The Hip Hop Thread

[Cmill216]

I prefere music that requires talent and playing actual instruments. :o

Good lord. What volume of the Cliché Handbook did you pull that one from?

[A.X.L]

You cant deny the amount of time and effort a good guitarist has to put into mastering his craft, on the other hand someone who samples someone elses music and raps over it needs little practise, just a pc and a mic....

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Wrong - I know what it is and thats why I dont value it as a genre of music. You need little talent to go far...

Funny, you think most of the music "artists" today have loads of musical talent in their respective genres?

Funny, you say you know what it is and yet you think that Rap music is only created by sampling other songs.

You "claim" to know what it is and "think" that no live instruments are used or ingorporated into creating Rap music.

You think that it takes "no talent" to create a 16 bar rap that keeps in time with the beat and rythm of the song and "break beats" being used.

You think it is easy to DJ and it doesn't take talent and that turntables are not musical instruments?

Do you know what break beats are? Do you know where Rap was created? Do you know why it was created? Do you know how it was created?

If you do not hold this opinion about all Rap music then don't make general comments about Rap collectively. It makes you seem ignorant.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

You cant deny the amount of time and effort a good guitarist has to put into mastering his craft, on the other hand someone who samples someone elses music and raps over it needs little practise, just a pc and a mic....

Then clearly you do NOT KNOW WHAT RAP MUSIC IS.

[Cmill216]

You cant deny the amount of time and effort a good guitarist has to put into mastering his craft, on the other hand someone who samples someone elses music and raps over it needs little practise, just a pc and a mic....

You have absolutely no clue what goes into hip hop production.

Instead of rambling on with ignorant rock mentalities and mind-numbingly moronic clichés, try doing a little research into the genre that you obviously no so little about instead of spitting out the drivel all your friends recite.

[A.X.L]

I cant be bothered to answer all your questions...but

I didnt say rap was ONLY sampling with NO live instruments. They arent exactly assosiated with the genre though, for good reason. The talent needed to DJ for example is minimal compared to that of actually writing your own proper music (which you are more born with) and mastering the guitar and can be learned relitively quickly. The history of rap is not relevent here - it's still ****. Anyone can in effect produce hip hop at home.

[Cmill216]

I cant be bothered to answer all your questions...

Translation: "My ignorance is bliss."

I didnt say rap was ONLY sampling with NO live instruments.

Yes, you flippin' did.

The history of rap is not relevent here - it's still ****.

Just....wow......:dry:

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I cant be bothered to answer all your questions...but

I didnt say rap was ONLY sampling with NO live instruments. They arent exactly assosiated with the genre though, for good reason. The talent needed to DJ for example is minimal compared to that of actually writing your own proper music and mastering the guitar and can be learned relitively quickly. The history of rap is not relevent here - it's still ****.

The reason you can not answer my questions is painfully clear. You are ignorant to Rap music and have no clue what you are talking about. It's sad really that someone with the ability to use a computer has such a close minded narrow view.

Oh and The Roots my friend would be one of the groups that opitimizes Rap music. And guess what, they virtually solely use live instruments and there are many groups like them.

You are taking the very little you know about Rap and applying it to a whole genre. In any given genre there are talent-less hacks. Don't let that affect your thinking. If you even are.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Translation: "My ignorance is bliss."



Yes, you flippin' did.



Just....wow......:dry:

Yes, yes he did.

[A.X.L]

Translation: "My ignorance is bliss."



Yes, you flippin' did.



Just....wow......:dry:


1. Translation - I cant be bothered to write an essay on a genre I think is ****.

2. No I didnt, where did I say NO instruments atall were used?

[Cmill216]

1. Translation - I cant be bothered to write an essay on a genre I think is ****.

Translation: "I'm ignorant as hell and don't mind that I'm ignorant as hell. I'll continue to hate something even though I don't even know what it is I'm hating."

2. No I didnt, where did I say NO instruments atall were used?

.....

I prefere music that requires talent and playing actual instruments. :o

You're surprised - thats all rap music does is steal other genres stuff

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I cant be bothered to answer all your questions...but

I didnt say rap was ONLY sampling with NO live instruments. They arent exactly assosiated with the genre though, for good reason. The talent needed to DJ for example is minimal compared to that of actually writing your own proper music (which you are more born with) and mastering the guitar and can be learned relitively quickly. The history of rap is not relevent here - it's still ****. Anyone can in effect produce hip hop at home.

You sure as hell did say that.

Really? Are you a DJ? No, it's obvious you are not otherwise you wouldn't make such ignorant remarks.

You're surprised - thats all rap music does is steal other genres stuff :whatever:

Looks like that's what you just said.

I prefere music that requires talent and playing actual instruments. :o

Oh hey there it is again.

Wrong - I know what it is and thats why I dont value it as a genre of music. You need little talent to go far...

Looks like you just said the whole genre. Yup look there it is.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I almost feel I shouldn't even put this here because it's painfully obvious you will not understand it and it's too good for you. But educate yourself.

kiHG62bVkrM

[kamesan]

You cant deny the amount of time and effort a good guitarist has to put into mastering his craft, on the other hand someone who samples someone elses music and raps over it needs little practise, just a pc and a mic....
Hello Newbie 1st class :yay:
While it is true that hip-hop does sample for it's music it's not true 100% of the time. I can't defend what we currently call hip-hop on the radio but a producer or a composer doesn't have to know how 2 play an instrument to be able to make chords or riffs for it.

[A.X.L]

You sure as hell did say that.

Really? Are you a DJ? No, it's obvious you are not otherwise you wouldn't make such ignorant remarks.



Looks like that's what you just said.



Oh hey there it is again.



Looks like you just said the whole genre. Yup look there it is.

I didnt say no instruments - my statement that you have wrongfully quoted implies (rightfully) that rap 'artists' generally dont use instruments. I didnt say they never do.

Dont get the relavance of me saying rap steals stuff has with instruments, it does. It often steals audio of other more talented individuals playing for real.

[Cmill216]

DOnt get the relavance of me saying rap steals stuff has, it does.

Your use of the word stealing is cracking me up.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I didnt say no instruments - my statement that you have wrongfully quoted implies (rightfully) that rap 'artists' generally dont use instruments. I didnt say they never do.

DOnt get the relavance of me saying rap steals stuff has, it does.

A. No I did not. You clearly said "That's all rap music does."

B. Meaning and wrongfully implying that Rap music only steals and samples music to create itself.

[A.X.L]

You sure as hell did say that.

Really? Are you a DJ? No, it's obvious you are not otherwise you wouldn't make such ignorant remarks.



Looks like that's what you just said.



Oh hey there it is again.



Looks like you just said the whole genre. Yup look there it is.

I almost feel I shouldn't even put this here because it's painfully obvious you will not understand it and it's too good for you. But educate yourself.

kiHG62bVkrM

All I hear is a looped beat and some DJ repeating stuff, aside from the rapping. Saying that i did get bored after 20 seconds and switched it off

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

All I hear is a looped beat and some DJ repeating stuff, aside from the rapping. Saying that i did get bored after 20 seconds and switched it off

God you are so ****ing stupid. No one rapped you moron. I knew it would be wasted on you. Even when it is clrearly being explained what is being done and how it is being done you still don't get it.

[A.X.L]

Please refer to this video for actual talent and mastery of ones craft...all played live -- for real.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoxhaH6jTtQ

resorted to name calling? Must be getting desperate.

[kamesan]

It's pointless to argue w/ someone who's closed-minded to the culture of hip-hop; You're just increasing his post count.......

[terry78]

Which was his goal all along. You all forget that today is a holiday...most kids are out of school and messing around on message boards. This is one of them.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Please refer to this video for actual talent and mastery of ones craft...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NfZBvRvkIg

resorted to name calling? Must be getting desperate.

No because it's clear you are an idiot. No one was rapping and you clearly said that someone was. You weren't even paying attention to the video, proving your ignorance and stupidity.

Then you go back on what you said when we have quotes directly from you clearly stating you grouping all of rap as being the same.

I prefer this kind of talent to yours thank you very much.

JecyHi0YAw4

BgQdWoIkbCk

That looks like live instruments to me....oh and it's Rap. Oh no the heavens must be burning.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Which was his goal all along. You all forget that today is a holiday...most kids are out of school and messing around on message boards. This is one of them.

I actually think he is from Europe somewhere. He used the word proper. Americans don't ****ing say proper.

[dr venture]

Top ten rap songs white people love

http://www.catsandbeer.com/music/the-top-10-rap-songs-white-people-love

[kamesan]

I actually started listening to Dig. Underground again. Those guys were the rap version of Parliament. They never got their due respect:csad:

[Colossal Spoons]

Top ten rap songs white people love

http://www.catsandbeer.com/music/the-top-10-rap-songs-white-people-love

I called the #1 as soon as I saw what the list was for. Haha :D

[AndThePickles]

It's so true :csad: The honorable mentions as well.

[Colossal Spoons]

I'm tellin you now, NONE of them will be played at the wedding :o

....or else:

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/popvulture/uploaded_images/oj_simpson_narrowweb__300x472,0-781304.jpg

[AndThePickles]

I'm tellin you now, NONE of them will be played at the wedding :o

....or else:

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/popvulture/uploaded_images/oj_simpson_narrowweb__300x472,0-781304.jpg

Hahahaha. Way to lump me in with all white people you jerk. I don't claim those people who make idiots out of themselves dancing off rhythm to "Ice, Ice Baby." :o

[Colossal Spoons]

Hey, I was just sayin

[AndThePickles]

We're also not playing "Shout." :o

[Colossal Spoons]

I want a divorce already. "Shout" is a must.

[AndThePickles]

It's at EVERY wedding though :csad:

[Cmill216]

A lot of big albums due out in the fall, but here are my top three hip hop records of the year so far:

1.) Talib Kweli - Ear Drum
2.) Chamillionaire - Ultimate Victory
3.) Common - Finding Forever

[chamber-music]

what do you guys think of all the Lupe Fiasco hate after the tribe called quest VH1 thing?

[RakuMon]

That's what he gets for sleepin on Midnight Marauders.

[terry78]

At every party I have been to in college where most of the demographic was white, Baby Got Back was played. I kid you not.

[Memphis Slim]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6LA7drxD_NY

funny parody........:woot:

[Cmill216]

what do you guys think of all the Lupe Fiasco hate after the tribe called quest VH1 thing?

When I first heard about it before the airing, I was like, "Good job, Lupe. F***in' up your already crappy reputation." But then I watched it, and I barely even noticed it. :huh:

[chamber-music]

When I first heard about it before the airing, I was like, "Good job, Lupe. F***in' up your already crappy reputation." But then I watched it, and I barely even noticed it. :huh:

people are really turning against the guy. There are even blogs and petitions boycottiy him. DJ Mark Ronson said he will never play his music again. Its madness.

[kamesan]

what do you guys think of all the Lupe Fiasco hate after the tribe called quest VH1 thing?
I missed that, what happened?

[chamber-music]

I missed that, what happened?

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571748/20071011/fiasco__lupe.jhtml?rsspartner=rssColdFusion

Its way overblown but the internet hip hop blog nerds won't let it go.

[Colossal Spoons]

I've been listening to entirely too much Whodini lately :D

[terry78]

I'm starting to get into a lot of west coast stuff as of late. I think because the satellite station we got here plays nothing but that.

[Blitzz]

A lot of big albums due out in the fall, but here are my top three hip hop records of the year so far:

1.) Talib Kweli - Ear Drum
2.) Chamillionaire - Ultimate Victory
3.) Common - Finding Forever

mine would be

1. Killah Priest - The Offering
2. Talib Kweli - Ear drum
3. Kanye West - Graduation

[RockSP]

The Lupe thing has been blown out of proportion. He shouldn't have lied, though...

[RakuMon]

When I first heard about it before the airing, I was like, "Good job, Lupe. F***in' up your already crappy reputation." But then I watched it, and I barely even noticed it. :huh:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571748/20071011/fiasco__lupe.jhtml?rsspartner=rssColdFusion

Its way overblown but the internet hip hop blog nerds won't let it go.

It's not just that Lupe flubbed the lyrics at the HHH, it's that he had to go and diss Tribe in the process. Then he went on OKP and dissed everyone there. Plus, he lied about why he was there, saying Tip personally asked him to perform, only to have Tip later say that VH1 already preselected the performers and Tribe just needed to approve the list.

If anyone's at fault for the Lupe fiasco, it's Lupe himself.

Miss Info has a good roundup of the whole situation:

http://www.missinfo.tv/?p=328
http://www.missinfo.tv/?p=327
http://www.missinfo.tv/?p=326

[chamber-music]

isn't Lupe sueing Vibe magazine as well now?

[KenK]

He wasn't trying to diss Tribe. People just want to harp on him for saying that he didn't grow up listening to them. He didn't say anything directly against them, or anything as to imply that he didn't think they were good. And I do agree with some folks who have said that there's just too many hip-hop elitists, or wannabe elitists, coming out their mouths at even the slightest indication that someone isn't giving an artist they hold sacred, their proper respect. People always want to blow **** out of proportion.

I swear, the s**t people focus their anger on. Meanwhile, R. Kelly's child-peein' ass isn't even going to trial yet, and people still support him like he's the second coming of Marvin Gaye.

