Tuesday, July 31, 2007

So Lets Start The Show....



It was the summer of 2000. I had been back in L.A for a year, just completing my first year of Junior High. It was also the year that I fell in love with Hip-Hop. I had just started writing rhymes that June. A month later, while in the car with my sister, auntie, and father, while on our way to the beach, this song came on 100.3 The Beat (The station is now a R&B station called V 100 now). I'll never forget it. It had these crisp drums, a baseline that sounded like it was dancing through the speakers, and this old guy singing in back with a hook I remembered on the first listen... "There are times, when you'll need some one/I will be buy your side/there is a light that shines/special for you and me." I was like, who was this? It was unlike any song I had ever heard. It sounded like the old school records my parents would play in the backyard on Sundays, but with neck snaping drums and an ill rap. I found out later the song was called "The Light" by an MC by the name of Common. This was my introduction to the MC formerly know as Common Sense from the The City Of Wind.

Like Jay-Z for many (and including myself), Jay-Z has supplied summer anthems after summmer anthems that are attached to many fond memories. Common has done the same for me. Starting with The Light, then Come Close, then when I FINALLY bought Like Water For Chocolate years later, Thelonious, Cold Blooded, and Nag Champa, then the summer of 2005 came. I was counting down the days to BE. The second day it was out, I went to The Wherehouse around the corner from my house and copped it (along with a used copy of Tribe's "Low End Theory." This started my love affair with the trio from Queens). From the opening keys of the intro, the album had me hooked. Go! and Love Is... was my "cruisin' in the whip" jams. Chi-City and Faithful had two of my favorite lines of the year (In the midis of chaos and gun fire/so many raps about rims, suprised niggas ain't became tires AND "I'm bad, but not is bad as Eric Bonet") and They Say was one of my favorite calabos of the year. The whole album was crazy. It is an album that reminds me of high school, and a reminder to me that great Hip-Hop could make it in the mainstream.

Cut to 2 years later. Com is blowing up all over the place (movies, T.V Ads, etc), has arguably the best producer in the game today in his corner (Kanye West), and on the day of the release, I find myself walking to the same Wherehouse (now FYE) where two years before, I bought BE, to pick up my reserved copy of Finding Forever. The results, Com has not only delivered another summertime soundtrack for me personally, but has delived an album that is a breathe of fresh air in Hip-Hop. I know people throw around the "C Word" a lot these days... but fuck it, I'm going to say it, in bold print.... FINDING FOREVER IS A HIP-HOP CLASSIC. I had to say it here. I know I couldn't have said it on Okayplayer because them niggas in The Lesson trip when you use that word, and a lot them don't like the album. If you ask me, their Jansports are showing to clearly. The sequencing, the mood of the beats, the concepts, Com's lyrics, the mixing of the songs is clear. Every track bumps and runs clean like a new engine in the whip. This album is perfect in everyway.

As Com said on "Chi City," "It's not '94 joe, we can't turn back." He is not going to make Resurrection II, so get over it! Artistic growth is just like growing within yourself. You have your bright spots and you have your missteps. But once you experience something, you learn from it and move on, only to make yourself better for the next day. This is what Com has done with this album. This album comes after 15 years in the game and 6 albums before it. From "Unsigned Hype" to "Southside," from "Heidi Ho," to "Start The Show," Com's skills have not decreased, he has only gotten better with time. I remember watching a MTV special on the best MCs in the game around 2002, and remember hearing one of the dudes saying Common is going to be one of those arists that will be appreciated when he is gone. Man, I'm glad this is not going to be the case. People are finally starting to wake up to Com. When it's all set and done, Com is going to be top ten. No question. Any objections? Just check this album.

On a sidenote, Kanye is a fool for these beats. I am so blown away by his production on this album, it only increases my anticipation of what he will put out of his hat for "Graduation." Will I. Am came hard once again (and stop hating on Will too) with I Want You (AKA The Song About Erykah), and Dilla's presents is still felt on this album. The retooling of So Far To Go & his interlude beat before Southside not only has my head in shotgun repel mode, makes me think what could have been if he was still here.

I have no idea how I'm going to get to the other albums I bought today, and this is some classic jawns I copped today. All under $7.99 (it was a good day for record shopping):

1. Pete Rock And CL Smooth- The Mecca and The Soul Brother
2. The Pharcyde- Bizarre Ride II: The Pharcyde
3. Parliament Funkadelic- One Nation Under A Groove

On top that, I also bought the new Dilated Peoples DVD, "The Release Party," and I'm still breaking in De La Soul's "Buhloone Mindstate," which I bought yesterday afternoon. But they all going to have to wait. As I am typing this, I am on my third straight spin of the album (with me now repeating tracks), and it's not going to leave my CD player anytime soon. I have been holding out for months, not listening to leaks, only the singles, and the first time I heard some the album's tracks was two weeks when Common did this secret show for Yahoo I was at (that show is going to be online tommorrow. I'll post the link when it's up.) All in all, it was worth the wait and when I look back on the summer of 2007, Finding Forever will be the score to those memories.

