Verse of the Week, Vol. 1

I stole this idea, so please, none of that in the comments. This is a series I am abducting from the blog of the All City Chess Club, hip-hop group extraordinaire. Here, I shall, weekly (I hope) dissect a verse from one of my favorite hip-hop songs; sometimes I shall take it apart line by line, sometimes I'll just post the verse and the song and let you do the thinking. But it shall be a lesson every time, an English lesson of sorts.

The reason for this is that hip-hop is now on the up and up, and it is a wonderful thing. During the past decade, we've seen mainstream rap music rise and fall. Due to some of the current trends and the raised popularity of certain artists and songs, I have reason to believe that the worst is behind us. That being said, the worst left us with an avalanche of terrible music. I believe that it is the duty of hip-hop heads everywhere to make sure that said avalanche does not outshine the needles in the bubble gum rap haystack. As a hip-hop head, I take that duty personally, and I shall execute it to the fullest. So here we go. I'm gonna start off with an easy one, please don't be mad...

VOLUME ONE

Song: Jesus Walks

Artist: Kanye West

Album: The College Dropout

To the hustlers, killers, murderers, drug dealers even the strippers
(Jesus walks with them)
To the victims of Welfare for we living in hell here: hell yeah
(Jesus walks with them)
Now hear ye, hear ye, want to see Thee more clearly
I know he hear me when my feet get weary
Cause we're the, almost nearly extinct
We rappers is role models; we rap we don't think
I ain't here to argue about his facial features; I'm here to convert atheists into believers
I'm just trying to say the way school need teachers,
The way Kathie Lee needed Regis, that's the way I need Jesus
So here go my single dog, radio needs this
They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus
That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes
But if I talk about God my record won't get played Huh?
Well let this take away from my spins
Which will probably take away from my ends
Then I hope it take away from my sins
And bring the day that I'm dreaming about
Next time I'm in the club everybody screaming out

How shall I begin this? This is like a gold mine of hip-hop greatness. Kanye is really one of the main rappers who talks about God in his music (I mean to a point, not just "thank god" for something). Kanye has openly discussed his spiritual beliefs with us in his music, and his single "Jesus Walks" offered him an entire song to show his thoughts on the subject with the listeners. I think this is one of those verses where I shouldn't just harp on it forever, you should just read it yourself. Please please leave some feedback in the comments, what you think of the verse, whatever else you deem necessary. Holla.

The New Facebook and Other Loose Ends.

Ahhhh, now look at ya. You saw the title. And you said, "Ohemgee, he's gonna talk about the new Facebook, and how it's so different, and how much it sucks!!! It's sooo annoyingggg!" Well, you know me better than that. Guess again, bitches.
Once in a while, Mark Zuckerberg is sitting up in his ivory tower looking at his own Facebook profile, and he says, "This shit needs to change." (Citation needed.) And so he moves some stuff around on the homepage, and he moves some stuff around on your profile, and he makes it look pretty. And Mark saw the Facebook, and the Facebook was good. (If you didn't get that biblical reference, you need to go to church this weekend.) Scene change. I sit in my dorm room, Xbox controller warm in hand, ready to kill some Geth. All of a sudden, I get the urge to check my Facebook, even though I did that literally five seconds ago. I notice the new changes. I look upon them with slight disdain, then in about five seconds, I realize that the changes are actually not that different, and in fact make the interface a little easier on the eyes. I change my status, then began my Mass Effect marathon.

Now, apparently, I'm in the very small minority of people who do this, because it seems that the default reaction for this situation is to throw a big ass hissy-fit, cry like a baby, and then propose your ever-living hatred for all things Facebook. You then get on Facebook, and talk to your friends about how the new Facebook sucks. The majority of people will then, in one month, forget how the old Facebook looked, and find something else to bitch about.

