A few joints for ya....
--
Group Home - Supa Star (Prod. by DJ Premier)
--
Kool G Rap feat Nas - Fast Life
--
The Fab 5 - Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
KRS One Live At The Roxy
In today’s world of rap, the formula that once was adhered to by all those involved in the genre has been thrown totally out the window. The old guard of the Golden Age emcees has been sanctimoniously dumped, in favor of the new gunslingers. The young bucks of the rap game sneer loudly, showing disrespect to their musical elders with every repetitive hook they come up with. To make matters worse, many of the newbies of Hip-Hop show no interest in sitting in history class and learning more about their culture. Some of today’s superstars have gone as far as saying they refuse to listen to their older peers or their body of work.
While they occupy the stage now, the real question is if these rookie rappers can stand the test of time and become a true legend in the game. You see, in Hip-Hop, you really are only as good as your last record. It is very hard to get people to remember you, let alone a song you record in the past. It takes a real emcee to hold die hard Hip-Hop fans interest. That’s why there are only a handful of emcees that we include in the greatest of all time categories. I wish some of the new jacks were with me last weekend when I stepped into the legendary rock venue, The Roxy. You see, I was there for a live presentation of Hip-Hop history, being put on by the Teacher himself, The Blastmaster KRS-One.
Los Angeles is a busy town, so busy that on any given Friday, there are probably 4 rap groups of major interest, playing somewhere in the SoCal region. This was true last week as I turned down invitations to other venues, and headed out to Hollywood. While the other venues had quality performers, nothing compared to hearing KRS-One do his thing! Watching KRS-One live is like going to the gym, because by the time you leave the show, you will be drenched in sweat, and tired from all the jumping around and cheering. Lat week was no exception either. After the opening acts finished up their set, and Los Angeles favorite Ahmad Jamal got done with his incredible set, it was time to take it back to the essence. KRS One was in the building.
KRS ripped through his lengthy catalog of Hip-Hop hits, as the crowd went totally ape shit and let him know he was loved in LA. As I have friend in high places, I managed to find my way to the reserved tables and cop a squat. I was told that the table was for KRS One and his friends, but I could sit there until someone came up and wanted the seats. I imagined myself kicked back with Kris at his table, as the party onlookers swarmed the table, asking themselves “Whose the dread sitting with KRS?”
I would never see that dream realized, but I was just as surprised when I was told to move from the table for KRS-One’s guests. The show was already on, and I was standing up, pumping my fist and yelling to the music, so I didn’t mind moving. It didn’t hurt that the guest in question was Cypress Hill front man, B-Real. While I did manage to make a little small talk with him over the boom bap, I refrained from asking him if he still talked to Carmen Electra, or asking him to pass the funky Kush joint he was pulling on. As much as I wanted to have a story of the time I got high with B-Real, I was too involved watching the show and didn’t want to piss him off. We stood next to each other for most of the night, until KRS went into “Get Yourself Up”, and I hit the floor in my patented B-Boy slam dance and lost control for about 3 minutes. What can I say, that song goes way hard!!
KRS One on Hannity
While they occupy the stage now, the real question is if these rookie rappers can stand the test of time and become a true legend in the game. You see, in Hip-Hop, you really are only as good as your last record. It is very hard to get people to remember you, let alone a song you record in the past. It takes a real emcee to hold die hard Hip-Hop fans interest. That’s why there are only a handful of emcees that we include in the greatest of all time categories. I wish some of the new jacks were with me last weekend when I stepped into the legendary rock venue, The Roxy. You see, I was there for a live presentation of Hip-Hop history, being put on by the Teacher himself, The Blastmaster KRS-One.
Los Angeles is a busy town, so busy that on any given Friday, there are probably 4 rap groups of major interest, playing somewhere in the SoCal region. This was true last week as I turned down invitations to other venues, and headed out to Hollywood. While the other venues had quality performers, nothing compared to hearing KRS-One do his thing! Watching KRS-One live is like going to the gym, because by the time you leave the show, you will be drenched in sweat, and tired from all the jumping around and cheering. Lat week was no exception either. After the opening acts finished up their set, and Los Angeles favorite Ahmad Jamal got done with his incredible set, it was time to take it back to the essence. KRS One was in the building.KRS ripped through his lengthy catalog of Hip-Hop hits, as the crowd went totally ape shit and let him know he was loved in LA. As I have friend in high places, I managed to find my way to the reserved tables and cop a squat. I was told that the table was for KRS One and his friends, but I could sit there until someone came up and wanted the seats. I imagined myself kicked back with Kris at his table, as the party onlookers swarmed the table, asking themselves “Whose the dread sitting with KRS?”
