Random Thought: Pusha T - Alone In Vegas

This is very random, but Pusha T's Alone in Vegas has been coming up on shuffle a lot these past couple of days and I can't get it out of my head. This track was found on both of his 2011 releases Fear of God, and Fear of God II: Let Us Pray. Personally I think it is the best track on both projects, but I didn't realize that until these past couple of days for some reason. It's one of those tracks that you have to listen to a couple of times back to back to really appreciate it. If you really listen to what he's saying, he shows storytelling at it's finest, you can really play the whole scene out in your head. The video for the track is that much better. It's kind of simple, nothing too extraordinary. But at the same time it's deep, fits the song perfectly, and also gives him the chance to stunt a little throughout. Ever since Push stepped into the limelight by launching his solo career he's been ripping everything. Some days I even feel like he may be my favorite rapper.




Don't mind me I'm just rambling, but here's the video to go along with this sleeper.

"The game can't grow by just following the leaders, you gotta be better than the ones who precede ya."

Throwback Video of the Day: Project Pat f/ La Chat & Three 6 Mafia - Chickenhead

The most popular track off of one of my personal favorite rap albums, Mista Don't Play: Everthangs Workin'. I let the whole thing ride earlier and it still hasn't gotten old! Project Pat is still one of my favorite rappers today, you can tell that he actually did the things that he raps about unlike most rappers. Plus I love that 90's Memphis sound that he and Three 6 created back then. Ladies, do all that you can not to fall under this category that they speak of in this song.

ALBUM REVIEW: Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

I've been waiting on this one for well over a year now. Frank Ocean has found himself as the center of attention over the past week or so due to the release of his highly anticipated debut album, as well as other reasons. Regardless of what's going on with him and his world, the music has always been great so I will continue supporting it. With that said, let's break down Channel Orange.

1) Start

Can't really tell what's going on in this one. If I had to guess, Frank was dreaming and his phone woke him up. He then proceeds to hop on the Playstation, you can hear Street Fighter in the background.

2) Thinkin' Bout You

One of two singles we were hit with prior to the release of the album. Great song, we've all been there. He's thinking about this girl (or...) all day and isn't sure if she's feeling the same. The best part is the second verse, it's completely sarcastic. Seems as if he was shot down so he tries to get his face back with smart ass remarks and things he doesn't really mean.

3) Fertilizer

You've got to listen to the CD in order or a lot of it won't make sense, including this track. Fertilizer is pretty much animal manure that is used to grow things, but what Frank is saying in this song is that he's willing to put up with this person's bullshit (manure, fertilzer, get it?) as long as they work out.

4) Sierra Leone

Outstanding plays on words througout this song. Frank goes through the whole process of having a child in under three minutes without using any obvious words to give away what he's talking about until he says 'daughter' once in the last couple of lines. Begins telling us that he's run out of condoms, and he's let loose inside of this young lady. They're broke, they're young, living with their parents, but he won't be a statistic and not be apart of his child's life.

5) Sweet Life

Skateboard P comes through with the assist on production of this track. Frank shows more impressive songwriting with the very first line, he compares this girl (or...) to a song on an album. In most cases the best songs on an album aren't singles, and in a lot of cases the best catches aren't single either. He then starts off the next verse with "The best song wasn't the single, but you couldn't turn your radio down." Basically saying although she (or...) wasn't single, but she was still flirting and showing him attention. He and the girl pop a blue pill (Matrix reference I believe?) which allows them to live in a dream world rather than see the harsh realities of every day life. He uses most of the song to describe this great world that he thinks of, which happens to be the world that this girl actually is used to. He ends the song by taking a sudden turn back to regular life by stating "The neighborhood's going ape shit crazy."

6) Not Just Money

Frank flips to another 'channel' of his life and leads us to a conversation between him and his mother about him going to prom. He's upset because he may not be able to go and it will upset his girl. His mom lectures him on how they're lower class and can't afford everything. She takes a turn at the end by thinking out loud about what they're having for dinner, and instead of going out to eat she remembers there are hot links at home. This reveals that she's saving money in order for Frank to attend the prom. So I look at this channel as an ode to his mother and the sacrifices that she (and a lot of single parents) made for her children.

7) Super Rich Kids (Feat. Earl Sweatshirt)

Frank's fellow Odd Future member Earl hops on this one. Frank takes a completely 360 degree turn from the last track, he puts himself in the position of the typical rich kid. Plenty of money, plenty of drugs, cars, pretty much everything he could want. But his parents are out working to make this money so they're hardly around. So despite all of the money and material things, he is still very unhappy. Earl snaaaaaps on his verse, as expected. At the end of the song Frank can no longer deal with this unhappiness and drunkenly jumps off of a ledge despite his girl's attempts to stop him.

