No matter how many albums 9th Wonder does other MC’s, the material that comes out of his work with Murs trumps all that shit. Proof? Besides their previous albums? This. And even though this will not be on their upcoming Fornever (Dropping March 30th), I’m happy they working together again.

Download: Murs & 9th Wonder – “3:16 Pt. 2″

Just as I was closing up shop for tonight (To do whatever it is that I do on Friday nights), Wale drops the long delayed but much anticipated mixtape Back To The Feature. The title doesn’t lie; this mixtape is packed with features. I guess I got the soundtrack for tonight. Check out the front & back cover, download the mixtape, and tell us what you think.

Download: Wale & 9th Wonder – Back To The Feature

Not many people have more eclectic Hip-Hop producer credits than North Carolina’s own 9th Wonder. Think about it: De La Soul, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Murs, Little Brother, Erykah Badu, Bishop Lamont, Destiny’s Child, Jean Grae, Sean Price (Just to name a few). I’ve been a 9th Wonder fan since Little Brother’s 1st album The Listening and his remix of Jay-Z’s The Black Album, Black Is Back!. Even though his stuff with Little Brother was great, my favorite production by him are probably his album with Murs (Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition & Murray’s Revenge). It’s funny though, I really didn’t care his solo/compilation albums Dream Merchant Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (Saule loved Vol. 2 though). But I am looking for to his Asylum debut (Release date still TBA) as well as his upcoming mixtape with Wale, .

Okay, here’s a sample of his import album that came out early this year. He remixes a Little Brother “Whatever You Say” as well as Pharrell & Jay-Z’s “Frontin’”.

Download: Little Brother – “Whatever You Say (9th Wonder Remix)”

Download: Pharrell feat. Jay-Z – “Frontin’ (9th Wonder Remix)”

When talking about whether The Black Album is a classic or not. Allow me to answer that question: Yes. The Black Album is classic. “Michael Jordan hitting the final shot over Byron Russell during the 1998 NBA Finals “ classic. Even though this album turned out NOT being Jay-Z’s final farewell to the game, it doesn’t take away how good it is. Just think about some of the songs produced on this album. “What More Can I Say” is where Hov killed the throwback jersey trend while justifying his use of Biggie lyrics (“I’m not a biter I’m a writer for myself and others, I say a B.I.G. verse I’m only biggin up my brother”). The bouncy Timbo produced “Dirt Of Your Shoulder” had him showing NY dudes how to switch up and go South paw. The song that introduced the world to 9th Wonder, “Threat”. The album’s real goodbye “Encore” (“When I come back like Jordan, wearin the 4-5, it ain’t to play games witchu. It’s to aim at you, probably maim you”). And of course the track that had the critics jumping for joy, the Rick Rubin produced “99 Problems” (“Well my glove compartment is locked so are the trunk in the back and I know my rights so you gon’ need a warrant for that.”). Do I even need to mention the brilliance of the Kanye produced “Lucifer” or the Just Baze produced “Public Service Annoucement”.

There were some songs that I didn’t initially, but over time grew on me. Yes, “Change Clothes” being the lead single off the album may not have been the best choice, but it’s needed. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Jay-Z’s standard tracks are better than most rappers’ best (“He is to the east coast what Snoop is, to the west coast what Face is to Houston”). While “Justify My Thug” may have never gotten the Madonna feature it intended, Hov still dropped some gems (“And I ain’t never been to jail; I ain’t never pay a nigga to do no dirt for me I was scared to do myself. I will never tell even if it means sittin in a cell I ain’t never ran, never will”).

Even if you don’t like Jay-Z, you gotta respect the wave he started with all the remix albums that came out based on The Black Album (I even made one…kinda). You could write a whole article about the remixes alone, not even including the commercial & critical successes like DJ Danger Mouse’s The Grey Album or the Jay-Z/Linkin Park callabo Collision Course.

Maybe a lot of people was sour because the original idea for the album never came through; 10 to 12 legendary producers for 10 to 12 songs (I think it included DJ Premier and Pete Rock). I say, get over it. This album is more cohesive.

