Friday, July 23, 2010

"No One Can Do It Better" - Nas v. Amy Winehouse

After some questionably odd pictures of God's Son and Ms. Winehouse, it got us to thinking about a debate we've had many times. Which Salaam Remi-produced track is better: Nas' "Made You Look" from God's Son or "In My Bed" from Frank.

Take a listen:


versus


Styles Davis says, "Frank is a top 20 album of the decade...and "In My Bed" was definitely one of it's dopest tracks. "Made You Look" goes hard...but Amy x Salaam = Classic. I got Amy."

Johnny Soultrane says, "I cosign everything Styles just said. Where you at Amy? You're what the game's been missing."

Mr. Strayhorn Fritzington says, "Production value is key. The horn section brings a completely different layer to Ms. Winehouse's track figuratively and literally. Amy."

Yao Mingus says, "Yeah I gotta go with Amy on this one too...The Nas track is anthem-worthy but...it's Amy she killed it. Case closed. I choose you Amy.

Buddy HoodRich says, "This is ridiculous. Have you seen the video. It's raw. It's aggressive. It's hip-hop at it's finest. Man up lil homies. QB's Finest. (Not to be confused with Ron Ron)."

We wouldn't be a blog if we didn't say it...

Nas Lost.

4-1.

The Styles Davis Quintet

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Primitive X Justene Jaro - Underwear & Infrareds

Everything about this is dope.


And yes...I copped the shoes. Now I'm working on Justene. POW!

-Styles

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Teflon Don (Album Drop) - Rick Ross

Rick Ross' newest effort Teflon Don drops today. Go support.

File:20100603-TEFLONDON.jpg

RAWSE!

-The Styles Davis Quintet

Monday, July 19, 2010

Kaws x Complex (Lindsay Lohan Cover)

Seriously tho...Lindsay is back.

Lindsay Lohan & KAWS Cover Complex - Photo posted in The Hip-Hop Spot | Sign in and leave a comment below!">

Shouts to Kaws and Complex.

-Soultrane

B E A utiful - Steph Jones

New music from dope artist Steph Jones which is supposedly attached to his new EP Imperfect Me. If you don't know, now you know.

Steph Jones: So Damn Beautiful!


Download here.


-Soultrane

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Good Ass Job Production/Tracklist - Kanye West

Here is the production/tracklist for 'Ye's newest album, Good Ass Job.
------------
1. Hell Of a Life (feat. LilĂ‚’ Wayne) [Kanye West x DJ Toomp]
2. Dark Fantasy [RZA]
3. Power [S1]
4. Chain Heavy (feat. Eminem x Jay-Z) [Kanye West]
5. Ghetto University (feat. T.I.) [Kanye West x DJ Toomp]
6. ThatĂ‚’s My Girl (feat. Katy Perry x Kid Cudi) [Kanye West x Jon Brion]
7. Runaway [Kanye West x Q-Tip]
8. Lost In The World (feat. Nicki Minaj x Rick Ross) [Kanye West x No I.D.]
9. Gorgeous (Ode To Kardashians) (feat. Drake x Game x Ludacris) [Kanye West]
10. Monster [Kanye West x DJ Premier]
11. Holding Me Back (feat. Mos Def x Talib Kweli x Phonte) [Kanye West x Madlib]
12. Devil In a New Dress [Pete Rock]
13. The Joy (feat. Common x John Legend) [Kanye West]
14. So Appalled (feat. Drake x Jamie Foxx) [Kanye West x No I.D.]
15. Blame Game [DJ Toomp]
16. Sweat On My Face [DJ Premier]
------------

Game. Over.

"Y'all got less than two months to get y'all thang together."

-Styles

You Go Girl!

Eff whatcha heard...Lindsay still got it.




This Ellen von Unwerth short film was done for GQ Russia who recently featured LiLo as their cover girl.



Needless to say...Lohan is still baaaaaaaaaaaad chick.

