LupeFiasco-DopeDoyzftWaleKardinalOfishall.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: Lupe Fiasco is Chicago rapper who came up under Kanye West and was hailed as the next generation of hip hop. Lupe is possibly the best lyricist in rap and has a unique positive outlook rapping about education and hard work instead of gangsta shit. Lupe recently released a mixtape called “Enemy of the State a Love Story” which got only minimal attention. Lupe’s third album is due out this winter and looks like it may be quite a bit different than his last two albums both of which were met with crtical acclaim. Also on this track is Wale, from DC and who is awesome! and Kardinal Offishal who is just ok. About Song: This song is off the 2008 Lupe mixtape “Overlooked Vol. 2” which is a great tape if you haven’t heard it already. It’s got a lot of features but has some good songs. Favorite Verse: Lupe’s verse (the first verse) is awesome with the way he uses animal names. Favorite Line: By far Lupe’s verse has the cleverest lines but I also really like how Kardinal says (third verse) “I ain’t pushed no rock in about nine months, I’ve swicthed genres to ganja” and later “I’m the Bob Barker of the track and field I don’t sprint, just boost when I feel…and the hooks so real”. Which has a great rythem to it and which I hear as a double meaning with cell phone carriers Sprint and Boost Mobile. Other: This cover, obviously, uses the instrumental from the classic Hip Hop track “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” by Pete Rock and CL Smooth. It’s obvious listening to the words but one thing that I didn’t get until after a few listens was that the song is all about being drug free. Lupe Fiasco Wikipedia
GiftOfGab-RhymeTravel.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: Gift of Gab is an alternative rapper who is also a member of the super funky Blackalicious About Song: This song is just a random track of off his latest album but I LOVE the beat and lyrics. It’s very “different” but it’s a great song. Favorite Verse: The whole song just has a great flow. Other: This song really sounds great on headphones and would encourage you to listen to them on headphones to get the full effect. Also I just gotta say NOTHING RELAXES ME LIKE THIS SONG DOES. Gift of Gab Wikipedia
WillSmith-YAllKnow.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: It’s Will Smith, what else do you need to know. About Song: This song is off the 1997 9x Platinum “Big Willie Style” Favorite Lines: “I’m the real McCoy
First with Jeff I was startin
Then with Martin I’m a Badboy
See more green than David Banner
More juice than Tropicana
You hawkin me like Atlanta” (0:39)
“A hip-hop icon, MC radical
Back on track from my rap/act sabatacle” (1:03) Other: Yesterday was a special old old old friend’s birthday, and thinking about her brought back some memories including this song. Also Big Willie Style was the first Rap album I ever bought. Big Willie Style Wikipedia
BobbyRay-NothingOnYou.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: Bobby Ray (aka/formerly known as B.o.B.) is one of my favorite artists. He’s form Atlanta signed with T.I’s grand hustle and his mixtape “BoB vs Bobby Ray” is literally good enough to be a sucessful stand alone album. Everyone should download that tape HERE About Song: This song is the (one of the) First singles of of his debut album titled “B.o.B. presents: The Great Adventures of Bobby Ray” due out in april. Other: I Love BoB! Bobby Ray Wikipedia
Birdman-GrindinMakingMoneyftLilKimNickiMinaj.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: Birdmans been rapping since the late 90s. He’s close with lil Wayne. Lil Kim of course a classic and now Nicki Minaj who many say is the next Lil Kim. She has a different style than Kim, she’s got this crazy barbie thing goin on and does this thing with her voice but she IS gonna be huge I guarantee that. She’ll be on Robin Thicke’s “Sex Therapy”. About Song: This song is off the deluxe version of Birdman’s latest album which was released yesterday called Priceless. Other: This is a radio song Autotune and everything. Birdman Wikipedia
RobinTHicke-MeipleftJayZ.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: Robin Thicke is a strange fellow with a high voice like Michael Jackson and very flamboyant personality. He’s been featured on Hip Hop hooks in the past including my favorite, Shooter by Lil Wayne. And has his own R&B style that he showed off on his fairly well known album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke. His next album “Sex Therapy” is set to have features by artists such as Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, and Drake. About Song: I initially loved this song when I heard the snippet then when I heard the whole thing thought it missed the mark but then it really grew on me. I’ve noticed it sounds a lot different depending on the type of speakers you have so try to listen to it on something good so you can hear all the parts. Favorite Verse: Jay-Z’s verse is the best… by far. Favorite Line: “Champagne spillin out of my wee wee, pardon my french” (1:14) get it wee wee = oui oui Other: Robin Thicke Wikipedia
NERD-Provider.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: N.E.R.D. is an alternative Hip Hop group headed by Pharrell Williams. About Song: This song is OLD. It came out in “In Search Of…” in 2001. The reason it’s here is that it’s just one of my favorite song and I’ve been listening to it for almost 9 years now so since I’ve been so busy lately I though this would be an easy song to put up. Other: Most N.E.R.D. songs are more upbeat and rockin but I like their slow sound too N.E.R.D. Wikipedia
