All new music for this edition of iPod Hustle. Mostly good too. In this go around: Jezzy tells us why trappin’ ain’t dead, Juelz mixes up the medicine, and Gucci (With the help of Usher) goes for the spotlight. Set your iPods to Hustle…now.

Download: Young Jeezy – “Trap Or Die 2”
Produced by Zaytoven
I remember seeing a video of Young Jeezy performing this song at Club Dreams and I was feeling it then. Yep, it sounds like The Snowman is taking it back to 2005 with this one. If this track is a sign of what kinda music will be on Thug Motivation 103, I’m looking forward to it (Plus I’ve been bumping Jay-Z’s “As Real As It Gets” a lot lately). Sidenote: I thought Zaytoven was Gucci’s favorite go to producer? (Zaytoven explains here)

Download: Juelz Santana feat. YelaWolf – “Mixing Up The Medicine”
Produced by Kane Beatz
Juelz hooks up with Alabama’s own YelaWolf to create a certified street banger. As soon as I heard that hook I was sold. Partner that with that fact that Santana sounds motivated again (The last time I remember that happening was at the 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards): ”Take her out and trick around/I take her home and dick her down/Send her back to you like ‘Baby I was at my sister house’”. Hopefully this is the Juelz Santana we’ve been waiting for. Remember, his last album did go Platinum.

Download: Gucci Mane feat. Usher – “Spotlight”
Produced by Polow Da Don
Wow, Gucci Mane is in another one of my posts? I guess this is what the young kids are listening to these days. On this one Gucci Mane grabs Usher and puts on his best commercial clothes. Not to sound like a hater but the flow on this song is garbage. I don’t even listen to Gucci, but I think even some of his biggest fans will probably gives this a so-so rating. The State vs. Radric Davis is supposed to drop in December.

Here at nappyafro, we are committed to being the BEST HIP-HOP SITE…EVER. The latest person to be featured in our Independent Spotlight is a female reppin Harlem named Starr. You might have heard of her you might have not, but she is the lone female on Juelz Santana’s Skull Gang Records. If King Jerm is cosigning it…YOU KNOW IT HAS TO BE HOT. Check out the bio, then check out her song “Rockstarr”, featuring Juelz and Lil’ Wayne. Props to my girl Aaliyah over at RA Management!

Who’s the girl holdin’ down Juelz Santana on the hot new SKULL GANG single “ROCK STARR”, featuring Lil’ Wayne? Her name is Aqueelah McCummings, better known as STARR, the “first lady” of Juelz Santana’s SKULL GANG label. STARR grew up in Harlem USA, with all of the benefits of a loving family, an early realization that music is her life and all of the cultural stimulation a budding young artist could ask for. She began performing at the age of 8 inspired by SWV, Mariah Carey, Xscape, and Aaliyah. She studied dance, drama, and trained vocally from the age of 12 until she graduated from Performing Arts Repertory High School. At 15 she began writing songs, while still in high school, STARR auditioned to sing the National Anthem for the 76ers in Philly and beat out thousands for the honor. A packed Wachovia Center witnessed an undeniable performance; their enthusiastic applause confirmed for us all that Aqueelah was truly a STARR.

STARR’S ability to write and arrange music attracted industry talent scouts, and management companies. She began writing for hit making recording artist, but her real passion was in writing/arranging and singing her own songs. After all, her goal is to be a Platinum selling hip-hop/R&B/pop/rock artist. Starr says, “when I’m not in the studio I’m listening to music…music is my therapy” Being in the “matrix” as Starr calls it, led her to record with Cassidy in 2005. 2006 bought countless performances, and a feature on Juelz Santana’s hit single “Secret”. In 2007 STARR featured on the Jim Jones’ Pray 4 Rain album. In 2008 Starr was a cast member of Jim Jones Hip-Hop Monologues, featured with Julez on the Jim Jones Christmas album on “Jingle Bells” and signed with SKULL GANG. Now at the top of 2009, “Rockstarr”  has radio listeners asking; who’s’ that girl?

You haven’t seen her? Brown eyes, dimpled smile, long black hair give Starr’s pretty face an angelic appeal. She’s young, hot and sexy! 5’9 and quick to put on thigh high boots with a 6 inch heel, a little tee or hoodie and some Robin jeans. She has the look every young girl wants, she’s a guys fantasy girl. But Starr is all business and very serious about her music. When I asked what’s the one thing she wants the world to know about her, she replied “I want people to know that I’m a hard worker, I always give 100%. Being the only girl in a all boy camp (Skull Gang) I get looked at in a certain way. But I write and arrange my own songs and far from what everyone thinks about a girl around a bunch of guys in hip-hop and no, I don’t get disrespected, I’m not a sex toy to the guys, please! They are very supportive and protective”

STARR looks forward to working with Timbaland, Luda, Dream and Missy in the near future and to putting her dramatic training to use in films; we look forward to watching her journey.

