If one were to chart Beans’ career/hype on a graph, it would look like the Rocky Mountains. Of course when The Roc was doing things and making noise, it was at it’s zenith. Beans definitely benefited from the influence of Sean Carter as well as being the quiet head of State Property. Since then, things are murky. Siegel has hit the mixtape circuit and put out some nice work in doing so. So what does he have in store for us on this Siccness “official” release?

1. Beanie
Intro

2. Why Wouldn’t I
Not a bad track at all. I think that’s either the Guiding Light or some other soap opera theme playing in the back for this track. It still works though. The drums and clap add some additional depth to this one and the tempo keeps ya’ head in motion. Lyrically, Beanie comes at us with what sounds like a battle rhyme set to music. He’s not playing at all. Aggressive, angry, and assured could have been another name for the real lead in song for the album. This is a great jumpoff for the album.

3. Tear Drops
Another banger here. I can’t front on the beat either. I won’t say it’s a high quality or complex sounding track, but I really like it….until we get to the hook. The song kind of falls apart there. Not just musically, but the production and mixing just seem to be lackluster there. As far as the lyrics go, it’s not bad. With references to Tyrese/Waist Deep, “Chicken Noodle Soup”, and “Harlem Shake”, he’s intent on just saying things that work, but not make you take notice.

4. Where’s My Opponent
Featuring Omilio Sparks & Freeway
Bounce and church chords…okay. It’s not a bad beat, but it gets irritating and boring quick. The recurring chord has been used so much, I can’t even remember the original song it was from. The song has a cypher feel in that it’s just three cats jumping on a beat, the uniting factor is bullets. Basically, you get killed by three different dudes on here. Moving past that part, lyrically, I’m not overly impressed with any of the verses on this one.

5. Ready For War
Featuring Freeway & Young Chris
Young Chris obviously studied Jay’s flow and delivery. If you’d adjust the audio, you could think it was him. Freeway tries to slow down but stay intense on this Curtis Mayfield sounding beat. Sigel plays the closer on this one, but I’m not sure what he’s closing. This soulful track is one of the better produced offerings on the album.

6. All For It
At first, I’m hyped with the way the beat starts and Beans is on it. There is no intro, no lead in, nothing. Soon as you get to song 6, it starts. While I think this is a great time in the album for Beans to return tho this type of track, the track itself, again, get’s annoying quickly. It’s just on a loop and it becomes grating after a while. The other problem is the sample in the hook…we been seeing it too long in commercials for it to be credible or even take the song seriously. Sigel issues out what sounds like a open challenge to any of you “YouTube niggas” that want to get it.

7. Sicker Than Your Average
Featuring Freeway
This is another soulful track that I really dig. The name and sound go with each other perfectly here. Freeway sounds fantastic on this track. He really owns this song and probably should have stole it for one of his releases. Unfortunately for Sigel, he doesn’t step up to the challenge on this one enough to be memorable over what Freeway spit. I have no idea what’s going on with the hook on this one either…but that’s not new. I’ll explain later.

8. Run To The Roc
Featuring Young Chris & Omilio Sparks
Jamaican influence in full tow down to the sample, this song is completely different from anything else on the album. (If anyone knows the sample for the hook, let me know.) I won’t pretend to know what happened between Beans and Jay, hell, I don’t know that anything happened, but this song can definitely feed the idea that they fell out. The concept is that someone you lean on, someone who is your rock, isn’t there for you like they said they would be. Each rapper references Judas and “big homie” not standing by their side. I think we’re getting some inside info on this one.

9. Bang Bang
Featuring Murda Mill
This song disappoints me. The track is okay, but the production is terrible. I feel like Beans and Murda are yelling over a really low beat. The hook is disgustingly bad and the lyrics are elementary in comparison with the rest of the album. SKIP

10. Return Of The Chain Gang
Featuring Young Chris
Okay, this Young Chris cat really sounds a lot like Jigga, to the point he sounds like he’s just trying to be Jigga. It’s damn annoying at this point. I like how Beans get this one in and delivers some of his darkest wordplay on the album. Once again, the hook is lackluster and helps bring the song down from what it could have been.

11. You Over Did It
Featuring Young Chris & Murda Mill
We get yet another Biggie reference on this track to get it started. The cadence and flow sounds very familiar to B.I.G. at times, that’s kind of odd for me. Young Chris…well, you’ve read what I think of him. Let me be clear, he’s nice with it, unfortunately, so is the person who famously has that same sound and flow. I may be wrong, but I feel like Murda Mill just spit a freestyle flow and they added the beat later. He leaves the beat at times and seems to keep up his own tempo here. It’s not a bad flow, but it does sound very street battle made and not constructed around a song for an album.

12. The Ghetto
Shout out to Vincent Price with the spooky lead in voice over. The song is ominous and I think Beans is at his best on this song. “This fuckin’ recession got everybody stuck broke/This shit depressin’/Everybody cut throat/If you ain’t spendin’ 45 hard on a whole joint/You’re forced to buy 9 hard compressed from a small point”. The picture he paints with his words is powerful and welcome. Then you get to the hook… (Check out the music video here)

Bottom Line:
I’ve read a lot of reviews and promo articles that seem to hint, along with the intro of this album, that paints this album as a collection of unreleased material. That’s unfortunate because I like Beans and his flow, but if true, this explains why this comes off with a mixtape feel and not being cohesive as an album. This one is for the streets, no doubt about that, but as an album? I’m not sold. I think that a lot of these songs were Beans just going at a track or reciting rhymes from battles that may have been influenced a bit by the late B.I.G. and them adding the hooks later. Matter of fact, that’s my one of the biggest problem with this album. The hooks are, by large, terrible. That is a major part of a song, the ability to construct a solid hook is part of what separates battle rappers from successful artists. We can damn near make a who’s who list of battle rappers that didn’t make it in the business. This album being proceeded by The Solution really doesn’t help this one at all either. The previous albums all were released on Roc/Def Jam and this one is done by Siccness. The production value is low and as an album, this offering is less than average.

nappyPicks: “The Ghetto”, “Why Wouldn’t I”, & “Run To The Roc”

Download: Beanie Sigel – “Why Wouldn’t I”

Download: Beanie Sigel feat. Young Chris & Omilio Sparks – “Run To The Roc”

Whoa. We posting a mixtape on Sunday? Yep. Young Chris (Who has been grinding on the internets) is back with the Don Cannon assisted The Network. After a few listens, I like what I’m hearing and you probably will too (Even though you may have already heard a few of these tracks). Wale, Beanie Sigel, Twista & Freeway even make some appearances. Check out the artwork (I personally prefer the original cover) and download the mixtape.

