So Elliot Wilson aka YN of XXL and RapRadar fame made a 7 part compilation of his favorite MJ songs. Normally I wouldn't post something like this, but YN's ability to have songs that would take the average person years to track down is too legendary to ignore.
YN's MJ Music Vol. 1
YN's MJ Music Vol. 2
YN's MJ Music Vol. 3
YN's MJ Music Vol. 4
YN's MJ Music Vol. 5
YN's MJ Music Vol. 6
YN's MJ Music Vol. 7
Go here for the tracklistings.
YN's 7 Part Michael Jackson Tribute Compilation
Old School Joint of the Day: Noreaga - Banned From TV (Feat. Nature, Big Pun, Cam'ron, Jadakiss & Styles P)
I'll never forget the day I first popped in my taped copy of Noreaga's debut album N.O.R.E. I was floored by this opening track featuring some of the dopest rappers in the industry at the time. To this day, I don't think anyone could top Nature's opening verse (I don't think he's ever topped this verse). Any song that had Kiss and Styles going back and forth is a winner and Nore's energy at the end is ridiculous. In fact, I didn't even know this was a Swizz Beatz joint until a couple years ago. I told you I taped the CD dammit. This is classic late 90's hip-hop and one of the reasons I'm a fan of Noreaga today.
Noreaga - Banned From TV (Feat. Nature, Big Pun, Cam'ron, Jadakiss & Styles P) | MediaFire
Jul 5, 2009
Video: Another Reason To Fuck With Wale
In light of the previous post's fuckery, it's really nice to be reminded of why I like certain rappers. Like I said before, I've been a Wale fan since a few months before The Mixtape About Nothing and I continue to be. Saw him live in Morgantown and it was fire. In the above clip, some dumb ass tries to get at Wale during his show (he's definitely an artist who interacts with the crowd well) and Wale responds by getting the whole crowd on his ass, snuffs him one second, knocks off his hat another, then kills "Nike Boots" no problem. Then he gives away a pair of Nike Boots. Not that I'm condoning that all rappers should go smack that obnoxious fan, I just liked the way he handled it. And the Nike giveaway was a nice touch.
Spotted at The Smoking Section.
Jul 2, 2009
Video: Drake - Best I Ever Had (aka WTF?!!!)
What in the flying fuck is this bullshit?! This is what Kanye comes up with. A bunch of big titted (the best part) basketball players stretching and then LOSING the big game?! Drake making inappropriate (but kinda funny) comments to them in the huddle? I mean, this whole fucking song is about one chick that's the fucking best, not a team of chicks that can stretch and then lose the big basketball game! OMGeezy Kanye and Drake. This is the shit I'm talking about here. The homie Rizoh keeps saying that his debut disc Thank Me Later has to be a classic at this point and I agree. But you don't get a classic with this shit. And 'Ye, I'm so pissed off at you. You've always done great videos, the recently unveiling of "Two Words" and "Spaceship" show that you were always up on your video game. Even the first four videos you made off of 808s were dope. Then we get that weird ass "Paranoid" vid. I mean, I liked it cause it was just you be different and unique I guess, but this shit doesn't fly for Drake or this song! I mean, fuck it, it's not like they'll reshoot unless that can't get all those bouncing tits on 106 or MTV Jams, so why the fuck do I care anyway. Cause it's this type of shit that makes Drizzy stand out less and fit in with the rest of these other niggas rapping.
This video is garbage.
P.S. And actually signing under Wayne was a stupid fucking idea too.
Phonte Blogs About MJ
Before you say it, no I'm not going to overdo it with the MJ posts. The last one will be the post where I talk about Michael's impact on my life (unless something else mind blowing shows up). I didn't even post Premier's tribute mix. And Chiv would probably kill me. But, Phonte (of Little Brother and Foreign Exchange for you dummies) typed up his own thoughts on the King Of Pop's passing and anything this guy normally has to say is gold and this isn't anything less than that.
I haven't been compelled to blog in a long time.
In an era where everybody is twittering and text-messaging their lives away, a well-thought out essay that extends past 140 characters is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
But when our universe lost its brightest star on June 25, 2009, I felt a deep, overwhelming sadness that I haven't experienced in many years and I felt moved to say....something.
My hero, Michael Joseph Jackson, is dead.