I bitch about a lot of things: people being misleading with texts, people ruining the music industry, people making decisions based on ignorance. But I will never bitch about the new Facebook, because that is about the dumbest thing one can do. For one, for all your wrath and fury, your ass is gonna get home from class and hop right on Facebook like it called your name. He could name the shit JimCrowBook and no matter what, you would be on it. It's way too big of a part of our every day lives now. It can't be ignored. So if Zuckerberg changes something, and you get pissed and wanna vent a little in a status, by all means go ahead. But after 3 statuses, 4 notes, 7 wall posts, 2 links and a video, ehh, that's a little damn excessive. Boycott or something, I don't care, I just don't wanna see that crap anymore. Especially ON Facebook. That's just dumb. You're not gonna do anything about it but complain, then forget. That's not speaking your mind, that's just being a baby.

On to Loose Ends: I have regretfully decided that I will not be writing a blog post in order to explain my stance on Eminem. It just isn't worth it in all honesty, and I don't want to send the wrong message. As lackluster as his past two albums were, I still consider him a good artist, and although I feel that he has had some negative influence on the industry, it's not enough to dump on him with a blog post for.

In other news, I'm starting a new series, probably tomorrow. I stole the idea from the All-City Chess Club's blog (if you don't know, please Google). I'll keep you in suspense till then. Deuces.

Runaway

I honestly don't know how the hell we haven't posted this yet. You know of it, though. Kanye released a thirty-minute video along with his album that acts as a music video for all the songs, but in all honesty is a different project in its own right. Ummmm. I don't have the time to work through all the shit going on in it right now, but I will post a review later. Well Daniel probably will. Anyway, here's the video:

Even if you don't like Kanye, you gotta appreciate the artistry. Anyway, I also have a new post coming, in order to discuss why I hate award shows and why Eminem is destroying rap. Stay tuned.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Buy it. Now.

Video of the Week: FUCK YO MEAN MUG!!!!!

I realize this little thing isn't weekly at all but its still funny to me to call it "of the week." Anyways check out Soulja's new video for his club banger "Mean Mug." Wiz's DJ played this shit before Wiz went on at his show at The National and it just goes too hard in a club setting like that, so turn your shit all the way up and check this one out. I actually like 50 on it too. Soulja's new album The DeAndre Way out Nov. 30 show him some love. Download link below.

Download Link: Mean Mug (feat. 50 Cent)

Michael Vick and the American Prison System

Michael Vick. Candidate for the 2011 NFL Most Valuable Player award. Comeback story of the decade. Whatever you wanna call him, there's no doubt that the man is playing out of his mind. On Monday Night Football, he led the Eagles to a 59-28 routing of Donovan McNabb's Redskins, amassing 413 yards and accounting for 6 of his team's touchdowns. Despite not starting at the beginning of the season, and despite enduring a rib injury that kept him out of three games, Vick has managed to pass for 1,350 yards and has the best passer rating in the NFL. But he was always a great quarterback. What's different now?

In 2001, the Atlanta Falcons used their first overall pick in the draft to sign Michael Vick, a Virginia Tech Hokie. Not only were Vick's skills causing a buzz, but he was also the first black quarterback to ever be drafted at number one. (Quick side-note: He was also drafted in the 30th round of the 2000 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies...he didn't play baseball at Tech). And immediately, he earned his recognition. He led the Falcons to an NFC Championship game, ended the Packers' playoff streak at Lambeau Field, and just overall kicked a lot of ass. But he was also the quarterback; he never was the leader. He never earned that captain's honor he was given. Talented, no doubt, but immaturity began to eclipse his talent.* Flicking off fans, giving girls genital herpes under the alias "Ron Mexico," having a friend sell weed out of your truck...the list goes on. But everything came to a head in July of 2007. Exit quarterback. Enter Convict.

Almost two years later, enter ex-convict. Almost two years later, he gets out of jail. Almost two years later, he's given another chance. Two years later, he's a possible MVP.
Where was this Michael Vick when I needed him? What changed Michael so much? In Atlanta, his disrespect and selfishness got him deemed a "coach-killer" by Jim Mora, Sr. Fast-forward to November 2010 and he's encouraging linemen and reprimanding return men for fumbling. This is a strong charge here, but I have to say it: Michael Vick is a better man than when he went to prison, and it is because of prison that he is a better man.
The American prison system is definitely not known for making sure its former residents stay out of prison. (Oh look! Statistics!) We focus more on punishment than rehabilitation. Everyday ex-cons can hardly find jobs, can't vote, or own even own slaves. (jk) But maybe, and just maybe, Mike's story is the happy one: the one of a man realizing his mistakes in prison and re-assessing his entire downfall. Perhaps it took Mike 18 months of shitty food and constant butthole guarding to realize how badly he tossed away the opportunity of a lifetime. Not only did he work his ass off to stay in shape for the NFL, he emerged from the gates a better man. A better leader. A better quarterback. A better person.

