When I Wake Up in the Mourning...

Artwork by Carlos Latuff

It's 11:17 PM (PST). I'm reading the news about Israel attacking and seizing the Turkish aid ship to Gaza. I'm not hearing about this news because apparently CNN, NBC, certainly FOX and all the rest are too busy talking about Memorial Day... and pandas. I shit you not. This is nonsense.

At this time, ten people have been confirmed dead, with over sixty people injured. My conservative, Jewish friends don't understand how I, also a Jew, could ever possibly be critical of Israel. This is why. Israel has a horrible PR problem. And that problem is its own government and military. Israel heard the world's outcry during the siege on Gaza in late 2008/early 2009. They shrugged it off. After all, "all's fair in war", right? Well, this isn't war. This ship was bringing along food and supplies. It had been cleared by authorities upon leaving Turkey, from what I've read. Anyone who can deny that Israel is guilty of malfeasance must check their conscience.

It's worth noting that Turkey became the first Muslim country to recognize the existence of the state of Israel. Now, it's all but certain that Turkish-Jewish relations will suffer from this catastrophe. Early reports are stating that the Israeli ambassador to Turkey is unable to leave his home because there is a protest taking place and the crowd is surrounding the building. Diplomatic relations between Israel and Turkey became strained during the siege on Gaza. If this doesn't become the straw that breaks the camel's back, I don't know what will.

Communication has been cut off from the ship.

I typically don't write at night but I feel like venting so I must. And I'm writing this post knowing full well that I will wake in the morning with new stories of tragedy and heartache. It makes it difficult to go to sleep. Maybe I'll wake up early. We'll all be mourning for the dead tomorrow, right?

Fiona Apple & Native Tongues: Birds of a Feather?

"Well, you ain't Fiona Apple. And if you ain't Fiona Apple, I don't give a rat's ass."

There's no point in calling it a "guilty pleasure" since there's really nothing to feel guilty about: I've got just about every Fiona Apple track released and "unreleased" resting comfortably in my iPod. I'm a fan. I've been an admirer of Fiona Apple's music since '96, when she dropped her debut album Tidal at the young age of eighteen years old (an impressive feat, given the album's remarkable depth). Since then I've picked up copies of her successive albums When the Pawn... and 2005's Extraordinary Machine. I eagerly await a fourth LP knowing damn well that day may never come...

As I was listening to Black Sheep's new track (yeah, I just typed that...wow!) featuring Q-Tip titled "Birds of a Feather", I quickly picked up on the lifted beat and noticed hints of Fiona's raspy voice strewn across here and there. Turns out the track samples "The Way Things Are" off her second LP. Keep impressing me, beat makers! I could get used to this trend.

SAMPLE: Fiona Apple - "The Way Things Are"
EXAMPLE: Black Sheep - "Birds of a Feather feat. Q-Tip, Dave & Mike Gee"

The Eastern Conference Finals in the Eyes of a Lakers Fan

Call it a wrap! Wario's Stan Van Gundy's Orlando Magic are outta the playoffs and off to decide what to do with Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis. (Psst... Trade 'em!) Two years ago, the Lakers defeated the Spurs as they awaited the results of Boston's series with the Pistons. This year, the roles are reversed as the Celtics can sit back and let the rust kick in while the Lakers finish up their bout with the Suns. The Boston Celtics are once again the Eastern Conference champs and all I can say is "bring it on!" Throughout the Playoffs, I've been rooting for the Celtics with the hopes that these two great teams could once again take part in their storied rivalry - possibly the greatest in sports history. The dominoes are all but lined up. A rematch with the Bean Town team gives us Lakers fans the opportunity to exact some much-needed revenge on the dreaded Cs. It's wild to think that had the Lakers won that year instead of the Celtics, it'd be the Lakers - not the Celtics - who'd be the league leaders in championships earned. We haven't forgotten.

