Gonna Be Alright..

Not really in the type of mood to say much, long day at work so I'm gon' let the music speak for itself. Thanks to Beware and Dre for the audio..

..Just listen.

Links in the CBox --->

Fall Out Boy ft. Joe Budden, 88-Keys & Murs - America's Suitehearts

Joe Young ft. Kanye West & Lil' Wayne - We Alright (Remix)


I'm a regular success story
Minus the diamonds and baguette glory
That I let bore me
So I kept it off me
Hard-headed, stubborn I won't learn
If I do, best believe it'll be on my own terms
Listen, born sinner
Slash born winner
Either that's how he seems
Or I'm somewhere in between
I'm a popular stranger
I'm nobody famous Yea, I'm a famous nobody
Still it won't stop me
Wrist so rocky
I come across so cocky, conceited
When really I can see that
If really they believe it
My comfort zone is uncomfortable
Trace it, it'll come from home
I'm not alone
I've popped pills, to escape
Just 'cause I feel
That my reality is not real
I get emotional, big on passion
Smart so when I'm wrong, I get big on ration
Bottle up my attitude, sell it to the public
I'd be a millionaire, 'cause American loves it

-Budden

Best Rapper in the World Wide Web

[why not a lil' bit of Tahiry?]


This is ground breaking news from two of Jers' elite


Meedah ft. Joe Budden - Ground Breaking Newz

Link in the CBox --->

Shouts to Sermon for the heads up on Twitter and Shake & Meka for the audio, Meedah got some great lines, and Jersey Joe rips this:

Now dealin with a pyro

Vic dose and my eyes low

Advise though, any path that I go, I chose

So play macho like Randy Savage

And I’ma snap ‘em like a slim jim

So for me, it’s a win-win

Anywhere you tryina go, I been been

Highest of the high to the lowest when the ends end

Y’all was aimin’ at trails

I was tryin’ to get one like

Don’t move, the ginsu leave your chest

I been goin thru mental stress

So when I do, the flow tight like a pencil dress

So when I’m talking bout life, know you been thru less

If the slogan’s just nice

Fan’s will leave you for a younger dude

They gon’ act like Hulk Hogan’s wife

In the hood, keep that thing on your waist

I’m the king, see my face

Nah fuck it, you the king, I’m the ace

Bitch n*ggas is queens and all they moves is jacks

But I’m grown so I don’t want nothin to do with that

No truces, no excuses

Not a dame but I’ll treat it like spades and pull out both deuces

So tell the labels come holla’in

At anyone in Jers, pick a tunnel, either Lincoln or the Holland

We all get it poppin

You may be Vince Young crazy but you get the success of Kerry Collins

But if the football players ain’t remind you

Fuck around in that water and they might not find you

Mind you who I was signed to

Made me Governor Patterson,

I could still see though they tried to blind dude

Mad, suck it

Y’all see fools so I see food

Y’all could literally be crabs in a bucket

We can get like cowboys and Indian style

Kick the chair from under me? I sit Indian style

Suck dick, n*gga

In My Sleep

In My Sleep - Joe Budden

Baby girl told me in my sleep I was talkin

So it’s only natural I asked her what I said

She said she woke up when she heard

She was so damn tired, she couldn’t make out a word

She said she was trying to see if eventually I would scream the name of a bird

I told her that’s absurd, and then gave her the face like “Word”

And then she replied “Yeah,” said it was quite weird, said she was type scared

I said that’s a side effect that you get when you trade bad dreams for some great nightmares

When I close my eyes, I escape the poltergeist

My escape from reality just what I needed

Brings me to a place where shorty never cheated

And even if she tried and succeeded

In this other world, I wouldn’t even get heated

Fuck the details I don’t care about why

I’m chillin with my grandmother, she ain’t die

I was browsing online and seen Mike on a banner

That said “You can be like me and beat cancer”

Anything I touched, I’d feel

Know it’s fiction but it seems so real

Was leavin out the casino with a nympho

Yes, Ray he can be so simple

Here’s how I resolve a problem with my kin folk

Learned how to build me a house with no windows

And that’s when I think I saw a ribbon in the sky but it wasn’t for my intro

Cuz where I’m at, there’s no rumors

Or gossip but still got love for Miss Info

She said in my sleep I be laughin

But shit be funny to me

Look, my ice cream’s 200 degrees

If it dripped, I get a hole in my dungarees, see

My anonymity is my protection

And me and hip-hop have no connection

Which got me to reflecting

Is that why the mirror won’t show my reflection?

