It seems like no one knows where this track came from or where it’s going. But with Killer Mike, Ludacris, & The Game on the same track, I think it’s worthy of a post. Hey, shouldn’t it be KIller Mike Mike Bigga featuring Ludacris & The Game?

Download: Killer Mike feat. Ludacris & The Game – “Still My Nigga”

Ha! It’s back. It’s been exactly 51 days since my last iPod Hustle (Which is an official column now…thus the new banner. Bye Pam. I’ll miss you). If you’re not familiar with iPod Hustle, it’s where I talk about what’s currently getting plays on my ever-present iPod. This edition, I’m listening to new tracks by Mikkey Halsted, Jay Rock, & Killer Mike (Grind Time Rap Gang! Bang! Bang! Bang!). Shall we?

Download: Killer Mike – “Man Up”
I’ll admit; we slept on Killer Mike’s I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind Part II. At first. After a few more listens, Saule bumped up the rating and I even ranked “I Gotcha” as one of 2008’s best. Well, “Man Up” is exactly the shit I want to hear from Killer Kill From The ‘Ville. An ominous beat with Mike going hard at punk rappers. This is supposedly off an upcoming collaboration between Grand Hustle & Greg Street (Street is also on the track talking shit. I could have done without that).

Download: Mikkey Halsted – “Hello”
I heard a few tracks by Mikkey Halsted but obviously not hard enough. I didn’t put two and two together and realize, “Oh, that MIkkey who used to be down with Cash Money”. Yea, give me my late pass. Anyway, one of his newer tracks is “Hello” and it’s a banger. The first thing that drew me in was the production. Don Cannon! Yea, I always like 90% percent of his beats. Not to say Mikkey didn’t kill it either; he did. This is the first single his upcoming The Last Shall Be First EP.

Download: Jay Rock – “How To Rob 2009”
Jay Rock is another rapper I hadn’t given a fair chance. I always thought he sounded too much like The Game…or Glasses Malone. Maybe that how these new west coast rappers sound? Besides my bitching about the voice, the Watts’ Blood has talent. Here Jay Rock takes 50 Cent’s “How To Rob” and updates it. He robs everyone from OJ Da Juiceman to Drake (Now, if only The Madd Rapper would have jump on the hook). This is off Jay Rock’s new mixtape Gudda Muzik.

Why focus on “The King Of Atlanta”? Well, think about it: When Nas & Jay was battling for the crown of NYC a few years back, it was a forgone conclusion that the winner would also be the top dog in Hip-Hop. If you’ve been under a rock for the last few years, you’ll notice that New York isn’t leading the pack in the Hip-Hop world anymore…the South is. For a least 7 years. Most of the hottest rappers in the South are from Atlanta (The city that birthed the name “Dirty South”). So with the previously mentioned logic: If a rapper is the “King of Atlanta”, doesn’t THAT mean he runs Hip-Hop? Well, probably not, but you get what I’m saying. ATL has a lot competition, but who’s the best? Who’s the actual “King of Atlanta”? Not saying who had the best career but who actually has a claim to the crown RIGHT NOW (Shout out to the homie Believe for bringing this subject up and arguing with me about it…constantly). - B-Easy [Update: Damn! You people went crazy with the e-mails. I guess putting Soulja Boy on the list opened up a can of worms. We added 7 more Atlanta rappers to the list. I think that's all of them now...and yes, we know OJ Da Juiceman, Alfa Mega, & Yung LA aren't listed...]

T.I. (King)

Albums: 6
Years Active: 2001 – Present
Crew: P$C; Grand Hustle
The self-proclaimed “King” who has been using this title ever since 2001’s I’m Serious. Considering his track record, can you deny his claim? The only dent in his armor is the fact that he hasn’t had a “real” Hip-Hop battle. You can’t call Lil’ Flip real competition and Luda sorta murdered him on Young Buck’s “Stomp”.

