Rest In Patrice...
Amy Winehouse - "Me & Mr. Jones" | Music Video
Featuring Faye Reagan so, um, yeah, it's kinda NSFW - but only at the end (spoiler: no pop shot).
Sudden Realization RE: #NBABack
If the NBA season begins on Christmas, does that mean that the currently-scheduled December 25th match-up between the Mavericks and Heat will also feature the ring ceremony? Awkward...
M.O.P. - "Sparta"
M.O.P. - Sparta (Produced by Snowgoons)
Label: Babygrande Records
Release Date: November 22, 2011
"It's 300 minus 298"
The Brownsville sluggers are back, notwithstanding very little fanfare (not to overlook their Live At HeadQCourtez appearance and this must-hear episode of The Combat Jack Show Featuring Dallas Penn). The latest album by Billy Danze and Lil Fame, Sparta, features ten hard-body tracks laced by German production trio Snowgoons, who apparently sent M.O.P. about one hundred beats to pick and choose from. The result is Exhibit A in grown man rap. Clocking in at just over thirty-three minutes, Sparta is short and sweet, with Fame and Danze meshing well with the Snowgoons' backdrops and sounding as comfortable and ambitious as ever. My favorite track at the moment happens to be the uber-gully "Blasphemy (Blast 4 Me)", but each song on the album knocks it out the park. The benefits of working with a sole production team are evident on this project as there's no - I repeat, NO - filler. To quote Josh The Goon: "It f*cking r00ls."
Gee Wiz - Sewer Music 3/LiLo 0
Every good artist needs a muse. The ancient Greeks looked to them as goddesses who were considered to be the source of knowledge and inspiration in the creation of art. Producer Gee Wiz's muse is Lindsay Lohan and together (yes, together) they've completed the latest installment in the Sewer Music series. From Gee Wiz:
This project is a culmination of six months of submerging myself into Lindsay Lohan's world. I've seen every picture of her, read every article, every interview and drunk nothing but the stuff she drank (redbull, coke?) This project is the result of my obsession... Enjoy.
Rap Round Table, Week Ending 11/25/2011
Music Analysis & Reporting:
The Real Story Behind Jay-Z’s #OWS Shirt Controversy by Jaap van der Doelen
First Monthly Journal Entry from Prison by Ja Rule
The Top Ten Drake Memes by Patrice Evans
Conspiracy Theory: Jay-Z, Illuminati Agent? by Jenée Desmond-Harris
Top 10 Thanksgiving Rap Songs by Henry Adaso
The Feminine Mystique: Lil Kim- Hardcore by Abe Beame
The 5 Worst Rap Names to Google by Jaap van der Doelen
Madlib & Freddie Gibbs form MadGibbs for Thuggin EP & America’s Most Blunted Part II: MadGibbs by Jeff Weiss
Kanye West Cites Nietzsche While Fighting Claim of Stealing 'Stronger' by Eriq Gardner
5 Things Today’s Rapper Should Be Thankful For On Thursday by Tony Grands
Bishop Lamont, Grown Up by Tosten Burks
Rap & Books: Underground Iconoclast J-Zone 'Roots for the Villain' by Jeff Weiss
Classics Revisited: Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique by Aaron M.
The Roots' Walk-On Music For Michele Bachmann Was Ha-Ha Funny, But... by Maura Johnston
Rock La France by Werner von Wallenrod
Back from the Future by Dallas Penn
MTV2 Revives 'Yo! MTV Raps' by Tim Molloy
Return of The Dog: Will DMX Make A Comeback? by Aaron M.
Powaful Impak! The 10 Most Powerful Videos In Hip Hop History Part One by Paul W. Arnold
Powaful Impak! The 10 Most Powerful Videos In Hip Hop History Part Two by Paul W. Arnold
Song(s) of the Day 11/25/11 by Blockhead
Willie The Kid: Top 10 Songs of 2011 by HL
What in the World Is Andre 3000 Doing? by Passion of the Weiss Staff
The First Class Ignorance of “Back to the First Time” by Jonah Bromwich
Dead Presidents to Represent Ace by Werner von Wallenrod
Of Course Yelawolf Used to Be on a Reality Show by Byron Crawford
Tags, Throwups & Pieces: Another Extended Blogging Analogy by Dart Adams
Album Reviews:
Yelawolf - Radioactive by Jaap van der Doelen
Yelawolf - Radioactive by August Brown
Yelawolf - Radioactive by Jake Paine
Yelawolf - Radioactive by Jayson Rodriguez
Yelawolf - Radioactive by Max
M.O.P. - Sparta by Mark Lelinwalla
Childish Gambino - Camp by Omar Burgess
Evidence - Cats & Dogs by Samir S.
