Mos Def - The Ecstatic

What's up people, let's keep going in with Music May!!!



Mos Def has always been talented. Don't get me wrong. However, at times he tends to suffer from the Andre 3000 disease. He tries to do new shit and be innovative, but at times has left the listener more confused than Rihanna's sex life. We all loved "Black on Both Sides", but "The New Danger" was just that, dangerous. He tried to push the envelope so hard that he forgot postage and nobody really got it (I know you dig the metaphor). Whatever the case, Mos is looking to get back into the hip-hop limelight with his new album The Ecstatic. He's boasting an actual hip-hop album with a menagerie of producers, along with claiming that he's the best rapper alive and can beat rap titans, Weezy and Jay (see below). Dude released snippets of the new CD with previews of all 16 tracks (d/l below). Peep the tracklist too, twiggas:

Mos Def - The Ecstatic (Album Snippets)

1. Supermagic (prod. by Oh No)
2. Twilight Speedball (prod. by Chad Hugo)
3. Auditorium (feat. Slick Rick) (prod. by Madlib)
4. Wahid (prod. by Madlib)
5. Priority (prod. by Preservation)
6. Quiet Dog (prod. by Preservation)
7. Life In Marvelous Times (prod. by Mr. Flash)
8. The Embassy (prod. by Mr. Flash)
9. No Hay Nada Mas (prod. by Preservation)
10. Pistola (prod. by Oh No)
11. Pretty Dancer (prod. by Madlib)
12. Workers Camp (prod. by Mr. Flash)
13. Revelations (prod. by Madlib)
14. Roses (feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow) (prod. by Georgia Anne Muldrow )
15. History (feat. Talib Kweli) (prod. by J Dilla)
16. Casa Bey (Arranged by Mos Def and Preservation)

T.I. feat. Mary J. Blige - Remember Me

MUSIC MAY NIGGA!!!! Today the hip-hop world got wind of a jail-bound T.I. releasing a new single with R&B queen Mary J. Blige. We also found out that he would be re-releasing his platinum album "Paper Trail," now calling it "Paper Trail: Case Closed". TIP seems to still be on his game, though the chorus sounds like it's grovelling. Whatever the case, the track is fire. The re-release probably isn't worth the buy, since most of the tracks will be floating around as leaks, but it's clear T.I.'s gonna be back with a vengeance when he gets out. D/L link below...

T.I. feat. Mary J. Blige - Remember Me

colette NBA Jersey Cardigans

The NBA: Where tacky shit and bad ideas happen. No seriously, did a normal person really come up with this? I feel like there are better things you can do with a cardigan and jersey apart. Why try to meld the two? (via colette)

Baby Lotion Song

This is what happens when you mix bored black teenagers and a video camera. I gotta admit though; that dance is mad fun!!! Make sure you guys out there aren't ashy!!!

The Census

What's good people? Here at Dear Whoever, we're quite the ones for free speech. That's why we want to know what you think. With that said there's a new segment on Dear Whoever called The Census. Every week, we'll ask a question, and you, the readers can answer that question at the top of the page for 7 days. At the beginning of every week, we'll show the results from the last poll, debrief (yeah, nigga. US Dept. of Labor style!!!), and introduce the next weeks poll. Without further ado, the Census:


Has the 'blog era' changed the rapper and the rap fan into that??

Grandmothers worldwide have always said that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I really can't see that happening in hip-hop, where the more things change, the more they become different. As blogs become the forefront of the information age in hip-hop, a lot of old heads (go figure) have lamented at their popularity, claiming they're leading to 'everybody and they mama' trying to rap or blog, while younger fans love the idea of being connected electronically to their favorite artists and media outlets. Old heads look at younger fans like that kid who can't put his Game Boy down to play basketball outside, while younger fans look at the old heads as that old guy in the office who doesn't know how to use computers. I can't really say that I hate blogs, because I'm on one right now, but I can agree that EVERYONE has a blog now. Whatever the case, what's your take on it? Vote in the first Census above and let us know what you think:

Air Jordan III "True Blue"

Just when I thought JB couldn't fuck up anymore (see Raging Bull Pack), they... didn't. This August, Jordan Brand will be re-releasing one of my favorite sneakers, the III, in my favorite colorway, True Blue. As far as I can see, there aren't any serious changes between the 2001 release and this one, which for most people is a good look. We all know retro's decrease the value of the shoe that came before it. But at this point, who's really paying attention to that anymore? As long as you have the sneaker you want, the year doesn't matter (that means you, hypebeasts). Like I said, these are tentatively releasing in August, so stay tuned to keep up to date.

