Friday, March 25, 2011
Have a bite to eat.... At Fat Ho Burger
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Video: Big K.R.I.T. - Children of the World
I've been a fan of K.R.I.T. since I heard his Big KRIT WUZ Here mixtape. This is probably my favorite track from that mixtape, I always have to run it back a couple times.
And they wonder why we bang
cause police do the same, that's the only rival gang
I'm just sitting here, praying to my father
Tired of today, forever scared of tomorrow
Where's a scale I could borrow? Cause living ain't cheap
I dropped out of school, pops, cause college ain't free
Plus college ain't me, sitting in the class
Questions rushing in my brain but I'm too proud to ask
Take it all in stride, teacher talking physics
And I just want to be fly
What good is a degree when there's no jobs to apply?
And fast food won't do 'cause you overqualified
I'm feeling like hustling
Tired of the foodstamps and budgeting
Running in so much work, the school buzz it in
God and our wrists the only things we be trusting in
All else fails, I'm in a casket like fuck it then
Either get rich or die poor
Nigga fell short and god jammed, but he tried though
I'm pretty sure my first words were "survival"
Looking for the answers to my problems in the Bible
Cause we just, try and decode all the secrets
My conversations with God always seem leave him speechless
And even when I was at my worst like "we got to make this work"
My girl found time to leave me, too broke to give a fuck though
My past relationships got me like "what up, ho?"
I'm just bitter, I ain't asking what you fuck for
It's disrespectful, I admit
I was just saying, if you wonder why I call you "bitch"
Cause we just, guess I looked up to the pimps
I ain't saying it wasn't wrong, but they had the freshest fits
The cars and the broads and the kicks
Is something to strive for when you ain't never had shit
I'm feeling like what the fuck, they want my soul
Like my ancestors' ain't enough
If I can't trust my own government, who can I trust?
If I abuse myself daily, who can I love?
Shorty might have AIDS like who can I fuck? Sure enough
That be the day that the rubber bust or I have a kid
Deprived of all the things that my father did
Cause the momma was a groupie and I was on some rapper shit
They gave me Hell like I asked for it
Signing everything under the sun but they ain't ask for K.R.I.T.
I guess I didn't swag enough
Stupid fruity pebble chain, Louis bag enough
Popping tags, model bitches, couldn't brag enough
Bubble kush, he stupid loud, jet lag enough
Steady acting like I ain't had enough
Ten chains on your neck like you ain't flashy enough
I wreck so many times, I guess I ain't crash enough
On the track like I'm pushing crack, bag it up
I tell these niggas to back it up
My bitch like scarves, gave the Louis rag to her
'Sace shades on my eyes like I ain't seeing the hate
Too fresh to death, I couldn't attend the wake
That's too lyrical, he been 'round busting
Mississippi? Where, he don't sound Southern
He been down cousin since '05, I swear
The game's a pound of Reggie
So anything I sell's a breath of air
Yeah, fuck with me
And they wonder why we bang
cause police do the same, that's the only rival gang
I'm just sitting here, praying to my father
Tired of today, forever scared of tomorrow
Where's a scale I could borrow? Cause living ain't cheap
I dropped out of school, pops, cause college ain't free
Plus college ain't me, sitting in the class
Questions rushing in my brain but I'm too proud to ask
Take it all in stride, teacher talking physics
And I just want to be fly
What good is a degree when there's no jobs to apply?
And fast food won't do 'cause you overqualified
I'm feeling like hustling
Tired of the foodstamps and budgeting
Running in so much work, the school buzz it in
God and our wrists the only things we be trusting in
All else fails, I'm in a casket like fuck it then
Either get rich or die poor
Nigga fell short and god jammed, but he tried though
I'm pretty sure my first words were "survival"
Looking for the answers to my problems in the Bible
Cause we just, try and decode all the secrets
My conversations with God always seem leave him speechless
And even when I was at my worst like "we got to make this work"
My girl found time to leave me, too broke to give a fuck though
My past relationships got me like "what up, ho?"
