FLASHBACK: Cam'Ron ft. DMX - Pull It

"He was only 8!"

I can't tell you how many self-made mixtapes I had with this shit on it.
I remember my dad let me borrow his car when I was like 17, and I rode with my local friends up to my mega-suburban, Catholic prep-school blasting this for all that system was worth...the "don't be alarmed, we're Negroes" faces in the parking lot were priceless. Ahhh, high school.

Drake ft. Trey Songz - Successful

Yes...I hear this song entirely too often, but before I was completely sick of it...it was good.
So there you go.

[P.S. - LOL @ this being the first ever Trey Songz reference on this blog . . .YUUUHHHH!!]

OLD SCHOOL: Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam ft. Full Force - I Wonder If I Take You Home

YEAH!! Go ahead and front on this if you want, but I know if you grew up around here A) This was your jam when you were too young to have any idea what the song was actually about, and B) You know the Tri-State still jams this shit as if it wasn't 25yrs old.

This songs always reminds me of going clothes shopping at Shopper's World in Elizabeth when I was about 4-5. The good ol' broke as fuck days!

Random side orders of info:
Thanks to (retarded and counter-productive) copyright laws, I can't post the video here, which is a damn shame because I forgot how early 80's FINE Lisa Lisa was! She's right up there with Sheila E and a young Lisa Bonet. That's high praise.
And for those who don't remember Full Force, get summa this action in your faces...and remember them as the bullies in House Party? Ahhh...good times, good times.

Nardwuar vs. Nas

I don't even bother watching most interviews, but Nardwuar is the friggin' CHAMP.

UPDATE: Wooooow!! I'm about to destroy my Hip-Hop credibility, but I honestly had NO idea that Main Source were Canadian. I'm stunned. And you notice that to this day, Nas still gets a little tensed up when Biggie is mentioned?

Jay-Z - Ghetto Techno

No, I have not violated my self-imposed BP3 embargo...this song is not on the album, it's from the scrap heap. I'm posting it just in case you were interested, because...yuck.

Actually, let me be fair...for all we know, this song is incomplete and got dumped mid-production. So, really, its a bit unfair to offer any opinion.

While we're on this topic, why isn't ALOT more being said about the fact that EVERY leaked song from this album has come out of Timbaland's studio?!

No Age - You're A Target

I actually think I'm more of a Costco...but whatever (sorry, that was awful).

Hey, remember guitars?! No? Me either. My older cousin told me stories about these weird stringed instruments people used to jam on...sounded crazy to me.

Holy Ghost! - I Will Come Back (DJ Mehdi Remix)

Ed Banger x Ed Banger = that good shit

What's that, you say? DJ Mehdi remix of an already fresh Holy Ghost! jam? Yeah, I'll have summa that, thank you. Have some.

Drake, Kanye West, Lil' Wayne & Eminem - Forever

Yup...that's the line-up.
Odd thing about songs like this is that with a roster this big, it's almost impossible for the song to actually live up to its potential (you know the non-jam I'm talking about). This definitely isn't bad...not at all. I think it's the beat that's putting me to sleep. UPDATE: I take that back. I gave this song a pass because my standards for radio-ready Hip-Hop are at an all-time low. this song isn't good. Its boring ass hell, to be honest. Alrighty...that's enough blogger negativity for on day.

The back story for this is that the song is somehow involved with a "movie" that LeBron James is attached too. I'd get more detail for ya, but really, it's not that interesting.

Get your ears ready, this is the only song you're gonna hear for the next two months!

The Foreign Exchange ft. Muhsinah - House Of Cards

The Foreign Exchange feat. Muhsinah - "House Of Cards" from The Foreign Exchange on Vimeo.

. . .

I'm not so obtuse that I don't know a sign when I see one...think I'm gonna begin and end my day right here.

Ghostface ft. Raheem DeVaughn - Baby

The hoodtasticness of this song and video is Grade A.
But why the hell is Raheem DeVaughn using auto-tune??

You know . . .this video shows you why I could never pick up them hood chicks. You can roll up on 'em, grab their arms and get all in their ear-holes and whatnot...and they LOVE that shit!! It's like they enjoy being hit on by a fuckin' gorilla. "A yo, whass good wichu, ma?" Word?! That's the secret password? I like chicks with big ass earrings and their name written on their jewelry too... But, NAH! I could never get me one, because my social approach doesn't include anything that could lead to a potential assault charge. Dammit.

