I was recently listening to Nicki Minaj the other day when it hit me, “Where are all the Female MC’s?” It’s like the only ones you hear are Minaj, Khia, and…who? I know Hip-Hop has always been a male dominated industry, but there was always room for the female MC. Now it seems like there is no place for the female MC in the game. The female has always had a place in Hip-Hop. If you were a crew, you had to have a female. Roxanne was associated with the Juice Crew, Queen Latifah and Monie Love were part of the Native Tongue crew, Mrs. Melody was associated with BDP, to more present year acts like Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Eve, and even Trina. But now all it seems the only roles females are used for in Hip-Hop is EYE CANDY. Sad, I know.

Where did it all go wrong? Do we lay the blame on Lil’ Kim and Foxy for their raunchy lyrics that doomed all other females behind them? Because of them, artists that don’t push SEX aren’t even listened to by the mainstream listeners. You have some talented FemCee’s out there that don’t get any recognition because they aren’t sexy or even rap about their sexual exploits. Is that fair to them? I am guilty of not giving certain FemCee’s a chance because of their looks, but I think that is part of the brainwashing that Hip-Hop has underwent.

Going back to the place of FemCee’s, where would you put them? Since Hip-Hop is being dominated by the streets and thuggery, can a female rap about that and be believable? Or is it more of the same and they have to stick with the SEXY rhymes for them to be heard? I feel bad for the legitimate FemCee’s out there that want their music heard, but all we get is every chick wants to be a “Black Barbie”. Will the real FemCee’s please stand up? The game is missing you right now, and some positive “Ladies First” type songs might help out some of these younger girls that big rims, expensive clothes, and orgies are not the way to go.

The other day I was listening to a live version of “Big Pimpin’” on my iPod. Halfway through the beat changed to David Banner’s “Like A Pimp”. I then remembered how much I like that version. Most people know that this is from the Jay-Z documentary Fade To Black. I got the audio from the film a while ago but never figured out why it was never officially released. This is that audio. And there are some gems here: From the Amil-less version “You Me Him Her” to the Ghostface & Beyoncé version of “Summertime” to even the studio sessions with Rick Rubin, Kanye West, & Timbaland (Just to name a few). Check the tracklist, download, and enjoy.

1. The Beginning Of End
2. The Garden
3. What More Can I Say?
4. PSA
5. Izzo (feat. Jaguar Wright)
6. In Studio With Just Blaze & Pharrell
7. Jigga What
8. Big Pimpin’
9. In The Studio With Timbaland
10. Hard Knock Life
11. Tupac/Bigge Medley
12. You Me Him Her (feat. Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek)
13. What We Do (feat. Beanie Sigel & Freeway)
14. Rock The Mic (feat. Beanie Sigel & Freeway)
15. Is That Your Chick? (feat. Missy Elliott, Twista, & Memphis Bleek)
16. In The Studio With Rick Rubin
17. Crazy In Love (with Beyoncé)
18. Summertime (feat. Beyoncé & Ghostface Killah)
19. Rap & Politics
20. Dead Presidents
21. Ain’t No Nigga (feat. Foxy Brown & Jaguar Wright)
22. In The Studio With Kanye West
23. Can’t Knock The Hustle (feat. Mary J. Blige)
24. Song Cry (feat. Mary J. Blige)
25. Best Of Both Worlds (feat. R. Kelly)
26. In The Studio With Pharrell
27. I Just Wanna Love You (feat. Pharrell)
28. Encore
29. December 4th
30. Credits

Download: Jay-Z – Fade To Black (2004)

Rick Ross hit the studio and returned with his third offering titled Deeper than Rap. This is coming off the heels of a “feud” with 50 Cent that turned your typical rap battle into a scene from MadTV. Putting all of that to the side, Ross is focusing on making the best music to date and getting his credibility back. He didn’t leave the “battle” with 50 unscathed, but the lumps he took he brushed them off and came even harder. Will this be enough to sway the listeners in the middle? Let’s go Deeper than Rap.

Mafia Music
Produced by The Inkredibles
The album starts off over some dark production and Ross spitting some “real life” lyrics that gives you the backdrop to his life. This is the song that started all the “beef” with 50. Even after listening to this song numerous times, I still think that Ross is spitting some FIRE on this track. BLAZING!