Juelz Santana - Days of Our Lives

You thought Music May was over? *BERRRRRRRRRRRMMPPPPPP*

Despite him being embroiled in a battle for his contract rights with his once-mentor Killa Cam, I kinda felt like Juelz should have gone a lot harder to keep his name out there. He did a few collabs with Weezy (who didn't?), basically stuck lightly to the mixtape circuit and did the now-infamous BET Cypher while him, Cam and Jim exchanged quips. They all said "Dip-Set Forever!!!" but nothing came of that shit. I personally think Cam was just hating, realizing his proteges were just as nice as him, if not nicer (AYYY!!!). Cam kept selling coke, for whatever reason. Jim started ballin, and Juelz kinda fell out of the limelight for a second. Let me put that to rest now though. Juelz is BACK!!! Peep "Days of Our Lives" with the D/L below. The new track is pure fire, going back to 2003-Juelz with more mature punchlines and word play, and the charisma on the mic that made niggas start wearing their bandanas like this:

Juelz Santana - Days of Our Lives

LeBron's Buzzer Beater

Yeah. Ummm. When "LeBron to the Max" comes out in 2015, this will probably be the first scene. King James cemented himself in the GOAT conversation with this one. Hopefully the Cavs won't need that again to pull out this series, but we all know that the Chosen One (yeah LeBron's nicknames are always good) can do it all. Note also, that Dwight Howard aka D-12 had only 10 points to LBJ's 35. If that comparison doesn't do it, then I don't know what will.

Dear Spencer Pratt

Didn't know New Kids on the Block was adding a sixth member...

via MTV.com:

"I've always known that I secretly am the hottest rapper in the game," he told MTV News. "But I didn't feel the urge until Asher Roth started hitting the airwaves and — no offense to Asher Roth — somebody with some real swagger needed to come into the game. So, I'll challenge him. I'll challenge him to a freestyle or whatever."

He went on to add, "I'm the white Jay-Z in the game. I'm doing the baller thing. I'm more for the streets."

Another Music May post for the Dear Whoever faithful. This one really is too easy. I debated whether this was even letter-worthy. However, at Dear Whoever we don't discriminate on a person's stupidity based on race, religion, creed or any of that malarkey. With that said, Spencer, which one of your cock-holding bro-mancers was high and told you that this was a good idea? You really think that you're ballin like that? I guarantee that Jay's physical wallet holds more monetary liquidity than your entire net worth. Regardless if you had any skill whatsoever (it's painfully obvious he doesn't), you went about it wrong in every way possible. Not only did you alienate 90% of hip-hop by likening yourself to Jay-Z in any capacity, you made yourself look like the ultimate herb by coming at Asher Roth (Spencer didn't even go to college, so his claim at that is gone) All that street-cred from "The Hills" was really working for you up until this point. Only real rappers propose to their ditzy girlfriends on "reality" TV and throw hissy fits at their girlfriend's girlfriends. Go get 'em, Spencer. But hey, who am I to judge an aspiring rapper and his career dreams? Just make sure the trust fund is straight because when your career folds and your image in Hollywood (which you bought your way into, in the first place) is a bigger laughingstock than the legitimacy of your show, I think the recession will even hit the Hills.

Dear Charles Hamilton

Damn, Charles. That's all I can really say.

Nahh, I'm playin. First off, why in the hell would you ever, ever bring a chick you piped on a Youtube interview? You know whatever happens is going to be broadcast across the blogosphere faster than Cassie's nipple piercings. Second off, why would you put shorty on blast like that? Any girl would have reacted angrily to what you were saying. It just so happens her anger resulted in violence. Third off, after shorty snuffed you, why would you try to patronize her. Seriously, Charles, you're head's starting to get too big. Maybe you should stick to recording for a little while, especially with this video. It's gonna take a while to live this one down. Hey, at least shorty looked pretty good.