I’m sure this article will be used as further proof that I’m a Jay-Z stan but at the end of the day, it doesn’t take away from The Black Album being one of Hova’s best as well as being Classic Material.

Okay, I know I’m like 20 hours late on this one, but I had to do this for the 2 Jay-Z “stans” on staff (What’s up H20?). I saw this the other day and kinda wrote it off as another weak mash-up. But after actually listening to it today (Can you say THAT other websites?), I actually liked it; Mick Boogie & Terry Urban put together a winner. Plus the line up is way better than expected with you have producers like 9th Wonder & Hasan Insane handling some of the beats. Not to say it’s the best mixtape ever, but it’s very worthy of a listen (They did fucked up my favorite Coldplay song “Clocks”).

Download: Mick Boogie & Terry Urban Presents Jay-Z & Coldplay – Viva La Hova

Damn, I feel like I been waiting on this shit all day. I guess you gotta be patient with good music. If you are not familiar with past Murs & 9th collaborations: #1. You haven’t been checking out our reviews because we gave Murray’s Revenge 4 Stars, #2. Out of all the 9th Wonder collaboration albums, the one with Murs are by far the best, and #3. Don’t feel bad, download this FREE album, and check out some good music (And don’t forget to go out and get Murs For President when it drops in September).

Download: Murs & 9th Wonder – Sweet Lord

It’s been about 4 years since one of the illest females you’ve never heard had her album stolen and leaked to the net. Jeanius is finally getting the official treatment. This version is said to have been done all over from scratch…that is all the music done with live instrumentation/no samples and some fresh songs as well. How does it stand up? Let’s find out. (*name in italics is the name from the older leaked version*)

Intro (Intro)
The first thing I notice is the absence of about 33 seconds…but it’s a good thing. The original had some ominous voice and talking at the beginning. The song itself has definitely been back to the boards and redone. It’s obvious when compared that this one is a lot cleaner and level. Other than that, the song seems the same. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

2-32’s (B.N.K)
Featuring DP
Someone wanted to start a cypher, 32 bars each for both emcees. Nothin’ here but the beat and the mic. Lyrically, both Jean Grae and DP bring it on this one. I think the track gets a little repetitive by the end, but outside of that, the song rolls. It clocks in at about 20 seconds shorter but you don’t miss them as the song has no gaps.

Don’t Rush Me (Don’t Rush Me)
The intro adlib is funny as hell to me; “9th got the beats you can sing to for no reason”. Then she comes with the ruckus; There’s nothin’ like knowin’ ya’self/Like the way I know smokin’ had kinda broken my health/Like the way I know my flow don’t make appropriate wealth/I can’t change that/Funny I say that when it’s money I’m aimed at.  This is typical of the What What. She is unapologetically, one of the straightest shooters in the game. She is real at all times and realer at others. The most noticeable change in the track is the chord. It’s a lot deeper and placed a little later than the previous version.

My Story (Please Forgive Me)
I won’t cheapen this one by telling you what it’s about, but it’s personal as hell. I won’t claim to know her or anything like that, but if this is just her writing without experiencing what she is speaking on, she needs to write screenplays. The story is gritty and insightful and paints the picture perfectly, from all aspects. The track has been redone with some new instrumentation and slight tempo changes. The rework is obvious and positive on this one, I definitely like this version better.

The Time Is Now (The Place Is Here)
Featuring Phonte
The Ashford and Simpson of this rap shit are here playing on a classic 9th Wonder sounding track. “Get green like I’m chlorophyll”? She took it to biology, I can’t hate, I like that shit. Ha ha!. Tiggalow comes with the comedy in his flow as usual; Labels used to play me like, now they betta pay me like, I’m Luke Wilson, check ya books I ain’t Owen. Both go back and forth asserting that now is their time. Percy Miracles makes an appearance during the background. This version features a redone hook, a little beefier kick, and cleaner sound overall.

