Live Streaming of Mr. Lif Concert September 28th

Mr. Lif will be performing live at The Fire in Philly on September 28 with Philly’s Reef the Lost Cauze and Jersey artists Cymarshall Law (of Everliven Sound) and MAGr. The concert with be streamed live on rVibe.com and BarackObama.com as part of the Concerts for Obama series. I don’t know exactly how that’s going to work, but I’ll be there in person. It looks like rVibe will be easier to find the stream.

Download Cymarshall Law’s free mixtape “Cyology 3: The Freedom Writer”

CYNE: Pretty dark things

This definitely isn’t CYNE’s best work, but it was still a pretty solid album. The production was great, but what more would you expect from this group? And there is a lot of Good lyricism in most of the songs, but once again, what more would you expect?

1. Just Say No– 2.5/5
2. The Runaway– 4.5/5
3. Calor– 3/5
4. Escape– 3/5
5. Money Parade– 3.5/5
6. Pretty Black Future – 3.5/5
7. Elephant Rome-3.5/5
8. The Dance– 3/5
9. Opera– 4/5
10. Prototypes– 3/5
11. Fuzzy Logic– 4/5
12. Never Forget Pluto– 3/5
13. Pianos On Fire– 2.5/5
14. Radiant Cool Boy– 4.5/5
15. Excite Me– 2/5
16. Scattered– 3.5/5

So I’m not gonna say much more, but if you haven’t heard this album yet, you really need to check it out. If you love lyricism and great production, this is a must have.

Top tracks:
The Runaway
Money Parade
Fuzzy logic
Radiant cool boy

Production: 3/5
Lyrics: 4/5

Overall: 3.5/5

Download

Purchase

Ice Cube – "Why Me?" Video

The third single from Ice Cube’s Raw Footage album. The video was released earlier this week:

                          

The Love of owning Hip Hop in its published Form

There is something about holding that precious vinyl or flipping through the booklet that comes with an original CD that has me hooked once again. Yeah I caught the MP3 bug and was steadily amounting collections of tracks I’d heard back in the mid 90’s getting my late teens groove on again.

But there is something nostalgic about actually going and finding the physical release whether it be the original vinyl or even the reissue. It might have started to circulate my bloodstream once again when I got my Denon DN-S3500 CDJ’s earlier this year and even though they play MP3’s the need to seek and search out the bargains for the original copy grew stronger.

I mean it’s a hell of a lot easier in 2008 then the days of DJ’s flying across the globe to Hip Hop hotspots seeking out the dusty vinyls. At the moment I’m still building up my Hip Hop catalogue and though I’m more likely to spin on my Denon’s within a week of buying them I had purchased a mint second-hand Technics 1210 Mk 2 so now my collection of vinyl is growing too.

The best spots to clean up are EBay and Discogs and the amount of people needing to make some quick bucks for whatever bills they have got sees them willing to part with some of the classics and often they are the original releases and not a repress. Previously hard to get stuff can be snapped up for a bargain and when it arrives at your doorstep from exotic locations across the globe it only adds to the fun.

I’ve kinda given up on my sneaker habit for now(despite the fact I shelled out some ridiculous cash for the Black/Grey/Red Collezione Air Jordan IV’s last week[some stuff you just have to have y’know]) and am steadily amassing shelves of vintage and modern vinyl & CD’s. Who knows where I’m going to store stuff when I move onto the original classics that were sampled to create the Hip Hop.

I guess I’m a collector junkie and I don’t know when to stop but I don’t think I’m gonna jump to any Rane Serato Scratch just yet, something about the artwork and the black wax just appeals to me.

Album Review: Murs For President by Murs

Murs For President is Murs‘ (Wiki Page) seventh studio album which was set to be released on September 30th but was leaked on the 25th. It is Murs’ first album released by a major label which is a bit hypocritical considering his stage name is an acronym, standing for Making Underground Raw Shit. 

This had to be one of hip hop’s most anticipated albums of the year. Reviewing it was very exciting considering not even iTunes has this ish yet. I came with high expectations and here are my conclusions:

I’m Innocent

The beat on this track has an annoying vocal sample on loop but other than that it is pretty decent. Murs has a great clear flow allowing you to spot some of his mentions to stuff like Oh You Mad Cuz I’m Stylin’ On Ya.