As the Celtics gave the Magic their lethal injection tonight, I was surprised to hear the attendants of the TD Garden belching out the infamous "Beat LA" chant. It's rewarding, in an odd kind of way, to know that these fans are as eager as we are to bump heads once again, despite the fact that the Orlando Magic were still on their court. But it also reminded me how much of a force the Lakers - and Lakers fans - truly are. What other team in the league instills so much hatred in its opponents? At one point or another, every arena that houses an NBA team has also housed a "Beat LA" choir. It's as if every team's "Beat LA"-chanting fan base suffers from MRS - Madd Rapper Syndrome. We on the other hand don't share that idiosyncrasy, but that's not to say that we don't have our own. Lakers fans are easy to criticize. We've been called spoiled; we've been prone to leave Staples when times got tough - some might call this giving up on the team; we've been accused of loving our team more than the game itself; damn, we've even thrown foam fingers on the court as a sign of frustrated protest. And sure, a few years back we've called the Kings "the Queens", but there's no universal "Beat Sacramento" or "Beat Boston" chant, is there? And why would there be? Are they worthy of one? Of course not! See, we know we're the best. And we've got the accomplishments to prove it:

32 Division Titles (four more than the Celtics)
30 Conference Titles (nine more than the Celtics)
16 Championships (one less than the Celtics) - if you count the NBL, which I do :)

This is the year we even the score. Pleezbaleevit!

The Tape Deck '10: Volume #43

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Noz Knows

"Hoes on my dick 'cause I look like Jesus."
- Lil B

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away."
- Henry David Thoreau, no relation

READ: Lil B “County Blues” (Internet, 2010) + Thoughts! by Noz

READ: Basehead Jazz: A Serious Lil B Discussion. Really. by David D.

Rap Round Table, Week Ending 5/28/2010

Music Analysis & Reporting:

Sobriety is for suckers by Byron Crawford

Guru's guru: How a mysterious Svengali dominated the final days of the Boston-born hip-hop and jazz superstar by Chris Faraone

Lil B “County Blues” (Internet, 2010) + Thoughts! by Noz

Basehead Jazz: A Serious Lil B Discussion. Really. by David D.

Diddy – The Only Artist Keeping Old School Alive by C-Dub

Sha Money XL Poised to Reshape Def Jam by Amir Said (a.k.a. Sa'id)

Someone cue up “Forever My Lady” by Byron Crawford

Love Thy Hater: How to Learn and Profit from “Bad” Feedback by Justin Boland

Things Learned About Big Boi From Watching The Video For “Shutterbug” by Jeff Weiss

“I Love The ’90s” Pt.II (1991 pt.II): “What, you think we forgot?” by Eric

I'll Gather Melodies From Birdies That Fly And Compose You A Tune... by Scholar

“I Love The ’90s” Pt.II (1992 pt.I) by Eric

Raekwon - “Alphabet Soup” by Jeff Weiss

Madvillain - “Paper Mill” by Jeff Weiss

Steve Rifkind is a genius... by HL

Yo Dito! You Rock Or Disco? © Laurie, Diane & Jenny by Dart Adams

How the Roots are trying to get over by Byron Crawford

Will Jay Electronica Disappoint Us?

By the time Kanye gets to Arizona by Byron Crawford

Has Hip-Hop Become More Bitch-Made? by Robbie

The Sexiest, But Worst Rap-A-Lot Record by Noz

The miseducation of URB magazine by Byron Crawford

What Does DIY Mean? by Amir Said (a.k.a. Sa'id)

The First White Rappers: A History Lesson by Teddy C.D.

Is Wale trying to tell us something? by Byron Crawford

Bass Framework Not Predicated on Concept of Bass Line The Building Blocks of Bass Frameworks by Amir Said (a.k.a. Sa'id)

Post-Rebellion Hip-Hop by Sara Sarasohn

Sure Ya Right… by Robbie

What Hip-Hop Album Would You Wanna See Played Live? by Jesse Gissen

Beat-loggers index samples so we don't have to by Thorin Klosowski

Artie Shaw At 100: Celebrating A Swing Era Sensation by Tom Vitale

The 10 best jazz musicians: From the traditional to the spiritual and the really out-there, acclaimed performer Jamie Cullum picks his favourite jazz inspirations by Jamie Cullum

Abraham, Inc.: Klezmer With A Funky Hip-Hop Beat by Jon Kalish

Album Reviews:

Ill Poetic & J. Rawls - The World Is Illuminated by Eric

Reflection Eternal - Revolutions Per Minute by Nate Patrin

Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid by Rizoh

Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid by Slava Kuperstein

Big K.R.I.T. - K.R.I.T. Wuz Here by David Drake

YahZarah – The Ballad of Purple Saint James by Zach Cole

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives by Rizoh

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives by Combat Jack

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives by The Smoking Section Crew

Sage Francis - Li(f)e by Mitchell Hanna

Young Jeezy - Trap or Die II by Tom Breihan

Inspectah Deck - Manifesto by Max

Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles (II) by Brandon Rae

David Cross - Bigger and Blackerer by Andrew Beckerman

Profiles & Interviews:

M.I.A.’s Agitprop Pop by Lynn Hirschberg

Complex Cover Girl: M.I.A. by Nate Denver

Question in the Form of An Answer: Homeboy Sandman by Jeff Weiss

Zilla Rocca on DIY Hip Hop Everything by Justin Boland

Slim da Mobster: Warning Shots by Jake Paine

Blogging:

You been in this 10, I been in this 5, smarten up by Eskay

Politics:

Selective Terrorism by David Banner, yes THE David Banner

Rand Paul is Incredibly Boring by zunguzungu

Dope Boys and Libertarians by M.Dot

Literature:

After keeping us waiting for a century, Mark Twain will finally reveal all by Guy Adams

Television:

Boondocks: “The Story of Jimmy Rebel” Recap by Rizoh

'Treme,' Episode 7: Civil Dysfunction Meets Civil Disobedience by Patrick Jarenwattananon & Josh Jackson

Obituaries:

R.I.P. Born Reality by Combat Jack

R.I.P. Gary Coleman

King Crimson & Kanye West | Sample & Example

SAMPLE:
King Crimson - "21st Century Schizoid Man"



EXAMPLE:
Kanye West - "Power" (featuring Dwele)
[DOWNLOAD]

Kubrick's Garage #19

LULZ

The Tape Deck '10: Volume #42

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Alvin Gentry and the Worst Analogy... EVER!

Prior to yesterday's game three showdown at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Suns coach Alvin Gentry offered some rather, um, unusual words about trying to defend Kobe, Pau and the mighty, mighty Lakers:

It’s almost like being a dike, you stick a finger in one hole and water comes out of another one... We’ve just got to find a way to have a whole lot of fingers, I guess. [Source]

Whaaaaaaaa(t)? I've done my best to try to counter or critique these words with your run-of-the-mill smug, blogger-patented snarkiness -- especially as a Lakers fan -- but my mind takes me to strange, strange places as I attempt to unravel the many layers of Gentry's what-the-fuckedness. I stand in awe. Well played, sir. Well played.

Catch Wreck - The Young & The Restless

As a Lakers fan, Boston is definitely on my sniper scope radar right about now. Hometown bias aside, I know a good thing when I see it -- or hear it. Enter Catch Wreck: a Bean Town emcee that spits. hot. fiyah © Dave Chappelle. CW effectively toes the line between pop sensibilities mixed with neo-Paris/dead prez get-up-stand-up subject matter. His new mixtape, The Young & The Restless, is available for purchase now. Cop & support:

Catch Wreck
Bandcamp
Blogspot
Twitter

The Tape Deck '10: Volume #41

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Adam Morrison Does It Doggystyle

No homo to the nth power, but check out that t-shirt! [h/t]

Rap Round Table, Week Ending 5/21/2010

Washed away in a tide of SEO-grabbing blog posts, there's actually quite a bit of interesting, entertaining, valuable, and just plain good writing out there... if you look for it. Call me a dreamer, but wouldn't it be great if there was a hip hop magazine that somehow managed to stay in print and keep the following writers on payroll? If only... 'til then we've got the Rap Round Table, a new feature that aims to highlight the week in writing. Enjoy:

Music Analysis & Reporting:

MusicStudy: Gamble & Huff by Amir Said (a.k.a. Sa'id)

Once The Face Got Revealed The Game Got Real © Ghostface Killah by Dart Adams

Rappers of the Decade: Ghostface Killah - Original Stylin by Abe Beame

War Report II: The new Cuban Linx II? by Bryon Crawford

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted is 20 today so of course I had to write a love letter to it by Logan

