Photo: Matt “Ginch” McGinley

“Government funds fill my city up with guns and drugs”

This one should be familiar to our audience since it’s one Freddie debuted @ Highline and a few folks kept hittin’ me for the mp3. In a definite strategic change of pace, Gibbs drops a radio version of a song. In my opinion, not a bad move @ all because at a certain juncture, artists have to venture off the internet and make a strong showing for themselves in other arenas. The tough part is an artist like Freddie gets unfairly pigeonholed by his subject matter — which is often street-orientated, true enough. If he’s rappin’ about blunts, guns and cursing, there can’t be anything worthwhile there, right? What naysayers miss is that he’s shown the versatility to craft songs of varying tempos and topics. I don’t think I actually realized it until he practically ran away with his feature spot on Mike Posner’s “Bring Me Down” with not a curse word in sight and enough wordplay to arouse the dead. Having listened to my fair of his catalog, there’s a library’s worth of variety just waiting, yet none of it is technically a radio hit.

What we have in “The Ghetto” is an opportunity for radio to broadcast a song that’s listenable, lyrical and has tinges of awareness, the final component being virtually nonexistent on Clear Channel these days. The easiest comparison, at least in my eyes, is seeing Freddie in the same vein as Pac. Many of his best, more memorable songs were not conventional in any sense. An ode to an addict mother? Teenage pregnacy? “Keep Your Head Up?” Not exactly run of the mill, nevertheless they connected with audiences because held sentiments & an authenticity that couldn’t be denied. Can you find their equivalent on the air today?

On my local station, there are only fallacies and fantasies – bottle poppin’, dancing and constant sexual foreplay with no climax. All of which make it easy to avoid, unless they opt-in with a balance that reflects our grounded reality. Yet many of our better artists literally have to fight and to get their music heard on the radio waves. Remember the uproar it took to get DJ Enuff to play “Exhibit C” on NYC radio? Heard about Trae’s plight in his Houston hometown? If you’ve ever been anywhere “Exhibit C” is played, you know the effect it has on crowds. Trae’s not just an artist; the guy has a day named after him in Houston due to his overwhelming involvement in the community.

When I received “The Ghetto” in my inbox, it was a summons, a call to arms. If you know a DJ, make sure to pass them this song. We all owe it to future of rap…and to radio.

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Download — Freddie Gibbs – “The Ghetto” (Clean)

Live from Planet KITH, Chip Tha Ripper and Donnis want to school you in the art of pre-gaming as they set out to hit the party life. It’s that Marriott music, what you know about that? Just one of the many incentives that made Land Of Make Believe the 4 Cig reality it truly was. Read the rest of this entry »

Kobe’s still the man you want to have the ball in his hand with the game on the line.  But what about if the ball is coming off the rim & up for grabs?  After last night’s game against the Magic, Atlanta’s Josh Smith gets my vote.  Swooping in out of nowhere, he effortlessly cleans up Joe Johnson’s missed jumper &  almost gave Stan Van Gundy a heart attack in the process.  The way SVG yells at his team for every little thing, I’d bet you a date with LC if he doesn’t have his team working on box outs today in practice. Read the rest of this entry »

Badu continues on her can’t miss streak with another well-received leak of New Amerykah Part 2: Return Of Ankh. This time around, she taps her b-girl roots and invokes the spirit of Christopher Wallace by turning his paperchasing party anthem into the groove for “Turn Me Away.” Read the rest of this entry »

Even though I don’t broadcast it, each day I quietly pick a non-rap album as my listening material @ work. Today’s choice is a freebie in the form of Phoenix’s Live In Sydney EP, which they’re offering up as a free download via their official website. That means today’s musical forecast calls for “Lisztomania” to be running through my head endlessly. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, then maybe “1901” or one of K1NG’s original suggestions will bring you into why their 2009 release (which make up the majority of songs on the recording) landed on many a critics top choice list. Read the rest of this entry »

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It’s still a bit hard for me sit through these days at the ol’ 9 to 5 after The Crew’s takeover of SXSW this past weekend. There are a million memories bouncing around my head, begging to be relived, and here am in a cubicle prepping sales calls. Bah-humbug. Read the rest of this entry »

…in the vein of his creative talents of course. On of Hip-Hop’s lost elements recently experienced a public revitalazation, as well as some bi-coastal love when Mister Cartoon and his East Coast compradres Cope2 and Sen2 hit the streets of Harlem and the Bronx to brainstorm while marking their territory on the stores with their signature art. Briefly speaking with the police who paid them a visit during their creative session, and gracefully standing in front of each completed artwork for a quick photo shoot. Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you’re an accepted wearer of boat shoes or not, the staple shoe of the upper crust has found a home as one of the style trends. For this collection, Timberland partners with Saks Fifth Avenue to deliver several newer colors to the palette.