[dr venture]

isn't Lupe sueing Vibe magazine as well now?

yep

[Cmill216]

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2007_10F_souljaboytellem.html

The only hoe that got Superman'd on SouljaBoyTellEm.com is anybody who spent $14.99 on this album.

Oh, Rap Reviews. How I love thee. :up:

[Colossal Spoons]

Soulja's website is ridiculous :down:

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Cut Chemist :up:

NkkGj4_1m9A&mode=related&search=

[Darknightnomis]

I only listen to Old Skool stuff I grew up on.

KRS-One, Eric B And RahKeem, Run-DMC, GrandMAster Flash, Public Enemey (greatest Rap group ever), Fat Boys, Doug E. Fresh, Etc. nothing really past '92.

To me, Rap self-destruct itself in the early '90s into a mire of over indulgence and self-delusion of bling-bling dreams and thug life mentallity and lost focus on being a voice for the underclass and underpriviledge along with the party music.

To me the greatest rap song of all time will always be "The Message".

[AndThePickles]

Soulja's website is ridiculous :down:

Looking at it makes me embarrassed :csad:

[terry78]

LOL, I googled it and I see nothing but comments from both males and females about how Soulja Boy's website is tight.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I only listen to Old Skool stuff I grew up on.

KRS-One, Eric B And RahKeem, Run-DMC, GrandMAster Flash, Public Enemey (greatest Rap group ever), Fat Boys, Doug E. Fresh, Etc. nothing really past '92.

To me, Rap self-destruct itself in the early '90s into a mire of over indulgence and self-delusion of bling-bling dreams and thug life mentallity and lost focus on being a voice for the underclass and underpriviledge along with the party music.

To me the greatest rap song of all time will always be "The Message".


Well I am sorry to hear that because there were plenty of Emcees and groups that came along in the early to mid 90s that were/are amazing. The mid 90's may have actually been the best era overall for Rap period.

Some groups that you need to check out from the mid 90's.

Outkast (Their first three albums are pure classic, a very strong argument could be made for them being the best first three albums released by and Rap group ever IMHO and agruably the best three back to back Rap albums every by a group)

A Tribe Called Quest (Arguably the best Rap group of all time)
The Roots (Arguably the best Rap group of all time)
Lords of The Underground
The Pharcyde (Amazing original and ecletic sound one of my personal favorite ever)
Souls of Mischief
De La Soul
Wu-Tang Clan (Often is credited with being the savfor of ture Rap with the release of 36 Chambers)
Camp-Lo


Those are just some off the top of my head that every Rap lover should check out for sure.

[Darknightnomis]

Well I am sorry to hear that because there were plenty of Emcees and groups that came along in the early to mid 90s that were/are amazing. The mid 90's may have actually been the best era overall for Rap period.

Some groups that you need to check out from the mid 90's.

Outkast (Their first three albums are pure classic, a very strong argument could be made for them being the best first three albums released by and Rap group ever IMHO and agruably the best three back to back Rap albums every by a group)

A Tribe Called Quest (Arguably the best Rap group of all time)
The Roots (Arguably the best Rap group of all time)
Lords of The Underground
The Pharcyde (Amazing original and ecletic sound one of my personal favorite ever)
Souls of Mischief
De La Soul
Wu-Tang Clan (Often is credited with being the savfor of ture Rap with the release of 36 Chambers)
Camp-Lo


Those are just some off the top of my head that every Rap lover should check out for sure.

Well, I would disagree with you that by the mid '90s Rap had clearly lost what made it so relavant and different from other forms of music and certianly was NOT the best era of Rap's history.

All I think about in the mid '90s is chronic, east-west beefs and the killing of the two most prominent rappers of the time. *Sigh*

But like I said, I'm a old schooler that saw rap came from the blue light basement house partys of the early to late '70s (Anyone under 30 ere ever herad of the Last Poets? If not educate yourself) to it being called a "fad" in the early '80s by mainstream and black radio stations to the bigeest selling music today albeit a by the '90s it see to be aiming at fulfilling the pipe ghetto dreams of suburban urban kids than people actually in the ghetto.

And some of the groups you mention I should listen to actually start in the time frame I mentioned as "old School' that I listen to like A tribe call Quest and De La Soul.

And I must admit I liked the ecclectiness of Pharcyde (A latter day version of De La Soul) and I respect the ROOT for what they trying to do (being relevant and just plain funky), and Outcast to me is the younger, hip-hop generation verison of Parlement/Funkedelic to me.

But it seems to me when I was growing up, there was more diverse blend out there with Rap, from the serious to the silly, and eveyone was trying something new, whereas today eveyone sem to be a copycat of everyone else (except for som eof the artist you mentioned) and there main focus is how stupid they can act for so called "urban suburban" kids.

[RakuMon]

Well I am sorry to hear that because there were plenty of Emcees and groups that came along in the early to mid 90s that were/are amazing. The mid 90's may have actually been the best era overall for Rap period.

Some groups that you need to check out from the mid 90's.

Outkast (Their first three albums are pure classic, a very strong argument could be made for them being the best first three albums released by and Rap group ever IMHO and agruably the best three back to back Rap albums every by a group)

A Tribe Called Quest (Arguably the best Rap group of all time)
The Roots (Arguably the best Rap group of all time)
Lords of The Underground
The Pharcyde (Amazing original and ecletic sound one of my personal favorite ever)
Souls of Mischief
De La Soul
Wu-Tang Clan (Often is credited with being the savfor of ture Rap with the release of 36 Chambers)
Camp-Lo


Those are just some off the top of my head that every Rap lover should check out for sure.

Quoted for truth!

May I also add Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli's greatest achievement ever), Common, Dead Prez and Pharoahe Monch to that list?

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Well, I would disagree with you that by the mid '90s Rap had clearly lost what made it so relavant and different from other forms of music and certianly was NOT the best era of Rap's history.

All I think about in the mid '90s is chronic, east-west beefs and the killing of the two most prominent rappers of the time. *Sigh*

But like I said, I'm a old schooler that saw rap came from the blue light basement house partys of the early to late '70s (Anyone under 30 ere ever herad of the Last Poets? If not educate yourself) to it being called a "fad" in the early '80s by mainstream and black radio stations to the bigeest selling music today albeit a by the '90s it see to be aiming at fulfilling the pipe ghetto dreams of suburban urban kids than people actually in the ghetto.

And some of the groups you mention I should listen to actually start in the time frame I mentioned as "old School' that I listen to like A tribe call Quest and De La Soul.

And I must admit I liked the ecclectiness of Pharcyde (A latter day version of De La Soul) and I respect the ROOT for what they trying to do (being relevant and just plain funky), and Outcast to me is the younger, hip-hop generation verison of Parlement/Funkedelic to me.

But it seems to me when I was growing up, there was more diverse blend out there with Rap, from the serious to the silly, and eveyone was trying something new, whereas today eveyone sem to be a copycat of everyone else (except for som eof the artist you mentioned) and there main focus is how stupid they can act for so called "urban suburban" kids.

1. As far as what was being promoted and the mid 90's was the starting point of the downfall of individualism and creativity overall in mainstream Rap yes. But as for what was actually out there and available the mid 90's I feel was the best era for Rap music in the mainstream.

2. De La Soul's first release was 89 in teh states, so I would say they were relevant in the mid 90's far more than the 80's. Same goes for A Tribe Called Quest, their debut album was released in 1990, so they weren't even around in the 80's.

3. So all of the groups I mention are pretty much early to mid 90's to today. They were not 80's groups.

4. I also forgot Common Sense, Nas, Busta Rhymes (his first two albums but still he was dope) Biggie Smalls (better than Jay-Z any day of the week) Redman, Freestyle Fellowship, Craig Mac, The Fugees, Fuschnickens (sp), Gangstarr and many more.

5. Not to be a nitpicker but it's spelled Outkast. :up:

Overall I know what you're saying but the early to mid 90's are nothing to ignore at all. It was and remains a great era in Hip Hop and Rap music, yes the mainstream has suffered greatly since and the late 90's definitely ushered in the Bling Bling era and the downfall spiraled but don't ignore what the 90's brought due to the later years of that decade becoming a joke.

[KenK]

I only listen to Old Skool stuff I grew up on.

KRS-One, Eric B And RahKeem, Run-DMC, GrandMAster Flash, Public Enemey (greatest Rap group ever), Fat Boys, Doug E. Fresh, Etc. nothing really past '92.

To me, Rap self-destruct itself in the early '90s into a mire of over indulgence and self-delusion of bling-bling dreams and thug life mentallity and lost focus on being a voice for the underclass and underpriviledge along with the party music.

To me the greatest rap song of all time will always be "The Message".

There are still plenty of rappers who hold to that ideal, but you're more than likely just not looking beyond MTV and the radio. I know you'll probably tell me I'm wrong to make that assumption, but I hear it all the time, the people that piss and moan about hip-hop being dead, when more often than not, they're just mad at what the mainstream media chooses to focus on. There are dozens of artists who have taken the medium of rap music beyond what it's been, but if they don't have a video on MTV or a top 40 single, some cats act like they don't even exist. And believe me, I'd love for it to be the way it was in the late 80s/early 90s, when there was a lot more balance to the subject matter, and the artists who were the most popular deserved to be based on their skills on the mic, but I'm not gonna cry if they're not on TRL or the TOp 40 Countdown with Ryan Seacrest.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Quoted for truth!

May I also add Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli's greatest achievement ever), Common, Dead Prez and Pharoahe Monch to that list?

Yeah I should have definitely mentioned Common Sense but as for the rest, while they are definitely must listens, they are from the late 90's. I was trying to mention as many as I could from the early to mid 90's. Although Organized Confusion was around in the early and mid 90's. :up:

But all of them get much respect.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Okay Skip Bayless needs to shut the **** up. He's saying that Eminem is better than Rakim? Get the **** out of here.

[Darknightnomis]

1. As far as what was being promoted and the mid 90's was the starting point of the downfall of individualism and creativity overall in mainstream Rap yes. But as for what was actually out there and available the mid 90's I feel was the best era for Rap music in the mainstream.

2. De La Soul's first release was 89 in teh states, so I would say they were relevant in the mid 90's far more than the 80's. Same goes for A Tribe Called Quest, their debut album was released in 1990, so they weren't even around in the 80's.

3. So all of the groups I mention are pretty much early to mid 90's to today. They were not 80's groups.

4. I also forgot Common Sense, Nas, Busta Rhymes (his first two albums but still he was dope) Biggie Smalls (better than Jay-Z any day of the week) Redman, Freestyle Fellowship, Craig Mac, The Fugees, Fuschnickens (sp), Gangstarr and many more.

5. Not to be a nitpicker but it's spelled Outkast. :up:

Overall I know what you're saying but the early to mid 90's are nothing to ignore at all. It was and remains a great era in Hip Hop and Rap music, yes the mainstream has suffered greatly since and the late 90's definitely ushered in the Bling Bling era and the downfall spiraled but don't ignore what the 90's brought due to the later years of that decade becoming a joke.

1. I can't agree because it was just too much cow-tailing to the mainstream out there during that time. But if you like it youngblood, by all mena, bump it. For me, I'll stick with with my Old School.

2. I said pretty m,uch stuff after '92, and don't take that that year date to literal.

3. And I mention some I like, but overall, ther was not to good of stuff happening doing that time. But lke I said, I'm old skool.

4. Common I like (at times), Fugess was a innovate, the rest you can keep!

5. You are being nitpicky. :cwink:

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

1. I can't agree because it was just too much cow-tailing to the mainstream out there during that time. But if you like it youngblood, by all mena, bump it. For me, I'll stick with with my Old School.

2. I said pretty m,uch stuff after '92, and don't take that that year date to literal.

3. And I mention some I like, but overall, ther was not to good of stuff happening doing that time. But lke I said, I'm old skool.

4. Common I like (at times), Fugess was a innovate, the rest you can keep!

5. You are being nitpicky. :cwink:

1. To each their own.

2. Most of those groups put out their best stuff after 92'

A Tribe: People's Instinctive Travel's 90', Low End Theory 91', Midnight Murarders 93', Beats Rhymes and life 96'.

De La Soul:
3 Feet High and Rising (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Feet_High_and_Rising) 1989
De La Soul is Dead (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_La_Soul_is_Dead) 1991
Buhloone Mindstate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buhloone_Mindstate) 1993
Stakes Is High (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stakes_Is_High) 1996

Pharcyde: 92, 95, 2000

Outkast 94, 96, 98

Roots 93, 95, 96, 99

3. I think you're wrong, there was a lot of good stuff happening in the mid 90's. A LOT.

4. Not sure why you don't like the groups I mentioned or Emcees but they are def.

5. Yeah maybe a little :D

I may be young in years but my taste for Rap is wide and spans to the begining. Cold Crush Brothers, GrandMaster Caz, Melly Mel and the furious 5, Grandmaster Flash, Love Bug Starski, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Eric B. & Rakim, Kool Moe Dee, Slick Rick, Afrika Bambaataa and much more.

[Darknightnomis]

There are still plenty of rappers who hold to that ideal, but you're more than likely just not looking beyond MTV and the radio. I know you'll probably tell me I'm wrong to make that assumption, but I hear it all the time, the people that piss and moan about hip-hop being dead, when more often than not, they're just mad at what the mainstream media chooses to focus on. There are dozens of artists who have taken the medium of rap music beyond what it's been, but if they don't have a video on MTV or a top 40 single, some cats act like they don't even exist. And believe me, I'd love for it to be the way it was in the late 80s/early 90s, when there was a lot more balance to the subject matter, and the artists who were the most popular deserved to be based on their skills on the mic, but I'm not gonna cry if they're not on TRL or the TOp 40 Countdown with Ryan Seacrest.

