Cam'ron - Bang Bang

This is Cam'ron's new song and I like it. However, it's pretty obvious that Cam has gotten significantly, um, fat and old. He's still awesome though. This song kills it, but I think we all know he doesn't sell crack anymore. But, whatever.

BEST OF 2011: Albums

So, it's about to be December (where did 2011 go?? Damn.) and I have a lot of year-end lists to write, so I decided to start off with the best albums. Some really great albums came out this year and I really should talk about them. My music taste has changed dramatically this year. I have started to only primarily listen to rap and R&B. I've warmed up to Chris Brown and Trey Songz, etc. I might think of more albums, because there's still December and the Gucci/V-Nasty album is coming out, as well as more Soulja Boy mixtape. [WARNING: Some of these albums came out in 2010, but had a lot of singles in 2011, so I'm including them in here like the Oscars]. LEGGO:


15. Talk That Talk 
Rihanna's new album recieved pretty bad reviews, but I think this is underrated. I mean, it just came out, but I've been listening to it a lot. I think the thing that carries this album is that it has a lot of amazing producers. Bangladesh ("A Milli", "6 Foot 7 Foot") made "Cockiness" a dirty jam and The-Dream had this hand on a couple of tracks. Chase & Status produced her dubby "Red Lipstick" which is about getting lipstick on a joint haha. Overall, this is a pretty good album.

14. Ferrari Boyz
I always thought it was a little ambitious for Waka and Gucci to release their duo album on the same day that Watch the Throne, but whatever. I LOVE this album, however, it's like every other Waka and Gucci album: repetitive, uncreative beats and screaming nonsense. I really like the titular track and "So Many Things" which is an homage to Wiz Khalifa (Waka even says, "I'm smoking on reefa with Gucci and Wiz Khalifa" which is a shoutsout). It's good, but not great.

13. Skate Boy
I toyed around with the idea of doing a separate list for the best mixtapes of the year, but I decided that I'll just include them because whatever, it's my blog. This is Soulja Boy's September/October mixtape and I like it a lot. Some of the best tracks are "Tear It Up" which is a solid, steady rap with a decent beat and "This One Right Here" which is heavy and very Atlanta. It's not his best mixtape (I'll talk about my favorite towards the top 5) but it's good.

12. Finally Famous
If you're like me, you probably judged Big Sean by his lame single with Chris Brown, "My Last" which was such a smash hit even though it sucks. A month or two ago, I decided to give him another chance because I really liked "Marvin and Chardonnay" and I realized his debut album is pretty damn awesome. First of all, we finally have the "Thong Song" of the 2010s: "A$$ (Dance)." What a hilariously great song; it reminds me of old Ying Yang Twins songs. I really like his collabos with The-Dream ("Ghetto" from Dream's 1977) and the song "Live This Life" is really quite the jam. Overall, this album kills it.

11. F.A.M.E.
Just like with Drake, it really pains me to say that I actually enjoy Chris Brown now. I really can't support a fucking criminal piece of shit. He should be in jail. Who does he think he is, beating the shit out of Rihanna and strutting around like he got away with it? He should be beaten just like how she got beaten. ANYWAY, that was my little rant about him . This album is pretty good, despite how awful the person who made it is. "Deuces" which is essentially an anthem for dumping lame people, is the album's magnum opus. The remix with Kanye and Andre 3000 is ridiculous. "Look At Me Now" was one of my summer jams because it was literally on the radio 1/4 songs. Chris Brown rapping is a little ridiculous though, he should stick to singing."Yeah 3x" is an obnoxious club anthem and is reminiscent of the essential Chris Brown sound-- much like "Run It." Honestly, this song is what I usually would expect from him, but the rest of the album drowns out this mediocrity. I really like "She Ain't You" despite how lame it is. Any song that references Lady Gaga songs are automatically awful, but this one is kind of an exception.

10. The R.E.D. Album
As much as I love G-Unit, I never really liked The Game. I kind of think he talks a lot of shit and is only a so-so rapper. This album really won me over. There are so many great guest appearances. Any album with Big Boi, Lloyd, Young Jeezy, Dr. Dre, and the others is a guaranteed smash success. The hands down best track on this album is "Paramedics" featuring Jeezy. Really wish I could put into words how hard this song goes, but I honestly couldn't even. The matchup of these two really blows every other gangster rapper out of the water. I even like the song with Tyler, The Creator. "Red Nation" featuring Lil Wayne is the album's "main" song. I don't know how else to describe it, I just feel like it's the titular song but it isn't really. Anyway, this album kicks ass.

9. Watch The Throne 
I've said it before and I'll say it again, forever: this album is a 46 minute commercial for how great Jay-Z and Kanye West are. All of the songs are literally about nothing except money and cars and more money. Oh and clothes. Lots of very expensive clothes! Can you afford a $6000 jacket? Didn't think so! But Kanye can. It kind of makes me sick, but it also makes me want to have all of their money. Both these guys are hip hop heavyweights; they absolutely deserve all the recognition and respect in the world for the paths that they both paved for rappers today. Kanye West brought back 1960s soul to hip hop and Jay-Z has made some of the best rap and is generally one of the best lyricists of our generation. HOWEVER, they have both gotten mad soft and mediocre. Their rapping just isn't what it used to be. Kanye, unlike Jay-Z, was never a phenomenal rapper. He is, however, one of the best producers of all time. As hyperbolic as that sounds, it's absolutely true. This album has some extremely well produced tracks, which is not surprising at all. Some of my favorites are "No Church In The Wild" which features Frank Ocean from Odd Future and "Who Gon Stop Me" which samples a dubby Flux Pavilion song. Also, "Why I Love You" is ridiculous. I really love this album honestly, but like I said, these two make me sick. I believe they once were the best hip hop rapper/producer matchup in the game, but not so much anymore. Some of their early work (like from The Dynasty and The Blueprint) gives me chills, it's so good. This album just doesn't do it for me. It's still ridiculously good though. I just don't think it lived up to the hype.

8. 1977
Speaking of amazing producers, one of my favorites is Atlanta-based auto-tune and heavy synth enthusiast, Terius Nash aka The-Dream. You might know him from such super smash hits as "Umbrella" and "Single Ladies." He also wrote a lot of Beyonce's new album with Diplo. He's really a fantastic musician. His first mixtape, 1977, is really something else. The tracks that stand out are "Ghetto" featuring Big Sean (the mixtape's first single, great video that goes along with it) and "Wish You Were Mine." I hope he keeps making mixtapes, since he said he wasn't making anymore albums (wtf).

7. Passion, Pain & Pleasure
Another R&B newcomer (kind of), Trey Songz put out his new album this year and it's really fantastic. The radio friendly singles, coupled with the heartfelt slow jams like "Can't Be Friends." Trigga follows the example of guys like Lloyd who do that type of fast singing/almost rapping. Turns out he's actually really good at rapping. This album is really something special.


6. Ocean Mobb
I really think rappers read my mind when they decide to collaborate. Whoever thought Soulja Boy and Waka Flocka Flame would be a good match was a GENIUS. I love this mixtape so, so much. Can't say enough good things about it, just listen to it.

5. Supreme
I've obviously recently discovered that Soulja Boy is an amazing rapper. In September, he released Supreme which is my favorite of his mixtapes. It's so great. My favorite song is "No More Holding On" which features a 1960s, Kanye-esque soul sample. I always tell people to listen to this song if they want to change their opinion about Soulja Boy. The beat, sample and his rhymes flow so perfectly into what I believe is his best song (besides Cold Summer). Other songs like "Different Girl" and "Go Hard"are solid reminders of Soulja Boy's raw, less-than-mature style. There are also retarded songs like "Left Cheek Right Cheek" and "Wanna 69" but that's to be expected, somewhat. He's a goon, but he's richer than God and he's actually a good rapper now, so whatever.


4. 4
I feel like I am legally obligated to include Beyonce's new super smash hit album on this list, but damn if this isn't amazing. She's so awesome; she's like the Diana Ross or Patti LaBelle of our generation. There are so many great jams on this album like "Countdown" and "End of Time" and "Run The World (Girls)." Even the slow jams are great like "1+1" and "I Care" and "I Was Here" (which I'm pretty sure I want to be played at my funeral).  Andre 3000's (who I think is on every album on this list) guest appearance on "Party" makes Kanye West's disgusting "swag sauce" somehow right. B really knows the range of her voice and you can tell by so many songs on this album. It's so great.