Scram Jones - The Hat Trick by Max
MURS - Love and Rockets Vol. 1: The Transformation by TC
DJ Drama - Third Power by TC
Rihanna - Talk That Talk by Lindsay Zoladz
Rihanna - Talk That Talk by Jada Gomez-Lacayo
3:33 - Live from the Grove by Arika Dean
Tycho - Dive by Graham Major
Profiles & Interviews:
M.O.P.'s Five Favorite Collaborations by Phillip Mlynar
Oral History: Tupac's Acting Career Told Through His Co-Stars and Producers
Q&A: Action Bronson On The Difference Between The Chef Life And The Rap Life, Writing Rhymes While Having A Broken Ankle, And Being "Wonderful" by J. Pablo
Yelawolf Discusses Working With Kid Rock And Kool Herc, Songwriting, And Defends Group Home And Shawty Lo's Simplicity by The Company Man
Producer's Corner: T-Minus Explains Working With Drake From "Comeback Season" To "Take Care" by William E. Ketchum III
The Real Story Behind Jay-Z’s #OWS Shirt Controversy by Jaap van der Doelen
First Monthly Journal Entry from Prison by Ja Rule
The Top Ten Drake Memes by Patrice Evans
Conspiracy Theory: Jay-Z, Illuminati Agent? by Jenée Desmond-Harris
Top 10 Thanksgiving Rap Songs by Henry Adaso
The Feminine Mystique: Lil Kim- Hardcore by Abe Beame
The 5 Worst Rap Names to Google by Jaap van der Doelen
Madlib & Freddie Gibbs form MadGibbs for Thuggin EP & America’s Most Blunted Part II: MadGibbs by Jeff Weiss
Kanye West Cites Nietzsche While Fighting Claim of Stealing 'Stronger' by Eriq Gardner
5 Things Today’s Rapper Should Be Thankful For On Thursday by Tony Grands
Bishop Lamont, Grown Up by Tosten Burks
Rap & Books: Underground Iconoclast J-Zone 'Roots for the Villain' by Jeff Weiss
Classics Revisited: Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique by Aaron M.
The Roots' Walk-On Music For Michele Bachmann Was Ha-Ha Funny, But... by Maura Johnston
Rock La France by Werner von Wallenrod
Back from the Future by Dallas Penn
MTV2 Revives 'Yo! MTV Raps' by Tim Molloy
Return of The Dog: Will DMX Make A Comeback? by Aaron M.
Powaful Impak! The 10 Most Powerful Videos In Hip Hop History Part One by Paul W. Arnold
Powaful Impak! The 10 Most Powerful Videos In Hip Hop History Part Two by Paul W. Arnold
Song(s) of the Day 11/25/11 by Blockhead
Willie The Kid: Top 10 Songs of 2011 by HL
What in the World Is Andre 3000 Doing? by Passion of the Weiss Staff
The First Class Ignorance of “Back to the First Time” by Jonah Bromwich
Dead Presidents to Represent Ace by Werner von Wallenrod
Of Course Yelawolf Used to Be on a Reality Show by Byron Crawford
Tags, Throwups & Pieces: Another Extended Blogging Analogy by Dart Adams
Album Reviews:
Yelawolf - Radioactive by Jaap van der Doelen
Yelawolf - Radioactive by August Brown
Yelawolf - Radioactive by Jake Paine
Yelawolf - Radioactive by Jayson Rodriguez
Yelawolf - Radioactive by Max
M.O.P. - Sparta by Mark Lelinwalla
Childish Gambino - Camp by Omar Burgess
Evidence - Cats & Dogs by Samir S.
Scram Jones - The Hat Trick by Max
MURS - Love and Rockets Vol. 1: The Transformation by TC
DJ Drama - Third Power by TC
Rihanna - Talk That Talk by Lindsay Zoladz
Rihanna - Talk That Talk by Jada Gomez-Lacayo
3:33 - Live from the Grove by Arika Dean
Tycho - Dive by Graham Major
Profiles & Interviews:
M.O.P.'s Five Favorite Collaborations by Phillip Mlynar
Oral History: Tupac's Acting Career Told Through His Co-Stars and Producers
Q&A: Action Bronson On The Difference Between The Chef Life And The Rap Life, Writing Rhymes While Having A Broken Ankle, And Being "Wonderful" by J. Pablo
Yelawolf Discusses Working With Kid Rock And Kool Herc, Songwriting, And Defends Group Home And Shawty Lo's Simplicity by The Company Man
Producer's Corner: T-Minus Explains Working With Drake From "Comeback Season" To "Take Care" by William E. Ketchum III
I'm Thankful for Mayer Hawthorne
With Detroit coming up short today against the undefeated Packers, Lions fans (and music lovers) can take some solace in Mayer Hawthorne's halftime performance recorded in his parents' basement in Michigan. With his dad on bass and a backing band of local Detroit musicians, Mayer Hawthorne and Co. provided a healthy alternative to Nickelback, a group so despised they even inspired a petition to get them booted off the bill. Watching them get hate-f*cked by large swaths of the crowd at Ford Field was pretty cool too. Happy Thanksgiving! #Mayer4Detroit
GZA Re-Signs With Babygrande; New Album In 2012
Via press release:
Wu-Tang Clan co-founder GZA has re-signed Babygrande Records. Babygrande's founder and CEO Chuck Wilson released the following statement, "We have a fantastic relationship with GZA, and we are honored to have the opportunity to continue to work with him."
GZA, a Brooklyn, New York native, released his most recent solo album, 2008's Pro Tools, on Babygrande. Throughout his 20-year recording career, GZA's been signed to Cold Chillin' Records, MCA Records, Geffen Records and Angeles Records.
Babygrande is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is currently preparing to release M.O.P. & Snowgoons Sparta November 22nd.
Rap Round Table, Week Ending 11/18/2011
Music Analysis & Reporting:
The Greatest Producers of All-Time #10-1 by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The 50 Greatest Producers of All Time #20-11 by Jeff Weiss & Co.
