-Rick Ross is set to debut at No. 1 with 200,000 scans. Makes no sense at all.

-Mixtape Monday: Swizz Beatz just gave Nas four songs (say it ain’t so), and will possibly collaborate with your favorite white rapper.

-Samuel L Jackson spends hours arguing with internet nerds online. Who woulda thunk it?

-Ja Rule sues shady associate; Ice Cube downplays the importance of a Black president.

-Wyclef’s working on a new album, The Second Wind. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have a new Fugees album.

-Scoop reviews Mobb Deep’s recent concert in Auckland

--Speaking of live shows, the Wu is alive. The Chicago Tribune reviews WuTang’s ODB tribute concert.

-Watch Talib Kweli’s brand new video for “Listen.”(windows) “Listen” is the lead single from Kwe’s upcoming Eardrum album, which drops on my birthday 10-10-06.

Inasmuch as you would love for this post to zoom in on Free’s gluteus maximus, it’s far from it. Put away the dirty thoughts, let’s talk music.

Free [from 106 & Park] is back in the game. (The “106 & Park” thing is necessary to distinguish her from the zillions of Frees out there.) She’s been popping up on songs here and there lately. Thanks to Beauty N the Beat–which is fast emerging as a leading edge audioblog–for tipping us off on Free’s latest joint, “I Love You.” I’m used to “Free the rapper” not “Free the singer.” So, I’m slightly taken back by this one. Will it grow on me?

I doubt it. The lyrics are too corny and the production is even cheesier. This isn’t the same Free I fell in love with back when she dismembered Canibus on his own turf on “Patriots.” But, I know some of you Free freaks will dig it.

As for the rest of us Free believers, enjoy these fresh odeo cookies and let me know what you think:
Canibus ft. Free - Close to Me (from Def Con Zero)
Jaz-O ft. Free - Talk to Me (supposedly from Free’s World)

OutKast - Percival & Rooster (mp3)
According to the guy on the intro, this “sounds like some bullsh*t.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Sonically, this is “Idlewild Blues(Don’t Chu Worry ‘Bout Me) Pt.2″ with a slapdash 8-bar drop from Big Sacks. At least, it’s marginally better than “Hollywood Divorce.”

As expected, the Idlewild O.S.T. has spilled all over the internets. The rest is between you and Google. All I can say is that Idlewild is Big Boi’s revenge. Still, Dré manages to defile Boi’s soundscape, ruining 90% of the CD with that experimental bullsh*t.

Thoughts.

Bonus Cuts:
Peaches
When I Look in Your Eyes

Here we go again with some of the freshest, DJ-yelling-free, high-in-demand odeo cookies. Weird conceptualizations aside (Mos, what are you on?) this mix will keep your rewind button fully employed till the next installment. Get your audiorgasm on, kids.

Rizoh’s Radio 10 Track Listing | Download

1. Oh No ft. Posdnous - Smile a Lil Bit
2. OutKast ft. Scar & Sleepy Brown - The Train
3. The Roots ft. Peedi Peedi - Long Time
4. Christina Aguilera ft. Termanology - Back in the Day (Remix)
5. J Dilla - Diamonds (Live)
6. Lupe Fiasco - I Gotcha
7. AZ - The Animal
8. Mos Def - Boogie Man
9. The Game - It’s Okay (One Blood)
10. The Roots - Bread and Butter
11. Outkast ft. Lil’ Wayne & Snoop - Hollywood Divorce
12. Ludacris - Tell It Like It Is
13. Killer Mike -That’s Life
14. Pharoahe Monche - Pushin’
15. The Roots - Livin’ in a New World
16. Project Move - Yao Ming
17. Lupe Fiasco ft. Jill Scott - Daydream
18. Obie Trice - Obie Story
19. Oh No ft. Fergus Macroy - Coffee Cold
20. J Dilla ft. Blu & Jontel - Sun in My Face

PSsst: I have no idea how to get the final mix to appear in the same order I have it sequenced on my playlist. So, feel free to mix it up if you want. Mine is sequenced just like the track listing above.

Kelis featuring NaS - “Blindfold Me”
This was a bad idea. The thought of Nelis trying to keep up with Jayonce is even more disturbing. The chaotic drums, the erratic horn farts, Kelis trying to channel sexy with that coarse voice that sounds like Macy Gray on sizzurp, all had me reaching for aspirin. And, did I just hear Nas say: “One minute I’m gone, next I’m re-appearing” and “I like to cover up half your face, so you’re blind and can’t see what I’m about to do.”?

“Deja Vu” just started sounding better.

-Download: courtesy of these guys.

-Speaking of which, my brand new interview with Obie Trice is now up on About.com.

-Fergie tops the Hot 100 with “London Bridge.” Proof that music fans are weird.

-Common’s busy doing this instead of working on trying to pull off another klutzily titled, faux-classic.

-Speaking of classics, read this article before appending that label to your favorite albums.

-Terror threat ensures that Beyonce won’t be going to the U.K. anytime soon.

-MTV Slammed for racist cartoon showing Black women on leashes. The real culprit here should be Snoop Dogg and every other artist who gives MTV an excuse to insult the Black community.

-According to 1280 people, the future of Hip-Hop is in the hands of this man.

It must be hard being Busta right now. 4 singles, 5 music videos, still nothing to show for it. All this promotion and only 469,000 scans? Dre must really have a lot of faith in this man.

Since all the cool heads are doing it, thought I might as well pull out the clarion and ask that you zoom over to the Black Weblog Awards website and nominate your boy in the Hip-Hop category. Voting kicks off on August 15th, 2006.

Like they say in those commercials, it only takes a few seconds. All you need is a valid email address and the ability to type and click.

You may nominate The Rap Up in the following categories:
-Best Hip-Hop Blog
-Best Original Content (Pick your single favorite post for this one)
-Best Writing in a Blog
-Blog to Watch, and
-Blog of the Year

Thanks for your continued support. It’s been a tremendous ride.

Peace, Love & Respect,
Riz

Black Weblog Awards