Yep...I know I'm already startin' some sh*t just with the title of this blog...allow me to explain...walk wit' a nigga man...(*Jay-Z)
Hip Hop has never lost a relevant Icon/Legend. That is not to say that we do not have deceased legends. What I am saying is that we have not lost a Hip Hop artist while they were considered a Legend...and in the rare case that I can remember off hand, they were not perceived as a relevant player in the game. Don't believe me? Let's get that one rare case out the way first...
Jam Master Jay: We all know that Jam Master Jay is a legend forever...not only as a DJ, but in Hip Hop period. He provided the scratches for the early commercial success of Hip Hop. And yes, he is mostly responsible for bringin' some rapper named 50 Cent into the game. Besides that, tell me what JMJ was doin between '94 and '02 (pause for wikipedia search)...exactly. The news of his murder struck a chord in us all, but it did not have the same impact as even debatable legends 2pac and Biggie
Okay...so that last line was contraversial huh...let's get these 2 giants out of the way as well.
2pac: Arguably the greatest musical writer of our era. 'Pac connected with the struggle. The day that 'Pac died was my Kennedy Assassination moment (as well as 9/11). I remember everything about that day (blue nike shirt, came in from playin football, channel 7, 430 pm news, hal greene reporting). However, people forget how 2pac was viewed on September 12, 1996. 'Pac received very little love back east due to the fabricated East-West War of the mid 90's. Everybody was takin' shots at him...Nas, Mobb Deep, BIG, Jay, Puff...legends command more respect than that. Is 2pac a legend? Undoubtedly. Was he considered a legend in 1996? No.
The Notorious B.I.G.: Same deal...common complaint about this guy prior to his death? He's only put out one dope album. And let's not pretend that Big was always considered the King of New York...I'm pretty sure Nas was comin' at him for the same crown, and had just about same following. If Nas dies on March 9th, 1997 with 2 good albums under his belt, maybe he's considered the greatest out of NY. Yes, Biggie is the greatest rapper of all time in my opinion. Ready to Die is my favorite album...ever. But he was not considered a legend when he died...so we still have never felt that impact.
Just to get the others out the way that some may try to argue...
Big L: 90% of his following hadn't heard of him until his death. Big Pun: Questionable if he is now, but definitely wasn't when he died.
So who would have to die within the next couple years for my theory to be de-bunked?
Jay-Z: Love him or hate him...consensus says he is a Hip Hop Legend...and he's still relevant Nas: Ditto Eminem: Ditto Dr. Dre: Ditto Diddy: Hate all you want...this dude is a boss/history book. There will not be another.
This is no disrespect to all of the fallen soldiers...just somethin' I really thought about one day...what would it be like to lose a legend...but the majority of Hip Hop actually sees them as a relevant Legend?!
So you may/may not have noticed that I've been pluggin' this crew a lot lately. Coming out of Covina, CA (like yours truly), they are bringing that old school hip hop back. Think of the chemistry from groups of the Native Tongues era, mixed with the individual talents of a Wu Tang, with a knack for crafting kickback joints like The Pharcyde. Combine all of these, and you have The Cove Originals. Here's my lil' breakdown of the members and my opinion of their style:
Avi The Most Ill: This dude is quite simply a beast. From beats to rhymes. Production-wise, he goes from boom bap, cruisin' music, to the club. Lyrically, reminds me of AZ.
Hawdwerk: This dude SOUNDS like '94! Alot of cats tried to mimic that sound of the golden era...Hawdwerk naturally has it. Lyrically complex, craziest flow. Sounds like he lives in the cyphers. Lykewyze: Wyze can go from a commercial to underground sound effortlessly. His cadence commands your attention, and he usually backs it with dope rhymes and expression of his own life. A dope producer as well...Dilla type samples with 9th drums.
Black Saint:Underground/Spoken Word vibe...possibly the most complex...I find myself catchin' something new in his rhymes every listen. He rhymes for dudes in the cypher, as well as scoopin' up the females.
