Rating:
  Release Date: July 18, 2006
  Website: Busta Rhymes Website
  Label: Aftermath

Busta Rhymes “The Big Bang” Album Review
I know all the kids are hating on Busta these days, but he’s still my man. Especially when the photo on the back of his album shows him wearing a chain inscribed “Leader of the New School.” (more…)

I recently reviewed Mr. Lif’s new album, “Mo’ Mega.” For those of you who don’t know, Lif is a highly political MC, and often gives his point of view on our country’s actions at home and abroad.

In any case, Lif’s past couple of albums have shown an interest in the continent of Africa, which I am starting to see as a major political issue for the hip-hop generation. (more…)

Now I see her in commercials.
She’s universal.
She used to only swing it with the inner-city circle.
Now she be in the burbs licking rock and dressing hip.
And on some dumb shit, when she comes to the city
Talking about popping glocks, serving rocks and hitting switches.
Now she’s a gangsta rolling with gangsta bitches.
Always smoking blunts and getting drunk.
Telling me sad stories, now she only mess with the funk.
Stressing how hardcore and real she is.
She was really the realest before she got into showbiz.
I did her, not just to say that I did it.
But I’m committed.
But so many rappers hit it.
Now she’s just not the same letting all these groupies do her.
I see rappers slammin her, and taking her to the sewer.
But I’ma take her back hoping that the shit stop.
Cause who I’m talking bout y’all is hip-hop.

Common Sense – “I Used to Love H.E.R.” from Resurrection

What I believe within.
I engrave it in my skin.
And one thang that I ain’t is a saint without a sin.
How could there be a now if there never was a then?
That is unbalanced just like the yang without the yen.
I am distinguishably deeper as opposed to the paper-thin.
And I breathe oxygen.
And you rhyming about rocks again.
You stagnant, standing still enough to feel the world spin.
I’m beginning to smell the end in the path of the blowing wind.
Hopefully I’m fortunate enough to spend forever with a friend.
I’m slow dancing with destiny every day until then.
When I first got my big break I said that I would never bend.
And discredit my character to keep up or contend.
And my belief beat baseline secrete such a special blend.
I am not like them at all and I cannot pretend.
I am not like you at all and I cannot pretend.

Cee-Lo – “Big Ole Words” from Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections

I’ve been trying to support my local independent movie theater, the Mayan, lately. Independent film is pretty similar to independent hip-hop in that neither is controlled by sponsors or corporate influence, and both therefore tend to represent unique and often revolutionary topics, techniques and points of view.

In addition, both independent film and independent hip-hop are not big money businesses and need our support. So I try to peep a movie every couple of weeks. (more…)

The big hip-hop story of the day revolved around statements made by Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas.

“When you compare it to today’s standards of what hip-hop is … don’t even call it that, ‘cos (because) that’s, like, an insult. Today’s hip-hop is just angry, negative music that just makes black people look bad.”

Will.I.Am quoted from ContactMusic.com

These statements appear to have sparked some controversy among hip-hop fans. While some feel that Will.I.Am is correct and that hip-hop has lost its way to the bling gangsterism of MTV, BET and corporate controlled playlists, others feel that the Black Eyed Peas are sellouts and not representative of hip-hop, and thus are not in a position to comment on its status. (more…)

I read a very interesting and thought provoking article today called “Hip-Hop and Violence.”

The article was written by Sonia Poulton, a former hip-hop journalist who is now asking herself if her coverage and promotion of gangster rap instead of positive hip-hop helped to contribute to violence among the hip-hop generation: (more…)

  Rating:
  Review Date: July 10, 2006
  Website: The Gnarls Barkley Website
  Label: Downtown

Gnarls Barkley “St. Elsewhere” Album Review
If there’s one thing I’m tired of, it’s that people be hating on my man Cee-Lo. Now I understand their frustration, because I would love to hear him move back to rapping … just because he does it so well. But this in no way means that I don’t dig or respect his solo albums. In fact, I think his two previous releases, Perfect Imperfections and Soul Machine, were exceptional, whether or not you want to consider them real hip-hop albums, and they both remain on my constant rotation. (more…)

Depending on the day, and depending on what I ate.
I’m anywhere from 20 to 35 pounds overweight.
I got red eyes, and one of them’s lazy.
And they both squint when the sun shines so I look crazy.
I’m albino man, I know I’m pink and pale.
And I’m hairy as hell, everywhere but fingernails.
I shave a cranium that ain’t quite shaped right.
Face tight, shiny, I stay up and write late nights.
My wardrobe is jeans and faded shirts.
A mixture of what I like, and what I wear to work.
I’m not mean and got a neck full of razor bumps.
I’m not the classic profile of what the ladies want.
You might think I’m depressed as can be.
But when I look in the mirror I see sexy ass me.
And if that’s something that you can’t respect then that’s peace.
My life’s better without you actually.
To everyone out there, who’s a little different.
I say damn a magazine, these are God’s fingerprints.
You can call me ugly but cant take nothing from me.
I am what I am doctor, you ain’t gotta love me.

Brother Ali – “Forest Whitiker” from Shadows on the Sun

Trapped like rats in mazes for the cheese.
Every natural resource is here.
We don’t really need money.
But certain people need power over people.
They act like that cause they trapped inside their egos.
And now you can’t feel free.
Without material possessions, you just can’t be.
And without them you’re left stressing so anxiously.
So you grab the Smith & Wesson.
Them aim then squeeze.

Blackalicious – “Supreme People” from The Craft