Video: LIfe Long - Rockie Fresh feat. Rick Ross & Nipsey Hussle

This joint is tough. I only paid it mind because I saw Nip and Ross featured but Rockie Fresh has another joint I like called "God is Great".

Video: Wale feat. Rick Ross & Lupe Fiasco - Poor Decisions

Lupe verse >>>>>> Ross verse >> Wale verse


"Can't afford 'em but you still gon' get 'em."

Mixtape: Dexter's Lab by Dexter Darko

"Dexter Darko" is a cousin of one of my best friends from childhood and as a result we've become cool over the years and I love the fact that he's a bright young guy going to school but also doing something he has a true passion for, rapping. For all you aspiring rappers out there, yes it's fine to go to school but still find ways to pursue your hip-hop dreams (and still have a solid education to fall back on). All that aside, "Dexter" has sent me some tracks over the years that I've previewed and given some feedback on and some of them has been great and I've wanted to post but he asked that I not post until he is ready to release his material to the broader public. Makes sense. Well, now's that time! I just got an email from him about his mixtape, Dexter's Lab and I'd like to share it.

Dedicated to the #7 Georgetown Hoyas... Wale - Georgetown Press

I've been considering posting this since it's one of my favorite tracks off of the Folarin mixtape and also because Georgetown has been on a tear lately. I didn't want to jinx the Hoya's run but after that double-OT win last night, I gotta post this. Shot out to Otto Porter!


I'm a homer so I rooted for Georgetown and Maryland as a kid and teen respectively. I remember the days of Allen Iverson, Victor Page, Exree Hip, Steve Francis, and Juan Dixon very well. Georgetown has had a consistently good program just not the same level of talent with respect to other top programs so it's good to see them making this run. I think a number 2 NCAA tournament seed is in the works for Georgetown if they keep playing like this or maybe even a number 1 seed if the top teams keep losing like they have been this year. Speaking of, this has to be one of the best years of college basketball ever!

The (Aspiring) Rapper, K. Robinson

So I found out last night that my godson that lives in Buffalo raps (as K. Robinson). I had heard wind of this a couple years back but didn't know he really took it this seriously. But apparently, not only does he rap, he makes beats too! Now to put this into perspective, he's 14 years old. No 14 year old is out here dropping Andre Benjamin style gems or making Dr. Dre beats. Me being a fan of hip-hop/rap, I had to temper my expectations before I watched the video (see below).

When I watched the video I was impressed. Mostly with the latter part of the video where he does his verse a capella (at about the 4:35 mark) and I can tell that he actually puts some thought and effort into his rhymes and he's not just writing words that rhyme. Anyway, whether or not he becomes a rapper or producer or whatever, I think it's dope that a kid can have this as a hobby and channel all the energy he has into something positive that lets him be creative and develop a passion for something. That's dope and I'm proud of him.

Video: Big KRIT - Rich Dad, Poor Dad

I liked this song when I first heard it but not as much as most people I know. The video enhances the song by helping to bring out what he's saying with visuals and this is definitely one of those tracks that should be on the radio but likely won't be.

Video: Gods'illa feat Sean Price - Saviours & Punishers

I know I posted that Trinidad James joint the other day and I definitely like that track. But when it's time for that real hip-hop, gotta put something like this joint on.

"Back to that Timberland rap, so tie your hoodies up!"

"Don'tBeleeMeJehWatch-Don'tBeleeMeJehWatch!"

Yep, I'm rockin' to it, smh. I'm guilty, lol.

Thoughts on the Rap Nominations for the Grammy's

Best Rap Song

“Niggas In Paris” – Jay-Z & Kanye West: This is a great nomination for this award. A popular song but not so pop that it doesn't feel like a hip-hop/rap song.

“Daughters” – Nas: Deep down, I really hope this song wins because of the topics Nas addresses but it's not going to happen.

“Lotus Flower Bomb” – Wale: Dope song and one of my top 3 off of this list. I'm rooting for Wale because of his DMV ties and the fact that even though he's signed to Fat Ricky he hasn't completely tried to emulate or poach the down south rap swag like other artists from up north (see: Fat Joe, Diddy)

“Mercy” – Kanye West ft. Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz: This would be a landslide to win in my mind if there wasn't that horrible part of the song where Kanye changes the beat during his verse. I may be more opposed to/disgusted with that part than most people but it takes away from the overall quality and flow of the song. I'd bet though, that this has a really really good chance of winning.

“The Motto” – Drake ft. Lil Wayne: My favorite song out of all of these listed here because the joint just bumps. I'm imagining that this will finish in the top 3.

