I'm diggin this song...

"Its the Freestyle, So Now Its Out On Parole..."

Speaking of freestyles, here's a very early freestyle featuring Riq-Gees himself, more commonly known as Black Thought, along with drummer/beatboxer ?uestlove, both of the Philadelphia-based Roots crew. One of the most respected rappers in the game, Black Thought is perhaps my personal favorite MC, mostly due to his incredible live performances.

Having seen The Roots live three times, I can attest to his ridiculous freestyle skills. Not to mention the amazing musicianship of the entire band, especially ?uestlove and lead guitarist "Captain" Kirk Douglas. Here's a freestyle with Mos Def, Black Thought, and Eminem, with the beat by DJ Premier. You decide who kills it hardest (my vote would have to go to Slim).



Here's a new school freestyle with Ace Hood, Juelz Santana, Fabolous and Jadakiss.

This is a Dope Freestyle

This is a freestyle I found while browsing youtube. This isn't even Eminem this is straight up Slim Shady (noticed the bleach blonde hair). Proof kills it on this freestyle as well and it is just really cool for me to see a young Eminem kickin freestyles with his boys, just hanging out having fun with it. That's what it's all about.
RIP Proof

Chill Song of the Day: Michael Franti & Spearhead Feat. Gift of Gab - "What I Got" (Sublime Cover)

This song comes off of the 2005 Sublime tribute album "Look at all the Love We Found". The album features Sublime covers by artists like G. Love, Jack Johnson, and many others.

This cover of "What I Got" is by Michael Franti & Spearhead which is a band fronted by Michael Franti that combines Reggae, Hip-hop, Jazz, and Rock. I first heard this band when the song "Ganja Babe" was featured on the Showtime series 'Weeds'.

Gift of Gab is one of my favorite MC's. He is the front man for the rap duo Blackalicious and often works with Chali 2na of Jurassic 5.



Bonus Track: Michael Franti & Spearhead - "Ganja Babe" 

And I Know Because Of KRS-One...

Keeping with today's theme of classic MC pioneers (Slick Rick The Ruler), I thought it appropriate to also pay respects to the Blastmaster himself, KRS-One. Hailing from the South Bronx, NY, KRS completely redefined what an MC was, and perhaps introduced the idea of a socially conscious rapper.

KRS first came onto the NY hip-hop scene with DJs Scott La Rock and D-Nice, together forming Boogie Down Productions (BDP). This group gained early fame through battling rival rappers, especially those of the Juice Crew, a rap collective including hip-hop legends Marley Marl, Big Daddy Kane, and Kool G Rap among others. This group was from the famed Queensbridge Houses, and thus the rivalry between BDP and the Juice Crew became known as the Bridge Wars.



Unfortunately, DJ Scott La Rock was shot and killed in 1987, months after BDP's debut release "Criminal Minded." This tragic event had a great impact on KRS, who soon organized the Stop The Violence movement, along with the song "Stop The Violence." In contrast to BDP's more violent and gangsta-themed debut, KRS's subsequent albums have dealt with themes of social ignorance, self-empowerment, and the importance of originality in hip-hop, among many other issues. Despite some controversy concerning his outspoken and fearless attitude, KRS-One has and always will be viewed as one of the most proficient, intelligent and unique forefathers of hip-hop. He has recently written a 600-page book entitled "The Gospel Of Hip Hop."



Former rivals KRS and Marley Marl released a collaborative album in 2007, entitled "Hip Hop Lives", officially ending the Bridge Wars feud.



Sublime pays respect to the Teacher...

Paying Respect: MC Ricky D (Slick Rick The Ruler)

Bonus Track: Snoop Dogg - "Lodi Dodi" 
(based on Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh's song "La Di Da Di")

Youtube Video of The Day: "Amatuer" by Lasse Gjertsen

New Music: Atmosphere - "To All My Friends"

Atmosphere has always been one of my favorite groups out there. I first heard them when they opened up for Matisyahu, I saw that in High School and they were both amazing live.

This song just came out on August, 14. Real Chill jam, def look out for w/e Slug (Sean Daley) and DJ Ant (Anthony Davis) are working on.

Bonus Track 
Sound Is Vibration

Chill Song of the Day: (The Roots - "Hypnotic") & (Outkast - "Da Art of Storytellin")

These songs are similar in a bunch of way for me. They both have similar type of stories and are real laid back. These songs are coming from two of my favorite artists: Outkast and the Roots.

The Roots' "Hypnotic" comes from their 3rd album 'Illadelph Halflife'. This album comes from the Roots' early days when their beats when their Jazz core was extremely prevalent in their beats and music. This is one of my favorite albums by the group. This song is sooo laid back, I am legit about to fall asleep listening to it right now. Word upp to ?Love, Black Thought, and the rest of the Roots Crew, they are all legends.

