This week, other than people falling out of the Top 50, it really wasn’t any movement. The late great J Dilla’s posthumous album, Jay Stay Paid, manage to make the Top 100. By the way, we didn’t actually “review” the album, but SBK (aka SpeakerHead) wrote a insightful piece about it. Check it out here.

By this time next week, Eminem’s Relapse will most likely pass 1 million in sales. In this day and time, that’s incredible. Em still shows he definitely has drawing power. I wonder how Relapse 2 will do. I’m outta here quick. Till next week…

#2 Eminem/Relapse (Last Week: #1) – 141,000; Total: 962,000 (Gold) [3 Weeks]
#23 Beyonce/I Am Sasha Fierce (Last Week: #23) – 16,100; Total: 2,220,700 (2x Platinum) [30 Weeks]
#25 Keri Hilson/In A Perfect World… (Last Week: #27) – 13,600; Total: 327,200 [11 Weeks]
#30 Method Man & Redman/Blackout! 2 (Last Week: #18) – 14,400; Total: 92,400 [3 Weeks]
#33 Chrisette Michele/Epiphany (Last Week: #26) – 13,400; Total: 162,500 [5 Weeks]
#40 Rick Ross/Deeper Than Rap (Last Week: #32) – 12,000; Total: 315,900 [7 Weeks]
#41 Busta Rhymes/Back On My B.S. (Last Week: #22) – 11,400; Total: 87,400 [3 Weeks]
#42 Jamie Foxx/Intuition (Last Week: #39) – 11,100; Total: 957,800 (Gold) [25 Weeks]
#96 J Dilla/Jay Stay Paid (Last Week: NA) – 5,800; Total: NA [Debut]

While some might be trying to figure out if this is a standard album review by nappyafro terms, I’d like to introduce you to SpeakerHead’s Boomin’ System (props to LL circa 1990). SpeakerHead (aka SBK) is a nickname that I picked up for my love of music and constant collection of it from vinyl to CD to cassette to mp3’s. While sneaker heads are coppin’ the latest Jordan Package or AF1’s, I’m at the record store getting that rare 45 or foreign soundtrack. This is designed to highlight albums that are currently getting play in my boomin’ system and to review them overall rather than track-by-track like the standard ‘fro album reviews. So to kick off the initial review we’re going to look at the latest album from a producer on my Top 5 list in J Dilla’s Jay Stay Paid.

One of the best music producers of all-time is back at it again, this time teaming up with another legendary producer in his own right. J Dilla’s mother (Maureen Yancey aka Ma Dukes) called up legendary Hip-Hop producer Pete Rock to oversee this project and it would only seem fit as he was considered Dilla’s only musical idol. It’s great to see Dilla’s mother so involved with her son’s work in making sure that his legacy remains strong and relevant while not letting it become tainted by folks in the industry looking for $$$. We’re gonna continue to raise it up for Ma Dukes and support Dilla no matter what. Combine material from old disks, DATs, and beats produced by J Dilla while he was in the hospital battling Lupus and you get the next chapter of his legacy entitled Jay Stay Paid.

This album follows the format of a radio station (cleverly named KJAY) with Pete Rock serving as the Host in delivering unreleased and unheard J Dilla productions as well as newly composed songs by various artists. With the amount of J Dilla posthumous albums and compilations being released (Jay Stay Paid, Dillanthology 1, Dillanthology 2), some people might think we’re headed towards the “Pac Syndrome” with Dilla’s music. But in reality it’s far from that as the releasing of these albums and compilations displays an individual that worked on his craft passionately and took care in perfecting it. These projects continue to add to the growing legacy of J Dilla as it also those that didn’t recognize and appreciate his talent while he was still alive or even take the time to listen or know that they’re favorite song was produced by him, to understand how special he was and why he’s so sorely missed by the Hip-Hop community.

On this album we are blessed with unreleased beats that not only showcase Dilla’s soulful side (“Coming Back”, “Mythsysizer”) but his experimental side as well (“On Stilts, “In The Night (Owl N Out)/While You Slept (I Crept)”). Not to be labeled as the same style as his Donuts album, which was an instrumental album, this album features choice emcees droppin’ rhymes over Dilla beats. As with other artists’ posthumous albums (2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G.) you usually get songs featuring artists that either don’t sound right on collaborating with them or wouldn’t have worked with the artist if they were still alive. But with songs on this album it works, as many of the artists are those that previously worked with Dilla (Black Thought, Blu, Frank Nitty) and the ones that didn’t have a chance to collaborate with him don’t sound out of place (Lil’ Fame of M.O.P., Havoc, Raekwon). Of these songs “Reality Check” works extremely well with Black Thought delivering some “reality TV” themed rhymes over Dilla’s fast paced beats and “24K Rap” sees Dilla delivering a grimy, dark beat for Havoc and the Chef to deliver making you image how Dilla would have collaborated with other artists of the same type.

Not all of the production featured on this album are unreleased or unheard as Dilla enthusiasts will recognize beats like “caDILLAc” (“Hip Hop Quotable” – A.G.), “Smoke” (“JLJ Intro” – J Dilla), “Digi Dirt” (“Put Ya Stamp On It” – Akrobatik), “KJay and We Out” (“Ma Dukes” – Frank-N-Dank) from previous Dilla releases and other artists he produced for. But this doesn’t take any from the beats at all as they are fantastic productions you don’t mind hearing again.

Now while this album doesn’t have the lasting effect of Donuts or isn’t as soulful as The Shining, it shouldn’t be compared to his past albums anyway. That’s the aspect of J Dilla and each album released before and after his death that a lot of people don’t understand or overlook. Each J Dilla album is unique and as a whole reflects something different every time. Welcome 2 Detroit couldn’t be said to be the same as Ruff Draft just as Donuts is in no way the same as The Shining, and the same thing could be said about this beats and production. This uniqueness and sense of individuality is what made Dilla one of the best producers in Hip-Hop, as he took his time while crafting and perfecting his works. He was somebody that was passionate about what he did and it continues to show in his music even after his passing. Just listen to songs released this year (“Stress” – Guilty Simpson, “History” – Mos Def) and it sounds like Dilla is still here producing these gems.

Passion is something that separates somebody from being great and just being another, and Dilla definitely wasn’t just another producer in the game. This thing called “passion” is something that sorely missing in the game today with most artists and producers in their works, and is the reason why most of these “hot” artists and producers won’t really be remembered years later after careers are done and over with the likes of J Dilla, Big L, 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Big Pun, Jam Master Jay, Aaliyah, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopez, etc. As I said previously, Jay Stays Paid displays a span of Dilla’s career as it features productions from early in his career to the last stage of his life, and it was put together to further extend his legacy to fans of his music and introduce new listeners to how great of a producer he was. Jay Stay Paid is definitely an album I would recommend adding to your collection whether “Dilla Changed Your Life” or you just heard about him.

Playlist: “Reality Check”, “24K Rap”, “Smoke”, “See That Boy Fly”, “Coming Back”, “On Stilts”, “Mythsysizer”, “In The Night (Own N Out) / While You Slept (I Crept)”

J Dilla feat. Havoc & Raekwon – “24K rap”

When speaking about the word classic, terms such as timeless, unforgettable, and lasting come to mind. Just after the 3-year anniversary of the passing of the legendary James Yancey, better known to the Hip-Hop community as Jay Dee (aka J Dilla), one can only think about the last album released before his death on February 10 (three days before to be exact). The album that I’m referring to is aptly entitled Donuts as it was stated that Jay Dee had a big appetite for donuts and the format of this album follows the concept of donuts perfectly. When you visit your favorite spot for donuts, whether it’s Dunkin’ Donuts or Krispy Kreme (word to Phonte…”Dunkin’ Donuts, fuck em! Little Debbie, fuck ‘em!”) and you get a dozen donuts there is usually an assortment of donuts to enjoy from glazed to powdered to sprinkle (my favorite) to jelly filled. When you finally get down to eating the donuts the enjoyment of them usually lasts under a minute before you’re on to the next one and before you know it all twelve donuts have been eaten. Now think about this concept when applying it to J Dilla’s Donuts album and you’ll understand exactly why it was labeled perfectly.