8) Pilot Jones

The very necessary marijuana song that pops up on most albums. He begins the song by breaking up with his girl because he can no longer tolerate her weed habit. He reveals in his next verse that his girl not only has a bad weed habit, she also sells it. She comes home drunk often and he hates dealing with it, but he's becoming addicted to the weed and sex so he puts up with it. In the last verse he finally concedes to her and her habits and decides to stay with her.

9) Crack Rock

Frank puts himself in the place of a man with an addiction to crack cocaine. He's all alone, smoking out of the glass dick (crack pipe) in random abandoned houses, he's messed up his family life, and doing anything to get that fix that he needs. In the end he ends up shooting a crooked cop who fuels the drug trade, and of course search parties are after him. But if it were a random regular man getting shot, would anyone care?

10) Pyramids

The epic ten minute track that had everyone waiting for the album to release. Check out my older review of the track here.

11) Lost

Frank uses even more double meanings throughout the song. He's picked him up a pretty young woman with fake breasts and everything. They're in love but her real purpose is cooking and moving his coke for him. When she's traveling to make transactions no one would ever expect her to be dealing due to how beautiful she is. In a sense he's ruined her life, hence the song title. Due to all of the drugs and what comes along with it they've also lost love.

12) White (Feat. John Mayer)

My favorite musician alive blesses Frank with a one minute interlude which has him playing 'White' which was featured on The Odd Future Tape Vol. 2 on the guitar. Sounds wonderful, but I will say I am a bit disappointed. I was hoping to hear some vocals from him as well.

13) Monks

Storytelling at it's finest. There's tons of references to Buddhism in this song that I can't quite understand, but besides that Frank is performing at a concert with a real ass concert with a live crowd and he meets this young African girl, that just so happens to be a groupie (go figure). He ends up falling for her and wants her to come with him. He compares the media and the lifestyle that he lives to her father (the King of her nation) and his army chasing them down. Basically saying that to be with him she has to be able to deal with this crazy life that he lives and pretty much being on the run at all times.

14) Bad Religion

The song that had everybody guessing. This is the one that sparked reports that Frank may like the same sex, after hearing it you know immediately that the rumors were true. It's an extremely well written song that WOULD hit home for a lot of men, including myself, IF he was actually talking about a woman. He clearly states "I could never make him love me.". So I can understand why the song doesn't sit well with a lot of people, but if you plug yourself into it think about situations you've been in rather than Frank, it makes it a lot easier to enjoy the song. It's crazy how he set it up, he's confessing all of this to a random Indian taxi driver that actually prays for him throughout the song. I believe the song title comes from homosexuality being a sin, hence 'Bad'. I respect him a lot for letting it be known, especially on a platform such as this.

15) Pink Matter (Feat. Andre 3000)

Pink Matter = vagina. That simple. But Frank's all over the place. He sings about the human brain, aliens, and most importantly the pleasure women are able to give him. While the pleasure is great and everything he could ask for, he could not find love with this woman. So in the end it's fun and he enjoyed it whole heartily, but it doesn't matter. Three Stacks doesn't disappoint as usual and tells us about this young lady he's become addicted to and having withdrawals from. Nice play on words with "Well frankly that ocean so muh fuckin' good.." She's wet like an ocean, but he uses Frank's name to say this. Clever.

16) Forrest Gump

The second of two all out homosexual songs on the album. Talks about the man that's been running through his mind, and reveals that he's nervous about letting the public know how he's felt about this one man for some time. Nigga nigga.

17) End

Clever ending. There's a couple having sex in a car with Frank's song Voodoo playing in the background. The girl tells the man that he's special and he wishes that he could see what she does in him. The man then gets up without replying and goes inside the house. Leaves us wondering. This could have been another clue to Frank coming out of the closet. The letter that he posted on Tumblr several days back was actually supposed to be in his album booklet so this may have been his original way of leading up to his announcement that he likes woman, but was in love with a man in the past. We'll probably never know...

OVERALL: All in all this was a great album, start to finish. I had very high expectations and I can say that they were all pretty much met. I liked every song and interlude except for Forrest Gump, was a little too much for me. He lets everyone into his mind and reveals the story of various points throughout his life. Did a great job showing where he's at as an artist and further set himself apart from most songwriters. I do wish that some tracks were longer because the shorter ones are the ones that I really liked, for the most part. I'm not going to front like him coming out didn't throw me off, it took me a day or so to sit back and be an adult and realize that good music is good music. It shouldn't matter to us as listeners how he lives his life. At the same time I can definitely understand why some can't entertain certain parts of the album as much as they may have originally wanted to. At the end of the day, this is a great composition and I'm having a hard time remembering when the last time was that I heard an R&B album this good. I look forward to more music from Frank in future.

BEST SONGS: Pyramids, Pilot Jones, Monks, Bad Religion, Pink Matter.

