DOWNLOAD MP3 Neptunes-FrontinftJay-Z.mp3 Summary: Throwback Thursday (kinda). This is an unreleased extended track. About Artist: The Neptunes are a production duo made up of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. They created hits for Mystikal, Mase, Clipse, Jay-Z, Kid Rock, Kelis, Prince, The Backstreet Boys, Ludacris, Britney Spears, Brian McKnight, Busta Rhynes, Fabolous, Ice Cube, Janet Jackson, N’SYNC, Common and just about everybody else. The duo also forms ⅔ of the group N.E.R.D. About Song: This song was a popular single for Jay-Z back in 2003. However THIS version is a previously unreleased extended version. It showcases Pharrell’s signature sound more and gives him more time at the mic. This version actually comes off quite differently than the official version that center’s more around Jay-Z’s rapping. I chose this version because not only have very few people heard it, but because I think it really brings out the vibe that the song was originally was created with before it got chopped up for radio play etc.
The original cover for the single Frontin'
Favorite Part: I really like the parts where Pharrell just goes off singing his little melodies with his harmonies (ie 0:42) Other: Frontin Wikipedia The Neptunes Wikipedia
DOWNLOAD MP3 TalibKweli-ColdRain.mp3 Summary: Talib and this song exemplifies the heart of Hip Hop. About Artist: Talib Kweli is a cemented figure in hip hop as a socially concious rapper. From Brooklyn Talib began rapping in the early 90s and was half of the group Blackstar along with Mos Def. Talib is highly respected in Hip Hop as a rapper true to Hip Hop who speaks to the struggles of our society. His most recent album Eardrum (2007) received great reviews and showed that Talib Kweli is still an active and powerful voice in the community. About Song: This song is the first single off of Talib Kweli’s next album Gutter Rainbows. This song was produced by none other Ski Beatz who was just featured on the blog a few days ago here. Favorite Part: GOSPEL, LOVE IT! (1:27) Other: Talib Kweli Wikipedia
DOWNLOAD MP3 JCole-PassMeByftBoB.mp3 Summary: A little light for J Cole, but also pretty catchy. About Artist: J Cole is a young rapper, signed with Jay-Z’s RocNation. As an up and coming artist he has quite the following though his debut album still has no release date or title. His first major appearance was on one of only a few features on Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3. The only song of his that I’ve posted, though he has many good ones is Who Dat. This chorus of this song is sung by B.o.B (aka Bobby Ray) who I post way too much on this blog :) About Song: This song has been around for a little while now but it was recently rereleased with B.o.B on the hook. The track’s piano really adds to it catchiness which is why I put it up. The same piano really reminds me of Jay-Z’s Hard Knock Life, though thats just me. Other than that the rap is better on the 2nd and 3rd verse, the chorus is OK (though I really like simple beat and chord progression in the chrous). Favorite Part: “Hey, Dear Mr. Policeman
Hey am I wrong, aint you suppose to keep the peace man?
I coulda swore I was driving pretty peaceful
So why the hell is you pullin over me fo’?
