Here are my top 5 MC’s…

(5) Phonte (Little Brother)

(4) Lupe Fiasco

(3) Jay-Z

(2) Notorious B.I.G.

(1) Masta Ace

I want to take the time out to speak to those dudes that love to debate. I know dudes that have very different taste from mine when it comes to rap. Different is always good. I do different.

For a long time I couldn’t understand how anyone could like (MF) Doom. Recently, I’ve grown to appreciate his music. It’s purely about artistry. It’s not about trends and charts. There is, essentially, nothing like it. That’s when “different” is good.

Lupe Fiasco can be considered another one of those “types”. It’s more than rap. I’d be lying if i said i liked everything he puts out, but it’s a good vibe. It’s a art I feel safe in supporting.

What I can’t get with is rappers (and more so their fans), that base their careers on “different” without the artistry. If you have to preach about how unlike the mainstream your are, well…you haven’t said shit to me.

Some fans of this kind of music and mentallity carry the same trait. It’s the, “I was up on them when no one f@cked with them.” mentality. Phonte said it best when he spoke about the lack of mainstream success for the group Little Brother. “Some just want to take us home and keep us in they little box.”

I keep my mind open to anything, but if I’m not feeling it…I’m just not feeling it. iT’s not hate or regional bias. You don’t know how many times I’ve been told to check out this ” ” artist. My thirst for hip-hop is never quenched, so I do so eagerly.

The end result is some “Dj Cat Show Shirt Wearing Ass nigg..”. His objective is usually one of the following:

- Angry Thug/Political Activist mad at people for dancing…

- Microphone Scientist who tosses big words around (with little to no point); and anyone who isn’t feeling it…just doesn’t understand.

- Mainstream reject who aims for radio play with every song but just sounds like a parody of it all.

Am I asking for too much? I too search for “different”, but I am a little more cautious in my investing. I discovered the music of Jay Electronica and Joell Ortiz a while back. They are nice! And that will not go unignored in any case. Those are good refferals for hip-hop fans.

That wack shit some dudes hop on is just a reflection of their own shame as an social outcast. (Boooom!!!)

We all have “different” taste. I respect that, but when it’s up for debate…YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTIME.

Sincerely Yours,

VEGAS

Having an image from Jonathan Livingston Seagull tattooed on my forearm is primarily a memorial for Kaya.  But the book has significance vis-a-vis my relationship with my dad, and I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately.

My dad is severely alcoholic.  Even in my earliest memories of him, he always had a drink in hand.  In those early memories, however, the drink was beer.  It wasn’t until the late 80s, when our family grocery store went out of business, that the beer was replaced with Scotch.  My dad isn’t a violent drunk, but he can be a mean one.  Worse, in some strange way, he can be a neglectful and forgetful one.  I remember being a teenager and having raging arguments with him at night, going to bed so full of anger at him; then the next morning, he’d come downstairs for work and have forgotten the whole incident, greeting me with a cheery “good morning,” while I fumed over my breakfast.

For a long time, I’d say, he was a fairly highly-functioning drunk.  He was able to maintain a front at work, at least.  But I know that his behavior after-hours stopped my mom from entertaining, from going out with him — things she loved to do.  As she enforced the social isolation and then as their divorce furthered it, he hasn’t had to maintain that functionality.

When my brother and his family and the Kid and I visited my dad last year, on our first night in town, he got so drunk he passed out and fell and hit his head.  His liver is failing, I am certain.  His skin isn’t too jaundiced, but it has an unhealthy pallor.  His nose is swollen, and he shakes.

Despite all the pain from growing up a child of an alcoholic, all the impact he has had on my personality because of that, despite my inability to really confront him with his disease, I must admit I am far closer with my dad than I am with my mom.  (She makes me batshit crazy; my dad just makes me sad.)

My dad gave me many intellectual gifts.  He taught me to question authority (When my mom tried to indoctrinate my brother and I into Christianity, he’d be the person to encourage us to consider Buddhism and to read the Koran).  He taught me to love music (He took me to my first rock concert and he’d always listen to new music I brought home).  He talked with me frankly about sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll.  He spoke openly about his disappointment in following the path his parents wanted for him, rather than fulfilling his own dreams (He worked in the family grocery store, rather than becoming an artist or musician).

The boozing has often clouded the great appreciation I have for what he taught me.