Outkast's song "Da Art of Storytellin" is a feature track from the band's album 'Aquemini'. This album is another favorite of mine. You can't go wrong with any Outkast album in my opinion. This song reminds me a lot of "Hypnotic" except a little more modern sounding ('Aquemini' was released in 1998, two years after 'Illadelph Halflife'). Mad props to Andre 3000, Big Boi, and Slick Rick on this one too.

Jam of the Day: Big Tymers - "Still Fly"

Before Bird Man had 100 Million Dollars him and Mannie Fresh were being true legends, posting up in "Gator Boots and Pimped Out Gucci Suits". This song is an absolute throwback for me.

Bonus Track 
Baby ft. Clipse - "What Happened To That Boy"

Paying Respect: De La Soul

Album Spotlight: People Under the Stairs' "O.S.T."

Sounds Like: Jurassic 5, Hieroglyphics, Gang Starr

Here's another Los Angeles based Hip-hop group. "People Under the Stairs" is composed of two members: Special K (also known as "Kidd Drunkadelic") and Thes One. People Under the Stairs has been around since about 1997, so they are definitely contemporaries of Jurassic 5, who released their first album in 1997. If you like Jurassic 5 you should definitely check People Under the Stairs. I think groups like Jurassic 5 are unique and it is rare to find more groups like them. Fortunately People Under the Stairs have that same laid back, California underground style. If you are like me and have been listening to Jurassic 5 for a while now and are looking for more of their style, People Under the Stairs is definitely a good next step.

I think the album "O.S.T." is the best place to start with People Under the Stairs' catalogue. It is their 3rd studio album and was released in 2002. This album is as chill as it gets. This rap duo does a great job (for me) of conveying the image of the Los Angeles lifestyle to the listener. When I listen to this album I picture aimlessly walking through the sunny streets of L.A., bullshitting with friends, drinking, smoking, and just living life. These guys are rapping about their everyday life (real life, not pretending they are drug dealers or gangsters).

Here are 5 of my favorite tracks on this album (no particular order):
1. Acid Rain Drops
2. The Suite for Beaver Part 1
3. The L.A. Song
4. Montenegro Slang
5. O.S.T. (Original Soundtrack)

This album is one of those that really flows from front to back. Every song is good, there are at least 4 more songs on the album that I could make a case for being in my top 5. If you like what you hear definitely check the whole thing out. 

Jam of the Day: Eminem "Without Me"

Shoooteerrr

Shooter McGavin: "Damn you people. Go back to your shanties."

This post is two of my favorite things in one: Tha Carter II and Happy Gilmore.

Outside the Box Artists: Charles Hamilton

Charles Hamilton (born November 10, 1987) isn't even much older than me. Born in Cleveland and raised in Harlem, Charles Hamilton is considered part of the new "freshman class" of hip-hop along with J. Cole, Wale, Kid Cudi, Drake, and others. Charles Hamilton is definitely one of the more controversial members of the freshman rappers and after getting dropped from his Interscope Records deal it seemed unclear whether he would "make it". I think Kanye showed us all that being a college dropout can work out. However, fortunately I don't think Charles Hamilton needs to worry about failing out of the "Freshman Class" of the genre just yet. I think he has a lot to offer as an artist and is not even close to hitting his peak.

Known for his obsession with Sonic the Hedgehog and the color pink, Charles Hamilton definitely has an "out-there" type of style. He can come across arrogant and I think that adds to the controversy of his music. He has a personality that reminds me of a young Kanye West in the sense that you can tell he is extraordinarily creative and he knows (or thinks he knows) that he has something special. Also like Kanye, Charles Hamilton is a great producer which slightly over shadows his rapping ability. Sometimes his hooks weaken his songs (just my opinion) and lyrically he is hit or miss (but he has the capability to kill it lyrically).

In Charles Hamilton I see a kid who is still struggling with his emotions and anxieties and is still trying to figure out how to channel those creatively into music. He still hasn't had that big breakthrough like Kid Cudi's debut mixtape "A Kid named Cudi". I expect big things from Charles Hamilton in the future. He has already made a lot of great music that is definitely worth checking out.

Here are a few of my favorites:
(What especially impresses me about Charles Hamilton in the first two songs is his ability to sample when making beats. Sampling is what makes artists like Kanye and 9th Wonder great and it shows a bright future for Charles Hamilton if he can continue to utilize this talent)

Workinnnn

Working hard right now (well sort of). But like Guru and Premiere I gotta put in the work to achieve my dreams. Even though I'm pretty sure 'Deductive' and 'Non-Deductive' reasoning has pretty much nothing to do with my dreams, but ... you get the picture. Respect to Gang Starr on this one.

