Song of the Day: Q-Tip Renaissance Rap

This little gem is a hidden track on the 2008 release from Q-Tip The Renaissance. The track uses a sample I first heard on a Fat Kat track a few years ago. Tip also borrows Rakim's flow from My Melody on this song which fits perfectly. While it's not an original sample (hah) Tip does a damn good job here.

Enjoy

Tanya Morgan and Black Sheep Tonight @SOB's!

If you want a dope show to see tonight in NYC you really want to be at SOBs at around 8pm. My boys Tanya Morgan are gonna tear it down something terrible with a band backing them up. Not to be outdone they will be sharing the bill with Black Sheep. It's gonna be a hip hop fernanzie in the spot. I can't wait.

Here's a lil video to give you a taste of what we are in for tonight.

Yesterday's Heros / Today's Homie

In the days of the 90's when I would listen to anything out of Queens rap related groups like Mobb Deep and Capone N Noreaga meant the world to me. I remember getting a cassette copy of the Infamous form my boy Will for my birthday back then. I played that joint OUT. I didn't even know about the CD only song Up North Trip until months later. Those were the days. It was years later that I actually saw Mobb Deep in real life and realized that they were the height of that lil pesky kid on your block.

In 2009 everyone you ever heard of seems to be at arms reach from you. The advent of a software like facebook and twitter has knocked down social walls. In the past cats like Puff (I refuse to call him Diddy now) would only be accessible through television, the studio or the VIP section of a club. Now you can catch him updating daily (if not hourly) on twitter with what's going in his life and where's he gonna be for the night. When I started following Puff on twitter I didn't expect to see him talk about going to the club Santos later on, and then as I'm in line waiting to get in I see his whole crew arrive and sure enough roll right in.(can you believe they aint let me in!) On facebook I get actual messages from the living legend Jamel Shabazz. This is a photographer who's work I've purchased and given to others as gifts. I've had comic book conversations with the rapper/producer Kwame' and discussed politics with Davey D and Harry Allen. Would these conversations be possible pre-Twitter? Probably not. I definitely know they would not happen in the comfort of my own home (as these discussions did).

While there's been a backlash against these types of sites I think it's a case of how you use it. Some people use facebook to stalk folks and put all of their business out on front street. Others use twitter to alert the world of their daily stool rotation. These are things I don't need nor care to know about. However I do wish to know about Police using excessive force in California or Pos from De La detailing his overseas trips and shows. These are things that interest me and therefore I pay attention. The things that bother me I make sure it's misses me.

Ultimately if any of these social networking sites bother you just unfollow, trust me it's easy enough. I wont be logging off anytime soon though, because I just found M.O.P on twitter and they are just a loud and wild online (only with LOL's added which is ....just special).

Old School Mondays

The word for today is FUN! Lets go back to when it was ok to have FUN and still have lyrics. This is what I'm talking about.

This is one of my favorite hip hop songs man. I even tried miserably to do this at hip hop karaoke.


Philly Philly....


This was the jam, once again Philly Philly.


Brooklyn's own Special Ed w/ another banger.

Hardcore Gentlemen - Hardcore Gentlemen

The world is missing music like this. Show some love to these cats right here. This is the 15th anniversary of this groundbreaking record. (LOL)

Seriously though cop the album Brooklynatti by Tanya Morgan if you don't already have it. I love the feel of the album. Anyone who's looking for a well crafted hip hop album in these days in times should check these brothers out.

Check the joint.

Game vs. Jay Z (The die has been cast)

I never thought the bol Game (who I think is weak sauce) would directly address Jay. Well I was wrong. This dude Game really trying to go in on Jay on this record. The backlash from Jay's DOA record has been a bit much. This is crazy. What will Jay do on this?

This song really brings to the forefront this age issue in hip hop. Dudes really REALLY got a problem with cats getting up in age rapping. To me I don't care as long as the music is good. I say diss a cat on his weak output rather than his years on the planet. Any body can get it in hip hop but have some respect for your elders. *smh*

What do yall think.

Game - I'm So Wavy

Buckshot & KRS One - Robot

I can't even front, this is a dope record/video. The boys did their thing with this. See what happens when you let Ruck run the label (ha).

Peep Game

Mos Def Live on Jimmy Fallon

With the Legendary Roots Crew. What a performance!

Young Chris - Promise Land (oldie but goodie)

Old video from an old favorite. I don't know why Young Chris from the Young Gunz isn't dropping his debut solo album yet. In my opinion he has a story that needs to be told. He has a way with words and flow that is one of a kind (although Jay Z took it as his own and ran with it). Peep this video Young Gunner did in Dec. of last year. Heartfelt song and video.