Honestly I'm still trying to process it, almost like the loss of a much-loved family member. I mean, hell, to many of us Michael WAS family. Much like Nike, or Coca-Cola, or McDonalds, Michael Jackson wasn't so much a person as he was a living, breathing, American institution; a ubiquitous force that has seemingly existed forever and one that we couldn't imagine a world without. Seeing Michael onstage was less like watching a musician perform and more akin to witnessing a magician at work.
But contrary to his otherworldly stage presence and magical aura, the man we called The King of Pop proved to be a mere mortal. And now my hero, Michael Joseph Jackson, is dead.
Read the rest here.
Jul 1, 2009
Victory Jumpoff Radio – Show #2: DJ Strizy’s Michael Jackson Tribute Mix
Once I heard the news about Michael’s passing, I immediately thought about doing a tribute episode. But considering how unsuccessful I’ve been with trying to get out the Slaughterhouse show or Chiv’s mini-mix, it’s a good thing my good friend DJ Strizy immediately went to his turntables and did this MJ Tribute Mix in one take. He was kind enough tto let me use his mix for my second official show. So enjoy, and I really promise I have new episodes coming.
Victory Jumpoff Radio – Show #2: DJ Strizy’s Michael Jackson Tribute Mix
Jun 30, 2009
Better In The Dark - Episode Sixty: Fight The Power! A Celebration Of Spike Lee (Featuring Me!)
Tom and Derrick team up with their Hip Hop Maestro, Kelen 'B Hyphen' Conley as they discuss one of Brooklyn's favorite filmmaking sons, Spike Lee! Join the trio as they discuss a quintet of Spike's films, from the seminal dramedy Do The Right Thing to the utterly savage satire Bamboozled and the controversial relationship dramas She's Gotta Have It and Jungle Fever. Plus Tom and Kelen commiserate over the present fate of the Oakland Raiders, Derrick recognizes his co-host as The Blue-Eyed White Devil and Kelen tries to explain how he wouldn't make out with Sasha Grey! It's time to wake up, so get to clicking!
Due to problems with podomatic being dicks, an alternate download location has been set up here at the Internet Archive.
Older episodes of the show are available at http://bitd.libsyn.com. The Better In The Dark Message Board is up and active at betterinthedark.proboards.com! You can also drop us a line at betternthedark@gmail.com. Please leave a comment or vote for us at Podcast Alley (http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=48490). You can become Tom's friend on MySpace at www.myspace.com/thomasbitd and give him input there. You can also follow Tom's adventures at Space Monkey Mafia, and Derrick's at Derrick Ferguson's Notebook. And please, if you love the show, become our friend or leave a comment at our podomatic website.
Jun 29, 2009
Video: Jay-Z - D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)
As much as I didn't like the nappy Jay look, it kinda works for him in this vid. Maybe it's cause he finally it off. Need to see his BET Awards performance. Wasn't too impressed with Jamie Foxx's hosting job, but then again, I maintain BET fell off in 2005 anyway.
I haven't made any comments about Michael yet, but they're coming.
Video: The Slaughterhouse Rules
I don’t have a late pass. I didn’t see this until today. “Ladies call me J-O-E-L-L Cool J. They used to call me the Latin Teddy Ruxpin but whatever…” Best It’s The Real skit ever.
Jun 17, 2009
Dear XXL (July Cover)
I’ve been buying your magazine regularly since mid-2003. I think it was either the issue when 50 was Guest Editor or the issue before that. I read the issue with Chingy on it, I read both of your Foxy Brown covers, and sat through multiple G-Unit/50 issues. The only issue I’ve yet to track down is the one with Wayne and Baby throwing their shirts to the wind. Pause.
But I can’t do it this time. As many bad stories and boring issues as I’ve sat through since YN left (sorry Datwon), this is the line. I even picked it up to see if any of it was interesting to me. I left it on the shelf.
I don’t know what to make of you anymore XXL. I was super hyped for your Eminem issue but Vibe’s version was ten times better. Your Dipset story was boring as was your Cam’ron’s rebuttal issue. Where in years past I would keep old issues for months and even years (I think i had the Jay-Z 2003 retirement issue until 2006), the new ones hit the trash as soon as I read it.
I haven’t heard any rumors or leaks about the August cover. I’m sure when it comes out I’ll take a look through it. But I’ve now broken the chain. Six years of consistent buying is now over. Only time will tell when I’ll read again.
In closing, thanks for the memories.
P.S. Bring back YN.
Sincerely,
Kelen “B Hyphen” Conley
Jun 11, 2009
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