Rap music is something ain’t it
The way these pictures is painted
You swear these n***as was dangerous
The gangsta sh*t they be saying
Lock em up in the booth with a half an ounce of that cannabis
Sit back, and watch the outlandish sh*t they portraying
But, soon as you see ‘em they freeze up like in museums
Them statues, you like “Is that the dude that said he was gonna—”(sound effect)
N***as be running before you finish the sentence
And then they back to reefin’ when they off to the safe distance
You like, “you was just here, but you disappear like magicians in thin air”
I’m like, “Damn n***a please keep it consistent”
I hear you baiting me lately
I’ve been doing my best just to stay hater-free
Still, watch what you say to me
Sooner or later, I’ll take you up on your offer
And put you all in your place
Like I’m replacing your father
You talking to the author, the architect of The Blueprint
My DNA in your music
M****f***a you stupid

T.I. feat. Jay-Z - Watch What You Say

The song is called “Watch What You Say,” so in the spirit of sticking to themes, Hov seized the opportunity to put loud-mouth adversaries in their place. Absolutely one of the best post-retirement verses from the 2007 Camel Cameo King.

Oh yeah, let’s add Tip to the long list of rappers who’ve been murdered on their own tracks by Jay.

(Shout out to whoever ripped it from hiphopdx.com)

Sorry Rizoh, I had to do it first…. ;-D
And for the record, I’ll probably be buying both a vinyl and CD version of this album. It just seems like it’s gonna be THAT good….

- Ivan

Photo of the year?

-10 Reasons why Busta Rhymes is depressed. [Street Census]

-Hurricane Ivan has a blog. [Hip-Hop Is Read]

-Video Interview: DJ Premier & Big Shug. [HHC]

-50 puts his weight up in Righteous Kill, a movie featuring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. 50 is expected to play a drug dealer in the movie, even though he originally signed on to play a 5-0. [NY Daily News]

-Lil Kim grinds on Young Buck at a concert. [CL]

-Young Buck rails against Khaled for refusing to play his records. [HHC]

-”Dances from the Hood” debuts with Tweetie. [Prohiphop]

-Rapping about Physics is just as boring as it sounds. [GooTube]

-Huey: “Nelly can kiss my ass” [Def Sounds]

-Will someone please send me a Joost invite? I’ll trade you a couple Huey CDs.

Like he usually does to music journalists every couple of months, KRS-One took some shots at Jeff Chang. Jeff responds like the educated scholar he is. Reading the Teacha’s rant constantly reminded me of his feud with Adisa Banjoko.

Seriously though, someone needs to put that KRS/Adisa soundbite on a rap record (as an intro): “What I wanna do is jump over this table and whip your f***in ass, that’s what I wanna do.” Classic.

• KRS-One gripes about Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. [mp3.com]
• Jeff Chang responds to KRS-One [CSWS]

(Thanks, Q)

She heard someone say femcees were going into extinction, so she decided to prove ‘em wrong.

Amanda Diva’s Filling the Void drops on October 23rd.

Reason #19: see above

A friend once told me that he hadn’t heard enough from Trae to decide whether or not he’s worth checking for. So I’ve strewn together a buncha new songs from the self-proclaimed Asshole by Nature for your listening pleasure. Some of these tracks are also featured on his second Rap-A-Lot album, Life Goes On, due out someday.

>>Smile (LP Version) ft. Jadakiss & Styles P
As I mentioned in my Life Goes On preview, this is an update from the previously leaked version. Jada’s verse is a welcome addition to an already exceptional track. I have a feeling this will end up on everyone’s Best Of- list for ‘07.

>>Bartender (Freestyle)
I don’t really care for the real “Bartender,” but I guess it’s traditional to freejack popular songs these days to prove your versatility. Sounds like something he wrote after a long night out at HK.

>>Throwaway ft. Yung Joc (shhh) and Gorilla Zoe
Anyone who manages to squeeze a decent verse out of Yung Joc (twice!) is alright in my book. This one’s also an album cut.

>>Rock ‘n’ Roll (ft. Nirvana)
Well, he jacked Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” for this one. Not exactly what you’d expect from Trae. You’re gonna love it.

>>Swang (Remix) ft. Jim Jones & H-Town All-Stars
Trae called up his all-star friends–Bun B, Slim Thug, Pimp C, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, and Jim Jones–to appease those folks who felt defrauded when they realized that the version of “Swang” they fell in love with didn’t was missing from Restless. I’m not sure why Chamillionaire is not on this remiix (beef?). And Jimmy might as well migrate to the south. We’ve got rebates on used kufis down here.

Download these and 11 more tracks here: Trae Mix

The latest video from Jay Smooth’s new vlog illdoctrine.com. Cam would be so proud.

::Jay and Bey to spend their summer vacation at a nude beach for retirees.
(via JustJared) [Warning!! Don't Click on the image!!!]

-Boo Boo only made $100 mill from Glaceau deal. Meanwhile, Riz still lives in a 2-bedroom apartment… [HHC]

-Speaking of which, Fif’s baby mama wants her share of the deal. [Page Six]

-Video: Folks have been asking me about Ear Drum a lot lately. Kweli breaks it down with Pete Rosenberg of Hot 97. [GooTube]

-Soundblast: Lil Wayne - “Microphone Fiend” [Thug Online]

-It’s that time of the year. Peep Oh Word’s Mid-Year Report for some goodness. [Oh Word]

-Kobe still mad at the Lakers. [ESPN]

-Stop the rumors. Buck Marley didn’t diss his boss. And Cassie’s still a Bad Boy…ehh Girl. [Ballerstatus, Sandra Rose]

-Randy Exclusive on “Making the Band 4″ [Writers Block]

-Shout out to Eskay for putting me on to Primo’s Podcast. And, shout out to Primo for still reppin’ the Houston Rockets. [Live From HeadQcourterz]

“Not a Criminal” didn’t connect with his audience, so Chamillionaire did the smart thing. Reset his campaign, recruited certified hit-machine JR Rotem, and unleashed a new lead single. This time, he also hooked up with one of the greatest storytellers of all time, MC Ricky D himself.

Sounds like “Ridin’ Pt. II,” but it’s definitely an upgrade from “Not a Criminal.”

Ultimate Victory in stores September 18. Mixtape Messiah 3 drops July 18.