That's cool though. I'll keep it in the suburbs. Girls over there got jobs and names I can spell.
Middlesex County, what up?!

A Little Perspective . . .

Make sure you click on that bad boy so you can see a bigger image.

What you're looking at is "the most detailed survey" of "nearby" (2 light years, or about 11.8 trillion miles) space ever, developed at Swinburne University of Technology, in Australia. The image shows approximately 110,000 tiny points of light. Right now, you're thinking "Damn, that's ALOT of stars". Oh no, my friend.

Each one of those dots of light . . .is a GALAXY!!!

Allow me to give you a little more perspective, melt your skull down a little further and put you into full on existential crisis mode: An average sized galaxy contains about 100 Billion stars (our own galaxy, the Milky Way, contains about 200B). So to get a grip on exactly what's happening here, you are looking at the light of somewhere around 11,000,000,000,000,000 (11 Quadrillion) stars!!!

Suddenly all you bullshit seems a little less important, doesn't it?

Washed Out - Belong

Yeah. It's official. Washed Out is my favorite new thing right now. Dude has let loose some serious freshness in the last few weeks. I'm going to be ALL OVER the full length jammie whenever its released.

Raekwon ft. Inspectah Deck, GZA, Ghostface & Method Man - House of Flying Daggers

Yeah.
How's you face feel right now?
(Dilla on them beats)

D. Focis ft. Bobby Creekwater - Miracle

D.Focis feat Bobby Creekwater - Miracle from Entreprenegromovies on Vimeo.

Fashawn & Exile - The Score

Exile! Respect that man!
From the upcoming collab album, Boy Meets World on 10/26.

Mos Def - Human Nature

I heard Rosenberg play this last night.
Its not so much a cover song as it is a re-worked tribute...it's a song ABOUT mike, rather than of Mike, if that makes any sense. Recorded live at the Newport Jazz Festival in RI.
Have some.

Styles P ft. NORE & Uncle Murda - Pablo Doe

Green Lantern on them beats (and he killed it!).

You know me...that "gangsta, gangsta" shit only goes so far.
["Uncle Murda"? Word? ::ducks bullets::]

Anyway...this shit bangs so ridiculously that it gets a pass.
Have some.

Jay-Z ft. Drake - Off That

::making the Gas Face::

Yeah...that did it. I am now OFFICIALLY scared to death for Blueprint 3.
This is really bad.

"D.O.A." is extra on point. "Run This Town" is still eeeehhhhhh. THIS?! Yikes.
I think I'm gonna have to impose an early moratorium on any more posts for this album. I'm not going to listen to any other leaked shit until its released. Not gonna be easy, but I can do it.

::still STUNNED by how bad this song is::

Is Jay really past it?? Shit, for that matter...is Timbaland?
Good grief. My face is still scrunched up.
This song sounds like a Red Bulls game looks. THAT bad!

Peter, Bjorn & John ft. Big Pooh, Phil Nash & Chaundon - Stay This Way (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)

Word, son.
By now, I'm sure you've completely forgotten about this bit of info. Don't lie. i know you forgot, because I damn sure did.

Anyway, behold jam #2.

The Fray - Heartless (Kanye cover)

The FRAY - Heartless from IE HAGY on Vimeo.

I don't like cover songs, and I like The Fray even less . . .but props to whoever directed the video. Good shit.

Vlooper: Neon Blaster Venus

Here's a little something that I'm sure you didn't know about yourself: Your life doesn't have enough instrumentals in it. Do something about that. Thank me later.

Drake ft. Nipsey Hu$$le - Killer

Oh snap...new Drake that doesn't make me angry.
Perhaps there's still hope for this young man.
Have some.

Jay-Z ft. Kanye West & Rihanna

Jay-Z |MTV Music

According to Nah Right, this was supposed to "drop" tomorrow, but it's already rockin' in Germany (I swear, Hip-Hop in 2009 is a crazy bitch to me) so they said "Efph it" and let it loose.

I like your style, Nah Right.

