Here we are again. This is where I pick some songs off my ever present iPod and explain to you what I’m currently listening to. Sometimes it’s new stuff; sometimes it’s old stuff, but all the time its good stuff. In this go around: I co-sign G.O.O.D. Music’s Big Sean, give props to a Ghostface track, and check out a new track from 3 Stacks. Let’s go!

Download: Big Sean feat. Kanye West – “Glenwood”
Album: Finally Famous [TBA]
This came out earlier this year and I missed it. Damn. This shit is dope and not just for Kanye. Big Sean’s verse here is one the year’s best (“Girls get checked/But my bank get checked more/When niggas check up, I’m who they check for/Or have a check for…”)When first I heard he had signed with Def Jam, I kinda shrugged because I didn’t know much about the dude. So yea, I missed Sean’s mixtape UKNOWBIGSEAN when it dropped earlier this year. Oh, but I’m caught up now and I’m just hoping his Def Jam debut (Scheduled for later this year) get the proper treatment (I say that because Glenwood is suppose to be on it).

Download: Ghostface Killah feat. Sun God – “Street Opera”
Album: More Fish [2006]
Why this song? Short story: In last week’s Numbers Game, I made reference to Michael Jackson’s Stripped Mixes debuting at #95 on the charts. That album contains a version of “Ain’t No Sunshine”. That song is sampled in “Street Opera”. See. Everything is relative. Anyway, Ghostface and his son go in over the Fantom Of The Beats’ production. Did Ghost pay for the sample? I doubt it but who cares?

Download: Andre 3000 – “Lookin’ 4 Ya”
Abum: Purple Codeine Vol. 25 [2009]
This dropped last week to some fanfare. It’s only 2 minutes long but it’s still 3 Stacks; almost anything by him is dope. Not really much to say about this track other than I like it and I’m happy he’s working on his album. You can get Purple Codeine Vol. 25 here.

Yeah, I said it! Deandre “Soulja Boy” Way is the new KING of Atlanta. T.I. is on a little hiatus and it is only fitting to give Soulja Boy the crown while T.I. is away. A while back we did a list to see who was the King of Atlanta, and now looking back at that list Soulja Boy is the most qualified candidate for the job. T.I. is on a vacation, Jeezy fell back after all of the Obama buzz he had, Andre 3K isn’t interested in being the King of Atlanta, Luda is becoming a thespian that raps well, and Gucci…he is the other candidate I was considering. Gucci has the hood support, but that support doesn’t transfer into sales. Let’s be honest, Madison Ave. is not beating down Gucci’s door. When you add all these things up, Soulja Boy has the better stats. Soulja Boy sells albums, he has his own shoe, is a multimedia juggernaut, and most importantly…the ladies love him. Sounds like a King to me. If Soulja Boy keeps this up, T.I. might have a problem taking the crown back when he gets home. They are already calling him a young Russell Simmons, and that isn’t a bad thing to be called. ALL HAIL the KING!

A few Tuesday’s ago (May, 19th to be exact) we saw album releases from Busta Rhymes, Method Man/Redman, & of course, Eminem. This was so far the biggest release date of 2009. All three acts that I mentioned are veterans in the game and well respected by their peers. Another thing they have in common: They’re all over the age of 30. If you think about it, most of Hip-Hop’s elite are over the age of 30. I guess it’s no longer a young man’s game. So I was thinking, since you see a lot of lists with titles such as “25 Hottest Celebs Under 25” or “40 Richest Under 40”, why not The Best 30 Rappers Over 30? But for this list, we got set some ground rules. #1 of course is the most obvious; you gotta be over the age of 30 (That throws out people like Weezy, Lupe, Drake, & T.I.). #2, you have to be 30 as of this list (Both The Game & Joe Budden will be 30 this year, but aren’t as of yet). #3, you got to be active and releasing records with new material that’s relevant (Rakim & Big Daddy Kane are legends but they don’t make this list). Other than that, the only requirement is being 3-0 or older. So, here’s it: The Best 30 Rappers Over 30 (Ordered from oldest to youngest). 30 is the new 20! Did I forget anybody? (Update: Fabolous replaces Beanie Sigel)

