Like my friend O-Dub would say, “these things are subjective.” Still, there’s a handful of principles and elements that we can all agree on–originality, longevity, social impact, live performance, etc…

Of course, music tastes differ across the boards. And depending on your age, old school vs new school preferences vary just as much. I fell in love with hip-hop during the Native Tongues/Fresh Prince & Jazzy Jeff era, so that obviously affects my general expectations and outlook on the game. I also remember thinking that ‘Pac was the best thing to ever happen to hip-hop at some point. My preferences have evolved over the years, but one thing’s remained the same: I always value avant garde lyricists over by-the-book rappers. (Though, spewing multi-syllabic words straight outta Webster doesn’t always guarantee you a spot on my list.)

Now, it’ll be foolish to assume that we’re the only ones evolving. The rap game has diversified. And as job descriptions change, emcees adjust to match the task. What was deemed a relevant rhyme topic 11 years ago might be considered stale and redundant today.

In any case, take this list with a huge grain of salt. I don’t claim it to be the gospel. It’s just my thoughts, Ladies and Gentlemen.

• The 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time

-K-Os breaks down his album title and talks about being “the male Lauryn Hill.” (Sleep on Atlantis: Hymns for Disco at your own peril.)

-Info on T.I.’s upcoming 5th album.

-Jay-Z pays Playboy editor $1000 cash for coming out of retirement. Hmmm…let’s see, how much did Jay make by coming out of retirement? Either way, Sir Hova is a man of his words and I commend him for that.

-Return of the 18th letter. Mark your calendars, 7-7-07.

-KRS-One and Marley Marl will attempt to counter Nas’ well-known claims by releasing an album titled Hip-Hop Lives.

-Don King asks the Pope to pray for Bush. The other day on CNN, this same Don King was saying “God bless my president, George W. Bush.”

-Not even a lawsuit from the Negro Network can stop former producer D-Brad from exposing more of BET’s idiosyncrasies.

-R.I.P. Luther Ingram

-Does hip-hop hate women?

-Kanye goes back to school.

Beanie Sigel Hot 97 Interview
While speaking to Hot 97 last night, Beanie Sigel casually disclosed that he’s still on Roc-A-Fella. Jay must’ve offered him an irresistible deal.

Much more interesting is the fact that Mack Mittens hinted at the possibility of jumping into the Jay/ Jim Jones crossfire.

“I see what’s goin’ on. I gotta cap a couple people up. hear a lot of shots being popped at the big homie. I’m here, hitman-for-hire.”

Anyone who remembers the legendary Jadakiss vs Beanie Sigel feud knows that this has the potential to be intriguing. Nah, I take that back. This one’s a mismatch.

(Audio via: SmashTunes)

Say what you want about Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, this is actually one of my favorite songs from that album. As for the video, well, let’s just say Nas lost again.

Hats off to Snoop Dogg

-Allhiphop chops it up with my baby mama Jean Grae

-JD signs JE to Island Urban. Bow Wow bites a table.

-Diddy: “I’m the rap ring leader.”

-Young Buck covers the May issue of XXL

-Davey D has endorsed a candidate for ‘08. It’s not who you think.

-Halle Berry keeps hopes alive for young men all over the world.

-Consequence offers fans an irresistible deal.

-When Dre signed Eminem, support for Shady was Slim.

-Sway is one of my favorite new MCs, and he’s making some major moves

-Defsounds counts down the 10 highest selling rap albums of all time:
10 – 6 and 5 – 1. No.1 may surprise you.

Joe Budden – Green Lantern Freestyle
Joey stopped by Green Lantern’s studio Monday night and discussed everything from Gloria Velez to Mood Muzik 3. He also shares my opinion that Lil’ Wayne is as overrated as it gets. (Hi, haters.)

Anyhow, the highlight of the whole show was Budden’s leave-your-shoes-at-the-door “freestyle.” It’s by far the best radio drop of 2007…so far.

(In the words of the DJ, “shout out to Young Legend.”)

Apparently the word “environment” is the Dipset’s worst nightmare.

-3 Cops have been indicted in the Sean Bell shooting.

-Last year’s top-selling rapper T.I. preps T.I. vs T.I.P. I don’t remember
any other album title having so many periods.

-Ray Nagin pulls the race card…again.

-Enigmatik reviews SXSW performances by Rakim and Ghostface.

-Oprah opens second school in South Africa. Haters, grab your haterade.

-More money, less booty for BET.

-Happy birthday to the Iraq war. According to Uncle Dick, you’re doing just fine.

Timbaland ft. Sebastian & Attitude – “Kill Yourself”
The much buzzed-about feud between supa dupa producer Timbaland and Dre’s in-house sound architect Scott Storch enters its 2nd round with Tim landing another subliminal…*Yawn*

“Kill Yourself” is actually an upgrade from “Give it to Me” but that’s not saying much. Since Timbo’s too busy making beats that “sound like boom boom boom” to write 3 verses, he called up two of his weed carriers–Sebastian and Attitude.

(Head over to Spinemagazine.com for “Miscommunication,” another joint from Timbaland Presents Shock Value.)

More on Timbaland:
-Timbaland Presents Shock Value
-Video: Timbaland – Give It to Me
-Shots Fired: Scott Storch – Built Like Dat (Timbaland Diss)