Still not too big on this song though. It's cool and all, but...ehhh. The video does make it a little better, though. That IS the whole point, right? Right.

Converse "Band of Ballers"

Had to share this with you because the combination of things going on here is skull-bustingly surreal.

A basketball tournament...with Rosenberg as the announcer...and teams featuring Asher Roth, Pac Div, Diplo & Fools Gold, Jim Jones on a skateboard, and the chicks from the "[Breast] I Ever Had" video. Very strange combo of shits.

FRIDAY: Casa Ana Fundraiser!!!

WHO: Me and You, Yo mama & yo cousin too
WHERE: 360 Grill & Lounge; 120 Albany St. New Brunswick, NJ (across from train station)
WHEN: Friday night from 9PM until we shut the building down!
WHAT: Fundraiser to support Casa Ana orphanage in Dominican Republic

Come drink, get your flirt on and jam to host of live performances this Friday (Hip-Hop heads, don't sleep. You NEED to see Raw Nature perform. Trust Me.)...all for a terrific cause.

It's gonna be a good time. A night out with some top-notch GROWN folks. No whack music blasting in your ear hole, no punk mad because you stepped on his (bootleg) kicks. And fellas...these events bring out a VERY different caliber of woman than that cornball club you were planning on going to on Friday night. These girls...pardon me...women...have jobs, son! IQs with 3 digits and tastes that go beyond Lil' Wayne records and the latest episode of Laguna Beach. Get up in the spot!! There's an 80% chance that you'll see me a little loose after I get too friendly with Mr. Bacardi.

Tix are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
For more info on Casa Ana or the fundraiser, contact Alfonse: e.m.theories@gmail.com

Foe real, though...my silliness aside, read up:

A fundraiser For Casa Ana(OIDR)

The latest project from Orphans International in Azua, Republica Dominicana (OIDR) which is a family care center to help local orphaned and abandoned children become engaged in their community in a positive way, while excelling in a specialized curriculum.

The event will have talented performers such as Raw Nature, Suyat, Yazmin Blair, Wahkiba, Sandra Rubio, Nikhil and more..

After the performances their will be sounds provided by Dj Irs (Hip Hop,House, Reggae,Merengue,Salsa,Bachata,etc..)
21 & over
Fee:$10.00 in advance or 12 @ the door

OIDR is accepting the following items for Casa Ana:

Children’s storybooks in English and Spanish (all ages), math workbooks, science books ,art books
photography books, notebooks, chalkboard/dry erase board, pens/pencils, Crayons/magic markers
acrylic/water color paint, small paint brushes
beads for jewelry making, popsicle sticks,
children’s glue, children’s scissors
computer programs (math, reading),
disposable cameras/gently used digital camera
instruments (keyboard, guitar, small drums, etc.)
toothbrushes/toothpaste, liquid soap, tissues/paper towels, & gently used children’s clothing

Sponsors of the Event: CleverWon Productions, NJ2 Skate Shop, LIES, Brewed Awakening, & Caring Family Community Services.

Editors - Papillion...and the death of Brit-Rock

(From The Offside Rules)
Ugh. That sound you heard after pressing play wasn't a jam . . .It was my heart falling out of my ass. This is almost as much of a musical dick punch as Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Bloc Party's latest albums.

Et tu, Editors?

I yell about it all the time...but since maybe the end of '07, British rock has taken a synth laced NOSE DIVE. I know, complaining about too much of an electro/synty vibe from me sounds absolutely ridiculous. I've been know to champion the cause of all sound and noises artificial...but England's rock music was where I went to get AWAY from that sound. Brit-rock (and ironically NYC disco/dance-rack) was the absolute corner stone of my iPod life from '05-mid '08 (when Hip-Hop was an absolute WRECK). It was my shit, son! But now, it looks like it's dead.

From what I understand, the same forces that blew a giant hole in Hip-Hop in the States are the same evils that have killed my #2 "genre": Teenagers and record labels. When Boy Kill Boy split however long ago, I asked them WTF happened via MySpace (reason #1 why I will NEVER leave MySpace. Artist feedback) and one of the boys weaved a tale of record labels telling all their guitar-heavy artists that "the kids" just weren't feeling their shit anymore. Bands like BKB were offered 2 choices: Conform or get dropped. Disturbing.

