I’ve been gone for a minute but I’m back, and it’s time to pick up where I left off. People have been asking about Rewind Reviews and when another one was going to be done. Well the wait is over and it’s just in time for a fresh batch. “Just let this motherfucker come on, and be fresh.” These are the initial words heard on this album at its start. These words not only describe Cloud 9: The 3 Day High, but the state of Hip-Hop music as it currently stands. The word “fresh” by definition is “not previously known or used; new or different”. Though relatively an unknown artist to those outside of New York, fresh is something that Skyzoo stands by and represents to the fullest. Collaborating with one of the best producers of this generation in 9th Wonder, Skyzoo looks to bring that freshness to the rap game and attract some new listeners and supporters along the way.

Bare Witness
Produced by 9th Wonder
What a perfect way to start off an album as displayed here on the first track. The beat produced by 9th Wonder has a “brand new” or “awakening” feel to it, and it blends very nicely with the lyrics from Skyzoo as he commands the listening audience to pay attention to one of the nicest upcoming artist in the rap game while stating his views on the game’s current status.

Way To Go
Produced by 9th Wonder
This next track literally picks up right where the previous track left off at, with an inspirational and stirring sounding beat from 9th Wonder. Skyzoo does his thing on this track with the lyrics and sounds extremely comfortable over 9th’s soulful sampled production. Sky speaks nothing but truth on this track in telling how these emcees and artists have a long way to go to catch up to the fresh sound he and 9th are providing with this album. This was a great selection for the single off the project. Check out of the music video on YouTube if you get a chance, it’s some nice work.

A Day In The Life
Produced by 9th Wonder
This has to be one of the most smooth, laid-back sounding beats from 9th Wonder that I have ever heard. The feel of this track perfectly complements Skyzoo’s flow and delivery, as well as his swagger, which is pretty much undeniable. As a resident of Brooklyn, his swagger is similar to that of Jay-Z; and what would you expect in being from the same borough? Skyzoo is superb in his lyrics in describing a day in his life and everything it’s comprised of.

Stop Fooling Yourself
Produced by 9th Wonder
I have to admit that when I first purchased this album, I used to skip over this track immediately and not even listen to it. But after I gave it a chance I found it to be a very good track, if not one of the best on the project. 9th supply a dark sounding beat on this track that fits well with Skyzoo’s lyrics and the message he’s saying within his rhymes. I think this is a track that most people can relate to, especially those who claim to be on their grind in the streets doing what they can to survive whether it’s hustling drugs or living the crime life. This song is best listened to when really focusing on what Skyzoo is saying. A lot of people in life need to “stop fooling themselves”.

Come Back
Produced by 9th Wonder
Usually Hip-Hop artists take the corny/cheesy route when it comes to making songs for the ladies or when dealing with relationships, but not Skyzoo. He does a fantastic job of describing his tales with various females in his life and not wanting to commit to one girl until he’s sure she is the one. This song is straight honest and is something that every girl should understand if a guy were to ever explain it to her the way Skyzoo does on this track. He wants to explore his options with other girls, and if his current girl is “the one” then he’ll come back to her in the end. Who could be mad at that?

I’m On It
Produced by 9th Wonder
After a gloomy sounding track, 9th comes back on the next track with a livelier sounding beat. This song is the B-Side of the album single “Way To Go”, and it is something that would certainly fit in the club to dance to. That’s the best part about a track like this from the type of artist that Skyzoo is. He’s able to make a “club” sounding track without having to jeopardize his lyrics or making them sound commercial. It’s something that more artists should try once and a while, and stop selling themselves out for a hit single. Halfway through the album and Sky hasn’t disappointed at all on any track so far.

The Bodega
Produced by 9th Wonder
This song was written from a New York state of mind as you can tell from the song’s title. When you hear or think about bodegas, you automatically think of New York especially if you’re from there or have been there enough times. In sticking with his motto of “what he performs in the booth is strictly truth”, Skyzoo speaks about what he knows in telling about his experience around the NYC bodegas. 9th Wonder supplies a nice beat for this track, but after a while it starts to become boring and repetitive. Nice insertion of a scene from Paid In Full for the intro of the track.

