Lil B "Motivation"

I haven't blogged in a while, been crazy busy. I was listening to this song this morning and felt it was the perfect track to highlight my return. It also accomplishes another purpose which is to continue to prove to people that Lil B can ACTUALLY RAP! Peep below for the vid. Stay based my friends.

Kendrick Lamar HiiiPOWER Video

Haven't blogged in a while, but I came across this gem last night and had to share. Peep the new video for what seems to be Kendrick Lamar's lead single for #Section80 "HiiPOWER" Visuals are amazing, song is obviously dope, and what appears at 0:18 is just straight up creepy (seriously Google Lesane Parish Crooks). Word on the street is Lamar has been working very closely with Dr. Dre. Hopefully that means we won't have to wait until 2023 to hear #Section80

2011 West Coast Rap >

So about a week ago I was sitting back listening to Casey Veggies (please peep to the right of this story for the LD Jam of the week "Ridin Roun Town") and I was thinking to myself wow, the West is really killin it right now. We got Casey Veggies, Pac Div, Nipsey Hussle, Fashawn, Black Hippy, Dom Kennedy, the industry's wet dream Odd Future, and please don't forget the "Based God" Lil B (just to name a few). I remember a couple months ago me and my fellow hip hop enthusiast Harrington were having a convo about how the West was back, and that's when the movement was extremely premature (pause)

While listening to Casey in my apartment and cookin' at an abnormal pace, I thought about the convo I had with  my boy Harrington again. Was the West back, or is west coast rap better than it's ever been before? Contrary to popular belief it's the latter, and this is why.

 

In 1988, the hip-hop supergroup shown above NWA stormed onto the scene screamin "F*** the Police" and became one of the most feared and influential groups in hip-hop history. Their debut album "Straight Outta Compton" pushed the envelope, using some of the most profane and obscene language heard during that time period to articulate the story of the young black males struggle in the greater Los Angeles area.Ultimately Cube, Dre, Eazy E,MC Ren, and DJ Yella's aggressive vision was bucketed into an all new sub-genre of hip-hop music entitled "gangsta rap"

And the blueprint of West Coast rap music was created.

From that point forward any music that came out the west had a hint of "gangsta" in it. When Cube went solo "Death Certificate" still had the raw aggression he spit in his NWA days. Dre was still rappin about how "Bi**** aint S***", and even when Snoop mellowed the West's groove out on Doggystyle he still never hesitated to make it clear "He don't luh deeez hoezzzz".

And then, somewhere in between all the shoot-outs, drive-by's and mysoginistic tales, this guy arrived.

Never before had the west, or matter of fact any region of music seen a hybrid artist of Tupac's caliber. Tupac could tear at your heart strings and make you wanna party all in one track. He seamlessly weaved from "Dear Mama" to "I Get Around" all while sounding astoundingly authentic. The ladies loved him, the thugs rejoiced him, and even the biggest lyrical critic had to admit that some of his rhymes were downright poetic.

Tupac's soul embodies what West Coast rap is today. But outside of all this multi-dimensional talent living in one artist, it has spread throughout the coast from artist to artist.

Want to lay back, or ride out in your car to some chill tracks? Give Dom Kennedy or Casey Veggies a listen. Want to listen to some ignorant and hilarious tracks? Feel free to blast the Based God. Want some heartfelt gangsta tales? Bump that Nipsey Hussle. Want to rage against the machine and listen to some Slim Shadyish grotesque lyrics? Odd Future's your group.