I would never see that dream realized, but I was just as surprised when I was told to move from the table for KRS-One’s guests. The show was already on, and I was standing up, pumping my fist and yelling to the music, so I didn’t mind moving. It didn’t hurt that the guest in question was Cypress Hill front man, B-Real. While I did manage to make a little small talk with him over the boom bap, I refrained from asking him if he still talked to Carmen Electra, or asking him to pass the funky Kush joint he was pulling on. As much as I wanted to have a story of the time I got high with B-Real, I was too involved watching the show and didn’t want to piss him off. We stood next to each other for most of the night, until KRS went into “Get Yourself Up”, and I hit the floor in my patented B-Boy slam dance and lost control for about 3 minutes. What can I say, that song goes way hard!! After about an hour of pure Hip-Hop and a freestyle session with the emcees in the crowd, KRS exited stage left, and I hit the front door, a little tired, a little tipsy and full of Hip-Hop!
Oh yeah, he signed my hat too, although all you can make out of it is a K.
KRS One on Hannity
KRS Interview
50 Cents interviews KRS One & Marley Marl-talks about The Bridge Is Over
Thursday, January 24, 2008
"Ya'll Niggas be hurting the kid...whatever, whatever, whatever..."
Don't be cruel to Mr. Starks. "Snap out that shit..." and go cop that album! Not for nothing, the album is FIRE!!!
TONY 4 MAYOR! THE REALEST IN THE GAME! BARKING ON YOUR DOWNLOADING FANS = REALITY RAP!
TONY 4 MAYOR! THE REALEST IN THE GAME! BARKING ON YOUR DOWNLOADING FANS = REALITY RAP!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Loud As A Bomb!
I have another cool contest lined up for January, and will drop it here in a few days. For now, I'll give you this little video for a teaser!
P of M Oh Bee Bee
One of the news items I missed was the fact that Prodigy of Mobb Deep, will begin his jail sentence in February instead of this month. The Queens rapper is facing three years in jail, following his recent arrest in New York. P was with producer The Alchemist when he was pulled over in New York. He pleaded guilty to gun possession charges in October, but was "granted a one month adjournment", due to health problems.
Meanwhile, word on the street is that Prodigal went the extra step by shooting a video to his new single "ABC" in jail. The new album, "H.N.I.C. Part 2", is slated to be released in over 1,400 languages through Voxonic Music. Fans will be able to stay in touch with P through his new "HNIC" blog site created for the album.
Take a look at the video below for Prodigy's interveiw at Hot97 with Angie Martinez.
Meanwhile, word on the street is that Prodigal went the extra step by shooting a video to his new single "ABC" in jail. The new album, "H.N.I.C. Part 2", is slated to be released in over 1,400 languages through Voxonic Music. Fans will be able to stay in touch with P through his new "HNIC" blog site created for the album.
Take a look at the video below for Prodigy's interveiw at Hot97 with Angie Martinez.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Song Pick-Big Noyd "Things Done Changed"
Check out the new track from Big Noyd. The song is called Things Done Changed and is a nice return to the game from Noyd, as he breaks down a little bit of history from the QB side!
Big Noyd-Things Done Changed MP3
Big Noyd-Things Done Changed MP3
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Rap Critics:To 2008 and Beyond!
Slang Editorial:::As we round the bend in the first month of Oh Eight, I find myself slowly getting settled into the new digs, firing up our computers and re arranging all the mess I have figuratively and literally dragged into a new year. I think I may have put way too much on my plate, when I attempted a move on the first week of the year. The emotional and literal pain that such a ill timed venture was not anticipated, as I waited for weeks to get internet access back on in the new apartment.
It took a bit longer than we expected to get settled into the new place, but we are all plugged in and ready to rock and roll! The next few days will be spent setting up the calender, promoting all of the sites and more of the usual from us here at the compound. This time around tho', we are not holding our tongues, at least not here at Rap Critics.
I feel like my reviews have become to nice lately. I really have no interest in being critical of most Hip-Hop acts that I hear, God knows there are tons of easy targets of my rapier wit and snobbish Hip-Hop taste. Put it too you like this, we finally got cable turned on here, and of course I spent at least a good eight hours stuck to the couch and the remote, trying to make up for tons of lost time. I see that I have not missed much since I was away from the boob tube.
While I may never rise to the ranks of heavyweight Hip-Hop blog sites like SOHH, AllHipHop, Vibe, or any of those types, I have no reason not to speak on or critique the music we all know and love, however I may see it.
I guess I say all that to brace folks that I may offend when I start my rants on Hip-Hop and what I think it is. I say in all in love, with respect due to all, even if is sounds like a diss. The lines of dialog get a bit murky sometimes, in the middle of a freestyle battle. Just respect the architect and I'll try to build a piece you'll be proud of, ya dig!
Anyway, that's about it. Check us out tonight as Rap Critics contributor DJ Shiro swings by to plug the CD decks and rock some tunes on The Cyber Mix Tape Show! You know it's about to be on for 2008, and we have lots to talk about, so tune in! We will catch you all up to speed with the new moves and just chill for a bit!
Oh yeah....In the middle of all the moving madness, it seems that some of our lucky prize winners may not have gotten their gifts yet. Check you mailboxes and hit me up if you still haven't received the holiday booty!
So stay tuned to us here for more of the latest news and reviews of Hip-Hop and beyond, here at Rap Critics.org and tell a friend about us!
photo:Visionaries Live @ Paid Dues 2007-H. Seltzer