The Smoking Section

Uproxx

Articles By: MZ

Maino - “Let’s Make A Movie” Video

Tomorrow has come and gone, but Maino continues to soldier on.  On his slept-on debut, this was one of the songs that didn’t seem to fit the overall theme of the album. But after seeing this it seems to fit in a little better. It’s not a love song, It’s a thug (strip) club song.
November 22nd, 2009 | MUSIC, VIDEO | Read More

50 Cent Has A Change Of Heart Regarding Album Sales & Artistry

I really didn’t want to speak on this until his official first week numbers came in because, outside of water cooler banter, it doesn’t really matter much. At least not to the average listener; I imagine first week numbers can make or break a TI’s week nowadays.  But in doing what...
November 20th, 2009 | DIGITAL NEWS, SMOKE BREAK, THE NEW MODEL | Read More

Which Came First, The Chicken Or The Egg?

According to Soundscan, Attention Deficit sold 28,100 copies last week. In this day and age, when album sales are as tough to pick as the winning lotto numbers it’s hard to gauge what’s a success or failure. But when you come to find out that only 30,000 were shipped it can cause one to stop and...
November 18th, 2009 | SMOKE BREAK, THE NEW MODEL | Read More

Your Daily Funk - “The World Is A Ghetto”

I can’t stand when  rappers let the beat ride out for anything over 30-40 seconds.  You’re a rapper, rap over it or get on with the next song.  But when real musicians do it, everyone is better for it.  War is one of those groups and “The World Is A Ghetto” is a great example...
November 15th, 2009 | AUDIO, Daily Funk, LOOSIES, MUSIC | Read More

Throw The Book At ‘Em

Remember those cops a few months back who were caught playing Nintendo Wii during a drug bust?  The one’s that spent nine hours of taxpayer’s money practicing for the PAL Bowling League?
November 14th, 2009 | Events, Everything Else, SMOKE BREAK | Read More

Joakim Noah Makes Columnist Eat His Words, Literally

We all know that hindsight is 20/20.  But for Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Morrissey, it also tastes like salsa. Joakim Noah could not play. He was soft, had the shooting form of a fourth-grader and simply didn’t have game. Of this, I was certain on Draft Day 2007. I couldn’t have been...
November 13th, 2009 | SMOKE BREAK | Read More

Clipse - “Doorman” Video

Hey Doormaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan…. Someone let YN get this ahead of schedule. Til’ The Casket Drops in stores Dec. 8th Download — Clipse - “Doorman”
November 12th, 2009 | GENERAL, VIDEO | Read More

Let’s Be Honest, Who Didn’t See This Coming?

First off take a long, hard (II) look at the picture above. Notice the date?  Friday the 13th, as in four days prior to Before I Self Destruct hitting store shelves and about 400 days since the first stalled it’s original single “Get Up” surfaced.  I was wondering what 50 had up...
November 11th, 2009 | GENERAL, SMOKE BREAK | Read More

Clipse - “Doorman”

My apologies to those still trying to hold out on this release.  Don’t shoot me; I’m just the messenger*. December 8th can’t come soon enough as another track see’s the light of day.  From what we’ve heard so far, it appears the Thronton Brothers are in a good mood this...
November 10th, 2009 | AUDIO, GENERAL, LOOSIES | Read More

“Valid & Victorious” - Review Of Mally’s The Passion

After a two-year hiatus Twin Cities emcee Mally is back with a follow-up to 2007’s The Letter. Equipped with a shorter name, he dropped “From The 612,” he’s ready to introduce himself to some and reintroduce his self to others.
November 10th, 2009 | ALBUM REVIEWS, REVIEWS | Read More

Raekwon Feat. Lyfe Jennings - “Catalina” Video

The Chef’s whipped up some more OBC4L2 goodness in the form of “Catalina.”  With it being such a cinematic track in audio form, it’s good to see that the video brought that story to life.
November 9th, 2009 | GENERAL, VIDEO | Read More

Jack Splash - “Baatin (Missin’ U…)”

If there was ever a self-explanatory song title, “Baatin (Missin’ U…)” says everything one needs to know before the first line is spoken.  But since knowing is only half the battle, Jack’s back and he’s taking a moment to pay respect to one of  his fallen comrades. ...
November 6th, 2009 | AUDIO, LOOSIES, MUSIC | Read More

CunninLynguists Feat. Freddie Gibbs - “Imperial”

If by chance you ever stumbled into the Church of Thugs, there’s a good chance this is what you’d hear the choir singing right before or after “God In The Building.” Natti and Gibbs provide the testimonials over a head-nod inducing mix of organs and guitar riffs by Kno.  And...
November 4th, 2009 | AUDIO, GENERAL, LOOSIES, MUSIC | Read More

BET (& Judge Mathis) FAIL: Frankie On The Judge Mathis Show

Woooh Buddy… there’s no way anyone saw this coming. BET managed to get Frankie on Judge Mathis’ show to promote her and Neffie’s reality show.  They’re obviously not saying it, it’s not that hard to figure out when you got Frankie walking down the courtroom aisle...
November 3rd, 2009 | Everything Else, SMOKE BREAK, TV/Movies | Read More

Chrisette Michele Feat. Wale - “Fragile” Video

Perfect time for Chrisette to drop this visual for this remix off her sophomore effort Epiphany. She’s been putting in work since its release touring and promoting, so why not coast a bit and ride on Wale’s coattails as he prepares to release Attention Defecit next week.
November 3rd, 2009 | MUSIC, VIDEO | Read More