B.o.B.

I've been listening to him a lot lately, particularly his mixtape. There have been two standout tracks that I have had on heavy rotate lately. He keeps with the martian theme that is so prevalent today, but does it more so in the Outkast vein than the Lil' Wayne 'I'm on every drug known to man and am in my own world' vein. He is after all from Atlanta, and I'm a sucker for that southern drawl. Here's the mixtape in it's entirety. 

First we have this song 'Generation Lost'. I love the flow on this song and it goes well with the beat. 

B.o.B.- Generation Lost

This song is with the current King of the South T.I. 

B.o.B. I'm That N...a

New York City

In honor of my upcoming trip to NYC I created a nice playlist full of hip-hop from the city that never sleeps. However, as I realized how extensive my playlist had become I started to break it down into a playlist for each borough. So I thought I'd give you my top 5 songs from each borough (minus Manhattan). Let's start it out with the birthplace, the Bronx. 

Bronx- Home of the Yankees, but more importantly the birthplace of hip-hop. Just leave it at that. 

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five- The Message

KRS-One- The Bridge Is Over

Afrika Bambaataa- Planet Rock

Big Pun- Beware

Dr. Octagon- Earth People

Brooklyn- The hardest borough to pick 5 from. I'll limit myself and try to do some things a little off the map. 

Notorious B.I.G.- Juicy 

Jay-Z- U Don't Know

Ol' Dirty Bastard- Shimmy Shimmy Ya

Jeru the Damaja- My Mind Spray

Big Daddy Kane-Ain't No Half Steppin' 

Harlem- Not being a fan of Dipset lately, I had to reach back for some stuff from this borough. 

Kurtis Blow- The Breaks

Biz Markie- Biz Is Goin' Off

Big L- Put It On

Cam'ron- Harlem Streets

Mase- Feel So Good

Queens- A very underrated borough. While there are certainly better Run and Nas songs, these two I've been feeling lately. 

A Tribe Called Quest- Check the Rhyme

Nas- Nas Is Like

Run D.M.C.- Down With The King

Mobb Deep- Survival of the Fittest

LL Cool J- Mama Said Knock You Out

Long Island-  I never realized two of hip-hop's most influential group were from Long Island. 

Erik B. and Rakim- Paid In Full

Public Enemy- Don't Believe The Hype

Busta Rhymes- Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See

De La Soul- Wonce Again Long Island

MF Doom- ?

Staten Island- Wu-Tang dominated.

Wu-Tang Clan- C.R.E.A.M.

Raekwon- Ice Cream

Ghostface Killah- The Champ

Method Man and Redman- Da Rockwilder

Ghostface Killah- Cherchez LaGhost

Brooklyn Go Hard

New Jay-Z, and if that wasn't enough, Kanye West produced. This song is reminiscent of Swagger Like Us as Kanye calls on a Santogold sample, who is more and more appearing as an M.I.A. All she needs to do know is be pregnant in a couple years and their career paths may be completely the same. 

While Jay-Z adopts some what of a Jamaican accent/Lil' Wayne flow on the first verse, the second is classic Jay. 

I father I Brooklyn Dodger them I jack I rob I sin

Aw man I'm Jackie Robinson

Except when I run base I dodge the pen

Lucky me luckily they didn't get me

Now when I bring the Nets I'm the black Branch Ricky

Jay-Z- Brooklyn Go Hard

But anyways, this track will be featured on the Notorious soundtrack, which is reportedly supposed to be a good film. From what I've heard, the man that plays Biggie does a fine job. Check the trailer here. 

The Knux

In case you haven't heard, hipster rap is all evil embodied for the hip hop purist. The main source of disdain is the Cool Kids, but other acts have drawn ire. Entire the Knux, a hip hop duo originally from New Orleans. They bring a different type of style that is increasingly influenced by indie rock as well as hip hop. They even claim to not see themselves as hip hop artists, as it focuses too much on lyricism and not production. If I've peaked your interest, check this article from complex for more from The Knux, as well as other up and coming artists. 

The Knux- Fire

You can definitely here that indie rock influence on this one. 

The Knux- Bang Bang

But on this one they keep that Outkast flow. 

The Knux- Cappuccino (Remix)

Heartless

I've been waiting on this one, and it has been released, all mastered and everything. I was a little worried when I heard the snippet, Kanye's lyrics and flow seemed empty and delivered with no passion which seemed to go against an album titled 808's and Heartbreak but Kanye picks it up and plays off the first couple of verses really well around the 2 minute mark. 

Kanye West- Heartless 

The Golden Hour

14KT, from the mighty Athletic Mic League out of Ann Arbor, dropped his LP The Golden Hour today. I have yet to pick it up, I'm hoping I will be able tomorrow, but for now he's a one more track off the newly released album. Titled 'The Night', it has that relaxed evening vibe. 