You & Me
Produced by 9th Wonder
Seeing how he took an alternate route on the song “Come Back”, Skyzoo decides to use the normal method on this track in talking about his relationship with a girl. Even though he used the normal method on this track, there are major differences in this track and how other artists’ use it that makes this song that much better. A very nice soulful track from 9th Wonder is one reason why this song is works better and is more enjoyable. Another reason is Sky’s lyrics in how he doesn’t go the corny route, but instead rhymes with truth and conviction.

Live & Direct
Produced by 9th Wonder
On this track 9th switches up things in terms of production adding some horns to the beat. This works effectively, but the short sample that he uses becomes very repetitive and annoying after a while of listening to it. The beat’s somewhat lackluster production makes it kind of difficult to focus on Skyzoo’s lyrics and what he’s saying. This would probably be one of my least favorite tracks on the entire album, and it feels like it could have been done much better.

The Spirit
Produced by 9th Wonder
A somewhat spiritual influenced track by Skyzoo and 9th is heard on this next track. 9th supplys a beat to fit the mood that Skyzoo is trying to portray, but it’s not his best work and just ends up being average production. Skyzoo delivers some nice lyrics, and confident ones if I might say with lines like this: Sky set fire to reps/Flow’ll make you believe, when B.I.G. died I’d quiet his breaths, young’n/My new name is The Flower, cause flow wise no one can see me besides Hova, quote that

Extreme Measures
Produced by 9th Wonder
Skyzoo goes for speaking the truth on this track in displaying his storytelling ability. 9th delivers an average sounding beat on this track that gets repetitive after a while of listening to it. It’s not a good look that these last 3 beats by 9th have only been average and could have been much better. Skyzoo does what he’s supposed to on this track and spits a nice story that’s kind of hard to follow at times, but it works.

Mirror
Produced by 9th Wonder
I ain’t go lie, even though the production from 9th on this track seems pretty simple, I’m feeling the beat the most out of almost any other track on the album. Skyzoo does the beat justice with the lyrics he delivers about all of these copycat emcees in the game and how a lot of them mirror his style along with other established artists in the genre. The hook on this track is kind of corny, but it’s sufficient for what it’s worth. This was a nice way to end of the album and it brings it to a close in good fashion, leaving you waiting for the next project from the two.

Bottom Line:
After 12 tracks from the collaborative effort of Skyzoo & 9th Wonder, it’s safe to say that they brought some much-needed freshness to the rap game and industry in general. You will find this album to be a “breath of fresh air” in a heavily polluted industry similar to recent albums like The Bake Sale (The Cool Kids) and The In Crowd (Kidz In The Hall). The only difference between this album and those projects is that this album carries are more East Coast feel with Skyzoo being a Brooklyn native, which those other two album have a more “Hip-Hop/80’s/Nostaglia” feel to it. Seeing as how Skyzoo & 9th Wonder put this project together in a total of 3 days hence the album’s title The 3 Day High, they have done better than what most artists fail to do 6 months or years in producing an album. Skyzoo worked magic over some of 9th’s leftover/rejected beats from other artists he’s worked with like Little Brother, Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, etc. Listeners can’t go wrong in purchasing a copy of this album, whether it’s on CD or from iTunes (which I did). You will ultimately be delivered with some good Hip-Hop music and a much-needed change in pace from a lot of what’s dominating the game nowadays. Skyzoo is one of the talented upcoming rappers in the game that’s really keeping it real and truthfully, so support him now and don’t be one of the many who decides to jump on the bandwagon once he starts to see some success in the industry.

nappyPicks: “I’m On It”, “You & Me”, “A Day In The Life”, “Stop Fooling Yourself”, “Way To Go”

Even though Dame Grease may not have a big name like producers Timbaland or Pharrell, he definitely has a big track record. He has worked with the artists such as Nas, The Lox, Freeway, T.I., Jay-Z, N.O.R.E, Beanie Sigel, Fat Joe, Mary J. Blige, Kelis, and many more. Dame Grease also is responsible for basically producing DMX’s whole first album, It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot (Which might be one of the hardest albums ever!) as well as providing the score for movies Exit Wounds and Cradle 2 The Grave. It’s been 8 years since Dame Grease dropped his 2000 compilation Live on Lenox Ave., and a lot has changed with his new album Goon Musik. Where Dame produced every track and only rapped one track for his first compilation Live On Lenox Ave., he now raps on almost all off tracks while still holding all producing credits for the new album. Where the first album had more star power like Nas, Cam’ron, & Scarface; the new album is full of cameos from unknowns and underground rappers. Should you care? Let’s find out…