There are a total of 31 tracks on the album which spans about 43 minutes contain instrumental tracks with no rapping or lyrics on them whatsoever. When listening to tracks like “The New”, “Dilla Says Go” and “U-Love”, they are over too quickly while you’re still enjoying and groove to them (think back to the donuts analogy). This happens to be the case with this album but that’s not to say in a bad way at all that the most of the tracks being under two minutes in playing time takes away from the album. In fact it makes the album that much better and run more smoothly. Many if not all of the tracks featured on this album were created and produced by Dilla while he was in the hospital battling Lupus (that’s true dedication) and it shows just how much of a creative mind and strong work ethic Dilla possessed combined with his love for Hip-Hop. For those who have never heard of J Dilla or realized that one of their favorite songs was produced by him, this album serves as a perfect introduction for them to listen to how great of a music producer he was and understand why such a great individual was taken from us way too early.

This is an album that you can listen to from beginning to end without having to reach for the skip button and sit back to enjoy great music from one of the best that ever did it and touched an MPC. This album is an inspiration for budding music producers to truly take the time to hone their craft and understand that sampling is much more than just looping the first 0:20 of a record and adding some drums. This album is an inspiration to rappers to search for and connection with a producer that’s taking risk and being creative with their beats and not just making another “Southern Banger” or “Club Hit”. J Dilla touched the lives of so many people who realized it or not, and his death just makes us realize how our time here on earth is so valuable and we should do all we can to make the most of it. Do yourself a favor a pick up a copy or two of this album and understand just why Akrobatik rapped, “If Hip Hop is dead it happened the day that Dilla died”.

With The Notorious B.I.G. biographical film Notorious scheduled for release on January 2009, the obvious discussion comes up about what other rappers have big screen worthy life stories. I mean, we kinda had that with 8 Mile & Get Rich Or Die Tryin’. But those movies where loosely based on the lives of 50 Cent & Eminem; that’s also the same case with Krush Groove. I won’t even get into VH1’s Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story. But the thought of what biopics could be made about certain rappers are tempting…

Crank Dat: The Soulja Boy Story (Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em)

Think about it; a Disney backed movie about the kid who made the whole world say “Yoooouuuu!” It’s not as crazy as you think; you could possibly make it a musical and try to get that High School Musical cash: “Watch as DeAndre Ramone Way goes from high school zero to the ‘Superman that hooooooo’” See, it basically writes itself.

Revelations: There’s Light After The Lime (Mase)

Based off the book of the same name, this movie chronicles rapper Ma$e’s transformation to Pastor Mason Betha…then back again to Ma$e….then back again to Pastor. Don’t laugh; this idea isn’t that terrible especially seeing how well the Christian film Fireproof did this year (Budget: $500,000, Earnings: $26,429,043+). Connect Tyler Perry to this project and I hear cash registers from the religious folk. Should they mention the transsexual incident?

Straight Outta Of Compton (Eazy-E & NWA)

After seeing the documentary this year (The World’s Most Dangerous Group), I’m sure that there have been talks about this project. There many subjects to touch on besides the group rise to super stardom (Ice Cube leaving the group, the FBI letters, Suge Knight jacking up Eazy-E, that bullshit about Snoop joining the group, etc). Hey, it’s already been parodied in CB4; might as well make the original.

Kanye (Kanye West)

This one actually has some elements that could be good: Chicago kid has dreams to be the biggest Hip-Hop star in the world, drops out of art school to pursue said dream, struggles at first, moves to New York, gets a little fame, gets in a car wreck, gets more fame…you know the rest. I not even gonna speak on the emotional loses. Who gonna play Kanye? Do you think Kanye West would let anyone else play him? “George doesn’t care about Black people…but he might love this movie”

R (Rakim)

At first I thought this would be a good idea but after thinking more about it, I don’t know. Yeah he raised lyricism in Hip-Hop to a new level but I don’t think his persona will make the best film. Rakim leaves for 5 to 8 years at a time; how do you end that movie? “Rakim dropped an album in 1999, sign with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath, did a few cameos, sat on the sidelines for years waiting, uh, that’s it”.

