Hip-Hop has been around long enough that no one is making it to the forefront without taking cues from those who have come before them. The smart ones are perceptive enough to pinpoint certain traits from multiple sources and assimilate them into their own style. Which is why asking someone nowadays who their influences are, simply isn’t enough.

We’ve teamed up with Yours Truly for the “3:16” video series in an effort to peel another layer off the onion of the emcee’s thought process. When told straight from the horses mouth, the verses they hold near and dear to their heart provide a wealth of information. A verse or two recited is like being in the huddle when the play’s being drawn up. A few vital pieces of information make you see the play in a whole new light.

For our second installment, all lights are on Fayettenam’s own J. Cole. Although he shouldn’t need an introduction around these parts, here are a few highlights off his resume: he’s assumed the role of the new and improved Memphis Bleek on Jay’s Roc redux, released two well-received mixtapes, warmed up audiences on Jigga’s BP3 tour & found a place on XXL’s latest freshman list. All before dropping a debut album. Taking a brief respite on his road to apparent stardom, this Tarheel upstart recites a trio of verses that have stuck with him over the years.

In part one, J. shares how Canibus’ “Buckingham Palace” transformed his own rhyme style, helping him rearrange his whole approach to rhyming.

In part two, Cole breaks down his affinity for Nas’ “Undying Love” and its influence on one of his first songs, “The Storm,” as well as his smash, “Lights Please.”

Thanks: Roc Nation x Columbia

Check out the previous 3:16 series installment featuring Pac Div.

Sure, nobody likes their unfinished product being submitted to the general public before the final vision is realized. The music and movie industry know this to be all too true with songs and cutting room floor footage being plastered onto the Internet on the daily. And pirated software can be streamlined to meet real time standards. Read the rest of this entry »

What’s with producers focusing on everything except producing nowadays? Don’t they know they’re the backbone of the Hip-Hop nucleus? Can’t they see that they’re not Kanye? A little more honing your craft and less red carpet posing would go a long way for the greater good of the music but whatever. Kleph Dollaz isn’t one of those guys to break up buds on his MPC. Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t light up (like that) and maybe that’s cause in the Northeast, the green is lame in comparison to the strains available on Left Coast. Not trying to hate my native habitat, but you have to bow down to that kush. No Westside Connection intended.

But was there supposed to be a discrepancy in the first place? My vote’s evidently on the Cali variety, but Boundless NY opens up the debate on their collabo tee with Tha Doggfather on the green holiday not called Earth Day. So now here’s something to rock while practicing your yearly holiday tradition. Read the rest of this entry »

Hey L.A. Reid! You know how else we know Shyne is garbage? Since when does Curtis Jackson shy away from a beef? That’s like Def Jam supporting their artists to the best of their ability. Never gonna happen. Read the rest of this entry »

Even when you have a sturdy, main parachute in tow, it’s always best to keep a spare. With the release of his debut album just a little over a week away, Bobby Ray recruits a noteworthy co-pilot in Eminem to help navigate The Adventures Of Bobby Ray into friendly platinum terriority. You can do your part as well by pre-ordering the latitude. Read the rest of this entry »

While the admissions office at Ski’s 24 Hour Karate School continues to d!ck around, pause, it’s not stopping the students from getting their homework done. Clocking in from a little neighborhood you may have heard of–Harlem, meet Rugz D. Bewler. Scoring a 2400 on his RAP’s, it’s not hard to tell how he earned a spot at Ski’s accredited institution. Read the rest of this entry »

After having the one of those weeks where the crap rolled downhill and accumulated mass, I feel bushed. There’s not too many rap songs that will recharge me but I know the people need what they need. Therefore, I dug up one that I had saved to listen to anyways, this An Experiment In Instrumentation creation by orchestrated by none other than Shoes. Read the rest of this entry »

Every time Nicki Minaj travels near my vicinity – speakers or television – it never ceases to baffle me how much her career has evolved. The tricky lesson as it relates to Madame Nicki is realizing she, more than most artists, is an acquired taste. For as many people who speak negatively on her, just as many (if not more) worship the ground she struts across. Personally, Nicki’s music is fine in doses.

Minaj’s appearance on Gyptian’s 2009 hit, “Hold Yuh,” results in one of her better outings in recent memory. None of the funny voice variations or threatening to place her p#ssy on anyone’s sideburns, just real spit from the N.Y. femcee. Her impressive 16 provides an extra and welcomed edge to a song which, truthfully, was not in desperate need for another face lift in the first place. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve already stated how much I loved the Renaissance project as whole and my fondness for this song. Therefore, I’ll save you the words here, only reminding you that you can click to read the previous post and that Star & Burn One’s Renaissance Gangster is available on iTunes. Fin. Read the rest of this entry »

In case you forgot how long the West Coast has been producing great Hip-Hop, Kurupt decided to bring together three different eras of the coast’s storied history on his latest single “In Gotti We Trust.” Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta who plays the star role is found representing as one of the pioneers who came from a time when Dre was finding inspiration in Tribe records. On the hook, Xzibit blesses the track with his gruff, distinctive vocals holding it down for the late 90’s crowd that ushered in a new era with 2001. As for the present era, Terrace Martin’s menacing composition sets the mood for Young Gotti to verbally slaughter, giving a reminder to the younger generation on the come-up that there is a past that must be respected if there is going to be a future to be built. Read the rest of this entry »

In Fall 2009, the Shake Weight captured The Crew’s hearts and imaginations. Clearly the writers over at SNL frequent the site, as they saw the same comedic possibilities with the exercise machine that we did.

Since my original Shake Weight post, I’ve gotten a text every time a friend of mine sees a weird, potentially pornographic infomercial. While it’s nice to be on my friends’ minds, it’s slightly weird to get a text that reads “I saw a group of women look like they were giving a handy to an inanimate object and it made me miss you!” Read the rest of this entry »

Keeping the sonic rpms spinning right on axis, another track from Revolutions Per Minute has broken free from Reflection External’s hold.  Over Hi-Tek’s low-fi heater, Kweli reminds everyone why a song like “In This World,” was possible in the first place.  Just like the title suggests, he’s holding court on blacktop all day long on this one. Read the rest of this entry »

Even though I object to these preview clips & trailers, it’s long enough to technically qualify as a video & Decatur Dan made it look masterfully entertaining as he’s prone to do. The song playing is an unreleased track (“Trap Or Die 2: Reloaded“) that’s slated for the tape.

But none of the above words or the images below will explain why Jeezy adopted the Malcolm X persona for the screencap pictured up top. Confused? Slightly. In doubt? Not much. ToDII shouldn’t disappoint. Read the rest of this entry »

Havy Jaf

‘Mighty Mouse’ Is On His Way…To Paramount [Inside Movies]

40 Reasons to Be Excited About Music [Rolling Stone]

The 23 Best iTunes Add-ons [Lifehacker]

My Weeklong Journey into Farmville [Unreality] Read the rest of this entry »