Maybach Music II
Featuring T-Pain, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne; Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E League & Kanye West
This is the sequel to the original, this time no Jigga, but he did add Weezy, Kanye, and T-Pain on the hook. This song didn’t grab me like the original, but that is not a knock at the song. I just HATE sequels, because it will always get compared to the original. All three of the artists on the track brought it, and if you love collabos…this is one for you.

Magnificent
Featuring John Legend; Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E League
Ross smoothes it out on this one with John Legend crooning the hook over some Cognac smooth production provided by J.U.S.T.I.C.E League. What I really love is the way he made Special Ed relevant again by using his “I’m the magnificent with a sensational style”. Check for the remix featuring Special Ed on it coming soon! HOT!

Yacht Club
Featuring Magazeen; Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E League
Four songs in and I think this might be my song for the summer. I said earlier that the production on this one puts you in the mind of the original “Maybach Music”. The production is so CLEAN and Magazeen on the hook goes well with the vibe and Ross’ lyrics. BANGING. When I get my first yacht…this song will be the first one I play.

Usual Suspects
Featuring Nas & Kevin Cossom; Produced by The Inkredibles
Ross and Nas on a track? That is what I was thinking before I heard it. Nas has surprised me lately, jumping on a lot of high profile southern tracks. On this track both artists seemed comfortable and the collab didn’t feel forced. For Ross to hold his own with a living legend showed his artistic growth since Port of Miami. This is that HEAT.

All I Really Want
Featuring The-Dream; Produced by C “Tricky” Stewart
After five songs that were BANANAS, Ross goes club on this one featuring “The Radio Killa”. Once you get into the song, it really isn’t bad at all. Once the song grows on you, you will find yourself bobbing your head to the beat.

Rich off Cocaine
Featuring Avery Storm; Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E League
What? You thought because of his admission to being a C.O that he would stop making songs like this? NOPE! Ross goes so hard over the stellar production provided by J.U.S.T.I.C.E League. But what really stands out to me is the hook sung by Avery Storm. CHECK FOR THIS ONE!

Lay Back
Featuring Robin Thicke; Produced by The Runners & Eric Hudson
At first I thought this was Usher, but then I read the credits and found out that it was Robin Thicke. This sounds like Ross’ version of “Whatever You Like”. I’m not mad at the dude for making this kind of song, because he didn’t go all girly with the beat. I can see this one playing in the club and I could see this one playing while you are with your shorty. The two made for a good collabo.

Murda Mami
Featuring Foxy Brown & Magazeen; Produced by Bigg D
Ross and Foxy got together and made a BANGER! Foxy held it down, but the track kind of swallowed her a bit. Ross continued to spit some of the illest bars of his career. The production on this one was gangsta and the reggae at the end sealed the deal.

Gunplay
Featuring Gunplay; Produced by The Inkredibles
This sounds like a beat that Jay used on “All I Need”, but Ross took it and put his touches on it. The street dudes will love this track, just off the title alone. The hook is what I like about the song so much. CHECK FOR THIS ONE.

Bossy Lady
Featuring Ne-Yo; Produced by The Runners & Ne-Yo
Ross went and got Ne-Yo to croon on this track aimed at the ladies. This one might be aimed at the ladies but Ross kept it “G” on the track. Fellas, you don’t have to feel bad about bumping this one loud.

Face
Featuring Trina; Produced by Drumma Boy
Ross and Trina link back up for old time’s sake on this track produced by Drumma Boy. Trina’s rhymes aren’t as raunchy as usual, but she is still “the Baddest Bitch” on this track. The beat is nasty on the track, and the 305 duo doesn’t let the city down on the song.

Valley of Death
Produced by DJ Toomp & Gorilla Tek
Toomp lends a hand to the Boss on this one and the results are CRAZY. Ross throws some shots at 50 in the first verse, but he doesn’t waste too much time beating a dead horse. He also goes in on the controversy of the C.O debacle that he was involved in. Ross got personal on this song, which is a side we never have seen from him. BANGER.

In Cold Blood
Produced by The Runners
In the beginning the song sounds like “Money Make Me Cum”, but they switch it up a little bit. Ross knows what to do with a hot beat when he gets it. Ross is clearly feeling himself, and it shows by the way that he is spitting on this song. HOT.

