I hope you guys didn’t think we forgot about the late, great Christopher Wallace aka Notorious B.I.G. We wanted to dedicate this installment to him. While it is HARD to pick ONE song from him, I finally decided on “Unbelievable”. Nuff said. So as always, kick back, and enjoy this installment of Song of the Week!

Download: The Notorious B.I.G. – “Unbelievable”

I PUT ON FOR MY CITY. I always say that, and I will stick to that mantra. This time the spotlight is on a trio from my hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina. FTH (Full Time Hustlaz) consists of members Durand Bennett (Young Money), Cortney Bryson (Boi One-Da) and Pharaun Coleman (Heron). All three went to school together and during that time the full time hustle began. The group has been creating quite a buzz with a couple of mixtapes Guide to Tha Streetz Vol 1 & Vol 2. Hustling for Dummies. Their latest song, “My Life” is a BANGER. But don’t take it from me; check out these three songs and if you like that, you can download their latest mixtape here. But first let’s check out the artist’s bio.

Everything in life is a Full Time Hustle, whether it is in the streets, in school or at a nine to five job. The hustle that FTH raps about embodies everyone in every sense of the word. This is why the name Full Time Hustlaz is suitable for the group. FTH, which began in 2005 is a hip hop group made up of three rap artists. Durand Bennett (Young Money), Cortney Bryson (Boi One-Da) and Pharaun Coleman (Heron) make up FTH and they consistently deliver original music to their audience. Their music in a style that is able to relate to the life styles that they are living.

The members of FTH all attended the same middle school and high schools growing up. They have been connected musically since they have known each other. They started off in middle school under the same band instructor and continued their musical connection in high school as members of the marching band. Emerging into the rap game was always a part of the larger spectrum of things. Boi One-Da and Young Money began working together professional through the creation and sharing of beats. One-Da was already in a group when the collaboration with Money began. This collaboration led to Young Money being a featured artist on one of the singles for Boi One-Da’s former group. This would be the first time Young Money would ever record in a studio. Boi One-Da eventually left his former group and he was approached by Young with the idea of forming another group with himself and Heron. Heron and Boi One-Da began their musical collaborations while sitting in classes writing in a rap book, passing it back and forth, never knowing that the formation of FTH would come about. Money, Heron, and Boi One-Da agreed that they would form a group and since their creation FTH has performed at many clubs throughout North Carolina including Genesis, Club Touch, Lounge 2800 and Rum Runners.

Download: FTH – “My Life”
Download: FTH – “Fly High”
Download: FTH – “Rescue Team”
Download: FTH – Vol. 2 Hustling for Dummies [Mixtape]

For more information about FTH contact  fthnc3pent at gmail.com or 3Pent  3pentertainment at gmail.com for bookings and production inquiries.

DJ Khaled has let it be known who he was and what he was trying to push from the gates. “We The Best”, “Listen”, “We Global”, “I’m So Hood”, along with other phrases. One thing you can say about Khaled is this, he puts on for his city and the whole South. Who else can get Jeezy, T.I., Luda, Rick Ross, and Weezy on a track at one time with no problems? This is Khaled’s fourth studio album, with each album being better with release. I wonder what kind of strings Khaled will pull this time to claim that Victory.

Intro
Featuring Diddy & Busta Rhymes
Khaled doing a dialogue for the intro to his album. If you are one of the people that hate on this man for whatever reason, you might want to skip this.

All I We Do is Win
Featuring Ludacris, T-Pain, Rick Ross, & Snoop Dogg; Produced by DJ Nasty
The first song off the album sets the album off. T-Pain doing what he does best…hooks and Luda proving that he is at the top of his game and it’s time for people to take notice. My boy Ross comes through and SMASHED his verse. Snoop also recited a verse pretty well. WAY TO START THE ALBUM OFF!

Put Your Hands Up
Featuring Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Plies, & Schife; Produced by Schife
Now this one for my GOONS! I think I busted an audible nut when I saw this. Plies, Jeezy, and Ross? WHAT? This song right here…FLAME! Ross is really on his shit right now. This song didn’t disappoint at all. BANGER!

