VA$HTIE is strikingly beautiful.

Let’s get that out of the way so we can move on.

It’s not the beauty of what’s outside, but what’s inside & how she manifests it into her work that makes her astounding. Director, designer, artist, party promoter, hustler. Name it, she does that. She’s one of those individuals able to leave an indelible mark on each thing she touches, reshaping it with her keen eye for style. That’s why when I thought of creating this segment, she was one of the first people I asked to contribute and was delighted when she agreed to take part…otherwise what other fucking reason would I have to strike up a conversation with her? Now, we share our affinity for Portishead!

Sidebar: In typical artistic fashion, Va$h said “fuck yo coloring book,” going well past the ten tracks we asked for LOL. We <3 her tremendously and grant her an E+ for effort.

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Rakim – “Don’t Sweat The Technique”

If I could have a theme song that played around me constantly, it would be this song. It feels timeless and universal. Rakim is legend and the beat makes me want to get up and dance like Rosie Perez in the intro to Do The Right Thing.

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Nas – “New York State of Mind”

This song and this entire album exudes such a powerful era in New York City: the music, the culture, the fashion. This song perfectly captures it all. I was only a kid in Albany when Illmatic came out and all it did was fuel my obsession of moving to “The City” even more (and possibly find a boy that look just like Nasir). Illmatic goes on my TOP 5 ALBUM list without question. It feels dirty, young, pure and real…so magnetic. New York’s updated anthem feels overly jolly, clean and Starbucks-y. Where’s the beauty in that? I miss the old New York.

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Deee-Lite – “Power Of Love”

Don’t let their seemingly one-hit wonder “Groove Is In The Heart” confuse you – they had hits for days. Their sound was so ahead of it’s time and Lady Miss Kier sang like a black girl in a white girls body. The group were 90′s-styled hippies, insistent on racial equality as they were composed of a mix of ethnicities and they pro-earth (they were one of the first to have eco-friendly CD packaging). It was Hip-Hop, it was rave, it was soul. It was universal. How I miss the 90′s.

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Depeche Mode – “Policy Of Truth”

I’ll never know if I would have fallen in love with Depeche Mode the way I did at such an early age, if it hadn’t been for my older sister bumping it on her little boombox. Aside from great music production and a unique electronic sound, the writing is superb — “There’ll be times when my crimes will seem almost unforgivable. I give in to sin, because you have to make this life livable. But when you think I’ve had enough from your sea of love, I’ll take more than another river full. And I’ll make it all worthwhile…I’ll make your heart smile.”

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Clipse – “Pussy”

I’ve always loved the style of Clipse and although I love almost everything in their catalog, this song takes the cake with the line: “I ain’t into fat-lipping, I’m into gat-gripping…” Just those simple sarcastic nuances that separate them from the rest.

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ESG – “UFO”

This band was a sister group that formed in the South Bronx in the early 80′s. They’re sound is revered around the world by similarly styled musicians for their post-punk, disco, Hip-Hop and dance punk sound. Little did anyone know when they emerged that they were just a young, Black sister group that was formed after their parents bought them instruments to keep them off the street…only to create new wave, funk masterpieces. This song goes down in history and contains no lyrics.

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Theophilus London – “Humdrum Town”

Aside from Theophilus being a friend and a fellow Trinidadian, he’s an extremely talented kid from Brooklyn who’s musical influences range from Jay-Z, The Smiths and Machel Montano. This track makes me feel like I’m watching a movie, perfect for a soundtrack. His whole mixtape (This Carming Mixtape) was on repeat last year and his new one coming up – I Want You – is even more epic! (I’m also featured on a song; it’s my first!)

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Biggie – “Juicy”

Clichéd? Yes. But, in 2010 this might be the only song that still allows HOOD FOLKS to own any space when it comes on. Despite the “all encompassing” vibe that Hip-Hop allows (frat kids singing to A Tribe Called Quest or valley girls getting crunk to Lil’ Wayne) suburbanites and rich kids alike get the side-eye for busting out in “And my whole crew is loungin’, Celebratin’ every day, no more public housin’…“.

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Buju Banton – “Batty Rider”

The funny thing about reggae and dancehall music is that, you can be an upstanding and composed human being at any other time of the day…but as soon as a dancehall record starts to play, a sexual dance explosions starts to occur. I could be hosting one of my parties with Q-Tip at SANTOS, busy keeping things in order, and as soon as this song comes on I stop everything and assume the “Dutty Wine” position and go dance with my friends. It’s like being under a spell that I can’t control. No matter how American I am, I guess it’s just in my blood. Guaranteed, this song will sweat out perms and create couples, even for just one night.

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Amanda Blank – “DJ”

Amanda is part of the New School of folks coming up. She’s been making music for a minute now and finally dropped a full album, entitled I Love You. The first time I heard this song I was in the midst of a tumultuous relationship that was perfectly expressed through the lyrics of this track. When I heard it, I couldn’t believe how perfectly the words resounded my situation that I played it until infinity. “How could he say that He loves me unconditionally? But still put so many rules and restrictions on me? He told me, “No one’s gonna love you as much as I do, But I can’t be the man that you need me to.” Oh,”Killing me softly.”

