Although, I don’t condone the number of n-bombs dropped in this piece, I gotta say that the voiceovers had me crackin’ up. P.S. don’t take yourself too seriously today.
Although I am not a big fan of 808s & Heartbreaks and even less of the fan-made videos, I must say this song and video trumps both of those negative feelings. I am still a big fan of Welcome to Heartbreak and Love Lockdown but Street Lights has quietly surpassed the ranks of those songs. And this video was just brilliant for interpolating Michele Gondry’s masterpiece, “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind”. Originally spotted at Nah right. An explanation and background on the video after the jump. Great song to start my new year.
I know I’m a few days late with this but its def worth a post. When this song first came out, I hated it. But the negative influence of MTV JAMS has made it grow on me. What has saved this song from the hells of Khaled garbagem is this new Jay verse that really strikes a nerve. I tried to come up with something clever for it but I think Gotty at TSS said it best:
“Jay jumps in on Khaled & Kanye’s track, blessing it with a verse & thus furthering Kanye’s Carlton complex with being outshined by Will.”
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Go Hard (remix)
So, I am not one to post a review of every album that comes out. There are too many albums released each day and most have no more than 2-3 dope tracks on it. I know this is the same rhetoric you hear from everybody, so I’ll stop my rant right there.
However, 88-keys’ album is impressive & stays true and simple to the album’s concept - the “rise and fall” of a man b/c of a woman’s seductive (w)hole (big pun intended). This is not an Nas album where you need to transcribe each lyric. Rather the words fit the style of a Tribe or Kanye song and they do not sound contrived or too forced to the beat/topic. The beats, however, I think should inspire newer beatmakers to handle a chopped sample better and keep your head noddin’ (pause). Surprisingly in this day and age of rappin’ hustlers and over-the-top personalities, 88-Keys actually plays a backrole on the album and shuffles between the roles of Mixtape DJ, MC, and Producer. He lets the beats, cameos, and storyline play central character to the album. Joints to check for: the released single “Stay Up!”, “Nice Guys Finish Last”, and “Last Call”. Download Link and Tracklisting are after the jump. Also, No from Blind I (what up, homie!) did an interview with 88-keys when he was in town for PST. (When I am going to get my chance, Sake?). You should check it out. Haven’t been this impressed with a real album (not mixtape) since Blu & Exile’s album.
Lots of moments in this 13 minute video. Kinda reminds you of those ‘93-’94 cyphers. Not that I was ever in one but I did like to stand on the lunch table or bench and look in.
Maybe its the DJ in me but Green Latern gets my vote for fav person in the video. And Will.i.am, unleashing his battle spit. Now, we know he chooses to be weird and a sell-out. Thanks, Mares, for the link!
The closer we get to Kanye’s release date, the more the leaks are coming. I can’t say that I’ve been impressed with any of the leaks beyond “Love Lockdown” and this one with Young Jeezy. But I do respect the man for putting his true heartbreak and issues into the music. Not many artists (esp within hip-hop) can brag that they put their heart on a protrack file 100% of the time. I wasn’t invited to the conference call (I would like to - hint, hint to anyone reading) but Kanye recently told everyone where this album came from. Full transcript after the jump. Thanks to TSS and Snicka for the info/links! I think after this post I am giving this the “Nas Untitled” treatment and not posting any more Kanye until his album drops.
Kanye West - Amazing (feat. Young Jeezy)
BONUS: (for Weston, really)
Kanye West - Tell everybody that you know (feat. Lil’ Wayne)
Hello People!
I am back on my grind here with KTL after taking a few days off to DJ in LA. With a phenomenal week taking place with the Obama election and spirit of hope, I’m feeling good and inspired. In the mode of inspiration, I wanted to post 3 great Jay-Z related items. One is the CDQ version of Jay’s tribute song to Obama called “History”. It will be included on the Blueprint 3 (btw which will be out to 2009 says Kanye) along with “Jockin’ Jay-Z” and “Swagger Like Us (pt 1 and 2)”. Next, the video above is a BBC documentary of Jay’s early career to his performance at Glastonbury. Dope interviews but be warned - its an hour long. Lastly, the megadons at TSS posted Jay’s Library of a Legend. With our GOD MC post and that, your Jigga library should be covered.
Jay-Z - Library of a Legend (11 Discs)
When Love Lockdown came out, there were alot of reactions from hip-hop fans. From “this is crap!” to “hip-hop at its best” to “kanye has left us”. We even saw it become a popular issue with our 6 readers. One of the sites I go to regularly, No Trivia is hosted by Brandon Soderberg, nailed why people are reacting so. Smart dude and ally with me on the Metal Lungies’ Beat Drop that happens each month. Well, he put into words what I couldn’t about the current state of hip-hop and where Kanye, Wayne, and these new artists are taking the culture. You should take the time to smarten up (c) Jay to Nas. Intellectual hip-hop journalism. Appreciate it.
Rap’s Post-Lyrical Phase Part 2
Rap’s Post-Lyrical Phase Part 3
Rap’s Post-Lyrical Phase - Final Notes
First, let me give credit where credit is due. DJ01 of ML fame posted this thread earlier and I happened to stumble upon earlier this afternoon when I took a sick day. A great find! How great? That I’ve been reading it for 3 hours now. Basically, earlier this month Questo invites the Okayplayer heads to post any celebrity’s name and he’ll explain his brush of fame with them. Imagine the Fat Joe on Juan Epstein episode times a hundred thousand trillion. After the jump are my faves. Here is the link for the whole thread. I warn you now, it will take up your evening or afternoon like the time you popped in Malcolm X and realized how late it was when it ended.
What I’ve been waiting for all week. I’m definitely going to play this at the OBEY parties this weekend in San Francisco. I jacked this from Nah Right, who in less than 2 hours had it over 5,000 downloads. Can’t deny its greatness.