"I be dissin magazines, but then buy The Source."
- Com Sense "Cold Blooded"



And on that note, I'm out.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Champion Sound

I did something on Friday I have not done in a cool minute. That's seeing two movies in one day. I didn't plan on it, it was straight up random. I saw "The Simpsons Movie" and "Talk To Me" last night with my little sister. Needless to say, it was a full 6 hours of entertainment and inside jokes. That is why I love going to movies with my sister, there are just some inside jokes or plan goofy ass jokes that I tell that no one with get (or laugh at) but my sister. I may make a crazy observation about what is seen on screen and whisper to my sister. She does the same as well. It creates a series of inside jokes that may continue days, weeks, months, EVEN years. Makes the experience that much better.

Not to give anything way, I will say this about "The Simpsons Movie." If you love the show, you will think this movie is straight up and down classic. As a long time viewer and fan of the show, I am VERY pleased how the movie turned out. It was 90 straight minutes of laughter and madness, as only The Simpsons can deliver. It was 18 years worth the wait. And even if your not a avid watcher of the show, you will still enjoy this movie.



Ya boy guest starring on The Simpsons (I got pretty close with my likeness. But it could be better).

Like I said before, it was not planned to see two movies in one day. My sister and I got outta The Simpsons around 6:45. As we are walking down the escalator I just said, "Yo, we still have daylight. Do you feel like seeing another movie?" Of course my sister is all one for getting out the house, so she was down. The showing started at 7:10. Could not have timed it better.



I have trying to peep this movie since I saw the ad one day watching t.v. As a radio DJ myself, I had to check this out. Plus Don Cheadle is one of my favorite actors. As a side note, I cannot wait to see him portray Miles Davis in his autobio flick next year. That's going to be mad ill. But back to "Talk To Me," before I saw the movie, I was trying to figure out, since this dude "Peedy" Greene had such an impact in the field of talk radio, why have I not heard of this dude before? But then again, I thought there have been SO many impactful Blacks in history that we have never heard of,(or who's history had been played down in pop culture), so go figure. I remember saying to my sister, after overviewing age range in the audience, "I bet money we are the young people in here." This one lady overheard me and started laughing, I didn't know untill we were walking out the movie that it was friend of the family I had not see in a cool minute. It was cool to talking to Floyd again, because she is one to always to real in a conversation.

The movie was excellent. It shows that anybody can make something of themselves... if they want to. Don Cheadle gave another award winning performance. The thing I love about his work is when you see him a flick, you feel like your watching the character, not Don. I have seen him do it in EVERY film I've watched him in. Honestly, I have to agree with my moms, Don is better with the "chameleon" acting techinque then Denzel. With Denzel, although he loses himself in the role as well, Denzel still has his little signatures where you know it's still Denzel. EVERY movie he's in has that ONE line that everyone remembers. Examples:
"This ain't no bank robbery!"
- Inside Man

"I am not going to bury my son, my son is going to bury me!"
- John Q

And of course...
"King Kong ain't got shit on me!"
- Training Day

Get the point?

All the acting performances were top notch, and I cannot forget about Taraji P. Henson. (Visualizes Taraji for a moment), to quote De La, "Oooh Oooh, Ooh, ooh," damn that girl is bomb!!!! 70's dresses and afros on chicks were made sexy again for me while watching that movie. The soundtrack always had me bobbin' my head as well. I'm fan of old school Soul and R&B. I was defiantly happy I wore my James Brown T-Shirt that day. It felt like a honor. This movie has mad quotables! I would restate them here, but I don't want to give them away. You have to see the movie for yourself. It's worth your time and money, no doubt.



Lastly, while trying to kill time before the 1st movie, I finally copped the deluxe edition of Jaylib's "Champion Sound." This was the classic collaboration album between J. Dilla and Madlib. If you don't know about this album, let me give you a quick lesson history behind it. Around 2000, DJ J-Rocc (founder of L.A based DJ crew, The Beat Junkies, also with DJ Babu from Dilated Peoples), passed a beat tape full of unreleased joints by Dilla to Madlib. Madlib, inspirited by these beats, record his own vocals over them. Madlib had no intentions of releasing them, but after Stones Throw put out one of the Jaylib cuts on a mixtape, the track started to catch fire; eventually becoming a sought after bootleged 12". This is when Dilla found out. Jay had worked with Madlib before on his ill-fated (and still unreleased) album for MCA Records. When Dilla called Madlib to see what the deal was, this is when two decided to start sending beat to each other and make the Jaylib project official. According to Jay Dee, the album was recorded in a two-track recording, mixtape/Dub style; just the beat and the MC's vocals. That's why the album as such a raw feel to it.

The deluxe edition is a 2-disk set with unreleased remixes, b-sides, and all the instrumentals from the album. Although I have a original pressing of "Champion Sound," it was cool for me as a DJ because I am one to collect remixes, b-sides, and instrumentals. This album is banging from beginning to end, and is a must have for any one that loves real Hip-Hop. However, there is only one complaint have regarding the re-issue. The beat for "The Red," which is not only one of the most popular tracks on the album, but also in the whole Stones Throw discography, had to be change because the sample for the track came to light all over internet message boards, and Chis Williamson, the aritst of "The Red's" sample, "Shine On," issued a cease-and-desist against Stones Throw. This is what held up the re-release of the album.

