I guess I got my swagger back…

…Mama said that I killed a man
Well I guess I got the dagger back
It’s the Roc bastards we are BACK!
In the heezy
Jiggaman, B. Sieg to M-Easy (what up fam?)
Oschino and Sparks and Freeweezy (holla!)
Mickey, Mallory, Chris and Neef, hey!
All I need is the love of my crew
The whole industry can hate me I thugged my way through
And all…I…need is a chick to hold a jimmy like
Meth and Mary, like, Marvin and Tammi, unnnh…
Now understands we can’t be stopped
From blowin’ Swisher Sweets outta candy drops
Like we underground kings, ridin’ dirty
A ni*ga been focused since I said hi to 30 (what up?)
Young ni*gas ya’ll can’t hurt me
Better watch and observe me
And learn how to earn better, I burn cheddar
I set fire to your empire
I blow smoke in your face, burn rubber off the rim tires
Yes I-ah…Jay I-ah…
Double G-A livewire ni**a holla back!

This song still goes hard.

Funny how ten years later nobody in this crew still rocks. Armadale no longer exists. But Hov is still going strong. He’s now a married man, about to be a father. 10 years is a long time. The decade between the 20th and 30th years old has been probably the most significant in my life thus far. That is when you go from kinda sorta like an adult to a real adult.

This song was played during my morning commute this week and got me a lil hype. I’m turning 30 on Sunday. Wow. Well, not really wow. I knew the day was coming long as the Lawd saw fit to wake me up each and every day!

But seriously. I’m happy to have lived this long. I  know quite a few that didn’t make it. Not doing any dramatic reflective bday posts because its a “landmark” year so if you’re curious to know what will be going through my head, peep my previous birthday post here. Ain’t nothing changed! I’ll be rapping that Nas lyric until the day I die.

Maybe I’ll do another celebration soundtrack post like last year. I started the festivities Wednesday night and I already have a few songs in the mental rotation!

Now, a random age rant: In my opinion 29 is a funky age and I’m glad to be leaving it behind. 26 is a throw away year, like just one more than 25. 27 rolled off the tongue real cool–youre over 25 but so much BETTER!!!! 28 sounds great–I mean its like the epitome of “late 20s” to me, not too young or too old. If I was the type to lie about my age, I’d probably always say 27 or 28. And 29–well 29 is just eh, IMO. I’m so ready to say goodbye to my 20s. They say you are only as old as you feel. WELL! I  feel every bit of 29 about to be 30 even though people tell me I still look 17 🙂 They also say with age comes wisdom. While that not true for everybody, with age does come more experience and that is always something worth living for and learning from!

So that’s all I got. A random Jay song thats 10 years old that reminded me of the next journey of my life. Felt like talking about it a lil bit…

Also, I contributed to a post today over at Single Black Male. check it out!

have a good weekend! I will 😉

Dear Summer…

I know you gon’ miss me
For we been together like Nike Airs and crisp tees
S dots with polo fleeces
Purple label shit with the logo secret
Gimme couple years, shit I might just sneak in
A couple words and like peaches and herb
We’ll be reunited and it feels so hood
Have the whole world saying “How he still so good?”
Well I do this in my slumber summer
I ain’t none of these half-assed newcomers, you know how I do summer
I drop heat, when you bring the sun up

This song says it all. Goodbye summer.  Also speaks on how my man Hov still is doing his thing and holding us down summer after summer *cues Heart of the City* But until next time. Farewell.

Now we must move on to one of my favorite seasons. The air, the fashion, my birthday–LIBRAS!  and homecoming season! You can’t beat it! I’m ready…

I just love this sample. I recently saw Lupe live and was reminded of his older music and how much of a fan I used to be. “Dear Fall” reminds me of the Food & Liquor days. I’m locked in, looking forward to a great season.

Are you excited about fall? 

Sounds So Soulful…

don’t you agree? 

**listen here**

I made Jesus walks so never going to hell
Couture level flow its never going on sale
Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses
Sophisticated ignorance
Write my curses in cursive
I get it custom
You a customer
You aint accustomed to going through customs
You aint been nowhere huh?
And all the ladies in the house got them showing off
I’m done I hit ya up, manana!

I’m digging “Otis”, firstly for the sample, and secondly for how Ye set that shit off! all three verses,  Kanye wins. I listened to this song about 10 times in a row to try to catch it all. I have to say his wordplay had a more lasting impression on me. Only thing that bothers me is the placement of that “wailing” it just really does nothing for the track. its also pretty short so I’m not sure if the album version will include a hook of some sort, but it doesn’t need one IMO.

