Hip-Hop & Bullshit

WE'VE MOVED!!!!!

2010-02-17T21:55:00.002-05:00

www.HipHopAndBS.com

INTERVIEW With Sha Stimuli

2010-02-16T12:25:00.001-05:00

I was lucky enough to get to briefly meet Sha Stimuli a couple weeks ago at a show at S.O.B.'s. He's a humble emcee who's also a big fan of Hip Hop. After he tore it down on stage that night he chilled in the crowd to enjoy the rest of the show. Our "EMCEE OF THE WEEK" this week took some serious time out this past weekend to answer a bunch of questions I had for him. Check out this insightful interview I had with Sha Stimuli below:

MONEY MIZ: What up Stimuli? Thanks for takin' some time out to rap with me, I really appreciate it. What's been good with you so far in 2010?

SHA STIMULI: I've been good, can't complain too much. 2010 has been interesting, I got out of the country to do some shows in the UK, tryin' to hit some more spots but other than that I've just been embracing the place that I've solidified in life and focusing on achieving more without overlooking what I've done... if that makes any sense.

MONEY MIZ: No doubt! Never forget where you been, but look forward to where you're goin'. I've read about you workin' on some new music and I gotta say I'm excited about it. What is your "Unsung" project and when can we expect it to be available?

SHA STIMULI: Yeah that project is scheduled to drop this summer hopefully with Coast2CoastMixtapes.com digitally and maybe some hard copies as well but I'm doin' something different from "My Soul To Keep" in a sense that the music won't be all soulful and reflective. I can't help but be myself on record so I'll be bearing my soul but I do feel like some of my fans missed some of the hard edged music on my debut and a little bit of the bravado. You can't please everyone so don't look for me to be all over the place, but I do want to continue to evolve musically and personally. My girl came up with the title "Unsung," she actually named my album and my "Hotter Than July" mixtape and it's not a crazy in-depth process. I ask what I should name a CD and she blurts something out. It works. But with this one I'm doing two parts "Unsung Vol. 1" is The Garden of Eden and Vol. 2 is Cinderella Man. I do believe I'm one of those unsung heroes, under the radar artists that you have to listen to in order to really get and I don't have major financial backing or a co-sign so my voice doesn't always get heard... ah, but when it is, people appreciate it. So I decided not to shy away from the spot I have but to appreciate it, the same way Adam and Eve should have appreciated the Garden of Eden, but it took them to get thrown out to acknowledge paradise. I think we all have a piece of paradise in our lives that we don't see.

MONEY MIZ: Word, I think that's so true. Some might even know it, they just don't acknowledge it enough. Your debut album "My Soul To Keep" is a modern day classic in my opinion. I listed it in my "Top 9 Albums of 2009" and still keep it in rotation in my whip. I personally don't care how many copies it sold 'cause that literally doesn't mean shit when it comes to good music anymore, ya know what I'm sayin'? In your honest opinion, do you feel the album got the recognition it truly deserved?

SHA STIMULI: I think it got what it deserved and will continue to grow as time passes and more people listen to it. On a physical level in terms of sales and magazine ratings, of course more is always better. I would love to live off the sales of this LP, but unfortunately that isn't the case. I thank you for your admiration of the music, it doesn't go unnoticed. And I will say, the words from fans or just regular humans that enjoy the body of work as entertainment and as a release from their everyday lives is truly a blessing. I had to take a step back and think that I'm not selling millions or performing on award shows, but I could've given up years ago when I lost my record deal and not be reaching anyone. I mean seriously, people have stopped me and told me they owe me for getting them through something or I helped their relationship or just altered 24 hours of their lives... with words and beats, that I came up with... it's deeper than we can really imagine. If tomorrow I blow up and Lil Wayne or Kanye or 50 signs me or something and I'm touching millions instead of thousands, this journey has prepared me for everything.

MONEY MIZ: That feeling must be so rewarding, when you hear how you touched someone. Something that absolutely fascinated me about "My Soul To Keep" was that you still had the creative ability to pen that album after releasing 12 mixtapes in 2008!!! How could you have a personal life at all if you're releasing that much music? I mean you gotta be immune to "writer's block" right?

SHA STIMULI: (Laughing.) Nah, I wouldn't say that, the mixtapes were like training camp. It really was a good idea that should've gone further if Twitter was as popular then or if I was on my Facebook grind like I am now but ummm I don't think I ever wrote so much material in such a short amount of time. The emotions and places I put myself in to write the "March on Washington" disc, "Love Jones" and "Hotter Than July" were really amazing if I step outside of myself. I was worried if I should just take some songs from those CDs and make my debut or if I would be able to channel energy all over again, but music is my life. I have a personal life. It mainly consists of playing basketball, eating food and watching movies, but I try to squeeze in some things that make me smile. Writing is my passion, my BlackBerry is loaded with scripts, books, songs, and verses. Maybe I shouldn't have let that out, but yeah, I get stumped sometimes with trying to say the hottest stuff and really concerning myself with not being too deep or too hard to follow while still being clever but mostly my biggest issue is remembering verses. Inspiration comes from everywhere.

MONEY MIZ: To add to this, your mixtapes are basically like albums. They have themes and are well thought out, not just a bunch of BULLSHIT slapped together quickly with a DJ yellin' over everything. It's quite apparent you take pride in your music. Why is this? Why are you so different from all these NY mixtape rappers?

SHA STIMULI: I have to credit DJ Victorious for steppin' in and helpin' me create concepts and also givin' me direction on certain records. I'm a sucker for a good story. He had to stop me from connecting every song on every tape. I really wanted every CD to go in some kind of weird order where I meet the girl in the beginning and then we get into drama or I start off ignorant then evolve... I just feel like people need a reason to listen to an entire body of work because I definitely don't want to pop in a CD by some rapper I don't know when I can just hear one catchy song on the radio or in the club. I love concepts and I like to provoke thought, it's my gift and curse. People always tell me that the buying public doesn't want to think too much, which is why media is getting dumber and lazier but I don't care. I think folks still want mental stimulation, they just don't always know that's what they want. To answer your question though, I don't know how different I am because I don't listen to much rap music but I will tell you this, no one is doing what I'm doing or talking about the things I'm talking about and that makes me very happy as a human being.

MONEY MIZ: My brother and my boy Khamal actually put me on to you several years ago after hearing you on HipHopGame.com right before your "Switch Sides" mixtape. They were tellin' me you were gonna be the next "big thing" in Hip Hop. In hind sight, being the next "big thing" might be overrated. What happened with your Virgin Records deal and do you think the demise of that relationship may have been a blessing in disguise considering the way the game works now?

SHA STIMULI: I will try to not be long-winded, but if you're still reading this then you're either a fan or I'm sparking your interest so here it goes: Was it a blessing? I don't know, I guess it was in a sense 'cause I don't know what path I was on as an artist. I think I was almost ready to give in and do whatever it was going to take to make it to the next level. Which meant any type of record possible to get exposure. Virgin didn't really have the staff to push an artist like myself at the time but I could've made anything work to my advantage if you ask me. I will say that I may have not been ready for the success that was ahead of me with that situation and I am thankful for the knowledge that I have today. As for what happened: I interned for Roc-A-Fella Records in 1997 and got cool with Hip-Hop, Gee Roberson, Al Branch and then street team leader, Lenny S. Every year after I graduated from college I would go check Lenny and play music and ask him if I should quit and get a job and he told me to keep going. In 2005 he signed me to Virgin Records as his first project. Jay-Z was Def Jam's president at the time and wanted to reunite all his former teammates under his regime and Lenny was offered a job. His only condition was to bring me along, which Jay agreed to. Unfortunately, there was a big stall and Jay didn't really keep his word, to say what happened really would seem like I'm whining or bitter, but let's just say I didn't take my career into my own hands and my ignorance about the business and people came to light. I owed Virgin money, they wanted Def Jam to pay it, Def Jam wanted to wait until I got dropped so I could have a clean slate but Virgin wouldn't drop me. Jermaine Dupri wanted to keep me at Virgin but decided if I didn't want to be there then he wouldn't fight for me. So I was stuck on a label but shelved while trying to maintain a name out there in the industry. I'm thankful for the experience and it could've gone very differently but it didn't and I just hope I can offer info to some other artists out there that may be going through politics in the game.

MONEY MIZ: Wow, Jay-Z didn't keep his word??? Get out... That shit's fucked up man. You've actually been in the game a lot longer than I thought. You're Lord Digga's brother and were exposed to Hip Hop at a young age. A lot of heads don't know you were on Masta Ace's "Slaughtahouse" album and knew Biggie from your brother workin' on his album. How did those early experiences effect your career?

SHA STIMULI: All of those experiences molded me to become who I am today. If it wasn't for Ace, I wouldn't know how to rock a show or how to do my thing in the studio. I was around Hip Hop when it was pure, before it was cool or profitable. People did it because they loved it and also because they had talent. My brother brought me to video shoots, studio sessions, and shows and exposed me to artists that had chosen rap as a career and it made me feel like music was more than just a dream. Roc-A-Fella not only helped me get signed, but it also gave me a chance to witness the meteoric rise of a company that truly believed in an artist and they worked together to make a lot of big things happen.

MONEY MIZ: How has the game changed over all these years and how difficult has it been to adapt to the changes?

SHA STIMULI: The game has changed drastically, when I started out it was all about having the best mixtape, we were hand-to-hand in the street with CDs and I even pressed up vinyl, shit now that I think about it, I was in a group when I was in college and my first meeting was with DJ Enuff when he was at Def Jam and we played a cassette tape. I did the same with Bad Boy actually, I think that was Conrad. Man, it's been so long. I got Unsigned Hype in The Source when it was really a big deal, I got spins on radio and we had a focus to get that record deal. But the Internet has changed everything. It has allowed many more people, talented or not to break in the game and also have an impact on it with the help of blog sites. It has watered down the buying public and diminished the actual fan that has no access to an artist. It made it possible for me to go to foreign countries and have them know my lyrics but it has also subtracted star quality and scarcity when it comes to artists. There was a time when you didn't know so much about an artist's life, but now you can speak to them directly on Twitter and comment on their music and watch them behind the scenes in reality shows and all of this matters since the chances of you going to buy their disc is very slim. I have adapted to reaching the masses through the net but I have not gotten there totally yet. It's tough to do things to get your career popping and then remember to tell people you're doing it simultaneously as you do it as if they want to know. Right now I should be Tweeting this, but I'm not... it sucks.

MONEY MIZ: (Laughing.) If you could only choose one current emcee as your personal favorite, who would it be and why?

SHA STIMULI: One emcee? I don't know, the only artist I'm truly waiting for is Andre 3000. He always wows me with lyrics and concepts. I need an album from him. I think he would make me re-evaluate what I did with my album and want to do better.

MONEY MIZ: What emcee would you most like to work with on your next album?

SHA STIMULI: I'd like to work with Eminem, maybe. He would push me to do something I wouldn't think of doing.

MONEY MIZ: What producer would you most like to work with on your next album?

SHA STIMULI: I'd love to work with Kanye or Just Blaze. I'm doing something with J. Cardim, he's gonna be big.

MONEY MIZ: Yeah I know of him from Boston. He just did a few hot joints for Joe Budden. I heard you played D1 college basketball. Is this true? And, if so, what was it like to play ball on that level?

SHA STIMULI: I played for a junior college in Iowa, I had the chance to play for a four-year school but it would've been in the Midwest 'cause I didn't get decent in ball until my senior year. I was too short to be a 2-guard in the NBA, but it was a learning experience for me. I learned that if I wanted something, I have the mental capacity to go for it. Music was calling me and it made me have to choose because basketball would have required a serious sacrifice to go to the next level. Obviously I made the choice I am with now. My brother signed to Atlantic Records, so I transferred from Iowa to Delaware State with the hopes of playing for the team. I had the opportunity presented to me, but it wasn't something I really desired anymore.

MONEY MIZ: Who do you think'll win the NBA finals this year? I'm from Boston so I'm very biased (laughing).

SHA STIMULI: I'm a Kobe fan, so I'm still celebrating and I hate to tell you about the repeat that's goin' down this year but it'll be interesting. Sorry about that, the Celtics look good though. Rondo is one of my favorite people, he reminds me of myself on the court.

MONEY MIZ: You might be right, the fuckin' Celtics have lost every god damn lead they've had all year!!! Back to college. Your education definitely shows in your lyrical content and it's refreshing to have a change of pace in the music. As a fan of Hip Hop are you gettin' tired of the same old "shoot 'em up," "pitchin' crack to the fiends" content in the music?

SHA STIMULI: I think everything has its place and that music allows me the chance to do what I do. I just wish two things would happen that would be reminiscent of my early days as a fan of Hip Hop. One would be versatility and variety when it comes to radio. That would decrease the formulaic outcome we've been gettin' where artists think they have to do a certain style of record to break through. Another would be to have artists be technically good at constructing songs and rhymes. I don't care what Jeezy raps about or his slow pattern as long as it's clever. The man cares about his pen... other artists from that region... not so much. And some rappers from New York or wherever preach ignorance all day because that's what they lived, but 85% of them, if you had to interview their family and friends, they wouldn't represent what they speak about on record. So what they say is that they feel like they have to perpetuate a stereotype to be heard and that's sad. Is Hip Hop a cancer or a symptom of a bigger issue? I say it's a symptom, we're not helping people with the negative music but the positive music that exists doesn't get the light of day so who is really controlling what reaches the masses? If I shot people and sold crack with no regard for human life, I would most likely use it to provoke thought and steer the youth in another direction. But that's just me...

MONEY MIZ: I had the pleasure of seein' you live for the first time a couple weeks ago and out of all the performers that hit the stage that night, your performance really stood out. You can tell performing Hip Hop is a very emotional thing for you. As an emcee stage presence is very important. What have you done to perfect your live emceeing skills?

SHA STIMULI: I can't tell all the secrets but I don't take the stage lightly. I want to put a dent in it every single time and make folks understand that you may have an artist that you're feeling but what do I do when I'm up there is give you every piece of emotion inside of me. I watch other people's shows, I imagine being in the crowd and looking up at myself, I try to tear my ego down and think about the fans and most of all, I am in the moment. I never lose myself on the stage, I prepare, I make sure I project and provide lyricism, wit and personality.

MONEY MIZ: My borther and I were listenin' to "My Soul To Keep" the other day and he pointed out that you never let the rhyme dictate what you want to say. You never let a rhyme force itself into any of your lines. You say exactly what you want to and get it to rhyme the way you want to. Is this just natural or is it a combination of hard work and talent?

SHA STIMULI: That's one of the most interesting questions I've ever gotten. I believe that with this album I wanted to make sure I was understood. I thought about the average person that maybe didn't want to hear verbal linguistic crazy flows and just decided to communicate topics with feeling. Sometimes I think I dumbed it down too much technically or that the lines weren't as shocking as some of my mixtape stuff, but I swear to you it just felt right. I didn't force one thing on this album. I remember Adam Levine from Maroon 5 saying that it's good to do what you feel in the studio and not to try to make records with the record business in mind. I was thinking about people and what was missing and the words and ideas just came out. Records like "Have You Seen Him?" and "What's Wrong..." really have a place in my heart outside of the artistic world as messages that I felt needed to be heard.

MONEY MIZ: Well I hope you continue to make the quality music that you have been throughout your career. Thanks for answerin' my questions and I wish you much success this year. I'm definitely lookin' forward to "Unsung, Vol. 1." Please let all my readers know where they can find more of you and your music online...

SHA STIMULI: I thank you for listening and anything you need from me, I'm here. I don't want to just promote myself so I will say if you do like an artist, reach out to him, support his/her music, it could change a life, encourage a dream and make someone a better person. With that said... hit me up... "MY SOUL TO KEEP" album in stores now: PURCHASE ALBUM ON iTUNES HERE!!!

Follow Sha Stimuli on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/ShaStimuli

EMCEE OF THE WEEK - Sha Stimuli

2010-02-15T21:23:00.005-05:00

This week's "EMCEE OF THE WEEK" is Sha Stimuli. I don't think I've ever put an emcee as deserving as Stimuli in this weekly feature before. His thought provoking, introspective, insightful rhymes are just so scarce in this industry lately, that when I heard his debut album "My Soul To Keep," I researched it to make sure it wasn't a reprint of an album from the '90s. His abilities on the mic very well may be limitless because there isn't a topic, style, or flow he hasn't been able to perfect yet. Not to mention, his stage presence is inspiring for all upcoming emcees, just don't try to battle him - you will get BODIED.

Sha's been involved in Hip Hop since being featured on the Masta Ace Incorporated album "Slaughtahouse" when he was just an early teenager right out of elementary school back in '92. He always had a passion for music but went on to college in Iowa to play Division 1 NCAA basketball. After one year ballin', Stimuli's older brother Lord Digga signed a deal with Atlantic and went on to produce for Biggie Smalls' "Ready To Die" album. Sha was able to chill with his brother and Biggie during the '90s Golden Era of Hip Hop. After Biggie's passing, Sha moved on to intern at Roc-A-Fella Records, learning that solo artists could indeed blow up without being signed to major labels.

This gave birth to Sha Stimuli, the EMCEE. In 2002, he released his first mixtape "Let Me Show You The Way" and The Source Magazine named him in the then coveted "Unsigned Hype" section of their publication. Stimuli subsequently got signed to Virgin Records, but left due to issues between Def Jam and Virgin that created a situation where he was without a management team. This may have been a blessing in disguise though, considering the downhill spiral we've all witnessed with Hip Hop music sales during the latter half of this past decade.

Sha Stimuli released 12 mixtapes in 2008, one for every month. His ability to write is unmatched in my opinion. The ease at which he delivers such witty, intelligent, and meaningful lyrics is quite special in this age of "dumbed down," gun clapping, and booty clapping themes in Hip Hop. He was recognized for his skills at the Underground Music Awards in 2007 and 2008, winning "Best Lyricist" and "Best Male Rapper" respectively. What I personally couldn't wait for was his official solo album "My Soul To Keep" which came out at the end of October last year. If you don't have this album, I strongly suggest getting it. It's a modern day classic. Read HipHopDX.com's review here: My Soul To Keep REVIEW

Sha Stimuli is a rare breed of emcee who can literally do it all... and do it all better than all of your favorite rappers. From braggadocio to story telling, hardcore street to light-hearted comedy, political to romantic, Sha Stimuli has perfected all emceeing styles. He's a fuckin' Shaolin Master when it comes to the martial art of rhyme and if you don't believe me, just peep the video below. This clip is from the Statik Selektah Record Release Party I went to a couple weeks ago. There were about 20 other emcees to hit the stage that night, but I think Stimuli crushed all of them. See for yourself...

PURCHASE "MY SOUL TO KEEP" ON iTUNES HERE

Also, peep Sha's official video for "Move Back" featuring Freeway and produced by Just Blaze off his "My Soul To Keep" album:

THROWBACK CLASSIC - Week of 2/15

2010-02-15T19:06:00.001-05:00

Lamont Coleman, better known to the Hip Hop world as Big L was killed 11 years ago today. Gunned down in his own hood of Harlem, Big L's murder is yet another one of those Hip Hop deaths that has yet to be solved. An arrest was made when the crime first occurred, but the suspect was later let go due to a lack of substantial evidence. It's suspected that Big L's two incarcerated brothers may have been to blame for his murder because it's rumored that the crime happened in retaliation to something that one of his brothers may have down in jail or prior to being locked up.

In memory of arguably the most skilled emcee of all time, I'm posting Big L's "Put It On" video as the "THROWBACK CLASSIC OF THE WEEK." This song is one of the singles from his debut album "Lifestylez of Da Poor & Dangerous" which was released back in 1995. Big L unfortunately met his demise right before the release of his sophomore album "The Big Picture."

Peep the video below:

Raekwon Responds To Sade's Shoutout

2010-02-13T20:37:00.000-05:00

Yo Raekwon is a clown, straight up!!! This video is crazy funny. When Rae found out that Sade shouted him out in an interview last week saying that she's been listening to Cuban Linx 2 and loving it, he recorded this video to thank her for the love.

Peep this hilarious video from Raekwon below:

New Hip Hop Album Releases - 2/16/10

2010-02-13T19:22:00.000-05:00

The following is a list of new Hip Hop album releases for Tuesday, February 16, 2010:

Big Rich & Ya Boy: "Guns & Roses" (EP)

Freeway & Jake One: "The Stimulus Package"

LMNO: "Push That Work"

Mathematics: "Return of The Wu & Friends"

The Jacka: "Dre Area Vol. 2"

Army of the Pharaohs: "The Unholy Terror"

I've heard the Mathematics album already and, as much as I love Allah Math, this guy is on some serious fuckery here. He puts out Wu-Tang compilation albums every year practically and they all have the same exact fuckin' songs on them. This album literally has the same axact tracks on it as his last release, just with a different name. Come on dude. GETTHEFUKOUTTAHEREWITDATBULLSHIT!!!!!!!

I'm actually pretty interested in seeing what Army of the Pharaohs can do on their third album here this week. I hope the rhymes are on point. As long as the rhymes are up to par, it'll be a dope, hardcore, underground album. I'll keep y'all posted. One.

Wu-Tang Saga Documentary

2010-02-13T18:40:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, February 25, 2010, a brand new documentary movie will be released titled "Wu-Tang Saga." This documentary of the Wu is like no other, in that, it doesn't discuss the Clan's early years and history. Instead, it focuses completed on the last two years and what transpired between the group members during and after the recording of their latest group album "8 Diagrams." The footage encompasses 9 concerts they performed in together as a group in the last two years as well as a tour of Staten Island, exclusive freestyles, album photo shoots, footage from the tour buses, 5% teachings, autograph sessions, and more. This documentary is narrated exclusively by the members of the Wu-Tang Clan and delves into the revolt that occurred against the RZA after the release of "8 Diagrams."

This should be a must-see for any die-hard Wu-Tang fans. I know I'm all over this one for sure. You can pre-order the two hour movie including an additional hour of bonus footage at www.WuTangSaga.com.

Check out the trailer below:

Padma Lakshmi Commercial

2010-02-13T16:11:00.000-05:00

This post can be filed under BULLSHIT I guess, 'cause it has nothing to do with Hip Hop. This is a commercial that Indian model and host of Bravo's "Top Chef" did for Carl's Jr. My Wiz is Indian and I swear to God I just have a thing for Indian chicks. Padma is probably the hottest Indian woman I've ever seen. Check out this commercial. I want to eat the fuck outta... that burger. (Get your mind out the gutter mutha fucka!!!)

Follow Padma Lakshmi on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/PadmaLakshmi

Money Miz's Memo on Advertising

2010-02-11T13:17:00.001-05:00

Memo

To: Record Executives, Music Industry Advertisers, Radio Stations, MTV, BET
From: Money Miz
Re: New Advertising Law
Date: 2/11/2010
________________________________________________________________________________

Effective immediately: The United States Congress has passed into law a new regulation on the advertising of Hip Hop music. Any radio or television commercials MUST have warning disclaimers included at the end similar to the warnings included in all pharmaceutical or medicine advertisements. These warnings must clearly and simply describe any and all side effects that may be caused by listening to the music. Advertisements not including such warnings will result in heavy fines for the advertising company and the company broadcasting the advertisements. An example of a warning disclaimer can be found below (in my TV commercial deep announcer voice):

"This album contains obnoxious levels of auto-tune, R&B choruses, repetitive boring content, complete and utter fabrications of illegal activity, several lines that do not even rhyme, beats that use "hand-claps" instead of snare drums, rappers trying to sing but failing miserably, extreme usage of cross-over content, excessive usage of gun-shot and "click-clack" sounds, and improper (but entertaining) objectification of women."

"Some people have had changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts or actions while listening or after listening to Hip Hop. In some instances people have experienced serious side effects such as: wanting to paper cut their eyeballs, banging their heads into walls repeatedly, and attempting to record an album themselves because if Lil Wayne can do it then anyone can. Other listeners have experienced side effects that considerably reduced their I.Q. and even reduced their intelligence to levels seen in people with down syndrome."