Billy Killer (He’s My Man)
The singing and guitar on this track meet you at the door and sound exquisite together. There are some gaps in this song, sounds like censorship, and I don’t know what she says in those spots. Maybe that’s part of the concept, but I missed this one. I mean, of course, it’s the darker lines that feature the gaps of silence and censorship, but I want to know what she says. It’s the same on both versions so we won’t know until I can get the interview done. This version, again, sounds cleaner and “finished” and features a lil’ more kick from the 808.

Think About It (Think About Me)
This is Jean lettin’ her nuts hang (pause). There’s nothing wrong with a lyrical threat and some grandstanding to anyone who will listen from time to time. The castration talk makes me cringe, but other than that, song is tight. The horns are well done and 9th offered up a pretty deep track, musical as hell.

8 (Non Sense)
You don’t like the way I flow/She needs more emotion tho/I’ll give you emotion, it’s you holdin’ ya broken nose/And leave you comatose/Qith a pound of Columbian snow/Atcha side and when the cops arrive they’ll just think you overdosed. The Heidi Fleiss of words? The Corretta Scott of her day? Jean is on her shit with this one. At a brisk 2:25 on the clock, this is somewhere between a interlude and a song, lyrically, it’s a beast. This version is virtually the same as the older one.

American Pimp (The Game)
Featuring Median
The track is dope, some old school funk/bluesy sounding hybrid. The song itself isn’t far behind. Median comes in and delivers a methodical deliberate flow that sometimes seems to snake around the tempo and fluctuate between here and there at times. It’s a pretty interesting dance. Jean showcases her storytelling again with the help of a dope ass change in music. The production value of this song over the previous version is bananas.

This World (Until)
Y’all wanna let me in/Then you wanna change me up/Man how the fuck you think you ever gonna play me up/You can’t play me out/Y’all just actin’ crazy now/I’ll be doing Jeanie until this world fades out. She lets us in on the roadblocks and hurdles she deals with being a woman in the biz, at the same time, she asserts and challenges anyone who thinks that she is not the genuine article. Well done Jean. The track is dope, no sight of any 9th Wonder slow down here. Not much variance from the older version.

Love Thirst (So High)
There aren’t many more Hip-Hop songs that can get more laid back and groovy than this one. The older version was about 4:26, this one is a full minute and some longer. Why? So you can listen to the grove and hear Jean …But anyway, the track is not complex but it’s so laid back and chill, you just want to hear it. Damn, this is a sexy ass song.

Desperada (2nd Chance)
Jean gets personal again talking about suicide and drugs as she gives praise for being able to live in the now. I’m so glad you saw the light too Jean. There isn’t much to say about this one, it’s pretty raw and straight forward. I think some part of all of us can relate to the song and her sentiments on this one.

Smashmouth (was included on the back half of “2nd Chance” – hidden track)
Featuring K-Hill, Edgar Allen Floe, & Joe Scudda
The way the track comes on reminds me of the another real dope posse cut, “The Headbanga”. It has that kind of go get it feel. Now the hook is horrible, but the lyrics are pretty fly from the first three. Joe Scudda stumbles a bit on the anchor leg though. Jean Grae with the Eric Cartmen shoutout damn near made me fall out my seat laughing as well as the Last Dragon reference.

Bottom Line:
I am glad it’s finally out. Even more glad that I can finally cop officially. For those of us that have this CD from the previous leak of the unreleased version, this trumps that. The production quality on every song is a lot cleaner and a lot better sound quality throughout. I was sad there wasn’t any new content though. This was a great time to add a few more tracks or do something different to make a bigger splash in the market. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a solid ass album and one that anyone that loves Hip-Hop should cop, but other than the production value issues (that some may be used to by now) it’s the same album they got for free some 4 years ago. I recently read an interview about her retiring from the game, don’t know how true it is, but I hope it isn’t. She has been in the game and has some acclaim, but none of the bright lights. Imagine working where you work and not getting a raise or any recognition from the company publicly, but at your desk, folks come by and say how good of a worker you are…and imagine it’s been this way for quite a few years now. You would feel the same way if the job was what you chose to make your career in. So I feel her, but I hope she isn’t gone. She keeps getting better with time, this is just another example of Jeanius.

nappyPicks: “2-32’s”, “Don’t Rush Me”, “Love Thirst”, & “My Story”

Download: No links, it’s leaked TWICE now. Support, support.