Download: Young Chris & Don Cannon – The Network

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)

When I first heard about this album, it seemed almost too good to be true: Freeway was not only making another album, but it would be the sequel to his debut album, Philadelphia Freeway, a solid album that, to this day, remains a hood classic. Freeway burst on the scene with hard lyrics and popular singles like “What We Do” & “Flipside”. He caught the sophomore jinx though, and his last album, Free at Last, tanked with only 100k sold to this date. Now with an album on Real Talk Records, can Freeway get back in the game in a major way?

Pay Attention
Freeway just comes back, talking about the album. It’s basically the introduction into the next track.

Finally Free
Now this is the shit I love to hear! Freeway came with this one: the first single off the album, and for good reason. The track bangs, and the hook is hot too: “Finally Free, Free back finally!” I’m glad he’s back too. This is a great way to start the album, it makes up realize that we’re happy Freeway is back on his grind. “Be in it for the whole duration/Fuck waitin’, get dough!”

Gotz To Be Tha Bomb
This is song for me was just OK. I mean, he’s got more Osama references than you count (you know, the whole Bomb thing…), but the hook is kind of lazy and drags on. Lyrically, Freeway shows us more of the skill and ability that he’s been known for, talking about days in the past, but I feel like he could be a lot better at times, like here: “I used to keep the lazer on my hip/Same days when I used to keep the pager on my hip/That was back when you could sell a million on the strip/And next…but now shit all fucked up.” Average song at best.

Hands Up
The beat on this BLAZING! I have no idea who produced it, but it’s amazing, sounding like the East and the South merged together into greatness. It’s got an epic feel to it; strong enough to be a banger, but at the same time good enough that Freeway can take out his lyrical skill. And Freeway rides it like a vet, constantly switching flows on it:

“I do it without a pen/
this shit comes right out my limbs/
and then you get my lyrics/I’m the man/
I do it with no hands/
I’m totally focused, I do it with no smoke and mirrors”

Freeway really did his thing here, you gotta check for this one.

Think About It
This a quick skit from a movie clip about how the drug game has changed things in the ‘hood.

Crack Rap
The production here was amazing!! I was going crazy as soon as this song came on, easily my favorite track out of them all. Freeway is rapping some real shit on this album too: “Half you niggas ain’t even been a gun battle/Ya’ll niggas just lyin’ rappin’, high as a scaffold/But if a nigga start to clap at you, you won’t know what to do/Crying to your mother, standin’ frozen like a statue.” Free definitely stepped it up for this one, and all 5 minutes of this song is fire.

Murda Muzik
This song was aiight. The beat goes hard, but it doesn’t stand up to the production that came before it. Freeway sounds almost uninspired right here, and the hook is suspect: it’s too long and awkward to make this song a banger. I’m not skipping this one, but it is a disappointment.

Around the World
This one shoulda been the first single: the production on it sounds really clean, and the beat is hard enough to pass as street and yet at the same time club-ready, which is what makes it so genius. Freeway here raps about traveling: “I’m bi-coastal, the black hopeful/The Obama of rap, with a gat, holla!” That’s a cold line right there, but Freeway again isn’t as lyrical as he was in the early parts of the album. Still, a great song.

Streets Won’t Miss ‘Em
I’m really loving the production on this album a lot. When the pianos on this song come it, it just becomes too hot. Only problem is that even on song #9, these songs are starting to sound very similar, and it’s hard to tell them apart. This one is only 3:10, so it’s short and it doesn’t do a very good job of standing out from the aforementioned tracks on the album. Average song.

The Nation
This is a clip from Menace II Society, the scene with Caine and Sharif’s teacher talking about Sharif’s conversion to Islam and how it made him a better person. You know I gave ya’ll this as a Friday Night Fro’, so if you still haven’t seen the movie, go check it out.

It’s A Good Day
This song is alright, but it’s nothing you haven’t heard before. I mean, this is a commonly tread topic in rap. Freeway even calls this his version of “It Was A Good Day”. He talks about a good breakfast, fly clothes, and hooking up with a girl, so basically exactly the same as the original version, only not as good. The lyrics sound like Freeway was sleeping on this track, just going through the motions. Average track.

Keep Yo Hands Up
Featuring Sheek Louch
This is essentially a remix of the original track, but Sheek Louch comes on as a guest feature. Truth be told, his verse is aiight, I think this version should have been put on in place of the other one, instead of putting both versions on the same album. It makes the first version seem mainly like filler.

Philly Freezer
Freeway just comes on, telling us that more new music is on the way soon, and he also gives a shout out to Roc-A-Fella Records and State Property. Didn’t he get dropped?

