We haven’t dealt much with the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards outside of the cyphers this year, but I can’t act like it didn’t happen. This year’s show was, performance wise, one of the worst. However, from a production standpoint and things of that nature, it was one of the best shows they’ve had. It did however, leave some questions burning in my mind.

1. Is Joe Buddens THAT good?
I’ve heard some Buddens stuff, I’m not going to act like I am well versed on that dude. However, I don’t remember a time that I was like THIS DUDE IS A PROBLEM. After his flow on the first cypher, I was left scrambling to get re-acclimated. He perked my ears with the Slaughterhouse album, but it still didn’t send me searching for his music. But now, the combination of the album and the cypher, I need to go back to ground zero and research dude, because clearly, there is more to him than I thought.

2. Has Nicki Minaj FINALLY found her formula for success?
Minaj gets more than her fair share of hatred and doubt. Those two attacks are pretty standard uniform for female emcees in the game. I’ve always liked her on the mic and that was BEFORE I saw what she looked like. The net seems to be hell bent with proving she’s got fake body and Weezy writes her rhymes but lets be completely honest here. Number one, sex sells. It has sold since there was a way to put a price on it. If you are in the entertainment biz, and you are female, chance are, you are going to go under the knife at some point or at least add some tracks, nails, or something man-made to your structure. Lets not crucify her for what may or may not have happened to her, but routinely happens in the business. Secondly, ghostwriting or flat out writing for someone else is regular in music. I understand that Hip-Hop puts paramount importance on authenticity, but at the same time, its music is a form of entertainment. When we get around those two formalities, her new animated delivery and flow along with the void in the game, may have finally put her in prime position to make her mark. I’ve often found myself on an island when I speak highly of Minaj, but even those that didn’t care for her too much saw the light after her cypher and recent verse on the remix of “5 Star Chick”. Hopefully, folks will pay attention to her “Killin’ these bitches, Mike Vickin’ it up.”

3. When is BET going to really bring back RapCity or at LEAST do a show called The Booth?
Cypher 3 featured Mos Def, Black Thought, and Eminem spitting some of the most “oh shit” worthy flows ever done on BET. With everyone being able to write down lyrics and drop an album on iTunes, we rarely get to see this side of the game from experienced emcees anymore. You may get some hotlines from them when they show up to the radio station, but rarely do you get emcees of this caliber on at one time, doing what they love. BET, you can reach me at  saulewright at gmail.com if you want to work on this idea. I’m just saying…

4. What about graffiti?
There are four or five elements of Hip-Hop, depending on who you ask. However, no matter WHO you ask, they will both name graffiti as part of it. It clearly has transitioned to a legitimate art-form to the masses, but it has also seemingly been neglected and ignored by what we know as the Hip-Hop culture. I’ve seen more cars, jewelry, and basket ball hoops in music videos than I’ve seen actual tagging being done. Again, BET, you can reach me at  saulewright at gmail.com if you want to work on THIS idea. I’m just saying…

5.What happened to the Emceeing part of Hip Hop?
Disclaimer: Little Brother nor the Justus League do not pay nappyafro.com for our support or anything similar to that kind of agreement. Now that that’s out of the way, have any of you seen Little Brother in concert? If not, YouTube them, they are a recent example of stage presence and what being an emcee is about. They are clearly cut from the same cloth as Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, LL Cool J, Run DMC and other emcees that understand how rocking/moving the crowd is not just a hot lyric. The ability to put on a show doesn’t come with the signing bonus. The amount of underwear, crotch grabbing, pacing, etc. were at an all time high during this show while ability to perform was absent. I don’t know that I’ve been as unmoved or uninspired as I was with the collection of stage performances that happened at this show. I could go onto a number 6 being about having some excitable fans around the stage, but I think if the show is up to par, then the audience will show it, no matter how motionless they are.

So those are my questions, what are yours?

I’m not going to lead into this one lightly or anything. Simply put, this is an instant classic and album of the year. Who the fuck is Brother Ali? Hands down the best rapper you don’t know. I’ve said folks are one of this, and that album may be one of that…but this shit right here, this shit right here? Unrelenting, unparalleled, unapologetic, thought provoking, masterful, classic, and perfect are words that MAY begin to describe this album. I’ve done over 40 reviews for The Fro’ and I joined the crew after Eardrum dropped, which was the last album that I deem classic or at least REALLY close to classic. I have only given two albums 4.5 ratings and while I think both Relapse and Rising Down are personal faves, they haven’t made classic status for me. But this shit right here? This shit right here? Flawless.