Judge Denies Trae's Injunction Request Against The Box by Rizoh

Peedi Crakk Says Jay-Z Stole Young Chris’ Whisper Flow by Elan Mancini & Kevin Clark

A failed business, man by Bryon Crawford

The Live Show Is Not Dead by Meka

I'll Be Bach: A computer program is writing great, original works of classical music. Will human composers soon be obsolete? by Chris Wilson

The Myth of Falling Fidelity, and Audio History Unburdened by Fact by Peter Kirn

When Consumers Suddenly Become Professional Musicians; Best Buy and Soulja Boy Poised to Boost Profile of Beatmaking by Amir Said (a.k.a. Sa'id)

Another year, another chorus of bitchfits by Byron Crawford

Moving Keys by Oliver Wang

Moving Keys: DJ Premier by Oliver Wang

Analyze Dis: Is Nas Getting at Jay-Z on “Friends”? by Rizoh

Why is Nas so fascinated with Africa? by Byron Crawford

Album Reviews:

What’s New In Dart’s iPod #15 AKA Late Like The Kanye Song by Dart Adams

The Beat Generation: Roc Marciano — He Rhymes, Y’all Boring by Zilla Rocca

Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid by Matthew Perpetua

Roc Marciano - Marcberg by Sean Ryon

Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma by Brandon Rae

Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma by William E. Ketchum III

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives by Jeff Weiss

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives by Tom Breihan

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives by Andres Tardio

Guilty Simpson & Madlib - OJ Simpson by Daniel Levin Becker

Guilty Simpson & Madlib - OJ Simpson by Ian Cohen

Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek) - Revolutions Per Minute by Kathy Iandoli

Scarface - Dopeman Music by Jayson Greene

9th Prince - Revenge of the 9th Prince by Luke Gibson

The Black Keys - Brothers by Larry Fitzmaurice

Profiles & Interviews:

The Vibe.com Cover Story: J. Cole - "[The Girls] Scream And Go Crazy Like I'm Drake" by Tray Hova

Lucy’Lo of 84.85 Interview; Pt. 2; Wrap Up by Chase March

Big K.R.I.T. Is Here by John Gotty

TSS Presents Smoking Sessions With Reflection Eternal by TC

Inside the Lyricist’s Studio With Tila Tequila by David D.

Meet 'Renaldo,' Solar's Self-Proclaimed Hacker by Tray Hova

R.I.P. Dolla: My Brother’s Keeper [Scrapp Deleon] by Starrene Rhett

Flying Lotus Rising by Chris Martins

Diego Bernal – Besides (Download and Insight) by Travis

Sports:

I Feel It in the Water, I Feel It in the Earth, I Smell It in the Air by Joey

The Undeniable Greatness of Rajon Rondo by Charles P. Pierce

Blogging:

On Rap Blogging and Music Leaks by Eskay

Hip-Hop Blogs and the World Premier Horse Race by knobbzXL

Blog Science: Rafi, Khal and Reyn by Justin Boland

Rafi Kam on “OkayPlayer x Advertising x Community” by M.Dot

Look at Me! A writer’s search for journalism in the age of branding by Maureen Tkacik

Not to be outdone, Jay Smooth caps things off with the political story of the week:

The Tape Deck '10: Volume #40

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The Roots - What They Do | Insomniacs Club

"Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose."
("The more things change, the more they stay the same.")
- Alphonse Karr

1,000 Dead Americans in Afghanistan

Mr. Chop & CL Smooth Resurrect the Classics

Pete Rock & CL Smooth's debut full-length LP, Mecca and the Soul Brother, was released just under eighteen years ago. The album is often considered a classic and the duo's best release to date (read: ever). Mr. Chop has brought CL Smooth back -- literally, with re-recorded vocals -- to resurrect two of the album's top tracks, dropping Chocolate Boy Wonda reinterpretations of "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" and "Straighten It Out" on 7" vinyl. Preview "T.R.O.Y. (The Resurrection)" below:

MP3: Mr. Chop & CL Smooth - "T.R.O.Y. (The Resurrection)"