FunkLogik:Must've failed Chemistry...He's constantly droppin' science. Hard for emcees to do this without sounding condescending...but Logik masters the art. Consistently speaks about the complexities of life in a way that everyone relates to.
Poetik Force:It's rare to see rappers spit without droppin' wordplay all over the place, and still sound dope. Poetik Force details the struggles and joys of life through straight rhymin'...no filter. Reminscent of 2pac in that he's effective without being overbearing with metaphors.
Sincere:Every crew needs a Sincere; a producer that is genuinely in love with the music that the crew makes, wantin' to see EVERYBODY win. Not only does he have dope beats, but fulfills the other roles of a producer, directin' everybody on how to spit on the track.
Dulu:Knows his music...Knows his equipment...crate digger...a producer's producer.
These are tracks from a few of my favorite producers that I listen to/study on the regular....Plenty of revisions will be made, and I am anxious to hear your personal feedback! This is based solely on the musical composition, not lyrical content: Timbaland: Up Jumps Da Boogie Love 2 Love U Indian Flute Clock Strikes Rmx Intro on "Welcome to Our World" Pete Rock: T.R.O.Y. The World is Yours- Nas Juicy- Notorious BIG DJ Premier: Do It Again- Jay-Z Mathematics- Mos Def You Know My Steez Nas is Like- Nas 10 Crack Commandments- Notorious BIG Kick in the Door- Notorious BIG J-Dilla: Find My Way- Tribe Called Quest Time: Donuts of the Heart Two Can Win Bye (aka So Far to Go; im convinced you hear this on the way to heaven) CrushinWildWon't Do 9th Wonder: Stop Fooling Yourself- Skyzoo For You- Little Brother Beautiful Morning- Little Brother Silly Girl- Murs Yesterday & Today- Murs LA- MursDark Skin White Girl- Murs Sweetest Language Neptunes: Allure- Jay-Z Excuse me Miss- Jay-Z Come Close- Common I Really Like You- Pharrell Run to the Sun- NERD Grindin- Clipse Gangsta Lean- Clipse I Gotcha- Lupe Fiasco Good Girl- Vanessa Marquez U Started It- Gwen Stefani Sugar Honey Iced Tea- Kelis Just Wanna Love U- Jay-Z RZA: C.R.E.A.M. Triumph Khrysis: Watch Me- Little Brother Like You- Sean Price Hi-Tek: Ryder Music- 50 Cent The Blast- Talib Kweli Just Blaze: Why You Hate The Game- The Game PSA- Jay-Z December 4th- Jay-Z U Don't Know- Jay-Z Show Me What You Got- Jay-Z Dr. Dre: Xxplosive Westside Story- The Game Nothin But a G Thang- Snoop Dre Day MadLib: Pyramids (Change) The Comeup (Come Down) Soon the New Day- Talib Kweli Funny Money- Talib Kweli Kanye: BE Intro- Common The Corner- Common The Food- Common Izzo (H.O.V.A.)- Jay-Z This Can't Be Life- Jay-Z Through the Wire Last Call Southside- Common The People- Common Higher- Do or Die I Wonder Flashing Lights Addiction We Major Get By- Talib Kweli
Weezy F. Baaaaaaabay...Plee Say Da Baaaabay (Repost)
To all tha mainstream white kids in Suburbia USA ridin in a SUV that pops bought, bumpin Weezy all day and swear he's the second coming of Christ himself, quote him like scriptures in myspace profiles....stop it.
To all tha underground/backpack heads bumpin MC Firefly Disaster Strike (a typical underground name i thought), who may turn to salt if they ever hear mainstream music again, who curse tha name of Lil Wayne and believe that he's not lyrically gifted in any sense of tha word....stop it.
To all tha "backpack" enthusiasts who listen to good music period, from all genre's, "mainstream" and "underground", who will bump The Doors after bumpin Ready to Die, and believe that Lil Wayne is nice with it, but not prepared to give him classic status until he puts out more good albums instead of mixtapes, and are willing to give him that opportunity to prove himself...keep it movin, we got a lot in common.