"If you notice agitation, hostility, depression or changes in behavior, thinking or mood that are not typical of you, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, STOP listening to the BULLSHIT and call your doctor right away. If you notice reduction in your penis size, loss of vision, or have an erection lasting more than four hours because you're gay and want to fuck Lil Wayne in his 4 foot 11 inch ass, then contact the record executive who put the album out and slap the shit out of him and his momma!!!"

"If none of this works and your suicidal thoughts persist, then go ahead and BODY YOURSELF because you're absolutely fucked at this point."

These disclaimers must be added to all advertisements IMMEDIATELY.

Ruste Juxx & Marco Polo - "Rearview"

2010-02-10T21:44:00.002-05:00

The "JOINT OF THE WEEK" this week is "Rearview." This is the first leak off of Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx's upcoming LP "The Exxecution." The album is slated for release on March 23, 2010 and I'm pretty sure it'll be dope. Marco Polo will be the sole producer of the album and if it's anything like his last release "Double Barrel" with Torae, then this album will be nice. Ruste Juxx and Marco Polo are both part of Duck Down Records and everything I've ever heard either of them do musically has been official. I was first exposed to Ruste Juxx on Sean Price's "Monkey Barz" album back in 2005 and he's impressed me with every hard, gutter rhyme he's ever spit. Marco Polo is a highly respected producer from Canada and if you don't know who he is, BODY YOURSELF. I'm not even gonna elaborate on that shit. I'll keep y'all posted on any new developments from this upcoming record. For now listen and download to the "Joint of the Week" below and be sure to peep the sick album cover art as well!!!

FREE DOWNLOAD - Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx "REARVIEW"

TOP 5 ANTICIPATED ALBUMS IN 2010

2010-02-10T18:24:00.001-05:00

I've been thinkin' about what albums I'm dying to get my hands on in 2010 and I think I'm finally ready to break it down for y'all. After listening to complete BULLSHIT thus far in 2010 (i.e. Lil Wayne's ridiculous crossover "Rebirth" album, fully equipped with auto-tune laced verses and choruses), I'm really hoping for the albums in my Top 5 to be classics. I never get my hopes too high because I've been burnt way too many times in the last decade on albums that should've been classic but turned out to be garbage. Is it too much to ask for Eminem (a great lyricist) to do a track over a DJ Premier beat??? I'm just using him as one example, but there's many more like that. There's so many dope emcees who would make classic albums if they fucked with the right producers and stopped fuckin' with auto-tune and beats from Timbaland's fat ass (don't get it twisted, I think Timbaland's made some sick shit but he also made a disproportionate amount of doodoo).

So, without any further ado, the following is a list of my Top 5 Most Anticipated Hip Hop Albums of 2010:

5. J. Cole: "Untitled" (No album name yet)

Follow J. Cole on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/JColeNC

J. Cole is the first MC to be signed to Jay-Z's new label "RocNation." He's been on tour with Jay-Z recently and is currently working on his first official studio album, due out some time this year. I'm very excited about J. Cole and his album. He's released two mixtapes, which basically run as if they're real albums. The first mixtape titled "The Come Up" (FREE DOWNLOAD "THE COME UP") was released back in 2007 and Jay-Z swiftly signed him upon hearing some of his tracks. The second mixtape is titled "The Warm Up" (FREE DOWNLOAD "THE WARM UP") and was released in the summer of 2009. If you haven't heard this kid flow yet, be sure to use the links and download both of these mixtapes. J. Cole is truly skilled at his craft. He graduated from St. John's University Magna Cum Laude a couple years ago and it shows in his rhymes. His content is intelligent and street at the same time (similar to Nas from the '90s) and his flow is water (of the Fiji caliber). My only concern with J. Cole's debut album is if Jay-Z or the label has an influence on the content. If they commercialize the fuck outta the album, then we have a major problem. If they let J. Cole continue to ride in the lane he's been holdin' down for the past few years, then I have no doubt his album will be amazing. We'll have see what happens. If you don't believe me about J. Cole's skills, then peep this video below:

4. Capone-N-Noreaga: "The War Report 2"

Follow CNN on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/Noreaga & www.Twitter.com/CaponeQB

I'm actually extremely excited for this album right here. Capone-N-Noreaga released their undeniably classic album "The War Report" back in 1997. That album boasted features from Tragedy Khadafi, Mobb Deep, and Imam Thug. The production was stacked with legends like Carlos "6 July" Broady, EZ Elpee, Buckwild, Lord Finesse, Marley Marl, Clark Kent and Tragedy Khadafi. It was a certified, underground, street classic that broke the mold and garnered commercial success despite it's hardcore, gritty sound. Capone-N-Noreaga have signed a deal as a group with Raekwon's Ice Water label and are reportedly 80% complete with recording the sequel. What gets me excited about this project is that CNN understands that their albums that came out after "The War Report" were not very good. Noreaga has stated that he's not going clubbing or listening to the radio while they record part 2. He vowed to drink Hennessy again even though he hates it. Noreaga wants to get back in the same mind set he was in while recording their debut.

In a recent interview with XXL Magazine Noreaga discussed the elements that made the first album so good: "When you listen to The Reunion we didn't have those elements... When you listen to Channel 10 that was way far off so this is really going back to the basics you know what I'm sayin'? It's going back to the basics just like The War Report and that's just makin' fuckin' music. Who cares if a chorus goes there or not, that's just not what it is... Hip Hop is rhyme, nigga, we'll figure it out later."

Well, if N.O.R.E comes through on this, "The War Report 2" could be the hardest album Hip Hop has heard in quite some time. No auto-tune singing in the chorus of so-called "thugged out gangsta" tracks. CNN's current mind frame being coupled with Raekwon's "older brother" type guidance on the project could be a recipe for street classic success. I can't fuckin' wait. Peep the video below of Noreaga buildin' with Imam Thug as they prepare to make "The War Report 2."

3. Pharoahe Monch: "W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)"

Follow Pharoahe Monch on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/PharoaheMonch

I've been a big fan of Pharoahe Monch since he was killin' it with Prince Po in Organized Konfusion. In the fourth quarter last year, Monch announced that he left SRC Records to form his own independent label, W.A.R. (We Are Renegades). He also announced the release of a brand new solo album under the same title as the record label. Pharoahe Monch has been hard at work over the past few months recording the album and touring in Australia. He confirmed guest appearances from Jean Grae, Talib Kweli, Black Milk, Styles P, Cee-Lo, Prince Po, and a yet to be announced "favorite" member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Monch told XXL Magazine late last year that the Prince Po Organized Konfusion track was "insane." In addition to guest appearances, Pharoahe Monch stated via his Twitter account that "W.A.R. is produced by Exile, M-Phases, Fatin, Marco Polo, Nottz, and Samiyam... THESE DUDES BEATS PUSHED MY LYRICS BEYOND COMPREHENSION." Well, I can't wait for the album my brother. I love the fact that Pharoahe Monch has gone completely independent as well. He's still getting big name producers and features simply on his own reputation and I feel like this album will probably be as good as "Internal Affairs" was. Once again, we'll have to just wait and see. Check the Pharoahe Monch interview with Rebel TV 333 below:

2. Meth, Rae, Ghost: "Three, The Hard Way"

Follow Meth, Rae, Ghost on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/MethRaeGhost

I don't think I'm gonna elaborate too much on this choice here. Hot off of Raekwon's classic release "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II," Raekwon has linked up with Method Man and Ghostface Killah and the three of them are in the process of recording an official studio album together titled "Three, The Hard Way." Raekwon has been on a mission to continue his success from last year and he gathered arguably the two best members of the Wu to form a mini group. This shit is gonna be BANANAS. Information on this album has been kept fairly quiet as of yet. The only real info I've heard is when RZA spoke to MTV at the end of 2009. He stated that he's on board with the project and will be producing some joints on the album. All I have to say is if RZA is producing any part of the album, it's gonna be ridiculous. Scram Jones also told me on Twitter that he produced some shit for Rae recently that is on some next level shit. I have good faith that Raekwon, Meth and Ghostface will produce an extremely high caliber record here. Let's just keep our fingers crossed.

Peep the first leak from the album "Meth vs. Chef Part 2" produced by Allah Mathematics below:

1. Jay Electronica: "Untitled" (No album name yet)

Follow Jay Electronica on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/JayElectronica

Jay Electronica, from the Magnolia Projects in New Orleans, now residing in Brooklyn, is possibly the most hyped MC ever to only have released two official singles to date. This guy; however, could be the true "savior" of Hip Hop as we used to know it. If you live under a rock and haven't heard his Just Blaze produced joints "Exhibit A (Transformations)" and "Exhibit C," then you need to go BODY YOURSELF. What he accomplished lyrically on these two tracks is pure magic (and I don't mean the kind that nerdy white suburban teenagers play with cards at school). He's been performing in New York and L.A. lately with the likes of Mos Def, Talib Kweli, A Tribe Called Quest, and The Roots. Even P. Diddy has been sweating his shit lately on stage and on Twitter. I put Jay at the number 1 spot because I think he's special. I think what he did on Exhibit's A & C is classic material and I think that he just doesn't know how to write a wack verse. I think he is what I WANT Mos Def to be. He is what I WANT Nas to be. He is an intelligent emcee who rhymes about important issues, but doesn't come off "preachy." He has the ability to spit verses that evoke emotion and intellectual thinking that sound doper than the "poetry" Nas put inside his crack pipe and blew back in 1996. Finally, we have an emcee who can make us all think and simultaneously sound hard as fuck flowing seamlessly over East Coast thumpin' production. And this mutha fucka's from New Orleans!!! I rooted for the Saints in the Super Bowl because of Jay Electronica. (Just kidding, I'm from Boston so FUCK Peyton Manning and FUCK the Colts.) Regardless, I am personally anticipating Jay Electronica's debut album more than anything in the world right now. Whatever this man whips together in the studio is going to be quite rare and extra unique. I just can't wait to listen to it in my headphones with a big ass Model Bubbles (www.Twitter.com/ModelBubbles) smile on my face!!!

Listen to Jay kill these two tracks below:

EMCEE OF THE WEEK - Canibus

2010-02-09T20:58:00.001-05:00

If you can believe it, Canibus is still rhyming. He's still spittin' verses that are 10 minutes long and way over the heads of most casual Hip Hop fans. And, guess what? He still doesn't give a fuck if you like him or not. He STILL is unwavering in his stance against the industry and against watering down his content to sell more records. This is essentially why most of you didn't even know that today he released a new solo LP titled "Melatonin Magik." This is actually his NINTH album in the past 12 years!!! I bet most of you didn't have the slightest clue that he's been steadily releasing music this whole time. Granted, at least half of his releases were garbage, but they sucked more so because of Canibus's inability to pick quality beats (a negative attribute of his throughout his career, which, I believe, basically fucked his career).

Despite Canibus's mediocre albums, I strongly believe that his lyrical ferociousness and unfathomable talent still keeps him in the discussion of greatest rappers (at the very least, top 5 greatest lyricists ever). Is he in my top 10 greatest rappers list? NO. Is he in my top 10 list of greatest lyricists? YES. And, trust me, there is a big difference between these categories.

His new album "Melatonin Magik" is no different than most of his releases this past decade. It's an average album primarily because the production is nothing to brag about. But, like all of his albums, it's worth listening to just to hear the insane lyrical content.

I had the pleasure of witnessing him perform live for the first time in my life last night at Southpaw in Brooklyn. After watching him flawlessly spit every single noteworthy, complicated rhyme he's written since hittin' the scene in 1998, I drew only one conclusion: CANIBUS IS NOT HUMAN, HE'S A FUCKIN' ROBOT. I mean this guy is a fuckin' perfectly crafted Cylon from Battlestar Galactica. He commanded the crowd who amazingly repeated every one of his lines in unison. The crowd was excellent and I was happy to see that New York still has a very alive and thriving REAL Hip Hop fan base. Canibus performed his new music acapella, which was very smart of him. This way, the crowd could appreciate the skills on his new shit without being distracted by the production. He also ran through classics like "2nd Round KO," "How We Roll," "2000 BC," and his verse from "4, 3, 2, 1." Even Agallah the Don was on stage with his fur coat and permed out hair spittin' all of Canibus's lines next to the DJ.

Canibus may not be one of the greatest rappers, but he's definitely one of the illest lyricists of all time. His show last night left me in awe at his stage presence and ceremony mastery. The new album is decent overall, but it's definitely a lesson in lyrical wordplay and metaphor. It would do most upcoming "emcees" a lot of good to give Canibus a listen. Maybe they'll learn how to put words together skillfully and creatively. I mean, shiiiiitttt, that's only the main piece of a rapper's job description, right???

Peep Canibus performing "2nd Round KO" live from Southpaw last night in Brooklyn. He also breaks down how the industry black balled his ass in the late '90s. Notice how the crowd knew every single line (and YOU KNOW my ass was hittin' every line in that bitch)!!! Check it below:

Also, peep this two minute freestyle acapella Canibus kicked last night:

DONKEY OF THE WEEK - Vickie 6

2010-02-09T14:47:00.005-05:00

This week's "DONKEY OF THE WEEK" is the uber erotic and exquisitely luscious VICTORIA TAYLOR a.k.a. VICKIE 6. She's a 26 year old professional model from Sin City, Las Vegas who has experience in virtually every photo style. From glamour shoots to nude, fetish or bondage shoots, Vickie has dominated the market with her beautiful curves that could get any man (or even woman) to wet his/her underwear!!!

Vickie's resume is quite impressive for only modeling full-time for three years now. She's been in commercials with Andre Agassi and Spike Lee, worked in the Rocky Balboa movie, hosted conventions and fashion shows, hosted Kenny Smith's NBA All Star weekend event in 2007, graced the covers of several books, and been featured in King Magazine twice. Her main focus going forward will be promoting her own brand and her own adult web site (www.Vickie6.com). She's pound for pound the sexiest model on the net and as you read further, you'll be able to witness first-hand why she's the internet champ!

Vickie linked up with me this past weekend for an interview so you all can get to know her a little better. Check the interview and enjoy all of her sexy pictures below:

MONEY MIZ: What up Vickie? Thank you so much for takin' the time out of your schedule to get up with me. I been checkin' your Model Mayhem page and had no idea how busy you are!!! I've interviewed models from LA to Denver, but never someone from Las Vegas. How crazy is the game in Vegas? I could only imagine...

VICKIE 6: And thank you for having me. Yeah (laughing) I do get quite busy especially when it comes to being a traveling model. Vegas is a different game. Living in one of the main tourist spots in the world, you never know who you might meet... and networking is very important. I do VIP modeling out here sometimes and occasionally a shoot or convention like "Magic," but other than that there isn't much work out here for me. Traveling is a must!

MONEY MIZ: Have you lived in Vegas your whole life?

VICKIE 6: I was actually born and raised here. Been here for most of my life and having been in so many different places, it always makes you realize how important home is. I love it here. There's no place like Vegas.

MONEY MIZ: You said it!!! I've never been anywhere like it, no doubt! (Laughing.) Now I've been doin' my research on you and, let me tell ya, it's been quite rewarding research! (Laughing.) Your photo spreads are some of the most erotic and sexual spreads I've seen since doing weekly model features on my site. You seem extremely comfortable with your body and shootin' nude. What's it like doing such sexual, nude shoots and are there a lot of asshole "photogs" in the game or have you been blessed to work with professionals?

VICKIE 6: (Laughing.) Well, that's good to hear. Hope you had fun! I am comfortable with my body, when it comes down to it. If you're gonna do something, might as well throw out any insecurities and do it all or nothing style. I have indeed worked with professionals, regardless of my work when it comes down to my personality and style I don't call on anything else other than respect. I'm a very sweet and laid back person.

MONEY MIZ: No doubt about that! I also wanna make sure I point out that your naked photos are very artistic and quite enthralling. There's really something about you that's captivating and pure. But you don't shoot strictly nude. Your less explicit material is quite amazing as well. How is it different for you to prepare mentally and physically for a nude, fetish shoot compared to a clothed glamour shoot?

VICKIE 6: Thank you! I think it's just that mixture of my personality that shines through. I couldn't do the more erotic effectively without pulling that out of somewhere real inside of me. Likewise, I can't do the more sweet things without also having that side of me. I just do it naturally. That's the talent a real model should have.

MONEY MIZ: Natural is something that's definitely lacking in this industry! You're a breath of fresh air in that regard. Do you listen to Hip Hop and who's your favorite MC? Also, who do you just hate as a rapper?

VICKIE 6: Yeah, I love Hip Hop. I can't really pick a favorite though. I've always loved Three-6-Mafia and noticed a lot of the Black Eyed Peas songs have been favorites of mine lately. As far as hate... I don't really know. I wouldn't remember them.

MONEY MIZ: What was it like working with King Magazine?

VICKIE 6: Working with King was cool. They were my first print in a magazine, that I know of. Good exposure.

MONEY MIZ: You might be the most "real" model I've seen in quite some time. There's no plastic surgery, fake breasts or fake booty and it's really refreshing to see a real woman modeling now-a-days. What's your opinion of all the fakeness that's taken over the industry and how do you separate yourself from the phonies?

VICKIE 6: I agree... it is refreshing. And that's a sad thing to say when you think about it. I think if you have to change everything about you, then you're in the wrong career. I just stay myself and don't try to fit into any box.

MONEY MIZ: You're definitely a well rounded business woman and I'm not just talkin' about your booty. (Laughing.) You've been creating some-what of an internet empire. From your website, to book covers, to magazine spreads, to commercials, to hosting events, you've pretty much done it all in a short time frame. From a business stand-point, how difficult has it been to create the brand you have and be as successful as you have been?

VICKIE 6: Yeah, I'm trying... and I have a ways to go, but so far anything I've tried to do has been accomplished. I've always been an entrepreneur so the key is just trying more things.

MONEY MIZ: Word. What's your ethnicity? I'm dying to know what kind of genes created the beauty of Vickie 6!!!

VICKIE 6: (Laughing.) Awww... My father is black, my mother is German, English, Irish and Scottish. Try guessing that!

MONEY MIZ: Wow, I thought I was a mix!!! I'll go out on a limb here and thank your dad for the booty! (Laughing.) If you don't mind me asking, what's your sexual orientation? I've seen you do pictures with girls so I'm wondering what you're into sexually.

VICKIE 6: Ask away! I love men. I can have a physical attraction with women at times and am definitely not afraid of them, but romantically I could never feel for a woman in that way.

MONEY MIZ: What's your favorite position?

VICKIE 6: Depends. But as much as people wanna label missionary as the boring one... It also allows kissing. Plus I can access... myself. (Smiling.)

MONEY MIZ: Word, I've seen y'all women diggin' that a lot actually. (Laughing.) With Valentine's Day around the corner, what would be the ideal romantic evening for Vickie 6?

VICKIE 6: I'd love a candle lit dinner on a nice summer night with someone I can't get enough of. Good food, conversation, some wine and looking into each others' eyes. Simple.

MONEY MIZ: I read something online that you might be retiring in 2010. Is this true? And, if so, what do you have planned for this year and then moving on or past modeling after 2010?

VICKIE 6: Yes it's true, that's the plan. This year I plan on working with everyone I have ever wanted to and traveling as a model everywhere I've always wanted to as well. Doing mags, videos and whatever else I can get my hands on. And then after 2010, working exclusively for my brand and my site.

MONEY MIZ: Seeing that you're from Vegas, I just have to ask if dance at all? 'Cause if you do I need to book a trip with my boys real quick! (Laughing.)

VICKIE 6: What kind of dancing? (Laughing.) We're talkin' about Vegas here! I love to dance when I go out, but as far as strip clubs... I tried that a few times, but the last time was many years ago.

MONEY MIZ: You have some piercings I've noticed in some of your photos. How many do you have and where are they? What initially got you into the art of piercing?

VICKIE 6: I have 10. Five in my ears, one in my nose, one in my lip, one in my belly and both of my nipples. I got into it 'cause it's very visual for my work and exciting.

MONEY MIZ: What's goin' on with all these sites (ahem, Model Mayhem) censoring all your shit? I've noticed you gettin' frustrated on Twitter about this recently. What's your opinion on all of that?

VICKIE 6: Yeah, I've noticed that I'm very heavily censored! (Laughing.) Even though I do try to be tasteful with what I post, write, etc. I think it's something about the curves of my body and eroticism of my nature that makes even a totally innocent person... come off naughty. Not my fault!

MONEY MIZ: I've featured you on my site last year and you've been one of the most popular "DONKEY'S OF THE WEEK" so far. You have an amazing body. What are your measurements and how do you maintain that booty?

VICKIE 6: Good to hear! I do try to work out and I eat pretty healthy, but mostly that's just my body type. I'm 33-25-38.

MONEY MIZ: What is the wildest photo shoot you've ever done and how can my readers (and I) check it out? (Laughing.)

VICKIE 6: (Laughing.) Wildest shoot was an erotic shoot with my ex-boyfriend. That was for us to keep and there are some pics floating around but there won't be anymore (laughing). We will continue to keep those personal.

MONEY MIZ: Aight, well thank you so much for rappin' with me. You're one of our favorite models and I appreciate you takin' the time out to answer my questions. Please tell my readers where they can find more of your beautiful work online, in print, or elsewhere...

VICKIE 6: Sure...

You can find me on my website: www.Vickie6.com

Also on: www.ModelMayhem.com/Vickie6

Follow me on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/ModelVickie6

On Facebook at: www.facebook.com/VictoriaATaylor

New Hip Hop Album Releases - 2/9/10

2010-02-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

The following is a list of new Hip Hop album releases for Tuesday, February 9, 2010:

Canibus: "Melatonin Magik"

DJ Kay Slay: "More Than Just A DJ"

Kurupt: "Down And Dirty"

Lord Superb: "Superb Clientele" (apparently he still thinks he wrote Supreme Clientele)

Louieville Sluggah (of O.G.C.): "Best Kept Secret"

Some interesting releases this week. I'm definitely interested in all of them because all of these dudes were nice at one point or another. I'm actually most interested in Lord Superb's album. He's a Wu-Tang affiliate who killed every verse he ever spit on back in the late '90s and early '00s. He went to prison for some time and got salty that Ghostface never visited him or gave him the "credit that he deserved." While in prison he claimed that he wrote most of Ghost's verses on Supreme Clientele. I doubt it, but the shit he did write for himself was nasty.

I'll let y'all know what I think of these as soon as I get a chance to listen. Most likely, I'll keep y'all updated on Twitter. Peace.

THROWBACK CLASSIC - Week of 2/7/10

2010-02-07T15:13:00.000-05:00

In memory of Big Pun's passing today as well as in anticipation of Capone-N-Noreaga's new album "The War Report 2," the THROWBACK CLASSIC of the week is Noreaga's classic posse cut "Banned From TV" featuring Nature, Big Pun, Cam'Ron, Jadakiss, and Styles P. The track was produced by Swizz Beatz and is one of his best joints to date. They really don't make posse cuts like this anymore. This was a time when New York mutha fuckas were straight runnin' shit in Hip Hop. Peep this classic video below:

Jay Electronica vs. Mickael Pietrus

2010-02-07T14:58:00.000-05:00

I'm sittin' here watchin' the Celtics vs. Magic game and it just hit me... Jay Electronica looks EXACTLY like Mickael Pietrus from the Orlando Magic. I mean, this is fuckin' crazy. They are practically identical twins!!!

Check the similarity:

JAY ELECTRONICA

MICKAEL PIETRUS

JAY ELECTRONICA

MICKAEL PIETRUS

R.I.P. - BIG PUN

2010-02-07T11:38:00.001-05:00

Today, on February 7, 2000, Big Pun, one of my top 5 greatest emcees of all time, passed away due to a heart attack. His death was so untimely and so sad. He was the first Latin rapper to go platinum and he was so sick-wit-it that you couldn't even classify him as simply a "Latin Rapper." No, he was your favorite rapper's favorite rapper. He was the first true "Lyrical Beast" on the mic. His flow was outrageous, his lyrics were hard, intelligent, ignorant, grimey, and funny all at the same time. He could handle the entire spectrum of Hip Hop and he did just that on his debut album "Capital Punishment." I'll be honest, when 2Pac and Biggie died, it didn't really phase me. When Pun died, I'll never forget sittin' in my dorm room just listening to Capital Punishment on repeat all day. How could he have died one month before the scheduled release of his sophomore LP release "Yeeeeah Baby!"??? I'll never forget Big Pun and I'll never forget his impact on the game of Hip Hop. He is a legend in its truest form.

