Not Enough...

4 Bars
Hip Hop Ain’t Cool No More

Lil Wayne is putting out a rock album. Recently I watched a live performance of his single, “Prom Queen” and while it has yet to grow on me, it did get me thinking: Why is the hottest rapper around doing a rock album? He’s still riding the wave of his best hip hop release ever and has won almost every hip hop award possible. He’s widely recognized as the “best rapper alive” (not saying that I necessarily agree) and is no doubt highly regarded in almost every hip hop circle. So I’ll ask again: why is Mr Weezy F Baby (please say the Baby) making a rock album?

Artistic expression? I can somewhat buy that because Wayne is one of the few rappers not afraid to try whatever he thinks will sound good. But I don’t think that’s the answer. Along with Wayne, Kanye recently put out his most critically acclaimed album “808s and Heartbreak” which many (read: JusHH) don’t consider a hip hop album because he went away from the hip hop norm. Andre 3000 (top 5 MC) is phenomenal but his eccentricity has prevented him from getting his proper due. 3 Stacks’ “The Love Below” was highly regarded as a great album but most insisted that there was nothing hip hop about it. Andre has taken breaks from hip hop to pursue other interests but he has also said on a couple of occasions that he just isn’t interested in rap anymore.

My question is this: Why isn’t hip hop cool anymore? It seems as if artists no longer feel fulfilled or challenged with the current state of hip hop. It’s as if hip hop is beneath them. Granted, Wayne, Kanye, and Andre 3000 are among the most flamboyant figures we have in hip hop, but they still represent the best of what hip hop has to offer yet they all seemingly want more than what hip hop has to offer. Is it just three musically inclined cats branching out and trying to attain full expression or has the state of the game left them to feel like they are far above anything that hip hop currently has to offer?

20 for you...

Just Kwestions

1. Maybe it’s me, but don’t sagging skinny jeans look like a dude took a dump on himself?
2. Who is the more overlooked MC: Scarface or Black Thought?
3. Why is the Top 5 so important? Why not top 3 or top 10?
4. Who’s the illest member of Slaughterhouse?
5. How would hip-hop have responded if Obama lost the election?
6. Is Inspectah Deck’s verse on Triumph the greatest opening verse on a posse cut of all time?
7. Is Reasonable Doubt really that good or did Jay-Z manage to talk the world into believing it was his best work?
8. Was there ever really a golden era in hip-hop or does it just depend on your age?
9. Could Vanilla Ice have possibly picked a whiter stage name?
10. Is Lil’ Kim unhappy with her portrayal in Notorious because she has no idea how she’s viewed by the general public?
11. Did the two Nas and Jay-Z collabos live up to expectations?
12. Will there be any members of G-Unit that stick besides the original trio?
13. Whatever happened to artist development?
14. Is America’s Best Dance Crew the best hip-hop related show on TV? (shoutout to Kstorm)
15. When did it stop being cool for rappers to dance?
16. Do you have to be a sports fan to be a Jay-Z fan?
17. Tupac: prophet or victim of self-fulfilling prophecy?
18. Wale, Asher Roth, Mickey Factz, B.O.B., Corey Gunz, Charles Hamilton, Kid Cudi, etc. Which members of the New Class have the best chance of commercial success?
19. Why do so many rappers get their own record labels only to never release or poorly promote albums from artists they’ve signed?
20. Is Weezy running low on quality material?

Jadakiss - Letter To BIG (Video)

Today is good day...

Nyquil Mixtape of the Week – (noun) A group of five (5) songs that you are currently sleeping on. Either you've never heard them or forgot how much you really love them. Regardless, you need to brush the dust off your CD rack and play them or add them to your collection.


1. "My Brother My Ace" – Smoothe the Hustler ft. Trigga the Gambler
These two real life brothers mastered the back and forth flow. The ending to this song is legendary


2. "B.A.N." – David Banner
He kills the Boondocks sample. Hilarious.


3. "40 and a Blunt" – Dax Efx
They slowed down their flow for this album and it's a hidden gem in Hip-Hop's annals



4. "Something You Forgot" – Lil' Wayne
One of my favorites from the millions of mixtape records


5. "Today Was a Good Day" – Ice Cube
Just Because


Come back every week for a new mixtape!

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Press Release:
DoctorExclusive.com Presents Compete with the Competitors Vol. 2 Hosted by Doe DoLLa and DJ gWiz!

New York, January 27, 2009: Doe DoLLa is back and hotter than ever at www.Doctorexclusive.com! He is clearly the new Quincy Jones of our generation and truly force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Due to the overwhelming demand of Vol 1 with 25k downloads; Doe DoLLa and DJ gWiz is bringing you the hottest unsigned artist once again on one album with Compete with Competitors Vol.2. This much anticipated compilation includes new music from Sandman, Mel Buckley, Gerreddi, Sage Michael and EXCLUSIVE music from Max B with production by Ron Browz, Teflon The Producer, Dame Grease and Pharell Williams. www.Doctorexclusive.com has been known to capture the attention of the music industry and has proven to break new artist on both urban and cross over radio. Unsigned artist now have a home where they can be highlighted worldwide. Doctorexclusives.com is the premier destination to promote the best unsigned talent from all genres. See Doe DoLLa himself along with New York’s finest DJ gWiz www.gwizmusik.com in behind the scenes footage of the making of vol. 2 HERE. To promote your music log on to www.Doctorexclusive.com.

*For interview opportunities with Doe DoLLa please contact Tamara Louis at DoeDollapr@gmail.com

DOWNLOAD NOW!!!

Who Is...

Kidz In The Hall

Group members Jabari Evans (Naledge) and Michael Aguilar (Double-O) met in 2000 during a talent show at the University of Pennsylvania. They began recording songs, making demos, and performing at local shows. That eventually led to Double-0 and Naledge forming Kidz in the Hall. Double-0 eventually made a connection with Just Blaze. Blaze aligned himself with the duo and oversaw School Was My Hustle. Kidz in the Hall signed a group deal with Rawkus Records, and released their debut album School Was My Hustle in 2006.