WORST SONGS: Forrest Gump.

FINAL VERDICT: 4.5/5

Throwback Video of the Day: Method Man & Redman - Da Rockwilder

When I was younger, you couldn't tell me that Red & Meth weren't the realest rappers out. They put out good music, a hilarious ass television show, and my favorite movie of all time. I'm still waiting on that sequel. Here's my favorite video from the duo....

Throwback Video of the Day: Busta Rhymes f/Pharrell & Diddy - Pass The Courvoisier

It's been a minute y'all. My bad for the delay on everything, my shitty laptop only works when it wants too. Fortunately I'll be the proud owner of a MacBook in the next couple of days so I'll be back on here daily.

Now to business, THIS right here! I always liked this video because you can tell that they were honestly having a blast the whole time.  From the bar, to the back alley, to Busta and Puff Daddy whooping everyone's ass in the massage parlor. Busta Rhymes with that drop bruh?! That's when he was at his best. The freshest man in the game for almost two decades now hits us with the perfect hook. My bro Al I and tried Courvoisier for the first time a couple weeks ago, it's cool but I'll still be asking everyone to pass me the Henny.

Throwback Video of the Day: Redman - I'll Be Dat

After taking a day off yesterday due to a long work day and under 10 hours of sleep the past 3 days, I'm back with a classic. Easily the funniest rap video of all time. When I was younger Redman was my favorite rapper, and to this day I still get happy when he drops some new shit. This one dropped in 1998, off of his album Doc's Da Name 2000...and I still haven't seen a funnier rap video. How can a girl so BAD wreck like that?!

VvG - MME3 (Preview)

East 704's own Verbal Van Gogh will be dropping the third part of his Mr. Murder Everything (MME) series tomorrow, Saturday June 30th. I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peak of the track a couple days early and man.....niggas are definitely in for a treat. I was looking forward to this joint ever since hearing MME1 and MME2. If you haven't heard either I'd suggest you click those song titles and get familiar. Two things I've always appreciated about VvG are his beat selection and his punchlines, and this joint is no different. On the first two he tackled N.I.G.G.E.R. and Racked Up Shawty, respectively. This time around he hopped on....well, y'all will have to just check it out when he releases it to the masses tomorrow.


Like I said earlier, his punchlines never disappoint. "She's a dick licker, I suggest you shouldn't kiss your broad...I've seen the game, you just talk it...like Ahmad Rashad." "Niggas claim they're eating, I just say their Food Lion (lying)" What?!?! I would say those were crazy lines but that's what I've come to expect from him at this point. And that's all in the early portion of the song, it only gets better. But I can't give away too much. Also, watch out for the flow switch that he gives you in this one...a lot of rappers tend to bore you with sounding the same way throughout all of their songs. Listeners don't have to worry about that in this one.


Needless to say we all have something to look forward to tomorrow, the 30th. If you've been under a rock and haven't heard much from him (no excuse for Charlotte listeners) you can catch up on some of his older albums/mixtapes at The Carolina Connect. Make sure you follow his Twitter (@VvG_704) and check for new music, other updates, and provide feedback. I'm not one to gas an artist just because they're from The City, so take my word and give a listen. Until tomorrow.......

Throwback Video Of The Day: Trick Daddy - Thug Holiday

The title track off of Trick Daddy's 2002 album Thug Holiday. Trick breaks away from the typical style that most people were used to from him and used this track to touch on a lot of issues that are often overlooked within society. One of his best songs in my opinion. I laughed during a couple parts of the video though, won't even lie. All brown with the brown bucket hat to match?!

Throwback Video Of The Day: Snoop Doggy Dogg - Murder Was The Case

In my opinion, Snoop's debut album Doggystyle is EASILY a top 5 hip hop album, and this is my favorite cut off of it. Snoop came onto the scence hard in 1993, and almost twenty years later he's still very relevant. Most rappers fail to even make it a decade! Snoop also receives props for being a Steelers fan. Shows that he's not just a great rapper...he's also very intelligent.

Throwback Video Of The Day - Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.

The greatest hook of hip hop history, and one of the greatest overall songs of all time. Before we had A$AP, Odd Future, MMG, and other hip hop clicks....there was Wu Tang. They set the standard and in my opinion no other group has been able to reach it. Do you know anyone who doesn't know the words to this song? Anyone?

Nobody

First and foremost, this is a music blog. But it's always nice to switch it up. So expect more posts like this, often. Here we have a poem from some young 704 talent, real shit right here. Very easy to relate. Hope you all like this as much as I did.