3. All I Want Is You
Miguel, an R&B newcomer, put out some really fantastic songs this year. My absolute favorite, "Sure Thing" is a slightly chopped and screwed, heartfelt ballad. "Quickie" is a well-produced hit about casual sex, while "All I Want Is You" featuring J. Cole is a passionate love song. There are some slow R&B jams, but that's to be expected. It's a well-rounded albums with songs that stand out and it should get more recognition than it did.


2. Take Care
I had to put this at the top of the list, because it's really grew on me. It's so damn good. Drake is the most popular and best-selling artist right now and there's a reason.There are some really great songs on this album and it seems like Drizzy has finally grown up and grown into his own style. I have to say, as much as it pains me to do so, I like him a lot. I really like the radio hit "Headlines" and the newest single "Make Me Proud." The song with Rick Ross is amazing and the one. "Crew Love" with The Weeknd is the shining star of the album because of the ridiculous beat and slow, smooth voice of both of these Canadian crooners. It's an amazing album, good job, Drake.



1. King of Hearts
I definitely saved the best for last. I never would have thought that I would be so obsessed and impressed with an R&B album until I heard this one. Lloyd is basically one of the strongest R&B singers out right now. I always just thought "Get It Shawty" was a pretty decent jam and I liked his chorus in "Bedrock" but this album knocked me on my ass. It came out of left field. I pretty much stumbled upon it, because I liked the second single, "Cupid" and decided to check out of the rest of the album. There isn't a song on this that doesn't completely impress me. The production, vocals and background instrumentals are so dynamic and unique on every track, it's such a treat listening to this album. There are a few radio smash hits like "Cupid" and "Lay It Down" which was the lead single. The song that stands out the most is "Dedication to My Ex" featuring Andre 3000. This is a perfect example of how Kanye brought soul back to hip hop. It's a soulful, hate song about betrayal that's been proclaimed as this year's "Fuck You" but it's so much better. Other great jams include "Be the One" which has Trey Songz and Young Jeezy. The bass breakdown in this song for Jeezy's verse is like opening a door to some serious rapping by this dude. It's absolutely perfect. "Bang!!!" is a hard hitting, bass-heavy jam buried deep in the album, sandwiched between the "Jigsaw" and "Be the One." I also like "Luv You Girl." Lloyd has perfected this certain type of fast, almost-rapping singing that's so prevalent in contemporary R&B and this album is an ode to it. If you want to hear really great pop R&B, get King of Hearts. It's probably some of the best music on the radio right now. So impressive. I also think Lloyd and Young Jeezy should exclusively make music together.

Lil Wayne - I Feel Like Dying

I believe this song was on one of Tha Carter III-era mixtapes, which in my opinion, are the absolute best mixtapes to ever grace hip hop. This song is so far ahead of its time. It's definitely Lil Wayne's best track. It details the dark life of drug addiction, with powerful lines like "I'm a prisoner locked up behind behind Xanax bars" show how deep Wayne's addiction really is. It makes me feel bad for him. My favorite line, and it's so fucked up, is "I feel like buying and if my dealer don't have no more, then I feel like dying." The haunting sample, coupled with Weezy's heart wrenching lyrics, makes this song so amazing. I do, however, want to play basketball on marijuana streets. I see no harm in that, honestly.

Remember When Lil B Could Rap?

Because I do. You might remember him from the Berkeley-based one-hit-wonder group, The Pack, that put out an ode to the titular skate shoe by completely ripping off N.E.R.D. I mean, I like this song. Pretty sure it came out when I was in 10th grade. I definitely listened to a lot while I wore my "punk rock shoes." Lil B has the first verse and he is YOUNG. Dude is my age and he was probably 16 in this video. Also, he could actually rap. I like his verse the most and I always have. I wish he wasn't too busy rapping about wearing "tiny shirts" and "tiny pants" and doing ridiculous songs with Soulja Boy (actually he can keep doing that.)

THE NBA IS BACK!!!

Everybody get up, it's time to slam now. We got a real jam going down. Welcome to the Space Jam. It's your chance, do your dance at the Space Jam, alright.

As a huge basketball fan, I am SO relieved that the NBA is officially out of lockout and there will be professional men's basketball on Christmas day. Thank you Jesus! Let's go Sixers, let's go Hornets.

Video Production Styles

I've noticed recently that with underground (I use that term incredibly lightly) hip hop, there's a certain type of viral, low-budget music video that goes along with the "singles" from mixtapes. The first people that come to mind are Soulja Boy, Kreayshawn and Lil B. I guess Odd Future too, but I don't waste my time watching their videos. Kreayshawn started out as a music video director, so that's why her videos are so well done. Soulja Boy puts out so many damn mixtapes like every other day and he pumps out videos just as frequently. I know he has a lot of money, but he can't possibly afford $1 million+ high production, Hype Williams-type videos. So he probably keeps around some dude (or girl, like Kreay, who has actually directed some of his stuff) who knows somewhat what they're doing and has a decent video camera.

Usually in these videos, the rapper is hanging out, smoking and kickin' it with their homies. With Soulja Boy, he brags a lot because he has A LOT of money so he's just showing off all his weed and jewelry and red iPhone (THEY DON'T EVEN MAKE A RED IPHONE). Soulja is also really good at lip syncing, I'm guessing from all the experience he's had making high budget music videos for his actual singles.

Since I watch these videos all the time, I am extremely interested in them. I'm a huge fan of DIY-music and videos go hand in hand with music, so it makes sense. I think these videos match their songs very well. I love mixtapes and to get singles and music videos from them is really awesome. Here are some examples:

Kreayshawn - Bumpin Bumpin 

Soulja Boy - Tear It Up 

Soulja Boy and Lil B - YGRN

Lil B- Wonton Soup

Soulja Boy - Bammer, Bammer, Bammer

Newest Soulja video. I like this song a lot. I'm surprised I haven't heard it because I have his newest mixtape, unless he JUST put one out. I'm usually up on this stuff. Anyway, not too sure why he's trying to skateboard when it's obvious he can't. I guess the whole streetwear thing has inspired him to skate. Whatever. Also, I like how he's the self-proclaimed "Twitter king." As far as musicians go and how they market their music and outreach to fans, I would have to agree. This song has a killer beat and is well produced, matched with excellent rhymes by Soulja Boy.

Side note: I watched the "Crank That" video and I have to say, he's come a long way from that.

get higher - JUICY J / U trippy mane - juicy j feat kreayshawn

I love this combo - Juicy J (Three Six Mafia, you know, an Oscar winner) and Kreayshawn. Amazeballs.

Machine Gun Kelly Ft. Dubo - Cleveland

I'm so obsessed with this white kid MGK. This song is awesome. He's one of the only white rappers I can even look at. Usually I hate white rappers, but this dude is good. I like that he reps Cleveland.

Lloyd - Girls Around The World ft. Lil Wayne

Lloyd had like 8 different hairstyles in this video. Must have taken like a week to film this week. Honestly I prefer him with short hair; he's really hot without long hair. Anyway, this is a dope song/video because Lloyd and Lil Wayne go well together. Hype Williams is such an amazing director, definitely gonna write about him soon.

Lloyd ft Lil' Wayne - You

Just think this is a really amazing song and I've been listening to it a lot lately. Pretty sure it's from like 2007 or 2008. The remix with Andre 3000 and Nas is unreal. I just love that combo of Lloyd, Lil Wayne, Andre 3000 and Nas. Also, it's 6am and I just wanna listen to some late 00s R&B and rap.

MGK - Wild Boy ft. Waka Flocka Flame

Never really listened to MGK before this, but he is honestly one of the only white rappers I can stand/actually like. He's a lot better than I expected. His rhythm and rhymes are perfectly coupled with the production of this song. Waka's verse in this song goes so hard, if you're not scared of him after watching this, you are not scared of anything. I also love that he reps Cleveland so hard, cause I used to live there. Word up.

MGK: Do you think you're a good rapper?

Waka: Fuck no!

AMAZEBALLS.

Soulja Boy - Weed and Chopped and Screwed

Soulja Boy - Weed and Chopped and Screwed

I decided to try to chop and screw "Weed and Shoes" by Soulja Boy and this is what it came out to be. I'm pretty happy with it. I think I might have slowed it down too much though; it's a little scurry.