I’ve been gone for a minute but I’m back, and it’s time to pick up where I left off. People have been asking about Rewind Reviews and when another one was going to be done. Well the wait is over and it’s just in time for a fresh batch. “Just let this motherfucker come on, and be fresh.” These are the initial words heard on this album at its start. These words not only describe Cloud 9: The 3 Day High, but the state of Hip-Hop music as it currently stands. The word “fresh” by definition is “not previously known or used; new or different”. Though relatively an unknown artist to those outside of New York, fresh is something that Skyzoo stands by and represents to the fullest. Collaborating with one of the best producers of this generation in 9th Wonder, Skyzoo looks to bring that freshness to the rap game and attract some new listeners and supporters along the way.

Bare Witness
Produced by 9th Wonder
What a perfect way to start off an album as displayed here on the first track. The beat produced by 9th Wonder has a “brand new” or “awakening” feel to it, and it blends very nicely with the lyrics from Skyzoo as he commands the listening audience to pay attention to one of the nicest upcoming artist in the rap game while stating his views on the game’s current status.

Way To Go
Produced by 9th Wonder
This next track literally picks up right where the previous track left off at, with an inspirational and stirring sounding beat from 9th Wonder. Skyzoo does his thing on this track with the lyrics and sounds extremely comfortable over 9th’s soulful sampled production. Sky speaks nothing but truth on this track in telling how these emcees and artists have a long way to go to catch up to the fresh sound he and 9th are providing with this album. This was a great selection for the single off the project. Check out of the music video on YouTube if you get a chance, it’s some nice work.

A Day In The Life
Produced by 9th Wonder
This has to be one of the most smooth, laid-back sounding beats from 9th Wonder that I have ever heard. The feel of this track perfectly complements Skyzoo’s flow and delivery, as well as his swagger, which is pretty much undeniable. As a resident of Brooklyn, his swagger is similar to that of Jay-Z; and what would you expect in being from the same borough? Skyzoo is superb in his lyrics in describing a day in his life and everything it’s comprised of.

Stop Fooling Yourself
Produced by 9th Wonder
I have to admit that when I first purchased this album, I used to skip over this track immediately and not even listen to it. But after I gave it a chance I found it to be a very good track, if not one of the best on the project. 9th supply a dark sounding beat on this track that fits well with Skyzoo’s lyrics and the message he’s saying within his rhymes. I think this is a track that most people can relate to, especially those who claim to be on their grind in the streets doing what they can to survive whether it’s hustling drugs or living the crime life. This song is best listened to when really focusing on what Skyzoo is saying. A lot of people in life need to “stop fooling themselves”.

Come Back
Produced by 9th Wonder
Usually Hip-Hop artists take the corny/cheesy route when it comes to making songs for the ladies or when dealing with relationships, but not Skyzoo. He does a fantastic job of describing his tales with various females in his life and not wanting to commit to one girl until he’s sure she is the one. This song is straight honest and is something that every girl should understand if a guy were to ever explain it to her the way Skyzoo does on this track. He wants to explore his options with other girls, and if his current girl is “the one” then he’ll come back to her in the end. Who could be mad at that?

I’m On It
Produced by 9th Wonder
After a gloomy sounding track, 9th comes back on the next track with a livelier sounding beat. This song is the B-Side of the album single “Way To Go”, and it is something that would certainly fit in the club to dance to. That’s the best part about a track like this from the type of artist that Skyzoo is. He’s able to make a “club” sounding track without having to jeopardize his lyrics or making them sound commercial. It’s something that more artists should try once and a while, and stop selling themselves out for a hit single. Halfway through the album and Sky hasn’t disappointed at all on any track so far.