“Timberland Company and Saks Fifth Avenue is going to announce their continued partnership with the arrival of exclusive co-branded handsewn boat shoes at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores worldwide. Design styles include footwear from the Timberland Boot Company and Abington collections, made with materials such as Charles F. Stead & Co. suedes and rich Horween leathers. In addition, a line of handsewn boat shoes, co-branded and exclusive to Saks, will be available in bold spring and summer colors – green, purple, orange and navy. The boat shoes have a suggested retail price of $120 USD.”

[NonDivision]

In a strange twist of events, a rapper’s record label fires the first shot in a contractual dispute. Well, maybe if it would be strange if the rapper in question wasn’t Joe Budden. Nobody knows woes, hoes and drama like Joey and Amalgam Digital owner N-E-X-T put it all on blast for the world to see via his Twitter account. Read the rest of this entry »

“And to tell you fools the truth, I don’t feel this is where I’m destined/ You can call it Hell, but I just say, bruh, I’m below the heavens.” Read the rest of this entry »

“Turn pain to progression in every studio session/Passion into perfection/To failure, I’m an exception…”

Looks like time away didn’t hurt Clifford’s wordplay. March 26 may be his official release date, but that’s not going to stop T.I. from hitting the ground running early. The King appears on the completed version of Jamie Foxx’s “Winner” alongside a guy he’s had a few hits with back in the day, Justin Timberlake. If I was a betting man (and I am at times), I’d say this will likely end up being Jamie’s first single for his forthcoming LP. Why else would you land two pop culture superstars for one record?

In related news, if there is a way Grand Hustle can slide in a Mike Bigga album alongside Tip’s and Bobby’s, consider me one happy camper. Either that or a Grand Hustle type compilation album. T.I. leading the charge. B.o.B. riding shotgun blowing kush out the window. Mike ready to unleash a scathing 16 at a moment’s notice. The occasional Big Kuntry offering. And on top of all that, colorful descriptions thanks to Grand Hustle’s English professor, Young Dro. Yeah, let’s make that happen.

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Download – Jamie Foxx Feat. Justin Timberlake & T.I. – “Winner”

First seen: Legend’s

P.S. Anyone know if Timberlake has a new album coming out anytime soon? It’s been like four years since the last one.

When you’re feelin’ it, you’re hot and when you’re hot, you’re sizzling. Like the life of the party as he’s known to be, Donnis is doing a nose dive into the crowd–overdosing on lyricism, life and most likely alcohol. No need to fret, though. He’s clearly in control with the one they call Needlz as they collaborate on yet another banger for the masses. Read the rest of this entry »

Sounds vaguely familiar? Nearly identical to Wale’s “Letter”? Pretty much is the same track, as I assume they were both created @ the house of Ronson studios & Allido Records.

“This song (“Letter”) was recorded for the “El Che” album while I was still on Allido Records with live vocals from John Mayer.” If the fans really dig the record, I will release a follow-up statement addressing the Wale situation (how he came about recording his version of “Letter”) in the immediate future.”

What do we learn here? Nothing major because both artists created authentic, gripping verses. The good is Fest will be dropping a mixtape, Dangerous 5-18, as a precursor to El Che. And that this track will be receiving the Court Dunn treatment. Yay!

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Download — Rhymefest – “Letter”

Propers: Matt

Our favorite Wu-Gambinos are back as they ramp up preparations for their upcoming Wu-Massacre release.  Much like the trailer which came out a few months back, the video for “Our Dreams” leaves you with as many questions as it does answers.  Despite the wringer they’re trying to put us through, you can do lot worse than Starks, Tical & Chef spitting with the visuals provided by Rik & the 3/21 gang.  Perhaps in due time, they’ll let us in on the surprise.

Plus that sample, along with the way RZA flips it between the verses and chorus, is a thing of beauty.  Damn near gave chills the first time I played it.

Bonus — Method Man, Ghostface Killah & Raekwon – “Dangerous”

Wu-Massacre in stores March 30th

[Via]