Justin Bieber Exclusive Rap

This is Bieber rapping over the "Otis" beat. OBVIOUSLY, he's not freestyling, but he is actually decent. He's got some really great rhymes. I think he's good at rapping because he's good at singing (whatever, it's true). It's like how Justin Timberlake beat boxes and occasionally raps. I like this a lot.

Soulja Boy - Real Money (Cali Life)

"Pulling up in the car that I can't pronounce"

New Beezy song, I dig it a lot. He just bought the first 2012 Bentley 2012 coupe in America. Fuck with him, he has the most expensive and desired car in America right now.

Trey Songz - #LemmeHolDatBeat2

So, earlier this month, Trey Songz put out a new mixtape, #LemmeHolDatBeat2. I was skeptical about listening to it, because I listened to his last mixtape, Anticipation II and hated it. It was all slow R&B jams, but whatever, I'm hungover and I wanna listen to new music so I downloaded it from datpiff.com. Turns out, he raps and doesn't sing. Well, he sings a little bit (mostly backup vocals and choruses). I was REALLY surprised (I always say that, but it's true) by how good this mixtape is.

I really like the opening track "Jackin For Beats" and the "She Will" remix. Overall, it's a pretty nice little change of pace from the usual Trey Songz. I'm actually a huge Trigga fan, his newest album Passion, Pain & Pleasure is really good. I'm very pleased with this mixtape, glad I decidedly to listen to it today. 

[Side note: I got a Wordpress blog today -www.whitegirlrap.wordpress.com - and imported all these posts so I could easily transfer it to a real URL soon. Watch out for www.whitegirlrap.com soon!]

Lil Wayne - Paranormal Activity

Soulja Boy is really on top of his mixtape game, but he has nothing on Wayne. I've always been a huge Weezy fan, mostly because his mixtapes are absolutely amazing. Some of his best songs are from mixtapes. My favorites are Drought 3 and really the whole Dedication series. I just downloaded his new mixtape, Paranormal Activity and I'm pretty impressed so far.

I really like "Lite It Up" which is essentially a "Racks" (from Sorry 4 The Wait) and "Sure Thing" remix. It's really trippy listening to it on my headphones. He keeps saying "acid trip" and it pans from left to right. I may have just hallucinated. If anyone knows about drugs, it's Lil Wayne.

I also like the song with Game and Tyler, the Creator "Martians Vs. Goblins" and the song with Birdman and Nicki Minaj "YU Mad." I've heard that on the radio a lot, which is funny because it's off a mixtape (unless it's on Baby or Nicki's albums but I don't think so).

I need to listen to the rest of this tape to really develop an opinion on it, but so far it's pretty decent. I love Lil Wayne and his mixtapes are always generally good. It's his albums and his stupid shit with Young Money that sucks.

Childish Gambino - Camp

I've heard a lot of good (and bad) things about Donald Glover, the Community actor/occasional rapper under the pseudonym "Childish Gambino." So, I decided to give his new album Camp a try. So far, it's pretty good. One of his lines is "the only black kid at a Sufjan concert" which upset me because I really hope this dude isn't another Odd Future-type lame-o, but it seems like he might be. I'm very impressed by "Bonfire" and "Outside" however. His rhymes are fresh and innovative, but he's not that hard, obviously. He has a degree in writing from NYU, I mean, come on.

I'm still very skeptical about this kid. I just read that he isn't actually Danny Glover's son, so I don't like him as much as I thought I would. Just kidding, but I'll just have to see what else he does and listen to the rest of this album. I'm weirded out by his Casey Anthony reference in "Bonfire" but I like it? It fits well.

This guy...no not really

THIS guy. He's a cutie too. 

Wiz Khalifa - Kush & OJ

I don't think there's any other album that's more chill than Kush & OJ. You might remember this mixtape from back in 2010 when Wiz Khalifa could actually rap. I love the following songs:

• That Kid Frankie- great Loose Ends sample and just an overall great dance jam. 
• In the Cut- if you smoke weed, this is the best song to roll an EZ Wider and burn to. So damn chill.
• Never Been- the beat is so haunting and dope.
• Still Blazin'- another great smoking song.
• Spotlight- just good.
• Visions- great sample.

Anyway, can't remember why I started listening to this mixtape. It was the soundtrack to my winter break last year. I wish Wiz Khalifa wasn't lame as fuck now. He used to be mad decent. Everything's better when you're high. 

The Weeknd - The Morning

Heard this song in Soulja Boy's newest video where he's blasting it in his brand new convertible Rolls Royce. This song is sOoOoOoOo good omg! It sounds like Miguel and the beat is sick. It's amazing. Found my new jam. I wish I had an expensive car with a dope system so I could blast this jam.

Kanye West - Through The Wire

I just wrote about Kanye and now I'm revisiting some of his great jams like this one. He recorded it when his mouth was wired shut. Honestly, I like him with his mouth wired shut so he doesn't say dumb ass shit and only raps well. Ye was primarily known for his work with Jay-Z on The Dynasty and The Blueprint so that's why his accident was on MTV. I love the line "Thank God I'm not too cool for the safe belt" and "I looked like Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky." Kanye is such an amazing producer that, even still, everything he makes is solid fucking gold. Definitely one of my favorite producers of all time.

Brandy - Talk About Our Love (Ft. Kanye West)

This is a great song that I remember loving in middle or high school. Brandy and Kanye West sounded great together, when Yeezy could actually rap. Miss those days. He was one of the best and most popular rappers when I was in high school. Definitely a big part of my music taste back then.

The R.E.D. Album

The Game released The R.E.D. Album this past August and for some strange reason, this weekend was the first time I decided to listen to it. I guess maybe because I don't really like The Game. I think he talks a lot of shit and is not that good of a rapper. I always considered him the weakest member of G-Unit (why the FUCK is a West Coast rapper in an East Coast group?? Mysteries of the universe.) but I really, really like this album. It has some amazing tracks and is an overall great album. Definitely added it to my best albums of 2011 list. Here are the reasons I like this album so much:

• There's a very diverse list of guest rappers. Everyone from Lil Wayne to Lloyd to Tyler, The Creator to Young Jeezy to Dr. Dre to Kendrick Lamar to Snoop Dogg to Chris Brown to Big Boi to E-40 to Nelly Furtado. Wow, what a group of great musicians. There's no G-Unit appearances, though, which I find odd.
• The Game seems to have gotten a lot better at rapping. He's actually pretty decent and very hood. 
• It's got a dynamic sound that melds all the styles of the above musicians and of course Game's West Coast flavor. The track with Tyler sounds very Odd Future-y. The Jeezy track sounds straight out of Atlanta. 
• The best track, in my opinion, is "Paramedic" featuring Young Jeezy. 
• Jeezy and Game are GREAT together. They're both so hood and good.
• This song goes SO hard. So so so hood.
• The guitar-sounding synth sample is amazing.
• The beat is so fat, but is drowned out by the synth, in a good way.

Overall, it's a fantastic album. I highly suggest listening to it. Stupid Spotify only has the edited version so I might have to buy the actual album. 

It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp

There's no secret that hip hop has been objectifying women since the beginning. After talking with my roommate about prostitution and sex slaves, I realized that rap music sensationalizes and promotes prostitution and pimping. No, it's not hard out here for a pimp. Whatever, I'm white and I don't understand the socio-economic implications of the inner-city and the lack of education that leads to this way of life. I'm reading a book about being poor and black in the inner-city and it says that young black men sell drugs and dress sharply and hang out on the corners because it's part of their culture. The author blames black culture for the reason why crime and prostitution and unwed mothers in the inner-cities of America. I don't think rappers should write about being a pimp ("Big Pimpin" etc), but again, I can't connect with their lifestyle. This book I'm reading is really interesting. This is something I'm pretty interested in, so I'll probably write about it more in detail but I wanted to put in my two cents. One.

No Professional Basketball This Year

Billboard featured a list of songs about basketball in honor of this week's announcement that the NBA players and the association couldn't come to an agreement. As a huge basketball fan, I'm very upset. It's the only professional sport I keep up with these days. Anyway, these songs are great. Maybe people will pay attention to the WNBA and Sheryl Swoopes will save basketball for America! I sure hope so. College basketball will have to suffice; I always loved March.

Wale - Lotus Flower Bomb ft. Miguel

I usually don't like Wale (who I like to call "Whale") but this song's beat is just so dope. Plus, Miguel's voice is perfect with the slow beat. The fast-paced synths are a perfect touch with this song. I could listen to this song all day. What a jam.