When I close my eyes, there’s no dollars

So we can stretch that one as an excuse

Or why folks do the things they do

Or why people act so brand new

I had wings on, flying out of prison with a ratchet

Was only there ‘cause someone snitched

Look here, no one’s poor but no one’s rich

Just my way of creepin if life’s a bitch

Took a walk on the ceiling just to get my mind right

That was yesterday, so in hind sight

Since I was able to haul off

I took it as God telling me I’d never fall off

Got rid of name brands and the jewelry

Most people just use it as medicine

Like it take ‘em somewhere they ain’t never been

But here you’re better off not better than

Stuck in a room with an elephant

Opened a closet and dapped up my skeleton

Had a convo with a man with no ears

And all the sudden everything became so clear

Have no fear

I just bought a first class trip to nowhere

Everybody goes there

But they don’t stay the whole year

Me? I got 3 hundred and 65 shows there

My girl said in my sleep I be walkin

So I ask baby where I go?

She said I be walkin slow

And she don’t ever wanna get outta bed, so she don’t know

I went to see a man walking on water

Asked if he’d ever get things back in order

I been there 2 years over a quarter

But every time I open my eyes, it’s like torture

He said “Please,

I gave you a whole ‘nother world for you to go do with as you please

Just so you appeased

Mixed with a couple of signs ‘bout real life while you make believe”

So I teleported out of there with a grin

Met a bum with a mansion, invited me in

Then, we politicked about politics

Said something about Def Jam, I ain’t acknowledged it

I went to see a virgin with AIDS

Yea, I thought about smashin that

Yea, ass was fat

So appealing

Tattoo on her in her thigh said she doin better than she was feelin

I think I seen shorty before

Like, maybe in the club or something

Look, maybe in VIP

But wasn’t nobody there but me

And the club was all red

And she started playin with my head

And then I came

Then I asked shorty what’s her name

And it was weird, ‘cause she fucked around n disappeared

Like what a cruel joke

Cig lit but from it was no smoke

Flicked in an ash tray

And seen Stacks’ face

Flashed to a school hallway on a half-day

Was getting chased, couldn’t tell by who

Then the hallway turned into a cliff

Screamin “pff” before I was dead

Somehow I jumped my ass up out that bed

Then baby girl told me in my sleep I was screaming

So I said “That’s a lie”

She put her right hand in the sky

She said, You was, but I don’t know why.

Gotta go, Goodbye

Tying Up Loose Ends

I got some time this morning to lay down some quality music and videos, so heeere we go..

KANYE WEST "Welcome To Heartbreak" Directed by Nabil from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Up first is a vid for "Welcome to Heartbreak" a.k.a. the best song off 808's and HeartBreak. I know that's not saying much. But director Nabil, the mind behind the fly animated "Champion" vid, did his thing with the colors and transitions on this one for Kanye and CuDi.

B.o.B - "Generation Lost"

The second is another vid, this time for B.o.B's "Generation Lost," one of the dopest tracks from the ATLien signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle. I presume this is off his debut LP The Adventures of B.o.B. but we'll know for sure when we get the track list. Check it out, it's a pretty simple video. It doesn't matter, the music is powerful enough.

Also finished up Padded Room, and wow. I don't wanna give a rating or anything yet but I'm thoroughly impressed.

Of course, I spotted some newness during my frequent Google Reader browsing. Here's new ish from Jadakiss, Joe Budden, B.o.B., Joell Ortiz, Lil' Wayne & Juelz, Nottz featuring Kardinal Offishall & Cory Gunz, Saigon, Mos Def, Talib Kweli CDQ, Termanology and Skyzoo from that GTA Lost & Damned, Outasight, and Last Emperor (where's he been??).

Good looks to TSS, RapDirt, Ivan, and the usual suspects for the muzak, Enjoy!

Links in the CBox --->

Jadakiss - Magic City (Rumors of a remix with Cam, Weezy, Diddy and more in the works)

Joe Budden - In My Sleep

Joe Budden - Get It In Freestyle

Talib Kweli - My Favorite Song (CDQ)

B.o.B. - Don't Break My Heart

Joel Ortiz - Bout My Money

Lil' Wayne ft. Juelz Santana & Starr - Rockstar

Nottz - Can't Hide The Truth ft. Kardinal Offishall & Cory Gunz

DJ Deckstream ft. Mos Def - Life Is Good

Saigon - Spit (Radio Rip)

Termanology - Here in Liberty City

Skyzoo - The Chase Is On

Outasight - Exclusive prod. Oddisee

Last Emperor - Gangster Groove

The Future..