Young Jeezy (King)

Albums: 3
Years Active: 2005 – Present
Crew: CTE; USDA
Like T.I., Jeezy helped usher in Atlanta’s whole “Trap” movement and made it popular, very profitable, and became the face of the movement. Jeezy not only moved into the South’s forefront, but he crafted his own lane in Hip-Hop. One reason why he could not be the King of Atlanta may be the lack of creativity to make an album that will really connect with Hip-Hop fans who balk at drug laced rhymes.

Andre 3000 (King)

Albums: 6 (with Outkast)
Years Active: 1993 – Present
Crew: Outkast
3 Stacks is in a place where a lot of MC’s can’t go. He can drop a few verses a year and still be largely considered as THE best in the South as well one of Hip-Hop’s elite. But this is also a double-edged sword. Like in most leagues, to get that MVP title, you gotta play a certain amount of games. In the past few years, Andre hasn’t played half a season.

Big Boi (Knight)

Albums: 6 (with Outkast)
Years Active: 1993 – Present
Crew: Outkast; Purple Ribbon All-Stars
As ½ of Outkast, Big Boi was an integral part in building the Southern Hip-Hop landscape as we see it today. His body of work is great but he was always #2 in his own group (And maybe even overshadowed by Andre 3000). While it’s no question on talent, are you really anticipating his upcoming album Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty? We all love Big Boi, but we’re talking about his status right now. Yeah, it hurt us too.

Killer Mike (Pawn)

Albums: 3
Years: 2000 – Present
Crew: Grind Time Rap Gang
Ever since his debut on Outkast’s “Snappin’ and Trappin’”, you could tell how Mike earned his name. He is probably the most underrated on this list. Mike’s I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II last year showed that this ATLien could still make good music. The reason he isn’t ranked higher is probably because this division is tough and while he has way than enough talent to challenge for the crown, Killer Mike’s place in history is not set in stone.

Ludacris (King)

Albums: 7
Years: 2000 – Present
Crew: Disturbing Tha Peace
Luda has been reppin’ Atlanta and the South hard for a minute now. He’s ripped through countless notable cameos as well as collecting numerous Gold & Platinum plaques. While many question Ludacris’ dedication to the game when he started getting calls from Hollywood, his recent releases show that everybody still loves Chris

Gucci Mane (Knight)

Albums: 4
Years: 2005 – Present
Crew: So Icy Entertainment
I know what you’re thinking…you guys can’t be serious. Hear us out first. With his mixtape game, Gucci has the STREETS on lock. I don’t care what side of the A you are in…Gucci is getting played in 3 out of 10 cars. We all know why Gucci can’t be king. He will never wow you with his lyrics, but he will entertain you with ignorance.

Cee-Lo (Pawn)

Albums: 7 (2 solo, 3 with Goodie Mob, & 2 with Gnarls Barkley)
Years: 1995 – Present
Crew: Goodie Mob; Gnarls Barkey
Why is Cee-Lo Green on this list? Yeah, he’s been on a grind of a different type as of late but he’s doing a lot better than the other members of Goodie Mob. He has immense talent both with rapping and singing but can ½ of Gnarls Barkley really be the King of ATL?

Pastor Troy (Pawn)

Albums: 15 (13 solo & 2 with D.S.G.B)
Years: 1998 – Present
Crew: D.S.G.B.
This guy used to be the “People’s Champ”, he actually was Gucci Mane before Gucci Mane. He made his mark beefing with Master P (Troy lost because his paper wasn’t long enough). Despite carrying around a championship belt, his reign was cut short because others (Archie Eversole, Miracle, & Drama) raped his style and made him irrelevant. It also did not help the fact that some of his recent albums were not  that good.

Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em (Knight)

Albums: 2
Years: 2007 – Present
Crew: S.O.D.
Don’t laugh, you may hate Soulja Boy but you can’t deny the buzz this kid had on him. Plus, lately a lot of Atlanta rappers including Gucci Mane and Jeezy have rallied around the youngster as well as jumping on songs with him. While his last album may have bricked, Soulja Boy may have time to turn it all around and surprise us all.