Sometimes, doing a track by track review gets difficult because at the extremes you can only sing praises or voice displeasure so many different ways and do justice to the folks that take time to read what you took time to say. This album would be one where each track would be a new way to say amazing…15 different times.This is nothing new for Brother Ali though. This man has dedicated his Hip-Hop life to giving you top quality albums that are all underground staples to the game. His lyricism is up there with your favorites and he tends to be one of those that has done such high quality work for so long that you tend to take it for granted. I have NO improvements, complaints or anything negative to say about this album, and the song “Best @It” with Freeway and Joell Ortiz is pure napalm. No matter if it’s story telling, brash lyricism, conscious lyrics, or heartfelt songs, Brother Ali delivers. Us is the best offering from an emcee who is just as outspoken and controversial as he is talented. Do you hear me now? Good. (Shout out to anyone who gets that.) Make SURE to Turn Yo’ Headphones Up to Brother Ali.

Download: Brother Ali – “Best @It”

With “Chamillitarymayne” coming out with the last of his mixtape series, Mixtape Messiah 7, I figured now was as good a time as any to start a new column…or at least write this article. I plan on doing this and hopefully the staff will get involved and do a few of their own because let’s be honest, we don’t always get it right the first time…even though I think we do more times than not. Sure, we could just change the score but sometimes, we may want to talk about it. So let’s get into this.

My rating on Chamillionaire’s Ultimate Victory back on September 18, 2007 was 1.5 / 5. I can’t really openly say that I’d change that grade based on aging because hey, I haven’t played that album since that review posted. I have, since that date, listened to some of his mixtapes in the series as well as have written MANY more reviews (I think that may have been one of my first reviews). I can freely say that this was not a shining moment of me being objective. I don’t dig dude’s style or delivery at all, I think that his music is kinda run of the mill and all that detracts from what is some decent wordplay and pretty fly concepts as an approach to the game. That said, it’s hard to grade dude. I’ve listened to his last mixtape and it’s the same guise. Good/dope concepts, nice wordplay, terrible delivery and hooks, and mediocre beats. I just can’t get into dude, pause.

So the questions comes, is his music BAD or do I just dislike it? I can say that Cham, even on his latest mixtape, doesn’t get any more spins from me personally. I can respect him for having his lane, and doing his thing, but this is not my kind of music. Yeah yeah nigga, but is it BAD music? Did UV really deserve a 1.5? I think if I were reviewing that long ass album today, I’d probably grade it higher than that because I’ve better learned how to be more impartial and separate my opinion from the reviews. Let’s not go crazy, I don’t feel like that album would get a 4 or no shit like that, but a 2.5 (from what I can remember) may be applicable. I can appreciate his message, I just don’t like his methods.

Another STL rapper, cause I love my city. You gotta admit, we have some good shit in Da Lou. I hit you up with Soul Tyde, Rockwell Knuckles, Unladylike, Black Spade, we have some talent. This new cat is one of the hottest ones doing it in the 314 right now. His flow and delivery are enjoyable and lyrically, he’s holding his own. Every once in a while, you run across an album that has you noddin’ along and smiling with each track, this one is that for me. I had no expectations because I knew nothing about him, but as each track played, I enjoyed it more. I think he could do some damage with some different beats and I imagine that when he does drop an album, that will be addressed. Keep your eyes peeled for Will Victory and the STL rap scene, it’s not a game. You can check Will out and get more familiar with him on his MySpace and follow him on his Twitter

Download: Will Victory – Spit ‘N’ Envy Vol. 1

This weeks topic is dear to my heart. You’ve heard me talk about the importance and absence of women in Hip-Hop and my beloved hometown of St. Louis…I get both of them this week. Unladylike dropped their debut CD Certified this last week, shout out to under promotion! Def Jam, do better. They still seem to be doing better than you’d expect with no exposure outside of the 314/618 area code. I think that has a lot to do with loyalty of the Midwest, loyalty to artists, and them being female in a game that is sorely lacking in that area.