So I’m glad I have a tattoo on my arm of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a reminder of the lessons and gifts that Kaya gave me, but also a reminder of those from my dad.

Dieses Kapitel ist San Franciscos Booksmith gewidmet, versteckt im legendären Haight-Ashbury-Viertel, nur ein paar Türen hinter Ben and Jerry’s an eben dieser Ecke Haight und Ashbury. Die Leute von Booksmith wissen genau, wie man eine Autorenlesung veranstalten muss – als ich in San Francisco lebte, war ich ständig dort, um unglaubliche Autoren zu hören (William Gibson war unvergesslich). Sie produzieren auch kleine Sammelkarten für jeden Autor – ich habe zwei von meinen eigenen Lesungen dort.
Booksmith http://thebooksmith.booksense.com 1644 Haight St. San Francisco CA 94117 USA +1 415 863 8688

Anmerkungen:

The Brady Bunch = Die Brady Family

Little Brother – Kapitel 16 (Zum Download rechtsklick “Ziel speichern unter…” oder einfach den Feed abbonieren)

Wenn euch eklatante Fehler auffallen, oder ihr sonstige Anmerkungen machen wollt: Ich freu’ mich drauf!

This is the title of one of my favorite Little Brother songs. When I heard Phonte’s  second verse I immediately had a “wow if that ain’t the truth” moment. Even though I am not a man, I could totally feel his POV and had actually been there myself–a time in my life when I didn’t want to be tied down, but wanted the convenience and comfort of having a guy around. I had been told a few times by the opposite sex in the past that I think or act “like a man” and at certain points of my life I probably did.

I’m no longer there, I totally embrace being a woman in my relationships, and if that includes being emo, then I’m cool with that because I’ve learned that I benefit more from putting my thoughts and feelings out there, than trying to run game. Game recognizes game, so I can point it out quickly as well. And I’m quick to call a dude on it too. Just not how I move these days. It’s pointless, no longer my style.

anyway here’s the verse:

Sometimes I think I’m from another world (preach)
When I’m trynna tell a woman just exactly where I stand, that (aight)
I want a girl, when I want a girl
And when I don’t want a girl, I want a girl who understands that
And that’s some hard shit to explain
To a woman that’s in love with you, it’s a pitiful thing
Until I had to figure
That I don’t wanna play around, but I don’t wanna settle down
And that’s a man’s dilemma, ’cause every man remembers
How his daddy and his uncles did it
‘Cause more than likely that’s the way they’re gonna do it
I know it sound fucked up and most wont admit it
But yo, I gotta face it ’cause I know I’m living through it
‘Cause when the party stops and niggaz get old
And the chain and the cars and the houses get sold, and that
Other side of the bed gets cold, you don’t wanna be alone
So girl I’m trynna hold you…

The entire song is fire though “…lady you should be…right here next to me, just come around, I’ll slow it down just for you…”

If you didn’t know, Drake’s an emcee out of Toronto. Hes released two mixtapes in the last few years that have created a lot of buzz around him. He’s done tracks with Little Brother, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Clipse + more. Just signed a deal with Lil Wayne’s Cash Money Records, and is set to drop his debut album 2010. This mixtape is from 2007.

click here to download

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. The Presentation
3. Comeback Seaon
4. Closer (ft. Andreena Mill)
5. Replacement Girl (ft. Trey Songz)
6. City Is Mine
7. Barry Bonds Freestyle
8. Going In For Life
9. Where To Now (Prod. By J Dilla)
10. Share
11. Give Ya (ft. Trey Songz)
12. Dont U Have A Man (ft. Little Brother & Dwele)
13. Bitch Is Crazy
14. The Last Hope (ft. Kardinal Offishall & Andreena Mill)
15. Must Hate Money (ft. Rich Boy)
16. Asthma Team
17. Do What U Do (RMX) (ft. Clipse)
18. Easy To Please (ft. Richie Sosa)
19. Faded
20. Underdog (ft. Trey Songz)
21. Think Good Thoughts (Prod. By 9th Wonder)
22. Teach U A Lesson
23. Missin You (RMX)
24. Man Of The Year (ft. Lil’ Wayne)

Ever since Anthony died, the holidays have pretty much sucked.  We haven’t really celebrated them.  And even when we felt like it, other people seem to have managed to screw up the plans to have the holidays be something other than a cry-fest.  (Yes, Ex.  I am talking about you here.)

