PropsOverHere Presents: Best of 2007- Top 10 Albums

As you'll notice, I gave most of these albums a 3.5/5 rating. In my book, 3.5 means that its better than good/worse than great. It's not to say that my #7 is equal to my #1, but that these albums fall into that categorie. So which album was the most better than goodest?

I gave this album a 3.5 when I reviewed it initially but it wore of quickly so I dropped it to a 3. It has a great guest lineup and some decent production by Statik, an even though I got tired of it, its definitely worth a listen.



Though it fell short of Sean P's comical and brilliant Monkey Bars, his follow up release was still one of the years best. The album had its ups and downs mostly due to boring Justice League beats but was solid overall.



No one is putting this next to 36 Chambers, but this album was far from 'shit' or whatever Ghostface called it. The beats are grimey for the most part and the Clan, though they lack the edge of when they were making classics (its been a decade), do their part on the mic.



Talib Kweli bounced back from a series of botched solo albums with one of the most lyrical albums of the year. The production was a dissapointment given the lineup, but there were about 4-5 great songs on this album.



19 years since winning the first rap Grammy award, DJ Jazzy Jeff is still pushing real hip hop. This album features a mix of random kids and legendary vets over soulful and, well, jazzy instrumentals.



Kanye bodied 50 Cent in the dramatic 9/11 sales feud with his most creative release yet. Setting the tone with the Daft Punk sampling "Stronger", the album is full of that synth, techno, disco shit, aided by Atlanta's DJ Toomp. Kanye probably should've utilized more guests as he did on the first two albums, but this is quality nonetheless.



After fuming over the Wu-Tang album which he was hardly on, Ghost put out his 3rd album in 2 years. While the soul and R&B samples have always suited Ghost well, many of the beats are borderline boring, others straight jacked from old rap songs. In any case, big Ghost steps off laughin.



As I mentioned in my bit about "Wonderful," the group's producer, DJ Kno, is way ahead of the game musically. I have listened to heads raving about him for years now but I was never sold until this album when he went for the more mellow, soulful approach. I'm not sure if I could recite a lyric from this album but it deserves such high praise just for the musical achievements.



Another one of the game's outstanding producers, Marco Polo recruited some of the all-time greats to help him form the second best album of the year. This album is hard and grimey all the way through and of course featured the years best song, Masta Ace's "Nostalgia".



Finally the #1 album, Jay-Z's real comeback, American Gangster. This album is difficult to evaluate because it had a few garbage tracks ("Hello Brooklyn", "Party Life", "American Gangster"), but its standout moments outshined anything else in '07. Three songs off it made my top 16 of the year, while "I Know", the drug metaphor over a flashy Neptunes beat, and "No Hook", Puffy and the Hitmen's best contribution, were tough to leave off the top 25. While Jay-Z can't rap like he could in 1996, he shows in 2007 that he can still make great hip hop.

PropsOverHere Presents: Best of 2007- Top 25 Songs

I thought making this the top 25 would make it easier to chose songs for the list but I found that there were more like 40 very good songs this year. I'm not entirely sure what to make of that, but I'd say it makes 2007 a relative success since 2006 churned out about 4.5 good tracks. Without futher ado, here is the definitive top 25 list of the years best rap songs.

25. Soul Fever- Camp Lo

Camp Lo made a solid return this year with their 3rd album Black Hollywood and an appearence on that 9th Wonder album. The album wasn't so great, but this is an example of the funky songs that they were born to make.

24. C'mon Baby- Saigon

While this could've used more creativity from both Saigon and Just, the single to this 2008 (?) album was pretty gutta.

23. The Hardest- Styles P & AZ

I was kind of lukewarm about this when I posted it a while back but its grown on me since. This never actually came out on an official release but is on the tracklsiting for AZ's Undeniable set to drop in '08. Check the video:

22. The People- Common

While Common's Finding Forever was a letdown, some of that had to do with this being the first single. Unfortunately, Kanye was unable to summon any more of that J Dilla brilliance anywhere else on the album.

21. Rushing Elephants- Wu-Tang Clan

I have to say that I didn't hate 8 Diagrams like all of the other nerds on the internet did. It doesn't exactly stack up with the Wu of the mid-90's but its comparable to The W or Iron Flag, maybe even better. Anyway, this track is an early standout for me. The beat is crazy.

20. Superstar- Lupe Fiasco

I probably didn't like this the first 5 times I heard it, probably because the white guy on the hook. The more I listened however, I found the track to be "stadium status".

19. No Holding Back- Statik Selektah, AZ, & Cormega

No tandem is fuckin with AZ and Mega and the beat by Statik is definitely cool. Seriously those two should make an album together just back to back rhyming and shit that'd be classic.

18. Good Life- Kanye West

It was tough to chose which song off Graduation to put on here, but this prevailed as it was easily the most entertaining 3 and a half minutes of the album. I have to say that releasing this instead of "Stronger" over the summer seems a bit obvious now, not that Kanye's broke because of it, or that anyone else cares for that matter.

17. Desire- Pharoahe Monch

While this album was a depressing waste of time, the title track was pure heat. I heard the Alchemist jacked this beat but who gives a fuck.

16. Success- Jay-Z & Nas

This is another song that has grown on me alot. Jay and Nas' verses definitely stood out, but the beat took some getting used to. I think the fact that it was a new sample/new idea made me appreciate it more.

15. Yolanda's House- Ghostface Killah, Method Man, & Raekwon

This has a classic trio and storyline but the annoying singing over the beat kind of holds this back from greatness. Still good stuff though.