23 years later we've even seen the second coming of N.W.A. Black Hippy embodies the rebellious spirit of N.W.A. Not so much from the "fight the power" perspective, but more so, what you should grow to expect from a rap group. Black Hippy tells a new tale. Four kids from Los Angeles, many who grew up surrounded by violence and crime, and how they rose above the nonsense opposed to partaking in it. It's a refreshing spin on rap music that for 20 odd years glorified mass murders and homicides. Ab-Soul is the hi-energy sometimes suicidal lyrical assassin, Schoolboy Q is the fun-loving pot smoking hot spitta, Jay Rock is the sole gang member of the group and embodies the vintage west coast sound, while Kendrick Lamar is the passionate leader telling a story the coast has never told before of a straight A student who rapped his way out the hood. (Peep their story below from MTV News "The New West")

MTV Shows

As corny as the metaphor is, the 2011 Westcoast embodies the Burger King sentiment "You can have it your way." Any type of music you're looking for, it lives on the left coast. Variety = Longevity, hence why whenever regions have been defined by a sub-genre of hip-hop (The South & Crunk, West Coast and Gangsta Rap, Miami and DJ Khaled anthems) the fun never lasts that long. The West has laid the foundation to continue to innovate and push the coasts musical landscape and sound for years to come, making this moment in music more exciting than ever. To put a twist on the Geto Boys song that we all know and love from the film "Office Space", the new West movement can be summed up with one quote "Damn It Feels Good You Don't Have to be a Gangsta."

A Picture's Worth 1,000 Words

 Congrats on your victory last night Faker Fans.

5 Reasons Rick Ross Could Be Hip-Hop's Greatest CEO

"I made a transition from the thieves to the biggest executive Def Jam's ever seen." (Magnificient 2009)

When I first heard Rick Ross utter these words I couldn't think of what drug in the world he wasn't on to make such a bold statement.

The biggest executive Def Jam had ever seen was obviously this guy

And Rick Ross obviously wasn't hangin with the thieves because he was this guy

But 2011 has proven different for the self-proclaimed "fat mutha****". Ross has got his C-O *cough* I mean CEO hat strong making some of the biggest signings of the year in rap music. Every move he's made is strategic, well-planned, and further proof that literally and figuratively he may be the "Biggest boss that we've seen thus far." Peep below for 5 reasons on why Ross may prove to be hip-hop's greatest CEO. #runh

1. Established His Brand: M-M-M-M-M-Maybach Music. Unless your deaf or never heard a Ross song you've heard this crafty signature at the beginning of most his tunes since it was originally introduced on the track "Maybach Music" ft. Jay-Z.  Ross is a branding monster. Who else would be able to survive a beef with 50 Cent (that he lost) and come out one of the biggest names in rap music. Establishing your brand is especially important when creating a musical dynasty. Fans have to fully understand and trust you as an artist before they can trust you as a co-signer of up & comer's. Unfortunately in hip-hop many people get this wrong. After a hit single, it seems any and everyone gets a label where they don't hesitate to put their aunties, cousins, brothers, best friends and baby mamas on...which brings me to my next point.

2. He didn't put his homeboys on: I have bolded and underlined this point because it is the NUMBER ONE mistake rappers make once they get a label. Loyalty is one thing, but putting your talentless friends at the forefront of your artist roster is going to make your talent assesment skills look sketchy. So yes, Gunplay does have a feature on Deeper Than Rap, and yes, Triple C's does have an album out (this may be your first time hearing this information) but these guys aren't the STARS of Maybach Music. Gunplay has slowly shifted to the back of the Maybach playing his role as label goon, more so than a credible rapper. Every group of people needs a goon, and who better for the position than a dude named Gunplay.

3. Did His Homework: When Ross began signing artists for Maybach, he did thorough research and sought after the most young, gifted, and talented artists he could find. It all started in 2010 when Ross declared on MTV Rapfix he wanted to sign Wiz Khalifa on the heels of his success with the "Kush & Orange Juice" mixtape. Although Wiz respectively declined we began to see the type of artists Ross was courting to build his empire. He was looking for MC's deeply rooted and respected within the hip-hop culture. Therefore, Ross signing struggling and heavily talented MC Wale to his Maybach imprint was a match made in heaven. Of all the rappers on his roster (outside of recently signed Stalley) Meek Mill, Pill, and Wale have all graced the  XXL Freshman cover. This award goes to the industry's most promising talent, and the bawse his proven that even with his signature frames covering his face...he's got his eyes on them.

