Curren$y - This Ain't No Mixtape

It's finally here. Yes, it's here. Jets, nigga. I'm not gonna talk much about this one, because I'd really like to see heads go out and buy this so they can listen to Hot Spitta. When he claims in the intro that "this isn't a mixtape," he really means it. Dude clearly paid an amazing amount of attention to detail for this album, evident in the production, the more developed lyrics and content, and the way that he switches up his flow on each song. This is definitely a must cop and a statement record for people that thought Curren$y was a one hit wonder with "Where the Cash At?" and destined to try and come out a second time with Bad Boy. But that's neither here nor there. Download this album and peep my picks for another of what seems like 1000 new releases from Amalgam Digital (definitely thought AD was gonna fold in a month).

Curren$y - This Ain't No Mixtape (via Amalgam Digital)

Cream of the Crop:
Jets Son
LOL
Elevator Musik
Scared of Monstas
Got It
Food 4 Thought
Cook Up

Cream of the Crap:
Blown Away
On My Plane

The Clipse & Kanye West - Kinda Like A Big Deal

The Clipse have always been one of my favorite groups (I don't care WHAT y'all niggas say). Their blend of cocaine-nostalgia, clever wordplay and calm, relaxed lyricism are among the best in the industry. A lot of heads say that the coke-raps go too far and that the group's content is lacking. I beg to differ. Judging from this track with Kanye, they've got the mix just right (no pun intended). The beat is raw too (no pun intended x 2). My one question though, is, why was the cover art by Kaws so hyped? Were the two x's that big of a deal?

KiD CuDi - Dat Kid From Cleveland

KiD CuDi dropped his follow-up to his popular mixtape "A KiD named CuDi" yesterday. The mixtape features Kanye West, 88 Keys, Consequence, Wale and Common. I'm interested to see what this man can do. To me, his rap is decent (and by decent I mean, not even that hot), but his work as a musician is ridiculous. If CuDi just stuck to production, I'd be a huge fan by now. No matter how catchy "Day N Nite" is, or how much I enjoyed "Buggin Out 2009", it won't make up for a lack of good lyricism by KiD CuDi. Dude needs to evoke some of that early Kanye if he's trying to stay in the business as a rapper, especially with the likes of heads like Drake, Mickey Factz and Wale about to blow up. Peep the download link and my picks.

KiD CuDi - Dat Kid From Cleveland

Cream of the Crop
Sky Might Fall
Look Up In Da Stars
Hoe is Short for Honey
Buggin Out 2009

Cream of the Crap
I Poke Her Face
Rollin
Welcome 2 the World

Dear Tyga,

Apparently, you've been drinking a little too much of that coconut juice. Your fake-hipster ass thought it would be a good idea to go on a radio station to promote whatever crap new music you're planning on putting out. I guess you forgot that freestyling actually takes talent. This is worse than that MC who just strings together 10,000 ad-libs to start his freestyle, but never starts. This just sounds like you couldn't think of a thing when you were on the mic. Do us all a favor and drop your microphone. Walk away from rap music and go to college or something else. Embarrassment aside, you could do much more productive things with your time.

Reflection Eternal - Back Again

Glad to see that Talib is making moves again, and doing it in an interesting way. I haven't been excited for a guerrilla video in a minute. The Hi-Tek beat is simple and relaxing, while Talib puts down a laid-back but intricately woven verse. It's a good look that Reflection Eternal is back on their grind. I can't wait for their album. Now if we could only convince Black Star to get in the lab again.

Dear Cassie and Christina Milian

First off, I'm going to completely disregard the fact that you guys are B-list celebrities and basically accessories to bigger stars. Bringing that up would throw my argument off completely. I'll also disregard the fact that neither of you are particularly talented musically, and are more apt to get muted than turned up on most TV's. That would be hating. Regardless, nothing, and I repeat, NOTHING, makes those hairstyles a good look. Since when are you a hipster Cassie? The last time I heard from you, we were listening to your innuendo about how good you were in bed. Your new track doesn't actually follow any sort of rhythm. And Christina, I suppose the Dream has a thing for dumb blondes now. Didn't you already have a bad song with Ja Rule? Both of these R&B croakers are clearly having mid-career crises (I definitely said I wasn't gonna go in on their careers, but whatever). That's the only explanation for doing that to yourself. The only other follicle faux pas I've ever seen as bad as those was this lady:



But anyways, I guess I'll leave you to your worthless Twitter promotion and sub-par music. Hair like that is punishment enough without mad niggas laughing hysterically at you. Hopefully your voice coaches are better than your hairdressers.