You GO GIRL! ::Martin Payne Voice::

::queues up "Mean Girls" grabs lotion::

-Soultrane

What The Game's Been Missing

Guess Who's Bizack?

It's ya boy Eli Porter.

If y'all don't know about Eli...then you've asleep for the past 342789873724 years. As far as I'm concerned dude is clearly the Freestyle Champion of the World. He holds the title hands down.

In case any of you forgot...peep his classic battle against rival Envy below:



Ladies and Gentleman, the GOAT is officially back. Dropping a video over at WSHH, Eli discusses that infamous battle, his upcoming mixtape ::makes Home Alone face::, and the fact that he is not a Short Bus Shorty.



Yeah...he's not slow at all. Nothing wrong with that guy...no sorts of handicap whatsoever. Yeeaaaaaaaah. ::awkwardly twiddles thumbs::

WE DA BEST MAYNE...WE DEEEEEEEEEEED IT!

-HoodRich

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

"Industry Rule #4080: Record Company People Are Shady"

Music as both art and business is a bittersweet phenomenon. On one end it allows artists to express themselves artistically and insert beauty within the world...and of course get paid. However, what is the point of the "Business" poking and prodding, changing and commodifying the artistic integrity of the work if the artists aren't even getting paid that much?

Artists already know what's good:

"Record company people are shady!" - Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest), "Check The Rhime"

"I was d*** that got jerked by Tom and his boys..." - Posdnous (of De La Soul), "The Grind Date"

"I'm just saying to the industry...f*** you signed sincerely." - Solange (of dem Knowles girls), "Fuck the Industry (Signed Sincerely)"

But while the artists may have understood their plight, the fans may not be as aware. Thankfully the dope people over at The Root wrote a great article which can be found here.

Summarizing the main point...check the graphic they dropped below.


Needless to say, artists, the creative genius behind the industry are getting the short end of the stick. My homie Marx taught me that when you don't own the means of production...you won't be succeeding in any type of capitalist system. So while every five seconds a new label is popping up in Uncle Rico's basement, ultimately the have to, at the very least sign away their freedom for a distribution deal with a major label.

Or maybe an artist gives up the rights to their catalog. Perhaps signing a 360Âş deal in which they give up a percentage of every other entrepreneurial endeavor they branch out into whether its ringtones or t-shirt sales. Even when an artist attempts to play ball in this system...they still often fall up short.

Diddy is less talented than any artist** he has ever pushed, but I will guarantee he has more wealth than the net worth of every Bad Boy artist from Craig Mack to Day 26.

I cosign what Beyonce's more adventurous and experimental little sister said.

-Yao Mingus

**Cassie is not considered an artist or anyone with any particular talent outside of being sexy as hell

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Super Street Fighter IV (Theme Song) - Just Blaze

Yeah...I know it's a few months old but I was bumping this all day in the office getting mad aggressive with people...just because I can.


I need Just Blaze to walk around behind me making beats soundtracking my life. I would start smacking kids in the face for no reason...roundhousing kicking their moms cuz I just don't give a s***.

Thug Life.

-HoodRich

Monday, July 12, 2010

Sweet Life (Video) - Rick Ross (featuring John Legend)

A very smooth and sleek video was recently released for the track "Sweet Life" from Rick Ross' Albert Anastasia EP. Featuring fellow gentleman, the Ivy League-educated Mr. John Legend, the video is every bit of the sophistication exuded within the song.

Take a look:




This is, without a doubt, a modern day "Lush Life". Gentleman, step your collective games up.

Maybach Music.

-Mr. Strayhorn Fritzington

Back - Pac Div

Watching everyone go balls out on Twitter with this #highschoolconfessions trending topic reminded me of the wackness of high school.

Twitter lowkey effed up my mood...so we shan't go into details about those fantastic four years...but it did remind of one of my favorite Pac Div cuts...thanks fellas.





-Soultrane

Pilot Talk - Curren$y

I would have posted this around midnight last night buuuuuuuuuuut I was ironically 30,000 feet up with the team.

