The Roots Are Back Like it's 1987

The Roots are hip-hop’s most musical group, there’s no doubt about that. With influences from Jazz, neo-soul, and old school hip-hop, they're one of the most "alternative" groups in or out of hip hop. From their first days almost two decades ago to their most recent album, Rising Down, The Roots have been among hip-hop’s premiere cult groups. Anyone that truly loves music and feels that there are elements of hip-hop that are bigger than the current sound has to appreciate the Philadelphia-bred group.

The Roots are comprised of Black Thought, the official MC of the group, ?uestlove on Drums, Kamal Gray on Keyboard, F. Knuckles on Percussion, Captain Kirk Douglas on guitar, Owen Biddle on Bass, and Tuba Gooding Jr. on the sousaphone. The lineup of The Legendary Roots Crew sounds more like Benny Goodman’s big band half a century ago than that of a hip-hop group.

Nowadays, with no more musical talent needed than some knowledge of Garage Band and Pro Tools, basically any artist can call themselves a “musician.” However, The Roots have combined raw and underrated MC’ing by the genius that is Black Thought with ?uestlove’s virtuosity on drums and a whole slew of other instruments.

....... Read the rest at:
http://www.thecampusword.com/content/view/2794/589/

Nas' "Nigger"

Nigger.

The most negatively charged, racist and hateful word a person can actually say in public. A word that marks the struggle and hatred that millions of African-Americans have seen for hundreds of years. A word that is so inconsequentially and thoughtlessly tossed around in conversation and recitation of lyrics by white boys who love rap music. A word that can cause an argument, a fight, or even a riot. And now, that word is the title of Nas’ new album.

For more, go to: http://www.thecampusword.com/content/view/2306/589/

Missy Elliot Coming Back!

It's true! Missy Elliot is making a comeback! She has been in the studio, and has recently released two new singles for her upcoming album, including "Ching A Ling." The single will be featured on the soundtrack for the Step Up 2 Movie. It will also be featured on her new album due to release in May under Atlantic. Keep an ear out for new music!

B.o.B .on the Come-Up

So, as I ran a feature on Wale a few months ago and how he's been coming up in the game in a big way, I'm doing the same on a very eclectic and creative sounding artist named B.o.B.

The Atlanta-bred rapper started his rise in the game when he was just 15, as he started producing tracks for local Atlanta acts. Eventually, he caught the eye of some label heads, and the rest, they say, is history. He is currently working on his debut album which is due out this spring, and he has produced and written the majority of the songs off the album. He has a really different sound, an extremely creative flow matched with smart lyrics and a southern drawl. He has a new single out with songstress Amy Winehouse. Keep an eye out for B.o.B.!

http://www.myspace.com/bobatl

New Estelle Track!!

So there's this new singer/rapper/songstress Estelle from across the pond, and she is the first signee to John Legend's record label, Homeschool Records. She has an amazing sound, she's very soulful, original, and extremely funky. She has the support of Kanye, which is definitely going to be huge for her career. Her first song out actually features the recent Graduate, and it's called "American Boy." Kanye sports his newly acquired British accent for the jam, check it out!

http://concreteloop.com/2008/01/new-music-estelle-ft-kanye-west-american-boy

Long-Overdue Ghostface Review

The one and only Ghostface Killah released his latest album, "The Big Doe Rehab" on the first week in December, and I apologize for not yet reviewing it. I also bought the Scarface, Wyclef, and Daft Punk that week, and just haven't quite gotten around to listening to Ghost until this week. Anyway, the album is crazy. I have always been a Ghostface and Wu fan, but Ghost killed his latest album while Wu was definitely lacking with "8 Diagrams."

Ghost is in a league of his own as far as gangsta rappers go, because it's said that only conscious rappers can be amazing lyricists, but Ghost disproves the theory. He definitely follows the subject matter of a lot of others, and repeats his own style a bit, but he does it oh so gracefully. He's funny and entertaining, and listening to each song is like your ear watching a masterpiece film. He enlists Kid Capri for the very jubilant "We Celebrate," where he boasts: 

"'What's that in your pocket Ghost?'/

A dill pickle. 'Not that'/

Oh that's the 45 Stainless Nickel/

I'm pullin the green/

Got a G for the fattest ass  on the floor/

Who look right in them jeans"

On "Yolanda's House," Meth and Raekwon join Ghost and describe a hilarious scene at a female's house during a drug bust. Finally, on "Slow Down," Chrisette Michele joins Ghost in a very soulful and jazzy jam.

Ghost definitely proves he's the only gangsta rapper worth mentioning nowadays with "The Big Doe Rehab."

Rating: Go Buy it, and Frame it!

 

Year in Review

Hey everyone! First off, happy new year to everyone reading this, I hope that everyone got to celebrate and bring in an amazing 2008. So, before there's anything coming out and we start to get excited about new acts and releases, we can look back at an active and abundant 2007.

2007 saw some phenomenal releases and projects, so let's break it down.

Best Albums of 2007 ~

Lupe Fiasco - The Cool This album was definitely the best album of the year. Amazing production and features-mostly all by underground artists. Lupe proves he's the smartest rapper out there and created a classic.