Ice Cube (June 15, 1969) – 39
Jay-Z (December 4, 1969) – 39
Raekwon (January 12, 1970) – 39
Q-Tip (April 10, 1970) – 39
Redman (April 17, 1970) – 39
Ghostface Killah (May 9, 1970) – 39
Fat Joe (August 19, 1970) – 38
Scarface (November 9, 1970) – 38
DMX (December 18, 1970) – 38
Method Man (April 1, 1971) – 38
Snoop Dogg (October 20, 1971) – 37
Common (March 13, 1972) – 37
Busta Rhymes (May 20, 1972) – 37
Black Thought (October 3, 1972) – 36
Eminem (October 17, 1972) – 36
Bun B (March 19, 1973) – 36
Nas (September 14, 1973) – 35
Mos Def (December 11, 1973) – 35
Andre 3000 (May 27, 1974) – 35
Styles P (November 28, 1974) – 34
Big Boi (February 1, 1975) – 34
Jadakiss (May 27, 1975) – 34
50 Cent (July 6, 1975) – 33
Talib Kweli (October 3, 1975) – 33
Rick Ross (January 28, 1976) – 33
Cam’ron (February 4, 1976) – 33
Kanye West (June 8, 1977) – 31
Ludacris (September 11, 1977) – 31
Young Jeezy (October 12, 1977)- 31
Fabolous (November 18, 1977) – 31

I will state this now. This column is NOT an issue of color or race. It’s a deeper issue that happens to be rooted in it, unnecessarily I might add. I debated writing this a number of times, but I feel somebody needs to say it; and if it gets through to one, maybe the effort was worth it.

First, my reason for writing this. I think back to a trip to Alabama with a good friend of mine for a wrestling show [Youtube “Kareem Abdul Jamar”, check my pedigree :p] and I find myself rattled by some commentary he made about what I was playing at the time. Gym Class Heroes was in the CD player, the track was “New Friend Request”.

I’m grooving and he’s laughing, so of course I want to know what the joke is.

Friend: “Man, why you listening to this white people rap?”

Me: “White people rap? Didn’t buy this CD in THAT section. Must’ve missed it.”

Friend: “Pssh. Even my SON knows that’s white people rap.”

I was willing to write it off. I’ve come under fire all my life for my musical tastes, dreams, style, and grammatical syntax [peep the grammar]; often being described as being the “White Black Guy”….I fucking hate that. I’m always black enough when I get pulled over, and my interests aren’t color-coded; open your mind.

I digress, my friend is a grown man with his own thoughts and Lord knows, that’d be a task to change. His kid though? It bothered me all day. His child is going to view music as white, black, and whatever else instead of what it should be at the end of the day….

Good or bad.

Not to sound like the older cat at the barbershop where everything was better in “his day”; but in what I’d consider the golden era of rap, 1980-1992, you had EVERYTHING. Experimentation, storytelling, mashing, consciousness, raw styles, flash, trash talk, and so much more. Everything was done just enough; not too excessively. Rap from the early 80’s to the early 90’s had to be the most exciting genre to watch unfold, because it was open to being whatever you needed it to be. There were no definitions. The most creative musical form out there.

Now, it seems like the artists that still believe in that notion are pushed to the backburner and considered irrelevant. Trap-stars, self-proclaimed killers, and hood figures are the order of the day. They all boast about the same things, their stories an unoriginal tapestry of uninspired wordplay. A dark society demands dark figures to place on a pedestal, AND OUR CHOICES ARE ENDLESS!

What people are failing to understand is that your soundtrack, the music you take in, has a huge effect on who you are and what you think. Especially in the case above where it molds our youth. African Americans already have a complex where ignorance is glorified and education/outside the box thought is considered weak or selling out. What other culture do you know where you’d gain more widespread respect holding a glock then cradling a schoolbook?

Ludacris wants to tackle serious issues in Release Therapy, wins a Grammy, and gets called a sellout for his troubles.

Wayne, wants to add a little rock to his sound and he’s already got people saying he’s “gone white”. At least he’s trying something different, whether it will be good remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, OJ Da Juiceman and Gucci Mane receive praise for wearing ignorant values on their chest; lacking the talent and creativity to make their stories worth a damn. Their stories used as motivators for people with no idea what that life is truly like. They see the flash and hear their boasts and think that’s the way to escape mediocrity and poverty. All they find for themselves is a trap more expensive then whence they came. The streets are harsh. The means to survive them are even worse and I ask this question to any fan of rappers who love to tout their body count or total bricks sold.

If that life was so good, so awesome; why not do that instead of schmooze at label parties and pop expensive collars? Why grind so hard to sell rhymes to get out of the hood in the first place? They’d still be there.

Have we grown so callous that we can’t appreciate the steps The Beastie Boys, 3rd Bass, Pharcyde, Tribe, Run DMC, and so many others tried to do to make hip-hop not only innovative, but an outlet for all? By definition, the white/sellout rap that some would say Lupe, Gym Class, and others do is the true essence of the art. Unfortunately, not enough hate or guns or drugs to make it relevant to an age where vice and violence aren’t just the answer…

…it’s the punctuation.