You already know how I feel about these guys. Anxiously awaiting Watch The Throne. If you haven’t yet peeped Hov’s lifestyle blog Life & Times (linked above), please check that out as well, some interesting stuff is on there.

I buy all Jay CDs so on the strength I gotta add this to my collection, probably the Deluxe Editioin even though yall know I’m gonna peep the leak too.

What yall think? hate it or love it? indifferent? 

Yeezy Taught Me! A continuation…

A previous post titled “Big Brother vs. Little Brother” addressed Kanye’s rise so far up to his 5th album release and compared his freshman-senior year studio albums with the one and only Young Hov. if you missed that post click here.  Now that the 5th album has leaked, my homie @milesfan79 is back to sum up his thoughts about Mr. West. Consider this an album review as well. I’ll chime in as I see necessary…

Where do I begin?? I’m still in sort of awe of the album after listening to it for the last week (yea I’ve had it a week lol).  Three months ago I left you’ll with the question:

So who would you say had/has better career when comparing the two?   Can we expect Kanye’s new album to be the next Blueprint?

I will answer those questions later.

So lets explore My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy shall we. From a production stand point MBDTF is damn near flawless.  The sample selections are creative and soulful; and his incorporation of live instrumentals was perfect.  The best thing about this album is Kanye focused on “Quality and not Quantity”. I was a lil skeptical when I say the tracklist and saw it was only 11 tracks (plus 2 interludes), but that just comes from habit of artist giving us quantity instead of quality lately.  Its kind of sad we now expect a cd to have 16+ tracks and frown/complain when we see cd’s with 10 or 11 tracks.  We are so used to it, that we all forget some of the GREATEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME had 10 or less tracks: Thriller had 9 tracks and Illmatic had 10 tracks.  These days 97% of albums not have 15 or more tracks, with most of the songs being “fillers” to satisfy our desire for “quantity over quality”.  Kanye was able to restore my belief in “quality over quantity” in the hip-hop game and at no point did I want to skip a track, I can listen to the cd begin to end with no skips.

I also like the fact that he did not rush songs, most time we hear songs and they cut off 10 seconds after the last verse.  Kanye chose to “let it ride” on most of the tracks, I commend him for having foresight to not cut songs short.  Most times when you hear a 7-minute song you can’t wait for it to over but Kanye was able to keep me wanting more even after 5 or 6 minutes (pause if necessary lol)

His feature selection and usage was very well thought out and impressive; lately a lot of artists have feature heavy projects, so feature heavy you sometimes stop and ask yourself “who’s album is this again?”  There were 12 artist featured on this album but you could barely tell, at no point did I not forget it was Kanye album.  Kanye allowed the featured artist to compliment the songs rather than carry them for him.

Another impressive thing about this album is the fact that its taps into your emotions with out you knowing (No its not a “emo” album a la 808 & heartbreaks).  Being a psych major I look at it from a psych/emotional perspective and most song resonates with different emotion/feeling (stay with me I’ll explain) that we all experience and can relate to.  The most explicit example was with “Blame Game”, Kanye was able capture the essences and emotions of any past relationship in 7 minutes and 50 seconds with out making you getting too sad or too mad.

Not to spoil it for those that have not heard it, but picture a previous relationship and all the good and bad emotions you experience when thinking about that relationship: meeting them, digging them, loving them, lusting them, loving them more, arguments, suspected cheating/foul play, being on the verge of break up but still fighting to try to make it work, its ultimate demise/breakup and finally moving on. Well “blame game” explores and taps all those emotions in 7minutes and 50 seconds and you enjoy every second of it with an added bonus at the end lol. The other songs can resonate with certain feelings/emotions:

Hell of a life=debauchery/lust/recklessness

Devil in a new dress=infatuation

Power=power/invincibility/triumph

The only negative thing (but not really) I can say that sort of took away from the album was the fact some of the songs were released early as “GOOD Friday” tracks and all the songs were heard in the “Runaway” video.  But that not really a negative, b/c good music is good music regardless of its timing.  I think we all still want that “shock and awe” factor that we used to get from albums back in the day, but technology (internet leaks, hip-hop blogs, etc) does not allow for those surprises “wow” moments we used to get anymore.

