Hip-Hop Linguistics » Track of The Week

Track of the Week: B.o.B “Not Lost” feat. T.I.

Nathaniel — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:53:16 +0000

If you told me six months ago that I’d be featuring a song by T.I. as hip-hop track of the week, I probably would’ve laughed at you. But I’m really digging the verse he contributed Not Lost, one of my favorite tracks from B.o.B’s “No Genre” mixtape. Not Lost features an infectious chorus, and three nice verses about staying strong in the face of adversity. Click below to listen to B.o.B’s Not Lost:

[See post to listen to audio]

And proceed through the break to follow along with the lyrics.

[Chorus]
Just because I’m losing doesn’t mean I’m lost/
They gave me nothing but doubt/
First they waited then they hated then they counted me out/
Just because I’m losing doesn’t mean I’m stuck/
They say I lost my way/
But first I showed ‘em then I sold ‘em right in front of they face/

[Verse 1 - B.o.B]
Well, this is the world that we live in/
One minute you the hero, the next you the villain/
We got up in this game just to try to make a living/
And hit you with the truth while you watching television/
But still these are the cards that we dealt/
They kicked you on the ground when you most need help/
Until you dried up and they sit you on the shelf/
And then you start to cry ’cause you all by yourself/
So just know if you want to wear the belt/
The only way to excel is the soul that you sell/
So I could care less about the clothes on myself/
I’m trying to drive straight on a road made of nails/
Yeah I gotta pay the toll if I fail/
Or else it will be another story to tell/
I’m getting to the door I can tell/
I’m just waiting on the day til the glory prevails/

[Verse 2 - T.I.]
All I know is keep going, shit don’t stop/
Until the hustle double up and put the click on top/
Used to want to have the bricks on lock/
‘Til we went to prison saw we couldn’t pick them locks/
Easy decision/
Now a nigga think I lost my touch/
Listen if I ain’t the realest ever done it, I ain’t off by much/
So please don’t wake me up/
If I’m dreaming in the fast lane speeding no safety belt/
And this a marathon, pace yourself/
In this race for wealth, talking shit just a waste of breath/
Chasing me like chasing your tail, you never catch it/
Respect is something you never get if you never had it/
I’m looking back and laughing, this life of mine/
Brought me all the way here from a life of crime/
Just a constant reminder that the end all, be all/
Is the one who knows all, sees all because/

[Verse 3 - B.o.B]
Well these are my predictions/
I’ll be on the top 40 with a big hit/
Traveling the world trying not to get sick/
And I’ma get more friends on my friend list/
And then after that, I’ll be famous/
And every one I know will tell me that I’m changing/
And then my cell phone will never stop ringing/
And I’ll be all over magazine pages/
Yo and they’ll play my songs ’til they boring/
And if I ever do stop touring/
They’ll treat me like a foreigner/
Don’t believe me ask Lauryn/

Track of the Week: Celph Titled & Buckwild “Miss Those Days”

Nathaniel — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:20:32 +0000

I normally don’t post nostalgic hip-hop songs that talk about some past golden era of hip-hop. I guess I’ve just got tired of them, as it seems like every emcee these days makes a throwback track. But I made an exception for this week’s track of the week. Celph Titled & Buckwild’s Miss Those Days is an ode to hip-hop from the ’90s, and is a good example of the duo’s direction in their new throwback album “Nineteen Ninety Now.”

Something about this track just makes me feel relaxed, and the theme hits well for me this time of year, as everybody starts to reminisce about the end of the decade. Click below to listen to Celph Titled & Buckwild’s Miss Those Days:

[See post to listen to audio]

And proceed through the break to follow along with the lyrics.

