In today’s music, regional stars are birthed daily. With the proper push behind him, Lil Ru could be next. How do I know? Because I did my digging on the South Carolina native & know that DJs in the area say that club crowds love him & his track “Don’t I Look Good”. Also, he was the recipient of a 2007 Ozone award for the category “Artist Patiently Waiting to Blow.” Whether that transcends nationwide remains to be seen but I’d say the odds are decent.

So when my guy reached out to ask “Would you like to be a part of a Lil Ru contest sponsored by Akademiks?”, we said sure. TSS visitors love free stuff, Akademiks is dope & we always like to be a part of what’s next.

The contest winner gets two shirts, pants, a hat and backpack. All courtesy of Akademiks, Lil Ru & Capitol Records.

All you have to do is drop your name in the hat @ The.Smoking.Section.Contests@gmail.com for your chance to win. Simply put “Lil Ru Giveaway” in the subject line and you’re done.

Contest ends on 11.9.07.

“Don’t I Look Good” Explicit Audio

For more on Lil Ru, visit www.myspace.com/lilruhoodhard.

Don’t forget…

I do not feel the need to say anything more.

Paid in Full 12″ Single

1. Paid In Full (7 Minutes Of Madness – The Coldcut Remix)
2. Paid In Full (Album Mix)
3. Eric B Is On The Cut

Move the Crowd 12″ Single

1. Move The Crowd (Beatmix By The Democratic 3 Feat. DJ Slack)
2. Move The Crowd (Album Version)
3. Move The Crowd (Wild Bunch Mix)
4. Extended Beat

I Aint No Joke/On The Cut 12″ Single

1. I Aint No Joke
2. I Aint No Joke (Extended Beat)
3. Eric B Is On The Cut.

Follow The Leader 12″ Single

1. Follow The Leader
2. Follow The Leader (Acapella)
3. Follow The Leader (Dub)

In The Ghetto- Cassette Single

1. In The Ghetto (Extended Mix)
2. In The Ghetto (Freestyle Mix)
3. In The Ghetto (Drums Mix)
4. In The Ghetto (Cuts Mix

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rmx-Y5oGDvY[/youtube]

Back when CD-R’s were still 74 minutes and Napster was only killing CD single sales, “Until We Rich” was one of the first songs I ever put onto a burned disc.

Although I planned on buying War & Peace Vol. 2, and eventually did, I saw this video on The Box and couldn’t wait to throw it on a disc for immediate spins.

To hear two emcees who typically talk mo’ murda and living the life of a ghetto vet speak on life enrichment, well, it made me want to go drink a glass of milk. Even the positive sentiment of the video, complete with Cube and Kray picking up neighborhood kids from the Boys and Girl’s Club and taking them out for clothes, food, and go-carts, made me appreciate the song that much more. Being that it’s edited, it also made it acceptable to listen to anywhere I wanted to go.

Which helped out immensely in ’99, because I was only fourteen and moms carted me pretty much everywhere I went.

On top of the song’s moral message, it was also somewhat of a shock to see Mr. Sawed-Off Leatherface and the Don Mega standing atop those LA skyscrapers together in the first place.

This was way before posse remixes came out every week, and Khaled, Kay Slay and Drama were making unlikely combos a regular thing on their monthly mixtapes. Cube’s influential and powerful drawl, coupled with Krayzie’s harmonious approach to the chorus, made this unlikely Cleveland to Cali combo seem quite unique. So much so, that the assimilation of their names echoed throughout the chorus as a reminder.

With the world becoming more hostile by the day, we could use more songs like “Until We Rich.”

The culture of Hip-Hop has escalated into mainstream society so much that it’s finally in a prime position to speak on the ills of the world. Instead, all we get is a bunch of meaningless bullshit flooding the frequencies. Rappers are more inclined to speak on what they have and who’ve they shot, or to turn people into cookie-cutters by entrancing them with instructions to their latest dance, then to take the high road and actually enlighten their people.

Do yourself a favor, or everyone a favor for that matter, and take four minutes from your next personal mix and include this conscious Ice Cube cut.

It might not be the hardest song ever, or even the flashiest…but that’s the point.

Ice Cube – Until We Rich (Feat. Krayzie Bone)

Stray Shots

Teena Marie – I Need Your Lovin’: The Best of Teena Marie

Miles Davis – The Complete On The Corner Sessions

The Cool Kids – Totally Flossed Out EP

Jimmy Valentime – Lost Angel Family

Paul Oakenfold – Greatest Hits and Remixes (2007)

Prophet_Posse-The_Return_Pt.2_(Belly_Of_The_Beast)-2CD

VA-The_Biggest_Ragga_Dancehall_Anthems (2007)

Kenna-Make_Sure_They_See_My_Face

Stray Shots

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eN9KP6lOZs[/youtube]

One quirky little thing my lady and I share is we often take note of commercials and tell the other about them. She says she mentioned this one to me but I didn’t listen. I swear I gotta start watching more TV because this shit was just great. Yes, so much so that it deserved it’s own post.