UPDATE:
Anyone notice that Charles really can't dress? For a Harlem nigga, he sure looks like he stepped out of a Salvation Army store...

Nickelus F - Go Time

WOOOOOOOOO!!!! It's Music May time!!! Today we have a fairly unknown (by unknown, I mean the blogs haven't blown up on dude's every move yet) artist out of Richmond, Virginia. Dude's name is Nickelus F. Most of you guys should know him from his collabs with Drizzy Drake on numerous mixtape tracks. Nick F is finally coming out with his second mixtape "Go Time." I'm gonna be honest with you. It was one of the best listening experiences I've had in a minute because dude really isn't exposed enough for people to have predispositions about him. It's just the music. And the music is dope. Peep the tracklist, D/L link, my picks and some leaks and videos:

Nickelus F - Go Time

1. Howdy (Produced by Stupid Genius & Leck One)
2. Nuts On A Biscuit
3. Hate Freestyle
4. The Rain (Produced by Beatbusta)
5. Jack Boyz
6. Great Set of Teeth (Monumentous)
7. Outta Here (Produced by Timeless Beats)
8. Good Game (Produced by Young)
9. Underground Freestyle
10. Logistics
11. Play This On The Radio Freestyle
12. Turn Me Up (Produced by 13th Letter)
13. Rabid Matrimony
14. Stressin’
15. New Day (Original Version) ft Ivory
16. The Sun ft. Little Brother, Hall OF Fame & Skillz (Produced by Fusion Unltd)
17. Culture Of Honor ft. J-$crilla & Chaundon & Five

Cream of the Crop:
Howdy
Hate Freestyle
The Rain
Logistics
Play This on the Radio Freestyle
Stressin
The Sun

Cream of the Crap
New Day
Turn Me Up
Culture of Honor

Nickelus F & Drake - Look at the Ice
Nickelus F - 16 oz. = 1 lb. (Freestyle)

2GB Transformers Flash Drive

\

Now, when I talk about confused streetwear brands and brands stepping out of their lane for things they shouldn't, I don't mean to confuse that for a dislike of novelty. I meant that generic products shouldn't be passed off as limited because of a logo conspicuously placed on the product. This however, is a completely different story. I would drop some bills for it. If you're going to cop, I'd suggest pre-ordering (via BigBadToyStore) soon so the Transformers 2 hype (I wish there wasn't such a thing) doesn't up the price for you.

Dear Flo Rida

Music May continues!!! This isn't some of the new blood that I've been touting recently. In fact, it's getting quite old, to yell you the truth. Flo Rida, aka Titty Bounce Boy, you really, really, really need to stop. Not only are your lyrics incomprehensible to most people, whatever you're saying probably isn't that hot considering no one really makes the effort to understand it. Your beats and concepts are always borrowed metaphors or hooks of techno songs. What's up with that? I know fusion in music is the norm nowadays, but I never thought it would be done in such a shitty way. At least Kanye made an actual song out of "Stronger." This just sounds like you're rapping over a shitty cover of a techno song, which is weak, to say the least. How can you talk about being Roots-y when you're constantly bouncing your man boobs with some no-name Playboy Bunny wanna-be badly harmonizing next to you? Do yourself a favor and learn how to actually flow if you're going to be known as Flo Rida (that's a really stupid name, too). Then again, we all need something to laugh at. It just so happens that you're entire career is a joke. Hardeee har har...