Believe me man, I don't look at MTV or BET for that matter, or listen to (mainstream) Radio,especialy Mainstream R & B radio.

When I want to hear what's cutting edge, or what the young folks are digging, I go to college radio.

Here in the ATL where I live there is a great college station for GA State that have Urban Beats on the weekend of what's REALLy happining in the rap scen of those young cats who are trying to stay true to the reason it came into exitstance, and no they won't be heard on mainstream radio or MTV or BET.

They get it, but I wonder how many will sell out there atyle to make the type of rap songs that will get them paid and is only get played on MTV or mainstream radio?

And I know how the mainstream media loves to expolit something that so much in the conscious of the culture (like Rap is today) while back in my day they was killing it saying it wouldn't last a week nor is it a artform.

But those old schoolers kept doing what they was doing (those artist I mention in my first post) , not caring what the "mainstream" though and eventually, the mainstream came around to see it there way.

Man back in the day, most R and B radio DIDN't even play rap music, except maybe at night or on weekends. Now wrap your head around that.

Now it's the majority of what you hear on there.

But the generation after the fonders, the ones from the mid '90s till now, they sold out rap for getting airtime on MTV, by conforming to what MTV, mainstream radio and suburban urban wanna-bes THOUGHT hip/Hop and rap ,as well as the rappers themselves should be!

[KenK]

4. Common I like (at times), Fugess was a innovate, the rest you can keep!

Whoa, whoa, whoa! You tellin' me NAS can't get no love for Illmatic?!?! You tellin' me Redman can't get no love for Dare Iz A Darkside?!? Hell, I'll even go as far as to say when it comes to beats and lyrics, Busta Rhyme's best album: Extinction Level Event, and that was a '99 release! Not to discount The Coming, but c'mon, from E.L.E.'s intro(one of the best rap intro's EVER) to the end, that was just an incredible album. That was probably the last time Busta REALLY pushed himself when it came to his rhymes and his delivery. And it STILL holds up today, as far as I'm concerned.

[KenK]

Man back in the day, most R and B radio DIDN't even play rap music, except maybe at night or on weekends. Now wrap your head around that.

"Back in the day"? WHUR, here in DC, they had a whole ad campaign as recent as three years ago, where they're whole hook was that they didn't play rap. I always found it very insulting and unnecessary that they had to trample over rap to make themselves look better. And what's worse, they're notorious for using instrumentals from CURRENT rap songs as break music between song sets. It's ridiculous.

[Darknightnomis]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! You tellin' me NAS can't get no love for Illmatic?!?! You tellin' me Redman can't get no love for Dare Iz A Darkside?!? Hell, I'll even go as far as to say when it comes to beats and lyrics, Busta Rhyme's best album: Extinction Level Event, and that was a '99 release! Not to discount The Coming, but c'mon, from E.L.E.'s intro(one of the best rap intro's EVER) to the end, that was just an incredible album. That was probably the last time Busta REALLY pushed himself when it came to his rhymes and his delivery. And it STILL holds up today, as far as I'm concerned.

Hey man, if you're diggin' it then by alll means play it. But for me, they don't do nothing.

Except for that one song from Busta "put you your hands where my eyes can see".

I'll stick with jamming my "Nations of millions..."

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000024K1.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[KenK]

Hey man, if you're diggin' it then by alll means play it. But for me, they don't do nothing.

Except for that one song from Busta "put you your hands where my eyes can see".



Of course, a song that barely scratches the surface of his lyrical greatness!

[Darknightnomis]

"Back in the day"? WHUR, here in DC, they had a whole ad campaign as recent as three years ago, where they're whole hook was that they didn't play rap. I always found it very insulting and unnecessary that they had to trample over rap to make themselves look better. And what's worse, they're notorious for using instrumentals from CURRENT rap songs as break music between song sets. It's ridiculous.

Sounds like history repeating itself, man. what was the reason they gave for not playing rap?

But if i was you i would go to college or public radio, I bet they still playing rap, they don't have to worry about sponsor so they go a little more leadway than mainstream radio.

But for me, back in the day for me is from 79 to 83 when it comes to Rap not being played on radio. It really took RUN DMC popularity from KING OF ROCK to get it played more extensivley on R & B radio.

[Darknightnomis]

Of course, a song that barely scratches the surface of his lyrical greatness!

That may be true, but that beat was just too funky! :word:

[Darknightnomis]

I may be young in years but my taste for Rap is wide and spans to the begining. Cold Crush Brothers, GrandMaster Caz, Melly Mel and the furious 5, Grandmaster Flash, Love Bug Starski, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Eric B. & Rakim, Kool Moe Dee, Slick Rick, Afrika Bambaataa and much more.

Now that's what I'm talking 'bout, youngblood. :yay:

Look, I haven't fully given up on RAP and I hold out the hope that it will check itself and where it's at and regain what it's lost.

But for now, I'm sticking with my old school until the day when even the mainstream rap put there indivualism back in the music and screw it if the mainstream or corporate or urban suburan listeners are not into it.

Lead... don't follow. Innovate...don't imitate.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Oh and Dark if you want to get up on Emcees that are def today like the golden age of Rap. Check out...

J-Live and Edan. I would reccommend more but I think those two specifically will be along your taste lines.

[KenK]

Sounds like history repeating itself, man. what was the reason they gave for not playing rap?

No real reason, beyond trying to re-inforce boughie, "grown & sexy" ideals. Television commercials would have middle-class black folks having a dinner party, or some chick would be in a bubble bath, and they'd turn on the radio and have major screwfaces when rap music came on first. But they'd be all cool and s**t when they changed it to WHUR. I'm just like, why couldn't they be enjoying WHUR in the first place, without having to act like they were too good to listen to rap?

But if i was you i would go to college or public radio, I bet they still playing rap, they don't have to worry about sponsor so they go a little more leadway than mainstream radio.

Well, I'm friends with real cratediggers when it comes to hip-hop, so they definitely keep me in the know on a lot of stuff. One of my friends is even a local rapper(http://www.myspace.com/sumadra).

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Oh and RJD2 and Blueprint. Together they form.....Soul Position.

[KenK]

Oh and RJD2 and Blueprint. Together they form.....Soul Position.

Shoot, just about anyone from Definitive Jux and Stones Throw Records are worth checking out. Even Rawkus is building their rep back up; stuff like Kidz in the Hall and Procussions, good stuff.

And I'ma say it again, if you haven't heard it already, Black Milk: Popular Demand. . . .of the best hip-hop albums of the year.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Shoot, just about anyone from Definitive Jux and Stones Throw Records are worth checking out. Even Rawkus is building their rep back up; stuff like Kidz in the Hall and Procussions, good stuff.

And I'ma say it again, if you haven't heard it already, Black Milk: Popular Demand. . . .of the best hip-hop albums of the year.

I thouht Blueprint and Soul Position were part of Rhymesayers entertainment?

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Hey Darknight check out Blueprint here.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=46145231

Hand Me Downs :up:

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Edan's page

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=37114625

Check out Funky Rhyming, but all of his stuff is great.

[Darknightnomis]

:word: Hey Darknight check out Blueprint here.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=46145231

Hand Me Downs :up:

Man, those lyrics in that tune is just what I've been trying to say in all my previous posts (plus you can't lose with a Flava Flav "Yeah man C'Mon!" sample)

I digin' on it. :word:

[KenK]

:word:

Man, those lyrics in that tune is just what I've been trying to say in all my previous posts (plus you can't lose with a Flava Flav "Yeah man C'Mon!" sample)

I digin' on it. :word:

Aw, "Mr. Old-School" sounds like he's comin' around to some new sh**!!

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

:word:

Man, those lyrics in that tune is just what I've been trying to say in all my previous posts (plus you can't lose with a Flava Flav "Yeah man C'Mon!" sample)

I digin' on it. :word:


Yeah I thought you might feel that. :up:

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Aw, "Mr. Old-School" sounds like he's comin' around to some new sh**!!


Well it's not like you can do anthing when you're hit by RJD2 or Blueprint. And if you can somehow resits they just form Soul Position and it's all over. :D

[Darknightnomis]

Aw, "Mr. Old-School" sounds like he's comin' around to some new sh**!!

okay now, man, slow your roll. :yay:

What those guys was saying in there lyrics is how exactly I fell about how Rap in the past 15 or so years have declined and lost it way from where ti came from, so I'm not coming around to all the new school rap, but I will say I am happy to see some young cats also recognizing it also.

Maybe there hope for your generation yet. :cwink:

[KenK]

okay now, man, slow your roll. :yay:

What those guys was saying in there lyrics is how exactly I fell about how Rap in the past 15 or so years have declined and lost it way from where ti came from, so I'm not coming around to all the new school rap, but I will say I am happy to see some young cats also recognizing it also.

Maybe there hope for your generation yet. :cwink:

I don't mind awareness to the state of hip-hop, but at the same time, I don't necessarily want that to be the sole focus of a particular artist. For some artists, that's they're whole hook, and that gets annoying.

The flipside of the whole thing with mainstream artists not being as good as they could be, you've got a lot of underground guys who just get by on hatin' on the mainstream. Some of those emcees could be wack as f***, but they build their reputation solely on addressing the problems in mainstream rap.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Yeah I think KRS-ONE contradicts himself daily :up:

[KenK]

Yeah I think KRS-ONE contradicts himself daily :up:

Didn't he diss Diddy, THEN do a track with him?

[Darknightnomis]

I don't mind awareness to the state of hip-hop, but at the same time, I don't necessarily want that to be the sole focus of a particular artist. For some artists, that's they're whole hook, and that gets annoying.

I agree.

But what I was saying is it seem like in my time it was a good mixture of that along with the Party music. Belive me, I bump my share of 2 live Crew back in the day alonb with KRS-ONE.

while today it seem to be realitively little or no awarness of anything in Rap but bling and booty.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Yeah I think so.

[Darknightnomis]

Yeah I think KRS-ONE contradicts himself daily :up:

Man ALL artist contradict themselves. period.

"Every artist is a cannibal, evey poet is a thief, Both kill their inspiration, then sing about the grief " - 'the Fly' - Bono

[KenK]

I agree.

But what I was saying is it seem like in my time it was a good mixture of that along with the Party music. Blive me, I bump my share of 2 live Crew back in the day alonb with KRS-ONE.

while today it seem to be realitively little or no awarness of anything in Rap but bling and booty.

Oh, I feel ya. I've always been of the idea that first and foremost, just be tight on the mic. Don't skimp on skills. Beyond that, I can be pretty forgiving on what certain rappers choose to rap about. Furthermore, I'm always going to lean more to rappers who, while rapping about things like guns, bling, and booty, do so with a certain satirical wit. It's not a matter of glorifying it, just showing certain things as they are. For all Ice-T's gun-talking and hustling raps, there was still awareness to what he'd rap about.

But yeah, balance is important. I can't expect everyone to be a saint 100 per cent of the time, but damn, there's always room for some intelligent thought. I will agree that mainstream hip-hop has definitely been missing that.

[Darknightnomis]

"For all Ice-T's gun-talking and hustling raps, there was still awareness to what he'd rap about."

Now that's what I'm taling about. A nice balance hittin' all sides whether mainstream agree or not.

Alright Peeps, I'm outty 5000.

Peace and chicken grease. :yay:

[terry78]

I think today's rappers have just gotten dumber. Honestly, I do. The lyrics don't even mean **** anymore. I think Ludacris, while he does his party thing, still made clever jabs at society in his songs and had funny wordplay and a sense of tongue in cheek about some of his stuff. I remember when rap would make fun of pop culture, now they are the culture.

[Memphis Slim]

I think today's rappers have just gotten dumber. Honestly, I do. The lyrics don't even mean **** anymore. I think Ludacris, while he does his party thing, still made clever jabs at society in his songs and had funny wordplay and a sense of tongue in cheek about some of his stuff.



Have you noticed how they don't even rap anymore. They chant the same phrase over and over....

[Cmill216]

"Every artist is a cannibal, evey poet is a thief, Both kill their inspiration, then sing about the grief " - 'the Fly' - Bono

Damn. Bono dropped the knowledge right there.

[terry78]

Well, music and poetry is about suffering.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I love the lines

"I guess this is what happens when rappers look up to thugs/ and kids look up to rappers."

"To some of yall/ if I don't talk about the gat enough/ or sell crack enough/ I ain't black enough."

[dr venture]

Who said that last line

[dr venture]

Have you guys heard these songs yet

Nas - Surviving The Times
xA2TqQDFnQI

and

Wu Tang Clan - My Heart Gently Weeps
SEdNfgaz9-s

[Cmill216]

"To some of yall/ if I don't talk about the gat enough/ or sell crack enough/ I ain't black enough."