I like navy blue.

Apollo Creed was more akin to me than Rocky.

I’m a firm believer that mustard > ketchup, fall/winter > spring/summer, Nike > than all other sneaker companies.

And for many years, I always held Nas slightly over Jay. For the record, “Ether” > “Superugly.”

Preferences. We all have them. They’re personal, meaning each has his or her own reasons why they favor one thing over another.

The more I listen to “Success,” with Jay & Nas rapping together, the more I realize that all the years of arguing of who was better was a waste. It’s all apples and oranges when trying to compare their rhyme styles. Read the rest of this entry »

With everything else that’s made its way out today, we almost forgot your daily dosage. I think we owe you at least one more Tribe fix for the week…

A Tribe Called Quest – Stressed Out (Vinyl, 12″) (Jive Records – 1996)

A1 – Stressed Out (Raphael Saadiq Remix Radio) (4:31)
A2 – Stressed Out (LP Version) (4:56)
A3 – Stressed Out (Raphael Saadiq Remix Instrumental) (5:09)
B1 – Stressed Out (Baby Phife Version Radio) (4:03)
B2 – Stressed Out (LP Version Instrumental) (4:20)
B3 – Stressed Out (Baby Phife Acappella) (4:48)

A Tribe Called Quest – Stressed Out (Vinyl, 12″) (Jive Records – 1996)

That should be the end but it’s just the beginning. Because tomorrow, well, if you know what we do on Saturdays, you know…

…or it could be something totally different.

Stray Shots

Playaz Circle – Supply & Demand

DJ Boo – The Definitive Jux Halloween Candy Before Dinner Mixtape

Whitney_Houston-The_Ultimate_Collection

VA-The_Bluntologist_Presents_Blunt_Sessions

One Chance-Private

K-Rino-Book_Number_7-2007-EAC [Complete set of scans]

Nas – Greatest Hits (Advance)

Jay-Z – American Gangster

N.E.R.D.-In_Search_Of_(Acoustic)-EU_Retail-2002

T.I.-King-(JP Retail)-2006

Stray Shots

Words By Matthew Mundy

As far as hip-hop music videos go, the art in general has more-or-less fallen into abject creative poverty over the past few years. Much of that certainly has to do with the decreased emphasis placed on them – as MTV has steadily moved towards banishing any semblance of music videos (ostensibly its reason for existence) from their programming. It should be no great shock that artists have declined to throw their efforts, and record labels their budgets, into them. At the same time, the advent of YouTube has democratized the entire art as well, allowing lower budget videos to flourish (I’m looking at you, Aunt Jackie).

On the other hand, much of the creative glut in hip-hop videos has graphically traced the broader lyrical creative glut in hip-hop. Almost every hip-hop video has fallen into the trap of swinging jewelry, flashy cars, and gaggles of half-naked females filling out the rest of the frame (Lupe’s second verse on “Daydream” stands as the best criticism – or is it critical reverence? – I’ve yet to hear on the topic). Of course, there’s also a thick veneer of homo-eroticism layered over the entire proceeding (*cough*G-Unit*cough*), making for an interesting sociological spectacle, but little else as far as viewing pleasure goes.

All of that being said, the following (mostly recent) videos have somehow managed to break free from the straitjacket that seems to confine their peers, giving us something to chew on in between the assorted mediocrity that has otherwise clogged our visual environment. Read the rest of this entry »

LMAO @ Joey yellin out “interneetttt soooolll-dierrrrsss”

We here for you folk.

Joey went in, took Rans resume and pulled cards. I think I’d throw up the white flag @ this point and slide out quietly if I was Ransom.

Joe Budden – Ransom Note (Diss #2)

The only thing funnier that I’ve seen or heard in the past 48 hrs. was the homie Zaid over @ Spine with this quotable.

23 October 2007 13:22 – When I’m in the studio, I don’t finish the song and say, ‘That’s going to be a big ringtone,’” says T-Pain. Really? Everyone else does. – Zaid

I love those dudes for always keeping it funny.

…It’s American Gangster.

Click Here

A double-dose of Rocafella is a good way to start a weekend.

Too often, “fans” say they love an artist(s), but don’t make it rain @ Best Buy when the album drops.

So for those who did cop Get Back this week, we’ve got an easy one for you.

Grab a sheet of paper & write your name on it.

Take a picture of your CD & that piece of paper.

Upload it somewhere (Tinypic, Imageshack, Photobucket, Flickr, etc.)

Shoot us the links/pics at Smoking.Section@gmail.com and put “TSS x LB” in the subject line. .