Why There More Than Likely Won’t Be Another Golden Era of Hip Hop… by Dart Adams
Mark Drake's Words by Jay Smooth
Ghostface Killah Changes Mind About Online Impersonator Ghostfase: 'Shout Out to My Mini Muse.... Funny Ass Ninja' by Simone Wilson
Drake – The Most Hated Man In Hip Hop by Doc Zeus
Heavy D Mourned by Diddy, Al Sharpton, Obama at Emotional Hometown Funeral by Jeff Rosenthal
An Open Letter to America Regarding Donald Glover’s Career by Doc Zeus
Obama Writes Letter to Heavy D's Daughter by Henry Adaso
O.C. Smith and Gordon Parks - "Blowin' Your Mind": Skill, Rhyme, and Rhythm by Amir "Sa'id" Said
Top Five Rappers In Absolutely Ridiculous Sweaters by Phillip Mlynar
Ralph McDaniels Keeps Hip-Hop Culture Moving Forward by J. Pablo
Classics Revisited: Slick Rick – The Great Adventures of Slick Rick by Aaron M.
Fantasy Drake Collaborations by DX Staff
Know Your L.A. Hip-Hop Dances: The Cat Daddy by Jessica A. Koslow
Mel's Message Week, Day 3 - The Sequel by Werner von Wallenrod
Respect Your Elders: How Signing Veteran Artists To Young Labels Has Been A Constant Trend In Hip Hop by DX Staff
People Under the Stairs Wrap Up Tour, Release New Album by Jeff Weiss
The Hunt for the Greatest Rap Crew of All Time by Tony Grands
Better than Big: Nas and Amy Winehouse’s Tasteful Posthumous Duet by Evan Nabavian
Common: Sweet by Mobb Deen
Mobb Deep: Get It Forever by HL
Ol’ Dirty Bastard: Gone, But Not Forgotten by Jaap van der Doelen
Live: Pill Arrives In New York, Only To Wonder Where New York Is by Jeff Rosenthal
Scallops, Tossed Salads and Rap Ballads: Wu-Tang Pulp by Jeff Weiss
Reasons Why I Love Youtube #15: Positive K Edition by Richard Tre Mane
5 Reasons Why I Can’t Have Sex to Rap Music by Tony Grands
Album Reviews:
Drake - Take Care by TRU Brain Trust (including yours truly!)
Drake - Take Care by Ryan Dombal
Drake - Take Care by Todd Martens
Drake - Take Care by Alex Thornton
Drake - Take Care by Madbury Club
Drake - Take Care by Adam Fleischer
Drake - Take Care by Alex Macpherson
Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day In Hell by David Drake
Ludacris - 1.21 Gigawatts: Back to the First Time by Sowmya Krishnamurthy
Ludacris - 1.21 Gigawatts: Back to the First Time by Adam Fleischer
2 Chainz - T.R.U. REALigion by Martin Spasov
Rapper Big Pooh - Dirty Pretty Things by Luke Gibson
Torae - For the Record by Greg Whitt
Wale - Ambition by MZ
Mac Miller - Blue Slide Park by TC
Childish Gambino - Camp by Adam Fleischer
Tech N9ne - Welcome to Strangeland by The Company Man
tabi Bonney - The Summer Years by TC
Betty Wright and the Roots - Betty Wright: The Movie by Mikael Wood
Gonjasufi - The 9th Inning EP by Jeff Weiss
Profiles & Interviews:
Jonathan Mannion: Urban Legend by Leica Internet Team
The Porn Star Questionnaire: Asa Akira by Blockhead
State Your Name, Gangsta: The Fred Flak Interview by Richard Tre Mane
Open Mike Eagle Picks His Five Favorite Current Comedians by Jeff Weiss
Producer's Corner: E. Dan & Big Jerm (I.D. Labs) by Melanie Cornish
The Greatest Producers of All-Time #10-1 by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The 50 Greatest Producers of All Time #20-11 by Jeff Weiss & Co.
Why There More Than Likely Won’t Be Another Golden Era of Hip Hop… by Dart Adams
Mark Drake's Words by Jay Smooth
Ghostface Killah Changes Mind About Online Impersonator Ghostfase: 'Shout Out to My Mini Muse.... Funny Ass Ninja' by Simone Wilson
Drake – The Most Hated Man In Hip Hop by Doc Zeus
Heavy D Mourned by Diddy, Al Sharpton, Obama at Emotional Hometown Funeral by Jeff Rosenthal
An Open Letter to America Regarding Donald Glover’s Career by Doc Zeus
Obama Writes Letter to Heavy D's Daughter by Henry Adaso
O.C. Smith and Gordon Parks - "Blowin' Your Mind": Skill, Rhyme, and Rhythm by Amir "Sa'id" Said
Top Five Rappers In Absolutely Ridiculous Sweaters by Phillip Mlynar
Ralph McDaniels Keeps Hip-Hop Culture Moving Forward by J. Pablo
Classics Revisited: Slick Rick – The Great Adventures of Slick Rick by Aaron M.
Fantasy Drake Collaborations by DX Staff
Know Your L.A. Hip-Hop Dances: The Cat Daddy by Jessica A. Koslow
Mel's Message Week, Day 3 - The Sequel by Werner von Wallenrod
Respect Your Elders: How Signing Veteran Artists To Young Labels Has Been A Constant Trend In Hip Hop by DX Staff
People Under the Stairs Wrap Up Tour, Release New Album by Jeff Weiss
The Hunt for the Greatest Rap Crew of All Time by Tony Grands
Better than Big: Nas and Amy Winehouse’s Tasteful Posthumous Duet by Evan Nabavian
Common: Sweet by Mobb Deen
Mobb Deep: Get It Forever by HL
Ol’ Dirty Bastard: Gone, But Not Forgotten by Jaap van der Doelen
Live: Pill Arrives In New York, Only To Wonder Where New York Is by Jeff Rosenthal
Scallops, Tossed Salads and Rap Ballads: Wu-Tang Pulp by Jeff Weiss
Reasons Why I Love Youtube #15: Positive K Edition by Richard Tre Mane
5 Reasons Why I Can’t Have Sex to Rap Music by Tony Grands
Album Reviews:
Drake - Take Care by TRU Brain Trust (including yours truly!)