:up:

And don't sleep on that Shinoda the Cobra Holder. :o

Let me tell you something that I realize tonight
My hip hop radio's like Marlboro Light
They're both selling stories and they sound about the same
Cigarettes say they're safe, rappers claim they really bang
We don't care if it's true when we lay the money down
We don't believe the words, we just love the way they sound
They're acting like we're idiots, they're lying to our face
Maybe we are idiots, we buy it anyway
I'm runnin' out to get the next rapper's CD
Just suckin' up the guns, drugs, and misogyny
The same way that I suck up all the stories when I breathe
That little bit of death supposedly cancer-free

[Cmill216]

BET's 2007 Hip Hop Awards....Lyricist of the Year nominees:

Common
Jay-Z
Kanye West
Lil Wayne
T.I.

.....:dry:

Winner..........Common. I'll take it. :up:

[terry78]

^And on the flip side, the MVP of the year is Lil Wayne. Bull****.

[RockSP]

Didn't he diss Diddy, THEN do a track with him?

Not to mention dissing christianity and then doing a christian album.

But that's KRS's thing. Contradiction.

[Ass Assassin]

Crappy award show. Tip had to go and get his dumbass arrested. :o

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Who said that last line


Both said by Blueprint of Soul Position. The link to their song is on the last page in one of my posts. :up:

[Colossal Spoons]

That Souljaboy performance tonight was waaay too lively. That kid and his entourage need to be sedated lol.

[knowsbleed]

I don't even want to hear that fools name. Call me a hater...but his "music" isn't music.

Why do the ****tiest people get the most recognition. And people like Lupe get slept on for the most part?

[Cmill216]

I don't even want to hear that fools name. Call me a hater...but his "music" isn't music.

Fool stop trippin. Soulja Boy my n***a. Aint nobody f***in wit him. He real hip hop. And this is from the rawest n***a you'll EVER read a comment from.

[RakuMon]

Yeah I should have definitely mentioned Common Sense but as for the rest, while they are definitely must listens, they are from the late 90's. I was trying to mention as many as I could from the early to mid 90's. Although Organized Confusion was around in the early and mid 90's. :up:

But all of them get much respect.

Oh I see. I thought you were just talking about the 90s in general. Well, if you're only counting the early 90s, you have to add Jungle Bros, Brand Nubian, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and Black Sheep to your list.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Oh I see. I thought you were just talking about the 90s in general. Well, if you're only counting the early 90s, you have to add Jungle Bros, Brand Nubian, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and Black Sheep to your list.

Word son, word :up:

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Here's another song Darknight on a very positive and thoughtful tip.

Akrobatik "Remind My Soul"

YyFEKuxyjlc

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

And here's another song that should be more to your liking, especially if you dig Public Enemy.

Dead Prez "They School"

YyFEKuxyjlc

[dr venture]

Anybody who's a Joe Budden fan, some songs from Mood Muzik 3 have leaked

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Can't say that I am.

[Colossal Spoons]

I used to be

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Never was.

[Cmill216]

Joe Budden was the "Pump It Up" dude, right?

[Colossal Spoons]

Yup

[Cmill216]

Yeah.....he sucks ass.

[Crook]

I used to think so, up until I heard "Three Sides To A Story". Absolutely brilliant song concept, and is probably in my top 5, for storytelling rap songs. Anyone that loves hip-hop should listen to it:

X0R7I7LjZ2A

Oh and don't even get it twisted, anyone that says anything remotely bad about this song is a retard. :up:

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I used to think so, up until I heard "Three Sides To A Story". Absolutely brilliant song concept, and is probably in my top 5, for storytelling rap songs. Anyone that loves hip-hop should listen to it:

X0R7I7LjZ2A

Oh and don't even get it twisted, anyone that says anything remotely bad about this song is a retard. :up:


Good song, but in terms of idea or lyrical versatility. It's nothing new or impressive.

Immortal Technique's "Dance With The Devil" did something very similar that was lyrically better and a bit more shocking/disturbing to listen to.

That said, I liked the song and give Budden props for it. I'm not knocking him or the song, but it just didn't blow me away.

[dr venture]

His Mood Muzik 2 is real good


And I was just listening to the songs Kanye sampled for Graduation, he is too good with that stuff

[Crook]

Good song, but in terms of idea or lyrical versatility. It's nothing new or impressive.
Well I don't know about that first part (don't know too many rap songs these days that even bother to tell stories any more), and agreed on the second part. But it isn't necessarily a bad thing. I like that it basically played it straight, and let the situation speak for itself. Imo, the second verse, while nothing mind-blowing, is very passionate and tragic without having to hear preaching.

It's the difference between making a song urge for sympathy *coughcough*Runaway Love*coughcough*, as opposed to letting it flow naturally.

Immortal Technique's "Dance With The Devil" did something very similar that was lyrically better and a bit more shocking/disturbing to listen to.
I love that song as well, but for me, the reason why it's so highly regarded was because of it's twist ending. It was a slow build-up, and when the story goes full-circle with Billy, the listener is left there completely speechless. That's the lasting effect.

"Three Sides to a Story" was more consistent for me.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Well I don't know about that first part (don't know too many rap songs these days that even bother to tell stories any more), and agreed on the second part. But it isn't necessarily a bad thing. I like that it basically played it straight, and let the situation speak for itself. Imo, the second verse, while nothing mind-blowing, is very passionate and tragic without having to hear preaching.

It's the difference between making a song urge for sympathy *coughcough*Runaway Love*coughcough*, as opposed to letting it flow naturally.


I love that song as well, but for me, the reason why it's so highly regarded was because of it's twist ending. It was a slow build-up, and when the story goes full-circle with Billy, the listener is left there completely speechless. That's the lasting effect.

"Three Sides to a Story" was more consistent for me.

Like I said, not knocking it. I have much more respect for Joe Budden now. :up:

Yeah the second verse is pretty intense. I am at work too so I can't listen to it too loud. I'll give it another listen later.

And true, not many ecmees tell stories anymore :up:

[knowsbleed]

Well I don't know about that first part (don't know too many rap songs these days that even bother to tell stories any more), and agreed on the second part. But it isn't necessarily a bad thing. I like that it basically played it straight, and let the situation speak for itself. Imo, the second verse, while nothing mind-blowing, is very passionate and tragic without having to hear preaching.

It's the difference between making a song urge for sympathy *coughcough*Runaway Love*coughcough*, as opposed to letting it flow naturally.


I love that song as well, but for me, the reason why it's so highly regarded was because of it's twist ending. It was a slow build-up, and when the story goes full-circle with Billy, the listener is left there completely speechless. That's the lasting effect.

"Three Sides to a Story" was more consistent for me.

The hip hop song that's had the greatest impact to me was Common's Retrospect for Life. That song hit home with me (for reasons to be known if you know the song...I went through some similar noise) and really left me floored.

[chamber-music]

NERD new album is about Pretty Girls...
NERD ready new album
'It's about pretty girls' says Pharrell Williams

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee45/marzbarz88/pharrell.jpg (http://photobucket.com/)

NERD have been in the studio recording the follow-up to 2004's 'Fly Or Die'.

Frontman and producer Pharrell Williams told NME.COM that the trio are aiming to release the as-yet-untitled album next spring.

"We're almost done with the album -- we're like one song away," said Williams. "We plan to release it next March or April."

Williams, who is also known as a solo artist, part of production duo The Neptunes, and has dueted with Gwen Stefani, said the new album goes back to "what we do."

"It also has a lot to do with pretty girls," he added.

source: http://web.nme.com/news/nerd/31976 (http://web.nme.com/news/nerd/31976)

Yes they are back peeps!

[Crook]

Wait does that mean Chad Hugo is back? Will the beats Pharrell is part of, finally be good again? :o

[chamber-music]

Wait does that mean Chad Hugo is back? Will the beats Pharrell is part of, finally be good again? :o

Hopefully Chad will face slap Pharrell if he starts doing one of his sloppy beats/Raps.

Perhaps they will let Shay spit a verse again too. I mean the its the third album and his only rappes on one verse from 'In Search Of' as I recall.

I wonder who the guest appearances are gonna be if any?

[chamber-music]

my favourite Lupe verse from Superstar

“So just take me home, where the mood is mellow, and the roses are thrown, M&Ms are yellow, and the light bulbs around my mirror don’t flicker, everybody gets a nice autograph picture, one for you, and one for your sister, who had to work tonight, but is an avid listener”

[Cmill216]

Wait does that mean Chad Hugo is back? Will the beats Pharrell is part of, finally be good again? :o

Hopefully.

I just started listening to Kenna's records that Chad Hugo co-produced. If you were a fan of the N*E*R*D sound, you need to pick up those records STAT.

EDIT: I just picked up Kenna's new album, Make Sure They See My Face. Amazing stuff. Pharrell and, yes, Chad Hugo produce the album. It's got a heavy synth pop/new wave vibe but with hip hop sensibilities. If you're a fan of N*E*R*D, you need to get Kenna's albums. Dude's fantastic.

[dr venture]

my favourite Lupe verse from Superstar

“So just take me home, where the mood is mellow, and the roses are thrown, M&Ms are yellow, and the light bulbs around my mirror don’t flicker, everybody gets a nice autograph picture, one for you, and one for your sister, who had to work tonight, but is an avid listener”

That's my favorite part as well

On another note, if anyone wants to hear the snippets of Jay-Z's American Gangster go here

http://www.7digital.com/artists/jay-z/american-gangster

Credit goes to Impalamoney from illesty.com

[Cmill216]

American Gangster has leaked.

[Crook]

Link me up homie.

[Cmill216]

I actually don't have it yet. My roommate beat me to the punch with this one. He's burning me a copy now.

It sounds pretty good from what I've heard. At the very least, better than Kingdom Come.

[chamber-music]

Hopefully.

I just started listening to Kenna's records that Chad Hugo co-produced. If you were a fan of the N*E*R*D sound, you need to pick up those records STAT.

EDIT: I just picked up Kenna's new album, Make Sure They See My Face. Amazing stuff. Pharrell and, yes, Chad Hugo produce the album. It's got a heavy synth pop/new wave vibe but with hip hop sensibilities. If you're a fan of N*E*R*D, you need to get Kenna's albums. Dude's fantastic.

yeah I heard Kenna's new album its good stuff. The Hype Williams Say Goodbye To Love video is awesome too.
I like me a good bit of Synth. I think the synth sound on Kanyes Graduation where probabley one of the better ideas on the album and the stuff The Killers did on Hot Fuss, The Bravery on their first album and Boy Kill Boy on theirs was real big in 2004/2005.

I would love to see more of the synth in Hip Hop.

[dr venture]

Yeah American Gangster is pretty good. Hello Brooklyn is probably one of the worst songs I've heard in a while but the rest of the cd is good. By the way two songs haven't been released yet, Party Life, and Ignorant ****

[chamber-music]

Jay Z is Hit and Miss with me. Sometimes his stuffs great other times terrible.

[Incrediblejeff]

Hopefully.

I just started listening to Kenna's records that Chad Hugo co-produced. If you were a fan of the N*E*R*D sound, you need to pick up those records STAT.

EDIT: I just picked up Kenna's new album, Make Sure They See My Face. Amazing stuff. Pharrell and, yes, Chad Hugo produce the album. It's got a heavy synth pop/new wave vibe but with hip hop sensibilities. If you're a fan of N*E*R*D, you need to get Kenna's albums. Dude's fantastic.

I was thinking about getting Kenna's album.I'll add it to my list.It's good to hear that N.E.R.D. is back as well.I've been fiending for some new material from them.

[RockSP]

Man this is ridiculous. No store around my way seems to have Little Brother's new album. Damn shame when your home state won't even support. Guess I gotta order it online...

[kamesan]

Didn't know there was a new album. I'm still "teething on The Listening"

[kamesan]

Apparently GFK has become the most popular member of the Wu per Adult Swim. I must've slept & missed when he became more popular than Method Man. I guess that guest shot on DangerDoom made the difference.

....Speaking of witch, where the heck did Witchdoctor come from?? He debuted exactly 10 yrs ago & was under the radar but now he's touring w/ GFK?

[Colossal Spoons]

Yeah American Gangster is pretty good. Hello Brooklyn is probably one of the worst songs I've heard in a while but the rest of the cd is good. By the way two songs haven't been released yet, Party Life, and Ignorant ****

I'm feelin "Ignorant *****" and "Success" so far. But that's probably because they're the 2 songs that don't sound like the whole rest of the CD. I gotta let this album play a while longer before I can really pass judgment.

[BRUTAL]

Seemed like you passed judgment already at... Lets Start Partyin'.

[Colossal Spoons]

Haha, banned!

[BRUTAL]

I have no idea what you're talking about, good sir.

[Colossal Spoons]

I'm clearly sleep deprived :(

[Cmill216]

Lupe Spits Some Accapella Verses:

jZ87z9jIOBw

Check out the line: "And if the rain stops and everything is dry / She would cry so I can drink the tears from her eyes"

*bows*

[dr venture]

^ Damn that was nice..............lol at the kid "is this going on youtube"

[ShayneBishop]

Check out my music page. Its rap...sort of...haha www.myspace.com/believeinbishop
ADD it!! i just set it up

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

So how is Common Senses' new album "Finding Forever" ?

[Cmill216]

It's grown a bit more on me. One of the better albums this year, no doubt.

[dr venture]

So how is Common Senses' new album "Finding Forever" ?

I like a lot. Not better than Be IMO but it's still pretty good

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Be was just okay to me. Not bad, definitely good and solid, but no where close to Like Water For Chocolate or anything previous to that.

Can someone tell me why the hell Jeremy Piven is in Common's video "Drivin' Me Wild"? You know the guy from Smokin Ace's and Old School.

