October 2oth is shaping up to be one of the best days of my life(jk) with The Roots AND Royce’s album dropping on the same day. Let me know make this point very clear. THIS is how you rap.
Suck my gun cock!!!!
October 20th
Reply
Monthly Archives: September 2009
The Roots How I Got Over
It’s been a good week for music so far. Ras Kass, Me, Canibus and now The Roots drop the video for their lead single, How I Got Over. I saw the preview a few days ago and it looked very dope and as I suspected, the video is ill. It’s really clean footage. The song is the shit too. Their album is supposed to drop October 20th so make sure you stay tuned for that. I need some new Roots music in my life.
The Undergods
To the surprise of many, two veteran emcees linked up to form a group call The Undergods. Canibus and Keith Murray, who have been very quiet as of lately, took a page from Slaughterhouse’s book and teamed up to form a super group. They drop an EP yesterday to give the world a taste of what they are coming with. This whole project caught me offguard but I was pretty anxious to hear it. I got a copy last night and listened to it this morning. I am a fan of both cats especially Canibus but this project feels a little rushed. The production’s not bad but most of the hooks are just wack. Having said that, the rhymes are on point and Canibus is a monster. I don’t really like the dynamic of these two cats together but they don’t sound terrible together. I just think their styles are way too different to make a solid group. I think Slaughterhouse as a group is a little tighter but even those cats sounds a little off on a whole album together. I will definitely be looking forward to the album dropping next year to see if they can actually make it work. I definitely think people should check out the EP but I wouldn’t expect more than some dope ass rhymes. The first track and the last track are the highlights for me. There are a couple surfacing trends in hip hop right now, one being sequels and the other being supergroups and neither seem to work out very well. Check out The Undergods joint featuring Crooked I, Die Big Time and 129.
It’s dope to hear Erick Sermon doing his thing on the production tip. His joint on Raekwon’s album is ill too.
Sucka MCs Remix featuring Tona and Adullessence
Photo by Tori Boyd
Today is another big day for me as I drop the 2nd remix from Sunday Drive featuring The League of Ordinary Gentlemen. This time, Tona and Adullessence join me on the remix for the Tribe remake, Sucka MCs. Both The Get Up Remix and Sucka MCs are important songs for me because they are the first songs that I have released featuring a crew of cats that I work with and know on a personal basis. It is also important for my hometown to show how far the music has reached and the quality of people that I have been blessed to work with and know. Everyone knows that Adullessence and I have been working together since 06, so it is also important for me to get Les, Add-2 and Tona on the same songs as well. I hope everyone enjoys the Sucka MCs Remix and stays tuned for the Itunes version of Sunday Drive. I have put it on Tunecore and it said Sunday Drive will go live by November 8th. I thought that I could pick the date but apparently not. Oh well. Also, in two weeks, I am releasing the video for Sucka MCs directed by Tori Boyd with a cameo from Phys Ed and Tori. I look forward to hearing everyone’s feedback.
Chicago Kids
I got an email this morning from Add-2 that I wanted to share with everyone. Last Thursday in Chicago, 16 year old Derrion Albert was beaten to death in a huge fight that was captured on video. I don’t know the exact details, just from what the news has said but he was walking home from school and apparently got caught in a huge fight. He was an innocent kid caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and lost his life for it. Everyone knows that I am originally from Kansas, so a lot of the violence and crime in Chicago is new to me. For the last two and a half years, so many kids and adults have been killed that it is unbelievable to me. I don’t watch the news at all because it is depressing and just breaks my heart. I can’t pretend like I know what is going on in Chicago with all of the violence or that I am directly affected by it but I can’t imagine the devastation families, friends and entire communities experience after events like Derrion’s death. I wanted to share a few of my own thoughts about the horrific situation as well as Add-2′s email and a song he recorded called Chicago Kids. Here is Add-2′s email
“I wanted to send this song out even though I know some may already have heard it but it seemed appropriate for this time. 16 year old Derrion Albert was beaten to death which was caught on tape in another case of senseless violence. I can’t hide how hurt I am after seeing this video and all the violence that occurs in our city with our youth and when we have kids killing kids we as parents, friends, neighbors and as a community have failed. I hope that we as a community can step up and be better role models, teachers and parents to ALL of these children.”
It is truly unbelievable that another child’s life was cut short at the hands of other children. I don’t know what is going to happen or what needs to be done for things to change but the world should be aware of Derrion’s death. I am not going to post the video of the fight because it makes me sick to my stomach. I hate watching anyone fight but knowing the details surrounding this video, it is so hard to watch. My thoughts and prayers go out to Derrion Albert’s family, his friends and his community as well as the entire city of Chicago. Chicago is one of the greatest cities on the planet but situtations like these make it hard to imagine living here. I can’t imagine how much pain his family and friends are feeling right now.
Soul on Ice
As promised, Ras Kass is in my tapedeck and shout out to Guy for encouraging me to listen to Soul on Ice. I have probably only heard Ras Kass a handful of times but never listened to a full album. I guess like I said before, it’s never too late to catch up on classic material. I’m about halfway through Soul on Ice and I am definitely enjoying Ras’ rhyme abilities. In particular Marinatin’ produced by Battlecat and Nature of the Threat had me hooked. Marinatin’ is just a real dope, feel good joint. It sounds like some classic west coast shit. Nature of the Threat is one of the most thought provoking songs that I have ever heard. I’m not even going to attempt to explain it just know it is a history lesson for that ass. I was blown away by that joint. I am sure when it came out it caused a lot of controversy. I wonder if US Government heard that shit? I think Ras Kass could be a professor for that joint. Damn. I’m pretty excited to see what the rest of Soul on Ice has to offer but here are two joints that display his diversity as well as his lyrical prowess. I wonder what I was doing when all these albums came out because I missed WAY too much dope shit.