The Mailing List: April 2009 (#1)

Yeah, it's cheesy. Not as bad as having a huge sunburn on Africa, though.

1. Earth Day

I've always hated environmentalists. I hated their Birkenstock-wearing, Fair Trade coffee-drinking, overzealous ruminations telling me that not putting my Ting bottle in the right recycling bin will lead to the sun falling out of the sky. For every time I put a bottle in the wrong bin, there are hundreds of people leaving their water on, burning shit for the hell of it, dumping styrofoam cups in the woods and tossing out their daily New York Times on the train tracks. With that said, Earth Day is upon us; April 22nd to be exact. While I think environmentalists (and animal activists) should all put a shotgun to their heads, I can't help but feel some type of way when my lungs have more smog in them than a Jersey Turnpike rest stop. People who say "it's nice outside" are full of shit! Global warming is fucking our whole earth up. It was 50 degrees in December and 33 degrees in April. You can't even plan for the weather anymore because it's less predictable than Kanye's sexuality. Call me pessimistic, but I'm not really hyped for a sizzling hot death because the ozone layer is bigger than Rosie O'Donnell. We need to get this shit together people. Not to say we should all start wearing hemp clothes and living on an organic farm in the middle of Idaho with a bunch of bearded men and unshaven women, but there's only one earth. Humans haven't even been around that long in Earth's lifetime and have already put it on a collision course with an early expiration. I guess what I'm trying to say is take a look around on Earth Day and see what you can do to prevent the iminent doom of our planet. Pick your shit up, turn your water and lights off for once, try to recycle and stop buying gas-guzzling Hummers when you're broke, recession-affected ass can't even afford a Pinto. Also peep the trailer for Earth, the new Disney movie that's essentially a Planet Earth rip-off in IMAX. I suppose even hippies and tree-huggers gotta get that guap.

Nike Blazer High - "Jackie Robinson" Pack

Simplicity has never been Nike's forte. From all of the crazy materials, to the seizure-inducing color schemes, to the wacky designs, Nike always is trying to push its creations to the edge of uniqueness. Too bad most of them end up falling off that edge and end up as sub-par releases. I suppose the Jackie Robinson Blazers are an anomaly for Nike, considering they come in three classically conservative colorways (like the alliteration?). I like that along with the colors, the materials are subtle, and are used well; canvas for red, nubuck for blue and suede for grey. Also the design right above the midsole gives it some flair. Besides the "Brooklyn" conspicuously placed on the tongue, what do these really have to do with Jackie Robinson? I guess Nike takes its improvements one step at a time. Maybe one day they'll be able to recapture the wizardry that made the DOOMs so popular.

NBA - Where "Amazing" Happens

So the NBA's marketing team finally decided to come off of the cheesy music that they've been using for all of their 'Where Amazing Happens' campaign, and use Kanye West's "Amazing" as the backdrop to their 2009 Playoffs preview. I didn't think that the two would mesh, but I stand corrected. This commercial is dope! The Playoff start Saturday, April 18th. Get ready.

14 Years Later: OB4CL 2

via NahRight:

The Wu-Tang Clan Rapper Signs Deal With EMI Label Services To Release Follow-Up To 1995 Hip-Hop Classic This Summer in US, Canada

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 Features The RZA, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, Others

(NEW YORK – April 15, 2009) – Ready to give his worldwide following what they’ve been waiting for, the Wu-Tang Clan’s rhyme slinger extraordinaire Raekwon is set to return this summer with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2.

Raekwon, whose 1995 platinum classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was universally hailed as a rap classic and has sold more than 1.1 million units in the US, according to Nielsen Soundscan, has signed a distribution deal with EMI Label Services for his ICEH20 Records label to release Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 in the US and Canada later this summer. EMI Label Services will also provide Raekwon with additional radio promotion support and licensing and synchronization services.


“The wait is finally over,” Raekwon says. “Words cannot describe how extremely happy I am to work with EMI Music to put out my album.”