The Bodega
Produced by 9th Wonder
This song was written from a New York state of mind as you can tell from the song’s title. When you hear or think about bodegas, you automatically think of New York especially if you’re from there or have been there enough times. In sticking with his motto of “what he performs in the booth is strictly truth”, Skyzoo speaks about what he knows in telling about his experience around the NYC bodegas. 9th Wonder supplies a nice beat for this track, but after a while it starts to become boring and repetitive. Nice insertion of a scene from Paid In Full for the intro of the track.

You & Me
Produced by 9th Wonder
Seeing how he took an alternate route on the song “Come Back”, Skyzoo decides to use the normal method on this track in talking about his relationship with a girl. Even though he used the normal method on this track, there are major differences in this track and how other artists’ use it that makes this song that much better. A very nice soulful track from 9th Wonder is one reason why this song is works better and is more enjoyable. Another reason is Sky’s lyrics in how he doesn’t go the corny route, but instead rhymes with truth and conviction.

Live & Direct
Produced by 9th Wonder
On this track 9th switches up things in terms of production adding some horns to the beat. This works effectively, but the short sample that he uses becomes very repetitive and annoying after a while of listening to it. The beat’s somewhat lackluster production makes it kind of difficult to focus on Skyzoo’s lyrics and what he’s saying. This would probably be one of my least favorite tracks on the entire album, and it feels like it could have been done much better.

The Spirit
Produced by 9th Wonder
A somewhat spiritual influenced track by Skyzoo and 9th is heard on this next track. 9th supplys a beat to fit the mood that Skyzoo is trying to portray, but it’s not his best work and just ends up being average production. Skyzoo delivers some nice lyrics, and confident ones if I might say with lines like this: Sky set fire to reps/Flow’ll make you believe, when B.I.G. died I’d quiet his breaths, young’n/My new name is The Flower, cause flow wise no one can see me besides Hova, quote that

Extreme Measures
Produced by 9th Wonder
Skyzoo goes for speaking the truth on this track in displaying his storytelling ability. 9th delivers an average sounding beat on this track that gets repetitive after a while of listening to it. It’s not a good look that these last 3 beats by 9th have only been average and could have been much better. Skyzoo does what he’s supposed to on this track and spits a nice story that’s kind of hard to follow at times, but it works.

Mirror
Produced by 9th Wonder
I ain’t go lie, even though the production from 9th on this track seems pretty simple, I’m feeling the beat the most out of almost any other track on the album. Skyzoo does the beat justice with the lyrics he delivers about all of these copycat emcees in the game and how a lot of them mirror his style along with other established artists in the genre. The hook on this track is kind of corny, but it’s sufficient for what it’s worth. This was a nice way to end of the album and it brings it to a close in good fashion, leaving you waiting for the next project from the two.

Bottom Line:
After 12 tracks from the collaborative effort of Skyzoo & 9th Wonder, it’s safe to say that they brought some much-needed freshness to the rap game and industry in general. You will find this album to be a “breath of fresh air” in a heavily polluted industry similar to recent albums like The Bake Sale (The Cool Kids) and The In Crowd (Kidz In The Hall). The only difference between this album and those projects is that this album carries are more East Coast feel with Skyzoo being a Brooklyn native, which those other two album have a more “Hip-Hop/80’s/Nostaglia” feel to it. Seeing as how Skyzoo & 9th Wonder put this project together in a total of 3 days hence the album’s title The 3 Day High, they have done better than what most artists fail to do 6 months or years in producing an album. Skyzoo worked magic over some of 9th’s leftover/rejected beats from other artists he’s worked with like Little Brother, Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, etc. Listeners can’t go wrong in purchasing a copy of this album, whether it’s on CD or from iTunes (which I did). You will ultimately be delivered with some good Hip-Hop music and a much-needed change in pace from a lot of what’s dominating the game nowadays. Skyzoo is one of the talented upcoming rappers in the game that’s really keeping it real and truthfully, so support him now and don’t be one of the many who decides to jump on the bandwagon once he starts to see some success in the industry.

nappyPicks: “I’m On It”, “You & Me”, “A Day In The Life”, “Stop Fooling Yourself”, “Way To Go”

The success of Will Smith and LL Cool J along with others led to the obliteration of the lines between entertainment and sports industries. Outside of breaking into sports, the others have become highways to the other making the jump from actor to rapper, or vice versa, quite commonplace. Even more so, it makes it harder to take most of those attempts seriously.

