8 Songs You Should Be Listening to This Week

Outkast - The Art of Storytellin' Part 4
Lauryn Hill - Take Too Much(Rich Man)
Wyclef Jean - Heaven's in New York
Daft Punk - Television Rules the Nation/Crescendolls (Live)
Freeway - Baby Don't Do It
Scarface - Girl You Know
Busta Rhymes/Q-Tip/Talib Kweli - Lightworks
Ghostface Killah - Yolanda's House(feat. Method Man & Raekwon)

Bonus Older Pick ~ Eminem - I'm Back

Lil' Wayne. What's the Fuss All About?

So, Lil' Wayne aka Dwayne Carter, recently turned 25 years old, and with all the attention he's been getting recently, you'd think he was the messiah of hip-hop. The thing is: maybe he is. Wayne has released 5 studio albums to date, starting when he was just 17 years old. Only two of these have had mass critical acclaim, but in the last year he has seemingly taken over the industry and all it has to offer. He's humble, yet on every track he boasts his skills. He's a loner, that's for certain. No one sees him in videos for artists other than his adoptive father Baby, and no one seems to befriend him. He's claiming he's the best rapper alive, yet he's one year younger than Jay-Z was when he released his first album. Is he too young to make such claims? Or, is he old enough to back those claims up. With countless guest features, magazine covers, and gossip from The Carter, it seems like he is trying to plead his case and make his face familiar enough that we actually start to believe he is the best. The thing is, about two years ago, everyone was amazed by his lyricism after the first installment of the Carter series, and as soon as his second album marked his monster success, real fans started to back away. At that point, rival artists started to do the same. From 50 Cent to Jay-Z to The Clipse and Cam'Ron, a lot of artists are making threats, and perhaps it's because they're worried. One thing is not up for speculation - the extremely anticipated Carter III has to be by far Lil' Wayne's best effort in order to silence the haters and invite the die-hard fans back to the martian's side. In any case, with the assistance of Kanye's production and several artists begging to be featured on his album, he just might be able to pull it off.

Daft Punk Album Review

Now, a lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon and have come to like the French-bred duo after Kanye sampled them for "Stronger," but these guys are really much bigger than that little snippet sample. Their new album, "Alive 2007," was recorded as they performed live in hometown Paris for over 20,000 fans. They blend over twenty tracks together into about 12 CD tracks, and it's some amazing stuff. A lot of experimental sounds and the roaring of the fans make for a moving experience. Go buy this, trust me on that. I bought the album for $13, and I am pretty sure I would shell out another $100 or more to go see them live.

Rating: 5 Stars - "Buy it the second it comes out!"

Wyclef Album Review

There have been some mixed reviews and previews of the Immigrant's new album, but I am not exactly sure where that mix is coming from. Wyclef is not quite a revolutionary, but certainly qualifies as a missionary for music's cause. He's different, creative, eclectic, lyrical, hopeful, and amazingly talented. I don't want to give too much of the new album away, but I will tell you this: You should have this album in your collection. He has a lot of features, it's true, but they fit. He brings on artists on songs when necessary and makes hits. He even tacks on protege will.i.am and five other artists for a thirteen-minute track. Go to your local record store and buy this, trust me.

Rating: 4 Stars - "Buy it"

Drama Album Review

Monster Mixtape-DJ and self-proclaimed "iPod King" DJ Drama has released his newest effort today, a "Gangsta Grillz" full album. Though Drama has released over 17 mixtapes in the Gansta Grillz Mixtape Series, this is his first legitimate feature-length album. He called the project a "Gangsta Grillz mixtape on steroids," and the claim stays true. He brings along so many industry heavyweights for the album that it is almost hard to keep track of who is on which song. However, he still lets the artists stay true to their style, as seen on "Cheers," featuring The Clipse and Pharrell, in a song that could be taken from either of their own albums. On "5000 1's," Drama tacks on a laundry-list of MC's from T.I. to Twista for a Jazzy Pha-produced hit. The best track of the album is undoubtedly "The Art of Storytellin', Part 4" featuring Outkast and Marsha Ambrosius. The song is extremely reminiscent of classic Outkast and beckons to be on repeat for a long time. Overall, the album is quality, and certainly plays like a mixtape with its illustrious guest features and interludes. Definitely worth the buy.

Rating: 4 Stars - "Buy it"

Pimp C, RIP

In the latest of a slew of unfortunate news surrounding the rap industry, Pimp C was found dead in his hotel room in Los Angeles. The UGK member had just been released from prison a few years ago, and along with cohort Bun B, seemed to be climbing back to hip-hop royalty. The Texas-bred rapper was only 33. When more details are released, I will update the story. May he rest in peace and I wish condolences to his family.