More info

Sample Set #65: AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted

Originally posted in July of '08, this sample set once had 32 tracks. Now it's got 46. I'm giving this one the re-up treatment in order to commemorate the 20th anniversary of AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted's release. I just had to do it - and you know it's 'cause I rep that west! Y'all already know that it's my favorite album by Ice Cube and the homie DP agrees. On this sixteenth day in May, XXL chimed in on the west coast vet's solo debut (check out their June issue - you'll see why), as did Logan of Height Five Seven (apologies in advance for the "tinniness" - I do my best). To build on what I wrote two years ago, one of the great aspects of this album is the seamless fusion between the convoluted, sample-heavy soundscapes of the Bomb Squad's production mixed with L.A.'s cacophonous gangsta rap -isms. Cube brought the west coast to the Mecca of hip hop - or was it the other way around? Think about it, word to Lynn Collins -- who, ironically, is not featured on this sample set! :P One.

PK Mao - Raptendo 64

Damn, this brings back some great memories. Full disclosure: the Nintendo 64 is the most current video gaming console that I own. Really. In fact, every once in a blue moon I pull out the 64-bit system from my closet to kick some ass with Donkey Kong in Super Smash Bros. or the Lakers (big surprise, I know) in NBA Hangtime - back when the roster had Eddie Jones, Nick Van Exel and Elden Campbell. Ha! And you thought my stuck-in-the-90s vibe was exclusive to hip hop! Wrong!

Anyways, oddball producer/mix master PK Mao has given me this reason to reminisce thanks to a fun series he's cooked up, dubbed Raptendo 64. Over the years I've seen a fair share of video game/hip hop mash up projects that were poorly executed. Not today © Mary J. PK Mao's work is top notch. Best of all, he's upped the ante by featuring "good rappers", as he calls them, instead of the run of the mill emcees you'd expect from today's remixers: Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne and so on. Not to disparage the south, but I'm just saying. PK Mao's Raptendo 64 trilogy finds Aesop Rock facing Link, Mobb Deep battling Bomberman, Kool G Rap 'n Mortal Kombat, and De La Soul with Dr. Mario. Shit, even Xzibit versus Tetris! Get excited. And it's all available on the HHIR-approved publishing platform we've grown to love called Bandcamp. Turn it up:

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Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg - Flashing (New Detox Track?)

I'm holding my tongue for the moment, but this sounds and feels as legit as....
anything we've heard in a long, long time.

[USERSHARE]

The-Dream Creates a Nightmare for Music Blogs

I’m a bit surprised that this story has slipped below the radar: Did you know that pop singer/songwriter The-Dream has been working in union with the FBI in order to “catch” “music pirates”? Amazingly, The-Dream had no qualms with admitting to it out in the open, taking to his Twitter page to explain:

Job Done As u know there have been several leaks around many records I do I am please to say the Record Champagne which was apart of a FBI [LINK]

investigation, has lead to the three individual's who's been hacking us for the last two years. im sorry u guys have to here unfinished [LINK]

music so i took it into my on hands to have every record i make since Nov 2009 logged with a Federal encripted Tag & will also appear on LK. [LINK]

And Champagne is not on LK! it never was! [LINK]

Call it what u want to! The only people who have something to say are the ones that usually don't work for anything they have! If sombody [LINK]

Stole your car you call the police, if your mother gets robbed in the parking lot she calls the police! Don't try to act like y'all down [LINK]

To let someone contiinue to take from you when the people who are doing it are being directly disrespectful to what I put my hard work In to [LINK]

I'm not going to kill anyone so since everybody got something to say tell me what would u do! This isn't about people who buy they shit [LINK]

So what's the problem , oh yeah that's right y'all never worked for anything! So u would feel away, it's 99 cent nigga u ain't got a dollar [LINK]

get a job buy your shit the same way you pY the Man for gas and lights! I guess we all down with the Feds then! Buy yo shit! Don't steal [LINK]

From me Im running a legitimate business! As long as they taxing me 40% the Feds work for me and anybody else that pays taxes! This ain't [LINK]

The Trap! This is what Apple does, this is what Coca Cola would do! Stop fakin like y'all just got money to give away cause I don't!! [LINK]

Eskay recently posted a great article – I told you it’s no love lost! – titled On Rap Blogging and Music Leaks. In essence, it’s a verbal 187 on Lupe Fiasco and his diva-esque tendencies to flip the fuck out whenever one of his songs springs a leak. I’ve always been put off by Lupe’s pissy stance on so-called music piracy, particularly because it’s based on a true ignorance of how it all boils down in the grand scheme of things. As Eskay writes: “Once a song has been leaked onto the internet, it’s a wrap. It’s over. There’s nothing you can do about it, and by asking a few bloggers to take it down, all you’re doing is pissing off those few bloggers in your futile attempt to stop the unstoppable.” Technical foul on Lupe Fiasco! Now if that’s a TO, then The-Dream just earned himself an ejection.