Insert Aubrey Drake Graham. He is known as Jimmy Brooks to those that watch Degrassi: The Next Generation, however; his rapper hook is Drake. Degrassi and Hip-Hop? Surely Saule Wright has lost his mind.

You may be right about me losing my mind, but this is not evidence of that. This cd has been on constant play since I copped it. Still not convinced? Okay, let me give you some of the names of the people on his Comeback Season mixtape. Ready? Brace yourself…Trey Songz, Little Brother, Dwele, Kardinal Offishall, Rich Boy, Clipse, Robin Thicke, and Lil’ Wayne. Did they all cut new verses just for his album? Maybe not, but they all work well to comprise one of the best albums you’ve never heard. Check out his MySpace HERE to make a purchase (Google search for you pirates). Make sure you turn your headphones up when checking out this Toronto artist. You won’t be sorry at all.

Download: Drake – “Comeback Season” (song)

Mixtape Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. The Presentation
3. Comeback Seaon
4. Closer (feat. Andreena Mill)
5. Replacement Girl (feat. Trey Songz)
6. City Is Mine
7. Barry Bonds Freestyle
8. Going In For Life
9. Where To Now (Prod. By J Dilla)
10. Share
11. Give Ya (feat. Trey Songz)
12. Dont U Have A Man (feat. Little Brother & Dwele)
13. Bitch Is Crazy
14. The Last Hope (feat. Kardinal Offishall & Andreena Mill)
15. Must Hate Money (feat. Rich Boy)
16. Asthma Team
17. Do What U Do (remix) (feat. Clipse)
18. Easy To Please (feat. Richie Sosa)
19. Faded
20. Underdog (feat. Trey Songz)
21. Think Good Thoughts (Prod. By 9th Wonder)
22. Teach U A Lesson
23. Missin You (remix)
24. Man Of The Year (feat. Lil’ Wayne)

You know what time it is. Welcome to The Numbers Game; your weekly dose of who did what on the Billboard 200 (Just R&B/Hip-Hop folks). This week we see Lil’ Mama under perform, Estelle getting overlooked, The Roots do..The Roots, and Buckshot & 9th Wonder getting really overlooked. Hey at least we get some Hip-Hop/Rap releases in the Top 50. Okay, let’s begin…

#2 Mariah Carey/E=MC² (Last Week: #1) – 95,400; Total: 741,500 (Gold) [3 Weeks]
#4 Lyfe Jennings/Lyfe Change (Last Week: NA) – 80,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#6 The Roots/Rising Down (Last Week: NA) – 54,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#23 Jordin Sparks/Jordin Sparks (Last Week: #20) – 19,600; Total: 716,500 (Gold) [24 Weeks]
#25 Lil’ Mama/VYP: Voice Of The Young People (Last Week: NA) – 18,600; Total: NA [Debut]
#26 Rick Ross/Trilla (Last Week: #15) – 18,300; Total: 484,000 [8 Weeks]
#32 Alicia Keys/As I Am (Last Week: #24) – 16,600; Total: 3,432,400 (3x Platinum) [25 Weeks]
#41 Atmosphere/When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold (Last Week: #5) – 14,000; Total: 50,500 [2 Weeks]
#42 Danity Kane/Welcome To The Dollhouse (Last Week: #25) – 13,900; Total: 452,300 [7 Weeks]
#46 Mary J. Blige/Growing Pains (Last Week: #37) – 13,000; Total: 1,447,500 (Platinum) [20 Weeks]
#49 Flo Rida/Mail On Sunday (Last Week: #27) – 12,800; Total: 214,000 [7 Weeks]
#137 9th Wonder & Buckshot/The Formula (Last Week: NA) – 5,800; Total: NA [Debut]