Bottom Line:
This album is too short. I don’t know why, but Freeway’s albums are always really short and leave you wanting more. This album did leave me wanting more, but it doesn’t even feel like a real album, more like a mixtape that was pieced together and rushed to the shelves. It’s 10 tracks and 3 skit like tracks. Hell, you could even say it’s actually only 9 tracks because “Hands Up” is essentially on here twice. Another thing that disappointed me was that while the tracks on here were good, I think the tracks I heard before from Freeway’s “Month of Madness” were easily much better than this, and it seems disappointing that he would even call this the sequel to his excellent debut. If it seems like I’m bashing the album right now, I’m not, I just think the album could have been a lot better if he spent more time perfecting it. Still, this is a solid effort from Philadelphia Freeway.

nappyPicks: “Hands Up”, “Around the World”, & “Crack Rap”

Download: Freeway – “Crack Rap”

Back in June of this year I brought Statik Selektah to nappyafro in the form of a Rewind Review of his debut release album Statik Selektah Presents Spell My Name Right (The Album). Being the underground Hip Hop head that I am, I was anticipating this album along with Termanology’s album Politics As Usual last month, especially after seeing the video for the song “To The Top (Stick To The Script)”. Now one month and one release later, Statik Selektah delivers his sophomore album entitled Stick 2 The Script. Immediately after reading the title you get the idea that Statik Selektah decided to stick with the same formula of boom-bap beats and lyrical assassins that he blessed us with on his debut. Some people say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, so lets see if this formula worked for Statik the second time around.

1. Stick 2 The Script (Intro)
Produced by Statik Selektah
This is your basic intro track with Statik Selektah picking up right where he left off on his debut album. Statik produces a piano driven beat letting the listeners know that he’s back for a second round and that they should be prepared for nothing less than the best.

2. To The Top (Stick 2 The Script)
Featuring Cassidy, Saigon, & Termanology; Produced by Statik Selektah
The album kicks right off in a major way with the first released single off the project. Statik Selektah delivers some great sounding production on this track for Cassidy, Saigon, and Termanology to spit some hard rhymes over. All three emcees attack the mic with force but Cassidy shows that he hasn’t lost a step with his punchline heavy verse that steals the show. Check out the Rik Cordero video for this song, it’s amazing as he directs it Reservoir Dog style. Rik Cordero is that dude!!!

3. For The City
Featuring M.O.P. & Jadakiss; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah takes us back on this track with a hard-hitting beat equipped with the New Jack City sampled acapella. M.O.P. and Jadakiss bless this track with some nicely delivered rhymes. M.O.P. get down for the crown on this song as Jada takes a more casual approach with his verse. Statik Selektah adds some scratching at the end to complete the track.

4. Get Out The Way
Featuring Bun B & Cory Mo; Produced by Statik Selektah
On this track Statik Selektah decides to take us down to the South in Texas to hook up with the legendary Bun B and his partner Cory Mo. Statik produces a beat that somewhat fits the Texas natives, but it seems a little lacking (maybe the oriental sounds). Both emcees drop some nice verses that support the beat and make this track listenable to an extent.

5. All 2gether Now
Featuring Freeway, Peedi Crakk, & Young Chris; Produced by Statik Selektah
This is a track that a lot of people have been waiting for a while to hear. A State Property reunion track (sort of) with original members Freeway, Peedi Crack, and Young Chris. Statik Selektah delivers some menacing production on this track for the emcee to get down on. No emcee really outdoes another on this song but Freeway definitely brought some energy to the track with his flow and delivery. It was good to hear State Property back on a track together, but now we need a full reunion (where’s Beanie Mack at???)

6. Interlude
Featuring Q-Tip; Produced by Statik Selektah
This interlude track features Q-Tip doing his best Busta Rhymes impersonation as he gives a shout to Statik Selektah over a dope produced beat by Statik Selektah. With such a good beat I would have enjoyed hearing Q-Tip spit some rhymes over it but we just get a drop instead.

7. Church
Featuring Termanology; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah hooks up a soulful vibe on this track as his production lays the backdrop for Termanology to spit his signature rhymes over. Fresh off his debut album release, Termanology shows you why he’s one of the best upcoming rappers in the industry today. I swear Termanology has some crazy punchlines (“Shorty opened her legs, it smelled like Chinatown”)…wow for real?!!!??.

8. Talkin’ Bout You (Ladies)
Featuring Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz, & Talib Kweli; Produced by Statik Selektah
I thought the previous track was soulful, but this one completely blows it out of the water. Statik Selektah borrows a page from 9th Wonder (I heard 9th use the same sample on one of his beats a while back) and produces a soul filled beat for the Brooklyn Connection (Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz, and Talib Kweli) to talk about the ladies on. This is a real soulful track that you can just sit back and groove to while thinking about the ladies.

9. On The Marquee
Featuring Little Brother, Joe Scudda, & Chaundon; Produced by Statik Selektah
From NY we take it down to NC as Statik Selektah hooks up with Little Brother, Joe Scudda, and Chaudon. Statik Selektah really has a soul vibe going as he produces yet another soul filled beat for these emcees to drop lyrics on. This beat sounds like a perfect fit for Little Brother as Phonte does some great singing on the chorus. How could you not enjoy music like this…we need more of this in Hip Hop seriously!!!

10. Mr. Popularity
Featuring Consequence; Produced by Statik Selektah
Talk about a dark, menacing beat, Statik Selektah produces an ominous one for Consequence to deliver some great rhymes over. This song is the 2nd single off the album and it’s a good choice, as Consequence speaks much about 2Pac and his death as well as the lifestyle of somebody popular.

11. Interlude
Featuring The Madd Rapper
On this interlude track we see the return of The Madd Rapper as he tries to give a drop for Statik Selektah on his album but can’t quite seem to get his name right (“Frantic Inspector”…”Inspector Gadget”…”Static Cling”). I guess Madd Rapper should have listened to the debut album and learned how to spell his name right as well as say it right. Funny shit on this interlude.

12. This Is It (Showoff Remix)
Featuring D-Dot, Redman, & Black Rob; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah delivers some very nice production on this track that sees D-Dot, Redman, and Black Rob spitting some rhymes over it. Redman sounds real hungry on this track spitting some good rhymes and it’s good to hear Black Rob back in the mix of things.