Drake - Take Care by Ryan Dombal
Drake - Take Care by Todd Martens
Drake - Take Care by Alex Thornton
Drake - Take Care by Madbury Club
Drake - Take Care by Adam Fleischer
Drake - Take Care by Alex Macpherson
Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day In Hell by David Drake
Ludacris - 1.21 Gigawatts: Back to the First Time by Sowmya Krishnamurthy
Ludacris - 1.21 Gigawatts: Back to the First Time by Adam Fleischer
2 Chainz - T.R.U. REALigion by Martin Spasov
Rapper Big Pooh - Dirty Pretty Things by Luke Gibson
Torae - For the Record by Greg Whitt
Wale - Ambition by MZ
Mac Miller - Blue Slide Park by TC
Childish Gambino - Camp by Adam Fleischer
Tech N9ne - Welcome to Strangeland by The Company Man
tabi Bonney - The Summer Years by TC
Betty Wright and the Roots - Betty Wright: The Movie by Mikael Wood
Gonjasufi - The 9th Inning EP by Jeff Weiss
Profiles & Interviews:
Jonathan Mannion: Urban Legend by Leica Internet Team
The Porn Star Questionnaire: Asa Akira by Blockhead
State Your Name, Gangsta: The Fred Flak Interview by Richard Tre Mane
Open Mike Eagle Picks His Five Favorite Current Comedians by Jeff Weiss
Producer's Corner: E. Dan & Big Jerm (I.D. Labs) by Melanie Cornish
Michael Franco - The Divine Paradox
With the addition of The Divine Paradox to his string of phenomenal beat tapes, the evolution of Michael Franco never ceases to amaze. His latest entry boasts some slick work with dusty soul samples and trippy prog rock aesthetics. The spooky "Nightmares of Paradise" is my favorite at the moment, but the whole selection is brilliant. Enjoy... and turn it up!!
In Stores Today: November 15, 2011
Cappadonna - Pilgrimage
Childish Gambino - Camp
Drake - Take Care
Has-Lo - Conversation B
Webbie - Savage Life 3
Sign This Kid
Props to whoever snatches this kid up (no Sandusky) and gives him a record deal.
I'm serious.
Rap Round Table, Week Ending 11/11/2011
R.I.P. Heavy D:
More Heavy D Tributes by Khal
Mama Trammell Remembers Waterbed Hev by Matthew Trammell
Why Heavy D Was One of the All Time Greats – A Final Farewell by R.A. the Rugged Man
R.I.P. Heavy D: 1967-2011 by Chris Daly
Heavy D, As Remembered by ?uestlove
Thanks, Hev by Drewpreme
Rapper Heavy D Has Died by Jacob Ganz
RIP Heavy D by Khal
Heavy D Tributes by Peter Rosenberg
Heavy D Was Rap’s Original Pop Superstar by Jaap van der Doelen
Heavy D RIP: The Hip-Hop/R&B Pioneer Dies In Los Angeles by Dan Hyman
Rest In Peaceful Jouney by Dallas Penn
DJ Premier Confirms Heavy D Was Working On “Blue Funk 2″
Music Analysis & Reporting:
The 50 Greatest Producers of All-Time #50-41 by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The 50 Greatest Producers of All-Time #40-31 by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The 50 Greatest Producers of All Time: #30-21 by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The Greatest Producers of All-Time: Honorable Mentions, Part III by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The Throne RESPECT. Cover Story by Elliott Wilson
I Take Back Everything I Ever Said About Lana Del Rey by Byron Crawford
Lex Luger Can Write a Hit Rap Song in the Time It Takes to Read This by Alex Pappademas
WYDU’s Look At 2010: Trav’s Favorite 100 Tracks (100-91)... Just A Little Late by Travis
Death Certificate. Part II by Drewpreme
The Contempt and Conscience of Pusha T’s “Fear of God II” by Jonah Bromwich
For Birthplace of Hip-Hop, New Life by Alice Speri
Funky Homosapiens: The Best Rapper Names of All Time by Phillip Mlynar
Madlib: Flying High by HL
C.H.I.P.$’s Detroit Hood Tales by Aaron Matthews
Premier Commits Sewaside by Werner von Wallenrod
The Punk Smoove Rap Balladeer by Dallas Penn
Notes from A Hip Hop Baby by Tony Grands
The Rise and Stall of Pac Div by Rebecca Haithcoat
Rap Made Me Do It! by Harlem World
Jay-Z Sells Occupy Wall Street Shirts That Don't Benefit Occupy Wall Street by Carrie Battan
The Dreamer, The Believer, But Most Importantly, The Rapper by Tosten Burks
5 Differences Between Fans & Casual Listeners by Tony Grands
How Stevie Wonder Sparked Drake's 'Marvin's Room' by Gerrick D. Kennedy
The 10 Most Unappreciated Emcees In Hip Hop by Andreas Hale
Mel's Message Week, Day 2 - The Actual Message by Werner von Wallenrod
Jasiri X Stands By His Words, #OCW Silencers Be Damned by Jaap van der Doelen
Let’s Cut Drake Some Slack, Shall We? by Jonathan Hailey
L.A. Art-Rapper Subtitle Returns With 'Black Jack Parsons' EP by Jeff Weiss
The Time Flying Lotus Pretended To Be A UCLA Physics Major by Chris Walker
Nas and Amy Winehouse Duet on "Like Smoke" by Henry Adaso
Remember Our Top 20 L.A. Rap Albums? Here Are The Worst Records By Those Artists by Ian Cohen
The Gift of Gab II: Five Legendary Pimp C Interviews by Justin Tinsley
Classics Revisited: Big Daddy Kane – Long Live the Kane by Aaron M.