In November 2007, Kidz in the Hall were officially signed to Duck Down Records, an independent label started by founding members of the Boot Camp Clik. The duo's most recent album, The In Crowd, was released in May 2008, on lead single "Drivin' Down the Block," which samples Masta Ace's song "Born to Roll" for the hook and contains an interpolation of Outkast's "Elevators (Me & You)" on the bridge. Many other tracks on the album use samples and interpolations of early 1990s hip hop, including their song "Snob Hop" featuring Camp Lo which uses the hook from Black Sheep's song "Flava of the Month" for the chorus. Their song "Blackout" was featured on the soundtrack of Madden '09. Naledge is also planning to come out with a solo album in the near future. He says exclusively to hiphopdx.com, "My solo album is still in the process of being put together. I’ve been busy with shows, but I have some tracks in the works," says Naledge. "I got beats from 9th Wonder, Black Milk, Double-O, Pete Rock and [two or three from] Just Blaze. Just Blaze has been my ‘yes man,’ okaying tracks for the album." (via wiki)

Prepare for Glory!!!!

Lyricist Lounge: SPARTANS!
written by JusHH

The oldest and longest running battle in Hip-Hop history has been between lyricists and non-lyricists. This war has stretched over three decades and has defined the careers of many emcees. The names have changed over time, but the fight is still the same. If you had to assign good vs. evil roles, historically it was the lyricists (who are all about the artform) who were good and the non-lyricists (who typically were about the money) were considered the villains. But over the last ten years the landscape of Hip-Hop has changed and the line between good and evil is beginning to blur. No longer are the lyricists winning. In fact, they aren’t even getting sympathy for losing. Their marginalization can only be compared to the extinction of dinosaurs.


So as a proud supporter of the “good-guys”, if this war is like “300”, I stand before you to tell the story of some of the brave warriors who tried to go against the evil Empire. The Empire is massive – driven by bling and soundscan. The only thing more massive than their arsenal is the amount of soldiers behind them. They won the Great Rawkus war and took down several other labels that attempted to create an army of lyricists. Perhaps their greatest victory was the creation of ringtones where they found that they could make millions of dollars without saying nothing. As daunting as this enemy is, the fear did not stop several emcees from trying to fight for us. They may have failed to defeat the Empire but their stories are inspirational.

From Los Angeles, CA a rapper named Crooked I attempted to do damage as being the first pure lyricist on Death Row records. Using the Row’s media power, he was going to use his punchlines to rally the entire coast. But their fortress was attacked when legal and financial troubles hit Death Row and Crooked I’s debut album never hit stores. So off on his own, he used guerilla tactics. Putting out “Hip-Hop Weekly”, a news report of the week’s events spit over tough beats. He can be found today destroying mixtapes and guest verses all over the country trying to get his strength back to his Pre-Row days.

Around the same time a similar emcee was also trying to dust off and get off the ground after suffering a defeat in early 2001. As a member of the S.S. Shady, Royce the 5’9 seemed ready to lead the new generation of superior lyricists. With an ability to switch flows at any given time and an incredible wit, Royce is one of the few rappers to ever beat Eminem on a song. But when he was accused of mutiny, the members of the S.S. Shady threw him overboard. Royce never really recovered. Hopping from ship to ship doing Street DVD’s and mixtapes, he finally released an album but couldn’t market it to the people to overthrow the Empire. Although Royce is on better terms with the captain the S.S. Shady, it too seems to be docked indefinitely.

When the Evil Empire used poison to attack the heart of Big Pun, lyricists took a massive loss. The first Latin to go platinum would have mobilized an entire nation of new emcees to follow the lead. We had to wait almost 7 years, but the next warrior was found in Brooklyn. Joell Ortiz was determined to carry the torch that Pun lit and provide light to all of the villages in New York City that the Empire burned to the ground. His legendary performance in battles and his “Who the F**k is Joell Ortiz?” mixtape was the biggest threat to the Empire in years. His skills took him to the country of Aftermath where they agreed to provide him with enough weapons to wage another war. Unfortunately there was a spy in Aftermath’s government and it forced Joell out of the country. His debut album which was released through Koch Records remains his lone small victory.

The leader of this rebellion hails from New Jersey and has seen the highs and the lows when it comes to battling the Empire. In 2003, he seemed to have defeated the Empire and establish his own sovereign entity. But when the Generals over at Def Jam couldn’t capitalize on the momentum led by “Pump it Up”, Joe Budden found himself in rap prison. To have one of the greatest warriors locked up was a devastating blow to the struggle. But from jail he managed to release “Mood Muzik 2” which jeopardized the Empire’s hold on the East Coast. After countless protests, Joe was released from Def Jam and is forming his own army…

In fact there’s rumors he’s contacted Joell, Royce and Crooked I for a secret program called the Slaughterhouse Project that has the potential to weaken the Empire’s defenses permanently. This along with the efforts of Lupe, Kanye and Common of the Chi-Town Connection will allow Mickey Factz, Asher Roth, The Cool Kids and the rest of the rookies time to prepare so that they can join the battle.

So this epic war continues into 2009. Many lives have been lost but it is important never to forget the brave soliders who refuse to join the Empire and give the ultimate sacrifice in the name of a dope a** 16 bars.

lol

DoctorExclusive.com Presents: Compete With The Competitors Vol 2 Behind The Scenes

DoctorExclusive.com Presents: Compete With The Competitors Vol 2 Behind The Scenes from DJ gWiz on Vimeo.

Compete With The Competitors drops this tuesday Jan. 27th Hosted by Doe Dolla Mixed by DJ gWiz

Need some answers...

A Few Questions
written by 4bars

So there were some hip hop questions on my mind, none individually warrant a full post but I think collectively they produce some good discussion:

1. Is Wayne capable of making another classic album or will his next one be below the bar that he has set for himself after Tha Carter 3?