Shonie-AtNightftBoB.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: Shonie is some girl I never heard of. Apparently she’s signed with Def Jam and has a debut Album coming out with a single featuring Fabolous. B.o.B. (aka Bobby Ray) is one of my favorite Hip Hop artists. He’s an ATL rapper who is a true musician/producer/rapper the whole package. He has an original sound and a fresh and genuine perspective. About Song: This song is not slated for any release, it’s a remake of an inoj song from the 90s (see link below). There is nothing extraordinary about this song but the melody is catchy and B.o.B’s short verse is a nice touch. Other: This song is for a general audience. Listen to the original song here (youtube) Shonie MySpace B.o.B Wikipedia
BlackKeys-YoureSoCoolHoochieCooftMosDefJimJones.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: The Black Keys are a rock band from Ohio who have done numerous Hip Hop collaborations in the past. Mos Def and Jim Jones are both mainstays in Hip Hop. Jim Jones was a member of the Diplomats (Dipset), and Mos Def was a member of Black Star. About Song: This song is off of an upcoming Hip Hop collaboration album (Nov 27th) called Blakroc. This album is gonna be amazing and has features from artists including Ludacris, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (don’t ask how), Mos Def, RZA, Pharoahe Monch, Raekwon, Jim Jones, M.O.P., and Q-Tip. Other:I can’t believe I just discovered that this album is happeneing but I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS ALBUM! YOU MUST CHECK OUT THE BLAKROC WEBSITE BELOW! They have a ton of awesome footage in the videos section! Blakroc Album Website Blakroc Wikipedia
Here is the Music Video for the song which I don’t normally put up but I really like the video so…
Wale-MirrorsftBunB.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: Wale is a up and coming DC rapper. He is a fresh voice to the world of hip hop and I encourage you to go back and listen to previous Wale posts from this site (go to archive view or search Wale) About Song: This trac is one off of his debut album that was released yesterday Other: Go out and Buy this album! You can download it on iTunes or get it at any store. The album is a work of art as a whole and we need to show the industry that people are interested in real music. Show your support and grab a copy! Wale Wikipedia
GiftOfGab-DreaminftDeltheFunkyHomosapienBrotherAli.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: Gift of Gab, a member of Blackalicious, is an alternative Bay Area rapper. His first solo project in many years came this month with Escape to Mars. I haven’t listened to it yet but I like this song and have high hopes knowing that his originality has come through on all his past work. About Song: This song is off of Escape to Mars and is the only track on the album with features. This song feature Del and Brother Ali both of whom I’m a big fan. Favorite Line: Just listen. Each of these MCs are talented lyrcists in their own right. Other: I really like the sample and even though they’re alternative Gift of Gab, Del, and Brother Ali all have great verses. Gift of Gab Wikipedia
TalibKweli-CountryCouzinsJPeriodRemixftBunB.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: Talib Kweli is an extremely respected rapper in the game who’s been doin it since the ninties despite never reaching mainstream commercial success. He first reached prominence through his group Black Start with fellow MC Mos Def. J Period is a talented NY producer who specializes in remix projects and has worked with artists as famous as Nas and Lauryn Hill. Bun B is a long time famous Texas rapper and former member of UGK with the late Pimp C. About Song: This song comes off a remix project between Talib and J Period called the noisemakers. I recently featured a larger and even better J Period project with K’Naan HERE Talib Kweli Wikipedia J. Period Wikipedia Talib Kweli Wikipedia
ChipThaRipper-HeyLove09.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) About Artist: Chip tha Ripper is a Clevland rapper (same as Kid Cudi and the Kickdrums) who has a couple mixtapes out right now and is in the process of working on a ever delayed mixtape called “The Cleaveland Show” which will hopefully vault him toward being signed. About Song: This song is lighter and more fun that most other Chip the Ripper songs (download his best mixtape below). This track was produced by Remont will be featured on Mick and Terry Urbans upcoming (any day now) De La Soul tribute mixtape. It is, maybe not obviously, a remake of De La Souls’ “Talkin’ Bout Hey Love” (listen here). The song is a nice little track that speaks truth of high school flirtation etc (he talks about the girl he likes seein him around other girls not knowing they were just his friends 1:31). Favorite Line: “She say I was always a cool nigga, but I ain’t have a chance when I went to school with her. But that was then this is now I’m a pimp in my own mind I can hold down.” (1:26) I just like the rythm of the line with the track. Other: Chip works a lot with DJ-EV. He has a great mixtape called “Can’t Stop Me” which you can download HERE SlabUp.com (Chip’s website) Chip Tha Ripper’s MySpace