Nobody


To this day, the prettiest woman I've ever met is of African descent. She's got long curly hair that is wild yet gorgeous like the mane of a proud lion. This woman has the aura of a flamboyant teacher, eager to teach love. She has the figure of a goddess and a smile that could make the coldest man melt into a puddle of joy. She reminds me much of my mother, who in my eyes is the perfect woman. This young woman crosses my mind quite often, infested my brain without warning.  When I see her I can't help but fall in love each and every time. Oh how I wish you were mine. I close my eyes at night and dream about you and I. Hoping you're there when I wake up and when you're not I can only sigh. Remembering holding your hand, the softest skin and the sweetest scent known to me. What magnificent love she offers, no charge, it's free.I sit and think and hopelessness is what I see. These words I speak are true, wondering if there could really ever be a you and I or me and you.  This is how I feel each day, thinking this magnificent woman could accept my stubbornness and want to walk her elegance in my direction. All this I dream. I yearn to speak to her, although when the opportunity arises the words escape my mind and leaves me speechless like a guilty child. Her beauty intrigues me, but her intellect is what holds my interest. To know a woman that possesses the physique and mental of my dreams and is unobtainable to me perplexes me but also makes sense. Who am I? I am nobody. Nobody infatuated with a woman who is undoubtedly worthy of the universe. Worthy of everything I'm willing to give and show. But I am somebody, somebody that she doesn't know.


-Anonymous

First Half Of The Year Recap (Best Video): A$AP Ferg - A Hundred Million Roses

Over the next few days I'll be recapping the first half of 2012 in an awards type format, with best video today, best song Tuesday, best producer Wednesday, best group/label Thursday, and best artist on Friday. Then to top it off I'll have the top 5 albums and top 5 mixtapes posts dropping over the weekend. Throughout the week I'll have a panel of 5 guest bloggers sharing their thoughts as well, so look forward to all of that in the upcoming days.




Now on to business. When I decided to do this post there was no doubt in my mind that this was the clear cut number one. I hate to throw around the word 'swag' unless I'm joking, but this here is the epitome of the word. Versace, drugs, women, alcohol, and that hella gold bruh?! Along with some ill verses! One thing that's very consistent with all of A$AP is their videos, they're very creative and have yet to disappoint. As far as I know not too many people have watched this video because they fail to realize that Rocky is not the only member of A$AP making moves, so hopefully this will open some eyes on the other (in my opinion better) talent within the collective.




A$AP Ferg - A Hundred Million Roses

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Ab-Soul f/ Danny Brown & Jhene Aiko - Terrorist Threats

A$AP Rocky - Goldie

ALBUM REVIEW: Maybach Music Group - Self Made Vol. 2

Everybody's favorite former correctional officer and his team have hit us with the follow up to last year's Self Made Vol. 1. I enjoyed volume 1 but I've been a little iffy on a few of the member's music these past few months, so I've been very eager to see if they can hit us with another solid record this time around. Also ready to see how Omarion Maybach O blends in with the rest of the team. Let's jump in.

1) Rick Ross, Gunplay, Meek Mill, Wale, and Stalley - Power Circle (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)

The intro track. "The square root of a kilo is me, nigga!" Coonery at it's finest. MMG tells us how they're running it now, and give us a little look in on the grind that they put in to be in the position that they are in now. Kendrick steals the show with the last verse on the track.

2) Meek Mill & Rick Ross - Black Magic

Typical stunting music. The way that Meek and Ross are bringing in money right now is like magic. Poof, and it's there. Basically reminding us how rich they are compared to us common folk. Type of shit that'll have you going 90 in a 65.

3) Wale, Omarion & Rick Ross - This Thing of Ours (Feat. Nas)

Again they remind us of the grind they put in to be put in the position that they're in. Typical Ross verse, which is a good thing. Wale then chips in on the grind, as well as how he feels that they have a target on their back. Nas hits us with the best verse, as expected. Says some real shit, "Every male is not a man, so some of those that will hold out their hand won't understand." Solid track, other than the hook....got damnit Maybach O.

4) Rick Ross - All Birds (Feat. French Montana)

More boisterous, stunting raps from Rozay, along with a little bird talk. While I realize he is a talented rapper, I'd like to hear him switch his topics up every now and again. I fuck with Montana's hook and verse. The drug rap was a nice switch up from the stunting Ross brings with him on his verse.

5) Wale & Meek Mill - Actin' Up (Feat. French Montana)

Montana is along for the ride again, except this time he's along with Wale and Meek Milly. The one song on every album/mixtape that's dedicated to talking about "these hoes". Quite necessary if I say so myself. "I crush them hoes, never love them hoes, and these niggas be sweating them." Meek comes on strong from the jump, very impressive verse. Wale hits us with an average verse, I can't really take him seriously when one song he's writing poetry to women then trying to slay right after. Montana hits us with some quick stunting. Meek takes best verse, decent song.