We’ll go through to randomly pick out a winner or two & those individuals will win…let’s just say that LB fans will get a memorable item (or maybe items) in their mailbox.

And, no, we won’t send you one of Phonte’s sweaty towels from a performance (staph ya’ll). But trust that it’ll be a nice exclusive. Maybe a autographed LB tee, your baby momma’s name in an audio drop or a Christmas card from Pooh. We’ll take care of that.

You just take care of getting your submissions in.

You can see everybody’s submissions thus far by peepin’ the Flickr Photo Set.

And, what exactly are you competing for?

Well…I couldn’t get good pics of the autographed CDs but…

Contest ends on 11.9.07 11.23.07.

Be sure to go catch Little Brother when they come to your city.
Visit www.myspace.com/littlebrother for show dates & venues.

And I left mine in the wrap with the sticker to let you know I walked my punk ass in Circuit City to cop just like you…even after. I dl’ed the album for the free.

Words By Patrick M.

Listen to a song one hundred times and on number one hundred one, you can still hear something new. “Scenario,” which has been one of my favorite rap songs for the last decade plus, was one song I thought I’d fully digested. But in listening to the instrumentals this morning, I found myself focusing on noticed the piano chords, which I realized I’d never done before. I’d always focused on the drums and the bass (do do dooooo), before getting carried away by the rhyming. Alone they sound like noise, two random sets of notes that wouldn’t be called music, but complementing the bass line and drums (which are so good in their own right,) they add the perfect cherry on top of a delicious beat. Riffing a piano in such a way is basic to jazz style, and the beat components (bass, drums, piano,) make up a jazz rhythm section. Hence, Tribe being the kings of jazz rap and music critics fawning over Low End Theory, as they damn well should.

As for the rapping, I’m not going to hear anything new because I can recite this song at 6 AM before drinking coffee. Can there be any doubt that this is one of the greatest posse cuts of all time? Every verse seems to be better than the last, and every MC has multiple quotable lines from Phife’s “Known to do the impossible like Broadway Joe, so,” to Busta’s “Raow Raow like a Dungeon Dragon.” Some quick thoughts for your consideration: Read the rest of this entry »

“…Not givin’ a fuck ba’ boy/ Now I’m all grown up.”

If Dwaine Caraway has his way, the 1.2 million citizens of Dallas, TX, will be responsible for upholding the law wherever they go.

In more ways than one.

Yesterday, the deputy mayor of the Big D proposed an ordinance banning the sagging of pants throughout the city. In what he hopes will be “man’s law,” not a jail-threatening punishment, the citizens will be required to hoist their pants to their waist indefinitely. Read the rest of this entry »

Funk, soul & jazz tracks that Pete sampled in part or whole, here @ your fingertips.

A-Side

1. “On The Move” – The Impressions
2. “Turtle Walk” – Lou Donaldson
3. “From This Day On” – Eddie Bo
4. “Instant Groove” – King Curtis
5. “We’ve Only Just Begun” – O’Donnell Levy
6. “You’re The Fool” – The Three Degrees
7. “The Rill Thing” – Little Richard

B-Side

1. “Ghettos Of The Mind” – Bama
2. “Gimme Som”e – Freddie McCoy
3. “What’s Going On” – The Ohio Players
4. “Bootleggin’” – Simtec Wylie
5. “Heighty Ho” – Mongo Santamaria
6. “Our Generation” – Ernie Hines
7. “Chocolate Buttermilk” – Kool & The Gang

C-Side

1. “Bubble Gum” – The 9th Creation
2. “Music Talk” – Georgie Fame
3. “Freedom Dance” – Eugene McDaniels
4. “Cameo” – Eddy Senay
5. “Today” – Tom Scott
6. “Where Do I Go” – Alyn Ainsworth
7. “Don’t Change Your Love” – The Five Stairsteps

D-Side

1. “Expo 83″ – Back Yard Heavies
2. “Party Time” – Gentlemen & Ladies
3. “Capricorn” – Cannonball Adderly
4. “Ain’t Got The Love” – The Ambassadors
5. “Groovy Situation” – Mel & Tim
6. “I Got Soul” – Bama
7. “Soul Girl” – Judy Foster

Pete Rock – Pete Treats (Contains The Original Songs As Sampled By Pete Rock)

The other day, one of the first emails I got was from my chick…

=================
Subject: i think I might…. Inbox

LBoogie to me

…die!!!!! I dropped my phone in the toilet and doesn’t work anymore…
=================
And with that, baby Jesus cried.

I felt disgusted for her because we both live by our phones, moreso me than her. My phone is like a ventilation machine for me. Without it, there’s a high chance that I’ll run short of breath and begin hyperventilating.

And the following proclamation is something I’ve known for a while.

We’re both Crackberry kids, as are a lot of the people I know.