Is it this black Mercedez? (Oh now I get it, I get it, I get it)
Or cause I’m black? Hmmm, maybe
Hey, tell me why my hands start sweatin’ and I hold my breath everytime that you get behind me
I turn my music down, so you won’t hear a sound, man I’m nervous like I got a couple pounds on me
You pulled me over, you frown on me
With your flashlight, tell me what do you see
Thug niggas, drug dealers, its a trip, every nigga in this whip got a mothafuckin college degree” (1:46)
DOWNLOAD MP3 1982-AlwaysStatiksInterlude.mp3 Summary: This group is a real diamond in the rough. I love the music they make, not just this song. About Artist: 1982 is a two man MC Rapper duo out of the Boston area. The MC, Statik Selektah, has worked mainly on radio stations throughout his career and has the classic turntable sound I love exemplified by DJ Premier and Funkmaster Flex. Statik Selektah really brings the sound and vibe to the group, which is the main reason I like them, so I’d say he’s what really makes the group special. The rapper, Termanology, also from the Boston area, looked like he would take off in 2005 when The Source featured him as an unsigned MC; he never really took off but he’s got more than enough talent to hold his own in the game. About Song: This song is just an short musical interlude off of The Evening News EP. Favorite Part: I just love the way the samples are chopped and put together to make some completely new. Other Statik Selektah Wikipedia Termanology Wikipedia
DOWNLOAD MP3 TreySongz-FuckWitYouNoMore.mp3 Summary: Its Mr. Steal Your Girl About Artist: Trey Songz comes from the pop R&B tradition of a Chris Brown but with a little more edge lyrically. I really like Trey Songz because he does have lyrical talent, just listen to my favorite Trey Songz song The Machine. Trey Songz however has gained more popularity for his “singing” in various hooks or in his most famous track to date Bottoms Up. About Song: This song is off of Trey Songz’s Twitter themed mixtape #LemmeHoldThatBeat by @TreySongz. Despite just releasing an album Trey states in his mixtape that he enjoys being able to use his mixtapes as an outlet for some of his more lyrical content. This song, like others on the album, is a remake, in this case of P. Diddy’s (Dirty Money) farily recent track “Loving You No More”. I like the original but Trey spices it up a little than P. Diddy’s sop story. Favorite Part: The Timpani Drums at 0:08
“I look at you and see a different girl now, Gettin Whitney wit me, a different world now” (0:51)
I really like the chorus “I just can’t Fuck, can’t Fuck, wit you no more”
“Crazy with the head, but she crazy in the head
Attract a lot of birds ’cause I make a lot of bread
Searching for my dove, hoping love is forgiven
And I find out a dove ain’t nothing but a pigeo” (1:42) Other Trey Songz Wikipedia
DOWNLOAD MP3 PhilAde-BreakMeOff.mp3 Summary: This song came out today and I liked it so… About Artist: Phil Ade is a DC that I really got into when Wale was coming up. His favorite song of mine is Going Off. He’s an up and comer who I really hope makes it cause he’s got a light and fun style that easy to listen to, but at the same time and really go in on the beat. About Song: This song is off a a mixtape that drop tomorrow called AshleyOutrageous.com present The Playlist Vol. 2. You can read more about it at that link. I don’t know much about it but it looks like its gonne be good, so if you want some fresh music head over to AshleyOutrageous.com tomorrow. Favorite Part: Of course I love the horns (I mean of course!)
The Chorus “I just wanna ball, get a Benz at least. Some niggas want it all I just wanna piece” (1:10) Real humble right?
“Now it’s time to make my own livin, I’m moving along in it, my niggas is gon win it, you niggas is long winded in Louis Vuitton linen. That’s it Prada shades, glass tinted, in the club ignorin my past women…” (1:43) Other Phil Ade MySpace
DOWNLOAD MP3 SkiBeatz-NotLikeMefTabiBonne.mp3 Summary: Straight Hip Hop. Simple beat, no hook, clear rap. About Artist: Ski Beatz is a producer who started out as a member of Original Flavor which was one of the first groups to feature a young Jay-Z. Ski Beatz then went on to work with the newly formed Roc-a-fella records to produce Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z’s debut album. Ski faded for time after in the early ots but is back producing upcoming artists Joell Ortiz and Jean Grae as well as having produced all of Curren$y’s Pilot Talk. About Song:This track is off of Ski Beatz’s debut solo album 24 Hour Karate School. It came out in September after being pushed back due to clearance issues. The album was also going to include more features from Jay Electronica, Wix Khalifa and Cam Lo (all of whom he’s done production work for) but had to remove some tracks again because of legal reasons from the label. Regardless the album is really really good. It kinda reminds me of BlakRoc the production is awesome and has a really simple but solid style. This song is just one of the many songs that I really like off of the album, which I frequently listen to all the way through. Favorite Part: The beat is deceivingly simple. It seems bare but the little details and flourishes Ski Beatz adds really makes it work. Other Ski Beatz Wikipedia 24 Hour Karate School