Download: Starr feat. Juelz & Lil’ Wayne – “Rockstarr”

Jay-Z/ Roc-a-fella
Bleek, Freeway, and Beans never really made it over the hump, but I’ll give you Kanye.

Eminem/ Shady
D-12 were looked at as a novelty, and Obie had the lyrics, but was catering to the wrong audience.

50 Cent/ G-Unit
Curtis and the Unit are more popular than the Set, but 50 always was at the top, never on the side.

Fat Joe/ Terror Squad
Come on, Joey was barely even making it. Cuban Link and Remy are irrelevant now.

Check out some of these videos and tell me that the Dips were not the hottest crew out at the time:

Let’s not forget the best performance at The Source Awards.

Check out Cam in this video

I know the talk of Hip-Hop was last night’s 3rd BET Hip Hop Awards, but to be real with you, I missed it. Yep, I totally forgot about it and had to watch most of the show online. Even though I give BET a lot of flack, they did do one thing last night (As they’ve done previously),they included The Cypher. Although all the participates weren’t exactly great (I love Hip-Hop from other countries, but sometimes I really can’t feel it if I can’t understand what the hell is being said); there were surprises though: Ace Hood held his own among the best of the night, Cory Gunz delivery was crazy, and Juelz Santana was surprisingly my favorite. Sometimes I think that BET could save money and just have cyphers for 2 hours straight. At least then the biggest story wouldn’t be Weezy announcing his new baby. Video + Audio below

Download: Hurricane Chris, Bun B, K’naan, & Q-Tip – “Cypher #1″

Download: Willy Northpole, Hime, Blaq Poet, & Cory Gunz – “Cypher #2″

Download: Ace Hood, Juelz Santana, Fabolous, & Jadakiss – “Cypher #3″

After seeing the response of my last column, I decided to bring it back again. This time we are discussing why Hip-Hop needs Cam’ron. I know a lot of you are shaking your heads right now, but trust me, WE NEED CAM! That is what has been missing over the last year. A lack of Cam spells a lull in Hip-Hop, and he might just be what the doctor ordered to get the game going back in the right direction.

1. Swagger is at an all time low. With all these rappers talking about “Swagger Like Us”, no one has swagger like Cam! We all know Cam invented “Swag Rap” so how can they have swag if they don’t have Cam? Maybe Jay needs to holler at Cam for his version of “Swagger Like Us” if he really wants to do big numbers. Cam used to rock seven chains at any given time with a purple mink coat, with some fur lined Air Force Ones, and driving a purple Lambo! Now who has swagger like that?

2. Rappers need a makeover. Look at the current trend in Hip-Hop, you have the “Rockstar” look, the “Hipster” look, and you got that “80’s” look, but neither one of these styles can compare to the style that Cam brings to the table. Who else had the hardest dude on the block wearing pink? In fact, who is the reason that pink became fashionable for guys? Cam is the answer to both of those questions. Dudes wasn’t wearing purses when Cam was the “epitome” of fashion in Hip-Hop!

3. There isn’t any comedy in Hip-Hop anymore. You people remember when Cam was beefing with someone. Why was that some of the funniest material you ever heard? “How is a camel riding another Camel?” Or this one: “you look like a gorilla with rabbit teeth!” Say what you will about Cam and his rhymes, but the guy comes with straight comedy to his foes. Remember when he had O’Reilly all hot under the collar on his own show. “You mad…you mad…you mad!” The game needs this humor again.

I gave you my reasons why we need Cam’ron, and I hope he is reading this and gearing up for his big comeback. After hearing some of his latest material, I hope he takes it back to the blueprint on what made him a household name in the first place. Cam if you are listening…WE NEED YOU BACK! COME BACK AND SAVE HIP-HOP!

Welcome to a round up of current news stories we didn’t have the time to get into:

Mariah poses in Playboy…kinda

Yes, Ms. Mariah Carey will pose in the March 2007 edition of Playboy, but no, she won’t be nude. What’s the point? Then again, the first Playboy my Grandfather ever gave me was with LaToya Jackson and she wasn’t nude. My only question is: Does Mariah Carey still have to do shit like this? I thought her last album solidified her spot as an R&B queen?