Ugh...I'm in full-on disjointed rant mode at this point, so I save your eyes the trouble.
BRING BACK MY MUSIC!!!

The Drums - Let's Go Surfing

I do not surf.
But I do love guitars that sound like they're made out of aluminum.

Who are these "The Drums", anyway? Gimmie a minute while I investigate.

Empire of the Sun - Eclipse Broadcast

YEAH! This video is made of triumph and paint shavings.
What does that mean? I don't know.

BUT...I do know that this song sounds like Batman-era Prince did a jam with The Prodigy. That, my friends, is a recipe for much success and female nudity.

P.S. - EotS's lead singer is featured on the album intro for Jay-Z's Blueprint 3. Should be interesting.

Kasabian - Where Did All The Love Go

Viva Kasabian . . .yeah, I've really got nothing else to contribute here.

FLASHBACK: Mobb Deep - Quiet Storm (ORIGINAL version)

Why?
Because everybody always plays the friggin' remix with Havoc and Lil' Kim, when the original version is infinitely (get it?) better.

14kt: Nowalataz

I'm sure you remember my near soliloquy about the utter perfection that is 14kt's "Hello" beat the other day. Well, now the whole collection of instrumentiality (not a word) is here for you deluxe downloadification (possibly a word). Have some.

Daft Punk: Troning It Up

I don't know shit about Tron.
But if it involves Daft Punk, speed chases and neon...I am 100% down and will gladly slap my 10 beans on the movie counter to jam out with the other nerds and electro heads in the theater.

Skillz, Usef Dinero & DJ Jazzy Jeff - Inside A Change

Yeah, I know . . .
Right now is usually where I go on some rant about how Skillz and Jazzy Jeff are two of the all-time MVPs, but the world at-large just doesn't seem to be smart enough to respect them.

Nope...not this time. Not gonna do it.

Felt - Protagonists

In case you forgot . . .
Murs and Slug (from Atmosphere) are about to drop the third in their series of collab mixtapes. Each edition is helmed by a specific producer and is dedicated to a special woman (Pt.1 - Christina Ricci. Pt. 2 - Lisa Bonet). Round 3? Sarah Palin.

Check the first song from the upcoming mixtape.

Naledge ft. Jay Electronica - Cool Relax

Yadda, yadda, yadda . . .something about how there's the original version and such-and-such-verse was here, but some other verse wasn't. Whatever.

Dope song.
Have some.

THIS FRIDAY: Casa Ana Fundraiser!!!

WHO: Me and You, Yo mama & yo cousin too
WHERE: 360 Grill & Lounge; 120 Albany St. New Brunswick, NJ (across from train station)
WHEN: Friday night from 9PM until we shut the building down!
WHAT: Fundraiser to support Casa Ana orphanage in Dominican Republic

Come drink, get your flirt on and jam to host of live performances this Friday (Hip-Hop heads, don't sleep. You NEED to see Raw Nature perform. Trust Me.)...all for a terrific cause.

It's gonna be a good time. A night out with some top-notch GROWN folks. No whack music blasting in your ear hole, no punk mad because you stepped on his (bootleg) kicks. And fellas...these events bring out a VERY different caliber of woman than that cornball club you were planning on going to on Friday night. These girls...pardon me...women...have jobs, son! IQs with 3 digits and tastes that go beyond Lil' Wayne records and the latest episode of Laguna Beach. Get up in the spot!! There's an 80% chance that you'll see me a little loose after I get too friendly with Mr. Bacardi.

Tix are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
For more info on Casa Ana or the fundraiser, contact Alfonse: e.m.theories@gmail.com

Foe real, though...my silliness aside, read up:

A fundraiser For Casa Ana(OIDR)

The latest project from Orphans International in Azua, Republica Dominicana (OIDR) which is a family care center to help local orphaned and abandoned children become engaged in their community in a positive way, while excelling in a specialized curriculum.

The event will have talented performers such as Raw Nature, Suyat, Yazmin Blair, Wahkiba, Sandra Rubio, Nikhil and more..