“Young, Wild & Free” – Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa ft. Bruno Mars: This is a pop song, it should not be listed under the Best Rap category just because it has rap artists on it.

Who do I think will win? Well, I'm rooting for Wale and I think that "Lotus Flower Bomb", "Mercy", and "The Motto" should be the 3 finalists. But in the end I think it's going to be between "Niggas in Paris" and "Mercy". Either way, Ye Tuda gonna win.

Best Rap Album

Take Care – Drake: I don't think this is Drake's best work but I understand why it's on the list. I don't think this album should win though.

Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1 – Lupe Fiasco: I haven't listened to this album all the way through yet but I'm guessing Lupe does some of his usual addressing of social issues and "the industry is some bowlshat" banter on here so I'm not mad that he's nominated at all. Lupe drops a lot of dimes but nobody really listens.

Life Is Good – Nas: My personal opinion of this album is that it's really good but has been prematurely exalted to classic status by Nas stans due to Nas's history of not-all-that releases and their dying urge to call something Nas has done within the last decade a classic.

Undun – The Roots: I haven't listened and although I like The Roots I still think it's BEEN time for that Black Thought solo project.

God Forgives, I Don’t – Rick Ross: Really? This (like Drake) is not Ross's best work as an album (see "Trilla" and "Deeper Than Rap"). "Deeper than Rap" set the bar for me as far as Ross albums go and this one isn't close to being as good as that. Another Curtis beef or Jeezy beef and Ross might be able to make a truly classic album. Until then, I guess he gonna churn out that post-poverty but I still need my streetcred dope boy shyt.

Based On A T.R.U. Story – 2 Chainz: Clearly, this is the "it's still a popularity contest" entry. 2 Chainz raps but he is by no means the best at it. he makes catchy songs and is quite entertaining. If this is a popularity contest and not a contest about the best album, 2 Chainz should win. If this is about the best ALBUM, he shouldn't even be on this list. No disrespect to him because he has his lane and he's doing his thing but this album is not an award-winner in my opinion.

Whose gonna win? This is either going to go to Aubrey (Drake) Graham or to 2 Chainz. I know, I know, it sounded just as crazy as I was typing it as it did when you just read it.

Best Rap Performance

First off, I'm confused by the title of this award. When we say performance what do we mean? Performance on stage? If so, when and where? Performance in a video? Ok, I can see that sort of. I just don't get how you judge the best rap performance. It's not like all these folks showed up at the same time like a cheerleading competition and performed. Anyway, that's just my little axe to grind with the title of the award.

“HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)” -Drake ft. Lil’ Wayne: I ain't never seen this performed but I kinda like the song.

“Niggas In Paris” – Jay-Z & Kanye West: Here's your winner. They performed the song in Paris with Mary Kate and/or Ashley backstage. How can they NOT win the award?

“Daughters” – Nas: Video was cool. I like the song. Not sure how this is gonna be judged as a performance though.

“Mercy” – Kanye West ft. Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz: If we're counting the video as a performance, I think this should be in the top 3 for winning this award. That video was simplistically dope.

“I Do” – Young Jeezy ft. Jay-Z & André 3000: Mehhhhhh. This song was sooooo over-rated because of that Andre verse.

Kay-Z should boycott the Grammy's next year if they don't win this category.

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

“Wild Ones” – Flo Rida ft. Sia: I've never heard this song but I will admit that I like "I Cry" by Flo-Rida.

“No Church In The Wild” – Jay-Z & Kanye West ft. Frank Ocean & The-Dream: Since when did Terius Nash get added to the list of artists associated with this song? I guess he must have ghost-wrote that hook for Frank Ocean. Oh yeah quick question, what happens when you put Frank Ocean, Kanye, and The Dream all in a darkly-lit studio by themselves? Yeah, I don't want to know either. But I would love to hear the song that came out of it, lol.

“Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” – John Legend ft. Ludacris: This song was pretty avergae to me.

“Cherry Wine” – Nas ft. Amy Winehouse: This song is HANDS-DOWN the best collaboration even though Amy is dead. Then again, maybe Nas will lose points because Amy is dead. Who knows. Either way, this is the best song listed out of all these categories and should have been up there for Best Rap Song. Definitely one of my favorite tracks of the past year.

“Talk That Talk” – Rihanna ft. Jay-Z: This was a solid radio track but Rihanna is better seen than heard in my opinion (even though I like the Diamonds joint). This joint ain't gonna win.

Nas, go get your award SON!

