Monthly Archives: September 2009

Epic Shit Alert!!!!!

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Lebron James

I know I mentioned this song a while back, or maybe I didn’t but a video for Forever featuring Drake, Kanye, Lil Wayne and Eminem just dropped on the net and it is just as EPIC as the song.  Take that however you want.  The song is for Lebron’s movie More Than A Game and the video of course has Lebron in it.  Forever was directed by Hype Williams as well.  I watched it last night and felt a couple different ways.  I think it is dope that these cats can come together on a record, I just wish they all would have come a little bit harder.  Have you heard the Kardinal Offishall and Rock City version of this song????  I’m sure Drake or whoever got rights to this song but it’s kind of weird that their are two versions by cats who are BOTH from Toronto.  Kardi MURDERS his version.  Check out the video and let me know what your thoughts are.  Which version is better?  Actually there is the THIRD version of this song.  Check all there.  I wonder why Nut Da Kid got taken off??????

Why are Drake and Kanye SOOOOOOOOOOOO passionate????  They must really mean that shit.  I thought Drake was a better actor than that.  Degrassi son!!!!!!!!!

Wizard of Poetry

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Ghostface Wizard

Fresh off a classic(in my opinion), Ghostface is dropping his album Ghostdini The Wizard of Poetry.  Ghostface’s 8th studio album shows Ghost’s softer side and displays his love for the ladies.  I’m not going to lie, this album is a not a good luck for Ghost.  His single with Raheem Devaughn is alright but a whole album of joints like that by Ghostface, I’m not sure WHO wants to hear that.  Especially after coming back so strong with OBFCL2, I figured Ghost and The Wu would want to keep the ball rolling.  It’s a shame too because Ghost is definitely the most consistent member of The Wu and has yet to really disappoint fans with an album.  I guess all he saw was dudes at his shows and wanted a little crossover love.  I mean, if the bonus track on this album with Ron Browz isn’t a sign of the times, I don’t know what is.  The highlights of this album are Stapleton Sex and Guest House and of course Ghostface’s singing.  I would  rather hear Ghost singing every hook on the album rather than teaming up with Lloyd, Adrienne Bailon and Estelle.  As random and as bad as this album is, I think fans will forgive Ghost as long as he comes back in full force on the next project.  Thank god for OBFCL2 or people might really be done with The Wu.  Check out the videos for Stapleton Sex and Baby.  Even the cover art is a bad look.  Clearly he doesn’t remember coming to Kansas. 

Us

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brother-ali

Thank god Monday is already over.  Is it time for the weekend yet????  Let me start this post by saying I don’t listen to a lot of “underground” hip hop.  Little Brother, Pharaohe Monch and Blu are about us deep as I go.  I know a lot of people listen to the Rhymesayers crew and I have had the chance to see Atmosphere and Brother Ali rock live and they were definitely dope but I have just never really gotten into their whole sound.  Same goes with cats like Murs, Eyedea, Aesop Rock.  It’s just not my thing.  However, I figured that since Brother Ali just dropped a new album called Us and the artwork was really ill, I should take a day or two to check it out.  I used to listen to Shadows on the Sun but haven’t heard anything since then.  The first thing when I listened to Us that I noticed was the production.  It sounds really dope and not like some typical underground shit either.  I think a lot of the beats would sound ill as mainstream music too.  My hat is off to Ant of Atmosphere for the production.  The next thing that really kept me interested was Brother Ali’s voice.  He has a powerful voice.  He sounds a little like Pharoahe Monch.  Lyrically, Us is on point too.  His subject matter touches on many things that are often neglected by rappers.  I think the whole Rhymersayers crew keeps it pretty fresh with song concepts.  It also can get heavy at times.  That isn’t really a criticism just not my particular taste.  I don’t want to feel overwhelmed by emotional songs.  I think Brother Ali does a nice job of balancing subject matter though.  My favorite shit so far is Bad Mufucker Pt 2.  Eveyone knows I like it when cats just go in and it’s dope to hear Brother Ali go off on some straight rhyme shit.  I think this album will get better the more I listen to it.  I can’t say that his type of hip hop is my favorite but I definitely think that cats like myself who doesn’t really listen to much underground shit but seem to get fed up with mainstream hip hop will be pleasantly surprised(not because Brother Ali isn’t dope but because were sleepers) by Us.  If you are unfamiliar with Brother Ali, I suggest you check out Us online and if it tickles your fancy, go buy it and support him.  I would definitely recommend seeing him live too because you will like his music even more after the live show.  For all you Jay and Drake stans, give Brother Ali a shot, you might just like him.  Shout out to Ant again.  If you read this, give me a shout.  Let’s make some music.