Overall I give MBDTF a solid A+, it is damn near flawless, very smart production, has lots of replay value and there is nothing else like it at the moment.

Reecie’s Note: I agree with this grade. well maybe just an A. I am not sure about the plus. What can I say I’m a pretty hard grader. lol

**Will this be this generation’s “Blueprint”??**

That is a difficult question answer at the moment, b/c we can look back at status of Blueprint over the last 9 years, whereas we are just the beginning of MBDTF.

However, for sake of argument/debate, I’ll say: yes and no and maybe.

I say Yes b/c I believe this album will be Kanye’s blueprint, the album that ultimately secures his status in the hip-hop game.  Like I touched on in previous debate Blueprint secured Jay-Z in the game, as this will do for Kanye.  Think of events (his mother’s death, previous “disappointing” album, Taylor Swift debaucle) leading up to this album that had us all questioning, “Does Kanye still have it??” “what can is he going do next?” So not only did he prove he still has it, he proves he is the best at it.

I say No, b/c Blueprint laid a blueprint (pun intended) for artists to follow/model themselves after, MBTDF is so new/refreshing to the game that it possibly could not be used as model for other artist.  I don’t think anyone in the game right now has the ability to recreate the formula without being so obvious.  So MBDTF is not the hip-hop game’s blueprint, if anything I think it will be hip-hop’s “Thriller” bc the fact that it has opens new boundaries that not just anyone can explore and it will make artist think more outside the box for direction but not on same exact path as MBDTF.

It maybe this generation’s BP for the fact that it will possibly be the most referenced album for the next decade.  In the 2000s when debating/talking/comparing hip-hop BP was referenced in 99.9% of the time.  Like BP I think for 2010 and beyond when having those same debates MBDTF may be be brought up as well.

Is MBDTF better than BP??

Yes and no

When judging the two with a hip-hop microscope/on hip-hop scale, BP beats out MBDTF but not by much.  Also BP has sentimental value in the hip-hop game for the fact of the timing of its release on 9/11.  This album help the hip-hop game and the nation get thru a gloomy uncertain and confusing time.  WE were all dealing with the 9/11 tragedy but Blueprint provided an escape from the daily images of 9/11 and for that fact alone I feel MBDTF is not better.

However when judging on an overall musical scale without the hip-hop label, yes it is better than and trumps BP musically.  No matter how you look at it BP is strictly a hip-hop album.  MBDTF is not just a hip-hop album, it is an album with hip-hop elements.  I would not put MBDTF in the hip-hop box alone; its so different it can’t just be labeled as a hip-hop in my opinion.  If I were riding in the car in my 80-year-old grandmother I would definitely not put in BP, however I would put MBDTF without thinking twice (with exception of 1 song, “hell of a life” lol)

Reecie’s Note: I wouldn’t play the Chris Rock skit on Blame Game around my grandmother either, just saying. lol I totally agree with this album being beyond hip hop. It is pretty musically masterful.

So overall Kanye is following the steps of his big brother Jay-z, they are comparable to Jordan and Kobe.  Jordan/Jay-Z will always be the greatest but Kobe/Kanye is just as great but just in different way and in a different generation.

What do you all think? is MBDTF the better album? is BP? are they totally incomparable that its not even necessary to dissect/compare? great on different levels? Let us know in the comments.

Big Brother vs. Little Brother

“I guess big brother was thinking a little different
Kept little brother at bay, at a distance…”

so my good friend G presented this idea to me and I told him “knock yourself out.” Since he only visits/comments on my blog when I discuss hip hop, of course he would be the perfect person to pen this post–as we have debated and bonded over how we love H.E.R. over the years. Check out his tumblr page for his random coolness. When he feels the urge to type more than 140 characters, this is what we get…

Just recently, while listening to “POWER” I realized Kanye is approaching his fifth album and is pretty much the one of the top emcees in hip-hop right now.  Seems just like yesterday we were all introduced to a polo-wearing producer turned rapper.  He can legitimately be thrown into any “top 10” debate along said his big brother Jay-Z.  So naturally I began to think “who is better?”  I know what you’re thinking: “that’s like comparing Jordan and Kobe!!”
Yes Jay has more records and has been in game longer, so that would be pointless comparison.  So rather than comparing their over all careers, I took a look at Jay’s early career prior to his fifth album (which happened to be “The Blueprint”). So here is quick compression/snapshot of the two (leading up to their fifth album):