2. Will 50’s new album continue to exhibit the decreasing level of sales that oddly enough is his biggest point of bravado? (Each of his albums has sold less than the previous, including his G-Unit group albums).

3. Joe Budden seems very calm and cool in his lane right now, where does his dough come from?

4. Jeezy’s “My President” a “coonish” moment that kind of makes you cringe but you jam anyway, why does Hov’s version have a TOTALLY different feel?

5. How do you feel about “Universal Mind Control”? I love the album personally, Common continues to amaze me a la the Kanye West formula, doesn’t hurt that Pharrell was an Exec, haha.

The Black Apple: SOBs

I checked this show out last night, here is a snippet of the night. Theophilus London, Curtains, and Mickey Factz.

No Excuses...

I Don't Care
written by Just K

I can’t blame them for trying. I’m sure all the random facts sway quite a few people. I’m just not one of those people. Whenever a rapper’s about to drop an album they always go on a slew of interviews. During these interviews they end up talking about any and everything having to do with the album. Well, this is simply my opinion, but I truly don’t care about a lot of it. All of the random facts and stuff doesn’t impress me. Now if the album is dope, maybe after I hear it I’d like to know how such a masterpiece was created. Until the album’s actually released, all that blabbing about the process of making the album sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher giving a speech.

I don’t care where you recorded your album. Seriously, what does it matter if you recorded in New York or Miami or your mother’s basement? As long as the sound quality is on point, I could care less where the tracks got laid. I’m sure a lot MCs get beats and write to them. Does it make a difference where the vocals are recorded? Nope. Sure as hell doesn’t.

I kinda care which producers did your beats. When certain artists and producers get together it’s almost guaranteed magic. And of course there are cases where I’d love to hear how one MC sounds over a specific producer’s beat. In general though, I don’t care. I swear people want to act like big-name producers have never made clunkers for beats. On the flipside, there are some solid beat makers that haven’t blown up yet. A great beat is a great beat regardless of who did it.

I don’t care whether you wrote your rhymes or not. Pencil and paper or your mental tablet, if your rhymes suck, they suck. If they’re hot, they’re hot. And what’s worse is when a rapper says he didn’t write anything and it really sounds like they didn’t. Unless you’re trying to go green and save the rain forest there’s no reason to hate on pencil and paper. Whatever the process is, I hope you’re coming with some tough lyrics.

I really don’t care what The Source or XXL has to say about your album. Once Benzino’s album got like 6 mics out of 5, they’re credibility was shot in my eyes. I don’t even want to rehash that Little Brother – Lil’ Kim episode. As for XXL – I spent a smooth $12.50 (after taxes) on The Clipse’s second CD. By no means was it a bad CD, but messing around with XXL I was expecting a flawless disc. Ummm…it was flawed. Screw reviews. Show and prove.

I don’t care how long it took you to make your album. If you say you managed to do your whole album in a week and it actually sounds like a week’s worth of work, surprise! – you got what you put in. And if I happen to buy your CD, which will eventually be converted to a coaster, I’m really pissed if I get what you put in.

I don’t care if you have a 150-piece orchestra on one song. I don’t care how many albums you’re trying to sell this time around. I don’t care who was in the studio with you to cosine that your songs are hot. I don’t care how many times Dr. Dre pushed your album back to perfect your project. I don’t care what you ate, smoke, or drank while you were recording. I don’t care if you read your rhymes off a blackberry, notebook, palm pilot, etch-a-sketch, or a bunch of dirty napkins. There are a million other things I don’t care about, I just don’t care to mention them right now. In the end, all I want is a good project with good songs. I don’t care how you get there. Just get there.

From the Trap to #1

Nyquil Mixtape of the Week – (noun) A group of five (5) songs that you are currently sleeping on. Either you've never heard them or forgot how much you really love them. Regardless, you need to brush the dust off your CD rack and play them or add them to your collection.

1. "Never Scared"
The first time I ever heard of T.I. was on this Bone Crusher joint. Its not that the verse was so great but I had this weird feeling that drew me to him. It was that "it factor" I guess.


2. "Rubber Band Man"
He always had a hunch for making straight anthems. How many people talked about their money in rubber bands after this?


3. "U Don't Know Me"
Also great at the call and response songs that got the audience participating in all of the hooks.


4. "What You Know"
Seriously? This is where I thought his peak was.


5. "Ready for Whatever"
I was wrong.



Come back every week for a new mixtape!

44

President Obama

No words that I can write can sum up today... so i'll leave you with a couple thousand of them.

Who Is...

Tabi Booney

Rappers are often deemed products of their environments. What then of an MC born Tabiabuè Bonney in a little-known West African nation, and who now splits time between LA and Washington, DC? From the country of Togo to the land of go-go? From a childhood sans indoor plumbing to a jet-setting, globetrotting lifestyle? Sounds incongruous, even implausible. Yet Tabi Bonney has made a career of doing what others won’t or can’t. While other rappers are stuck serving the same postured, provincial look at life, Tabi’s point of view is refreshingly borderless. And his perspective is both incisive and ironic as the son of one of his homeland’s most prominent entertainers: musician Itadi Bonney, who was exiled for criticizing the Togolese dictatorial government. Imagine honing one’s voice as an instrument when its very use is hazardous. But Tabi Bonney revels in turning obstacles into opportunities. His irrepressible, anthemic tracks are known best for unusual cadences and pitch-bending inflections; opening salvo “The Pocket,” off 2006 debut A Fly Guy’s Theme, rode its high-octave hook onto every major US video outlet. In fact, Bonney is the only truly independent artist –no label, no publicist– to appear on MTV’s Sucker Free countdown. A Fly Guy’s Theme gained momentum with second single “Syce It” produced by Akon heatmaker BennyD, and “Doin’ It” featuring fellow DC denizen Raheem DeVaughn.

