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When she's not keeping Scott Storch's "face in her puss," shooting up radio stations, getting plastic surgery, lying to a jury, or preparing herself for her impending incarceration, diminutive sexpot Lil' Kim is making records.Her newest record, her fourth studio album, called 'The Naked Truth,' features production from Kanye West, Scott Storch, 7 Aurelius, Fredwreck and others, and is set for release September 13th on Atlantic Records.
The first single from the album, called "Lighters Up," finds Kim sounding a whole helluva lot like Lauryn Hill, as she flips Damian Marley's "Welcome To Jamrock" vocal style over a sorta latin-tinged piano track. People seem to be digging it, but it's sort of a departure from form for Kim as far as I'm concerned and I don't know if I dig her aping that roots style all that much. You can check it out for yourself right now though via streaming audio.
Lil' Kim "Lighters Up" ( Clean )
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Lil' Kim "Lighters Up" ( Explicit )
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And though "Lighters Up" has only been bubbling for a minute now she's already preparing a second single. Called "Shut Up Bitch," it crassly addresses the "haters" and is definitely more of what I'd expect from the "Queen Bitch." The production ( Is that Storch? Or 7 Aurelius maybe? ) is ill too, with fresh bongos, claps and electronic noises. And you can check streaming audio of it out right here too!
Lil' Kim "Shut Up Chick" ( Radio )
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Lil' Kim "Shut Up Bitch" ( Explicit )
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Bedreaded metrosexual ( just look at his outfits yo, the dude is stylin' ) emcee Afu-Ra dropped his 4th full-length album 'State Of The Arts' via Decon Media earlier this summer. The first single, the PF Cuttin' produced Afro-Beat sampling "Poisonous Taoist," was one of the rawest 12'' records of the spring. And now, a second single, "Why Cry" featuring German reggae crooner Gentleman, has just been released. The new 12'' also features a remix of the tune featuring additional vocals from Les Nubians, and the remix is certainly one of my "pick hits" out of the current crop of 12'' wax.
The non-Nubians version of "Why Cry" comes equipped with a video clip, which you can peep right here.
Afu-Ra feat. Gentleman "Why Cry"
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Check it out, and then decide whether or not you might want to cop the album. Don't be like some other bloggers I know who base their album purchases on superficial things like how cool the album cover looks.
Gray-haired emcees Adrock, MCA, and Mike D of the Beastie Boys have been hip-hop staples for over two decades now. Throughout their storied career, from their Rick Rubin produced, 808-fueled, debut as part of the new-school's old-school in the '80s, to the Dust Brothers assisted crate-diggers opus that was 'Paul's Boutique,' to their live band experimentation during the '90s, to the all-encompassing sonic gumbo of 'Hello Nasty,' and finally, to their most recent material which blends their more traditional party-time loops with futuristic but retro laptop beats, the Beastie Boys have constantly reinvented themselves and stayed on the cutting edge. They've never been afraid to try a new style, incorporate a differnt rhythm, or rock a fresh beat. And with remixes from the likes of Muggs, Large Professor, Prince Paul, The Prunes, Eric Sermon, Fat Boy Slim, Kutmasta Kurt, Peanut Butter Wolf, Madlib, Egon, and even Just Blaze in their catalog it's obvious these boys aren't afraid to let others try their hand at reshaping their artistic vision their own way either.Not content to just allow big-name producers and DJ's the opportunity to muck around with their songs though, they're now posting up various Beastie Boys acapellas which would-be remixers can download and put their own unique "spin" on! The site indicates that a new acapella will be posted every Friday "for the next little while."
I've already heard a couple of not-so-good remixes from a couple of online beatmakers myself. So if you're gonna go download a couple of vocal tracks to remix make sure you come with your a-game, because I don't want to listen to any more bullshit. Alright?
The foxy singin' sisters of Floetry ( who happen to rank just behind Les Nubians on my "sexy dreadlocked soul singers I'd like to do" list... I mean really, girls with locks are just so sexy... but the Nubians have two, and Floetry only has one, so it's no contest ) are preparing a new album, titled 'Flo'Ology,' for release November 8th 2005 on Geffen Records. The first single, which features guest vocals from revitalized Chicago emcee Common, is an upbeat, inspirational type joint called "Supa Star," and you can check it out right here in streaming audio.
Floetry feat. Common "Supa Star"
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You can also buy it at iTunes if that's the sort of thing you do.