I can’t recall when struggle and hardship was just a “black or white” thing. I’m thrown off that you can’t be real talk or create something unique without being scrutinized by masses who choose to be so closed minded, accepting of the fact that they don’t want better. Music often times is a reflection of the times. And if the music is any reflection, then we’ve grown as uninspired and cliché as ever. It’s really sad.

There is a place for the subject matter. There is not a place in thinking that’s all there is to my beloved Hip-Hop. I find myself looking to her and asking what happened? Like a relationship gone sour, but you’re still locked in. When did she let ANYONE define what she was. All Hip-Hop had to be was possibility. Much like life, possibility makes it so worthwhile.

Much like life unfortunately, you have too many who’d rather take the easy way and not blaze their own way. It’s easier to be a killer, a pusher, a follower. So they set their soundtrack to that and pray it’s not too complicated for them to understand.

Do we fear better? Fear something new and exciting? Brave? Do the masses hate on Release Therapy because Luda because he sold out for a Grammy, or because it was harsh truths we weren’t ready to hear? Is it easier to turn your swag on; while turning off issues that still plague us as spit by Nas or K’Naan? How long are we going to be mad for no reason? Hurt others and us for no reason? Believe that hood fables are all we should aspire to learn?

These questions rattle through my brain 24-7 while I defend who I am and what I listen to. The art is on the verge of collapsing under the weight of sheer ignorance and it’s the few who still realize what Hip-Hop is that keep it going. I never thought I’d see the day I’d have to defend liking Andre 3000, as if he isn’t as real as the rap game could be; with the talent to match. Too bubblegum I guess, despite FEATURES that have been more raw then whole albums of his contemporaries. Since when did a man who blends everything that rap could be and then some have to come under fire for being too watered down for Hip-Hop?

It makes me wish I could stop the madness and give up. Then I realize all I can do is keep my ears open, accept all styles and flows, and remember that it can be only good or bad. That’s my responsibility to Hip-Hop.

What are you doing to make sure it survives another day?

Or perhaps I’m just being too white for you?

But since when was having a voice, being white? Or black? I thought intelligence was human. I suppose to enjoy Hip-Hop these days; I should just stop with that, right?

Right?

Have you ever listened to an album that was so good that every time you listened to the album your favorite song from the album would change? Okay, let me explain better: One day it’s this song and then the next day it’s another? That’s how I felt and still feel about Outkast’s greatest album ATLiens. Matter of fact, not only is it Outkast best album and one of my Top 5 albums of all time, I honestly feel it’s the BEST Hip-Hop album to ever come out of the South. That’s how strong I feel about the significance of this album.

This is the album that changed everything for Andre 3000 & Big Boi. Yes their first album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was great. But it was ATLiens that set them apart as a group that set it’s own path. Here they went to more unconventional subject matter than what was covered in Southern Hip-Hop and threw away the tag they got from their first album (Southern Pimps). Do you really think that we’d be talking about Outkast the same way if they would have stay on that path?

I can honestly say that every song on ATLiens is straight fire. Okay, maybe “Ksdubfsliu” was kinda lame. What? You never heard that song? You’re right. The only way for a bad track to be on this album is to make up one and say it was on there. But then just because it’s on the album and surrounded by greatest, it to would probably be a great song then. So even then you fail.

On this album, Outkast also stepped behind the boards and produced 5 of the 15 tracks on the album. Their involvement on production side would gradually increase in future Outkast’s albums, but it was here where they started. Not to slight Organzied Noize; the tracks they produced shaped the whole album and fit perfectly with Outkast.

So yeah, as you can see, I REALLY like this album. That also means I could write on and on about it. There’s so many things I could talk about. How the title ATLiens help make Atlanta the hotbed of talent it is today. The whole aliens theme used throughout the album (How dope is that album cover?). The little things thrown in each track (“Wheelz Of Steel” – When Big Boi says; “Don’t want no AIDS, no claps, or no rabies”, I still clap at the right time). You could literally write a short book on the importance of ATLiens.

This album is the epitome of Classic Material.