You cannot get mad a Williamson for doing this, you gotta clear your samples man (or chop them up beyond recondition). But damn, "The Red" is one of the best songs on the album! The new version is still dope, but it cannot top the original. As a matter of fact, that was one of my favorite Jay Dee beats that made me declare him as my favorite producer. The song also holds another special place in my heart because my homeboy Keyon and I rhymed over it last summer for H.F.P's second mixtape entitled "Summer Madness Vol. 1." I still love how that record came out. I highly recommend picking up this album, and getting a hold of the original version of "The Red." It should be on the internet and it's on Stones Throw's 10 Years Compilation LP(which is also worth copping as well).



As a matter of fact, I'm gonna give 2 ya'll...


And, I'll even bring the DJ Chuck & Key-Real remix outta the H.F.P. vault.This was recorded in my room, in my home studio I call "The Cotton Club" (named after the famous Black Jazz club once located in Harlem), on a dynamic mic, with our mic stand being a broom stick, held up by some boxes and books, and the mic holder being my step-father's old PDA case taped to the top of the stick. We have come along way since then... trust me. LOL!!!


And on that note, I'm out.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

In The Sun

"Rain, Rain go away/ I need you sometimes but not today/ I wanna live, play, run, in the sun."

- Joi From Lucy Pearl
From "In The Sun" By Shaq feat. Common & Black Thought

I remember around 2001 hearing this song on a mix show here in L.A. Ever since then, I have scowled records stores and the internet for this track. As it turns out, the album that Shaq was going to put out with this song on it was never released. I looked at the tracklisting, he even had a track with Dr. Dre & Blackstar. Damn, Shaq was comin' hard with this record! I have never hear him so good on the mic like this before. So I decided to put out a "track request" for the song on the Okayplayer boards earlier this morning. Sure enough, I checked the post a couple hours later, and someone had uploaded the CD single promo version they had (good lookin tReblefree!). Man, have any of you every searched all over the place for a record and when you finally got your hands on it and when you played it, it seemed like the clouds opened up and your good day turned into a great day? In this 85+ Degree California weather, this record made the sun shine even brighter today. It's the perfect "summer feeling song." Next to DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's "Summertime" though. Which is the KANG of summer classics. Also can't forget about 213's "Another Summer," Jay-Z's "Dear Summer," and the joint that inspired Summertime, Kool & The Gang's "Summer Madness."

But summer is a special time for me. Reason being is I feel it's the time I grow the most. And I don't just mean physically, but really mentally. You see, when your an active student your school community, your on the grind 7 days a week, working sometimes 18 hour days. Summer is the time for me to reflect and think about the road I have traveled. What I did, what I did not do, what could have done better, and most importantly, how can I better myself for tommorrow. It's almost if I release any and all past troubles and refocus on the future. It is true you can never truly move on until you've looked back. But once you have looked back once, keep moving. I don't beileve in the saying forgive and forget. As my 5th Grade teacher once said, "Forgive, but learn from the experience." That is what I do.

Today a friend of mine reminded me that the first day of classes is exactly one month away from today's date (really for me it's August 16th because I have to move back early to help the new students during the orientation). I realized that I don't have a lot of time left and I need to get ready. Today, for some reason, as I put on this record, all the of the past pain I have been releasing for the past 10 months was finally gone. I am refocused, renewed and ready for new school year (although I'm still enjoying my vacation time and have an album to finish!!! V.I.S.I.O.N.S coming in September!!).

While on a friend's myspace yesterday, she had a picture of some of Little Brother's album covers with the statement, ""The type of music you listen to is a reflection of your character." This quote bought me back to when I was in Junior High, when I started to become fascinated Hip-Hop culture. At that time, up to around my last semester of my 8th Grade year, I could only buy the edited versions of albums. I used to argue with my moms saying "I'm mature enough, I watch R rated movies, I handle a explict album." Then she would look at me and go, "Music and movies are different. Movies can leave an impact, but Music you internalize. It becomes a part of you and effects how you think." She would annoy the hell out of me when she said that, because that meant that's end of the discussion and no means no. But as many of us have learned, when Mama is right, 9.9 chances outta 10, she's right. I remember being young and only Hip-Hop records that were in the house was either DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince or Hammer (don't front like you didn't have a Hammer record!). Then maybe some old school like Run-DMC (although I did find a cassette copy of N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton" in the garage that one time that belonged to my father).

I recieved my early taste of Hip-Hop during the 90's from my older cousins who lived 10 minutes away from me. It was over there, I heard some of Dr. Dre's "The Chronic," 2 Pac's "All Eyez On Me," Biggie's "No Way Out," The Fugees' "The Score", Biggie's "Ready To Die," all of Snoop's joints, all the Ice Cube joints, DJ Quik, mostly all West Coast cuts. This was because my cousin, Jimmy, was a BIG west coast supporter (and still is to this day). I remember the VERY FIRST explicit Hip-Hop track I heard was at their house. It was Mack 10's "Backyard Boogie." I vividly remembering both Jimmy and I laughing our asses of because of cussing. I mean, I had heard people use profanity before, but on records?!?! This was funny and new to me.

