Back to the Basics; Commence Slapping...

Alright ladies and gents. No frills, just music. Put these in your pipes and smoke 'em.

Rough is the Texture - RBX
Off of RBXs first solo album "The RBX Files". RBX is just one of those guys I've always liked to listen to for whatever reason. Kinda like Juvenile. Even though RBX was pissed as shit at Dre and Death Row during this album, I remain loyal.

Early Retirement - Mac Dre
Play at loud volumes.

Get the Paper Mayne - Mac Dre
Ditto.

Fall Back - Big L w/ Kool G
From "The Big Picture". Nice Temptations sample.

Enjoy. Out like my ideas for this line...?

Dress Archie's Great Rap Verses (Song #7: Pastor Troy- This Tha City)

Now for me, when the "Great Verses" list was started, one of the driving forces behind it was putting up some new music and maybe new rappers that some of you haven't heard. My first two songs I don't think really achieved that goal; I am sure most of you had heard Gettin' It and while Big L is pretty well-known, I figured you hadn't heard that freestyle.


With this in mind, I present to you Pastor Troy. I first came across the Pastor Disaster when I was real young and and just getting my feet wet in rap music. I can't remember where I heard of him, but at the age of 12ish I bought one of his CD's. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. Pastor Troy is most likely best known for a feud he had with Master P, but other than that, he has little audience outside of the South. I actually at one point had a couple of his albums, but as I've gotten older I've either lost them, or they didn't make the switch to my new computer.

Athletes are constantly in need of pump-up songs, and even when I was real young I tried to find rap that would pump me up. With this I present to you This Tha City. This song has been an Alex Hart pump-up staple for a good long time now, and nothing got me more rearing to go than verse 2.

While not the most exciting verse lyrically, the passion that Troy throws into his spitting is undeniable. It sounds as if he's gutturally yelling the thing out through clenched fucking teeth, as if he's taking a big fat shit (in a good way). This song needs to be listened at high volume levels, and works best if your feeling belligerent or aggressive so drink some cheap whiskey, listen to this, and (to quote Juanfeesh) stomp some gumps. If I could best some up this song I would leave it to the Pastor himself:
You cracking smiles, we cracking mugs selling drugs
We what hoes love, ATL fucking thugs.
This might not be the best verse I throw on here, it sure is one of the hardest and hopefully you'll bump it at some point.

Out like Brett.

Dress Archie's Great Rap Verses (Song #6: Big L- Stretch & Bobbito '98 Freestyle )

Harlem's Finest. Possibly the best flow and some of the best lyrics to be heard. Big L's career was cut painfully short after two classic albums, similar to another NYC great, but Big L was at his finest when freestyling. If anyone can find me a better freestyler (except for Eminem in 8 Mile), I'll drink from my own dip cup. Big L had wordplay that most rappers can only dream about, and this is best shown on the first verse of his Stretch & Bobbito '98 Freestyle.

While granted this is not a typical song due to its lack of a hook and the fact that it's a freestyle recorded in a booth of a radio station, the first verse Big L drops might be in my top 3 verses. Throw in the fact that it may or may not be a freestyle (one of the DJ's says something about Big L writing it), and you can understand why Big L is unquestionably the greatest rapper from Manhattan.

Shut your mouth up before I buck lead/
And make a lot of blood shed/
Turn your tux red/
Im far from broke, got enough bread
And mad hoes, ask Beavis I get nuttin Butt-head
Don't get me wrong I've heard some witty shit in my life, but if you're freestyling that, that's the craziest line I've ever heard. Period.
R.I.P to one of the greatest to bless the mic.

As a special bonus I am putting up the CD that this is on:
Harlem's Finest: A Freestyle History

Hungryfortacos Analytical Essay Series: Entry #2: The Year of the Roc?

These past few days of procrastination have led to multiple days of multiple music downloads. The more music I have downloaded, the more of a common thread I have found. About 1 in every 3 songs I download either are by, or feature the same three artists. And all three come from the same label: Roc-A-Fella Records. These three artists are none other than Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, and Freeway. In an earlier post on this blog, I made the assertion that the month of December could be the biggest month in the near future for rap music. I still believe that this is the case, but now, whether or not the month of December plays out the way I and the other contributors on the blog want it to, the next year in rap music may be dominated by the Roc. Backing up Jay-Z's earlier claim that "R-O-C is running this rap shit".

The first album release by one of these artists was Jay-Z's American Gangster, which dropped a couple weeks ago. I remained hesitant to buy this album at first, I never heard much of anything off Kingdom Come, but I heard it sucked, so I was skeptical of his newest effort. However, as I sat blazed to shit in the room of a buddy of mine in one of the frats on-campus, I found myself hearing a familar Brooklyn accent boasting "And I don't need a hook for this shit". This was not "Change Clothes" or "Show Me What You Got" Jay-Z. No, this was Reasonable Doubt Jay-Z. I came back to my room and after yacking, promptly downloaded the entire album. And I found, not just was the song "No Hook" fire, but the whole album was fire. Especially the songs "Blue Magic", "Ignorant Shit" and "Oh Hello"- my personal favorite, produced by DJ Toomp, the man behind T.I.'s "What You Know". This album was Jay-Z back to his old form, meaning the disputed "Best Rapper Alive" or "King of New York" proves he's worth the title belts he wears.