Why focus on “The King Of Atlanta”? Well, think about it: When Nas & Jay was battling for the crown of NYC a few years back, it was a forgone conclusion that the winner would also be the top dog in Hip-Hop. If you’ve been under a rock for the last few years, you’ll notice that New York isn’t leading the pack in the Hip-Hop world anymore…the South is. For a least 7 years. Most of the hottest rappers in the South are from Atlanta (The city that birthed the name “Dirty South”). So with the previously mentioned logic: If a rapper is the “King of Atlanta”, doesn’t THAT mean he runs Hip-Hop? Well, probably not, but you get what I’m saying. ATL has a lot competition, but who’s the best? Who’s the actual “King of Atlanta”? Not saying who had the best career but who actually has a claim to the crown RIGHT NOW (Shout out to the homie Believe for bringing this subject up and arguing with me about it…constantly). - B-Easy [Update: Damn! You people went crazy with the e-mails. I guess putting Soulja Boy on the list opened up a can of worms. We added 7 more Atlanta rappers to the list. I think that's all of them now...and yes, we know OJ Da Juiceman, Alfa Mega, & Yung LA aren't listed...]

T.I. (King)

Albums: 6
Years Active: 2001 – Present
Crew: P$C; Grand Hustle
The self-proclaimed “King” who has been using this title ever since 2001’s I’m Serious. Considering his track record, can you deny his claim? The only dent in his armor is the fact that he hasn’t had a “real” Hip-Hop battle. You can’t call Lil’ Flip real competition and Luda sorta murdered him on Young Buck’s “Stomp”.

Young Jeezy (King)

Albums: 3
Years Active: 2005 – Present
Crew: CTE; USDA
Like T.I., Jeezy helped usher in Atlanta’s whole “Trap” movement and made it popular, very profitable, and became the face of the movement. Jeezy not only moved into the South’s forefront, but he crafted his own lane in Hip-Hop. One reason why he could not be the King of Atlanta may be the lack of creativity to make an album that will really connect with Hip-Hop fans who balk at drug laced rhymes.

Andre 3000 (King)

Albums: 6 (with Outkast)
Years Active: 1993 – Present
Crew: Outkast
3 Stacks is in a place where a lot of MC’s can’t go. He can drop a few verses a year and still be largely considered as THE best in the South as well one of Hip-Hop’s elite. But this is also a double-edged sword. Like in most leagues, to get that MVP title, you gotta play a certain amount of games. In the past few years, Andre hasn’t played half a season.

Big Boi (Knight)

Albums: 6 (with Outkast)
Years Active: 1993 – Present
Crew: Outkast; Purple Ribbon All-Stars
As ½ of Outkast, Big Boi was an integral part in building the Southern Hip-Hop landscape as we see it today. His body of work is great but he was always #2 in his own group (And maybe even overshadowed by Andre 3000). While it’s no question on talent, are you really anticipating his upcoming album Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty? We all love Big Boi, but we’re talking about his status right now. Yeah, it hurt us too.

Killer Mike (Pawn)

Albums: 3
Years: 2000 – Present
Crew: Grind Time Rap Gang
Ever since his debut on Outkast’s “Snappin’ and Trappin’”, you could tell how Mike earned his name. He is probably the most underrated on this list. Mike’s I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II last year showed that this ATLien could still make good music. The reason he isn’t ranked higher is probably because this division is tough and while he has way than enough talent to challenge for the crown, Killer Mike’s place in history is not set in stone.

Ludacris (King)

Albums: 7
Years: 2000 – Present
Crew: Disturbing Tha Peace
Luda has been reppin’ Atlanta and the South hard for a minute now. He’s ripped through countless notable cameos as well as collecting numerous Gold & Platinum plaques. While many question Ludacris’ dedication to the game when he started getting calls from Hollywood, his recent releases show that everybody still loves Chris

Gucci Mane (Knight)

Albums: 4
Years: 2005 – Present
Crew: So Icy Entertainment
I know what you’re thinking…you guys can’t be serious. Hear us out first. With his mixtape game, Gucci has the STREETS on lock. I don’t care what side of the A you are in…Gucci is getting played in 3 out of 10 cars. We all know why Gucci can’t be king. He will never wow you with his lyrics, but he will entertain you with ignorance.

Cee-Lo (Pawn)

Albums: 7 (2 solo, 3 with Goodie Mob, & 2 with Gnarls Barkley)
Years: 1995 – Present
Crew: Goodie Mob; Gnarls Barkey
Why is Cee-Lo Green on this list? Yeah, he’s been on a grind of a different type as of late but he’s doing a lot better than the other members of Goodie Mob. He has immense talent both with rapping and singing but can ½ of Gnarls Barkley really be the King of ATL?