[Chorus]
It’s like those days are still so fresh on my mind/
Seems like yesterday when I started writing my rhymes/
And I miss those days when look back over my life/
Though things done changed, I miss those good times/

[Verse 1]
Shit will never be the same/
I can picture it but never explain/
Memories stain every inch of my brain/
And pump through my veins/
How Grand Puba had the Tommy Hill locked down/
And how that Cool Water smelled, back then not now/
Backpacks and Starter caps, outfits didn’t match/
Which reminds me that the nineties was the aftermath of crack/
Girls had they name on they necklace, a gold cross/
Overalls folded at the ankles with stonewash/
Rza rocking all them beats, Sega with the Altered Beast/
Wasn’t safe to walk the streets with Jordan sneakers on your feet/
Rappers had you thinking white girls had no butt/
And white boys either rocked the mullet or bowl cut/
I’d give a motherfucking million dollars to go back/
To show with the soul clap, King Solo can’t hold back/
Magic admitted he had it/
But he ain’t an addict or faggot/
If you need ‘em I got crazy prophylactics/

[Verse 2]
Al Roker was fat, Ben Franklin’s face was small/
To many Florida felons, there came that three strikes law/
When Benz had the round lights, Lexus was the new whip/
Crews were rolling deep in Jeeps smoking on that Thai stick/
That chocolate lamb spread before they perfected hydro/
Five dollar bag gets you that skunk or that Cambo/
Kids bought CDs from Biohazard and Anthrax/
Supersized fast food; what the fuck was a Transfat?/
Pam Anderson, Anna Nicole, Carmen Electra/
Miss my people going off, I miss the G-Funk era/
Early to mid nineties was the greatest of all times/
Pac, Biggie, Big L, Eazy E and Pun were all alive/
It was either flavor or P-H-A-T/
Arsenio, the Wayans and Martin Lawrence was on TV/
These are oldies but goodies/
Difference of OGs and rookies/
Shit was good when Billy Clinton was getting Lewinsky pussy/

Quotable of the Week: Eligh “When I’m A Dad”

Nathaniel — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:09:44 +0000

It was very difficult picking out just one featured quotable from Eligh’s “Grey Crow” – as the album was filled with dope lyrical and quotable tracks. But I picked this one because it is a song about future intentions, which I found very creative. When I’m A Dad is a song about things Eligh plans to teach his children when he becomes a father. The track touches on things that happened to Eligh as a child, and how they will influence the type of father he will be. Click below to listen to Eligh’s When I’m A Dad:

[See post to listen to audio]

And proceed through the break to follow along with the lyrics.

[Verse 1]
I could try to say that I was never one to run/
But I was never one to stay/
My daddy never taught me how/
To knock a motherfucker out/
I lay in bed and dred the day/
Ahead, a scrawny kind of kid/
Talking on his back/
I never told my friends that I was tortured by the fact/
That I was in the minority, ’cause where my school was at/
South Central Los Angeles/
Wouldn’t trade it for the world/
Adams and 32nd/
More to this man you mention/
In it’s essence evolved music, so how can I forget that/
In the first grade, I met that, fell in love and made that mine/
I never regret that when I think about the times/
When fat boys wanted to kick my ass for nothing in my mind/
Was stressed daily; now it’s funny, but then/
I learned to pray to god because I couldn’t tell my friends/
That I was bullied on the block, psychologically getting punked/
I never really got once or jacked for my lunch money/
But on the yard like a jailor kept my eyes peeled/
Fifth grade on the battlefield, man that shit was real/
But on the yard like a jailor kept my eyes peeled/
Fifth grade on the battlefield, man that shit was real/

[Chorus]
I will never run again and when I am a dad/
Put my kids on everything that I could never grab/
Teach them how to fight because the world is going mad/
Teach then how to love because that’s all we really have/
Love is number one to give my kids when I’m a dad/
Music number two because that’s what I’m all about/
I kiss them on the forehead when they sit there looking sad/
Shout out loud I will be there on the bow/

I will never run again and when I am a dad/
Put my kids on everything that I could never grab/
Teach them how to fight because the world is going mad/
Teach then how to love because that’s all we really have/
Love is number one to give my kids when I’m a dad/
Music number two because that’s what I’m all about/
I kiss them on the forehead when they sit there looking sad/
Shout out loud I will be there on the bow/