They slept on Big L when he waz here...yet they annointed Craig Mack...letz walk that line, let it play out.
"Hip Hop is Dead" is the most overused, exaggerated phrase in our culture today...its become a fad to say....let me put you up on why the phrase is far from true...excuse me as I turn from ignorant IM typing to my Pepperdine Liberal Arts Education...A. NAS USED IT AS A MARKETING PLOY! Yes, Nas is not dumb. He knows how to sell records and create a buzz. Its not meant for literal purposes. I know its a shock to believe God's Son is business savvy, but respect his gangsta. B. I should start off my second point by explaining what 'Hip Hop' is. There is no such thing as Hip Hop vs. Rap...Hip Hop is not the positive/pure version of rap. Hip Hop is a culture founded on the 4 Elements: Emcee, DJ, Breaker, and Graffitti. Rap is the musical expression of Hip Hop. So to say that 'Hip Hop is Dead' is an ill-conceived notion in my opinion; as long as their is a Breakdancer in the Bronx, or somebody taggin in Watts, or a DJ in the UK scratchin records, Hip Hop is very much alive. In that case, it'll never die.C. I love Backpack Music. I refrain from the term 'Underground' because it has turned into an elitist perspective in my opinion. I listen to good music, regardless. If its Murs' "L.A." or 50's few ill verse on "Hate It or Love It"....i bump good music that moves me. Believing that 'Underground' or 'Backpack' music is "Real Hip Hop" isn't a fair assessment. The problem that lies within Hip Hop today is what leads me to my 4th point...D. There is a lack of balance in Hip Hop. Crunk and Snap are not the problems; the problem is that all the media offers you is Crunk and Snap. There would be the same drought if all BET and MTV ever gave us was Little Brother and Common (although I would be in lyrical heaven). People often refer to the Golden Era of 88-94, when dudes like BIG, Pac, Big Daddy Kane, Nas, Jay-Z, EPMD, The whole Native Tongues Movement, KRS-One, and LL rocked the mic. However just as important were the Lukes, 2 Live Crews, 69 Boyz, Ice T's, NWA's, Too Shorts, and so on. These latter artists raised issues against censorship and provided graphic depictions of street life that have influenced the Hip Hop Culture for the better. Growing up with my sister, I was able to hear the EPMD "Crossover", NWA "Gangsta", and 2 Live Crews "Me So Horny" in succession on the radio. And guess what: we would rock out to all of em. I'm okay with the radio playing T-Pain's "Bartender" or any Lil' Wayne track...just give me some Bishop Lamont and Skyzoo in between. All this is to say that the current cliche of 'Hip Hop is Dead' is bogus. Unless you have reasons that support the opposite, I'd be happy to entertain them. But PLEASE get your argument game up, because I'm pretty set on this position. Hip Hop Forever -'Sport
We Don't Believe You, You Need More People Paul and Michael!!!
So in preparation for some beat-making, I was diggin' in the crates (or browsing through my external drive with music I downloaded my freshman year of college) and I came across a forgotten classic....pre-Brandy and Monica...a collaboration for all time...
Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson...."The Girl is Mine".
Before Mike had the nerve to buy the Beatles catalogue ("Stolen!" *NBA Jam) these 2 legendary artists combined on a track. So what would they talk about?! Peace on Earth?! A musical revolution?! Pull a Hov and Kells and proclaim to be the Best of Both Worlds?!
No.
They wanted to talk about hollerin' at the same chick. Naw, I'm for real.
At this point in time, I'm very confident Mike had seen one pair of breasts his entire life, and it was when he was teething.
The part that kills me is the last 40 seconds of the song, where Paul and Mike go at it over the girl. There are a couple things wrong with this:
A. If your paper is that long, and she's messing with another dude, move to the next (This applies to Michael and Paul...royalty checks forever).
B. If you are talking to the dude that is messing with your chick, something needs to happen. Michael should've called his goons (Jackson 5 assemble!) and handled it.
