Yeah it’s that time again.

Too often do we sift through the predictable media cycle of artists yelling how “crazy” their album is or even fixing their lying ass mouths to utter the other “C” word — classic. How about these C’s: cut the crap. Each year, the allure of the album continues to decrease thanks in part to overhyped, superfluous projects that only possess a handful of good songs. Not to mention the legion of stans that will stick by anything short of a satanic message their favorite artist puts out. Not I. Air ‘em out like spring laundry. Read the rest of this entry »

Le sigh…

Rappers and these Red Shoe Diary clips. First it was a bucky naked Uncle Face winking at the camera and now it’s Mouse Budden getting soapy in the shower. Read the rest of this entry »

Miss Info cameo around the 1:00 mark. Admittedly, the video Read the rest of this entry »

We The Smoking Section take our jobs as tastemakers and critiquing the latest albums in Hip-Hop very seriously. In an effort to show our readers how the process of granting an album with our Cig Ratings takes place, here’s the discussion between our review committee for Joe Budden’s Padded Room.

TC: Alright. As long as this album’s been in the making and promoted across the internet, did anyone else feel like this didn’t meet the expectations by any stretch? My biggest grievance is how does this really differ from Halfway House in terms of song structure or cinematic theme? Why weren’t we met with any surprises instead of what we’ve come to expect?

Landon A: Definitely falls short. Joey is nice on the mic, no doubt, but he came soft with this one. Perhaps it was the hype of a comeback that spoiled this one. Who knows? When artists have a lot of hype surrounding a record, a decent showing turns into an utter disappointment.

Contra™: Wish-washy production, forced concepts, forgettable lyrics at times, and some terrible, terrible, terrible, terribly haunting lack of cohesion.

Jesse H: Absolutely. Joey’s just not an album rapper. Put him on the list with Busta, Jin, etc.

MZ: Joe Budden can rap his ass off but unfortunately, his songwriting & song structure skills will always be his crutch. He raps at one speed and relies on vocal inflections to try and liven his flow up (i.e. “The Future”) throughout the album. I’ve come to accept the fact that he’s at his best when he’s in a piss poor mood and I’d rather hear him speak on his Tuesday afternoon, than strain to make a club joint. Also do my ears deceive me or does The Game spit a name-drop free verse? Read the rest of this entry »

I’ll admit: I was figuring Padded Room was preparing for the Hip-Hop hairline treatment (read: pushback) but this will reasure the people that the February 24th release date still stands. Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Budden’s Padded Room drops 2.24.09. As far as it making to Best Buy, we’ll have to do a regional watch to see if that plays true.

Frankly, I don’t know why Sai ever really stepped out and started threatening to knock Joe out. Truth be told, the punchline in question Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Budden may have just set a new precedent for earning money as an artist. Read the rest of this entry »

Off Budden’s upcoming Amalgam Digital release, Padded Room.

Nas must’ve coughed on these dudes & gave’em the “tin ear” syndrome because this beat isn’t repeat-worthy. It’s barely first-listen worthy lol. All the talent these two possess & this is the end result? Read the rest of this entry »