The 4th video off of Consequence's album "Don't Quit Your DayJob" featuring Kanye West. A little too old and a little too late, but the song is still pretty dope.
EXACTLY.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
NEW VIDEO: Consequence feat. Kanye West - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
B Young Birthday Bash Part 2
.....them cats celebrate big. Tomorrow at Sugar they are celebrating both B Young's birthday, and the release party of the F.A.T Boys 08 video. So if you aren't doing anything and wanna come out and support, put on your sunday's best and roll through.
EXACTLY.
Lupe Fiasco Q&A Interview on Rhapsody
It’s not often that an emcees drop names like Picasso, Nietzsche, Basquiat and Cornel West in conversation, but Lupe Fiasco is that dude.
His debut full-length, 2006’s Food and Liquor, was a dazzling display of technical acumen, and one of the most humble and honest hip-hop albums in a minute. It was a blast of fresh air and solidified his status as one of his generation’s most promising emcees. His follow-up, The Cool, is even more ambitious and tracks the arc of a character named The Cool. It’s part Nathaniel Hawthorne, part Jay-Z, and is probably the most experimental hip-hop release of the year. Here, Lupe explains the in and outs of his brilliant new album.
Rhapsody: The Cool is a concept album. Why go this route?
Lupe Fiasco: I wanted to tell another story, and I couldn’t really tell it as Lupe Fiasco. It wouldn’t have fit. I wanted to tell a story about the streets; I wanted to tell it vividly, and I wanted to tell it supernaturally. I wanted to tell the story of street life -- the downfalls and calls and temptations of the streets. And I wanted to do it in a way that hadn’t been done before, using these three evil muses: The Streets, The Cool and The Game.
How would you summarize the story?
The little boy from [Food and Liquor’s] “He Say, She Say”—which is where his story begins—grows up in a single-parent home without a father. He’s eventually out of the reach of his mother, and he’s raised by The Game and falls in love with The Streets. The Streets promises the boy worldly acclaim and success, and he becomes a big-time hustler. The boy gets set up, killed and he comes back to life as The Cool. It starts on the first album on “The Cool,” where he digs his way out of the grave. He goes back to the block and is robbed by these two kids (ironically, with the same gun that killed him), and they ask him, “Are you scared to die?” And he replies, “Hustler for death, no heaven for a gangster.” It kind of just ends, that’s it, no real solution. It’s more about the risks that we take and the songs that we make. The characters themselves are the [focus].
Did you do character sketches?
I did, but in my own weird way, via freestyles. A lot of these characters came from previous songs, so it was a matter of putting them in a new light and developing them further. And those initial songs were very direct, especially for The Streets and The Game. The song where they were introduced was “The Pills,” which broke down their physical characteristics. I took that and implanted them within these [new] stories.
I know you drop an allusion to Isaac Asimov on “Go Go Gadget Flow,” and “Streets of Fire” tracks an apocalyptic virus. It seems like you’ve been getting into sci-fi.
Yeah. “Streets of Fire” is pulled directly from the pages of [George Orwell's] 1984 -- more the mood of it. The second verse is talking about a disease, but there are all these questions about whether the disease is real. It’s the same rules as doublethink. Is there really a war or was it something that they created to keep the public in check? I injected those really basic structural ideas that were set up in 1984. I always love to have triple and quadruple meanings. I learned in the process [of making The Cool] how to do it on a macro level. I’ve always been able to do it with my rhymes, where a metaphor means many things, but that song represents AIDS, it represents the hysteria around coolness.
But “Streets of Fire” is really the story of The Streets, the breakdown of that particular character, that temptress. The Streets is a walking, talking temptress with dollar signs for eyes and tattoos of her dead boyfriends across her chest. She’s the age-old temptress who tempted everybody from King Tut to Al Capone. But that’s just the literal level. Figuratively, she’s the [real] streets. I represented her as a [female] because it goes back to a biblical story where Jesus asks God to show her the world, and God shows him the world in the form of a woman. She was a princess, she was beautiful. She had these long robes and jewelry. But as he got closer, he saw that she was ancient. Her eyes were sunk in, and she had a skeletal form. Her robe was tattered. Her jewelry was dull and looked fake. Don’t take everything for how it seems, you know.
