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So as I stumbled out of bed this morning, I saw 2 headlines back-to-back, both of which caught my eye and in turn made me laugh.
First up, from the ever-comical Dwayne Carter, and update regarding his prison stay at Riker’s Island
Sources tell the Village Voice that Weezy lives V.I.P. style on Rikers with restaurant deliveries and other preferential treatment.
Apparently (and probably unsurprisingly), Weezy has been getting food delivered to him from local pizzerias as well as Jackson Hole (no, not the city in Wyoming-for all you non-New Yorkers, Jackson Hole is a chain of restaurants that specializes in half-pound, delicious hamburgers). Additionally, Wayne has been getting music paraphernalia and tips as to when he will be searched. Kids these days…
The next headline, assuredly the more humorous, read
“Bizarre and crew call out Nick Cannonfor his Slick Rick imitation, and then say Mariah’s boo is a “God awful rapper.”
This was in response to the latest Nick Cannon Track (yea, he still makes music…when he’s not hosting America’s Got Talent), in which he responded to an earlier Eminem diss track from several months ago. Anyways, Bizarre and the rest of D12 aren’t taking shit from Mr. Nickelodeon, hopefully this will lead to a full group rebuttal in the future.
For the past five to ten years or so, it has become increasingly harder for artists to sell their music. Since leaks have become so prevalent in the game, artists are relying on performances and record deals to make their money. Here is just a taste of how record sales have declined. Check this weeks top hip-hop album sellers and notice that these numbers are nowhere near what they used to be. It’s unfortunate for the artists but it comes with the territory.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)
Eminem
Recovery
81,000 (This week)
2,501,000 (Overall)
Drake
Thank Me Later
18,000
1,051,000
Usher
Versus
17,000
85,000
Lyfe Jennings
I Still Believe
14,000
50,000
Rick Ross
Teflon Don
13,000
382,000
Just a little bit over a year ago, Eminem decided to release a track that dissed the likes of Nick Cannon and his wife Mariah Carey. For whatever reason, Nick Cannon has decided to come back at Marshall Mathers. Now your probably asking yourself, “Why did it take Nick Cannon over a year to come back at Em?” or “I thought Nick Cannon was a stubborn drummer at Atlanta A&T University, who knew he rapped?”. Both of these are very valid questions. However, I can only answer the first one. Let’s backtrack first.
Since I am quite knowledgeable about hip-hop, it would only seem fitting that I would also know a lot about Nick Cannon’s music career, incorrect. I decided to spend some time research the career of Young Nick. The well recognized actor, comedian and “rapper” has only released one studio album. In 2003, Jive Records released his debut entitled “Nick Cannon”, clever right? The album features songs like “Gigolo”, “Get Crunk Shorty” “My Rib”. (Usually I’d make a joke about how these songs sound like something off a Nick Cannon album and then I realized this is the Nick Cannon album). Anyways, after this album Jive Records realized that Cannon is a horrible excuse for a rapper and dropped him.
Shortly after his release, Cannon started his own label, “Can I Ball Records” in which he released two songs that were to be singles off his second album “Stages”. Yet, Cannon finally realized that he is a horrible rapper and decided not to further humiliate himself by releasing the album.
So, seven years after his last and only album release, Nick Cannon has decided to return to the game to with a diss track targeted for Eminem. Now, it doesn’t seem wise that someone with such little success in music would attack a rapper as decorated as Eminem. It is something that Eminem would laugh at, similar to how Kevin Garnett would laugh if my soon to be 85 year old grandfather were to challenge him in a game of 1 on 1. But that’s Nick Cannon for you. Even more embarrassing for Nick, he decided to sample Slick Rick’s “Teach Me How to Dougie”. The song entitled “I’ma Slick Rick” is exactly what you’d expect, garbage. However, I do give him props for standing up for his wife, but he only embarrased her and his family name. For that, I say to you Nick Cannon, shutup.
From everything I have read and heard, this was one amazing show. More to follow from Crosby who was at the show last night. In the meantime, check this video. Special performances include Drake (unfortunately), B.o.B., Detroit’s own Trick Trick (who is best known for his collaboration with Eminem on Welcome to Detroit) D12, Young Jeezy and Dr. Dre.