Never no mind. June 13th is the official release date for the big homie Curren$y's studio album, Pilot Talk. It leaked to the net last night...but tomorrow is another installment of Support Good Music Day. Do what you do and keep it legal.

currensy-pilot-talk-album-cover-450x450

Get lifted with some good music.

J-E-T-S!

-Soultrane

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Super High (Sativa Remix) Video - Ricky Rozay (featuring Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y)

Shouts to Rozay, Young Khalifa, and Spitta for blessing us with a video to go with an already fly track.


Hallelujah!

Jets Fool!

Taylor Gang or move to Cleveland...POW!

-Styles

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen...Mixtape Wale is back.

Wale Folarin promised a major announcement at 2pm yesterday...and we got it....


1. The background piano flow was incredible. That has to be used.
2. Mixtape Wale>>>>>Album Wale
3. The Mixtape About Nothing is better than at least 85% of the other mixtapes dropped by XXL Freshman Class members...and that's probably an underestimate.
4. "They say love is the slowest form of suicide
The fluid of eye fallin when I do the rhyme
I try and be the guy you thinks about every night when your eyelids cover eyes.
Cuz I'm on I'm rather than on us
Maybe I'm on less, but you deserve love."


More About Nothing drops August 3rd.

Welcome back.


-Styles

Gucci Mane feauturing....Talib Kweli?

Diplo Plans Gucci Mane Remix Mixtape

Talib Kweli and Gucci Mane just dropped a song together called "Poltergeist." I literally couldn't make this up. This wasn't a recycled verse situation. They sincerely meant to do this. There really isn't much more to say I guess. Ummmmm so yeah. ::twiddles thumbs awkwardly::

Download it here.




GUCCI! (My apologies...I just couldn't resist.)

-Soultrane

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Curren$y – Nothing But Us (featuring Smoke DZA) (produced by Ski Beatz)


This dropped awhile back...but we got the tagless, CDQ version. You already know what it is...some more of the that Elevator Musik....JETS!

Download here.

-HoodRich

"Champion Requiem"

LeBron is dope...BUT...LeBron was M.I.A. come June. Why? Because he's not on the Lakers?

Who are the Lakers you may ask? They're just the champions of the National Basketball Association.

So while all media outlets blow LeBron, DWade, Bosh, and the other million and one free agents that have combined as many championships as Adam Morrison...we'll go back to the most important TEAM in the land.

Let's relive the greatest moment of the 2009-2010, shall we?







Shouts to all the teams attempting to buy the most superstars allowable. Hopefully all of you owners who graduated from the Yankees School of Management succeed in your "team-building."

Regardless, the Lakers will be waiting come next June.

#24>#23, #6, or whatever number you choose (Yeah...I said it.)

-HoodRich

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Ricky Rozay - Maybach Music III & Aston Martin Music

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWSE!



Teflon Don is basically getting that Tha Carter III treatment with yet another (couple) leak(s). Which means it will be (already is) the dopest hip-hop album of it's quarter and probably year.

Get familiar! ::Clinton Sparks drop::

"Maybach Music" III featuring T.I., Kiss & Ms. Badu

Download it here.

"Aston Martin Music" featuring Drizz & Chrisette Michele.

Download it here.

And in case you're reaaaaaaaaaaaaally sleeping...scoop the "Super High (Sativa Remix)" featuring Young Khalifa & Spitta.

Download it here.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch!


-Soultrane

Monday, July 5, 2010

Edible Phat 2.0 - Hollyweerd

One of the flyest groups you've probably never heard of, Hollyweerd has dropped another heatrock, Edible Phat 2.0. The previous mixtape, Candy for Kleptos (STOP READING...CLICK LINK...DOWNLOAD) was by far the illest and most underrated drop of '09. Stop sleeping. Get familiar. Word to Clinton Sparks.

Download it. Play it. Thank me later. No Wheelchair Jimmy.