Then again, he did fight dogs. How can we forgive him when we stories like this? Well, some people won't. To some, he's just another ghetto hooligan who got what was coming to him. Can't outrun your past, boy. That's what you get for being a product of your surroundings. But I'm not in that group. I lost faith in Michael Vick in 2007. But I have since gained the faith back. The number 7 I laud now not only throws hard and runs fast, but also behaves on the field like a gentlemen. Dr. Chamberlayne would be proud, I believe. Maybe prison is to blame for his renewed personality. If that's the case, let's send Randy Moss and T.O. to Leavenworth. But I doubt that their stories will be as positive. That's a testament to Vick's character.

As a Falcons fan, I say "Go Eagles!" I root for Vick all the way. Second chances are hard to come by. Let's hope he makes the most of it. I'll see you in the NFC Championship.

*It's been a long time, so if you don't remember, lemme throw some of that talent your way:

-First quarterback/running back combo (with Warrick Dunn) to run for 1,000 yards each.

-Has highest yards-per-carry average in NFL history

-NFL Postseason Record for Quarterback rushing yards with 115

-Only quarterback in history to rush for over 1,000 yards

I could do this all day...

WEEZY IS BACK: New Song - Fire Flame (Remix)

I apologize for not posting about Lil Wayne's release from jail earlier (thank you Luke Canavan), but up until now there's not been much to talk about besides the fact that he is out of jail. Regardless, Weezy has blessed the internet with his first vereses since his release from prison.

Its early to be making any calls about change in style, but the lyrics here are noticeably more introspective and thoughtful than those of the I am not a Human Being-era Weezy. At the same time though he is still packing hard punchlines delivered with the same raw power that has always made Wayne special. Download the song below, give it a listen, see what you think, and enjoy your first taste of post-prison Lil Wayne. I can't wait to hear more.

Download Link: Fire Flame (Remix)

Bonus Videos:

Lil Wayne thanks his fans for their continued support during his imprisonment in the first video.

The second was taken a few days after Lil Wayne got out of jail. He surprised Drake and his audience by making an unannounced appearance at Drake's show in Las Vegas that was also Wayne's first public appearance since his release from jail. WELCOME BACK WEEZY!!

(Skip to 2:20 to see Weezy come out and surprise the shit out of Drake's goofy ass.)

Head of the State

I recently ran across this video. Set to the tune of "Hard in Da Paint," it offers an alternative view of Barack Obama's presidency. Quite possibly offensive, but also quite possible the funniest thing I've seen in a while. Please watch the whole thing. I think the funniest thing is the ad-libbing throughout. This dude has his Obama impression down. Check it out.

Pharrell May Be the Craziest/Most Creative Person Ever

Also, Check out N.E.R.D.'s 4th studio album "Nothing" which dropped yesterday.

Lupe's Stealing my Ideas!

This is Lupe's first single off of the long awaited album Lasers. It features a reworked sample of Modest Mouse "Float On." Its pretty cool check it out.

Album Review: Chiddy Bang - The Preview

Chiddy Bang mania. Get ready for it, people. With producer Xaphoon Jones' (the white guy... yes Chiddy Bang is a group, you fools) elctro/indie/pop sampling beats and Chiddy's clean, and punchline packed raps, these guys have been redefining the genre of hip-hop and taking the digital music scene by storm. Now signed by EMI, Xaph and Chiddy make their first entry into hip-hop's commercial arena with The Preview.

The Preview is exactly what the title suggests, a preview of things to come. The 8 track mini-album consists of 3 successful songs off of their freshman mixtape, The Swelly Express, and 5 new tracks that offer a forecast of their potential. The Preview also boasts some impressive features with hip-hop legend Q-tip of A Tribe Called Quest and indie/folk band Darwin Deez making vocal appearances and the esteemed Pharell co-producing the lead-off track "GoodLife."