Video: Lupe Fiasco - B&tch Bad

Lupe is kinda getting his Nas on here if you think about it. But Lupe always throws some depth into his music and consequently doesn't sell as much as other less-progressive thought-provoking artists. I won't name any names.

THROWBACK!!! Mad Lion - Take It Easy

"Too many suckas and not enough time!"


Mad Lion - Take It Easy by abcDPGC
I remember skating to this at the old Crystal Skate on Branch Avenue back in the day, lol.

Kanye West, "White Dress"

Out of all of his multiple personalities, this is one of my favorites lol. He's semi-channeling his 808's style here, minus the autotune. This one's off the "The Man With the Iron Fists" soundtrack. This isn't an official video but I actually like the treatment.

If I was a real writer and not just a blogger, this is what I'd love to write about

The title of the post is not a shot at any other bloggers because there are a lot of awesome and credible bloggers out there on various subjects, it's about me recognizing that this is just a hobby and not something that I take seriously enough to call myself credible (in a writer/journalistic sense) at.

With that said, I just read a pretty good article by David Drake of Complex.com entitled, "Real Trap Sh*t? The Commodification of Southern Rap's Drug-Fueled Subgenre", that made me realize that if I were able to write really well and informed about something, that article is a great example of what I'd like to write about.

He does a great job of providing historical context of what the term "trap" meant when it was first uttered by a hip-hop artist and he also gives great insight into how the term seems to have been accepted by the mainstream and somewhere along the lines, the real point of the "trap" has seemed to have been lost and/or blurred by mainstream hip-hop fans. That point being (as he stated quite well) that:

"Recognizing that there is a very real context to rap’s casual glorification of street violence, that it isn’t simply an action movie set in the hood, is a Good Thing."

If that isn't the P.S.A. of the year/decade for suburban/rural kids that think all hip-hop is entertainment, I don't know what is. A large portion of it is hyperbole and incessant glorification of things that don't really matter, but a good amount of guys talking about "the trap" actually come from a place that could well be defined as such. I won't waste time going on-and-on any further about the article, I really just wanted to make the point that it's the kind of stuff I would write about if I was good enough at writing but that I'm glad someone is out there critically thinking about these types of things and has a platform to put it out there. Kudos to you, David Drake.

Picture of the Day: The back cover of Kingpen Slim's Triple Beam Dreams mixtape

HA! I wonder how the cats that popped him feel. Anyway, aside from the provocative if not hilarious back cover, Kingpen Slim is pretty nice. Nice enough for you to check out his Triple Beam Dreams mixtape. Shot out to D.C.!

THROWBACK!!! In My Projects - Coo Coo Cal

Somebody besides me remembers this, lol. As far as I know, this is the only "hit" Cal had. I hope he made it out of his projects after the success of this song. And oh yeah, his dancing after the 3:20 mark cracks me up.


"Though my rent ain't nothing but 250, we sporting $5,000 drapes!"

I'm sure someone reading this is wondering what in the world made me think of this song. It was actually a Young Jeezy song I heard that made me think of it, "My Hood". My projects, my hood, pretty much the same thing.

Video: Nas feat Amy Winehouse - Cherry Wine

My favorite joint off Nas's "Life Is Good" also features my fav video vixen, Brittany Dailey (YESSSSSSS)! Dope song and a solid video treatment.


Lance, don't hate on me sicing B.D.!!!!!

Video: Stalley feat. Wale & Anthony Flammia - Home To You

One of my favorites off of Stalley's "Savage Journey to the American Dream" mixtape.


Not a big fan of Wale's verse on this track but this vibe fits Stalley's style well in my opinion.

Video: Murs - Animal Style

If more rappers used the platform that they have to do stuff like this more often, the world would be a better place. I'm not saying I want to hear this every day or ride to it in my car but it has its place within the genre and there are artists of immense popularity that could do stuff like this more often. Or maybe this isn't a story that they can relate to. Or maybe it's just not relevant to their lives. Or maybe they're just as afraid as the guys portrayed in this video. Kudos to Murs.


"I believe that marriage isn't
Between a man & woman
But between love and love"

- Frank Ocean

In other news, Yunel Escobar is an idiot.

Video: Alley Boy feat. Pusha T - Your Favorite Rapper

This beat is tough. The concept of the song isn't anything we didn't already know and Pusha's "Hey Lil Wayne" verse is on point.


I still think this is my favorite Alley Boy joint though:

Video: DJ Drama, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, & Jeremih - My Moment

I like this song a lot. Not sure why it inspires/sices me, maybe it's the Jeremih hook.