Special Thanks to 2DopeBoyz


-Mingus

"Who's Jammin' To My Nasty Groove?"

To pay tribute to Janet Jackson's freaknasty performance at the Essence Musical Festival...we'd like to hit you with our top sexytime favorites from Ms. Jackson.

"Any Time, Any Place (R. Kelly)


Archbishop Kelly provides the perfect remix for this already seductive track from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

"Funny How Time Flies (When Your Having Fun)"


Not to be confused with the Intro song of the same name...Janet keeps it subtle and sexy wit this one.
*Sidenote* WTF is that chick saying at the beginning? Sounds erectastic regardless.

"Someday Is Tonight"


This track is about Janet finaaaaaaaally giving up the booty cheeks to some guy (Me)...by dope by default.

"Anything"


Another Quiet Storm groove from Damita Jo. Another Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis joint.

"Rope Burn"


This is one shows off a lil' bit of that Janet Jackson nastiness.

"Discipline"


"Did I upset you Daddy
Take out your frustrations on me
Did I make you mad
Take out your frustrations on me
you be the teacher I'll be the student"

Janet baby...you still got it.

-The Styles Davis Quintet

"Discipline" - Janet Jackson (Live at the Essence Music Festival)

::watches video, dims lights, turns on "Any Time, Any Place (R.Kelly Remix), breaks out lotion, does work like Kobe in the 4th quarter::



-HoodRich


Tuesday, June 1, 2010

"No One Can Do It Better" - John Legend v. The Roots

Once again we present to you...No One Can Do It Better. In the last installment, we pitted the prettiest man on the planet against Kasseem Dean's future babymoms. We find ourselves with another great match up of Johnny Patron and the Legendary Foundation.

The Contender : John Legend - Another Again (2006)



versus

The Challenger: The Roots - Doin' It Again



Styles Davis says, "It's hard to go against the The Roots. John is my main man, but with the added instrumentation and the crazy verses by one of the game's most underrated, Black Thought...I gotta go with Philly's Finest."

Johnny Soultrane says, "I mean this isn't very close. Simple mathematics folks. John Legend x The Roots >>>>> John Legend. Motherfiduck the wagon...I choose the band."

Mr. Strayhorn Fritzington says, "While I admire the virtuosity of The Roots, I must tip my hat to the talented Mr. John Stephens and his Ivy League credentials. The lush piano playing is lost within the heavy hip-hop bass provided by The Roots. I shall go with John.

Yao Mingus says, "I almost want to go with John on this one, but The Roots revamped a song that was four years old and managed to make it a fresh cut as if I had never heard the original before. The Roots.

Buddy HoodRich says, "I can lowkey bump some John Legend...but only when he's on his "She Don't Have To Know"/"Number One" cheating tip. I can't ride out to some emotional John Legend in the whip. I go with the Hip-Hop version out of basic HoodRich principles. Black Thought brings that boombap...and I can dig it."

The Roots win 4-1.

-The Styles Davis Quintet



Guess Who's Bizack?

We're back snitches. Get ready.



-The Styles Davis Quintet

Monday, March 1, 2010

Get Well Soon Guru

We all know what's going on. Get well soon, King.




-The Styles Davis Quintet


Sunday, February 21, 2010

Dope Ish - Vanilla Sky (2001)

I'm definitely late on this cult classic, Vanilla Sky, but after watching it recently I felt that it was worth mentioning. The movie, as a whole, is pretty damn dope. What caught my eye the most however was a particular scene in which the protagonist, played by Tom Cruise, is hosting a birthday party at his apartment. Instead of hiring a band, he displays a holographic image John Coltrane playing some of his best cuts. Something tells me that this was a bunch of Hollywood smoke and mirrors and physics doesn't allow awesome shit like this to actually exist, but a man can dream. If this is actually real, please put me up on game. Money is no option...I ball.



This is absolutely the most baller shit I've seen in a very long time. Well played, Vanilla Sky.