Enough about that, how’s the CD. In a word, NICE. The beats are largely “swag” music (think Dro) meets Three 6 Mafia. I don’t know that there is a song on this 12 track album that wouldn’t do well in the club. I bet Club Casino is going crazy to this joint, as evidenced by the lead single “Bartender”.

Lyrically, Gunna and Tee bring a few different flows to the table. They flawlessly go from a harmonies sing song flow to a slower paced southern feel and then kill the track with a more frenetic rapid fire delivery. You get the STL accent with some “hurr” and “thur” scattered over the album, but it definitely doesn’t crowd the album or become a gimmick. The topics range from the baller-riffic, drinking, and partying to love, relationships, and the global community.

In a market where the majority of CD’s are not only made by men, but are full of sex and songs overtly advertising trickin’ (if you got it or not, it’s still trickin’) and violence, this is a CD about having a good time, the club, and having a good time in the club.. They have the braggadocious “Sit Down”, one of my favorite tracks, where they chant “Why you bitches keep jumpin (sit down) 3x / So sit’cho ass down (3x)” where they openly challenge any chick to step to them, but even that has the chant and hand clap (and Lil’ John sample) to make sure that everyone will be having a good time talkin’ shit. They also have songs like “Like You” (another sure fire hit) which is that song about the mack and approach and “Old You” where they openly talk about lost love due to folks changing and letting go of the history tied to someone that you really don’t know like you thought you did, or once did.

If you are looking to find a fun album, some serious breakneck thump, and something that makes you roll down the windows and break the volume knob, this is the CD. Fellas, you may want to skip “Papi Over There”, unless that’s how you roll. If you are like more and more people in today’s economy and rolling with the public transportation, make sure you check out Unladylike and be sure to Turn Yo’ Headphones Up.  Amazon.com has the low low on this one, $7.99 for a digital!!!! Get involved!)

Check the samples here: Unladylike – Certified

The Fro is vowed to keep bringing it to you. I stumbled upon this album EP via a blast from Tanya Morgan on Facebook. The Red Giants are a duo consisting of Jermiside of the Lessondary & Brickbeats who you may know most recently from Tanya Morgan’s projects. Jermiside is one ill dude and Brickbeats will soon be a household name, if he isn’t already. Make sure you click here and get your download on. Make some noise for nappyafro.com!

Download: The Red Giants – Chain Reaction: The EP

Lodi Dodi, we like to party, let me take a chance to put you onto somebody. Enter Jermaine JD Dupri as the General, Usher as The Light , Johnta Austin as J. Sinatra, Trey Songz as Songz 007eleven, Nelly as Mo Green, B.Cox as Leon Phelps The Texas Ranger, Tyrone as InTYEnational or AnTYEnational, and featuring Bow Wow as The Oceans. Now, I may have gotten some of the aliases wrong, but the album is right. Check out Global14.com and tellem’ nappyafro sent ya.

1. Intro
2. Ain’t I
3. Diddy Skit
4. Too Much Swag
5. I Need That Girl
6. Where’s The Love
7. Owe Me Sex
8. It’s Amazing
9. Day And Night
10. Vegas Is Our Town
11. Vegas Baby

Download: Ocean’s 7 – 3000 And 9 Shit [Mixtape]

While the mainstream radio seems obsessed with shoving remedial Hip-Hop down our throats and obsessed with presenting an arrested development of the culture, rappers, and minorities in America (Eminem and Asher not withstanding of course) there seems to be a rebirth of underground Hip-Hop. One of the groups on the forefront of that movement is Tanya Morgan. With 4 albums (mixtapes & EP’s included) I had a moment to speak to to the group about the 5th project, Hip-Hop, and all points between. Catch a cab to Brooklynati with me friends.

Saule Wright – Thanks for sittin’ down with me and the readers of nappyafro.com. Sounds like we are short one member?

Illyas – Yeah, Von is taking care of family business.

Everything is good right?

Illyas – Oh yeah man, he’s good.

Aite, that’s good. So how was memorial day fellas?

Illyas – Man, I’m back in Ohio for the first time in like 5 months so it’s good to see family and enjoy family. Got some good food, ate too damn much, and just feeling good around my people.