Seriously what is his damn purpose?

[RockSP]

I like a lot. Not better than Be IMO but it's still pretty good

Yep.

Can someone tell me why the hell Jeremy Piven is in Common's video "Drivin' Me Wild"? You know the guy from Smokin Ace's and Old School.

Seriously what is his damn purpose?

I assume they became friends on the set of Smokin' Aces. When Com performed his track from the Smokin Aces soundtrack on The Tonight Show, Piven was playing the bongos in his band.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Yep.



I assume they became friends on the set of Smokin' Aces. When Com performed his track from the Smokin Aces soundtrack on The Tonight Show, Piven was playing the bongos in his band.

Makes sense, duh on me, totally forgot that Piven was in Smokin' Aces. :up:

[RockSP]

Huh? You mentioned it yourself. lol

[Asteroid-Man]

I always tried to avoid Common, his music does appeal to me. I like Mos Def, Kweli, Rahzel (debate this fact if you must, but he DOES rap) and I.T.

[Cmill216]

You like Mos and Kweli, but you try to avoid Common? :huh:

[RockSP]

You like Mos and Kweli, but you try to avoid Common? :huh:

Beat me to it.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Huh? You mentioned it yourself. lol


Common, I meant Common. **** I really want to get off of work.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

You like Mos and Kweli, but you try to avoid Common? :huh:

Word....

[Kaleb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6poxY5D2No

Koldproduk
this is the ''hottest'' rap/hip hop group in south africa

[dr venture]

I always tried to avoid Common, his music does appeal to me. I like Mos Def, Kweli, Rahzel (debate this fact if you must, but he DOES rap) and I.T.


:huh::huh:

[Abaddon]

Crank dat Soulja Boy!:hq::o
1whKQBcnLiQ

[terry78]

:huh::huh:

His love of I.T. merely showcases that he enjoys the vertical technology sector as well as the backpack rap.

[kamesan]

His love of I.T. merely showcases that he enjoys the vertical technology sector as well as the backpack rap.
LOL:woot:

[Cmill216]

S-VrmbpTV2g

My boy Lupe does something I never thought he'd do: make a cool video.

[Abaddon]

ha, it's like being thrown back in the 90s.

[chamber-music]

its Hype Williams video so it was always gonna be pretty decent. Love the song.

[KenK]

Yep.



I assume they became friends on the set of Smokin' Aces. When Com performed his track from the Smokin Aces soundtrack on The Tonight Show, Piven was playing the bongos in his band.

Damn. I would have loved to see that performance. But I doubt it's on YouTube. :csad:

[RockSP]

Damn. I would have loved to see that performance. But I doubt it's on YouTube. :csad:

Actually it is. That's where I saw it. "Common -Play your cards right" will bring it up.

[Colossal Spoons]

Will def be pickin up the new Jay album today.

Crank dat Soulja Boy!:hq::o
1whKQBcnLiQ

Yo, my man in the front was wildin!

[noesbleed]

S-VrmbpTV2g

My boy Lupe does something I never thought he'd do: make a cool video.

I'll shek it out when I get home...but If the music is good, I don't really care if the vid is hot or not.

[KenK]

its Hype Williams video so it was always gonna be pretty decent. Love the song.

Hype has really grown as a director, having long since abandoned the fisheye lens. It's getting harder and harder to pin him down style-wise.

[dr venture]

Some news about Lupe's The Cool


Lupe Fiasco - Characters of The Cool..

Some real detail going on here.. Possibly overcooking it all, but any creativity in Hiphop at the moment is a good thing. Basically.. Characters he's going to be portraying on his new release. . . The Cool.

Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool - Cast of Characters

Lupe Fiasco (star/narrator/writer/director)
Born: 1982
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois

Biography: Born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, Lupe Fiasco is a rarity in today’s record industry – an artist more concerned with creating timeless, not timely, music. After years of false-starting label deals and mixtape dominance, Fiasco broke through the mainstream’s shield in early 2006 with “Kick Push,” a breezy skateboarder’s ballad that only hinted at his lyrical wizardry. Such verbal gifts became crystal clear on his critically lauded debut, Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor. Having brushed with fame while admirably maintaining his integrity, Fiasco is now taking his substance-over-style approach to new, conceptual levels on his sophomore effort, Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool.

Cool Points
- In 2005, Fiasco delivered a scene-stealing verse on Kanye West’s hit single, “Touch The Sky.”
- Fiasco was nominated for three Grammy Awards—Best Rap Solo Performance (“Kick Push”); Best Rap Song (“Kick Push”); and Best Rap Album (Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor).
- In addition to the Grammys, Fiasco was also honored at the 2007 BET Awards (Best New Artist nomination) and 2007 Soul Train Awards (Best New R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist nomination for “I Gotcha”).
- His most nominations came at the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards: Hip Hop CD of the Year (Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor); Hip Hop Video of the Year (“Kick Push”); Rookie of the Year; and Element Award – Lyricist of the Year.
- Through Atlantic Records, his homebase, Fiasco launched his own company, 1st & 15th Entertainment. His first artist (outside of his own projects) will be Gemini.
- In January 2006, Fiasco signed a deal with Reebok. As part of the footwear/apparel company’s “O.G.” campaign, he designed his own sneaker.
- GQ Magazine named Fiasco as the “Breakout Man of the Year” for 2006.

Michael Young History
Born: March 2006
Birthplace: Every Hood, USA

Biography: Since his early childhood days, Michael Young History was conflicted. Raised by a single, hard-working mother, History never really knew his father, a man who abandoned both History and his baby sister. This lack of paternal guidance turned an otherwise intelligent, promising boy into a drug-selling, money-grubbing Scarface-wannabe. Starting off as merely a petty crook, History’s torrid affair with his mentor’s (Game) wife, The Streets, sent him on a downward spiral of greed, deception, and, ultimately, death.

Cool Point
- An unabashed atheist, History anointed his own “holy trinity”—himself, Streets and The Cool.

The Cool
Resurrected: Amongst the undead since September 2006
Birthplace: Six feet under the Earth’s surface

Biography: The Cool is the physical manifestation of History’s debt to humanity. Payback for every user abused and every family torn apart by History, The Cool walks amongst the living as a zombie. “He” – that term used lightly, considering The Cool isn’t human – reeks of death, an ironic contrast to his polished three-piece-suit appearance. Searching for his purpose, The Cool haunts The Streets.

Cool Points
- His only possessions—two diamond earrings, a gold chain, and a letter from History’s eight-year-old sister.
- Despite the long-finished settling of rigor mortis, the sharp sensation of three bullets constantly causes aching in The Cool.
- Only one thought plays in his head like a broken record – “Hustler for death, no heaven for a gangster.”

The Game
Born: Given life the moment the snake suckered Adam and Eve
Birthplace: The Garden of Eden

Biography: An immortal, soulless entity, The Game scours city blocks and country landscapes with equal menace. Scheming from morning until night, he changes targets like the wind – hustlers, politicians, celebrities, and impressionable youth have all succumbed to his charms. His most valued accomplice is his wife, The Streets. Together, this “Bonnie and Clyde” duo have affected the lives of every man, woman, and child. The victim closest to their affections, however, was Michael Young History, a tortured man seeking acceptance through fame and fortune. Of course, nothing from The Game comes without a price.

Cool Points
- Quite convincing, his foolproof method of touching minds is through blunt fingertips.
- Through his wire-tapped ears, he’s able to hear the approaching of any enemy.
- When not hovering over common society, he lives behind bars, plotting ways to see his son, Heroine, and secretly conversing with his marital lover, The Streets.
- Despite carrying out such heartless actions, The Game does have a blood-pumping system – an amplified system pumping beats through woofer-like veins.

The Streets
Born: Conceived thousands of years ago, when the first paths and roads were paved.
Birthplace: Unknown

Biography: A temptress like none other, The Streets possesses an uncanny knack for seduction and betrayal. An equal opportunity heartbreaker, she exudes an allure irresistible to both men and women. Some have accused her of pedophilia, having lured people into her tangled web at ages as immature as eight years old. The word “love” isn’t in her vocabulary –although The Game is her admitted soulmate. Yet, The Streets has always felt a peculiarly strong connection with Michael Young History.

Cool Points
- Often referred to by her condemners as a “demon in a dress.”
- No stranger to loss, she’s tattooed the names of her murdered ex-boyfriends across her breasts.
- Her ambitions are clear upon eye contact, with dollar signs in the place of her pupils.
- Witnesses to History’s slaying reported seeing brown, almost Hennessy-colored tears roll down The Streets.


http://nobodydancenomore.blogspot.com/2007/11/lupe-fiasco-characters-of-cool.html

[Crook]

Crank dat Soulja Boy!:hq::o
1whKQBcnLiQ
Wow. Those kids are really into it. :dry:

[dr venture]

The cover and track listing from Lupe Fiasco's the cool

http://i7.tinypic.com/82dzjm1.jpg

November 14, 2007, 2:05 PM ET
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Rapper Lupe Fiasco embodies multiple characters and concepts on his sophomore album, "Lupe Fiasco's The Cool," due Dec. 18 via 1st and 15th/Atlantic.

Among the characters are Michael Young History, the Game (described as "a male personification of a hustler's damaging influences") and the Streets ("a female embodiment of an urban area's corrupt allure").

Throughout, dark production by Soundtrakk, UNKLE and Chris and Drop enhances the weighty themes, particularly on "Street on Fire" (about a burgeoning epidemic) and "Put You on Game." Among the few guests are Snoop Dogg, who turns up on "High Definition," while Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump serves as the producer of "Little Weapons."

A number of tracks diverge from the conceptual theme, including "Gold Watch" and "Paris Tokyo," on which Fiasco longs for a simpler life atop a jazzy backing track with shades of A Tribe Called Quest. Perhaps the oddest song is "Gotta Eat," which is apparently written from the perspective of a cheeseburger and is rife with food/life metaphors.

Fiasco makes at least two allusions to quitting the music business after one more album, "L.U.P.N.," but he ends "The Cool" on an up-tempo note with "Go Baby Go." "Congratulations ladies, this one's for you," he says.

"The Cool" is the follow-up to last year's "Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor," which spawned the Grammy-nominated single "Kick, Push."

Here is the track list for "Lupe Fiasco's The Cool":

Iesha Poem
"Free Chilly"
"Go Go Gadget Flow"
"The Coolest"
"Superstar" featuring Mathew Santos
"Paris Tokyo"
"High Definition" featuring Snoop Dogg and Pooh Bear
"Little Weapon"
"Hip-Hop Saved My Life" featuring Nikki Jean
"Gold Watch"
"Street on Fire" featuring Mathew Santos
"Hello Goodbye"
"Gotta Eat"
"Dumb It Down" featuring Gemini and Graham Burris
"The Die" featuring Gemini
"Put You on Game"
"Fighters" featuring Mathew Santos
"Go Baby Go"

[Cmill216]

It's gonna be ace. Can't flippin' wait.

[William_C]

Dont know if it was announced here, but Madvillain [MF DOOM and Madlibs] of Stones Throw, won a MTVu[nderground] Woodie award for "Song outta left field" category. Hopefully this'll bump DOOM up a little more and he'll have albums on a consistent basis.

If you haven't heard of DOOM or Madlib, I recommend looking them up. DOOM albums are hard to come by - Madvillain however, is pretty easy and common. I'll hook anyone up if they want to check it out though :)

[xisaacx]

most mainstream rappers have ghost writers


but I dig on benefit and jedi mind tricks

[chamber-music]

Go Go Gadget Flow lol

Is Mathew Santos on his label?

[Colossal Spoons]

I look forward to this CD

[WTFimVENOM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeIzqXIjhAg
^ Is it sad that I find this strangely catchy? :(

[kal-el1990]

BET's 2007 Hip Hop Awards....Lyricist of the Year nominees:

Common
Jay-Z
Kanye West
Lil Wayne
T.I.

.....:dry:

Winner..........Common. I'll take it. :up:

Thats rubbish!! T.I shouldnt be on there!!

What happend 2 real hip hop like MF Doom, Madlib, the roots etc

Common is awsome
Jay is the ****
Kanye is a beast of a producer and a pretty gd rapper, college dropout ws the best of his albums.

But T.I and Wayne i dont liek that **** at all!

Oh and Lupes new album is gona be awsome!!!! Food and Liquor was amazing hopefully this one wil be great aswell

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Thats rubbish!! T.I shouldnt be on there!!

What happend 2 real hip hop like MF Doom, Madlib, the roots etc

Common is awsome
Jay is the ****
Kanye is a beast of a producer and a pretty gd rapper, college dropout ws the best of his albums.

But T.I and Wayne i dont liek that **** at all!

Oh and Lupes new album is gona be awsome!!!! Food and Liquor was amazing hopefully this one wil be great aswell

Well supossedly Lil Wayne rips it on Mix Tapes. This is coming from people on here that like emcees that are lyrically talented as well as one of my friends that has heard his mix tapes and knows his emcess. I guess the problem is he can't put it into his own full length album.

And supossedly Kanye is producing his next one.

[dr venture]

^ Do you mean Kanye???

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Yeah that guy.