Silent Treatment: The Endangered State of the Hip Hop Interview by Jake Paine
Follow the Sample: Drake's 'Take Care' Comes from the Blues by Ann Powers
Timeline: Wale's Road to Success by Julian Pereira
DMX Performs New Religious Rap On ‘Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers’ by Sketch the Journalist
Album Reviews:
Drake - Take Care by Henry Adaso
Drake - Take Care by Big Ghostfase
A$AP Rocky - LIVELOVEA$AP by Jeff Weiss
A$AP Rocky - LIVELOVEA$AP by Big Ghostfase
Pusha T - Fear of God II: Let Us Pray by Ralph Bristout
Pusha T - Fear of God II: Let Us Pray by Jordan Sargent
Pusha T - Fear of God II: Let Us Pray by Alex Thornton
Wale - Ambition by Henry Adaso
Wale - Ambition by Edwin Ortiz
Wale - Ambition by Sam Rosen
Torae - For the Record by Navani Otero
Styles P - Master of Ceremonies by TC
Mac Miller - Blue Slide Park by Max
Mac Miller - Blue Slide Park by Andres Vasquez
Roots Manuva - 4Everevolution by Phillip Mlynar
Teebs - Collections 01 by Andrew Ryce
Profiles & Interviews:
DJ Clark Kent Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records by Daniel Isenberg
Q&A: Drake on Battle Rappers, A$AP Rocky, and His Five-Figure Bet With Nelly by Jay Smooth
The GQ&A: Drake by Mark Anthony Green
Hey! It's [Blockhead] Talking About [Blockhead]!
James Pants’ 10 Favorite Sample Flips
Naughty By Nature Reveals New Group Garden State Greats, Recalls Making Heartfelt Tributes After 2Pac's Death by Will Lavin
Michael Rapaport Takes A Look Back At 'Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest' by Mark Zhuravsky
More Heavy D Tributes by Khal
Mama Trammell Remembers Waterbed Hev by Matthew Trammell
Why Heavy D Was One of the All Time Greats – A Final Farewell by R.A. the Rugged Man
R.I.P. Heavy D: 1967-2011 by Chris Daly
Heavy D, As Remembered by ?uestlove
Thanks, Hev by Drewpreme
Rapper Heavy D Has Died by Jacob Ganz
RIP Heavy D by Khal
Heavy D Tributes by Peter Rosenberg
Heavy D Was Rap’s Original Pop Superstar by Jaap van der Doelen
Heavy D RIP: The Hip-Hop/R&B Pioneer Dies In Los Angeles by Dan Hyman
Rest In Peaceful Jouney by Dallas Penn
DJ Premier Confirms Heavy D Was Working On “Blue Funk 2″
Music Analysis & Reporting:
The 50 Greatest Producers of All-Time #50-41 by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The 50 Greatest Producers of All-Time #40-31 by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The 50 Greatest Producers of All Time: #30-21 by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The Greatest Producers of All-Time: Honorable Mentions, Part III by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The Throne RESPECT. Cover Story by Elliott Wilson
I Take Back Everything I Ever Said About Lana Del Rey by Byron Crawford
Lex Luger Can Write a Hit Rap Song in the Time It Takes to Read This by Alex Pappademas
WYDU’s Look At 2010: Trav’s Favorite 100 Tracks (100-91)... Just A Little Late by Travis
Death Certificate. Part II by Drewpreme
The Contempt and Conscience of Pusha T’s “Fear of God II” by Jonah Bromwich
For Birthplace of Hip-Hop, New Life by Alice Speri
Funky Homosapiens: The Best Rapper Names of All Time by Phillip Mlynar
Madlib: Flying High by HL
C.H.I.P.$’s Detroit Hood Tales by Aaron Matthews
Premier Commits Sewaside by Werner von Wallenrod
The Punk Smoove Rap Balladeer by Dallas Penn
Notes from A Hip Hop Baby by Tony Grands
The Rise and Stall of Pac Div by Rebecca Haithcoat
Rap Made Me Do It! by Harlem World
Jay-Z Sells Occupy Wall Street Shirts That Don't Benefit Occupy Wall Street by Carrie Battan
The Dreamer, The Believer, But Most Importantly, The Rapper by Tosten Burks
5 Differences Between Fans & Casual Listeners by Tony Grands
How Stevie Wonder Sparked Drake's 'Marvin's Room' by Gerrick D. Kennedy
The 10 Most Unappreciated Emcees In Hip Hop by Andreas Hale
Mel's Message Week, Day 2 - The Actual Message by Werner von Wallenrod
Jasiri X Stands By His Words, #OCW Silencers Be Damned by Jaap van der Doelen
Let’s Cut Drake Some Slack, Shall We? by Jonathan Hailey
L.A. Art-Rapper Subtitle Returns With 'Black Jack Parsons' EP by Jeff Weiss
The Time Flying Lotus Pretended To Be A UCLA Physics Major by Chris Walker
Nas and Amy Winehouse Duet on "Like Smoke" by Henry Adaso
Remember Our Top 20 L.A. Rap Albums? Here Are The Worst Records By Those Artists by Ian Cohen
The Gift of Gab II: Five Legendary Pimp C Interviews by Justin Tinsley
Classics Revisited: Big Daddy Kane – Long Live the Kane by Aaron M.
