Fresh off vacay...

After a short visit to our nation's capital I'm back to my daily grind. It's been said that with every birth there is a sacrifical death. So while Diddy and his baby momma were blessed with baby twins, the rest of the world grieved the death of the "Godfather of Soul" James Brown. Brown, a legend, pioneer of the music game and fellow SC native, had a tremendous impact on hip hop. You can thank Mr. Brown for Public Enemy's "Welcome to the Terrordome", Eric B. and Rakim's "Paid in Full", Pete Rock & CL's "T.R.O.Y" and many other hip hop classics. While you're thanking him, don't forget that this is the same man the introduced the world to "The Funky drummer" which is possibly the most sampled break beat in hip hop history. Rest in peace, James Brown.

I'll be gone for christmas...

Since I've been on vacay I haven't had time to update. I'll be back the day after xmas.

In the meanwhile check out the new episode of weeklydrop. This week the guys talk to Mik from Greedy Genius.

Hip Hop Song of the Year....

As 2006 draws close to an end, all of mainstream media will be "reflecting" on the years biggest events. In the world of hip hop blogging, the hot topic seems to be the top 10 albums of the year. I've read a few of these lists, one of which had that toilet bowl known as Press Play by Diddy at number 2. Needless to say I haven't been impressed with these "Top 10" lists, but then again I really wasn't impressed with hip hop as a whole in 2006 anyway. I'm guessing I have the same dilemma as the rest of the people that comprised these lists. How do you rank the shitload of overrated, mediocre hip hop cds that was released this year? Well since I couldn't come up with a list of 10 cds that really moved me this year, I figured I would scroll through my ipod and pick out ten songs from this year that got repetitive burn.


Kick, Push- Lupe Fiasco
We Fly High- Jim Jones
Hustlin- Rick Ross
Lost Ones- Jay Z
Black Republicans Nas ft. Jay Z
What you know- TI
Supply and Demand- Supreeme ft. Murs
Boondock Saints- Little Brother
He Say, She Say- Lupe Fiasco
Everything I Love- Diddy ft. Nas & Cee Lo

The pursuit....

So I've been on this relentless pursuit to find my swagger for the past 6 months or so. I guess when you get comfortable in a situation you become complacent and lose sight of the bigger picture. Evidently that's what has happened to me, as I have become this reclusive dude tucked away in my own world. Well over the weekend I managed to find the perfect motif to symbolize the internal struggle that has become my search for my swagger. The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith's new movie is just that. I'll save the review of the movie and just say "go see it". Granted, I'm not trying to balance being homeless and working in corporate America like Will's character, but I do feel like I'm facing a similar struggle. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one facing this struggle. This is the type of movie that makes you realize just how much you take for granted. I won't bore you with a long winded explanation of my "pursuit", but I will say watch the movie and ask yourself "what is happiness?"

In hip hop news, there is a list of the Top 10 Hip Hop Albums of 2006, floating around the net that was a product of a few hip hop bloggers. I'm not sure that I agree with the list, maybe I'll work on a list of my own.

Choppin up game...

In non hip hop related news, my nigga Tariq Nasheed has finally updated his podcast. I am commanding that anyone with a pulse listen to his show. Don't let that pimp cup fool you, this guy does really talk good game about females and life in general. Check out his myspace page and revamp your game you square niggas!!

Down South Crunk Music??

In this regional battle for hip hop supremacy the past 2-3 years has definitely belonged to the South; Atlanta in particular. Its really sad to see NY artists abandoning their original sound and making a fool out of themselves over these southern records i.e., Fat Joe "Make it Rain". Even more interesting, is a group out of Atlanta that has managed to keep their southern swagger and form a hybrid of southern and original music. I've been on Supreeme for a minute now, and I was really impressed by their debut Supremacy, which was executive produced by West Coast legend Murs. Though they might be the most awkward looking group in hip hop, their music and content are light years ahead of your favorite rap group. Check out their latest video "Sleep".

Self destruction?

For whatever reason, our brains are wired to prevent us from remembering details of a dream. In most cases, in true Eternal Sunshine... fashion, our recollection of dreams is completely wiped out just minutes after the dream itself. For me, there will always be one dream that I will never forget. In 1998, I had a recurring dream that I replaced Mc Lyte in the Self Destruction video. Weird right?! Well today when I woke up, the first thing I thought about was that dream. So, my question for today is: "Is it time for another Self Destruction song?" Let's say you view hip hop from the perspective of the anti-christ himself, Bill O'reilly. From that perspective, hip hop looks like a multi-million dollar industry fueled by senseless violence and glamorized "thug life". As much as it pains me to agree with anything Bill O'reilly has to say, I must admit that at times hip hop and its niggerish ways can definitely get out of control. But from the opposite viewpoint,as a true fan and supporter of hip hop, I know just how powerful and influential "our" music is and despite what might be sensationalized in the media, I know that their is balance in hip hop. In a time where the black male is practically facing extinction wouldn't now be the perfect opportunity to revamp the Self Destruction roster and promote some type of unity in hip hop and the black community? I really wish some of these "rappers" would be a bit more proactive and recognize how influential they can be. Recently I've heard Nas speak out about unity, and think alot of these "rappers" might need to pay attention. Record sales are low, and that "Beef" promotional trick is no longer working. I know its just wishful thinking on my part, but maybe someone will listen to me. I seriously doubt that though.


Now that I've climbed off my soapbox for today, I guess it would be good to mention that the new Greedy Genius apparel and footwear is available at karmaloop. Greedy Genius is a fairly new brand and in these days of flamboyancy over subtleness I'm sure Greedy will be the next big thing in '07. So it will be just a matter of time before you'll seeing fake GG's in a hood near you. I can't fault the bootleggers though. The shoe game is the new crack game. It's a pretty lucrative business. Especially in the desolate, sneaker deprived state of South Carolina. For a broke college student, buying fakes for $30 and selling them for $100 is a pretty good look. Trust me I know.

kicks...

Since I live in South Carolina, which is a state that seems to exist in a dark hole in the corner of the universe far away from anything remotely "cool", my access to exclusive kicks is extremely limited. Hence I was not able to pick up a pair of the white Jordan Spiz'ikes when they were released earlier this year. Fortunately for me, word on the streets is that the black ones will be released next year as a "general release". Which I'm guessing means that they will be available at every foot locker and finish line in the U.S. (even South Carolina) You can find more info here

In hip hop news, I've started my own label. Jay Z, Common, Kanye West, Musiq, Lil Kim, Eminem and The Game are all under one roof. They all will answer to me. Well kinda. Go here to start you own. Cobblestone records!!! Get down or Lay down!!

When bad songs happen to good artists...

Since there seems to be no apparent way to prevent a cd from being leaked two weeks prior to its release date, Nas' Hip Hop is Dead made its premature arrival a few days ago to the clutchs of us hungry hip hop heads. A few tracks were leaked earlier, so I knew that it would only be a matter of time before the entire album reached the net. Unfortunately, Hip hop is Dead fell right in line with the other 4th quarter records. The hype has superceded the content. Tracks like "Money over bullshit", "Black Republicans" and "Hustlers" save Hip hop is Dead from being a complete travesty but I would consider filing this one along with Kingdom Come as "decent but could have been alot better". Anyway, the real reason for this post, is a song on that cd titled "Who Killed It?". This might possibly be the worst song Nas has ever recorded. You can always expect Nas to step outside of the proverbial "box" every album and give us a conceptual record. Previous efforts include, "I Gave You Power", "Rewind" and "Sekou's Story". But this time Nas really fucked up! "Who Killed It?" is actually a good concept for the album but for some reason no one told Nas that the "detective" voice he is using for the ENTIRE song sounds like a bad mix between Bob Saget and Sammy Davis Jr. It is completely unbearable and does no justice to the actual concept of the song. My question is "who okay'ed that song?" Nobody had the balls to stand up to Nas and tell him that he sounds absolutely ridicolous on this record? I hate the cliche, but "with friends like those, who needs enemies?" Anyway here's a list of songs that evoked the same type of reaction:

"When Bad songs happen to good artists" 4th Quarter Edition

Jay Z "Anything" & "Hollywood"
Nas "Who Killed it?"
Clipse "Trill"
The Game "Scream on 'Em" (b/c of that annoying ass chorus)
Ghostface "Greedy Bitches"

Is this the end.....

The Top 5 signs that hip hop is dying...
1. Nas and Jay Z have both released mediocre albums in the same year.
2. Beef has replaced good promotion and marketing.
3. The buffonery that is Snap music.
4. Jay Z actually responded to Jim Jones.
5. Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy have blatantly disrespected hip hop legends.
Honorable Mention: Dre's "Detox" still hasn't dropped.

The Top 5 signs that hip hop is reborn...
1. Jay Z can sell out a world tour. Hip hop is global!!
2. The Game has released back to back bangers.
3. Credible artists Common, Kanye, and Lupe Fiasco have been nominated for Grammys.
4. Nas and Jay, "Black Republicans"
5. The South finally has offered lyricism outside of the perennial Scarface, Eightball and Outkast.

So in light of all the 4th quarter hype I figured now would be the best time to start my blog and weigh in on all the hype surrounded by the array of hip hop music released in the past month and a half. Really I was sparked by the asinine comments made by Lil Wayne and Jeezy in the past few days. The disrespect is at an all time high. First, Wayne claims to be better than the very man he overtly "swagger jacked", then Jeezy, out of lack of better judgement, manages to contradict himself all in one breath by denouncing Weezy's comments and then questioning Nas' credibilty. Whatever the case, this has certainly been a roller coaster month for hip hop. It seems that Nas' "hip hop is dead" mantra has ruffled a few feathers. Now we got rookies taking shots at vets, vets releasing mediocre music and the entire state of New York drowning in the sea of snap music and stripper anthems. Now I gave you reasons why hip hop is both dying and alive and well, but to be honest I think I could give you alot more on why hip hip is indeed damn near dead. Personally I view hip hop in the same light I view the NBA. With the exception of the likes of Lebron, Kobe, D Wade and Melo the NBA is filled of overrated, overpaid young players that lack the foundamentals needed to ensure longetivity. Granted there are a few talented players in the league that get by on pure athleticism but thats about it. The parrallels between the two are uncanny. As Nas, Hov and the other vets wind down their careers and look towards rap retirement just as Jordan, Magic and Bird did, the game has now been handed over to a bunch money hungry hoodlums looking to make a quick buck. But they disguise their greed behind so called "hood anthems" giving the illusion that this music is their true passion. But TRUE fans of hip hop see through the smoke and mirrors. The bottomline is, now that hip hop has become a multi-billion dollar industry everybody wants to skip college and go directly to the league. The saddest thing is the real money is being made by the David Sterns and the Jimmy Iovines, not your favorite rapper that you just saw on cribs with 8 cars in their garage. All of these "rookies" lack the fundamentals and more importantly lack the respect for the ones that paved the way for them. Now there are a few glimmers of hope, i.e., The Game, Lupe Fiasco and Papoose that I think have the potential to carry the torch. But for the most part hip hop is in a civil war, the vets v. the rookies, and unfortunately it looks like the rookies are winning.