Pastor Troy (Pawn)

Albums: 15 (13 solo & 2 with D.S.G.B)
Years: 1998 – Present
Crew: D.S.G.B.
This guy used to be the “People’s Champ”, he actually was Gucci Mane before Gucci Mane. He made his mark beefing with Master P (Troy lost because his paper wasn’t long enough). Despite carrying around a championship belt, his reign was cut short because others (Archie Eversole, Miracle, & Drama) raped his style and made him irrelevant. It also did not help the fact that some of his recent albums were not  that good.

Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em (Knight)

Albums: 2
Years: 2007 – Present
Crew: S.O.D.
Don’t laugh, you may hate Soulja Boy but you can’t deny the buzz this kid had on him. Plus, lately a lot of Atlanta rappers including Gucci Mane and Jeezy have rallied around the youngster as well as jumping on songs with him. While his last album may have bricked, Soulja Boy may have time to turn it all around and surprise us all.

Young Dro (Knight)

Albums: 1
Years Active: 2001 – Present
Crew: Grand Hustle; P$C
I don’t what it is about Dro that makes people still pull for him three years after his debut. Besides when he was Fantasia’s main squeeze, Dro has really stayed on the low. But then again, people still mentioning Young Dro as one of the South’s mentionable is saying something. “Shoulder Lean” still shuts down the clubs too. Dro!

Lil’ Scrappy (Pawn)

Albums: 3 (2 solo & 1 with Trillville)
Years Active: 2003 – Present
Crew: G’$ Up Click
Remember years back when Scrappy was know as the “Prince of Crunk”? Lil’ Jon doesn’t own the airwaves anymore and Crunk is basically dead (No matter what a gold chain says). A lotta people thought when Scrap hooked up with 50 Cent & G-Unit his star would rise. That album flopped and now nobody cares.

Gorilla Zoe (Pawn)

Albums: 1
Years Active: 2007 – Present
Crew: Block Ent.
When Zoe joined the Atlanta based Boyz N Da Hood in 2007, he immediately pulled a “Jeezy” and soon released a solo album around the same time of the group’s release. While he landed a hood hit or two, that album tanked and pushed back he often delayed sophomore album (Which really isn’t anticipated).

Yung Joc (Knight)

Albums: 2
Years Active: 2003 – Present
Crew: Block Ent.
When Joc first came out, “It’s Goin’ Down” had the city on smash! He later got ridiculed for being a “ringtone” rapper with songs like “Coffee Shop” & “I Know You See It”. But even with this, he’s still got a Platinum plaque plus made “Forbes’ Richest Rappers List” in 2006. He’s one hit away from a comeback.

B.o.B. (Knight)

Albums: 0
Years Active: 2005 – Present
B.o.B. may not have an album out but the buzz is pretty good. After appearing on the cover of XXL’s “Class of ‘09” issue while being co-signed by some Hip-Hop’s elite, the future looks pretty bright for Bobby Ray Simmons. Musical talent and the “something different” factor will always be a good look. You can’t really count him out (or in) until his official debut drops.

Unk (Pawn)

Albums: 2
Years Active: 1998 – Present
Crew: Big Oomp Camp
Unk was Soulja Boy before Soulja Boy…until Soulja Boy (Get it?). Yeah, no one is still doing the “Walk It Out” but he did make the city proud closing out the 1st BET Hip-Hop Awards as well as having a new dance move every month (”Two Step”!). Real talk though; now a days no one really check for DJ Unk.

Stat Quo (Pawn)

Albums: 0
Years Active: 2002 – Present
Stat and Atlanta has always had a weird relationship. While he once had a coveted spot on Shady/Aftermath, he never really had no presence in the city. After parting ways with Eminem & Dr. Dre, his mixtape game is better but maybe too late.

Our 2nd annual nappyafro Awards week comes to a close. But , before we end this, we still got some categories to go. We still need to find out who is this year’s top producer or what was the collaboration of 2008. We also included the awards we already gave out earlier this week. Bye 2008; you wasn’t so bad.

Man Of The Year: Lil’ Wayne

Album Of The Year: Nas – Untitled

Songs Of The Year

DMF Of The Year: DMX

Best Collabo: T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us”

Yes, I’m tired of the word “swagger” too. But love ‘em or hate ‘em,  the song featured Hip-Hop’s premier rappers.

-Runner Up: Joe Budden feat. Joell Ortiz, Nino Bless, Crooked I, & Royce Da 5′9″ – “Slaughterhouse”
-Notables:
Big Boi feat. Andre 3000 7 Raekwon – “Royal Flush”
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On”
DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil’ Boosie, Ace Hood, Trick Daddy, and Plies – “Out Here Grindin”
Statik Selektah feat. Saigon, Termanology, & Cassidy – “To The Top”

Best Group: The Roots

Not to say that The Roots didn’t earn this award (The did. Rising Down was pretty good.), but the field wasn’t really competitive. Well then again, what’s that group who made that song “Lookin’ Boy”?

