Shit I've Been Listening to...
...while I haven't been posting on Hip Hop Is Read:
Beatnick & K-Salaam - Never Can Say Goodbye
Brother Ali - Us
The Clientele - Bonfires of the Heath
Del tha Funkee Homosapien - Automatik Statik
Fool's Gold - Fool's Gold
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Imogen Heap - Ellipse
J Rawls - Hotel Beats, Vol 1
J Rawls & John Robinson - The 1960's Jazz Revolution Again
KiD CuDi - Man on the Moon - The End of Day
MC Esoteric - Saving Seamus Ryan
M.O.P. - Foundation
Muse - The Resistance
Oh No - Dr. No's Ethiopium
Patton Oswalt - My Weakness Is Strong
Ra El - Noir World
Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
Skyzoo - The Salvation
Sonic Youth - The Eternal
Beatnick & K-Salaam - Never Can Say Goodbye
Brother Ali - Us
The Clientele - Bonfires of the Heath
Del tha Funkee Homosapien - Automatik Statik
Fool's Gold - Fool's Gold
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Imogen Heap - Ellipse
J Rawls - Hotel Beats, Vol 1
J Rawls & John Robinson - The 1960's Jazz Revolution Again
KiD CuDi - Man on the Moon - The End of Day
MC Esoteric - Saving Seamus Ryan
M.O.P. - Foundation
Muse - The Resistance
Oh No - Dr. No's Ethiopium
Patton Oswalt - My Weakness Is Strong
Ra El - Noir World
Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
Skyzoo - The Salvation
Sonic Youth - The Eternal
Enemies
Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.)
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.)
Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)
Tom Carper (D-Del.)
Line 'em up.
Method Man - Tical 2000: Judgement Day (Instrumentals)
The self-loathing process never ends... I upped this instrumental album just as a nod to Yom Kippur, but if you'd like to see more of these -- and yes, I've got a ton -- then lemme know! Have an easy fast (and turn it up)!!
Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:
Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:
1. Method Man - Perfect World (Instrumental) (3:37)
2. Method Man - Dangerous Groundz (Instrumental) (4:03)
3. Method Man - Sweet Love (Instrumental) (3:32)
4. Method Man - Torture (Instrumental) (4:04)
5. Method Man - Suspect Chin Music (Instrumental) (3:11)
6. Method Man - Spazzola (Instrumental) (4:11)
7. Method Man - Grid Iron Rap (Instrumental) (3:23)
8. Method Man - Party Crasher (Instrumental) (3:10)
9. Method Man - Play IV Keeps (Instrumental) (3:49)
10. Method Man - Snuffed Out (Instrumental) (1:45)
11. Method Man - Elements (Instrumental) (4:37)
12. Method Man - Killing Fields (Instrumental) (5:24)
13. Method Man - Big Dogs (Instrumental) (3:21)
14. Method Man - Judgement Day (Instrumental) (5:00)
Po Nigga Blues / Cause I Had To
This story has kind of slipped below the radar, but I figured I’d pick up on it since it interests me greatly:
West coast rapper Joseph “The Govenor” Flowers was one of 2Pac’s peers in the early Thug Life movement along with Richie Rich, Big Syke and the ol’ crew. On Floss Mode, his 1995 album, The Govenor released a 2Pac-assisted track titled “Po’ Nigga Bluez”. 2Pac could be heard uttering the chorus on this track, but how else did he contribute to it? Whether they heard it from the OG version or the Scott Storch remix, many 2Pac fans can recite the verses from “Po Nigga Blues” a.k.a. “Cause I Had To”. These rhymes are nearly-identical to the Govenor-spit verses on Floss Mode. The question is: did 2Pac write The Govenor’s verses?
The Govenor argues otherwise. In fact, he argues that Interscope Records and Universal Music unlawfully used “Po’ Nigga Bluez” as the basis for 2Pac’s posthumous Loyal to the Game album, on the aforementioned Scott Storch remix “Po Nigga Blues” with Ron Isley. Govenor claims he wrote the song in 1990.
I remain skeptical. For starters, the lyrical content on those verses seem to reflect 2Pac’s very own style. Mentions of police brutality, rising up against crooked cops, wearing bulletproof vests and denouncing wars, despite being open to anyone’s range, are all trademark ‘Pac. Lines like “I wonder if the Lord ever heard of me” are about as ‘Pac as a ‘Pac line can get. Add all that to the fact that if you compare ‘Pac and The Govenor’s respective recitations of the verses, ‘Pac’s flow is much more precise and on point – and 2Pac is not often praised for his “flow” capabilities. Finally, let’s not forget that a large chunk of those bars were not only used by ‘Pac on “Cause I Had To” but on “I Wonder if Heaven Got a Ghetto” as well.