14. Intro (Jesus Price)- Sean Price

This intro set the stage for a pretty mediocre album but its still one of the best tracks (definitely the best intro) of '07. Sean P kills it over a dope flute beat by PF Cuttin, who should have made alot more beats than he has.

13. All I Know- DJ Jazzy Jeff & C.L. Smooth

This, without exaggerating, is like the 2007 version of something off The Main Ingredient. Pete Rock doesn't even make tracks with this much soul anymore.

12. 125, Pt.4 (Finale)- Joell Ortiz

I wasn't really into The Brick street album/mixtape whatever and I guess I can see why Dre dropped him but this is one of the truest songs of '07. The beat is real slick and Joell really puts his heart into these 125 bars which usually doesn't matter to me but I can respect it. Here's the video for it:

11. Practice- DJ Jazzy Jeff & J-Live

This is what all underground rap songs should sound like. The Allen Iverson sample was a clever touch.

10. Country Cousins- Talib Kweli & UGK

When I saw discussions about this album I hardly saw this song mentioned but this was the shit for me. My iTunes says I've listened to it 7 times but its definitely been more. Possibly the smoothest cut of the year. Pimp C R.I.P.

9. Toney Sigel (a.k.a Barrel Brothers)- Ghostface Killah & Beanie Sigel

Ghost and Beans both bring the heat over the banger of the album and maybe the year.

8. DP3- Jay-Z

If this wasn't like a minute it'd be #1. The beat is a perfect spin off of the original and Jay-Z's first 4 bars could stack up to most 16s dropped this year.

7. Ignorant Shit- Jay-Z & Beanie Sigel

In the same vein, if this hadn't been a leftover it would be even higher. The Just Blaze beat is the most interesting he's made in a while even with the "Big Poppa" sample. How about Beanie Sigel on 2 top 10 tracks?

6. Surviving The Times- Nas

Though he wasted it on a greatest hits CD, this is the best Nas song in years.

5. Classic (DJ Premier Remix)- Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One, & Rakim

The best DJ Premier beat this year. In fact, this may be the best beat by anyone this year. It's too bad Nas and KRS mailed it in.

4. Wonderful- Cunninlynguists & Devin The Dude

DJ Kno shows that he is lightyears ahead of the game musically. This beat is a masterpeice, so much so that I don't give a shit what Devin or Deacon or whoever is in the Cunninlynguists these days have to say. They don't take anything away from it at least.

3. I Get Money- 50 Cent

Hate all you want about 50 Cent, but you can not deny this song. Theres a reason your favorite rapper made a little freestyle over this. Shit is pure adrenaline.

2. Fallin'- Jay-Z

Jay did it again this year with American Gangster and this was the perfect conclusion to the story. JD and No I.D. kill this beat and "Success," maybe they should have handled the album instead of Puff and the Hitmen.

1. Nostalgia- Marco Polo & Masta Ace

No song this year came together quite like this one. Masta Ace was the perfect MC for the concept and Marco's beat was perfect for Ace's style. In any case this is an instant undergroud classic. Watch the video and then feel free to complain about my choice.

Back For The Very 5th Time

After quitting rap to run charity projects, Saigon has decided to fuck the ghetto youths and get back into the booth. In a recent mySpace post, he seemed in good spirits and optimistic about "The Greatest Story Never Told," his famously delayed debut album. Among other things, he mentioned that its coming "VERY soon", features 12 legends, and has a track co-produced by Just Blaze and Kanye. He aslo says that a new single will drop around Christmas day, but then again this album was officially set to drop 15 days ago. Read the entire post here.

Album Review- "Super Gangster, Extraordinary Gentleman" - Styles P

I'm not exactly sure what to make of Styles P in 2007. His first album had the defining "Good Times" and not much else, and his '06 release "Time Is Money" wore off within days. Since then he's put out a bunch of mixtapes all of which were pretty insignificant so how would he step it up for a real album.


1. Intro

Styles pronounces himself better than all y'all mahfuckas

2. Blow Ya Mind (Feat. Swizz Beats)

The single featuring Swizz Beats ala every other mixtape rapper this year. I'd probably rather hear a loud synth beat from Swizz like he made on the second LOX album (not that he makes anything that good these days) than this soft piano sample but its not terrible. The song is about smoking, kind of like "Good Times" come to think of it.

3. Let's Go (Feat. Ray J)

Styles P raps about how he goes to the club with a gun and then wakes up hung over with the help of one of those R&B guys that performs after Sixers games.

4. Alone In The Streets

This kind of sounds like Kanye's "Homecoming" but with some sort of 808 snare (why?) and a gay voice sample. Styles just rhymes about being in the street on another uninspired track.

5. In It To Win It (Feat. Bully)

The hardest track yet and its not that bad. Styles kicks some quality shit for the first time on the album over a pretty grimey beat but this guy Bully drops possibly the worst verse evar.

6. All I Know Is Pain (Feat. The Alchemist)

The Alchemist does the hook and I assume the beat too which is pretty good but gets annoying after a while with the synth and the screams. You could take a stab at what the content is all about.

7. Got My Eyes On You (Feat. Akon)

This looks (and kind of sounds) like a radio friendly track but its actually not about a girl. Instead its about making sure kids on the block aren't about to pull some sheisty street shit on you. This Akon thing has to stop too.

8. Green Peice Of Paper

What does Styles P do for the paper? Make unoriginal rap music for one.