-Notables:
Atmosphere
G-Unit

Best Music Video: Something From YouTube (and other video sharing sites)

While some videos were recommended, our video of the year was, uh…

-Notables:
Young Jeezy – “Crazy World”
T.I. feat. Rihanna – “Live Your Life”

Best New Artist: No real winner. Just some notables.
Wale
Mickey Factz
The Cool Kids
Flo Rida
Ace Hood

Best Album We Didn’t Review: Black Milk – Tronic

Why we didn’t review this album still is a mystery to us. From “Give The Drumma Some” to “The Matrix” the album was one of this years best. Maybe we’ll get around to it one day…

-Runner Up: Evidence – The Layover EP

Turn Yo Headphones up Award: Danny! – And I Love H.E.R.: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

The often delayed And I Love H.E.R. proved to be worth the wait with many calling Danny!’s 4th album his best.

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

The Hip-Hop mixtape game may be a little over-saturated, but it took Mick Boogie doing the a Jay-Z mash-up with Chris Martin’s group to take the award.

-Runner Up: DJ Drama & Fabolous – There Is No Competition (Gangsta Grillz: Special Edition)
-Notables:
Wale – The Mixtape About Nothing
Nas & Dj Green Lantern – The Nigger Tape
DJ Drama & Gucci Mane – Gangsta Grillz: The Movie
Little Brother – Seperate But Equal (Drama Free Edition)
Runner Up: DJ Drama & Ludacris – Gangsta Grillz: The Preview

Producer of the Year: DJ Toomp

This was so close; Don Cannon REALLY did his thing this year. But DJ Toomp edged him out with stellar production credits on albums from Young Jeezy, The Game, Ludacris, Nas, & Rick Ross.

-Runner Up: Don Cannon
-Notables:
Jake One
Drumma Boy
J.U.S.T.I.C.E League

Beat Of The Year: Lil’ Wayne – “A Milli”

Was there any doubt? Can you NAME all the people who actually rapped over “A Milli” in 2008?

-Runner Up: T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us”
-Notables:
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)”
Wale – “Studio 43″
Rick Ross feat. Jay-Z – “Maybach Music”

Video Vixen: Bria Myles

Are there still video vixens? Or is this just an excuse for King Jerm to put up a pic of Bria?

At first we were gonna do a recap this year’s most notable songs featured in our Song of the Week column. But seeing how some of the songs weren’t actually made in 2008, it really wouldn’t have worked. So instead of voting for a single “Song of the Year”, we thought; “Why not just let each staff member pick their favorite 5 songs of the year?” So here they are. No voting. No debates. Just each staff member picks for their 5 favorite songs of 2008. And surprisingly, there’s a lotta Killer Mike, Jay Electronica, & Lil’ Wayne. Who knew?

B-Easy’s Picks:
Jay Electronica – “Exhibit A (Transformations)” [various artists - Fresh Cuts Vol. 3 (Music By Guitar Center Employees)]
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” [Nas - Untitled]
Killer Mike – “I Gotcha” [Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II]
DJ Khaled feat. Kanye West & T-Pain – “Go Hard” [DJ Khaled - We Global]
Big Boi feat. Raekwon & Andre 3000 – “Royal Flush” [Big Boi - Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty]

Saule Wright’s Picks:
Killer Mike – “God In The Building” [Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II]
The Roots – “75 Bars (Black’s Reconstruction)” [The Roots - Rising Down]
Ludacris feat. Floyd “Money” Mayweather – “Undisputed” [Ludacris - Theatre Of The Mind]
Lil’ Wayne – “Dr. Carter” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” [Nas - Untitled]

H20’s Picks:
T.I. – “I’m Illy” [T.I. - Paper Trail]
Nas feat. Keri Hilson – “Hero” [Nas - Untitled]
Ludacris feat. Floyd “Money” Mayweather – “Undisputed” [Ludacris - Theatre Of The Mind]
Killer Mike-”God is in the Building” [Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II]
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” [Nas - Untitled]

Guy’s Picks:
Murs – “I’m Innocent” [Murs - Murs For President]
Termanology – “Watch How It Go Down” [Termanology - Politics As Usual]
Lil’ Wayne feat. D. Smith – “Shoot Me Down” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
Wale – “The Kramer” [Wale - The Mixtape About Nothing]
Jay Electronica – “Exhibit A (Transformations)” [various artists - Fresh Cuts Vol. 3 (Music By Guitar Center Employees)]