I'm just bitter, I ain't asking what you fuck for
It's disrespectful, I admit
I was just saying, if you wonder why I call you "bitch"
Cause we just, guess I looked up to the pimps
I ain't saying it wasn't wrong, but they had the freshest fits
The cars and the broads and the kicks
Is something to strive for when you ain't never had shit
I'm feeling like what the fuck, they want my soul
Like my ancestors' ain't enough
If I can't trust my own government, who can I trust?
If I abuse myself daily, who can I love?
Shorty might have AIDS like who can I fuck? Sure enough
That be the day that the rubber bust or I have a kid
Deprived of all the things that my father did
Cause the momma was a groupie and I was on some rapper shit
They gave me Hell like I asked for it
Signing everything under the sun but they ain't ask for K.R.I.T.
I guess I didn't swag enough
Stupid fruity pebble chain, Louis bag enough
Popping tags, model bitches, couldn't brag enough
Bubble kush, he stupid loud, jet lag enough
Steady acting like I ain't had enough
Ten chains on your neck like you ain't flashy enough
I wreck so many times, I guess I ain't crash enough
On the track like I'm pushing crack, bag it up
I tell these niggas to back it up
My bitch like scarves, gave the Louis rag to her
'Sace shades on my eyes like I ain't seeing the hate
Too fresh to death, I couldn't attend the wake
That's too lyrical, he been 'round busting
Mississippi? Where, he don't sound Southern
He been down cousin since '05, I swear
The game's a pound of Reggie
So anything I sell's a breath of air
Yeah, fuck with me
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
CyHi Da Prince - Studder
This is an old joint from CyHi off Greg Streets Presents Prynce: What Da Dec's Been Missing Volume 2 CD (released in 2009). If you've been visiting this blog over the past few months you're already aware that I'm a big CyHi fan. I've been discovering some of his older stuff that I've never heard so expect some more new posts from me about old CyHi materials. Until then, enjoy this joint below called "Studder".
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Kevin Hart (aka Chocolate Drop... pause) is a FOOL!
I lost it when this fool rapped….
Got a gun in my hand what you see, A BULLET
IN YO FACE!
… and then grabbed the pens and shook 'em, lol.
The 7 bars rap is hilarious too, LMAO!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
THROWBACK --> Talib Kweli feat. Hi-Tek - The Blast
This is easily one of my favorite Talib tracks of all time (I liked this one a lot too). That's probably a bit cliché considering it was also one of his most commercially visible/successful joints but hey, what can I say? I like it, a lot.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Let's get it Ernie McCRACKEN!
If you haven't seen the movie Kingpin you are missing out on some hilarious comedy! Just watch this clip until Bill Murray's let's a classic go at the 1:10 mark, lol.
As you may have guessed from the name, the movie is about bowling (not about drugs). Here's another clip from the movie where Bill Murray is absolutely CLASSIC!
As you may have guessed from the name, the movie is about bowling (not about drugs). Here's another clip from the movie where Bill Murray is absolutely CLASSIC!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The reason so many people loved Rick Ross's verse on "Devil in a New Dress"
Honestly, this is a simple answer, it's the production. But in my opinion, there's more.
First off, the Bink! produced track (Mike Dean is also listed as a co-producer) is definitely one of the top 3 songs on the album (I'd throw "Power" and "All of the Lights" or "Gorgerous" in there as well). Secondly, Bink! did an excellent job of taking the sample from Smokey Robinson's "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and interspersing the low guitar chords in the beginning of the song and then bringing in the serious guitar chords later. Part of me wants to think that Kanye may have gotten the original beat from Bink! and then made some tweaks to it with Bink!. Nevertheless, I'm sure Kanye could hear this track being played in a stadium ("stadium status", anyone?) and with that heavy guitar in there for the second half of the song, it would definitely appeal to the pop/rock crowds. Like Dave Chappelle (not me!) once said, white people love some electric guitar.