14KT- The Night

Wale x Skyzoo

A nice track serviced with Wale and Skyzoo. And yes Wale mentions mitochondria on this track, which just shows the uniqueness of the Ambassador for the Capital. What makes this track crazy is Wale and Skyzoo set up a timer for 5 minutes to see what they could come up with, and this was the result.  This track is off a rumored mixtape that Wale is doing with 9th Wonder, titled Back to the Feature. Be on the look out!

I was underground but wasn't tryin' to renew the lease. 

Wale ft. Skyzoo- 5 minutes 

And for good measure, here is Skyzoo doing his thing over the J Dilla 'Only One Can Win' beat. Nothing like those smooth Dilla beats. 

Skyzoo- Only One Can Win

Boys Remixes

There have been a lot of 'Paper Planes' remixes popping up from all corners of rap, and it has been tired for a while. So I was relieved when Jay-Z came out with a nice remix of M.I.A.'s first single of Kala, 'Boys'. And Wale followed suit with a nice remix of his own. 

Wale's remix is a more conventional one as he dominates the track. But his flow sounds so good over this beat and he just kills it. Jay-Z however engages in more of a duet of sorts with M.I.A and goes even further into this political tip he's been on lately. 

Wale- Boys (Remix)

Jay-Z/M.I.A.- Boys (Remix)

Hollertronix #9

This bangs so HARD! For those who don't know, Hollertronix, under Diplo's Mad Decent label, has been releasing a series of EP's and this is the last installment. While #8 was with DJ Sega, Diplo does a nice job on this with Buraka Som Sistema out of Lisbon who push that Angolan dance that is so infectious. If you don't know exactly what Angolan dance is, no frettin' I don't either. 

But that's why I respect Diplo and the Mad Decent label, they have always introduced me to new stuff, and this EP is no different. 

Catch Diplo in Detroit on the 22nd! Ya its a weekday, but coming from a person who's seen him a couple times, its worth being completely useless for whatever you may be doing that Thursday. You know this A Milli remix is coming out, it's going to be nuts. 

Hollertronix- Um Milhao

Remember how crazy that Fisherspooner track 'Emerge' was? Another banger. 

Hollertronix- Africa Emerge

Here's the EP for your enjoyment. 

Hollertronix #9 EP

Love Lockdown Video

Everything about this is surprising. From the video debuting on Ellen, to the music video itself, I don't know what's going on. There is Kanye dressed up like a cocaine cowboy in Miami during the 1980's as well as some African tribe or something with technicolor women. But out of respect for Kanye, I'm not discounting it yet. I still love this track though. 

By the way Kanye's new album 808's and Heartbreak is rumored for a late November release. 

Jay Z in the D

As reported last night, I had the privilege of seeing Jay Z give a free concert at Cobo Hall in Detroit. Cobo was packed with an interesting mix of people, as Carrie Underwood was performing at Joe Louis next door. Hova and Miss Underwood don't exactly share audiences, so walking down the corridor was interesting. While the Carrie Underwood fans had cowboy hats the Jay-Z crowd included a guy wearing a shirt with Obama dunking on McCain and a whole lot of Nikes. Shirt by undercrwn if you want to go find it. 

Thanks to getting there early, I was able to get good seats as it was general admission. The entire duration the DJ was playing before the best rapper alive came out I kept thinking to myself how much  Jay Z would normally charge for the seats I sat in. 

When he finally came out to the chants of Ho-Va Ho-Va you could tell that despite the free show he was going to bring it. And bring it he did. From then  chants of O-Ba-Ma were mixed in with HO-VA. 

Get Yo Diamonds Up!

Speaking of Jay Z, a nice little mix just popped up with his name on it. For all of you that thought the Ron Brown song Pop Champagne was all fun until Jim Jones came in, Mick Boogie has come up with a solution for you. He threw some old verses from Jay-Z (Come On Baby with Saigon) and Nas (Nas' Angels...The Flyest) on it, and voila, Jim Jones is gone. 

Ron Brown ft. Jay-Z, Nas- Pop Champagne (Mick Boogie Mix)

My City

A great song from three up and coming artists: Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli, and Esso. An ode to everything New York. I found this fitting after spending my night attending a free Jay-Z concert in Detroit sponsored by none other than Barack Obama. A beautiful night of throwing the diamond up and HOVA and Obama chants. Got to love being a swing state. And yes it was epic. 

New York Stand Up!

Skyzoo ft. Sha Stimuli, Esso- My City

Willie the Kid

Normally, when people think Michigan hip hop, they think Detroit. Rightfully so, Detroit has a rich musical history. But this young MC by the name of Willie the Kid, out of Grand Rapids, has been making noise on the west side of the state. 