One thing is that there is no such thing as absolute, not even absolute weather. It’s a false construct. But how much falseness do we chase? One thing that Nietzsche said was that we live in a world full of falseness. It’s weird to believe in the things we believe. To me, the dopest thing that [Nietzsche] ever said was we allow ourselves to be lied to every night, every time we go to sleep.
What’s the thesis for The Cool?
I always say this, but Cornel West is the driving force for me. He said that if you want to effect social change in the world, and make the world a better place, you have to make those things which are cool, uncool. You have to make it hip to be square. Some of the cool things in this world are the most self-destructive things. We chase the cool, as we chase status symbols, or living beyond our means to appease our vanity or appease other people, which is in itself a form of vanity.
So I said, 'Let me make The Cool this rotting hustler who everybody despises so much that he’s not even admitted to hell. He has to go through this very macabre struggle to dig himself out of his own grave. And he’s soaked in alcohol. Every time somebody poured out liquor in his memory, it soaked through to his grave. He’s laying there for eternity soaked in alcohol and memories and regrets. He can’t die. There’s no way to shake that. Let me dress it up, put it in the most macabre fashion possible, and label it as Cool. Subconsciously, maybe someone will look at it and think, "Damn, I don’t want to be like him.” That’s the consequences of the life he led. I wanted to take away the glamour.
Your album seems to suggest that this idea of cool, or hipness, infects people and pushes them towards destructiveness. As if it’s viral.
Definitely, but, at the same time, it’s a vaccine. It builds self-esteem. It creates comfort. It’s a double-edged sword. It speaks towards how I live my life, which is a nice mixture of chaos and order, a mix of the known and unknown, the things you can control and you can’t, but you have to embrace both of them. You can’t run away from what you can’t control, you have to accept it. I always inject that into my music and philosophy.
You said earlier that you created this tale in order to step away from yourself and tell a story. Do you think that hip-hop listeners obsessed with authenticity are willing to accept this artifice?
I don’t know … some are. Some people may not look at their own work as art, but I do. I look at MF Doom almost as if he’s Picasso. I look at the grotesqueness of what he does. It’s so out of the ordinary, that it becomes grotesque the way that some of Picasso’s paintings can be considered grotesque. To really stretch it, you look at Warhol or Basquiat, and they peed on their paintings to find the right color, oxidation or what have you. I look at that.
But that’s me on a deeper level. That’s Wasalu Jaco more than Lupe Fiasco, that’s the crazy little nerd who knows all the words to every "Voltron" cartoon and wants to know the meaning behind Mumrah. This is my entertainment. This is what piques my interest. Some people might just be entertainment. But a lot of people look at it just as deeply, or even deeper.
You’ve mentioned before that Tom Waits is an influence of yours. The only time I’ve ever met him was at a Mos Def concert and he was in front of me, dancing the entire time. It’s kinda strange to see a 60-year-old man dance at a hip-hop show, but especially Tom Waits. Have you met him?
[Laughs.] I’ve never met him, but I’m a huge fan. A very recent fan. I saw him perform when Conan O’Brian did a special from San Francisco, and Tom Waits came out and performed a few songs from his new album, Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards. It was so fresh, classic and vintage, but it still relates. It was mysterious, romantic, exotic … everything that I look for in music. I went back and got all his albums.
I spoke with Rakim recently, and he cited you as his favorite new rapper. How does it feel to be recognized by a legend like Rakim?
It feels good. I feel respected, especially coming from Rakim. I’m a big fan. It feels real good.
OLD SCHOOL SATURDAY: Out Of This World
Remember this show? It's funny how funny how terrible the special effects look now, but they were the shit back then. How many of you tried touching your fingers together to freeze time back in the day?