I’ve always been weary of marrying “hip hop” to “R&B”, as so many “urban” radio stations have done (the “home(s)” for “hip hop and R&B”). (Let’s put aside the fact that current “R&B artists” are nothing more than “pop” acts. Real R&B artists are people like Albert King, Lowell Fulson, Bill Doggett and so on. But I’ve lost that debate years before I was even born.) Whenever I hear R. Kelly beefing with Jay-Z or Mariah Carey going at Eminem – on records, mind you – it makes me want to jump in front of a moving truck. But one hip hop/R&B comparison is apt: if Rick Ross lost some credibility when he was outed as a former C.O., then what does that make The-Dream? An informant? A rat? A stoolie? What ever happened to Stop Snitching? Wouldn’t it be appropriate to expect a unified effort by the blogosphere – particularly by the NMC, a.k.a. the taste makers – in boycotting any and all tracks and features by The-Dream? Bloggaz R N Dainja! I know I sure as hell won’t be posting any more of his music...

The Tape Deck '10: Volume #39

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The Tape Deck '10: Volume #38

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Thoughts on the Cleveland Cavaliers' Epic Fail

Like I said on Twitter, the Celtics and Lakers are like Aliens and Predators. And the Cavs are the humans getting in the way between the two. A message to Bron Bron: Move, bitch, get out the way. I know David Stern probably wanted this Kobe/LeBron matchup to manifest into something real -- and I'm also sure that David Stern is probably writing his suicide note at the moment -- but if you ask me it's all about seeing the green machine go toe to toe with purple and gold. Fuck LeBron. Add that to the fact that I don't think Laker fans have the heart in 'em to see Shaq take punishment from his former team in a finals matchup. It just wouldn't be right. A rematch against the Celtics (or Magic) though? Perfect.

To be sure, LeBron James is a talented basketball player. But I know Kobe Bryant. And you, LeBron James, are no Kobe Bryant. Kobe's an assassin. After watching Bron Bron in these past two games, I'm convinced that he's a masochist, or at the bare minimum an underachiever. Where's the heart? Where's the passion for the game? At this point I wouldn't be surprised if Knicks fans like Spike Lee were saying "You know what? You can keep him."

LeBron actually played better tonight. In fact he almost earned a quadruple double -- if only he'd had just ONE more turnover! I'm sounding like a hater now, aren't I? Well Cavs fans should feel what I feel. They got let down. And did you notice how quickly LeBron took off his jersey at the end of the game while he was walking down the tunnel? If that ain't a nod to potential offseason moves then I don't know what is. MVP - Most Valuable Princess. Like that, Bron Bron? © Pusha T

Long live the king! King Kobe that is... Back 2 Back, bitches...

Kon & Amir's TERRIBLE List of the '50 Greatest Samples'

I'm not too big on lists, which is why I'd never even attempt to come up with what Complex just posted on their site. They commissioned Kon & Amir to conjure up some sort of definitive 'greatest samples' list. This one had "fail just waiting to happen" written all over it. For what it's worth it's a commendable effort, no doubt, with lots of great history and great music. But they let quite a few classics slip through the cracks. Way too many if you ask me. And if you ask me, I'd like to think that my resume speaks for itself, so I'll speak on it, kay?