[KenK]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeIzqXIjhAg
^ Is it sad that I find this strangely catchy? :(

Yeah. But I do, too! :csad:

[wildjokers]

quick ?.which one of common's cd is better:BE, or Finding forever

[knowsbleed]

Very subjective...but I like Finding Forever better. Sounds less like a Kanye album and more like a Common album.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Like Water For Chocolate....

[knowsbleed]

Like Water For Chocolate....

Goes without saying.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Goes without saying.

:up:

[kal-el1990]

Well supossedly Lil Wayne rips it on Mix Tapes. This is coming from people on here that like emcees that are lyrically talented as well as one of my friends that has heard his mix tapes and knows his emcess. I guess the problem is he can't put it into his own full length album.

And supossedly Kanye is producing his next one.

Some of Waynes freestyles arnt bad, i havent heard his mixtapes but im not really into much south side stuff only ludacris really.

Anyone hear heard much of little brother? Just got the new mixtape called And Justice For All mixed by Mick Boogie its awsome!

[dr venture]

quick ?.which one of common's cd is better:BE, or Finding forever

Be, finding forever was good but not better than Be

[RockSP]

Be, finding forever was good but not better than Be

yep

[Cmill216]

The latest from Hip Hop DX:


SAIGON SAYS HE'S DONE WITH RAP
After a controversial weekend that included threatening to slap rappers Joe Budden and Nelly as part of a Shade 45 interview, Saigon has ended the madness by declaring his retirement from rap.

On the rapper's Myspace page, Saigon wrote a blog Monday that blamed the Hip Hop media for its endorsement of his controversial comments. "If I woulda said, 'I'll slap John Hardy Hawkins for his role in the slave trade,' [the media] would never put it in boldface or re-run it 1,000 times," wrote the rapper. "But If I say 'I'll slap a rapper or something,' it’s the headline news of the day. That's ass backwards to me, so I'm done."

The written tirade also turned on the artistry of Hip Hop. "**** this bum ass rap game anyway. It's full of fake ass *****s who pump poison to the kids, make a few dollars and act like they're larger then life when they know their music is detrimental to their ****ing communities. If it ain't about sex, it's about drugs or violence. Where are the songs about getting an education, or being responsible parents and ****, or stopping the gang violence? This **** is sickening." The rapper added that he was not doing mixtapes, albums or features - ending all facets of his art.

The statements come in a year that has witnessed numerous album release date push-backs, amidst a storied physical altercation with Prodigy. Saigon's The Greatest Story Never Told has been talked about since its 2004 announcement, but despite several singles, yet to secure a release date from Ft. Knox/Atlantic. Neither label has yet to confirm a retirement. In the blog posting, Saigon wrote, "I gotta figure out how I'm gonna break this to Just Blaze."

and....


LUPE FIASCO TALKS COLLABORATION WITH FALL OUT BOY
Most wouldn't expect to here Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump producing for a highly anticipated Hip-Hop album. Nevertheless, this is happening as Stump is collaborating with Lupe Fiasco for Fiasco's upcoming The Cool album.

"He got his Kanye West on," Lupe told MTV. "It's a song called 'Little Weapon,' and it talks about child soldiers. The bulk of The Cool is kind of dark. It comes from a dark place. So 'Little Weapon' is about the coolness — so-called coolness — of child soldiers. It's a real ill record."

Stump agrees.

"I love how this one worked," he said. "We had a few snags, but in general, it was awesome, because I got to ask him about feel, like, 'What type of vibe do you want for this song?' And then I got to hear him take it to different places. I didn't have to steer too much, which is awesome. ... And I didn't sing on [the track], so this is a real test to see if I can make real music without my voice."

Lupe later spoke about the new album and what folks can expect to hear.

"['Superstar' is] a macabre record...I took elements and compared them to other elements. Like, you'll see news footage of an execution, and you'll see people standing outside a death chamber with signs [that say], 'Yeah, Kill Him!' And those are the kind of things you see when you go to shows too. So it was putting those things together and then coming up with a weird story, like, 'What if getting into heaven were like getting into a club — a posh, super-hot club?' So it's kind of a dark record, but the bigness of the hook makes it this weird little thing."

Lupe's new album, The Cool, is set to be released December 18.

[dr venture]

For any Outkast fans, if you remember Aquemini they had two tracks on there called The Art of Storytellin' part 1 and 2. I don't know what happened to part 3 but part 4 has been released online

[RockSP]

For any Outkast fans, if you remember Aquemini they had two tracks on there called The Art of Storytellin' part 1 and 2. I don't know what happened to part 3 but part 4 has been released online

Part 3 was the version that had Slick Rick on it. The one they made a video for.

[GeoffTheArtist]

Mf Doom!!!! The Roots!!!! Lupe!!! Madlib!!!

[Shoemeister]

Yeah, so Graduation was pretty much album of the year. Just sayin'.

[dr venture]

Part 3 was the version that had Slick Rick on it. The one they made a video for.

Ohhhhhh I remember that song

[dr venture]

Yeah, so Graduation was pretty much album of the year. Just sayin'.

For me it would be Eardrum, Graduation while good wouldn't be in my top three of this year

[Cmill216]

Yeah, so Graduation was pretty much album of the year. Just sayin'.

Can't say I agree. I wouldn't even put it in my top 3 this year, and I still have American Gangster to re-listen to and The Cool to cop.

It was an above average record with fantastic production, but it was a serious step down from his last two records, IMO.

[chamber-music]

Lupes The Cool looks like it could be rap album of the year for me from the 3 tracks i've heard so far.

Graduation was very hit and miss. I like that he tried a different musical direction, but his bid for mass appeal with simpler lyrics was a mistake.

[kal-el1990]

Yeah, so Graduation was pretty much album of the year. Just sayin'.

It was a good album, i have the Instrumentals for it and thats amazing. But i think that its no way near as good as College Dropout, that album was much less Commercial and alot more raw hip hop. Late Registration was OK but IMO was the weakest of the 3.

Alot of his Mixtapes are better than the albums, I would really recommend downloading the Graduate Mixtape by Mick Boogie, Terry Urban and 9th Wonder, its free from the Mick Boogie site. Its well worth the download :up:

[chamber-music]

So Saw Kanye West last night at the O2 Arena on his Glow in The Dark Tour with support from Common and Estelle.

Heres my mini review.

Estelle open first and for anyone who doesn't know who Estelle is, shes a singer/rapper from london kinda Laryn Hill like.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estelle_%28singer%29

Kanye, Cee-Lo, John Legend, Wyclef and Will.i.am are said to feature on her second album. Shes got a lot of praise from quite a few US rappers and certainly represents UK hip hop more than the likes of Lady Soveringe.

Heres her pretty awesome performance on Jool's Holland Show a couple of weeks ago http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YlUANIsvNTw
and her hit single 1980 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=k0ODOYNAuGM :up:

Common was on next. He did a few finding forever tracks, dedicated The Light to J Dilla. Also keeped asking the crowd if they like real Hip Hop like Talib Kwali, Mos Def and Kanye West. He had his DJ do some old school scratch skills and drummer, Key boardist as well.

Next up the main act Kanye West. He said when he was on tour with U2 he wanted to make staduim sized hip hop that anyone could understand. Well he did that. The audience was filled with young, old, chav's, hipsters, fashonistas, rude boys, ghetto kids, middle class familys. The whole spectrum.

The stage set was broken abstract shapes like the ones in fortress of solidtude in Superman films. The orchestra wore skin tight white ninja like suits with matching ski masks. They reminded me of the dancers from Daft Punks Around The World video.

The band including Drummer, Bass player, guitarist, keyboardist, sound effects technician wore fustristic boiler suits and his DJ A Trak wore his a half face helmet. There was also kanyes backing vocalists his cousin Tony Williams and the hot Joi Starr wearing giant square shoulder pads.

Kanye opened with Good Morning like I thought he would. He had gloves with lights in them thet gave a pretty awesome effect in the dark. A giant screen behind the stage showed planets swirling round to add to the futersistic theme.

All the songs where awesome and sounded so much better live. Even Druken Hot Girls, which Kanye performed while using a giant remote control which was controlling a dancer on stilts dressed like a robot who danced to kanyes crontrol.

Even the songs from the previous to albums where reworked to sound more like the newer ones with added synths, keys, guitars and so on.

Kanye performed Hey Mama where he broke down a couple of times during the song. He then dedicated Journey song midnight train (don't stop believing) to his mother which Joi sang while he went for one of his three costume changes.

One cool thing he wore was a coat with a lights in the collar that looked like a japanese neon sign. Another was X Men Cyclops like sunglasses with LED red lights across the top which he controlled by touching his finger to them.

overall much better than his previous show I saw for Late Registration tour 18 months ago. It was a muse like rock show with Kanye runnng back and forth the stage.

I'll put some pics up soon.

[knowsbleed]

Damn Chamber...that sounds pretty damn cool. I've been to a few concerts...the last one being quite a while ago (Jay-z tour back in the day) and have never seen anything as nice sounding as that.

Anxiously awaiting pics. :up:

[kal-el1990]

So Saw Kanye West last night at the O2 Arena on his Glow in The Dark Tour with support from Common and Estelle.

Heres my mini review.

Estelle open first and for anyone who doesn't know who Estelle is, shes a singer/rapper from london kinda Laryn Hill like.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estelle_%28singer%29

Kanye, Cee-Lo, John Legend, Wyclef and Will.i.am are said to feature on her second album. Shes got a lot of praise from quite a few US rappers and certainly represents UK hip hop more than the likes of Lady Soveringe.

Heres her pretty awesome performance on Jool's Holland Show a couple of weeks ago http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YlUANIsvNTw
and her hit single 1980 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=k0ODOYNAuGM :up:

Common was on next. He did a few finding forever tracks, dedicated The Light to J Dilla. Also keeped asking the crowd if they like real Hip Hop like Talib Kwali, Mos Def and Kanye West. He had his DJ do some old school scratch skills and drummer, Key boardist as well.

Next up the main act Kanye West. He said when he was on tour with U2 he wanted to make staduim sized hip hop that anyone could understand. Well he did that. The audience was filled with young, old, chav's, hipsters, fashonistas, rude boys, ghetto kids, middle class familys. The whole spectrum.

The stage set was broken abstract shapes like the ones in fortress of solidtude in Superman films. The orchestra wore skin tight white ninja like suits with matching ski masks. They reminded me of the dancers from Daft Punks Around The World video.

The band including Drummer, Bass player, guitarist, keyboardist, sound effects technician wore fustristic boiler suits and his DJ A Trak wore his a half face helmet. There was also kanyes backing vocalists his cousin Tony Williams and the hot Joi Starr wearing giant square shoulder pads.

Kanye opened with Good Morning like I thought he would. He had gloves with lights in them thet gave a pretty awesome effect in the dark. A giant screen behind the stage showed planets swirling round to add to the futersistic theme.

All the songs where awesome and sounded so much better live. Even Druken Hot Girls, which Kanye performed while using a giant remote control which was controlling a dancer on stilts dressed like a robot who danced to kanyes crontrol.

Even the songs from the previous to albums where reworked to sound more like the newer ones with added synths, keys, guitars and so on.

Kanye performed Hey Mama where he broke down a couple of times during the song. He then dedicated Journey song midnight train (don't stop believing) to his mother which Joi sang while he went for one of his three costume changes.

One cool thing he wore was a coat with a lights in the collar that looked like a japanese neon sign. Another was X Men Cyclops like sunglasses with LED red lights across the top which he controlled by touching his finger to them.

overall much better than his previous show I saw for Late Registration tour 18 months ago. It was a muse like rock show with Kanye runnng back and forth the stage.

I'll put some pics up soon.

Sounds great, i havent heard Commons new album yet i need 2 get that one!

Glad Kanye's still going strong after the loss of his mother (R.I.P)

[chamber-music]

Wake Up MR West!

[dr venture]

I would really recommend downloading the Graduate Mixtape by Mick Boogie, Terry Urban and 9th Wonder, its free from the Mick Boogie site. Its well worth the download :up:

I just got that like two weeks ago and I agree

[chamber-music]

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x154/blackandwhite_carlotta/thehorrorsjay-z.jpg
Jay Z and The Horrors

[dr venture]

For the Joe Budden fans out there, here is a preview of his new mixtape Mood Muzik 3. He throws a couple shots a Jay-Z

http://i7.tinypic.com/85llxlg.jpg

By Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur

Mood Muzik 2: Can It Get Any Worse? was released about two years ago to critical acclaim for one benched rapper named Joe Budden. Finally, off Def Jam’s gargantuan shelf, he now offers Mood Muzik 3: It’s About to Get Worse, the latest in the trilogy. The offering shows that Budden hasn’t missed a step and, while some of the anger has subsided, he’s still got plenty of emotion to go around. AllHipHop.com presents the worst preview ever written – track by moody track.



“Hiatus”

Produced by Mellow Madness

A series of voice mail messages from Budden’s friends and associates leads the listener into a banger called “Hiatus.” The song has a vibe along the lines of Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP era and Joe’s voice bellows with an unorthodox flow. For some reason Joe is able to rap for five minutes straight and still captivate the listener. The beat of the song is a roller coaster that dips up and down at a rapid rate. Never boring, this is lyrical boot camp.


Memorable lines:


“Two years, waits up, still sleep, wake up / Girl, gon’ break up / Mind right, cake up / Friends came, friends left / Bull***** is endless /Then that Hip-Hop, really not impressed.”