The World According To Pretty Toney
lmfao classic. Make sure you get the book, shit is comedy.
exactly.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Jay Z Vs. Consequence: Connect 4
Watch everybody start buying up Connect 4 like its the new thing....
Exactly.
Unreleased Nas Videos: There Are Our Heroes & U.B.R.
U.B.R.
There Are Our Heroes
Can't say that these are the videos I wanted made from that album...but hey, Nas is no stranger to doing exactly opposite of what his fans wish for..
On that note, the videos are cool...
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Crucial Conflict Drops First Album In 9 Years
By Mike Winslow
Chicago Hip-Hop collective Crucial Conflict will release a new album titled Planet Crucon (pronounced “crew-con”), their first in nine years.
The group, which consists of original members Coldhard, Wildstyle, Kilo and Never, exploded on to the national scene with the release of their hit single “Hay,” which topped the Billboard charts in 1996.
Crucial Conflict followed with singles like "Ride the Rodeo" (Final Tic, 1996) and "Scummy" (Good Side Bad Side, 1998), before disappearing from the national scene, due to a contractual dispute with their former label, Pallas Records.
“Hay” introduced the groups brand of rhyming to the world, which they have dubbed “Rodeo style.”
"We keep it gutter, but we try to make it universal," group member Wildstyle explained. “'Rodeo' also adds a dimension of emotion and ferocity that fans of Crucial Conflict expect.”
According to Coldhard, Crucial Conflict's long awaited third album reflects the group’s mental state.
“We're gonna make Chicago proud because this album represents unity,” Coldhard said. “It's a new and improved Crucial Conflict… We weren't on our time; we were on God's time. Now it's time to give the people what they were missing."
Planet Crucon hits stores via Buckwild Records Entertainment/Scratch Entertainment/Select-O-Hits on January 29.
Source from Allhiphop.com News
Chi-Town Stand Up..!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
FRESH: Miguel - Sure Thing
Miguel back at it again with another heat rock, not quite new, but still fly.
exactly.
BREAK A LEG: Blu's Performance Dates
Mark your calendars and catch Blu at either one of these upcoming shows.
Jan 19 2008 BlindPig Ann Arbor, Michigan
Jan 24 2008 LiveMechanics/AgendaParty San Diego, California
Jan 26 2008 DetroitBar(AbstraktWorkShop) Costa Mesa, California
Feb 1 2008 UCSD SanDiego, California
Feb 2 2008 Boombox Los Angeles, California
Feb 3 2008 TheLoft Tempe, Arizona
Feb 12 2008 ContinentalRoom Fullerton, California
Feb 16 2008 Silk Sacramento, California
Feb 23 2008 MuddyWaters SantaBarbara, California
Mar 20 2008 A3CFestival(20th-22nd) HotLanta, Georgia
exactly.
TALKIES: 2 Million Minutes Trailer
Had a conversation today about how hard I work and later happened to stumble upon this trailer for 2 Million Minutes, a documentary about the American educational system versus Asia's. Suffice to say, we all gotta step our work game up...
No child left behind...
Exactly..
THE COAL MINE: Jack Sample At Record Plant with 1500
1500 and Jack Sample (Ty, Kory, and Chordz) in the studio working on the highly anticipated Ty & Kory 'Junior Radio' album. Coming soon on Sony/Epic.
PICTURES WITH WORDS: Eminem - Renegade
Since I'm in a position to talk to these kids and they listen
I ain't no politician but I'll kick it with 'em a minute
Cause see they call me a menace; and if the shoe fits I'll wear it
But if it don't, then y'all'll swallow the truth grin and bear it
Now who's these king of these rude ludicrous lucrative lyrics
Who could inherit the title, put the youth in hysterics
Usin his music to steer it, sharin his views and his merits
But there's a huge interference - they're sayin you shouldn't hear it
Maybe it's hatred I spew, maybe it's food for the spirit
Maybe it's beautiful music I made for you to just cherish
But I'm debated disputed hated and viewed in America
as a motherfuckin drug addict - like you didn't experiment?
Now now, that's when you start to stare at who's in the mirror
and see yourself as a kid again, and you get embarrased
And I got nothin to do but make you look stupid as parents
You fuckin do-gooders - too bad you couldn't do good at marriage!
(Ha ha!) And do you have any clue what I had to do to get here I don't
think you do so stay tuned and keep your ears glued to the stereo
Cause here we go - he's {*Jigga joint Jigga-chk-Jigga*}
And I'm the sinister, Mr. Kiss-My-Ass it's just a
Feel better big homie.....
exactly.
Details Emerge In Steroid Probe: 50 Cent & Timbaland
Just days after several big celebs were named in a steroids probe, one might expect the stars' camps to be doing some serious spin work. But only one has proclaimed her innocence, while most others are staying tight-lipped.
As SOHH previously reported, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent Wyclef and Timbaland are among the celebrities who have been named in the New York state steroid investigation.
So far, Mary's the only one to deny the claim. Blige's spokeswoman told New York's Daily News, that the singer "has never taken any performance-enhancing illegal steroids." Associates said she achieved such great shape by working out with New York City-based physical trainer Gregg Miele.
"I'm probably in the best shape that I've ever been in in my life," 37-year-old Blige told Billboard magazine in December. "I'm really healthy."
Timbo's camp sidestepped the allegations, refusing to comment. His manager Marcus Spence would only say, "Legally we're not allowed to make a statement at this time."
50 and Wyclef's reps haven't returned inquiring phone calls and have yet to make a statement
It is not apparent yet if any of the artists violated any drug laws.
Read rest of article @ SOHH News
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Break-A-Leg Reminder: The Cool Kids @ The Independent Thurs. 17th
If you're in the Bay Area, roll through and check out the retrotastic Cool Kids..
Zack Lee will definitely be in the building!
Check out their Myspace
Show made possible by Mr. Roboto Presents
PICTURES WITH WORDS: Pharoahe Monch - The Light
It was like the earth twisted around her
She shifted the ground I was like, "Ohhhhh.. SHIT!"
She's off the hook, I would dress her decently
but look her body is immaculate I'm attackin it from all positions
of thinkin inside my mind-ah
Hopefully it won't be too inappropriate if I walk over there and say,
"Excuse me, can I have your number please?
I'll get on my knees if I have to"
She'll laugh through, the whole episode
Just then I knew I had her locked.
No cock-blocking please this one's
Dimepiece and shit son, shorty was fine
Every line of mine was like a rhyme I wouldn't lie I swear
Sparklin the whole time as I whispered in her ear.
TELL ME WHY: The Bowl Cut
Tell me why dudes still feel the need to help themselves to a bowl cut? What makes them think that this bowl cut will be different from the last? Does this haircut make them more aerodynamic than the rest of us? Do they think the more they rock this horrendous hairstyle the more we are influenced into acquiring one of our own? Fresh one blade, no chemo....and call it a day big homie.
exactly.
OLD SCHOOL TUESDAY: Monica - Like This, Like That (feat. Malik)
remember malik? used to be in this old group back in the day called Illegal. BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER!!!! lol@her singing into the big fan.....it should have randomly sounded like it in the middle of the song. hahahaha
exactly.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Radiohead - Nude (Video)
If you haven't already seen this, watch it. From Radiohead's revolutionary album, 'In Rainbows'.
phew......
exactamundo.
Alicia Keys Goes 3x Platinum!!
According to Billboard, Alicia's new record 'As I Am' went 3 times platinum in only 8 weeks! Official soundscan numbers come out on Wednesday....you go girl.
PS. Take that Justin.
Exactly.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
FRESH: Wale - Nike Boots (prod. by Osinachi)
You know about Wale?
I know this ain't new.....but I still felt I should put this up since a lotta folks aren't up on game about this kid. And also, cause it's fresh.
And if you heard that, have you heard the remix feat. Lil Wayne?
exactly.
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