For my money though, I'd sort of prefer something a little more slowed-down and sexy, in the vein of "Say Yes" or "It's Getting Late," to the generic feel-good message of "Supa Star." But if their last record was any indication they'll follow a debut single like this with that good soulful, sweaty, bedroom shit later. So I'm not worried, and I'm definitely looking forward to 'Flo'Ology.'
Electronic music pioneer, and inventor of both the Moog synthesizer and the Theremin, Robert Moog succumbed to brain-cancer and died Sunday in Asheville, North Carolina. His family has put up a webpage featuring memorial information and a guest-book where fans and others can leave condolences. So, I guess now might be a better time than any to add director Hans Fjellestad's documentary 'Moog' to that mile-long NetFlix DVD queue of yours, no?Or maybe you should go listen to one of the thousands of albums (from every conceivable genre, though Bernie Worrel's use of Dr. Moog's invention to lay down some of the funkiest synthesized basslines ever recorded on Parliament and Funkadelic's records are certainly some of my favorite instances) that feature the sounds of one of the Moog synthesizers or the Theremin prominently?
Either way, take a few minutes out of your day to honor this man and his contribution to the world of popular music.
Hebrew-hop pioneers Blood Of Abraham -- whose tune "Stabbed By The Steeple" from their 1994 debut album 'Future Profits' remains one of my go-to jams to this very day -- are returning to the hip-hop game after a lengthy exile with the release of their long-awaited sophomore LP 'Eyedollartree.'I first remember hearing about 'Eyedollartree' five or more years ago. I had just bought the computer I'm typing this article on right now ( my first home computer ) and the first thing I did was go look for music to download. On one of the many legitmate download sites that existed back then I found a download for a Blood Of Abraham song called "99 Cent Lighter" featuring Will.I.Am ( of the then not-so-famous Black Eyed Peas ) which was from a then soon-to-be-released album called 'Eyedollartree.' Years passed, and the album never materialized, but I never forgot about it, and now 'Eyedollartree' is finally set for an official release August 23rd on Red Ink Records.
Their wealthy friend Will.I.Am is still guesting despite his multi-platinum fame, but that's to be expected since he's been down with these dudes since his own days with Ruthless Records as part of the A.T.B.A.N. Klann when he rapped ( under the name Willonex ) on "Niggaz & Jewz ( Some Say Kikes )" from B.O.A.'s 'Future Profits.' Underground weirdos Kool Keith and Divine Styler also make cameos on the album as well.
The tracks I've heard are surprisingly sharp considering they're coming from two dudes who haven't dropped a record in over a decade. And the content seems eerily topical and relevant to what's going on in the world right now for material that has for all intents and purposes sat on the shelf for a number of years now. "Calling All Citizens" sounds particularly fresh to these old ears. But don't just take my word for it, check a couple of tracks out in streaming audio format right now!
"Paranoia Is Awareness"
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"Calling All Citizens"
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You can listen to some more audio from the album at Blood Of Abraham's MySpace page, or just go to Amazon and buy a copy of 'Eyedollartree' for yourself already!
And no, the "it" in question is not McDonalds either smart-ass!With a successful debut album -- 'The Listening' -- and a mixtape collecting their remixes and b-sides -- 'The Chittlin Circuit' -- under their belt, Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, and producer 9th Wonder of North Carolina hip-hop crew Little Brother are taking it to the proverbial next level with the release of their sophomore full-length, and first major label project, 'The Minstrel Show,' which is due, via ABB/Atlantic Records, on September 13th.
'The Minstrel Show' is being described as a darkly humorous album, blending soul and satire ( a-la an episode of 'Saturday Night Live,' complete with commercial breaks and music guests ) in an effort to confront the rap industry for being a modern-day minstrel show where chicken and watermelon have been replaced with rims and jewelry.
The first single is "Lovin' It," featuring Justus League affiliate Joe Scudda, and you can check it out via streaming audio right now.
Little Brother feat. Joe Scudda "Lovin' It" ( audio )
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The single even comes equipped with a fresh video clip, complete with a bevvy of cartoonish hip-hop stereotypes, a bunch of sexy "hip-hop honeys," and Joe Scudda doing his best to not look like "the people's champ" Paul Wall... even though he does. You can peep the video, in a number of different streaming formats, right now too!