Brother-Ali-Us

Artwork is really dope!!!

Escape Route

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Joe Budden

First off, RIP Roc Raida.  He passed away over the weekend.  Roc Raida was a member of the DJ group The X-Ecutioners.  He passed away on Saturday.  RIP Roc Raida.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.  He will always be remembered.  It has been a little over a month since Joe Budden dropped his album, Escape Route.  My guy Andres has been telling me to listen to it for weeks now but I have been shying away for whatever reason.  So today, I finally started listening.  I must say that I enjoy it.  Lyrically Budden is incredible.  I have heard great things about the Mood Muzik mixtapes but never listen to any of them.  I passed on Halfway House and Padded Room as well.  Even on Slaughterhouse, I kind of ignored Budden because of Royce and Crooked.  However, Escape Route shows Budden’s abilities on the mike.  I think I figured out why I don’t really listen to him though.  The beats and the hooks are way below Budden.  The production all runs together(and not in a cohesive album type of way) and the hooks are just boring.  It is a shame too because I think Budden has the lyrical ability and the diversity to put together a really incredible album.  His first album on Def Jam was really dope but super slept-on.  I always say that if I could be an A and R for a lot of these cats, I would make them put together incredible albums.  I hope that with the recent buzz surrounding Slaughterhouse and Budden TV, Joe will get some better production and hooks on his next project because lyrically I could sit and listen to dude rap all day.  My favorite joint is We Outta Here minus the horrible autotune hook.  I can’t imagine why that even happened but Royce starts out and KILLS the song and of course everyone else spills too.  My hat is off to Budden for putting his money where his mouth is on the mike, I just think he needs to pick production that is on his level and writes some better hooks.  How does that sound Andres?????

RIP Roc Raida

Roc Raida

Add-2 Luxury

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Add-2 Luxury

I got a little late Friday treat for everyone.  I hope everyone has downloaded Add-2′s The Tale of Two’s City: The Rise and The Fall but if not, here is one of the singles, Luxury produced by Antman Wonder.  Add is shooting a video for Luxury and getting ready to drop a video for Starter Jacket as well.  Check out Luxury and download Tale Of Two’s City Volume 3: The Rise and The Fall.  A lot of The League’s names keep popping up lately.  Dakota Blue took the pictures for the Luxury photo shoot and Tori Boyd helped shoot, direct AND edit the video for Starter Jacket.

Add-2 Luxury

Tale of Two’s City Volume 3: The Rise and The Fall

The Abstract

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q-tip

All I got to say is “thank god for Fridays.”  Can you imagine what the world would be like with no Fridays?  It would probably be the same feeling of going to the dentist for a root canal while they are playing Kenny G.  Maybe that is only my worst nightmare.  Shout out to Ill Legit and everyone who performed and came through Sub T last night for Dope 101.  Last night was a little bit of a late night so needless to say I’m dragging this morning but I got a little mood music from Q-Tip and the lost album, Kamaal The Abstract.  I remember this album was supposed to come out in like 99 or some shit but it is just now seeing the light of day on the retail side.  I kind of zoned out on the ride to work so I gotta listen several times before I develop a thesis but so far it’s pretty cool.  It’s a little jazzy and he kinda sings on some joints but it seems like a good listen.  I actually need to listen to The Renaissance and Amplified again.  Check out Kamaal The Abstract, it should be online and maybe in stores.  I wonder how many copies they shipped?  Here are a couple of joints.  Enjoy.