Fed Up
Featuring Usher, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Lil’ Wayne, & Drake; Produced by The Runners
The first single off the album, and how could you go wrong with that line up? This song HAS to be a hit. Look at the features. Do I really have to say this song is HOT? You should already know. But what stood out was Usher’s verse at the end. Check it out for yourself.

Victory
Featuring Nas & John Legend; Produced by The Inkredibles
John Legend knows how to make a song, and God’s Son comes through spitting some of that stuff that made you remember why he is one of the top MC’s ever. DAMN. I guess being behind in child support will make you spit some dope shit.

Ball
Featuring Jim Jones & Schife; Produced by Schife
Certain beats work for Jimmy; this is one of those beats. Niggas hate on Jim (B-Easy) but Capo does the same thing that Gucci does, so why can’t he get any props? BUMP THIS SHIT! “I got these bitches dunking dicks like Sheryl Swoopes, when they see me pull up to the spot in several coupes.” JIMMY!!

Rockin’ All My Chains On
Featuring Birdman, Bun B, Soulja Boy Tell Em’, & Schife; Produced by Schife
I have to tell you that this production on this album has been DOPE! This beat here…FLAME! Bun B jumps on the beat and did his usual damage. I really think the beat overshadowed all the artists on the track. But the song is worth listening to either way.

Killing Me
Featuring Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, & Busta Rhymes; Produced by The Runners
Busta got in touch with his inner Jamaican and got with some Dancehall icons, Buju Baton and Bounty Killer, to make this club banger. I can see some women dancing seductively to this.

Bringing Real Rap Back
Featuring Rum; Produced by The Runners
DJ’s have a way to sneak their new artists on albums like this. This dude sounds real raw, on some Plies shit, but a little more realer. I’m interested into hearing more from this dude.

Bring The Money Out
Featuring Nelly, Lil’ Boosie, Ace Hood, & Schife; Produced by Schife
Dang Nelly, you on a song with Boosie and Ace Hood? Not saying that’s a bad thing, you would think he would rap with someone in his age range. All that aside, I really like Boosie’s and Ace Hood’s energy on this song. If Ace keeps it up, he is going to be a problem.

On My Way
Featuring Kevin Cossom, Ace Hood, BallGreezy, Desloc, Piccalo, Ice “Billion” Berg, Bali, Gunplay, Rum, & Young Cash; Produced by The Runners
I guess this is Khaled letting the whole crew get off on this song. One again Ace Hood is really going HARD!

Rep My City
Featuring Pitbull & Jarvis
After I reviewed a Pitbull album, I had a different respect for him. This song is one of that will change your mind about him. He is more than the dance songs that he gets credit for. This song shows you why PItbull is called “Mr. 305”.

Bottom Line:
I have to say that Khaled kept the progression with this release. From top to bottom, this is a solid release. You have nice production, killer features, and the final result was a really good release. The good thing that Khaled did on this one was to scale it down and have 12 good songs, instead of 12 good songs with 5 or 6 alright songs. Khaled was correct when he titled this one Victory. KHALED WON!

nappyPicks: This whole joint RIDES.

Download: DJ Khaled feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, & Plies – “Put Your Hands Up”
Download: DJ Khaled feat. Nas & John Legend – “Victory”
Download: DJ Khaled feat. Birdman, Bun B, Soulja Boy Tell Em’, & Schife – “Rockin’ All My Chains On”

Okay, ya’ll might think King Jerm is tripping with this one, but I had to take it WAAAAAAY back with this one. This song came on at a bar the other night and the place went crazy! Before you say this isn’t Hip-Hop, the song features Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest and it has a cameo from the one and only Bootsy Collins. Not only is Dee-Light’s “Groove Is In The Heart” a instant party starter, but its a crazy video! Sit back and enjoy this installment of Song of the Week!

I also wanted to send a personal birthday shout out to my godson..H2O..Happy Birthday my dude!

Also..Happy Valentines Day!

Download: Deee-Lite feat. Q-Tip – “Groove Is In The Heart”

Also have a good Valentine’s Day.

By now you’ve heard that on February 9th, Lil’ Wayne was suppose to start his year of jail at Riker’s Island for a gun charge. But that was postponed until March 2nd due to a cracked tooth. On the first farewell tour, Weezy caught the the Saints win at the Super Bowl, did some interviews, did a concert, was on Ustream, and had a party. This time as jail time grows closer, we’re sure Lil’ Wayne will take it easier the second time around. nappyafro has the exclusive itinerary for his last 24 hours of freedom*.
*That means we made it up.