Jay-Z - American Gangster Jay came out of retirement for the second time to create a concept album based on Ridley Scott's "American Gangster." It has a classic old school feel, with production from The Hitmen and JD. Features are perfect and necessary, and he's definitely making a case for himself to never retire.

Kanye West - Graduation Kanye uses his brilliant mind yet again to capture strange, obscure, and electronic sounds from artists around the world. But...it works. He used electronica heroes Daft Punk for his epic single "Stronger" to make one of the biggest hits in a long time. He even overcame 50 Cent who released his album the same week and outsold him by nearly double.

Talib Kweli - Eardrum Most people compare this album to Common's "Finding Forever" because they're both of the conscious side. However, I pick this album over Comm's any day. It's longer, includes great and diverse features, and Kweli goes back to his old days and kills every single track.

Best Artists of 2007 ~

Kanye - He's taking over the world. Quickly. No setbacks could slow him down, and the next few years are definitely his.

Daft Punk - Performers of the year, hands down. Held Alive 2007 tour a decade after their last Alive tour to hundreds of thousands of dancing Americans.

Wale - Went from obscure rapper on Mark Ronson's Allido Records, to a huge name in the industry featured on the cover of URB Magazine.

Lupe Fiasco - Featured in what seems like thousands of publications throughout the year following up on his epic first album with a sophomore effort that outshines every album of the year.

T-Pain - Followed in label-mate Akon's footsteps and got features on the biggest songs of the year. Anywhere you turned, you heard his animated and electronic voice, and you danced to it. 2008 promises to be even bigger.

Biggest Songs of 2007 ~

I'm So Hood (feat. Just about every rapper in the game) - DJ Khaled

Crank That - Soulja Boy

I Get money - 50 Cent

Rehab - Amy Winehouse

D.A.N.C.E. - Justice (Which Wale remixed, quite amazingly, if I may say so)

Low - Flo-Rida

Good Life - Kanye West

There's been some amazing things done in music in 2007. I hope that 2008 can promise to be even better.

The Last Stand & The New Industry

It's been said the last quarter of 2007 would be the music industry's last stand, in the record stores, at least. With such a statement up in the air, the line up of artists did not disappoint. From 50 Cent to Jay-Z to Kanye and Lupe Fiasco, to the return of Wu Tang, there were some amazing and monumental releases these past few months. Regardless, with sales constantly and surely declining, it's simply unreasonable for labels to keep pouring unbelievable amounts of money into projects and printing if the sales are just not there. These labels and artists are at odds, and the industry is definitely at a crossroads.

Major labels have been following the same format and sales routines for the last 20 years, and there are undoubtedly going to be some growing pains. Some labels are adapting though...

T-Pain recently announced that he was starting his own label, called Nappy Boy Records, which would abolish record stores completely. However, his major label is still not up, and it will be upwards of 4 years until he actually kicks this plan into action. Either way, artists and labels have to learn to change with the times...and fast. They simply cannot afford to make shitty music by artists who have no true talent or longevity.

That means no more Hurricane Chris or Lil' Boosie. But this also means a lot more Lupe Fiasco, and artists of the sort. Somehow, I think we'll survive.

Wale on the Come-Up

DC-bred Wale has recently hit the scene in a major way, with being featured on the cover of URB Magazine and being featured as the single of the week on iTunes. He first came on the scene with a feature on Lily Allen's "Smile." Mark Ronson quickly signed him on his own label, Allido Records, to join hip-hop's hottest sophomore, Rhymefest, young crooner Daniel Merriweather, and world renowned DJ's Jus Ske and Doug Grayson. 

Since the Lily Allen feature, Wale has made an amazingly acclaimed and successful mixtape, in "100 Miles and Runnin'," and has been on tour through Europe for months. After wildly successful tracks like "Nike Boots" and "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.," which he performed at the 2007 MTV VMA Awards, he is on track to make it. 

Wale is definitely a fresh and new sound amidst all the bullshit music being released nowadays. He uses amazing wordplay, intelligent banter, and his extensive knowledge of fashion to capture the listener's earlobes. The debut album truly cannot come soon enough. 

Wale ~ "Nike Boots"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upl2n1EktIU&feature=related

And the Winner is..."The Cool"

Lupe Fiasco's new album dropped in record stores a few hours ago, and I have been losing my mind listening to this album. I feel as if I have not heard good music for decades before today. The album begins with an "Eardrum"-esque spoken word poet on the intro, leading to an inspirational chant-song in "Free Chilly." The album then quickly goes into arguably the three best tracks off the record, "Go-Go Gadget Flow," "The Coolest," and "Superstar." Lupe's flow is in deed quick, smart, creative, and so different from the shit we have been hearing. For the album, Lupe enlists a lot of features, most of whom are not exactly big-name. However, every feature is not forced, rather helps complement every song. Some people say he's the savior of hip-hop, some say he's a defamation to the old-school, but Lupe has undoubtedly made the best album of 2007 with "The Cool."

Rating: 5 Stars ~ Buy it, and Frame it!

Lupe Fiasco ~ "Hip-Hop Saved My Life"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilbmcUARsqY&watch_response