9. Holiday (Feat. Max B.)

This rolling guitar beat is just aight but the loud crashing snare gives it some thump. $20 for the first person who can tell me what the fuck Max B. is saying on the chorus.

10. Look @ Her

Styles raps about some chick he wants to bone over techno music.

11. Da 80's

Kid Capri, who he shouts out in the beginning and I assume does the track, kills it with the piano and the marching band drums. Styles P, who is pretty talented, fails to be the lyricisit he seems to think he is.

12. Interlude 1 (Feat. Comedian Tony Roberts)

Some guy imitating a stereotypical fake thug kid which is probably the most entertaining minute of this entire album so far.

13. Shoot Niggas (Feat. Raw Buck)

What a fucking mess! Oh, and Styles claims to have a white boyfriend. The fuck?

14. Super Gangster

This album continues to reach new lows of creativity, though Super Gangster would make for a compelling showdown with Spiderman.

15. Star Of The State (Feat. Ghostface Killah)

The "twin ghost experience." A pretty dope track and Ghostfaces' verse is funny as shit. Maybe someday he'll teach Styles how to do something like that.

16. U Ain't Ready (Feat. Beanie Sigel)

Styles and Beans go line for line on the best banger of the album.

17. Interlude 2 (Feat. Comedian Tony Roberts)

Didn't this guy get shot in the last interlude?

18. Gangster, Gangster (Feat. Sheek Louch & Jadakiss)

Finally, the LOX track. You can hear that "Make The Music With Your Mouth" sample flipped for the millionth time in there, and if this kind of thing interests you; Sheek>Jada>Styles on this.

19. Cause I'm Black (Feat. Black Thought)

A song about injustice and black power and that sort of shit so naturally Black Thought drops a better verse but still not much of a song.


Overall:

This album had its moments, but overall it was a piece of shit. I'd say that the beats were more lacking than the rhymes, but that isn't saying much since most of them sounded like anything some kid with a soundclick account could have made. My main problem with Styles here is that he's so damn unimaginative. I mentioned this a few times in the review but also note that his first album was called "A Gangster and a Gentleman" and that his last album had a song called "I'm Black".

Best Tracks:

"Gangster, Gangster", "Star Of The State"

PropsOverHere's Top 5 Most Anticipated for December

As you probably don't remember, I made a similar post like this five months ago in anticipation for the second half of '07. Out of that top five, only one album actually dropped, (Havoc's The Kush which was #5 on the list, go figure) and the other four will not be coming out this year or ever. Will these albums repair my shattered hopes?

5. J Dilla & Busta Rhymes- Dillagence

This isn't even an album really its a Mick Boogie mixtape but its Dilla instrumentals (which i probably haven't heard) and new Busta verses. Here is the song that leaked a few days ago called Step Up which sounds kind of like a Greg Nice tribute over an Ice Cream truck but who's complaining?

4. Wu Tang Clan- 8 Diagrams

This leaked a few days ago and most of the interenets think it sucks but I'll reserve my judgment until 12/11 or until I get bored and review a bootleg whichever comes first.

3. Roc-A-Fella Records- R.O.C. Stars

I know, another mixtape, but at least this one will have the best song of ever, Dead Presidents 3 hopefully in its entirety without stupid talking. Also Jay's "This Shit Right Here" is supposed to be good.

2. Hi-Tek- Hi-Teknology 3

I really like the first Hi-Teknology and sort of like the second so I guess this can't be that bad even though he hasn't made much worthwhile in the past few years. That "Piano" track is good anyway.

1. Ghostface Killah- Big Doe Rehab

All I know about this is that Ghostface can still rap and this shit is fire.

New Wu-Tang Clan & Nas

Listen/ Download

These tracks were debuted on some Wake Up Show a couple days ago and this is a rip of the audio. These are some of the best tracks I've heard so far off of 8 Diagrams but I see where Rae is coming from with the Rza/Hip Hop Hippie thing theres as much singing and shit as rapping basically.

Download "What It Is" Snippet

I'm about as big of a Nas stan as you're gonna find and I think this is shit. Jazze Pha could make better beats than this in his sleep for fucks sake.

Album Battlegrounds: The Results

So after a week and six votes (yes that's 6 votes), the results of the head to head poll between Nas' classic Stillmatic and Jay-Z's masterpiece The Blueprint were tied, making this project completely unsuccessful. Anyway, those six votes, as they speak for the populus at large, show that both albums are equally great.

New Hi-Tek! "The Piano" Feat. Ghostface & Raekwon

Download


Straight fiyah. New Wu-Tang AND Hi-Tek on 11/11 thats wassup.

Album Review: "Spell My Name Right" - Statik Selektah

Here is another "producer album" which has become a trend in '07 much to my liking. This one is by Statik Selektah, who is known more as a mixtape DJ (Nas, Saigon, Royce Da 5'9", etc.) than a producer. Regardless, the tracks I've heard are pretty good, and the guest roster is ridiculous, but how's the album?

1. Spell My Name Right (Intro) (Feat. DJ Premier & Termanology)

A brief dialogue by Prem about how hip hop Statik Selektah is and then Termonology drops the names of all the rappers on the album and where they rep, not unlike that old Fat Joe song. The beat actually sounds like something Premier would do, which in this and most cases is a good thing.

2. Stop, Look, & Listen (Feat. Styles P, Termanology, & Q-Tip)

This beat is surprisingly good considering its like a kazoo and a flute. Styles P raps the best.

