Blu Colla Workers - Blu & Exile

I'll be the first admit that when Blu & Exile's album Below The Heavens first came out last summer, I really didn't see what the big fuss was about. At the time it seemed like every blog that followed underground hip hop was giving these guys what seemed like the ultimate praise, and to be honest I really wasn't feeling them like that. It's hard to critique a album after just one listen, but unfortunately that's the treatment that Below The Heavens got from me. It was a one and done situation for me.

After the new year I decided to give Blu & Exile another try. While I'm still not completely sold on the album as a whole, this album definitely was a good, solid effort. The album has grown on me and now I listen to the album almost daily. What I dig the most about this album is the frankness and honesty expressed in Blu's lyrics.

Above is the video of one of my favorite songs from their album. Enjoy!

 

To Whom It May Concern...

First off I want to say thanks for all the emails that I received expressing concerns over my whereabouts, lack of posts, etc. Also a special thanks goes out to those bloggers that kept checking out the page for updates that were nonexistent. An extra special shout out goes out to those who don't give a shit; I feel yall, sometimes I don't give a shit either.

I've been keeping very busy these days. Besides being a single mother and full time employee of the gub'ment, I've decided to take my black ass back to school. As if life wasn't already stressful enough, I've gone back to thesis statements for APA style papers and math equations that stump the hell out of me. Oh, did I mention that I've been out of school for like ten years? Terms like citations, APA, order of operations and the like were like speaking Russian to me. I definitely needed to study hard to bring me back up to the college level.

So that's basically what I have been doing, sharpening my writing and math skills while also taking classes to fulfill my degree. So excuse me if this blog isn't a first, second, or third priority anymore. It will be a priority again, maybe when I feel like I'm on top of my study game. There may be some post here and there, please bare with me. As it is now I barely have enough time to visit the many wonderful blogs on my blog roll, let alone the blogs that I've bookmarked. 

I also want to say that I'm sorry it took me so long to post this, but this really has been on my mind for the longest (I had the intention to post this months ago).

P.S. I know I'm trifling, so what!

On the look out : Soon to be released

          9th Wonder & Buckshot ~ The Formula

           

                    Release date : 4/15/08

                    Label: Duck Down Records

Tracklisting and credits for The Formula (all songs produced by 9^th Wonder):

1.) Intro-The Formula ft/ The Formula Crew

2.) Ready (Brand New Day)

3.) Be Cool ft/Swan

4.) Go All Out ft/Carlitta Durand

5.) No Future

6.) Hold It Down ft/Talib Kweli and Tyler Woods

7.) Whassup with U ft/Keisha Shontelle

8.) Only For You (Lou)

9.) Just Display

10.) Here We Go

11.) Throwing' Shade

12.) Shinin' Yall ft/Arafat Yates and Big Chops of M1 Platoon

13.) Man Listen

Check out the first single from 9th Wonder & Buckshot's  second collaborative effort The Formula.

Go All Out ~ Buckshot & 9th Wonder ft/Carlitta Durand

 

              Kidz In The Hall ~ The In Crowd

                     

                  Release Date: 4/29/08

Label:Duck Down Records/Major League      Entertainment

THE IN CROWD FEATURES APPEARANCES BY THE CLIPSE, COOL KIDS, GYM CLASS HEROES, PHONTE, SEAN PRICE, BLACK MILK, BUCKSHOT, MASTA ACE, CAMP LO

Tracklisting and credits for The In Crowd (all songs produced by Double-O):

1.) Intro

2.) Blackout ft/ DJ GI Joe

3.) Paper Trail ft/Phonte

4.) Driving Down The Block (Low End Theory) ft /Masta Ace

5.) Lucifer's Joyride ft /Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes

6.) Snob-Hop ft /Camp Lo

7.) The In Crowd ft/Tim William

8.) Let Your Hair Down ft/Skyzoo and Lil Eddie

9.) Midwest Thang Pt's 1 &2 ft/Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Fooch (co-produced by Black Milk)

10.) Mr. Alladatshit

11.) Sean,Na, & Buck ft/Sean Price and Buckshot

12.) Life I Know

13.) Driving Down The Block Remix ft/The Clipse and The Cool Kids (Bonus Track)

 

Here's the first single from Kidz In The Halls' sophomore effort The In Crowd

             

Driving Down The Block (Low End Theory) ~ Kidz In The Hall

Nikz Says: Hip Hop IS NOT DEAD!!! Quit complaining and look for real music!