Lookin’ Fly ƒ Will.I.Am

Nice deep bass but I have to say that Murs rhymes are kinda wack. It’s a dance track, this is for all the mainstream fans who actually have money to buy the album.

The Science

It’s interesting that this track would be put in this position on the album. The lyrics are a lot more content-full and advanced than the previous. This is probably my favorite track production-wise on Murs For President because of the use of flutes.

Can’t It Be

This is basically an educated rant by Murs. Not a great beat, but nice use of vocal samples and Murs’ drops some conscious rhymes.

Everything

Skip track, good lyrics I guess, and an ok beat but overall, boring.

Road Is My Religion

Dope storytelling track about Murs’ tough life on the road and his struggles as an artist. A subtle guitar sample compliments the deep bass.

Sooo Comfortable

Chill song, jumps around topic wise, cool head banger but not what you are looking for if you want complex lyrics.

Time Is Now ƒ Snoop Dogg

The production and chorus on this track involve samples from a church choir and organ which Snoop Dogg’s flow fits perfectly with.

Think You Know Me

As you may have implied from the title, this track is about stereotypes Murs goes through daily mostly because of his appearance. Captivating lyrics and a sing a long chorus make this one of the best tracks on the album. I have a feeling Murs really just wants to say “Fuck You!”, but restrains himself.

Love And Appreciate

Murs drops some nice verses about the appreciation for women and calls out those who “act hard”. Great chorus from Tyler Woods, no not Tiger, Tyler.

Part Of Me

Murs most likely recently broke up with a girlfriend and is getting out some stuff about it in this track. A fusion of rap and rock.

Break Up (The OJ Song)

Another track about Murs’ lost girlfriend. Ok song but is he Bill Clinton or what?

Breakthrough

Simply a closing track of the album. Murs drops some self boasting lines over a vocal loop repeating, “You must breakthrough”.

Final Word:

Dope album overall. The production is on point with the exception of a couple repetitive beats. Definitely one to cop when you get the chance. Lived up to the hype? No. Pretty Decent Album? Yes.

Download The Album

Buy The Album

T Dub

HHP Mixtape: I..Will…Not…Lose

Best Diss Tracks

Track Listing/Top 10 Diss Tracks

1. Ether by Nas (Jay Z)

*Although I am a HUGE Jay Z fan, I have to say that this is the greatest diss track of all time. This is what happens when you get in a beef with a lyricist whose mother just died.

2. Hit Em Up by Tupac (Biggie, Lil Kim, P Diddy)

* To tell you the truth the lyrics of this song aren’t that great but Pac’s intensity makes up for it.

3. Nail In The Coffin by Eminem (Benzino)

* Eminem is the perfect artist to create diss tracks. He has a creative mind and isn’t afraid to say anything, thats what makes this track great.

4. Takeover by Jay Z (Nas & Mobb Deep)

* Although it was no Ether, Jay Z’s Takeover is a great diss track.

5. No Vaseline by Ice Cube (NWA)

* Ice Cube’s NWA diss is hilarious, he showed Dre and Eazy who brought them to the top in the first place.

6. 2nd Round Knockout by Canibus (LL Cool J)

* This Canibus track has Mike Tyson backing him up, what could be better that? But seriously, I would have hated to be LL Cool J after this.

7. Checkmate by Jadakiss (50 Cent)

* Jadakiss embarrasses 50 on this track with a calm flow and dope punchlines.

8. 300 Bars & Runnin by The Game (50 Cent, G Unit)

* Just imagining how mad The Game had to be to go 300 bars on G Unit is exciting. 

9.  The Bitch In Yoo by Common (Ice Cube)

* Usually when you think about Common you don’t think of an artist that would rip somebody apart in a diss track but he demonstrates another aspect of his lyrical skills in this song.

10. Shoot Me A Fair One by Papoose (Fat Joe)

* Papoose’s aggressive flow is perfect for this beat.

Bonus Track:

How To Rob by 50 Cent

* Not necessarily a diss track but a very entertaining song nevertheless. 

Download “Best Diss Tracks” DubMix

Album Review: Fun DMC-People Under The Stairs

Thes One and Double K make People Under The Stairs, a Los Angeles founded alternative hip hop group known for their laid back sound and beats influenced by breakdancing.