Little Brother feat. Joe Scudda "Lovin' It" ( video )
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Despite the fact that Little Brother really sounds nothing like anything else in the hip-hop mainstream right now I can totally see this video getting burn alongside whatever shit happens to be "hot" right now on the various video channels. And with Atlantic Records money behind them to grease the right palms maybe we'll actually see that happen?
Stones Throw Records artist MED ( a.k.a. Medaphoar ) has just debuted a brand new split video clip for "Push," the J Dilla produced first single, and "Get Back," the Just Blaze produced second single, from his debut full length 'Push Comes To Shove,' directed by Andrew Gura.In my estimation "Push" should have already been a huge hit at radio and in clubs. Any DJ's who are spinning Neptunes produced joints in their sets shoulda been all over that shit. Maybe a video, if it can get some form of significant air-play, will help blow it up a little? Surely the name-factor that Just Blaze brings to "Get Back" can help get heads outside of the Stones Throw fanbase interested.
But if you're already interested, as well you should be, feel free to check out the video right here, right now.
MED "Push/Get Back"
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Why I didn't hear about Har Mar Superstar before is beyond me. Not to mention his last album 'The Handler' came out almost a year ago! However his latest video "Body Request" was recently released last month, and should be the song of the Summer. The video looks like it was inspired by the 80's since everyone is rocking out in retro wear and the ladies all have funky teased hair dews. Har Mar himself, who in my eye is a sexier look alike version of a Ron Jeremy, is dancing around in tight white pants and exposing his chest hair. After viewing the video I became an instant fan and quickly downloaded 'The Handler' which is now my favorite album to dance around in my panties too, which as you can see Har Mar himself is known for doing at his concerts. I recommend anyone who likes funky beats, along with funny lyrics to check out my man Har Mar Superstar!
Har Mar Superstar "Body Request"
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When Cleeson started playing the Wham! hit Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Nash, 48, charged the DJ booth, crashing over the turntables and headbutting Cleeson.
The shocked DJ received a broken nose.
Wham! was composed of George Michael, who is gay, and Andrew Ridgeley, who is not.
Oh, if only he'd decided to put on a Falco track instead!
Really though, if anybody out there has Andrew Ridgeley's solo record from the late '80s or early '90s (he had a video where he was wearing one of those big black southwestern "shaman" hats, ya know, sorta like Slash from G&R) hit me up. I remember really liking the single the few times I heard it but could never track it down at the time.
If you like downtempo beats as much as our main man Cereffusion does then you will doubtlessly be interested to know that Bully Records is offering a free download of a new track off producer P-Love's forthcoming album 'All In Your Mind.'The track, "Blue and Brown" ( featuring Bonobo on bass ) was supposed to be pressed up as a 12", but it was allegedly between that and paying rent, so they went with the free download option instead. Right click the link below and "save as" to peep it.
P-Love "Blue and Brown feat. Bonobo" [MP3]
The album 'All In Your Mind' will be out September 20th 2005 on Bully Records, with a little help from Ninja Tune.
While driving home one night, I was listening to NPR's 'All Things Considered' share letters from their listeners. People responded to articles on old mothers and Black Panther sauce.One of the these letters caught my ear, the listener spoke of "listening with fascination and horror" about the sound and idea of putting Chaucer to beats. He thought of his Chaucer professor, "who would rather suffer the painful indignity inflicted upon Nicolas in the 'Millers Tales' than listen to another moment of Brinkman's efforts."
However, I thought it was a great idea. And so, I hunted not only for the article called 'Modern Chaucer: Street Talk and a Dance Beat,' but I also Googled the Canadian-born Rapper named Baba Brinkman, who created 'The Rap Canterbury Tales.'
For those of you who don't know of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales,' this would be an easy introduction to the world of medieval literature. Baba Brinkman has revamped the middle english to a more modern understanding and puts it all to some smooth beats. And dont think that because Chaucer was from the medieval period that anything he did clean. The 'Canturbury Tales' included a variety of medieval themes from the fabliau to homily, and they even show medieval attitudes and customs in such areas as love, marriage, and religion.