Willie has started to garner attention since he hooked up with DJ Drama and Don Cannon while attending college in Atlanta. Since he's worked with big names as well including Bun B. Poverty is a clear influence for Willie B, but not in the gangsta rap sense. He claims to not prescribe to the theory that a rapper must 'be hard'. But he also can't be categorized as an intellectual or conscious rapper despite being a recent college grad. 

As a Michigan MC from Grand Rapids who hooked up with the ATL scene, he is certainly outside of the norm, and this uniqueness applies to his music as well. 

Willie the Kid- Pressure

Willie the Kid- Long Live the Prince

My Opinion

A very common 'opinion' in hip hop these days is that radio rap is whack. From Nas claiming he will 'roll to every station murder the DJ' on Hip Hop Is Dead to Ice T trashing Soulja Boy, there is a certain negative aspect that comes with selling out in hip hop that is different than other genres. While other artists avoid commercials, movies and endorsements, rap stars take them head on with little question to their credibility. But the second an artist makes a song that is a commercial hit, it's artistic integrity is questioned, and this is something that goes across all genres, but is incredibly prevalent in hip hop. 

Enter the song that attacks radio rap. These songs are a dime a dozen,  and often become as tired as the songs they attempt to attack. But the difference with this one is it has a beautiful DJ Babu beat to go with it. Rhymes by Bishop Lamont. 

DJ Babu ft. Bishop Lamont- My Opinion

Paris, Tokyo Remixes

Admittedly late on this one, but in case you haven't gotten your hands on these two remixes of Lupe Fiasco's super smooth jam Paris, Tokyo, well here we go. First we have the traditional remix with verses contributed by Pharrell, Q-Tip, and Sarah Green. Pharrell's lyricism is often found wanting, but his jazzy flow is perfect for this beat and he does a decent job. Lupe does a nice job closing this out too with a fresh, more upbeat, flow. 

If you rep the Midwest get a passport.

If you from Detroit get a passport. 

If you from Chi-Town get a passport.

So you can see the world. 

Lupe Fiasco ft. Pharrell, Q-Tip, Sarah Green- Paris, Tokyo Remix

Speaking of jazzy flows, there is a jazz remix of this song and it sounds good. So sophisticated. Listen to it wearing your Sunday best and sipping martinis. 

Lupe Fiasco ft. Chris & Denise Paultre

A Trillion

In spirit of the debates last night, I thought it would be appropriate to throw up a political track dealing with the current financial situation. This song is from Rebel Diaz as he tears into the financial bailout. Turns out, a lot of people don't like billionaires getting bailouts from Uncle Sam. Track Below. 

Is that really.....9 zero's? 

Nah homie it's 12. 

Rebel Diaz- A Trillion

Elzhi

More Detroit hip hop, this time from a member of legendary Detroit rap group Slum Village. Elzhi just released his new album titled The Preface and it took me a while to get my hands on it, but it doesn't disappoint. I love Detroit hip hop, it's so raw and Black Milk provides those Detroit beats on this album that sound so unique. The sound oozes out of your speakers, it doesn't sound sexy and it isn't in the typical sense, but Detroit isn't sexy so it fits perfect. 

Here's the album for download. 

And a few tracks. 

Elzhi- Colors

Elzhi- Guessing Game

Guilty Pleasures

Lately, there have been a couple songs that have drawn my attention that I normally wouldn't listen to, but for some reason that have found there way into my headphones lately. 

This first song is combines DJ Khaled with autotone, two of the most despised things in modern hip hop these days. I want to make it clear I like this song DESPITE Khaled, not because of him. But autotone I can tolerate, and this is autotone madness as Kanye and T-Pain combine for a song that uses it to death. I love Kanye's closing line though, which is why it's receiving play. 

Imma tell you like George Bush told me

Fuck ya'll ni**as I'm outta here. 

DJ Khaled, Kanye West, T-Pain- Go Hard

The next one I like for the beat, which is provided by Bangladesh, the man who brought you amilliamilliamilliamilliamillamillamillamilli, thats the Weezy song A Milli if you didn't get it. I'm conflicted about this song though, because while I love Busta, Officer Rawse has never really appealed to me besides the monster single from a couple years ago 'Hustlin' But the beat in this song is crazy. The bass dropping during Busta's verse makes this track worth a listen on its own. 

Bangladesh ft. Rick Ross & Busta Rhymes- Girls Love Me

On Top of the World

T.I.'s new album Paper Trail is rapidly approaching as it gets set to release 9/30, and you know what that means. Leaks of course. Apparently the whole album has leaked but me being the respectable music fan I am have refused to download it. Check out Luda's verse in this song. Ludacris is so underrated in todays hip hop scene. He has been so consistent but Wayne and T.I. get all the respect in the south and Luda is too often forgotten. You can't ignore him on this though as he beats T.I. on his own track. 

