I copped my ticket.... did you?
And as an extra bonus, if you have not heard it yet, Nicolay just released his unreleased cover of the Bob James classic (and one the most sampled records in all of Hip-Hop) Nautilus. Here is the link to the track and the backstory.
Nicolay- Nautilus (Backstory & Download Link)
And on that note... I'm out.
Last week I posted the album cover and tracklisting, now we FINALLY get to hear some music of the long awaited Foreign Exchange album. This joint (which opens the album), is called "Daybreak" featuring Muhsinah. This is some straight up smooth, soulful shit. To download the joint, visit The Foreign Exchange offical website.
Leave It All Behind... Online October 7th, In-Stores October 14th!!!
And on that note... I'm out.
1) Daykeeper
2) Take Off The Blues
3) All Or Nothing/Coming Home To You
4) I Wanna Know
5) House Of Cards
6) Sweeter Than You
7) Valediction
8) If She Breaks Your Heart
9) If This Is Love
10) Something To Behold
11) Leave It All Behind
Trailer 1:
FE-LIAB-1
Trailer 2:
FE-LIAB-2
Trailer 3:
FE-LIAB-3
Leave It All Behind drops online October 7th and in-stores (a double album including the instrumentals) on October 14th!!!
And on that note... I'm out.
From Nicolay's Myspace...
"Dear friends,
Here's a little update straight from the studio. Let me cut right to the chase... the new FOREIGN EXCHANGE record is almost finished! We are currently working on one of the last tracks, which is the title track, 'Leave It All Behind', already one of my personal favourites. Some other song titles that I can confirm at this point are 'Sweeter Than You' and 'House Of Cards'.
We first started working on this record back in 2006, and it feels good knowing that the finish line is finally in sight. It's been quite a journey! We are both very proud of the record and can't wait for you to hear it. And while you'll have to wait a little while longer, you now know that it is indeed on the way. Keep an eye on this page for more information coming soon."
Tay on the project (from Hiphopdx.com)
“I been working on this album on and off for a year and some change, in between finishing up Getback and my 80's project with Zo that drops real soon. I can't tell people what to expect."
“What I can tell them NOT to expect is ‘Connected Part 2.’ This is a totally different record with a different energy, but it’s still me and Nic doing what we do. I feel like this is the kind of record I've wanted to make all my life; I can’t wait for the world to hear it.”
If you don't have the debut, Connected, HIGHLY... HIGHLY, recommend you pick that up A.S.A.P. And while you're at it, speaking of Nicolay, get his latest LP with Houston MC Kay. The joint is called Time:Line. It is one of the most slepted on records of the year.
And on that note... I'm out.
Yo, I'm not one to talk in detail about my personal life on this blog, but I gotta be real for a second. This week, shit, this semester overall has seen more down moments than up moments. These four months, in so many ways, are important not just for my immediate future, but what my life will look like in the next coming years. I am one that is used to pressure and having my back against the wall, but sometimes this shit can make a person lose their mind.
But when it looks and feels like the world around you is in within seconds of completely imploding, the storm passes, the sun is out again, and you've survived the situation. I have been taught to never give up and keep pushing, but sometimes you forget that shit and almost lose the strength to fight. But as my moms has always told me, when the worst of the worst occurs, that means God is about to bless you; this is a test. Look for the blessing within the situation, God is always with you. And time and time again, moms has always seen the outcome before I did and was right. I guess that what makes her so wise and my personal hero.
Something else I do not forget is that shit can be a lot worst. For example, not too far for where I go to school (no more than 30-40 miles in Malibu and along San Diego. I can smell and feel the smoke and heat), there are fires raging and have already cost the State of California around $1 Billion in damages. People have lost their lives, their homes, everything they know and love. Also, one of my sister's favorite teachers had a heartattack right in the middle of a class he was teaching on Monday and passed away soon after. Yeah, things have been a nightmare for me, but it's been hell for the people involved in these situations. Always keep your life in perspective and try took for the positive to keep pusing.
When I'm feeling like this, there are three things that help me get through: God, my loved ones, and my music. Sometimes hearing that one song maybe therapeutic enough to help you keep moving. Their have been a couple of songs that have helped recently, but I thought about this song this morning and decided to put it on. It has helped me reflect on all this shit even more. So I want to decade this track right here anyone who's feelin down or feels like the world is failing on them, or just looking for "the silver lining in the cloud." Everything is going to work and be alright.
If you have read all of this, thank you very much.
And On That Note... I'm Out.
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).
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
This is what I'm bumpin' right now. If you don't have have, COP IT! ASCAP! I'm out.