I could be misinformed though. Or maybe my strong 2Pac bias has once again gotten the best of me. I’m interested in following this story as it progress (if it progresses), but ‘til then, I’ll leave it up to you! I’ve included all of the “Po Nigga Blues”/”Cause I Had To” versions I’ve got (plus a sample as bonus) so you can check ‘em out for yourselves and form an opinion. What do you think? Dig in, turn it up and drop a comment!
Bonus! Download a 320 kbps rip of The Govenor's album, Floss Mode, here!
West coast rapper Joseph “The Govenor” Flowers was one of 2Pac’s peers in the early Thug Life movement along with Richie Rich, Big Syke and the ol’ crew. On Floss Mode, his 1995 album, The Govenor released a 2Pac-assisted track titled “Po’ Nigga Bluez”. 2Pac could be heard uttering the chorus on this track, but how else did he contribute to it? Whether they heard it from the OG version or the Scott Storch remix, many 2Pac fans can recite the verses from “Po Nigga Blues” a.k.a. “Cause I Had To”. These rhymes are nearly-identical to the Govenor-spit verses on Floss Mode. The question is: did 2Pac write The Govenor’s verses?
The Govenor argues otherwise. In fact, he argues that Interscope Records and Universal Music unlawfully used “Po’ Nigga Bluez” as the basis for 2Pac’s posthumous Loyal to the Game album, on the aforementioned Scott Storch remix “Po Nigga Blues” with Ron Isley. Govenor claims he wrote the song in 1990.
I remain skeptical. For starters, the lyrical content on those verses seem to reflect 2Pac’s very own style. Mentions of police brutality, rising up against crooked cops, wearing bulletproof vests and denouncing wars, despite being open to anyone’s range, are all trademark ‘Pac. Lines like “I wonder if the Lord ever heard of me” are about as ‘Pac as a ‘Pac line can get. Add all that to the fact that if you compare ‘Pac and The Govenor’s respective recitations of the verses, ‘Pac’s flow is much more precise and on point – and 2Pac is not often praised for his “flow” capabilities. Finally, let’s not forget that a large chunk of those bars were not only used by ‘Pac on “Cause I Had To” but on “I Wonder if Heaven Got a Ghetto” as well.
I could be misinformed though. Or maybe my strong 2Pac bias has once again gotten the best of me. I’m interested in following this story as it progress (if it progresses), but ‘til then, I’ll leave it up to you! I’ve included all of the “Po Nigga Blues”/”Cause I Had To” versions I’ve got (plus a sample as bonus) so you can check ‘em out for yourselves and form an opinion. What do you think? Dig in, turn it up and drop a comment!
1. 2Pac - Po Nigga Blues (Cause I Had To) (OG) (2:54)
2. 2Pac - Po Nigga Blues (Cause I Had To) (Alternate Version) (3:07)
3. 2Pac - Po' Nigga Bluez (w/The Govenor) (4:10)
4. 2Pac - Po Nigga Blues (Cause I Had To) (Remix) (4:05)
5. 2Pac - Po Nigga Blues (Cause I Had To) (Shock G Version) (4:04)
6. 2Pac - Po Nigga Blues (Scott Storch Remix w/Ron Isley) (3:39)
7. 2Pac - Po Nigga Blues (Cause I Had To) (Acapella) (3:18)
8. Grover Washington, Jr. & Bill Withers - Just the Two of Us (7:23)
Bonus! Download a 320 kbps rip of The Govenor's album, Floss Mode, here!
Glenn Beck on Clinton & McCain | D.I.T.H.
Hate is a strong word. The only positive thing that Glenn Beck provides to me -- aside from constant laughs -- is a discipline to refrain from hating people in my own personal life. After all, how can I "hate" someone as much as (or more than) Glenn Beck? Can't be done. You see, Beck's message is one of love and tolerance.