T.I. ft. Ludacris B.O.B.- On Top of the World

Love Lockdown Version 3.0

Usually I wouldn't be post more than once on the same track, but I'm making an exception for the drama that has surrounded Kanye's new single 'Love Lockdown' since it was debuted at the VMA's. First there was the live version, then the disappointing studio version, but now a new version has been released fresh with re-recorded vocals, which is a good thing because Kanye sounded like he was running a marathon in the previous recording. Don't expect Kanye to get of the aututone though, as he declared his love for it when he posted this song on his blog. 

So here it is, and it's much better. 

Kanye West- Love Lockdown

Copious Cool Kids

 
Ah the beauties of office internet. Normally it's a struggle to get the internet at my hostel to work long enough to squeeze one track in, but here at the glorious Berkeley Labs I breeze through uploading multiple tracks with ease, which is a good thing considering all the Cool Kids content of late. So much from the Chicago duo lately I can't keep up. All of this has been backing up, I apologize, but you have enough here to almost make a new Cool Kids mixtape. Plus a video for the debut single 'Delivery Man' off their upcoming album. Most of this stuff is unreleased, but still good. Should be familiar with these two so let's get to it. 

I'm a breath of fresh air with a pair of fresh dunks. 

The Cool Kids- Fresher Than You

The Cool Kids-Wasting Time

The Cool Kids- Track 7

The Cool Kids- Track 10

The Cool Kids- Gold Chain

'Delivery Man' Video

Universal Mind Control

I don't know how I didn't post this song earlier, but it has been dominating my Ipod for the entirety of this SF trip. Common once again teams up with Pharrell, but thankfully the original skateboard P doesn't get his own verse and thank the Lord his verse in 'Announcement' was an abomination. But this song bangs harder than most Common tracks and clearly shows that he is sick of the damning 'conscious rapper' tag. Clearly a dance track, it reminds me a lot of Afrika Bambaataa's 'Looking for the Perfect Beat'. A classic from the almighty Zulu Nation.

Common ft. Pharrell- Universal Mind Control 

Oh and here's a snippet of the video for the song, directed by Hype Williams. This video looks like it's going to be nuts. 

Black Milk

A great Detroit producer. He just released a mixtape of instrumentals that he put together that are pretty nice. Definitely good stuff with a relaxed vibe to it. I've been listening to it as I stroll the San Francisco streets at night. I'll throw up a track off that and another for good measure off his latest album titled Popular Demand. 

Black Milk- Purple Track 3

Black Milk ft. Guilty Simpson- Sound the Alarm

Breakdown

A refix of Wale's 'Breakdown' which was originally on the 100 Miles and Running mixtape a couple years ago, but I like this one more. DJ Infamous adds some real nice horns to give the track a celebratory feel but keeps the go-go drums. Plus Wale even mentions hyphy which coincides with my current residence. If I had dreads, I'd shake em, but the only white people with dreads are hippies and that just isn't me. 

Wale- Breakdown (DJ Infamous Refix)

Love Lockdown

This one definitely made my day/week. The new single that Kanye performed at the VMA's has been released and there have been rumors floating around this song all week so I was happy it came sooner rather than later. I was about to cave in and start listening to the live version, but I come back from lunch and am finally rewarded for my diligence for checking every hour. 

However, I do not think this is the cut that will actually be on whatever record, whether it's Good Ass Job or 808's and Heartbreak, Kanye is planning to release in December (I'm still hoping for Good Ass Job). The chorus sounds a little strange and it isn't the best recording in the world, but I think Kanye was in a hurry to capitalize on all the hype from the VMA's and him being the smart individual that he is hurried and put it out. It's still a definite jam though, and I'll probably give it multiple spins on my commute back to SF this evening. 

Kanye West- Love Lockdown

Weezy's Back

Not that he ever really left. He has still been putting out new/unreleased stuff like he never released The Carter III at all. Weezy has been all over the place this summer, whether it's blasting out of every radio in the city or every Ipod in the suburbs, you can't escape him. 

With that said, I needed a break from Weezy and I haven't listened to him much this summer, all this hype around him was just too overwhelming. But this remix has brought me out of hibernation. 

A Milli has probably been the most prominent track this summer, which surprised me cause when I first heard it I didn't think it would blow up like this, I thought it was a little to inaccessible, but shows what I know. 

Here's the remix as a DJ by Toy Selektah arranges it enough to change the feel but not the nature of the song. It's sped up a little and has some nice drums added to give it a more rhythmic feel, but it's still grimey like the original. 