9th Wonder leaves Little Brother

For real? Naw, I’m really not mad at this one. I’m a fan of Little Brother but 9th Wonder beats sometimes are a little one-dimensional. Not to say that they aren’t good (check my review of his CD with Murs). But with Little Brother’s last CD, The Minstrel Show, I felt they should have reached out to another producer (Just Blaze or Kanye maybe?) to do the first single if they wanted any recognition at all from the mainstream Hip-Hop community. But anyway, I wish both parties well. I know 9th Wonder is constantly producing and you can catch Little Brother’s new mixtape …And Justus For All on February 13th (it’s free!).

Def Jam: Icon

I have spent many days beating ass of Def Jam: Fight For NY. Now I can do it on the Xbox 360 with Def Jam: Icon. Why do I like to see rappers beating the crap out of each other? Cause it’s so damn fun, that’s why!

Jay-Z, watch ya back homie!

Did anybody else catch Jay-Z’s stalker on Dr. Phil?

She had this to say: “I’ve been stalking Jay-Z more than three years,” Katrina says matter-of-factly. “Jay-Z is the CEO of Def Jam [Records]. He’s a big celebrity. In my mind, he’s more than that. He is just my dream. I can’t seem to think of anybody else. He is my all and all.” Katrina buys every magazine Jay-Z is in, has called him over 300 times and e-mails him 200 times a day, but he has never responded. She even had a T-shirt made up with Jay-Z’s and her picture, that she says she sleeps in every night. “Jay-Z’s real name is Shawn Corey Carter. When I’m writing songs, I would just call him Shawn. I make up my own songs and leave them on his voice mail,” she shares. “I went to a Web site that has gossip, and they believe anything you say. I e-mailed them a letter, saying I was Jay-Z’s ex. I also went as far as saying Jay-Z liked me better than [his girlfriend] Beyoncé. He’s in love with me,” she reveals. “Everything was made up.” That chick is crazy!

Juelz Santana & Lil’ Wayne – “Black Republican Freestyle“

Speaking of Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne & Juelz Santana kinda get at Hovi & Nas when that spit on “Black Republican”. With lines like: “More like a black democrat running ‘em out of office” and “I don’t parking lot pimp, I just politic”, these young guns are going at the kings. I not the biggest Juelz fan, but this guy is everywhere (ex. White Rapper Show, Nike ads) and in the issue of XXL they have Wayne’s The Carter III as the most anticipated album of 2007. This song has been tearing up the internet/radio and it’s a teaser for their collaboration album, I Can’t Feel My Face (Until then I guess you can check out DJ Mick Boogie’s Blow: The “I Can’t Feel My Face” Prequel). Check the song out here.

Okay, today what I’m going to do is put my iPod on shuffle for 5 songs, see what comes up, and explain the story and info behind the song. I got around 3000 songs on my iPod so it should be interesting. Let’s get it:

Goodie Mob “See You When I See You”

Album: Still Standing (1998)
Rating: 4 Stars

This is probably my favorite song from the Still Standing album. I always like rap songs where a rapper spits a verse and does the hook, then the next rapper goes and does the same hook. I think this is the last great album from Goodie because the next one after this one was World Party…Ewww!

The Notorious B.I.G. “Kick In The Door”

Album: Life After Death (1997)
Rating: 5 Stars

Oh shit! This is the best Biggie Smalls song ever…period. From the Madd Rapper intro to the beat, everything just works here. If you want to explain to someone why B.I.G. was one of the greatest, play this shit for them. Not to mention that this was a quiet shot at Nas and judging from Jay-Z rhymes, this is probably one of his favorites too. R.I.P. Christopher Wallace.

Juelz Santana feat. Cam’ron “Dipset (Santana’s Town)”

Album: From Me To You (2003)
Rating: 4 Stars

This is the “crunkest” New York song I ever heard. I’m not the biggest Juelz fan, but I’ve always liked this song. It popularized the Diplomats now famous mantra: Dipset! Dipset! Dipset! My Favorite line: “Drink it girl, its coming I know you thirsty”.

Styles P “Good Times”

Album: A Gangsta And A Gentleman (2002)
Rating: 4 Stars

Even cats that didn’t smoke liked this one. Even though A Gangsta And A Gentleman was basically a good album, without this song it would’ve went Gold. The radio version sucked though; “I get by, by, by, by”.

Stevie Wonder “All I Do”

Album: Hotter Than July (1980)
Rating: 5 Stars

If you haven’t notice by now, I don’t have a lot of R&B on my iPod. But this one by Mr. Stevie Wonder is by far one of my favorite songs. I’m not into all that mushy shit but he’s preaching on this one. The only problem I have with this one? Not a lotta hood rats know who Stevie Wonder is now a days.