6) Stalley & Rick Ross - Fountain of Youth (Feat. Nipsey Hussle)

This is where Rozay is at his best, over a smooth soulful beat dropping even smoother rhymes. Still stunting, but in a more subtle way. And just when I was wanting to say Stalley fell off after signing with MMG, he shuts me up with an ill verse. This is also his type of beat to ride on, rather than the more uptempo shit he's been jumping on as of late. Hu$$le ends it with a great verse, every time I hear him I feel like I've got to get off my ass and make something happen! No clear cut best verse on this one, which is a great thing.

7) Wale - I Be Puttin' On (Feat. Wiz Khalifa, French Montana & Roscoe Dash)

The pop song that you will eventually be hearing on the radio. Average verse from Wale again, no substance. Typical 2012 Wiz on here, stunting, weed, bitches women, and putting in work. "We know we love the game but we hate to brag." -Montana. Since when? This whole album is bragging. Trash hook from Roscoe Dash...not really feeling this one. But it will get them on the airwaves.

8) Wale, Stalley & Rick Ross - The Zenith

La music de Harry Fraud. Whenever I see Fraud on a production credit I know some ill shit is behind it, and this is no different. Some light stunting from Stalley to start things off, along with a few bars about being slept on. Good verse to get the ball rolling. "Shout out Seattle but these rappers ain't stealing my Thunder." Wale finally grabs my attention with some ill lines in this one. Speaks on how being humble can grow old...I see where he's coming from. Ross speaks on coming up and staying relevant, decent verse on a decent track.

9) Omarion & Wale - M.I.A.

Omarion surprises me with some ill verses, and chorus. It helps that a lot of people can definitely relate to it. One leaves, you get a replacement, but you miss the one the left. Typical shit. Wale tops it off with a fitting verse. "The more attention you give them the more options they seek." Got damn if that isn't the truth....

10) Rick Ross, Wale & Meek Mill - Bag of Money (Feat T-Pain)

Damn.....I hate EVERYTHING about this song. Especially the basic joints walking around referring to themselves as "bags of money", now. Meek's verse is the closest thing to "ok" on this song.

11) Omarion & Rick Ross - Let's Talk

Definitely fucking with the Biggie samples throughout this one. Catchy joint, good for the radio. Basically serenading a young lady the whole song. Didn't feel Ross' verse too much.

12) Gunplay - Black on Black (Feat. Ace Hood & Bun B)

Beat Billionaire laces them with a real ass beat. Ace Hood starts off the track right with the ill hook. Gunplay (who I once slept on, now I feel is very underrated) comes through with a dope verse, based on the color black. All sorts of ignorance in his verse, I love it. Bun B also comes through in the clutch. Usually I hate seeing him on track lists these days, but he doesn't disappoint today. Ace (who is also very underrated) finishes it off the right way. Boy I love the color black.

13) Stalley, Wale & Rick Ross - Fluorescent Ink

"Something that's forever true, my niggas over revenue." Wale comes through with another ill verse after the slow start at the beginning of the album. When I read the songs title I assumed that they were talking about tattoo ink, but they're actually referring to the ink on their notepad (their rhymes). Gotta love plays on words. Stalley finishes it off with a smooth verse, glad to see him back on his shit.

14) Rick Ross - Bury Me a G (Feat. T.I.)

Officer Ricky brings Clifford along for the final track. I wasn't really feeling the beat, but Rozay rips his verse. The real can relate, all you want in the end is to be next to your family and friends and know that everything will be taken care of once you're gone. Tip's verse is real as well. References when he was caught with firearms before the BET awards a few years back and goes on to rhyme about guns with the rest of his verse. Ends it with "Know that ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) is listening, I'm just playin', I'm just playin'!". Solid end.

Self Made Vol. 2 was pretty much what I expected it to be. Plenty of stunting, a little drug rap, several high profile features, and some energy records. At first I was let down with Wale's effort on this one but he got better with every song throughout the album. Meek Mill was impressive, I'm surprised he only had four verses on the album considering he's been the one with the most hits these past couple of years. It was good to see Stalley getting more burn on this one than last year's (one verse). Wish we got more than two verses out of Gunplay, intelligent ignorance at it's finest. Maybach O had one real track but I could have done without him on the rest of the album. Lastly, Rick Ross has done a great job forming his team and I'm glad to see him taking the backseat role on these compilations and letting his artists further establish themselves. The album is definitely worth listening to, it's all that we've become accustomed to from the Maybach Music Group.

BEST SONGS: Actin' Up, Fountain of Youth, M.I.A.

WORST SONGS: I Be Puttin' On, Bag of Money, Bag of Money, Bag of Money, and....................................Bag of Money

FINAL VERDICT: 3/5

Throwback Video of the Day: Master P f/Silkk the Shocker, Mia X, Fiend and Mystikal - Make 'Em Say Uhh!