.. Since Padded Room just leaked, I'll be seeing y'all in about an hour. Peep one of the tracks from Jersey's finest Jumpoff Joe and go play plumber at your nearest bootleg blog, message board or torrent spot.

:-D

Enjoy!

Link over thurr --->


Joe Budden ft. The Game - The Future

Fresh Wu + More of Dat New New

While 50 takes Rick Ross' baby moms out for a lil shopping spree to elevate their e-beef and Joe Budden e-pimps his lady friend, my loyal readers are gonna get your own share of new ish.

I'm at work so I haven't peeped these, but you gotta get excited for fresh tracks from Lil' Wayne & Pharrell and Lil' Wayne & Sean Kingston (where has he been?!), Raekwon featuring Ghostface & Method Man, Charles Hamilton, and J. Cardim featuring Red Cafe, Wale & Mims.

Big props to Khal, Eskay, Shake & Meka, and Nigel D for all this good ish, Enjoy!

Links that-a-way --->

Lil' Wayne ft. Pharrell - Ay Man (Is it just me or does Pharrell sound so like Juvenile on this one? I'm actually feelin his flow..)

Lil' Wayne ft. Sean Kingston - I'm At War

Raekwon ft. Ghostface & Method Man - Wu Ooh

Charles Hamilton - Brass Knuckles

Charles Hamilton - Lip Service

Charles Hamilton - Pleasant Overthinking

J. Cardim ft. Red Cafe, Wale & MIMS - Don't Play With My Dough

Just One Of Those Days

Sup all. I'd love to say Happy Friday but mine has been anything but. You ever get that feeling that as soon as your day is started, you feel like it's not your day at all?

After two accidents caused bumper-to-bumper traffic driving to work that impeded me from my daily Dunkin Donuts ritual, I rolled up to the office about a half hour late. I'm not focused here at work, I've got a bunch of projects but can't get my mind right. Plus, a couple of my co-workers are getting on my nerves. Just let me be, damn it.

The only thing I've got goin for me is that it's Friday and the weekend is almost here. That reminds me, I'm hoping to see Mos Def at one of his 6 shows at the Blue Note NYC this weekend. Also, I peeped this flyer up top at Notes from a Different Kitchen for a Bob Marley celebration at the Blender Theater at Gramercy on what would be his born day February 6th. All true reggae heads would appreciate this show.

Oh, and this is my 300th post, it's a celebration bitches. I haven't hooked up new tracks in a lil bit, so here's a couple. Hopefully they'll help you have a better day than me, Enjoy!

Links in Cbox --->

Joell Ortiz ft. Joe Budden, Royce Da 5'9 & Crooked I - Move On (Slaughterhouse Remix) [Heard the show was dope last night at SOB's, good ish]

Bobby Valentino ft. Ludacris, Lil' Kim & Lil' Wayne - Beep (Official Remix)

Solange ft. B.O.B. - I Decide Remix

T.I. ft. Snoop Dogg & Wyclef - Holla If You Hear Me

Beyonce ft. Ciara & Ms. Jade - Diva Remix

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"

Movin' On & Chillin'

[wale & lohan LOL]

Of all the new lyricists bombarding the street circuit and blogosphere, Wale and Joell Ortiz are two of the ones that I look out for the most - and for good reason.

The former is a DC verbalist building a following (count me in!) for his unique rhyme structure and clever wordplay while the latter is a BK brawler hitting the industry hard with in-your-face realness.

Want proof? I got my hands on some new tracks from both. First up is Wale on a Cool-N-Dre produced "Chillin," where he goes in:

I got the right to be cocky
Did so much good disc jockeys jock me
You niggas mad 'cause you not me
I remain a Giant and you Jeremy Shockey

Bwahaha, Get 'em fam! If this jam doesn't make you want to listen to more from Wale, I don't know what will.