The next album scheduled to be released is Freeway's Free At Last. Every song I've downloaded so far from this album features big name artists, and Freeway consistently outshines them on the tracks. Scarface, Weezy, and Busta Rhymes all feature, and all come away sounding second-fiddle to Freeway. This album will not generate massive sales or publicity. However, the blogging world and the internet rap scene all seem to be trying to get Freeway tracks. People who know rap know Freeway has massive talent, as demonstrated in his freestyle I put up in my new music, and if he can generate some positive reviews and some buzz around his album, the Roc will have quite possibly its second-most talented lyricist rebuilding the dynasty.

I already mentioned Beanie Sigel in my previous essay, yet I want to add a few more words on the Mack. Beanie is only featured for 8 bars on Jay-Z's "Ignorant Shit" off of American Gangster, but as soon As Jay-Z cuts him off, I always feel a yearning to hear him spit more. I didn't particularly like his song with R. Kelly (I thought the beat and hook were mediocre), but I found myself constantly going back to listen to the song. Beanie always leaves you wanting more, and if his album can satiate that yearning, his album might be the hardest thing of the year to stop listening to.

A few years ago, Jay-Z built the Roc-A-Fella dynasty on the backs of weak rappers such as Memphis Bleek and Chris and Neek of Young Guns. While these individuals received the hype as the Roc became one of the most highly respected labels in Rap, Beanie and Free sat sitting in the wings, with their hungry but not particular radio-friendly music. Now as rap music gets more and more assimilated into the mainstream (for evidence see: Soulja Boy, 50 Cent, T-Pain and any other soft-serve eating bitch), the slept-on rappers of years past are what are needed to keep rap alive. And with Jay-Z's revival and the emergence of Freeway and Beanie, Roc-A-Fella is in position to rebuild the dynasty and reclaim dominance in the genre.

Ohh Hellooo...

Now, while Juanfeesh may be spending loads of time "on his computer looking for music" (AKA listening to music while downloading lots of porn and making a mixtape for all of us for thanksgiving), I have been listening to lots of old music. I haven't really gotten all that much new shit, and the new shit I have copped I've been trying to put up here for all of you. But these last couple days I have compiled some new stuff to bump to. Some of this isn't quite a DJ Hart smoker- to quote the wire- but hopefully it'll keep your palette moist until December.


Let's Get It

(The order might be fucked up but I think all the songs have titles and info, if you have problems let me know)

Andre Nickatina- Seven Letters Coked Out: What are these seven letters? C.O.C.A.I.N.E. A new Nicky song without Queezy or Mike Meezy. I like. Courtesy of Nation of Thizzam.

Freeway- It's Over: I'm really looking out for Free's new album. This song is decent, I'm feeling the trumpets or whatever they are in the backgroud.

Saigon Feat. Swizz Beats, and Jay-Z (Produced by Just Blaze)- Come On Baby (Remix): This is fire. From what I can tell, the Saigon + Just Blaze collabo is gonna turn out real nice.

Bishop Lamont Feat. Chevy Jones and Indef- Caltroit: Bishop Lamont is apparently Dre's new protege. This is off his new mixtape. Not bad at all.

Lil' Wayne- One Night Only: The first of a few Weezy tracks. Off The Drought is Over 4. What else needs to be said, it's Weezy.

Cam'ron- Just Us: Another one courtesy of the Nation. Cam covering Don't Stop Believin'. It was only a matter of time before this got sampled. However, curiously, Cam is going for a much softer sound on his new shit. It's weird. But you gotta love the line: Gave her a Sanchez/Yes a dirty one. Oh Cam you rascal.

Buddah Monk- Killa from the Villa: This guy Buddah Monk is a Wu-Tang disciple and I like his shit a lot. It's got a real dirty sound to it, I think due to the fact that he was influenced big by ODB.

Project Pat Feat. Pimp C- Talkin' Smart: A song I really like off Project Pat's new CD. Correction, Project Pat's new CD that was "Critics Choice" in the NY Times. No lie. The best thing about this CD is the choruses. They remind me of Triece and Computer.

King Crimson- In the Court of the Crimson King: The only non-rap song on here. Sorry, if you want rock someone else most likely will have better selection. However, I got this song from Children of Men. It's a decent stoney song and otherwise it's just kinda mellow.

DJ Muggs/GZA- Advance Pawns: Off the GZA-DJ Muggs album I put up. This song has a great beat and GZA always brings some sauciness. This is actually on a Raekwon mixtape with the title "GZA Shit". Weird.

Bishop Lamont Feat. Clyde Carson, Stat Quo, and Dr. Dre- On Top Now: Another song of the Bishop mixtape. Another song that is pretty hot. Nice beat, good chorus, and I like Carson a lot. I don't really know where Dre is on this song. I don't think I hear him, maybe he did the beat.

Ratatat- PLO Style (Featuring Method Man and Buddha Monk): Off of the Ratatat Remix tape, this song introduced me to Buddha. His verse is hot.

Lil' Wayne Feat. Twista- Burn This City: Another track off of The Drought Is Over 4. I think this might be my favorite cut off the album. Both rappers do work on this one.

Lil' Wayne Feat. Scarface and T.I.- Big Dogg Status: I think this might actually be a remix of the first single on Face's new album. Either way, Scarface always sounds good and when you throw in Weezy and TIP, you got three kings of the south there.

Notorious B.I.G.- Just Playin' (Dreams): An old Biggie track off of Ready to Die. I love hearing him list off all the old school girls groups of the 90's. What ever happened to those?

Raekwon Feat. Busta Rhymes- State of Grace: This song, according to Wikipedia, should be on OB4CLII but we'll see. If it is, that's a good sign cause it's fierce.

Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Styles P, Uncle Murda- DJ Green Lantern Freestyle: 14 minutes of freestyles from three slept on rapping stars and someone else. Free's first freestyle and Beanie's first are gross. I mean they are ridiculous. Not really something to bump or dance to, but something to listen to and bob your head with.

T.I. Feat. Young Jeezy and Big Kuntry- Do U Potna: Apparently, this is a disc track to Ludacris. Wow. That's some kind of unsuspected beef. Who has a problem with Luda? But the beat is pretty nice.

Scarface- Girl U Know: Another Funky Ass Face song from the new album. Not quite G Code (that would be damn near impossible), but a pretty quality cut.

Beanie Sigel- Go Low: I have never heard a Beanie song like this, but damn it's hard. I like the Jamaican touch a lot but Beanie's verses are the best part.

Lil' Wayne- PMW (Pussy, Money, Weed): So this is supposedly of Tha Carter III or The Leak (the official one) or something like that. It reminds me a little of I Feel Like Dyin' but I like it a lot. A quiet Lil' Wayne rapping about his three favorite things. Sounds good to me.

Saigon- Saigon Meets Just Blaze: There's a reason everything Just Blaze touches is money. This song has a great beat and Saigon sounds real good on it. The Greatest Story Never Told is gonna be real real good.

I'm done like the Falcons, Niners, Rams, Bears, Eagles, Panthers, Jets, Dolphins, Bengals, Ravens, Texans, Raiders and Broncos.

G-G-G-Unot (DJ Hart Mixtape Series Vol. 2)

This was supposed to be #3 in the mixtape series but John put up Da Drought III before I could get around to it. I have descovered slowly that not too many artists really use the mixtape to put new shit out (except of Weezy, who seems to put out a mix-tape every week) so it takes a little while to find a mixtape with any clout. Here, we have the new Game mixtape, You Know What It Is, Vol. 4. After going over the CD with a brief listen the whole CD is actually pretty hot; Game brings it real hard on this one. While it doesn't feature any real big time diss tracks to G-Unit (the song Body Bags kinda is one, but not in the league of 300, 240, or 120 bars) it really seems to me that G-Unit is kinda dead. I don't know if people have an opinion on this, but there seems to be no hot Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, or Tony Gayo songs on the radio or anything anymore. Is it possible to say that Game's G-Unot campaign worked? I think we'll have to see what happens when 50's new CD (titled something about CUUUURTTISS) drops.

Anyway here it is:
Get Game-Time

P.S. I have downloaded some other mix-tapes for the next few days. As tempted as I am to make this a Lil' Wayne homage-shrine type deal by putting up all his mixtapes, I'd rather put up tapes from a collection of different sets. Be on the lookout.

The Shadiest One (DJ Hart Mixtape Series Vol. 1)

This is the first of a series of brand new mixtapes that I got in store. I hope you're looking forward to a new Weezy mixtape in the next few days amongst others. The first in the series is WC- West Side Heavy Hitters. It kinda reminds me of Dedication 2 because WC raps over a bunch of beats from other big songs (Ante Up, Got it Twisted) and has some of his older well known songs (Bow Down, Gangsta Nation). I would say a very quality mixtape by the Ghetto Heisman and you guys should all download this. If you don't know who WC is (Square?) he did the song on the Streets that was on the Left Side CD. If you know what I mean.

Get It Twisted

Look for more of the same in the next few days (If anyone knows of a mixtape they wanna hear let me know and i'll try to put it up)

Some Newer Music...

Good post Michael, I appreciate the taste of something fresh. Now I have a little ditty for all of you. RJ has already heard this song and liked it (which doesn't really bode all that well considering) but it's catchy and one of those songs all yall might enjoy. It's not neccesarily good rap like Jedi Mind Tricks, but its got a good hook.

Rich Boy- Throw Some D's