On September 15, 2009, Vlad Yudin put out a tribute documentary to Big Pun titled "Big Pun: The Legacy." I finally got around to watching this documentary this past week and it was excellent. It brought back so many memories of "the good ol' days" in hip-hop. It was also very emotional and sad as most of you would expect.

The documentary focuses on Big Pun's entire life, from growing up in the Soundview Projects in the Bronx and dealing with an abusive step-father and a heroin addicted mother to him reaching double platinum as a world famous hip-hop artist. It also focuses on Pun's addiction to food once he began to make money. When you see pictures of him as a teenager, you won't believe your eyes. Pun was a muscular, in-shape dude who played basketball with Cuban Link and the rest of his boys from the "Full-a-clips" crew.

"Big Pun: The Legacy" also contains a lot of footage of Big Pun himself in interviews and live performances. You get to see him freestyle in a huge cypher with some other famous rappers and you get to see him perform many different songs live. It disturbed me to an extent to see him performing live while sitting down on a chair on stage. Remarkably, Pun could spit his verses sitting down better than most emcees can do it standing up. There are also interviews with dozens of rappers who reflect on Big Pun and his legacy in the rap game including: Method Man, Raekwon, Prodigy, Snoop Dogg, DMX, Xzibit, Steve Rifkind, Cuban Link, Armageddon, DJ Skribble, and many more.

In addition, Vlad Yudin shed light on Pun's criminal past and obsession with guns. Pun used to walk around with 4 guns in his waist band and constantly pull them out threatening people. Most of the shit he rhymed about was actually for real, unlike 90% of the rappers out there.

I highly recommend coppin' this DVD, especially if you weren't into Big Pun back in the day. After witnessing his skills in this documentary, nobody can deny his talent and impact he had on hip-hop. For me personally, if you don't consider Big Pun to be in your top 5 dead or alive list of greatest rappers of all time, then you absolutely do not know what the fuck you're talking about. Heads that don't recognize him as one of the best ever simply aren't real hip-hop fans. WORD LIFE!!!!

You can cop this DVD at:

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Pun-Legacy-Snoop-Dogg/dp/B002C8YSEM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1257438932&sr=8-1

Peep the trailer here:

CONCERT ALERT - Week of 2/1/10

2010-02-06T02:39:00.001-05:00

The following is a list of upcoming Hip Hop shows in the NY area:

CANIBUS W/ HOMEBOY SANDMAN, PACK FM, MR. MECCA & SUBSTANTIAL

Where: SouthPaw (125 Fifth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11217)
When: Monday, February 8, 2010
Doors: 8:00 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: $10 (In advance) $15 (Day of)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
______________________________________________________________________________

FREEWAY RECORD RELEASE PARTY W/ JOELL ORTIZ & BROTHER ALI

Where: Highline Ballroom (431 West 16th St. Manhattan)
When: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Doors: 7:00 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: $13 (In Advance)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
_____________________________________________________________________________

LORD FINESSE'S BDAY BASH W/ RAKIM, DITC, BRAND NUBIAN, THE BEATNUTS, BLACK SHEEP, NICE & SMOOTH, LARGE PROFESSOR, DJ PREMIER, BRAND NUBIAN, PLUS MORE

Where: S.O.B.'s (204 Varick St. Manhattan)
When: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Doors: 7:00 PM
Show: 8:00 PM
Tickets: $25 (In Advance) $30 (Day of)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
_____________________________________________________________________________

SEAN PRICE BABY SHOWER & PERFORMANCE

Where: Santos Party House (96 Lafayette St. Manhattan)
When: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Show: 7:30 - 11:30 PM
Tickets: None (Must bring a present for his unborn daughter - SERIOUSLY)
CLICK FOR FLYER (HILARIOUS!!!)
_____________________________________________________________________________

ROYCE DA 5'9" & CROOKED I (OF SLAUGHTERHOUSE)

Where: S.O.B.'s (204 Varick St. Manhattan)
When: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Doors: 8:00 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: $15 (In Advance) $17 (Day of)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
_____________________________________________________________________________

HIP HOP KARAOKE 4TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO BIGGIE SMALLS

Where: Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn)
When: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Sign Up: 9:00 PM
Show: 10:00 PM
Tickets: $5 with flyer
CLICK HERE FOR FLYER

THROWBACK CLASSIC - Week of 2/1/10

2010-02-06T01:44:00.000-05:00

After seeing Smif-N-Wessun live at S.O.B.'s this past Wednesday, I realized I forgot to post a new THROWBACK CLASSIC this week. This video really needs no introduction other than... CLASSIC. Check out one of the best joints from the '90s below. Buck Town... Home of the Originoo Gun Clappaz.

"She's So Fresh" III - Concert Review

2010-02-05T22:23:00.003-05:00

The past few weeks have been extraordinary for REAL Hip Hop music and culture in New York. From my being caught off guard at the "Bondfire at Bowery Poetry Club Open Mic Night" to Statik Selektah's "100 Proof" Record Release Party at S.O.B.'s, I've had the pleasure of witnessing some exceptional live Hip Hop performances thus far in 2010.

The "She's So Fresh" Showcase III truly continued my lucky streak of being a first-hand witness to GREAT HIP HOP in 2010. The event took place last night at Sputnik in Brooklyn. I had the pleasure of being invited by three unrelenting, pertinacious women of Hip Hop: DJ TastyKeish of WBAI 99.5 FM's "Rise Up Radio" Show (www.Twitter.com/TastyKeish), Bless Roxwell the Femcee and CEO of J.A.G. Music & Media (www.Twitter.com/BlessRoxwell), and Miss Shani the CEO/Chief Publicist and Event Producer of Stilettos & Sounds LLC (www.Twitter.com/StilettoDiva). I was pleasantly surprised by the gift bag I received when I entered the venue. Big up to Bless Roxwell for the CD and the delicious cupcake I killed on the G Train headin' back home at 2:00 AM.

"She's So Fresh" is a concert series that Bless Roxwell created back in August of 2009. It's a forum for upcoming female emcees (a.k.a. "Femcees") to display their skills on the mic live in NYC. The concept is amazing because femcees simply don't get the shine that some of them deserve in the Hip Hop game. I mean, look at my site for example. I have yet to feature a female rapper as "EMCEE OF THE WEEK" mainly because it's more challenging to find high quality female talent, due to a lack of media support. (I'll be remedying this situation on my site in the near future!!!) Regardless, Bless Roxwell is pioneering the promotion of women in Hip Hop. She doesn't just represent for women through marketing, she reps when she Rox Well on the mic and Blesses the crowd live on stage. (God, I can only imagine how many times somebody has already used that line, I just couldn't pass it up!!!)

"She's So Fresh III" was hosted by DJ TastyKeish and the show started on time (what kinda fuckery is this???) being set off with the appropriate tone by DJ Mocha rockin' the 1s & 2s. The first act to hit the stage was a collective group of freestyle rhymers called "Rhyme Like A Girl." Their set was rather unique as they all just got on stage and partook in a freestyle cypher that included a mixture of rapping and singing which all had a theme and a direction. This was quite an impressive way to come out the gate. Of the six acts to follow "Rhyme Like A Girl," I was thoroughly feelin' three of them:

Dante is an upcoming artist from Brooklyn. She held down a 15 minute set with some serious stage presence. She's got a pretty hard and gritty flow. One track really stood out to me and I think it was called "We On." Another track that caught my ear was called "Walk It." This is the first single from her new "Square In A Circle" Mixtape set for release on Monday, February 8th. You can download this track here: ***FREE DOWNLOAD*** Dante "Walk It"

Be sure to peep Dante's myspace at: www.myspace.com/dantemusic

You can also follow Dante on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/SuperstarTaay

Bless Roxwell was the next femcee to impress me last night. Bless is as beautiful visually as she is audibly. Don't let her lovely feminine attributes fool you though, because she can get on stage and tear shit down. Two songs she spit last night really stood out for me: "Motivation" and "Peace, Love, Unity." Her flows were complimented by a couple of sick beats here and she did an excellent job captivating the crowd and really moving them with her command of the mic wand.

Bless is quite the Hip Hop entrepreneur as well. She's the owner and founder of J.A.G. Music and Media and she runs a blog called "The Revolution of Fresh" at www.WeSoFresh.com where Bless profiles female MCs and women in Hip Hop through her famous "She's So Fresh" Fridayz! series. Currently, Ms. Roxwell has an album available on iTunes titled "Evolutions." Click the link below to download the album from iTunes:

BLESS ROXWELL "EVOLUTIONS" ALBUM on iTUNES

Also be sure to follow Bless Roxwell on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/BlessRoxwell
Her official website is: www.blessroxwell.com/

The third act to really grab my attention was The Anomolies. They're an all female group consisting of Big Tara, Pri the Honeydark, Helixx, Kuttin Kandi, and Invincible. She's So Fresh Showcase III was also a birthday party for Detroit's own Invincible (www.Twitter.com/InvincibleDET). She's arguably the illest female rapper ever. Forget classifying her as a female emcee, she's one of the the illest EMCEES period. Honestly, if you haven't heard of Invincible you need to BODY YOURSELF right now.

The Anomolies absolutely merked their set doin' classic songs without missin' a single word. Even their DJ Kuttin Kandi lit up the Technics like they were firecrackers. Invincible was truly astounding and I was amazed to see her two nights in a row (as she performed with Bahamadia the night prior at Statik Selektah's Record Release Party at S.O.B.'s). She was puttin' in some solid work on the night of her birthday, but what better way to celebrate than to do what is your life passion and have the crowd rhyme right along with you. It must've been a wonderful feeling.

As I rode the train back home to downtown Brooklyn eating the scrumptious red velvet cupcake that Bless Roxwell stuffed into the gift bag, I began to think that KRS-One really isn't crazy. You see, I've been reading his "Gospel of Hip Hop" 832 page bible for HipHoppas and he repeatedly instructs his readers to follow their dreams and stop fuckin' with societal norms that confine people to dead-end jobs. I finally felt at ease with my decision to quit my job last week and begin to pursue something I'm passionate about. Well the ladies of "She's So Fresh" Showcase III proved to me that pursuing your passion just may be the thing to do because they all were doin' it and doin' it and DOIN' IT WELL.

Peep the Invincible's video for her track "Sledgehammer" below:

Statik Selektah Record Release @ SOB's

2010-02-04T17:32:00.002-05:00

What can I say about Statik Selektah at this point? Honestly, the only thing you need to know about this Boston bred, New York DeeJay is that the Iconic DJ Premier has co-signed the fuck outta him. In my opinion... 'nuff said!!! I've been witnessing Statik's career progress in person for the last decade. From catchin' him cut it up live at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA back when I was in college in the early 2000's to witnessing him basically blow up in NYC in the last few years, I've had the pleasure of watching Statik live out his dreams of making a successful career out of doing his life's passion: HIP HOP. Most recently, he's put out the official Reflection Eternal Mixtape "The RE:Union" for their upcoming LP due in stores this quarter. In the past he's made an album with Saigon titled "All In a Day's Work" where he produced all the beats and Sai recorded the whole shit in one day. My favorite beat I heard from him recently is off the O.C. & A.G. album "Oasis." He did the title track for that album and it's so reminiscent of the golden era. Statik Selektah is one of the realest producers to do it. He makes REAL shit. No ring tone BULLSHIT.

He released his third official studio compilation LP, "100 Proof: The Hangover," this past Tuesday, February 2nd and held his record release party at the legendary S.O.B.'s in Manhattan last night (www.SOBs.com). I was fortunate enough to get into to this event last night despite forgetting my tickets at home (big up to Dan Green at www.clockwork-music.com for lettin' me get in without my tix!!!). This show was the show of the year at this point and it'll be hard to top. It ran through a bunch of MCs who are all featured on the "100 Proof" album. The line-up he had hit the stage last night was epic and included:

Jon Hope (http://www.myspace.com/jonhope401)
Kali (http://twitter.com/kaliraps)
Donnie Goines (www.Twitter.com/DonnyGoines)
Joe Scudda (www.twitter.com/JoeScudda)
Sha Stimuli (www.Twitter.com/ShaStimuli)
REKS (www.myspace.com/reksmdiesel)
Termanology (www.Twitter.com/TermanologyST)
Torae (www.Twitter.com/Torae )
Skyzoo (www.Twitter.com/TheRealSkyzoo)
Bahamadia (www.Twitter.com/Bahamadia)
Freeway (www.Twitter.com/PhillyFreezer)
Styles P (www.Twitter.com/TheRealStylesP)
DJ Premier (www.Twitter.com/DJPremierBlog)
Smif-N-Wessun (www.Twitter.com/TekSmokeeLah)
Buckshot (www.Twitter.com/BuckshotTheBDI)

Peep the video footage of Styles P and Freeway killin' it live last night below:

On top of the all star line-up, Freddie Foxxx was scheduled to perform as well but couldn't after knocking out some dude from the Deceps. Something happened downstairs and mad bouncers ran down. Later I was informed by the famous photographer Mel D. Cole (www.Twitter.com/MelDCole) that Freddie knocked out the same dude who earlier crashed the stage to tell everyone to tuck in their chains, 'cause his Decepticon crew was goin' to snatch them. This guy was wasted, talkin' mad shit and apparently, the man they call Bumpy Knuckles (for good reason), just fucked him up. Check pics of this and more of the show here: http://www.villageslum.com/photos/

My personal favorite performance of the night was from Sha Stimuli. For those of you who don't know, he's Lord Digga's brother and one of the nicest MCs of all time. His debut album came out late last year titled "My Soul To Keep" and I ranked it in my Top Ten Albums of 2009. He wowed the crowd last night and spit classic verses with practically an effortless ease. He's a beast on the mic with lines like, "You hit the snooze button 'cause you ain't ready for son (sun)." He's ridiculous and a mad cool dude. I met him and he was most humble and appreciative of the compliments I had for his performance. Unfortunately, he didn't know Freeway was in the house last night and they missed a great opportunity to perform the Just Blaze produced joint "Move Back" they did together on "My Soul To Keep."

All in all, this event was the culmination of the hard work and dedication to a dying craft that Statik Selektah has been grinding on for the past decade. He's gone from being a small-time DJ from Lawrence, MA to being one of the most sought after producers in Hip Hop. The show was a blast and Statik definitely knows how to rock a crowd. I wish him much success in 2010.

Be sure to follow Statik Selektah on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/StatikSelekt

Also, check his official website at: http://www.showoffhiphop.com/

To cop "100 Proof: The Hangover" go to iTunes here: iTunes

DONKEY OF THE WEEK - JaJuan (J.J.)

2010-02-04T14:55:00.001-05:00

This week's DONKEY OF THE WEEK is the lovely JaJuan. She's a real woman with some seriously authentic, real female curves. As always here at Hip Hop & Bullshit, we like to feature models who actually look like women as opposed to them other magazines/sites who like to promote emaciated, stick-figure girls who have bodies similar to 13 year-old adolescent boys (with no curves what-so-ever). Me personally, I'm not into the little boy look. I prefer voluptuous, curvy, thick, lusciousness!!! Haha. Let's just say that JaJuan fits this description perfectly.

JaJuan has been in the modeling game for the last four years and has been featured in some big-time men's magazines such as: FBM Magazine, One Ten Magazine, and Urban Curves Magazine. In addition, JaJuan has been featured all over the internet as Dyme of the Year in 2006 at Bauze Magazine among many other features on various sites like 504 Dymes, 69 Flavors, GGurls.com, and VBlazin Magazine.

I had the pleasure of linkin' up with J.J. through our DONKEY OF THE CENTURY Elke The Stallion (refer to DONKEY OF THE CENTURY - ELKE THE STALLION). Elke has a fleet of "STALLION MODELS" which J.J. is one of. Elke felt that "curvier more exotic models weren't being represented to their fullest in the urban market." Well, I think J.J. was an excellent pick Elke!!! With a 37DD-27-44 frame, J.J. is extremely hard not to fantasize about. She's a 5'7", 154 lb beauty that I recently was able to interview regarding her career and her desires. Peep our interview below:

MONEY MIZ: What up J.J.? Thanks for takin' the time out to sit down for an interview. How are things goin' for you so far in 2010?

JAJUAN: Thank you! It's my pleasure! 2010 has been outstanding so far. I can't wait for what else is in store!

MONEY MIZ: That's great to hear. I hope the year continues this way for you. For my readers to get to know you a little better, where are you from and what's your ethnicity?

JAJUAN: I'm from Denver, Colorado. My ethnicity is Black/Hispanic. To be specific, I'm African American, Mexican and Cuban.

MONEY MIZ: Wow. That's one hell of a beautiful mix! I guess it really shows, huh? (Laughing.) You have a very original name that I've never heard of before. Where'd you get your name from and is there any hidden meaning to it?

JAJUAN: No, there's no meaning that I know of. My dad wanted to name me after my grandmother (Juana) and my mother had a friend named Juwon so they put it together and came up with JaJuan. Of course growing up nobody in the neighborhood could pronounce it, so they all just started callin' me J.J. (Laughing.)

MONEY MIZ: Word. You have quite an amazing body, which I've had the pleasure to view in your various magazine and online photo spreads. Have you always been blessed with such beautiful curves and what would an ordinary woman need to do to attain such bodily beauty?

JAJUAN: Thank you! To be honest, the curves are hereditary. The women in my family have breasts and butts. I do however have to stay in the gym to keep things tight and round in the right places! I do lots of cardio, weight training, and of late, yoga.

MONEY MIZ: Damn, it sounds like a lot of rigorous work. I guess that's why I have a keg instead of a six pack! (Laughing.) I was actually introduced to your modeling work through Elke The Stallion. How'd you link up with Elke and what's it like being a Stallion Model?

JAJUAN: Well, I've been a fan of Elke The Stallion for some time now. I just happened to come across her profile on a modeling website that I was on. I was just getting started with my website and knew that Elke's website has been very popular for a while (http://www.elkethestallion.com/). I hit her up and wanted to get a little advice about the industry. I was really surprised when she replied back to me, and answered all my questions. She later informed me of a "Special Project" she thought I had a great look for. Next thing I knew, Elke took me under her wing and I became a Stallion Model. Being a Stallion Model has been fantastic! It's so nice to be surrounded by such a positive group of individuals. Everybody's on their grind, but at the same time lookin' to help out one another too! Elke's been amazing! She's a very intelligent, honest business woman. It's truly refreshing to have somebody like her on my team.

MONEY MIZ: Word, Elke is definitely good to work with. She was excellent doing the feature with me earlier this year. Here at Hip Hop & Bullshit, we like to consider ourselves booty connoisseurs and you have a lovey "DONKEY BOOTY" Specifically, how big is your booty and how on earth do you keep it so smooth and so round???

JAJUAN: 44 inches. I do lots of running, squats, and lunges.

MONEY MIZ: What's your ultimate favorite position?

JAJUAN: It honestly depends on my mood. I love to be on top so I can be in control, but I don't mind being submissive from time to time.

MONEY MIZ: If you had to choose between length or girth, which would you choose?

JAJUAN: See that's messed up! I don't think I can answer that! BOTH ARE VERY IMPORTANT! (Laughing.)

MONEY MIZ: I noticed your website is www.HotJSpot.com . What gets your "J Spot" hot?

JAJUAN: Intelligence, a great smile, kissing, touching, getting my hair pulled, and oral pleasures.

MONEY MIZ: Oh that's perfect! I'm a Shaolin Master at all of those techniques! (Laughing.) Just kidding! (Peace to my girlfriend, Hahaha!!!) What's the craziest sex you've ever had? Not necessarily the craziest place, but the craziest sex you've ever had.

JAJUAN: Well there was this threesome I had with these two midgets... (laughing) I'm just kidding!!! Next!

MONEY MIZ: Wow, that would be some shit right there! (Laughing.) What's it like to know so many men (and even women) may have fantasized about you?

JAJUAN: I find it very sexy and also very flattering!

MONEY MIZ: What famous people have you ever fantasized about?

JAJUAN: Morris Chestnut, Boris Kodjoe, Shemar Moore, and George Clooney.

MONEY MIZ: Wow, George Clooney somehow just sneaks into every girl's list! Got Dayum!!! (Laughing.) What plans do you have for 2010 as far as your modeling career is concerned? What upcoming projects/videos/magazine spreads do you have in the works? Have you ever done a calendar?

JAJUAN: I haven't appeared in a calendar yet, but there is a 2011 Stallion Models Calendar in the works so look out for that. I'll be in an upcoming Special Edition issue of Stunnaz Magazine featuring the Stallion Models. That's going to be INSANE!!! My personal website is relaunching this month. It has a new look and lots of stuff to keep you occupied and entertained. Very HOT!!! There's also another magazine project in the works but I really can't say too much about it right now. I'll also be hosting some parties and other events so make sure you keep an eye out for me! I just may be in your town!

MONEY MIZ: You seem very comfortable with your body and exposing it on camera. Have you ever taken nude pics and would you ever consider doing nude photo shoots in the future?

JAJUAN: I am VERY comfortable with my body. I don't have a problem shooting nudes, however I'm VERY particular about whom I shoot with.

MONEY MIZ: You mentioned somewhere that you're a sports fanatic. What's your favorite sport and who do you think's gonna win the Super Bowl?

JAJUAN: My favorite sport is football and my favorite team is the Oakland Raiders. No jokes please. I think the Super Bowl is gonna be a close game. I really would like to see New Orleans take it, but Indianapolis has so much experience. It's gonna be a good, tough game!!!

MONEY MIZ: I hope your Denver Nuggets beat the Lakers in the playoffs this year!!! I'm from Boston originally so, ya know what it is!!! What's Denver like?

JAJUAN: I sure hope so too! Go Nuggets!!! I love Denver. It's a very beautiful city to reside in. It gets cold in the winter, but we have the kind of snow that doesn't hang around until the spring thaw. Also, we get a lot of sunshine. It may be 30 degrees, but the sun is shining! As for being in the industry in Denver, it can be very difficult. You have to be able to travel 'cause Denver is not a sought out city for the entertainment industry. There are so many talented and beautiful artists that get overlooked because Denver is not exactly on the map. Hopefully, the industry will start giving us a second look, or at least a look period!

MONEY MIZ: We're a Hip Hop news site so I gotta ask, who's your favorite MC? What Hip Hop have you been listenin' to most lately?

JAJUAN: That's a tough one. I'm a fan of old school Hip Hop so I love 2Pac and Biggie. Of late, I've been listenin' to a lot of Jay-Z. He's like a Chanel Suit... Never goes out of style!!!

MONEY MIZ: Thank you so much for spending time answering our questions. It was a pleasure building with you and I wish you much success in 2010. Please let all of my readers know where they can find more of you online.

JAJUAN:

You can follow me on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/BlueSkillz

You can friend me on MySpace at: www.MySpace.com/BlueSkillz6

My official website is: www.HotJSpot.com

For bookings go to: www.StallionModels.com

Thank you, it was an absolute pleasure! I wish you prosperity in 2010 as well!

MONEY MIZ: Thanks J.J. Keep up all the good work! And keep me posted on any new happenings with your career. Peace.

Meth/Rae/Ghost "Three, The Hard Way"

2010-02-03T16:35:00.000-05:00

Raekwon released a video today from a boat while on tour in Canada on his IceWaterTV vlog. He revealed that The name of the Raekwon, Method Man & Ghostface Killah album will be "Three, The Hard Way" and it's tentative release date is March 9, 2010. (I say tentative because no Wu-Tang affiliated album has ever come out without being pushed back at least five times.) They have yet to officially name their group, but according to XXL Magazine, Rae stated that he would like to call the group "Bastard Swordsmen." Well, let the hype begin!!!