Back to the topic (no J. Cole)...
Let's take the beat as the foundation for the song and then consider how the beat and verses are arranged. First off, the song is 5 minutes and 52 seconds long! Not cut for radio and long enough for the average listener to surmise that there's some sort of skit, interlude, orsection where the beat just plays (I'm not sure of the proper musical/technical term for this) bridge. Kanye raps for the first 2 minutes and 50 seconds after which we hit the bridge.
From what I can tell and based in my very rudimentary knowledge of music composition, the bridge in this song serves two purposes. The first is to give the listener a better appreciation for the beat up to this point. And I don't mean appreciation in the sense that we should be impressed but an appreciation in the sense of what instruments are being used and those that have now been taken away during the bridge. The second purpose is to get the listener ready for the beat to come back but this time, with some serious guitar chords incorporated into it. The chords are actually brought in during the bridge (at about the 3 minute 12 second mark). The chords are brought back in and slowly drums are brought back into the beat and then the next thing you know...
This leads me to the point of this post. Ross's verse is nothing special lyrically. I've definitely heard better from Mr. Rozay and for those of you that still don't respect Ross's lyrical ability I submit to you Exhibit A, "Solemnly Swear" and Exhibit B, "Valley of Death". The latter of which I think may be Ross's most lyrical song ever, inspired by Curtis Jackson no less. As for his verse on this song, honestly the only gem in there is "when it comes to tools n*gga I'm a Pep Boy". And that is by no means an overwhelming piece of lyricism. Granted, maybe the "double-headed monster with a mind of his own" and "making love to the angel of death" lines are deeper than I can see. Yet-and-still, I don't think this is a stand-out Ross verse by any means and I'm a Ross fan. In the end, I think that the bridge helps Ross out tremendously and his delivery is what makes his verse memorable. Not to mention, Ross's verse also brings in that other fanbase/target market Kanye's trying to capture, the "streets". Whether you want to accept it or not, Ross's appearance on the song gives the song some "street credibility".
Overall, Bink!'s production, Kanye's verse, the bridge and Ricky Rozay's voice, delivery, and ad-libs (ughh!) combined with the beat and arrangement of the song makes the song special. It's definitely one of my favorites from the album.
BONUS COVERAGE: If you'd like to check out various samples used on the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album, check the video out below:
First off, the Bink! produced track (Mike Dean is also listed as a co-producer) is definitely one of the top 3 songs on the album (I'd throw "Power" and "All of the Lights" or "Gorgerous" in there as well). Secondly, Bink! did an excellent job of taking the sample from Smokey Robinson's "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and interspersing the low guitar chords in the beginning of the song and then bringing in the serious guitar chords later. Part of me wants to think that Kanye may have gotten the original beat from Bink! and then made some tweaks to it with Bink!. Nevertheless, I'm sure Kanye could hear this track being played in a stadium ("stadium status", anyone?) and with that heavy guitar in there for the second half of the song, it would definitely appeal to the pop/rock crowds. Like Dave Chappelle (not me!) once said, white people love some electric guitar.| Chappelles Show | ||||
| Electric Guitar, Drums or Electric Piano Pt. 1 | ||||
| ||||
Back to the topic (no J. Cole)...
Let's take the beat as the foundation for the song and then consider how the beat and verses are arranged. First off, the song is 5 minutes and 52 seconds long! Not cut for radio and long enough for the average listener to surmise that there's some sort of skit, interlude, or
From what I can tell and based in my very rudimentary knowledge of music composition, the bridge in this song serves two purposes. The first is to give the listener a better appreciation for the beat up to this point. And I don't mean appreciation in the sense that we should be impressed but an appreciation in the sense of what instruments are being used and those that have now been taken away during the bridge. The second purpose is to get the listener ready for the beat to come back but this time, with some serious guitar chords incorporated into it. The chords are actually brought in during the bridge (at about the 3 minute 12 second mark). The chords are brought back in and slowly drums are brought back into the beat and then the next thing you know...
