Kanye West ft. John Legend – “Coming Home”

Kanye West ft. Chris Martin – “Homecoming”

Kanye occasionally falls under a category I like to call “green rappers.” Not because his money is longer than a stretch of Texas highway, but because he recycles more rhymes than the average rapper. Anyone remember the “Hater n***as marry hater b*tches and have hater kids…” rhyme from a mixtape freestyle that found its way onto “Bring Me Down”? Or the “people talk so much sh*t about me at the barbershop that they forget to get their hair cut…” line from “Is That Your Car” that wound up on “Everything I Am.”?

Similarly, “Home Coming” (with John Legend) appeared on a pre-College Dropout mixtape back in 2003. The same song, now starring Coldplay’s Chris Martin and a new beat, resurfaced on this year’s Graduation.

Ye figured that not too many people knew about the original song. Plus, he already told Jay he did a song with Coldplay.

Compare both tracks and let me know which version you prefer.

Hell Rell ft. Cam’ron — “I’m the Sh*t”

Believe it or not, Hell Rell has just dropped one hell of an album. For the Hell of It is a classic case of don’t judge an album by its cover. Ruga Rell’s grimy tales coupled with equally hard-body beats by Dame Grease, A-Raab, and others, makes for an exciting listening experience. And when Hell’s rhyming beside superior MCs — Juelz, Styles P — he still manages to deliver more than his fair share of the 16s. The best part (at least, for a Capophobic listener like me) is that Jim Jones is not even around to ruin everything. I’m pleasantly surprised, to say the least.

Oh yeah, Cam’ron. Well, he still has issues with diarrhea, as evidenced on “I’m the Sh*t.”

—————————————————————
For the Hell of It
Executive Producers: Cam’ron Giles*, Dukedagod, & Hell Rell

*how does cam find the time produce a Dipset album while holding down a full-time gig at Mickey D’s ?

I filed this under ‘lyrical exercise‘ so you already know what I think of it. Admittedly, ‘Clef hasn’t had a good album in years, but between that catchy ass single and this showcase, I’m really looking forward to The Carnival II.

Here’s the full version of the “Body” video I posted earlier.

Poor Ja. He picked the wrong time to launch his comeback. While BET was premiering his video last night, the whole world was busy googling “Blue Magic.” But watch out, world. Ja Rule is coming back on a muthaf*ckin horse!

(Props to Roy P for the clip)

Alas, Hov’s new single from American Gangster (NO DJ). This is one of those songs that’ll take repeated spins to absorb. Simply put, this is street-hop.

(Props to Morrisvideos.com)

Pic jacked from Boo Goo Doo Boom

**Rev. Jesse Jackson backpedaled on his criticism of Barack Obama, whom he criticized earlier for “acting like he’s white” on the Jena 6 issue. If Jesse had done his homework he would’ve realized that Obama had already addressed the Jena 6 case. Anyhow, Jackson now says that “acting white” doesn’t exactly represent his feelings about Obama. [Tribune]

**Yup, in my black tee. [Writers Block]

**Thousands rally in Louisiana to support Jena 6. [ABC]

**Return of the Jim Crow. [Fobb Deep]

**NYOIL – Free Jena 6 [Boo Goo Doo Boom]

“The future of hip-hop is safe” – Notes from a Different Kitchen

>>Boo Boo breaks his silence and delivers a PR-manufactured concession speech. [Shoutmouth]

>>Whitney Houston inks a $100 million deal. [Yahoo Launch]

>>Shots Fired: Yung Joc vs. Lyfe Jennings. [BET.com]

>>Ludacris and Gabrielle Union an item? [Hip-Hop Crunch]

>>Patti Labelle lets loose on a fan: “This is not Lil’ Kim!” [A Hot Mess]

>>Halo 3 preview party with Lil Jon and Big Boi. [Prohiphop]

>>NYOil’s “Y’all Should All Get Lynched” is being considered for a Grammy nomination. Wow. [Badger Herald]

Kanye West ft. Trick Daddy – I Can’t Say No [Props: spinemagazine.com]
Kanyeezy is everywhere these days.

Bonus Cut:

Twista – Well It’s Time (produced by Kanye)
This one samples one of my favorite non-hip-hop artists, the incredible Leslie Feist.

Per Special Request:
Feist – Gatekeeper