Alongside his keen ear, Tabi displayed a sharp eye, directing two music videos off his debut. He’s since created a production company, Cool Kids Forever Films, with an aim at Hollywood. And his personally-designed Bonney Runway clothing line —www. bonneyrunway.com— continues to sell out of boutiques in New York, LA, Miami, DC, and London. Impressive. But music remains Tabi Bonney’s lifeblood. Now in late 2008, Tabi is readying the whimsically titled Dope meet Fresh…Fresh meet Superstar. Hype is already swirling around the intoxicating buzz track “Cool and Fly,” with tantalizingly sparse lyrics splashed over a deliciously downtempo groove. Other songs to watch for are: “Nuthin’ but a Hero,” “The Stars,” “Peanut Butter Slow Jam (Fever)” again alongside Raheem DeVaughn, and Killer People featuring Wale. Expect a couple of other prominent guest appearances as well. Tabi also points to “Dreams are Only Dreams,” noting that the song “reflects my world and how I feel right now.” “You either get my music or you don’t,” Tabi concludes. “You remember in high school you had the popular, cool kids’ table where new and trendsetting things are happening? Everybody wants to sit at that table but they can’t; that’s how I look at my music. You can’t really sit at this table if you don’t have that mentality. Most followers won’t dig it until everybody else likes it; in the meantime, they don’t know what to do.” (Via MySpace)

Tabi Bonney - The Pocket


Tabi Bonney - Radio

We Are... No-No-No-Notorious

Life After Death
written by JusHH

It’s 2009, I’ll be 27 in March and frankly as I near 30, I see the world differently than ever before. My relationships with people, my career path and my interests have all changed over time. Even though I’m still Hip-Hop to the core, some of my views have a more of a mature twist. But for 2 hours this past Saturday, I was a kid years old all over again. Trapped somewhere between 1994 and 1997, it was the closest thing to time traveling that I’d ever experience. If I was Marty McFly, then the makers of “Notorious” were my Doc Brown.

This isn’t an official movie review – its more of a testimonial; a short story of how a movie managed to put my memories and emotions on TiVo. Gravy, the emcee pegged to portray the rap legend, had a big (pun intended) task in front of him. How do you capture the life of such a recognizable legend? Every written account stated that Gravy not only felt privileged to play one of his idols but he worked extremely hard to get it right. He deserves to get his props because after about 10 minutes, I felt like I was watching Christopher Wallace. It felt so real. I was that kid in Junior High watching all of those old interviews on The Box and seeing the pictures in the magazines.

Whenever they would drop one of his songs, I felt like I was hearing them again for the first time. They all had a sense of “newness” and “freshness” as if they weren’t 13 year old songs. At times I forgot that I was in a movie theater and not a concert as I fought the urges to recite “Warning” at the top of my lungs. (“Who the f**k is this? Paging me at 5:46…) Seeing those classic images of BIG in his black leather suit that read “Poppa” on the back was like Déjà vu.

They also did a great casting job with Lil’ Kim and Faith and brought all of their songs to life as well. All of those Vibe magazine articles and rumors that we all argued about on the block were coming to life right in front of my eyes. The frustrations that I had when I tried to figure out why people were blowing the “east coast/ west coast” drama out of proportion were just as real now as they were then. I cycled between memories and hindsight as I enjoyed the rawness of “Hit Em Up” while at the same time wanting Pac to slow down and chill before it was too late. The same thing happened when I saw that we were slowly drifting into 1997 and that this movie was eventually going to have to end. You wanted to scream at the screen and warn BIG not to go to LA or not to get in that passenger seat…

But it didn’t work. He went to LA. He got into that seat. The same hurt that I felt 12 years ago, I felt again. All of the “what if’s” and “I wonder what’s” came to mind and I missed him all over again. So when the movie ended and I blinked, I was back in 2009. Although I once again had to get used to not having one of my favorite rappers, I remembered the very thing that those people who attended his funeral realized, BIG will live forever through his music. So thank you to everyone who put this movie together for allowing me to get lost in my memories. And to those who are still deciding whether to go to the theater or not, remember that it’s not about watching a movie – it’s about being able to press rewind on your own life and just escaping. “Notorious” is a must see.

“And if you don’t know, now you know… you know.”

Tell me...

Where’s The Love?
written by 4bars

On January 1, 2009 two unarmed young black men were shot by police officers; one did not live to see the rest of 2009, the other will likely live the rest of his life with a bullet lodged in his liver. These incidents happened in Oakland and Houston respectively and upon hearing about them and the subsequent commentary on hip hop stations, more than anything else, I was hurt.

I couldn’t shake the question: “why don’t they like us?” It seems as if young black males are generally threatening to the point where lethal force is the only solution. I know you’re wondering “Bars, the f does this have to do with hip hop?” my answer: everything.

The young man in Oakland likely listened to hip hop music, as did the one in Houston and they both probably dressed in “hip hop attire” which sadly brands one a “thug” in the eyes of many. But as my Brandeis brethren eloquently stated “every black dude wearing a hoody is not a thug”. Don’t get me wrong, hip hop is filled with tons of shit talking, violence, bravado, ignorance, and coonery that can put unfamiliar people in a cautious position. But all of us aren’t “armed and dangerous” and I feel some police are operating under the auspice that we are. How else do you explain a total of 4 shots being fired at 2 unarmed young men; one handcuffed on the ground and face down, the other in front of his home with his pajama clad parents explaining that “no officer, this is our son, our house, and this car is not stolen.

I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired, but I don’t know what can be done. Hip hop seems to influence everything else, when will the next Public Enemy emerge? I feel like the people are ready and def tired of the bullsh*t but is our community? There was an outrage when Sean Bell was tragically murdered, but is Al Sharpton and Co. our only voice?

I’m not trying to hold hip hop accountable for everything that goes wrong in our communities, but I’m not gonna lie, I need something more than it’s giving me right now. Rappers who actually speak up (David Banner, Ice Cube, Talib, etc) are often marginalized yet T-Pain and Akon are embraced with talks of Patron. I know I’m on my same old shit, but somebody tell me I’m wrong; am I expecting too much?