After the performances their will be sounds provided by Dj Irs (Hip Hop,House, Reggae,Merengue,Salsa,Bachata,etc..)
21 & over
Fee:$10.00 in advance or 12 @ the door

OIDR is accepting the following items for Casa Ana:

Children’s storybooks in English and Spanish (all ages), math workbooks, science books ,art books
photography books, notebooks, chalkboard/dry erase board, pens/pencils, Crayons/magic markers
acrylic/water color paint, small paint brushes
beads for jewelry making, popsicle sticks,
children’s glue, children’s scissors
computer programs (math, reading),
disposable cameras/gently used digital camera
instruments (keyboard, guitar, small drums, etc.)
toothbrushes/toothpaste, liquid soap, tissues/paper towels, & gently used children’s clothing

Sponsors of the Event: CleverWon Productions, NJ2 Skate Shop, LIES, Brewed Awakening, & Caring Family Community Services.

Fabolous ft. Jay-Z - When The Money Goes

(Yes...I'm a full day late. Who gives a shit?)

Wow, this is like . . .a proper music video. I didn't know rappers were still allowed to make those anymore. And Jay actually showed up for filming! Double miracles!

As I'm sure you can see, I'm not really much for radio/pop rap these days. It's no that I'm some angy "popular = bad" old-head backpacker or some shit...radio music just isn't that good in 2009. HOWEVER...Fab has (almost) always been one of the few heavy spin rappers that was good enough to keep my attention. His last 2 albums weren't really up to speed, but Loso's Way is a nice surprise as it seems that Fabolous is back to being the emcee that straddled the fine line between potent lyrics and vapid content better than anyone other than maybe Jay-Z himself.

Did I just randomly zone out and type a mini album review?
I think that's what just happened. Odd.

Let's Try This Again . . .

Sun is shinin'. The weather is sweet, yeah.
Make you wanna move...your dancin' feet, now.
To the rescue . . .here I am!
Want you to know, y'all. Can you understand?

Good morning, beloved denizens of the interwebs. After yesterday's No Headphone Fiasco, I am back at 100%, ready to to tell you about all the jams that you should know...but are just too lazy to dig around for on your own.

Let's get back to work, shall we?

Yyyyyyyeah . . .

So there's already a few things I wanted to check out and probably post this morning, but I'm an idiot and forgot my headphones . . .and lost my emergency extra pair . . .so I can't exactly jam right now.

On the bright side, my girl lives nearby, and I have NO qualms about going over to her house and stealing a set.

Until later . . .

Konstantin Chernov is Good at Things

Konstantin Chernov summer edit from Konstantin Alemasov on Vimeo.

Further proof that BMX is a vastly superior method of transportation to skateboards and those gawd-awful, trendy, hipster-fueled fixed-gear monstrosities that all the cool kids are riding these days.

May God help me once I'm finally light enough to start attempting shit.

The Masked Strangler

The Masked Strangler - watch more funny videos

This is terribly stupid, but ever so funny.

Mutemath - Backfire

I'm sure I've rambled on about it before, but I think Mutemath are criminally underrated.
New album coming on the 18th.

OLD SCHOOL: Michael Jackson - Get On The Floor

Get summa that good funk up ya nose, bwoy!!
This is what the inside of my head is sounding like this morning.

Shake that thang!

D. Black ft. Vitamin D - Keep On Going

Look what I found in the inbox.
Very nice.

14kt - Hello

This beat is . . .I don't even know what to call it, other than "perfect". I could listen to this on loop for an hour. It appears on 14kt's upcoming (as in Monday) release, Nowalataz. If the jest of the album is even half as good as this, then its bound for HEAVY rotation with me.

Head over to Okayplayer to hear it and read the pretty interesting back story behind it.
...or listen/download it here.

::10min later::

Somebody get Blu on the phone! He needs to get on this immediately.

Hip-Hop, I love you.

Washed Out - Hold Out

Yes.
Washed Out is officially welcomed to the "That's The Shit That I'm On" list. Get you some of the newness. Get familiar with the rest.

Slum Village - Actin Normal (clip)

I guess this is one of the last bits of proper music video footage for Baatin.
His flow/verse sound almost like Ghostface to me here.

ONE YEAR!!! W000ooo00oOO)OT!!!