3. Express Yourself '08 (Feat. Termanology, Talib Kweli, & Consequence)

So basically a remake of the N.W.A. classic by three guys who are the exact opposite of N.W.A. Ok for what it is i guess.

4. 6 In The Morning (Feat. Joell Ortiz, Kool G. Rap, & Sheek Louch)

A song about getting up at 6 and selling crack or something with a pretty irritating beat. None of the rappers are particularly impressive on this either.

5. What Would You Do? (Feat. Freeway & Cassidy)

This beat is tight and Freeway provides a lot of energy and then Cassidy ruins it with his cornball flow. Honestly, who wants to hear the guy best known for "I'm a Hustla" enunciate and rap about chess?

6. Make A Movie (Interlude) (Feat. DJ Khaled)

Irrelevent

7. Bam Bam (Feat. Red Cafe, Termanology, & MIMS)

A remake of "Just Hangin' Out" or that one Guerilla Black song but with really heavy bass and weird sound effects. Red Cafe might be the worst rap name I've ever heard. What does that even mean?

8. G-Shit (Showoff Mix) (Feat. Uncle Murda, Sev-One, Termanology, & Jadakiss)

This beat is smooth a fuck, maybe the best yet. I'd say that Murda's 3rd person raps are probably the best on this which isn't saying a whole lot.

9. Back Against The Wall (Feat. Royce Da 5'9", Cormega)

This one opens with these goofy horns but then the loop kicks in and its actually pretty tight. Royce and Cormega don't bring their best stuff.

10. Hardcore (So You Wanna Be) (Feat. Reks & Termanology)

I feel like if you're gonna use a Biggie voice sample its got to be a better track than this. The beat sounds like something off a T.I. album except Reks & Termanology are coherent.

11. No Mistakes Allowed (Feat. a shitload of DJs)

This I gather to be a nod to the 80's what with the repetitive loop and all the scratching. Kind of like an old posse cut or something. Not the best idea in my opinion.

12. Knockin' 'Em Out (Interlude) (Feat. Clinton Sparks)

An intro to...

13. Punch Out! (Feat. Big Shug)

This beat samples the theme from the old video game "Mike Tyson's Punch Out!" Not that this was the greatest idea to begin with, but Madlib did it already this year with some old school Atari game (and much better at that). At least he wasted it on Big Shug.

14. The Good Life (Give It Up) (Feat. Lil' Fame of M.O.P.)

So they gave Big Shug over 2 minutes to babble over some video game but Lil' Fame 1 minute with this smooth shit? A strong track but it's a shame it's just an interlude.

15. Big Dreamers (Feat. Reks)

This is probably Statik Selektah's best instrumental yet and it's pretty impressive. Reks raps about his pipe dreams of being a rap star ala every other rapper ever. Good shit.

16. No Holding Back (Feat. AZ & Cormega)

There's no holding back a stiffy listening to this shit. This alone makes the album worthwhile, but then again I'm kind of biased towards both MCs .

17. Got Me Goin' (Hip Hop) (Feat. Slum Village, & Granite State)

I don't even know who's in SV anymore nor what Granite State is at all but this is another smooth cut anyway.

18. Time To Say Goodbye (Feat. Evidence & The Alchemist)

Statik actually manages to form a pretty good beat with just drums, bass, and a voice sample kind of like 9th Wonder might do. Evidence & The Alchemist both rhyme like they always do.

19. It's Over Now (Feat. Termanology & A.G.)

This beat, unlike the past few, is actually too laid back. A.G. clearly has nothing left to say but Statik makes nice use of the Big L, "It's over now, leave the game." thing.

20. Talk To Me (Feat. Jon Hope, Reks, & Skyzoo)

This sounds like one of those Fort Minor songs that was popular for a while except with a Marvin Gaye (or at least Marvin Gaye-like) voice sample. This Reks guy is actually kinda tight, better than Termanology anyway.

21. Did What We Had To Do (Feat. KRS-One, L Da Headtoucha, Large Professor)

Another good beat from Statik to round things off. The rapping is solid overall except KRS-One is off-beat but what else is new.

Overall:

Wow. That was good! It started off sounding like some compilation mixtape what with the old school remakes but the end of the album was heat. Had the rapping been any good or had the beats lacked that sort of mixtape quality this would have contended for my album of the year.

Best Tracks: "G-Shit", "Big Dreamers", "No Holding Back"

Wu-Tang Clan: "8 Diagrams" Update

That's the badass cover for the new album. They also dropped (or will drop) a new mixtape with some tracks from 8 Diagrams and a few that they found in ODB's underwear drawer. Here are snippets from the mixtape that you can download at Loud.com but I think you need a subscription or something.

Album Battlegrounds 1: Jay-Z's "The Blueprint" vs. Nas' "Stillmatic"

This debate has probably been beat to death. In fact, so has the head-to-head album premise but what the fuck. Nas vs. Jay-Z is a timeless debate, and these two albums are worthy for comparison as they came out at around the same time and they're both really fucking good. Listen to the songs of significance then vote in that cheap ass poll at the end. Next week I'll reveal the winner, and if nobody votes then I decide.

The Intro: "Stillmatic (The Intro)" vs. "The Ruler's Back"



The Anthem: "Izzo (H.O.V.A)" vs. "Got Ur Self A Gun"

The Diss: "Ether" vs. "The Takeover"



The Worst Song: "Jigga That Nigga" vs. "Destroy and Rebuild"



The Best Song: "You're Da Man" vs. "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)"

Jemini: "Ghetto Pop Life"

Download

Before MF Doom and Cee-Lo, it was Brooklyn's Jemini (The Gifted One) who collaborated with Danger Mouse for a full LP. Jemini isn't the greatest rapper but he is pretty good and Danger Mouse gives the album great musical value. A very good listen.