Bottom Line:
Rick Ross clearly shows that Curtis “Curly” Jackson doesn’t have the same pull that he used to have when he was the career killer. To steal a quote I read about the album: “Rick Ross did not make one single redeeming positive word, line, couplet or theme in the whole damn thing. It’s negative, nihilistic, self absorbed, hyper violent utterly amoral rap (not Hip-Hop) about selling drugs, killing people, hating people and taking other men women, fucking them and discarding them like trash” ©Binlahab. And that is exactly why I love this album. Ross stuck to the script, upgraded his rhymes, and upgraded his production and came away with what may be considered album of the year. Ross keeps getting better with every album, and if this is a sign of things to come, the Boss could become “the Down South Biggie”.

nappyPicks: GO COP THE WHOLE ALBUM.

Download: Rick Ross – “Valley Of Death”

First on the list is Bahamadia’s Kollage is typically the album folks mention when they think of her.  But have you heard her 3rd album?  Good Rap Music is a heavily slept on gem from Philly’s finest Femcee.  The album is a lot more personal than her other CDs and she delivers that personal touch without much sacrifice.  Standout songs are, ” Good Rap Music”, “Glory”, and “Culture Cat”.

Heather B, yes that Heather B, did a follow up album to Takin Mines titled Eternal Affairs.  Once again, Heather gets a lot more personal on here, and that’s by design.  She explains on the album that she had no plans to do this album, but after a myriad of personal issues, she thought that maybe she needed to do this for someone else benefit.  Her love for the craft is evident all through the album and most prevalent on “A Live MC”.  She rips the alphabet from a to z with actual lyricism…this is not just a gimmick song.

5 o’clock in the morning where u gonna be?  Nonchalant blessed us with this hook on a song by the same name on her Until The Day offering.  Have you actually listened to the album though?  This album features a lot of R&B inspired tracks that help to create an album that may have been a little ahead of its time when released.  Other songs you may have forgot about on here are “Lookin’ Good To Me”, “Crab Rappers”, and the title track, “Until The Day”.

Now, for my hardcore thug rappers, be sure to check out Champ MC’s Ghetto Flava.  From my knowledge, none of these songs got any commercial love, but if you like gangsta ass music, don’t let the fact the champ is a woman fool you, this shit ain’t no punk.

Similar to the last CD I mentioned, AMG’s sister, The Boss, blesses us with Born Gangstaz.  We all should remember “Deeper” and “Recipe Of A Hoe” from the radio success…if not that, Jukebox TV had them on constant rotation.  Don’t sleep on “Process of Elimination” and “I Don’t Give A Fuck” which knock even harder today than they did when originally released.

RIP, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez much hyped but seldom heard solo debut, Supernova is another album you need to cop…if you can find it.  She let’s us in on some of the turmoil she had with the group as well as a track with Tupac.  Her sound is really unique and even though she doesn’t really shed her clean image, she did a great job as establishing herself as a serious emcee.

Now there is no way for me to end this list without mentioning Da Brat, one of the best femcees to ever do it.  Anuthatantrum shows what JD can do when he is on his shit with the production.  Although Funkdafied is the album that put her in the Hip-Hop history books, this album really proved her greatness.  I play this album at LEAST once a week.  Now, back in the day when I would partake…this was THE album to play as the mellow vibe and constant talk of the Naturals are the perfect vibe to break out Billy Bong Thornton.

I didn’t mention Lyte or Roxanne because their albums tend to be the standards.  Sure there are some that maybe could have been mentioned, but this list should give you more than enough cause to Turn Yo’ Headphones Up.

I was on the internet and I saw a thing Vibe was doing to settle once and for all who is the best rapper alive. They made a bracket type thing to have the readers vote on who is the best; it’s like the March Madness brackets. They’ve got the four brackets based on some of the legends in Hip-Hop: The Notorious B.I.G. Bracket, the Tupac Bracket, etc. On the surface it seems cool, right?? WRONG!!