In an effort to simplify things, I've recreated the list in text form below. In order to do this I had to click onto a new Complex page 50 times. In case you're too bored to do that yourself or, like me, you wanna dwindle Complex's optimal ad revenue as much as you can (I keed, I keed), check it out:

50 David Axelrod - Holy Thursday
49 Les Demerle - A Day in the Life
48 Clyde McPhatter - Mixed Up Cup
47 The J.B.'s - The Grunt
46 Bob Azzam - Rain Rain Away
45 Richard Popcorn Whylie - Both Ends Against the Middle
44 Monty Alexander - Love and Happiness
43 David Axelrod - A Divine Image
42 Brian Bennett - Solstice
41 Placebo - Humpty Dumpty
40 David McCullum - The Edge
39 Brethren - Outside Love
38 Eugene McDaniels - Jagger the Dagger
37 Third Guitar - Baby Don't Cry
36 Billy Garner - I Got Some
35 Heath Bros. - Smilin' Billy Suite Pt. II
34 Billy Brooks - Forty Days
33 Jack Wilkins - Red Clay
32 Gwen McCrae - 90% of Me is You
31 Weldon Irvine - We Gettin' Down
30 Tom Scott - Today
29 24 Carat Black - Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth
28 Minnie Riperton - Inside My Love
27 Ray Bryant - Up Above the Rock
26 Ronnie Foster - Mystic Brew
25 Kool and the Gang - Who's Gonna Take the Weight
24 Bernard Wright - Haboglabotriben
23 Manzel - Space Funk
22 James Brown - Mind Power
21 The Meters - Look-ka Py Py
20 The J.B.'s - Pass the Peas
19 Isaac Hayes - Walk on By
18 Bill Doggett - Honky Tonk Popcorn
17 Thunder and Lightnin' - Bumpin' Bus Stop
16 Cymande - The Message
15 Kool and the Gang - Let the Music Take Your Mind
14 Kid Dynamite - Uphill Peace of Mind
13 Babe Ruth - Mexican
12 The Ohio Players - Funky Worm
11 Foster Sylvers - Misdemeanor
10 Kool and the Gang - Chocolate Buttermilk
9 Maceo & the Macks - Soul Power '74
8 The Meters - Cardova
7 James Brown - Funky President
6 Manzel - Midnight Theme
5 Isaac Hayes - Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic
4 James Brown - Give It Up or Turnit a Loose (Remix)
3 Skull Snaps - It's a New Day
2 Melvin Bliss - Synthetic Substitution
1 The Honey Drippers - Impeach the President

Decent list, right? Ehhhhhh..... Please explain to me why the following classics are nowhere to be found (exclamation points have been liberally added to denote my fury for not seeing them on the list above):