[ortiz]


[budden]

The second bit of evidence is a new Joell featuring Jersey rep Joe Budden called "Move On" off Ortiz's upcoming The Free Agent Mixtape. Here are some memorable lines:

Set up to be a loser but was made to be a winner
If they paint hip-hop, I bet my face be in the picture
If they wrote a rap Bible, bet my name be in the scripture
-Joell

I gotta give my own interview
Since niggas that do my interviews
Focus on whatever's miniscule
Or paint me as cynical
But the canvas will limit you You can't go beyond what there's no limit to -Joey

Yup, this is what it's all about.

Like always, the links are in the CBox to the right. Props to Eskay for the Ortiz/ Budden and KSY-Music for the Wale, Enjoy!

Wale - Chillin' prod. Cool-N-Dre

Joell Ortiz ft. Joe Budden - Move On

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)

Promises Are Made To Be Broken..

.. or are they?

That's what we're about to find out in hip-hop in '09, we'll see who keeps to their word and who talked out they you-know-what.

Outkast album? Perhaps.

Detox? Not likely.

Ya boy's got some other predictions about all this chatter on upcoming albums and the like, here we go:

->Big Boi & Andre 3000K release solo albums Sir Luscious Left Foot and untitled, respectively, then collab for an Outkast Album before '09 is through

Odds: 50%

Act like this right here wouldn't be a dream come true. 3 albums from the ATLiens in 12 months? Sounds too good to be true, huh? That's cause it might be. It's a coin-flip right here, I think the solo ones will drop but they'll keep the 'Kast album on people's minds for much longer.

->Mos Def releases The Ecstatic before the 3rd Quarter

Odds: 100%

Mos ain't playing this time around like he did on Tru3 Magic by the looks of his ferocious "Life In Marvelous Times," the first single off his upcoming The Ecstatic due February and I think it'll be on time. I've been waitin for this BK brawler to stop singing and grab hold of the mic, let's see what he can do.

-> Padded Room drops February 24th

Odds: 40%

There is NO WAY, I repeat NO WAY that this album won't get pushed back at least til after my born day (March 3, pisces stand up!). That's Jumpoff Joey and Amalgam Digital's strategy, they keep people waiting until -> becomes relevant again - Ha, gotcha! I kid, I kid. Joey's got bars, but does he have a solid album in him? MM2 and 3 say "yes," but those appeal to a cult following. Either way - we won't know 'til after February.

->Detox is finally finished in '09

Odds: 15% (and that's generous)

We've got a better chance at seeing a new Em and 50 album than seeing Detox any time next year. Don't get your hopes up.

Am I The Only One..

..Progressing in a recession?

Being from Jersey, I'll give any Budden an honest listen - and usually, I enjoy his unconventional flow and introspective perspective. Jumpoff Joey's got versatility and solid lyrics but sometimes gets too emotional to the point where I feel bad for dude. I like some of his catalog - definitely not all - and I take pride that I'm not on his D like some of these other internet personas.

Being a critical blogger, I gave an objective listen to Halfway House, the digital prequel to his upcoming LP Padded Room. To be honest, it's pretty dope - has its ups with crazy surprises but downs with no real direction. Most importantly, it did what it's supposed to - keeps me interested to hear what he produces next while leaving room for improvement.

I suggest checking it yourself to formulate an opinion. Here's the track-list plus links to the best it has to offer.. Enjoy!

01. Intro (Produced By Pro Logic)
02. On My Grind (Produced By Mizfit Sounds)
03. Overkill (Feat. Heartbreak) (Produced By Blastah Beatz)
04. Check Me Out (Produced By Mizfit Sounds)
05. Sidetracked (Produced By Rodney Hazard)
06. Slaughterhouse (Feat. Joell Ortiz, Nino Bless, Crooked I & Royce Da 5′9″) (Produced By Scram Jones)
07. Under The Sun (Produced By Hazed Khaos)
08. The Soul (Produced By Cardiak)
09. Anything Goes (Produced By Miztiz)
10. Go To Hell (Produced By Blastah Beatz)
11. Just To Be Different (Produced By Kid Source)
12. Touch & Go (Produced By The Klasix)
13. Better Me (Bonus Track) (Produced By The Klasix & Ken Lewis)
14. One Night Fuck (Feat. Emanny) (Produced By Malay)

Strictly Business & Still a Mile High..