Soulja Boy Mixtapes This Week

This past Sunday, Soulja Boy released three new mixtapes: one with Waka Flocka Flame (Ocean Mobb), one with Lil B (Pretty Boy Shit) and a solo one (Swag on Deck). I can't decide which one is my favorite, probably Ocean Mobb.

I love the rap duo of Soulja Boy and Waka, coupled with a few verses from Lil B. I guess they're in a new rap group called the Ocean Mobb. I dig it. I can't believe how much free music Soulja Boy puts out. All the fucking time, he puts out a new mixtape or three a month. I love that he put out three fucking mixtapes in ONE DAY. This dude is one of the hardest working rappers in the game right now. Download these mixtapes and search Soulja Boy and click "most recent."

Lil B also released a new mixtape this week that I talked about yesterday or the day before. It's good, but shocking.

I love this underground, DIY style of rap that Soulja Boy is currently the king of. Keep an ear out for the next mixtape from Soulja.

Tyler, The Creator ft. Frank Ocean - She

I hate Odd Future and that's no secret, but I LOVE Frank Ocean. First of all, he's from New Orleans! Second, he sings and only raps a little bit. His rapping isn't as horrific and mundane as the rest of those stupid twerps in OF and his singing voice is really good. This video is creepy though, I'd shit myself if Tyler, The Creator was in my bedroom with black contacts and a ski mask. But his Supreme sweatshirt is DOPE. 

Lil B

I've been listening to a newcomer from Berkeley, Ca named Lil B. You may know him from the short-lived one hit wonder group, The Pack, known for their song "Vans" (an ode to the classic skate shoe). Lil B is like the west coast Gucci Mane or Soulja Boy. He's part of Stacks On Deck Money Gang (SODMG) and often raps with Soulja Boy. I like him a lot, besides his "BASEDGOD" obsession/whatever you call it. I don't get the word "based," I think it means "swag" but who knows. I need to brush up on my ebonics.

A few months ago, Lil B released his album, "I'm Gay (I'm Happy)" supposedly to show support for the LGBT community. This was met by much chagrin by the rap community. He was forced to add the "I'm Happy" part to it. He says he's not gay, so I believe him.

 He just put out a new song called "I GOT AIDS" which freaks me out. Lil B is really shocking; he doesn't have AIDS, but again it's for AIDS awareness. Check it out, it's not too bad, but it's shocking:

DJ Drama feat. Fabolous, Wiz Khalifa & Roscoe Dash- Oh My

This song came out last May, but for some reason I'm just hearing it? I like it. As much as Wiz Khalifa sucks now (he used to be SO good, but his new album is turrible), this song is pretty good. I LOVE Fabolous and Roscoe Dash always adds spice and radio playability to a song. DJ Drama is such a sick producer, known best for his work with T.I. and Lil Wayne, I might write something about him. OH WAIT, I have heard this song before. I remember seeing this video on MTV Jams the other week when I was in Houston visiting my Dad. He didn't like it, but I did. Plus Wiz Khalifa has great style, I love his hats. Anyway, keep an eye out for my post about Drama.

50 TYSON - "ICY"

I thought this guy was a joke when my friend showed this to me once and I just watched a 2010 interview with Soulja Boy (by DJ Drama, btw) and he said he was "looking into" 50 Tyson. Are you serious???

Soulja Boy Diary Video

I love this. I love behind the scenes videos like this. Plus, he's in the studio with fucking Waka Flocka Flame. I hope this is for his new mixtape. Also, I would pay probably 80 million dollars to hang out and smoke blunts with these dudes!!

Chris Brown feat. Tyga - Holla At Me

Ok, I spoke too soon about Chris Brown's rapping. This song is actually really good and Breezy's rapping isn't as cringe-worthy as it is in "Snapbacks Back." I like these two together. Tyga's not a bad rapper. Plus this video came out a year and a half ago and it has almost 24 million damn views. Jesus H. Christ. Great song.

Tyga - Snapbacks Back feat Chris Brown

First of all, Tyga and Chris Brown definitely did not bring snapbacks back. A lot of rappers, including Soulja Boy, did. This is a really good song. Tyga's surprisingly not that bad. This is also a song where Chris Brown raps, not sings. Oh man. Personally, I think he sounds like what Tommy Pickles would sound like if he rapped. I laughed out loud when I first heard it. Who does he think he is? He sounds like B-Rad from Malibu's Most Wanted. Beside's Breezy's horrific rapping, this is a good song that remixes an oft-remixed song. Well done, Tyga. Chris, go back to singing puh-lease.

Big Sean ft. Nicki Minaj Dance (A$$)

Well, I think we finally have the "Thong Song" of the 2010s. "Dance (A$$)" is a hilarious tribute to womens' asses. It's really great actually. The "Hammertime" sample is perfect with the comedic rap that Big Sean's got with this song. Nicki's verse in this song is also great: "Kiss my ass and my anus, cause I'm finally famous" which is a tribute to Big Sean's debut album, Finally Famous. 

The video is a little ridiculous though. I could have had a lot less asses bouncing around, but I guess the song is called Ass after all. I like Big Sean's line about Pootie Tang, especially since I recently watched it, great film. I like when Nicki Minaj is bent over Big Sean and he's just got his arms out like "whatever" :

Basically, this song is retarded, but good. One of my favorite jams of the year. Props to Big Sean, I'm slowly warming up to him as a rapper. 

Polow da Don

A few posts ago, I talked about appreciating the producer of a rap or R&B song (I think it was The-Dream post). Polow da Don is one of my favorite producers. He's a low key type of guy, but he knows how to make a smash hit.

Some of my favorite songs that he's made:

• Back to the Crib by Juelz Santana ft. Chris Brown
• Spotlight by Gucci Mane ft. Usher
• Dedication to My Ex by Lloyd ft. Andre 3000 and Lil Wayne
• John by Lil Wayne ft. Rick Ross
• Lil Freak by Usher ft. Nicki Minaj
• Love In This Club by Usher

He mostly works with Usher and Lloyd and other Atlanta artists. He's so good. He always makes great radio hits. 

The Original Street Poet

Nas. I don't even need to write this (but I will) because everyone should be legally obligated to listen to and appreciate Nasir Jones. He's so important, so so important. I probably can't even put it into words how much he means to hip hop and all of music, but I'll attempt it.

Illmatic came out in 1994 and blew out all competition out of the water. It was released one month after Biggie Smalls died and it was exactly what east coast rap needed. Some new kid from Queens exploded on the scene and gave the east coast back what they had lost with Biggie. "Life's A Bitch" is a heartfelt ode to the streets where Nas grew up. "Halftime" features a typical 90s beat matched with real lyrics. This album is so important. I really can't say that enough. It's one of the best rap albums of all time and I am NOT the only one who believes that.

It Was Written was released in 1996 and was the beginning of his long feud with Jay-Z. I like this album a little bit better than Illmatic but only because one of my favorite hip hop songs of all time, "If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)" featuring Lauryn Hill). "Imagine smoking weed in the street without cops harassing" - SUCH A GREAT LINE. I really connected with that line and the whole song.

I could go on and on about Nas. I loved his album with Damien Marley, Distant Relatives. "As We Enter" is such a jam. His newest song "Nasty" is so good and it proves that he hasn't changed or gotten bad over the years. This is such a dope 90s-inspired jam. Original street poet. He is hands down my favorite rapper of all time. Nas is just the best.

ASAP Rocky

So, my brother recently told me to download newcomer ASAP Rocky's most recent mixtape, Live Love ASAP. I've heard "Peso" on a mixtape I downloaded from a blog this past summer. I listened to his new mixtape and I like it but I have a few notes on it:

• Clams Casino is a great producer. I've heard of him before because of his work with Lil B. He's great. His haunting, slow beats and steady bass make for a great platform for ASAP Rocky to rap. 
• That said, some of the songs sound like Odd Future songs. Honestly, besides OF's pedestrian and trite rhymes, their beats are pretty dope. So I guess that's a good thing?
• ASAP sounds like Wiz Khalifa. I mean, he says "rollin doobies up in the cut." That should be copyrighted by Wiz.
• I like the Jamaican/Reggae beat coupled with high bell-sounding synths in this song. 
• Some of the songs, including "Purple Swag" shoutsout Mike Jones, DJ Screw and other H-Town rappers. That's good of him to pay homage to the greats on this chopped and screwed track. 
• I think this is a great mixtape. I've been listening to it all weekend. ASAP Rocky is gonna blow up soon, probably later this year or in 2012. I'm calling it here folks.