The preview is a fucking tease of an album, and it left me craving more Chiddy Bang (I can't wait to hear Chiddy really trade verses with another rapper over a Xaphoon beat). It really gave me the feeling that these two are about to blow up in a big way. Their sound is radio friendly and extremely accessible to a wide variety of listeners, but it manages to maintain actual musical validity as well, an elusive combination rarely found in music today.

Chiddy Bang is ready for the mainstream and commercial and critical success (I smell a Grammy), and The Preview shows us precisely why they deserve it. I can't really give this album a traditional rating because of its length, but if you haven't really heard their stuff yet, get The Preview. It is certainly worth the listen, and, if you are like me, you'll want to put it on repeat after the first song.

G92: Boldy Saying No Homo Where It Should Have Been Before

Some rappers distance themselves from the silliness that is "no homo" and simply do not utter the two words, even when they are extremely applicable. The force themselves not to partake, and they do not enter their music into the game of "no homo." While I do respect their choice, I feel as if sometimes, even if you are in that category of artist, it is imperative that you clear things up. One of these artists is Kid Cudi. Rarely ever arguing his straightness in the lyrics of his music, he places himself above such tomfoolery; however, sometimes it works against him.

Take for example, his song entitled "09 Freestyle" off of the "Dat Kid From Cleveland" mixtape.

"Most niggas will quote you, play scrabble with your words man/till they see you at your show, it's my dick that they blow, MAN!"

I don't think I really need to say anything here but what is really necessary. No homo, Scott. For everyone's sake.

Video of the Week: Lil Wayne - I am not a Human Being

I reeealllly haven't been keeping up with this one, but you didn't even notice so its cool.

Anyways, this week's video is Lil Wayne's I am not a Human Being. I like the video mainly because its always entertaining to watch Lil Wayne stunt, but also because the black light effect used throughout is pretty cool.

Check out Weezy's black light tattoos that he actually had tattooed on him, not just painted on like a "bitch ass n****" as Wayne says (see the 2nd video, its pretty funny).

As a video it doesn't really offer anything conceptually fresh. But its a cool visual for a cool song, and its definitely worth watching.

Diggin' in the Crates: Special Edition, Return of the Flamboyant

AWWWWWWWWWWWW SHIT! The master of the mic, the most valuable poet on the M-I-C, the Devil's Son, a.k.a. Big L is back, y'all. It has just been announced that Big L is coming out with his second posthumous album, which is reported to be his last. The album combines never released verses of L's with production from his DITC family. I wanted it to be a surprise but Hutton Adcock posted it on my wall like an ass. Booooo. Anyway, the last album from possibly the greatest lyricist of all time is definitely a celebration worthy event, so I'm gonna help you celebrate. Below, a fantastic song by Big L. You can read the story of the album here.

Album Review: Lil Wayne I am not a Human Being

My Rating: 6/10

Lil Wayne dropped his latest album, I am not a Human Being, On September 27 (his Birthday).

It's No Ceilings-era Lil Wayne at its best, and I love it. Its full of the funny metaphor/similie-punchlines that we have come to love and expect from Wayne. On the ludicrously named track "Gonorrhea" he laughs, "Y'all some bitches like beta phi beta," which gave me a good chuckle. However, as always with Lil Wayne, he tries hundreds of different smilies, some work, and some just come off as forced "We in this bitch like tampon" (ew).

As a huge Weezy fan, I couldn't help but enjoy the album, as Drake said "I think the project is just a lot of Wayne songs... it's that stuff that people want to hear." But I'd like to see Weezy depart from his funny flow more often as he kind of does in "I'm Single," and i think Weezy feels the same way. I can only assume that he has undergone a large amount of personal growth based on his semi-frequent posts on Weezythanxyou.com, and as a rapper that means we can expect to see a significant change in his style, not only in his delivery but also in his content. Lil Wayne put out this album to get rid of all of those songs he had recorded before prison, so that Tha Carter IV can be a completely original and post-prison project. I think that was a great idea because, like any fan, I want to pay for the best product possible, but that brings me to my biggest issue with this album.