The Best Of...

PTM '08 Flashback Written By Just K

In reflecting on the good ’08 I’ve decided to take a look back at my favorite posts on PTM. The ’08 was a decent year for hip-hop and a wonderful year for PTM. Week after week our bloggers went in on various topics, songs, and occasionally rappers. Nothing was off limits. So before we get too deep into 2009, let’s take a look back at the work of our favorite bloggers.

4Bars

As we all know, 4Bars is the PTM King O’ Controversy - from the creation of IANs to the classic Video Hoes post. And who can forget the discussion on who does or doesn’t have the right to say the N-word (sure ain’t J.Lo)? Quality stuff, but it’s his “The Confederacy” post that really found 4Bars in his element. My man was stirring up sh*t while repping his peoples from the lower region. It doesn’t get any more 4Bars than that. Just in case you have no idea what “The Confederacy” is about, the opening line says it all: “Over the past 10 years, the hottest rappers, by far, have been from the south.”

Talk about blunt. And the conversation that followed…yeah. Not only did the post give props to the south, but it proved that NY can unite to fight the forces of, ummm…something. I know I’m looking forward to seeing who else’s feathers 4Bars can ruffle in the ’09.

JusHH

This one was a no-brainer. Don’t get me wrong. Jus churns out that magic on a consistent basis. There was “The Challenge” that highlighted the feat that arguably only two MCs have ever been able to pull off. Dude even tackled the subject of rappers that claim to “write” but “not write” their rhymes a la Jay-Z with “Writer’s Block.” “The Whisper Post” was also topnotch material, despite pointing out how sad the romantic/sexual side of hip-hop has become. However, “Crucial Conflict” was unreal. It so accurately captured the inner turmoil of the intelligent hip-hop fan while detailing the environments that inspire the very same rhymes that cause the battle with hypocrisy within. If you haven’t read it, go read it. If you have read it, go back and read it again.

gWiz

For the Power Ranger fans, he’s our Zordon. For Trekkies, he’s Captain Kirk. Jus calls him the Black Lion in Voltron. He’s the Lion-o of our Thundercats crew. What does this all mean? It means we’re absolute dorks. It also means that Wiz is the brain behind the operation. Every once in a while the brain takes off the coordinator’s hat and picks up the keyboard to bless us with his thoughts. I was a big fan of “Wack Inspiration” because it’s so true. It’s pretty funny how something wack can inspire someone to do something great. “Blame it on hip-hop” was on point as well, but “Aight So I Download” was real talk on a different level. Wiz somehow found a way to compare downloading music to checking the way his jeans fall on a fresh pair of Jordans. Weird, but oddly accurate. This was the first post in which we got to see an uncharacteristically confrontational side of Wiz when he exclaimed “So What I Download!!!” The triple exclamation mark was pretty gangsta. Nobody’s judging you Wiz. Nobody. Hopefully you’ll e-yell at some more folks this year.

Doesn’t Matt R

Picking Doesn’t Matt R’s piece was cake work as well. “Master Debater” and “Am I That Guy?” did manage to talk me (and possibly quite a few others) out of the concept of hip-hop’s glory days. Clearly the glory days all depend on how old you are and how you remember music. Speaking of glory days, thanks for reintroducing me to Arsenio Hall with the “Fist Pump.” It’s been a while, but at least Nas realized how important Arsenio was to promoting hip-hop. What I didn’t realize was that the Caucasian community (I love ya’ll, man!) didn’t have a hip-hop version of Barack Obama in Marshall Mathers. Again, PTM is in the business of making some really special comparisons, but when my dude Matt compared Eminem to Colin Powell I had to take a moment to close my mouth. Topic, writing style, and passion – yeah, it’s all there. “The Great White Hope.” Sick.

K.Billy aka KT aka Kyle Turner

The struggle was real on this one. KT has held down the Lyrical Exercise category of PTM like a champion. To pick one piece was borderline impossible, but I did it ‘cause that’s what we do here at Past The Margin; we make the tough decisions. The analysis of the first Flashing Lights video in “Ummmm…for Real Kanye?” opened a dialogue that appeared to be missing from the hip-hop community. And the fact that he made any sense of “that mindf**k of a video” is impressive in itself. The “Nothing of Age” post took a tough look at Memphis Bleek’s career while examining Memph’s debut to the world on track 11 on the Reasonable Doubt CD. Both ill posts, but for my money I’m going to go with “Ghost in the Lyrics.” Again, the fact that he made sense out of – it’s Ghostface, man! Seriously, Ghostface. KT manages to explain why fans are so drawn to him and what makes him such a legendary MC. The storytelling, the poignancy, the charisma, the hypocrisy, and the complete nonsense. KT wrapped Ghost up, added a bow, and handed him to all his fans. Lyrical Exercise at its best.

Just K

How conceited would it be for me to pick my best post, especially when all of them are absolutely phenomenal? To pick one of my own posts from an extensive catalog of incredible work would be just a bit much. To heap that much self-praise on myself, regardless of how warranted it may be just isn’t cool. And I’m cool. So I won’t choose one of my unbelievably well written and informative posts. Nope. Not me. Sure won’t. Nuh-uh. I’m cool.


So goodbye ’08. It’s been a good year. If the past is any indication of the future, hello ’09. Looking good, baby. Looking real good.

We...

Nyquil Mixtape of the Week – (noun) A group of five (5) songs that you are currently sleeping on. Either you've never heard them or forgot how much you really love them. Regardless, you need to brush the dust off your CD rack and play them or add them to your collection.

The Top 5

05. "Love Hangover" - Kidz In The Hall


04. "Gladiator" - Common


03. "Undisputed" - Ludacris


02. "N.I.G.G.E.R." - Nas


01. "Im Illy" - T.I.

The Luniz never had 5 like these...