King Jerm’s Picks:
Rick Ross feat. Jay-Z – “Maybach Music” [Rick Ross - Trilla]
Lil’ Wayne feat. Fabolous & Juelz Santana – “Ain’t Got Nothing on Me” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
Jake One feat. Little Brother – “Bless the Child” [Jake One - White Van Music]
Kanye West – “Heartless” [Kanye West - 808’s & Heartbreak]
Lil’ Wayne – “A Milli” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]

SBK’s Picks:
Lil’ Wayne feat. Static Major – “Lollipop” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us” [T.I. - Paper Trail]
Termanology – “So Amazing” [Termanology - Politics As Usual]
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On” [Young Jeezy - The Recession]
Q-Tip – “Move” [Q-Tip - The Renaissance]

As another year closes on Hip-Hop and the many “Best of 2008” lists get ready to be released, there are many things you can rank: the best songs, the best albums, the best beats, etc. The one I always think about is the best verses. Now to be honest, there is no way to truly say what is 2008’s best verse (There is no possible way to hear them all). But the way a verse sticks out to me is its staying power, creativity, popularity, lyricism, and flow. So here are my Three Most Memorable Verses of 2008 (I only counted verses off actual songs; if I used freestyles it might have been all verses from Cypher #3 at the BET Hip-Hop Awards).

3. Lil’ Wayne – “A Milli” (2nd Verse)

Yeah, this song was by far the most used instrumental of 2008 but what about the original? I may be accused of sometimes being a Weezy hater (10 “Simple” Reasons Why Lil’ Wayne Is NOT The Greatest Rapper Of Alive)  but even I can’t deny that this verse was one of more memorable ones this year. From the “goon to a goblin” line to trying figure out what “smokin the thinest air” exactly meant, this one had all the makings of a 2008 classic. You could have picked either three verses of “A Milli” and been good, but I chose the second.

A million here a million there
Sicilian bitch with long hair with coke in her derriere
Like smokin the thinest air, I open the Lamborghini
Hopin them crackers see me like “look at dat bastard Weezy”
Hes a beast, hes, a dog, he’s a muthfukin problem
Ok you’re a goon but what’s a goon to a goblin?
Nothin, nothing, you ain’t scarin nothin
On some faggot bullshit call em Dennis Rodman
Call me what you want bitch, call me on my Sidekick
Never answer when it’s private damn I hate a shy bitch
Don’t u hate a shy bitch? yea I ate a shy bitch
And she ain’t shy no more, she changed her name to my bitch
Yea nigga that’s my bitch so when she ask for the money when you through don’t be surprised bitch
It ain’t trickin if u got it
But u like a bitch with no ass u ain’t got shit
Muthafuka I’m ill, not sick
And I’m ok but my watch sick
Yea my drop sick
Yea my glock sick
And my knot thick
Im it

Muthafuka I’m ill…

2. Nas – “Proclamation/Nigga Hatred”

A lot of people list Nas’ Untitled album as one of 2008’s best for it’s insightful lyrics about America’s still present racial troubles. This short song shows how that even after all these years, Nas’ perceptive may still be one of his strongest assets (“I get loose like the Jena Six, they put a noose on ‘Pac, now I’m defendin Vick”). It’s a shame this track was reduced to an iTunes bonus track (And even then it was only an acapella version).

This is my openin scripture – I’ve been preparin this album
my whole life, might be uncomfortable for most you listeners
Satin’s bombardin me with propositions, but I decline
I started in the Bridge without a pot to piss in
I overcame all the opposition
My teachers told that I’d a broken mayne on a cot in prison
Cloaked in the finest drapes, not Bathing Apes
But we still filthy, Supreme Court say we still guilty
This is the Genesis, and I don’t even see a worthy arch nemesis
I get loose like the Jena Six, they put a noose on ‘Pac
now I’m defendin Vick, and free that nigger TIP
I’d take the grave or a bid
to let some dirty clan members run up in my crib
and plant cracks on the man that’s goin to church
Plants packs on the man that’s goin to work
and build cases, meanwhile they daddies and they brothers
is recruitin all my brothers and cousins to fill bases
The nerve of y’all to call Escobar racist
Nigger, nigger, nigger, nigger, nigger, nigger hatred

1. Big Boi feat. Raekwon & Andre 3000 – “Royal  Flush” (Andre 3000’s Verse)

Now, me picking a verse from Andre 3000 may be kinda unfair since he only drops a couple a year anyway, but personally I think this is hands down this year’s finest. It had lyrics and it meant something while still sounding like it could be played at a club. This long verse (It was Big Boi’s song right?) showed that even though Andre may not be into rapping these day, he still has it.