Silent Treatment: The Endangered State of the Hip Hop Interview by Jake Paine
Follow the Sample: Drake's 'Take Care' Comes from the Blues by Ann Powers
Timeline: Wale's Road to Success by Julian Pereira
DMX Performs New Religious Rap On ‘Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers’ by Sketch the Journalist
Album Reviews:
Drake - Take Care by Henry Adaso
Drake - Take Care by Big Ghostfase
A$AP Rocky - LIVELOVEA$AP by Jeff Weiss
A$AP Rocky - LIVELOVEA$AP by Big Ghostfase
Pusha T - Fear of God II: Let Us Pray by Ralph Bristout
Pusha T - Fear of God II: Let Us Pray by Jordan Sargent
Pusha T - Fear of God II: Let Us Pray by Alex Thornton
Wale - Ambition by Henry Adaso
Wale - Ambition by Edwin Ortiz
Wale - Ambition by Sam Rosen
Torae - For the Record by Navani Otero
Styles P - Master of Ceremonies by TC
Mac Miller - Blue Slide Park by Max
Mac Miller - Blue Slide Park by Andres Vasquez
Roots Manuva - 4Everevolution by Phillip Mlynar
Teebs - Collections 01 by Andrew Ryce
Profiles & Interviews:
DJ Clark Kent Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records by Daniel Isenberg
Q&A: Drake on Battle Rappers, A$AP Rocky, and His Five-Figure Bet With Nelly by Jay Smooth
The GQ&A: Drake by Mark Anthony Green
Hey! It's [Blockhead] Talking About [Blockhead]!
James Pants’ 10 Favorite Sample Flips
Naughty By Nature Reveals New Group Garden State Greats, Recalls Making Heartfelt Tributes After 2Pac's Death by Will Lavin
Michael Rapaport Takes A Look Back At 'Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest' by Mark Zhuravsky
The Combat Jack Show ft. Dallas Penn: November 9, 2011
The Combat Jack Show (M.O.P) 11-9-11 by PNCRadio
Previous episodes:
November 2, 2011 (w/Jarobi, Dres & the triumphant return of Dallas Penn!)
October 12, 2011 (w/Milk D)
October 5, 2011 (w/Lil Cease, Azad Right & Jasiri X)
September 28, 2011
September 21, 2011 (w/Maffew Ragazino & 40 Glocc)
September 14, 2011 (w/Angela Yee)
Heeeeeeeeeeere's Crakk Nicholson!
Finally, my love for hard-hitting beats and an unhealthy stannage of all things Jack Nicholson culminates into the latest project from HHIR-approved beatsmith Shy Guy:
Me and my friend from school Benjamin Bradley started a production duo called Crakk Nicholson. The tape's essentially an instrumental collage of different regional hip-hop styles, ranging from southern trap stuff to boom bap and L.A. beat music. Hope you enjoy!
More info on Crakk Nicholson here!
eLZhi (or Nas' "Camp") Got Some 'Splainin' to Do...
Nas interview, Nov. 2011:
Nas is a busy man. Though two buzzworthy tributes to his seminal debut, Illmatic, have dropped in the past year-and-a-half, the Queensbridge lyricist has yet to listen to the projects. “I wanna get a chance to sit down and vibe to those s**ts ‘cause those are not records that I just wanna play,” Nas, who said he’s flattered whenever MCs pay homage to Illmatic, told XXL. [XXLMag]eLZhi interview, Oct. 2011:
"As far as feedback from [Nas's] camp, my manager spoke with Nas's manager and he's heard through [him] that they're over there loving it, " said Elzhi. "That's a blessing because when I set out to do the album...I wanted to pay homage and pay tribute to the classic album that Nas did. As far the fans, it's been incredible. It surpassed my expectations, and it's still growing." [HHDX]Apparently Nas' "camp" doesn't include... Nas.
The Divine Paradox of Michael Franco
Michael Franco makes beats. He's quite good at it. Consequently, his beats are quite good, too. You should listen to them. The Divine Paradox coming soon...
Montreality Interviews Redman
...and as to be expected, hilarity ensues. Reggie also reveals exclusive info on follow-ups to How High, Blackout and Muddy Waters.
Rap Round Table, Week Ending 11/4/2011
Ed. note: My initial urge to suspend the Rap Round Table feature in light of Google's controversial dismantling of Google Reader was squelched by HHIReaders who asked me to reconsider. I have. The Rap Round Table lives on, but not without a brief comment on my decision (and my gripe with Google).
A "round table" is defined as a "conference or discussion involving several participants." In choosing the title "Rap Round Table", I felt it was appropriate not just to describe the content featured on the weekly posts, but to describe the process that went through aggregating the articles as well. I want to thank everybody who shared interesting articles with me over the years (I've been using Google Reader since it was upgraded from beta status in 2007) and introduced me to new writers and new perspectives; thank you to John Gotty, Jeff Weiss, Rafi Kam, Byron Crawford, Khal, Jaap van der Doelen, Jeff Rosenthal and anybody else I may have forgotten. Though each person I've just mentioned has been featured on the Rap Round Table, their contributions as writers weren't the only asset to this site's weekly feature.