13. So Good (Live From The Bar)
Featuring Naledge, Reks, & CL Smooth; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah comes right back on this track with some lively production equipped with the horns as Naledge, Reks, and CL Smooth all get down on the track. Reks and CL Smooth deliver some really good rhymes on the track, but Naledge steals the show with his free flowing verse. As always it was good to hear a Hip-Hop legend like CL Smooth dropping some rhymes.

14. Streets Of M.A.
Featuring Masspike Miles, Termanology, Reks, Slaine, & More; Produced by Statik Selektah
This is Statik Selektah’s track dedicated to his home Massachusetts along with the rappers that rep MA as well. Statik Selektah produces an average beat on this track with each emcee spitting a nice verse, but I don’t really think the singing on the chorus fits well with the song.

15. Sounds Of The Street (Interlude)
Featuring JFK; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah produces an interesting sounding beat on this interlude track by building the beat off various sounds heard on the street. It’s a pretty unique beat in it’s own right as JFK spits a short verse about not only being a rapper in the game, but also a fan of the game.

16. Destined To Shine
Featuring Torae, Sha Stimuli, & Jon Hope; Produced by Statik Selektah
This track comes on with a bang as Statik Selektah produces a very epic sounding beat that nicely accompanies the rhymes from Torae, Sha Stimuli, and Jon Hope. Each emcee spits lines about being destined to shine and patiently waiting for that time to arrive.

17. Cali Nights
Featuring Glasses Malone, Mistah Fab, & Novel; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik has taken us from the East Coast to the South and now we travel across country to the West Coast for a stop in Cali. The beat produced by Statik Selektah on this track is such a smooth track that it’s easy to see why the Cali emcees fit so well over it. Glasses Malone and Mistah Fab drop some good rhymes over the track while Novel makes it complete with his singing on the chorus.

18. Take It All Back
Featuring Reks, Ea$y Money, Royce Da 5’9”, & Paula Campbell; Produced by Statik Selektah
To finish off the album Statik Selektah produces a beat that has a reminiscing vibe to it that allows the emcees time to think back and recall. It was kind of surprising hearing Royce Da 5’9” on the track but he finds his fit and makes it work. The singing by Paula Campbell on the song is a real nice addition and a great way to end off the album.

Bottom Line:
At 18 total tracks, Statik Selektah provides the listeners with more than enough material to satisfy their listening crave for some real Hip-Hop music. In listening to the entire album you won’t really find a weak or bad track out of the bunch and after listening to Statik’s debut album Statik Selektah Presents Spell My Name Right (The Album) you can see that he has improved on some things while being able to keep the formula the same. Statik Selektah is really showing why he has become one of the best, underrated music producers in the game with the gems that he produced on this album. Like other compilation albums done by producers, he also showed that he has a knack for matching the right artists with the right track. If you haven’t heard of Statik Selektah or taken the time to listen to his debut album or various mixapes, then you should start with this album and introduce yourself to a great producer (then go back and listen to his previous releases). You won’t be disappointed by what Statik Selektah provides and hopefully you start to realize how much better underground Hip Hop is and has been for a long time.

nappyPicks: “To The Top (Stick 2 The Script)”, “On The Marquee”, “Talkin’ Bout You (Ladies)”, “Destined To Shine”, “Cali Nights”, “Take It All Back”, “This Is It (Showoff Remix)”, & “Mr. Popularity”

Download: Statik Selektah feat. Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz, & Talib Kweli – “Talkin’ Bout You (Ladies)”

After taking some time to clean up my apartment, which entailed listening and going through over 100 unlabeled CD’s (I’m never making a “mixtape/playlist” CD-R ever again, it’s strictly iTunes/iPod only from now on), I decided to sit back and listen to Jake One’s latest release entitled White Van Music. Being a bigger fan of underground Hip Hop than I am of the mainstream/commercial side, I was anticipating the release of this CD after hearing about it. Not many people have heard about Jake One or know that they are probably a fan of a song that he has produced. If “I Don’t Know Officer” (G-Unit), “It’s Over” (Freeway) or even “The Time Is Now” (John Cena) is on your list of favorite songs than consider yourself in this category. Usually with compilation albums from producers, it’s more about the artists they select to feature over their tracks than their actual production. Let’s see how Jake One fairs on his debut album…

1. I’m Coming
Featuring Black Milk & Nottz; Produced by Jake One
After a brief introduction skit explaining how “music” is his drug, a sick bassline along with a background sample begin playing accompanied by drums and electric guitars. Jake One’s production on this first track immediately let you know what he’s coming with behind the boards. Black Milk and Nottz, who are also usually found behind the boards handling production for other artists’ work, deliver some bars instead on this track. Their lyrics are nicely delivered but average skill wise, a testament that they should just focus on the beats and production side where they are both amazingly skilled.

2. Gangsta Boy
Featuring M.O.P.; Produced by Jake One
This next track features some nice production by Jake One in terms of hard-hitting drums, heavy guitar, and synths. This track also features Billy Danze and Lil’ Fame of M.O.P. as they spit their signature aggressive and angry lyrics over a beat that equally matches their intensity.

3. The Truth
Featuring Freeway & Brother Ali; Produced by Jake One
On this track we get the unlikely pairing of Philadelphia emcee Freeway and Minneapolis emcee Brother Ali. Jake One provides the duo with a smooth sampled beat to spit their lyrics over and they do so in nice fashion. Brother Ali proceeds to take the track with his lyrics over Freeway’s verse, but Free did his thing as well. Brother Ali continues to show why he’s one of the underrated emcees in the underground with his slick flow and delivery.

4. Turn It Down
Produced by Jake One
This track is more of an interlude as it just a Jake One beat playing for 0:50 with some talking in the background. This is a nicely produced beat by Jake One and deserved some lyrics on it, but it just comes off too short and leaves you wanting to hear more. Contrary to the song’s title, this was a song that I was turning up and repeating a couple times.

5. God Like
Featuring D. Black; Produced by Jake One
The production on this track by Jake One is some of the smoothest that I have heard on any album released this year. The lyrics on this song are handled by relatively unknown emcee D. Black, who spits some good lyrics and shows much potential as an artist.

6. Bless The Child
Featuring Little Brother; Produced by Jake One
This track, which is one of the “Songs of the Week” here a nappyafro, features Little Brother getting down on a Jake One produced track. The soulful vibe produced on this track perfectly fits Little Brother in their style and manner. You could be confused for a second in thinking that 9th Wonder produced this track from how soulful it is produced. The singing and scratching at the end of the track is really the icing on the cake for this song.

7. Oh Really
Featuring Posdnuos & Slug; Produced by Jake One
On this track we get some bouncy production by Jake One with lyrics from Posdnuos and Slug. The production on this track is good but it seems a bit lacking from what we’ve heard previously on this album. Both emcees deliver some good lyrics with Slug upstaging Posdnuos on this song in terms of lyrics.

8. Hi
Produced by Jake One
This is another interlude track produced by Jake One that features some nice production along with some talking in the background. I’m not feeling the beat as much on this track as I was on “Turn It Down”, so this track was the perfect length and gets us right back into the album.

9. Trap Door
Featuring MF Doom; Produced by Jake One
In continuing with the album we get back in the mix of things in a great way with this hard-hitting track produced by Jake One. The emcee of choice on this song just happened to be underground legend MF Doom who delivers some humorous and skillful lyrics as he always does (Is it me or does MF Doom sound like Just Blaze when he’s talking?). I’m really feeling this track and wish it was longer than it is.

10. Dead Wrong
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Jake One
This next track features ex-G-Unit member Young Buck over some production by Jake One that sounds like a mixture of the South and the West Coast. This can be considered Young Buck’s diss record towards his former G-Unit partners 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, and Lloyd Banks. Both the lyrics and the beat on this track come off just average and could have been done better. I know that Buck could have came harder at G-Unit on this track but maybe he’s saving that for another track (maybe a collaboration with The Game).

11. Kissin’ The Curb
Featuring Bishop Lamont & Busta Rhymes; Produced by Jake One
On the introduction of this song it sounds like Busta Rhymes is responding to Young Buck for the previous song, but I don’t think he is intentionally. Jake One provides some gritty production on this track for Bishop Lamont and Busta Rhymes to get loose on and deliver some nice lyrics over. The production on this song sounds similar to something J Dilla might have produced for Busta Rhymes (check out the Dillagence mixtape by Mick Boogie).

12. How We Ride
Featuring Freeway; Produced by Jake One
On this track we are blessed with another appearance by Freeway but this time it’s solo for the lyrics. Jake One provides Freeway with a piano based beat to deliver some lyrics about moving work and circulating that white. The lyrics from Free are better on this track than they were on the previously featured track with Brother Ali. Jake One and Freeway might be a collaboration that we start seeing more often and that wouldn’t be a bad thing.

13. White Van
Featuring Alchemist, Evidence, & Prodigy; Produced by Jake One
It was Evidence’s album The Weatherman LP where I was first introduced to Jake One and his production on the track “Down In New York City”. Evidence returns the favor on the title track along with Alchemist and Prodigy who join him for guest appearances. The beat produced by Jake One is a good one but it starts to become boring after a while. All three producers/emcees spit some nice lyrics but Prodigy takes the show as you might imagine with his verse.

14. Big Homie Style
Featuring J. Pinder, GMK, & Spaceman; Produced by Jake One
Jake One delivers some great production on this track as he produces a dark, epic sounding beat for three unknown emcees to spit lyrics over. The beat really sets the tone and mood for this track with J. Pinder having the best verse out of the three emcees. Jake One is doing a good deed by featuring these unknown emcees and bringing some new faces to the industry.

15. Scared
Featuring Blueprint; Produced by Jake One
This track features some more great production from Jake One, even better than the previous track. The piano based beat suits the lyrics from Blueprint well along with the song’s topic. Blueprint’s vivid lyrics succeed in storytelling and painting a picture in the listener’s mind that truly make this a great song overall.

16. Great Sound
Produced by Jake One
We have yet another interlude produced by Jake One in the form on an interview talking about the album and Jake One as a producer.

17. Get ‘Er Done
Featuring MF Doom; Produced by Jake One
This track features another appearance by MF Doom who spits some lyrics over another dark beat produced by Jake One. MF Doom creates a song from the famous line from Larry The Cable Guy that works well with the production. While this is a good song, I’m not feeling it as much as I was the previous MF Doom featured track “Trap Door”.

18. Feeling My Shit
Featuring Casual; Produced by Jake One
On this track we get an appearance by old school emcee Casual over an average produced by Jake One. This track is basically Casual spitting some braggadocio lyrics over the beat while naming artists that are “feeling his shit” on the chorus. This is an average track in my opinion and gets boring rather quickly in listening.

19. Soil Raps
Featuring Keak Da Sneak; Produced by Jake One
Jake One manages to deliver another smooth beat with the production on this track that features Bay emcee Keak Da Sneak. He delivers some suitable lyrics over the nicely produced beat, but I really just can’t bare his voice as it’s hard to understand at times and the tone is just ridiculous. I’m middle ground when it comes to this track as I like the beat but really don’t care for the lyrics.

20. Glow
Featuring Elzhi & Royce Da 5′9″; Produced by Jake One
Continuing their work together from Elzhi’s album The Preface on the track “Motown 25”, Elzhi and Royce Da 5’9″ show how they haven’t lost a step since then. Jake One definitely does his thing with the production on this track, as it sounds perfect for the duo. This is a beat that I could really hear Little Brother spittin’ over as well and sounding as good as Elzhi and Royce Da 5’9″ do on it. This is a great track that should be repeated a few times after the first listen.