I'm kidding of course. But watching this preview clip of Katie Couric's interview with Glenn Beck got me thinking: what's he really all about? In psychology, we're taught to delve deep into the mind - often times that of the disordered - to analyze what's truly below the "tip of the iceberg", segmenting from the conscious to the sub-conscious or hidden. I picked up on a few cues from the interview, interpretting and translating them to reveal Beck's true colors. To some, this is "dog-whistle politics"; to others, psychoanalysis; maybe it's just some plain 'ol fuckery. At the end of the day, it's probably all true - and that's what's so horrific about it. Check out my evaluation of Glenn Beck below for a new series I'd like to call, Diggin' in the Hate:
I'm kidding of course. But watching this preview clip of Katie Couric's interview with Glenn Beck got me thinking: what's he really all about? In psychology, we're taught to delve deep into the mind - often times that of the disordered - to analyze what's truly below the "tip of the iceberg", segmenting from the conscious to the sub-conscious or hidden. I picked up on a few cues from the interview, interpretting and translating them to reveal Beck's true colors. To some, this is "dog-whistle politics"; to others, psychoanalysis; maybe it's just some plain 'ol fuckery. At the end of the day, it's probably all true - and that's what's so horrific about it. Check out my evaluation of Glenn Beck below for a new series I'd like to call, Diggin' in the Hate:
Quote: I think I would have much preferred [Hillary Clinton] as president, and may have voted for her against John McCain.
What he really means to say is: It's been difficult to have to defend the Bush administration for eight years. Defending John McCain would have been just as arduous and I don't like to be on the losing side. The prospect of deriding the Clinton family once again would have given me sheer joy and would have provided greater ratings potential for myself and my network.
Quote: I think John McCain is a weird progressive like Theodore Roosevelt was.
What he really means to say is: John McCain is practically a communist compared to me. How can he call himself a Republican? I hate moderate Republicans with a passion. I wish my party consisted of the clones of Sarah Palin and exhumed Ronald Reagan zombies.
Quote: I think John McCain -- ha, how 'bout this -- I think John McCain would have been worse for the country than Barack Obama. How's that?
What he really means to say is: Did I say "worse for the country"? I meant "worse for my ratings"! With Barack Obama in office, I can put my mental derangement on display to the world by pulling out a blackboard and connecting all of my self-fabricated dots, tying the president to abhorrent people and groups like ACORN, Reverend Wright, Bill Ayers, Van Jones, Jesse Sharpton, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Jay-Z, Leon Trotsky, Adolf Hitler, Mao Zedong, the Detroit Lions, Osama Bin Laden, Woodstock '99, Pol Pot, every African American ever, bald eagles, the 9/11 families and Hurricane Katrina victims - like I said before, I hate black people. With John McCain as president, I wouldn't have had this great ego-stroking opportunity! They say that with Bush out of office, comedians have little to fall back on; but I've got plenty of material! Stay tuned tonight, when I'll be refuting the Brown v. Board decision and organizing a lynch mob. The South shall rise up free!
The Return of McCarthyism | Video
It wasn't too long ago that individuals were picked out one by one, demonized as traitors of this country, plotting to destroy it from the inside. I'm not just talking about Glenn Beck's recent hit job on Van Jones. We can trace back this devilishness to the late '40's and '50's. History is a bitch, ain't it? Let's try not to repeat it...
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II | TRU Brain Trust Review
I've got a new write-up featured on The Rap Up alongside my TRU Crew; this time we discussed Raekwon's new album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II. I offered my brief input on the album and gave it my _/5 rating, but if you'd like me to drop a more thorough review (like the one I wrote for The Blueprint 3), just lemme know! Maybe you want me to review another new album. Or an album from 1988. Do you prefer track by track reviews (it seems so since the Jay-Z one was pretty popular)? Feel free to offer your topic suggestions in the comments section. Danke!
Plagiarized (Kinda) by The Guardian
I like The Guardian. I'm not a Brit, but I read The Guardian. Just by chance, this morning I bumped into a Guardian post about Patrick Swayze. And hip hop. Hmmm.... Granted, I don't have a copyright or a monopoly on all Patrick Swayze/hip hop posts, but still.... Do you think I was plagiarized? Check it out:
Patrick Swayze: Hip Hop Icon [Hip Hop Is Read]
How Patrick Swayze got his break in hip-hop [The Guardian]
Admittedly, the post does contain a hyperlink directing to HHIR. I still call bullshit though. Even The Guardian's comment section notes: "Well plagiarised [sic] from [Hip Hop Is Read]... You have a great knack for the copy and paste, I am sure you will go far."
