The album may have decreased in monetary significance over the years, but few can deny the calibration it stacks onto an artist’s creative worth. Who can come the most original, pick the best beats, wedge through that sliver of possibility of reinventing the wheel, all of those ideals factor into who’s really running this rap ish. Read the rest of this entry »

Politically, economically and culturally, a lot has changed since December 31, 1999. In terms of music, the past ten years has seen a seismic shift in the way we consume music and in turn has profoundly influenced how music is made. In ‘99 we were still in the midst of the compact disc era (although I was snagging tunes off shared dorm room drives for the first time and had just installed WinAmp on my computer).

But in terms of content, has Hip-Hop music really changed much since 1999? Take a look at what the TSS Crew would have been debating as the 90′s closed.

The all-time low of Pop music — Seriously. If you think shit’s bad now, then maybe you should check out this Top 100 list from 1999. Cher’s “Believe” at number one? Sugar Ray and Ricky Martin in the top 10 and the rise of teen pop? No wonder people thought there was going to be an apocalypse. Read the rest of this entry »

New clip for “How Bout That” off Blackout! 2. Red & Meth featuring their cronies Ready Roc & Streetlife. Read the rest of this entry »

Blackout 2 in stores now.

Previously Posted — “Dangerous Emcees” – Review Of Method Man & Redman’s Blackout! 2 | TSS Presents Smoking Sessions With Method Man & Redman

Words by Jesse H.

Phife and Q-Tip had it. Big Boi and André 3000 have (had?) it as well. “It” in this case is chemistry, and it’s something that Clifford Smith and Reggie Noble have in excess. The two emcees, better known as Method Man and Redman, already have an established and impressive resume when they work together, a resume that includes a sitcom, a film and 1999’s Blackout!, an album that’s hailed by many as an underground class- well, you know the word.

That said, it’s been 10 years, an eon in the rap world, since the blunt brothers teamed up for the original, and now, they’ve finally returned with their follow up effort: Blackout! 2. Saying Hip-Hop has changed a considerable amount in the past decade is akin to McDonald’s® placing “caution: Hot!” labels on their coffee cups. So can the grizzly vets update their sound appropriately? Read the rest of this entry »

When the great Hip-Hop pairings of our time get brought up, how often are Method Man & Redman mentioned? Since 1995′s bong-blazin’ anthem “How High” to their seminal classic album Blackout!, the Shaolin and Brick City representers have ignited Notable Quotable verses as well as the end of their blunts on a regular basis. Still going strong on the heels of releasing the noteworthy follow-up Blackout 2!, Red & Meth crash TSS to break down old school vs. new school rappers, future endeavors and their favorite THC byproducts.

This is a Smoking Session. What did you expect?

TSS: It’s been a good 10 years since the original Blackout! Do the planets have to align, lunar eclipses, Apocalypse Now-type shit to get y’all in the studio?

Method Man: Nah we been in the studio, y’all know that the work was still there. Red has his solo project, Def Squad, Gilla House and numerous mix CDs he was working on. I had my solo project and the Wu-Tang joint. So we was staying in the loop but the label didn’t come around to the table because they were going through their staff changes at the time — but it’s here now though.

TSS: What was the creation process of Blackout 2! ? Was it a totally different experience or more of the usual routine.

Method Man: It was a casual approach. We went in with our heads clear. We didn’t have any pressure from the label and we went in comfortable. No pressure to do radio songs or none of that. And I actually, honestly LISTENED to the music to and conceptualized from that point on. Read the rest of this entry »

Word on the e-streets is that Blackout 2 is pifferific. The homie Emilio was able to get a hold of the two MCs for an interview.

Redman is his usual funny and candid self and you don’t want to miss his feelings on his Def Jam situation. After the break, Meth is a little more diplomatic but has a special message for those bloggers out there, wherever they may be. Read the rest of this entry »

Jamal and Silas, plus Tony & Lou Diamonds.

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Download — Method Man & Redman Feat. Raekwon And Ghostface Killah – “4 Minutes To Lockdown”

A couple of extras for ya after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

For all you 90′s era petitioning types out there, you can finally stop kneeling to your Def Jam 2000 alter night after night. For what was clearly a decade in the making, Red & Meth are reunited to try and put some spark back in the NYC movement. Read the rest of this entry »

Pic Credit – Jonathan Weiner

Jesse H., along with photographer Jonathan Weiner, trooped to the video shoot for Red & Meth’s “A-Yo,” the lead single from their forthcoming album Blackout 2 set to drop next month via Def Jam. Jesse’s report coming soon. But for now, enjoy Jonathan’s pics.

More pics after the break. Read the rest of this entry »

“While y’all thinking I’m trash, loving the taste of success and this drink in my glass.”

You know who most rappers want to be? Meth.

Several platinum albums, several gold, a Grammy or two, a successful solo and group career(s), TV and big screen fame, video games and even comic books. Still maintaining a good private situation at home, and persevering a decade and a half into the game.

But that’s not really why Meth is one of my favorite MC’s pretty much of all time. Read the rest of this entry »

Flip the breakers, Red and Meth are back for another Blackout!

Hopefully.

New track from Hip-Hop’s funniest duo with the worst sitcom ever, but I can’t pinpoint where it’ll featured on. Last year, there was talk of a second album between Silas and Jamal, so maybe it’s a teaser. If you can believe it, it’s been over ten years since their last collaborative effort, which is just plain crazy.

I think it’s safe to say they’re due.

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Redman And Method Man – Ay Yo!