“No wonder I picked up triggers to beef / I only ever fist-fought with n***as bigger than me.”


“What’s what, whose who / Paranoid as usual / Gripping on my deuce-deuce / either way a lose-lose.”


"Ventilation"

Produced by Klasix


After the feverish first song, Joe quickly slows it down with this one. Flow-wise, he is still offering barbed rhymes, but allows the sample to lead the way. “Ventilation” offers a lot of self-examination here, but the packs a punch nonetheless. Adlibs add to the affect as well.


Memorable lines:


“I kept brushing off my shoulder 'til the chip was gone / Left the Benz at the dealer ‘til the kit was on / I don’t feel n***as song so / While y’all at the awards, I’m loading up on ratchets / that’s the Tip (T.I.P.) I’m on.”


“Sometimes you gotta lose a fight if you trying to win the war / I’m focused on tomorrow / Done seeing my friends in the rearview thinking we really closer than we are.”


“They say, “How you sit so long when you spew classics?” / I tell n***as I can’t understand it - that’s “Blue Magic.”


“I’m looking in his casket like he had no face / I was at a loss for words like ‘Fiascogate.’”


"Talk To 'Em"
Produced by Mellow Madness


The gloves come off on the first track of Mood Muzik 3. There are no names named, but “Hiatus” represents some of the angry sentiments expressed on Mood Muzik 2. Backed by a hyperactive track, Joe lets a lot of the frustration out. He appears to be dissing Jay-Z and tosses a few stones at the man he once proclaimed his favorite rapper.


Memorable lines:


“I’m a boss and you not / *****, they even tried to kill Frank Lucas”


"Feeling funktified and get a bottle to a face"


"Are we hustling are or we grown up? / Every time I hear you you changing your tone up."


“When the new generation think about Jordan / all they remember is when Iverson crossed him.”


"Take off the blazer and loosen up the tie / n***a fell in love and Superman died."


"Every encore ain’t a good one"



"Warfare"

Produced by the Klasix

Featuring Joel Ortiz


Enter Joel Ortiz, who blesses Mood Muzik 3 with a welcomed change of pace. Joe steps up the flow to further compliment the Big Pun influenced style of his New York counterpart. The song clocks in just under three minutes; a perfect length of time. The Klasix give the dynamic duo a big beat that pounds with a hodge-podge of piano, electric guitar and assorted drums.


Memorable Lines:


Joel Ortiz:


“I was really in the lobby with the grams trying to take guap / In the hallway all they is or they ain’t hot / listening to Hot 9 like, “What do they got they I don’t?” / With a blindfold, I everyone they say is hot / It's too easy, I feel that I’ma cheater / The flow is heavy / yours light like a slice of pita / When moms was pregnant, she was lighting reefer – but that’s why I’m nice / In the middle of Alaska, I’ll write a heater”


"Dear Diary"

Produced by Sultan


“Dear Diary” is a stroll down memory lane. The walk is slow, deliberate and honest, where he unravels his deepest emotions. Joe expresses his love for his real team and contempt for those that are no longer with him. But the song also expresses some major pain like that character Damon Wayans once played. The last leg of this song, Joe expresses frustration and anger towards the mother of his son, a sentiment that will resonate with fathers.


Memorable lines:


“Some things are so embedded in our heads / looking for O’s, but get X’s / dealing with ya ex’s / I was a long line away from the Tetris / You sent me the “L” that sent me to Hell / To the point where I’m denied my son / I don’t see him don’t talk to him / I don’t greet him don’t walk with him / But I pay for him like he’s an object / No matter how right I am in court I can’t object .”


"Get No Younger"

Produced by Klasix

Featuring Ezo


“Get No Younger” is the first song that has Joe dipping his feet into commercial waters. His diversity is on full display with a strong assist by singer Ezo, who croons “Fall or the summer…streets is pulling me under…ain’t getting no younger.” Plain and simple, this is a song to ride to with the windows down on a long highway during warm weather.


Memorable lines:


“I’ma 80’s baby with a 60’s mind state / Yankee fitted backwards, looking at whipper snappers/ Living young and restless / Never mind who the best is / They need to get rid of that style – put it on Craig’s List.”


"Star Inside of Me"

Produced by Dub B


“Inside of Me” represents the lead single of Mood Muzik 3. Here Joe reasserts the many notions considered when he first came out – that he is destined to be a star. The song also represents a commercial-flavor tune that has started to get picked up by music outlets on the East Coast. Internet aficionados will cry foul, but the female and pop population is likely to get open. This also represents the only song produced by longtime collaborator Dub-B.


Memorable lines:

“I write mood music / Know a lot of you ain’t used to it / Jot my life on wax / I’m putting you through it / No lies, its all truth to it”


“They used to say we were losers / I beg to differ – that ain’t me / Through the music because its (inside of me).”


Killa BH skit

Produced by Kill BH



"Send Him Our Love"

(Stack Bundles Dedication)

Produced by the Klasix


The light mood of Killa BH, rapid shifts to a somber one with “Send Him Our Love,” a moving dedication to the late Stack Bundles. Over a distinctive sample from a random 80’s rock band, Joe tells the story of his former partner in rhyme. The song’s refrain is peppered with Joe reflecting on the lighter times with Stack. The last verse is particularly poignant where Budden envisions his friend is now in heaven rapping, rocking and chilling with rap’s greats like Pac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay.


Memorable lines:


“I’m looking in your casket praying a n***a get up / For a minute I couldn’t help but think that you were set up / No matter who you are you gotta answer when the Lord calling / I told you go and f**k with Jimmy, that’s before “Ballin’”


“Another Black man taken by a Black hand / Wish your last night in the club / We coulda saved your last dance – Gotdamn.”


“I know the kids really need you / I keep telling them Pac wanted to sign you / Big needed to see you / Pun wanted to cipher / L wanted you to bring some of that good kush up and get a little higher.”


[B]"Family Reunion"

Featuring Fabolous and The A-Team (Ransom & Hitchcock)

Produced by Shatek The Producer


Ironically, Ransom and Joe, now mortal enemies, bookmark this posse cut with excellent verses. Reports out of Joe’s camp suggest that Ransom’s verse will be removed or defaced in some musical way since he and Joe no longer roll tight. “Family Reunion” also features memorable cameos by Fabolous and Hitchcock, who present a more laid back style than the feverish Ransom.


Memorable lines:


Ransom: “You did it, I done it, you get it, I punish, the chick that I come with / I separate her rib from her stomach / I’m a boss / when I spit it you love it / Matter [of] fact – I’m a Viking / I need a whole village to ‘plunage’ [plunder].”


Hitchcock: “In the bing I’m like Ving Rhames, I bring pain / I sling cane off the wing like I’m King James”



Fabolous: “I’m that n***a. Who you dudes? / Some broke n***as that trying to get some Youtube views.”



Joe Budden: “How ya’ll feel y’all selves? [you should] kill y’all selves / ‘Cause Cowboys don’t need you – you Bill Parcells.”



Joe Budden: “Been in the bing for days / Show you how I’m real / Went home to the truck with the Optimus Prime Grill.”



Joe Budden: “Tell me how you a thug and you Superman / I just seen you in the club doing the Superman.”


"5th Gear”

Produced by Sultan


“5th Gear” is a similar record to “Talk To ‘Em,” just at a faster pace. Joe goes straight through like a freight train with no brakes or stops, which is a reoccurring happening on Mood Muzik 3. For fans that love to hear Joe spit flames, this further solidifies his status as one of the best emcees. Casual listeners might not be attracted in the same manner as die-hard followers.


Memorable Lines:


“The game used to make you sell your soul / now its gotta come with a dance.”


“When the world’s against you well / Nah, I’ll never snitch, but I’ll let the pencil tell / I suffer from wrong-thinking / So I avoid straight jackets and the b***h that dumped Sean Kingston.”


“If life’s a b***h, it ain’t just R.Kelly and Ush f***in’ the same girl”


“Play Vanilla Ice, I get Suge Knight on ‘em.”


"Roll Call"

Produced by Sultan


“Is anybody tired of that bubblegum *****?” Joe Budden asks in the first moments of “Roll Call.” This amped up song is like a one-man posse cut that doubles as a platform to express the frustration associated with being a talented artist unable to get comparable traction in the slippery slope of the music industry. For Budden, many of the humdingers are directed to Def Jam, his former label. If Mood Muzik 3 was a dagger, this would be the point.


Memorable lines:


“I could scream Def Jam and what they used to be, but that ain’t for me to say, that’s for you to see / Whether it's Method Man or Redman, Ghostface, Young Gunz / Need I say Freeway? The proof is me/ Still don’t believe me then where’s Peedi Peedi? / They ain’t really giving a f**k unless you Jeezy.”


“If you ain’t the president or Kanye / You won’t see the time of day.”


“I finally figured out that hate is the new love.”


“Don’t mind me / Last of a dying breed / Want to take Rap and bring it back to the 90’s.”


"Secrets"

Produced by Klasix


This sordid tale could be a candidate for Illseed’s “Signs The World Is Ending.” It weaves a saga about a couple lost Black girls, a confused Black man and the ensuing deadly collision. Nothing is what it seems in “Secrets;” as it may require a couple of listens before the message sinks in. Musically, the song changes frequently with live drums, bass, electric guitar and a singer for effect, offering a tale suggestive of MM2’s “Three Sides To A Story.”


Memorable lines:


“I made it rain on her once and b***h couldn’t say thank you.”


“I tried to talk to him / He ain’t get the message / She looking sick and sickly, exceeding anorexic.”


“I don’t rap too fast, n***as listen too slow – dumb motherf***ers (song adlibs)”


"All of Me"

Produced by Klasix

Featuring Imani


This is by far the moodiest record on Mood Muzik 3. The production, assumed by the multi-faceted crew The Klasix, creates a somber, brooding ambiance full of flutes and airy singing. The song itself is standard Budden fare in that is looks back on the rapper’s life, as he recollects his rights, wrongs, and mishaps. He also stares at the baffling current events like his recent beef with former friend Ransom. In one particular section of the song, Budden weaves a tale about a friend with a brain tumor, only three weeks to live and how the pensive rapper didn’t call back before she expired.


Memorable lines:


“She put on a show that you can’t stage / She made the s**t sound effortless / I was damn near in tears checking my messages.”


“I ain’t here ‘cause I feel down / I’m here ‘cause I got up.”


“And then I’m going back and forth with Ransom/ The ***** came outta nowhere, was real random / According to him, I’m responsible for Jerz too / I never help n***as? How the f**k you think they heard you?”


"Folger's Brother"

By Killa BH


Killa BH drops a humorous parody of Kanye West’s “Big Brother.”


Memorable lines:


“I told Joe I brush my teeth with Colgate / Next thing I know he brush his teeth with Colgate / Back of my mind, I’m like Jumpoff no way…”


“I’m bout to get like Craig Mack and put the flavor in ya ear – uh-huh, uh-huh.”


“I’m hot like a hundred degrees.”


"Long Way to Go"

Feat Mr. Probz

Produced by Soulsearchin'


Mr. Probz, a singer from Amsterdam, sets the tone with his unique singing voice, which is featured on the hook of “Long Way To Go.” Joe even gets his sing on in the bridge of the song, which is a return to his musical roots. This song represents a personal and universal struggle and has Joe examining his own issues, but also those of Sean Bell, Virginia Tech, Hurricane Katrina, Don Imus, and Michael “Kramer” Richards.


Memorable lines:


“I don’t do things like I used-ta / The past is the past. I’m presently thinking ‘bout the future / Certain n***as betting I fall / I’m speed jogging through the quicksand / I’m juggling three medicine balls/ See I’m coming up / Used to share a room with three cell mates / Now, I tower over the Devil, but this ain’t 'Hell Date.'”


“F**k a drink and a two-step, I’m two steps from a drink.”


“If I fall like Beyonce, I just get up and keep dancing.”


“Never been a goal I couldn’t reach / Never been a lesson I couldn’t teach.” (Singing)


"Thou Shall Not Fall"

Produced by Klasix


Over a big beat and hand claps, The Klasix give Joey a beat that is reminiscent of Queen’s classic rock song “We Will Rock You.” With the chorus of children singing, it's also a reminder that Shady Records wouldn’t be such a bad home for Budden if it can be arranged. This is definitely a track that that “Toy Soldiers” crossover/rock vibe. On this one Joe, addresses the AllHipHop.com Celebrity Rap Battle, which eventually lead to real Rap “battles” between Mistah F.A.B. and Royce. F.A.B. said an off-the-head freestyle about Joe’s younger brother, which happened in real life. The tension is captured in his oddly uplifting song.


Memorable lines:


“I only respect one Fab and I’m friends with him / Phonte backed out, n***as pumped sense in him / They went and pumped slugs in my little brother, but dog I still love Little Brother.”


“You gotta shoot at Ma Dukes before the Tec spits / I don’t go out looking for Drama like the Feds did.”


"Still My Hood"

Produced by Wyks


Through all the stress, pain and turbulence, Budden still manages to land on a positive note with “Still My Hood.” Still living in New Jersey, he takes the voyeur on a voyage of the neighborhood that reared the rapper. Joe expresses contempt for the environmental conditions yet his undying love for the ‘hood.


Memorable lines:


“And [you] know n***as is rats / Some boys is wired and the food in the supermarket is all expired / Every block is a liquor store, an abandoned building / Drunk parents at the liquor store abandoning their children.”