New Ghostface Album Art & Tracklisting

The new album is due out December 4, a week before the Wu album. The single, "Celebrate" is produced by The Hitmen (of Puffy weed-carrying fame) and uses the same sample from the Camp Lo song and the intro to the Little Brother song. Maybe the next single will include the loud horn noises from "Ain't No Half Steppin'"??

1. Intro (Ghostface Theme)
2. Pass The Mic (Feat. Raekwon)
3. One 2 The Head
4. Shakin' (Feat. Ras Kass, Trife Da God & Shawn Wigs)
5. How The F*?#! Would You Know
6. Carhoppers (Feat. Trife Da God)
7. Nightshift
8. Intro (Back the F*?#! Up)
9. Celebrate (Feat. Kid Capri)
10. Ain't No Crime
11. The Shout Out (Feat. Ol' Dirty Bastard)
12. Friends (Feat. RZA, La The Darkman, U-God & Method Man)
13. Minnie The Moocher (Feat. MF DOOM & RZA)
14. Nightshift [Remix]
15. A Flower Grows In Staten (Feat. Cappadonna)
16. It's All Over

Album Review: "American Gangster"- Jay-Z

Of course everyone's heard about this new Jay record which is kinda sorta based of the new Denzel movie of the same title. The whole thing about Jay-Z making a gangster oriented album is cool because basically all of his best songs have that sort of theme. Then again, Jay-Z is more than able to put out a flop then a classic in succession, so which one will it be?

1. Intro

Some clips from the movie and a guy talking about gangsters. Kind of dissapointing only because Jay-Z has come with some great intros in the past.

2. Pray

Puffy comes with a dope, over-the-top beat as Jay-Z, who I think is rhyming in character as Frank Lucas aka Denzel in the movie, raps about his roots in the crack game. Definitely a good opening track.

3. American Dreamin'

This one is about dreams of becoming a rich drug dealer. The beat, and the song in general, sounds like a throwaway from The Blueprint, which isn't exactly a bad thing.

4. Hello Brooklyn 2.0 (feat. Lil' Wayne)

So the story here is that Lil' Wayne made a terrible song with a stupid concept and then Jay-Z added to it and put it on his album as opposed to, I dunno, DEAD FUCKING PRESIDENTS 3 . Jay-Z actually comes with some wordplay at the end but Weezy's verse and singing on the hook is unbearable.

5. No Hook

A pretty dope track about hustlin' and shit but here he references Frank Lucas so this concept thing is sort of lost on me at this point. I have to say that I'm impressed so far with Diddy and his weed carriers.

6. Roc Boys

The song which I guess marks the pinnacle of Jay-Z's drug dealing. I've heard this track a few times now and still can't warm up to this beat. The trumpets just don't sound great in a rap song, not a good one at least. Jay doesn't bring much lyrically either.

7. Sweet

This is another decent beat but Jay-Z's delivery is so irritating it's not easy to enjoy this one.

8. I Know

The requisite female track with a pretty smooth Pharell beat. Jay-Z's flow is questionable at times on this track and has been a weakness so far this album. This is aight overall.

9. Party Life

Another smooth beat but Jay's flow is embarassingly bad.

10. Ignorant Shit (feat. Beanie Sigel)

The title pretty much sums up the content; and the beat, much to my liking, sounds like something you'd hear in Rocky. Apparently this is old but I'd never heard it so that didn't spoil it for me.

11. Say Hello

The beat by Toomp just sounds like a Kanye beat with southern drums and Jay-Z's rapping is so pathetic on this track I sort of question if he's even trying anymore.

12. Success (feat. Nas)

I can't say I expected a messy organ beat from the guy who did much of Resurrection, but the content (for a change) actually kinda makes up for it. Jigga and Nas, who at one point didn't like eachother very much, rap about how getting rich isn't all that it's cracked up to be. (Pun intended).

13. Fallin'

A great track about the fall from the top. Jermaine Dupri (who knew?) drops a gem and Jay-Z actually flows over it too.

14. American Gangster

Now that the story has ended, I guess this is just a normal song and its not very good. I'm usually a Just Blaze fan but this is a complete mess and Hov just raps about himself.

15. Blue Magic

Well I don't have to review this because everyone's heard it but this track is really growing on me. Not that I love it now but its not nearly as offensive as it was the first time I heard it.

Overall:

The production on this album was very solid which alone makes it better than 90% of rap albums today, but it's increasingly clear that Jay-Z just isn't the MC he was in '96 or even 2003 for that matter. I kind of liked how he weaved the rise and fall story in there without forcing it too much but that doesn't make up for alot of bad rapping. Fortunately for Jigga, beats do.

Best Tracks:

"Pray", "Ignorant Shit", "Fallin'"

New Wu-Tang Clan- "Take It Back"

Download (Right click > Save Target As)

I'm not gonna lie, a recycled beat and then a Beatles sample didn't fulfill my expectations for a new Wu album. This grimey track just restored some hope.

Lord Finesse B-Sides

Download: "Soul Plan" & "Underworld Operations" (feat. Marquee)

Here are two nice unreleased tracks (on CD at least) from The Awakening sessions. They were not easy to find and are definitely worth checking for any Finesse/ D.I.T.C. fans.