Off Da Radar Spotlight : Hero

                           

Artist: Hero

Craft:Hip Hop/Soul

Album: Hero

MC: E-Dot 

Producer/Vocalist: Darp Malone

Label:Thirsty Music

Hailing From:Canada 

 

HERO gives us two such legendary figures. Introducing artist/producer extraordinaire Darp Malone and the incredible word-smith E-Dot (who has previously worked with Mr. Complex, The Chapter, Loer Velocity and released singles on Ill Bill's Uncle Howie Records). These two long time collaborators have finally combined their efforts on a full-fledged scale to create a sound that is nothing short of amazing. HERO's music is honest and passionate, so wonderfully sincere and effortless.  

They have no capes or pantyhose, just soulful ballads and aggressive compositions. Somehow HERO manages to easily combine substance and intricate wordplay with moving melodies and catchy refrains.  
Together as HERO, E-Dot and Darp Malone's music utterly transcends time without the abuse of trends and propaganda. Upon first listen one comes to realize that the future is upon us. The time is now, and they are here. Embrace them, witness the conquest; and don't take them for granted. Album release date is February 26th.

Tracklisting and credits for HERO (all songs produced by Darp Malone):

1.) Mogadishu (co-produced by Donnan Linkz)
2.) Be Aware
3.) Trust ft/Loer Velocity
4.) Feel Good ft/Loer Velocity & Verbal E

5.) What We Gonna Do ft/Sage
6.) Breaker 
7.) They Don't Care ft/Wordsworth

8.) On My Side

9.) Denial

10.) Lonely Sunday
11.) All About

12.) Walk On

13.) Take Me Away

14.) Take Me Away (Reprise)

15.) Blame Me

Check out the videos both directed by Javier Goin.

Mogadishu

Be Aware

Rhymefest & Just Blaze in the studio

Rhymefest left this treat over on the OKPlayer boards. Btw, what the hell happened to Just's blog?

Easy Listening

   

pic from myspace

 

Whatever You Want ~ Little Brother (Get Back Bonus Track)

What else is there to say, but I heart Little Brother!!!  Even though he raps about not getting his props, Big Pooh's rhymes are always on point to me. As far as Phonte goes, he's one of the best lyricists of all time (imho), plus he sings and is funny as all get out.

 

 

pic from fnfradio.mypodcast.com

Gold Watch ~ Lupe Fiasco (The Cool)

Lupe is so on point in his second & third choruses (so much that I swear he was a fly sitting on the wall) -"With my ghetto broad and she's so plain/ gotta couple scars and one of those long names/ she'll fight a nigga and cusses with no shame/and her ex-man had her bagging up cocaine." Yep, this was me in the early to mid 90's (minus the visible scars and the long name), running wild and reckless.

 

pic from jivemagazine.com

Love Thirst ~ Jean Grae & 9th Wonder (Jeanius) 

This track right here is one of the main reasons why I say Jean Grae is one of the most underrated MC's of our time. I love this track, so sexy without being overly explicit. I be awaiting her new album with 9th Wonder.

 

Assata aka Joanne Chesimard

Trailer for the movie Assata aka Joanne Chesimard

There is no doubt about me seeing this flick, as Assata Shakur is on the top of my favorite heroine list. The TRUE story definitely needs to be told. I'm just so upset that more money couldn't be raised to make this film, or that Will Smith or Angela Bassett or at least Gabrielle Union (lol) was not called upon. I know they've at least heard of her plight. They didn't have to give up any money, they could have just donated a line or two,lol. The actors in this movie are horrible at best!

Website here.