- I’ve tried all models of Smartphones & I’m convinced they’re the only type of phones I’ll ever use.

- PIN messages > text messages. Oh yeah, let me plug Jivetalk & Blackberry Messenger in there too.

- A full QWETY keyboard is a must on my phone. I could never go back to the old “1 = ABC” typing system. It feels like a frustrating time warp & I normally shake my head when I see somebody sitting & pecking there little hearts away just to add a special character to their message.

- I sleep with my phone no more than two feet away from me. It serves double duty as my alarm. And who needs a watch in 2007 when all I have to do is slide my phone out the holster & peep?

- I have no phone numbers, email addresses or physical addresses for anyone. Every single contact I have is stored into my phone. Real talk, if I lose my phone, I won’t be able to call my mom.

- Speaking of contacts, I have numbers for my favorite restaurants, shoe stores across the country, mechanics and a preacher all stored.

- I’ve been involved in web-based endeavors for the past 6-7 years and email access is a complete must have. From the old blue Motorola T-900′s to Timeports, if you want to stay on top & ahead of the game, you gotta have email access @ all times. If you’ve got PUSH email, add two points to your advantage.

- Fuck a laptop. I tried that shit and after I inadvertently laid my bag & laptop down in a parking lot, only to see it run over by a car, that pretty much sealed the deal on me ever copping one of those shits again. I’m too careless & need something closely attached. Those Mac notebooks are hella sexy looking though.

- When I see an email with “Sent via Blackberry from…“, I often feel as if I’ve found a kindred spirit who knows my language and methods of communication.

- On a dark Thursday morn, I’m currently stuck on the side of the highway with a blown tire. What do I do? Being the dedicated blogger & phone junkie I am I a.) Call my carrier to use their handy roadside assistance program that I pay for $5 monthly and b) use the time to type up a post.

Dedication baby. To TSS, Verizon & Blackberry.

Loosies

J-Kwon – Go Dirty, Go Dirty

Young Cash Ft. Yo Gotti & Shawn Jay – X (Remix)

David Banner – B.A.N. (The Love Song aka Free T.I.P.)

Cashis – Ms. Jenkins (Prod. By Eminem)

Young Dro – Dreamin’

N.O.R.E. ft. Sho (of Final Chapter), Capone, Joell Ortiz, Mistah F.A.B., MIMS, Garcia & DJ EFN – Set It Off Remix Pt. 2

Trae ft. Slim Thug – Nuttin’ 2 A Boss

The L.O.X. – You Don’t Want It

Speedknot Mobstaz ft. Jim Jones – Gangstas Don’t Dance

Chris Brown ft. Kanye West – Down

David Banner ft. Chamillionaire – Ball With Me

Playaz Circle – #1 Trap Pick

R.Kelly – Gangsta

Loosies

A Tribe Called Quest – Check The Rhime (Vinyl, 12″) (Jive Records – 1991)

Attempting to write something about this particular track was harder than I first thought. So I decided to put it in essay form.

First, you should know the horns immediately. Loud, blaring…and then as the beat eases in, they zone out. Kudos to Mr. Ali for the landscaping of this one.

Next, Phife and Tip trading lines back and forth like two guards on a fastbreak is priceless. The timeline shows that this was around the time Phife was becoming relevant as an MC, able to hold his own with Tip.

Then, the often quoted “Industry Rule #4080″ originated on this track. That line alone has the track cemented in music’s history.

In conclusion, download & enjoy.

And if you need an added bonus, go peep the video on Youtube.

A Tribe Called Quest – Check The Rhime (Vinyl, 12″) (Jive Records – 1991)

Check The Rhime (LP Version)

Check The Rhime (Mr. Muhammad’s Mix)

Check The Rhime (Skeff Anslem Mix)

A Tribe Called Quest – Check The Rhime (Vinyl, 12″) (Jive Records – 1991)

Stray Shots

Gravediggaz-The_Pick_The_Sickle_&_The_Shovel-1997

Beanie Sigel-The B. Coming

Reflection Eternal – Train of Thought

Jim_Jones-Members_Of_Byrdgang_2

VA-Tapemasters_Inc.-Cash_Money_Has_A_New_Army-(Bootleg)-2007

Hot Dollar – 100 Laws of Power [DJ Skee/DJ Ill Will/DJ Scream]

Quan – Most Anticipated (Hosted By P-Cutta)

Legend – Brooklyn Bred (Hosted by Skyzoo)

Flatlinerz – U.S.A.

Krayzie_Bone_Presents-Kneight_Riduz_The_Album

Fabolous_And_The_Street_Family_Present-Losos_Way-Rise_To_Power-2CD-2006

Jeru The Damaja – Divine Design (2003)

Lost Boyz

Legal Drug Money (1996)

Love, Peace & Nappiness (1997)

LB IV Life (1999)

Forever (2005)

Stray Shots