Young Dro (Knight)

Albums: 1
Years Active: 2001 – Present
Crew: Grand Hustle; P$C
I don’t what it is about Dro that makes people still pull for him three years after his debut. Besides when he was Fantasia’s main squeeze, Dro has really stayed on the low. But then again, people still mentioning Young Dro as one of the South’s mentionable is saying something. “Shoulder Lean” still shuts down the clubs too. Dro!

Lil’ Scrappy (Pawn)

Albums: 3 (2 solo & 1 with Trillville)
Years Active: 2003 – Present
Crew: G’$ Up Click
Remember years back when Scrappy was know as the “Prince of Crunk”? Lil’ Jon doesn’t own the airwaves anymore and Crunk is basically dead (No matter what a gold chain says). A lotta people thought when Scrap hooked up with 50 Cent & G-Unit his star would rise. That album flopped and now nobody cares.

Gorilla Zoe (Pawn)

Albums: 1
Years Active: 2007 – Present
Crew: Block Ent.
When Zoe joined the Atlanta based Boyz N Da Hood in 2007, he immediately pulled a “Jeezy” and soon released a solo album around the same time of the group’s release. While he landed a hood hit or two, that album tanked and pushed back he often delayed sophomore album (Which really isn’t anticipated).

Yung Joc (Knight)

Albums: 2
Years Active: 2003 – Present
Crew: Block Ent.
When Joc first came out, “It’s Goin’ Down” had the city on smash! He later got ridiculed for being a “ringtone” rapper with songs like “Coffee Shop” & “I Know You See It”. But even with this, he’s still got a Platinum plaque plus made “Forbes’ Richest Rappers List” in 2006. He’s one hit away from a comeback.

B.o.B. (Knight)

Albums: 0
Years Active: 2005 – Present
B.o.B. may not have an album out but the buzz is pretty good. After appearing on the cover of XXL’s “Class of ‘09” issue while being co-signed by some Hip-Hop’s elite, the future looks pretty bright for Bobby Ray Simmons. Musical talent and the “something different” factor will always be a good look. You can’t really count him out (or in) until his official debut drops.

Unk (Pawn)

Albums: 2
Years Active: 1998 – Present
Crew: Big Oomp Camp
Unk was Soulja Boy before Soulja Boy…until Soulja Boy (Get it?). Yeah, no one is still doing the “Walk It Out” but he did make the city proud closing out the 1st BET Hip-Hop Awards as well as having a new dance move every month (“Two Step”!). Real talk though; now a days no one really check for DJ Unk.

Stat Quo (Pawn)

Albums: 0
Years Active: 2002 – Present
Stat and Atlanta has always had a weird relationship. While he once had a coveted spot on Shady/Aftermath, he never really had no presence in the city. After parting ways with Eminem & Dr. Dre, his mixtape game is better but maybe too late.

At first we were gonna do a recap this year’s most notable songs featured in our Song of the Week column. But seeing how some of the songs weren’t actually made in 2008, it really wouldn’t have worked. So instead of voting for a single “Song of the Year”, we thought; “Why not just let each staff member pick their favorite 5 songs of the year?” So here they are. No voting. No debates. Just each staff member picks for their 5 favorite songs of 2008. And surprisingly, there’s a lotta Killer Mike, Jay Electronica, & Lil’ Wayne. Who knew?

B-Easy’s Picks:
Jay Electronica – “Exhibit A (Transformations)” [various artists - Fresh Cuts Vol. 3 (Music By Guitar Center Employees)]
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” [Nas - Untitled]
Killer Mike – “I Gotcha” [Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II]
DJ Khaled feat. Kanye West & T-Pain – “Go Hard” [DJ Khaled - We Global]
Big Boi feat. Raekwon & Andre 3000 – “Royal Flush” [Big Boi - Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty]

Saule Wright’s Picks:
Killer Mike – “God In The Building” [Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II]
The Roots – “75 Bars (Black’s Reconstruction)” [The Roots - Rising Down]
Ludacris feat. Floyd “Money” Mayweather – “Undisputed” [Ludacris - Theatre Of The Mind]
Lil’ Wayne – “Dr. Carter” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” [Nas - Untitled]

H20’s Picks:
T.I. – “I’m Illy” [T.I. - Paper Trail]
Nas feat. Keri Hilson – “Hero” [Nas - Untitled]
Ludacris feat. Floyd “Money” Mayweather – “Undisputed” [Ludacris - Theatre Of The Mind]
Killer Mike-”God is in the Building” [Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II]
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” [Nas - Untitled]

Guy’s Picks:
Murs – “I’m Innocent” [Murs - Murs For President]
Termanology – “Watch How It Go Down” [Termanology - Politics As Usual]
Lil’ Wayne feat. D. Smith – “Shoot Me Down” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
Wale – “The Kramer” [Wale - The Mixtape About Nothing]
Jay Electronica – “Exhibit A (Transformations)” [various artists - Fresh Cuts Vol. 3 (Music By Guitar Center Employees)]

King Jerm’s Picks:
Rick Ross feat. Jay-Z – “Maybach Music” [Rick Ross - Trilla]
Lil’ Wayne feat. Fabolous & Juelz Santana – “Ain’t Got Nothing on Me” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
Jake One feat. Little Brother – “Bless the Child” [Jake One - White Van Music]
Kanye West – “Heartless” [Kanye West - 808’s & Heartbreak]
Lil’ Wayne – “A Milli” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]

SBK’s Picks:
Lil’ Wayne feat. Static Major – “Lollipop” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us” [T.I. - Paper Trail]
Termanology – “So Amazing” [Termanology - Politics As Usual]
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On” [Young Jeezy - The Recession]
Q-Tip – “Move” [Q-Tip - The Renaissance]

Damn Weezy, Tha Carter III will not be stopped. After 5 weeks the album regains the top spot and is inching closer to the double Platinum plaque. I hope some of ya’ll put some money aside to buy a copy of that new Nas. Well maybe you should have gave a little money to Killer Mike also; his recent album didn’t crack 4,000 sales. Other than that, nothing else really made waves this week as far album sales numbers. Next week is more of the same, but we do get to see the Untitled numbers. Well…

#1 Lil’ Wayne/Tha Carter III (Last Week: #1) – 124,676; Total: 1,806,562 (Platinum) [5 Weeks]
#8 Rhianna/Good Girl Gone Bad (Last Week: #10) – 47,117; Total: 1,441,305 (Platinum) [58 Weeks]
#9 G-Unit/T.O.S. (Terminate On Sight) (Last Week: #4) – 36,348; Total: 138,150 [2 Weeks]
#11 Usher/Here I Stand (Last Week: #8) – 33,253; Total: 880,570 (Gold) [6 Weeks]
#16 Three 6 Mafia/Last 2 Walk (Last Week: #11) – 24,391; Total: 138,404 [3 Weeks]
#17 Plies/Definition Of Real (Last Week: #15) – 24,063; Total: 380,267 [5 Weeks]
#34 Tech N9ne/Killer (Last Week: #12) – 13,421; Total: 49,665 [2 Weeks]
#178 Killer Mike/I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind Pt. 2 (Last Week: NA) – 3,566; Total: NA [Debut]

From being protégée of OutKast to an independent artist, Killer Mike has always been pretty true to the first part of his name. Killer is how the mic typically sees him. His distinctive flow, cadence, and delivery teamed with his lyrical sharpness have garnered him respect and the ability to rhyme about politics and the grind without losing any love. Let’s check out his latest offering, I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II.

Intro
Produced by Brandon Bailey & Brandon “Tec Beatz” Sewell
I commend Mike for what he says in this intro. However, the part about it not being a typical rap album is a matter of opinion these days. That aside, he spits some truth and someone will really use this as motivation to hustle and better their current situation.

10 G’s
Produced by Young Sears
A Biggie sample brings us the hook over some dramatic church organ chords that relent when the rap starts. Killer lets you know where he’s been, both in his lifetime and in the music biz. “Makin’ underground money/Cause I’m on my on my grind dummy/Niggas ask me where I been/Makin ‘ fukin’ money dummy/Used to chop that grass homie/Now I ‘m choppin’ syllables/And them crackas cut me checks and pay me some residuals.” The track would benefit from some deeper and harder bass, but overall, it’s a solid song.