1. Goon Musik Intro
“The music you feel when you feel like busting a motherfucker’s head open.” It seems Dame is definitely taking back to the streets on this one as he describes what “Goon Musik” is on the intro while screwed voices and gun cocking sounds are in the background.

2. Lotzilla
Featuring Bigga Threat & Loose Cannons
The first song of the album reminds me of something you would hear by DipSet  (Maybe because both acts are from Harlem). Dame raps first, and while I was surprised that he voice wasn’t half bad, he rhymes leave a lot to be desired. The hook is a little tired too; “You said you rowdy, rowdy/Well look we rowdy, rowdy/Somebody’s wrecking parties/Everybody shake ya bodies”. The Godzilla noises in the background was a creative touch though.

3. 9’s Out
Featuring Meeno & Tony Wink
Hey, it’s Meeno. Remember the guy from Mase’s side group Harlem World? The one who went at Jay-Z on Dame Grease’s first compilation on a song called “I’m That Nigga”? Yea, me neither. The actual beat on this song is good though; the hard bass and pianos do the job. It’s your basic song about having to pull you guns out and not playing games in the street. Nothing really stands out in the form of lyrics though; more thug talking and drug dealing stories.

4. Connecticut Kush
Featuring Max B & Messiah
Speaking of DipSet earlier, ex- DipSet member Max B drops by on this track. Of course he provides his trademark hook singing. While the beat, lyrics, hook and is not the worst, I wish they would venture out more with the lyrics; if you gonna kill 20 niggas by the forth track, at least be creative with it. This is especially true when a song is supposed to be about smoking weed. I also will note that Dame Grese had the best verse here.

5. Gangsta’s Fairytale
Featuring Bigga Threat & Tony Wink
The hook on this one is garbage! “It’s just my gangsta’s fairytale/Ladi, ladi, ladi, ladi, ladi, ladi, lock block/Badi, badi, badi, badi, badi, badi, badi, pop pop!…” SKIP!

6. Bout To Ride
Featuring E. Snaps
At first, when I heard E. Snaps talking, I thought it was Drag-On; he actually raps a little different though. This song is another victim of a weak hook. Of course the song is about being down when the beef hits. Even though so far I not liking this album, I will say Dame does a good job of placing sound effects on a lot of these tracks (For example, he has crowd riot noises on this one in the background).

7. The Tombs
Weird interlude about tombs. The beats sounds like something DMX would wrecked in his early days though.

8. Hustla Dog
Featuring Mysterious & Bigga Threat
The song starts out with a clip from the movie Ghost Rider. It also kept my attention cause I had Mysterious on the track, you know, the big girl who almost made it into the end on Puffy’s first season of Making The Band? Yea, that girl. I’m happy to hear she’s still doing her thing. Besides that the song actually kept my attention with a nice beat and a good hook. It‘s basically talking about working hard in the streets; it’s what I call a New York “crunk” song. Not saying that it tries to be Southern, just that I see New York getting hype over this one in the club.

9. Goon Luv
Featuring Fosho, Tony Wink, & Tanya T6
For somebody who made a beat for a songs like “Feds Takin’ Pictures” & “Niggaz Done Started Something”, Dame Grease came with his “Z” game on this one. It tries to be the ladies/radio song of the album, but it’s just sad. SKIP!

10. Coke Talk
Featuring E. Nast
Guess what this song is about? One clue: It’s not about a soft drink. Grease changes his cadence on this one (Kinda like DMX did on “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem”). The beat gets redundant and even though the song is called “Coke Talk”, it’s really no different than a lot of song already heard on this album.

11. Lenox Ave Boys
Featuring Meeno, Messiah, & E. Snaps
Even though Grease is talented on the boards, its here that I realize that after hearing most of this album, the beats sound a lot alike. This particular song does nothing to stand out; nobody spits anything with style or creativity to make you take notice.

