Halloween parties are usually more about booze and babes in costumes, with the occasional creepy soundtrack. If you decide to throw a party this Halloween, here’s a playlist of ten (some humorous) attempts at hip-hop spookiness. Not all are spooky or funny. Some are downright disturbing. (more…)
At least now we know that the album is really dropping on November 20. Beans arrives after that, on 12/11. Next year’s R.O.C. tour should be interesting.
“Scarface the Movie did more than Scarface the Rapper to me”
A lot of people criticize Jay-Z for not addressing social issues like, say, Nas or Talib. Funny thing is, he does…on his own terms. If you do your homework, you’ll realize that he has touched on those same subjects that so-called conscious MCs have rhymed about in the past. Sure, Jigga has flipped the bird to everyone from Bill O’Reilly and C Delores Tucker to racist cops and the broken justice system. In some cases, he has done so on the same tracks as our socially aware favorites, like dead prez and Kweli.
The reason people don’t give him props for waxing conscious is that he sometimes approaches serious issues with a passive demeanor. Socially conscious Jay-Z at his best tackles hot button topics with a “f*ck you, don’t blame it on me” attitude that makes it less convenient to focus on the issues at hand, as he does here on “Ignorant Sh*t.” Don Imus gets it on the newly added Verse III. Call it thug braggadocio.
Oh yeah, Beans is still a beast on the mic. A severely untamed one for that matter.
[Download]
::Royce da 5′9″ - “Rewind” (prod. by Carlos “Six July” Broady)
Nickel Nine has been on a roll lately. Unlike most tributes, “Rewind” is an ode to three rappers from three different regions who died before they had a chance to impact the game: Soulja Slim, Big L, and Blade Icewood.
That guy in the picture would be so proud.
Bonus:
Royce Interview on ShadE 45 - Part I | Part II
Another day, another 2Pac album. In case you’ve never heard of Shakur, the 2-CD compilation is available for pre-order via Amazon. Tracklist below: (more…)