This leads me to the point of this post. Ross's verse is nothing special lyrically. I've definitely heard better from Mr. Rozay and for those of you that still don't respect Ross's lyrical ability I submit to you Exhibit A, "Solemnly Swear" and Exhibit B, "Valley of Death". The latter of which I think may be Ross's most lyrical song ever, inspired by Curtis Jackson no less. As for his verse on this song, honestly the only gem in there is "when it comes to tools n*gga I'm a Pep Boy". And that is by no means an overwhelming piece of lyricism. Granted, maybe the "double-headed monster with a mind of his own" and "making love to the angel of death" lines are deeper than I can see. Yet-and-still, I don't think this is a stand-out Ross verse by any means and I'm a Ross fan. In the end, I think that the bridge helps Ross out tremendously and his delivery is what makes his verse memorable. Not to mention, Ross's verse also brings in that other fanbase/target market Kanye's trying to capture, the "streets". Whether you want to accept it or not, Ross's appearance on the song gives the song some "street credibility".
Overall, Bink!'s production, Kanye's verse, the bridge and Ricky Rozay's voice, delivery, and ad-libs (ughh!) combined with the beat and arrangement of the song makes the song special. It's definitely one of my favorites from the album.
BONUS COVERAGE: If you'd like to check out various samples used on the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album, check the video out below:
This verse deserves its own post
I posted the song "2nd Time" by Brother Ali and Wale here quite some time ago. I also posted another Brother Ali song that I thought was pretty dope with Freeway called the Truth. But Ali's verse on the "The Truth" is nothing compared to Ali's verse on "2nd Time".
I listen to a lot of rappers that don't talk about much outside of cars, clothes, drugs, and hoes and that type of rap definitely has its place in my rotation (no I'm not ashamed to admit it) but I also have a place in my rotation for rap like what you're about to listen to below.
I'm not sure if it'll be more effective to post the transcription first or the song but I'll go ahead and post his verse from the song first then the transcription of his verse.
And here's the transcription of Brother Ali's verse:
Rappers can't clap me
Jackers can't gat me
Original meaning of Jazzy Fat Nasty
I don't bite rapper's lines, I bite the captain's arm off
I don't throw shots in the air, I throw that Molotov
Cocktail, reservoir dog my collar off
Y'all scared to get that revolution popping off
You really got the guns you claim in the track
Then my question to you is who you aiming em at
You complain that the rap police caught you with a gat under the seat
Misdemeanored that twenty bag of weed
But little old me with the few facts that I speak
The homeland security gaffled me over seas
Froze my bank account and seized my guarantee
And y'all are soundscanning like a hundred more than me
They kicking you off tour for freaking a chick or two
Verizon dissed me too 'cause I was too political
Y'all are all safe and shit, y'all are not saying shit
You just snap your fingers and dance and make your label rich
Gotta pay back that advance, so they ain't gave you shit
This is your chance to say something and you're wasting it
People are starving, you talking bout balling
Can't think of nothing more important than that jargon
Hundred different ways to describe diamonds sparkling
Eighty percent of kids are listening to y'all shit
I heard that statistic I almost cried
Never wanted so bad for 2pac to be alive
What the fuck happened to rap when
The gangsters are scared of upsetting they industry masters
It ain't my place to say and I hear all that
But fuck that, I live in the hood and we need y'all cats
So as soon as I hear y'all on some real pro black
Then I will gladly go back to my emo rap
They say the truth don't belong to nobody, if you see it you speak it
It would be a sin to keep it a secret
So if I need to breathe then believe that I mean it
Quit trying to be somebody's boss and be a leader
If it wasn't bad enough your labels are hoeing you
You can't even scan, your fans are downloading you
There's no connection, so they're not supporting you
You ain't never shed light on nothing that they're going through
We ain't buying CDs, we striving to live
And these artists don't need me they already rich
I ain't hating on you, rock them shines
Just remember us from time to time when you drop them lines
Rappers can't clap me
Jackers can't gat me
Original meaning of Jazzy Fat Nasty
Busy raising babies and living on tour
Signing off Brother Ali, sincerely yours
I would've highlighted the dope parts of the verse but that's pretty much everything after the first couple of bars.