Lil' Wayne (Toy Selektah Refix)- A Milli

Yancey Boys

As in J Dilla and his younger brother who goes by Illa J. Now yes Dilla has passed (R.I.P.), but that isn't stopping his little brother from using some of his beats, and they are family so I don't think this is going to turn into some Tupac type of thing where Dilla sells more after he's dead and then gets ripped apart by some crappy Blender article, but that's another story. 

On this one Illa J flows with fellow Detroit MC and friend of J Dilla, Guilty Simpson. 

Illa J ft. Guilty Simpson- R U Listening 

Illa J- We Here

Kanye and Wayne at VMA's

Both turned in very good performances, but without question the most anticipated was Kanye as he debuted a new track, which was enough to make this day a great one for me. But beyond this, the song titled Love Lockdown is set to be released within 24 hours, and I won't lie I'm checking Itunes about every 30 minutes hoping to catch it before I go to sleep. It's doubtful, but it's slated to be released Monday, so be on the look out!

Oh and how dope is Kanye? I have to say I didn't expect a track like this and I wasn't feeling it at first, but I've given it a few more listens. The only thing is I'm getting real sick of that autotone, but I have to wait to here the CDQ to get a good feel. 

Speaking of autotone, here T-Pain came out with Lil' Wayne. T-Pain did next to nothing, and Wayne delivered what seems like it was a dope energy filled few tracks despite his pants all the way off his ass the entire time. In Flint you get locked up over that. At least he wasn't rocking that top hat and sunglasses like T-Pain who for all intensive purposes was simply there for the name. 

Mikkey Halsted

Mikkey is an up and coming Chicago MC who I have heard pretty good things about. This mixtape has been a long time coming, and Mikkey has a nice little niche in the Chicago rap scene. No disrespect to Kanye, Common, or Lupe, but they are giants and there is something about the little guy that appeals to hip hop. Mikkey finds a nice spot and doesn't disappoint with this mixtape. It's not as poppy as Kanye and not as intellectual as Lupe and Common, but it's not simple rap either. Here's the mixtape in its entirety. 

Mikkey Halsted- My Life

Mikkey Halsted ft. Kanye & Common- Corner (Remix)

Ypsilanti

Yeah that's right, Ypsilanti. Few outside of MI probably know of this place, much less know how to pronounce it, but for now when I think of that strangely titled town between Ann Arbor and Detroit I think of 14KT's song with the same namesake.

14KT is a member of the Athletic Mic League, which hails from Ann Arbor, and this song is a nice little summer beat. Perfect for rollin' through the streets of Ypsilanti as the vocals crooning the cities name in a way that somehow manages to sound smooth comes in around half way through. 

Now you all know how to pronounce it too. 

14KT- Ypsilanti

The Recession

Young Jeezy's The Recession dropped yesterday and I was sure to go pick it up after work. I realized from the first time I played it that this wasn't the same Jeezy record as the past two. As a lot of rappers tend to do, he turns to a much more introspective point of view instead of reporting his environment, which if you haven't listened to Jeezy's two previous albums, has a lot to do with selling crack. 

But here Jeezy moves to addressing political issues with songs like 'My President', but he still has that drug rap mixed in which makes this album have a very unique feel. Don't worry the ad libs and synthetic beats that brought Jeezy to this point are still there in full. 

Considering I am kind of on vacation, I'll throw this up. 

Young Jeezy- Vacation

Can't Forget the D

Even though I'm out here on the west coast, don't think I've forgot about the gulliest state of all time.  What city represents said state? Detroit of course. And no one reps Detroit harder than Guilty Simpson, and in his new track titled 'Michigan Nights' he reps Detroit to the fullest. It's a track that I've been listening to a lot but it seems out of place as I walk around warm and sunny San Francisco. The chorus of 'Michigan nights I snuggle with heat' just doesn't seem appropriate in warm and friendly San Francisco. 

Guilty Simpson- Michigan Nights

SF

I have arrived in San Francisco where I will make it my home for over 2 weeks. It is a strange place that is not like the Midwest. All I will say is that when I asked the person who was at the front desk of my hostel if I could lock my luggage/clothes somewhere, they looked at me like I was crazy. Apparently theft does not exist here and it is a magical wonderland. I guess that forgot about Oakland. 

But anyways one of the things I think about a lot before I start a trip is not only what sneakers to take along, but also what song to listen to as I step off the plane and into a new city. I didn't want to be cliche and listen to 'Going Back to Cali' by Biggie, plus I had never really been to Cali. 

I also didn't want to listen to 'California Love' by Tupac, so played out. 

So I settled on a couple different things to incorporate my love of the Oakland's beautiful hip hop subgenre that is all about ghostriding and going dumb: Hyphy of course. 