Peep Raekwon on his latest vlog lettin' us know what's goin' on with his new, super group:

Willie The Kid Interview

2010-02-02T15:08:00.001-05:00

Last week I was able to link up with Willie The Kid for an interview over the phone. Willie was our "Emcee of the Week" last week and has been grindin' hard as of late, promoting himself and his label Aphilliates Music Group with DJ Drama and Don Cannon. He's put out five official mixtapes and one 13 track EP album in the last five years as well as collaborating on numerous mixtapes with his older brother and former Wu-Fam member, La The Darkman.

We spoke for close to an hour regarding his music, the Hip Hop game, his label and his partners in rhyme. Read below to hear what this next generation Hip Hop pioneer had to say regarding this crazy game we call Hip Hop:

MONEY MIZ: What's good Willie? Thanks for takin' the time out to build with me tonight. Let's get right into it though. What's goin' on for you in 2010? What projects you got in the works for this year?

WILLIE THE KID: I'm actually pushin' some joint that's already out. I'm pushin' "The Fly" still, some people don't understand that mixtape was very, very important to givin' the listeners a glimpse of what Willie The Kid is about and what I like to do musically, ya know what I'm sayin'? So we pushin' that project, DJ Drama, Head Dibiase, Willie The Kid, it's called "The Fly" and I got another joint out right now called "The Outkast" I did with DJ Scream. I basically just went in on all of these, um, Outkast/Organized Noize joints ya know what I'm sayin'? That's out right now you can catch that one too. We in the studio right now recordin' a new mixtape called "The Cure" with me and DJ Woogie and, um, it's crazy nah'm sayin' and I'm basically just comin' up with some new and creative shit to build up the resume up. I'm also workin' with my homey Lee Bannon out in California and we're puttin' together a project called "Never A Dull Moment" where we basically goin' back to the grain, Nah'm sayin' on some '90s shit, but current up-to-date. It's kinda from that cloth that niggas probably forgot about ya nah'm sayin' especially rappers. Rap has a totally new, diverse sound right now and I'm totally wit it, but I think this project is a little bit of the new mixed with, I'm not gonna say old, but mixed with that classic sound you know what I'm sayin'? So this is kinda crazy.

MONEY MIZ: Hey yo, I feel you 'cause I really think heads forgot about that classic sound. I mean we can't stay in the '90s for ever but...

WILLIE THE KID: Nah, hell no! I'd never say that.

MONEY MIZ: Word, but I think that classic sound is what I think, you know, Hip Hop is lacking right now.

WILLIE THE KID: Hell yeah!!! I think a lotta people are moving without any regard for who built this shit, nah'mean? About what the music was about, like I'm all wit takin' on new forms and new shapes and new sounds. I'm totally wit that. I wanna be someone who was a leader of a new sound, a leader of a new movement in music, definitely, BUT I don't ever wanna forget where we all came from and why we began listenin' to Hip Hop and pursuing this music thing in the first place. Anyway I can hold onto the true principles of this shit whether it's the lyrics or whether it's the content or if it's just movin' with my crew or any little thing like that like doin' free shows in the hood, anything that reminds me of why the fuck we're here man I can not let go of it. So that's why I'm really happy about them projects man you know what I'm sayin'? We go La The Darkman new album comin' soon, it's crazy, and DJ Drama "Gangsta Grillz 3 The Album" comin' soon so we're just workin' man.

MONEY MIZ: Word, y'all really are puttin' in that work and it's showin' in the music lately. Now that you mention La The Darkman, I know he's your older brother. That must've been crazy groin' up during the time he dropped "Heist of the Century" as part of the Wu-Fam. I mean you really were surrounded by some classic shit back then. You must have good music just runnin' through your genes!

WILLIE THE KID: (Laughing) Yeah, I tell people all the time, like don't be surprised I'm a black belt 'cause I was raised in the dojo ya nah'm sayin'? So like bein' around all that shit bein' young it was natural for me to feel how I feel about this music shit.

MONEY MIZ: Word, and you grew up in Michigan right?

WILLIE THE KID: Absolutely.

MONEY MIZ: So what was it like comin' up in Michigan and then movin' to ATL with DJ Drama? I mean it's kinda like different sounds from different towns basically right? So I feel like you got the midwest style kinda mixed in with the ATL production and it's kinda fused into a whole new sound that's pretty ill.

WILLIE THE KID: Yeah, I appreciate that man. I just think it's a natural progression for me 'cause my family was from New York originally and then I moved out to Michigan with my mom but a lot of my aunts, uncles and cousins stayed in New York so I was constantly goin' to New York all the time when I was young so I already had that influence in me. We was the kids on the block known as "the kids from New York" in Michigan so we was different in that respect, you know what I'm sayin'? Then I always had family from the south and we was always visiting for family reunions and road trips and shit. I picked up on that early. When Master P and them was jumpin' off, I was in the south when that shit was new, so I was pickin' up on that. I was seein' what made people move right. Watchin' MTV and Rap City and we was on Wu-Tang and Mobb Deep and shit like that and Tribe Called Quest, but then we went down south and there was other types of music and that opened up my eyes a little wider, nah'm sayin'? So havin' exposure to New York, down south, and Michigan where niggas was listenin' to everything from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to fuckin' Ice-T to whoever and mixin' all that shit together to then ultimately movin' to Atlanta it was like all that shit just came together naturally for me and it comes out in the music.

MONEY MIZ: Yeah, I agree that it really shows in your music. I mean up here in NY mutha fuckas hate on southern Hip Hop and I know I have in some instances, but regardless all regions have some good music. I mean the East hates on the West, North hatin' on South but everybody has some good shit out there. Not everything is good, but the good shit is good, ya feel me?

WILLIE THE KID: Hell yeah, the good shit is good. Yup, the good shit is good. And you can't hate on that. I mean if you look at it the most successful rap artists always branched out and tapped into different markets as far as their sound was concerned. Real musicians. I mean you got Jay-Z who would do "cough up a lung where I'm from, Marcy son" and then turn around and do "Big Pimpin" with UGK. It was like you gotta RESPECT what it is man. You gotta have an ear that goes beyond your neighborhood, nah'mean? For me, I was blessed naturally to get exposure to all those different regions and I didn't have to fake it or do it for marketing purposes.

MONEY MIZ: No doubt. What I personally think separates you from the competition is your flow. You have quite the ability to ride a beat in a calm, cool manner. I'd kinda compare your calm demeanor on the mic to D'Angelo's calm demeanor in the towers from HBO's "The Wire." Your flow is practically effortless where you kinda become another melody to the beat. I first heard you on the joint "When The Money Comes" with La The Darkman and then "Get You A Gun" produced by Don Cannon. I was literally hooked that summer. The way you flowed, it was like you ain't even tryin' my dude!

WILLIE THE KID: (Laughing) Good lookin'. Haha. Yeah Don Cannon was on that beat for sure.

MONEY MIZ: So how did you ever link up with DJ Drama and Don Cannon down in ATL? How'd you get down with the Appilliates and all of that?

WILLIE THE KID: I gotta stress this to people all the time. I didn't link up with the Aphilliates. I built the Aphilliates too, you know what I'm sayin'? Like I was here when it wasn't shit, when niggas was DeeJaying clubs and niggas was rappin' at Drama's crib. We was just plain doin' music nah'm sayin'? Then a couple of things started to pick up as far as the mixtapes concerned and the parties and shit and me rappin' and doin the little circuits in Atlanta and that type of shit. Shit started gainin' momentum, so we just brought it all together. Then we called it the Aphilliates, know what I'm sayin'? So I was always the young kid runnin' around Drama and them rappin'. I was always been that guy. I didn't meet Drama after the Gangsta Grillz blew up and then I gave him a demo tape, it was nothin' like that. As far as my demo tape, I did the demo tape WITH Drama and Cannon and La and everybody there with me.

MONEY MIZ: How'd you meet Drama and them?

WILLIE THE KID: I met Drama through Cannon, Cannon through his cousin. His cousin had recording equipment and lived a couple doors down from me. He was always bangin' music back then. The equipment though was actually Don Cannon's and I never knew. I talked to his cousin tellin' him I wanted to get on and wanted to record some shit with him if he had some beats. I said I'd rhyme on other niggas beats, it don't matter. I told him I was from Michigan my nigga and this, that and the third. I was like, "I wanna do four songs: a girl song, a radio song, a street song, and a south song." I was ignorant. He said "cool I gotchu, but this ain't my equipment. When my cosuin comes through he'll record you and knock it out." So I used to go through there and freestyle all the time with mad niggas comin' through. One time he recorded us and I didn't know, nah'm sayin'? He told me he did later and said that shit was crazy. He played it for Cannon when he came through to get his equipment. Heads had been tellin' Cannon to check for me, but he didn't really till he heard that tape. He called me to his crib and shit and I spit for like ten minutes straight. Everybody went crazy in the crib. So me and Don just started makin' music. He liked what I was doin', I liked what he was doin'. And I gotta emphasize bro, Don Cannon was not a well known dude at that point. Like nobody knew who he was, you nah'm sayin'? He was some young kid who wanted to make beats. He didn't even have a fuckin' beat board. He was DeeJayin' parties wit Drama and doin' music wit me. So Don brought it together and was like "you come with me and Drama to the parties or whatever and when we do mixtapes, you can jump on the mixtapes. Then La always been there the whole time too.

MONEY MIZ: Man, that shit came together nicely, 'cause you guys pretty much took over in Atlanta. Did you guys expect that shit to happen or...

WILLIE THE KID: Yeah man, honestly I'm not one of those to say yo "I never thought, I never thought." I always thought this way man, nah'm sayin'. Like even just seein' what La was doin' when I was little. He'd pull up to my grandmother's crib and they'd open the truck with boxes of CDs, fliers and t-shirts and shit. I was a little kid and he let me know we could do this shit for real. I went from bein' a fan of Hip Hop to bein' somebody who thought one day I'd be able to really do this shit from watchin' what he was doin' ya nah'm sayin'?

MONEY MIZ: Well you guys are definitely doin' it for real and doin' it well. Movin' on to your latest project "Outkast Mixtape," my main question is how in the fuck did you pick the beats for that? I mean how difficult was it to narrow down all those ill Outkast beats and ultimately pick the ones that you did for that mixtape?

WILLIE THE KID: (Laughing) It was, um, like the whole tape came from me havin' respect for Organized Noize the producers who do all the Outkast beats. Like I always wanted to work wit them and I never seen them doin' beats for nobody other than Outkast, ya nah'm sayin'. I never stumbled on one of their beat tapes. So the only way I could work with them was to rap on the Outkast instrumentals, you know what I'm sayin'? So I respect, um, the live instrumentation they use and the original melodies and sounds they use. Not the same old keyboard or pianos or the same old 808s off the MPCs. It was all original shit ya know what I'm sayin', so I fucks wit that. As far as pickin' beats, I picked a lotta beats. I had a playlist of like 40 beats and I recorded about almost 30 records for this mixtape and we just used the top 14 or 15 of them, nah'm sayin'? I wrote that whole tape in probably about three days and then recorded it in like two days, nah'm sayin'? Shit was crazy.

MONEY MIZ: Wow. That's some shit right there. As far as bein' able to write that much and that quickly, who would you say is your favorite emcee or the emcee you look to most for inspiration?

WILLIE THE KID: La The Darkman. Yeah, I listen to my brother's shit a lot man. 'Cause I can identify wit everything he's doin' as far as the art to the lyrics to the beats to the everything. I think La is the most... I don't wanna use this word 'cause it's so cliche, but he's the most official rapper I think damn near ever to do it. As far as gettin' on the mic, sayin' some shit and you really mean that and you really can attest to that and it's really about what you're sayin' it's about. I know a lotta guys who done real shit in their life and I don't mean shoot your gun real, I mean like some real life shit, ya nah'm sayin'? A lotta guys say they did it, but I never seen it. I seen HIM do it. I seen it. Rappers talk a lotta shit man. Niggas get paid to say a lotta shit. La don't just talk shit man. His shit more like reflectin' on shit then just talkin' shit. And I don't even mean just street shit my nigga, just real true to life shit nah'm sayin'? His shit is real. La's shit is real. So for me just to watch it, that gets me inspired. That's why I say La's the most inspirational rapper for me. Just 'cause of my relationship wit him I guess.

MONEY MIZ: Yeah yo, I feel you. I've actually read a lot about how La's stories are true to life shit. Speakin' of real shit, I love that track "The Real" you did...

WILLIE THE KID: No doubt my dude. That beat was V12 Da Hitman right there.

MONEY MIZ: I feel like findin' REAL Hip Hop is a lot harder to do right now. A lot of heads say Hip Hop is dead, but I don't think it's necessarily dead, I just think good shit is harder to find because of the media pushin' a lot of trash. What's your opinion on the state of Hip Hop?

WILLIE THE KID: Hip Hop ain't dead man, the Hip Hop FAN is dead man. Like THAT'S the problem. Everybody's tryin' to rap or produce or used to do somethin' now they wanna do rap all of a sudden and all the blog sites is what people started to turn to for popular opinions on what is or what ain't instead of sittin' back bein' a fan absorbin' shit and bein' entertained by it. You can't even talk to anybody about music 'cause either they rap or their man raps. You know, there's no more fans. And because there ain't no fans, it's makin' it really hard for people to appreciate the music.

MONEY MIZ: Word!!! It's like mutha fuckas don't wanna hear anything other than themselves no more. And now with the new digital age, anyone can get a program and make beats and shit. It's gettin' fuckin' ridiculous!!!

WILLIE THE KID: YEAH, YEAH, YEAH MAN!!! I remember bein' young and niggas who played basketball, played basketball. Niggas who was in the street, was in the street. The niggas who chased the girls, chased the girls. Nigga who had a job, had a job and the nigga who rapped, was the nigga that rapped. All them other people, they went to him to listen to some real music, you know what I'm sayin'? Now everybody else, you got the jock, the street nigga, you got the popular cats or whatever and they ALL WANNA RAP. So the problem is that we're not performin' and creatin' music for a fan base anymore. We doin' it for niggas that think they just like us. So it eats away at the whole vessel, the whole pipeline for a fan base. People keep sayin' Hip Hop is dead 'cause there ain't nobody listenin'. Everybody think they an executive. For instance, you go to the barber shop and ask if they heard so and so's album and they like, "It ain't sell in the first week!!!" It's like DAMN, we're talkin' about the MUSIC not about the sales. I'm talkin about a nigga who work at FedEx, he's on some "It ain't sell the first week." You work at FedEx dog!!! You supposed to be a FAN, not some fuckin' record executive.

MONEY MIZ: Word!!! Most people don't realize, back in the '90s "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" didn't go platinum in its first week. It took a lot of time to get that plaque.

WILLIE THE KID: EXACTLY!!! But even to add on to that my brother, nobody ever says "how was the music?" "I like track number 4 who did that beat?" Or "I like the way he put song number 12 together." First thing they say out they mouth is "it ain't sell the first week." Like damn, what happened to the Hip Hop fan??? The nigga who's like "I like the artwork inside the cover" or "I like the fact that he put such and such on this track." That's why they say Hip Hop is dead, 'cause everybody wants to be a fuckin' record exec or a rapper and nobody has time to be a fan no more.

MONEY MIZ: So considering all of this situation, I know you're workin' on your own solo debut album right now. What are your plans for this album and how are you tryin' to make your own classic? Do you have a set time frame on its release or will you let it just come naturally?

WILLIE THE KID: I'ma let it come natural. Let it be what it be. I could put an album out, but actually I'm in no rush to do that shit right now. I think the best thing right now for rappers is to not focus on commercial releases and commercial success. It's very hard to achieve success as a new artist the way the game is set up right now. It's not a bad thing, it's just a true thing. The way it is now, you just gotta be somebody who's just loved by your fan base. As long as you do a show and they come see you perform, when you put out a mixtape they download it and tell their friends to check you out, THAT'S number 1 now. Get a deal and put an album out is not the way it is anymore. Look at Gucci Mane. He is not profitable for his label, but he makes a killing on the road for himself and his management team because he's got a loyal fan base that reps for him at his live shows. And to me, to me, I think that's better. We takin' back control of our music, business, art work and all of that. Why should I let some suit take profits from all the shit that I put together?

MONEY MIZ: I feel you. Look at a dude like Saigon who had a crazy buzz and announced an album years ago and still hasn't dropped it. All he did was piss off his fan base instead of just making good music and putting out good music.

WILLIE THE KID: Yeah, yeah. I'ma add on to that right there. What is this whole shit about? It's about making good music for the fans. It don't matter if I'm puttin' it out the trunk of my car. As long as the fans get good music. I'm not sayin' gettin' a deal is a bad thing. It's the ultimate goal, but you gotta arrive at a point in your career where it's the right time to do that shit. A lot of times, based on the level you on, it's better to do it yourself than go to a label. You probably could make more money just bein' who you are doin' what you do your own independent self. A Kanye West or Lil Wayne should have a deal. But a kid from Grand Rapids Michigan should do for himself right now, ya feel me?

MONEY MIZ: Word. That shit is simple mathematics. A dude who sells 20,000 copies by himself gets the majority of the profits. A dude who sells 100,000 copies on a label is considered a flop and makes no fuckin' money!!!

WILLIE THE KID: EXACTLY!!! Now what type of shit is that, nah'm sayin'? People gotta get a better idea about this "I got a deal" shit.

MONEY MIZ: You got any plans on doin' an album wit La The Darkman?

WILLIE THE KID: Yeah, yeah. We always stay workin' together. We definitely doin' an album together in the future.

MONEY MIZ: On a side note, I'm a big sneaker head. What's your favorite kicks of all time?

WILLIE THE KID: I like old school joints. I like the Ewing's from the "Just To Get A Rep" video. I like the Mutumbo's. The black ones that Rae had on, on 36 Chambers. Them shits. I can't find 'em nowhere. Yeah, them shits is tough.

MONEY MIZ: Aight to rap up here just tell all the fans about where they can find you and your music online.

WILLIE THE KID: Word.

Yeah you can find me on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/TheWillieTheKid

You can see my MySpace at: www.MySpace.com/TheWillieTheKid

Also, www.gangstagrillz.com for our label.

Really man, you can catch me in the streets. I come through, I'll be in your city. Peace fam.

EMCEE OF THE WEEK - Sean Price

2010-02-02T00:22:00.000-05:00

This week's EMCEE OF THE WEEK is Sean Price, one half of the legendary underground duo Heltah Skeltah, one member of the almighty Boot Camp Clik, and one hell of an entertaining emcee. This dude puts words together like no other, makin' his fans laugh their balls off since hittin' the scene officially in 1996 with Heltah Skeltah's debut album "Nocturnal." He's dropped three albums with his partner Rock (Nocturnal, Magnum Force, and D.I.R.T.), but he really began to make a huge name for himself when he started dropping solo material in 2005 with his debut solo release "Monkey Barz."

HipHopDX.com listed "Monkey Barz" on their Top Ten Best Albums list for the last decade and deservingly so. His solo releases include "Donkey Sean Jr. Mixtape," "Monkey Barz," "Master P Mixtape," "Jesus Price Supastar," and "Kimbo Price Mixtape." He now has the world patiently awaiting his upcoming solo release tentatively titled "Mic Tyson" which is scheduled to be come out this year.

2010 is set to be a big year for Duck Down Records and Sean Price. Not only is his "Mic Tyson" album set for release, but according to a funny interview he recently had with HipHopDX.com, he's going to be having a newborn daughter in March. HipHopDX.com is doing a new type of monthly interview where they talk to rappers about everything other than rap. Check the interview here: HipHopDX Interview

Sean P's an old fashioned emcee, if you will. He's been very outspoken about his disgust with the way the industry is moving. He's completely against Twitter and Myspace and all of the digital communities that are now being used for marketing and connecting with fans. He doesn't really like to fuck with all of that and I guess you can't blame him. Why should he be "friends" with everyone of his fans? Unfortunately for his fans, they're missing out on his utter ridiculousness on Twitter ('cause I strongly believe he'd be the funniest Tweeter of all time, but that's beside the point). Sean P likes to get in the lab, zone out and spit verses. He's the type of mutha fucka who is scheduled to show up to a record signing and gets arrested for smokin' weed in his whip on the drive over (real story, I was patiently waiting for his presence at the signing until we got word of his arrest). The bottom line here is that Sean Price likes to have fun, do shit his way, and fuck everybody else. Well, guess what? Whatever he's doing is working real well because his loyal fan base can't wait to get their hands on any new shit of his.

While we patiently wait for "Mic Tyson" to come out, check out the three brand new videos Sean Price released this week. P is one of the illest to do it, the only mutha fucka that can start a rhyme with "Yo, African butt scratch" and still be considered nice. Haha. Peep the videos below:

Necro "I Wanna Fuck" Music Video

2010-01-31T16:49:00.000-05:00

I've been a fan of Necro since 2000 when my boys from college put me onto him. He's not a rapper that anyone could just casually listen to. This guy is the most grotesque, graphically violent and sexually explicit emcee to spit on a mic (and usually he's rappin' about chicks spittin' on HIS mic). Once you can get past stomaching his hardcore, explicit lyrical content, you realize that this dude actually has a lot of skills with this Hip Hop shit. Necro has a great flow with lots of double and triple rhyming schemes. In addition, he's an incredible producer having started his career producing for the legendary underground group Non Phixion. Recently, Necro has produced for Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II" album on the track "Gihad" featuring Ghostface Killah. That's one of my favorite beats on that incredible album.

Necro is workin' on a new solo album to be released this year and he leaked a video for a new track called "I Wanna Fuck." This track is classic, grimey Necro. Check the video below.

Follow Necro on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Necro_Is_God

Check out his official web site at: http://www.necrohiphop.com/

New Hip Hop Album Releases 2/2/10

2010-01-31T15:22:00.001-05:00

The following is a list of new Hip Hop album releases for Tuesday, February 2, 2010:

Statik Selektah: "100 Proof: The Hangover"

Lil Wayne - "Rebirth"

Styles P & DJ Green Lantern: "The Green Ghost Project"

Madlib & Guilty Simpson: "Madlib Medicine Show 1"

Big Noyd: "Queens Chronicle"

There's finally some new music worth listening to this year. I'm very excited for the Statik Selektah album. It may be one of the best compilations to come out in as long as I can remember. I'm also gonna check out Lil Wayne's and Styles P's new joints. Many of you may think I would never fuck with Lil Wayne, but surprisingly I've found that Lil Wayne is actually pretty nice when he wants to be. Granted, I hate his commercial bullshit and think he makes a lot of awful music, but he's had a lot of really good tracks on his "Tha Carter" albums. We'll see if there are any hidden gems on this new "Rebirth" album. I'll keep y'all posted...

Sean Price "Figure Four" Video

2010-01-31T14:38:00.000-05:00

Sean P. is a rapper you just can't hate. He's too funny and witty to not wanna listen to him. He just dropped a new video for his joint "Figure Four" off his Kimbo Price Mixtape. This shit is classic P. Check the video below:

Baseline Studios Closes 1/28/10

2010-01-29T09:26:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Just Blaze officially shut down the legendary "Baseline Studios" in Manhattan. This studio was once owned by Jay-Z and was the place where some of the biggest hits of the past decade were recorded. When Roc-A-Fella Records was on top of the Hip Hop game, this is where they created most of their music.

Just Blaze, who was the last owner/controller of the studio, was on hand yesterday to make the closing official. He's been tweeting all week to his fans and friends to come down to the studio and pick up various memorabelia that he no longer wanted. He was giving away all kinds of Roc-A-Fella items including sneakers and hats all signed by himself or other Roc-A-Fella artists.

This closing is truly symbolic of the times and the hardships of the music industry as of late (especially the Hip Hop industry). More and more studios are closing down due to the increase in ease that wanna-be rappers can record music in the comfort of their own homes. No longer do aspiring rappers have to save every penny they make sellin' drugs on the corner to blow it all away on the hourly recording rates at top-notch studios such as Baseline. Shit, even major league emcees don't fuck with historic studios anymore 'cause they all have Macs and Pro Tools in their cribs. The new digital capabilities of recording music have truly hindered the profitability of even the illest recording studios in the world.