This is a simple post. Here are five songs, that if you don’t have, you need to download. No explanation necessary.
Dope Beat-Boogie Down Productions
Mama I Want to Fucking Sing- Danny
I highly recommend checking out these artists. A feature on Mac Miller to follow.
Also for your viewing pleasure, I found this on http://www.dankofamerica.blogspot.com
Intro; 100-91, 90-81, 80-71, 70-61, 60-51, 50-41
40. Rip The Jacker – 2003 – Canibus
Throughout his career, Canibus has always been one of the best lyricists in the game. It wasn’t until 2003, though, that he teamed up with a producer that could match his talents on the mic. Rip The Jacker is entirely produced by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind (of Jedi Mind Tricks), helping Canibus finally create a full, well-rounded, enjoyable album. It’s refreshing to hear Canibus rapping over Stoupe’s (obscure) sample based beats, especially since he goes off on every track with his signature complex lyrical style. As a fan, it’s really disappointing that these two never collaborated again after this project.
Top Tracks: Poet Laureate II | Showtime At The Gallows | Levitibus
39. Relapse – 2009 – Eminem
This will probably be the most unpopular pick on the entire list, but I’ll defend this album to the death. Most criticism of Relapse is based around the voices/”accents” that Eminem uses on some of the songs. I’m not going to say that I prefer this to his normal voice, but it works here. On tracks like Bagpipes From Baghdad, Same Song & Dance, Old Time’s Sake, etc., he’s using these flows to service the lyrical patterns he has created for these tracks, and the end product is great. The CD is essentially his Slim Shady alter-ego let loose, leaving Em to concentrate on nothing but bending words and creating crazy rhyme patterns containing his classic “don’t give a fuck” content. The result is his best lyrical album since The Marshall Mathers LP, and a real treat for the old school Eminem fan.
Top Tracks: Hello | Deja Vu | Bagpipes From Baghdad
38. Quality – 2002 – Talib Kweli
Successful debut for Kweli as a solo artist, having previously collaborated on classic projects with both Mos Def (as Black Star) and Hi-Tek (as Reflection Eternal). Talib flourishes as the man in the spotlight on Quality, which features non-stop dope music throughout. The album gets to a quick start with standouts including Rush, Get By, Shock Body & Gun Music, and then moves to a more mellow feel toward the end, also throwing in a few Kanye-produced gems for good measure (Guerilla Monsoon Rap & Good To You).
Top Tracks: Get By | Shock Body | Good To You
37. Late Registration – 2005 – Kanye West
Speaking of Mr. West, his second release was pretty impressive itself. Tracks like Gold Digger helped spark his meteoric rise to pop stardom in ’05, but Late Registration is much more than a crossover attempt. The album is stacked with some of Kanye’s best, most diverse work, highlighting his more than capable talents as an MC, and elite skill as a producer.
Top Tracks: Crack Music (Featuring The Game) | Touch The Sky (Featuring Lupe Fiasco) | Gone (Featuring Cam’Ron & Consequence)
36. A Piece of Strange – 2006 – Cunninlynguists
Musically, a masterpiece courtesy of CL producer Kno. Overall just a creative, well-thought out and well-executed disc, from a group I’ve come to expect nothing less from. Kno sits back and barely drops any lyrics, but Deacon & Natti (new member to the group) prove to be sufficient, and do the beats justice.
Top Tracks: Hourglass | The Gates (Featuring Tonedeff) | Beautiful Girl
35. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – 2003 – Outkast
Two completely different albums; both dope in their own way. Big Boi’s Speakerboxxx is a straightforward continuation of his prolific rap career. Unlike Three-Stacks, who has veered off into who knows what, Big Boi has stuck to what works for him his whole career, and this album proved what we now know (with 2010’s Sir Lucius Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty): that Daddy Fat Sax is just as effective in the group setting as he is on his own. Andre’s The Love Below goes in a different direction, though, as a beautifully experimental R&B/pop/jazz/hip hop/etc. album. This is not traditional Outkast, but the music quality does not suffer. Andre is clearly the more talented of the two, and it would’ve been great to see him focus on rapping, but his disc is quite enjoyable if you take it for what it is.