.. While I'm handling grown man business for a week in Denver, I'll bless my loyal subscribers periodically with fire like this. First up we've got two unreleased bonus tracks from Talib Kweli's masterpiece Eardrum, then a new Green Lantern-produced heater from Styles P, a remix to Mickey Factz's Leak 27 by Naledge of Kidz in the Hall, and finally the two-part critique of hip-hop's current state from Jersey's own Jumpoff Joey - who truly ain't afraid to speak the truth. Enjoy!

Talib Kweli ft. Little Brother - Getting My Grown Man On

Talib Kweli ft. Marsha Ambrisious - Take It Back

Joe Budden - Who Pt. 1

Joe Budden - Who Pt. 2

Naledge - Incredible

Styles P - Go prod. Green Lantern

One Hundred & Counting..

... It's my 100th post and I'm still going strong! I'm loving blogging as a side hobby - shout outs to all the music/film/entertainment/culture bloggers that keep the information flowing nonstop, day-in and day-out. Now that I've got a full-time 8-5 job, I've been slacking a tad bit. BUT, that should all change with my 16GB iPod Touch on it's way as we speak!

Now, back to the real matter at hand. I've become obsessed lately rocking Pandora internet radio grooving to jazz at work and decided to share the info with the blogosphere - it's perfect for when you don't have your music collection handy and want to hear any artist. Just type in an artist name or song title and it plays similar songs according to your taste - pretty cool, indeed.

I don't want all that fun to get in the way of exclusives from yours truly, so I'll continue my mission beyond my 100th post and keep the music coming.. Enjoy!

Joe Budden ft. Heartbreak - No More

Nas & Busta Rhymes - Fried Chicken

DJ Pharris ft R. Kelly, Fat Joe, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes - The Money

Lupe Fiasco - Where Do I Go

A-Trak - Say Whoa - Running Man Nike Original Run

Kanye West - Jigga My Nigga Freestyle

New and Old Joe Budden..

Shouts to the good people at Ill Roots for this mixtape of unreleased Joe Budden Material hosted by DJ Nice, The Lost Sessions. Also, got a new club jam from Jumpoff Joey supposedly off his upcoming album Padded Room - make it hot!

Joe Budden - Touch & Go (sorry for the RapidShare link, ZShare was actin' up)

Download the mixtape here

2007 Hit-Lists Part IV - Best and Worst Mixtapes

Street hip-hop's stage of all stages, the mixtape game, has become an integral part of building buzz before an album drops for veteran and novice MCs. Some are spankin' new verses over old beats, some are blends of old rhymes and original production, and others are just cold garbage. Here's [dom corleone]'s person picks for those with their ears to the streets last year:

Thumbs Up - Best Mixtapes:

DJ Mathematics presents – Return of the Wu-Tang

Wu-Tang's behind-the-scenes producer/DJ extraordinaire released this tape as a prelude to 8 Diagrams. Featuring album tracks, remixes and unreleased jams, Allah Mathematics' compilation held heads over until the official LP.

Essential Listening:

The "W" Remix (Unreleased)

John 3:16

State of Grace (Raekwon Exclusive)




DJ Skee & Jay-Z – American Godfather

American Godfather stands out from the hundreds of American Gangster remixes not just because of the concept but also its delivery. The Left Coast's DJ Skee gathered a group of producers to reinterpret The Godfather's score, effectively remixing AG for a truly gangster sound.

Essential Listening:

American Dreamin' produced by THX

No Hook produced by Rome

Ignorant Shit produced by Ervin "EP" Pope & THX

Guilty Simpson – Stray Bullets Mixed by DJ Rhettmatic

Indie imprint Stones Throw Records' hardest MC Guilty Simpson built up massive hype for his debut with this mixtape. Teaming up with DJ Rhettmatic, the Detroit-raised Simpson shows off a raw flow and in-your-face lyrics on Stray Bullets.

Essential Listening:

For The D produced by Eric Lau

Sound The Alarm Remix ft. Black Milk & Royce Da 5'9

Man's World produced by J Dilla

Joe Budden & DJ On Point – Mood Muzik 3 (For Better Or For Worse)

The much-anticipated MM3 from Jersey City's Joe Budden almost lived up to the hype, which is a feat in itself. Budden's heartfelt content shines throughout, especially on inspirational songs like "Thou Shalt Not Fall" and "5th Gear," but his meandering 30-plus bar verses might cause unfamiliar listeners to skip tracks quickly and the production is so-so. All in all, Jumpoff Joey's passionate and uplifting intent is reason enough to check out MM3.