Styles will change
They say change is dang-erous
As a King standing on the terrace
While his partners pointing up at the rifleman
Cowards shoot and never know when your life will end
Then… live like there ain’t no ‘morrow
And if one come then this the motto
Now I put message in bottle
You go to the nearest beach and open your car door
And you walk to the place where the sea meets the land
Yeah it’s easier to run the street than walk in the sand
Hey I’m talking young man
As if chalk in my hand
I will take yo’ little ass to school
It’s cool
When the kids call me Sonny, the hood calls me Stacks
The bees call me honey, Hollywood calls me back
Crack and I have a lot in common
We both come up in the 80s and we keep that bass pumpin’
Now that’s a nega-tive comparison
Embarassin’
Unfortunate that if you come up fortunate
The street considers you lame
I thought the name of the game
Was to have a better life
I guess it ain’t what a shame
I don’t slang, never slung
But I’m one with the slum
That has a name well fitting
Plenty G’s getting
No wonder why they called it the trap
So watch your tail
And I’m not kidding
The rats and mice would give advice
They say that you can paint and draw
Get out of here
Go show them that we’re more than slangin’ raw
That’s when I broke into my Big Rube impression
And I tried to enlighten but that night a learned a lesson
That the morals that you think you got go out the window
When all the other kids are fresh and they got new Nintendo
Wiis
And yo’ child is down on her knees
Praying hard up to God for a Whopper with cheese
Do you b) Hit the street hard with a flare
Or do you a) Go for school for heating and air
Dare making under seven
But make a crooked killing
Or do a bit of both until your holding on a million
Brilliant
You got one foot in and one foot out
You put yo’ left foot back in and then you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey ’til you turn your life around
That’s what it’s all about
3000 out

Norah Jones? Norah f*ckng Jones? That smooth-jazz mellow white girl that sings, plays instruments, and is prominently featured on “easy listening” radio stations? Yea, B-Easy has finally lost his mind. Well not really; if you remember last year I did do a whole thing on Chris Martin’s role on tracks by Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Swizz Beatz. Is this really that different? I could be wrong about this, but when it comes to cameos on Hip-Hop songs, I count four Norah Jones appearances (And that’s counting the song she did with Wyclef). That’s more Hip-Hop cameos than John Mayer (And Kanye West was in love with him for a second there). So why are some of Hip-Hop’s most respected artists calling on Miss Jones? One reason could be exposure (She has sold over 36 million records). Or maybe it’s for the right reasons: Talent. As easy going as her music is, the lady has skills…Did I just say that? Shit! Where’s my Only Built 4 Cuban Linx album? A brother must be getting soft.

Download: Q-Tip feat. Norah Jones – “Life Is Better”

Producer: Q-Tip
Album: The Renaissance
Released: November 4, 2008

This is the latest of her collaborations with rappers and it might be her best. Unlike her previous efforts, it seems like Norah gets more into it. What’s crazier is that the track is a love song to Hip-Hop and Q-Tip gets Norah Jones to sings lines like “I’m so into your rich history” & “Tell me stories and take me away”.  Yeah, Kamaal could have gotten Erykah Badu, but wouldn’t that be kinda obvious? This combination works very well.

Download: Talib Kweli feat. Norah Jones – “Soon The New Day”

Producer: Madlib
Album: Eardrum
Released: August 21, 2007

At first listen you think Norah is relegated to just the chorus on Talib’s song about blind promiscuity (My friend thought the hook was a sample originally). But as the song progresses you hear Jones ad-lib more and even add stronger backgrounds. This was her first true guest appearance on a conventional Rap song, so I guess I understand why she just did the standard R&B stuff hear. The song still comes out high-quality and at least she wasn’t singing about rolling blunts and busting guns.

Download: Andre 3000 feat. Norah Jones – “Take Off Your Cool”

Producer: Andre 3000
Album: The Love Below
Released: September 23, 2003

Okay, so this isn’t a “traditional” Hip-Hop song. But this is Norah Jones first paring with a Hip-Hop artist. Since Speakerboxxx/The Love Below sold like 10 million copies, I’m sure everybody by now has heard this song. Clocking in barely over two minutes, this is more like an interlude than song. But it did bring Andre 3000 and Norah Jones together without either sounding out of place.