“…Still be sitting on the couch if I was signed to Koch, Could’ve signed to the Roc, now I’m signed to the streets, the D the only thing that’s profiting for me.”

As we traverse the rap universe, mapping out what we believe to be “next,” we encounter a wide range of individuals and end up in unfamiliar locales. So while others use their own methods of music discovery, I prefer to follow rappers whose music greets me @ the city limits and then takes me on a guided tour of their town. And that’s what Danny Brown has been doing, but perhaps most eloquently with The Hybrid.

When the internet presents us another free album, it can carry the appeal of being handed a party flyer in the club parking lot, soon to be ignored or discarded at the first opportunity. Then there are those that will manage to catch the attention and deserve a follow-up. After Danny Brown released Detroit State Of Mind 4, it was a convincing affair that warranted that The Hybrid at least got a cursory listen. What was found was the proverbial diamond in the rough. Read the rest of this entry »

At this very moment, I’ve only been to New York twice in life. Once for an interview and the other time for New Year’s 2009. A real cool place, but full of people who walk side by side not even acknowledging each others’ existence. The only time they did was when they were cussing each other out to get on the train. Odd, lovable people those New Yorkers are.

That being said, number 71 on my bucket list happens to be to visit Summerjam at least once before the event eventually loses its luster altogether. The music scene may not revolve around the mecca anymore, but it is still an ultra powerful city in regards to its influence. Read the rest of this entry »

In case you haven’t realized that Xzibit’s comeback is full throttle, maybe this buckshot to the dome will push your mind right…to the left side of the pavement. Consisting of B-Real, Young De and Mr. X to tha Z, The Serial Killaz are the next supergroup out of Cali pulling 187′s on instrumentals. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s gonna be that one guy who says “Wiz get with Creative Control to do your videos. These aren’t cutting it.” Agree and disagree. Yes, quality and creativity are a must. But in 2010, most artists have much more desire than dinero.

However, as Decatur Dan said, “5D’s are like Escalades.” I’d suggest grabbing somebody with one (no Flips please) and a tad bit of skill (suggesting a film school student here, not one of your random homeboys). Let them film, you rap and push that sh#t out to the people. I think I’ve said it before but I’ll reiterate that the next logical step from mixtapes is videos. YouTube is the new MTV. And it’s cost effective. Newer artists, use these means & outlets to put yourselves in front of the people. It’s what draws the curious fans into the clubs and venues to see you perform when you hit the chitlin circuit. They want to copy what you wear, walk and how you talk lol. The heads, they just want to see if you can really rock a stage. Read the rest of this entry »

These things are always fun to take part in and to read. Complex called in the Hip-Hop’s tastemakers to wax poetic regarding their initial reaction to Kanye’s “Power.” The first time this group convened it was for Eminem’s “Not Afraid” and the reactions were more mixed. But for this one, I think the overall response looks to be fairly positive across the board. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Atlanta,

Looks like I’ll be in your area this week for the IdOMusic Event Panel as a part of this month’s feature, “The Role Media Plays In The Music Business Today.” Not exactly sure how I got chosen but I’m halfway honored because I don’t think I’ve ever taken part in a music panel before. Too often, these things go down and we’re not stationed in areas where they’re happening. And when they’re in the South, I assume we get overlooked because we’re crunk, but not crunk enough. Hopefully, this will be the first of many situations like this where we’ll be given a mic to talk our sh#t. I’ll leave my soapbox @ home since I assume they’ll have microphones. Read the rest of this entry »

Things have been too serious around here these days. We have all these in-depth discussions and cultural analyses going on, it’s time to take a break. And our most recent dose of well-executed ignorant escapism comes courtesy of Deuce Poppi and Rick Ross.

Maybe it was four years surrounded by white people in undergrad, but Hip-Hop tracks dedicated to Caucasians have a special place in my heart (I’m looking at you “White Girl” and “Party Like A Rockstar“).

It’s summertime. Time to dance. So cue up those guitar riffs over sub-Mason-Dixon Line slaps and let me party with my white friends. Read the rest of this entry »

These were Billy Badass when they first dropped, especially the early releases that come in the white/red/black and the turquoise colorway. They looked bold, felt great and performed well. Even the name “Trunner” was tough. But they had that pesky metal clip at the ankle that caused them to be recalled. And when they did, I held on to my turquoise pair for deal life, wearing them sparingly until it was time to let them go. After that, none of the subsequent designs that followed came near touching the first editions. Read the rest of this entry »

Tam Berry

Miley Cyrus Camel Toe Pics [Blogxilla]

Kanye West’s ‘Power’ Producer Explains How Song Happened [MTV]

Caught On Tape! The Funniest Jumbotron Moments [Complex]

Rihanna, Bikini, Pool [I Had Heard]
Read the rest of this entry »

It’s apparent that journalist Lynn Hirschberg got under M.I.A.’s skin. First she called the writer out on Twitter, going so far as to post Hirchberg’s cell phone number on Twitter. Seems like she’s not stopping there because I’m assuming “Haters” – with lines like “Why the hell would journalists be thick as shit?” – is taking aim @ the scribe for what’s been widely deemed as an unflattering portrayal of Ms. Arulpragasam in a recent NY Times Mag profile (get the skinny here). Read the rest of this entry »

With DJ Whoo Kid playing the role of Royce’s ever faithful sidekick, The Bar Exam 3 (The Most Interesting Man) is here to add a little spice to your holiday weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

As much as Kanye deserves all the shit he gets for blatantly disregarding others, sometimes I feel bad for him. Any antagonistic, post-VMA sentiment I held towards the man was promptly knocked off the sky-high saddle I was sitting upon earlier, when this especially touching studio version of his 2008 Grammy performance of “Hey Mama” glided into rotation. The original was always my sh#t — and a favorite of my moms, too — but this expose of orchestra-backed emotions is quite possibly the most open I’ve ever heard any rapper come across on wax. It gives me goosebumps. Real talk.

I told my man the other day, “If the music is good, the artist shouldn’t even matter.” Read the rest of this entry »

The second-coolest Mississippi guest in the history of the Emilio Sparks show stopped by last week to discuss one thing we all hold dear: the almighty skrip club. Okay, he talked about a few other things: his album, bringing fun back to music and a striking resemblance to Tracy Morgan. I’m all for having a Big K.R.I.T. video shot in Meridian featuring Hustle Man.

Make it so, Creative Control.

Stray Shots

Akello Light & 9th Wonder – To Hanes Mall EP

Amalgam Digital & DJ Next Presents Max B & Young Riot – A Wave Called Yes

Wes Fif – It Ain’t Hard To Tell

DJ Drama & DJ Sense Present Sean McGee – My Life My Love My Story

City Haze – Star Of The City

2DopeBoyz & Kevin Nottingham Present: Eternia – Get Caught Up

Marky – Journey To Markyland, USA: Rest Stop 2 EP

ENY Radio 11 – Rest In Power Guru Mixtape (Hosted By Dallas Penn)

Klassik – Sleep When I Die

Lil Cease & DJ Lazy K – Everything Is Hard Body Vol. 1

DJ Envy – The Hit List 41

Franchise – Henny & Haze (Hosted By DJ Rated R)

E-Clipz – Exodus EP

Billy Blue – 36 Reasons Reloaded HD

Jaysun – Next In Line

Pugs Atomz – Kinda Like A Mixtape

Stray Shots

“Took a shower kinda sour cause my favorite group ain’t comin with it.” — André 3000

What was once nothing more than a dope line has become a self-fulfilling prophecy for one of the best groups to ever do it.

Luckily, between their discography, solo work and guest spots, Outkast has produced enough music over the years to satiate our appetites until they decide to put together another collaborative effort. And now HiStakes has also compiled a group of ‘Kast loosies from ’92-’99 and mixed them down for our listening pleasure. On top of that, he even chopped out almost everything that didn’t contain Dre or Big’s vocals to fortify your Outkast experience. His reasoning:

For my fellow OutKast fans: a smoothly-mixed, extensive compilation of b-sides, guest spots, and soundtrack features from 1992-1999.

These aren’t the original tracks. I mixed it to emphasize OutKast… I took almost everything else out cause I really didn’t want to listen to more Monica, singing Missy Elliot, Witchdoctor, or Slimm Cutta. It’s 95% or so straight lyrics from Andre and Big Boi… Tried to go for smooth transitions, nothing fancy. Hopefully, it’ll feel almost like a lost album – 54 minutes of straight Andre and Big Boi, with a few “guest” spots from T-Mo, Big Gipp, Slick Rick, etc.

Now did every one of these songs deserve the cutting room treatment? Of course not, but it flows & I don’t have the ability to do it myself. So I’ll happily take it as is and it to iTunes and save it for a rainy day.

HiStakes Presents Outkast DeepKuts (Vol. 1)

01. TLC – What About Your Friends (Extended Remix)
02. OutKast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (Organized Extended Remix)
03. OutKast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (Diamond Remix)
04. OutKast – Benz or Beamer
05. Goodie Mob – Dirty South
06. Goodie Mob – Thought Process
07. OutKast – ATLiens (Bad Boy Remix)
08. OutKast – Everlasting
09. OutKast – Jazzy Belle (Swift C Remix)
10. OutKast – In Due Time
11. Goodie Mob – Black Ice
12. Cool Breeze & Big Boi – Gangsta Partna
13. Kilo Ali – Love in Ya Mouth
14. TLC – Sumthin’ Wicked This Way Comes
15. Witchdoctor – Dez Only 1
16. OutKast – Rats and Roaches (Unreleased)
17. Monica – Gone Be Fine
18. OutKast – Phobia
19. Cool Breeze – Watch for the Hook (Dugeon Family Mix)
20. Eightball & MJG – Throw Your Hands Up
21. OutKast – High Schoolin
22. Slick Rick – Street Talkin’
23. Youngbloodz – 85
24. Missy Elliott – All N My Grill
25. Tash – Smokefest 99
26. OutKast – Freestyle (Vinyl Bootleg)

Download — HiStakes Presents Outkast DeepKuts (Vol. 1) | Alt. Link

[steadybloggin']

Admit it. The more you listen to that Rebirth album you didn’t pay for, the songs started to sound more than outtakes from a syrup-induced temper tantrum. He’s no will.i.am but Weezy’s pop ear is steadily gaining credibility in most circles outside of rap. Already one video deep in the adventures of Lil Tunechi, the ladies of Young Money, Nicki Minaj and Shanell, add the ying to his yang in the latest flicks. Read the rest of this entry »