Jay: 1995-2001, 4 albums (I excluded “Streets is Watching” and “The Dynasty: ROC La Familia” because I consider those compilation albums) and 11.5 million records sold

Kanye West: 2003-2010, 4 albums and 11.5 millions records sold

So on paper they’re pretty much identical, so I had dig a little deeper to get better comparison, so let’s break it down a little further shall we:

Freshman Year:

Jay-Reasonable Doubt (1996, 1.5mil sold)

Lead singles: “Ain’t No Nigga” and “Can’t Knock the Hustle”

Notables: “Feelin it” and “Can I Live”

Sleepers: “Coming of Age” and “Politics as Usual”

********************************************

Kanye-The College Dropout (2004, 3.5mil Sold)

Lead single: “Through the Wire”

Notables: “Spaceship”, “Jesus Walks” and “School Spirit”

Sleeper: “Two Words”

This is a tuff match up, both are classic and are on most fans list of favorite albums.  The interesting factor that separates the two is RD was not labeled a classic upon release.  Jay himself even said: “didn’t appreciate the first one, until the second one came out”. TCD was a bit unpredictable/risky upon release, who ever imagined a producer turned rapper dropping a classic? (Even Jay was reluctant to sign Kanye at first).  No one did, until it dropped and the whole world was shocked.

Winner: this was a “score tied w/:03 secs on the clock in 5 OT of a game 7” situation.  Both are undeniable classics, but for sentimental reasons I have to go with RD, but TCD put up one HELL OF A FIGHT!

Reecie’s feedback: I agree. “Feelin It” and “Politics as Usual” are two of my all time favorite Jay songs. But “Two Words” and “Get Em High” are some of my favorites in hip hop too, with Common, Talib, & the Mighty Mos!  I also personally hated “School Spirit” lol. The influence of TCD is undeniable though. I think Ye’ wins as far as changing/progressing the genre.

Sophomore Year:

Jay-In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997, 1.5mil)

Lead single: “Who You Wit”

Notables: “Where I’m From” and “Imaginary Player” (Tribute to Biggie)

Sleeper: “Streets is Watching”

********************************************

Kanye-Late Registration (2005, 3mil sold)

Lead single: “Gold Digger”

Notables: “Touch the sky” (1^st intro to Lupe) and “Diamonds From Sierra Leone”

Sleepers: “Late” and “We Major”

Some say Jay was depressed by Biggie’s death and his willingness to let Puffy put him in a shinny suit didn’t add to the album’s allure.  It wasn’t horrible but was far from great, it definitely left us all appreciating RD more.  Whereas Kanye “came out swinging like Tiger Woods.”  He lead off with a Jamie Foxx (who was fresh off of the movie “Ray”) Ray Charles inspired collaboration and the rest is history.

Winner: this was a no brainier; Kanye had this won in the first quarter

Reecie’s feedback: I ABSOLUTELY adore Vol. 1, so I disagree with the appreciating RD more. I love them both for what they are. I know its an unpopular project overall but “You Must Love Me” is great storytelling. “Lucky Me” is a sentimental reflective song to me that I love more EVERY time I hear it, “Where I’m from” is a favorite go hard Jay track and how can you not love “Face/Off?” Even “A Million and One Questions” (the extended remix) is dope.  I just LOVE this cd, from beginning to end the flow of the cd works for me so of course most of the tracks I think are sleepers. As far as overall awesomeness, I gotta go with ‘Ye being as I think Late Registration is a better album musically than TCD and really confirmed Kanye as a force rapping. “Late” is my favorite from LR.

Junior year:

Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life (1998, 5.5mil sold)

Lead single: “Hard Knock Life”

Notables: “Jigga What, Jigga Who” and “Can I get A…” (funny that Amil was on both)

Sleeper: “It’s Alright” (Bleek at his finest)

****************************************************

Kanye – Graduation (2007, 3mil sold)

Lead singles: “Stronger” and “Good Life”

Notables: “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”

Sleepers: “Barry Bonds” and “Good Morning”

How could anyone forget the “Annie” inspired summer anthem? There were some decent tracks on Vol. 2 but the album was definitely carried by the success/popularity of “Hard knock life”.  By junior year Kanye had earned his respect in the game and deserved to be called Mr. West. Graduation had lots of bangers and how could we forget that this was the album that helped destroy 50 Cent’s career.

Winner: Jay came hard with Vol. 2, but Mr. West dropped a nuclear bomb with Graduation. Kanye had this game wrapped up by half time.