DOWNLOAD MP3 JohnsonJonson-HoldOnJohnftJohnLennon.mp3 Summary: This one is for MLK day a day late. About Artist:Johnson and Jonson is made up of Johnson Barnes (better known as Blu) and a DJ named Mainstream who’s last name i Jonson. Blu is famous for his breakout debut album Below the Heavens. This duo isn’t at all well known but the production quality from Mainstream is so good and Blu can rhyme as good as anyone. About Song: This song is off of this mixtape called “Powders and Oils” the tape is really laid back and is very musical (which of course I always like). This song also samples John Lennon’s Hold On which gives the song nice throwback 60s feel. While this song doesn’t directly talk about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I thought it spoke to the general civil rights struggle and feels like its from the same era. Favorite Part: I love the sample at 0:53
I like how until 2:00 the song speaks of hardship and the second half of the song stands for hope and oppurtunity. REALLY listen to the words and feel the message. Other href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu_(rapper)”> Blu Wikipedia Download Poweders and Oils
DOWNLOAD MP3 BoB-ShootUpTheStationProdbyKutta.mp3 Summary: Another B.o.B fav About Artist: B.o.B (aka Bobby Ray) is one of my all time favorites because of how versatile he is. Check out my other posts on B.o.B for more info on him. About Song: This song is off of his most recent mixtape No Genre (its free just search datpiff.com). There were about four songs I really like off the tape and this was one of them. Favorite Part: I love the way the beat is match with the sample and th piano part.
“It’s how we fucked the system in missionary position.” (0:45)
“Cause this is broadcast television from the villa to the village…
So therefore we go bang-bang,
On your corporate main frame, ” (1:06) Other B.o.B Wikipedia
DOWNLOAD MP3 KanyeWest-DevilInANewDressftRickRoss.mp3 Summary: Kanye. Love the Rythem of the track. Not exactly new but this song has been in my rotation for months. About Artist: Kanye West is.. I’ve written about Kanye up here so many times but in a nutshell I think he’s generally misunderstood and he’s been one of my faces since around 2004. Rick Ross I think is fake and I don’t really like. About Song: This song was one Kanye’s recent album My Dark Twisted Fantasy (which received 5/5 stars by at least three different major publications) but was first released as part of the GOOD Friday series on September 3rd. I love this song because the Smnokey Robinson sample has so much soul and Kanye really gets in his groove rapping wise in this song. With the classic Kanye sped up sample he keeps this song relatively simple and slow paced as he drops quite a few good lines. More than anything I guess I really like the track’s rhythm. Favorite Part: From the first verse
“Oh she do it, what happened to Religion?
Oh she lose it” -in reference to Waka Flocka’s Oh Let’s Do It
“She putting on her make up
She casually allure
Text message break ups, the casualty of tours” – Kanye speaks some truth
“Hood phenomenom, the Lebron of rhyme
Hard to be humble when you stuntin on a jumbotron” -Clever way of saying he’s the king
From the second verse
“And outta all the colors that are still up the skies
You got green on your mind
I can see it in your eyes” – Greed for dat Money
“I hit the, Jamaican spot, at the bar, take a seat
I ordered you jerk, she said “you are what you eat” -Classic Kanye (jerk is a type of food, just in case)
“(Kanye Singing)” – 2:31
Rick Ross’s Verse
you can pick out your own parts Other Kanye West Wikipedia
Ludacris-OLetsDoIt.mp3 (to download right click and “save link as”) Summary:This is a short track thats been lying around forever About Artist: Ludacris is Ludacris About Song: This song was off a mixtape (probably over a year old now) that was made to promote Ludacris’s official cognac Conjure. The mixtape was hilarious (it was all product promotion). He pretty much just rapped of popular beats at the time so you can see how dated this is. Anyway, it never made the cut and has been sitting here as a draft forever so I thought I’d just throw it out there for today. Other: Ludacris Wikipedia