Update: There are a couple things I find hilarious about this post. First of all, the site's profile for the author ("author"?), Sam Richards, makes it clear that he posts roughly two articles per month. Jeez! If I was writing for The Guardian, I'm pretty sure I'd have plenty of time to come up with an original post every other week. Second, this line from the article made me chuckle: "Hip-hop historians believe that it was originally a reference to Patrick Swayze's titular role in the film Ghost...". Let's start from the end and work our way back to the beginning here. Of course it was a reference to the film Ghost. Do you really need a "hip-hop historian" to tell you that? And let's even dissect that: "hip-hop historian". Who is he talking about? Me? Who are these "hip-hop historians" he speaks of? Did he interview "hip-hop historians"? If so, why aren't they cited? Again, I call bullshit! Who's with me?
Patrick Swayze: Hip Hop Icon [Hip Hop Is Read]
How Patrick Swayze got his break in hip-hop [The Guardian]
Admittedly, the post does contain a hyperlink directing to HHIR. I still call bullshit though. Even The Guardian's comment section notes: "Well plagiarised [sic] from [Hip Hop Is Read]... You have a great knack for the copy and paste, I am sure you will go far."
Update: There are a couple things I find hilarious about this post. First of all, the site's profile for the author ("author"?), Sam Richards, makes it clear that he posts roughly two articles per month. Jeez! If I was writing for The Guardian, I'm pretty sure I'd have plenty of time to come up with an original post every other week. Second, this line from the article made me chuckle: "Hip-hop historians believe that it was originally a reference to Patrick Swayze's titular role in the film Ghost...". Let's start from the end and work our way back to the beginning here. Of course it was a reference to the film Ghost. Do you really need a "hip-hop historian" to tell you that? And let's even dissect that: "hip-hop historian". Who is he talking about? Me? Who are these "hip-hop historians" he speaks of? Did he interview "hip-hop historians"? If so, why aren't they cited? Again, I call bullshit! Who's with me?
K'naan - The Messengers Pt. 3 (Bob Dylan) | Download
This is like what that Pepsi commercial sounds like - only 20+ minutes longer and much, much better. Top 5: Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan. He spits HOT FIYAH! © D.C. K'naan's biographical interludes are great, especially as he pulls from some of the best of Dylan's socially conscious-based catalog.
Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:
Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:
1. K'naan - Introduction to Bob Dylan (3:12)
2. K'naan - Rhythmic Poetry (Interlude) (0:25)
3. K'naan - Don't Think Twice (Messengers Remix) (3:18)
4. K'naan - No Great Message (Interlude) (0:27)
5. K'naan - 4th Time Around (Messengers Remix) (3:12)
6. K'naan - Voice of the Other Side (Interlude) (0:49)
7. K'naan - Lay Lady Lay (Intro) (0:55)
8. K'naan - Relationships Lay (Messengers Remix) (2:52)
9. K'naan - This Is a True Story (Interlude) (0:21)
10. K'naan - Hard Rain (Messengers Remix) (4:08)
11. K'naan - Bonus: It's Alright, Ma (J.Period Remix) (2:55)
Patrick Swayze: Hip Hop Icon
…or Patrick Swayze: Hip Hop (Lex)icon
The passing of Patrick Wayne Swayze is of significance if not for his role as a successful actor and choreographer, but for the courage of his long-fought battle against an aggressive case of Stage IV pancreatic cancer. He catapulted to stardom with his Golden Globe-nominated performance in Dirty Dancing, and later appeared alongside Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg in the 1990 film Ghost. But Swayze didn’t just make an impact in the world of cinema. His unintended influence on hip hop culture can not be understated and mustn’t be undervalued. The term “Swayze” (and, as a nod to his film, “going ‘Ghost’”) became popular in the early ‘90’s, used as a synonym for “leaving”, “going” or “disappearing”. Like much of the slang to emerge from pop culture of the last twenty years or so, this term originated from the hip hop lexicon, featured within the rhymes of notable emcees. Below I’ve included a selection of some of my favorite “Swayze” quotables. Feel free to contribute in the comments section:
Reach for the pistol and you're crazy/
Try to blast and I'll be swinging that ass like Patrick Swayze/
- Kool G Rap; “The Symphony Part II”
I'm sick, insane crazy, Driving Miss Daisy/
Out her fuckin’ mind now I got mine I'm Swayze/
- Method Man; “Bring the Pain”
You got me strung like I'm young and it's crazy/
You're making me nervous, I don't deserve this, I'm Swayze/
- CL Smooth; “Searching”
The n****s went wild, the hoes went crazy/
We dropped the microphone, then we Swayze/
- E-Swift; “Can’t Tell Me Shit”
I try to stay aware of the drama, it's crazy/
Plus, see I got to tell your mama that I'm Swayze/
- Dres (of Black Sheep); “Who’s Next?”