Reecie’s feedback: I wasn’t a huge fan of Vol. 2 outside of the songs mentioned above, oh and of course “Money, Cash Hoes”–the original and the remix. “Hard Knock Life” was THEEEEE SHIT in 98 though. “Jigga What, Jigga Who” had me thinking I could flow for real.  “mufuckas wanna act loco, hit em with numerous shots with the fo fo” Graduation was dope to me when it first came out (the whole 50 cent thing–Curtis wasn’t a bad CD either, btw) but I can’t say I listen to a lot of those songs now either, outside of “Flashing Lights” and “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” *shrugs* and I’m still salty he reworked “Home” and made “Homecoming” which is inferior to the OG track with John Legend. Revisiting, it’s definitely a solid CD, just not one in my heavy rotation–that goes for both Junior Year projects. I don’t want to pick at all on this one (indecisive Libra).

Senior year:

Jay-Vol. 3…Life and Times of S.Carter (1999, 3mil sold)

Lead: “Big Pimpin”

Notable: “Jigga My Nigga” and “Do it Again”

Sleepers: “So Ghetto”

Kanye-808&Heartbreaks (2008, 2mil sold)

Leadoff singles: “Heartless”, “Love Lockdown”

Notable: “Amazing”

Sleeper: “Pinocchio Story” (Kanye explains his pain on this track)

Vol. 3 was an overall average/decent album and marks transition of when Jay-Z became Mr. Carter.  For Kanye this was viewed by many as his worst album, it was a “star player suffering a season ending injury” situation.  Kanye was dealing with the passing of his mother and a recent break up.  He chose to express emotions/pain (as well as experiment) on 808.

Winner: Vol. 3 is the winner here.  A lot people didn’t understand Kanye’s vision of 808.  You definitely have to be in a certain mind frame to appreciate/see Kanye’s vision, because this is not an album you can randomly listen to on a regular day.  Therefore Jay wins this round primarily due to replay value.

Reecie’s Feedback: I’ve stated on a previous blog post, I haven’t listened to 808s, so you already know I can’t vote at all,  I mean I can and say Jay but I’d be super biased. Other sleepers on this one are “Come and Get Me” hands down my fave after “So Ghetto”  and “Jigga My Nigga” became a favorite from the Ruff Ryder’s joint, forgot it was also a hidden track on Vol. 3. Vol. 3 had a good number of commercial/crossover songs like “Snoopy Track” and the joint with Mariah but of course the girl in me liked that one too. I only listen to about half of  the tracks on this CD now, maybe less.

Leading up to 5^th album

Jay-“IZZO (H.O.V.A.)” **ironically produced by Kanye**

Jay was at the top of his game and “IZZO” was summer anthem for 2001.  Who knew a rapper (and producer) could flip a Jackson 5 beat and make it a banger??

Kanye-“POWER”

Kanye is coming off a hiatus after the Taylor Swift thing and using “POWER” to address it and his position (power) in the industry.  The rhymes are clever and the production is a bit risky if you really listen but Kanye definitely made it work.

Winner: Both are winners, because “IZZO” was definitely a fresh sound to the hip-hop game (and introduced us to Kanye the producer).  “POWER” is just as creative and makes us all anticipate what is to come.  So they both win in my book.

Reecie’s Feedback: Ditto. I will never forget the first time I heard “IZZO”–he performed it during an award show performance before the album dropped and of course being the Hov fanantic I was I was soooo hyped because of course he mentioned VA on the track. I dug it immediately. “Power” I heard before his recent award show performance but seeing it “live” helped me appreciate it a lot more.  And the moving portrait video? I think its extremely creative and innovative.

And the Winner is:

After comparing stats/solo albums I’d personally say Kanye is better at this point when compared to Jay’s early career.  Kanye had stronger start and has been more consistent overall.  His story is genuine and original (suburban kids’ dominating the industry was unheard of before Kanye).  The fact that TCD came out the gate as a recognizable classic is what gives Kanye the edge.  Yes Jay (reluctantly) put Kanye on, but when discussion Jay early career (prior to the Blueprint) 95% of the time only RD will be referenced out of his first four albums.  Personally I believe RD was what got Jay recognized and the Blueprint was what ultimately gave him the crown.  That does not take anything from Jay’s career as a whole, but in my opinion when comparing their careers, Kanye is better than Jay was at this point in his career.