Mannnnn I don't know how you have three TERRIBLE verses in one song, and still drop a timeless classic. This has been my shit since I was seven, and I've always loved the video. I love music videos that take place on the basketball court. Master P and Mystikal each drop some crazy verses that make it impossible for you to sit still while you're listening. I can do without Fiend, Mia X, and Silkk The Shocker though. Does Silkk ever rap on beat?! Ever?! Anyways, No Limit was one of my favorite hip hop movements of all time, and Master P was one of my favorite rappers, he really put on for down south rap music...I miss that era.

Throwback Video of the Day: OutKast f/The Goodie Mob - Git Up, Git Out

At the request of my beautiful mother Lisa, OutKast will be providing our video of the day. It's craaazy looking at how they looked back in 1994 versus their appearance today. Big Boi had the hella plats, Dre had the hella corn rows, and Cee-Lo was only mildly fat and wearing Packers apparel instead of his usual dashikis and exotic robes. This is kind of a theme song for me, sitting on your ass isn't going to get you anywhere. I hope we get another OutKast album one day man....

Frank Ocean - Channel Orange (Artwork & Tracklist)

Let the excitement begin. Frank has finally hit us with the artwork for his highly anticipated debut album Channel Orange. Simple perfection, in my opinion. He's also blessed us with the track listing.

I've been saying that this would be the album of the year since I heard Pyramids a couple of weeks ago, and this list is just adding onto my beliefs. I don't like debut albums with a lot of features, so it was refreshing to see that he only has three....and boy did he pick a good three. Andre 3000 bruh?! A three stacks verse is ALWAYS welcome on ANY project. Earl Sweatshirt bruh?!? Odd Future's youngest, but nicest emcee. We haven't heard too much from him since he returned to the States so I'm sure he'll hit us with an incredible verse, just as he did on The Odd Future Tape Vol. 2. And last but not least John Mayer (my favorite musician) has been added onto White, which was also featured on The OF Tape.

I really think that he's about to hit us with a straight classic, and I very rarely use that word...especially with R&B albums. The tracks that I'm most excited to hear are Pink Matter, Bad Religion, and the final version of White. How about you?? What are you expecting from this album?? What songs are you most excited to hear?? Let me know something in the comments section or on the Twitter, @djayare.

Throwback Video of the Day: Styles P - Good Times

I couldn't agree more. After seeing the homie Ry's tweet earlier I knew immediately what today's video would be. Styles' classic marry jane tribute is still getting regular play from me to this day, as well as the rest of his debut album. I fuck with the video too....check out the long jorts, du rag, and headband. That's swag!

Throwback Video of the Day: Three 6 Mafia f/UGK -Sippin' On Some Syrup

Rappers rapping about lean before rapping about lean became cool. I've been a Three 6 Mafia fan since the 90's, so it was only a matter of time before I found a reason to put them up on the blog. You gotta check out DJ Paul and Juicy J's grills in this one, my next one has gotta be something like theirs. Project Pat blesses us with one of the more catchy choruses of recent memory, and both members of UGK kill their verses. Rest in peace to the pimp.

Cruel Summer will be releasing on.....

..........August 7th, 2012. According to Pusha T. I'm anticipating this more than any other album dropping this year. With artists like Kanye West, Pusha T, Mos Def, Common, Q-Tip, Big Sean, KiD CuDi, and TITY TWO CHAINZ how could you not be excited. Thoughts? Hit me on the Twitter....

Throwback Video of the Day: DMX f/Faith Evans - How's It Goin' Down

One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite rappers off of one of my favorite albums, 1998's It's Dark and Hell is Hot. The classic tale of bagging someone else's girl, having your affair, then realizing what's best and sending her back to her man and kids. It's crazy that DMX's first five albums went number 1 on the charts, he was starring in major motion pictures, and he was pretty much on top of the entertainment industry. Now he's doing reality shows in his spare time. Cocaine is a hell of a drug.....

"Told you from the door, it ain't all about a nut."

Throwback Video of the Day: Clipse f/Kelis & Pharrell - When The Last Time

Today's vid comes from my favorite hip hop duo of all time, the Clipse. Along for the ride is bird ass Kelis and possibly my favorite person in the music business, Skateboard P. This was the duo's highest charting single, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. Can you believe it's been ten years since this came out?! Time really flies. The video ends with a separate scene with 'Virginia' playing.

Once again, this is 2002. Notice my nigga Pharrell was still fresh in clothes that actually fit. True trendsetter.

Throwback Video of the Day: Juvenile - Ha

Starting today, I'll be posting one video a day that people may have forgotten about due to time. It could be something from last year, or something from the 70's, you never know.


I've been listening to old Cash Money (before they became a pop label) shit all day, so it's only right that I give my favorite Cash Money artist of all time the spotlight. Juve kept it real in this video, shot back in 1998 in the middle of the Magnolia Projects in his hometown of New Orleans, LA. It's unique in it's own way because he ends every line in the same way throughout the whole song. My favorite part of the song is the chorus, which is actually a recycled line from his single Solja Rags. Classic down south shit right here.

