In light of that, I’ve decided to do a “Part II”. In this version, I’m going to review the artists that I think I slept on. Most likely, I’m going to sleep on a couple more young artists. But hey, I’m only human, and that means there will be an even better “Part III”, if need be.

Let explain how I choose the “KING”. The King of Hip-hop has to have three things: Skill, Popularity, and Longevity. Look at Biggie or Tupac; they have all three of those. That’s what I’m looking for. If you’ve got the hottest skills but people don’t know who you are, you’ve got no chance at being respected as the King (Lupe Fiasco – CRAZY, but is finally getting noticed). Likewise; if you’re popular but have no skills, people in the game are going to hate you (Soulja Boy – Annoying as HELL, but you know him)! You feel me?

Another thing: a lot of dudes were flippin’ out when I said Bow Wow would become the new King of Hip-hop, tied with Romeo, when Bow Wow is 21 and Weezy is 25. People were like: “You tellin’ me BOW WOW is gonna beat WEEZY for KING??!?!”. Because of that, I’m going to put some estimates on where I think some of the most popular acts will be in 10 years also. There! That way, no one will get mad because their favorite rapper didn’t mentioned. Cool? Let’s do it!

Huey: This was the guy that everyone said I slept on, and to that I plead guilty. If he was the last list, Huey woulda been the King for sure, even though I wasn’t diggin’ “Pop, Lock, & Drop It” (Bow Wow dropped a nice verse on the remix of that too, fellas!). Huey definitely has some skills, but again like Romeo from last list, I don’t think he has the fan base. His album has been out for a year, but is only halfway to Gold. If he sticks with and and starts to sell some records, he’s a got a good chance in my eyes.

Webbie: He’s probably the one of the closest in my opinion, but he’s still sort of new in the game: sure, he’s been recording on a lower level, but this is his second major musical album that came out this year. For a southern rapper, he’s good as a rapper, much better than a lot of the rappers I put on my last list, and I really liked Savage Life 2. Like Huey, he could do it if he stuck with it, but I see a bigger chance with Webbie only because he’s slightly more popular: his debut album went Gold I think, but that was before bootlegging got as bad as it is now.

Blu: Ok…how do I say this?? Blu is amazing as a rapper, but he’s really underground. I mean, I didn’t even know who he was until last year when I read a review on nappyafro (I had liked that one). Then again, I’m just a teenager right? Well, Blu’s gotta get his name out there! He really could rap circles around any of the guys on this list, or on the last list, but if you’ve got no fan base, you’ve got no chance. But if it helps, I’m really pulling for him. I bought his album!

Dolla: For a second, as I was typing this, I was wondering who the fuck is Dolla?? But then I remembered: he was on that song “Who the Fuck is That” with T-Pain and that mediocre rapper Tay Dizm. Yeah he’s young enough, but why request him?? He’s pretty bad, doesn’t have an album out to my knowledge, and is on a mediocre song with the same formula we’ve seen a billion times: Get T-Pain to do the hook. That time it didn’t even work! The song peaked at #82 on the Hot 100! Dolla on this list represents pretty much everyone on the last list: NO CHANCE!!!

Aster Roth: Eh…I liked what I saw, but I don’t see a future here to be honest. But hey, I could be wrong. But he is SO underground! I don’t think he has a chance to be honest, but he does have skill.

Lloyd Banks: Compared to everyone else on this list, you might as well crown Banks right now. 2 albums out, 1 gold, the other platinum. Signed to G-unit, and has great lyrical ability, while being well known to many in the rap game: you think of him when you think of G-Unit, like it or not. Still though, when you look at a list like this, of course Lloyd Banks has got the top spot. If Weezy isn’t recording, he’ll be king.

T-Pain: Somebody said: “Wait!! Where’s T-Pain?? He’s only 23!”. Well, here he is. To be honest, I really don’t see T-Pain as a solo artist. He does have hot singles, but as a solo artist, he’s ok. Epiphany was alright…just alright. I kind of get tired of him and his Auto-Tune thing, but it’s not his fault exactly: its just we all hear him too often singing the same similar hook over and over again on some single. Usually the rapper who’s song he’s on is bad, but T-Pain makes his money anyway. He’ll be in the game as long as he can, but I don’t see him as king. I do agree that he is “The Ringleader” though.

OK, Now I’m gonna talk about the other rappers we know and love, and where I think they might be in 10 years.

Jay-Z: In 10 years, Jay will have become a Billionaire no doubt. He’ll most likely have stopped rapping, and will just concentrate on working with Roc Nation, which, by the way, will become the next Def Jam.

Lil’ Wayne: You know he’s never going to stop. I see Weezy going straight for the throat lyrically at this point, but if his albums don’t sell like they used to, expect him to be killing the Mixtape game, I don’t care what he says about mixtape DJs. If he’s still in the game, he’s the king, hands down.