But this year, I’m feeling far less nauseated about the whole rigamarole.  The Kid and I are going to visit my brother and his family in December.  We’re really excited to see them, but I’ll confess I’m also relieved that going out-of-town for Xmas gives me my “out” for not decorating the house.  (Bah humbug etc etc)

And we’ve had several offers to join folks for Thanksgiving, although we haven’t quite decided what to do.  I’m letting The Kid make the call.  I’m so exhausted from recent events, that I think I’d like to just stay home.  But in some ways, that seems to be echoing patterns of isolation that I’m trying to shake off.

As long as there’s pumpkin pie — and no shopping — I think I’ll be happy.

Dieses Kapitel ist Chapters/Indigo gewidmet, der nationalen kanadischen Mega-Kette. Ich arbeitete zu der Zeit bei Bakka, der unabhängigen Science-Fiction-Buchhandlung, als Chapters seine erste Filiale in Toronto eröffnete; und es war mir schnell klar, dass da was Großes am Werden war, weil zwei unserer klügsten und bestinformierten Kunden bei uns reinschneiten, um mir zu berichten, dass sie für die Leitung der dortigen Science- Fiction-Abteilung angestellt worden seien. Von Beginn an legte Chapters die Messlatte für eine große Buchhandels-Filiale hoch – mit erweiterten Öffnungszeiten, einem freundlichen Café mit vielen Sitzplätzen, Selbstbedienungs-Terminals und einem erstaunlich vielfältigen Sortiment.
Chapters/Indigo: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Little-Brother-Cory-Doctorow/9780765319852-item.html

Little Brother – Kapitel 15 (Zum Download rechtsklick “Ziel speichern unter…” oder einfach den Feed abbonieren)

Wenn euch eklatante Fehler auffallen, oder ihr sonstige Anmerkungen machen wollt: Ich freu’ mich drauf

BPA and Rock the Dub present J Slikk’s third entry into the Drum Major series featuring songs from R.O.E., Junclassic, (the artist formally known as) Cyrano and more over his production. Additionally, the compilation includes remixes of well-known songs with J Slikk beats.

Tracklist x Download Link after the jump

1. Intro
2. Rashid Hadee – Get Mine
3. R.O.E. – Can’t Help Myself
4. Cy Yung – Dreamcatcher Revisisted
5. Erykah Badu – Honey (J. Slikk Remix)
6. Common – The Light (J. Slikk Remix)
7. Indy Sparks – Vibe
8. Rukus – Cocky
9. R.A.C.E. (of the Primeridian) – The Prescription
10. Asylum 7 – The Real
11. Junclassic featuring Cy Yung – The Ooh Aah
12. Katy Perry featuring Cy Yung – I Kissed a Girl (J. Slikk Remix)
13. The Black Sunn- Black Gangsta
14. Junclassic – Cruising
15. Rukus featuring Soulbrotha – Slow it Down
16. Erykah Badu – Real Thing (J. Slikk Remix)
17. Cy Yung featuring the Primeridian – CeleBROtee
18. Logic Marsalis – Dopesicklove
19. Junclassic – Heard em Say
20. Kanye West, Nas, KRS 1, Rakim – Classic (J. Slikk Remix)
21. Chapter 13 – Watchin my Moves (J. Slikk Remix)
22. Oscah – Slow Motion
23. Cy Yung – Devil’s Pie II (unreleased snippet)
24. Junclassic – The Basics
25. Logic Marselis – Powermoves
26. R.O.E. featuring Cy Yung – Once Again
27. Little Brother – Life of the Party (J. Slikk Remix)
28. Indy Sparks – A Great Day
29. Cy Yung – Killa B
30. R.O.E. – Return of the Soulstar (intro)
31. Cy Yung – Da Hollywood Shuffle
32. Kanye West – Love Lockdown (J. Slikk Remix)

Download: The Drum Major III

We made it! Gravity Jones presents InfeRed’s brand new mixtape No Turn On Red. Pick your favorite file site to download from below the artwork…

InfeRed – No Turn On Red links: megaupload | rapidshare | sendspace | zshare | mediafire | limelinx | filefactory

Gravity Jones presents InfeRed’s 2009 mixtape “No Turn On Red.” MLKjr said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets, even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.” Tony ‘InfeRed’ Graves feels his path is leading him to record and perform honest music. If it’s true that your soul should speak truest and loudest through your actions, midwest rapper InfeRed’s soul preaches through every line. In the vein of some of Hip-Hop’s most candid and ground breaking artists, Red works with a passion and dedication to his lyrics and each message they encompass. He is often likened to Jay-Z, Common, Royce Da 5′9, Elzhi, and, more recently, Wale. Download the mixtape, analyze the lyrics, scrutinize the songs, love it and hate it. Peace and much love.