Killa (Cam’ron)

If anyone says that Killa Season was a biographical film on Cameron Giles, well, that just sad. Let’s just go with the facts: He did have hoop dreams at Manhattan Center High School, that didn’t work out which led him to music that eventually led to the formation of The Diplomats (Maybe we can finally find out what happened between him and Jim Jones). Throw in some cameos from Big L and Murda Mase, and we might have a story.

Walk This Way (Run-D.M.C.)

This won’t be a PG-13 version of the Run-D.M.C. story; we talking about everything here: groupies, drugs, and even the sad murder of Jam Master Jay. They were the first mega superstars of Rap so I know it’s not all clean as Run’s House makes it. Now, if only we can get Rev. Run to sign off on this…

Dilla (J-Dilla)

Even though J-Dilla isn’t a household name, I think that could actually help the movie. I watched plenty of biopics and didn’t necessarily know the whole story and history about the subjects. From working with everybody from Janet Jackson to De La Soul, winning a Grammy, to being Common’s roommate right before dieing of TTP, this movie has a lot to cover. Being that he was a major influence on his peers and that he embodied the neo-soul sound, I’m sure a lot of Hip-Hop heads would love to see this one green-lit.

The Life & Times Of Sean Carter (Jay-Z)

Does anybody remember The Black Book that Jay-Z was supposed to release right around when The Black Album dropped? It was suppose to be a book about his life. I read a few excerpts right before it got canned and they were actually pretty good. I think a lot of people would love a glimpse into the life of one of Hip-Hop’s most successful (and private) stars. We got action (He shot his own brother!), romance (Who’s playing Beyonce?), and betrayal (R-O-C). Maybe it can end with him either getting married or standing on stage with…oh and he did get Nas’ baby mama pregnant; even more drama.

Doggy Dogg World (Snoop Dogg)

Snoop has truly lived the “Hip-Hop” life. After growing up in Long Beach, California, Snoop went from hustling in the hood to being the face of one of the most infamous record labels of all time. We all know about the highs and lows of his life because Snoop has been in the limelight over 15 years and has transformed before us. His story could be a comedy, a drama, and a suspense film all in one. I’m thinking he collaborates with Seth Rogan to make this one. The movie will be a mainstream hit because everyone loves Snoop!

Live 2 Tell (Tupac Shakur)

This one is kinda obvious; after about a million straight-to-DVD movies about the life of one of the generation’s most controversial figures, it seems like he might finally get his turn to the proper Hollywood treatment. Last year it was announced that EverGreen Copyrights has acquired the rights and supposedly are producing a film. Preston Holmes (Hustle & Flow producer) is rumored to be connected so it might be good; if it gets a talented director plus a good actor playing Tupac, I’ll be more optimistic.

Since today is Memorial Day, nappyafro wanted to pay tribute to some of OUR fallen soldiers.

The Notorious B.I.G (1972-1997)
2Pac (1971-1996)
Big L (1974-1999)
Big Pun (1971-2000)
Eazy E (1963-1995)
Proof (1973-2006)
Freaky Tah (1971-1999)
Soulja Slim (1977-2003)
Camoflauge (1981-2003)
Stack Bundles (1982-2007)
Jam Master Jay (1965-2002)
Pimp C (1973-2007)
Big Moe (1974-2007)
Mac Dre (1970-2004)
Scott La Rock (1962-1987)
J-Dilla (1974-2006)
Ol’ Dirty Bastard (1968-2004)
Marlon Brando (1979-2001)

If I missed anybody put their name in the comment box.  You are gone but not forgotten. RHYME IN PEACE!