Vibe seriously fucked this up! Man, this could have actually been the official thing to prove who was the best rapper alive, but I’m like “what the fuck” for real! They had the nerve to put niggas like Soulja Boy and Rich Boy on here, but no mention of Freeway, Young Chris, or Blu. Not to mention they seriously messed up the match-ups: Shawty LO versus T.I.? We all already know who won that, but maybe the votes will snap Shawty LO back into reality. Kanye versus FOXY BROWN!?!? Oh come on!

I bet you can’t wait to hear who came out as the 1st seaters: Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne, Eminem, and Andre 3000. Eminem beat out NAS!?!? What kind of bullshit is that? Nas has at least dropped 2 hot albums in the last four years. Nas has been in the game longer, and everything. I could go on and on with this. #2 Seaters are Kanye (Not bad man!), T.I. (He edged out Luda!), Nas (Boo!!), and Snoop Dogg (Fair).

But you really can’t fuck with these match-ups: Jay-Z gets a BYE!! (He either has to go against Jim Jones or Diddy…). He’s too good for that! Then in the second round, he goes against Lauryn Hill!!! How ’bout Missy Elliot versus Lil’ Mama! Or Mos Def versus Talib Kweli! Lil’ Wayne versus Trina! I could really go on and on, but you can look at these fucked up match-ups yourself.

You can look at the brackets here

Below, I made a list of rappers that got robbed. I didn’t get everybody, but I got a quick list off the top of my head.

Freeway: You got Soulja Boy and Rich Boy up there, but this nigga has serious skills and they overlooked him! Two albums out, in the game for almost 10 years…

Blu: He’s got more skill than most of the niggas on that list, and that’s real.

Styles P: Man, where the fuck was he?? I can’t believe they overlooked him. They had Jadakiss on there, but they forgot P!

Rakim: Do I have to say anything here? He’s still alive people!

Dr. Dre: No Words here…

KRS-One: No Words here either…

Vibe seriously fucked up on this one. Here’s my prediction:

Final Four: Nas, Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne, and Andre 3000

Top Two: Lil’ Wayne and Nas

Winner: Lil’ Wayne

That’s a realist prediction. Personally, I think either Jay-Z or Nas is the best rapper alive, but Lil’ Wayne is going to win, and we all know that. And if he does, it truly shows how fucked up Hip-Hop in my opinion; that a rapper with no classic albums under his belt (unless you consider C3 classic…yeah, right…) could take it all away from 3 rappers with at least 3 classics under each of their belts. Just my opinion though.

You can vote right now to see who is better right now out of Jim Jones and Diddy. So far, Jim is winning…yeah. Anyway, if you want in on this, go to Vibe.com and vote starting July 21st. Let’s see how this plays out: any predictions?

I know this is the first time I’ve mentioned Jacki-O on nappyafro, but I had to let this be heard to our readers. Jacki aired the dude Brisco out! Apparently Brisco threatened to “slap the shit” out of her at Weezy’s video shoot. Damn, it’s like that? She goes hard at Brisco for his actions, and rightfully so because they have history with each other. But she is FIRE HOT during the interview, accusing some people hating on her career, most notably DJ Khaled. You don’t think Rick Ross and Foxy Brown hooking up recently had anything to do with it? You know Jacki already serviced Foxy a while back. Maybe Brisco was putting in work for the Boss. She went in on Khaled calling him a bitch and a whore! Damn! But I’ve never been a big fan of hers but I am now! If what she’s saying is true, I have to side with Ms. Jacki on this one! If you got the time check out the audio!

CHECK THE AUDIO HERE! (NOTE: AUDIO IS 20 MINUTES LONG!)

Here we go again. It’s here that we check out who’s album did what on the Billboard 200 (Well, the R&B & Hip-Hop in the Top 50 only). This week, we see the return of Mr. Keith Sweat, the fall of Foxy Brown, the “ignoration” of Kidz In The Hall, the disappearance of Lil’ Scrappy, as well as a debut from R&B group Cherish. It’s getting hard out here people.