The Salvation

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Skyzoo

For the last couple of days, I have been listening to Skyzoo’s new project The Salvation.  Due to my own music dropping and V Don’s instrumental album, I have had the chance to marinate on it for several days before sharing my thoughts.  I am not going to post a review of the whole album, I’m just going to share a quick thought.  I have never really listened to a lot of Skyzoo aside from tracks here and there so I consider this my first real introduction.  He has been receiving a good buzz on the net for a couple of years so this seems to be his “break out” project.  First off, the producers are the album are ILL however, I don’t think most of the beats are their best work.  9th Wonder and Nottz are two of my favorite producers but I think Sky’s choice of beats could have been a little better.  However, some of the production is really ill.  The Just Blaze track is CRAZY.  It sounds like vintage Just.  I wonder how much he charges nowadays?  I also think the hooks on The Salvation could have been tighter.  They get a little repetitive and boring.  Having said all that, the more I listen to it, the more I like it.  Skyzoo has a lot of depth to his lyrics.  I find myself listening really hard to catch everything he is saying.  I know that might be a turn off to casual fans but as an emcee, it is that depth that sets some one apart.  Skyzoo is definitely a emcee but might throw some people off because he is monotone, however, I feel like you can hear the passion in his voice.  It sounds like he means what he says.  It wouldn’t be right if I bashed Blueprint 3 and Kid Cudi’s album and then called The Salvation a CLASSOC just because it’s “real” hip hop.  Different strokes for different folks.  I think if you are a hip hop head and you like to listen hard to lyrics, you will like Skyzoo.  If you like how pop music sounds right now, fuck with Blueprint 3.  If you like emo, weirdo rap/rock/weird shit, fuck with Kid Cudi.  I’m just kidding.  I look forward to seeing how many numbers Kid Cudi does.  I read that there were some typos on his music from Itunes or something.  How does a MAJOR label let that happen??  Someone needs to be fired.  I’m telling you, these majors are fucking up EVERYTHING.  Let’s take this shit back.  Peep the Just Blaze produced Return of The Real by Skyzoo and go BUY the album when it drops. 

Bringing It Home

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Hollywood Boulevard

Now for the last several weeks(as everyone knows) I have been throwing stones, rocks, low blows, uppercuts, right hooks, pretty much anything I had at the throne aka The God MC, Jay-Z.  This time however, I want to send a shout out to Jay-Z for outdoing one of the most celebrated artists of all time, Elvis.  With the Blueprint 3, Jay-Z is second on the list of most Number 1 albums.  REGARDLESS how ANYONE feels about Jay-Z, his music and his business practices, that shit is incredible.  To have a hip hop act above Elvis and second to The Beatles just proves the reach and the influence that hip hop music has.  So for that, I tip my proverbial hat(not sure if that is how it is supposed to be used especially because I don’t wear hats) to Jay-Z AND Blueprint 3.  Hov is king!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Peep the feature on Allhiphop.

Jay-Z Tops Elvis with Blueprint 3

I wonder if people will visit Marcy when Jay dies like Graceland???

BTW Jay sold 476,000 copies in the first week and Raekwon moved 68,000.  Glad to know my purchase made this a close race.

V. Don Presents Serious Soundz Instrumentals

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V Don Front VDON BACK DONE

Happy Hump Day.  I got a surprise for ya’ll today.  One of the first producers I met outside of Chicago was this cat V. Don from New York.  To my surprise, yesterday I got an email from V Don about his instrumenal album he just dropped called Serious Soundz.  I haven’t gotten the chance to make any records with dude yet but trust it is on the way.  He’s a real dope cat with a grimey, dark, New York feel.  His production reminds me of some Jadakiss and Styles P type shit.  He has produced for a variety of cats.  I checked this project out last night and was very impressed.  Shout out to V. Don for dropping this by.  Download it here and make sure you hit him up on myspace and twitter.

V. Don presents Serious Soundz Instrumentals

V. Don on myspace

V. Don on twitter

The Get Up Remix featuring Add-2 and Adullessence

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Mike Schpitz
Photo by Dakota Blue
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.  Monday is over and that means, new music from yours truly.  This is the first of two Sunday Drive Remixes featuring The League of Ordinary Gentlemen.  I have been posting a lot of stuff that all of us have been doing separately but this is the first joint that features some of the crew.  The Get Up Remix features the Chicago homie, Add-2 and my long time partner in rhyme Adullessence.  Both The Get Up Remix and the other Remix will be featured on the Itunes version of Sunday Drive which I am going to put available along with the video for Sucka MCs on October 7th.  Please share your thoughts, comments and opinions with any of us.  Shout out to Phys Ed.  The Get Up is STILL that shit!!!!!! 
 
Also, you can catch myself and Add-2 along with Ill Legit at Subterranean this Thursday in Chicago for the Dope 101 showcase.  The show will definitely live up to it’s name and I will be performing a new joint. 
Dope 101