Just Blaze attributed the closing to the rapid decline in business and the steadily increasing and extremely expensive rent for property in NYC. What this all means for Hip Hop, in my opinion, is not so good. Enter the MySpace Rapper Generation: where any suburban high school kid can take a topless cell phone pic in a mirror, illegally download an instrumental from the internet, spit the most pathetic verses known to man on a mic he hooked up in his bedroom and be considered as a rapper. GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE WIT THAT BULLSHIT!!!! Emceeing used to be an exclusive club you had to get accepted to by proving yourself over years of hard work. Now this shit we're exposed to is a mockery of an art and a culture that was built on a foundation of struggle and hopes for better opportunities. Was this what KRS-One, Slick Rick, DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaata, and Big Daddy Kane had in mind???

I THINK NOT.

Props go out to Alexander Richter for the photos taken yesterday during the shut down. Peep his website here: http://www.alexanderrichterphoto.com/

Also, follow Just Blaze on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/TheMegatronDon

Hip Hop Karaoke Championship 2010

2010-01-29T08:24:00.001-05:00

The 2010 Hip Hop Karaoke Championship Finals go down tonight!!! What a lot of heads don't understand is that this isn't no Japanese Karaoke Bar BULLSHIT. You won't catch me in the back corner sippin' a 22 ounce Kirin Ichiban shakin' my head at the nonsense. No. This is the mutha fuckin' NYC Hip Hop Karaoke Championship where professional Hip Hop Karaoke performers hit the stage to duke it out and claim the prize of the best performer in the country!!!

The finals tonight will take place in The Fillmore at 17 Irving Plaza in Manhtattan. Tickets are $13.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. The doors will open to the public at 8:00 PM and the show will begin at 9:00 PM. You can cop tickets to this event here: BUY TICKETS

The finals will consist of 12 performers who have battled in previous rounds last year to make it to the center stage at the Fillmore tonight. There will be three very special guest judges that will decide who will be crowned champion later tonight. The judges include Buckshot (of Black Moon and the Boot Camp Clik), Big Daddy Kane, and Peter Rosenberg (DJ for Hot 97's morning show).

I'ma be in the building tonight with a crew of people. I'll make sure to keep y'all updated on how the shit all goes down.

For more info, be sure to follow Hip Hop Karaoke NYC on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/HHKNYC

Also, be sure to peep their official web site at: http://www.hiphopkaraokenyc.com/championship2.html

JOINT OF THE WEEK - Shadows

2010-01-28T16:50:00.001-05:00

The JOINT OF THE WEEK this week is the new leak from Styles P's "The Green Ghost Project" album with DJ Green Lantern. The name of the track is "Shadows" and its produced by the hottest producer in the game right now, Statik Selektah. The Green Ghost Project is set to hit stores this Tuesday, February 2nd and Styles P will be perfmorning at the Highline Ballroom in NYC with Sean Price on Monday, February 1st for the album release party.

Peep the track below:

FREE DOWNLOAD - Styles P "Shadows"

A Monthly Bondfire @ Bowery Poetry Club

2010-01-27T21:50:00.005-05:00

Last night I had the pleasure of being invited to a true Hip Hop show in Manhattan. DJ TastyKeish (of WBAI 99.5 FM's "Rise Up Radio" show airing Friday nights) informed me of "A Monthly Bondfire: Mic Open & Concert Series" which is a monthly Hip Hop show that has been taking place at Manhattan's Bowery Poetry Club since 2008 (308 Bowery btw Houston & Bleeker). I would like to personally thank DJ TastyKeish (www.Twitter.com/TastyKeish) for the invite because what I was able to witness last night was what I've been searching for since moving to Brooklyn at the beginning of 2008: REAL HIP HOP.

Bondfire is essentially a forum for budding, underground emcees to take the stage and show and prove their skills/talent. What's special about this particular open mic is that not just any kid with a pen and a pad can grab a mic and perform. You have to truly be a Master of Ceremonies to grace the Bondfire stage. I've been to quite a few open mic events in my day and the majority of the performers lack the skills to actually emcee. Most open mic MCs utterly fail at the art of Ceremony Mastery and I usually leave such events disappointed and upset about the lack of talent in the underground. Last night was an exceptionally different experience for me.

When I entered the Bowery Poetry Club at about 10:20 PM, I assumed I'd be the only person there 'cause, let's be real, Hip Hop shows NEVER begin at their scheduled time. Much to my surprise and delight, the crowd was already packed and the show began on time at 10:30 PM. DJ TastyKeish and The Bronx Uber Villain (www.Twitter.com/BXUberVillain) shared hosting duties and DJ Boosh Wheelz (www.Twitter.com/DJBooshWheelz) represented on the 1s & 2s. One can usually determine if a show's gonna be ILL based upon the crowd's energy. I don't care if Jay-Z is rockin' in the middle of Marcy givin' out free gold Roc-A-Fella medallions!!! If the crowd isn't energetic and participating in the show, then the show is gonna suck worse than the NJ Nets. The crowd at the Bowery Poetry Club last night was packed wall-to-wall with true HipHoppas. There was a good mix of ladies and fellas and they were all committed to experiencing Hip Hop last night. Their energy was high and their participation was live!!!

The format of Bondfire is to have a few scheduled acts perform and in between the mic is open for local talent to flex their muscle on the microphone. There was no delays and the show moved right on schedule. Of the local talent to hit the stage last night, I was truly impressed by Final Outlaw (www.Twitter.com/FinalOutlaw), YC The Cynic (www.Twitter.com/YCtheCynic), Eboi Da Rebel (www.Twitter.com/eboidarebel) and Premonition (www.Twitter.com/Premonition1). I suggest checkin' their Twitter pages and then linking to their web sites for more info on them. They definitely rocked the mic right.

The headliners of the event last night were My Brother's Keeper, a Bronx trio consisting of emcees Skallah, Tzo, and Thinker (www.Twitter.com/MyBrothersKeep) and the sultry and exotic female vocalist Raye 6 (www.Twitter.com/Raye6). Both headlining acts showcased their talents on stage exhibiting true star power. Raye 6 was accompanied by the lovely Bubble Girls who complimented Raye 6's over-the-top sexual stage presence with their erotic dance sequences. I've never seen Raye 6 live before, but she's been referred to as the female Prince. I would agree that this is an accurate comparison, to say the least. Her sexy performance was just the icing on the cake though. Despite all the wildness that occurred on stage, Raye 6 has an amazing voice and vocal range. She's one hell of a singer. Be sure to check her web site and download her new mixtape at: http://www.raye6.net/ . Peep some of her performance below:

In the midst of all the REAL Hip Hop that was occurring around me, there were six artists hittin' the easels hard to the right of the stage. They were interacting with the performances and audience members could discuss their work and even purchase the pieces after the show. The piece you see to the left was done by Ignite Designs (http://www.myspace.com/269622230). I was really feelin' this joint 'cause it would have gone perfectly in my living room. Unfortunately, it was a little pricey for someone who just quit his job!! Haha.

On my cab ride home at about 2:00 AM, I was smiling at an event that was successful and most importantly entertaining. From the backpackers in the crowd pumpin' their fists and rhyming along with the emcees to the sexy style of Raye 6 and the Bubble Girls, A Monthly Bondfire at the Bowery Poetry Club was an excellent venue to experience REAL Hip Hop as opposed to all the BULLSHIT that surrounds us flowing steadily out of every media outlet possible. I'll most definitely be attending next month's Bondfire to listen to the all the talent that Hip Hop's birthplace still has to offer the real fans who lurk in the sewers of the "NY Shitty" Underground.

Word is Bond... FIRE.

THROWBACK CLASSIC - Week of 1/25

2010-01-26T20:51:00.000-05:00

I'ma throw it back this week on some Wu-Fam shit. Seein' that Willie The Kid is my emcee of the week this week, I figured I should give his older brother and former Wu-Tang brethren, La The Darkman, some props for his ill album "Heist of the Century." This album was released in 1998 and sold around 300,000 copies, back when anything that was affiliated with Wu-Tang was certifiably classic.

The THROWBACK CLASSIC this week is "Spring Water" off of La The Darkman's album Heist of the Century. This joint features Raekwon and was actually produced by him as well. Peep the video of these two G's lampin' below:

EMCEE OF THE WEEK - Willie The Kid

2010-01-25T22:05:00.001-05:00

This week's EMCEE OF THE WEEK is Willie The Kid a.k.a. The Crown Prince. For those of you who aren't up on the next generation of Hip Hop greats, I'ma have to bring y'all to the "Ledge of Know." Willie The Kid is the younger brother of the '90s Wu-Fam emcee La The Darkman (a.k.a. L.A.D.). He's from Grand Rapids, Michigan but makes a lot of his moves in Atlanta due to his close link with DJ Drama and his Aphilliates Music Group.

Willie played the background throughout the '90s while his big brother La The Darkman was shootin videos with Raekwon the Chef and cuttin' classic records like "Lucci." In 2005, Willie The Kid quit playin' the background and began to shine in the foreground as one of DJ Drama's protege MCs. I first heard Willie on a J-Love mixtape a few years ago on the track "When The Money Comes" with La The Darkman. I've always been a fan of the Notorious L.A.D. and upon hearing Willie spit with his brother, I was immediately hooked. Then he banged me in the head with the Don Cannon produced "Get You A Gun." That was pure ridin' music for me that summer. The best way for me to explain how nice Willie The Kid is, is to SHOW you. Experience what I did in 2006 when I heard "Get You A Gun" below:

After rockin' that joint all summer in Boston, I NEEDED to hear more of this mutha fucka and MORE is exactly what I got.

DJ Drama really put his backing into Willie, givin' him some prime time exposure on his official Gangsta Grillz 1 & 2 albums as well as his Lil Wayne Dedication 2 & 3 mixtapes. Once Willie got introduced to the Hip Hop world through DJ Drama's Aphilliates Music Group, shit just took off: ENTER HIS ROYAL FLYNESS...

Willie subsequently showed and proved his star power in this Hip Hop game through the release of four official mixtapes with DJ Drama and one with DJ Scream. In addition, he released a 13 track EP record titled "Absolute Greatness" in 2008 that was really more like an album.

He's been puttin' in crazy work in the last couple years being featured on tracks with Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Bun B, La The Darkman, Gucci Mane, and Flo Rida. Busta Rhymes went so far as to say that the torch should be passed on to Willie The Kid, the Crown Prince. He stated to Willie: "I like to see real niggas that's worthy of their shot, get their shot, ya nah'mean? It's about helpin' the new niggas that's worthy of gettin' the torch passed to them and givin' them the torch and you seem like one of them niggas Willie The Kid!!!"

Willie The Kid's most recent releases include his mixtapes "The Fly" and "The Outkast" which have both been received with critical acclaim. I've been a big fan of WTK ever since hearing him on mixtapes back in 2005 and 2006. He's set to release his first official studio album this year titled "The Crown Prince." I expect big things from this album. He's blessed with some sick in-house producers out of AMG, including Don Cannon and V12 Da Hitman and combining these producers with Willie's silky smooth flow and witty rhyme style is a recipe for "Absolute Greatness."

I pride myself on the motto of this blog: "Hip Hop & Bullshit, where we separate the REAL from the BULLSHIT." Willie The Kid coincidentally feels the same way as I do on the chorus of his V12 Da Hitman produced track The Real: "I know you used to that bullshit, yeah, but I'ma put you on some real shit. Much more than that shoot 'em up kill shit, yeah, I'ma put you on some real shit."

Well like my man Willie did for me, I'ma put YOU on some REAL shit. Check out the videos from Willie The Kid below:

Follow Willie The Kid on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/TheWillieTheKid

Peep his official MySpace at: www.myspace.com/TheWillieTheKid

DONKEY OF THE WEEK - Ashley Logan

2010-01-24T21:51:00.003-05:00

This week's DONKEY OF THE WEEK is none other than "The BackShot Queen," Ashley Logan. She's certainly one white girl who can hang with the best of the Hip Hop booty models or video vixens. Her booty is almost too perfect. She truly takes asses to a whole new level of "rotundness"!!!

Ashley is a 22 year-old World Star Hip Hop model and major Hip Hop Video Vixen. She's been featured in music videos with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Juelz Santana, Twista, and the Dream. In addition, Ashley has graced the covers and pages of some huge men's magazines including Straight Stuntin, Smooth, Smooth Girl, F.E.D.S., and Sweets.

Ashley Logan is from Harlem, New York. Needless to say, she's been sought after by DJ Kay Slay and his Straight Stuntin Magazine publication. She's graced his cover and has made quite the name for herself after her birthday party video footage from a strip club with the Drama King and being interviewed on Howard Stern's radio show as Flo Rida's dancer (refer to the videos below). Her measurements are quite amazing: 36-26-42.

Be sure to check check out more of Ashley Logan at her official websites below.

Follow Ashley on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/AshleyLoganAL

See more of Ashley on her official MySpace: www.myspace.com/AshleyLoganAL

SEE WHY ASHLEY'S KNOWN AS THE "BACKSHOT QUEEN" BELOW:

Hip Hop Karaoke New Jersey

2010-01-24T20:00:00.000-05:00

Hip Hop Karaoke is becoming the new craze lately. The official Hip Hop Karaoke New Jersey will be kicking off its first event on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at the Skybox Sports Bar in Roselle, NJ. The sign up starts at 8:00 PM and the event starts at 9:00 PM.

There's gonna be over 350 classic tracks to rock on so y'all better come through with some skills. Be sure to follow Hip Hop Karaoke New Jersey on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/HHKNJ.

Also peep their official facebook page for more info at: http://www.facebook.com/HHKNJ

BONDFIRE @ THE BOWERY

2010-01-24T10:22:00.000-05:00

Bondfire is a monthly Hip Hop concert series which takes place at The Bowery Poetry Club in Manhattan (308 Bowery St. between Houston & Bleeker). Bondfire will be held this month on Tuesday, January 26th from 10:00 PM through 3:00 AM. Ticketes are $5.00 in advance and $10.00 after 10:30 PM. The show is hosted by The Bronx Uber Villain and WBAI 99.5 FM's own Tasty Keish from Rise Up Radio. DJ Boosh Wheelz will be spinning with performances by Raye 6 and My Brother's Keeper. There will also be an open mic during the event with 15 slots available for those who want to showcase their skills live on stage.

This month's show is an extra special one because A Monthly Bondfire has teamed up with Cybille St. Aude of Homebase NYC to make donation bins available for attendees to donate various items to help the earthquake rattled people of Haiti. Donation suggestions include: radios, flashlights, various batteries, toiletries, baby products (including milk, diapers and wipes), non perishable food items, first aid kits, over the counter meds, vitamins, blankets, sheets, flip flops, and socks.

For more info on this show, Help For Haiti, and other great info on NY's Hip Hop scene, follow Tasty Keish on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/TastyKeish

CHECK THE VIDEO OF RAYE 6 KILLIN' IT ACAPELLA BELOW:

Royce 5'9" & Joe Budden "40/40"

2010-01-23T13:18:00.000-05:00

I don't know why Ray Benzino is even tryin' to diss Royce and Slaughterhouse. Apparently, they didn't want to to an interview for Benzino's BULLSHIT magazine "Hip Hop Weekly" that nobody buys or even knows about. I'm originally from Boston and let me tell you, Benzino ain't runnin' shit in the Bean. Ray's been throwin' shots at Royce and Slaughterhouse for a couple weeks now, even pulling out a fully automatic gun in a video threatening to unload on them. GETTHEFUCKOUTTAHEREWITDATBULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!

Royce and Budden are in Europe on tour right now and they released this diss record "40/40" to put an end to this stupid beef. In my opinion, there ain't no beef if the opponent's arms are too short to box with a fuckin' midget!!! Listen to Royce and Joe body Benzino below:

FREE DOWNLOAD - Joe Budden & Royce 5'9" "40/40"

Jay Electronica - Knitting Factory 1/20

2010-01-21T12:59:00.000-05:00

This dude Jay Electronica is fixin' to make 2010 his year. The year just started and he's already bombin' the New York Hip Hop scene, gettin' on every single fuckin' stage he possibly can get on and rockin' it like LL in 1988. After droppin' his highly publicized single "Exhibit C' produced by Just Blaze, Jay has been the talk of the town out here in NY. He's been on numerous radio shows and has performed live on stage with the likes of Joe Budden, Mos Def, P. Diddy, Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killha, A Tribe Called Quest and KRS-One (just to name a few).

If Hip Hop is dead or in a bad situation right now, Jay Electronica is Hip Hop's MacGyver (hittin' the stage with some toothpaste, bubble gum, dental floss, a big gold chain and makin' bombs to drop on all you lobster heads). He came from New Orleans with nothing, just pushing his music online by himself and now this mu-fucka will be 2010's number 1 draft pick.

Check out his command of the stage at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn last night during the "Mind. Body. Soul" event hosted by Michael Rapaport to raise awareness for Diabetes:

THROWBACK CLASSIC - Week of 1/18

2010-01-21T10:29:00.000-05:00

In honor of the Diabetes awareness fundraiser last night at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, this week's THROWBACK CLASSIC is A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario." Many of you know that Tribe essentially had to disband due to Phife Dawg's serious battle with Diabetes. He recently was able to be the recipient of a new kidney and came out last night to help increase awareness and fund raise for Diabetes research. Ghostface Killah (another artist with Diabetes) was in attendance with Talib Kweli, Jay Electronica, Mos Def, Statik Selektah and Termanology. It was a successful event and we wish Phife Dawg all the best. Someday, I hope for a Tribe reunion and a new album. Let's keep our finger crossed.

For now, enjoy the video for "Scenario" below:

J the S - Makin' Moves

2010-01-19T23:27:00.001-05:00

I first was introduced to Jake The Snake (a.k.a. J the S) back in 2003 when I watched him take down MC after MC at the Super Bowl Battle in the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. At the time, I was living in Boston and just finished two years on the airwaves with my "Underground Chaos" Hip Hop radio show at WTBU (big up to my partner Matty Schools). I was always heavy into the Boston underground Hip Hop scene and J the S impressed us all that night and that year. He released his debut album "The Arrival" in 2004 and has subsequently continued to release albums and mixtapes every year.

Since striking fear in his freestyle battle opponents in Boston, J the S has moved on to even bigger and better things in this Hip Hop game. He's capitalized on opportunities to open shows for Kool G. Rap, AZ, the Wu-Tang Clan, Talib Kweli, Brother Ali, and Slaughterhouse (just to name a few). While performing on stages with some of Hip Hop's legends, J the S has made a nice name for himself in New York's Hip Hop scene. He's collaborated on songs with some big name MCs including: Kool G. Rap, B.o.B., Saigon, Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz, and Ras Kass.

I coincidentally rode the same subway car with J the S on a train heading back into Brooklyn last year and found out that he moved to New York in order to be more closely involved in the epicenter of Hip Hop. Since making his move from Boston, J the S has been gettin' it in with some more legends. He's currently promoting his new single "The Last Party" featuring Jadakiss and Danny McLain. In addition, his music video game is crisp. He recently released a new video for his track "Marvelous" featuring Speks. If "Marvelous" doesn't get your mouth watering, then you got some fuckin' problems. Peep this new video below:

If you'd like to hear more from ya boy J the S, check out these FREE DOWNLOADS below:

"My Will" is a J the S mixtape featuring tracks with Saigon, Kool G. Rap, and B.o.B.

Click the download link below:

FREE DOWNLOAD - J the S "My Will"

"When In Rome" is another ill mixtape from J the S featuring tracks with Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz and Ras Kass. My personal favorite J the S joint is "Kilograms (I Know)" featuring Ras Kass. That shit is bananas. Click the download link: FREE DOWNLOAD - J the S "When In Rome"

Lastly, check out J the S's group "The Greater Good" FREE DOWNLOAD - Greater Good

Be sure to check out J the S's official web sites below:

Follow J the S on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/jthes

Peep his official myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/jtheshiphop

HIP HOP CONCERT WATCH

2010-01-19T15:22:00.019-05:00

The following is a list of upcoming shows in the New York area:

_____________________________________________________________________________

MIND BODY SOUL - A concert event to raise awareness for diabetes
Hosted by Michael Rapaport and Phife Dawg.
Live performances by Ghostface Killah, Jay Electronica, Consequence, Talib Kweli and more.

Where: Knitting Factory (Brooklyn)
When: Wednesday, January 20th
Doors: 8:00 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: Free (must RSVP and show up before 11:00 - rsvp@theheavysound.com )
http://bk.knittingfactory.com/event-details/?tfly_event_id=4409

___________________________________________________________________________

THE 9DEEZ (Statik Selektah's Birthday Extravaganza)
Hosted By Lord Sear.
With Golden Era Allstar DJs & MCs including DJ Premier, DJ Finesse, DJ S&S and more.

Where: La Pomme (37 W 26th St in Manhattan)
When: Thursday, January 21st
Show: 11:00 PM - 4:00 AM
Tickets: Free (must RSVP to the9deez@gmail.com )

____________________________________________________________________________

HOT 97 WHO'S NEXT LIVE
Red Cafe, JoJo Pellegrino & Sparke Flame

Where: S.O.B.'s (204 Varick St. in Manhattan)
When: Wednesday, January 27th
Doors: 8:00 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: $10.00 (in advance)
http://www.sobs.com/node/114

____________________________________________________________________________

HIP HOP KARAOKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2010
Special Guest Judges include Big Daddy Kane, Buckshot and 1 more TBA

Where: Irving Plaza (17 Irving Plaza, NYC)
When: Friday, January 29th
Doors: 8:00 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: $13.00
http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/414465

____________________________________________________________________________

STYLES P, DJ GREEN LANTERN & SEAN PRICE
Album Release Party for The Green Ghost Project

Where: Highline Ballroom (431 W 16th St. in Manhattan)
When: Monday, February 1st
Doors: 8:00 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: $15.00 (in advance)

_____________________________________________________________________________

STATIK SELEKTAH "100 PROOF: THE HANGOVER" RECORD RELEASE PARTY
Performances by: Skyzoo, Termanology, Consequence, Torae, Freeway, Reks, El Da Sensai, Truck North, Joe Scudda and more.

Where: S.O.B.'s (204 Varick St in Manhattan)
When: Wednesday, February 3rd
Doors: 7:00 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: $12.00 (in advance)
http://www.sobs.com/node/29

____________________________________________________________________________

These all look like some great shows and I'll definitely be at most of them. I'll keep y'all posted on how they are...

JAY ELECTRONICA - EXHIBIT C (LIVE)

2010-01-18T11:36:00.000-05:00

Last night at the Highline Ballroom in NYC, Mos Def through a live concert with some very special guests. P. Diddy and Jay Electronica hit the stage during the show and showed some Hip Hop unity for us in 2010. Jay let everyone know last night on Twitter that he was gonna hit the stage and perform his Just Blaze produced "Exhibit C" and he absolutely did.

I'm sure I'm not the first to say this, but Jay Electronica is gonna be a mutha fuckin' problem in 2010. He's like a harder Nas from the '90s era. It's like he doesn't know anything other than REAL Hip Hop. It was also great to see P. Diddy on stage supporting REAL Hip Hop. I think Diddy truly listens to good shit on his own, but at the end of the day he's a business man so it doesn't really show in his product. Either way, I'm actually glad a big wig like Diddy has been supporting true Hip Hop (it should be noted that he was at Raekwon's record release for OB4CL2 back in September supporting that project as well).

PEEP JAY ELECTRONICA RIP THE STAGE DOWN LAST NIGHT FROM THE HIGHLINE BALLROOM!!!