4. Represented for the Regions: This point is actually the differentiator in what may make Ross Hip-Hop's greatest CEO. Ross has snagged artist that not only represent multiple locations on the map, but are Gods in their respective hometowns. Name a person in DC who doesn't love Wale. Name a person in Philly who doesn't rep hard for Meek Mill. Grabbing artist on your label that have that type of hometown loyalty allows your message to spread further, and more people to tune in to what your labels got going on. Even when Jay-Z was establishing the Roc, outside of Kanye a lot of his artists were located in the East (Beanie Sigel, Amil, Young Gunz.......Memphis Bleek.) Ross's artists interweave from interstate to interstate hailing from D.C all the way to Ohio. Multiple sounds will be experimented with, amazing collabos will be created, and hip-hop heads around the globe will tune in to see what Maybach's cooking up. (Speaking of cooking, there are also rumors swirling around the web that Ross has his eyes on signing Lil B to his label next. #swag)

5. Kept the Momentum Going (Can't Stop, Won't Stop): Ross is currently on the "I Am Music" tour with Lil Wayne and guess what he's using the opportunity to do. You guessed it...promote his labels compilation album. Ross has stated in interviews that he wants the album to be like the old Ruff Ryders joints that used to bang in the late 90's. I think his vision is right on point. Every artist he's signed is a true MC. They're not commercial, they're not pop, and all of them can spit. If done correctly this could be one of the most amazing group albums we've heard in hip- hop in a while, and if this is a sign of things to come..it won't disapoint.

To conclude, is Rick Ross the greatest CEO in the history of hip-hop? That remains to be seen. Kanye has also been doing his thing from a CEO standpoint so only time will tell. I'm excited to see how this all plays out. With Shady Records, GOOD Music, and Maybach all sporting multi-talented rosters, it seems hip-hop is transitioning back to the times of the label posse that we all loved in the late 90's. And i'll be honest...I ain't mad at it.

Editors Note: With Ross's signing of Stalley i'm looking forward to their collab album. "Wash the Throne (Chopped and Unshaved)" to drop soon. #fearthebeard

WTF Kobe

It is common knowledge that I am nothing close to a Kobe Bryant supporter, but even the most dedicated of his fans have to admit that this is just bizarre. Despite losing 5 games straight, Kobe decided to turn up the weirdo factor last week and provide a cameo in a Chinese Hip-Hop video. Peep below:

This is not the Black Mamba's first time doing something strange for a little piece of change before the NBA playoffs begin. Remember this last year?

Yea Kobe...for once I actually agree with you

Artist Spotlight: Kendrick Lamar

I've got to admit, since the XXL Freshman concert I attended last week i've kinda been on a Kendrick Lamar high. I've been listening to some form of his (O)verly (D)edicated mixtape daily, and even re-visited some old jams taking some time to download the Kendrick Lamar EP and see where the greatness all started. (Technically his career started at the age of 16 when he went by the name of K.Dot but I don't have the time or the hard-drive space to get all those tapes during that period lol)

Kendrick has come with straight HEAT as of late. Most recently, a track with him an Ab-Soul entitled "Rapper S***" off Ab-Soul's upcoming mixtape "Longterm Mentality." This is one of the greatest back & forth duo tracks i've heard since "The What" by Biggie and Method Man and/or anything involving Styles P and Jadakiss. Don't believe me? Please listen to the lyrical massacre that takes place below.

Ab-Soul & Kendrick Lamar - Rapper Shit (unreleased) prod. by Tommy Black by TopDawgENT

Also, Consequence recently came out with a heavily slept on tape "Movies on Demand 2" One of my favorite tracks on the tape entitled "Up Against The Wall" features brotha Lamar spitting one of my favorite verses that I've heard in 2011. The subject matter is also dope with Cons, Roc Marciano, and Kendrick going bar for bar exchanging tales about the ills of police brutality. I have deemed this my LD Jam of the Week so please take a moment to listen. Turn it up loud, but make sure the cops aint around

Up Against The Wall co-starring Roc Marciano & Kendrick Lamar by Consequence