#6 Mariah Carey/E=MC² (Last Week: #5) – 59,000; Total: 887,800 (Gold) [5 Weeks]
#10 Keith Sweat/Just Me (Last Week: NA) – 37,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#17 Lyfe Jennings/Lyfe Change (Last Week: #12) – 31,700; Total: 112,100 [3 Weeks]
#23 Jordin Sparks/Jordin Sparks (Last Week: #18) – 17,600; Total: 758,000 (Gold) [26 Weeks]
#27 Rick Ross/Trilla (Last Week: #34) – 15,600; Total: 517,000 (Gold) [10 Weeks]
#35 Alicia Keys/As I Am (Last Week: #29) – 14,400; Total: 3,467,400 (3x Platinum) [27 Weeks]
#38 The Roots/Rising Down (Last Week: #28) – 13,400; Total: 88,000 [3 Weeks]
#40 Cherish/The Truth (Last Week: NA) – 13,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#46 Amy Winehouse/Back To Black (Last Week: #40) – 12,400; Total: 1,950,000 (Platinum) [62 Weeks]
#49 Mary J. Blige/Growing Pains (Last Week: #45) – 12,100; Total: 1,474,000 (Platinum) [22 Weeks]
#50 Keyshia Cole/Just Like You (Last Week: #54) – 12,000; Total: 1,394,500 (Platinum) [34 Weeks]
#83 Foxy Brown/Brooklyn’s Don Diva (Last Week: NA) – 9,000; Total: NA [Debut]
(Not In Top 200) Kidz In Da Hall/The In Crowd (Last Week: NA) – 4,000; Total: NA [Debut]

She was the FIRST female emcee to debut at number 1 on Billboard. Each of her released albums have reached gold or platinum status. She has been in the game (depending on what you consider IN) for 12 years (give or take a year). All those things considered; she is just around 30. Is she still as relevant as she was when she started? Did the 7 year layoff and all the other drama hurt her game? Let’s find out.

Brooklyn’s Don Diva
The backdrop and theme is about Browns arrests and time in the limelight outside of the studio. She seems to relish in, and why not, it’s the same shit the men do. Get arrested then talk about it. Hey, if it works, go for it. She does claim 20 million sold, I need someone to check that for me ’cause I don’t know how accurate that is for 3 albums especially considering your last one was only certified gold. The song isn’t bad, beat is a little too simple, but it’s ok.

We Don’t Surrender
Featuring Graph
“I keeps 3 9’s on me like I’m Gino Green.” Current reference that is simple but effective. Fox stands up on this one and basically lets mofo’s know she’s here, and what?! Graph contributes, but I wasn’t impressed with him on this one. The track is ok, but it sounds really canned. I would have loved to hear some more real instrumentation on this one.

We’re On Fire
Featuring Movado
This is when Fox is on her grind. Name droppin’ and syllable flippin’. I dig this one. Did you want Foxy to flip into patois in the middle of her flow on the second verse? Damn, shit sounded fly. Movado’s singing adds that extra thing to the song. One of the best cuts on the album. I do have to mention, she shoots at Jay again claiming she carried BK on her back…..and Sean (Carter) couldn’t do that. Yes, she went in.

Dreams Of Fucking A D-Boy
Featuring Jay Rush
I guess when there doesn’t seem to be any female rappers to contend with, you take on the men. She comes out with this story about, well, you read the title. Drugs, extravagant clothes, sex talk; yep, she seems to have the formula down. Someone must have taken some Lyfe Jennings stem cells (pause) cause one of his clones is singing on this track. It’s an ok song that features one of the more inspired beats on this album.

When The Lights Go Out
Featuring Kira
Um, okay, I guess this may have been made to be a radio cut or a left over track from Janet’s 20 Y.O. album. Is that good or bad? I don’t know. What I do know is that it seems out of place. oxy goes back to her first album with her sexuality in what would be a good song for the ladies in the club…or ladies on the stage.

Never Heard This Before
Featuring Dwele
This has GOT to be aimed at the radio…however, if they clean it up for the radio it may be a 2 sec. instrumental. Dwele doesn’t sound like Dwele (layers on layers of voice) but he still does his thing on this track. It’s a good song. As far as content, this song could damn near be called “I Been/Has Been” as she starts a majority of the bars with “I been”. Her objective is sot solidify her past, staying power, and position in the female emcee game. Wanna know, how she did? Check it out below.

