Tupac Shakur: A Legacy Interrupted

On September 13, 1996, Tupac Amaru Shakur died from gunshot wounds he suffered from a shooting in Las Vegas six days earlier. That was exactly 20 years ago today. Since his death, Shakur's legacy has reached almost prophet-like levels. He is probably the most iconic rapper of all-time. Tupac has had six very successful posthumous albums released, and every year, numerous Pac fans refusing to accept his death report sightings of him around the globe. He has been resurrected in movies, music, and even holograms. He's basically hip-hop's version of Elvis Presley.

POOF: Father MC

Welcome back to my homage to VH-1's Behind The Music. The focus of my attention this time is Father MC.

Daily Throwback: X-Clan - To The East Blackwards

Good morning everyone.  Finally the Shuffle God had returned to bless us all with a Daily Throwback.  It hasn't been so daily lately, but today SG hits us with a classic jam that evokes memories of watching In Living Color. DJ SW-1 spinning this X-Clan classic on the 1s and 2s, while The Fly Girlz (ahh, The Fly Girlz) bust it out on the stage.  Quality television.  You're welcome.

Daily Throwback: Pharrell ft. Jay-Z - Frontin'

I think the Shuffle God is speaking to the artists with this selection.  It has definitely been a minute since we've been blessed by a track from Hov and Skateboard P.  I think its time.  The ball is now in your court, Shawn and Pharrell.  Until then...you're welcome.

DJ Finesse - B.I.G. Over Premier

Biggie. Primo.  I shouldn't have to say much more.  Listen.  Download. Share.  You're welcome.

Kings of the Mic Tour

This tour kicks off on May 23rd in Tucson, AZ (Chuck and the crew better break into By The Time I Get to Arizona!). Nice way to start the summer, but sadly the Windy City does not have a tour date.  Stuff like this never hits Chicago for some reason.  Like we're not the 3rd largest metropolitan area in the country.  I guess if you want to see legendary acts like LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Ice Cube, and De La Soul, you'll have to go somewhere else, like Simpsonville, South Carolina.  Simpsonville, South Carolina?  Really? Rahm is messin' up!

Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay-Z - Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe (Remix)

As promised earlier, the G.O.A.T. and the Phenom together on the same track.  The single's cover artwork is fitting, should have really been Kobe sharing knowledge with LeBron, but we all know Kobe ain't sharing shit!  I already liked the original version, Hov on the track is just the hot fudge on the sundae.  This song already has a little Aquemini vibe to it, would have Andre 3000's perspective added to the song, but as I am constantly reminded on a daily basis, I can't always have my way.  This song will have a permanent spot on my car's playlist.  You're welcome.

Lupe Fiasco - Light Blue

What the fuck happened to Lupe Fiasco?  I miss kick push Lupe.  I think he has forgotten how to have fun with music, and this song is a perfect example of that.  This song wouldn't be that bad to me if it weren't an everyday thing with Lupe.  Not every song needs an underlying political agenda.  I feel like I need to write him a letter, so here it goes:

Dear Lupe,

Your music will not save the world, but don't feel bad, neither did Public Enemy's, KRS-One's, Bob Dylan's,   or John Lennon's.  So don't feel bad, because those are all still cool artists.  Please continue where you left off with The Cool.

Sincerly,

Conscious Residue

P.S. - Stop it!!!

Hope that works.  You're welcome.

Digital Diamonds - Delirious

Happy weekend.  To celebrate Saturday, I've got a new hip-hop Voltron group to share with you, Digital Diamonds. This group is comprised of Scoop DeVille, Chuck Inglish, and Jonwayne. Three producers and  zero known emcees is normally an odd combo, but judging from this first track, "its working bro!" (Mexican cook voice).  Regardless of what they're known for, all 3 take a turn on the mic, and hold their own. Chuck Inglish is one of my favorite beatsmiths right now, so I'm looking forward to when he gets to handle production since this track was cooked up by Scoop. The beat is nice, the rhymes are simple, all I need is some lemonade and some sunshine.  You're welcome.

DJ Green Lantern - Jiggaman Bootleg

Alright, enough with emotions, huh.  Had to do some push-ups after that last post.  I'm going with a little harder tribute for this post.  This is DJ Green Lantern's tribute to Jay-Z, a.k.a. S(dot)Carter, a.k.a Hova, a.k.a. Jiggaman.  It's also the intro to his upcoming mixtape.  It features tidbits of Jay's biggest hits.  It goes hard and I love it, and it doesn't feature Suit & Tie, so Kanye probably likes it too...probably, but I'm sure if he doesn't we'll hear about it at his next concert.  You're welcome.

