Back at It

So I'm not sure if ya'll heard this joint yet but I'm pretty sure now that T.I. has received his sentence and his deal is solidified, he doesn't really give a f$%k about this whole "non-violent" image that he portrayed while working on staying out of jail during his prime. Can't say that I blame him and since the record is hot, I'm not hatin. But I will say that Wayne can't come on a track like this with the tip-toe flow he has so carefully mastered, I think Lil' Scrappy or Killer Mike would've been much better suited for this one, hell, the PERFECT counterpart woulda been Young Buck to form a 2 for 1 beef special, just a thought. Enjoy.

The Kid From TO...

Kid Tested, Adult Approved
written by Just K

Let’s take a look at the current crop of hot MCs.

Of course you’ve got Jay-Z. At the end of the year, Jay-Z will be forty-years-old (40’s the new 30?). His debut album, Reasonable Doubt, dropped in 1996. He’s been making quality music for well over a decade.

Nasir Jones a.k.a. Esco a.k.a. Nasty Nas will be 36 this year. His Illmatic album, arguably the greatest hip-hop release of all time, was released on 1994. Esco’s cranked out songs that display political awareness and social consciousness for over a decade and a half. Geez.

Eminem was already known for battling by the mid-90s, but he really hit the big stage in 1999 with The Slim Shady LP. He’ll be 37 before the year’s out.


Lil’ Wayne, though still in his-mid 20s, has been a part of the rap game since the late 90s with his debut album being released in 1999. In fact, Weezy was three albums deep before the amazing that is “Tha Carter” hit in 2004.

50 Cent dropped in 2003. He’s in his 30s, but the streets have know about him since “How to Rob” in 1999.

Kanye West is also in his 30s and debuted in 2004.

The Game dropped in 05. He turns 30 this year.

Jeezy came out the same year as The Game with Thug Motivation: 101. He hits 32 in the ’09.

I’m Serious, T.I.’s debut album, came out in 2001. He hits 29 before 2010.

About half of these MCs having been giving us hits since the 90s. Durability and longevity are beautiful things. Most of the list is in their 30s. With age comes wisdom I suppose. I personally love almost everyone on this list. I feel like I grew up listening to Jay-Z, Nas, and even Lil’ Wayne. I was in college when Kanye released college dropout. I swear he was rapping a lot of what I was thinking. I remember the hype surrounding 50 when he dropped. I remember thinking The Game was the dude that was going to bring the west back. I was around for the drastic switch in style/flow for T.I. from I’m Serious to Trap Muzik. And I was definitely feeling Jeezy despite his simple lyrics and couldn’t explain why. It was hilarious watching all my people experience this inexplicable phenomenon with me; we chalked it up to authenticity and adlibs. I say all of this to say that anyone under the age of 20 hasn’t really had the chance to experience an MC they can call their own.

For anyone under the age of 20, the only exposure to lyricism they really get from the radio is from artists that were established before their time. The kids never get to see the MC from the beginning to see how their styles have changed and/or evolved or how an artist has grown. The only young buck that’s all over the airwaves now is Soulja Boy, who has admittedly traded in witty rhymes for fun songs. Where are kids getting their fill of lyricism from? Enter Drake.

This is the first artist that folks under 20 can truly claim as an MC. He can put together solid rhyme patterns, impressive and catchy flows, and witty wordplay, not to mention he gives the vibe of being a regular, personable guy. Is he the best thing since sliced bread? Nah, but neither were a lot of the artists I mentioned earlier when they first burst onto the scene. The dude can do something that a lot of young MCs hitting the mainstream can’t do. He can spit. Yes he has hooks. Yes he can sing. I guess the ladies find wheelchair Jimmy attractive. Whatever. He can really rhyme. This current group of kids has not been able to say that about an artist that they were able to follow from day one until Drake’s hype started building. He’ll probably be 23 when his debut drops – a young spitter indeed. This is the guy they get to grow with, root for, celebrate, and truly enjoy for his ability to rhyme as well as make fun songs. So I’m happy for the kids. It seems like they may have finally gotten one. Congratulations.

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via MissInfo

New Music: Mickey Factz feat. KiD CuDi - Do My Do

Mickey Factz feat. KiD CuDi - Do My Do

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Hi Hater...

Hustle Hard
written by gWiz

So ill be real, I definitely thought by this time Maino would have falling off but not only has he stayed around he has impressed me. No I do not think he is an incredible lyricist but I get an authentic feel from him. He represents that dude with some bad luck and a good heart. His "Predictions of 09" was entertaining, his "Letter to Pac" was interesting, his single"All The Above" ft T Pain has been successful and his new song "Million Bucks" ft. Swizz Beatz seems to have potential. Im just giving props where I feel they are due. Keep hustling Maino!

Secret Ingredients to a classic album...

INTROductions
Written by JusHH

Stop. What’s the first thing you thing about when you hear the following?

“Son where my Killa tape at?... How you ain’t got my s**t when I let you hold it?”

Or this…

“you V8 juice drinkin’, slim fast, black greasy motherf**ker!!”

It probably reminds you of two of the most memorable intros in the history of Hip-Hop music. An intro is like cheese – tastes good by itself, but when blended with the right ingredients can take any food to the next level. A well placed intro can take an album to a classic, unforgettable level where you stay tuned for the intro just as much as you do for the song. On the other hand, a poorly placed or performed intro can take away from the whole listening experience because you are forced to hit the skip button (note: the skip button is the natural enemy of the classic album).

So here’s a list of some Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to making that perfect intro:

DO add humor – Funny skits are the best. Anytime you can make your audience laugh it is a win for the team. (c.) the opening intro on Kayne’s College Dropout album.

DON’T make your intro too long. You can’t forget that it’s a music album first and foremost and the last thing you want people to do is think that they are listening to an audio book recording. (c.) Any Busta intro on the E.L.E. album

DO link your intro to the next song or previous song. That kind of symmetry makes you look like you are a professional and you actually made an attempt to make a cohesive album. (c.) the ending of Warning on the Ready to Die album. The entire Little Brother The Minstrel Show album.

DON’T do too much acting in your skit. That isn’t your skill and it will be very evident to the listener. You don’t want to attempt a dramatic intro only to have us laugh at how badly you are trying to display pain. (c.) The RZA’s mindblowing performance on the intro prior to the song Tearz.

DO have recurring intro themes on successive albums. This is always great and probably one of my favorite things especially if you have an intro that can be remixed. It’s a way to thank your core fans for sticking with you for all of your projects. (c.) Eminem’s “Paul” skits, Redman robbing people on a different mode of transportation each album, or The Roots beat box intros.

DON’T do any more intros with women having sex or giving head. Biggie did it already and shut it down. There’s nothing new about it and it will always sound like you’re biting of someone else. (c.) too many other intros after 1995.

DO kick a dope rhyme. These “freestyles” or “raw verses” are always welcomed on the album because it gives us a chance to hear something different from the artist. It’s a break from the traditional “3 verses and some hooks” format and can really get you hyped. (c.) Mobb Deep’s intro on The Infamous album.

DO get an awesome narrator to say some fly s**t on your album. A great guest spot will never, ever be a bad decision. (c.) Idris Elba’s intro on the American Gangster album or Pain in the Ass on Reasonable Doubt.

DON’T forget to put an intro or skit on your album. It’s a lost art but when done correctly, they are always appreciated.