Fun DMC is an album full of old school samples, fun rhymes, and frequently breaking beats.

The old school samples are pretty apparent in most of the songs, throughout the album an old school fan will be reminded of hits like Woo Ha by Busta Rhymes (Up Yo Spine) and especially in the track Letter 2 C/O The Bronx, a tribute to the creators and innovators of hip hop.

The whole theme of the production is focused to be laid back, perfect for chilling at the house or a barbecue. And although I appreciate the chill sound in contrast to a lot of the fast, “loud”, production coming out lately, it can get a bit repetitive or sound like the whole album mashes together into one song.

One track that stood out from the rest was Gamin On Ya, a cool storytelling song whose production features samples from what sounds like an old video game.

Also, the track People Riddum has a beautifully incorporated Odell reggae chorus which makes one of the most relaxing tracks of ’08 so far.

Final Word:

This album is sure to have at least one song you will like, chalk-full of memorable samples accompanied by cool beats and laid back lyrics make this album one of the best of ’08 so far. 

Download The Album

Buy The Album

Mm’ mmm Bitches

Thanks To Musical Schizophrenia

Hit up the comments

Album Leak: Murs for President

One of the most waited for underground albums has leaked

1. Intro
2. I’m Innocent
3. Lookin’ Fly [feat. will.i.am]
4. The Science
5. Can It Be [Half A Million Dollars And 18 Months Later]
6. Everything
7. Road Is My Religion
8. Sooo Comfortable
9. Time Is Now [feat. Snoop Dogg]
10. Think You Know Me
11. Me And This Jawn
12. Love And Appreciate II [feat. Tyler Woods]
13. A Part Of Me
14. Break Up [The OJ Song]
15. Breakthrough

Download

Album Review: Politics As Usual – Termanology

The first thing that pops out concerning this album is it’s production. Termanology must have walked into a secret meeting of some of the greatest producers ever because I don’t know how else he would have been able to get them on this.

DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and Large Professor are just three of the renowned producers that grace Termanology’s Politics As Usual.

Don’t get confused by the title, this isn’t some Immortal Technique ish chalk-full of government conspiracy theories. Topics in Politics As Usual range from Termanology’s hometown to getting high but the most recurrent throughout the album is Termanology’s self-boasting lyrics and confident attitude. 

The lyrical content of this album is pretty average, although there were a few standout lines like:

They say,

Lyrically, I’m the new AZ

Cuz if I really wanted to I could keep up with Nas

The lead single off of the album, So Amazing produced by DJ Premier, was actually released along with the video last year.

This album is a pretty good example of a cross between mainstream and underground. Termanology has the lyrics of an underground rapper but the production, hooks, and featuring artists (Bun B, Sheek Louch, Lil’ Fame, Freeway, etc.) on Politics As Usual mirror that of a mainstream hip hop album.

Final Word: 

Pick it up or give it a listen if you are looking for new music. After the initial listen you come to realize that considering the production cast, this album could have been a lot better.

Best Track: So Amazing

Download The Album

Buy The Album

Rap In America

As you most likely know rap music has been a subject of controversy in today’s culture. Lyrics containing demeaning content towards women, homosexuals, and also glorifying violence have been the source of these accusations. 

I agree with most of the points that anti-rap representatives are making to tell you the truth. A lot of mainstream rap demeans women and glorifies violence, that is the kind of rap that gets played on the radio and that is heard by everyone. It is just a fact. But there is another aspect of this discussion that you have to consider, America needs rap music.

The U.S. is made up of 99% of either immigrants or descendants of them, this shows why most parts of american culture can not trace it’s roots back to America. For example, horses. Imagine America’s quintessential cowboy jumping on a donkey and riding off into the sunset. 

Could have been a possibility if the Spanish hadn’t brought horses to America in the 16th century.

My point is that there are not many things that America can claim as it’s own, but rap (Although it’s origins can be traced back to West African music) is something that America can say it started back in the 1970’s from New York City.

The genre has since spread into other places in the world and we can say we created it. Grab 5 random things in your house, can you say the same thing about those objects?

Plus, without rap, what would all the suburban teenage white kids do?