Most of time, when I was in the house or in the car with my moms, either it was old school R&B/Soul and Funk, or 94.7 The Wave (That is the jazz station out here in Los Angeles), which to this day, almost have the same playlist today as when I was 8 years old. But that's a whole 'nother blog in its self. Also, not to mention I was exposed to Classic Rock when I rode around with my father. To this day, I have to thank the both of them for doing that. Because it expanded my music horizon, and has helped make me the artist I am today. This accquired knowledge has helped me in songwriting, producing, and ESPECIALLY DJing (I can do party for 12 years olds to 50 year olds). Also, it has help me appreciate artists who have paved the way for me and many more.

Respect for our elders is something that is SERVERLY lacking in Hip-Hop. In Rock, artist such as The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Queen, and other are still revered to this day by their younger audience. In Hip-Hop, it's rare for someone younger than 16 knowing about EPMD, Eric B. & Rakim (they may know him from Truth Hurts' "Addictive," which I admit, was my intro to Rakim), Whoodini, Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh (when They were The Kangol Crew), Kool Herc ("Kool Herc ain't never get a royality check" (c) Black Thought "Web"), The Rock Steady Crew, A Tribe Called Quest (they may know Q-Tip from his solo album with "Vibrant Thing" and "Breathe And Stop,"), De La Soul, or the Native Tongue Posse, Ice-T (youngers know him as a actor), Gangstarr, and don't know about Will Smith rocking crowds at Union Square as "The Fresh Prince" with Jazzy Jeff, before he was at the Oscars with Denzel and Hallie.

And the one that drive me crazy the most is when people watch "Flavor Of Love," and ask "wasn't Flav a rapper back in the day?" I wanted to punch my homeboy when he asked me that one day. Flav was an instrumental member of one of one Hip-Hop's most important and influential groups, Public Enemy (who I found out is going to release a new album next month with the original members of their signature production team, The Bomb Squad). Many think Hip-Hop started with BIG and Pac,(buzzer sound) WRONG!!!I believe one of the reasons why Hip-Hop has lost it's way because many so-called "fans" of the music, don't respect the past. If we don't respect the past, how can we create a better future? Most of these so-called "MCs" don't love or respect this music or this culture, they see it as a get rich quick scheme. But only will tell, and when the numbers on the check don't amount the same anymore, we will see who truly loves Hip-Hop. The real will carry on the culture, the ones "fakin' the funk" will just go on to another hustle. Or is it us that is getting hustled? If you know industry poltics, you know where I'm going with this.

To tie all this in, the music that influences me does reflect me. I may be from the West Coast, love Snoop, The Game, Cube (I wish the political Cube would come back. There was a showing on his last album), and think Dr. Dre is one of the greatest producers of all time, but the gangsta lifestyle is not how I was raised or what I was raised around. Therefore, I not going to be all on the record, talking about me slanging crack and shooting niggas. That's not me. I'm not going to start snappin my fingers and talking about 26 Inch rims when I really don't care for snap music and I don't own a ride with 26 Inch rims. I'm not going to do it because "it's what's in now." Artists that I look up to and respect our artists that I see in me. I identify with the everyday stuggle that Common speaks about, I can understand being underdog like Kayne, I am highly political like Talib, Mos or Nas, I have a bragdous swag like Black Thought, I understand trying to stick to your guns, having faith, and being yourself like Lupe, my thoughts can take people to new places like Outkast, I can be the biggest smart ass sometimes like Phonte, my musical taste breathe soul or funk like Preemo, Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, Tribe, ?uestlove and J. Dilla. This is me, and I can only do me. That is what Hip-Hop is. That is what "keeping it real" means, staying true to yourself. This music I love, the music we call Hip-Hop is a reflection of me. And right now, I see a piece of me reflected in this song. There is an old saying that states "You are what you eat." That is also can be related in music. And I eat multiple plates of Hip-Hop a day. So, my people, don't be shy, grub up, and join me while I "live, play, run, in the sun."



And on that note, I'm out.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

When Jansports Attack...

If you read yesterday's entry, you saw "the tracklisting" according to Phonte for Little Brother's new album "Getback." Today I was able to get a hold of the actual tracklisting, and UH-OH... one guest appearence is going to send the Backpackers in a tizzy.

1. Sirens feat. Carlitta Durand
2. Can’t Win For Losing
3. Breakin My Heart feat. Lil Wayne
4. Good Clothes
5. After The Party feat. Carlitta Durand
6. ExtraHard
7. Step It Up feat. Dion
8. Two Step Blues feat. Darien Brockington
9. That Ain’t Love feat. Jozeemo
10. Dreams
11. When Everything Is New

Yep, your read right kiddies.
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WEEZY is going to be on "Getback."