ALBUM REVIEW: Ab-Soul - Control System

On May 11th Ab-Soul dropped what I believe is by far the best album of 2012, Control System. Even though it's been out some time I still felt like the relaunch of my blog wouldn't be complete without me breaking down this work of art. Soul is apart of the Black Hippy crew which hails out of California. While other members Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock have had their share of publicity over the past few years, Soul has been slept on for the most part despite having three critically acclaimed projects over the past few years. The fourth time was a charm for him as this has gotten him the attention that was long overdue. Just as the title states, he discusses many control systems that are all around us. Whether it be the government, standards within society, or systems that we bind ourselves in...he covers it all. It takes a few listens to really soak up and appreciate everything he touches on, but hopefully I can make it a little easier for everyone to understand and enjoy....

1) Soulo Ho3 (Feat. Jhene Aiko)

In the intro which features the vocals of the lovely Jhene Aiko, Soul speaks on being slept on and how he went about changing that out of nowhere. Also spits a couple bars about the Control Systems around us and the death of his girlfriend Alori Joh, which is foreshadowing because those are two topics that he touches on often throughout the album.

2) Track Two

Track Two eh? Wonder why he called it that? He's all over the place on this one, pretty straight forward though. He speaks on his hometown, him being different from most, not having a lot growing up, just everything. Ill production from Tae Beast.

3) Bohemian Grove

This is where the album gets interesting. The Bohemian Grove is actually a campground in Monte Rio, California where some of the richest and most powerful men in the world meet to hang out, and also discuss world issues and plans for the future. But he actually describes some of the finer things of life, and having a good time throughout the song. Except for the chorus (which is really the only time he refers to the song title.), "Mother fuck the government, mother fuck the system, mother fuck you I'm just living how I'm living." He ends the song with a sound clip of men talking (Bohemian Grove members? Not really sure.) about about putting chips into humans that will make them abide to orders, making them chattel (slaves).


4) Terrorist Threats (Feat. Danny Brown)


Powerful song. Soul says that if everyone gets on the same page we'll be able to break the Control Systems around us, specifically all of the bullshit that the government does, in this case. Danny Brown says some ill shit on his verse. If you can deal with his voice, he's nice.


5) Pineal Gland


Switch of pace here. Your pineal gland (3rd eye) is the part of your brain that causes you to dream while you are asleep. The drug that he raps about taking in this song, DMT, activates your 3rd eye and causes you to see some of your dreams while you're still awake. Lots of double meanings throughout the whole track, portraying his usual advanced way with words.


6) Double Standards


Touches on things that we say everyday in society. Men are allowed to have hoes (yes) and it is acceptable, but if a woman were to do the same she'd be looked at as a hoe and talked down on. The story in this song is about a young dude who cheats on his girl with one of her friends after his friends and the girl peer pressured him into it. In the end she takes him back and cuts off her friend. Shit happens every day out here unfortunately.


7) Mixed Emotions


The ode to sipping lean. With promethazine, codeine, and Sprite being the mixed emotions. Nothing too deep here, or special...but still an ill song.

8) SOPA (Feat. ScHoolboy Q)

Stop Online Privacy Act is a United States bill that wants to expand U.S. law enforcement ability to watch over online trafficking on copy-written property. Basically, popular hip hop sites such as 2DopeBoyz, Nah Right, and blogs like this wouldn't be allowed to be on the internet. As he does a lot, Soul only references the title in the chorus and focuses on the better facets of life (marijuana, women, fashion) during his verses. ScHoolboy does the same, hits us with solid verses. I like how they split the last verse.

9) Lust Demons (Feat. Jay Rock & BJ The Chicago Kid)

Lust demons are women that Soul lusts over rather than loves or likes. I can feel him on that. Even though we aren't supposed to lust, shit happens. And you gotta differentiate lust and love right from the jump, why not call em lust demons? Damn sure can't be out here calling them angels. Jay Rock, the more quiet member of Black Hippy, drops an ill verse. Discusses crew lovers at the beginning, references Amber Rose...it had to be done.

10) ILLuminate (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)

"We don't just shine, we illuminate the whole show." Classic Jay-Z line from Dead Presidents II. Soul references Jay-Z a couple times in this one, he's stated that Jay is his favorite rapper but he's so confident in himself that one day maybe he could be on his level. Focuses on all of Black Hippy's bright futures, critics, confidence, the whole nine. Kendrick uses an old Dre line in his verse, so he is also speaking of his favorite rapper. 