For Your Sorrows
I just wanted to share a little Friday FIRE!!!!!!! Big Boi featuring Too Shorts and George Clinton For Your Sorrows. This shit is DOPE as fuck. If ya’ll are sleeping on Big Boi or think Outkast won’t come with it again, GO KILL YOURSELF. This is how your supposed to be different. ILL!!!!!!!!!
Friday Update
I know this image still haunts Memphis fans. Take it in.
So this morning I put in Ras Kass’ album, Soul on Ice(shout out to Guy) but I didn’t even get through one song because of the new SLOT-A banger in my car. I was writing verses on the way to work. My bad. However, it has been brought to my attention that a few events have happened that are making my city and University look bad. First off, there has been tension at the University of Kansas between the basketball and football teams. Apparently, a female has been dating one of each and the guys don’t like it. So rather than saying “fuck her” they have had TWO on campus fights. The first one, Tyshawn Taylor, KU’s sophomore guard, threw a punch outside of The Jayhawk Towers and dislocated his thumb. The following day, several players from each side apparently got into a fight in the middle of campus at Wescoe. Now if anyone knows how important the bastkeball team is not only to the university but the entire state itself, you would understand that these players are celebrities. Even though they are 18,19 and 20 year old kids, their star status is that of grown men who represent much more than just a basketball team. They make everyone who is a Jayhawk proud of who they are. They are a reflection of the history, the class and the esteem that comes with being part of the University. I understand that boys are boys and their actions will be forgiven(especially if they win another championship) but these guys need to have an understanding of what they represent before they even step foot on campus. To fight, get injured and be out for several weeks over a female(especially when those guys can’t stay out of the way of _________ fill in the blank) is just plain dumb. I don’t want to take shots at any of the players on either side because they are still kids and kids make mistakes. They didn’t ask for that star power and probably don’t realize the extent of it. However, the truth of the matter is, they are international superstars. I see people wearing KU gear every day in Chicago. There are TWO bars in Chicago dedicated to KU fans. So these guy’s actions affect EVERY Jayhawk on the planet. To add insult to injury, the papers took quotes from Tyshawn’s Facebook page and publicized them. Another mistake that was made but should have been forseen. I always say that celebs shouldn’t have Twitter or Facebook because there is no filter and most things either come off or get interpretted wrong. It has happend COUNTLESS times so far. People have blogs, sites and rumor sections based on Twitter comments so if you are already in the limelight and subject to scrutiny, stay the FUCK off of these sites. I hope that both the basketball and football teams will gain a valuable understanding of exactly what they represent and the star power that they possess. Having said that, shout out to both teams and we look forward to incredible seasons from both of you. Rock Chalk.
In related news, my girl Nads9754 hit me up and told me that there are protestors from Topeka in New York protesting some Jewish gathering or event. I don’t know any of the details but I am going to assume that those protestors are the Phelps family. They are reknowned for protesting all across the country against gay people and gay rights. They show up at funerals, churches, meetings, speeches, etc. I want to let everyone know that, YES they are from Topeka BUT they have been assaulted and harrassed by Topekans for their ridiculous beliefs. They even made a cameo in the Bruno movie. The scene was shot about 8 blocks from my mom’s house at one of the Phelps’ favorite locations. Just know it’s FUCK the Phelps. If you make it to Topeka, you should drive north on 12th street from Oakley towards Gage and look for a compound and a church with a banner that says www.godhatesfags.com or some shit. It is one of the most popular tourist locations in Topeka. The fucked up part is that a lot of the Phelps are attorneys so they know the laws and get away with A LOT of bullshit. Anyway, happy Friday to all, Ras Kass Soul on Ice is my weekend theme music. I hope these events(including the bullshit that happened with Jazzy Jeff in KC) don’t ruin your opinions of Kansas, the University or the people. It is a great place with some incredible people.
The Coming
“Yah Yah Yaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!”
My mornings selection of tunes was totally random while I was looking through my computer last night. I came across Busta Rhymes’ first solo album, The Coming and said “fuck it.” I have listened to this album maybe once or twice before but never intently. Of course Woo Hah is a classic record. I remember seeing that video in 6th grade thinking to myself “WHAT IN THE WORLD?” I couldn’t figure out what was going on it the video but I liked that shit. 13 years later, I’m listening to The Coming like it’s a brand new album and it’s FIRE. Every track bangs or as Busta says “that head knoddin shit that make you break your neck.” Busta’s style on The Coming is incredible too. He sounds like no one else. I think over the years, although he has gotten more popular and he has lost some of that uniqueness but he is still the man. I know I’m going to find myself listening to The Coming for inspiration. This morning I’m going to take it back to the first song that put me onto Busta Rhymes and the song that made him the solo artist that he is, Woo Hah!!!!!!!!!!! The video is the shit. I am definitely going to revisit all of Busta’s albums. Shout out to DJ Scratch, The Ummah, Easy Mo Bee and everyone else that produced on The Coming.
Mike Schpitz Interview on Wake Your Daughter Up
I just wanted to share a brief update about what’s going on in my world aside from the barrage of new albums and hatin going on. My guy Travis at the site, Wake Your Daughter Up recently posted an interview with me. Check it out and show WYDU some love. Also, Yesterday I got featured on DJ Booth. Please share your comments and thoughts on that site as well.