21. R.I.P.
Produced by Jake One
This track is basically a dedication track to the influential artists, emcees, producers, and DJ’s that we’ve lost in the music industry. Jake One samples Willie Hutch’s “I Choose You” for the beat on this track and it fits nicely for the song. I really hope thought that this is the last time for a while that a producer samples the song as it’s starting to get overdone.

22. Home
Featuring Vitamin D, C Note, Maine, & Ish; Produced by Jake One
This is in fact the first track that I heard off the album that really caught my attention and got me very interested in the rest of the project. The production by Jake One on this track is just incredible as he creates such a soulful backdrop for the emcees to spit lyrics on. Jake One recruits some fellow emcees from his hometown of Seattle that talk about their home. This is probably one of my favorite tracks on the album for the infectious beat alone.

23. Hurt U
Featuring Pharoahe Monch & Kardinal Offishall; Produced by Jake One
This is a bonus track for the iTunes version of the album that features Pharoahe Monch and Kardinal Offishall. Jake One produces a bouncy type beat that should have been included regularly on the album. Kardinal Offishall spits some good lyrics but it’s Pharoahe Monch that really gets down on this track and makes it his own. This was a nice extra feature for the album and ends it off in a good way.

Bottom Line:
As the debut album for Jake One he produces a solid offering in terms of this compilation. There aren’t really too many bad tracks on this album aside from a couple tracks and that really shows the strength of this project with a total of 23 tracks. Some people said that this album was too long and could have been condensed, but I think it’s a good length to really showcase Jake One’s skill and ability as a producer as well as his diversity for producing various types of tracks. Underground fans will really appreciate this album and new listeners will come to realize how good of a producer was sitting right under their noses without really knowing. I think people will start to look out for Jake One as a producer and he’ll start appearing on a lot more artists’ projects delivering great beats and production.

nappyPicks: “Home”, “Glow”, “Bless The Child”, “Trap Door”, “Scared”, & “I’m Coming”

Download: Jake One feat. Vitamin D, C Note, Maine, & Ish – “Home”

It seemed like Freeway was absolutely finished after getting dropped by the NEW Def Jam President, L.A. Reid in May. Jay was powerless to do anything since Roc-A-Fella is now owned by Def Jam, and Freeway was saved by a joint-venture: I guess now he’s signed to G-Unit or something, since he had a joint venture between Roc-A-Fella and G-Unit, but you know how they’re doing: T.O.S. did disapointing numbers, mainly because people are STILL blasting Lil’ Wayne and Nas came out with Untitled (finally!).

But with all that, I couldn’t see Freeway making another record. Well, low and behold, I was wrong! In fact, Young Chris has been doing the same thing, but I’ll get to him later. Free has been releasing brand new tracks for 2008 and leaking them willingly to the internet, I guess to start a buzz. Each track is really short, under 3 minutes, but they’re really good; how come Free wasn’t on that Vibe roster?? He’s easily better than most of the rappers they had on there. I heard 5 that he had put out, but I could only find 4 of the 5 tracks: don’t worry: the one he did over Nas’ “Hero” that I couldn’t find was alright, but he needs to stop trying to sing!

The 1st of the tracks I got is “Freedom of Speech”, and this is Freeway at an incredibly lyrical level, more than I’ve heard in awhile. The 2nd of the tracks is “A 2 B”, which is hot as hell; I downloaded it and it’s been bangin’ often. 3rd track is “Let the Heat Build”, a freestyle done by Freeway over the “Let The Beat Build” track with another new rapper, Hollewood, who isn’t bad! The last track is “Flowmaster”, and this one is done over an old beat, Bank’s “Ain’t No Click”, and he makes it sound pretty good: I like the line: “Hood Osama/Freeway Obama”. Every rapper nowadays HAS to compare themselves to Obama, don’t they? I think Jay-Z was the first on “You’re Welcome” (I think Common on “Why (remix)” or Juelz Santana’s freestyle over “Black Republicans” may contest though). Anyway, here’s the links to the tracks below. Shoutout to the Hear It First and Street Exclusives for the links. Enjoy these tracks straight from The Stoop!

Download: Freeway – “Let The Heat Build”

Download: Freeway – “Freedom Of Speech”

Download: Freeway feat. Hollewood – “A 2 B”

Download: Freeway – “Flowmaster”

Somehow, one of the more talented lyricists had been reduced to one hit a year, the “Rap Up”. It’s not all bad, a lot of folks learned who he was by the yearly recap…sadly, a lot of former fans lost love for him over them as well. This offering enlists the help of some HUGE names including Kwamé, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Common, Talib, Black Thought, and Freeway. Let’s see what’s in this backpack.

Million Dollar Backpack (Intro)
Produced by DJ Jazzy Jeff
The bass reminds me of “Cool Like Dat”; cool, laid back, and groovy. A few quick sound bites (interview style) and we are laced with some flow by Skillz. For those of you new to Mr. Mad Skillz, he name drops…a lot. Nothing new as he calls Ye’ out in the first 5 words. The rest of the flow is just as good, I don’t know how I feel about the “phone call” setting of the lyrics. Otherwise, it’s a nice intro.

Where I Been
Produced by Jake One
The number one response to “You getting’ that Skillz album?” has to be, “Yo, where he been man?”  Well, listen here and let him tell you. “Don’t ask me where I been/Ask me where I’m goin’ /You best believe I’m somewhere flowin’ /And I’m doin’ what I love to do/And when it comes out trust me, you’ll love it too.” Skillz flow on here is upbeat and pretty well matched to the track provided by Jake One. Its up-tempo and very grown up. This is a really cohesive sound including the singing on the hook.