12. Picture Me
Featuring Meeno & Sixx Tray
Why did Tupac ever utter the words; “Picture Me Rolling”. Now almost every thug rapper tries get their Pac on and repeats those words. It still surprises me how some of the album’s beats are third rate though…like this one for instance.

13. Get Yo Hand Out My Pocket
Featuring Tony Wink & Messiah
When the first guy started rapping (Don’t ask me who; I can’t tell anymore), I didn’t know if he was rapping or talking. The beat is not bad, I just don’t know if it’s the best beat to rap over. I kinda liked the hook though.

Bottom Line:
While I respect what Dame Grease has done in his career as a producer and I understand that this album was to strengthen his label Vacant Lot, I’d be lying if I said he didn’t drop a disappointment with Goon Musik. Even though the album could be looked at as homage to early 90’s New York street-inflected Hip-Hop acts like Mobb Deep and Wu-Tang Clan, it doesn’t do that kind of music well. It’s doesn’t do “street-ready” anthems creatively or even different from what you might have already a thousand times before. But why would a talented producer such as Dame Grease drop a compilation that has beats that are lacking? Maybe he was too busy worrying about his rhymes and delivery instead his producing. All in all, Goon Musik is not my kind of music.

Download: Dame Grease feat. Mysterious & Bigga Threat – “Hustla Dog”

Biggie had Lil’ Kim, Trick had Trina, and now Lil’ Wanye has Nicki Minaj. Speaking of Lil’ Kim, I think my whole interest in interviewing Nicki Minaj might because of Kimberly Jones; well, sort of. If you’re not familiar with Nicki Minaj, you might want to be. As first lady of Weezy’s own Young Money Records, she has made numerous mixtape appearances and recently released her own with Sucka Free. That brings me back to what started this, the ad for the Sucka Free mixtape. Nicki Minaj spread eagle ala Lil’ Kim’s Hard Core ad had the internet going nuts (As well as some other things). Well, after tracking Ms. Nicki Minaj down, I FINALLY got an interview. We talked about the her writing process, the current state of female rappers, and uh, a little about the Sucka Free poster.

B-Easy: What’s up Nicki? Where you at right now?

Nicki Minaj: Hey, I’m in Houston Texas with the President Weezy F

First thing first, I wanna get this question out of the way. Who came up with the idea for the Sucka Free ad?

My nigga Fendi (President of Dirty Money Records & Founder of the Come Up DVD series). His freaky ass saw my box poking out in some pics I took prior and recommended I redo the Hard Core pose.

Tell him I said thank you Nicki. Nicki Minaj; that’s a crazy name. I heard some stories, but where did the name come from?

It came from my real name which is Maraj. Fendi flipped it when I met him cause I got a nasty flow and I eat these bitches (Laughing).

The first time I actually heard you rhyme on a larger scale, I think it was on Lil’ Wayne’s Da Drought 3. How’d you meet Wayne?

He saw me on the Come Up Vol. 11 and was head over heels for Lewinsky! (Laughing) He made a call and I made the flight!

Being from New York, do you think it’s crazy you running with the Lil’ Wayne? Won’t people think you should be down with DipSet or D-Block?

I don’t give two flying fucks what people think lil’ daddy…

Okay, okay. Let’s change the subject then. What’s the process you go into when you write your rhymes? Do you write anything down?

Yes sir! I wish I could say I don’t write it down but I damn sure do! Bout to start my own label called “Write Ya Own Raps Records” bitches!

I can’t wait to see that logo. What’s your thoughts on the current state of female MC’s?

It’s missing NICKI MINAJ! But it’s cool; I got the “S” on my chest now. HEEEERREE I COME TO SAVE DA DAAAAYYYYY! (Singing & laughing) Shout out to Mighty Mouse.

Don’t forget Hong Kong Phoey. What’s the feedback from the fans and critics on the Sucka Free mixtape and Nicki Minaj in general?

Sucka Free has gotten great reviews from both fans and critics. I really stepped my pussy up on this one. You can still cop that on myspace.com/nickiminaj for all the non-believers. It comes autographed. So does that fat box poster (laughing). As for Nicki Minaj herself? Somebody always got that bitch name in their mouth, so I guess I’m doing something right (laughing).

Now on Sucka Free, you worked with Jadakiss, Ransom, and of course Wayne. Who else do you wanna work with?

Natasha Bedingfield, Leona Lewis, Mariah Carey, Keyshia Cole, Danity Kane, Jay-Z, to name a few.

Natasha Bedingfield? Really? If I was to check your iPod, what are you currently listening too? What’s in your stereo?

Leona Lewis. That broad got me right now; she’s dope! I’m big on R&B. I actually sing and write R&B so….

That’s where the money is at right now. Now, I heard the Pinky line on “Wanna Minaj” (“Sex game kinky/Niggas call me Pinky”) and I saw the pictures on you and her on your MySpace page. What’s up with that? You a fan of her work?

(Laughing) That’s cute. I wouldn’t say I’m a fan; I’d give dat bitch a run for her money! (Laughing again) nah, let me stop, I just met her and she’s really sweet. I actually hadn’t met her when I wrote that lyric though. I was just being funny. The actual lyrics is: “Sex game kinky/Niggas call me Pinky/Fuck with the presidents/I am Nicki Lewinsky!”

I appreciate the interview Nicki? Any parting shots?

Shout out to nappyafro.com, Dirty Money, The Famous Firm and of course Weezy F and the whole Young Money! To all the people that support me, thank you from the bottom of my heart! (Kissing sound)

What’s going on people? Most of the time I start out by apologizing about the lack of updates and what not, but not this time punks, we been on it this week. Shit, I just hope I get to see the Mayweather/De La Hoya fight this weekend. I got money on it, not 50 Cent $1 million money, but broke B-Easy money. Check back later because we got three reviews coming soon. Enough with all the small talk, let’s get it.

50 Cent’s New Songs

Now I know 50 Cent is not one of King Jerm’s favorite rappers (Remember “My Beef with Curtis Jackson”?), but listening to the early songs for his upcoming album Curtis, I can’t front, they pretty good. I once said that 50 had lost his edge and drive, but the songs show that he still has flow and wit. Hip-Hop really needs a big album release right now, so I hope 50 Cent does it. Check out two of the new songs:

“Fully Loaded Clip“
“Straight To The Bank“

Murs Goes Major!

Independent Hip-Hop artist Murs has inked a major label deal with Warner Bros. Records last month and is preparing his next album titled Murs For President. Loyal nappyafro followers will remember when we did a review of Murs & 9th Wonder’s last album Murray’s Revenge (here), which was excellent. I really enjoy Murs’ music and I happy that after many years on the indie grind, he finally gets his chance to get introduced to a bigger audience

Flavor Of Love Chicken Head Round-Up

Damn, it seems like almost all of my columns have something to do about these Flavor Of Love women. This has got to stop; let’s get this over with quickly:

*Toastee’s Sex Tape
Even though I don’t care, it seems like porn company Vivid Entertainment has got there hands on another F-List celebrity sex tape. In the 40 minute video, former Flavor Of Love contestant is shown having sex and “her ability to perform the full splits in one jaw-dropping scene”. Toastee Exposed will be released by Vivid on May 16. Check out a preview here.

*I Love New York 2
Uh, who didn’t see this coming? I was just getting used to not seeing New York on TV.

*Hoopz Is A Stripper!

Flavor Of Love Season 1 winner Nikki “Hoopz” Alexander is now reportedly an exotic dancer for Luke (Luther Campbell), according to Media Takeout. Reality star, to video hoe, to stripper. Damn, this chick is going backwards. After saying all that though, I still wanna check out the show (look at the picture man!). I just hope she knows how freaky Uncle Luke gets; remember his Freak Show?

The Good Old Days: Pro Stars

Remember the Pro Stars cartoon series featuring Michel Jordan, Wayne Gretsky, and Bo Jackson as crime fighters? Looking back now, it wasn’t that good. But who couldn’t love the Air Jordans with rocket boosters?

Pure Hip-Hop: B-Boy Junior

Sometimes it’s just good to witness real Hip-Hop.