Kid Cudi - Immortal

Cudi is not really my thing, but he seems to be a lot of other people's thing, so I decided to post his new song for those people.  Sounds like it should be featured on the trailer of a Ethan Hawke police/crime drama.  You're welcome.

Talib Kweli- The Traveler (Prod. J. Period)

It's always nice when Talib decides to bless us with a gem.  This is from J. Period's latest mixtape, Rage is Back.  Common and Black Thought both went in on the mixtape, so you know Kweli was not going to disappoint.  There are two words that best describe this track...1) Hip 2) Hop.  You're welcome.

KYLE - Keep It Real (prod. Carnage)

There's something about this one, I can't put my finger on it.  I like and dislike his style at the same time.  He sounds like he could be the by-product from a weird, tip-touching night between Drake and Kid Cudi. Even the video, its like he had me with the whole pizza delivery guy bit and then ruined it and got all jiggy with it.  So torn. The production is tight...sometimes. Damn you, KYLE, and your inconsistencies!!! Do you want me to like you or hate you?  My 8th grade dance all over again. Listen.

Rapper Big Pooh ft. Chaundon – Cognac

One-third of Little Brother, I'm not even gonna say any more, just listen.  I will say, this cut is a smooth as the liquor it's named after.  You know a song is quality when they don't even let you download it and direct you to iTunes to purchase it.  Fret not citizens, this is the internet, I'm sure if you look around a little bit you will be able to find the track for the "right price."

So Far, So Good

I know this might be a little pre-mature, especially with new albums by J. Cole, Drake, and 9th Wonder coming up, but I'm about to hit you with my list of the top verses of 2011 (so far).  Let me warn you now, there is no Jigga, Weezy, or Yeezy on this list.  This is a best verse/freestyle list, not best song...remember that.  I will hyperlink the titles so you can hear the song.  So without further ado...

10.) Busta Rhymes "Look At Me Know (Remix)" - Bussa Buss is the remix killer.  He hasn't shined on his own shit since "Touch It," but has been consistently killing it on everyone else's remixes.  This is another example of that.  I can't even pull out one stand-out line to use as an example, this whole verse is stand-out.  If he could only bring the same enthusiasm to his albums.

9.)  Eminem "A Kiss" - This is from Em & Royce's Bad Meets Evil EP.  Since the rehab, it has been said that Shady lost a little bit of his edge, his ability to ridicule his pop music peers was fading.  Em killed that talk on here by throwing darts at the current pop monster, Lady Gaga, on his third verse:

These bells are my mating call
And I'm here, bell's waiting and tell Lady Gaga
She can quit her job at the post office
She's still a male lady
Wouldn't fuck her with her dick
You heard the verdict's in, he's allergic to divas
And take meat cleavers to 'em
Him don't give a damn about beaver do him?

8.)  Childish Gambino "Rolling in the Deep (Remix)" - For those of you who don't know who Childish Gambino/Donald Glover/"Troy" from Community is, allow me to introduce you.  This man is about to hit the scene with a full head of steam (hey, that almost rhymed).  He gained notoriety this year, with his verse on the remix to Adele's breakout hit this year.  His mental convo with an ex is flawless.

Spread shit around, "You know that his glasses fake"
That's why I'm dating girls now whose asses ain't
"Damn, Donald, why you gotta be so mean?"I'm a nice guy, that's why you broke up with me
You probably in the club dancing to this right now

Play it cool, text me when you walk out

7.)  Andre 3000 "Sleazy (Remix)" - 3 Stacks...with Ke$ha???  That's what I said when I saw it.  I wanted to pass it over, but couldn't, it's still Andre 3000.  I'm glad I didn't.  This is another prime example of Andre's superior storytelling abilities.  His verse has very little to do with the actual song, but its still stellar none the less.

6.)  Drake "All of the Lights (Remix)" - Can you even call him a protege anymore.  Drake is so much better than Lil' Wayne now, there's no comparison.  I'm usually not one for all the "swag" talk, but his delivery of his verse was powerful. If you thought you had swag, after you heard this, you went to lift some weights.  Perfect verse to end the all-star remix, like having Usain Bolt as the anchor to your 4x100 relay team.

5.) Nas "Outro" - Of course, the best song on Lil' Wayne's Carter IV didn't even feature Lil' Wayne.  The outro of the album featured a quartet of stars, but none shined brighter than Mr. Nasir Jones.  I mean come on, it's Nas...do I really have to give an example?  I will just for shits and giggles.