C. If you are fighting over a chick, and your voice is higher than hers...you lost her.
I'm declaring Paul the winner
She should've hollered at Tito...he's the realest nigga in the Jacksons. My boy said he lives next to him and his wife in apartments in Calabasas.
I often get messages and comments complimenting on the music...
Nothing feels better...the only thing that compares is the feeling of creating music that will resonate with people...
But there are alot of cats out there with crazy talent that are barely on the radar. The difference? THE GRIND!
Now I know it may seem blasphemous, but I guarantee that there is a producer on this planet that is better than Dilla; a lyricist deeper than Lupe; a singer better than Alicia Keys; a chick badder than Kim Kardashian (wait...scratch that).
What separates them is the amount of outside work they do in advancing their own music. The countless phone calls made, numerous demos sent, multitude of bills stacked because they had to invest in photoshoots, press packages, etc.
If you have the talent, work ethic, and faith...God will move.
There are potentially some big opportunities on the table here for myself at the moment, and I ALWAYS have to remind myself to GRIND...
Sorry to take yall to Church...the next post WILL be random!
The following is my response to an issue posed by Elements Magazine:
Is an artist or group attempting to break into the music scene capable of creating a "mainstream track" and producing the rest of an album a pretty well-rounded album that sticks to the artists own genuine material-to say the least a Cop Out?
I think it is very much possible and important for up and coming artists to provide a "mainstream track" that meshes with the rest of their album...
Whether its Underground MC FireflyDragonDisasterStrike 77 (typical underground emcee name) or its Yung Jingle Jangle, there are constants in the industry...
You MUST know your market/core audience. If you keep this in mind when crafting your so-called "mainstream track", you can gear your song towards their liking. If you create a great song that resonates with your market, you WILL have a successful single. Don't believe me? Ask Lupe ("Kick, Push", "Dumb it Down"), Common (The Corner), U-N-I (gaining huuuge buzz off of "Beautiful Day"), or Jay-Z (American Gangster album....maybe 1.5 official singles on the album). Just look at all the independent rappers gettin snatched up by major labels, because they stayed true to their style and showed the higher ups that they could get cheese without them! (Shouts to Little Brother, Murs, Pacific Division, Boot Camp Clikk...)
Moral of the story? Study the game! There are too many lazy emcees (talented and wack) who complain about not getting their shine in the game without being a sellout. It's possible. Know your audience. Cater to them. Create that buzz. And create something special...the masses will be forced to take a listen.
I gave in...Jansport J is making his entrance into the blogging game!!!
Why?
1. Exposure. Using all different types of media can only help getting my name and sound out...right? 2. Comedy. You won't know this unless you know me.....but I'm a random, funny dude....think a combination of Dave Chapelle, Phonte, Will Ferrell, and that nigga from the "Unforgivable" youtube series. 3. Boredom. I work, eat, beats, talk with my girlfriend, beats, sleep. That in-between time can be filled with something. I'll be talking about a bunch of raaaandom stuff that interests me. 4. Outlet to Showcase my Grammar Skills. Contrary to my AIM/Myspace dialogue, I am an educated dude. This is to make Pepperdine feel like they've done something positive for me...
And now for the updates: -"The Carry-On Experience" is slated to be released September 9th, because at this point, I am my own label. I'll try not to Atlantic/Interscope myself and push it back 30 times (smh Lupe, Game, Nas, and the infamous Pharell album, that seemed to get pushed back for 2 years!!!) It's going to be something special. Expect appearances from: Blackwater The Bench Mob The Cove Originals Prophit P.H.I.L.T.H.Y. Velosity
and more!
-Currently working on The Bench Mob project as well as The Love Ep with the homie P.H.I.L.T.H.Y.. Be on the lookout for that as well in early '09!
-Download the Digital Undaground Mixtape featuring The Bench Mob here!!! I promise I won't plug as much in the future...
That's a lie.
But it'll be dope sauce with a side of Fresh Fries!