This just goes to show you how much I actually pay attention to shit . . .
It just now dawned on me that I moved my bloggins from MySpace over to this site about a year ago. Turns out I missed my own anniversary, because the magical one year mark already happened . . .14 days ago. Whoops. Ironically (or simply coincidentally), this site's birthday is 2 days before my own.

Damn shame. I was planning to do something "interesting" with the occasion too. Like a totally self-serving "My Favorite Something-Or-Other Of All Time" series of posts (that no one was gonna read or care about). D'aaah well!

Have some cake, muh'fukkas

FLASHBACK: Run DMC ft. Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Down With The King

Yup, yup.

Amanda Diva ft. Johnny Polygon - Neon

I think as Co-Captain of the All-Adorable Team (with Chrisette Michele), Amanda Diva is the only person who could get away with this song/video. It's not even good (the beat is dope, though)...but for some reason, it works.

IllDoctrine On Joe Budden v. Raekwon

Once again, Jay Smooth says what we're all (hopefully) thinking...but with vastly superior diction.

Even Hitler Hates Beckham

...and I believe he's a DC United supporter.

Yes, I know the concept of this video has been run into the ground, but I don't care...my one-sided feud will never end!

Toro y Moi - Human Nature (MJ Cover)

Ordinarily, I hate cover songs, but I can't deny the freshness happening here.
Check it out.

Volcano Choir - Island IS

I really like this...and nothing says "indie" like a good side project.
Volcano Choir is Bon Iver's lead vocalist doin' work with a bunch of dudes from Wisconsin that I'm apparently not cool enough to have ever heard of.
Regardless, the song is good.
Have some.

Status Update

I definitely give up of trying to compile all that I've missed in the last week into one giant collection. I tried. My head almost exploded. So I'll just continue to throw shit up here as I come across it.

BUT . . .I do have a MASSIVE list of friend requests that I've been neglecting for weeks, so look for a big MySpace Showcase collection to show up soon. Probably tonight.

Julian Plenti - Games For Days

I like this alot better than the last "single".

USA v. Mexico; Today @ 4PM

The core beauty of international soccer (or international sport in general) is that it's the one opportunity for a free-thinking, liberal-leaning, (usually) rational person like me to be WILDLY patriotic . . .and not be a douche bag for it.

It's beautiful. The team out on the field represents America as a PEOPLE, not a political entity. It's about what makes Americans American. Our work ethic, our dedication, our love for the underdog. Never about what we're doing in the Middle East, or how we're handling North Korea, or any such sociopolitical hangup that might otherwise make some citizens reluctant to boldly wave our flag. And that's more than just romantic sentiment, because FIFA rules mandate that no nation's government is to be involved or interfere with the sport at this level.

All people, no politics.
Pure and perfect.

Today, OUR national team faces a task (in my opinion) even greater than the much-talked-about (by US standards) games against Italy, Spain and Brazil at this summer's Confederations Cup in South Africa: Today, they're going to Azteca.

Standing ominously in the heart of Mexico City, Estadio Azteca is to American soccer what Mt. Doom was to Frodo. Today, our boys walk into the home of their fiercest rival. Perched 1.36 miles above sea level (1/3mi higher than even Denver, CO), in a city once ranked as having the worst air quality in the world...they will be met by 105,000 (think a sold-out Giants Stadium PLUS another upper deck) loud, angry and desperate fans who want nothing more on this day than to see them fail. And "fail" is the only word that American teams have know in this place. To date, Team USA has entered Mexico 23 times, and walked out with 22 losses and a lone draw.

But times have changed. Never has the US looked and felt so strong heading into Mexico City. Never have the fans been so optimistic that TODAY could be the day that the curse is broken. Never has that faint glimmer of hope been so bright.

If you love your country...not because of some processed and bottled idea of what it means to be a patriot (especially post-9/11)...but because of the amazing, strong, and talented people that call it home...then today is your day to become a soccer fan. There is no other game or country where a "Clint Dempsey" can stand next to an "Oguchi Onyewu", or a "Bornstein" next to a "Ching", all under the same flag, singing the same anthem.

Today, we put politics aside. We love our country because its home, and we support the men who set out to represent it...and us.

"Trainin Day" Remix

I'm not even gonna spoil it. Just press play and laugh.