This really should be no suprise to me since it is a known fact the Wayne is one of Tay's favorite MCs out right now. And to my knowledge, Wayne has freestyle track out over the "Lovin It" instrumental. People don't rhyme over beats if you don't know who the artist is. Also, let's not forget 9th Wonder giving Wayne a WHOLE TAPE of free beats just for mixtapes because he like him on the mic. This makes me wonder if that one reported 9th Wonder track on the album is the joint with Weezy.

My point of view of this? First and formost, I really don't care for Lil' Wayne. I think dudes can spit and I do like some of his appearences (Shooter with Robin Thicke and Hollywood Divorce with Outkast & Snoop were bananas. And I did like "Go DJ") but I honestly think he is overrated. Is he "The Best Rapper Alive?" Maybe so. BUT the best MC (there is a difference between a Rapper and A MC) alive? Not by a long shot.

BUT let's not forget, this is a LITTLE BROTHER ALBUM, NOT a Lil' Wayne album. One verse is not going to ruin a whole album. As a matter of fact, a lot of you "backpackers," and before I continue, let me give you my definition of a packpacker:

Backpacker (ADJ): A die hard fan of Hip-Hop who would not be caught dead listening to Hip-Hop on mainstream radio. Backpackers are stuck in a time warp and will turn their back on an aritst or group if they "step out of the box" and change from the aritst or group that the Backpacker first knew them as."

Backpackers are not openmined Hip-Hop fans. For me, I don't care if a track came from the underground or the mainstream, if it's dope, IT'S DOPE. If it's wack, IT'S WACK!!! People are so quick to judge the label of the music before even listening, and that is counterproductive for good music. Now how does this relate to LB? Of course I was not happy when it was announced that 9th had left the group (I still play The Listening and The Minstrel Show like they just dropped), but I was not going to turn my back on the group all together. That's just plan thickle. And anything I can not stand is a thickle person! On any subject, not just in terms of Hip-Hop!

You packpackers were saying I'm done with LB because 9th is not producing them anymore. Shoot, some of ya'll were saying they "sold out" on "The Minstrel Show," and 9th did most of that album! Come on! Give me a break! Artists need to evolve and change. That's how one keeps self-intrest in their work and how an arist improves. As a artist myself,I would hate to be pigeon-holed in making the same type of records over and over. It always fun to try something new. How can you turn your back on a artist or group because they want to evolve their game and challenge you as fan? Tay and Pooh are one of the best doin' it right now and regardless if 9th was on the beat or not, they still made dope records. I loved "Life Of The Party" and wore out the "And Justus For All" mixtape.

Like everyone else, of course I had the "you gotta be kidding me" look on my face when I saw the Weezy guest appearance, but my next inital thought was "I going to trust them." LB has not disapointed me yet on any front, and knowing how they love Hip-Hop, I don't think that is going to change. So everyone, PLEASE, put away your jansports and the picket "Fuck LB" signs. The album is not dropping for another 2 months, let's wait to hear it before we pass judgement. Tay & Pooh have to be marketing geniuses for this one. People are now going to pick up the album only for two reasons (and it's not because LB makes fresh music). One, can the group make another classic without 9th, and two, how does "The Weezy Track" sound. Man, people don't buy albums on the strength of the music anymore. There always have to be some type of controversy. That's a shame. But if it compells them to buy the record and like it, then it works out in the end.

But if the track with Wayne blows up, it going to be funny to have people come up to me talking about "Hey I love that new Wayne track with them dudes from North Carolina. I think their name is Little Brother. Have you heard of them?" And I'm just going to look at them for a second and go "NIGGA WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!???!?! YOU MAD LATE!!!! LB's been dope!!!!" LMAO!!!!

And now, for your listening pleasure, Madlib The Beat Konducta:


And on that note, I'm out.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Killing ME Softly

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I was going to come up with a caption for this. But this is so bad, I can't even comment. Play fill in the blank. Well, at she gave us these...





AND HOW CAN YOU FORGET THESE!!!!!!




And I'm even gonna throw ya'll a B-Side joint!!!


Now we're done with that trip down memory lane, another "fill in the blank" picture.
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LMAO!!! I love ?uesto's WTF look in the third shot!!!!

This next video is a prime example of why I love Youtube. It's greatest thing to happen to internet next to Myspace. This jail out in the Philippines recreated THE WHOLE THRILLER MUSIC VIDEO! No, I'm not playing. This has to be one of the wildest things I have ever seen. You HAVE TO SEE THIS TO BELIEVE IT!! But yo, real talk, I feel sorry for the dude that played the girl. The last scene in the video was mostly likely only a glimmer of what dudes has already "endured" while locked up.


I found out some pretty intresting information regarding Tribe's "Low End Theory" album. Pete Rock came out around 2004 and stated that Q-Tip stole the "Jazz (We've Got)" beat from him. Here's the story word for word from Soul Brother No. 1 himself...

Interviewer: You were involved with ATCQs Low End Theory...

P.R: I did "We Got the Jazz."

Interviewer: What did you do on that?

P.R: The whole beat!

Interviewer: You didn't get credit for it.