So I decided to go with a new song from Stunnaman of the Pack. Now sure the song is lacking in lyrics, but the beat was perfect to step off the plane to and to emerge from the subway into downtown SF. 

Stunnaman- Picture Me Rollin'

Chi Town Videos

I have a couple of them to share, old and new. This first one is Common and Pharell in a new track titled Announcement. A lot of people criticize Common for several different reasons. Some hate him for being a 'conscious rapper', some hate him for the commercials he's done and claim he's sold out, and some claim he's just not that good. But this is the man that made the track I Used to Love H.E.R. which is still one of my favorite hip hop songs ever, and this song is hot so stop hatin'!

Second we have Kanye with another dope video, this time for the introductory track from Graduation titled 'Good Morning'. This video was released last year but the quality was so poor and since this video is so strong it deserves proper fanfare. 

How many rappers would even think of hiring a contemporary Japanese pop artist like Takashi Murakami to do their album cover, much less a video? That's what makes Kanye such a creative figure in the modern hip hop landscape. He is an innovator and this video is evidence.

Kicks

More Wale, albeit not new Wale so don't get too excited. This is off the Hate is the New Love mixtape which is a couple of years old but I have been listening to this song a lot recently. Maybe this is due to the fact that I went to a midnight release to get the Jordan 5/18 Pack last Friday or maybe it's my love for sneakers and freshness in general. 

 Either way Wale brings his usual style, which is itself incredibly fresh as he claims early on the track that he "...stunts easier than Mark Price free throws. How can you disagree with those Grape Jordan V's he's rocking in the pic. Songs like this have caused Wale to be characterized as 'hipster rap', which just like hipsters brings very negative connotations. But I resent the characterization, just listen to Mixtape About Nothing, there is more to Wale than the deplorable hipster who AdBusters credits with bringing an end to Western civilization as we know it. 

Wale- Kicks

My President Sold Crack

What a beautifully blunt remix of Young Jeezy's My President Is Black. The song entails BK Cyph laying into Ronald Reagan, and other recent American leaders, for about 4 minutes as he points out the ludicrous nature of the whole Iran-Contra affair coupled with the war on drugs. If you don't know about this the Reagan administration took money it made from selling arms to Iran and put it into funding an anti-communist group in Nicaragua, who made the rest of their money from drug trafficing, and you can guess where a good portion of those drugs went as the crack epidemic was exploding in America. During Reagan's hellish two terms he managed to simultaneously fund the drug trade with his actions, yet at the same time vilified drug dealers in the ghetto and made them the source of all America's problems with the War on Drugs. And people still wonder why we lost the war on drugs. And people still look up to Ronald Reagan! 

BK Cyph- My President Sold Crack

Pop Music

This is the image that most people associate with pop music, or at least something similar. For most it is a hellish creation that no matter how hard we try to escape it always somehow finds a way to our my musically attune ears and it kills us to hear it. 

It's true, the current pop music scene is deplorable. When bands groomed by Disney like Hannah Montana and others fill arenas with young adolescents who somehow manage to get their hands on tickets that are well out of my price range. I freaked out when I paid $40 to go see Nas this Friday, but these shows for Hannah Montana and the likes are selling out in minutes, and if you missed the slim chance on ticketmaster, you were forced to pay prices that reached triple digits. Insanity!

But pop music isn't all bad, and here are a few tracks I've been feeling recently. They aren't going to change the world in any way, pop music rarely does, and these songs will be soon collecting dust on my hard drive in a month. Part of this is due to the fact that very soon these songs will be everywhere from blasting out of every college party and bar to my sisters speakers. But there is some guilty pleasure I have always derived from pop tunes, but lately I've come to peace with these guilty pleasures. Music is supposed to be fun, and all of these songs I've enjoyed in one instance or another recently. 

A couple of T.I. tracks with good features. The first is a track he did featuring The Dream, who is all over everything these days with that spacey sound that makes it perfect for summer. The chorus is so cheesy it's enjoyable, another trademark of pop music. 

T.I. ft. The Dream- Like I Do

This one is with T.I. and Rihanna. Anyone who tells you they didn't like Umbrella is lying, and the same goes for Justin Timberlake's My Love which came out a few years ago, which coincidentally featured T.I. who seems to have a great ability to mold his street style (he is awaiting trial that could land him in prison) into something that fits very well into a pop song. This track is perfect evidence of this as the beat is more flowery than what T.I. usually tackles but the flow works and the wordplay is decent. 

And I'd rather listen to Rihanna on the hook than T-Pain at this point, who seems to be the only other viable option in this day and age. 