Download Live Love ASAP. I think it's on DatPiff, so go cop it. 

Atlanta

Just found out I'm going to Atlanta next weekend and I couldn't be more excited. I went to Houston a few weeks ago and both of those cities are really fun for a rap fan, like myself.

I'm pretty sure I've said it before, but I really believe Atlanta, Ga. is the hip hop mecca. I could name like 15+ rap superstars that call ATL home. It's a perfect mix of metropolitan/city and dirty southern rap. I'm gonna list a bunch of my favorite rappers and talk about why they make Atlanta so great.

• Outkast - I wrote about them recently and I really can't say enough good things about them. They really encompass everything that Atlanta stands for.
• Soulja Boy - obviously. 
• Lloyd - I think I wrote about him, but I can't remember. He's one of my favorite R&B singers of all time and he's got one of the best albums of the year. 
• Young Jeezy - also wrote about him and he's definitely one of my favorite rappers of all time.
• The-Dream - do you see a trend? I mostly write about rappers and R&B singers/producers from ATL. He's a great producer and reps the A hard.  
• T.I. - definitely one of my favorite rappers of all time. He's just so influential and inspirational. I love everything that he stands for. 
• Dem Franchize Boyz - hilarious. They filmed "Talkin' Out the Side of Your Neck" at my friend's high school (Grady HS). 
• Ying Yang Twins - also hilarious. I love them.

I'm sure there's A LOT more, but this is what I could come up with. I stay on that FILA - Forever I Love Atlanta. 

KREAYSHAWN GOT COMPETITION WHITE GIRL RAPPING

Dude, this chick goes hard. Fuck yeah, turns out white girls CAN RAP. Plus she can sing really well. This surprised me. I thought it was just gonna be some triflin' ass ho who just wanted to challenge Kreayshawn. I don't know who this is, but I'd love to listen to more of her stuff.

Kreayshawn - Rum & Coke

New Kreayshawn song. I like the electro feel of it. Modern pop rap is very electronic and I'm not sure what I think of it. This song is a like a harder version of a DEV or Cataracs song. I'm excited for her new album. She has a song called "Left Eye" about burning down her boyfriend's house which is pretty funny. She's like a humor rapper, like Biz Markie or Weird Al. I gotta be careful about my rap comparisons because I got in trouble for saying that Odd Future was like a lame, teen version of 2 Live Crew. Whatever, it's all shock rap.

Book Idea

So I have this idea for a book that I want to write before I'm 30 (8 short years away, yikes) and I kind of stole it from this book I read in high school, but mine will be way different. I want to travel across America and visit cities that have well-known, but out of place music scenes. Places like Omaha, Neb. and Athens, Ga. Also bigger cities like Seattle, New Orleans, Atlanta and Minneapolis. I want to learn more about their music scenes (not necessarily rap, but that will be a big part of it.) Here's my long list; I probably won't be able to do all these cities so it's pretty ambitious:

Omaha, NE
Southern California (Orange County)
Athens, GA
Phoenix, AZ
San Francisco/Oakland/Bay Area, CA
Atlanta, GA
Philadelphia/Southern Jersey
Long Island
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Austin, TX
Memphis, TN
Nashville, TN
New Orleans, LA
Mississippi
Minneapolis, MN
Seattle, WA
Portland, OR
Cleveland, OH
Detroit, MI
Boston, MA
Alabama
Branson, MO
Virginia Beach/other parts, VA (Chris Brown, Clipse, Pharrell)

So I need to start visiting these places, like yesterday. It's an ambitious goal, but I'm committed. 

Tha Carter III

I was wondering if there's any album as perfect as Tha Carter III. This was Lil Wayne's much anticipated breakthrough album which was one of the best in 2008. God, what an album. For a rapper who had been in the game 10 years and who had released marginal hits every now and then and who put out hundreds of mixtapes, this album was far from what we were used to from Lil Wayne. This is also the last album where Lil Wayne is good. I don't know how else to put it, but it has some phenomenal rapping, but it was the beginning of Wayne's downfall. Shortly after, he fully assembled and introduced Young Money (*shudder* I hate Young Money). I'd like to blame Drake for ruining Lil Wayne. He's like Jay-Z; he's still amazingly dope, but he just can't rap as well as he used to. 

I recently re-listened to this album after reading and writing about Jim Jonsin, who produced "Lollipop" which was one of the first times we heard a non-T-Pain rapper using Auto-Tune. I had a friend in high school who had a really nice car with a bumpin' system and he would listen to this song a lot and I can remember how my brain shook after the heavy bass in this song rocked my head. Jonsin knows how to work with bass. "A Milli" which was the album's second single, is a steady badass rap similar to Lil Wayne's mixtape style. This song goes hard. "Let the Beat Build" uses an old soul sample and has some great rhymes mixed with a steady background vocal track, a piano track and a rolling drum clap. I almost wrote "this song has a Kanye West-esque soul sample" then I realized that he produced it. I like the matchup of Wayne and Kanye, honestly. They go well together. "Tie My Hands" featuring Robin Thicke is a sad reminder of Hurricane Katrina that had devastated Wayne's (and my) city three years prior to this album. "Phone Home" introduces Lil Wayne's weird, promethezine-fueled hallucinations of alien life. He believes he's a martian, what a nutcase. The beat in this song is sick, though. My favorite track hands down, is the hardest one: "You Ain't Got Nuthin'" featuring Fabolous and Juelz Santana. What a great trio of rappers, wow. It's just an amazing song. "La La" featuring Busta Rhymes and Brisco is pretty good, but not the best. The weakest song on the album is "Mrs Officer." I just never got into it.

This album is just so important. It made Lil Wayne the superstar he is now. I have such an emotional attachment to this album. It's definitely one of my favorites of all time. 

Outkast

I don't think there's any other hip hop group that is so universally popular and loved by pretty much everybody besides Outkast. I always say it's unpatriotic to not like Outkast. They've been putting out records for almost 20 years and have had smash hits such as "Hey Ya" and "Ms. Jackson" and others. I can't really explain why they're so good, but somehow they are.

About six months ago, I interviewed Big Boi. It was probably the most amazing 25 minutes of my life. He is so damn cool and smart. He said some really hilarious things, including quoting his own songs ("we're the coolest motherfunkers on the planet" and "you're only as funky as your last cut") and called me baby.

Basically, every album before Idlewild is my favorite. I love ATLiens so much, though, because it's such an important 1990s Atlanta rap album. Outkast is legendary and I hope they put out another album soon. Big Boi wouldn't tell me if they were going to do that, but I bet they will. Andre 3000 is too busy being on every popular rap and R&B song ever and Big Boi is doing whatever the hell he wants to. They're the coolest.

My Music Taste

I wanted to explain my music taste, but I wanted to wait til I wrote more before I wrote this post. Tonight, someone said something really hurtful to me that I've heard before and I'll always hear it - "you don't know anything about music." I know, I say a lot of outrageous things and I like ridiculous music, but so what? I don't know how people have the nerve to say shit like to me. It's the most hurtful thing anybody can say to me because it really is my bread and butter.

Here's the deal. I grew up on a lot of different music. My parents loved Bob Marley, Prince and a bunch of other stuff. The classics, etc. I learned how to read by looking at CD liner notes. My mom thought I was weird and socially inept because I'd become obsessed with music, like when I lived and breathed Tragic Kingdom when I was six years old. I was a six year old Gwen Stefani wannabe. No Doubt was my first favorite band. I was in middle school when I first started listening to obscure stuff, like Morrissey and Radiohead. What 12 year old do you know that listens to Morrissey? I went through a brief punk/hardcore phase from ages 12-15. When I was 15, I started listening to pop punk and emo. Throughout high school, I was very into the local and national pop punk scene and went to shows almost every weekend. I went to Warped Tour every summer during high school. During this time, I also was listening to rap such as Clipse, Lil Wayne, Outkast, etc. I never admitted it, but I loved hip hop and pop music. In college when I moved to New Orleans, I abandoned my pop punk roots and started listening to indie (hello, college) and more rap and pop. Time went by and now I mainly listen to hip hop these days. I still actively listen to everything I used to love.

I never claim to be a music expert, but I do know a little bit about it. I read a lot and try to keep my finger on the pulse of the music industry. If you wanna challenge me, that's fine. I'm a writer and I'll always be hurt by editors and critics. It's cool, I knew this all along. But please, don't be so harsh. It makes me want to seek a different career, but I really don't want to.