P.R: No. He shouted me out at the end and that was a big discrepancy for me. What happened was, Tip used to come over all the time. One time the "Jazz" beat was already playing in the drum machine. I went to answer the door and left the beat playing. He came downstairs like, "What the **** is that?" I even had the records I sampled still sitting there on the turntables because I'd just made the beat. [Lucky Thompson's] Cook County Jail. He was like, "You making this for CL?" and I said I was just ****ing with it. But he knew what I used and took the same elements, and made it the exact same way. And then at the end of the record he says, "Pete Rock for the beat ya don't stop." I made that ****. That's my ****. I'm taking all my credit back from n*ggas that stole from me.

Interviewer: You had the "Don't Change Your Love" drums in there too?

P.R: The way you hear it on the Tribe album is the way I had it. I had a few other little guitar sounds or something going on in there, I wasn't going to use them anyway, but I was going to use the beat. He came down there and heard it and never said, "Hey Pete, come in the studio and lay this down for us." He didn't tell me he was going to use it. Puffy did the same thing to me with "Juicy." I did the original version, didn't get credit for it. They came to my house, heard the beat going on the drum machine, it's the same story. You come downstairs at my crib, you hear music. He heard that **** and the next thing you know it comes out. They had me do a remix, but I tell people, and I will fight it to the end, that I did the original version of that. I'm not mad at anybody, I just want the correct credit. **** that. Y'all can't just be robbing mu'****as. If you didn't do the work, I'ma expose you. When you have an idea and someone just takes it, that's kind of wack. You must not do much clever thinking. I mean, there ain't much to it, just make the ****in' track. A lot of people have gotten ideas from me, a lot of people have learned from me. And that's all well and good, I love the fact that I can teach somebody. But there's a lot of manipulators out there, they don't do the hard work, and think they can just take somebody's idea.

Wow. That is mad crazy and messed up at the same time. Now, anyone who knows me personally knows I'm a HUGE Tribe fan. I have all 5 albums (I support all three members solo projects also), I got the chance to see them on their reunion tour this past September (one of the best nights of my life), not only have they influence my own music, BUT EVEN THIS BLOG IS NAMED AFTER ONE OF THEIR ALBUMS! But I gotta say Q-Tip was wrong for that one. Man, I would have been heated if not only did someone steal my beat, but also had the nerve to shout my name on the track, basically saying, "Yo man, thanks for the beat." If you love the beat so much, PAY FOR IT!!!! After hearing this story, I will never leave beats playing out loud when another produer comes in my house. I wonder if Tip & Pete ever settled the dispute? If not, they need to. It's been nearly 16 years since "Low End" and both men are legends of Hip-Hop. There's no need to fight over it now. However, if the beat Tip stole would have been T.R.O.Y, I would not blame Pete for being saltly to this day. Pete has whole discography of classics, but that his trademark beat. And as far as Puffy pulling an Ice Cube and "Jackin' For Beats," tell us something we don't know.

Finally today, shouts out all the way to North Carolina to Little Brother. Their new album "Getback," will be in stores September 25. Of course the big question in all this is "Can LB make another classic without 9th Wonder?" I believe they can, but it's not going to be easy. What made "The Listening" and "The Minstrel Show" so great was the fact since one producer handled the majority of the production, the album had a seemless flow to it. Sonically, the album sounded like a body of work, not a "mixtape with a bunch of singles," which is how many albums in Hip-Hop sound today. But if anything, the first single "Good Clothes," is a good sign of things to come. On Phonte's infamous blog today, even supplied the offical cover art, and "the tracklisting."

1. (angry song with a creepy chorus)
2. (neckbreaking song with weird meter change)
3. (song that will make core fanbase gasp in disbelief)
4. Good Clothes
5. (song that features the same person who was on the first song)
6. (song to ride out to)
7. (song that your girl will love)
8. (song produced by the same person who produced the song that introduced you to the person on songs 1 and 5)
9. (bittersweet song)
10. (tearjerking song)
11. (the last song)

Produced by Seven Niggas and a Bad Ass Filipino
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This should be intresting. Can't wait for the release date. And just in case you have not heard yet "Good Clothes," do your ears a favor and bump this.


And on that note, I got on my good clothes, and I'm out.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Wack-A-Nigga: The Movie

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Ok, I know what you are saying to yourself right now. "This can not be a real movie. This has to be photoshop work at it's finest." Nope, no joke, this was a straight to video movie release in 1989. Now how did I come across this? I was on Yahoo searching a profile picture for my Okayplayer profile (I finally set up one. I'm thE_oLd_SouL_88. Holla if you see me!), and decided to type in "Ghettoblaster" to find a large boombox. First and foremost, I really don't care for the term. The term seems to make "Boomboxes" (the correct term) see like a negative thing. "Ghettoblaster" was a term invented by White people to decribe that "jungle music" coming out the speakers (yeah, and we're the only race the bumps music loud. Psss! Give me a break). But anyways, this was one of the images that popped up. I searched all over the internet for a plot synopsis (not even Wikipedia had info). Finally, this is all I could find from Yahoomovies.com:

"Street gangs have turned a peaceful community into a war zone and the cops say they're powerless to stop the assault. One man steps forward to put an end to the insanity."