The Top 5

Yesterday you got albums 6 through 10. If you missed it, click on Monday’s entry and check it out. I really had to be objective when doing the Top 5 because there was one album that I wanted to be the best more than the others but I just couldn’t justify it. These five albums are well made albums – not just a random concoction of songs. There are clear themes, showing of versatility and pure creativity. These albums represent the diversity of Hip-Hop and why it is the hottest (my definition, not MTV’s) music genre on the planet. So without further ado, PTM brings to you the best of the best…



5. Kidz in the Hall – The In Crowd

The Ivey League kids from Chicago are reminiscent of the producer (Double O)/ rapper (Naledge) group of the ‘80’s so it was fitting that the intro track, “Black Out” sampled Eric B. and Rakim. The best quality about this group is that they know who they are and are comfortable in their own skin. They are college educated kids from middle class families that make music that regular folks can relate to (a la Kanye). The depths of their song concepts are prevalent in “Inner Me” and “The In Crowd”. Their diverse list of collaborations proves that Naledge is capable of rhyming on many different levels and appealing to different audiences. He rocks with the eclectic Camp Lo on “Snob Hop” and shows his lyrical prowess with Phonte on “Paper Trail”. The “Driving Down the Block (Remix)” has everyone from Bun-B to The Cool Kids jumping on board. These Kidz are smart and they aren’t afraid to challenge their listeners. “Love Hangover” which is accompanied by the lovely Estelle, provides a surprise metaphor that catches you off guard. This album will probably not land on any other list because well, too many people never heard of them but without question it is one of this year’s best.





4. Common – Universal Mind Control (PTM 2007 #7)

It’s funny what a terrible album can do to a motivated rapper. Since the Electric Circus fiasco, Common has put out some of the best music of his career. It’s also great when that same rapper doesn’t have to rely on album sales to make a living. Common has without question made it a priority to push the boundaries musically; and this album, part Wyclef, part Outkast, part KRS-ONE is the result. Sonically, this album takes you on a ride. The “Planet Rock” sample on the title track really sets the tone for the energy that this album brings. “Punch Drunk Love” is another entry in the growing list of Common/ Kanye classic collaborations as the Chicagoans rap for the ladies. You never know where this album is going but the unpredictability is refreshing as “Make My Day” and “Changes” put you in two very different moods. The punchline heavy “Gladiator” and the B.I.G tribute, “Announcement” gives core Com fans nostalgia of Resurrections past. Overall this album is an excellent 10 track package that can fit in anyone’s CD changer rotation. Common gets even more credit for stepping outside of the box after the Circus flop. I’m just glad that he got it right this time.



3. Ludacris – Theater of the Mind

With this album, Ludacris had just one goal. Make it clear to everyone in the world that he is one of the best lyricists alive. “Undisputed” is an unapologetic challenge to any and every rapper in the game to test his skill. To further prove his point he decided to invite two G.O.A.T’s and perhaps the next G.O.A.T to supply verses. On “Last of a Dying Breed”, Cris trades witty banter with Lil’ Wayne in this ode to lyricism. “I do it for Hip-Hop” finds the ATL native somewhere between Brooklyn and Queens as he, Jay-Z and Nas all vie for the crown of best rapper alive. This album, which might be his best, really highlights what Ludacris has more than anyone else – versatility. He hits the club with T-Pain with “One More Drink”, adapts to DJ Premier’s boom bap production with “MVP” and even provides teachings to the youth with Common and Spike Lee on “Do the Right Thing”. Theater of the Mind is truly a concept album as the theme of movies and cinema often pop up on the album. This is a fitting blend of Luda’s two worlds as he is becoming more and more, a successful actor. Ludacris can make you laugh, cry, dance and make you say “ooh wee” after a mean punchline and he brings all of that to the table with this masterpiece. It’s time to stop frontin’, he’s one of the best.



2. Nas - Untitled

Nas is without question a living legend. He’s also one of the most complex rappers in history. He’s been criticized for his many contradictions and lambasted for poor attempts to make club bangers. He’s also been considered boring and some of his deeper material lacks pure entertainment. So when he originally wanted to name his album “Nigger”, people knew they were in for something... you just wasn’t sure what it was. From the lead single “Hero”, Nas reminded folks why he’s one of the greats and why he should still be relevant today. He took the biggest creative risk of any rapper this year and made an entire album full of social commentary. But by picking the right beats and mastering his flow, he managed to make these songs exciting. He literally made a battle record against Fox News (“Sly Fox”) and brought attention to the (un)healthy relationship that black people have with food with “Fried Chicken”. Although he changed the title officially, he still addressed the “N-Word”. On “N.I.G.G.E.R” he boosts the confidence of young black men and women by letting them know that they come from Kings and Queens and “Y’all My Niggas” is a testament to the influence that Hip-Hop and black people have had on pop culture. This album is nothing short of genius and it is probably his best work since Illmatic. Nas was on a different level creatively and literally put out an album that is simultaneously current and ahead of its time. No song is more proof than the last track of the album, “Black President”. With the best Hip-Hop song documenting the rise of Barack Obama during the 2008 Presidential Campaign, Nas set himself apart from the pack. He is using his craft to change the landscape of how Hip-Hop addresses social issues and as one of my favorite rappers, it pained me to make it #2. Because…

1. T.I. – Paper Trail

Clifford Harris made the best album of 2008. For the record, this album had no business being good. After the lackluster T.I. vs. T.I.P project and being under federal gun charges, you could understand it if T.I. decided to throw in the towel and put the music on the backburner. But when it comes to music, great hardship often brings out the best in an artist. And being on house arrest leaves you with a lot of free time to be in the studio. T.I. let his craft be his therapy and he cranked out a certified classic. Lyrically he was at a level that no one had ever seen from him. The performances on “56 Bars” and “I’m Illy” are usually reserved for guys named G Rap and Canibus. He even destroyed the three best rappers in the game on “Swagga Like Us” (track 12 out of 16, mind you). He didn’t stop there. The last album where nearly every song was a hit single was 50’s debut. This album is right up there. The Rhianna assisted “Life Your Life”, “Whatever You Like” and “Swing Ya Rag” have been top 40 songs since they were released (overall, not just the rap/r&b category). These aren’t just hit records, they are anthems that will get played at basketball games, and at BBQ’s for the next 20 years. This album has no weak tracks and no flaws. He seamlessly transitions between the super seductive “Porn Star” and the braggadocios “Every Chance I Get”. He makes you believe that you can live out your dreams with Ludacris on the track “On Top of the World”. But perhaps his most impressive work was the personal songs where he let the world into his heart and thoughts. “Dead and Gone” is a regretful song about letting his pride get in the way during an altercation that ended in his best friend getting shot and killed. He takes his medicine on “Ready for Whatever” but challenges the audience to step in his shoes before they pass judgment. (“… die or go to jail/ that’s a hellova decision.) The track, “You Ain’t Missing Nothing” provides a ray of hope for those currently in jail. This song takes on an even deeper meaning as he wrote it knowing he would soon be heading so that same prision. When you strip it all down to the pure music, it is clear that T.I. provided the best balance of entertainment, emotion and education and created a timeless work of art. Paper Trail is undoubtedly the best album of 2008 and one of the best Hip-Hop albums of all time. Point. Blank. Period.

New Music: "Class Of 09...."

This CD features music from artist that PTM has talked about in our "Who Is" section such as Mickey Factz, Kid Cudi, Charles Hamilton and many more...

Download this CD at either of these links:

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or

Sharebee link

Who Got The Props?

Year In Review 2008
written by JusHH

2008 was a huge year for Hip-Hop. Riding the strong 4th quarter that Kanye/50 and Jay-Z gave us in ‘07, we had a lot to look forward to. With Lil’ Wayne leading the hype machine, some of rap’s biggest heavyweights decided to drop albums this year. Also some not so “hot” (MTV’s definition not mine) but extremely talented artists put their name in the hat as well. With so many different styles to choose from, it was tougher than ever to make this list.

** Just to let you know, you will not see Kanye West’s 808’s and Heartbreak on this list. No, it’s not because I hate it (read the review) but he’s not rapping and this is a PTM list so its Hip-Hop albums only.**

But before we get to the list…


Major Disappointments – These are albums that many expected to be much better but fell short of expectations.

Fat Joe – Elephant in the Room
Young Jeezy – The Recession
Q-Tip – The Renaissance

Major Surprises – The following joints definitely turned a few heads and were better than people might have thought.

Buckshot & 9th Wonder – The Formula

Honorable Mentions – Projects that almost made the list but just fell short.

Bun-B – II Trill
G-Unit – T.O.S.
Skillz – The Million Dollar Backpack
Evidence – The Layover (PTM 2007 #8)
Jean Grae & 9th Wonder - Jeanius

Now on to the list…

So the theme of this list is “stripped” – I literally had to strip away the rapper’s name, reputation, hype and my personal feelings and just listen to the music. For those who know me, trying to be objective about Hip-Hop is like asking Al Sharpton to have dinner with Don Imus but I tried my best. No choice proved my efforts more than when I settled on my #1 album. It was fun, I got to listen to some great music and I hope you like the list. Let the debate begin…

10. The Game – L.A.X.

Face it Game isn’t going anywhere and no one can do anything about it. He’s also proven that he can make a good album. Unfortunately, this album loses steam towards the end and Game’s punchlines sound too forced and unnatural.

9. Snoop Dogg – Ego Trippin’

There was a time after he left Death Row that Snoop put out some terrible music. Then in ’06 he dropped Blue Carpet Treatment and it was like he was standing on top of that record store with the French braids. He’s showing why he’s an American music icon. He loses some points for not writing all of his rhymes and a few songs fall short but the overall quality is solid and there are some certified bangers on this album.

8. The Roots – Rising Down

The best live band in the world was back this year with their 10th album. On “75 Bars”, Black Thought reminds the world why he is one of the most underrated rappers in the game. “Rising Down” which features Mos Def and Styles P and the Chrisette Michelle assisted “Rising Up” are two highlights on this album. As usual, the bass heavy drum patterns are a staple but at times it feels that the music sounded “over-produced” and went away from the unique live instruments that we’re used to.

7. Lil’ Wayne – Tha Carter III

WTF?? You mean there’s 6 albums that are better than Weezy’s? Get the f**k outta here. Without question, no one put out more music than Wayne and if you picked his best 12 songs of 2008 you would probably have had the best album but that’s not what this list is about. Of course you’ve got classics like “A Millie”, “Mr. Carter” and “Comfortable” but there’s simply too many songs that don’t meet the quality that Weezy is capable of. Too many songs like “La La La” and “Play with Fire” sound like a compilation of verses rather than complete songs. Based on hype alone, this was supposed to be the album of the year but strip that away and you’re left with #7.

6. Scarface – Emetrius (PTM 2007 #10)

With the music industry being so fickle, its impressive enough that Scarface is still relevant enough to drop albums, but Face wanted to go out with a bang. Claiming that this is his final project, he left it all out on the table. His legendary use of imagery and detail show up on songs like “Can’t Get Right” and “High Note”. He more than holds his own with Lil’ Wayne and Bun B on “Forgot About Me” and tells a story about overcoming the odds with “Who Are They?”. And as expected the sound of the South blasts through your speakers with tracks like “High Powered” and “Soldier Story”. If this is truly the last then he went out with a complete album that further solidifies him as one of the best to ever do it.

Come back tomorrow to see the TOP 5!

Wale, Tabi Bonney & UCB Live

Pop Champagne, For The Barack Campain?

Presidential
written by 4bars

So I know I touched on this a while ago, but having a black President has effected Hip Hop in a really interesting way.

I’m listening to a DC area radio station the other night and they had a countdown of the top 10 songs by request in the area and I was shocked/intrigued/a little embarrassed by the #1 song: The infectious Ron Browz hit “Pop Champagne….THE BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA REMIX!!” My jaw literally dropped in one of those “Did Soulja Boy just say that?” type of moments. I’m not hatin' because everybody deserves a right to express themselves musically and for Ron Browz, that’s his outlet. But I can’t help feeling a little embarrassed as a black person that a remix of “Pop Champagne” is synonymous with the President of the United States, the first black one at that. But I ask myself: “why am I embarrassed?”

I feel like there is an almost immediately negative connotation with Hip Hop in mainstream America, or maybe “stereotypical” would be the best term for it. Have I let this infect me? Am I a critical NAACP member sneering down my nose at this generation because of their sagging pants and braids? I feel like a person should always analyze and question everything about themselves and their life, just to avoid complete stagnation; and my opinion of Hip Hop is no different.

So I ask this: should my/our view of Hip Hop change so that it is more agreeable with a Presidential expectation? Or is Hip Hop fine just the way it is, we gotta take it for all it is and all that it might be? It’s like your drunk uncle, you love him, but let him show up at your balla ass wedding, cue cringing. Holla at me, cause I want confirmation that I’m not a boogie ass Hip Hop head.

Mixtapes to Albums...

“But he could spit, though…”


“I don’t understand why he hasn’t blown up yet.”

~ Countless Mixtape Fans

written by Just K

Rappers that break into the game via mixtapes often don’t really break into the game. They drop mixtapes, we download them, we celebrate a few of the hot bars, and we keep it moving. Mixtapes are usually filled with rhymes about swag, tossing money made from hustling rocks, and putting hot lead through a n***a while sexing up his hoe. These topics aren’t particularly difficult or original and they’re a million different ways to cover them. If almost anyone can cover these topics, what separates one mixtape rapper from another? Why does one artist that goes the mixtape route end up dropping real albums that go gold or platinum while another mixtape regular remains a dirty worm in the underground scene? For your perusing pleasure, I present From Mixtapes to Mainstream – Your Map to the Above Ground.

A mixtape is a mixtape is a mixtape, or is it?

The problem is that almost all mixtape tracks sound the same. Same topics, same random DJs yelling random sh*t, same random crewmembers all over the same tracks when we never even heard of the featured artist. What can a mixtape artist do to separate his project from the next guy’s? First of all, get some fresh artwork that has absolutely nothing to do with Barack Obama. Next, come up with a slick, intriguing title (that has absolutely nothing to do with Barack Obama) that’ll grab the average person that’s surfing the web for mixtapes. If you can manage getting an important person in the industry to host your mixtape without yelling and busting gunshots are over your songs, now you’re cooking. See how much work goes in before you even put your vocals on a track? At this point, your beat selection should be a variety of original beats, hot beats that people have forgotten about, and a VERY small selection of popular beats that are in current rotation. And finally, you get to rap. Sure you tread through well-worn territory, but you really need a few concepts that are outside of the norm. Or, at the very least, a different approach to the norm. Do something irregular, please! Excite the people. Catch them off guard. Furthermore, at least one of the songs on your mixtape should have some radio potential. By the way, the homeys don’t get on ‘til later.

You’ve got me hooked. Don’t let me go

It’s a very sad thing when your favorite mixtape MC is ripping bars to shreds on his underground work, but then drops some corny “I’ll make it rain on you before we f**k ‘cause I love you girl” radio crap. Do not alienate the people that have been running with you that long by dropping a hot pile of doo doo for the radio. Even worse, if you don’t know how to properly put a radio song together, you won’t gain any new fans. Olds fans gone, new fans not coming. Where does that leave you? Uh-huh. Back on the mixtape grind. Speaking of songs…

A few 16s and a HOOK!

Call it a stereotype if you want, but a lot of the cats that haven’t blown yet simply do not know how to write songs. The most important thing you need is a hook. Simple, easy to sing along to, but it does not have to be geared for the club. Now obviously, this hook should focus the song topic. The lyrics in your verses should still be clever without having a million punch lines and similes. Please don’t dumb it down so much that we don’t recognize the guy from the street albums. And the flow shouldn’t be too difficult to follow. As shocking as it seems, your lyrics don’t have to be extra simple and watered down. However, the hook should be easy to sing along to and the flow should be simple enough to follow. Perfect example of a first single, “Kick, Push” by Lupe Fiasco. Another solid example is “Focus” by Joe Budden. Oh yeah, don’t pick a whack beat, man! It’s hard to balance a hit single with artistic integrity, but get it done. You’re an MC. It’s your job.

Gassed out.

Your best material should be on a CD. If you put out all your heat on the mixtapes, there’s no point to even dropping an album. More difficult than release a solid radio single is releasing quality mixtapes, then releasing albums of higher quality. And the trick is….

hold back a bit on your mixtapes. (Gasp!) If you’re that good, we shouldn’t notice you’re holding back at all until we see you elevate your game on the album.

The purpose of Tuesday

Deliver a solid album. Establish yourself as an artist. Pick quality beats and make quality music. It’s that simple. Stay true to yourself and if your life and/or perspective on the world is interesting, you’re set. Consumers will do more than just buy the album; they’ll buy into the artist.


Simple, right? Yeah, not so much. I can understand how someone can get lost in the cold, cold world of mixtapes. Please, take this map with you on your journey. May you navigate around the pitfalls of the underground on your rise to stardom.

Top 10 2007 mixtape...

Nyquil Mixtape of the Week – (noun) A group of five (5) songs that you are currently sleeping on. Either you've never heard them or forgot how much you really love them. Regardless, you need to brush the dust off your CD rack and play them or add them to your collection.

Tribute to Last Year's Top 10 Albums

10. "Never" – Scarface


09. "Listen" – Talib Kweli


08. "I Know" – Evidence


07. "Break My Heart" – Common


06. "Brooklyn Bulls**t" – Joell Ortiz


05. "Super GFK" – Ghostface


04. "Dreams" – Little Brother


03. "Put you on Game" – Lupe Fiasco


02. "The Glory" – Kanye West


01. "American Gangster" – Jay-Z



Come back every week for a new mixtape!