[Verse 2]
The children are the future always have and always will be/
Mine will be protected til the ending if it kills me/
They will know that daddy loved them with a passion/
And put nothing above them even when the world was crashing/
Around us in the end and some would say that’s coming closer/
I put my daughter on my shoulders, lover her til it’s over/
A change in consciousness could be the end of what we know now/
Not earthquakes, tidal waves, and nuclear meltdowns/
Try to be positive in the way I live to generate light/
So if I bring that life into this world to witness daylight/
The love will carry over from killing off all my selfish acts/
Help one other human being a day to get my bass out of hell/
Well runs dry daily, gotta reimburse/
Good beats come first/
I’m crazy in love with my unborn child/
Teach them to care then let them run wild/

Track of the Week: Eligh “Love Ov My Life”

Nathaniel — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:09:05 +0000

This week’s underground hip-hop track of the week is Eligh’s Love Ov My Life, one of my favorite tracks from his new album “Grey Crow.” While it’s a little cliche these days to talk about hip-hop as a woman you’re in love with, this track really hits for me both musically and lyrically – and is one of many relaxing tracks on the new album. Love Ov My Life features verses by fellow Living Legend Luckyiam, and vocals by Paris Hayes. Click below to listen to Eligh’s Love Ov My Life:

[See post to listen to audio]

Quotable of the Week: 7L & Esoteric “I Hate Flying”

Nathaniel — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 20:46:52 +0000

I started cracking up the minute I heard this, because I agree with pretty much everything Esoteric says on I Hate Flying. The song, which features a hilarious story about a bad airplane experience, stands out as one of the best tracks on 7L & Esoteric’s “1212.” 7L’s chorus samples lyrics from Jay-Z’s Ignorant Shit, a track from his “American Gangster” album, while Esoteric’s three verses manage to cover everything we all hate about flying. Click below to listen to 7L & Esoteric’s I Hate Flying:

[See post to listen to audio]

And proceed through the break to follow along with the lyrics.

[Verse 1:]
You want me to relax on a plane?/
Man, that’s practically insane/
Every time I fly, I’m convinced we going down in flames/
See I pass security and dealt with all the rubbish/
Like taking my belt and kicks off, and paying eighty bucks for luggage/
Pick up my carry-on, I’m ready to fly/
Like a bird, get my Larry on, I’m stepping inside/
People always in the way, they gotta move to the left/
There’s a captain with the booze on his breath/
I greet the stewardess next/
Who’s kinda hot, but she isn’t my style/
Just my luck I have the seat between the window and aisle/
Stuck between two people, I’m a prisoner now/
And behind us is this Ritalin child, shit is wild/
The woman next to me is Betty, perfume heavy/
Southern accent mixed with cranking on already/
The dude on my left, death breath, I suppose/
A redneck named Ed if I’m judging by his clothes/
And yo, you think I’d like that/
‘Cause I don’t pay attention to the flight attendant/
When she demonstrate the life vest/
Or the oxygen mask, ’cause if we’re gonna crash/
We all dying, that’s why I hate flying/

[Chorus (Jay-Z sample)]
I can touch down and take off the same night/
Only thing change, the tail number on the flight/

[Verse 2]
I guess we getting in at midnight, show me/
A nine hour flight with one in-flight movie/
It’s some chick flick, sisterhood traveling pants shit/
I can’t sit still, can’t go to bed/
Can’t grab my headphones, they’re in the overhead/
Unless I climb over Ed/
Yo I think I’ll wait for a soda instead/
Yeah I’ll have a Pepsi – the whole can, not a cup of ice/
Man I’m feeling like I suck at life/
And when the turbulence kicks in my nervous system/
Makes every little sound sound sickening/
Sometimes I feel planes are the worst invention/
Birds and engines don’t mix/
Shit mechanics don’t fix/
Betty’s sleeping and I’m frozen like a mannequin/
I take a look around the cabin and nobody’s panicking/
And that’s good, but whether we’re safe/
Can usually be told by the look on the flight attendant’s face/
That’s when I hear a crazy sound and she hits the ground/
The redneck looks at me and says, ‘I think we’re going down’/
And now there’s women screaming, babies crying/
I’m afraid of dying, I hate flying/

[Chorus (Jay-Z sample)]
I can touch down and take off the same night/
Only thing change, the tail number on the flight/