RIP Guru... One of the best to ever do it.

Musician Profile: Jurassic 5

Jurassic 5 is from Los Angeles, California. With their funky flair, upbeat tempo, and underground style it is pretty evident that Jurassic 5 comes from the same primordial soup as groups like "Souls of Mischief", "People Under the Stairs", and "Hieroglyphics". Los Angeles definitely has a style and flavor that is evident in its music, fashion, and culture.

Jurassic 5 contains six members. 4 MC's: Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir, and Mark 7even. And 2 DJ's: Nu Mark and Cut Chemist. The group is actually a sum of two smaller groups, which combined forces in 1993. Originally "Rebels of Rhythem" and "Unity Committee", the crews eventually joined forces to become one entity, Jurassic 5, and got their start by performing on open mic nights at "The Good Life Cafe". Jurassic 5 gives a shout out to their roots in the song "Acetate Prophets" from their second full length album "Power in Numbers". The song begins with the sounds of instruments tuning and Chali announcing "Rebels of rhythm, leebo, stay tuned for Unity Committee..." to create the imagery of an open mic night, perhaps where the band got its start at "The Good Life Cafe" the Jurassic's own Cradle of Life.

Jurassic 5 is a conscious rap group. It's not just about the money for these guys. They're one of the rare groups where ego's don't get in the way of their music. In an interview with IGN, Chali said:

" Yeah, definitely a democracy, but moreso than a democracy it's like we treat the songs like a person. It's like 'Okay what does this guy need? Let's give it to him!' "

This is a really cool quality that the group has consistently held onto: humility and genuineness. No one MC is trying to say "I am the best, I deserve more", they are all equals in a democratic-like system. But more than that, they don't even view it as Who is the best? I think they see it more as How can we make the best song possible?

J5 has 4 albums. Their first 'The EP' is probably my favorite because of the impact it has had on my life. This album was crafted before the group signed with Interscope records. The group released this album independently with no label (the definition of underground) in 1997 and it sold 200,000+ copies. This album features the song "Concrete Schoolyard", which is in my opinion the groups best song, but every song on the album is about equally as good.

After signing with Interscope records in 1999, the group re-released "The EP" as a deluxe edition, which was self-titled and then released their 3 studio albums over the span of the next 7 years.

1. Quality Control - 2000
2. Power In Numbers - 2002
3. Feedback - 2006

Here is one song from each album, in order of my favorite album:

The EP



Power In Numbers



Quality Control



The Feedback




SIDE NOTE: Chali 2na is currently on tour with Dan The Automator (The Producer for Deltron 3030), sounds awesome 

Chill Song of the Day: Zero 7 - "Destiny"

Based out of London, England; Zero 7 is a group consisting of two members: Sam Hardakar and Henry Binns (with a little help from some guest vocalists). Popularized through their song "In the Waiting Line" which was featured in Zach Braff's movie "Garden State", the duo's music is often referred to as "trip-hop", Acid Rock, or Downtempo.

"Destiny" features Sia Furler on vocals and is pretty much as chill as it gets and is one of my favorites from the London based duo.

Jam of the Day: Lil Wayne - "I Feel Like Dying"

"I am sitting on a clouds, I got smoke coming from my seat. 
I can play basketball with the moon, I got the whole world underneath my feet.
Playing touch football on marijuana streets. 
In a marijuana field you are so beneath my cleats..."

Let it Be(eat) build - The Beatles in Hip Hop

Not much to say about the Beatles. You can't even call John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison (and Ringo I guess) a band. They were so in-synch with each other as far as harmonies and song writing go that they more just became one omnipotent entity. "The Beatles" are all rock gods and their combined forces sparked so much creativity and genius that in my opinion they are the best song writers since Beethoven. You don't have to agree, but either way you know that they're legends and music wouldn't be what it is without them. So here are a few modern day tributes to these Rock n' Roll HOF'ers.

Video 1: Shaggy vs The Beatles - Let it Be Me
Video 2: Lil Wayne vs The Beatles - Help (Live From the 504 vs. Help)
Video 3: Method Man ft. Wu-Tang Clan vs. The Beatles - Uh Oh (Props to Earmilk.com for this one)

Beaaaat

Long ass day today, class from 8 am - 5 pm soo happy to be back relaxing right now. I think my man Biggy said it best it's just an "Everyday Struggle"

Album Spotlight: Jimi Hendrix's "Electric Lady Land"

James Marshall Hendrix, more popularly known as Jimi, has always been a hero of mine. He is for sure one of the most revolutionary musicians that I have ever listened to. Decades before Weezy was a Martian, Jimi was the original Alien. From Hey Joe to Purple Haze his commercial success is unquestionable. His debut album "Are You Experienced?" has to be the most popularized album in Jimi's all too short repertoire. A must have, no doubt, "Are You Experienced?" sometimes casts a shadow over the other two Jimi Hendrix Experience studio albums and sometimes fans overlook "Axis Bold as Love" and "Electric Lady Land".