New G-Unit- "Wanna Lick"

Download

This is the new single off Shoot To Kill. To be honest, this track is pretty weak and I was expecting better since their last album was nails. Yeah I said it.

Pete Rock Feat. Jim Jones & Max B.- "We Roll"

Download

Off Pete's upcoming album "NY's Finest." I could do without Jim Jones, Max B., and the stupid adlibing but this track is smooth a fuck even by Pete Rock standards.

Album Review: "Dream Merchant 2"- 9th Wonder

9th Wonder was a big reason for some of Little Brother's haters as such elitists don't see making beats with stupid snare drums on a computer as being "hip-hop". However, 9th has done alot of quality shit over the years outside of LB including work with Jay, Murs, Boot Camp Clik, and many more. This album is a "producer album" which for me, being a beats>rhymes guy, are usually to my liking (i.e Marco Polo and Jazzy Jeff's '07 releases). How would this album stack up?

1. Mr. Dream Merchant Intro

A collage of rappers saying "dream" then a 70's soul type song about a dream merchant.


2. Shots (Feat. Big Dho & Sean Price)

A good opning track about being real and shooting people. The beat is nice and Sean P kinda kills it. Not sure whats up with the female freestyler at the end though.

3. Merchant of Dreams (Feat. The Embassy, Skyzoo, & Torae)

This beat is pretty typical soul-sampling 9th and the song is about nothing in particular. Skyzoo, a pretty dope BK MC who made a lack-luster album with 9th last year, comes with the best flow.

4. Brooklyn On My Mind (Feat. Mos Def, Jean Grae, & Memphis Bleek)

This came out like a year ago as "Crooklyn Dodgers 3" which I guessed those involved realized was sort of a joke. The beat is good but none of the verses were stellar. It is good to hear Mos Def rap anyway.

5. Sunday (Feat. Keisha Shontelle & Chaundon)

Just sort of a feel good track with some high pitched R&B girl. Chaundon raps for a little but nothing special here.

6. Baking Soda (Feat. Big Treal)

This is a pretty hard 9th Wonder beat but its ruined by an almost comically generic Southern rapper.

7. Reminisce (Take Time) (Feat. Big Remo & The Great Novej)

An okay track about losing homies and pouring out liquor and stuff like that. If I hadn't heard this sample used multiple times before I might've felt this one.

8. No Time To Chill (Feat. Little Brother)

9th brings back the old crew for the shittiest song yet. Actaully, Phonte, in one of his two bad verses, says "Khrysis on the boards" so I assume 9th didn't even do this. However, Khrysis (or whoever's) beat is terrible, and the rapping, especially Pooh's, may be even worse.

9. It Ain't Over (Feat. Jozeemo & Tyler Woods)

Jozeemo (who sounds less like Sha on this one) and Tyler Woods (?) rhyme about defying odds I guess. The beat is ok but if I'm not mistaken this sample was flipped on a One Be Lo track (by Majestik Legend if my iTunes is right). 9th gettin' lazy on us?

10. The Last Time (The D, The Chi, The Lou) (Feat. Royce Da 5'9", Naledge, & Vandalyzm)

I had heard this a while ago and while it's still a bit of a mess, its much less so than I remember it being. Royce Da 5'9"'s verse is very mediocre but Naledge (of Kidz In The Hall) killed it. Not a bad track at all.

11. Saved (Feat. Saigon & Joe Scudda)

Saigon, my favorite rapper in 2007, and Joe Scudda rap about how they have to be saved because life sucks. The beat on this is so boring its almost impossible to really get into this.

12. Milky Lowa (Camp Lo)

9th brings some heat on this as Suede and Cheeba rhyme about cereal and chincillas without losing any swagger.

13. Backlash (Feat. Sean Boog & Buckshot)

Basically a song about coming up in the game. Sean Boog and Buckshot don't come with anything special and the beat is ok.

14. Thank You (Feat. D.O.X. & O-Dash)

Yet another 'look at me now' type song although I guess this one is supposed to be thanking all the people that helped D.O.X. and O-Dash (easily the worst of the two) become nobody mixtape rappers.

15. Let It Bang (Feat. Ness & Skyzoo)

I would normally say that a song called "Let It Bang" should have a better beat but then there was that Papoose song and this might be better than that Scorch beat. Anyway, Skyzoo is less impressive on this than that other track and Ness brought some personality and one-liners but his flow is pretty elementary. A decent song overall.

16. What Makes a Man (Feat. Big Pohh & Buddy Klein)

I'm not sure what exactly makes a man, but Big Pooh and a poor man's Young Buck sure do make a lousy rap song.

17. Special (Remix) (Feat. Strange Fruit Project & Median)

A remix to a track on the SFP album, "The Healing". This is worse than the original though the addition of Median, an acclimed lyricist (but otherwise boring rapper) is good.

18. You Wanna (feat. NBS)

I'm sure a better instrumental would've matched the energy of this song better but its a solid track regardless. NBS, who I've never heard of, sound like they've got some potential.

Overall:

This was right about what I expected from the tracklisting: some soulful beats for a mix of good and bad MCs. It started off strong but for the most part sounded like a bad, Justus League, weed-carrier mixtape.

