I can still remember my ex-girlfriend calling me early in the morning and telling me about Biggie’s death. March 9th 1997. 12 years later, Iam glad to say that Christopher George Latore Wallace’s name is still alive and well. After seeing the trailer for this mixtape, I was definitely interested. Cookin Soul takes the original samples used on Ready To Die & Life After Death and flips them with original appearances from a whole range of rappers paying their respects to Frank White. DJ Drama hosts. Check out the tracklist and then download.

1 – “DJ Drama Intro”
2 – Tek (Smif-n-Wessun) – “Juicy”
3 – Grafh – “Things Done Changed”
4 – LA the Darkman & Willie the Kid – “World Is Filled”
5 – Freekey Zekey & 730 Dips – “Dreams”
6 – CL Smooth & Skyzoo – “Big Poppa”
7 – De La Ghetto – “Ready To Die”
8 – Styles P – “Kick In The Door”
9 – Emilio Rojas – “Young G’s”
10 – Nipsey Hussle – “Another”
11 – Shiest Bubz – “Going Back To Cali”
12 – “Miss Info interlude”
13 – Lil’ Cease & Cardan – “Ten Crack Commandments”
14 – Amanda Diva – “Get Money”
15 – “Dough Skit”
16 – LA the Darkman & Willie the Kid – “I Love The Dough”
17 – Jean Grae – “Hypnotize”
18 – Uncle Murda – “Long Kiss Goodnight”
19 – Chaundon – “Who Shot Ya It’s Over”
20 – “P. Diddy Outro”

Download: DJ Drama & Cookin’ Soul – The Notorious B.I.G. Tribute (Mixtape)

Okay, I know we have been really slacking off on the Independent Spotlight section. I can’t really blame anybody but us; it’s not like independent rappers haven’t been e-mailing us interest and material. Well, here we finally go again. After reading the e-mail DJ I-Dee sent us; I  felt where dude was coming from. Plus, the sample used in the song he sent was from a video game I spent hours on in my youth (He had to tell me the game. Can you guess it?). DJ I-Dee debut album Solitude drops on iTunes, Amazon.com, and select stores worldwide on August 26, 2008. Maybe it’s best to let him explain more:

As some of you may know, I’ve spent the past year and a half working on my debut solo album, Solitude, along with a brand new live show (turntables, synthesizers, visual elements, showcase sets, etc). The album contains guest appearances from Royce da 5′9″, C-Rayz Walz, Ill Insanity, Rites of Ash and more. The intended single is called “The Right” which features Jean Grae & Wrekonize. Unfortunately, this song WILL NOT be on the album due to an inability clearing one of the video game samples but feel free to check out the video, the MySpace page, and download the free MP3.

Download: DJ I-Dee feat. Jean Grae & Wrekonize – “The Right”

DJ I-Dee – Solitude (August 26, 2008)

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Everyonce in a while, hip hop peeks out of the gaudy chains, shiny teeth, money stacks, and big rims to say, FUCKAS I’m still here!!! 9th Wonder has been behind more of those peeks than most. With production that sky rocketed with Little Brother but includes Jean Grae, Jay-Z (Black Album no less), De La Soul and Mos Def, just to name a few, 9th Wonder makes sure that we continue to have some phenomenal tracks to support some legendary artists.

With that, this will be probably the shortest review ever on this site. I love my job.

Usually, we do a track by track review. Let me do something a little out of the ordinary. I will give you the tracklist first.

1. “Mr. Dream Merchant Intro”
2. “Shots (Featuring Big Dho and Sean Price)”
3. “Merchant Of Dreams (Featuring The Embassy, Skyzoo, and Torae)”
4. “Brooklyn In My Mind (Crooklyn Dodgers 3) (Featuring Mos Def, Jean Grae, and Memphis Bleek)”
5. “Sunday (Featuring Keisha Shontelle and Chaundon)”
6. “Baking Soda (Featuring Big Treal)”
7. “Reminisce (Take Time) (Featuring Big Remo and The Great Novej of the A.L.L.I.E.S.)”
8. “No Time To Chill (Featuring Little Brother)”
9. “It Aint Over (Featuring Jozee Mo and Tyler Woods)”
10. “The Last Time (The D, The Chi, and The Lou) (Featuring Royce da 5′9″, Naledge, and Vandalyzm of the Midwest Wreckin’ Crew)”
11. “Saved (Featuring Saigon and Joe Scudda)”
12. “Milky Lowa (Featuring Camp Lo)”
13. “Backlash (Featuring Sean Boog and Buckshot)”
14. “Thank You (Featuring D.O.X and O-Dash)”
15. “Let It Bang (Featuring Ness and Skyzoo)”
16. “What Makes A Man (Featuring Rapper Big Pooh and Buddy Klein)”
17. “(Bonus) Special Remix (Featuring Strange Fruit Project and Median)”
18. “(Bonus) You Wanna (Featuring NBS)”

So, let me paraphrase even that list. It features, Royce da 5’9”, Little Brother, Mos Def, Jean Grae, Strange Fruit Project, Camp Lo, Joe Scudda, Naledge, Chaundon, Bleek, Ness (Bad Boy), and Big Pooh making another appearance. It is 18 tracks of solid hip hop. 18 MUTHAFUCKIN’ TRACKS, no skits. It even has snippets at the end of the songs from other projects. Yes, he somehow leaves you wanting more with samples of other shit at the end of the 18 MUTHAFUCKIN’ TRACKS already on the album.

Bottom Line:
Quite simply put, if you love REAL hip hop, if you love that underground feel but crave flawless production, and being real honest, if you have ears, you NEED this damn CD. This is THE best CD of its kind I have ever heard, and one of the best hip hop albums to drop to date.

nappy Picks: “Brooklyn In My Mind”, “No Time To Chill”, “ Merchant of Dreams”, “ Let It Bang”, & “What Makes A Man”

Download: “Merchant OF Dreams” (feat. The Embassy, Skyzoo, and Torae)

Bonus Download: “Brooklyn In My Mind” (Crooklyn Dodgers 3) (feat. Mos Def, Jean Grae, & Memphis Bleek)

I must admit that when I was finally put on notice a few years ago about this weeks featured artist, I was a little ashamed that I was so late. The skills were undeniable. I had been sleeping on one of the dopest female emcees ever. For that, I am sorry.

A lot of our readers are now, like me, in the know about Jean Grae, formerly known as What What. Her previous albums This Week, Attack of the Attacking Things, and The Bootleg of The Bootleg EP seem to have more of a cult following, while her collabs are a little more mainstream. Jeanius was poised to be THAT album that put her on the map. Produced by the 9th Wonder, Jean Grae gets personal and keeps it funky at the same time. Unfortunately, this album was leaked and never released. There were plans to repackage it with another album as well but that hasn’t materialized as yet.

I will think about shooting a few copies based on email demand to   tresvanty* than a mug about it. The album wasn’t completed and its shelving was a direct result of the theft.

Download: Jean Grae – “Don’t Rush Me” from Jeanius