Also, check it out, rate it, comment on it at datpiff.

Please spread it like wildfire!! Feel free to copy any of the links, artwork, music, burn it onto cds, whatever…just get it out there!! Electric grass roots style…
Also, please let us know what you think…
and while you’re at it check the official video for the single
The Higher:

Peace, and much love!!!

“Africa” le tube du  groupe de rock américain Toto a donné (entre autres) deux bonnes chansons de rap.

TOTO “Africa” 1983

On ne se moque pas  des moustaches d’épiciers, des coupes de cheveux et des dégaines impossibles des californiens.  C’était il y a 26 ans merde !

Petite info : Steve Barron le réalisateur de ce clip kitchissime la même année va réaliser “Billie Jean” de Michael Jackson.

Nas “New World” 1999

Quatrième album pour Nasir Jones et aussi (selon moi) un des plus mauvais de sa discographie.  Cette chanson est celle où il s’en sort le mieux.

Zo & Tigallo “Africa” 2008

J’adore cette version. Tigallo aka Phonte de Little Brother et au chant et Zo! est à la console. Ce titre est tiré de leur projet indé (tiré à 2500 exemplaires numérotés)  “Zo! & Tigallo Love The 80’s”.

Ja Rule a également repris ce sample pour en faire une merde sans nom et je crois que Xzibit aussi l’a utilisé.

C’était juste un puzzle de mots et de pensées.

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/44672912@N03/

Oh, BTW, that is my baby brother! He is a competitive body builder.

[Phonte:]
When I step on stage, that’s when the joy ends
Hoes be whisperin, mad ’cause I dissed they boyfriends
Lookin at me askin Tay, “Why you so mean? “
It’s ’cause I’m the most slept-on since codeine, and niggaz want beef
Or can’t take the protein, irons, and minerals
Crush you Minute Maid-rappers in 30-second intervals (uh)
Album couldn’t see one of my interludes
Have you spittin and stutterin like Tavis Smiley in his interviews (ah-burbeeburbeebeeboo…)
You wack emcees be warned, sick of niggaz wantin
To freestyle all night, but can’t perform
My nigga, showmanship is what counts (uh!)
You gets no dough, your mic check just bounced (BOING!)
And came back with a “funds denied” stamp with it
Rap today is like a Minstrel/menstrual Show, even I’m catchin stomach cramps in it (uhh!)
It wouldn’t matter if you put your whole camp in it
It’s just a +Flavor+ for y’all +Cold Lamp+ with it, wha?

YT cr:scorpiolabi

Sr:BDTV.com

A cover of Vince Gill’s Little Brother… what can I say, I love that song

Gear:
Trussart Deluxe SteelCaster
Carr Mercury

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To say that I fell in love literally overnight would be a vast understatement.  I’ve been smitten on The Foreign Exchange since the day I heard “Nic’s Groove” off their first album Connected.  Who are they?  A hip hop duo consisting of Phonte (of Little Brother) and Dutch producer extraordinaire, Nicolay.  Their music is a fusion of hip hop, neo-soul, downtempo, and R&B.  They kind of grab your heart, lovingly poke at the bruised parts for a while and then kiss it all over and inject it with sunshine before they put it back in your body… which is now left with something resembling a post orgasmic high.  They leave you wanting more.

If you quickly become an addict like myself, between both artists there is plenty of music to satisfy.  Together they’ve released two albums, the most recent being, Leave It All Behind.  (Both are also available as instrumentals)  Nicolay has four solo albums including City Lights Volumes 1.5 and 2.0, and in 2008 he teamed up with Dallas rapper Kay (of The Foundation) on Time:Line.  And of course, be sure to check out Phonte’s roots with Little Brother.

View two of The Foreign Exchange’s music videos below.  “House of Cards” featuring Muhsinah and “I Wanna Know”, both directed by Matt Koza.  Next, sample The Foreign Exchange and other dope artists such as J-Dilla and Pete Rock on Pandora.  You will not be disappointed.  Unless you’re into auto-tune.