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.

::Game and Young Buck performing at the same 107.9 FM Birthday Bash where YB supposedly made nice with JT.

-Boots Riley’s afro and sideburns saved the day. [Hiphopcrack]

-Lil Weezyianna to pull her pants up or pay $500. [Complex]

-Must-read of the Day: Deep Cover – Headshots. [Format Mag]

-Fellas, Jill Scott is back on the market. [Black Voices]

-DMC: “Barack will fix everything, but I’m going with Clinton because it’s gangsta.” [HH4P]

-One of my favorite people in hip-hop media has divorced blogging to marry vlogging. His new site is now open for business. [Illdoctrine]

-Top 10 Diss Songs of the 2000s. [Street Census]

Eh, not exactly the type of pun I was going for, but you get my drift.

I was slightly nervous about turning T.R.U. over to a ‘Pacavellian like Ivan. Turns out the kid’s bloggage is more serious than a heart attack.

Anyhow, I’ll catch up with you folks after I swim through my sea of 3000+ emails…

-Riz

PS: R.I.P. Stack Bundles

- On this day in 1965, the Beatles began to record the track ‘Michelle’ for their album ‘Rubber Soul.’ The song was later sampled for Doug E. Fresh’s classic cut ‘The Show’ as well as for Wyclef Jean’s ‘Gone Till November’ featuring Canibus and R. Kelly.

- On this day in 1972, Bobby Womack’s single ‘Woman’s Gotta Have It’ shot to the top of Billboard’s R&B singles chart. The song would later be sampled for both 50 Cent (on the track ‘What If’) and fellow Unit member Lloyd Banks (on the track ‘Anotha Dolla’).

- On this day in 1973, Leathaface a.k.a. Silent Killer a.k.a. the Grandaddy of the Midwest a.k.a. Krayzie Bone was born. Happy birthday Thug!

- On this day in 1994, O.J. Simpson led a car chase in his white Ford Bronco. It would later be thoroughly mentioned by various emcees. PMD spit: “Set the pace like O.J. in the Bronco chase.” U-God: “The rap O.J., in the dusty Bronco/ Bang on my chest like the King of Kongo.” Cassidy: “Hop out the Bronco, I’ll O.J. ‘em when I see ‘em.” Pusha T of the Clipse: “In Virginia, we smirked at that Simpson trial/ Yeah, I guess the chase was wild.” One more (I don’t wanna take up too much space) by Rampage: “I’m in the Bronco with O.J.” Respect to anyone who can find more chase-specific O.J. mentions in a hip-hop song… ;-D

- On this day in 1997, Capone-N-Noreaga dropped the street classic ‘The War Report’ featuring production by board legends Marley Marl, DJ Clark Kent & Lord Finesse, among others. One of the albums highlights was the Mobb Deep-backed vehement cross-coast diss track titled “L.A. L.A.”

- On this day in 2003, Daniel Dumille, best known as MF DOOM, released ‘Take Me to Your Leader’, the first of his albums under the alias “King Geedorah.”

- On this day in 2004, the Wu-Tang Clan released ‘Disciples…Chapter 1’, a recording of their set at the Rock the Bells concert in 2004. The Clan will meet again to Rock the Bells once more this summer.

- On this day in 2006, Chamillionaire’s single ‘Ridin’’ dropped off from its number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 after staying up there for two weeks. The track featured Bone Thug’s own Krayzie Bone who, as stated above, celebrates his birthday on the same day.

- Ivan; check the original article at Hip-Hop Is Read

Rizoh returns tomorrow…

I won’t believe it ’til I see or hear it, but here’s the original source:

Bump Magazine

Rizoh returns tomorrow…