Put it all to good beats and you have this:
Baba Brinkman "The Miller's Tale" [MP3]
Baba Brinkman "The Knight's Tale" [MP3]
Stephen "Sankofa" Bryden is a guy that instant messages me early in the morning just before I hit the sack. He's a rappin' guy. He's actually one of the (admittedly few) rappin' guys who've rapped over this (admittedly not very prolific) producin' guy's beats. He jumps out of trees into fountains (see picture at right) in public parks during live shows. He once sent me a burned CDR copy of Da Lench Mob's 'Guerilla's In The Mist' and blessed me with a dusty old piece of wax that had the father from 'Everybody Loves Raymond' on the cover (not to mention another one bearing an image of a robot wearing an Indian head-dress). He's the type of guy you really want on your buddy list instead of all the losers you probably know. He's also getting ready to drop his sophomore solo LP, titled 'Still Means Something,' via his very own, very independent means really soon.Earlier today he happened to bless me with a snippet sampler for said album. And although I wasn't lucky enough to have produced anything this time out (peep "All Of Heaven's Angels" from his 'Rosetta Stone' LP for our first collaboration) I'm totally impressed with what he's put together for his second go-round. So impressed in fact that I just had to share the snippets with all of you, so check it out!
To download just right-click the link and "save as."
And don't forget to visit Sankofa's website when you get the chance.
AZ's decade in the game has seen both ups and downs, but through it all he's remained one of the sharpest lyricists of his generation (one that includes superstars like Nas and Jay-Z). Tracks like "Life's A Bitch" (his debut, a duet with Nas) and "Rather Unique" (a Pete Rock produced gem from his freshman full length 'Doe Or Die') are regarded as classics by many, and more than a few believe that AZ was (along with Masta Ace and others) a huge influence on one of the biggest pop stars of our time, Eminem (whose debut record 'Infinite' bears the most evidence to this fact). Unfortunately, his last few LP's have come and gone pretty much unnoticed, and he remains slept on by all but the most astute students of the rhyme.That could all be about to change though.
During the last year or so AZ's been creeping back into the hip-hop consciousness. He first re-emerged with a blazing track called "Magic Hour" featuring CL Smooth (another mid '90s stalwart poised to make a comeback) that was floating around during 2004, and then smacked the collective hip-hop community in the grill by upstaging an admitedly re-vitalized Nas on the underground smash "Serious" earlier this year. He was poised to release a new album, tentatively called 'The Final Call,' on his own Quiet Money imprint, but those plans were eventually scrapped, leaving some of us wondering how an emcee could drop such heat, just to let the sizzle fizzle.
Any doubts about AZ's ability to spit that raw should be squashed now, as he's partnered up with Koch and announced plans to release a retooled version of 'The Final Call' now titled 'A.W.O.L.' via Quiet Money/Fast Life on September 6th 2005. The first official single is the DJ Premier produced "The Come Up," a fresh slice of raw boom-bap with AZ's patented street-bred introspection gracing the neck-snapping kicks and snares. There's even a really simple, classically hip-hop video clip to accompany it, and you can peep that right now...
AZ "The Come Up"
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'A.W.O.L.' features production from Heatmakerz, Tone Mason, DJ Premier, former Beatminer Baby Paul, Moss, Buckwild, and Disco D, and guest appearances from CL Smooth, Ghostface Killah, and Slick Rick. So if you missed "Serious" featuring Nas I guess you're shit out of luck boss.
The stuttering drum machines, deep, womping basslines, shrill synthesizer tones, and wild cockney chatter of Grime, the British sub-genre that seems like an admixture of UK Garage (pronounced "garridge"), American Crunk, and Jamaican Dancehall, continues seeping up from the underground and into the mainstream. The Streets and Dizzee Rascal have already made an impact here in the new world, and waves created by records by Wiley, Kano and the artists featured on the 'Run The Road' compilation (released stateside by Vice Recordings) have lapped at our fair shores as well. Now, More Fire Crew member Lethal Bizzle is poised to make a big splash with his major label debut 'Against All Oddz' (which will see release on the 15th of August via V2 Music) and a video for his new single "Uh Oh! (I'm Back)," which you can peep right here, right now...Lethal Bizzle "Uh Oh! (I'm Back)"
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He's apparently become both popular and influential on the Grime scene, bringing together a bunch of different emcees from various crews for a hit single called "Pow! (Forward)," which was reportedly banned in clubs across the UK due to the rowdy reaction it would provoke in crowds. That said, I'm not nearly as excited by this as I was the first time I heard records like Mike Skinner's 'Original Pirate Material,' Dizzee's "I Luv U," Wiley's "Wot Do U Call It?," or Kano joints like "P's & Q's" and "Reload." But it's still dope to see dudes from this scene continue to make moves.
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