I'm sorry, I don't throw around the "R" word a lot, but this shit is straight up racist yo. Check out the "hero" in the construction worker clothes with the "hillbilly" shotgun. Yo, the dude even has a red trucker hat on and working boots. This dude posing like he is the "red neck" version of "Superman." What really irritated me the most was the headline on the poster: " He wants to take the fight to them. Even if it means pursuing the gangs all the way back to the ghetto." I can see the producers in the meeting for this movie now, "Oh yeah, minories are not supposed to live in middle class homes. God forbid higher-class. So let's makes this a racial/economical class war: "Blue Colar White folkes VS. Low Income Niggas." Yo, was Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and NAACP on this one? They still had a little power left, unlike today, back in 80's.

If there was ever going to be a sequel for this, I already have the title:

THE GHETTOBLASTER VS. SHAFT
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My money is on the dude with the long side burns...


And on that note... I'm out.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

This Is Why I'm Broke. This Is Why I'm Broke....

Check it. You just recieved a pay check, and you know you need to pick up some important items. On your way back, you pass by the weakness of any producer, DJ, or music lover... a record store. You know you should not spend any money on records, but you give in. Yeah, it happens to me all the time. Although we are in the digital age where it is not neccesary to drive to store for music (online shopping and I-Tunes), I still love the feeling of picking up a record I have been waitng to get my hands on, and reading the liner notes while listening. As a DJ or producer, to improve your ear, it is a must to listen to new records all the time. ESPECIALLY joints that are not in your preferred genre. A possible career ending characteristic of any musician is being "stuck in a time warp." Reinvention is a must for long career. From personal experience, even if I don't sample a certain record I'm feeling, hearing that song may spark a possible song idea. Like myself and many other beatsmiths in the world, record shopping is how we catch inspiration and reinvent ourselves. Special appearances by The Beatminerz, Diggin In The Crates (D.I.T.C), Common, and Mos Def. ENJOY!!!!!


Friday, July 20, 2007

I Don't Even Know How To Start This Shit (c) Nas

First and Foremost...

Michael Vick fucked up big time. There is no getting around that. I am not condoning at all what he did (I'm a dog lover, so PETA, don't bug me. I'm not Beyonce), but he was just waiting to get caught. The story goes when a dog would lose a fight on a bet, the dog would be hunged. But Vick and his "Co-Workers" left the damn dogs hanging on the trees days afterwards! ONCE AGAIN, I do not condoning illegal activity, but common sense is if your going to do something that is illegal, DON'T LEAVE THE EVIDENCE HANGING AROUND (no pun intended)! PETA protested outside the NFL offices today, Nike "postponed" his new shoe (we know it's not coming out now), and we still have heard no comment from Vick OR his attorney. Damn, next time we see this dude playing, he'll be replacing Paul Crewe at quarterback for The Mean Machine. Well, at least he'll have a reciever to pass to. Not a bad look having Nelly on your team.

On to Suge Knight. Yes THE notorious Suge Knight. Back in the news again. And no I'm not talking about Suge his getting his R. Kelly (Bump & Grind) on with Paris "Pencil Neck" Hillton. Big Suge bit my boy E! For all you "Entourage" fans out there, you know I'm talking about actor Kevin Connolly. The story is he and Suge were "play wrestling" at LeBron's ESPY's after party (did ya'll see his MC Hammer number? LOL!) and Suge bit his finger! I know the story sounds strange, but apparently that's what happened. I guess since "The Suit" took it to Billy Walsh last week, he thought he could take down Big Suge. Dr. Dre couldn't do. Snoop couldn't, but KEVIN CONNOLLY!?!?! Kevin Connolly is gangsta in my book now. LMAO!!!!!

For all you Black Moon/Duck Down Records fans, You may like this next one. Here is Sean Price's "N Word Crowd Participation Test." Listen VERY CLOSELY to where he is and the situation at hand. Sean P makes some intresting points here.


"Negro Please" Quote Of The Day:
"I believe (Michael) Vick got involved with breeding vicious pit bulls because rap-music culture made it the cool thing to do."- Jason Whitlock Of The Kansas City Star

The Song I Have Been Rocking 2 All Day...


Ant, you tried to put me on this song almost 6 months ago. Apparently I was just hearing the track, NOT listening.

Ladies And Gentlemen... Grandmaster Huxtable
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I got a DJ gig 2 prepare for 2marrow. Pics coming soon. I'm Out.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Just When You Thought It Was Over....

ROUND 3!!! Even Urkel & Alex Trebek knows how to get crunk!!!



Ok, I'm Done. If I find anymore, I'll post it 2marrow...

OH NO!!! I'm not done yet 2day....

Even Spongebob is not safe...

NO... NO....... NO!!!!! (Vol. 1)

One of the beautiful aspects I love about Hip-Hop is its possibility of being extremely creative. There has been many a moment where we all could recall our mouths dropping in disbelief because of what we are listening to (or watching when a music video is creative). Many old heads will argue that many of these moments came in the early years of Hip-Hop. This era is referred to as "The Golden Era," (1984 to around 1997. The years have been debatable).



