With the good response that Freaknik: The Musical received this week, I couldn’t help but think of another animated show on Adult Swim that had a rapper’s co-sign. In 2007, David Banner helped create the show That Crook’d ‘Sipp. Here’s a quick summary:

The Beauregard family, much like their Mississippi mansion, is falling apart. Relics of the Old South, this dysfunctional clan sits in stark contrast to the modern crunk-fueled Dirty South that has grown up around their crumbling estate, Frenchman’s Bend.

And if you find the art style here familiar, you’re not mistaken. While the pilot for That Crook’d Sipp was to originally receive 6 additional episodes, that plan was later scrapped in order to create Freaknik: The Musical.

Too soon to call Kanye West’s Graduation a classic album? Not at all. A few years ago when we first opened up the doors here at nappyafro, Graduation was one of the first albums I got to review for the site (Even before we made up our minds to go with the track by track format). It was also the first album on nappyafro to receive 4.5 out of 5 rating. And still to this day I find myself going back to this album and still enjoying it. Yes, Graduation more than deserves the Classic Material title.

Now I can go a lotta ways to prove this point. I could go track and track and show you how almost all the songs are top notch. Or I could talk about how the album showed progression and shifted to a more electronic feel. Or how each track fits with the whole scheme of the album. Or how Ye wasn’t afraid to share production credits with the likes of Nottz, DJ Toomp, & Jon Brion. Or how Kanye flexed his lyrical muscle and buried Weezy on “Barry Bonds”. Or even how this album gave Curtis Jackson a big L in the sales competition.

If Kanye West ended his career today he would have a lotta accolades, but this would be the go to album to showcase his talent. It also proves that he will never have the burden of trying to top his first album like some of Hip-Hop’s elite because so far Graduation is his best album.

Then why did I give Graduation a 4.5? “Drunk & Hot Girls”. In years of listening, it’s starting to grow on me. But switch that track out with the bonus cut “Good Night” and it may deserve the 1/2 of a star.

Sidenote: Front page image.

Is 28,000 in the first week a win? Depends on who you ask but DJ Khaled’s latest album Victory grabbed the #14 spot on the chats this week. It is fair to note that Khaled’s albums never do big numbers even with all the a-list features.

Yes there are other new releases this week but I really didn’t get a chance to check out either (Both R&B/Pop), but still salute to Raheem DeVaughn & Jason Derülo.

And the numbers…

#2 Sade/Soldier Of Love (Last Week: #1) – 79,200; Total: 899,400 (Gold) [4 Weeks]
#8 The Black Eyed Peas/The E.N.D. (Last Week: #4) – 46,400; Total: 2,227,800 (2X Platinum) [39 Weeks]
#9 Raheem DeVaughn/The Love & War MasterPeace (Last Week: NA) – 45,200; Total: NA [Debut]
#11 Jason Derülo/Jason Derülo (Last Week: NA) – 42,300; Total: NA [Debut]
#12 Lil’ Wayne/Rebirth (Last Week: #6) – 31,900; Total: 393,300 [5 Weeks]
#14 DJ Khaled/Victory (Last Week: NA) – 28,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#19 Alicia Keys/The Element Of Freedom (Last Week: #12) – 24,600; Total: 1,126,600 (Platinum) [12 Weeks]
#22 Rihanna/Rated R (Last Week: #14) – 22,500; Total: 710,200 (Gold) [15 Weeks]
#23 Jaheim/Another Round (Last Week: #15) – 22,200; Total: 193,800 [4 Weeks]
#25 Trey Songz/Ready (Last Week: #26) – 20,200; Total: 574,500 (Gold) [27 Weeks]
#29 Mary J. Blige/Stronger With Each Tear (Last Week: #17) – 18,200; Total: 672,800 (Gold) [11 Weeks]
#32 Young Money/We Are Young Money (Last Week: #29) – 15,500; Total: 361,300 [12 weeks]
#37 Melanie Fiona/The Bridge (Last Week: #27) – 13,500; Total: 248,300 [18 Weeks]
#43 Jay-Z/The Blueprint 3 (Last Week: #37) – 12,400; Total: 1,657,300 (Platinum) [26 Weeks]
#50 Robin Thicke/Sex Therapy (Last Week: #31) – 11,100; Total: 336,800 [12 weeks]

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”

The former ROC solider links up with the new one as we see J. Cole jump on a track with Young Chris. Cole doesn’t put out much music, but when he does he usually comes through (He kills his verse by the way). Good track. This is supposed to be on Chris’ The Network 2 mixtape.

Download: Young Chris feat. J. Cole – “Still The Hottest”

I saw this on Sunday on adult swim, and while a lotta people probably thought it was ignorant, I enjoyed it a lot. It was ignorant…and awesome. Plus I thought all the people doing the voices did a great job: Lil’ Wayne, Young Cash, Sophia Fresh, Rick Ross, Cee-Lo, Andy Samberg, & Charlie Murphy (Just to name a few). I saw the YouTube videos up earlier today, but this is more manageable. First part at the top and second & third are below. Sidenote: I also went to the actual Freaknik a couple of times. I got some stories for you youngsters…

I wasn’t gonna post up this mixtape mainly for the fact that I hate DJ Whoo Kid’s yelling (“CAN’T FORGET!”). But since we already posted the freestyle videos and the XXL cover, might as well show some more love to the XXL 2010 Freshman (That’s a good thing).

Download: XXL’s 10 Freshman for ‘10 [Mixtape]

While we have one Southern rapper going into jail, we have another returning with a new track. And I’m happy it’s this T.I. instead of the one on “Live Your Life” (Not that I hate that song, I just like Clifford more aggressive). Of course it’s nothing groundbreaking and probably will be forgotten as more material comes out. But it’s good to see T.I. is working on new music. Produced by Trackslayerz.

Download: T.I. – “I’m Back”

Download: Kid Cudi feat. Snoop Dogg – “I Do My Thing”

It’s funny that he shouted out Little Brother on this track cause after a few listens, it (Produced by Boi-1da & Al Khaaliq) sounds like something they would rap over. Is this really the first single off Thank Me Later? Not saying it’s bad though, I guess I expected a Weezy or Jay or Yeezy feature. What did y’all think?

God damn! I listened to the wrong song last night. Thanks to Mezzy. I’m sorry people. I was tired. I got confused. They’ll give anybody a site these days. Try again.

Download: Drake – “Over”