Don – I’m good man, just chillin’ out. You know I got that good food in so I’m good.

We really appreciate you taking time out to talk to us. I know your promotion for this album has been serious and the travel insane, so thanks again for taking time out from your busy schedules to chat with us. Now I know that you always answer the question about the name and what it means and all that. You also tell the story of how the group cut music, so what I wanna know is, has AOL signed on to promote the group yet?

Illyas – Haha. We actually talked to them recently and talked about getting something done, a reality show or something about cutting an album in the same room. We’ve only got about 5 songs done in the same room as a group. So, if you can grease the wheels a little bit, ya know…

Don – I mean, I’ll let Illyas punch me in the mouth if that means we can get paid, I’m with that.

Illyas – (laughs) see man…

Hey, that’s all you need is a little controversy.

Don – Ya know?

Even with you only recording 5 songs in the same area, I can’t tell by your chemistry. Like, no way can I listen and tell which 5 they were. You all have a great chemistry and play off each other well.

Illyas – Well, with the internet and the technology out there, relationships are different anyway. Like, even when we are together we do our thing, but we always hang out online anyway. Like, I chat with Von or Don on a routine basis like they are right here anyway so location shouldn’t affect our chemistry, we’re always in touch.

I can dig it. I love how throughout Moonlighting skits you all play some of your other music. It’s almost like a treasure hunt when I listen to more of your other albums, I stumble across that song and it makes me appreciate Moonlighting even more. The same thing can be said for Brooklynati. I love the transitions; they most recently remind me of Timeline by ya boys Nicolay and Kay of the Foundation. The flow of your albums seems very deliberate and seamless, how much of that is your focus when you go into what songs actually make the album?

Illyas – I love that question, I wish Von was here to talk about that. Like, Von is the executive producer of the album. We all collectively produce it, but he’s really the one who puts it all together. He’s a beast man, like, he can sit down and listen to the skits on The Chronic and he’ll hear the way people are talking in the background and the clinks of glass and stuff on the table, and he’ll ask how he can reproduce that sound. Me, I just hear a skit, that dude, he puts it down like an art form.

Don – Shout out to Nicolay and Kay and the whole Foundation crew. The art of putting together an album like De La with skits and things to link stuff together is deliberate. We try to make it more enjoyable each time you listen to it and help you put together the “puzzle” of Tanya Morgan.

Illyas – Outside of the name of the group, nothing we do is by accident. We are deliberate and methodical as a group so we put together our albums so it’s an experience.

It’s dope cause hearing you say that validates me jumping between albums. Like, I’ll be listening to Grand Vonye and I’ll hear something that sounds like something on Moonlighting, then I’ll play Moonlighting and hear one of the songs from Grand Vonye in the background of a skit. That’s dope, helps keep the album new. I also like how you all are pretty candid about folks not liking your entire album from start to finish, like, you don’t go by the cliché and say, “Yo, my album is going to change the game…it’s all classic” and when you get it you’re like …song x is bullshit and you know it’s bullshit. Y’all are pretty candid.

Don – I mean, to be honest, I don’t agree that there is something for everybody on an album, like, everything isn’t meant for everybody. People put out albums and like 5 songs are hot and you can feel them and the rest you may not really fuck with. But because you’ve invested time in the album and money in the album, you take time to listen to the entire thing and it grows on you. That’s what I want to happen with our music. You invest in it and allow yourself to experience the album.

Illyas – Like when Ready To Die came out, I fucked with the singles real hard. When I played them out, I started listening to the rest of the album and that’s when I really fell in love with it. So like Don said, you experience the album.

So, am I far off when I say that the album sounds like the concept is basically a day listening to WFMJ Cold 98 FM, the radio station in the city of “Brooklynati”.

Don – Nah, I mean, we always get comparisons to Little Brother as it is so we didn’t want to bite and be like, “They lil’ Little Brother for real.” But we did want to make you feel the CD and how it was put together. It’s not just radio though, we have the public access shout out and other media in there too so it’s an album that takes into consideration different forms of media and getting the word out.

So let’s get more into the album. “Don’t U Holla” talks about the game as far as promoters and such, folks trying to get something for nothing or just flat out not paying on the business end of things. How often does this happen?