Dear NFL

Why has the status of Michael Vick as an NFL player not been determined, considering we've know when he was coming out for weeks? Why is the sports world bubbling over with criticism of the quarterback, who admitted to his mistake and served his time fair and square? It seems as if you guys are forgetting how big Michael Vick was. He was black America's answer to Peyton, Tom and Brett, not as big a disappointment as Daunte Culpepper and with the potential to be one of the greatest ever. His versatility still would give most defensive coordinators fits today. I feel like you guys are dragging your feet because you see how electrifying the man is to the sport and how easily he could have been one of the faces of the NFL. I won't go into my stance on dogfighting because the legal part of this story is over (fuck PETA, by the way), but do take into consideration a quick comparison:

In 1998, Leonard Little, a defensive end for the St. Louis Rams, was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 1000 hours of community service for drunkenly running into a woman and killing her. Within the year, Little was reinstated in the league with few questions asked. Why then is there such a ruckus when we start talking about Vick's chances of reinstatement? Do we really value the lives of animals that much more than we do of people? Or did you guys let all that negativity from PETA get to you? Tree huggers and animal lovers aside, it's unacceptable for the NFL to dilly dally and go into overstated logistics when dealing with Michael Vick. I don't think the NFL was too upset at all the revenue they were receiving from some of Vick's games or that Nike was upset at the revenue they made from "The Michael Vick Experience." Whatever the case, you know my stance. Mike should be back in the league. He's paid his dues (twice, considering all the crap he got when he first was in the league) and will probably still be more electrifying than 9/10 of the players that any NFL roster could put on the field. Peep some of Vick's best moments:

Santogold - Your Voice

Dear Whoever isn't just a hip-hop fan, it's a music fan. We're always looking for new sounds that are ready to breakthrough. In case you didn't know, Santogold is the shit!! This Brooklyn-born songstress is the voice behind the chorus to "Brooklyn Go Hard" and you might recognize her vocals from Drake's "Unstoppable". She's so dope she changed one letter in her name (Santigold to Santogold) without second though. She's so dope that she doesn't even have a genre. When iTunes tried to classify shorty as hip-hop, she almost took her tracks off. Whatever her genre, Santogold has one of the most unique sounds to come out in a minute. Peep her new song "Your Voice," which sounds like a nice little addition to the 'smooth it out' (step your euphemism game up, fellas) playlist...

The Kid Daytona, 6th Sense & Outasight Freestyle In The Park

Music May continues!!! Attention: The Bronx officially is on its way up. 718!!! UPTOWN BABY!!! (had to rep for my town real quick) Now, all three of these dudes spit bars dripping with arrogant and witty punchlines. But in all honesty, this type of hip-hop may not be appealing to others. I feel like they might be categorized as "blog era" artists and turn older heads off because their lyrics are more pretentious than pre-2004 hip-hop. One thing they might want to work want to work on is switching up their every once in a while. When you get stuck in a lane like that, heads aren't as receptive, no matter how DOPE your lyrics are.

Dear JoJo Simmons

Let the jokes, begin.

Boy, oh boy. I've been waiting for this one forever. Jo Jo, Jo Jo, Jo Jo. Now, you're family is fucking DOPE. Your dad is cooler than the other side of the pillow, your stepmother doesn't care, your older sisters are sex gods (though I'd hope you don't care), your brothers are funny as a white man doing the Electric Slide and your younger sister is the cutest thing since Elmo (yeah, I said it). I understand you felt the need to follow in your father's footsteps and engage in the uphill battle known as the rap industry. I even understand your decision to try and do it without him, and your subsequent rescission of that decision because your group was going nowhere. To put it short, you got it made ($10 to anyone who can tell me where that last line came from).

Now that that's out of the way, let's get to business. Team Blackout SUCKS. Your image as a rapper is a farce. You have no credibility in terms of struggling to get into the industry. Even if you do manage to sell any records, it'll be as a function of your fame from Run's House, not any sort of skill or lyrical dexterity, my nigga. What's worse is the fact that in some misguided display of bravado or guile, or whatever your buck-toothed ass wants to call it, you got caught coppin bud at the weed spot, and THEN tried to escape!!. Where were you going to go with that? I'm sure the police don't have kids that watch Run's House or haven't heard of your father. What's eerily ironic is that had you escaped, the fame that you're so desperately and futilely seeking would have had you caught anyway. And regardless of whatever tweets your sisters or father put out (I suggest everyone follow Rev Run), the world will know you as that rapper's son who tried way to hard and got nowhere. Face it, Jo Jo. With a move like that, you'll end up in the pen or as the butt of a ridiculous amount of jokes before your get that Soundscan or ASCAP. Why not be an expeditious business person and take after your sisters? Maybe then, you'll be able to show the world what nepotism can really get a person in this life. I hope it was some good weed, at least.