Essential Listening:

Long Way To Go ft. Mr. Probz produced by SoulSearchin'

5th Gear produced by WMS Sultan

Thou Shalt Not Fall produced by The Klasix

Lil’ Wayne – Da Drought 3

Yup, here it is - the tape everyone was talking about and some critics even labeled as the best "album" of the year. My opinion is that the critics are only part right. While Da Drought 3 is undoubtedly Wayne's best mixtape of last year, the beats are not originals and the songs need to be tightened up a bit to warrant the number one spot. Still, the verses on "Seat Down Low" and "We Takin' Over (Remix)" are examples of why Wayne seems justified claiming the "best alive." Major props for addressing the haters and admitting he puckered up with his Daddy, now who's game to place a bet that Carter 3 will drop this year?

Essential Listening:

Seat Down Low

Black Republicans ft. Juelz Santana

We Takin' Over Remix

Mick Boogie & Little Brother - …And Justus For All

Rapper Big Pooh and Phonte, the duo known as Little Brother, put it down for underground collective Justus League on this early '07 tape with Mick Boogie. This disc's intelligent rhymes, humorous wit and industry commentary make it enjoyable from play to stop.

Essential Listening:

Can't Stop Us ft. Chaundon

A Word From Our Sponsors ft. Von Pea

Let It Go ft. Mos Def & Talib Kweli

Mick Boogie & Busta Rhymes – Dillagence

Boogie and Busta gave fans a treat last year, as this tape contains unreleased beats from the late great J Dilla that Busta had stored away for the perfect opportunity - and the time is now. Props to both for this collection with guest appearances from Talib Kweli, Raekwon, and Q-Tip among others.

Essential Listening:

Psycho ft. Cassidy & Papoose

Step Up

Lightworks ft. Q-Tip & Talib Kweli

Nicky Catchdubs & Wale – 100 Miles and Running

Washington D.C. newcomer Wale showcased his lyrical dexterity and clever wordplay on this tape mixed by Nicky Catchdubs. Whether he's paying respect to hip-hop's forefathers or spittin' lines about fresh gear, Wale proves he's on a serious mission here.

Essential Listening:

Payback

Daytona Squared produced by Judah

W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.

Tapemasters Inc. Presents Kanye West & Andre 3000 – You’re All Welcome

The good people over at Tapemasters Inc. released this prior to Graduation and after Idlewild so a lot of tracks overlap, meaning the real treats here are the blends and unreleased tracks. It also brings to light an idea that would make for a very interesting collaboration LP.

Essential Listening:

You're All Welcome

Skew It On The Bar-B 2007 produced by DJ Mills & Hasan Insane

Kanye West ft. John Mayer - Bittersweet

Andre 3000 ft. Lloyd - You Remix

Saigon – The Moral of the Story

Just Blaze's Brooklyn protege MC Saigon continues his push to hype his debut LP Greatest Story Never Told with this tape and an appearance on the next season of Entourage. Here, Saigiddy keeps it gritty kickin' street knowledge, gets insightful on real-life 'hood tales, and even stands toe-to-toe with Jay-Z on their collab (gasp!).

Essential Listening:

Come On Baby (Remix) ft. Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz

South, The West, The East Coast

Wake Up

Other Notable Mixtapes:

Big Mike & The Empire ft. Lil’ Wayne & Jadakiss – The Drought is Over Pt. 3 (Who Is The Predator)

DJ Green Lantern – Sirius Invasion

DJ Premier – Outside Lookin’ In

DJ Trigga – Fantastic Four ft. Fabolous, Cassidy, Lil’ Wayne & Juelz Santana

DJ Whiteowl - The Come Up Lil’ Wayne Meets Jay-Z (The Carter Files)

Joell Ortiz – The Brick: Bodega Chronicles

Mick Boogie presents - Jay-Z & Marvin Gaye Produced by Shuko & The Gunna

Sean Price – Master P

Thumbs Done - Most Disappointing Mixtapes:

DJ Clue – The Storm Ultimatum

Cam’ron – Public Enemy #1

DJ Enyce And Dipset - Byrds Of A Feather 2007

DJ White Owl – Can’t Knock The Hustle Vol. 5

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Whew, now that's why I call a blog post. Now that I've recapped last year's albums and mixtapes, I'll move on to the individual songs that everyone should have on their playlists for '07... Until then, peace!

[paid in full]