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Many have openly criticized (including myself) many Hip-Hop artists for not being creative enough and starting new trends. That's right old timers. The age old rule of "no biting other artist's or crew's styles" does not exist anymore. I believe that is one the main problems in Hip-Hop today and why so many listeners are turned off. There is NO DIVERSITY OR BALANCE. Back around 15 years ago, this existed. For example, if you were not feeling the "gangsta rap" of Death Row, you could "kick it" with the Native Tongues Posse. In a conversation I had with a friend of mine a couple of months of ago, she said she could not "identify" with today's Hip-Hop "superstars." She had yet to hear of artist such as Lupe Fiasco, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Little Brother, and Common. After a brief "listening session," she changed her opinion.



Now while I just said diversity and balance does not exist in Hip-Hop today, I meant it does not exist in the mainstream. Hince why my friend did not know about these certain artists. For good Hip-Hop (or good music in general), you have to dig for it. Unfortunately, the average music listerner only sees music as recreational, and won't dig for the freshest sounds; as a music head would.



Now the point of all this, while I love to see artists try something abstract and making it bang, there are just certain samples they just need to be left "un-flipped." Exhibit A: D4L's "Laffy Taffy" (sampled the theme from Pippy Longstocking). Exhibit B: Jibbs' "Chain Hang Low" (He jacked "Do You're Ears Hang Low). Exhibit C: Tha Backwoodz' "I Don't Like The Look Of It" (sampled the Umpa Lumpa theme from Willy Wonka) Exhibit D: Some new song where some little kids sample "The Meow Mix" commercial jingle (I don't know the artist. I only heard about 10 Seconds of it on XM Radio. Plus my homegirl's boyfriend worked on the video). You can add this joint below as Exhibit E (Disney is going to be pissed. Anyone remember the lawsuit they filed against the Ying Yang Twins for sampling "Whistle While You Work?").







Quote Of The Day: "You have people that are extremely book smart that lack common sense so they don’t know what’s going to affect their audience. They have more information than me based on reading...For instance, Nas is a really smart guy. He reads books constantly. We were around him on the Nastradamus tour. He was almost weirder than me ’cause we would go to breakfast and he’d be there reading a book. Conceptually, I think that’s what made him drift away from what his initial audience enjoys from him and why he’s not hot right now."

- 50 Cent On Nas



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This is what I'm bumpin' right now. If you don't have have, COP IT! ASCAP! I'm out.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Untitled

"Groupie love now, gotta be them wheels/ Haters back down, gotta be that steel/I know they cant wait till ya outta ya deal/Look how they did D'Angelo ask em how do it feel?"
- Kanye West "They Say"
From Common's "Be" (2005)

I have love for D'Angelo. I believe "Voodoo" is one the best R&B/Soul albums ever to be recorded (and smashed Kells' whole catalogue in process. And yes, I'm including "12 Play.") Along with "Brown Sugar," it still gets multiple spins, especially when there's a shorty over for company ("Untitled" is THE "I want you now" jump off joint). But like many music fans (and especially Okayplayers), we have waited 7 years with no glimmer of a new album. Sure there was the "Real Love" demo leaked by ?uestlove, and his show stealing appearances on the Dilla produced Com Sense jawn, "So Far To Go" and the latest Snoop & Dre classic "Imagine," but there has not been a sign of "James River" (the supposed title of the album) or any new material from D in almost 7 years.

I try not to give up hope, but after reading a new article regarding his new legal troubles today, I doubt the new D'Angelo joint will be read for the fall. Well, even if this new album does not materialize, at least we know D will have a job. If they make a autobio flick on the WU, we already know who will play Dirty.
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Checking the "Scenario", Smooth like "Butter" Buggin Out" on "Excursions," "Checking The Rhime" while having "Jazz." Tiga "WHAT?"

I should have done this a long time ago. But since I have a little time on my hands this summer (and seeing how much fun P was having with blog. Check out his blog "Get Your Own" @ http://getyo.blogspot.com/ when your done here), it was time to open up my own blog site. So, let me welcome you and all to "The Low End Theory." First and foremost, why the name "The Low End Theory?" Simply this, aside that I borrowed the name from the classic A Tribe Called Quest L.P, the concept of "The Low End Theory" means a little bit more than just an album title to me. As producer that is influenced by producers such as Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Kanye West, Madlib, 9th Wonder, and J. Dilla (R.I.P.), I know all about the "The Low End Theory." It is all about bass (or the "low" knob on your stereo or mixers). The same bass the rattles your ride (or my room, as my neighbors will testify). It is the same bass that doubles as my brain waves and blood vains (any real producer will vouch this statement). Making music is a science. And "The Low End Theory" is one of Hip-Hop's theories. Just as Natural Selection is to Biology (tell me I'm right about that Key. Your the Bio major).

Since this blog is going disclose what's going on in my brain, the thoughts that going to be expressed here are a part of my own "Low End Theory," (as every person has their own take on the theory). Here, your going to get the truth, the whole truth, and NUTHIN' but the truth. So are you ready for my outlook on the theory? If so, turn up the bass, lay low on the treble, and vibe with a brotha. Class is in session.