Wiz Khalifa - Flight School

Here at Dear Whoever, we enjoy a little variety. Along with the conscious hip-hop that we love to champion, somewhat ignorant rap (note I said rap) has its place in our iPods. Please take this post with a grain of salt, considering that my opinion should have no bearing on your own. With that being said, here's another Music May post:

Wiz Khalifa



Our next Music May artist is reppin Pistolvania!! (never knew niggas called it that)Wiz Khalifa partakes in what I like to call "ignorant antics" or the Lil' Wayne disease. While we all know that he is nice and has talent, he engages in ignorant rap for whatever reason. Dude mainly sticks to rapping about weed, women, how fresh he is and why other rappers suck. Despite his limited repertoire of content, Wiz keeps his lyrics fresh, with a syruppy (pause), laid back flow and easy wordplay to go along with it. As I've stated numerous times, sometimes as a listener, we have to suspend out intellect to see the beauty in different mediums. Wiz is no different. I just hope he realizes how nice he is before he gets stuck in ignorant mode. While we wait for his epiphany, check his mixtape "Flight School", my picks, some leaks, a preview from his collab with Curren$y (coming out at the end of the month!!), and some videos for your viewing pleasure. Keep checking your mailboxes, niggas (niggas as a general term)...

Wiz Khalifa - Flight School

Cream of the Crop
Shame
Dreamer
I'm Good
Kleenex
Superstar

Cream of the Crap
Ms. Rightfernow
Get Sum
Name on a Cloud
Hollywood Hoes
Sky High

Wiz Khalifa - Dope Boys (Freestyle)
Wiz Khalifa - Boss (Freestyle)

JRSportBrief

We, here at Dear Whoever, always enjoy educated and informed dialogue on the topic of sports, being adamant sports fans in our own right. If you want to hear some of the realest, unbiased, socially apt sports commentary EVER, please visit the JR Sport Brief on Youtube (links below and after videos). JR not only is one of the biggest sport fans I know (trust, I've chopped it up with this man on numerous occasions) and has one of the best fitted collections on the planet. And to top it off, he's having a special guest on his show in the coming weeks (maniacal smile), and will be filming an episode in Harlem about our beloved New York Knicks. Keep posted to see what's in store...

Subscribe to JRSportBrief's Channel

The Mailing List: May 2009 (#1)

1. Memorial Day



I've always found the way in which we celebrate holidays to be somewhat of a slap in the face to what those holidays mean. On Christmas we give each other presents and put up pagan decorations celebrating the birth of a man who wasn't born anywhere near that day. On Jewish Holidays, everyone gets off and on Kwanzaa, no one gets off. On New Years Day we make half-assed resolutions to improve things that we should have been working one for a minute, and then drown our sorrows in alcohol when the ball drops. On Valentine's Day we drench ourselves in red and buy obscene amounts of chocolate and other regalia in celebration of love, when we could be showing love every other day. On St. Patrick's Day, hoards of potato-worshippers drown themselves in green clothing and drench their spirits in alcohol. On Easter we tell kids to go find eggs to commemorate Jesus' rise from the dead. I know it's a little harsh, but bear with me.

Now we've come to Memorial Day; the unofficial start of summer!! You can go buy a new car from Ford with their sale or hit up Macy's for their Memorial Day sale. Let's not forget the barbeque. Loosen those belt buckles so you have room for the inordinate amount of food you'll be taking in. Remember to wait an hour so you won't get sick in the pool. Sarcasm aside, on Memorial Day, what memory are we commemorating? Without the American flags thrown around and the day off, it'd be another summer afternoon. Remember what Memorial Day really means: that there are hundreds of thousands of men and women dead or facing death EVERY DAY to ensure that you can put extra chili on your hot dog without having a nuclear warhead exploding up your ass (pause). While I'm no patriot, I can concur that meaning must never be lost in celebration or commemoration. Keep your mind right and the celebration will be all the better. Enjoy Memorial Day, folks. I know I will be. (begins making PLANS)