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 buzz single and video “The New Wu” features fellow Wu-Tang Clan members Method Man and Ghostface Killah and is getting mixshow airplay at radio stations across the country, including Hot 97 in New York. The album features a spectacular line-up of guest appearances and producers: The RZA, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, The Wu-Tang Clan, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Bun B and The Game, among others.

“We are thrilled to have a chance to work with the legendary Raekwon,” said Dominic Pandiscia, Senior Vice President and General Manager, EMI Label Services. “He has had a massive impact on the history of Hip Hop and Urban music overall. Everyone at EMI is excited to be working on this record and continuing his legacy.”

Rap fans were mesmerized by Raekwon’s distinctive brand of street slanguistics when he emerged as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The Staten Island, New York rap group’s debut album, 1993’s Enter The Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers), was a landmark collection that introduced the group’s signature blend of kung-fu inspired reality rap. Raekwon established himself as a solo star in 1995 with the release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. The mafia minded album, which peaked at No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart, unfolded like a cinematic crime caper, with such imaginative songs as “Criminology,” “Incarcerated Scarfaces” and “Ice Cream” propelling the album to platinum status.

Raekwon’s second album, 1999’s Immobilarity, was certified gold. To date, Raekwon has career sales of more than 1.6 million units in the US, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Now, with the impending release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2, Raekwon is ready to release his second masterpiece. “It’s been a long time coming,” he says, “and I’ve put my blood, sweat and tears into making this classic album for my fans.”

14 years ago, in 1995, when the Wu-Tang Clan was at the pinnacle of hip-hop, with the east coast having a serious resurgence and grimy rap at the forefront, Raekwon the Chef released 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx'. This album was considered one of the best releases of its time and continues to rock my iTunes to this day. However, with the advent of OB4CL2, many questions arise in my mind. Why now, rather than three or four years after the original? Why mess with your legacy by releasing a sequel, that, in all honesty, may pale in comparison to the original? Can Raekwon engage and connect with a new generation of rap fans (think about how much of hip-hop has changed in the past 14 years), while simultaneously pleasing his older fans, many of whom scoff at the commercialized bubble-gum, hipstered-out rap of this, the blog era? I hope so. Can it be that it was all so simple? Peep my favorite Raekwon joints:

Dear Miley Cyrus

Come on Miley. Really? It's not that serious. Jamie is just a comedian. What's even sadder is that the man had to apologize on national television to save face (via LA Times).It's not like that was Dan Rathers telling you to go do heroin and make a sex tape. The real question is, why does it matter? So what if Radiohead didn't want to meet you? That's a good thing. It means that you've peddled so much terrible music and deserved so much shallow publicity, that artists of a higher echelon than you don't even want to be associated with you. In my book, that's a new level of hating you've just reached. You really shouldn't be mad, considering that you have the groundwork ready to follow in the footsteps of all the 'child stars gone wrong'. Unbelievable amount of fame? Check. Naughty camera phone pictures? Check. Visible eating disorder? Check. Stupid celebrity beefs? Check. All you need now is a trashy best friend and you're well on your way. Move over Brittany and Lindsay. Miley's got next at the methadone clinic.

Dopest. Commercial. EVER

I said it once, and I'll say it again. NIKE, STEP YOUR GAME UP!!! Not only is adidas dropping some heat with it Originals collection (peep: adidas Originals), they're marketing it beautifully. In all seriousness, who wouldn't want to hit that party up, albeit in fresh ass adidas gear? Adi's brand is going back to the basics and is really gaining some steam because of their simple, yet 'underground' (hate that word) undertones. With Jordan becoming more diluted and Nike's releases becoming more and more rehashed by the day, brands like Reebok and adidas are poised to take huge strides in the near future. Better get your stripes game up before the hypebeast world pounces on it.

Dear Chris Brown

Negro, what is this? Have you lost your mind? You're not John Cusack in 'Say Anything'. Son, why did it have to come down to this? I feel like at this point, you need to just pack it in and move on. First you guys made up and had a romantic getaway at Diddy's mansion. Now, you're getting tattoos with B-list reality TV stars (via MediaTakeout) and then getting told to get yo' shit outta Rihanna's house (you better call TYYYROOOONNNNEE!!!). I don't know Breezy. Your shit might have just hit the fan. Not only are you getting arraigned, you're singing forgiveness songs to a chick who you clearly will never get back with. Maybe it's time you just take a bow. But you know what? This whole case will definitely add to your street credibility. Next thing you know, Ice T and Bishop Don Magic Juan will be your best friends. Keep that pimp hand strong, Chris. Pimps up, hoes down.