[Verse 3]
I think Ed is right, shit we going down/
I hope the landing gear is intact/
I’m prepared for impact/
I feel my limbs crack/
Pull my head to my knees/
Got my ears covered up/
What the fuck is going on?/
I’m holding on/
We supposed to sail right across/
Not go out like the Oceanic flight from Lost/
Yeah we dive through clouds/
As beams of sweat dive through my eyebrows/
I’m thinking, ‘Why now?’/
My whole body tenses up, fist clenches up/
Hell or Heaven, tell me where will I be ending up?/
My seat’s buckled, head’s buried, eyes shut/
The captain comes on but everyone’s like, “What?’/
‘Cause you can’t understand, never can/
And I think we passed the point of looking for a place to land/
This is certain death, I won’t even need a coffin/
I won’t bleed a drop and/
Somebody better tell Saint Peter I’ll be knocking/
Can’t believe this is it, the only option/
We gonna blow up, incinerate and no one’s watching/
Altitude dropping/
There’s no stopping this plane/
My ears popping it’s insane/
My fear I can’t conceal it/
It’s sad won’t feel it/
I’m thinking of my life/
My son, my dog, my wife/
No, no, no! Nobody’s talking/
This is it we’re gonna die! ‘Welcome to Boston’/

Vacation Post #4: My Favorite Tracks & Quotables of 2010

Nathaniel — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:16:28 +0000

One of the big things I love about the current evolution of the hip-hop industry and business model is the new way tracks are released to the public. In preparation for their albums, both mainstream and underground hip-hop artists leak multiple songs to the blogs and websites. It is a great way to preview an album and to get free music. The tracks below are some of my favorite songs and quotables through June, 2010. Most are available for FREE download, and many have the lyrics posted:

Reflection Eternal City Playgrounds
The Roots Dear God 2.0
B. Dolan Earthmovers
Sage Francis Best of Times
Bohemian Rap CD Mama Mia
Dark Time Sunshine Primor
Everliven Sound Crack and The Electric Chair
ScholarMan Hood Stories Vol. 4
Kats Rich Dad Poor Dad
Random & DN3 The Won Too
Oddisee NYC Remix
Luckyiam TV In The Afternoon
Core Rhythm King
Debaser Don’t Sleep
Little Brother Curtain Call

FREE Download: The Roots “Dear God 2.0″

Nathaniel — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:36:19 +0000

The Roots’ upcoming album “How I Got Over” is probably my most anticipated album of the year. Dear God 2.0 is the second leak from the record, which is scheduled to drop in late June, and features Jim James and Monsters of Folk – serving as a remake of Monsters of Folk’s original Dear God. If you like this, check out the upcoming album’s title track How I Got Over. Click below to listen to The Roots’ Dear God 2.0:

[See post to listen to audio]

And click the following link to download the track for FREE: Download

FREE Download: Talib Kweli “Papers Please”

Nathaniel — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:25:25 +0000

Talib Kweli’s Papers Please is the third, and undoubtedly the best, hip-hop response to the Arizona immigration bill that I’ve come across in the past couple of weeks. It’s nice to see the hip-hop community getting involved. If you like this, check out Toki Wright’s By the Time I Get to Arizona 2010 and Chuck D’s Tear Down That Wall. Click below to listen to Talib Kweli’s Papers Please:

[See post to listen to audio]

And click the following link to download the track for FREE: Download

FREE Download: Mystik Journeymen “The Doorman Song” feat. The Grouch

Nathaniel — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:47:16 +0000

Big ups to the cats from Thizzler On The Roof for sending this over. The Doorman Song is a brand new track from Mystik Journeymen (Sunspot Jonz & Luckyiam), off the upcoming retail version of “Return 2 The Love.” The track features fellow Living Legends crew member The Grouch, and is produced by San Francisco-based producer BOAC. Click below to listen to Mystik Journeymen’s The Doorman Song:

[See post to listen to audio]

And click the following link to download the track for FREE: Download

Audio: Random “Pain in my Heart”

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:53:04 +0000

I was taken aback a little by this track, as it demonstrates what I feel is a big evolution in Random’s sound and rhyme style. If this is what we can expect from Big Ran’s upcoming EP with producer EOM, “Language Arts,” then we have a lot to look forward to. You can also download Random’s Pain in my Heart for FREE here.