The Game: Retired.

50 Cent: Retired as soon as Before I Self-Destruct comes out: people will be tired of his bullshit by then. Just playin’, but for real, I don’t see 50 still in the game 10 years from now.

Eminem: Retired: King Mathers will be out, at this rate, in 2010, and then he’ll try to make another album, but it’ll turn into the Detox.

Dr. Dre: Still producing: Detox finally came out, and was amazing, just like everyone knew it would be.

T.I.:  An early retirement: he goes the way of Ice Cube and becomes an actor when he hits his mid-30s, only he’s in better movies (T.I. already said he will stop rapping when he hits his mid-30s)

Kanye: Still Producing. I can’t really say whether he’ll still be rapping. Only time will tell.

Snoop Dogg: Still rapping! I don’t think Snoop Dogg will ever stop. Why? Because he can.

Nas:  Still putting it down. Nas will be one of those rappers that consistently brings us that heat every other album. He’ll still be telling the truth about what’s going on in the world.

Outkast: Long retired, but still classic.

Conclusion: Well, I say we still need some newer, younger acts that can spit, but I mean I don’t think the future is all bad. We still got cats who can spit and really put it down like Blu and Banks. If I had to crown a king right now out of who we have, I’d say Banks, only because he has the popularity and the skill. But if Weezy is still in the game and selling records, he’s got it.

My Top Three (If Wayne is still successful)
1. Lil Wayne
2. Lloyd Banks
3. Blu

Honorable Mentions: Huey, Webbie, T-Pain

G-Unit knows how to stay in the limelight even when they have no album out. The shit with Buck, the court situation with 50 and his BM, Yayo and his prison shit, etc. Kanye beat 50 in the sales challenge but 50 did major numbers out the gate as well, however, the bet was that 50 would not do another solo album if he lost…and he did. What does that mean for him or the crew to come off such low times as mentioned? Let’s find out.

Straight Outta Southside
Produced by Ron Brownz
This is one of the hardest songs out. Get yo’ throwback on as the crew pays homage to NWA and that gangsta mentality that initially got the crew over. Banks gets the baton first and does aite. Yayo seems to be more energized in the booth as he shouts a fuck the police to Shawn Bell’s murderers. 50 does aite as he tries to keep pace after Yayo’s verse.

Piano Man
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Tha Bizness
Yayo seems to have upped his swagga game and Banks is a fool; straight comedy on this one from the thugged out Craig David. Buck does his thing on here. Not a member, but the best one on this track by far with some decent wordplay and brash delivery. The track itself is aite; the hook is, well, 50.

Close To Me
Produced by Teraike “Chris Styles” Crawford
I didn’t expect to hear this type of song this early after the first two singles. Fiddy knows how to make songs for the ladies and strippers to work…so I guess that means that he makes music for the men? Anyway, nothing groundbreaking but for Curtis’ fans, this is a welcome return to some older sound. Banks styles on this shit quite well. Shout out to Spitzer on here; Ha! And the falsetto shit is comedy. I dig the track and trust me, this song will thump in the clubs…strip and otherwise.

Rider Pt. 2
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Rick Rock
Voice mods, oh joy. That aside, song is pretty dope. 50’s verse is forgettable and Buck seems to really seal his own casket with the crew on this one even if 50 drops me I still wouldn’t sign. The beat is dope and there is no denying this is a posse cut.

Casualties Of War
Produced by Ky Miller
The hook grates my soul, I hate it. The track, eh, it’s aite. Banks comes on and intros his flow saying some pretty lame shit. Overall, the metaphors are pretty lame on this one and even for the crew; this one is pretty pedestrian lyrically.

You So Tough
Produced by Ky Miller
The hook with the mocking tone is funny as hell. I think Banks mailed this one in, not really a good sound for him at all on here. Yayo comes with some heat on this one and amps up one of the more mellow tracks on the album. I think 50 is goin’ at T.I. and his case on this one, for what, I’m not sure. Lyrically though, this track is pretty grimey and I dig it, even if you omit Banks verse.

No Days Off
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Dual Output
Buck offers up part of the hook on this one which sets the tone for the track. Mr. Jackson comes on with a slow burn flow, because in the offset, it sucks. It does get better as he goes on. Yayo’s verse is pretty fly until he starts talking about his ride and a bulletproof hat. Ha! Banks paints the best picture and takes shots at Fat Joe and Weezy.

T.O.S. (Terminate On Sight)
Produced by Ty Fyffe
We get 50’s hardest verse since the first track with lines like “It’s fuck 50 I stay in the drama/He luv her I fuck her/She’s  his baby mama.. ” Damn 50. Banks rides and delivers on this track, hypes it up a little. Yayo does him one better bringing this shit to a frenetic pace that matches the track. The track, though simple, works well on here due to the deliveries brought to the table.

