TOP 5 ANTICIPATED ALBUMS IN 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
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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
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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
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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!!!)
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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
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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

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

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: