DOWNLOAD MP3 TalibKweliZTrip-CongregationftBlackThoughtAbSoul.mp3 Summary: This track is the 2nd track I’m posting from an awesome mixtape called Attack The Block. Download Attack the Block Mixtape. While I like this song I’m putting up this post to represent the whole mixtape which I highly recommend. About Artist: Talib Kweli is an established very well respected artist in the game who is a member of Madlib and one half of Black Star with Mos Def. Z-Trip is a DJ who really blazed the trail of many mashup artists behind him. While not well known outside of the Hip Hop community he is respected as a DJ on the very top of his game. Black thought is of course one of the founding members and lyrical base for the The Roots. Ab-Soul really holds his own in this one but he is known mainly for being part of Kendrick Lamar’s rap group Black Hippy and part of the Top Dawg Entertainment crew. About Song: This song is just one of the tracks off of this phenomenal mixtape. Favorite Part:
I like the church inspired track but I also love the lyrics
Check out the Lyrics on Rap Genius
You really have to look at every line because unlike some ‘Hip Hop’ these verses have meaning. Other: Congregation Lyrics on Rap Genius Download Official Attack the Block Mixtape Talib Kweli Wikipedia Z-Trip Wikipedia Black Thought Wikipedia Ab-Soul Wikipedia
DOWNLOAD MP3 KendrickLamar-BackseatFreestyleprodbyHitBoy.mp3 Summary: Another instant classic brought to you by Kendrick Lamar. Look out for “Good Kid, Mad City” dropping Monday October 22nd (AND HE’S GONNA BE ON TUCSON THAT DAY!) About Artist: The new prince of the west coast, Kendrick Lamar is carrying the torch for LA with all the style, grit, lyricism and originality that LA has been known for. While is legacy is still in the making Kendrick has all the makings of a king. His authenticity and pure talent vaults him into discussions of ‘best rapper alive’ and he shines as a beacon that Hip Hop is still alive! About Song: This song is a track that was just recently released here on soundcloud. It is one of the tracks off of Kendrick’s first commerical album Good Kid, m.A.A.d City. The first single off of the album Recipe I really really like but it never blew up on the radio (my guess because it had the word Weed in the chorus). Following that single was Swimming Pools (Drank) which I do hear on the radio a lot. Anyway, back to this song, it ir produced by Hit-Boy which, coincidentadnly, produced another jam that I was totoally into and posted on here a couple days ago Higher. Favorite Part:
Well first off the track is dope! The f-ing bell-chime things and the arrindindin arrindindin get me hyped!
Lay on Kendricks flow over that and it just goes hard!
Kendrick doesn’t go off lyrically like he somtimes does but check out the Rap Genius link below because there are some crazy references.
DOWNLOAD MP3 LupeFiasco-StrangeFruitionftCaseyBenjamin.mp3 Summary: Based on the song Strange Fruit popularized by Billie Holiday. Lupe really lets his lyricism shine while blending message AND emotion About Artist: Lupe Fiasco is well established lyrical mastermind who was only focused more and more on his message as his careers gone one. About Song: Lupe moved away from his lyrical basis in his last album Lasers but Food and Liquor 2 brings the best of both worlds with the message and amazing lyricsl skill. I also have to say that the production of the track is really well done the hook plays an integral part to making the song work and the lyrics on the hook could not sound more haunting. Favorite Part: First just look at the chorus “Made in pain, the strangest things you ever seen Oh, look at how they swing, would you look at how they swing? They ain’t dead though No I ain’t die y’all I cut myself down Admire my fall”
DOWNLOAD MP3 GiftOfGab-Protocol.mp3 Summary: This is a fun upbeat creative flow summer song. About Artist: Gift of Gab is half of Blackalicious who always comes out with positive quality fun stuff. If you like this song you should check out Blackalicious and other posts by both Gab and Blackalicious on this blog. Favorite Part: I really like the hook but of course Gift of Gab’s flow is awesome throughout.
DOWNLOAD MP3 Yelawolf-HardWhiteremixftTISlaughterhouse.mp3 Summary: Here’s a song where some very talented MCs just go hard. About Artist: Gotta keep it short today. Basically Yelawolf is a young Eminem protege from the south. T.I. king of the south. And Slaughterhouse the four man crew of Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, Joe Budden and Royce 5’9. About Song: This song is origianly off of Yelawolf debut 2011 album Radioactive. The original featured Lil Jon so obviously this official remix is a million times better. Favorite Part: Finally a song up here that is good for its straight rapping. Read the full lyrics here
DOWNLOAD MP3 JayZKanyeWest-MurderToExcellence.mp3 Summary: Real fans say this is the best song off Watch the Throne. About Artist: Jay-Z and Kanye West. If you don’t know who they are I don’t know what to tell you. One thing you may not know if you’re not into Hip Hop though is that Kanye West got one of his first big breaks producing for Jay-Z’s classic Blueprint album. Jay-Z pretty much was the one that gave Kanye a chance and made him famous. About Song: This song is a song (not yet a single) from Jay-Z and Kanye’s collaboration album Watch the Throne. While the album has recieve positive (but not stellar) reviews I think it really work as an album as a whole and is a rare true collaboration between two Hip Hop greats. Murder to Excellence has two distinct parts, the first produced by Swizz Beatz and the second by S1. The song talks about black on black crime and social mobility in the African American community. This song has more a message and conscious than other tracks on the album which is why is may have received such a positive response from fans (the song is also just a great song). I LOVE the beats to both parts of the song, especially the guitar, chorus and hook of the first part, and the lyrical compliment it very very well. Favorite Part:
“No shop class but half the school got a tool” (1:02)
“Plus his little brother got shot reppin his avenue, it’s time for us to stop and redefine black power 41 souls murdered in 50 hours” (1:07)
“Is it genocide?
Cause I can still hear his mama cries
Know the family traumatized
Shots left holes in his face about piranha-sized
The old pastor closed the cold casket
And said the church ain’t got enough room for all the tombs
It’s a war going on outside we ain’t safe from
I feel the pain in my city wherever I go
314 soldiers died in Iraq, 509 died in Chicago” (1:34-1:58)
The ooohs at 1:58 as Kanye ends and Jay-Z come in is so so good.
“I arrived on the day Fred Hampton died
Uh, real niggas just multiply
And they say by 21 I was supposed to die
So I’m out here celebrating my post-demise” (1:58-208)
Transition at 2:42 is great.
“Black excellence, opulence, decadence
Tuxes next to the president, I’m present
I dress in Dries and other boutique stores in Paris
In sheepskin coats, I silence the lambs
Do you know who I am, Clarice?
No cheap cologne whenever I “shh-shh”
Success never smelled so sweet
I stink of success, the new black elite
They say my Black Card bears the mark of the beast
I repeat: my religion is the beat
My verse is like church, my Jesus piece
Now please, domino, domino
Only spot a few blacks the higher I go
What’s up to Will? Shout out to O
That ain’t enough.. we gonna need a million more
“Kick in the door” Biggie flow
I’m all dressed up with nowhere to go” (2:52-3:42)
“In the past if you picture events like a black tie
What the last thing you expect to see, black guys?
What’s the life expectancy for black guys?
The system’s working effectively, that’s why!
I’ll be a real man and take care of your son
Every problem you had before this day is now done” (3:52-4:09) Other: Watch the Thone Wikipedia
DOWNLOAD MP3 KendrickLamar-FuckYourEthnicity.mp3 THIS SONG HAS BEEN REMOVED DUE TO A COMPLAINT BY THE RIAA. Summary: Kendrick Lamar is the best up and coming rapper. Bring the West Coast back with a vengance. About Artist: Kendrick Lamar is a young Compton rapper who has been hailed as the next king of the west. He has amazing lyrical ability and speaks truth with an unmatched authenticity. Kendrick Lamar is currently my favorite rapper. I got to see him recently in his hometown of LA and was blown away. His live performance had so much energy and he was even better live than he sounds on his records. The show started a little late only because Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg showed up to watch. Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kurupt, Game, Big Sean and Snoop all graced the stage to come out and support Kendrick who has very quicky gained the respect of the entire hip hop community. About Song: This song is the intro to Kendrick Lamar’s recent and highly regarded project Section.80. Favorite Part:
“Fire burning inside my eyes
This the music that saved my life
Y’all be calling it hip-hop
I be calling it hypnotize
Yeah, hypnotize
Trapped my body but freed my mind
What the fuck is you fighting for?
Ain’t nobody gonna win that war
My details be retail
Man, I got so much in store
Racism is still alive
Yellow tape and colored lines” (1:03-1:22)
“I mosh pit
Had a microphone and I tossed it
Had a brain, then I lost it
I’m out of my mind, so don’t
You mind how much the cost is
Penny for my thoughts
Everybody, please hold up your wallets” (1:45-1:53) Other: Kendrick Lamar Wikipedia Fuck Your Ethnicity Lyrics
DOWNLOAD MP3 KendrickLamar-HiiiPowerprodbyJCole.mp3 THIS SONG HAS BEEN REMOVED DUE TO A COMPLAINT BY THE RIAA. Summary: Hip Hop. About Artist: Kendrick Lamar is part of the new west coast movement. Decades after Snoop, NWA, Tupac came out of Compton Kendrick Lamar it trying to lead a second wave, a rebirth, of LA rap. J. Cole produced this track, which is a little strange since J. Cole is better known as a rapper. About Song: This song is atypical of Kendrick Lamar who normally goes off with fast high intensity rhymes (check out other Kendrick Lamar songs on gregshiphop here). In this song however Kendrick Lamar takes a more reflective approach. One thing that jumps out at me about this song is how it borrows from Kanye West / My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy this song is. Kendrick borrows from Kanye’s So Appalled line “shit is, fuckin ridiculous” at places like (1:36, 2:48, 4:23), it takes Kanye’s signature “huh” around 2:00, and takes a voice effect that Dark Twisted Fantasy popularized at 2:05. Favorite Part: No part really jumps 0ut at me but I like message Kendrick Lamar puts forward over this protest beat.
DOWNLOAD MP3 Tuge-SmokeService.mp3 Summary: Who’s is Tuge? A great rapper, that’s who. About Artist: I have not who Tuge is but the few songs he’s dropped I’ve really really liked. From what I’ve been able to find Tuge just started putting music out and his debut mixtape project will be coming soon and be called The Scrimmage, that’s all I know. About Song: This song, like the several other Tuge songs I’ve heard and liked, has that kinda of money music, millionaire gangsta sound (which make sense since this beat is from Rick Ross’s I’m Not A Star) but instead of stupid Young Money, Maybach Music, lyrics Tuge can actually rap, and rap well. Favorite Part:
I like the whole song but I espeically like when Tuge goes off at 2:28
Other:
This is just another example of how the current Charlie Sheen phenomena is taking over pop culture.
DOWNLOAD MP3 Wale-JumpFreestyle.mp3 Summary:Finally some new old school Wale! About Artist: Wale is a DC rapper representing the DMV (DC Maryland Virginia). Wale was a super popular underground rapper who many, including myself, thought would be huge. However his record label did a poor job releasing his debut album Attention Deficit and put pressure on Wale for his single to be Chillin featuring Lady Gaga who at the time hadn’t reached the level of fame she has since attained. After this disappointing release Wale withdrew from the scene a bit but cam back to release a super high quality mixtape More About Nothing. This tape gave the fans renewed hope about Wale’s potential until Wale went and signed with Maybach music, the money music group headed by the boss clown Rick Ross. I fcking hate that Wale chose to go that route especially since Wale has a really message in his music contrasted with Rick Ross’ money music message. About Song: This song isn’t part of any project, as far as a I know, but just dropped yesterday. The song obviously is a freestyle over the 1992 Kris Kross hit Jump. Click here to watch that throwback video Favorite Part:
Finally we get a track with Wale’s fun upbeat flow. Of course I love the original track, and coupled with Wale’s rhymes make it all the better. Other: Wale Wikipedia
DOWNLOAD MP3 JoellOrtiz-LookAtMeNowftSebastianRios.mp3 Summary: Now this is some lyrical Ish About Artist: Joell Ortiz is Brooklyn rapper whos a little bit older than most rappers now-a-days and whos been rapping since about 2000. In the past few years however Joell has put out as many tracks as anyone. He makes up ¼ of Slaughterhouse but can undoubtably hold his own. There are a lot of Joell Ortiz tracks that I like but this new freestyle that just dropped exemplifies Joell fun, fast and killah style. I have not clue who Sabastian Rios is. About Song: This is just a random track that Joell dropped the other day which is nothing new since Joell puts out tracks nobody else. A little background you might want to know is Joell’s YAOWA thing. YAOWA is a little nickname he has for himself which among many other things stands for ‘you’re actually one world away.’ Favorite Part:
DOWNLOAD MP3 PacDiv-YourFuckingSong.mp3 Summary: Turn up your subwoofer and enjoy this classic Pac Div! About Artist: Pac Div (Pacific Division) is a Hip Hop trio from LA. I first heard of them back in 2009 when I saw them open for B.o.B and Kid Cudi and they were one of the best live performers I’ve ever seen. The three of them are very young and their kid like energy really comes through in their performance. At the time Pac Div was realeasing their second mixtape Church Legeaue Champs but now have gotten to their fourth mixtape Mania! which is a great mixtape for you speakers. About Song: This new hip hop song is from Pac Div’s mixtape Mania! I like this song because it has a great bass beat (like all Pac Div songs) matched with a fun and clever flow. I just love to turn the volume up on this one and let the song takeover. Favorite Part:
I love the bongo type drums (0:06) and the vocals/horns (0:53)
“You’ll be another statistic my nigga freakonomics” 0:27
“Ya this is her favorite song, just like its her favorite thong back thens he saiud no to drugs, now she say lets hit the bong I be like you smoke too much, she be like you joke to much Turn your ass around and get your fingers and your toes to touch” (1:11)
I really like the little bongo noise at 1:17 and 1:22
DOWNLOAD MP3 LupeFiasco-BeautifulLasers2WaysftMDMA.mp3 Summary: This one’s a little depressing, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. About Artist: Lupe Fiasco is one of the greatest lyricists of our time. Lupe cuts through all the bullshit and breaks the boundries of the genre. Lupe Fiasco has struggled with his label Atlantic Records in an epic battle over artistic direction that at one point looked like it meant that his upcoming LASERS would never see the light of day. Lupe has undergone a pretty radical transformation as he has pretty much forsaken the mainstream to speak his mind on personal and social issues through his music. About Song: I might describe this song as a kind of Emo-Rap. It is consistant with Lupe’s recent space-age sound coupled with the 808’s and Heartbreak autotuneness that Kanye made popular a few years ago. This song is a leaked track off of LASERS Lupe’s much anticipated album coming out March 8th. BUY A COPY! A lot of people have very high hopes for this album and at the very least its release is a moral victory for the movement Lupe has built. Check out another song from LASERS on gregshiphop.com here Favorite Part: “Sometimes livin’ in a word like this, it’s pretty hard not to go insane, not pretty if you don’t comply, pretty easy if you don’t complain..” 0:44
“no win when it’s me against me, one of us ain’t gonna survive, my heart been broke for a while, yours has been the one keeping me alive..” 1:23
“This world’s such a fucked up place, my mind’s in such a fucked up state Everything down here sucks, maybe what’s up there is great, We all gotta go one day, I just wanna cut to the chase” 1:59
I like the double meaning of “cut to the chase”
DOWNLOAD MP3 KendrickLamar-LookOutForDetox.mp3 Summary: Rap Rap Rap. This is how you rap! About Artist: Kendrick Lamar is an LA rapper who has been recruited by Dr. Dre to help with Dr. Dre and LA rap’s comeback. No doubt Kendrick Lamar has crazy talent. At this point he is undoubtedly one of the best west coast rappers rapping right now. His mixture of aggressive and clever lyrics is unmatched as he brings such energy to his music. I would love to see him live. Check out some other Kendrick Lamar song on gregshiphop.com About Song: This song was released as a youtube video as can be seen here. This song is a few month hold but just has such energy that I had to put it up. This song is definitely one where you’ll want to sit down with the Lyrics and follow as you listen. Favorite Part:
You really have to look at all the lyrics while you listen but below are some highlight.
“I’m so appalled, with a prototype with a gotly protocol
you an amateur, they want to protocol
I damage ya on camera in Compton, in Canada
I don’t care where ya are
Just blink twice and I’m there where you are
like a shadow in the dark, you a paddle in aboat in an ocean full of sharks bout to come up short
water in the pot, throw crack rock, like bam bam n-gga have two grams n-gga pay up up,
blam blam n-gga, nigga had a the black cam, rebel up to dipset killa Cam nigga
Had a beef with raw niggas, killers, pimps you ain’t been around shit but your momma and your bitch
shoved off the portch when I was like six
uncle bobby got the house ready back in 96
kick in the door, K9s all in the kitchen way before I even heard of Mike Vick.
Mom in the bathroom poppa at work
happened on Sunday we shoulda went to Church” 0:31
“cause I’m oging out with a fist raised and a fist full of money give it to a fifth grade
drink a fifth of Hennessy and then take another fade with a democratic politician from CA
they don’t wanna see a B-L-A-C-K making some scratch like a hall of fame DJ
give us some free j’s put us in PJ’s
now we in the county jail calling for a threeway, God-Damn, your call
marketing base where the god damn barcode stuck in the street was dark like Harpo
black man tell me where your God-Damn heart go
although I’m in the land of milk and honey” 1:22