I Like The Way She Do It
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Street Radio Inc.
Summer jam much? This is a club banger. A lot of you dudes need to thank fiddy. If you club and you  like women, many of you will get yo’ grind on to this very song. No women sittin’ when this shit comes on, I promise.

Kitty Kat
Produced by Hit-Boy
Um, what is this, a woman’s anthem or something?  The chic on here is annoying as hell. The track is fuckin’ phenomenal, but yo, the hook is terrible, just terrible. I can see the squad groovin’ to this one in the studio though, having fun. Lyrically, there’s nothing new here, money, cash, hoes. The track is the biggest standout here though.

Party Ain’t Over
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Damien Taylor
Yep, another club jam. The beat is dope; you can’t stay still on this one. The flows, again, aren’t anything new or groundbreaking for the group. Almost to the point, the song sounds familiar. Banks seems to have the idea on how to ride the tracks on this album and he does a good job on here as well.  Buck talkin’ about he got Vitamin Water money seems to be included on here like they poking fun at him. You got money….like yo’ boss? WTF.

Let It Go
Featuring Movado; Produced by Don Cannon
I’m feelin’ this from the jump. Movado kills it and the track is undeniable.   This is one of the better songs on the album.  Yayo delivers a dope ass verse including, “I’m the high school drop out/Crack game genius/The mack will turn ya back into Gilbert Arenas.”

Get Down
Produced by Swizz Beatz & The Individuals
There was a time when having Swizz produce your track meant damn near instant Gold. My how the times have changed. This song is horrible.

I Don’t Wanna Talk About It
Produced by Jesse Corparal Wilson & Reginald “Regg” Smith
I love the track on this one, some bounce with heavy synth. It sounds like some Ryan Leslie produceduction as it has a lot of layers to it. Its comical how this song is one of the longer, if not the longest, on the album. I really like the concept and flow of this song a lot. 50 brings the best verse on this one.

Ready Or Not
Produced by Jake One
A dark track that may be a little overly simple is paired with Banks best lyrics on the entire album. “Cause niggas get hit, and call a lawyer/Gon’ try and sue you/That’s a bitch nigga for ya’/….why be slick, say somethin’ bout my name/Don’t jump out the window/Ya safer jumpin’ out a plane….you don’t want a lead shower/Stay the fuck out the rain/So much ammo/Muh’fuckas don’t gotta aim.” Yayo offers up a decent verse, but it’s hard to follow up what Banks gave us.

Money Makes The World Go Round
Produced by Ron Browz
Yayo makes the hook more annoying than it has to be, and it’s equally bad having him doing the first verse on the song that he does the hook on. Stuck like Velcro? Damn, we gotta do better than that though. The track is about average. It sounds like its all build up and is missing something extra.

Bottom Line:
There isn’t much elaboration needed. The album goes from hardcore banger to slow and methodical in a largely inconsistent feel. I think ultimately, this one will come down to what you like to listen to.  The crew doesn’t reinvent the wheel outside of Yayo who seems to a lot more energized overall, but seems to struggle to find where he fits in.  50 offers up a lot more forgettable verses than you would expect.  Banks, on the other hand, keeps it live with his change of flows and pretty good lyricism for the most part.  Buck, when featured, is a welcome change to the sound of the crew and I think will be missed when all is said and done.  Overall, it’s a little better than ya’ average album that would be better if not for the inconsistencies and smattering of mediocre songs. TOS does nothing new or groundbreaking but does show glimmers of them reclaiming that juggernaut status that once had the world saying G G G G – Unit!

nappyPicks: “Straight Outta Southside”, “Close To Me”, “You So Tough”, “I Like The Way She Do It” , & “I Don’t Wanna Talk About It”

Download: G Unit – “Straight Outta Southside”

Okay, I’ll admit it. I had something else planned for today’s Song of the Week, but since Young Buck has been recently booted from G-Unit, I changed it up a little bit. It’s funny though. G-Unit actually looked like they were getting stronger again (the May XXL cover, the recent quality of their mixtapes, the new upcoming album). And that’s brings me back to today’s Song of the Week: G-Unit – “I Fucked Your Bitch!” off the Elephant In The Sand mixtape. I know, the actually mixtape was released on March 11^th, but I still frequently play this track. Of course it takes The-Dream’s “I Luv Your Girl” and flips it. I guess it reminds me of old G-Unit mixtapes like 2001’s 50 Cent Is the Future (Well they similarly flip Raphael Saadiq’s “Be Here” to good results). But let’s be real, you already know what this song is about without me saying it. While the mixtape was full of Fat Joe disses, I really don’t take this as one. Young Buck and Bank deliver serviceable verses while 50 Cent, as well as Tony Yayo do the Auto-Tune thing, so it all in fun.

Download: G-Unit – “I Fucked Your Bitch!”

Album: Elephant In The Sand
Released: March 11, 2008