My contacts on Google Reader contributed (i.e. shared) a solid 20%-40% of the articles posted on the Rap Round Table. That free flow of ideas is gone now. I follow all of these guys on Twitter but it just won't be the same moving forward. Consequently, this week's Rap Round Table just isn't the same either, despite my best efforts. Don't be evil, Google. - I
Music Analysis & Reporting:
The Greatest Hip Hop Producers of All-Time: Honorable Mentions, Part I by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The Greatest Producers of All-Time: Honorable Mentions, Part II by Jeff Weiss & Co.
Works of Art: Rap’s 33 Most Memorable Illustrated Album Covers by TSS Crew
A Story to Tell: Biggie Smalls & Narrative – “Get Money” by Abe Beame
Jay-Z 101: Georgetown Sociology Course Focuses on Rap Star by Chris Richards
The 10s | Make The Music With Your Mouth: 10 Beatbox Bangers by Stan Ipcus & Up North Trips
The 10s | MPC | MC x Producer Combination | Prodigy x Alchemist by Stan Ipcus & Up North Trips
Retrospective: Ice Cube’s Death Certificate by Jeff Leon
The Empty Ambitions of Wale by Jonah Bromwich
Nick Wiz - UGHH Exclusive? by Werner von Wallenrod
Crate-Digging with Dam-Funk ... at Best Buy by Rebecca Haithcoat
On Drake, Phonte & the Fear of Getting Murdered on Your Own Sh*t by David Dennis, Jr.
Donald Glover’s Odd Future As A Rapper and the Incoherence of Misogyny by Alyssa Rosenberg
Song of the Day: Freddie Gibbs - B.A.N.ned by Mobb Deen
Song of the Day 11/4/11 by Blockhead
Hip Hop Before the Internet by J-23
Ludacris: The Ace Ventura of Rap by Evan Nabavian
Erykah Badu: Queen Diva for the Hip Hop Generation by Patrice Evans
Is Lykke Li the Swedish Erykah Badu? by Patrice Evans
#WaleFlail by Noz
Live: Wale Brings Lots and Lots of Friends to the Highline Ballroom by Jeff Rosenthal
The Kids Are Alright: How Mac Miller Earned My Respect by Jake Paine
Audio: Amy Winehouse - “Like Smoke” feat. Nas (Produced by Salaam Remi) by Mobb Deen
What Do Devin The Dude and Boo Rossini Share In Common? by The Great Gats, B
RZA Says Eddie Griffin The Favorite to Play Ol’ Dirty Bastard In Upcoming Biopic by Kevin Jagernauth
Is A$AP Rocky’s Free Mixtape Worth $3 Million? by Noz
Live: Young Jeezy's Thug Motivation 103 Gets Closer to Seeing the Light of Day by Sowmya Krishnamurthy
Rap Artifact on Wax by Werner von Wallenrod
Vibes Player Roy Ayers Returns, DJ Anthony Valadez Unveils Mixtape by Jeff Weiss
Beyond Jay and Kanye's Throne: Ten More Regal Seats In Hip-Hop by Phillip Mlynar
Know Your L.A. Hip-Hop Dances: The Evolution of Krumping by Jessica A. Koslow
Album Reviews:
Wale - The Ambition by The TRU Brain Trust
Wale - The Ambition by Big Ghostfase
Wale - The Ambition by Adam Fleischer
Wale - The Ambition by Edwin Ortiz
Wale - The Ambition by Jayson Greene
Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day In Hell by Henry Adaso
Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day In Hell by Jake Paine
Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day In Hell by Neil Martinez-Belkin
Black Milk & Danny Brown - Black and Brown by Jayson Greene
A$AP Rocky - LiveLoveA$AP by Jesse Gissen
A$AP Rocky - LiveLoveA$AP by Alvin "Aqua" Blanco
Freestyle Fellowship - The Promise by Fred Castano
Freestyle Fellowship - The Promise by Luke Gibson
Jedi Mind Tricks - Violence Begets Violence by Andres Vasquez
Apathy - Honkey Kong by Max
M83 - Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming by Erik Stabile
Lou Reed & Metallica - Lulu by Stuart Berman
Profiles & Interviews:
Question in the Form of An Answer: Frankie P (Hazy Nights In The Heights) by Dan Love
Drake Lists Favorite Albums of All Time by Sean Lynch
Uncle Louie Explains How He's Brought Old School Hip Hop Greats Into the Twitter Era by Nadya Nataly
Mac Miller Declares That His Fans Will Decide If He Ever Goes to A Major Label, Confirms Work With Q-Tip by Paul Meara
Meet the Manager Who's Proved Significant to the Careers of Snoop Dogg, Murs, Far East Movement & DJ Quik by Slav Kandyba
WTF/LOL/SMH:
Marry/F%ck/Kill Vol. 6 by Blockhead
J. Cole Goes to J. Crew (ft. Drake) by Mr. Bojangle$
A "round table" is defined as a "conference or discussion involving several participants." In choosing the title "Rap Round Table", I felt it was appropriate not just to describe the content featured on the weekly posts, but to describe the process that went through aggregating the articles as well. I want to thank everybody who shared interesting articles with me over the years (I've been using Google Reader since it was upgraded from beta status in 2007) and introduced me to new writers and new perspectives; thank you to John Gotty, Jeff Weiss, Rafi Kam, Byron Crawford, Khal, Jaap van der Doelen, Jeff Rosenthal and anybody else I may have forgotten. Though each person I've just mentioned has been featured on the Rap Round Table, their contributions as writers weren't the only asset to this site's weekly feature.