Don – Man….far more often then I’d even like to talk about.

Illyas – Man, I just got an email last night (laughs)

Don – Even outside of the promoters though, sometimes folks will hit us up and ask us to record something and what you gonna say? They know you recording the shit at home, so. (laughs). Sometimes, you have to give a little. You know, if you respect the artist/producer and their talent, you can’t look at the money part of it.

How do you keep from conforming to the regular devices and cliche’s of the industry now. Like, you don’t go off into Auto Tune – shout out to T. Wayne East (Illyas laughs) and you don’t rap about rims and such, is that because you are independent as in on a indy label or because you are independent as people.

Illyas – Like, being honest, you either talk about what’s going on in your life, or you talk about what you want to be goin’ on in your life. So now, I rap about being broke because I am broke. But if we get some money, I can’t say that I won’t be rapping about cars and money and stuff. Like, I’m not one to brag and be all flashy anyway so it will never be like that, but if I get some money, I will talk about it.

Right, just gonna change out the metal spikes for gold right?

Illyas – (laughs) right, nah, PLATINUM MAN, I’M GOING PLATINUM.

Don – Right, I think that as our level of success changes, our lyrics may change, I’m not going to lie about that. I look forward to that big deal where we can have the money and things like that. Shows and ladies screaming and stuff.

Funny that YOU bring up women Don…I hear you are the “Macho Man” pulling all the Elizabeths…is that right? PAUSE

Illyas – (laughs) yea…..

Don – Well, I have the ability to make young ladies feel like they can conversate with me and feel comfortable.

That’s very Obama of you, very political. You just ran for office on us with that answer.

Don – Man, it’s politics.

Illyas – It’s always political with that dude.

So Don, when you gonna do that Love album?

Don – Like, a album for the ladies?

Yeah.

Illyas – Ah man, that’s what his new project is about.

Don – Well, I did the whole album based on the movie and I have a lot of cameos but each cameo is cast like a movie. So like Von Pea is Kevin Smith and so on. So I’ve got a lot of people on there playing roles and it got so big that I ended up straying from the concept a little bit to finish the album. But it’s close to finished, I just have to record two more verses, get them mastered and then I’m done. I’m definitely trying to get at the ladies on this one, you niggas can have the hardcore rappers and shit.

(collective laugh)

That’s wassup man, and shout out to Hardcore Gentlemen. But man, you got a problem on your hands with “Laura’s Song” forreal. That shit is like instant classic fam.

Don – Thanks man.

Speaking of projects, Yo Illyas, wassup with your solo joint? Prelude was dope, when we gonna get more?

Illyas – Man, it’s coming, it’s coming. I’m on some other stuff this time. Folks are going to see a different side of me on this one man. I don’t even want to talk about it, I’m just gonna hit them out the blue with this one.

Uh oh, you getting YOUR “Hardcore Gentlemen” on?

Illyas – Man, I can’t even talk about it. It’s gonna be different

Don –Yo, I’m going to give you an exclusive on that Hardcore Gentlemen too. I heard they plan on trying to drop a video soon for this and trying to ride the success of our album. They don’t text or deal with technology, them cat’s still on that old Nokia brick and even though they didn’t do a good job of staying in the business with trying to sound like Onyx and Ill Al Scratch and all, they are talking about trying to get in and may even drop the video the same time we do something.

There it is , exclusives on nappyafro.com. Be on the look out for “Hardcore Gentlemen”. Now for those of us that remember the Golden Age, are you feeling that kind of appeal coming back now or is this just a fad?

Don – I will say that, it’s cool with the way the labels are picking up the blog rappers and internet rappers because that shows that the labels are paying attention to how people are getting their music and what they like. It kinda hurts to hear folks talk about Hip Hop and how only the Eminem, Jada and Rick Ross albums are the only one’s to check for. Like, that’s absurd to even thing that that’s all that’s out there. If you are really trying to find good Hip Hop, you can like, go to Google, type in “Hip Hop Albums”, and buy some real Hip Hop. Maybe even listen to it before you buy it. So, I think it’s been going on for a while, but since the label heads are taking notice, it’s being noticed.