-Soultrane


Friday, February 19, 2010

The Greatest PSA Of-All Time

If this was the actual PSA's for Everest, all of my homies would be in college by now...Absolutely amazing.


-HoodRich

Monday, February 15, 2010

"Top 60 Ghetto Names"

And another one...


-Mr. Strayhorn Fritzington

"No One Can Do It Better" Prince v. Alicia Keys

So we were over here louning' and lampin' as always. Per usual, we got into a heated discussion over people swaggerjacking other peoples samples. This led into a fight about people covering songs they really don't have any business covering. From there, we started comparing songs and a post was born. Introducing the first "No One Can Do It Better" post.

In our first battle we have Prince's 1982 "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" versus Alicia Key's 2001 cover version, "How Come You Don't Call Me."

Take a listen:


versus


Styles Davis says, "Hands down it's Prince. This isn't even close. Alicia doesn't have the vocals of Prince or the performance skills."

Johnny Soultrane says, "Alicia Keys used to be my baby, but she went and stole Mashonda's man. Not sexy. Prince wins, cuz he would never steal someone's man...they would probably walk into his open little arms." #shotsfired #pause x10000

Mr. Strayhorn Fritzington says, "Prince is the consummate showman and musician. Ms. Keys is quite talented in her own right, but she clearly has many miles to go before even entering into the same musical stratosphere as Sir Prince Rogers."

Yao Mingus says, "This isn't really fair. If we took the studio versions of each performer, it would be a completely different story. Alicia's more layered version destroys Prince's attempt at musical subtlety. Plus Alicia is slightly prettier. Alicia Wins"

Buddy HoodRich says, "I gotta cosign [The Mingus]Dynasty. The studio versions are completely different. Clearly Prince is the dopest performer of all-time. But when Alicia and all that thickness get in the studio, it's a wrap. I got my girl Alicia for the win."

Prince wins 3-2.

-The Styles Davis Quintet

Friday, February 12, 2010

Tragedy Strikes Again

As many of you may know, the recent events in Haiti have shocked the world. The outpouring of help and assistance has truly been a testament to the unity and togetherness of our global community.

Unfortunately, however, tragedy has struck again. Whilst attempting to assist in the Haiti relief efforts, various important members of the music industry came together creating an explosion that has once again rocked the world.

Below we have footage of the events at hand. It is imperative to let you understand that this video may not be suitable for all ages. No matter what your age, this shocking footage can and will test even the highest of thresholds. View at your own risk.


Many victims were taken in the opening wave of the event, as the immediate presence of teen-pop idol Justin Bieber was simply too overwhelming for many. Others were taken amidst a vicious and unexpected chorus of rappers, ranging from LL Cool J to Swizz Beatz, who inexplicably took over the song.

The people of Haiti have already begun relief efforts in assisting those effected by this tragedy. "We wanted help, but never this...never this." said one Haitian youth.

Various organizations have also stepped up to get involved by aiding all of those affected by this event. UNICEF has been collecting copies of Michael Jackson's Thriller album as well as original versions of "We Are The World" to send to victims.

"I really don't blame Quincy Jones, I swear to God man...it's not his fault.," said one victim who managed to fling himself out of his window before being overwhelmed by the collapse.

We here at So Called Twenties want to give our deepest condolences to all those affected by the events of "We Are The World 2010" You are in our prayers. God Bless.

-The Styles Davis Quintet


Thank God for my uppity Talented Tenth parents

I plan on giving my future seeds super dope names, but this is doing a bit much. Shouts to my brotha's and sister's in the struggle...for pronounceable names.



-Mr. Strayhorn Fritzington

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Supra Skytop Heartbreaker



Not bad. I'd rock these. Looks kinda like canvas tho. That's a big turnoff. If I was down with the whole red thing on Valentine's Day (or down with V-Day as a whole...) these would mos def be rocked hard body. Nevertheless, for $120, these might get copped.


I feel like I'd have to call "No Wayne" every time I put these on my feet.

-HoodRich