My contacts on Google Reader contributed (i.e. shared) a solid 20%-40% of the articles posted on the Rap Round Table. That free flow of ideas is gone now. I follow all of these guys on Twitter but it just won't be the same moving forward. Consequently, this week's Rap Round Table just isn't the same either, despite my best efforts. Don't be evil, Google. - I
Music Analysis & Reporting:
The Greatest Hip Hop Producers of All-Time: Honorable Mentions, Part I by Jeff Weiss & Co.
The Greatest Producers of All-Time: Honorable Mentions, Part II by Jeff Weiss & Co.
Works of Art: Rap’s 33 Most Memorable Illustrated Album Covers by TSS Crew
A Story to Tell: Biggie Smalls & Narrative – “Get Money” by Abe Beame
Jay-Z 101: Georgetown Sociology Course Focuses on Rap Star by Chris Richards
The 10s | Make The Music With Your Mouth: 10 Beatbox Bangers by Stan Ipcus & Up North Trips
The 10s | MPC | MC x Producer Combination | Prodigy x Alchemist by Stan Ipcus & Up North Trips
Retrospective: Ice Cube’s Death Certificate by Jeff Leon
The Empty Ambitions of Wale by Jonah Bromwich
Nick Wiz - UGHH Exclusive? by Werner von Wallenrod
Crate-Digging with Dam-Funk ... at Best Buy by Rebecca Haithcoat
On Drake, Phonte & the Fear of Getting Murdered on Your Own Sh*t by David Dennis, Jr.
Donald Glover’s Odd Future As A Rapper and the Incoherence of Misogyny by Alyssa Rosenberg
Song of the Day: Freddie Gibbs - B.A.N.ned by Mobb Deen
Song of the Day 11/4/11 by Blockhead
Hip Hop Before the Internet by J-23
Ludacris: The Ace Ventura of Rap by Evan Nabavian
Erykah Badu: Queen Diva for the Hip Hop Generation by Patrice Evans
Is Lykke Li the Swedish Erykah Badu? by Patrice Evans
#WaleFlail by Noz
Live: Wale Brings Lots and Lots of Friends to the Highline Ballroom by Jeff Rosenthal
The Kids Are Alright: How Mac Miller Earned My Respect by Jake Paine
Audio: Amy Winehouse - “Like Smoke” feat. Nas (Produced by Salaam Remi) by Mobb Deen
What Do Devin The Dude and Boo Rossini Share In Common? by The Great Gats, B
RZA Says Eddie Griffin The Favorite to Play Ol’ Dirty Bastard In Upcoming Biopic by Kevin Jagernauth
Is A$AP Rocky’s Free Mixtape Worth $3 Million? by Noz
Live: Young Jeezy's Thug Motivation 103 Gets Closer to Seeing the Light of Day by Sowmya Krishnamurthy
Rap Artifact on Wax by Werner von Wallenrod
Vibes Player Roy Ayers Returns, DJ Anthony Valadez Unveils Mixtape by Jeff Weiss
Beyond Jay and Kanye's Throne: Ten More Regal Seats In Hip-Hop by Phillip Mlynar
Know Your L.A. Hip-Hop Dances: The Evolution of Krumping by Jessica A. Koslow
Album Reviews:
Wale - The Ambition by The TRU Brain Trust
Wale - The Ambition by Big Ghostfase
Wale - The Ambition by Adam Fleischer
Wale - The Ambition by Edwin Ortiz
Wale - The Ambition by Jayson Greene
Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day In Hell by Henry Adaso
Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day In Hell by Jake Paine
Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day In Hell by Neil Martinez-Belkin
Black Milk & Danny Brown - Black and Brown by Jayson Greene
A$AP Rocky - LiveLoveA$AP by Jesse Gissen
A$AP Rocky - LiveLoveA$AP by Alvin "Aqua" Blanco
Freestyle Fellowship - The Promise by Fred Castano
Freestyle Fellowship - The Promise by Luke Gibson
Jedi Mind Tricks - Violence Begets Violence by Andres Vasquez
Apathy - Honkey Kong by Max
M83 - Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming by Erik Stabile
Lou Reed & Metallica - Lulu by Stuart Berman
Profiles & Interviews:
Question in the Form of An Answer: Frankie P (Hazy Nights In The Heights) by Dan Love
Drake Lists Favorite Albums of All Time by Sean Lynch
Uncle Louie Explains How He's Brought Old School Hip Hop Greats Into the Twitter Era by Nadya Nataly
Mac Miller Declares That His Fans Will Decide If He Ever Goes to A Major Label, Confirms Work With Q-Tip by Paul Meara
Meet the Manager Who's Proved Significant to the Careers of Snoop Dogg, Murs, Far East Movement & DJ Quik by Slav Kandyba
WTF/LOL/SMH:
Marry/F%ck/Kill Vol. 6 by Blockhead
J. Cole Goes to J. Crew (ft. Drake) by Mr. Bojangle$
The Combat Jack Show: November 2, 2011
The Combat Jack Show (Jarobi & Dres) 11-2-11 by PNCRadio
Previous episodes:
October 12, 2011 (w/Milk D)
October 5, 2011 (w/Lil Cease, Azad Right & Jasiri X)
September 28, 2011
September 21, 2011 (w/Maffew Ragazino & 40 Glocc)
September 14, 2011 (w/Angela Yee)
Google Reader Sucks Now...
...or not.
Sigh...
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