“If you never been, you can never know about it / System’s f***ed up, jails is overcrowded.”


“And I rate nothing above it / I know it seems odd but I hate it and I love it / Nah, I hate that I love it.”

[Cmill216]

Excellent article on Lupe, The Cool, and the difficulties his label has in finding an audience for his music. Good stuff all around, plus insights on the album and the big marketing plan for it:


The Unclassifiable Lupe Fiasco

November 27, 2007

"'LupEND' -- that's going to be my last album's title. When you play a videogame, you can only put in three letters for your name and when the game's over, those three letters and 'END' pop up. My next record might be my last one."

We're supposed to be talking with Lupe Fiasco about his sophomore album, "The Cool," due Dec. 18 via Atlantic. But instead, the Chicago rapper is already forecasting how his career will end -- he's not sure when it will happen, but it sure seems like it'll be more sooner than later.

Fiasco has never been a typical artist, and that's part of his charm. On one hand, he's a slightly defensive know-it-all; on the other, he's an endearing, introverted nerd. Hip-hop consumers either get him or they don't.

Add to the equation that during the last several years, he's collaborated with Jay-Z, Pharrell and Kanye West; scored a Reebok shoe deal before his debut album dropped; and dealt with several family deaths and the imprisonment of his co-manager.

So it's only natural that Fiasco's a bit more weathered than your average 25-year-old.


"I don't define myself by this industry's standards," says Fiasco, sporting a slim army fatigue Gortex rain hoodie, black jeans and his signature thin glasses, as he looks out the rain-beaded window of a Navigator. "I have a core fan base of about 200,000 people, so I'm fairly comfortable that I can sell 200,000 if it takes me a year-and-a-half." Clearly, Fiasco has realized that there's more to life than hip-hop and isn't shy about saying so. Still, he's got "The Cool" to promote, and Atlantic won't have an easy time marketing a concept record whose creative songs don't easily fit onto urban radio playlists.


BEFORE THE STORM

In 2005, Fiasco was bubbling underneath the hip-hop mainstream as the next MC to watch. He peppered the Internet with mixtapes long before the practice was popular, earning international fans in the process, and kept an eye on street wear marketing by performing at sneaker and clothing shows and launching his own clothing design company, Righteous Kung Fu.

Drawing on such influences as Spice 1 to 8Ball & MJG, Fiasco carved a niche with fun yet intricate lyrics over beats that leaned more backpacker than gangster.

It wasn't long before Jay-Z declared himself a fan, fellow Chicago native West added him to his single "Touch the Sky" and Pharrell hopped on Fiasco's "Kick Push Remix." A deal with Reebok's RBK line before his first album, "Food & Liquor," was even ready furthered the notion that Fiasco could be hip-hop's next breakout star.

But the album leaked several months ahead of the intended August 2006 street date, with the music spreading across the same Web sites that had previously devoured his mixtapes. Bloggers championed Fiasco's artistry, and once released on Sept. 19, 2006, "Food & Liquor" went on to sell a respectable 81,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. To date, it has shifted more than 320,000.

Songs like "Kick Push" did connect with braver radio programmers like Ebro Darden at rhythmic WQHT (Hot 97) New York. But despite a Grammy Award nomination for best rap solo performance, "Kick Push" failed to rise higher than No. 56 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. His current single, "Superstar," was No. 82 after five weeks on the Nov. 24 tally.

"We've had success with Lupe here at Hot 97, and that's why we continue to support him," Darden says. "I don't think he fits into a familiar mold that many radio programmers associate with what they think is hip-hop. They may not get Lupe because he's not a traditional rapper." Riding the line of creativity and commercial success, Fiasco almost begs the question, Why not work with big-name producers in hopes of creating a radio hit?

"It's too expensive," Fiasco says, noting that a prior Pharrell production, "I Gotcha," "didn't even do anything at radio." All of this is par for the course in the eyes of Atlantic president Craig Kallman, who sees the sales of "Food & Liquor" as a natural step toward building a new artist.

"It's been an overall sales decline in hip-hop," Kallman says. "If we can surpass his last album's sales, I'd be thrilled because I'll know that we're growing his audience." THE PLOT thickens "The Cool" will certainly separate his true fans from the onlookers. Fiasco created an interior world strung together with several mixtape songs, including "The Pills," along with variations on two songs that were also on his debut, "The Cool" and "He Say/She Say." "It's about a hustler who dies and comes back to life, only to get robbed by two little kids with the same gun that killed him," Fiasco says of the new "Cool." "I expanded that story by connecting different songs and characters in those songs." "The Pills" introduces the characters the Streets and the Game, at a funeral for the Cool, whom several other songs are related to. Each character has defining attributes: The Game has dice for eyes and blunts for arms. The Streets is a temptress with dollar signs for eyes and tattoos of ex-boyfriends like Al Capone and Alexander the Great.

Fiasco explains that the Cool "is actually the little boy from 'He Say/She Say' who grew up without a father. And the people that step in to raise him are the Streets and the Game, like how people also say, 'The streets raised me.' It's an answer to that." Before anyone gets too confused, Fiasco clarifies that the entire album doesn't adhere to the concept. Outside of the aforementioned four songs, "The Cool" is another helping of left-of-center hip-hop, often with a melodic, jazzy vibe.

In-house producers from Fiasco's 1st & 15th Records like Soundtrakk crafted the bulk of the album, although there are contributions from Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump, Snoop Dogg and UNKLE.

Songs like "Little Weapon," a tale of African child soldiers set to a deep bass and stripped-down battle drum sample, are reminders of Fiasco's socially conscious leanings ("I killed another man today/Five more and we can get a soccer ball is what my captain say," he raps).
Elsewhere, the viral single "Dumb It Down," distributed via a YouTube clip, addresses the creative predicament in which Fiasco finds himself.
"That speaks to his conundrum," Kallman says of the song. "The industry doesn't really want to step out of the norm, but Lupe still inspires risk-taking in the music. It's more challenging to market Lupe for certain, but it pushes all of us to be more creative in our approach."


BRANDING LUPE

Fiasco plans to expand the new album's characters into a Vincent Price-esque vintage radio show via a currently unspecified satellite radio company for release alongside his album. In addition, he is creating character-inspired toys and is working with Converse, Levi's, street wear brand Maharishi and Japanese clothing line Swagger to craft custom Righteous Kung Fu designs.

Each clothing line will release their pieces at different times throughout next year, to keep the brand top of mind with consumers.
Mobile is a key part of Atlantic's marketing campaign. The company has partnered with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint for ringtones and downloads, and Boost Mobile, which was an early Fiasco supporter, will prominently display stand-up advertisements for "The Cool" in 8,000 stores beginning in January.

Online, additional viral videos are planned in an attempt to capitalize on the crossover of "Dumb It Down," which became so popular on YouTube that it landed on BET and MTV. In addition, Atlantic product manager Veronica Alvericci says Fiasco might blog on a to-be-announced site for the remainder of his 22-market promo tour.

An online in-store is in the works, where Atlantic will "partner with a major retailer, who'd air the in-store across their Web sites nationally, and distribute it amongst all of their chains," Alvericci says, and MTV.com's "The Leak" initiative will begin streaming "The Cool" Dec. 11, a week ahead of street date.

TV placements include a "Monday Night Football" commitment from ESPN for "Superstar," while several other album tracks are due to be used on the sports network's Sunday program, "Ultimate Highlight." You can't blame Fiasco for having a few things other than marketing plans on his mind these days. During the last year, his father, aunt and friend Stack Bundles passed away, and his longtime friend and manager Charles "Chill" Patterson was arrested and sentenced to 44 years in prison for a 2003 drug charge.

In October, Fiasco flubbed the lyrics to A Tribe Called Quest's "Electric Relaxation" at the VH1 Hip-Hop Awards in New York, then incited an online riot by saying he wasn't that into Tribe's "Midnight Marauders" album growing up. Ironically, his fan base skews more Q-Tip than Spice 1, which Fiasco hails as his inspiration. But instead of letting the storm pass, Fiasco argued with fans, pushing the controversy onto radio and further into the blogosphere.

"Ninety percent of the people saying something about that probably downloaded my first album," Fiasco says. "Besides, the people at my shows don't care about that ****." In the same way that West has basically forced people to form an opinion about him, Fiasco is not biting his tongue. And with "The Cool" nearing release, only time well tell if his fans do indeed care.

"I don't know how to make a No. 1 record, so I don't even try," he says.

"The reason behind the whole 'The Cool' concept is because I miss my father, Stack Bundles, my auntie and Chill. I found solace in the miracle in itself and it came out in 'The Cool.' I wish the **** was true."

[knowsbleed]

I had no idea Dumb It Down was popular enough to get on BET and MTV. The video was really weak but I love the song. Superstar, I can see that getting lots of airplay...but I didn't like it as much as Dumb It Down.

Has anybody heard a leak of The Cool? Opinion?

[Cmill216]

It hasn't leaked yet, to my knowledge. The only tracks floating around right now are live snippets of "Paris, Tokyo" and "Hello Goodbye", plus the already released songs.

[chamber-music]

I had no idea Dumb It Down was popular enough to get on BET and MTV. The video was really weak but I love the song. Superstar, I can see that getting lots of airplay...but I didn't like it as much as Dumb It Down.

Has anybody heard a leak of The Cool? Opinion?

I would of thought superstar would of got some airplay.

Why is mainstream radio so afraid to play some different hip hop?

[Cmill216]

And I wouldn't even consider Superstar to be that "different". The beat's on point, and it's got a melodic hook. I think it's probably one of his better singles and videos.

[William_C]

The singles so far are pretty enjoyable. I think that Dumb it Down is the best single at the moment, Superstar, while not as abstract/different - Dumb it Down just...I find it more prominent.

[RockSP]

Why is mainstream radio so afraid to play some different hip hop?

Mainstream radio has been garbage for many years. The djs have no say anymore. Playlists of the same 3 songs over and over and over and over...

[GeoffTheArtist]

:dry: Uh well, don't post here then. :)

[knowsbleed]

And I wouldn't even consider Superstar to be that "different". The beat's on point, and it's got a melodic hook. I think it's probably one of his better singles and videos.

Its a decent song...and my wife really digs it (she doesn't "get" hip hop) so its def radio friendly. It just doesn't grab me though.

But I'm def going to be one of those 200,000 people whom Lupe predicts is going to buy The Cool.

[William_C]

Is anyone picking up Ghostface Killah's "Big Doe Rehab" and Wu-Tang's "8 Diagrams" in the following weeks?

[Cmill216]

My roommate already downloaded the leak of the Ghostface record. Haven't heard it yet.

[The Joker_1000]

Just curious: Isn't another 2Pac album coming out called "Thug"?

And has there been any word on when Em's new album drops?

[RockSP]

Just curious: Isn't another 2Pac album coming out called "Thug"?

The new one is called "Life". "Thug" was the previous one. (according to a commercial I saw...I don't f#$@ with Tupac records)

[Colossal Spoons]

Yeah, so Graduation was pretty much album of the year. Just sayin'.

American Gangster for me :up:

[William_C]

My roommate already downloaded the leak of the Ghostface record. Haven't heard it yet.

Ghostface's album is decent. I dont like it too much, but its alright. The 8 Diagrams, in my opinion has a lot more better tracks.

[Masamune]

I really wanna get Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II when it comes out.Any fans of Raekwon here?

[Colossal Spoons]

I just watched 50 Cent's "G-Unit Cribs Whatever Special" on MTV. I had no idea how much paper this dude had. Wow :eek:

[knowsbleed]

I really wanna get Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II when it comes out.Any fans of Raekwon here?

Now yo yo, whattup yo, time is runnin out
It's for real though, let's connect politic - ditto.
We could trade places, get lifted in the staircases
Word up, peace, incarcerated scarfaces.


I STILL bump that.

[dr venture]

My roommate already downloaded the leak of the Ghostface record. Haven't heard it yet.

Been listenin to it recently. Pretty good as is 8 Diagrams. I still need to listen to Scarface's Made

[dr venture]

I really wanna get Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II when it comes out.Any fans of Raekwon here?

I can't wait till this album comes. OB4CL is a classic album IMO

[William_C]

I hang glide, holding on strong hard to capture
Extravagant, RZA bake the track and its militant
Then I react like a convict and start killing ****

I know its a GFK line, but that whole album [OB4CL] is just...ugh, its so clean. It cant be touched. Everyone shines on that album

[Colossal Spoons]

Edit

[The Original Bamfer]

Edit

...

Yo.

[Colossal Spoons]

No "Yo" :cmad:

[The Original Bamfer]

Ne-Yo. :o

[knowsbleed]

you guys suck at battling.

[The Original Bamfer]

Inside Joke. Maybe if you were there. :cmad:

Yo.

[SouLeSS]

Yo.

[The Original Bamfer]

Yo, you knows it.

[SouLeSS]

lolwut

[Colossal Spoons]

Bamfer is trying to be "urban" this month lol

[knowsbleed]

Bamfer is trying to be "urban" this month lol

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/papakeelo/250px-Vincent_Willem_van_Gogh_002.jpg

[The Original Bamfer]

Bamfer is trying to be "urban" this month lol

I'm juz bein' real, yo.

[Colossal Spoons]

Clean my puke up :o

[The Original Bamfer]

You forgot, "dawg."


For shame!