New Music: Childish Gambino - Yaphet Kotto

Childish Gambino a.k.a. Donald Glover a.k.a. Troy Barnes is at it again, and thank god. In preparation for the release of his sophomore album, Because The Internet, the childish one hits us with this jewel. Currently, the hot trend in hip-hop is to name your song after a buzz worthy public figure (ex: Miley Cyrus, Michael Jordan, Bill Gates, etc...), which is why I think it's AWESOME that CG named this song after a supporting actor in 80s action flicks that nobody today could name. While I've got your attention, Google Yaphet Kotto, and you will find one of the ugliest black actors in history. He literally looks the way his name sounds.

Back to the song. This is pure hip-hop. A mellow beat decorated with creative and witty punchlines, similes, and metaphors. Childish Gambino is probably my sixth favorite rapper out there right now; right behind Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, and...umm...oh yeah...Dylan (Chappelle reference, it's okay to giggle, people). This song is exactly what the game is missing. Don't just take my word for it, give a listen for yourself. You're welcome.

Happy Birthday Nasir Jones

The man behind one of the top 5 greatest hip-hop albums of all-time turned 40 today.  I really can't believe, I've been listening to his music for almost 20 years. It really seems like it was yesterday I was ripping off the cellophane off the Illmatic cassette tape I just purchased from Tower Records (Google that, youngsters), eagerly popping it in my Sony Walkman (you might need to Google that as well), and just visualizing the street soliloquies Nasty Nas spoke in my mind.

Nas was one of the first rappers, for me at least, to really emphasize using imagery in his rhyme scheme. While many rappers could tell a story, Nas could literally paint a picture with his words.  It was like each song was a different scene from a movie he was scripting for Martin Scorsese to direct.

To this day, Nas is still a top tier rhyme-spitter. He has seen many come and go, and he still stands firmly atop of the pantheon of hip-hop greats.  To salute this legend on his born day, I have enclosed one all-time favorite Nas songs. You're welcome.