The MASSIVE "Soooo, What Did I Miss?" Post (Pt.2)

OK . . .
Been a reletively busy day in the non-internet world, but I'm ready to get back to the ridiculous task of catching up with a week's worth of music news. Here's Part 1, BTW

Let's go!

True Hip-Hop Stories: Big Daddy Kane

True Hip-Hop Stories: Big Daddy Kane from D-Nice on Vimeo.

Kane tells the story behind the making of "Ain't No Half-Steppin' ". I'm a geek (and so are you). I love this shit. Where does this song rank All-Time? Top 20? 10?
_____________________________________

Wait . . .WTF?

_____________________________________

Exile & DJ Day: D-Train


Oh SNAP! I thought I was the only person under 45 that was still jammin' some D-Train!
These 2 never cease to amaze me. This makes the word "dope" sound small. i need a better adjective. This is the greatest thing I've seen/heard in weeks.
_____________________________________

T.I. ft. John Legend - Slide Show


Because "I Ain't Dead" Tip Harris > "You Don't Know Me" T.I.P.
______________________________________

Am I wrong for not really being interested in La Coka Nostra?
Is it the name that's killing me?
I don't know.
______________________________________


There's a new Motown-commissioned MJ/J5 remix album out there. I've listed to about 4-5 jams, none of them are blowing me away, but maybe you'll dig it.
_______________________________________

Clipse ft. Pharrell - I'm Good


In a fun bit of coincidence, I heard this while driving home from vacation yesterday.
Where was I at that moment? Just coming off of the Chessapeake bay Bridge & Tunnel. It somehow made me like the song more.
I said to my girl, "This is like watching a lion in his natural habitat". Does that make complete sense? not really. But you got my point, dammit.
______________________________________

A big LOL @ Rolling Stone for naming the dude with the biggest song in the country an "Artist to Watch" for 2009. Way to stay current, boys.
______________________________________

FACT: Black Rob is one of the most slept on rappers of the last decade
______________________________________

ESSO - Don't Stop

ESSO "Dont Stop" [Official Video] Directed by Puma from stupid GENIUS on Vimeo.>

I've already voiced my gripes about the MJ tributes...but supposedly, this album/mixtape was already in production when Mike paseed...so I guess I can rock with it (get it?)
______________________________________

Kooley High - Kooley Is High

Kooley High - Kooley is High (prod. by DeLa) from BECAUSEUS on Vimeo.

Something about this video/song just makes the day better. I definitely approve.
_____________________________________

OKAY . . .I'm STILL not caught up, but my head's gonna explode if I absorb any more shit.
Later, peoples.

The Juan Maclean - Happy House

The Juan Maclean - Happy House


No, I haven't forgotten about my big update post, but I just saw this and wanted to toss it up here before I forgot.

"Shit be jammin' though".

Long live DFA Records!!!

The MASSIVE "Soooo, What Did I Miss?" Post (Pt.1)

Haven't been on the internets since last wednesday afternoon. Let's see if anyone has done anything remotely interesting since then . . .

Since I'm extra lazy, this probably all gonna happen in a weird reverse chronological order with stuff from earlier today up top, heading down to stuff from the end of last week. I'd apologize, but I just ate my first fast food burger in months and I've got "the boak" as the Scottish would say. Sue me.

For added surprise / unintentional comedy / "dag, son, you mad late" quality...I'll be writing all this in "real time" as I actually see it all for myself the first time. Let's light this candle.

Slaughterhouse / Joe Budden:
If you didn't already steal it (I know, I know), I believe the actual release date for Slaughterhouse's self-titled debut album is today. I'm a bit of a nerd about these things so A) I haven't listened to the album fully yet and B) I'm almost nervous to do so, because as a Hip-Hop fan ( in 2009, perhaps that should read "apologist", "sympathizer" or "historian") I'm desperate for this album to be RIGHT. I don't see how it couldn't be...but you know. Crazier shit has happened.

Also, Joe Budden has released probably he least publicized mixtape of his career today, Escape Route. I'm guessing it just got swallowed up by the Slaughterhouse love-fest. Side note: This mixtape is where the craaaazy Budden verse and that song "We Outta Here" finally appears. head over to Amalgam Digital for more details.