Best Tracks:

"Shots", "The Milky Lowa"

Album Review: "Getback"- Little Brother

There is a love/hate relationship between the Carolina duo Little Brother and the backpacking, underground hip-hop elitists. For all the people who praised "The Listening" as a rebirth of the Native Tongues, there are plenty of others who insist that they are way more boring and lyrically inferior to, say, A Tribe Called Quest (whom Lupe Fiasco does not like btw). This album is their first without producer 9th Wonder. WILL THAT MATTER???

1. Sirens (ft. Carlitta Durand)

This starts like that song from the new Camp Lo album and I thought it'd be cool if they tried the same beat (even though LB probably isn't fuckin with Lo) but then it keeps changing until the actual beat kicks in. My first impression was that it's not very Little Brother-ish with the synth bass and guitars but its pretty tight anyway. Phonte and Pooh spit some 'fuck you' shit about the industry and stuff.

2. Can't Win For Losing

This beat by Illmind (who did the first one and a few others) has that sort of clunky, southern piano quality which is ok if your into that sort of thing (which I'm not). Phonte raps about who he should "do it"(no homo) for and Pooh raps about Atlantic for the second time in two verses.

3. Breakin' My Heart (feat. Lil' Wayne)

I used to think that people that complained about 9th Wonder's drums were just being anal but the pattern and snare on this beat is awful. Lil' Wayne adds a really dumb verse on a song about hoes.

4. Good Clothes

Speaking of Camp Lo, this beat sounds like one of those big horn loops Ski did for them. Think "Luchini" meets "Black Hollywood," in a good way of course. Little Brother rhymes about, well, good clothes. Also, both rappers start their verses with the rhyme pattern of LL's "I Need Love." Why?

5. After The Party

This is apparently a sequel to a track that 3 people on the internets heard. The beat by Khrysis sounds like some of the beats on "The Minstrel Show" which makes sense since Khrysis is down with 9th (nh). Pooh rhymes about trying to pickup a girl and then the beat stops for Phonte's first couple bars and he doesn't even rap fast or anything!

6. ExtraHard

This song needed a no homo before it started (title) but then Pooh starts talking about cucumbers and turtle necks. Seriously. The beat by Mr. Porter, who I think also did some terrible shit on Pharoahe's album, is crowded and the rhymes do little to make up for it.

7. Step It Up (feat. Dion)

Hi-Tek provides a boring, soulful track over which Little Brother raps about how they have to be classier for the ladies.

8. Two Step Blues (feat. Darien Brockington)

A very average song about getting fired and then partying or something like that.

9. That Ain't Love (feat. Jozeemo)

A definite standout track about phony friends. Jozeemo, who reminds me of Sha (True from the "Prince Amongst Thieves" album) adds a third verse. A nice Illmind beat rounds out an overall good song.

10. Dreams

A song about making it in music with a very solid verse from Phonte about going back to his old block and such. Beat by a budget Just Blaze.

11. When Everything is New

A 6+ minute grand finale if you will. Both rappers, especially Phonte, come correct, but the beat is kind of shitty and the listener is subject to it for six minutes. Not only that, but there's some R&B guy all over this too.

Overall:

If I had to guess, the aforementioned elitists will opt to hate this album. While it was good in spots and bareable in others, there was a good amount of garbage on this.

Best Tracks:

"Good Clothes," "After The Party," "That Ain't Love".

Some Cool Music Videos

Some people attribute hip hop's death to Music Television blah blah blah these are pretty badass.

Here's one that just came out, the video for Kanye's new track "Stronger." The boom bap elitist in me should hate this track with the Daft Punk sample and all but I kinda like it! This video is dope too:

And a classic video. The Puffy, Biggie banger "Victory." This shit is craazy.

PropsOverHere's NBA Mock Draft

Virginia Hip-Hop

Contrary to popular beleif, Virginia is hip hop. After all, Allen Iverson did grow up there...and it's where Mike Vick cousin holds dog fights. Anyway, Virginia is an underrated hip hop scene and here are some of the finest to come out of VA.

Download: Mad Skillz-From Where???

Download: Myalanski & Joe Mafia- Wu-Syndicate

Download: Clipse- Lord Willin'

Download: Ill Biskits- Chronicle Of Two Losers

Props Over Here Presents: Pete Rock Vs. Wu

Download

Given that the Wu-Tang Clan has a legendary producer in the group itself (RZA) and also "in house" producers 4th Disciple, Bronze Nazareth, True Master, and Mathematics, the group members rarely get to work with the game's super producers. To the best of my knowledge, only Method Man and Inspectah Deck have worked in studio with DJ Premier (as guest MCs at that), and only Deck has collaborated with Large Professor. No members (again, to the best of my knowledge) have worked with Dre (until OB4CL drops), Buckwild, Diamond D, The Alchemist etc. However, much of the Wu and its affiliates have blessed a Pete Rock classic, which is highlighted in this 12 track mix.

PropsOverHere's: Top 5 Most Anticipated For '07

Almost halfway through 2007 there has been some dope hip hop released, namely Jazzy Jeff and Marco Polo's compilation type albums. Unfortunately, these albums lack the qualities of a real "classic" album, but then again is there such a thing as a classic album anymore? Here are some of my hopes for one:

5. Havoc- Kush

If nothing else, Havoc's got beats. Some bangers will make Lloyd Banks or 40 Cal or whoever is gonna rhyme along with Hav bareable. I was gonna link to a video of him playing stuff off the album but they took it down. It sounded dope though.