"Electric Lady Land" was released on October 25, 1968 in the UK and on September 16 in the US. It is The Experience's third and final album together. Clocking in at 75 minutes and 47 seconds "Electric Lady Land" lives up to its name, and takes you on a Alice in Wonderland-esque journey through Jimi's drug induced imagination.  The album kicks off with an epic intro called "... And the God's Made Love". With Jimi's before his time utilization of feedback and effects pedals, mixed in with playing back vocal tracks backwards, The Experience is able to paint an eerie image of gods, aliens, and whatever else you would like to imagine in the 1:23 long intro. That track is followed up with a song called "Have You Ever Been (To Electric Lady Land)" where Jimi asks the listener if they have ever been to Electric Lady Land "The Magic Carpet Place" (whatever that means). All I know is that this is some sort of metaphor for sex or something, but it's a good song and if you haven't been to Electric Lady Land you should definitely check it out, this album is epic.

After both of these songs, which I both consider to be the intros, the album kicks off at full speed with "Crosstown Traffic". Not to be over looked, drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding kill it on this album as well.

Notable Tracks: I mean it is pretty hard to narrow it down but I will pick my 5 favorites, in order--
1. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) - Has to be number 1, it is the most bad ass guitar riff possibly of all time. I mean according to the lyrics, Jimi's gonna be chopping down mountains with the side of his hand, pretty ridiculous.
2. All Along The Watch Tower - This classic Dylan cover is arguably Jimi's best song.
3. Crosstown Traffic - This song is upbeat with a funky riff (and do i hear a kazoo at the beginning? nah it couldn't be, could it?). Anyway this song is pretty much a big metaphor comparing Jimi's sexual escapades to driving a car, really awesome song. It's the "Fire'" of "E.L.L.".
4. Burning of the Midnight Lamp - This track is what fantasy sports enthusiasts like to "a sleeper". Overshadowed by The Experience's numerous hits, "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" should not be overlooked as a great and epic song". Warning heavy use of the "wah wah effect".
5. Voodoo Chile - This 15 minute 1 second blues is just a great song for any fan of the genre. With Steve Winwood on the keys this song is EPIC. Interesting Sidenote: This song is the introduction to Stacy Peralta's "Lords of Dogtown" (great movie, just watched it last night). 


Honorable Mention - 1983 (A Mermaid I should be) is a trip, that is one of the songs that gives the album such a fantastical feel.

PS - The whole album is worth checking out, it is great from back to front and has something for everyone.

Paying Respect: The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) & DJ Jazzy Jeff

Musician Profile: Del The Funkee Homosapien

When talking about the most colorful, out-there, and influential artists in hip-hop's history I think 'Del the Funkee Homosapien' has to be the first person that comes to mind for most avid hip-hop fans. The name "Funkee Homosapien" fits him perfectly. During the times of hip-hop's stone age Del was one of those pioneers who really brought flavor, funk, and swagger into the game.

Del, whose real name is Teren Delvon Jones, hails from East Oakland California with the rest of the Hieroglyphics and Souls of Mischief crew (you just need to listen to the 15 second marker of "93 Til Infinity" to figure that out).

Del The Funkee Homosapien's solo debut was an album called "I Wish My Brother George Was Here" and was released in the fall of 1991. The title is a reference to George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic, who was and continues to be a major influence on Del's music. Produced by Del's cousin O'Shea Jackson, better known as Ice Cube (yes this Ice Cube), and fueled by the commercial success of the comedic and funky song "Mistadobalina", "I Wish My Brother George..." sold 270,000+ copies. Despite never reaching platinum or gold status the album is still a huge gem in the library of great hip-hop albums and is a must have for any true hip-hop fan.

Del's sophomore album "No Need For Alarm" was released 2 years later in 1993 and achieved RIAA's (Recording Industry Association of America) gold award.

This long winded narration of Del's career is only a brief paraphrase giving respect to his contribution to hip-hop. To give a detailed summary and biography of his whole career would entail creating a blog of it's own. Del is also a member of Hieroglyphics and later reinvented himself as the persona: Deltron 3030. Deltron 3030 is not only a contributing member of the Gorillaz, but also has his own self titled solo album (another must have album).