12a-1a
Wakes up in the morning & takes a knee and thanks god, then goes to the mirror and looks himself in the eyes.

1a-2a
Gets prison number tattooed on his face so he doesn’t have to hold up a sign in mugshot.

2a-3a
Pays up Netflix account for the rest of year

3a-4a
“Freestyle Session” with Nicki Minaj & Shanelle

4a-5a
Get a REAL guitar lesson from B.B. King.

5a-6a
Makes a mixtape

6a-8a
Smokes some Kush then takes a nap.

8a-9a
Wakes up…makes a mixtape

9a-11a
Hangs out with daughter (Reginae) & Toya

11a-12p
Hangs out with Babymama #2 & Dwayne III.

12p-2p
Shopping spree with Birdman.

2p-3p
Makes mixtape with Drake.

3p-4p
Smokes weed with Jae Millz, Gutta, & Lil’ Chuckie.

4p-6p
Hangs out with Babymama #3 (Lauren) & Lennox.

6p-8p
Hangs out with Babymama #4 (Nivea) & Neal.

8p-9p
Goes and gets another tattoo with Tyga.

9p-10p
Makes mixtape.

10p-11p
Smokes weed and plays Madden 2010

11p-12a
Turns on Sportscenter and watches till he falls asleep.

The man right chea! No, he really is right here! Michael Tyler aka Mystikal was released from a Louisiana State Prison this week after serving six years. Crazy how time flies, but it seemed like only yesterday when the “Prince of the South” was topping charts and releasing Platinum and Gold albums. Being a former “No Limit Soldier” this pleases me more than a little bit. He’s served his time, now I hope he can get back in the booth and release some new music. WELCOME HOME MYSTIKAL!

Download: Mystikal – “Here I Go”
Download: Mystikal – “The Man Right Chea”
Download: Mystikal – “Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin’ Me Against the Wall)”

The biggest news-maker of the last week hasn’t been Tiger, but good ol’ Agent Zero, Gilbert Arenas. Not only did Gil make the news by “allegedly” threatening a teammate with gunplay, but he also plead guilty to those allegations. WHY? You had a guaranteed 100 million dollar contract! Now you are falling under the same umbrella as Plaxico, an example will be made of you. Let’s all come together for a round of applause and congratulate Gilbert Arenas for being this week’s DMF winner!

“I’ll shoot you in the face!” (c) Gilbert Arenas

Nah, this isn’t about Goodie Mob’s second album, this is about nappyafro. I don’t know if you know this, but today is our birthday…3 years. Three years of giving you niggas reviews, columns, movies, music, and insight. We have had our ups and downs, but one thing has remained constant…nappyafro. This past year on nappyafro has been the toughest on us because we don’t know if we are doing this for nothing. Do niggas even care? That’s the point we’re at. We are so close to being invited to the big table in the lunchroom, but we alright over here with the “nerds”. Screw all that, all that will come. I want to thank every staff member. Ya’ll dudes are the GREATEST! H2O (my godson) My dude got accepted to Temple. The Fro will be coming to Philly! SBK (Mr. Clutch) You always come through…always. Arkitekt (the Noob) you are the missing piece to the puzzle. Welcome to the squad! Saule Wright (Hip-Hop’s Reuben Studdard) You MADE..what can I say? Last but not least, B-Easy. This is the man that keep everything going. How can I forget about the readers? Gizzle, Inf, DJ LP, SBA, Chew, Boricua, Spyzyda, Big T, man I know I am forgetting people, but you know we appreciate ALL ya’ll. If it wasn’t for ya’ll there wouldn’t be any need for us. THANK YOU.