Speakerboxxx
Top Tracks: Unhappy | Flip Flop Rock (Featuring Jay-Z & Killer Mike) | GhettoMusick
The Love Below
Top Tracks: Pink & Blue | Spread | Roses
34. The Lost Tapes – 2002 – Nas
This is how all Nas albums should sound. Simple, yet effective, production, with Nas focused only on achieving lyrical greatness. It’s not a traditional studio album, as it’s a compilation of unreleased Nas tracks from about ’98-’02, but the material is easily some of the best of his career. We are lucky that these tracks found the light of day, and it’s a mystery as to why he didn’t include some of these on his mediocre 1999 releases.
Top Tracks: Doo Rags | Nothing Lasts Forever | Drunk By Myself
33. The Cold Vein – 2001 – Cannibal Ox
Cannibal Ox had the New York underground on fire in 2001. El-P takes the listener below and beyond the earth with some of the best beats he’s ever crafted, while Vast Aire & Vordul Mega bring you to reality with abstract lyrics and wordplay highlighted on tracks such as Iron Galaxy.
Top Tracks: Iron Galaxy | The F-Word | Painkillers
32. And I Love H.E.R. – 2008 – Danny!
Danny!’s follow up to 2006’s critically acclaimed Charm continued his indie-rap success, and was actually an overall better album. He utilizes even more creative samples, and showcases an improved flow, lyrics and overall theme. Even if Danny!’s offbeat style isn’t your cup of tea, all hip hop fans owe it to themselves to check this album out.
Top Tracks: Jet Set | Wanderland | I Want H.E.R. (She’s So Heavy)
31. Donuts – 2006 – J. Dilla
This is the only instrumental album that was ever considered for this list..which says a lot about exactly how good James Yancey’s final project before his death was. Since the project’s release, most (if not all) of these tracks have been rapped over by various MCs paying tribute to one of the greatest producers of all time, and while many of the songs are great, these Donuts sound just fine untouched. A rare instrumental album that you can listen to all the way through, a lot, and enjoy it every single time. Dilla takes you through a journey of sounds, moods, time, places; just sit down and try it out once, and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. (Shout out to The Roots for the best use of a Donuts beat with “Can’t Stop This”, over Dilla’s “Time: The Donuts of the Heart”)
Top Tracks: Workinonit | Two Can Win | Time: The Donuts of the Heart
80. The Grind Date – 2004 – De La Soul
The legendary De La showed they were still relevant in ’04, with the help of 00’s underground stars like Dilla, Madlib and MF Doom. Dave & Pos showed no rust, bringing classic golden age hip hop to a new era of listeners.
Top Tracks: Rock Co. Cane Flow (Featuring MF Doom) | Verbal Clap | He Comes (Featuring Ghostface Killah)
79. When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold – 2008 – Atmosphere
The Minneapolis duo went a bit of a different direction with their latest full-length, slowing it down and going with a more electronic feel, but the result is one of their all-time best efforts. More of the serious side of Slug here, but again not a bad thing.
Top Tracks: Wild Wild Horses | Shoulda Known | Can’t Break
78. Let’s Get Free – 2000 – Dead Prez
Dead Prez can be a little radical and preachy at times, but they do know how to make good hip hop music. This is their best release, showcasing their self-production talents and mic skills on every track.
Top Tracks: Hip-Hop | Happiness | I’m A African
77. Ultimate Victory – 2007 – Chamillionaire
This album might have been better known for having no explicit language whatsoever than being a great CD, but don’t sleep on Chamillionaire’s second release. Full of standout songs plus a few enjoyable guest appearances, still leaving enough air time for Chamillionaire to shine on his own.
Top Tracks: Pimp Mode (Featuring Bun B) | The Ultimate Vacation | The Bill Collecta (Featuring Krayzie Bone)
76. 9 Lives – 2001 – AZ
So consistent..some of the best AZ songs ever on here. A few mainstream bullshit attempts keep this from being a really elite album. Call it The Firm syndrome.
Top Tracks: I Don’t Give A Fuck | At Night | Let’s Toast
75. The Eminem Show – 2002 – Eminem
Personally I find Em’s third album to be a bit overrated. Still great material, though, before he really fell off with Encore.
Top Tracks: Superman | ‘Til I Collapse | Without Me
74. Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 – 2005 – Young Jeezy
Don’t hate because it’s southern. The Trapper of the Decade’s debut album was a straight up banger front to back. I guarantee I’ll still be bumping this shit 10 years from now.