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The Charmels – “I’ll Never Grow Old”

It’s a shame that “singers” today are created in a laboratory, becoming stars due to the labors of their power team rather than their talents. Just listening to this song gives me the chills. The beat is so hard and the vocals are haunting, it’s no wonder it’s been sampled by some great people. “No fire is too hot, no snow is too cold. Youth will never leave me, I’ll never grow old“! Damn, damn, damn.

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The Smiths – “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out”

I know, I know. But look, you knew this list would be odd because it’s me…so just accept it! I love THE SMITHS and had a hard time deciding on this one. Their sound can equally please and sadden me, it’s depressing as it is enlightening. It taps into this part of people that happily self-inflicts depression, which I guess stems from my misunderstood youth. Not to mention, this song is so romantic and beautiful with lyrics like “And if a double decker bus crashes into us, to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die. And if a 10 ton truck kills the both of us, to die by your side, well the pleasure the privilege is mine.” It’s the British white boys version of Biggie’s “I swear to God I hope we fucking die together.”

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Portishead – “Machine Gun”

Portishead’s trip-hop, jazz sound has been a favorite of mine for years. Their recent album Third showcased some unbelievable production, heavy beats that one could listen to prior to an assassination. I usually get visuals when I listen to music, but I could make a whole movie inspired by just one of their albums.

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Serge Gainsbourg – “Requiem pour un con (BOF Le Pacha)”

This song is entirely in French set against some slowed down sleek African-styled drums. It seems to just drip elegantly out of my speakers. Although I don’t speak a lick of French and Serge could be reciting the telephone book for all I know, I still love this song. A French friend recently told me the song is dedicated to the man Jane Birkin left him for and apparently it’s not nice. Either way, the song is still perfect for a romantic evening.

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Gil Scott-Heron – “Home Is Where The Hatred Is”

You ever imagine yourself in another time period and who you know you would have dated? For me, I think back to this time and know I would have swooned over Gil. He’s so deep and so broken, women just eat that up! His music not only gave pleasurable listening it also captures life at a burgeoning time…real life portraiture. Listening to his music makes me feel like I’m witnessing life through his eyes. I can’t think of anything more powerful than that.

Keep up with Va$htie by locking in the following url’s: Va$htie.com, VioletteNewYork.com & Twitter.com/KingVashtie.

As a precursor to Teflon Don, the biggest Bawse wants YOU to know he’s made of money by going washing the dishes in wristwatches that cost more than the house you’re living in. Brought to you by DJ Folk & Papa Smirf, Ricky Ross has that The Timeless Audemars Piguet Collection so you can listen to luxury. Read the rest of this entry »

Sucker move alert.

In what could be Bring It On 5, the white ZTA sorority didn’t win. Well, they still technically won but they’ll have to share their crown with the AKA’s.

After the National Finals Competition this past weekend in Atlanta wrapped, we got together to do our post-competition review and found a scoring discrepancy in the sorority results. After looking at it and looking at it AGAIN, we determined there isn’t a definitive resolution.

Sprite is all about preserving the honesty and integrity of this competition. Because the scoring discrepancy can’t be resolved and due to the really tight margin between the first and second place sorors, we feel that the only right thing to do is to name both Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Tau Chapter & Zeta Tau Alpha, Epsilon Chapter, co-first place winners of the Sprite Step Off.

With these revised results, we’re gonna increase Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Tau Chapter’s scholarship prize to $100K, consistent with what Zeta Tau Alpha also got for their first prize winnings.

That’s some weak ass bullshit © G-Baby.

A “scoring discrepancy”? A little stink got onto the contest and they go back, splitting the crown? This week, I’d speculate that young Black people (and old too, I guess) made more noise for a step show than they did for changes in credit cards, President Obama presenting a revised health care plan and other news items. Priorities fail.

Don’t misinterpret my statements here. I’m all for a corporation doling out scholarship money to any deserving high school or college student. Yet, there’s bigger battles to be concerned with. Hell, there are even smaller battles worth more energy than who was/wasn’t out of sync the five minute mark of their performance. Furthermore, if I were head honcho over the Step-Off, I’d be fine with the brouhaha. Controversy sells; keep’em talking until next year’s competition.

No matter how many times they replay that Drake commercial to attempt to influence me, I’m a little wary of drinking Sprite now. I’m hearing reports that it will weaken your spine.

[Via]

I first heard Tef Poe rhyme at the first ever Mansion Rap battle. Held in what is best described as a former brothel turned stoner frat house, he filleted a flock of rap wannabees of both the STL street and college hipster variety. He finished second (call it reverse affirmative action) but Hip-Hop heads there knew who the best MC was.

Fast forward way too many years and Tef’s still spitting out ridiculous rhymes. He’s managed to add sophistication and detail while maintaining the same hunger in his style exhibited in the battle setting. “4 My Town” exemplifies his relentless vocals. Lyrical victims include Hitler, the Virgin Mary and, of course, John Mayer.