Can You Hear Me
Produced by CKP
More motivational music, “This music is the soundtrack to your success” quips Mike on the intro. The 80’s lend us another sample and some rock infusion here. This shit is well done but it’s been done quite a few times before. The overall production is dope and the song comes across well even with a T-Pain type hook. Mike is up to his frenzy flow tricks as usual, as he reminds us, he stayed on his grind, and now he’s a winner. I’d say this one is average to good.

2 Sides
Featuring Shawty LO; Produced by Wonder Aillo
Song 3 is just as hard as the rest of the catalogue as Mike reps his hood and city and questions those who claim to be from his area…but he’s never seen them. “Well Gotdamn! Must be 2 sides!” is seriously funny even though Shawty LO is sincere as he hits us with the hook. Care to guess who the target(s) are for this one? They may want to answer this blatant lyrical chin checkin’. This is one of my favorite songs on the album.

Pressure
Featuring Ice Cube; Produced by Tha Bizness
It Kicks off with a poignant intro of Farrakhan speaking some heat about knowing who you are as a people. The track starts and while simple, it’s definitely a head nod track. Killer opens the song with “Muthafuckas/I just bought some new chuckas/The old ones bloodied up from stompin’ out most suckas.’” Cube goes hard as hell on a track that fits his style perfectly and picks up where he left off on Laugh Now Cry Later with The same muthafuckas wanna gank you/Because they hate you and the pussy that you came through/Can anybody tell me that it ain’t true/That these muthafuckas’ out to hurt you. Both vets keep the heat coming on their last verses and basically murder this one. This song is another winner.

Big Money Big Cars
Featuring Chamillionaire and Messy Marv; Produced by Cutmaster Swiff
This is a straight up shout out to the South, Geto Boys sample and UGK influence on this track. The track is nothing but that southern syrup and bounce coupled with background ‘hey’ chant. It’s hard to ignore this one. Messy Marv steps to the mic and does his best Jeezy impersonation complete with ad libs. Chamillionaire steps in and picks the song back up with his cadence and flow all over this one. It’s almost too little too late to repair the damage done to the middle of this song by Marv, but Cham saves this one to average.

God In The Building
Produced by The Cancer & Kidz With Machine Gunz
I really have no words. This is THE best song on the album and will probably be in my top 10 of ‘08. This song is perfect from top to bottom. Production is flawless, lyrics are raw, and the hook is perfect in execution and concept. “To get to heaven I will raise hell / but before I am a servant in a white heaven I will rule in a black hell.” No shock, song seven strikes again. I’m sure we will hear a lot more from this production crew after this gem.

Super Clean/Super Hard
Featuring 8Ball & MJG; Produced by Tyrice Jones
How do you follow up that song? Easy, by getting some Southern Legends to flow over a little Al Green sample. I hate the damn word, but this is a swag special. Concept is simple, flip the word “Super” into your flow as many times as you can while kickin’ your regular lyrical glitz and game. I can’t wait to blast this one around the park on Sunday. The track is so South, can’t hate it if you wanted to…but you won’t. This one is dope.

Woke Up This Mornin’
Produced by Chris Crak
How can you not like this song? It’s laid back weekend, slow cruisin’, summer jam music. It puts me in the mind of Devin the Dude with the dro and sex lyrics and fun wordplay overall. The track is light hearted and Killer does a great job of slowing down his pace to groove with this one. Good song.

Bang!
Produced by CKP
First things first, the bass, chant, and clap on this one are dope…the rest of this 8bit sounding track is horrible. The hook is not a good look at all with some tired sounding chick layered to sound robotic. Mike doesn’t offer anything new here and even his sharp lyrics and delivery can’t help this one. SKIP…unfortunately, because the bones of this song are good.