Don’t Act Like You Don’t Know
Featuring Freeway; Produced by Ivan, Orthodox, & Barias
Sometimes, cameos require the guest to flow on a song that may not really be the norm for them. This track is very Freeway. Don’t let that throw you off though; Skillz changes his flow up again. His name flippin’ is on serious display with his first 2 lines where he weaves Big and Pac in name/song as he likens himself to the two legends. Freeway brings his signature sound to the song and doesn’t half step on this one at all. The track has a chant of the title of the song on repeat over a bouncy, energetic track. The energy of this one doesn’t get old even if you heard it a while ago when it leaked. This is one of my favorite complete songs on the album.

So Far So Good
Featuring Common; Produced by Usef Deniro (aka Joe Money)
My first gripe out the gate is that this song seems even slower and more mellow when put after the previous song. That’s not a good idea, in my opinion. That aside, the track is okay. It’s a nice groove, but it gets a little boring as the song plays on. I think a lot is lost in translation with this because of the previous song, but while they lyrics are there, the deliveries for this song come off as lazy. Again, I know this is ONLY because of the arrangement of the album and not the song itself. I went back and listened to this song without hearing the one before it, and it stands up well. This is good song.

Sick (The Sequel)
Produced by Kwamé & A Kid Named Cus
The track comes on and honestly, I’m tired of it instantly. It sounds like a simple loop with no build up or extra, just track and flow. That’s a shame too because this song is really a good showcase of Skillz, well, skills. He lets us know how long he has been in the game, how good he is (and has continued to be) and gives you names to back it up. “I was sick before you, could count your bars/I was sick before Run and Blade were TV Stars/I was sick before the South had hits/Sick before you knew how to download something like this”. He calls Jeezy out for a second time here, not sure what that is about, but not only is it Jeezy by name, its Jeezy and his ad lib game. Lyrically, this is what Killer Mike’s “I’m The Shit” should have sounded like.

(For Real) He Don’t Own Me
Produced by Bink
Bongos and a little Caribbean flavor give this track a good grade. I like the summer feel and the little changes in the music as it plays on. The singing on the hook follows the story of a young lady that is giving our man Skillz the rhythm while being with someone. Guys, by default, you need to be loving this jam. I don’t know if it is a song for the ladies, or a song for those of us that KNOW this situation. Either way, it’s a winner to me. The storytelling aspect of this one is just so damn dope. This IS my favorite song on the album. I’m old though, so don’t mind me.

My Phone
Produced by Fusion Unlimited & E-Flat
Young rappers, take note. The creativity of this song is fantastic. The song is about, as the song states, Skillz’s phone and all the celebrity women in it (From Nia Long, Lauren London, Gabby, Fergs, Halle Berry, Joi Bryant, Serena and Venus, Nona Gaye, Ms. Good, etc). He weaves in some movies and songs with the stars as well as gives us an ending that the fellas will feel. The track is very simple, but I can’t mark against that because I think anything complex would take away from the song. This is a very good song.

Yeah Ya Know It
Produced by Khari Ferrari & Skillz
OKplaaaaaaaaayer is the intro as the futuristic sound and head noddin’ drums come in and provide a decent base to build this song on. There is nothing spectacular about this song. It’s not bad, it just doesn’t stand out.

Hold Tight
Featuring Black Thought; Produced by ?uestlove & James Poyser
The Legendary bless us on here. They add some serious depth not only to this song, but the entire album. We get some dope drums, horns, and simplistic bliss. This is one of the better produced tracks on the album. Skillz manages to flip his style yet again to keep up with the delivery of Thought. Both offer up some fly verses and witty wordplay over a song about making it through situations. I think the hook on this one could have been better, but the song is still pretty dope.

Crazy World
Produced by Kari Ferrari & Skillz
I immediately think of “Mighty O” by Outkast because of the HBCU band sound of the track. Skillz gives us another flow as he pontificates on the state of affairs in, yeah, this “Crazy World”. The juxtaposition of the fun, toe tapping sound of the song and the serious subject matter of the lyrics works. I guess they balance each other out, but I normally don’t like that kind of coexistence. Maybe I am giving him a pass…works for me.

I’m Gon’ Make It
Produced by Bink
The organ like chord intro dramatically brings you into what seems to be a monumental song. It doesn’t build like I thought it would. The song pretty much stays right there where it started. For the rest of the song, I sit waiting for “IT” to kick in…but it never does. Lyrically, the song is an inspiration about perseverance. Yeah, how boring, another positive track, how dare he. The song is good, I think the production, as mentioned, leaves the song a bit on the table, but lyrically, it’s Skillz. He doesn’t seem to let up no matter what track he gets.

Be Alright
Produced by Fusion Unlimited & E-Flat
I would like to introduce you to “Today Was A Good Day” 2008. Like a few other songs on this album, this is grown man summer music. It’s nothing but good times and fun. “Hit the dice game up, a coupla’ dudes might hate/Just left Ms. Ruby’s, got me a plate/Drove right past the cops, ain’t make a mistake/Made a left on Main, hit a right on 8th/Had a chick on Main, had a chick on 8th/They call, I don’t answer, I don’t want no mistakes.”

Hip Hop Died
Produced by Khari Ferrari & Skillz
“Hip Hop is Dead”…folks have been saying this for a minute. The Fuck Hip Hop intro verse definitely gets your attention. Don’t worry; Skillz is building his song, as usual. He does a great job of weaving reality and rationality when he flows. Bringing up some other legends in their own fields and the way they did what they believed in no matter what folks said. It’s widely believed that this is a response to Nas’ Hip Hop Is Dead but I sincerely hope not, it’s a tad late, even if relevant. The blues trumpet on here may get overlooked, but it adds (as some older folks say) some teeth to the track. This is a pretty thoughtful song here. The message is deeper than you would expect.

Preaching To The Choir
Produced by Jimmy Slim Rose
Jimmy gives us a pretty chill track; nothing spectacular. It has some church chords and some well played choir singing in the background. Skillz dances all over this one again as he weaves a story about marriage, church, and trust. No murder, just all out storytelling. This is a great way to finish the album.