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Download — Tef Poe – “4 My Town”

As an extra, here’s the introductory track from Tef’s upcoming tape, featuring newcomer and fellow STLien Bryant Stewart.

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Download — Tef Poe Feat. Bryant Stewart – “Glad You Came” (Prod. by Tech Supreme)

Money Never Sleeps drops next week.

I love how Supreme can take the oddest of items, emboss them with their logo and suddenly that thing is coveted. Pictures of a few randoms from their Spring/Summer ’10 collection, including a moleskine, 5 panels from their always well-received headwear selection and a pair of nunchucks. Yes, nunchucks, because if you’re buying Supreme goods, chances are you have disposable income for even more cool crap you really don’t have an immediate need for. Check the nunchucks in action in the video below.

Part of Tracy Morgan’s shtick is his love for ladies and, in particular, his desire to procreate with them. Last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live, he amplified his desires, taking them to knew heights by putting them in the form of song and video. Ladies, if Tracy’s in your city, make sure your chastity belt is locked firmly in place and you don’t skip a day on your pills.

Seen: Rizoh’s

Dominique

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Remy Ma Denies Romance With Nicki Minaj [The Boombox]

How To Keep Your Grandparents Safe Online [Uproxx] Read the rest of this entry »

Words by Landon A.

In anticipation for yet another upcoming release with Winston-Salem beat bully 9th Wonder, Murs throws us “3:16 Pt. 2,” a cut laced with 9th’s signature chops and a return to character as the west coast MC leads listeners through his and the producer’s rich history.

If I could reminisce for a minute, at one point I remember Murs spearheading the Definitive Jux line-up and setting the precedent for underground west coast rappers of the day. Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition and Murray’s Revenge still get heavy rotation in the ride and when I think about it, those two records acted as the soundtrack to my high school years (See: “Freak These Tales”). On the other hand, I never really fucked with Sweet Lord; it got a single spin and then fell to the back of the list with Viktor Vaughn’s Venomous Villain and Goodie Mob’s World Party. But that’s neither here nor there.

Although not slated to be on the upcoming album entitled Fornever, it’s a great addition to the magic couples already sterling catalog that spans half a decade long. Check for more as Murs steps off his presidential campaign and back into the studio with his ace in the hole.

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Download — Murs & 9th Wonder – “3:16 Pt. 2″

Yesterday, when I said I wanted to feel a certain way when I walked away from listening to a Diplo track, it wasn’t meant as a slight to the production on “That Tree.” It’s just that thisiswhatimtombout. Charged Joe. Read the rest of this entry »

Is Jackie Chain gonna have to mack a bitch? For a having a better perm than him? With this latest hole-in-the-wall footage snapped by the Motion Family, I’m guessing the answer is a resounding yes. The Korean Crimson Tide shows he doesn’t get patted down when he hits the club in this extravagant display of ignorance.

Go get my $$$ hoe! Read the rest of this entry »

In “Desha Dayana,” Yonas, Yannick and Ro Blvd cooked up a record that’s in stark contrast to “Pussy.” This time around the duo tell an all too familiar tale of love and lust gone wrong over Ro’s ensemble starring a dominant bass, drums and violins. It took me a few spins to come around to this effort as a third verse would’ve made it sound more complete. But the sampled strings add a 60′s R&B flair that sets it apart from the pack. This track will be on A Love Supreme 2.0 which hits stores on March 9th. Here’s hoping 2.0 is a Showtime-era repeat as the OG release was one of my favorite albums of ’09. Read the rest of this entry »

Up from the 36 Chambers, perhaps literally, oft-forgotten member Masta Killa picks up on the recent Wu renaissance & prepares to release Live, his first album in five years. Carrying on the Clan’s tradition of amplified live performances (See: their work with El Michels Affair), Live features tracks from No Said Date as well as Masta Killa’s appearances on essential tracks throughout Wu’s catalog, including “Duel of the Iron Mic,” “Guillotine” and “Mystery of Chessboxin’.” Listening to “Duel…,” the only thing missing from this recording is a stage of a full of Shaolin soldiers/weed carriers, a crowd full of white people and everyone throwing up their W’s in mass.

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Download — Masta Killa Feat. GZA – “Duel of the Iron Mic” (Live)

Live drops on 3.30 on Gold Dust. For more info, visit www.mastakilla-liveonstage.com.

“RINGS ON like a basketball player
Freshman of the year like a basketball player
What it do cuz man I’m here to stay
Aw man cuz man we in ya face..
……..Aye!” Read the rest of this entry »

When’s the last time you even thought the name Rah Digga? While you tilt your head back towards to the sky and try to think how many Busta Rhymes albums dropped since he said her new joint was coming (son!), she’s hiding out in your bushes, firing off a couple preliminary bullets to get you ready for her next project. Read the rest of this entry »

Funny how life can have its ups and downs all in the same work day. No less than 24 hours after releasing a career highlight in Not Your Average Joe EP, Joe Scudda – along with Rapper Big Pooh, Jozeemo, Chaundon and manager Big Dho – had a brush with death as their van did a 360° turn on the freeway in Vermont. Read the rest of this entry »