Word man Now, as far as fame goes, do you feel like because so many of us have watched you grow and come up in that classic underground way, do you feel like your approachability makes you all seem too accessible? You know what I mean? Like, when folks meet LL, they’re not gonna tell him that xxx song sucks, but when they see you, they may feel like they can tell you that because they saw you come up in the game. So do folks come at you disrespectful at all or anything?

Don – (laughs) nah, that hasn’t happened. What does happen though, as addressed in “Just Arrived”, is that we get folks that try and give us unsolicited advice on things. Like, they will email me a line by line breakdown of what they didn’t like about a particular song.

Illyas – YEA MAN! Like, you aren’t a writer or producer. Who ARE you?

(collective laugh)

Well fellas, I know you gotta run, we appreciate the time again. Wanna give any shout outs?

Illyas – Yo, shout out to the whole Illuminati crew, Cincinnati crew, man and shout out to everybody.

Don – Yo man, shout out to the nappyafro.com readers.

That’s real fellas, see you around Brooklynati. (click link to take a tour)

The older contingent of us that still loves the Hip-Hop culture and rap music remember the Golden Age. We talk about it like it was the best time for music ever…and well, it’s damn close if it isn’t the winner. There was something for everybody and plenty of room for it. Back then, a lot of rappers rapped fast, even ya’ boy Common was on that speedy delivery tip. Yeah, there were fast rappers, and then there was The Fu-Schnickens. “La Shmoove” took the Hip-Hop world by storm and had us all captivated with its fun lyrics, beat, and energy, hell, even Shaq got involved with the crew. That time is long gone and the members are forgotten a lot by the game. Enter Chip Fu (aka Jungle Rock Jr.). He dropped a mixtape over some reggae riddums and you need to DEFINITELY Turn Yo’ Headphones Up for this one.

Download: Chip Fu – Stop Playing! The Mixtape

Let’s imagine that I had the capital to start a label, only caveat is that it had to consist of all YouTube artists. Now, before you scoff, your man Soulja Boy came from YouTube as well as So So Def’s newest artist Dondria. There is some legit talent on there, and yea, there are some ….others. I think I have a good ear, so who would I pick? Well, in no particular order:

YouTube Channel: C-Dizzle69
I’d use her real name, Celina Graves, as her stage name. Yes, let’s get the nonsense out of the way, she’s a lesbian. I don’t give a shit about that and while folks seem to think that may be a problem with marketing, I think it will help. Besides, talent outshines everything; shout out to crack, cocaine, domestic violence, and pissing on and smutting out underage kids. Celina’s voice is no joke at all plus she can play instruments. Her personality and fun demeanor will only help her gain fans, while her confidence and skills will shoot her to the top of the charts. For example:

YouTube Channel: Alcohol Harmony
Download the mixtape
His legal name is Durand Bernarr and his CD’s would all be called Alcohol Harmony. They’d have different themes after that or whatever, but he has a campaign that will work fine in the biz. Vocally, he puts you in the mindset of a Rahsaan Patterson…that’s the closest I can think of. He flexes his vocals and range on his YouTube videos but he is a lot more controlled and deliberate on his mixtape. I’ve downloaded the mixtape and it stays in heavy rotation in the whip and on the iPod. You need to check him out.

YouTube Channel: Lovett1989
He’s already using his real name and it works. George Lovett is a pretty “regular” name for a man with a very superior voice. His rendition of A “Wonderful World” is fantastic and slept on. His range and power are extraordinary and he makes it seem effortless. He only has 3 videos, but you can’t front on his voice at all.

YouTube Channel: Craigndem
The Craig Lewis Band consists of 2 guys, Craig and Lewis. When I first ran across their page and songs, I think I listened on repeat for a good hour. “Them boys good!” Craig has the Life Jennings type of raspy powerful voice with some great range. Lewis has the higher voice and he can really belt out the notes. Together, they are an incredible duo.

YouTube Channel: search Aye-Verb
You can find TONS of rappers on YouTube but I don’t know that a lot of them really have the talent to make a big splash. I think Aye-Verb from St. Louis may be one of the few. His battle game is sincere, tested, and hard to stop. I know that a lot of battle rappers can’t make songs, but I think he can do better.

What YouTube artist would you pick?