Dear Lupe

Really, Lu?

via AllHipHop.com:

In an effort to bring awareness to the worldwide water crisis, Chicago lyricist Lupe Fiasco has confirmed plans to ascend Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro.
Fiasco was recruited for the stunt by Ethiopian pop singer Kenna, whose father nearly perished as a child due to a lack of clean drinking water.

“My dad almost died as a child from waterborne diseases in Ethiopia, and he had talked to me about digging a well there,” Kenna explained to Elle Magazine. “I thought, 'I have too many friends who would be concerned with the subject of clean water.’ Maybe I can help out.”

Mount Kilimanjaro boasts the highest peak on the African continent at 19, 330 feet. Most routes to the top of the mountain take a maximum of 6 to 7 days. Although the voyage is a popular retreat amongst climbers, the journey is not without its dangers. An estimated 10 people die every year attempting to climb Kilimanjaro. The majority of the fatalities are due to altitude sickness, which can cause swelling of the brain tissue (high altitude cerebral edema). Despite the risks for a novice climber, Fiasco plans to make the event a light-hearted competition with his friend Kenna.

“I'm an adventure junkie,” Fiasco stated. “Part of the motivation is beating Kenna to the top. Sabotaging his tent, taking the lining out of his coat, [and] lacing it with ants or something like that.”

Along with Kenna and Fiasco, pop superstar Justin Timberlake is expected to participate. The Mount Kilimanjaro charity climb is scheduled to take place this Fall. At press time, Lupe’s anticipated third studio album Lasers is due out in June 2009.

Lupe, why won't you just chill. If it isn't random rants about the music industry, then it's ridiculous wardrobe choices. Why won't you just go back to the chilled out, non-chalant rapper that everyone fell in love with in 2006. You have way too much talent to be so damn goofy. I realize that you're a nerd; we all are, when it comes right down to it. I know that this stunt is for charity. However, you really should be in the studio trying to kill "Lasers". We don't know if this is going to be your last album, so please just destroy it, so that people can realize how dope you really are. Backpacker (pun intended) or not, you're still one of the best rappers out. You just need to stop taking everything so personally in the rap industry, so that you can make good music, because that's all it really boils down to. While you're at it, why don't you get cracking on that Child Rebel Soldiers album? You, Kanye and Pharell are slackin on your mackin right now, considering there are only a few good albums slated to come out for the forseeable future. Even a tweet here and there about CRS would suffice!!!

The Mailing List: April 2009 (#2)

2. Asher Roth - Asleep in the Bread Aisle

Yes, I know you're tired of "I Love College", but Asher Roth is set to make a huge splash in the rap game, when his album "Asleep in the Bread Aisle" drops on April 20 (4/20 for all you potheads out there). Not only does he have the DJ Drama co-sign, he has a fanbase of underground heads already, so the radio-heads will be quick to jump on his bandwagon. Regardless of his standing in hip-hop circles, dude is nice. He's got really laid back flows with quick-witted lyrics. And although his voice sounds a lot like Em, I'm pretty sure he won't be as boring or repetetive as Marshall. Like I said, the album drops on 4/20. He seems like he has a solid list of features too. Check the tracklist, single downloads and videos I got below.

Asher Roth feat. Busta Rhymes - Lion’s Roar
Asher Roth feat. Chester French - As I Em
Asher Roth feat. Cee-Lo - Be By Myself

Okay, that's enough freebies. We want to support artists, you little thieves. Check out the DJBooth.net interview.

1. Lark on My Go Kart
2. Blunt Cruisin'
3. I Love College
4. La Di Da
5. Be By Myself (feat. Cee-Lo)
6. She Don't Want a Man (feat. Keri Hilson)
7. Sour Patch Kids
8. As I Em (feat. Chester French)
9. Lion's Roar (feat. Busta Rhymes & New Kingdom)
10. Bad Day (feat. Jazze Pha)
11. His Dream (feat. Miguel)
12. Fallin' (feat. John Mayer)
13. Perfectionist (feat. Beanie Sigel & Rock City)


He kills this beat. Sorry, Wale.