Reecie’s Feedback: Agree. Also, the collective Jay is what makes him what he is–we haven’t even touched on the greatness of The Black Album and American Gangster. Shoot even BP3 (what can I say, it grew on me) Plus just like I love Vol. 1, I also dig the select tracks from Kingdom Come and if BP2 hadn’t been a double disc, it would’ve been better too, IMO. Most people consider these as failures. All and all, I look forward to what Ye has coming down the pike.

“My big brother was Big’s brother
So here’s a few words from your kid brother
If you admire somebody you should go ahead and tell em
People never get the flowers while they could still smell em
An idol in my eyes, god of the game
Heart of the city, Roc-a-fella chain
Never be the same, never be another
Number 1 Young Hov, also my big brother…”

Welp, that last quote is how I feel (yall know I love Hov).

So who would you say had/has better career when comparing the two?   Can we expect Kanye’s new album to be the next Blueprint? Please discuss/debate…

I solemnly swear…

To change my approach, stop shavin coke
Stay away from hoes, put down the toast
Cause I be doin the most.. oh no!

I’m livin proof that crime do pay
Say hooray to the bad guy, and all the broads
Puttin cars in they name for the stars of the game
Puttin ‘caine in they bras and their tomorrows on the train
All in the name of love
Just to see that love locked in chains and the family came
Over the house to take back, everything that they claimed
Or even the worst pain is the distress
Learnin you’re the mistress only after that love gets slain
And the anger and the sorrow mixed up leads to mistrust
Now it gets tough to ever love a-gain

One of my favorites, classic  Hov!  And awesome Neptunes production, gotta love it.

Instead of treated, we get tricked…

instead of kisses, we get kicked! its a hard knock life!

I absolutely loved this song when it came out, and the video. Of course I’m an Annie fan also so I dig the sample. random fact about me: I love musicals–makes sense though, doesn’t it? lol

some more throwback thursday jams for you:

This is one of my favorite hip hop songs ever. I know I like a lot of songs and artists but this song  is full of nostalgia and I still know all the words…

and one of my favorite Puff Daddy remixes “looking at my rolie its about that time…” “baby who that be? oh thats just Puff Daddy”. gotta love it, and the BIG sample!

and with Weezy going to jail, how approps is the Hot Boyz remix. Back when he was still somewhat attractive. I actually randomly skipped to the Jay-Z remix of this song, and then this one came up a few skips later. I prefer the Hot Boyz remix, actually. 400 Degreez was one of my favorite CDs my freshman yr of college. Classic Juve. I never thought Jay fit on that Ha track but I do like his line “big guns that go brrrattt brrrat brrrat!” LOL

and lastly this one takes me back back to undergrad. “heads high! kill em with the no!” this would be the moment I bust out the heel/toe if I could do it! LOL #memories!!

A Special Occasion…

haven’t been in the mood to write, still kinda slow motion from my holiday. just getting back in the swing of things buttttttttt…

y’all know I love him. and he loves me back (he just doesn’t know it yet!)

happy 40th birthday to my GOAT, Shawn Corey Carter!!!

some of my favorites for the occasion:

Feelin It: my absolute favorite song by him. click the link for a vintage Hov video

Politics As Usual: second fave from Reasonable Doubt “you aint seen money in your life, when it comes to the cheese yall like 3 blind mice”

Hey Papi: “even if she don’t understand the flow, she understand the dough”…nuff said

It’s Alright: holla back! forgot there was a video for this….check it. Jay looks soooo young! *sigh* my baby’s getting up there.

Where I’m From: “…niggas pull your card, and argue all day who’s the best emcees:  Biggie, Jay Z and Nas” favorite from my Vol. 1 classic music, good memories, Vol. 1 is a personal favorite of mine.

Do it Again: peep the go go influence for the song concept–Overnight Scenario anyone?! Aww, watching this considering the “beef” with Beans now makes me nostalgic. This song reminds me of all my up top dudes from VSU. Civic Center classic right here!

Allure: one of his best songs ever. Its in my top…10. hard for me to have a top 5 for Jay.

Lucifer: another great track from Black Album. dopeness from ‘Ye

Girls Girls Girls Remix: some of my favorite wordplay from my dude

Best of Me Remix: “have an affair, act like an adult for once”, not his song but a dope verse, nonetheless. click link for the video–I wanted a Carolina jersey dress so bad! aint have nary curve to fill one out though, lol

Kingdom Come: goes hard on the cd of the same title. this CD grew on me in a big way… “not only NYC, I’m hip hop’s savior, so after this flow you might owe me a favor…”

My 1st Song: more from Black Album. great way to end a CD

Brooklyn’s Finest: you know I had to include the duet with my boy BIG.

You’re Only a Customer: “you’re walking in the presence of hustlers…” banger from Streets is Watching

Come and Get Me: prob the hardest track on Vol. 3 “no kids but trust me I know how to raise a gun”

U Don’t Know: another favorite on my top Jay songs. gets me so hype its ridiculous

A Dream: one of the few I digged on BP2 “Hov remind yourself, nobody built like you, you define yourself”

Roc Boys: true party anthem! this was a dope video too.

Soon You’ll Understand: love this song,  there was only a couple I did like from ROC La Familia….I used to play this song over and over. oh, to be in college

Jigga My Nigga: another favorite, from that Ruff Ryders Vol 1–CLASSIC CD!

Thank You: “you’re far too kind…this is your song, not mine…”

ok his catalog is huge, but I tried to pull some of my faves from every CD. I purposely missed some of the “bangers” but this here is MY LIST! and off the dome AT THAT–so give ya girl a  lil credit here, HOLA HOVITO!

enjoy! happy Friday! 🙂

They Say A Lot About Me…

let me tell what I aint…

I ain’t no ordinary nigga
Look around, this ain’t what ordinary gets you
Extraordinary figures
I’m an extra-ordinary nigga

 

I love this song!!!!

so I was reading the comments of my last post about Jay and BP3 in particular and I decided to listen to my Jay playlist to see what would pop out as some of my favorites versus songs I didn’t like for whatever reason. So in my search of a more recent Jay since he did say “Hov on that new shit, Niggas like how come, Niggas want my old shit, buy my old albums” I didn’t want to pick anything TOO old. I understand growth, you can’t rap about hustlin your entire life–but for me its not even what you say but HOW you say it, and a song is more than lyrics (I know, right, coming from me. lol) so if it doesn’t flow right for me, the cadence and production, its just a bit off I’m immediately not a fan. But THIS song, is it.

I love American Gangster but this is hands down my favorite song on that project, and it has actually made my top 10–i can’t possibly only have 10 favorites by him? its just…does it for me.

You don’t belong to me…

…And I Don’t Belong To You (And I Don’t Belong To You Baby)
No Matter How Hard We Try (We Try)
We’re Still On Borrowed Time
You Still Go Home To Her (You Still Go Home To Her)
So You Can’t Belong To Me (You Can’t Belong To Me)
Although Our Love Feels So Right
We’re Still On Borrowed Time

Nicole Wray, “Borrowed Time” from her debut Make It Hot. this came out when I was in hs. I loved this CD!

appropriate Throwback Thursday song considering cheaters is a popular subject this week. Am I sick of it? yes, but no, I don’t have any suggestions. lol. Celeb gossip is starting to annoy me, and everyone wanting to be an expert on what other people should live their lives. I’m me, so of course I have an opinion, but I know it isn’t gonna change a thing so, there it is. I guess its interesting dialogue, for…someone. I’m also tired of hearing about this damn H1N1 vaccine! good gracious! either get it or don’t, but damn. BTW, I never get flu shots and I’m not about to start this season.

In the meanwhile. I’m about to hit up the HuffPo, NYT for some different info to fill my brain with today…and of course some more throwback thursday…

“even if they don’t understand the flow, the understand the dough”

hey papi! an example of Jay giving one of his songs to Bleek to help him have a hit. Bless Bleek’s heart. So cute, and so rich. He’s in Jay’s will after all. I say he has it made. *cue 50s “have a baby by me baby* I kid, I kid. I think we’d make some purty babies though. just sayin.

I recently checked the iPod and couldn’t BELIEVE I didn’t have Janet on there! so I pulled out my cd, and uploaded it immediately. good times.

yes! this is the Whitney I love. *sigh* this is what Pop music should sound like, all syrupy sweet and stuff. lol. LOVES 80s Whit Whit the most…

“oh la oh la ay! “

was a huge Kid N Play fan back in the day. Salt N Pepa too, of course. I used to be a dancer when I was little–no not taking classes but a “get in the middle of the living room floor and dance for your family” kinda dancer. with routines and everythang! miss those days…

of course my mix is random, but so am I! hope you enjoyed it!