Look who crept in with automatic weapons

Reppin' QB till the death of him

That, nigga that inspired lyrical tyrants like Kanye West and Em

Track record, goes back to the Essence

Smack adolescents who ask who the best is

I'm nasty like gas from a fat man's intestines

4.)  Lupe Fiasco "Words I Never Said" - Lupe has the potential to be the best in the game.  He can rap about anything and make it sound good.  The first verse of this song from his latest album Lasers, is a just a lyrical lecture about what he thinks is really going on in the political world, and nobody is safe, not even Obama.



Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist

Gaza strip was getting bombed, Obama didn't say shit

That's why I ain't vote for him, next one either

I'm a part of the problem, my problem is I'm peaceful

3.)  Jay Electronica "Jazzmatazz" - This man is probably the best lyricist that nobody has heard of.  No albums, but a handful of already classic songs.  He gives New Orleans rappers credibility.  His verses are fluid and intelligent, and he's probably the only rapper that can mention Yo Gabba Gabba in his raps and still get taken seriously.  The second verse of this song is pure genius.

They silence you with force and then indoctrinate the children

Yo Gabba Gabba, Ahmadinejad will blow up your apartment if you don't observe the sabbath

I look the devil in his eye and say abracadabra

Then drown 'em in the mighty light his brain couldn't fathom

Scrappin' every day, just like fight club

A thriller and a smooth criminal like Mike was

2.) Childish Gambino "Break (AOTL)" - Yes this guy again.  Even though you never heard of him, he is that good.  He has been mentioned twice, while Jay-Z or Kanye

1.)  Joe Budden "Ordinary Love Shit (Part 3)" - All I can say about this freestyle is wow.  Jumpoff Joey's ability to get personally and still keep his lyrical prowless is second to none.  Using the Frank Ocean breakout hit "Novocaine" beat as a backdrop, Joe tells the story of his tumultuous relationship with video vixen Esther Baxter.  Damn, Derrick Ward, really?

Well that's my list, what do you think?  Am I wrong, am I right, did I miss something?  Let me know.  See you at the next post.

Featuring...

I originally posted this poll at Culturally Ruined, but only 3 people voted (this time I'm hoping for a nice, round number of 6...one for each nominee and a tie-breaker).  I would like to talk about the lost art of the R&B/Hip-Hop collabo. I don't know if the industry is over saturated with them so we just don't notice them anymore, or they just plain suck most of the time so we don't care. I'd like to think its a little of both.

Back in the 80s they were rare because hip-hop was still thought of as fad so a lot of prominent R&B stars shied away from incorporating rappers in their music. I think it was around '87 or '88 when the first real collabo banger came out with Jody Watley's "Friends" featuring the god himself, Rakim. A match made in heaven. That just got the ball rolling. Soon we saw Heavy D. and Al B. Sure link up, Tony, Toni, Tone hook-up with Tupac's brother Mocedes The Mellow (a.k.a. MoPreme) on "Feels Good", and Father MC and a then unknown Jodeci got together a few times.

Then in 1995 came possible the ultimate style mash-up: Method Man and Mary J. Blige's "You're All I Need." One word: Classic! I mean the shit won a Grammy, man. The Grammy committee even installed a hip-hop/r&b collabo category in the yearly ceremony. After that it was full steam ahead. Every rapper needed a R&B singer on a track. Mary J. guest starred on many a hip-hop album. That was the Fugees whole gimmick. Common and Chantay Savage, Jay-Z and Babyface, LL Cool J and Boyz II Men, and the list goes on. Rappers even started to sing (Ja Rule, I'm looking your way homie). It seemed as collabos became common, the less both artists on the track seem to care about the quality of the song. It became a lost art.

So here is my challenge to all you hip-hop and r&b stars, take out Mary and Meth from the number one spot, and be in the studio at the same time so you can vibe off of each others creative energy. Right now it seems like there is a resurgence of hip-hop/R&B collabos, but it's either Lil' Wayne on a singer's track or Trey Songz singing the hook for a rapper...boring!!! Lets see Common and Alicia Keys, Kanye and Frank Ocean, Mos Def and Dwele, Lupe Fiasco and Erykah Badu, or Drake and...uh...Drake. There it is, the challenge is out there.

Here are the top 5 Hip-Hop/R&B Collabos of all-time...according to me of course:

5.) Nas ft. Lauryn Hill - "If I Ruled the World"

4.) Lupe Fiasco ft. Jill Scott - "Daydreamin'"

3.) 112 ft. The Notorious B.I.G. & Ma$e - "Only You Remix"

2.) The Roots ft. Erykah Badu - "You Got Me"

1.) Method Man ft. Mary J. Blige - "You're All I Need"

I posted a poll on the side too, so vote and let me know what you think the top dog is.  If you disagree, hit me with a comment and tell me who should be up there.  Maybe I could set up a bracket...naw, too much work.