Too Real
Featuring AZ
Hey, it’s a semi Firm reunion. Remind me, is that actually good or bad? I won’t go into that album here, but the return to some scratching and a nostalgic type beat are welcome. AZ rides the beat like AZ can, but I can’t help but notice he doesn’t bring it lyrically like he is known for…was it intentional? I don’t know, but he definitely kicked an average verse….on purpose…gotta be.

Star Cry
“If you never seen a star cry, I give you my life/Got my blood, sweat, and tears/Hip-Hop’s bad girl, 10 fuckin’ years.” The chorus plays before her first bar and when coupled with this beat, you get a lil’ more Inga with your Foxy. She talks about her troubles, P.O., paparazzi, controversy, etc. The funny thing is that the self proclaimed Don Diva says she gets press like Paris and Ms. Lohan, as if that is a good thing? Aside from that, she gets a little more emotional and lets us in; it’s a solid song and easily one of the better cuts on here.

Why
Guess what, that dude cheated. What dude? Whoever she is talking about. Essentially, it’s a story of how she upgraded this “lame fucka” only to catch him cheating…after she followed him. Eh…

She Wanna Rude Buoy
Featuring DeMarco
When the track came on, I was digging the lil’ island feel to it, decent shit. Then she started spitting and it sounded like “Dreams Of Fucking A D-Boy” as a remix….OH it is. It seems to be curiously placed in the middle of the album. That pretty much ruined the song for me. You can’t just change the title and the beat and call it a new song…then again, Jagged Edge been doing that for years. SKIP.

The Quan
Featuring Lady Saw
Keeping it dancehall with one of the illest, Foxy calls in Lady Saw for this one. Something about this seems forced or something. I am not sure if it’s because of her delivery or lack/presence of accent on some parts and not others. The song itself seems inconsistent and really, by the end of the song, you get tired of the beat. SKIP

Bulletproof
Featuring Lil’ Mo
Hi Lil’ Mo, I miss you. Ahem, crush aside, I dig this track. She talks about being in love with a “gangsta nigga”…her words not mine. I guess ladies really DO want a roughneck, even today. She brags about catching another case, bailing him out, and the way he takes care of her for doing that. I guess. Hey, “Ain’t No Nigga” right?

How We Get Down
Featuring Graph & Prinz
I think this one COULD have been a banger. A little heavier on the bass, more on that background melody (maybe even a guitar infusion) and you have a fantastic beat. Lyrically, smh. With lines like “I’m a gardner, I can plant fear in ya”, it seems to miss the mark.

We Set The Pace
Featuring Spragga Benz & Morgan Heritage
We get back to the islands with this beat and hook by Spragga, however, its horribly mismatched. The beat is soo chill and laid back that her assertions of greatness come off as misplaced delusions of grandeur (thanks Rick James).

The Quan (Hip-Hop Mix) [Bonus]
Featuring Lady Saw
I would go as far as to say, that this is the most solid track on the album. It sounds very dated, circa “Renee” from the Lost Boyz, but it’s arguably the best song on the album. Her tonality and delivery are damn near flawless on this one. The Reggae feel is blended perfectly with Hip-Hop and Foxy (???) “whoa” adlib is the stamp on this song. She did her thing on this one, finally.

Bottom Line:
This review took so long because I had to listen to it in line with the other CD’s. In today’s market, there are few female emcees that are really doing it in the industry so I had to kinda set the plate before I ate. I listened to all 4 (counting the unreleased Ill Na Na 2: The Fever) before doing this review. Of course not all at one time, but I had to have some point of reference, hell, it’s been 7 years. What I discovered is that they are all damn near the same. Does that matter or should that matter? Well, considering Ms. Inga started killing it as a teenager when she broke into the game, and she is now a grown woman, I would expect some (more) growth. She had a chance to do something special with a wide open field, and she just released the same album…again….with more pedestrian beats and a large dose of reggae and bitterness that start to repeat themselves on this very album. She has been working on Black Roses now for quite a while and hopefully, it can breathe some new life into her music and really assert her as the Don Diva she claims to be.

nappyPicks: “The Quan (Hip-Hop Mix)”, ” Why”, “Never Heard This Before”, & “Star Cry”

Download: Foxy Brown feat. Lady Saw – “The Quan”
Download: Foxy Brown feat. Dwele – “Never Heard This Before”