DOWNLOAD MP3 TerraceMartin-IHadNoIdeaftKendrickLamar.mp3 Summary: I don’t think many people will like this one but…. This project Here, My Dear is awesome. Its slow, jazzy and sensual with some awesome features! About Artist: Terrace Martin is an LA producer who has done work for Snoop Dogg, Talib Kweli, Warren G among others. He is only just now focusing on his own music and the quality of the production is awesome. This song has a feature from Kendrick Lamar who I’ve posted on gregshiphop before and who is one of my favs. He goes so hard and is one hell of lyricist, westside is comin back! About Song: Terrace Martin is only just now focusing on his own music and the quality of the production is awesome. This song really cannot be appreciated without listening to Here, My Dear in its enterity. The project is FREE and can be downloaded here. I like this song though, not because of the autotune, but because of the jazzy lounge sound coupled with Kendrick Lamar’s heartfelt rap. I would encourage everyone to DOWNLOAD HERE, MY DEAR because it has features from Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, MURS, and the feeling of the project is so real. It talked about love and relationships and just stand opposite of all the fake shit that plays on the radio. Favorite Part: I can’t even write all the words here but listen to Kendrick Lamar spill his heart 1:15-2:07. How can you not like that?! Other Statik Terrace Martin Wikipedia href=”http://www.last.fm/music/Kendrick+Lamar/+wikiKendrick”>”>Kendrick Lamar Bio
DOWNLOAD MP3 1982-StartItLikeThis.mp3 Summary: This group is a real diamond in the rough. I love the music they make, not just this song. About Artist:1982 is a two man MC Rapper duo out of the Boston area. The MC, Statik Selektah, has worked mainly on radio stations throughout his career and has the classic turntable sound I love exemplified by DJ Premier and Funkmaster Flex. Statik Selektah really brings the sound and vibe to the group, which is the main reason I like them, so I’d say he’s what really makes the group special. The rapper, Termanology, also from the Boston area, looked like he would take off in 2005 when The Source featured him as an unsigned MC; he never really took off but he’s got more than enough talent to hold his own in the game. Together they have one album titled
1982″ but have several other projects including their free mixtape 1982: The EP About Song: this song is off their recent EP
the Evening News. I look forward to many more quality projects from them in the future. Also the track I believe samples Wu Tang Clan’s clssic C.R.E.A.M. Favorite Part: I love the track especially with the scratches. The rap through the whole thing just has such a classic feel. Favorite Line: “…I stole that line from Joey Crack cause I thought that flow was fat, what happened to rap I’m confused someonebring it back” (0:43) I like the rythem of that line and again with the old school classic feel Other Statik Selektahe Wikipedia Termanology Wikipedia
DOWNLOAD MP3 Consequence-ImVIPftDiggySimmonsMacMiller.mp3 Summary: About Artist: Consequence never got off the ground was part of Kanye’s original GOOD Music crew. He has a few gems including the good the bad and the ugly but never got famous, yet. Diggy Simmons is the kid son of DJ Run from RUN D.M.C. Mac Miller is another young rapper, now 18, who is out of Pittsburgh. If this combo seems strange to you it is. I still can’t figure out how these three got together. They each have very different audience and are all still fairly stuck in their own obscurity. I probably like Diggy Simmons the least amount since I’ve been a Consequence for a long time now (met him in 2005) and acknowledge that Mac Miller has crazy rhymes, he’s a lot like Asher Roth. About Song: This song obviously samples B.I.G.’s Big Poppa. Also have to give credit to Statik Selekta, who I just discovered and I LOVE, for doing the scratching on this track. I probably like this track most for the sample and beat, just is so laid back and hard at the same time like classic Biggie. Favorite Part: Diggy Simmons actually takes it on this one. He’s got the second verse starting at 1:30. Favorite Line:”…as long as we gel. Now you lames joing the army like don’t ask don’t tell” Other Consequence Wikipedia Mac Miller Wikipedia Diggy Simmons Wikipedia