T.I. Ft. Rihanna- Livin' Your Life

This last one I really like. Futurecop, who I hadn't heard of until I stumbled upon this mix that remixes Ciara's One Two Step. The result, as you may have guessed, is pop magic meant for the late summer nights rollin' through your city. 

Futurecop/Ciara- 1, 2 Step

Flosstradamus

Flosstradamus just did a mix for Diplo's Mad Decent Podcast, which you should get on if you aren't subscribed to it. Podcasts are a beautiful invention which delivers you free music on a reliable basis without the endless searching and frustrations of sound quality, but I digress. 

If you don't know about Flosstradamus they are a DJ duo out of Chicago, although one member has roots in Kalamazoo (the one on the phone). They have been steady putting out good stuff including a song that was released a couple years ago that I still listen to on beautiful summer nights, Overnight Star. A song sticking in my rotation for such a prolonged period is no easy feat, so if you haven't heard it give it a listen and I promise you won't be disappointed. 

This new mix was created as a recent history of Chicago House/ Ghettotech music. I'm a huge fan of Chicago house but Ghettotech brings rise to mixed feelings. This mix is very sexual, and I'm not talking about boy band or pop music sexual, I'm talking Spank Rock/you might need to shower after cause you feel dirty sexual. But dancing is a very sexual activity, so I can't judge. All I can do is turn it up and start moving to the beat, which is what I recommend for all. Don't listen to this sitting at your desk. 

Flosstradamus- Mad Decent Mix

Swagger Like Us

 Usually I don't like songs with more than 2 or 3 rappers contributing a verse, but I think all can make an exception for this one. This song reads like a who's who in hip hop, and beyond that it samples M.I.A.'s super jam from last summer, Paper Planes of course, for the hook. What else do you need? No introduction needed, you can recognize who's on this track from the second they open their mouth.

All I will say is this is my jam for the remainder of the summer, and probably the fall as well. 

T.I., Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil' Wayne- Swagger Like Us (S.L.U.)

Fireworks at Lake Michigan

So this isn't new whatsoever, but  Young Berg resurrected this for me with his comments about how Kanye isn't hood enough.  Apparently, the other big Chi-Town MC's like Lupe and Common aren't hood enough either, but remember this is the dude that made The Business. I mean after watching that video can he honestly comment on who's hood and who's not? This is more R&B Jam than hood banger (besides the song just isn't good). And it's not like he's talking about up and comers with these comments. Kanye>>>>>>>>>Young Berg. 

We Bring it To Em Like Usain Bolt

This song actually has very little to do about the fastest man alive, but the song does feature Wale as well as about a million others in a feature heavy song which I usually am not interested in simply because it's difficult to get so many different verses from so many different people with so many different styles to form a song that is cohesive. 

But I love Wale so whatever. 

Wale ft. Young Chris, Freeway, Beanie Sigel- Cyphr

The Wire

I've been watching the last season of The Wire on my computer obsessively over the last couple days, so it's about time I post something from the mixtape by Sha Stimuli that was inspired by the Wire. I love watching these last episodes, but I keep telling myself to slow down because once I'm finished with this season there will be nothing new and I may actually have to do something academic again. Mixtape available for free here. 

Anyways, here are a couple songs. This first one is featuring Skyzoo, another BK favorite. 

Sha Stimuli- Cop & Go

This other one is more laid back and introspective. I love it when Sha accelerates the flow but manages to keep his words clear. 

Sha Stimuli- What I'm Gonna Do

My President Is Black

More Jeezy from the upcoming Recession with Nas contributing a verse. If the last few songs I've heard from Jeezy are any indication, this album is going to be way more political than people think. This song joins the other Obama rap songs that have been created in the past few months, but what sets it apart is that this is Young Jeezy. Most Obama songs are by the much maligned 'conscience rapper'.But Jeezy is the man that made Trap Star (T-R-A-P-S-T-R) and My Hood, both songs that I loved when they came out.  By the way, Recession comes out September 2nd and the anticipation builds for me with each new track.

Young Jeezy ft. Nas- My President Is Black

More Rhymefest

I know I've been posting a ton of stuff from him lately, but all these songs that are finding the light of day are so solid that they must be shared. Before all these songs leaked and his Man in the Mirror mixtape I was a fan of Rhymefest, but with his recent (and not so recent) work I have come to view him in even higher esteem. 

This song is a fine example of that. This is off an old EP titled Raw Dawg. A few tracks from this have been released and I think this one is the strongest. I can't imagine a better flow for this song as Rhymefest works the beat with ease and makes the whole song so smooth.

Rhymefest- In Time 

Pennies

The first single off the 'Cool Kids' upcoming album titled 'When Fish Ride Bicycles'. It's just what you'd expect from the Cool Kids as the beat is laid back with heavy bass and a Chuck Inglish verse that is chock full of Pistons references. 