Soulja Boy - Ocean Mobb Feat. Waka Flocka

New Soulja Boy and Waka. It's pretty good. I think they're putting out a mixtape sometime soon, probably around the time BAYTL comes out. Decemburrr is going to be a stellar month, music wise.

Drake - Take Care

So Drake's new album, Take Care, leaked out this week and I may or may not have been listening to it. Ok, here's the deal. I fucking hate Drake. I don't think a Canadian child star from my favorite teen drama from the early 00s has any business rapping with Young Money for God's sake. The only street cred Drake has is his character on Degrassi got shot and was forced to use a wheelchair. It really bothers me that he tries to sound like Lil Wayne and that he's hugely successful.

BUT, I heard Take Care is supposed to be one of the best albums of the year. So I decided to give it a try, plus I like his songs that have been on the radio ("Headlines" is surprisingly good, I love the building beat). It's pretty damn good. "The Real Her" is a slow jam where Drake sounds like R. Kelly. I've always said I like him better as a singer than a rapper. Plus Andre 3000 is in this song and he's always amazing. Lil Wayne is still kind of a shitty rapper, but he's always entertaining, I guess. My favorite song off this album is "Make Me Proud." Oh my God, this song is REALLY good. I was so surprised. The descending beat matched with a heart thumping bass line and fast paced synths. Drake's rapping is also not cringe-worthy. I kind of like him now. Nicki Minaj on this track is dope too. She's pretty great. I like the line in "Headlines" that's like "I had someone tell me I fell off, ooh I needed that. And they wanna see me pick back up well I leave it at."I don't know why, but I feel like that's a great line.

Overall, no I won't be buying this album. Maybe, but probably not. I'll listen to it on Spotify though. I pay $10 a month for Spotify premium, so whatever. It's good and I like it. Good job Drake. It is definitely a part of my best of 2011 list.

But this is still what I picture when I think of Drake:

(Yes, his shirt says "I got five on it" Hilarious)

The-Dream

Behind every great pop and rap song is a great producer. I really have a great deal of appreciation for good production quality on a song. I love to know who produces my favorite jams.

After writing about Jim Jonsin, I decided to think about hip hop and R&B producers. One of my favorites is Terius Nash, aka The-Dream. You may know him from "Umbrella" by Rihanna, "Single Ladies" by Beyonce "Bed" by J.Holiday and his three solo R&B albums.

He's from Atlanta, and I personally think ATL is the rap mecca (I'm sure I'll write about it soon). He has this incredibly unique style of fast paced drum beats, trumpet/brass sounding synths and just the right amount of Auto-Tune.

He recently put out 1977 under his real name, Terius Nash and it's fucking sick. I love the main single, "Ghetto" featuring Big Sean. ATL rap is typically slowed way down, but more synthed up than Houston rap. It's not really chopped and screwed, but it's slow. That's what Ghetto is, slow as hell. But in a really good way. I'm also slowly warming up to Big Sean as a rapper, I like his verse in this song. He's so dirty and real. BUT I will say, I hate that he says "B-I-G", I think it's a little disrespectful to Biggie, but whatever. Dream's heartfelt "1977" and "Wish You Were Mine"songs are probably about his ex-wife, Grammy award winning singer/songwriter, Christina Millian. (Side note- what an R&B power couple, RIP to their relationship). They mesmerize the listener with the deep and heavy bass coupled with high synths. His voice is so high and beautiful that it matches perfectly with his also perfect production style. I couldn't say enough nice things about The-Dream. I'm just a huge fan and 1977 is one of my favorite albums of the year. "Rolex Music" introduces a new singer named Casha and is a great song that I think would be a perfect radio hit. "This Shit Real N*gga"featuring Pharrell is a great matchup of two genius producers. Wow, what a great duo. I always love when Pharrell raps. "Used To Be" is an emotional and angry tribute to an ex that makes reference to "Run the World" by Beyonce that Dream produced. He likes to shout out his songs (He wrote "Baby" by Justin Bieber and sings the chorus in "Florida University" from his last solo album).

Download this album, it's free. It's so good.

The Diplomats

If you've never listened to Dipset (which if you haven't, you should be jailed indefinitely. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?), this song is a good intro. Kanye West once said, "Dipset is so important." It's true, they talked shit about him and all Kanye said was, "I don't get it. I love Dipset. Dipset is so important." I guess, sometimes you gotta bow down to the greatest.

There is no better combination of rappers than Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Cam'ron (and Freaky, I guess). All of their mixtapes and albums are amazing. They have some of my favorite rap songs of all time. Here's one of them: 

They put out this song when they got back together. They're one of the best rap groups of all time. I'll write more about my favorite rap groups, but Dipset is up there with Outkast and Clipse. Dipset, dipset, dipset, dipset, dipset, dipset. 

Jim Jonsin

Lollipop. Whatever You Like. Kiss Me Thru The Phone. Grind With Me. Show Stopper. Sweet Dreams. Motivation.

All these songs were produced by a dude that looks like he belongs on LA Ink or in Tiger Army or another psychobilly band. He does not look like your typical iced out hip hop producer. But this dude. This dude knows how to make a hit.

His heart stopping bass beats, coupled with the perfect match of Auto-Tune and synths, are the perfect components of a radio hit. A few months ago, I was reading in The Source about Jim Jonsin and how he was the producer who is responsible for Lil Wayne's smash hit, "Lollipop" which practically made both of them zillionaires. What a song. I have such an attachment to that song and Lil Wayne in general. Then they showed a picture him. This guy looks like a typical, bald, tatted up California biker or tattoo artist. You would never guess that he makes dope jams like "Whatever You Like" which is so basically good and is everything that a modern pop rap song should be.

He also used to produce bass records for Slip N' Slide Records in Miami and produced a lot of Trina and Trick Daddy tracks. DUDE IS SO COOL.

I'd love to meet Jim Jonsin, because I feel like he's the male version of me.

Gucci Mane & V-Nasty - "Whip Appeal"

This song marks the beginning of one of my favorite collabos in rap history - Bricksquad and White Girl Mob. I've been waiting for this song since I first heard Kreayshawn and V-Nasty. I hope Kreay and Waka will collabo next, but he's too busy fucking around with that lame-o Tyler, the Creator.

"Whip Appeal" is a ghetto ass track about cars. Both these rappers are hard as fuck. They're both in and out of jail for assault and robbery (as well as other miscellaneous charges like guns and drugs). Free Gucci, Free V-Nasty.

This joint album/mixtape is coming out in Decemburrr. I can't wait. BAYTL.

It's Expensive Being an Audiophile

I took this class last year called "Legal Issues in the Music Industry" and it was all about copyright law. It sucked, but the teacher was super cool. Most of the music industry teachers at my school are really cool and they all Grammys and stuff. He showed us a picture of his home stereo and it was sick. Huge ass speakers and a dope looking receiver. He said "One day, you'll be able to afford a stereo like mine." I really liked that, because he was an entertainment lawyer and obviously had a lot of money and only taught for fun. This dude was teaching us how to be successful in the music industry so we can make enough money and buy something that benefits our business.

I'm taking this music technology class and we had to buy professional, studio monitor headphones. These (above pictured) cost me (my parents) $100. What, you think I'm gonna buy something for school? But these are SO much better than a stupid textbook. I listen with them everyday when I walk to school. I love the walk from my house to campus because it takes about 10 minutes which is enough for about 3 songs on my sweet headphones.

If you love music and you can, buy good stereo equipment. You should do the music you're listening to justice by listening to it on quality equipment.

Miguel

When I wrote my post about R&B, I completely forgot about Miguel. So I decided to write a whole post about him because he's really one of the best new artists of 2010/2011. His album, All I Want Is You, was released last November. Most of his singles have been released this year though, starting with the titular "All I Want Is You" featuring J. Cole late last year. "Sure Thing" is truly the best song on the album. It's a heartfelt ballad about professing love to a recent ex. I read that he wrote it for his girlfriend that he cheated on, and she took him back. Wow, you know that's a good song then. "Quickie" is the album's third single and it's about...well, a quickie. I mean, yeah it's a little ridiculous, but it's beautifully arranged with a strong chorus and lingering verses. "Girls Like You" is a dramatic tune about being reminded of the one you love in other people at other places. I love the line "Cause my heart beats on empty, so once in a while girls like you remind me that I'm lonely." Wow, what a line. It gets me every single time. He's just so emotional and true to his lyrics. His voice is so endearing and haunting. The video has drastic, 80s style lighting and the movement is insane. It's one of my favorites of the album, but "Sure Thing" is such a fucking jam. I'm really glad Spotify doesn't show play count, because I'm sure that I've listened to that song at least 80,000 times. Go get this album, it's my #3 favorite album of 2011.