EMCEE OF THE WEEK - J. COLE

2010-01-18T02:02:00.001-05:00

The more and more I've been listenin' to J. Cole, the more and more I think he's gonna be what I hoped Kanye West would have been. He's total package, like Lex Luger (shout to NWO and Monday nights in the '90s). He produces the majority of the beats he spits on, he writes his own shit, he has a very precise flow, and his delivery is charismatic, hard and smooth all at the same time. Pause, let me stop kissing his ass now. This mutha fucka is a deep breath of crisp, fresh air from the Fijian islands (shout to my homey Drew). He says it himself on his freestyle over the "I Really Mean It" instrumental: "They say I'm the down south Nas, the east coast Pac, the Carolina Andre, the Fayetnam Kanye... I'm the light skinned Jesus." And Jesus Christ, it's about time some of the new rookie talent stepped up and impressed us.

As I've reported previously, J. Cole is the first artist to be signed to Jay-Z's new RocNation label. He's been touring with Jay recently and has also released two mixtapes in the last couple years titled "The Come Up" and "The Warm Up." These mixtapes are more like albums where he shits on his competition. (CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BOTH MIXTAPES)

What's really good to discover is that he's from Fayetteville, North Carolina. I feel like Hip Hop needs more quality rhymers from the south. Most rappers from this region either have no skill or they simply have no intelligence. I hate to say it, but I did. J. Cole absolutely dismantles this southern rapper stigma in the Hip Hop game. He went to St. John's University so he could live in the heart of Hip Hop and he graduated Magna Cum Laude off an academic scholarship. His intelligence shows in his writing ability. Don't get it twisted - he ain't no nerd on the mic, but he does know how to construct a rhyme, a verse, and a full song with story telling capabilities that rival most of the all time greats.

He's also very witty with his rhymes: "I go hard like I just seen some nipples on Beyonce, no disrespect to Hov but if I didn't I'd be beyond gay." Now that takes a certain kinda nut sack to spit about the wife of the man who owns you. Nonetheless, it's good shit.

According to his bio, J. Cole's mission is "to wake up a dormant industry and cement his name in this game. But more than that, with his debut studio album currently in production, he hopes to change the tide of current rap music, swaying it in a more insightful, meaningful and passionate direction."

I wish him all the luck in the world, 'cause the type of Hip Hop he creates is exactly what the mainstream Hip Hop culture needs at this very moment. We'll be hearing more from J. Cole this year and I'll make sure to keep y'all posted on all new shit.

FOLLOW J. COLE ON TWITTER AT: www.Twitter.com/JColeNC
CHECK HIS OFFICIAL SITE AT: http://www.jcolemusic.com/
VISIT HIS OFFICIAL MYSPACE AT: http://www.myspace.com/jcole

IF YOU DIDN'T READ THE POST, AT LEAST PEEP THIS VIDEO!!! J. COLE IS A BEAST ON THIS JOINT!!!

JOINT OF THE WEEK - "Playground"

2010-01-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

The JOINT OF THE WEEK this week is J. Cole's new shit titled "Playground." The track is produced by Elite and is a straight banger. Listen to it below or on the side bar to the left.

DONKEY OF THE WEEK - TIARA

2010-01-17T19:23:00.019-05:00

Tiara Harris is hands down the most natural beauty to be featured on Hip Hop & Bullshit thus far. She's a self-proclaimed Internet Goddess (although most men would proclaim this for her as well) who has made a living connecting with herself and her inner sexuality online for a few years now. Her motto is "natural is beauty" and she embodies this in all of her modeling work. Tiara's website mantra is "Sexuality is life... creates life... heals life... enhances life." She never waivers from this notion and exudes her sexuality in every photo I've viewed of her. Her sex appeal is quite overwhelming.

Tiara is an authentic, 33 year-old, female model weighing in at 165 pounds with a height of 5'10". She's in her early thirties and knocks most 20 year-old models straight out the box!!! She doesn't have fake breasts or implants in her flawlessly shaped DONKEY booty and it's actually quite pleasant to see pictures of a real woman as opposed to the "Buffie The Body" type video vixens that are all over the internet now. Her measurements are 36D-27-42 and she proudly advertises her dress size of 8-10 on her website. Tiara's body is a landscape of pure Utopian succulence. (Give me a break here, I'm trying to do this beautiful woman some justice here...)

Tiara Harris is very serious about promoting beauty in all women as well as empowering them to be happy through their sexuality. She has created an internet video blog called "Confessions of a Naked Internet Goddess" which is an open forum for her and her followers to express themselves and their experiences with each other. I'm pretty sure the content here is geared toward women, but men will probably love visiting the site despite this fact. LOL.

I was honestly impressed when researching Tiara for this "DONKEY OF THE WEEK" feature because her bio and mission is very different than all of the other models I've featured in the past. She's truly all about promoting women and their beauty. I think I can speak for all my male readers when I say, we appreciate her mission.

I highly recommend viewing more of Tiara on all of her official websites. She reveals a lot more of her beauty and sexuality and, trust me, it's worth looking in to! Her nude spreads are always done in a classy manner.

Check out Tiara's official website at: http://www.tiaraxclusive.com/

Interact with Tiara on her vlog at: http://www.goddessembrace.com/

Follow Tiara on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/TiaraModel

Check out this exclusive video of Tiara below:

CAUTION: THIS IS NSFW!!!

Rockness Monsta "Who Wanna Rock"

2010-01-17T19:00:00.000-05:00

************ NEW SHIT *************

Most of my readers don't really know my stance on Duck Down Records 'cause I haven't had an opportunity to discuss them due to a lack of new shit recently. They have a slew of releases set to hit stores in 2010 and I couldn't be more happy. I love Duck Down and all of their artists. Dru Ha has done an excellent job of maintaining a strong, underground roster of talent for two decades. The man needs some credit here because most labels of this nature fold or disband. Not Duck Down.

Heltah Skeltah is my personal favorite group from the Boot Camp Clik and Rockness Monsta (a.k.a. Rock) has been one of my favorite rhymers since I first heard him back in the Fab 5 days and doing some hooks on Smif-N-Wessun's "The Shining" album. He recently leaked a mixtape joint over Snoop Dogg's crazy popular "I Wanna Rock" beat. 2DopeBoyz.com is reporting that he has a new mixtape set for release titled "Rockin' Out West." Check out Rock doin' his thing over the Rob Base sampled beat below.

FREE DOWNLOAD - ROCK "WHO WANNA ROCK"

Rakim ft. Maino "Walk These Streets"

2010-01-17T12:19:00.000-05:00

Although I voiced my opinion of Rakim's "Seventh Seal" album last year depicting it as a tremendous let down, there are definitely a few gems on the record that I've had on repeat since hearing them. One of which is the track "Walk These Streets" featuring Maino and Tracey Horton, produced by Needlz. This joint has a Dr. Dre feel to it and both Maino and Rakim came correct on it. They recently put out a music video for the track. Peep this shit below:

New Hip Hop Album Releases 1/19

2010-01-16T16:43:00.000-05:00

The following is a list of new Hip Hop album releases for Tuesday, January 19, 2010:

Styles P & DJ Green Lantern: "The Green Ghost"

RJD2: "Collossus"

I'ma check out this Styles P joint, if it actually comes out. I'll keep y'all posted. Looks like another weak week in Hip Hop...

J. Cole "A Nigga From The Ville" (Mixtape)

2010-01-15T00:11:00.003-05:00

I know I been on J. Cole's bozack lately, but he's doin' shit in this bitch and I gotta cover it. He's got a new mixtape out, his first official one since signing to RocNation. This kid is really gonna be big I think. He's got flow, delivery, style, content, slickness and he ain't gay like Drake. (Oh shit!!! YEAH, BITCH I SAID IT.) He's the whole fuckin' package like Lex Luger. Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttt... (in my Clay Davis voice.)

Click the link below for J. Cole's new mixtape "A Nigga From The Ville."

FREE DOWNLOAD - J. COLE "A NIGGA FROM THE VILLE"

Joe Budden "Keep On" (Prod J. Cardim)

2010-01-14T21:43:00.000-05:00

Here is the third leaked track from Joe Budden that's produced by J. Cardim. These two have been goin' in during the last week, leaking three high caliber joints in a row. J. Cardim stated that none of these tracks are going to be on Joe Budden's upcoming new album "The Great Escape." Well, if this is what they're leakin' as scraps, then I'm excited for the album. Either way, check this new shit out. Click the link below to download it for free:

FREE DOWNLOAD - JOE BUDDEN "KEEP ON"

RZA Parks & Recreation Audition

2010-01-14T21:11:00.002-05:00

Yo, Questlove has been saying that the TV comedy "Parks & Recreation" is the Wu-Tang Clan of prime time TV. They released an audition tape of the RZA trying out for a part on the show. THIS SHIT IS HILARIOUS!!! Peep the video below:

Parks and Recreation is the Wu-Tang of Comedy - watch more funny videos

Statik Selektah 100 Proof Promo

2010-01-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

When in the butt fuck are y'all gonna believe me when I tell y'all that Statik Selektah is THAT DUDE right now??? I had to go out and get DJ Premier, Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek, and Q-Tip to fuckin' tell you mutha fuckas how nice this dude is (aight, I didn't get them myself, but fuck it, whatever). Peep this video of these legends co-signing my man fellow Bostonian Statik Selektah below:

Saigon ft. Lil Fame "Rusty Gunz"

2010-01-13T21:06:00.000-05:00

New video from Saigon and Lil Fame "Rusty Gunz." I seriously hope Saigon's "Greatest Story Never Told" gets told and it better be a classic after this fuckin' wait he's put us through. I'm just sayin'!!!

Follow Saigon on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/TheOnlySaigon

Peep the video below:

THROWBACK CLASSIC - Week of 1/11

2010-01-13T20:11:00.005-05:00

There's been a lot of hype online this past couple of weeks revolving around Capone-N-Noreaga's reunion to begin recording "The War Report 2." CNN is attempting to recreate the magic they had on their debut classic album that dropped back in 1997. Noreaga (www.twitter.com/Noreaga) has been tweeting recently about how he won't go to clubs because he wants to be in the same mind frame as he was in when they recorded "The War Report" back in the '90s. I'm pretty excited 'cause they've been working closely with Raekwon who recently proved that sequels can be classics as much as originals.

The THROWBACK CLASSIC this week is CNN's "Y'all Don't Wanna" from their second album "The Reunion." Peep this shit below:

FREE DOWNLOAD - J. Cole "Playground"

2010-01-13T19:48:00.001-05:00

*************** FREE DOWNLOAD ****************

J. Cole, in my mind, is on the very SHORT list of skillful new emcees in the game right now. I haven't heard a bad verse from this kid from Fayetteville, NC. His "The Warm Up" mixtape/album made my list of Top 9 Albums of 2009 last year and he recently signed to Jay-Z's new Roc Nation label. He's the first rapper to sign to Jay's new label and I just hope he doesn't fuck his first real album up.

Last week, 2DopeBoyz.com posted an unreleased track from J. Cole titled "Playground" which is produced by Elite. According to them, this track was cut from "The Warm Up." Don't ask me why it was cut, 'cause it's one of my favorite J. Cole tracks to date. Click the link below to download this gem for free.

FREE DOWNLOAD - J. COLE "PLAYGROUND"

OB4CL2 Released on Purple Vinyl 1/26/10

2010-01-13T01:32:00.000-05:00

Raekwon is releasing "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II" again on 1/26/10. This time the album will be released as a limited edition PURPLE VINYL record LP. I already bought two of these mutha fuckas and for all you Raekwon fans out there, this is a MUST-HAVE for your crate collection. I know I have a picture of his purple tape above, but just imagine that shit on a vinyl record!!! That shit is gonna be off the nipple.

To purchase Raekwon OB4CL2 limited edition PURPLE vinyl LP record click the link below:

ORDER RAEKWON'S "OB4CL2" PURPLE RECORD

Statik Selektah Release Party @ SOB's

2010-01-13T01:06:00.001-05:00

Statik Selektah will be having his record release party for his new LP "100 Proof: The Hangover" at S.O.B.'s on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. As you can see on the flier to the left, this show is gonna be B.A.N.A.N.A.S. I've said this before, I truly believe that Statik Selektah is the only "new" producer making real Hip Hop. I put new in quotes 'cause he's actually been doin' this for a long time, just not getting as much press as he is now.

The JOINT OF THE WEEK is a record called "Do It To Death" and this is a track from Statik's new album. Listen to this joint on the side bar to the left. Now if that ain't REAL Hip Hop, then I don't know what the fuck is.

I'll definitely be in attendance at this show enjoying the good music and stacked line-up. These guys from Show Off Hip Hop really know what they're doing. I wish them good luck with this release and I can't wait to cop it myself. Their tag line is "Hip Hop That Doesn't Suck Since 1982." I couldn't have said it better myself.

S.O.B.'s is located at 204 Varick St. in Manhattan.
You can cop tickets to this show right here: Statik Selektah Tickets

Follow S.O.B.'s on Twitter for more show info: www.Twitter.com/SOBs

Be sure to follow Statik Selektah on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/StatikSelekt

Also check out his web site: http://www.showoffhiphop.com/

Lastly, another good website to check is Dan Green's: http://www.clockwork-music.com/

Money Miz's Memo To Producers

2010-01-12T10:36:00.000-05:00

Memo

To: All Hip Hop Producers
From: Money Miz
Re: "Hand Claps" Replacing Snare Drums
Date: 1/12/10
___________________________________________________________________________________

Effective Immediately: All Hip Hop producers who are currently creating new beats for rappers to use in 2010 MUST trash any beats that utilize a "hand clap" sound where a snare drum is supposed to be. These sounds are annoying and effectively destroy any listening capabilities by Hip Hop fans. Otherwise normally good beats, become pathetic in sound and establish an amateur feeling when listened to.

The "hand clap" sound is hazardous to the integrity of Hip Hop music and Hip Hop culture. Songs which utilize this sound-effect essentially mutate into "Pop" music and this will not be tolerated by the Hip Hop consuming public in 2010.

All producers who currently have such sounds in newly unmixed beats MUST immediately click and hold their cursors on these files and quickly drag and drop them into the recycle bin. Then an "Empty Recycle Bin" function should be immediately performed in order to preemptively strike against such nonsense from ruining Hip Hop music in 2010.

Examples of songs that have utilized this disgusting sound include: 50 Cent's "In Da Club," Busta Rhymes' "What It is," "Make It Clap," "Respect My Conglomerate," Fat Joe's "Lean Back," Jay-Z's "Off That," Joe Budden's "Pump It Up," and Outkast's "Hey Ya!"

Examples of producers who are guilty of diminishing the value of Hip Hop music by using the "hand clap" sound include: The Neptunes, Just Blaze, Dr. Dre, Trackmasters, Timbaland, Rick Rock, and Lil' Jon. JUST BECAUSE THEY DID IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD!!!

This new Hip Hop law is effective immediately. This memo should be filed in your "BULLSHIT" folder located under "My Documents" on your hard drive. A printed copy must be signed by all recipients and returned to Money Miz's attention by 1/15/10.

P.S. "Finger Snaps" - FUCK YOU TOO!!! (in my 2Pac voice)

DONKEY OF THE WEEK - Ali Milan

2010-01-10T22:03:00.002-05:00

This week's "DONKEY OF THE WEEK" is Ali Milan. I know it's very early in the year, but I strongly believe that Ms. Milan will be in the running for Donkey of the Year 2010. She's definitely one of my personal favorites since this weekly model feature began last year. Honestly, I actually might have to rub one out on my own web site (don't tell my wiz)!!! HAHA!! Just playin'!!! Although, my girl might rub one out too when she sees this spread. Haha.

According to her profile on ModelMayhem.com, Ali is 5'9" with measurements of 36DD-26-42. Her Donkey is perfect with a face and body that would distract Jesus. Ali is definitely the total package and I'm sure we'll be seeing more of her in magazines, online and maybe even music videos (if she's into that). I'll make sure to keep y'all posted on any new work from Ms. Milan. Hopefully, I'll be able to reach her for an interview in our next feature.

Ali Milan is a 22 year old Israeli bombshell who's currently studying for her MBA. She's most recently gained notoriety for her spread in Issue #10 of DJ Kay Slay's Straight Stuntin Magazine. This was her first magazine gig and she definitely made a good first impression. Her booty was straight bumpin in that photo shoot. According to her interview with Straight Stuntin, she's aspiring to own her own business and become a household name in the world of modeling. Unfortunately, she's a Lakers fan and always tweets about them. (If y'all didn't know, I'm from Brooklyn by way of Boston... you get my point.) I guess I can manage to deal with it 'cause her pictures more than make up for her LA loyalty. See below:

For more of Ali Milan be sure to check out her official web sites below:

Follow Ali on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/Ali_Milan

Check out Ali's official MySpace at: www.myspace.com/officialalimilan

Big Daddy Kane @ Hip Hop Karaoke

2010-01-10T14:08:00.000-05:00

One of the three guest judges at the Hip Hop Karaoke Championship 2010 is gonna be Big Daddy Kane (along with Buckshot and a third judge TBA). I got my tickets for this shit a couple weeks ago and I got a crew of mutha fuckas goin' with me. This shit is one of the funnest Hip Hop events in NYC. It takes place Friday, January 29th at 8:00 PM at The Fillmore in Irving Plaza. To get tickets click here: HIP HOP KARAOKE TICKETS

In the meantime, check out this video of Big Daddy Kane making a surprise guest appearance at the Hip Hop Karaoke Championship a couple years ago. One of the Karaoke performers was doin' a Big Daddy Kane joint and the legend himself ran up on stage and stole the mic from him. This shit was ILL!!!

STATIK SELEKTAH "Do It To Death"

2010-01-10T12:47:00.002-05:00

JOINT OF THE WEEK

**************NEW SHIT!!!***************

(In my DJ Clue voice). I almost feel bad posting this new shit right here 'cause I don't think it was supposed to be leaked yet (although once it leaked Statik Selektah released the official mastered version for everyone). The track is called "Do It To Death" and it features Lil Fame (of M.O.P.), Havoc (of Mobb Deep), and Kool G. Rap. It's from the upcoming compilation album "100 Proof: The Hangover" from the ILL Producer/DJ Statik Selektah. The album is fully produced by Statik Selektah, who in my mind has become the new DJ Premier (not necessarily in his sound, but more so in his consistency of making banger after banger). This guy is a rare breed of producer who still makes beats with crisp sampling, banging drum lines, and a true '90s feel.

Download this joint below (via 2DopeBoyz.com):

***FREE DOWNLOAD*** "Do It To Death" Statik Selektah

Or just listen to the JOINT OF THE WEEK "Do It To Death" below or on the side bar to the left:

METH VS. CHEF 2

2010-01-10T12:14:00.000-05:00

This joint "Meth vs. Chef 2" was played live on the air of DJ Allah Mathematics radio show "The Math Files" on AllHipHop Radio a little over a month ago. It's the first song played off of the upcoming untitled LP from Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Method Man. It's produced by Allah Math himself, who has produced tracks like "Mighty Healthy" from Ghostface's "Supreme Clientele" and "Publicity" from GZA's "Beneath The Surface" (just to name a couple).

According to various Twitter posts this week, Meth, Rae, and Ghost are looking for a name for their new group. Apparently, you can text the name you think they should use by texting MethRaeGhost to 66937 to name their group. If your name is chosen, they'll thank you in the liner notes of the album.

Be sure to follow Allah Mathematics on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/MathFiles

LISTEN TO "METH VS. CHEF 2" BELOW:

New Hip Hop Album Releases - 1/12/10

2010-01-10T11:47:00.000-05:00

The following is a list of new Hip Hop album releases for Tuesday, January 12, 2010:

Mr. Hudson: "Straight No Chaser"

Show & E-Blaze: "Born Lords" (this is Showbiz from Showbiz & A.G.)

Blockhead: "The Music Scene"

Oh No: "Dr. No's Ethiopium"

40 Glocc & Zoo Life: "Concrete Jungle"

J-Stalin: "Prenuptial Agreement"

Once again, 2010 is starting off limp. Not much to get excited over here this week. I don't think shit is gonna start to really pop off until next month. February has some scheduled releases from Canibus, Redman, Army of The Pharaohs, and Lil Wayne. We'll just have to wait. Until then, I'll be bumpin' some Jay Electronica and anything else that Joe Budden and J. Cardim decide to leak.

JOE BUDDEN "R.I.P." (prod by J. Cardim)

2010-01-09T13:01:00.000-05:00

Here's some more new shit from Joe Budden titled "R.I.P." It's another joint produced by J. Cardim, who's been killin' it since I first heard him outta Boston. These two seem to have a really good chemistry together and I hope they're collaborating on Joe's upcoming album "The Great Escape." This fuckin' track is FIRE plain and simple. J. Cardim is havin' quite the 2010 so far. Everything is on point thus far. Click the link below to download this shit for free:

***FREE DOWNLOAD*** JOE BUDDEN "R.I.P."

N.O.R.E. - "Exhibit CNN" Video

2010-01-06T21:18:00.000-05:00

Yo EVERYBODY'S freestylin' over the Just Blaze beat he did for Jay Electronica's "Exhibit C" track that leaked last week. This shit is crazy. Anyway, Capone-N-Noreaga have been on tour with Raekwon recently and all they're tweeting about is "The War Report 2." Based on the tweets I've read it sounds like they're gettin' production from the Alchemist and Scram Jones so far and Raekwon will most likely be a featured guest on the album.

If Raekwon is having an influence on these guys, this album could be pretty good. "The War Report" was Capone-N-Noreaga's debut album and, in my mind, is a classic. That shit is one of the hardest Hip Hop albums to ever come out of New York. The beats were crazy and the combination of CNN and Tragedy Khadafi on the mics was perfect. Hopefully, these guys get their shit together and make a sick sequel like Raekwon did last year.

***FREE DOWNLOAD*** N.O.R.E. "EXHIBIT CNN"

Peep the video below of Noreaga spittin' on "Exhibit CNN." An official music video comes on at the 1:21 mark:

JOINT OF THE WEEK - Week of 1/4/10

2010-01-06T20:56:00.002-05:00

The "JOINT OF THE WEEK" this week is some new shit from Jo Jo Pellegrino featuring Sean Price and Inspectah Deck. The track is produced by Frank Dukes and is a nice little banger, if I do say so myself. Jo Jo been around for years, hailing from Staten Island with a tight flow. He's one of the few emcees from Staten Island who wasn't a part of the Wu-Fam, but was actually nice on the mic. Listen to the joint below or on the side bar to the left:

***FREE DOWNLOAD*** TRIPLE HOMOCIDE

JOE BUDDEN "MONEY'S ON ME"

2010-01-06T20:28:00.001-05:00

The "Emcee of the Week" leaked a new track titled "Money's On Me" today on Twitter. This shit is produced by J. Cardim. Give this shit a listen and let me know what y'all think. He goes in a little on Tahiry and Ray Benzino (after Benzino dissed Royce Da 5'9" like a retard). Peep it:

**FREE DOWNLOAD** JOE BUDDEN "MONEY'S ON ME"

DJ PREMIER - AIR FORCE 1s

2010-01-05T23:34:00.000-05:00

I need to hire some fuckin' news writers in this bitch!!! I know I'm late on this shit, but I gotta post it just in case y'all mutha fuckas live under a rock.

The DJ Premier Air Force Ones are pretty ILL. They are being released on January 9th (THIS SATURDAY) and you know I'm on this shit!!! Check out these pics. They've got turntables on the soles, his name on the laces, and name on the back. I heard they're gonna retail at $135.00 but don't quote me. Wow!!!

THROWBACK CLASSIC - Week of 1/4

2010-01-05T22:11:00.001-05:00

After the release of Reflection Eternal's new mixtape "The RE:Union" on New Year's Eve, I been on some 1998 shit hard body. Living in Brooklyn now and listening to this Black Star album again tonight, I wonder what it would have been like to live here during this time frame. It must've been good shit. My boy B-Nice and I were just talkin' about Rawkus Records last night. They fucked up their business and it's really unfortunate. Rawkus had such a true Hip Hop catalog back then and they always seemed to deliver. Where in the fuck are labels like that nowadays? I mean aside from Duck Down, there really ain't successful, consistent underground labels that have big rosters of underground heavyweights. Everyone just does shit on their own now. I know it may be better to do this, but as a fan I kinda miss having a "go-to" label that puts out classic albums and sick compilations with all their artists (i.e. Soundbombing and Lyricist Lounge). I swear to God, I gotta bring this shit back somehow. Don't worry Hip Hop, ya boy Money Miz got some shit up his sleeve this year. I GOTCHU BABY!!!