Then he was Swayze, the shot must’ve dazed me/
Thug's selling drug, busting slugs, but he ain't crazy/
- Big Noyd; “Right Back at You”
But now I'm Swayze, ghost, the rap host/After it’s all said and done though, Biggie had the best “Swayze” quotes:
Who rip shows, from coast to coast/
- PMD; “It’s Going Down”
Lick your toes, bitch? Fuck no, you must be crazy/
Squirt in your face and then I'm Swayze/
- The Notorious B.I.G.; “Big Booty Hoes” & “Bust a Nut”
Commitments, I'm Swayze, no time for the ill shit/
Rest with the n****s on that real blood-spill shit/
- The Notorious B.I.G.; “Let Me Get Down” & “Living the Life”
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me/
When he drop, take his glock, and I'm Swayze/
- The Notorious B.I.G.; “Runnin’” & “Runnin’ (Dying to Live)”
Remembering Leon J. Davis
On this day exactly seventeen years ago, Leon J. Davis passed away. Who was he and what did he do? In 1932, Leon J. Davis co-founded Local 1199 of the Drug, Hospital, and Health Care Employees Union and stayed on as the head of the Union for fifty years. Among many other achievements, Davis' Local 1199 fought for hospital workers' Union rights. 1199 was also committed to the civil rights movement in America, and waged a successful, seven week-long strike in Harlem to give African Americans the right to work as local pharmacists. The Union later provided support and financial aid towards the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once dubbed Local 1199 "my favorite union".
The Union's early motto was: "An Injury to One is an Injury to All". What side of the health care debate do you think Davis would have taken nowadays?
Read More: Leon Davis, 85, Head of Health-Care Union, Dies [NY Times]
The Union's early motto was: "An Injury to One is an Injury to All". What side of the health care debate do you think Davis would have taken nowadays?
Read More: Leon Davis, 85, Head of Health-Care Union, Dies [NY Times]
Must-Hear TV: September 14-18
September 14th (Monday):
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West [The Jay Leno Show]
Franz Ferdinand [Last Call with Carson Daly]
September 15th (Tuesday):
Ghostface Killah [Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]
September 16th [Wednesday]:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs [Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien]
The Flaming Lips [The Colbert Report]
Q-Tip [Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]
September 18th [Friday]:
Nelly Furtado [Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien]
Roc Nation: The Mixtape (DJ Laser) | Download
On September 15th, 2009, NYC-based Mixtape DJ Laser is set to release Roc Nation: The Mixtape, the follow-up to his near-classic Slaughterhouse Mixtape. Roc Nation: The Mixtape will focus on music’s next generation of stars, all personally chosen by, and affiliated with, industry legend Jay-Z and his Roc Nation imprint.Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:
Roc Nation: The Mixtape will be used as straight-to-the-core introduction for artists Wale, J. Cole, and Melanie Fiona, all three of whom have strong following & an even bigger one Online. The main focus of Roc Nation: The Mixtape is to bring these artists to the industry’s most proven stomping ground: the streets.
1. Jay-Z - Reminder (4:01)
2. Jay-Z - Off That (feat. Drake) (3:36)
3. Jay-Z - Run This Town (feat. Rihanna & Kanye West) (3:57)
4. Jay-Z - D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune) (3:42)
5. Jay-Z - Venus vs. Mars (2:54)
6. J.Cole - Back to the Topic Freestyle (3:44)
7. Wale - Nike Boots Wale (feat. Lil Wayne) (4:00)
8. Melanie Fiona - Give It to Me Right (feat. Busta Rhymes & Raekwon) (4:01)
9. Wale - Pretty Girls (feat. Gucci Mane) (3:34)
10. J.Cole - Just to Get By (1:37)
11. Jay-Z - When the Money Goes (2:55)
12. Wale - Mr. Carter (3:34)
13. J.Cole - Young Simba (2:25)
14. Wale - Cypher (feat. Young Chris, Freeway & Beanie Sigel) (2:36)
15. J.Cole - On Da Spot Freestyle (2:19)
16. DJ Green Lantern - Run This Town Remix (Green Lantern) (2:32)
17. Jay-Z - Dig a Hole (Original) (4:02)
18. Melanie Fiona - You Stop My Heart (3:45)
19. Wale - Wonder Why (feat. Big Sean & Mike Posner) (2:47)
20. J.Cole - Show Me Something (4:14)
21. Wale - Word Play (feat. Curren$y) (1:50)
22. J.Cole - Shook Ones (1:52)
23. Drake - Forever (feat. Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem) (5:54)
24. J.Cole - Lights Please (3:07)
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