Soulja Boy - The Best

This is a great song from the beginning of 2010 when Soulja Boy started to get really good. This is basically him telling all his haters to fuck off because he's "the best." I don't really agree, but this song is so damn good.

THAT SHIT KREAY

(That's me and Kreayshawn)

I know I rag on white rap, but Kreayshawn is honestly the first white rapper I like. She's ridiculous, but she can actually rhyme and whoever produces her stuff is not so bad. "Gucci Gucci" was one of my summer jams and I still listen to it. "Bumpin Bumpin" off of her first mixtape, Kittys x Choppas, is a good dance jam. The whole mixtape is whatever; she likes to speed up her voice so it's really annoying. I can't wait for her new album/mixtape. I'm a huge fan of her rap group, White Girl Mob, I want to join it. V-Nasty is one badass bitch. I wish I could rap so I could be DJ Cold Cuts in WGM. 

Jeezy

I love Atlanta rap. When I think ATL, I think Outkast, The-Dream and Young Jeezy. (Plus a slew of others - DFB, Soulja Boy, Usher, Gucci Mane, etc). He's so damn hood and his rhymes go so hard. I've been listening to his 10.25 since it came out last month. I love his remix of "A$$ (Dance)" by Big Sean, but mostly because I love that song in general. I also like "Tony Montana." Man, that song goes really really hard.

The Recession is most definitely one of my favorite rap albums of all time. If I was stranded on an island and I could only bring one CD, I'd bring this one. "My President" featuring Nas makes me eyes water every single time I hear it. As an Obama supporter through and through, this song gets me pumped for the next election. We need to win it, we need to. I think the president should use this song as his campaign song. I love his line "buy all these school clothes, for some strange reason my son addicted to Polos."And dude, Nas. I love his first line "history, black history, no president ever did shit for me."What a fucking great matchup.

All of his albums are great. I can't wait for his new one which should be coming out soon.

Aaliyah

Aaliyah died too soon, I think we can all agree on that. She was one of the best R&B singers of the 1990s and can be credited with redefining hip hop and R&B while she was alive. Her production and singing style, coupled with the hip hop influences and rapper appearances in her songs, changed the music industry. She was only 22 when she died in a plane crash. What a fucking shame. Such wasted talent. She's definitely one of the most important R&B singers of all time. You can't talk about contemporary R&B without mentioning Aaliyah. Wikipedia says (and I agree), Aaliyah provided a "missing link" between hip hop and electronica. With sales of 8.1 million albums in the United States and an estimated 24 to 32 million albums worldwide,Aaliyah has been named the "Princess of R&B" and "Queen Of Urban Pop" and "proved she was a muse in her own right". Ernest Hardy of Rolling Stone dubbed her as the "undisputed queen of the midtempo come-on". She is the definition of "gone too soon" and "only the good ones die young." Rest in peace, Aaliyah. 

Jay-Z - Girls, Girls, Girls

At about 1:10 is my favorite part in that song. I love the Tom Brock sample. Jigga killed it on this one. Read my post about him if you wanna know my true feelings.

Lil B - Black And White

Another Lil B video. I like this one a lot too.

Lil B - Dopeman Hunter (VIDEO)

Lil B has a similar viral music video approach to his mixtapes that Soulja Boy does. I heard this song this summer on a Bay Area mixtape and I liked it. This video is whatever, but I like it too.

R&B I Like

Ok, so I really like R&B. I've been listening to it all my life (oldies and current) and I'm a huge fan. There's some really amazing R&B singers out there. Every time you listen to the radio, you hear a great R&B jam. Here are my current favorites (in no particular order):

• Lloyd- His first single "Get It Shawty" is a certified dance song. I've heard it at many bars and parties and it's great. What really caught my attention was his chorus in Young Money's "Bedrock" which, despite some of the rappers on that song, is really good. Everyone should listen to Lloyd's remix on his Lloyd & Friends mixtape (www.datpiff.com, search for Lloyd&Friends), which is a dope mixtape in the first place. He gets a couple of verses, which he kills (one line I love - "beat it up like an ultimate fighter). His new album, King of Hearts, is my #1 favorite album of 2011. I really wish I could put into words how fucking amazing this album is. Best R&B album in 10 years, I gurantee it. There are some kind of lame slow jams, but hey, it's R&B. There are some serious jams on that album. I like "Dedication to My Ex" featuring Andre 3000, which some people are calling the "Fuck You" of 2011, but I think it's a lot better. Also, "Luv Me Girl" featuring Chris Brown "Bang!!!" and "Be the One" featuring Trey Songz and Jeezy. Every song is pretty great. Go out and get it, I'm serious when I say it's the best album of 2011. So damn good.
• Chris Brown- I want to hate him so so so bad because he's a fucking terrible person, but he's just so good. Really every one of his singles this year have been hits. He's very radio friendly and that voice is so undeniably good. He should burn in hell though, but he's still a talented musician. 
• Trey Songz- "Can't Be Friends" is a sad reminder of ruined friendships and "Bottoms Up" and "Say Aah" are great radio jams. He's good. 
• Beyonce - She's just the best. 4 is the second best album of 2011. I can't wait until her super child with Jay-Z is born. It's going to be the baddest, best looking, talented singer/rapper of all time. Cannot wait. 

That's my list. I'm sure there are others. 

If I Ruled the World

"If I Ruled the World" from Nas's It Was Written is one of my favorite hip hop/general songs of all time. Honestly, I think It Was Written is a much better album than the quintessential Nas album Illmatic but that's beside the point. This song has the best opening line "Imagine smoking weed in the streets without cops harrassing." I first heard this song in high school and I considered myself a rebel who smoked a lot of weed and always got fucked with by the local, small town cops. I was like "yeah! fuck those pigs! Nasir!" The song interpolates  "Walk Right Up To The Sun" by The Delfonics, which is pretty cool. I just wanted to shout out to this song because it's amazing. 

My Favorite Movie

Belly. It came out in 1998 and stars Nas, DMX, and T-Boz from TLC. Categorized as a "hood classic" (which it absolutely is), but I consider it an important crime drama/film noir that shows a wide range of audiences the socio-economic conditions of the ghetto of New York City in the 1990s and the powerful drug trade. Believe it or not, Nas is a phenomenal actor. So is DMX.

It's the first movie that music video director Hype Williams (Nas, TLC, Coldplay, Aaliyah, etc) and it's pretty gritty and dark. The opening scene is amazing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pniQT-Zy5WA
It's a great late 90s film noir with the a cappella version of "Back To Life" and shows the catalytic events of Nas, DMX and their friends robbing a club. Nas says "It was the best time of our lives" which is pretty great because this film is so fucked up. They then go to DMX's dope crib in Jamaica Estates and watch a weird indie movie and then have violent sex with their women. The rest of the movie chronicles their drug empire and dealings with a Jamaican drug lord. It's a great film because it's co-written by Nas. A lot of his dialogue are straight lines from his songs (some from It Was Written, even). Watch it if you've never seen it.

PS- I have a DGK Stevie Williams Belly-style skateboard sitting in my room with no trucks, wheels or grip tape. Debating on whether it should be a permanent decoration or if I should actually ride it.

Why I Hate Odd Future

I hate Odd Future, the new "alternative" hip hop collective out of LA that's comprised of MTV VMA Best New Artist Tyler, The Creator and some other skateboarding hoodlums from rich neighborhoods. Here is a bulleted list of why I hate them:

• Pitchfork LOVES them. Therefore, a whole slew of lame white nerds that actually read that shitty website started listening to them. These kids don't even listen to rap in the first place!! Now they think they know everything about rap because they have homemade OFWGKTA shirts. Give me a fucking break. 
• They cater their music to white kids. Just listen to any song. Most are about raping girls, running away from home, killing Bruno Mars, smoking weed and skateboarding. Ugh. Real rap is about fucking bitches and getting money. These lames know NOTHING about that. 
• They say the C-word. NOT OKAY.
• Tyler is dumb. He's just a dumb teen. I hate him. 
• It's just shock rap. These freaks don't actually rape girls, but they rap about it. That dude, Earl Sweatshirt, got sent away to bad boy camp because his mom listened to his song. He's 17. I just threw up.
• It's not authentic rap. Whatever, it's skateboard hipster rap, but that's not rap. It should be called indie. They're from rich neighborhoods in LA and grew up in the skate park.
• If Waka and Tyler put out a mixtape (which is going to happen) I will probably die and never listen to Waka ever again. Can you say, "career killer?" Actually OF is so damn popular that Waka will probably become hugely famous. FUCK. I hate these stupid kids!!
• Frank Ocean is the only member that I can actually stand. He's from New Orleans (represent!!) and I like him in "No Church in the Wild" from Watch the Throne. THE ONLY Tyler/OF song I like is "She" mostly because of Frank Ocean. 