King Jerm is always getting accused of liking the mainstream stuff, while I can admit to being the one on staff to embrace the new school, I still know about “real” Hip-Hop people. I can be close minded when it comes to music now, for example, when I don’t buy into your gimmick, I will not listen to you. Take for instance your boy MF Doom, Doom, or whatever he goes by. I couldn’t take him serious because of his mask that he wears. So I never listened to him. The other day my boy John Doe put me onto a song by him titled “Batty Boy”. I was taken over by the way he was just SPITTING over a SICK beat. The song made me want to throw on some GTA and go on a couple of rampages. He kind of reminds me of what Ol’ Dirty would sound like without the “Drunken Flow”. See, I still listen to “real” Hip-Hop from time to time. I hope everyone enjoys this installment of Song of the Week!

Download: MF Doom – “Batty Boy”

Lil’ Wayne continues his quest to rule the world with the release of HIS label’s collective effort We Are Young Money. This team features Weezy, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, Tyga, Mack Maine, T-Streets, Lil’ Twist, Lil’ Chuckee, & Shanell. Not a bad lineup to have batting for you in a game. We all know that Hip-Hop and sports aren’t the same, sometimes too many stars don’t equate into a championship. One thing about YM is that if everyone plays their role, a championship isn’t out of the question. We have been hearing about Young Moolah for years, now it’s time to see if the hype was justified.

Gooder
Performed by Jae Millz, Lil’ Wayne, Gudda Gudda, & Mack Maine; Produced by Brizzy Blaize
This album starts out like any compilation: with a posse cut. I can’t even front, this song might have been even DOPER had Drizzy and Nicki would have dropped a verse. Even without Drizzy and Nicki, the song went hard. I see Wayne got his Auto-Tune machine out the pawn shop.

Every Girl
Performed by Lil’ Wayne, Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, & Mack Maine; Produced by Tha Bizness
This is one of the songs that you heard on the radio ALL SUMMER. I knew this song was going to be big, but anything featuring Wayne and Drake on the same song is sure to put up some numbers.

Ms. Parker
Performed by Lil’ Wayne, Mack Maine, & Gudda Gudda; Produced by Tha Bizness
Okay 3 songs in and I think I have an early favorite. Everybody remember the “Ms. Parker” line in their favorite hood movie, Friday, and this is an ode to her. Weezy went digital, better yet the whole crew went digital. This song will not be a favorite with all, but I LOVE this hook on the song.

Wife Beater
Performed by T-Streets, Lil’ Wayne, Jae Millz, & Tyga; Produced by Kane Beatz
This sounds like the theme to Halloween on sizzurp. I really think they were going at the strip clubs with this one, at least that’s the mind state this song puts you in. I can rock with this one. Shout out to all the NYMPHO’S out there!

New Shit
Performed by Gudda Gudda, Lil’ Wayne, Jae Millz, & Mack Maine; Produced by Chase N. Cashe & B.Carr
Remember earlier when I said I had an early fave, change that. Unknown producers come with the HEAT. The beat starts off simple, and then opens up on the hooks. WOW. The reserves are carrying this album so far. The Weezy features are really hooks, and the role players are keeping the team afloat. IMPRESSED.

Pass The Dutch
Performed by Lil’ Wayne, Gudda Gudda, & Drake; Featuring Short Dawg; Produced by Chase N. Cashe
This is what we have been waiting on, not really because we got that on “Every Girl”, but Weezy and Drizzy on the same track (Like they haven’t done this before…heard So Far Gone?). The production on this song was too plain. The beat was easily beat up by the crew. I applaud the effort on lyrics, but they lost me with the production.

Play In My Band
Performed by Shanell & Lil’ Wayne; Produced by Willy Will
The beat from this one could have been switched on the last one and the song would have been FIRE. Once again we get to see Rock & Roll Weezy on this one, and let me tell you he didn’t disappoint. I know I said that “New Shit” was my fave. Change that, (NO H2O) this is. I really was not on board with Rock & Roll Weezy, but he might be the one to bridge this generation to the Rock/Hip-Hop trend. DOPE.

Fuck Da Bullshit
Performed by Nicki Minaj, Gudda Gudda, Lil’ Wayne & Drake; Featuring Birdman; Produced by Andrew “Papa Justifi” Wansel & Warren “Oak” Felder
The First Lady is in the building on this one and she made Weezy and Drake step their game up on this one. I have to say that Nicki SET the song off! It’s something about her style that is HOT and infectious at the same time. Gudda Gudda surprised me the most out of the bunch. He was going up against some stiff competition, sandwiched between Weezy and Minaj, him just keeping up made me happy. FIRE!