This week's THROWBACK CLASSIC is "Definition" by Black Star. They just don't make it like this anymore... SMMFH...

HIP HOP KARAOKE CHAMPIONSHIP

2010-01-05T00:38:00.001-05:00

The Hip Hop Karaoke Championship 2010 is being held this year on Friday, January 29th at 8:00 PM at the Irving Plaza in NYC. (Big up to my girl Hallie for the heads up on this one!!!) Tickets are on sale right now and they're moving faster than the bubbles in Raekwon's coke pot!!! This shit started back in 2004 and is a competition to crown the greatest Hip Hop Karaoke Champion.

The format consists of performers getting on stage and rapping over instrumental beats only. They can be accompanied by a DJ and a hype man and each performer MUST know all the words by heart. There is no fucking around at the HHK Championships.

The final championship round occurs on January 29th and the contestants have been narrowed down to 12 after a few rounds of intense competition. It was just announced that Big Daddy Kane and Buckshot will be guest judges at the finale, with one more special guest judge yet to be determined.

Tickets are $15.75 each (including fees) if bought in a 4-pack. You can purchase tickets here: TICKETS

For more info, Hip Hop Karaoke's official site is: HIP HOP KARAOKE NYC

Be sure to follow Hip Hop Karaoke on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/HHKNYC

PEEP THIS VIDEO OF A SICK HIP HOP KARAOKE PERFORMANCE FROM 2007:

EMCEE OF THE WEEK - JOE BUDDEN

2010-01-03T22:19:00.001-05:00

This week's "EMCEE OF THE WEEK" is Joe Budden. Many of you have HEARD OF Joe Budden and have even HEARD his music, like his debut single produced by Just Blaze titled "Pump It Up." My issue is that many of you have never really LISTENED to Joe Budden and fully absorbed the creativity, knowledge, and therapy that he offers us through his music. To do so takes a serious willingness to concentrate on what this man is spittin' into the microphone. You CAN'T just listen to this emcee casually. You CAN'T listen to a track like "Pump It Up" and write this man off as a commercial "has-been."

It's true, he HAS BEEN a commercial success in 2003 (and a good one at that), but his true identity is that of an artistic phenom in 2010. For lack of a better term and to use an industry cliche, Joe Budden is a lyrical BEAST. He is one of a short list of emcees who can incorporate an exceptional flow and delivery onto a beat while simultaneously rhyming about serious, personal issues that we all go through in everyday life. His ability to delve deep into his own psyche and communicate introspective content while riding a beat seamlessly and entertainingly, is a gift that Hallmark doesn't even know how to package. Unfortunately for Def Jam, they didn't know how to package Budden's gift either. Or Jay-Z just didn't want to be consistently out-shined by an artist working on his label.

Joe Budden has been able to make songs that are 10, even 15, minutes in length without a chorus and keep his listeners on the edge of their seats waiting to hear how the story/song ends. His Mood Muzik mixtape series shouldn't even be categorized as mixtapes. They were probably the best albums to be released this decade. Look at a track like "Three Sides To A Story" from Mood Muzik 2. Usually, rappers get on a Scott Storch beat and milk it commercially as best they can. Joe Budden made a 7 minute and 30 second track explaining the difficulties of growing up as a teenage girl in a broken family in the hood with the craziest twist ending I've heard in a song ever. This man's music is special.

I had a difficult time last week picking my "Emcee of the Year." Ironically, I chose Raekwon, a rapper that Budden had a little beef with this past summer during the Rock The Bells tour. Joe Budden arguably was deserving of the "Emcee of the Year" award more than any rapper in the game last year. He released two solo albums "Padded Room" and "Escape Route" which landed numbers 2 and 3 respectively on my "Best Albums of 2009" list last week. He also released a group album as a member of Slaughterhouse in August. If you go back to the end of October 2008, he released another album called "Halfway House." That's four albums in a little over 14 months. WHO THE FUCK DOES THAT SHIT??? Somebody call Dr. Dre and tell him that people with "T.O.D." (a Touch Of Downs) can record music quicker than him!!! In addition to all the high quality album releases from Joey, he also engaged in a rap beef with Saigon earlier in 2009. Let's just say I respected Saigon prior to hearing him get verbally dissected by Joe Budden.

Then to top it all off in 2009, I got to witness Budden perform live at S.O.B.'s on Monday, December 28th last week. Not only is he a beast in the booth, but he is a beast on stage. He started the show at 9:10 PM and didn't finish until midnight. He didn't just spit one verse from every song and move to the next one. He spit entire tracks without missing one word (and this mutha fucka has dozens of 7 minute songs with no hooks)!!! He truly proved to me that he is an "emcee's emcee." He has to be the hardest working rapper alive right now.

Budden is sort of an enigma in the game. He engages in high profile relationships with the industry's top urban models. He is hardly soft spoken, calling out legends like Method Man claiming that he is currently better lyrically than him. (Despite my Wu-Tang bias and strong feeling that Method Man is one of the best ever, I might even agree with Joe's claim that he should have been higher on the list than Method Man.) He puts all of his personal life details into all of his music and publicizes a lot of shit on his Joe Budden TV that should probably stay private. LET'S JUST SAY, JOE BUDDEN IS AN EASY RAPPER TO HATE. The issue is that when you hear him spill his heart and soul out into the mic, you simply can't hate his artistic ability. He is willing to lose his private, personal moments/beliefs/shortcomings to the public in order to create art for the same hating public to enjoy. He effectively loses pieces of himself to us for our benefit (whether it be to teach a lesson, to offer an escape when we're depressed, or just to simply entertain the fuck out of us).

I think his music is a great escape for himself as well. It's one hell of a form of personal therapy. Fittingly, Joe will be releasing his next solo LP in the near future titled "The Great Escape." I believe it will probably be the album of the year this year. Let's just hope that Joe does what he does best, SPIT HIS BALLS OFF.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW JOE BUDDEN ON TWITTER: www.Twitter.com/MouseBudden

ALSO CHECK HIS OFFICIAL SITE: www.JoeBuddenTV.com

HE KILLED THIS RIHANNA BEAT!!! >>>***FREE DOWNLOAD*** "Russian Roulette"

PEEP THE VIDEO FOR "EXXXES" BELOW. THIS IS ONE OF THE ILLEST SONGS & IS WAY MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE. SEE IF YOU CAN READ BETWEEN THE LINES OF THIS TRACK. IT'S AMAZING...

DONKEY OF THE CENTURY - ELKE

2010-01-03T02:38:00.237-05:00

To start off the new decade here at Hip Hop & Bullshit, I'm gonna feature the woman I believe to be the "DONKEY OF THE CENTURY" - "Elke The Stallion." Elke Madler has been featured in numerous Hip Hop videos with artists such as Eminem, 50 Cent, Outkast, and D-12. In addition, she's squeezed her cheeks into some of the biggest men's magazines like Smooth, Smooth Girl, ASIS, Straight Stuntin, FEDS, Sweets, and many more. Elke has truly pioneered the urban modeling game as one of the most well known models out to date. She's made appearances on TLC's "L.A. Ink" and Jay Leno has even mentioned her on "The Tonight Show."

2010 is going to prove to be a big year for Elke The Stallion, her brand, and her model management company "Stallion Models." She's starting the year off with her 2010 calendar that can be purchased at her online store: ELKE THE STALLION STORE

Recently, I was able to link up with Elke for an interview so we could all get to know her a little better. Peep my interview with Elke The Stallion below:

MONEY MIZ: I wanna thank you for takin' the time to talk to the Hip Hop & Bullshit community. It's a pleasure to get a chance to talk to you and before we get started I'd love to know how to properly pronounce your unique name. My peoples and I have always wondered how to say it.

ELKE: My name is Elke and it's pronounced L-Key. And yes it's my real name. It's an old German name and it means "the noble."

MONEY MIZ: Word! Thank you for the clarification, 'cause we definitely pronounced it wrong. I'm not even gonna ask HOW you got the nickname "Stallion" 'cause it's quite apparent to me, but who gave you the name and how were you crowned as the industry's "Stallion"?

ELKE: My very first video was "I Like The Way You Move" by Outkast and everybody on set kept calling me stallion. I was the biggest girl on set, and most of the times I'm the biggest girl on any set (laughing out loud). So people kept calling me stallion, "built like a stallion." So when I launched my website I just tagged the name onto mine and made it my Trademark. And yes, it's a registered Trademark for anyone who wants to use it, you CAN'T!!! (laughing out loud)

MONEY MIZ: Wow, that's pretty ill. Looks like nobody can copy your style now! What part of the world are you from and what's your ethnicity? My readers and I would love to know where you got the genes that created the healthiest "Donkey Booty" we've ever seen!!! (chuckling)

ELKE: (laughing) I was born and raised in Germany. I am German, at least 100% of my mother's side and 80% of my father's side. So I'm German and yes I speak German as well.

MONEY MIZ: Just out of curiosity, what are your measurements and have you had to work really hard to maintain such a perfect figure? I know a lot of people don't truly understand how difficult it is to maintain such a smooth, rotund booty and such a trim stomach. How on earth do you do it?

ELKE: My measurements are 38/28/48 and no, I'm definitely not perfect. I had a baby 9 months ago so I'm trying to get back to where I used to be, not easy when you always on the road, busy working and trying to eat healthy. I don't work out nearly as much as I should. So I'm very thankful for God giving me the good genes and muscular frame to start with. I'm very conscious of the food I eat, I cut way back on the carbs, no red meat and I don't drink soda. So that makes a big difference for me.

MONEY MIZ: Congrats on your baby! You've been around for a while now and have really taken over the internet. For those of my readers who don't know you, how'd you get started in modeling and what made you want to pursue it as a career?

ELKE: I always thought I had a unique look and was very confident about myself, so when I came to the States I somehow got all this attention just by going out to clubs in Hollywood and people would tell me I should do videos and stuff. At that time, I had no idea there was an Urban Market and a career for me to pursue. So I went to a casting call for the Outkast video "I Like The Way You Move" and booked the job. That's how it pretty much all started for me. Then people in the industry suggested I start my personal website 'cause there was money to be made and in 2005 I launched www.ElkeTheStallion.com and the rest is history as you know. (laughing out loud)

MONEY MIZ: Oh yes, we've all witnessed your success! I could imagine this profession is grueling though. What unknown facts about this job could you share with us that might surprise my readers?

ELKE: Well, I mean you don't need much imagination to know that it's a sexy industry, half naked girls in videos, online, magazines, and some people in the industry take advantage of that, advantage of new girls who don't know better and they get tricked into doing a sexual favor to get an appearance in a magazine or video.

MONEY MIZ: Yeah, I guess we all could assume that kinda shit goes down. Aight, now back to the subject of your Donkey! (chuckles). What's your favorite underwear brand and style? I haven't seen your booty covered up that often, so I'm wondering if you EVER cover her up!!! (laughing out loud)

ELKE: You crazy, but yes, I do cover my booty up. During the day I like to wear thongs 'cause my jeans/pants are tight and I don't like pantie lines at all. To sleep I like to wear booty shorts/boy shorts for some reason a thong at night is not comfortable to me. And then there's the nights I sleep naked of course! (chuckling)

MONEY MIZ: Do you have a boyfriend, or girlfriend for that matter?

ELKE: Not into girls, but I am into boys!!!!!!!!!!!! (laughing out loud)

MONEY MIZ: What's your favorite position?

ELKE: Well, the right guy and the right size dick, any position is my favorite (laughing). I do like doggy though.

MONEY MIZ: No doubt. What's the craziest position you've ever done?

ELKE: Him sitting on the couch and me facing away from him, you get the picture. Very effective (laughing)

MONEY MIZ: What's the biggest BULLSHIT line a guy has tried to pick you up with?

ELKE: Every line is bullshit to me. Can't stand lines. Be yourself and offer to buy me a drink before you start bullshitting me, at least I have some liquor to get me tipsy so the bullshit don't hit me that hard! (laughing out loud)

MONEY MIZ: Going back to Hip Hop music videos, what was your favorite video experience and why?

ELKE: Going back to Outkast, it was a small, fun set, great people to work with and Outkast is one of the biggest names in the Hip Hop industry. They've been around for a pretty long time.

MONEY MIZ: Since this is a Hip Hop news blog, who's your favorite rapper and which rapper that you haven't worked with yet would you like to shoot a video for?

ELKE: At the moment, I love Slim Thug. His music style is definitely getting me in a sexy mood. I also love Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, both of those two I'd love to be in a video with. Also, I like Cee-Lo, he is on the crazy side, his videos always be fun, just like Outkast.

MONEY MIZ: I've noticed you've been adding some tattoos to your Stallion body. Are we gonna see a horse somewhere on that ass or are you keeping the DONKEY spotless?

ELKE: Hell nah, no tatts on my money maker, no way!!! (laughing out loud). My back and arms is pretty much it. Won't touch my front, my legs, or my DONKEY!

MONEY MIZ: Have you ever played "pin the tail on the donkey"??? And I don't mean the children's game!!! (chuckling)

ELKE: No, neither the childs or adult game. (chuckling)

MONEY MIZ: What do you have in the pipeline for 2010? Any new videos, calendars, magazine spreads, or completely new projects you have lined up this year?

ELKE: I shot a new video for WSHH, gonna be up soon. Gonna do some tattoo magazines once my sleeve is done. Working hard on getting www.StallionModels.com (model management company) noticed, getting more models signed and just keep grinding how I have been over the past few years. I always have stuff coming up, sometimes last minute gigs. Will be doing a lot of traveling throughout the States, so keep your eyes open for me.

MONEY MIZ: Word. I wish you success and luck this year. Thanks for rappin' with us over here. If you don't mind, tell my readers where they can find more of you online or in print. We all wanna see as much of your seat cushion as possible!!!

ELKE: Thank you for having me. To all my old and new fans, find the newest news and pics of me at:

My official website: www.ElkeTheStallion.com
Follow me on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/ElkeTheStallion
Befriend me on MySpace at: www.myspace.com/ElkeTheStallion
Watch my videos at: www.YouTube.com/ElkeTheStallion

You can also call me at 323-271-0152 to leave me voicemails, I even call back and leave voicemails, texts and send pics to your phone.

Much love,

XOXO.

Elke!

PEEP THESE VIDEOS OF ELKE SHAKING HER DONKEY!!!

For Hip Hop News & Entertainment at DimeWars.Com

Raekwon "Coke Up In Da Dollar Bill" Mixtape w/ DJ Whoo Kid

2010-01-02T01:55:00.005-05:00

Raekwon has teamed up with DJ Whoo Kid and DJ Scream for a new mixtape to start off the new year. The name of this brick is "Coke Up In Da Dollar Bill." It has a few new joints and also some of Raekwon's collaborations in 2009. He goes in on the track "I Wanna Rock" off of that new Snoop Dogg shit that uses that Rob Base sample from "It Takes Two."

Raekwon is definitely still on his grind. He's in the middle of his second OB4CL2 tour, recording a new album with Method Man and Ghostface, and workin' with CNN on their new "War Report 2" album. This dude is puttin' in work for real since droppin' Cuban Linx 2.

This mixtape is Rae gettin' it in on some gritty beats. Straight up coke music. You know, what Rae does best. Be on the lookout for new shit from Lex Diamonds. You can follow him on Twitter for news updates and info on the shit he's workin' on at: www.twitter.com/RAEKWONICEWATER

Click the link below to download Raekwon's new mixtape for free!!!

***FREE DOWNLOAD*** RAEKWON "COKE UP IN DA DOLLAR BILL" MIXTAPE

Big up to my boy Khamal for the heads up on this joint!!!

New Hip Hop Album Releases - 1/5/09

2010-01-01T17:00:00.000-05:00

The following is a list of new Hip Hop album releases for Tuesday, January 5, 2010:

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

NICE WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR HIP HOP!!!

Reflection Eternal RE:Union Mixtape

2009-12-31T18:57:00.001-05:00

Statik Selektah just leaked his new Reflection Eternal Mixtape, "The RE:Union." Rumor has it that Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek) have reunited and are making a second album together after their debut which came out in 2000. The new album is said to be titled "Revolutions Per Minute," but who knows if that will be the official title.

Statik Selektah has teamed up with Kweli and Hi-Tek to release their first official mixtape to promote the new album set for a Q1 2010 release. I'm pretty excited about this because I always felt that neither one of these guys could reach their full potential without each other. They're like Gang Starr, Guru just ain't as god without Primo. I don't know what it is, but it just is. Anyway, click the link below to download the mixtape.

Also be sure to stay up on all of Statik Selektah's new shit on his various websites:

Follow Statik Selektah on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/StatikSelekt

Check his official website at: http://www.showoffhiphop.com/

***FREE DOWNLOAD*** REFLECTION ETERNAL "THE RE:UNION" W/ STATIK SELEKTAH

Top 9 Hip Hop Albums of 2009

2009-12-31T00:21:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to avoid this post all week. It's easy for me to explain why I don't like an album, as you can tell from my previous posts "Top 5 Worst Albums of 2009" and "Top 5 Album Let-Downs of 2009," but not so easy to narrow this category down to 5 albums. There were a lot of good albums this year surprisingly and I've created a list of my 9 favorites for 2009.

9. BLAKROC

Dame Dash truly surprised me with this compilation album. The album is entirely produced by The Black Keys, who is Dash's favorite blues band from Ohio. It features artists such as the RZA, Raekwon, Pharoahe Monch, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Ludacris, Q-Tip, Mos Def, Jim Jones, Billy Danz, and NOE. It only has 11 tracks, but I like all of them except one. The production is great and the rhymes are off the hook. The only beef I have with this album is that it is too short. For more info on this great record, peep my review here: BLAKROC ALBUM REVIEW
I gave the album a 4 out of 5.

8. J. COLE: "The Warm Up"

My boy Khamal put me onto J. Cole at the beginning of the year. He hales from Fayetteville, NC and is a producer/MC with an immense amount of skill at a young age. He is the first rapper signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation record label and was featured on "The Blueprint 3." This album is technically a mixtape, but is so good you wouldn't even know it was a mixtape. "The Warm Up" was a breath of fresh air for me because J. Cole is one of the scarce few new, upcoming rappers who can actually rhyme his ass off. He goes in hard on this album with a crisp flow, smooth delivery, quality content and great similes/metaphors. If Jay doesn't fuck it up for him, J. Cole could be and should be way bigger and better than Drake. Yes, I said it. Trust. Peep my approval post of J. Cole including two free downloads of his official mixtapes here: J. COLE FREE DOWNLOADS

7. SHA STIMULI: "My Soul To Keep"

Stimuli is an artist who released 12 mixtapes (one every month) in 2008. He is a a lyrical phenom whose flow is so smooth, you feel like you had a casual conversation with him after listening to this album. This was an album that went under the radar this year, but contained so many jewels that I have to recognize it on this list. He was a former Roc-A-Fella Records intern and was featured in the Source's "Unsigned Hype" section. This album delves deep into Stimuli's psyche, where he allows us into his mind where we realize that there is so much he has in common with all of us. From politics, to jobs/careers, women/love, and financial struggles, Stimuli discusses a lot of topics that are important and relevant to ordinary people. My Soul To Keep is a record that is a pleasant departure from the overdone "bang, bang" shoot-em-up, flossin' chips records we're so used to hearing. Peep HipHopDX's album review for My Soul To Keep here: MY SOUL TO KEEP REVIEW (HIPHOPDX.COM)

6. METHOD MAN & REDMAN: "Blackout! 2"

This album was my SHIT this summer. It came out in May and really stayed in rotation throughout the summer for me. These two are possibly the best duo of all time (possibly). With production from Pete Rock, Havoc, Allah Mathematics, Erick Sermon, Rockwilder, DJ Scratch, and Buckwild accompanied by the immaculate flows of Mr. Mef and the Funk Doc, how on earth could you go wrong? YOU CAN'T. It's not as good as their first album from ten years ago, but it's definitely one of the illest this year. Like I said, this shit is perfect summer music while ridin' in the whip, "Gettin' Tore Up Under City Lights."

5. ROYCE DA 5'9": "Street Hop"

Royce 5'9" is a beast on the mic. This album definitely has some bad commercial tracks on it; however, the good tracks are nothing less than amazing. From his three bangers over DJ Premier production to his incredibly original "On The Run" and "Murder" tracks that were strategically placed back-to-back on the album giving you the outcome of the story on the first track and then flashing back in time on the second. I've never heard a flashback done on a record before and Royce pulled it off perfectly. His battle rhymes on this album were practically unmatchable this year and his story telling ability improved to levels of greatness. He's an MC's MC and despite this albums flaws, the positives clearly outweigh the negatives. Peep my review for this album here: STREET HOP REVIEW

4. EMINEM "Relapse: Refill"

Don't get all crazy on me here. I've always had my issues with Eminem, especially the production on his last two albums. Once he re-released this album this month with seven extra tracks, I was convinced that this album is amazing. Nobody can deny his lyrical talent. I feel as though he had to write the rhymes of this album on fucking graph paper to get his inner rhyme patterns and flow so perfectly tight and crisp. Right down to the placement of breaths, Eminem's precision is extraordinary. The content is off the wall, which makes this album very entertaining. I feel like it's the best commercial album I've heard in a while. There's just something about it that keeps me listening to it over and over again, even though I played most of it out on its first release in May. Peep my review of this album here: RELAPSE: REFILL REVIEW

3. JOE BUDDEN "Escape Route"

This was the second solo album Joe Budden released this year (not including the group effort from Slaughterhouse). When I heard this album and realized how good it was and how much of a close second it was to his other release "Padded Room," I was sure he would be recognized as the MC of the year. (Unfortunately for Joey, the man he beefed with this summer - Raekwon - dropped the most classic album since Supreme Clientele. Looks like Rae & his crew knocked him out figuratively and literally!) Padded Room is an intense emotional roller coaster of an album. You almost feel as though you've been through therapy with Joe as he welcomes the listener into his mind and all of its struggles, torments, and opinions. Without going into detail, this album is lyrically incredible. Joe can rhyme for hours upon end and this dark album is perfect for zoning out to. It showcases his lyrical ability, his emotional maturity, and his artistic vision. It's an outstanding album to say the very least.

2. JOE BUDDEN: "Padded Room"

This is Joe Budden's classic album. Rhyme for rhyme, nobody is fucking with him on this album. It's one of the most candid pieces of artistic work that the Hip Hop genre has ever seen. From talking about a girl on "Exxxes" who we ultimately find out is his right hand to the banger "Now I Lay," Budden is one of the few emcees who can create an incredibly intimate, deep, and introspective song that has commercial appeal. Listening to this album, you get a sense that Joey is simultaneously in complete control of his life while completely out of control in a padded room with a straight jacket on. I guess that's a true sign of someone who is insane. This is a concept album that Joe executes with precision. None of my words will do this album any justice. He is the hardest working emcee in the game and never wastes a single line that he writes. You can tell he takes pride in his bars and it clearly shows from the beginning to the end of this album. For those of you who can only think of "Pump It Up" when you hear Joe Budden's name, you are doing yourselves a disservice because you are missing some of the best Hip Hop of this era.

1. RAEKWON: "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II"

I'm not even gonna say a fuckin' word here. If you need an explanation for this top choice then you need to go eat a dick sandwich. This is the best album to come out since Ghostface Killah's "Supreme Clientele" in 2000.

