feat. Sean Lett)
10. Freestyle (feat. Funkmaster Flex)
11. The Remedy (feat. A Tribe Called Quest)
12. Freestyle (feat. DJ Honda)
13. Reminding Me Of Self (Roots Remix)
14. Like They Used To Say
15. Sun God (feat. Hi-Tek)
16. Divide & Conquer
17. Can-I-Bus (feat. Y-Not)
18. The Bitch In Yoo (Ice Cube Dis)
19. State To State (feat. No I.D. & Dug Infinite)
20. Da Bizness (feat. De La Soul)
21. Ressurection (Large Professor Remix)
22. 8 Minutes To Sunrise (feat. Jill Scott)
23. A Better Tommorrow (feat. Brand Nubian)
24. Car Horn
25. Play Dis (98′ Version) (feat. Saukrates)
26. U.N.I. Verse All (feat. The Roots)
27. A For Effort
28. The Light (feat. Prince) Live @ The Metro Chicago, Il, 11/22/00

Risky Bizness - More UnCommon Classics - The Return of Illinois

1. Intro (Be Yourself)
2. Resurrection (Extra P Remix)
3. The Jam
4. Embrace The Chaos
5. Out For The Cash
6. Life Goes On
7. 89,9-Wkcr Radio Freestyle
8. Mic Set
9. In The Sun
10. Act Too (The Love Of My Life)
11. Play Dis
12. One For Love
13. Money For Doe
14. Who Stole The Clippers
15. 88.5-Whpk Radio Freestyle
16. The Truth
17. Don’t Come My Way
18. 1-9-9-9
19. UnAmerican Caravan
20. The Bitch In Yoo
21. Some unCommon Breaks

DJ Giovanny & Team Invasion West - The Common Cold

1. Go (Unreleased Live Version)
2. Interlude
3. So Far To Go (Original Version) Ft. D’Angelo
4. Don’t Say Goodnight (Orig. Sample In So Far To Go)
5. Open Your Eyes (Orig. Sample In The Light)
6. Open Your Eyes (Unreleased)
7. The Light (4 U RMX) Ft. Erykah Badu
8. This Love I Have (Orig. Sample In I Want You)
9. Interlude
10. I Want You (DJ Giovanny RMX) Ft. Q-Tip
11. Feel Like Makin Love (Orig. Sample In I Want You)
12. I’ve Been Thinking
13. All Night Long Ft. Brand New Heavies
14. The Car Horn
15. Testify (Unreleased Demo Mix) Ft. Darien Brockington
16. Doinit (Madlib B-Side RMX)
17. They Used To Say
18. Someday (Orig. Sample In Break My Heart)
19. Break My Heart (Unreleased Live Version)
20. The Changing World (Orig. Sample In I Used To Love H.E.R.)
21. I Used To Love H.E.R. (Unreleased Live Version)
22. Heaven (9th Wonder RMX)
23. Heaven (Demo Version) Ft. D’Angelo
24. Unreleased Track Ft. Lauryn Hill

Put This On My Xmas List..

Whoooose house?

O's hooouuuse

.. Now this is what I call creative hip-hop fashion, unlike the fashion no-no's from my previous post. Big ups to the homie John Gotty at TSS for posting this dope Obama tribute shirt - he's definitely gonna be runnin' shit for the next 4 years!

Check out the designer's website here - Justice Hall. Feel free to cop it and send it to ya boy if you're in the giving mood!