It fucking costs $11! That is a sin. By treating this as a collection of tracks that was simply meant to rid C4 of its pre-prison work, YM acknowledges that this album is really not an album at all. It is a mixtape, one that I would have gladly downloaded as some sort of No Ceilings extension, but I simply can not support the selling of this thrown together collection of songs. It is industry greed at its worst.

However, you can't lose sight of the joy that comes from blasting the album's high points (especially "With You" and "I am not a Human Being" for me). So, what we are left with is a solid No Ceilings rehash mixtape that is blasphemously being sold as an album. My final verdict? I can't advise you to spend your money on this with a clean conscious, and because of that it earns a lackluster and average 6/10.

G92: Boldy Saying No Homo Where It Should Have Been Before...Part 2

In today's hip-hop, one must be very careful of the things that they say, so as to not appear "homo." Kanye West, rap's potential savior, usually steers clear of both "no homo" and homo-erotic lyrics, but he slips up in his featured verse on Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3" in the song "Hate." He utters a line with much gay potential, saying:

"We blasting off just like a laser, nigga: peyoom, peyoom, peyoom!"

Not really gay until he makes the sound effects, wich takes the homo-eroticism to a "whole-nother-level." Which leads me to say, "Wake up, Mr. West! For you, I insert the 'no homo.'"

KanYe signs Mos Def: G.O.O.D. Music takeover is imminent

This past week Mos Def agreed to sign with G.O.O.D. Music, building upon what may be the best rap alliance of all time. He is the latest veteran rapper to sign with G.O.O.D. Music joining other esteemed MC's Common, Consequence, GLC, Malik Yusef, and recent signee Pusha T of the rap duo Clipse.

For those who don't know, Mos Def is a very well and widely respected rapper who has been in the game since the late 90's. He will definitly mix nicely with the rest of the cast at G.O.O.D. and I can't wait to hear him collab with some of the younger artists, perhaps Cudi or Big Sean.

With Mos Def's signing, it would seem that G.O.O.D. is prepared for a full on takeover of the rap game, especially in light of Young Money's recent release of "I am Not a Human Being,"(review soon) a hap-hazardly recorded and mixed collection of unreleased, rushed, and pre-lockup Lil Wayne songs which is ludicrously being sold as an album when it would likely garner mediocre acclaim as a MIXTAPE.

Meanwhile, G.O.O.D. Music is putting out a FREE song every Friday as a part of "Good Fridays." Furthermore, every one of the songs released thus far (excluding the awkwardly put together "Lord Lord Lord") has been absolutely top-notch, and thats not even taking into account their recent and free mixtape, "A Good Ass Mixtape." In comparison to G.O.O.D.'s "we do it for the fans" attitude, YM is looking horribly commercial, and, honestly, they are failing to create any valid Hip-Hop at the moment. I hate to kick them while they are down, though, so I'll wait till Weezy is out of Rikers to make any final judgements. But, for now, G.O.O.D. is Mos Def runnin this shit.

Download/Listen to "A Good Ass Mixtape" here

Download/Listen to all Good Friday songs here

Buy "I am Not a Human Being" on itunes if you want... smh

Note: The pic is from Kanye and G.O.O.D.'s upcoming spread for XXL

Diggin' in the Crates: Vol. 3

Since Ric is a slackin ho, I have decided to provide the next installment in his little series. Anyways, this is the Pharcyde, an alternative hip-hop group similar to the likes of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. Many of my favorite rappers (including Cudi... thank you wikipedia) have listed the Pharcyde as an influence, so I decided to get their debut album, Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde. I was hooked on their style. The song below is their first single "Passin' me By," and it definitely has distinct of flavor to it, particularly the first verse. Give it a listen and see what you think.

BOOM

Rick Ross is the shit

Vid of the Week: Chiddy Bang, Pass Out

This is a new thing I'm gonna start doing, every Friday I'll put up a music video I like because I think music videos... good ones at least... go largely unappreciated in music. Here's one from the dynamic duo Chiddy Bang. Its a really cool concept, I'm not sure if it turned out as well as they'd hope, but I think its pretty dope.