Dude is a pretty good live performer too.

The Mailing List: April 2009 (#3)

3. "This Ain't No Mixtape" - CurrenSy

It's coming!!! Jets, nigga!!! When it comes to rappers, I think that a level of understanding has to be reached before one can dismiss a rapper as wack. You have to be able to level with them and see the hotness in what they portray. Curren$y is coming out with his album "This Ain't No Mixtape", which should solidify him as one of the bigger up and comers in the rap game today. While he doesn't have the wordplay of Mickey, he has the grittiness of Cory Gunz and flair for laid-back delivery like Drake. Seriously, over chilled out beats, this man can hold your attention. His lyrics are simple, but he does them in a way where the average and serious rap fan can enjoy him, without the nonsensical idiocy that Wayne brings to the table. I'm guessing that Tha Hot Spitta will have a few GTA Vice City themed tracks on there, which should be interesting to say the least. Curren$y always seems to have the dopest themes on his mixtapes and finds a way to integrate them into his tracks. But anyways the album drops on April 21st. Here are some previews, snippets and random tracks from the album. JETS NIGGA!!!

Curren$y - "This Ain't No Mixtape" Snippets

Curren$y - Star Power

Curren$y - Wave Race

The Attack of the Crazy Shoes

Is it just me, or are all of them extremely amped, off some shoes that, literally, anyone could have? To me it seems like GLC and KiD CuDi (I'm starting to have a love-hate relationship with dude) are to Kanye West what Jae Millz and Mack Maine are Lil' Wayne, hangers-on that have potential, but won't blow. To me, CuDi needs to stop worrying about his shoes and start worrying about what his next single is going to be. 'Day N Nite' is slowly fizzling out, and from his performance that I saw up at Yale, dude might be flat by the time summer comes. But hey, I guess he could always sell his 'crazy shoes' if the recession starts hitting his lonely stoner ass.

Mafia Music (Remix) (ft. Ja Rule, The Game and Fat Joe)

So, I guess in addition to being the fastest decliner in rap ability, 50 Cent holds the record for the most enemies in the rap game. Game and Joey put down decent verses and Ross does his thing, but what the fuck is up with Ja Rule and the autotune? I supposed when you go MIA in the game for over five years, some fads seem to pass right over your head. Hey, at least he isn't singing on his records anymore. I find it funny that everyone on this track went on to bigger things after their respective 50 beefs except Ja. It's murrrrrddaaaaaaaaa...

Download Mafia Music (Remix)

Dear VIBE Magazine

Really though? "What's Love Got to Do With it?" Why are niggas still even speaking on this? Trying to evoke Tina and Ike to turn a profit? And at Chris Breezy's expense. At this point, it's painfully obvious what happened between Rihanna and Chris, and although there have been numerous tries on both ends to keep the issue private, there is no doubt of three things: 1) Chris Brown's career will never be the same 2) The media has way too much invested in the personal problems of celebrities and 3) Rihanna's publicity team are a bunch of idiots. For all of the publicity that this has received, not one instance of domestic violence prevention or treatment for Chris Brown has come up. Plus, it seems like no one really has their story straight out of the whole camp. The sad part is, that if Chris Brown was Chris Brown the plumber and not Chris Brown the singer/dancer, no one would care, let alone put pictures of the battered woman on the internet. But seriously, VIBE, there aren't any other stories in hip-hop, R&B or Black culture to speak on? Why is it that the negative pervades our mindsets, rather than the positive? Whatever the case, I suppose this isn't as much a letter to VIBE Magazine specifically as it is to the black media (coughmediacoughcoughtakeout). Please make a more concerted effort to have something else as a headlining story; perhaps the increasing rate of graduation from college by black students?

Jim Jones' LV-Covered Studio

If this isn't the most niggerish thing you will ever see, then I don't know what is. You have to admit, though. It is kinda ballin. I wonder if Louis Vuitton has the media capacity to blur out an entire backdrop, as opposed to a headband, or shoes, or a fucking scarf. I guess when you have unlimited funds, you just find the most ridiculous things to spend money on.