11) A Rebellion (Feat. Alori Joh)

Definitely the deepest song on the album thus far. It only has a few drawn out lines, but they all hit extremely hard. In the three short verses he questions law enforcement, preachers, and even God. Repeating that he's prolly all alone on each issue. His late girlfriend Alori Joh provides singing vocals on the chorus, as does Soulo. I don't think he's alone on most of the issues it all, it's just that those are things that you aren't really supposed to question. Even though most of us do internally, most people are too scared to voice what they think publicly. "Who's bold enough to rebel?"

12) Showin' Love

Takes a track to shout out all of the niggas who are on the same shit that he's on. Four solid ass verses, shows off the lyrical side a little more on this one than a lot of the tracks. Uses the last verse to take shots at the biggest Control System, the government. "Mother fuck the government, democrats, republicans."

13) Empathy (Feat. Alori Joh & Javonte)

Soulo shows off the singing voice again on this one. Empathy is a person's ability to recognize feelings that are being experienced or expressed by another person. Seems that a song that features the late Alori Joh was actually about her.

14) Nothing's Something

Soul flips Kanye's Addiction and uses the same chorus. Uses a clever play on words for the songs concept. He states "I'm not worried about nothing.", which people would think means that he's not worried, but he uses the literal definition of the sentence. So not being worried about nothing really means he's always worried about something, because nothing is always something.

15) Beautiful Death (Feat. Punch & Astrobot)

"Don't be so afraid to die, cuz we'll never die." What he's getting at in this song is that you die for a good cause you will forever live on through what you did. Questions if anyone is man enough to stand on their own two to fight these control systems (the government) and the bullshit that they get away with every day. He shows that he's willing to die for what he believes in, and while many people say that they will, if it came down to it they wouldn't.

16) The Book of Soul

Man...this shit right here. I don't remember the last time I've heard such emotion in one song. He talks about what he went through as a child. Things such as Stevens Johnson's syndrome and having a rough time in school. Then goes on to talk about his relationship with his late girlfriend Alorhi Joh. A lot of crazy lines in this one. "I guess the Mayans weren't lying, 2012 my world ended." "You used to say that I could see the future, you was wrong cuz you was in it." "As much as I want to cower and bid the mic adieu, and fall off a fucking tower tryna find you." The last one really hits because she actually committed suicide by jumping off of a radio tower in California. Listening to this you can't help but feel for him. But by the way he carries himself you'd never know it, and this is the only song that he has really spoke on any of these things. It's impossible to listen to this for the first time and not run it back.

17) Black Lip Bastard (Remix) (Feat. Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and   

      Jay Rock)

The rest of Black Hippy hops on the first leaked track from this album. This one ads even more evidence to some people's opinions (such as mine) that they're the best group in rap right now.

Control System is a complete hip hop album. It takes you through the highs and lows of life, brings up a bunch of issues of the America that most citizens don't even realize are going on, while still managing to have a bunch of fun party type records. What impresses me the most about Ab-Soul is his word usage, he has a far better vocabulary than most other rappers, especially for a rapper that's only 25. Up until this release he was the one member of Black Hippy that most people hadn't listened to, he's still the only one that doesn't have a Wikipedia page. But after about a month of this being out a lot more people are becoming more familiar with him and checking his older releases that they've slept on. I think this is the clear cut best album of 2012 so far, I'm looking forward to seeing if anyone will be able to top this during the second half of the year.

BEST SONG(S): Terrorist Threats, A Rebellion, The Book of Soul.

WORST SONG(S): Mixed Emotions.

FINAL VERDICT: 5/5

NEW MUSIC: M.E.Z. - Hello

M.E.Z. - Hello

A few days ago Charlotte artist M.E.Z. (@ItsM_E_Z) performed this joint for the first time, and if you didn't get a chance to catch it then you really missed out. But no worries, the mp3 version will definitely suffice. Here is Hello, produced by my mans Sauce Fonda (@saucefonda). Hit us up in the comments section or on Twitter (@djayare) and let us know what you think of the track.

"These hater niggas saying all these niggas hating, these basic bitches calling all these bitches basic." -M.E.Z.

VIDEO: Mar Reynolds X Bankroll Bird - Trust Issues (Live)

VIDEO: Mar Reynolds X Bankroll Bird - Trust Issues (Live)

On Sunday June 10th I attended "AMCS Bodega: The Sequel", it was a showcase of a lot of Charlotte's local talent. Whether it being music, art, or clothing..a lot of different talent was brought to light. There is a lot of young talent in Charlotte that doesn't get a lot of attention so shout out to F4mily Matters, Nameus, and everyone else for putting on a very successful event. I had a blast. Here I wanted to show a small clip of the final performance by Bankroll Bird & Mar Reynolds. It's their single "Trust Issues" from their 5 song EP The Unexpected. If you haven't heard it yet I'd definitely recommend you clicking that link and downloading it, for deee freeeee. But anyways here's the performance, excuse my shitty iPhone footage. It's good music so it shouldn't matter.