Bedrock
Performed by Lil’ Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga & Jae Millz; Featuring Lloyd; Produced by Kane Beatz
This is the current single beating the airwaves to death. Sounds like “Every Girl” to me, but this song was aimed at all those teenagers not some old cat like me. I can hate on the song. I’ll pass because I can’t say the song is GARBAGE because of its mainstream direction.

Girl I Got You
Performed by Lil’ Chuckee & Lil’ Twist; Produced by Infamous
Hold up…Wayne got kiddies in Young Money? I can appreciate what they are doing, but there isn’t a 15 year old rapper alive I can relate to. The song sounds like something I would have wrote at that age, which is what it should sound like. I don’t want to hear a 15 year old 50 Cent rapping, talk about stuff like this.

Steady Mobbin’
Performed by Lil’ Wayne; Featuring Gucci Mane; Produced by Kane Beatz
I was in the club recently when this came on…THE PLACE WENT CRAZY!!! The two hottest rappers on a song together equals BANGER! Line of the song…”You niggas softer than Roseanne’s son”. Are you serious? Stop it Wayne! I might be biased by the club atmosphere, but that is the feel you want when your song comes on.

Roger That
Performed by Nicki Minaj, Tyga, & Lil’ Wayne; Produced by Phenom
This is one of those songs that you have to sit back and let Nicki do her thing. She set the song on FIRE, but the person who made my head turn quick…TYGA. I really didn’t know he had it in him. *salutes* Of course Weezy shows up, but he got outshined by Lewinsky and Tyga on this one. DOPE SONG!

She Is Gone
Performed by Lil’ Wayne, T-Streets, Jae Millz, & Gudda Gudda; Produced by Kane Beatz
The production on this album continues to be pretty good, but this time the crew didn’t put up one of their best efforts. I don’t like the hook at all, “Where my old lady at?” Come on Fellas, really?

Streets Is Watchin’
Performed by Lil’ Wayne, Gudda Gudda, T-Streets, Jae Millz, & Nicki Minaj; Produced by David Banner
Why did he choose this name? David Banner on the beat so you know you are getting something FLAME. The boys get down on this one, but the standout again is your girl Nicki. She is going to be a hard free agent to keep on the team when it’s time for negotiations.

Nicki Minaj: “I’m the bad what bout to get a mani-ped/I’m the big bad wolf in ya granny bed/Even tho I’m in Mexico/I rep New York like Plax-ico/Look switched my name now I’m celebrating Hanukah/Lewinsky, bitches Young Money Monica/I been hot since Hedeghog Sonic the/So could you pass me the keys to the tonica/I meant Tonka/that’s the truck bitches.”

You can’t deny it…Nicki is that GIRL.

Finale
Performed by T-Streets, Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz, Tyga, Lil’ Chuckee, Lil’ Twist, Nicki Minaj, Shanell, Mack Maine, Drake, & Lil’ Wayne; Produced by Infamous & Angel “OnHel” Aponte
They end the album with a full fledge posse cut, everybody get a chance to spit on the mic. I have to say this was reminiscent to the old No Limit Soldier songs that usually start an album, but I think they placed this one in the right place. Good way to end it.

Bottom Line:
This was the first offering from Young Money, and considering their audience, this will be considered a good album. The Hip-Hop snobs will surely avoid this album because of the radio hits “Every Girl” and “Bedrock” but there are some pretty good songs that even they can appreciate. The Nicki Minaj appearances gave the album a different feel that male only albums lack. This album will be a stocking stuffer this Christmas, and those people will be pretty happy with this. If Young Money keeps this up, look for them to be one of the new age Hip-Hop “dynasties”. How about a hand for Birdman? He has put together two championships teams in two different decades. Kind of like Pat Riley. Update: King Jerm’s original rating was 3 and I mistakenly put this up as a 3.5. My bad. – B-Easy

nappyPicks: “Ms. Parker”, “Play In My Band”, “Fuck Da Bullshit”, “Steady Mobbin’”, “Roger That”, “Streets Is Watchin’”, “Finale”

Download: Young Money – “Roger That”
Download: Young Money – “Finale”