You can listen to the full version with Wale here but unfortunately (I'm a Wale fan) Wale's verse doesn't really stand up to Ali's.
I listen to a lot of rappers that don't talk about much outside of cars, clothes, drugs, and hoes and that type of rap definitely has its place in my rotation (no I'm not ashamed to admit it) but I also have a place in my rotation for rap like what you're about to listen to below.
I'm not sure if it'll be more effective to post the transcription first or the song but I'll go ahead and post his verse from the song first then the transcription of his verse.
And here's the transcription of Brother Ali's verse:
Rappers can't clap me
Jackers can't gat me
Original meaning of Jazzy Fat Nasty
I don't bite rapper's lines, I bite the captain's arm off
I don't throw shots in the air, I throw that Molotov
Cocktail, reservoir dog my collar off
Y'all scared to get that revolution popping off
You really got the guns you claim in the track
Then my question to you is who you aiming em at
You complain that the rap police caught you with a gat under the seat
Misdemeanored that twenty bag of weed
But little old me with the few facts that I speak
The homeland security gaffled me over seas
Froze my bank account and seized my guarantee
And y'all are soundscanning like a hundred more than me
They kicking you off tour for freaking a chick or two
Verizon dissed me too 'cause I was too political
Y'all are all safe and shit, y'all are not saying shit
You just snap your fingers and dance and make your label rich
Gotta pay back that advance, so they ain't gave you shit
This is your chance to say something and you're wasting it
People are starving, you talking bout balling
Can't think of nothing more important than that jargon
Hundred different ways to describe diamonds sparkling
Eighty percent of kids are listening to y'all shit
I heard that statistic I almost cried
Never wanted so bad for 2pac to be alive
What the fuck happened to rap when
The gangsters are scared of upsetting they industry masters
It ain't my place to say and I hear all that
But fuck that, I live in the hood and we need y'all cats
So as soon as I hear y'all on some real pro black
Then I will gladly go back to my emo rap
They say the truth don't belong to nobody, if you see it you speak it
It would be a sin to keep it a secret
So if I need to breathe then believe that I mean it
Quit trying to be somebody's boss and be a leader
If it wasn't bad enough your labels are hoeing you
You can't even scan, your fans are downloading you
There's no connection, so they're not supporting you
You ain't never shed light on nothing that they're going through
We ain't buying CDs, we striving to live
And these artists don't need me they already rich
I ain't hating on you, rock them shines
Just remember us from time to time when you drop them lines
Rappers can't clap me
Jackers can't gat me
Original meaning of Jazzy Fat Nasty
Busy raising babies and living on tour
Signing off Brother Ali, sincerely yours
I would've highlighted the dope parts of the verse but that's pretty much everything after the first couple of bars.
You can listen to the full version with Wale here but unfortunately (I'm a Wale fan) Wale's verse doesn't really stand up to Ali's.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Video: CyHi Da Prince - Ring Bellz
CYHI DA PRYNCE -- RING BELLZ from Urban News Network on Vimeo.
The intro to the video is a bit too long and a bit overdone, but I understand why he did it considering the MLK intro to the song. He's got some serious imagery going on in the video which I can appreciate. It's also imagery that might jar up some feelings of anger and/or inspiration in black folks serving as a reminder of how far we had to come to get to where we are. But more importantly, hopefully it serves as a reminder that we still have a ways to go.
"I'm in the hoods that you wouldn't walk a mile alone/F*ck a palace, catch me in the battle zone/"
Spotted at NahRight.
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