Auburn Hills, Michigan home of the Palace

The place on the map where Isaiah beat Magic

Throwin' elbows makin' Rick Mahorn habits

With the 8 9 Bad Boy hammer on my cap

Cool Kids- Pennies

Birds and the Bees

This one made my weekend. Rumors have been floating around for a while about this Lupe Fiasco track that was produced by Kanye, and it has been liberated. Apparently this is off some old CD full of unheard Kanye beats which in the modern day is practically the Holy Grail to a hip hop fan. Anyways here it is. 

Lupe Fiasco- Birds and the Bees

High Fashion Music

This summer both Justice and Daft Punk made 15 minute mixes for some big name designers. Daft Punk made a mix for Louis Vuitton and Justice hooked up with Dior. Both of these groups are French, so I guess it makes sense that they would do something like this, but I always thought of Justice as an electronic duo with a much more cryptic sound. Daft Punk seems like the more natural fit, and I personally like their mix better. 

No disrespect to Justice, but Daft Punk have been around the block more than a few times while Justice has only been together roughly 3 years. If you like Kanye's 'Stronger' this mix is dominated by the Daft Punk song Kanye sampled 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger', and a little Kanye is even thrown in. How huge did Kanye make this song? Before 'Stronger' it was popular but no were near where it is today. This mix is crazy.

Daft Punk- Louis Vuitton Mix

This one is typical Justice, which means its great. It's darker than the Daft Punk mix and doesn't have any Kanye samples. But in many ways Justice is the next in line of great European electronic music duos, right behind Daft Punk, so check it out. 

Justice- Dior Mix

It's Louis Vuitton Don Night

So we gonna do everything that Kan like!

First the video for 'Champion', which I have to say is one of my favorite songs off 'Graduation', and that album is full of tracks that have dominated my speakers at some point. But on a serious note if I see one more person rockin' the cheap version of those Kanye shades I'm going to snap them in half. Stop jockin' Kanye!

This first track is apparently the song that got Kanye noticed by Dame Dash in terms of rapping and eventually lead to him being signed by the Roc. It's crazy to think of how creative Kanye is sometimes. Not only did he create some of Jay-Z's greatest beats like 'H to the Izzo' but he also has gone on to become one of the most successful rappers in the world. And he isn't going to stop as he is rumored to produce Blueprint 3 with his mentor No I.D. 

Kanye West-Wow

This track is one Kanye did with Rhymefest when Fest was still an aspiring Chicago MC and not yet the Chi-Town version of King Kong. I'm more of a fan of Rhymefest's newer stuff but this shows his progression so well. I'm not saying this song is weak, but my preference is for the politically charged Fest, but the menacing flow and passion is still there.

Kanye West & Rhymefest- On 10 in a Benz

Chi-Town's version of King Kong

In case you didn't know, it's Rhymefest. Apparently Rhymefest has answered complaints of fans like Prometheus.

This is some of the new stuff from Rhymefest, the first video from El Che. Track below. 

Rhymefest- Stolen

Here are a couple tracks that have come out recently. This first one is so much like Dynomite off 'Blue Collar', which isn't a bad thing. 

Rhymefest- In Between

This one was produced by DJ Jazzy Jeff. 

Rhymefest- Force of Nature

Jockin' Jay-Z

I posted about this last week, but the CD quality track was put out tonight. For starters, it doesn't sound like garbage cause it wasn't recorded live at the Garden and Jay-Z adds an extra verse to start off the song. Blueprint 3 is going to be crazy. Rumors are going around that Kanye will produce the whole thing, old school shit! 

Jay-Z- Jockin' Jay-Z

This Kid Is The Future

Ok, Lupe isn't a kid, but he is the future (and the past and the present). This one is unreleased, and I think the title of this song is the reason it is unreleased, it would destroy his image! But I love it, Lupe's flow is sick in this one. 

Lupe Fiasco- Gangster Up In Here

Theo

Coming out of none other than Providence, Rhode Island, not exactly a hip hop hotbed, but this dude is good. Theo just dropped a free mixtape titled 'The Birth'. Plus Theo raps over some crazy tracks on this mixtape and can adopt a few different flows to match them. Plus he pays homage to the late great J Dilla with a track titled 'Dillagence' which uses a Dilla beat. Download this mixtape for free here. 

Here takes on a bit of a quicker flow as he raps over Annie Lennox. I love this beat!

Theo- There's Meaning 

 

 I have to throw up this 'Paper Planes' remix for those who don't have it, also involving Annie Lennox.

DJ B. Cause- Annie Lennox+Paper Planes

You know I love Dilla, so I'll throw this track up. A Dilla beat automatically makes any flow/verse better. 

Theo- Dillagence