Aerosmith – Walk This Way
Ahmad Jamal - Swahililand(!!)
Audio Two - Top Billin'(!!!)
Average White Band - School Boy Crush(!!!!)
B.T. Express - If It Don't Turn You On (You Ought to Leave It Alone)
Baby Huey - Hard Times(!!!!!)
Barry White - Mellow Mood, Pt. I(!!!)
Billy Squier – The Big Beat
Bob James - Nautilus(!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Bob James - Take Me to the Mardi Gras(!!!!!!!!)
Bobby Byrd - Hot Pants (I'm Coming, I'm Coming, I'm Coming)(!!!!!!!!!)
Captain Sky – Super Sperm
David Bowie - Fame(!!!!)
David Porter - I'm Afraid the Masquerade is Over(!!)
Dexter Wansel – Theme from the Planets
Dyke & The Blazers - Let a Woman Be a Woman, Let a Man Be a Man(!!!!!!)
Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s - Blow Your Head(!!!!!!)
Funkadelic - Good Ole Music(!!!!!!)
Funkadelic - Knot Just (Knee Deep)(!!!!!!!)
George Clinton - Atomic Dog(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Idris Muhammad - Crab Apple
Incredible Bongo Band - Apache(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
James Brown - Funky Drummer(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
James Brown - Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)(!!!!!!!!!)
Jimmy Castor Bunch - It's Just Begun
Joe Cocker - Woman to Woman(!!)
Joe Tex – Papa Was Too (Live)(!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Kool And The Gang – N.T.(!!!!!)
Little Feat - Fool Yourself(!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Lonnie Liston Smith - Spinning Wheel
Lou Donalson – Ode to Billy Joe(!!!)
Lowell Fulsom – Tramp(!!!!!!!!!!!)
Lyn Collins - Think (About It)(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Malcolm McLaren - Buffalo Gals(!!!!!!!)
Malcolm McLaren - Hobo(!!!!!!!!)
Marva Whitney - It's My Thing(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Michael Jackson - Ain't No Sunshine(!)
Michael Jackson - Human Nature
Mountain - Long Red (Live)(!!!!!!!)
Ohio Players - Ecstasy(!!!!)
Parliament - Aquaboogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)(!!)
Parliament - Flashlight(!!!!!)
Power of Zeus – The Sorcerer of Isis
Rick James - Mary Jane(!!!!!!!!)
Ronnie Hudson - West Coast Poplock(!!!!!!!!)
Rotary Connection - Memory Band
Rufus Thomas – Do the Funky Penguin(!!!!)
Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh - La-Di-Da-Di(!!!!!!!)
Sly & The Family Stone – Sing a Simple Song(!!!!)
Steve Miller Band - Fly Like An Eagle(!!!)
Steve Miller Band - Take the Money and Run(!!!!!!!!!)
Stevie Wonder - Pastime Paradise
Syl Johnson - Different Strokes(!!)
Teddy Pendergrass - Love T.K.O.(!!!)
The Blackbyrds - Rock Creek Park
The Commodores - Assembly Line(!!!)
The Dramatics - Get Up & Get Down
The Emotions - Blind Alley(!!)
The Emotions - I Like It(!!!)
The Fatback Band - Backstrokin'(!!!!)
The Five Stairsteps - Don't Change Your Love(!)
The Isley Brothers - Between the Sheets(!!!!!!!)
The J.B.'s - Gimme Some More
The Meters - Rigor Mortis(!!!!)
The Mohawks - The Champ(!!!!!!!!!!!!)
The O'Jays - Cry Together
The Soul Children - I Don't Know What This World Is Coming To (Jesse Jackson)(!!!!!!!!)
The Soul Searchers – Ashley’s Roachclip
The Trammps - Rubber Band
The Whatnauts - Why Can't People Be Colors Too
The Winstons – Amen Brother(!!!!!!!!!!)
Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love
Vaughan Mason & Crew - Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll(!!!!!!!!!)
Willie Hutch - Overture of Foxy Brown(!!!)
Wilson Pickett - Get Me Back on Time, Engine Number 9
Zapp - More Bounce to the Ounce(!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Zapp & Roger - Computer Love(!!!)

Now lemme just point this out: I came up with this list at work. During my lunch break. Uh-huh. Just sayin'...

Get Out of There!

I'm trying, damn it...

DJ Critical Hype: The Art of Guru Blends (R.I.P. Keith Elam)

Props to DJ Critical Hype. R.I.P. Guru. Oh, and #fucksolar. Uno. From Hype:

I don’t think I need to speak on the huge effect that Guru had on Hip Hop, not only was he one of the leaders of the new school… but his music helped shape the whole game itself. I also don’t think I need to discuss how sad his passing has left everyone… so DJ Critical Hype decided that he should do this blends edition in dedication to the late Keith Elam aka Guru. May he rest in peace and be remembered forever…

or

Celtics Serve the Cavs "The Big Payback" :D

Suck it, LeBooBoo.

Sing Something Good to Me...

Rest in Peace Bob Marley

(February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981)

George Harrison & Paul Simon - [Here Come Los Suns]

It's alright.

So Wassup?!

There are a select few rap blogs I read religiously. Unkut is one of them – Robbie holds it down and keeps it one hunnid. But you already know that. Making the rounds on Google Reader, I was humored when I read the site’s latest post, Five Reasons Why Rap Can’t Mourn The Dearly Departed, written by guest contributor Phillip Mlynar. Take a quick look at this portion of his piece:

There are people who genuinely seem to believe that posting up links to YouTube videos somehow correlates with ‘celebrating’ a rapper’s legacy. It doesn’t. And it’s pretty insulting on sonic quality grounds alone. There are people who think it’s respectful to post up back catalogues and archives of ‘rare’ releases that at times seem to break into nothing more than a list of CD singles (you really need the clean version of “Nice Girl, Wrong Place”?)

Phillip either has me confused with another blogger/bootlegger who posted clean versions of Gang Starr tracks (who else?) or just refuses to say my name, word to Destiny’s Child. That’s fine. Personally, I don’t mind calling people out. But you already know that. So Wassup?!