Bottom Line:
Skillz is one of the few rappers that actually embraces the title of backpacker and wears it like a badge of honor. He represents it well with lyrics that swerve far left of your favorite radio stations play list, but at the same time, trumps them in creativity and skill. My only gripe with this CD is that the production is fairly uncomplicated and laid back, almost too much. I think a little more variation in sound of the music would have served this album well. Lyrically, Skillz keeps you on your toes with his ever-changing flow and subject matter. All in all, this is an album that I appreciate a lot more because of my age and the subject matter than I would if he rapped about something else over the same production. A lot of folks have been saying that there is no grown man music in today’s Hip Hop. I say, check in Skillz’s Backpack.

nappyPicks: “(For Real) He Don’t Own Me”, “My Phone”, “Preaching To The Choir”, “Don’t Act Like You Don’t Know”, & “Be Alright”

Download: Skillz – “(For Real) He Don’t Own Me”

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?

Jigga is worth over a half a billion dollars, and has a rep for being a business man, so we know he’s not going to just toss his money around, but is he really just going to leave Roc-A-fella? I mean, if you hadn’t noticed, Roc-A-fella earlier this summer, dropped a large number of it’s artists, including Freeway (one of the most underrated artists ever), Young Gunz (a rap duo), Peedi Peedi (Whatever), Tru Life (Still on Doggystyle Records), and Jadakiss (what!). If you don’t believe me, check out the Roc-A-fella website: only artists in the line-up are Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Kanye, DJ Clue, and Memphis Bleek. What is going on at Roc-a-Fella??

In 2001, Roc-A-Fella was the shit. Seriously. The Blueprint was out, and people was all over the Roc. They actually were putting out other people too, like Freeway, Beanie Sigel, DJ Clue, Amil, and Memphis Bleek. Then the ROC broke up in 2004 and everything went downhill! We lost Beans, M.O.P., and others. We had Roc La Familia with N.O.R.E. and Hector “El Father”, but that label folded soon after. We got Kanye, but that was the ONLY artist on Roc-A-fella making hits, which is still true today sadly; Jay’s been doing his thing, but he hasn’t been on the top of his game. American Gangster has filled me with hope for the future, but still, what is up with Roc-A-Fella??

If you ask me, Jay is holding back on Roc-A-Fella projects so he can move the artists over to Roc Nation. But will anything change when Roc Nation is formed? I’m a HUGE Jay-Z fan, but when it comes to promoting his artists, he’s not on top of things: Freeway only sold 100k 6 months after his album was released last year! Then when he complained to Def Jam, he was dropped! All because of no promotion. I’m not on LL Cool J’s side cause I don’t think he would’ve moved more than 500,000 units, even with promotion, but hopefully Jay will get his shit straight with Roc Nation.

Below, I’ve listed artists who could go to Roc Nation. Some will happen, others I put on because I want them to happen, and some I’m probably flat-out crazy to even think of. But anyway, here it goes:

Jay-Z (CEO)
Reason: Duh
Chances of being signed: Again, Duh

Beyonce (A&R)
Reason: I read about this somewhere: Beyonce is supposed to become the A&R of Roc Nation to help scout for talent. She’d be good for the job: maybe we’d see more female acts on Roc-A-Fella.
Chances of being signed: Incredibly Likely if Jay can get her to do it.

Freeway
Reason: He’s been on the squad for almost 10 years, and Free at Last was bangin’. He didn’t deserve to get dropped, hopefully he’s not angry with Hov like Peedi.
Chances of being signed: Likely if Jay wants him back.

Memphis Bleek
Reason: Do you have to ask…? I mean, Bleek is kind of mediocre as a rapper, but Hov’s been holdin’ him down since ‘96. This is a no brainer.
Chances of being signed: Extremely Likely

DJ Clue
Reason: The only DJ on the roster. I guess they could afford to lose him: He’s done solid numbers in the past, but Professional 3 wasn’t too successful, and Jay might want a new sound for Roc Nation. I’m going to go with maybe here.
Chances of being Signed: Sort-of Likely, but if Jay wants new DJs, adios

Kanye West
Reason: He’s the biggest artist on R.O.C. right now, including Jay-Z himself. But I think once Roc Nation is formed, Kanye will leave to work on GOOD Music: he’s got a big enough fan base to stand alone.
Chances of Being Signed: Depends on how arrogant Kanye is

Lil Wayne
Reason: According to D-Dot’s interview, Weezy will head over to Roc Nation if Jay calls him. With the numbers Tha Carter 3 did LEAKED, Jay would have to be an idiot not to pass this up. However, Weezy’s already got Young Money Ent., and is big enough to own his own label, plus I’m still skeptical Weezy would leave Baby like that. But if he does, it would make Roc Nation HUGE, and possibly start an even bigger beef.
Chances of being Signed: It’s up to Weezy

Saigon
Reason: Even though his debut album STILL hasn’t been released, he’s got potential. Jay has worked with him before, and Just Blaze is cool with Jay, so he’d put the good word in for him.
Chances of being Signed: Very Likely; Saigon’s not going to say no.

Rick Ross
Reason: It’s called Roc Nation! Jay needs some southern acts that can sell records, and Rick Ross has proven that, having the first album to go gold. They worked together twice before, so maybe?
Chances of being Signed: Sort-of Likely; I doubt Ross would decline.

Nas
Reason: A living legend, and probably the only guy on this list with a classic besides Jay(unless you conside C3 classic). Nas and Jay are businness partners now and good friends, so why not? However, he’s already signed to Def Jam, so it wouldn’t happen in the near future, unless they made a joint venture of some sort.
Chances of being Signed: Likely in 2 years, unless Nas is actually going to do something with Ill Will Records.

Well, there you have it. A solid roster if I do say so. I think Roc Nation will amazing, especially since Live Nation will be giving Jay 5 million a year; he can use that to promote his artists! If he does, Roc Nation could be the biggest rap recording label, rivaling even Def Jam. Here’s hoping.