Peep my review here: OB4CL2 REVIEW

Peep my "MC of the Year" post here: MC OF THE YEAR

Joell Ortiz & Frequency Road Kill Mixtape

2009-12-30T20:07:00.002-05:00

I just saw Joell live on Monday night at the Joe Budden show at S.O.B.'s in Manhattan. This dude has skills for days and his live show game is top-notch. He dropped a new mixtape recently with DJ Frequency. The shit is called "Road Kill" and he pretty much kills it, as usual. That "50 For The People" joint is BANANAS. I'm glad he's off Aftermath and can't wait for his new album "Free Agent" to drop on February 23, 2010. Be on the look out for that shit.

For now, click the link below to download this mixtape. Your welcome...

JOELL ORTIZ "ROAD KILL" MIXTAPE

Skillz "2009 Rap Up"

2009-12-30T19:46:00.000-05:00

It's the end of the year and that means Skillz (formerly Mad Skillz) dropped his brand new "2009 Rap Up." I'm a couple days late on this track, but fuck y'all bastards on some: "oh that shit came out an hour ago - that shit's old!!!" Check the track below as Skillz runs down some of the big events that went down in 2009. As always, he provides a nice, entertaining run-down of the year's major happenings...

Raekwon Year-End Video Blog

2009-12-30T19:26:00.000-05:00

Check out Raekwon's last video blog post of 2009. He addresses his appreciation for all the fans that supported him this year.

EMCEE OF THE YEAR - RAEKWON

2009-12-30T00:20:00.003-05:00

No one can deny what Raekwon accomplished in 2009. After a grueling four years in the making, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II" hit the streets on September 8th and single handedly brought golden era, New York Hip Hop back.What was different this time around was that Raekwon owned this album. His chamber came through on the entire record. He didn't have the RZA in his prime on every single beat or Ghostface's charismatic rhymes on practically every song. On the tracks that do have featured artists, Raekwon out-shined his comrades almost 100% of the time. Raekwon is the Hip Hop heavy weight that made the comeback that everyone wished Mike Tyson had made in the ring. He stepped right back in the ring and "Debo-ed" the whole fucking game (as Sticky Fingaz would say).

He made us WAIT and WAIT and WAIT, to the point where I would look at the back of my red "Classics" t-shirt I bought in 2006 and become disgusted that it advertised Cuban Linx 2 as "coming soon" (refer to pic on left). I couldn't take it anymore. Rumors were all over the internet. First he signed with Aftermath and I knew that was a mistake. Just look at how long it took Busta to drop an album on that label. Look at Joell Ortiz, Rakim or even Eve. Everybody gets dropped on Aftermath because the Doctor can't smoke weed and focus on more than one album at a time. SMH. Then Rae left Aftermath and released a bunch of mediocre mixtapes that truly started to worry me.

Was he gonna drop another "Lex Diamonds Story"??? Was Ghost even gonna be on this shit??? Finally, he leaked "Criminology 2" and "New Wu" on the radio. Then... The album cover. GAME OVER. Hype was at an all time high for me. I remember listening to Cuban Linx 2 three times in a row in my headphones on my couch until 3:00 AM. The smile on my face made my cheeks hurt for three days.

Raekwon dropped a pure classic. His second true classic Hip Hop album. Most emcees never reach classic status in their whole careers, let alone do it twice (and 14 years apart at that). The album consists of 24 bangers (if you bought the iTunes pre-order version). Raekwon didn't care about radio airplay, critics, new music trends, or even record sales. This album was more than all of that to him. This album was about proving to himself, his Wu-Tang brothers and his fans that he was still capable of creating special, timeless music. Josh Tyrangiel of Time Magazine said it best: "The reason it works, like all of Cuban Linx, Pt 2, is that Raekwon is a poet of grime, a storyteller who understands that rap is less about an easy hook than the collision of carefully chosen words. He's also a melancholic who prefers replaying the circumstances of growing up in hell ("All my life around drug niggas, villains who want millions/ Niggas with them hoodies on with Teks in the building") to celebrating the trappings of success."

Time Magazine ranked "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II" number 7 on it's Top 10 Albums of 2009. It was the only Hip Hop album on the list, despite Jay-Z's New York anthem hittin' airwaves in unison with the Yankees winning the World Series. iTunes voted Cuban Linx 2 the best Rap Album of 2009. Regarding the Time Magazine accolade, Raekwon told MTV in an interview: "We know Time is one of the most real magazines you can get on any level — politics, whatever is going on. That blew my mind right there. Even when we glanced at it, it didn't have no rappers on it. I was like, 'I must've been competing with a lot of different types of music, whether it be pop, alternative, country or whatever.' That blew my mind. To be in the top-10 list with everybody, it was crazy."

I believe Raekwon absolutely deserves to be awarded the coveted Hip Hop & Bullshit "EMCEE OF THE YEAR" award (haha, some day it'll be coveted). He is 39 years old and stayed true to himself and his fans. With a family to feed, it's very difficult NOT to "sell-out." What's remarkable in this instance and what other rappers should take note of, is that making real Hip Hop from your heart will ultimately add a lot more icing to your cake. Just ask Fat Joe. He sold the fuck out this year with his version of a sequel "J.O.S.E. 2" and sold 8,000 copies. As Raekwon nears 150,000 copies (which is quite amazing in the free download era) and is currently on his second tour for the album, other rappers should learn from Rae's "against-the-grain" approach. In fact, some emcees already are (i.e. AZ making "Doe or Die 2" and Capone-N-Noreaga currently recording "The War Report 2" and both heavily promoting their albums on Twitter).

What Raekwon managed to do for himself, his brand, Wu-Tang, his fans, and for Hip Hop this year, is extraordinary. He changed the way emcees will think about making and marketing albums now. The internet is the way to go and Raekwon and his Ice Water Inc. brand have taken full advantage of the web's benefits. The Chef is reportedly back in the lab with Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and the RZA, cooking up some new crack for the streets to consume. His momentum is at an all time high and I look forward to hearing new shit from Lex Diamonds.

Can I get a SUUUUUU?!?!?!

'NUFF RESPECT DUE!!!

Follow Raekwon on Twitter at: www.twitter,com/RAEKWONICEWATER

Raekwon's MySpace Page: www.myspace.com/raekwon

PEEP THE 2ND VERSION OF "THE NEW WU" MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

THROWBACK CLASSIC - Week of 12/28

2009-12-29T22:10:00.002-05:00

This week's "THROWBACK CLASSIC" is Raekwon's "Incarcerated Scarfaces." It was the Chef's second single from his classic debut album "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..." and it landed number 5 on the U.S. Rap Billboard charts and 37 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Incarcerated Scarfaces was released in 1995 and was one of only three tracks from Cuban Linx that did not feature Ghostface Killah. I don't have to explain why this song is classic. With gritty production from the RZA in his prime and Raekwon's smooth flow, Incarcerated Scarfaces is one of those timeless tracks that comes on in a club while a crowd is waiting for a concert to begin and ignites a flame of energy that sets the tone for the remainder of the event. Even in 2009 when I stand patiently in a crowd waiting for the performers to hit the stage and that unmistakable snare and high-hat drops, I immediately bare witness to an entire group of Hiphoppas bobbin' their heads in unison echoing lines like: "I move rhymes like retail, make sure shit sell, from where we at to my man's cell" or "I do this for barber shop niggaz in the plaza, catchin' asthma, Rae is stickin' gun flashers."

This track was created in an era where emcees didn't give a fuck. They hit the lab and spit exactly what the fuck they felt to the beat. Radio, MTV, and BET would play tracks like this on heavy rotation. It didn't have to have Drake or T-Pain in the chorus to sell. Auto-tune was a studio taboo because drunk and high rappers would get freaked the fuck out if they heard that shit. Raekwon and the RZA created a definitive track and album that sparked an era in the mid-nineties. Incarcerated Scarfaces was a song that truly pioneered the mafioso, drug dealer, crime glorifying Hip Hop genre.

WORD UP, PEACE INCARCERATED SCARFACES...

DONKEY OF THE YEAR - CUBANA LUST

2009-12-28T00:19:00.001-05:00

Cubana Lust is the official Hip Hop & Bullshit "DONKEY OF THE YEAR." This shorty is a stallion. She is of Cuban descent but is from Little Havana, Florida. Her official bio on her web site describes her as a "well rounded" person. I think they pinned the tail right on that donkey!!!

Cubana Lust claims she has the internet goin' nuts and she's probably right. She's the official model of Worldstar Hip Hop and has quite a video catalog over there (WorldStarHipHop).

Her body of work is a reflection of her body: big and hard. Let's just say her ass has clapped more than the round of applause received by Dr. Martin Luther Kind Jr. after his "I Have A Dream" speech. And it's still clapping. I wonder if Dr. King on that Boondocks episode would have given Cubana a pass for destroying black culture. I think her ass would put him in a trance. I read that he had a little Tiger Woods in him!!! (No disrespect!!!)

Fellas, please notice how this donkey is devouring underwear that is not a g-string. This shit is so thick, it makes it look like a g-string.

This is why CUBANA LUST is the DONKEY OF THE YEAR. Congratulations shorty! Your shit is off the nipple!!!

Follow her on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/cubanalust

Her official MySpace: www.myspace.com/cubanalust

Her official site: www.cubanalust.com/

BE SURE TO PEEP THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS OF CUBANA LUST MAKING IT CLAP ALL OVER THE PLACE (courtesy of WorldstarHipHop.com).

HER BOOTY CLAPS HARDER THAN E. HONDA!!!!

TOP 5 ALBUM "LET-DOWNS" OF 2009

2009-12-27T23:30:00.000-05:00

This year has been a year of "let-downs" for me personally. I don't know about some of the other hip hop media outlets (i.e. AllHipHop.com, HipHopDX.com, HipHopGame.com, etc.), but I feel like some of the hip hop "legends" have really let me down this year. My theory on this situation is that the fans have forgotten what quality hip hop sounds like. It's been 10 years since hip hop's "Golden Era" has passed and the genre has mutated into something very different than what I grew up on. My detractors will say that I am simply ignorant and that the music must progress and change to become better. My response to them is that I AGREE. I agree that the natural progression of just about anything in life is to change overtime; to adapt to its environment and make the necessary changes to succeed (in business) or just plain survive (in life). I AGREE. What my problem is, is that the lyrical content should be MUCH better than it was in the '90s. This is not to say that I think all rappers suck now or that nobody has lyrical skill. THAT IS NOT WHAT I AM SAYING. What I'm trying to say here is that some of my favorites have seriously let me down. The emcees who are supposed to carry the torch, hold the fort, raise the bar, or sit in the thrown did not show and prove this year. And the fact that they didn't represent for this culture of ours is straight BULLSHIT!!!

I fully expect to receive some HATE from this post of mine, but I welcome it. This is my personal opinion. The albums that I list below are albums that in some instances I like, but I truly expected more greatness from them than what was delivered.

That being said, the following is a list of my TOP 5 biggest "LET-DOWNS" or disappointments of 2009:

5. JAY-Z: "The Blueprint 3"

I know, I know: "Jay-Z is the King of New York," "he doesn't even write his rhymes down," "he runs hip hop," "he goes platinum every time." BLAH, BLAH, BLAH... You can say whatever the fuck you want to me about Jay-Z. I probably won't even disagree with most of what you say. I agree that he is incredible. I also believe that at least 50% of his catalog is straight BULLSHIT. A lot of times when heads tell me he doesn't even write his rhymes, I feel like that's NOT necessarily a GOOD thing. You can tell when he doesn't write and it shows in a negative way sometimes. My beef with this album is that this shit doesn't even sound like hip hop. I've heard even the biggest Jay-Z fans say that even they didn't like the way this album sounded, then they'll quickly say that his lyrics were still amazing. I'll give you that. His lyrics were good on this album. That doesn't take away from the fact that this album sounds like it was made on a fuckin' Casio keyboard in the '80s and the only reason it was huge was because the Yankees luckily won the World Series at the same time his "Empire State of Mind" dropped. It became the anthem of New York. I'll admit that I like this song, but at the end of the day Jay needs to make an album with a true "New York Sound" and not some "ghetto techno" BULLSHIT. I love his good music, but I despise his bad shit. He needs to come up with new album titles instead of making trilogies. Sequels and trilogies never satisfy and this third installment of "The Blueprint" should've been called "The Wackprint" because it's wack that this shit is even in print.

4. SLAUGHTERHOUSE: "Slaughterhouse"

I will start by saying that I like this album and I love this group. The reason why this is on my list at number 4 and not 5 is that: 1) I absolutely expected better beats and more bangers and 2) I expect bullshit from Jay-Z, I don't expect it from these mutha fuckas. This album has some incredible tracks and some incredible flows. I love all four of the emcees individually and collectively. What happened here is that the promoters of "Rock The Bells" signed these guys on to tour with Rock The Bells this summer, but they had to have an album to perform (which they did not). What transpired was that these four emcees got in the lab together over a six day period and recorded an entire album. This feat is nothing less than remarkable and I give them all the credit in the world. I just wish they had more time to really work together on lyrics, concepts, and beat selection. I understand their options were limited and I commend them for what they were able to create. I just hope they end up signing with Shady Records (as heavily rumored a little while ago) and take their time to collectively make a classic group album. They were all too busy finishing up their own solo records as well as touring that they couldn't make a classic. Again, I like this album. I was just disappointed in the final product and felt that there were too many bullshit "filler" tracks that could have been a lot better considering the skill of these four lyrical beasts.

3. MOS DEF: "The Ecstatic"

Go ahead and tell me I don't know shit about real hip hop. Go ahead. Guess what? Mos Def is the greatest emcee to consistently produce half ass albums in all of hip hop. This guy is amazing. I LOVE HIM (as a rhymer - no homo). This album is fuckin' static, not ecstatic. The album has 10 tracks that are 3 minutes or less in length (the majority of these being well less than 3 minutes). This is a big pet peeve of mine. You're a professional rapper, so rap mutha fucka. I don't hate this album and I'm aware that it's nominated for grammies and all that. I just wish Mos Def would cut the "artistic" bullshit out and spit some rhymes on dope beats. He's one of my top 20 favorite rappers of all time. He's great. I just wish he would get on a track and rap his balls off - like every time. I would love it if he would just rap. A lot. On every song. All the time. And spare me all the bullshit that he likes to do. I like this album, but after hearing it for a week, I got over it. It doesn't have much replay value for me and this is why I was let down. Mos Definitely.

2. CORMEGA: "Born and Raised"

Anybody who knows me or my brother knows that we are huge fans of Cormega. The way he vividly paints lyrical pictures of street life in New York is like no other. He's extremely metaphorical and truly gifted lyrically. Unfortunately, after waiting seven years for a true solo studio album from him, Cormega gave us a flop. His first two official albums were pure classics in my mind. This album sounds like the scraps that were thrown away while recording "The Realness" and "The True Meaning." I feel as though Mega spent so much time away from his own solo artist work, that he lost his momentum and may have peaked back in 2002 after releasing "The True Meaning." What bothered me the most on this album is the production. It was not as banging as his prior releases. It just didn't have the hardcore, gritty feeling of all of his past work. In addition, the album was changed several times over the three years it took him to complete it. He had two album release parties for this album that were seven months apart (mainly because he altered the album again this year). The first release party I attended at S.O.B.'s. He performed what was the album back then in its entirety. It sounded amazing from a production stand point. Apparently, sample clearances and leaks caused him to make final changes to some of the beats and what he officially released in October simply isn't as good. For one of my favorite rappers of all time, this album truly disappointed me when I finally heard it. As he stated on Wu-Tang's "Chamber Music" album, "Cor-mega, raw forever. Fell back, pause. Fall off, never." He better get back in the booth 'cause if he doesn't redeem himself here, I'll have to admit that he indeed did fall off.

REFER TO MY PREVIOUS REVIEW OF "BORN & RAISED": Born & Raised Review

1. RAKIM: "The Seventh Seal"

Don't even get me started here. I reviewed this album back in November and gave it a 2 out of 5. After waiting 10 mutha fuckin' years for the "God" Rakim Allah to drop another solo album, he gave us a piece of shit. There are a few tracks that I like a lot on the album and still listen to them in my whip, but on the whole this album is bullshit. Where's DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and DJ Clark Kent??? Where the fuck are the Dr. Dre tracks that he made??? His flow and delivery is what you would expect, but surely they were not spectacular. "The Seventh Seal" is a 1957 Swedish drama film that depicts God and the Devil playing chess against each other. It kind of symbolically represents humans as the pawns on the chess board and how God and the Devil play chess with our lives in the ultimate game of "good" versus "evil". To name your album after something so classic and so epic and deliver such an underwhelming piece of BULLSHIT makes me sick. I am still a Rakim fan, but the "God" emcee definitely lost this chess battle after ten years in the making. The Devil straight "Debo-ed" the fuck outta him on this one. With generic beats, amateur singing on almost all of the choruses, no DJ scratches anywhere, and Rakim not really mesmerizing us with his lyrics, I'd be embarrassed to say this album took me 10 years to create, if I was Rakim.

REFER TO MY REVIEW OF "THE 7TH SEAL": The 7th Seal Review

HIP HOP LEGENDS @ BB KINGS 12/23

2009-12-27T16:07:00.001-05:00

The Wednesday prior to Christmas, I was able to attend Funkmaster Flex's "Hip Hop Legends" Concert Series Part 4 at BB Kings in NYC. The show included performances from Showbiz & AG, Large Professor, Ed O.G., Masta Ace, Onyx, EPMD with DJ Scratch (reunion), Doug E. Fresh, and Ghostface Killah. Method Man was advertised as the headliner, but not surprisingly, he didn't show up because he was too busy evading taxes and duckin' the IRS!!!

BB Kings was packed to the brim as it should have been. The line up last Wednesday was legendary (as advertised). This was the fourth installment of Funkamster Flex's concert series this year. It was good to see Flex reppin' real hip hop on stage with his Champion jacket on. (On a side note, Champion sweatshirts and hoodies are comin' back hard body, huh?!?!) For anyone who hasn't been to a hip hop concert at BB Kings NYC, you're missing out. The venue is perfect with a capacity of over 1000 people, a 30 foot stage with an incredible sound system, a 40 foot bar, and two 8 foot projection screens on either side of the stage for additional viewing angles.

Amazingly, I had never witnessed Onyx, EPMD or Doug E. Fresh perform live before and all three of them were incredible. As you should imagine, Onyx puts on an extremely high-energy performance and they pull it off without missing a single word on stage. They ran through classics such as: "Onyx Is Here," "Throw Ya Gunz," "Last Dayz," "Shut 'Em Down," and "Slam." They merked it. Check a little snippet of their performance below:

EPMD had yet another reunion at BB Kings last week. The legendary DJ Scratch reunited with them and literally stole the show from everyone with his mash up of "Ante Up" live on stage. It was one of the greatest DJ cutting performances I've ever seen live, and trust me, I've seen hundreds. Also, notice how he does this with no fuckin' head phones on. Be sure to follow DJ Scratch on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/djscratch.

MAKE SURE YOU WATCH THIS WHOLE VIDEO - HE FUCKIN' KILLED IT!!!

Another mind-boggling performance this night came from Doug E. Fresh, the human beat box. What he can do with his voice box and mouth is almost magical (NO HOMO!!!). Peep it:

Ghostface, who headlined the event, was actually the weakest performer of the night. You could tell he was rushing his performance due to time constraints and his hype man Trife Diesel kept rapping over him. This kinda fucked up his performance in my mind. I've seen Ghost at least 10 times in my life and this was definitely his worst live performance. So now that I told y'all he was weak, I'm sure you're all gonna watch his video clip below!!! Hahaha.

Big up to Funkmaster Flex for putting on such a great series of concerts this year. Let's hope he does it again in 2010. Stay in touch with everything Funk Flex is doing on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/funkmasterflex.

HIP HOP CONCERT WATCH - New York

2009-12-27T14:57:00.000-05:00

The following is a list of upcoming concerts in the New York area:

JOE BUDDEN W/ DJ FREQUENCY:

Where: S.O.B.'s (204 Varick St. NY, NY 10014)
When: Monday, December 28 & Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Doors: 8:00 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: SOLD OUT
http://www.sobs.com/node/118

I'll be at the Monday night show. Budden has been tweeting about how he plans on doing a 3 hour set list for the show. He said he plans to pass out on stage after each performance. There's also been rumors of special guests. Hmmm... Let me guess, SLAUGHTERHOUSE??? I'll put money on at least Joell Ortiz being in the building for this one. I'm pretty excited about this concert. S.O.B.'s is a great venue and Joe Budden may be the most underrated MC right now (at least on a mainstream, household name type of level).

Be sure to follow S.O.B.'s and Joe Budden on Twitter for more concert info:

www.Twitter.com/SOBs www.Twitter.com/mousebudden

GZA:

Where: The Gramercy Theatre (127 E 23rd St. NY, NY 10010)
When: Satruday, January 9, 2010
Doors: 8:00 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
Tickets: $22.50 (In Advance)
http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/416233

I've seen the GZA live quite a few times. He's one of my favorite MCs of all time. I'm still debating about whether I'm goin' to this show though. I might be out of state that weekend...

HIP HOP KARAOKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2:

Where: The Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza (17 Irving Place NY, NY 10003)
When: Friday January, 29 2010
Doors: 8:00 PM
Show: 9:00PM
Tickets: $13.00 (In Advance)
http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/414465

My friend Hallie put me onto this show right here. This shit is some hardcore karaoke. No reading lyrics and no bullshit. It's the best of the best hip hop karaoke performers battling for the title of "Hip Hop Karaoke Champion" on Friday, January 29, 2010. There will be three special guest judges and Buckshot (of Black Moon and The Boot Camp Clik) has been announced as the first judge so far. I will definitely be in attendance for this event. Check the link below for more info from their official web site:

Hip Hop Karaoke Championship Web Site

Also follow them on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/HHKNYC

New Hip Hop Album Releases - 12/29

2009-12-27T12:39:00.000-05:00

The following is a list of new hip hop album releases for Tuesday, December 29, 2009:

Damu The Fudgemunk: "Kilawatt"

Wow. Hip Hop's on Christmas vacation next week. Not much to look forward to. I don't even know who the fuck Damu The Fudgemunk is. SMH.

Jay Electronica "Exhibit C"

2009-12-22T22:05:00.002-05:00

My boy Khamal has been yellin' at me for a minute now about Jay Electronica. He's been sending me anything dude ever put out as soon as it comes out and I've liked everything I've heard thus far. Khamal's been tryin' to get me on this new JUST BLAZE produced track "Exhibit C" for a while now and I just haven't had time to really sit down and hear this shit.

Tonight, I finally heard this shit and I'll never make the mistake of putting off listening to this MC ever again. My initial reaction was: ComeOnSon!!! GetTheFuckOuttaHere!!!! Jay Electronica is the truth like Paul Pierce with 3 seconds left takin' a fade-away from the elbow of the free throw line. His flow is relentless, his voice is deep and raspy, his delivery is mint, and his content... His CONTENT?!?!?! That shit is B.A.N.A.N.A.S.!!!!

I first was introduced to Jay Electronica on the track "Queens Get The Money" from Nas's "Untitled" album in 2008. Jay produced the beat which is a signature style of his. He tends to produce drumless beats using samples from movie soundtrack scores. I really like the way he does this because you end up soaking in his lyrics that you're forced to pay attention to.

Jay Electronica is making quite a buzz for himself through the internet and other unconventional media outlets and now I absolutely can't wait for a real album from him anymore. He's one hell of a hip hop artist.

On a side note, he just had a kid with Erykah Badu earlier this year. This chick really likes to get with some dope MCs. Her roster has been pretty elite with Jay and Andre 3000.

You can follow Jay Electronica via Twitter at: http://twitter.com/JayELectronica

His official MySpace is: http://www.myspace.com/jayelectronica

Whatever you do, don't make the mistake I did with "Exhibit C." Make sure you listen to it below. It's simply ridiculous, rare, and true hip hop...

LeBron & Kobe Xmas Ad ft. KRS & Lupe

2009-12-22T20:56:00.001-05:00

My boy Big Mike emailed me this link the other day and I thought this shit was pretty funny. KRS-One and Lupe Fiasco narrate this LeBron and Kobe puppet commercial with some rhymes and it has a little holiday flavor mixed in. Check this shit out: