Kanye West - Love Lockdown [ Official Music Video ]

Tallahassee Hero...

Rappa Ternt Supastaw
written by Just K

So, this week I was supposed to debut the Just K awards, but I wanted to take the time to discuss a phenomenon that I can no longer deny. If you’re on this site, chances are you tried to deny him as well. It’s ok. To quote Whitley Gilbert of the prestigious Hillman College, “relax, relate, release.” Go ahead and accept it, just like I had to: T-Pain is that dude.

I remember when I first heard “I’m Sprung” by an odd-looking fellow by the name of T-Pain. That song definitely fell into the guilty pleasure category. It was a light, fun song with a catchy chorus and the old school “Computer Love” sound effect. However, I thought that T-Pain would soon be forgotten, only to be mentioned a decade or so later in one of the VH1 greatest one-hit wonders countdowns. His voice wasn’t particularly memorable aside from the autotune, he didn’t really dance in the video, and according to the ladies he wasn’t exactly the second coming of Al B. Sure in the looks department. I figured one and done.

Surprise, surprise. T-Pain had another big single after that with “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper).” Well, obviously he escaped being a one-hit wonder; I just thought he’d end up being a two-hit wonder. Again he made use of the vocoder and again I was completely wrong about the success of a T-Pain song.

Before I could say “Roger Troutman’s illegitimate child,” T-Pain started popping up everywhere. He was on remixes and hooks for songs with established artists and artists I probably would have never heard of had it not been his presence. Seriously, raise a hand if you heard of 2 Pistols before T-Pain sang the hook on “She Got It.” Notice how your hand is still on your computer mouse. Name a song T-Pain’s been on and you’re probably naming a hit. And just to prove that he could do for himself what he had done for so many other artists, he released an album that opened at #1 on the charts and outsold his debut. Dude can’t miss.

Young Penderazzdown is a bona fide superstar. Tell me you didn’t get hyped with his hook on “I’m So Hood.” Try to deny wanting to live the “Good Life” with him and Kanye. Admit that you eyed a dime piece and checked your funds when “Buy You a Drink” came on in the club. And like it or not, you probably like the “Can’t Believe It” joint that’s on the radio right now (give or take Lil’ Wayne’s inaudible rumblings and chuckles). At this point, it’s no longer taboo for a hip-hop fan to rock out to a T-Pain track. He’s had more influence on the rap game in the past few years than any rapper you can name. Everybody’s putting that T-Pain on their voice, (only because it sounds better than “getting your Trout on”) or putting T-Pain himself on their song. Love him or hate him, T-Pain is a dominant force in – not pop, not rnb, and definitely not a spelling bee with a CD called Thr33 Ringz dropping soon – hip-hop. The Rappa Ternt Sanga is a rappa ternt hip-hip honcho. Yeah, I know. I “Can’t Believe It” either.

PTI with PTM

Pardon The Interruption
written by JusHH

[Clapping]

Terrence J: Welcome back to 106 & Park, BET’s Top 10 countdown. You just saw T-Pain’s video for “Can’t Believe it”. This dude is everywhere, doing real big things.

Rosci: No doubt, no doubt. South is doing it real big. You got Jeezy and TI releasing new albums.

TJ: Yeah, TI doing it big.

R: Rick Ross is also doing it major big.

TJ: And you know Lil’ Wayne is always doing doing big thi- wait, pardon the interruption folks but with efforts to bring more “substance” to the show, we were told to cover more news and other intelligent events. We’re told that JusHH is giving a press conference. We’re going live to Queens, NYC.

Thank you for coming out today. First I want to show some love to my PTM crew: K, Bars, Billz, Wiz and Matt – let’s keep bringing them that real s**t. I called this press conference to address a few issues that I am having with rappers today. As the Chairman of the C.A.W. (Coalition Against Wackness), it is important that I speak out against this current crisis. Many of you rappers are in danger of ending up on our Most Wanted list which can lead to a permanent removal of all props and a lifetime of being ridiculed. Some of you I understand don’t even know that you are in danger, so allow me to inform you of the current behavior that is frowned upon by the C.A.W.

First off, rhyming the same word twice does not count as good rapping. Unless it’s a homonym or for witty emphasis, it’s just lazy and unappreciated.

Outdated punchlines will no longer be accepted. This means no more references to The Wire or any of its characters. There’s enough going on today that can be talked about so stick to the current events.

No more “I’m the Obama of [blank]” metaphors. They never make any sense and frankly, with him actually having a chance to be the first black president, most of you knuckleheads don’t deserve to be in the same sentence. And while we’re at it, no more MLK or Malcolm X metaphors either.

Stop with the freggin’ “voice changing box” or whatever you call it. Unless you’re doing a duet with Roger Troutman, stick to your own damn voice. It might have worked the first time, but now it just sounds dumb.

While I support poetic license, when you mispronounce a word so bad that I can’t recognize it, it ceases to be creative. It defeats the purpose of using the English language. This goes especially for you Kanye. (Writers should never, ever be prounced “Wri-teers”) and you too Weezy (just pick a verse).

You are not allowed to claim that there’s no competition or that you don’t listen to anyone’s music then start your opening line with someone else’s rap. Not only is it a glaring contradiction, but it’s biting so stop it.

These are just a few things that I’ve noticed over the last few months that will land a lot more of you on the list. The C.A.W. is always available to anyone who wants more information on how they can avoid becoming wack. We have a 24-hour hotline and support on our website. We can stop this problem if we all work together. Thank you for coming out today. I’m going back to the office; we have an emergency intervention with 50 Cent. We’re gonna make sure his next album is solid.

Peace… oh yeah, f**k BET.

[silence]

Rosci: … Uhh…

Terrence J: Was that done big? I can’t tell.

Endorsing...

Politics as Unusual
written by 4bars

With politics being relevant in pop culture more than ever I thought it interesting to look at its effect on hip hop. I’ve always wondered how we got away from the socially conscious days of Public Enemy and Queen Latifah & Co.’s “Ladies First” immediately to Two Live Crew and N.W.A. Social commentary is something that has always been present in hip hop and still is, but as we’ve stated, it’s not what gets spins or makes money.

Rappers have always talked about how rough their upbringing and neighborhoods were and how something wasn’t right but as conditions worsen and we face financial crisis and war, social commentary has even started to seep into the mainstream. There have always been rappers talking about the foul nature of our government, but it was never the Young Jeezys who, in his own way, filled his album with relevant undertones of the need for political change and his support of Barack Obama. Ludacris went so far as to actually make a diss record (!?!) against the current establishment and John McCain. And Daddy Yankee REALLY went against the grain when he endorsed McCain.

I always wondered why when celebrities would encourage the “young people” to vote (Diddy’s “Vote or Die” campaign) they never expressed who they felt should get said vote or who they were voting for. It was as if there was a rule against entertainers stating who they were voting for. But this year, few in hip hop have been shy about expressing just who they are voting for come November 4th, even Diddy has dropped his non-partisan approach and blatantly endorsed Obama. I’m happy to see that people are changing, or at least trying to, I just wish things didn’t have to hit rock bottom for the wake-up call to come. What’s next, Lil Wayne running for Mayor of New Orleans? I mean, athletes do it all the time, why not artists? Haha, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, or maybe not?

Hip Hop Canidate...D Matt R'

Master Debater
written by Doesn't Matt R'

I just finished watching the Vice Presidential debate and it put me in the mindset to call out some general (and specific) ideas that I don’t agree with. So as they all start off, let me say first that I respect everyone’s right to have, hold, and speak their opinions. I just can’t help it if mine happen to be more right than everyone else’s.

The idea of the rich, white kid that listens to hip-hop is a very bad and overused cliché. Rich, white kids didn’t ruin hip-hop. Their father’s did. I say blame the corporations that bought and sold the culture as a commodity. The listeners are there because the music is good. And it used to be authentic. It is just as ridiculous to be a rich, black kid, or a millionaire Eskimo and claim the hood. And where did so much of the original hip-hop swagger actually come from? The obsession with Ralph Lauren’s Polo, Nautica, Burberry, Cadillacs, and fancy champagne. People who didn’t have this stuff saw these old rich white men and emulated their taste for fancy and expensive goods and services. So instead of hating on your wealthy, white friend for his attempted inclusion into the culture, you should give him a break, because the father he’s trying to rebel against, actually influenced the influencers he cherishes so much. Irony has its own beauty. Although I agree, no white guys should ever wear a doo-rag (and that includes you Marshall Mathers).

Plus, I heartily reject the idea of blaming your fans. The culture of hip-hop today (and for a while has been) putting sales numbers as the biggest priority. But you can’t go platinum and choose which million people are buying the album.

I have to disagree with a statement my boy JusHH (sorry to single you out, but I’ve been thinking about this all week since you said it) made on here last week. He said, “Hip-Hop is one of those rare musical genres that are tied to a specific cultural, socioeconomic background. Because you have the music but you also have the culture behind it.” I disagree with this not because hip-hop isn’t tied to a specific cultural, socioeconomic background, but because this isn’t a rare occurrence. I submit to you that every musical genre is tied to a culture and class of people in the beginning. Punk Rock—take your pick, British or American, came from a poor, disassociated youth as a countercultural movement against a specific economic and political force. Reggae, Jazz, Country, the Blues, the list goes on and on. And it’s not all poor economic backgrounds either. Look at Opera, which was deemed the epicenter of so-called culture for a couple of centuries. The problem is that within each one of these music genres, there occurs a certain amount of cultural elitism. It is unfortunate that one of the many things these art forms have in common is a feeling of superiority. That the issues that face us are new and original, when in fact musicians have been selling out or accused of doing so since the first drum was ever drummed. People are searching for authenticity, which isn’t bound by the man made diversions of race, sex, or wealth. Everybody wants to be a part of something and those who don’t want to be a part of that with other people.

Finally, let’s not be so harsh to judge those that don’t fit the mold that we have created. Twenty years ago, 50 Cent would have been M.C. Hammer. A rapper with a gimmick and several endorsement deals, who seemed to spend way too much of his money on material possessions and put all of his boys on, while seemingly starting off with unprecedented popularity, they slowly dropped off with each new album. Hammer was deemed a sell out and his career quickly evaporated. 50 has trademarked himself into a multi-billion dollar brand. It’s a strange time to be a hip-hop fan. So let’s not falsely glorify back in the day as “ the glory days.” We need to keep a realistic view that things don’t change as much as we think they do. And while we can’t tell where were going from looking back, we can always know where we have just come from.

The Replacements...

Collabo Upgrades
written by Just K

Hollywood Divorce was the song where Lil’ Wayne detractors finally had to stop arguing that he couldn’t focus on a topic. Andre ripped it as usual. Big Boi did his thing. Ummm…Snoop Dogg, not so much. The Doggfather definitely phoned it in on that one. And you know how it goes with Weezy; for every classic verse he gives us, he gives us a complete dud. I don’t even think he phoned it in on Barry Bonds. I think that was a text performance.

When I listen to hip-hop collaborations, quite often I find myself thinking wow, that was perfect (a la Flava in Your Ear Remix or Triumph). Other times, I find myself mentally replacing an artist. “Don’t you ever get to thinking you’re irreplaceable.” Here is the Just K collabo upgrade list.

Hollywood Divorce

Lil’ Wayne, Andre 3000, Big Boi, Snoop Dogg Lupe Fiasco

“You played me like a game of football.” Yup, that line alone gets you yanked.

Fried Chicken

Nas, Busta Rhymes Common

I mean, Busta didn’t do a bad job. I just see Common doing a better job of maintaining the metaphor.

Ghetto Supastar

Pras Ghostface, Mya, Ol’ Dirty Bastard

Ghostface rapping about being a ghetto superstar, combined w/ ODB would’ve been an instant classic.

Run

Ghostface, Jadakiss Busta Rhymes

Jada just didn’t bring the proper energy to match Ghost. When has energy ever been a problem from Busta? Right.

Still Tippin’

Slim Thug, Mike Jones Bun B, Paul Wall Pimp C

Again, not bad. I just think UGK would’ve been nicer on it. Besides, without this song giving him a hit, we don’t have to hear Mike Jones’s name and phone number a million times.

Barry Bonds

Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne Ludacris

Southern king of metaphors vs. “I’m so cole like Keyshia’s family. Easy decision.

Bia Bia

Lil’ Jon, Ludacris, Too Short, Chyna White Rah Digga

I know a lot of southerners are going to disagree with this one, but homegirl added absolutely nothing to the track. She was just there. Digga’s got the voice for the track and she can actually spit. Can you really say the same about Chyna White?

Fantastic Four

Cam’ron, Big Pun, Noreaga Sticky Fingaz, Canibus

The East Coast almost at its finest. Why Sticky? I don’t know. Just a feeling I get. A grimy rapper over that grimy beat just seems right. The better question is why Nore? He was out of his league here, similar to the cipher with Canibus and DMX. (yeah, I took it there)

Fatty Girl

Ludacris, LL Cool J, Keith Murray Missy

Man, who the hell is Kathy Lee Curtis? Nobody could’ve stopped Keith before he named this non-existent celebrity? 187 Fools, I swear. Eh, get him outta there. I like Missy on this track in place of Keith. She does a decent job on party tracks and adding a female voice to male-dominated tracks.

I Shot Ya (Remix)

Keith Murray Method Man, Prodigy, Fat Joe, Foxy Brown, LL Cool J

Yup, the Keith Murray double play. He didn’t do a bad job; he just didn’t do a good job. Tical would’ve definitely handled the opening to this track. LL almost got snatched for mistaking cursing and yelling for dropping a hard verse. I mean, it’s his track so I let him live. Next time Uncle L…

By the way, how ill was Foxy on that joint? Damn.

So the next time you hear a collabo that needs work, don’t settle for whatever you hear. Just add a song to the list of Just K collabo upgrades. You too can jam with the right MC on the right song.

Wu-Tang is for the kids...

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. "Winter Warz" – Ghostface Killah


2. "Liquid Swords" – GZA


3. "Incarcerated Scarfaces" – Raekwon


4. "Brooklyn Zoo" – O.D.B.


5. "Release Yo' Delf" – Method Man


6. "Protect Your Neck" – Wu-Tang


Come back every week for a new mixtape!