This was pretty good. The latest version of "I Know Rap People" feat. Slaughterhouse:


Wait . . .what the efph?! This Slaughterhouse vs. Wu-Tang shit is going on AGAIN?!
There is NOTHING cornier than a bunch of over-30's playing cowboy in public and over the internet. THIS shit is whack and borderline coonish. Let's move on.
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Amber Rose still creeps me the fuck out.
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Drake is still doing things that confound me.
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Twitter is still moronic.
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50 Cent's penchant for using of the word "content" to describe his music should give people a prety clear view on his motivations. But of course, fans are young/slow/blissfully ignorant and never pay attentions to anything artists are actually saying any so . . .whatevs, man.
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Fabolous on Chelsea Lately

There's something genuinely bizzare and hillarious about Chelsea Handler interviewing rappers. It never disappoints. And on another note, when White people talk to/about Fab and pronounce his name "properly" . . .an angel gets its wings. And who knew Fabolous had a sense of humor?!
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The Return of Felt
Murs and Slug (from Atmosphere) are about to drop the third in their series of collab mixtapes. Each edition is helmed by a specific producer and is dedicated to a special woman (Pt.1 - Christina Ricci. Pt. 2 - Lisa Bonet). No word yet on the producer or muse for round 3.
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J.Y. - Bring It Back

Kinda fresh.
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You know what . . .rather than do this all at once, I'm gonna chop all is up in pieces throughout the rest of the day/evening. Check back later.

I'm Back . . .

Weekend excursion over . . .back to the soul-crushing! YEAH!!!

Right...so gimmie a little while to get my shit back together and I'll drop one big massive "What I Missed" post later on today to get us all caught up.

Peace Out

[Shitty Tues. + (Shitty Wed. x 2)]
___________________________ = No blog until 8/11
Weekend Vacation

Peace.

The Blaqprint Instrumentals

If you're a reader of this blog, then you probably agree with me on the following 2 statements:
1) DJ Premier should replace George Washington on Mt. Rushmore
2) The thought of listening to a whole album of Blaq Poet sounds less appealing than dental sergury

(Note: That last statement is probably going to get me beat the fuck up, but who cares)

I also assume that you were heretofore unaware that BP new album, The Blaqprint (boooo) was available as an instrumental album. How dope is that? Not that this album is Premo's hottest work ever, but still...his instrumentals are an infinitely more attractive proposition than this.

And bloggers/media . . .is NO ONE willing to call out this 40yr old, grown ass man for kickin that same "I'm on the corner thuggin'" nonsense? We're all OK with this? Pfffff.

What The Fuck Is This Shit?!

Apparently, Today Is Major Lazer Day!

For reals, when I posted the other Major Lazer jams this afternoon, I had no idea that a video for "Pon De Floor" was gonna debut today.

Be fore-warned, this video is 100% Buck Nanners (as is every video directed by "Tim & Eric"'s Eric Wareheim). Let this serve as Exhibit A for why my feet will never touch Jamaican soil.

Prince Zimboo!!!

FRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Major Lazer ft. Prince Zimboo - Baby

82 seconds of blatant, bizarre freshness.

UPDATE: While we're here...NY radio seems to be fucking obsessed with Vybz Kartel (how the hell can one man be a cartel?!) and his gawd-awful "Ramping Shop", the worst got-damn song to hit the radio since...I don't even know. As an alternative, how about somebody spin some different shit, eh? Which DJ has the balls? Oh...right...none of you. Damn shame.

Oh well, fuck it...FIYAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!

R.I.P. Baatin

Wow...stay off the internet for a weekend and you can really miss some things.
Its incredible how many notable people have been lost in the last few months.

On Saturday, Baatin, founding member of Slum Village (a very close personal #2 right behind Tribe) passed away in his native Detroit.

Much like fellow group member J-Dilla before him, I hope his work (and all that of Slum Village as a whole) gains in appreciation.

Gossip - Heavy Cross (Yuksek Remix)

(No, that's not an official video you're looking at.)

Now this is what a remix is supposed to be. It's not a complete obliteration of the original song like most people are pumping out these days. It's the perfect blend of old and new.
Have some.

SLIGHT UPDATE: After listen #3, I can definitely say that this is getting better each time. Go get it.