Top Tracks: Trap Star | Go Crazy (Featuring Jay-Z) | Thug Motivation 101
73. Nia – 2000 – Blackalicious
Gift of Gab is a hell of an MC. He and Chief Xcel’s debut is their most consistent, and best release, and it contains a couple of hip hop classics.
Top Tracks: Deception | Shallow Days | A To G
72. T.I. vs. T.I.P. – 2007 – T.I.
T.I.’s alter-ego act, expanding on a song from 2003’s Trap Muzik, resulted in one of the best releases of 2007. Didn’t exceed the quality of his previous album, King, but held its own as a great summer CD that sounds best in the whip.
Top Tracks: Touchdown (Featuring Eminem) | Show It To Me (Featuring Nelly) | You Know What It Is (Featuring Wyclef Jean)
71. Boy Meets World – 2009 – Fashawn
He was only 11 years old at the start of the decade, but Fresno MC Fashawn already has an extremely dope debut album under his belt. Like fellow California MC Blu’s first album, Exile handles all of the production here with impressive results. 10 years from now you can bank on seeing a bunch of this guys albums on my Best of 2010-2019 list; he’s the real deal.
Top Tracks: Samsonite Man (Featuring Blu) | Stars | Lupita
Continued…
If you were to look at the performance poster for this year’s Rock the Bells festival, Yelawolf would be the last name you’d see. The young MC from northern Alabama has yet to release a studio album. He was able to rise to his current state of fame with the guidance of Slim Thug. Yelawolf, may be best known for his recent tour with Rock the Bells performer Wiz Khalifa. The duo traveled along the east coast which allowed Yela to promote his new mixtape Trunk Muzik.
Recently signed to Interscope Records, Yelawolf went up to Detroit to spend some time in the studio with Eminem who is helping him record his first studio album entitled Trunk Muzik: 0-60, set to drop September 4th. With the album comes the second part of his tour with Wiz Khalifa as they are set to hit over thirty cities this fall.
For those of you who haven’t heard Yelawolf, his unique style is something new to the rap game. His performance should be interesting as he is still somewhat of an unknown artist.
Songs He Should Perform: Lick the Cat, F.U.
Songs He Will Perform: Trunk Muzik, Good to Go
Download-Trunk Muzik-Mixtape
Last week I went to a Yankee game with Crosby, thatyoungknockoutkid, and David Weissman. As we tried not to sweat to death, and enjoyed our $5 water, thatyoungknockoutkid asked a great question, “What would your walk-up song be if you could have one at bat?” At the time, I said ‘Till I Collapse by Eminem, specifically the 3rd verse because that shit is fire. The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized that I could never pick just one song, and that the songs you choose say a lot about your taste in music. So, when I had some time, I put together my top five (The links are set to play at the specific parts of the songs I would use):
1. The Pretender – The Foo Fighters (here)
2. Hip-Hop Saved My Life -Lupe Fiasco (here)
3. ‘Till I Collapse – Eminem (I had keep this song, it’s one of my favorites) (here)
4. Calm like a Bomb – Rage Against the Machine (here)
5. Pain- Jimmy Eat World (here)
I know, I’m also devastated that Wild Thing didn’t make the top 5 either. This was one of the hardest lists I’ve ever had to make, and frankly, I would probably come up with other songs that would conflict with these five if I keep looking through my music library, so I am just going to post this, and leave you with the same question thatknockoutkid left me with, “what would your walk-up song be?”
Ok I’m blaming this one on my ridiculous jetlag/lack of sleep/lack of timezone knowledge, but here is some tunes to get down with on this lovely friday(now saturday) evening. Based on the major debate we’ve had on the site regarding Eminem’s new albums, I decided to post something we could all agree on, some classic Slim Shady and Marshall Mathers LP tunes. Say what you want about where Eminem’s career is/going, his original stuff is undeabtebly good, so check it out.
One of my favorite Em tracks, it comes from the SSLP (Download)
Also from SSLP, this song is easily the number one seed in my “90’s Rap Songs that mention former San Diego Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer” bracket (Download)
Lastly, a classic from the MMLP (Download)
All In My Head 