Grandma’s House
Produced by X.P.
I swear, that “hey, hey, hey” chant just gets me going. Anyway, the track itself is average, nothing complex or difficult about this one at all. Killer Mike tries his hand at singing on the hook and different parts of the song, but it’s done comically. He sings in a nursery rhyme type melody “I don’t give a fuck I do a thou-ou then I’m up and out/Then break that shit and weigh that shit/Distribute shit out Grandma’s house.” Mike gives us some story telling, typical dope tales here. He keeps it Mike with lines like “…you should see the fat, black boy today/Wear more Polo than Kanye/Marry me a big booty cutie like Jay…” The idea of spittin’ this one around the idea of sneaking and selling dope out his Grandma’s house is a little different concept on what has become a common theme on most albums. This one is a solid song.

If I Can’t Eat Right
Featuring Gangsta Pill & Rochelle Fox; Produced by Young Sears
Young Sears takes a page from Weezy and lets the beat build on this one. It starts off simple but as the song goes on leading to the hook, more parts are added. Then after the hook its stripped back down and the process starts again. I dig the concept of that a lot, and the execution is as good as the idea. Our first verse is Mike who puts a seat on the track and renames it Huffy. He ends his first verse with “She said I’m pretty Michael I can have any guy/I told her damn right, girl you are stunnin’/But I’m rich bitch I can have any woman.” Pill follows him up and does an okay job. He’s followed by Rochelle who offers up an average verse. The song ends up average to a little below average.

I Gotcha
Produced by Smiff & Cash
There is nothing special about the track, pretty simple all around but decent at the same time. When I first listened to this song, I turned up my nose at the use of spiritual leaders names with the subject matter, but if you pay attention to it, this shit is flat out creative. He lets us know this is street gospel, and he delivers. I don’t know that the track and the song are the best match, but the concept of the song is kinda tight. Lyrically, this song is a lot better than is comes off.

I’m The Shit
Produced by B. Don
When I read the title and heard the strings sing on the guitar on the lead in, I was excited. That soon passed. I appreciate the song being different, but the track gets old very fast. Lyrically, Mike has said this statement without blatantly saying it, but he offers up some sub par verses here, including talk of making the pussy burp. This one is not nearly as dope as the title would have you expect.

Can You Buy That
Produced by Drugs
For the second time in a row, we get a less than mediocre beat and now even Mike sounds tired. His usual bouncy flow and exuberant delivery are gone here, he does rhyme fast, but he’s muffled and sounds bored. The beat is just as exciting and makes this song skip worthy.

You See It
Featuring SL Jones; Produced by Brandon ‘Tec Beatz’ Sewell
Make that 3 times in a row. This beat literally drags and even with the up-tempo background support, the heavy chords drag the overall feel of this one way down. SL seems to have been lulled to sleep as well as his verse seems, at times, slower than the track. Mike, has a little more of his wordplay here, but his delivery is the same as the track before this one. I won’t say skip, but it’s not a good song either.

Good-Bye (City of Dope)
Produced by Malay
The beat and overall production pick up a bit on here. The parts, while still simple, work well together to give us a good beat. The hook is okay, some singing of “Kiss yo’ ass good-Bye” pipes the guy that sounds like a young Nate Dog in training. Mike paints us a picture that starts off sounding like a scene from New Jack City and ends almost as wild. He ends the album on an average note.

Bottom Line:
Most of the criticism about the first offering is that Mike could have cut out a few tracks and had a lot better album; I feel the same way about this one.  I am not the one to complain (often) about getting a lot of music on a CD, but if you do bless us with a longer CD…then bless us.  The first few songs (outside of the interlude) are probably where he could have stopped and had a really good album.  His high points outweigh the bad in the first 2/3rds or so, but once you get past that, it starts to drag and production value starts to drop pretty sharply.  You can literally take half of the album (8 songs) and make a really good EP, the other 8 should be “lost.”  I would rate the album higher if I could just rate half of the album.

nappyPicks: “2 Sides”, “Pressure”, “God In The Building”, & “Super Clean/Super Hard”

Download: Killer Mike – “God In The Building”