Basically, it's just shitty rap for lame white nerds who wouldn't normally listen to rap. But I did see them live at Voodoo Fest in New Orleans a few weeks ago and it wasn't bad. I was listening from the VIP section so who knows. 

Jay-Z's Legacy

I've always liked Jay-Z. He is truly one of the best rappers of our generation. His humble attitude about growing up in Brooklyn and selling crack translated to him becoming one of the richest rap moguls of all time. He's gonna make that Forbes list soon. His most recent album with Kanye West, Watch the Throne, is a 46 minute commercial for how great the two rappers are. I think it's a little over-the-top and the rapping does not match their claims. The production is amazing; Kanye is a genius, but he's such a dick. He's not good at rapping at all and Jay-Z can barely rap these days. Still the production doesn't hide that Kanye and Jay are a little over the hill. They're both hugely successful and incredibly talented and it's a great matchup, but it was way too hyped up. It's still a badass album, though, I listen to it all the time. I like the dubstep Flux Pavilion beat in "Who Gon Stop Me" and the heartfelt lyrics in "Why I Love You." It's definitely one of the best albums of the year, but it's not the best album of all time like you might think.

Two of my favorite Jay-Z albums are The Blueprint and The Dynasty, which came out in 2001 and 2000 respectively. The Blueprint 2 and The Black Album are also great, but the original Blueprint is amazing. It came out on September 11, 2001 and the Source just wrote about how it was the album that got our country through one of the most horrific events in US history. I have to agree. It's the voice of the urban youth that lived through 9/11. "Girls Girls Girls" gives me chills every single time. It's so basically good. This was one of the first times Kanye worked with Jay. He produced "This Can't Be Life" on The Dynasty which is one of my favorite rap songs of all times.

If you listen to any of the albums before The Blueprint 3 (what a disgrace, it shouldn't even be called The Blueprint. Terrible album.), you'll realize that Hova used to be an amazing rapper. He still is, but he's too caught up in being famous and being Kanye's partner in crime. I can't wait to Beyonce gives birth to the most amazing human being ever.

Soulja Boy

I have very strong opinions about music. I'm extremely vocal about them, which is why I made this blog. I tweet a lot and I feel like my followers are annoyed with me. So this is my attempt to be more subtle and be able to write more. I want this blog to be an outlet for my dumb hip hop and general music rants. My first one will be about Soulja Boy.

I have been listening to hip hop for as long as I can remember. Yes, I'm white but I'm from the suburbs and I grew up listening to rap. I've written about rap for the past year and I've interviewed Big Boi, MC Hammer and I've written for MTV.Com. Not to brag, but whatever. Anyway, one of my favorite rappers at the moment is Soulja Boy. I imagine the first thing that comes to your mind is "Crank That" which is completely reasonable. But he's older now and he's released a mixtape a month for the past year and they keep getting better and better. His Youtube channel has something like 350+ videos. He tweets nonstop. Dude knows how to market himself via social media.

His Skate Boy mixtape came out last month. It really surprised me. "Tear It Up" is a fantastic display of his rapping ability. (God I sounded so white there, my B). But seriously, the slow beat and heavy but low volume bass sets the stage for the rest of the mixtape. "Swisher Sweet Swag" is a high energy boast-fest with fast paced synths and drum beats. My personal favorite song is "This One Right Here" which is typical of Atlanta rap - dirty, hood and bass heavy. This song just goes hard.

In September, he released Supreme (named after New York streetwear company) which is currently #4 on my "Best Albums of 2011" list (don't worry, I'll get into detail with that towards the end of the year). It's just so dynamic. The best track, hands down, is "No More Holding On" which has a Kanye West-esque 1960s soul sample and the rhymes that Soulja delivers are so earnest and impacting. Out of all the 24 tracks on this mixtape, I couldn't name a bad one. There are a few goofy songs (I mean, it IS Soulja Boy, afterall) especially one of my favorites, "Left Cheek Right Cheek" which is about exactly what you think it is. It has a really sick bass line that is at such a low volume that I can only hear it if I use my studio monitor headphones. I'm not sure who produced this song/mixtape but I'm going to guess Arab or another SODMG producer. This mixtape is a must have of 2011, mark my words. This will change your opinion about Soulja Boy.

Another mixtape that came out earlier this year, 1UP, is conducive with Soulja Boy's video game obsession that often translates to his music. The titular song has a great bass/clap and a rolling drum loop that adds flavor to this song. Listen to the chopped and screwed remix of this song if you wanna hear a banger. The magnum opus of this mixtape is obviously (or at least I think so) "Weed and Shoes." It's a nice little tune about smoking weed and buying sweet shoes, perhaps Air Jordans. There's something incredibly endearing about Soulja Boy's immaturity. I mean, the kid has more money than he knows what to do with and he just likes shoes and smoking weed. So what? He's a musician and a good one at that, let him smoke and be a goon.

Besides his mixtapes, his albums actually stand out. They're not as good as the mixtapes, in my opinion, but they're still good. Even his first album that made him a zillionaire, souljaboytellem.com, is highly entertaining if nothing else. But it's actually quite listenable. "Pass It To Arab" is very Atlanta and almost sounds like "Oh I Think Dey Like Me" by Dem Franchise Boyz, in fact, he actually samples it. So great.  His next album, iSouljaBoyTellem, has one of my favorite songs by Soulja Boy - "Kiss Me Thru the Phone"which has a pretty sick beat. It's silly but it's very radio friendly and I like it, whatever. "Turn My Swag On" is undeniable hilariously and good. His most recent studio album, The DeAndre Way, (named after his real name) is by far his best. "Pretty Boy Swag" introduces his new, almost chopped, style of rapping which is prevalent in his newer mixtapes. I also really like "Speakers Going Hammer" because the video is so amazing/racist. Watch it if you have a chance, it's very entertaining to say the least. My favorite track off this album is "30 Thousand 100 Million" which gave birth to the beautiful rap duo, Soulja Boy and Lil B. Besides the haunting and overall DOPE beat of this song, Soulja's compromising lyrics and Lil B's insane silliness balance each other out. Lil B, who I believe is currently part of SODMG, is what I like to call "West Coast Gucci Mane" and he's so ridiculous that he make Soulja Boy look modest. Overall, Soulja Boy's studio albums don't disappoint listeners.

Besides his music, Soulja Boy is a fashion and media (music videos, social&digital media, etc) icon and innovator. He has embraced this new skater/hipster/streetwear style that is incredibly in right now. He loves snapback hats and Supreme, Diamond Supply and Obey. He also raps about wearing tight jeans. His music videos (mostly for the "singles" off his copious mixtapes) are so basic, but still artistic. They're obviously filmed with a quality camera and by someone who knows what they're doing. He pumps out these low-budget (dare I say, lo-fi??) videos that are basically just him sitting in his penthouse or hotel room smoking and playing video games. I like them a lot; these videos compliment his songs very well. The whole guerilla and DIY method of putting out free music (mixtapes) goes hand in hand with these types of Youtube videos. Soulja is also a prolific social media user. He has over 350 videos on his Youtube page (again, these DIY low-key music videos) and he has millions of Twitter followers. He replies, retweets and tweets in general. He probably doesn't even need to be told to do it, either. I know it can be hard to get talent to reach out to fans via social media, but Souja Boy seems to have it on lock.

This won't be the last time that I write about Soulja Boy. Just wait til he puts out a new mixtape, which should be in a few weeks. Just give him another chance. Yeah, he's a punk who made 100 million dollars by introducing a stupid dance, but he is actually a talented rapper who's making a name for himself in the underground scene. He started out on the top and now he's almost obscure. He's definitely an interesting case. Listen to his mixtapes, you won't be disappointed.