4. Papoose- Nacirema Dream

Papoose has made alot of mixtapes and tracks, some of them heat and some straight garbage, which makes me sort of unsure about the album. It's supposed to be real big budget in terms of producers and guests etc., which I guess is a good thing. Download: Papoose (Feat. Akon)- Ghetto Soldier

3. Royce Da 5'9"- Street Hop

An album by a pretty dope battle rapper with some Premo beats is almost a can't miss. Hopefully the other half of the album (non-Premier half) has some nice beats too, then this albums got a chance to be crazy. Download: Royce Da 5'9"- Ding

2. Raekwon- Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2

It's not gonna be like the original. Not even close. It may not even come out. I didn't put this at #1 because honsetly a RZA and Dre production lineup isn't what it would have been in '93 or something. And Ghost isn't gonna handle half the rhyming. Download: Raekwon- Kids That's Rich (prod. Pete Rock)

1. Saigon- The Greatest Story Never Told

Well after all the drama and label politics surrounding this release, it better be some bomb shit. Saigon and Just Blaze, who handles most of the production on this, make a pretty ill combo as evidenced by "Dont Do That".

Tragedy Khadafi

Tragedy, the QB pioneer, started his career with Marley Marl and the Juice Crew as the "Intelligent Hoodlum." He has since switched up his name and updated his style as a solo artist and a member of the Wu affiliated Black Market Militia. He is set to drop "The Death Of Tragedy" sometime this year.

Intelligent Hoodlum (1990)

Tragedy: Saga Of A Hoodlum (1993)

Against All Odds (1999)



Still Reporting (2003)

Thug Matrix Mixtape (2005)

Thug Matrix 2 Mixtape (2006)

NBA Finals Analysis

As bad as the Spurs have made Cleveland and my boy LeBron look, and as awful as the TV ratings are in this series, nothing has been more embarrassing than San Antonio's player introductions. While most NBA teams opt for a Just Blaze classic i.e, "Show Me What You Got" or the Cavaliers' choice, "The Second Coming," the Spurs, as if they weren't corny enough to begin with, enter to Unlimited 2's (below) "Get Ready 4 This," the shitty dance song made famous by Jock Jams in the mid nineties.

Is that what they listen to in San Antonio? Anyway, in a league where street credibility weighs as heavily as championship trophies, the Spurs, depsite their titles and whatnot, are teh gheyest team in the league, and therefore lose.

Nas & DJ Premier: Pre-Matic (Mixtape)

Download

Every East Coast hip-hop fan has wanted to see a Nas/Premo collab album for years. Well, this isn't quite it, but its dope anyways. It's basically some Nas tracks remixed with Premier instrumentals. It's also got a few real tracks they've done in the past.

Album Review: Talib Kweli "Ear Drum"

Talib Kweli dropped classic albums collaborating with Mos Def and DJ Hi-Tek when he was with Rawkus. Years later, he has yet to make music like he did back then, dropping a series of mediocre solo efforts. This is his first album on his own record label. Let's see if that makes a difference.


EVERYTHING MAN

Not a big fan of the mellowed-out beat but Talib rips his verses. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

NY WEATHER REPORT

Talib sounds hungry on this track too which is good considering he seemed to get worse and worse with each release before this. The beat on this kind of sucks though.

HOSTILE GOSPEL

Not feelin the marching band drums. Or the choir for that matter. Not bad but not too good either.

SAY SOMETHING

This one is all over the place. It comes in with the Lords Of The Underground, “Funky Child” horns and then is just a drum loop then there are like two loops that kick in at random times. Anyway, Talib and Jean Grae come correct on a track about, what else, wack MCs. Not the most novel idea but a hot track.

COUNTRY COUSINS (FEAT. UGK)

Kweli and UGK rap about how they like rappers from everywhere. Surprisingly, whoever made this beat (probably Kanye) nearly pulls of the Earth, Wind, and Fire ( I think?) sample. Cool track anyway.

HOLY MOLY

This is sort of a strange beat. I think Dilla did it which would make sense considering all the weird stuff he did to impress Madlib. Kweli continues to impress my lyrically however.

EAT TO LIVE

A deeper track about being black and under-privileged. This sounds like a bad track off “Beautiful Struggle.”

IN THE MOOD

At this point I can’t even listen to how Talib is rapping because I can’t get passed these awful beats. This beat is a women saying “moooooooooooooooood” with bongo drums.

SOON THE NEW DAY

I never really liked girl tracks. Especially ones over these slow R&B type tracks.

ELECTRIFY

This track is about people criticizing him and stuff. He even mentions people questioning his beat selection which is ironic I guess because this beat is boring as hail.

HELL

Talib raps about religion over yet another underwhelming beat.

MORE OR LESS

I posted the video of this a while back. Just pure heat. Dope concept, execution and of course Hi-Tek comes correct on the beat. Best of the album so far.

THE PERFECT BEAT (Feat. KRS-One)

This track was really ok until KRS ruined it.

HOT THING

Another girl track. While better than the first one, it’s a little stripped-down for its own good. Peace to the fake Pharrell on the hook.

OH MY STARS

Well a kid starts rapping on this which is cliché and is always stupid. Once Kweli kicks in its better but the R&B guys on this ruin it.

LISTEN

The single that came out a while back. The beat is very dope and Talib’s flow is nice too. Definitely one of the album’s better tracks.

OVERALL: Well I’m a little disappointed by this effort. After hearing “Listen” and “More Or Less” I expected big things only to find that they are the album’s best tracks. Still it’s a solid album and probably Kweli’s best since the Reflection Eternal album.

BEST TRACKS: “Say Something”, “More Or Less”, “Listen”