"Goodbye Cruel World, I'm Leaving You Today"

Yessssssss!!! It's been a long time since I've felt energized to the point of slow clapping after listening to a new Cudi track. Everything about Goodbye is littered with what makes him such a force when he's on his game. I'm talking about the creepy, cinematic elements, and unorthodox, melancholy storytelling. With help from his right hand man and WZRD collaborator Dot da Genius, they were able to summon the greatness once again.

Off top with the 2pac "You right, I am crazy" sample from the movie Juice, the mood was set. Then came the eerie synths and heavy, forceful bass put Cudi squarely into his element on the mic. He dropped two stellar verses and sprinkled in a characteristically somber hook to for contrast. The Pink Floyd influence can't be understated because the original sample allowed for the duo to create such drastic shifts in mood on the track that forced you to keep listening. Peep the sample below if you aren't familiar with Goodbye Cruel World and stay on the look out for Cudi's new Pain & Demon Slayin album that's coming soon...#GoodbyeCruelWorld

Kid Cudi - Goodbye (prod by WZRD)

Videos of the Week March 4th

Bit a down week for videos to kick off March, but that's to be expected with the ridiculous amount of award shows lately. That being said, there were so undeniably powerful videos this week, led by Lady Gaga's performance of 'Til It Happens to You. The fact that relatives of hers found out that she was a victim of sexual assault as a result of her performance speaks to how difficult it can be to open up about such traumatic events. Needless to say, there wasn't a dry eye in the audience as it hit everyone directly in the feels.

In the world of actual music videos, Jack U released some adventurous footage of their travels across the world on Mind. We also got a nostalgic snack seeing old footage of 2pac in the studio recording MC Hammer a reference track. The world may not fully appreciate how great of a producer he was too. In the world of late night, Kimmel found a way to sneak into a Batman vs Superman scene, which was more than a little funny. And last, but definitely not least, the video that needs no introduction. If you were living under a rock and didn't see John Oliver's complete evisceration of Donald Trump then please set aside 20 minutes of your time to watch. We all fear what could happen when election time comes up next year, but I am proud that there are people out there who aren't afraid of being sued and will willingly do their best to expose him...#MakeDonaldDrumpfAgain
Lady Gaga Performs 'Til It Happens to You at the Oscars

Skrillex & Diplo feat Kai - Mind (Video)

2Pac in Studio Creating a Reference Track Called Too Tight for MC Hammer

Jimmy Kimmel's Deleted Scene From Batman vs Superman

Last Week Tonight's John Oliver Goes Postal on Drumpf Trump

Photo Credit: YouTube

Never Envisioned Hearing a Banks & 2pac Collaboration

After 2pac died in 1996, a decade's worth of remixes and mash ups ensued. While a few remixes/mash ups were great, hearing many of his recorded words blended over damn near every single hot new beat of the week got pretty old. Luckily for us, the remixes finally tapered off and we were able to gain appreciation for his legendary talents through mostly silent rememberance.

Being an avid Banks fan, I fought back the initial dismay that I usually have when I see a new 2pac mash up. There was part of me that actually thought, "you know what it's been a while since I've heard 'pac's voice, maybe this will be good." And good it was thanks to Carlos Serrano. The original Drowning beat didn't strike me as a Hip Hop friendly beat, but therein lies the creativity in Carlos's mashup with 2pac's Thugz Mansion verses. I never envisioned hearing or, better yet, enjoying Banks singing the hook on a 2pac track, but I'm better off now after hearing Thugz Drowning...#ThugzDrowning

2Pac vs. Banks - Thugz Drowning (Carlos Serrano Mix)

Videos of the Week May 2nd

Silly is the name of the game on this week's top five. Leading the way is Jimmy Fallon and Cameron Diaz's photobomb sesh and The Black Keys prank calling stunt. Both are fun in their own way, but mildly invasive in their own right. It was really cool seeing Kendrick cover 2pac at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. It's as if they're both from LA and share similar diction and mannerisms. Oh yea, and there's Jon Lajoie aka Taco from The League who would like nothing more than for you to advertise your product with his song. Last and definitely not least is Skrillex's tour promo. This summer won't be complete without taking a ride on the #Mothership...
Jimmy Fallon & Cameron Diaz Celebrity Photobomb (Video)

The Black Keys Prank Calling Record Labels (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar Covers California Love at iHeartRadio Music Awards

Skrillex Mothership Tour Trailer

Jon Lajoie - Please Use This Song (Video)
Photo Credit: YouTube

2pac and James Brown Get Unchained

Another month and another Tarentino movie with a Hip Hop flavored single off the soundtrack. First it was The Man with the Iron Fists, now it's Django Unchained, which is scheduled for a Christmas day release. Strictly based on cast, Django has a slight edge with Leo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L Jackson, Joseph Gordon Levitt > Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu (Iron Fists).

Looking at the tracklist for the soundtrack, it's an interesting mix of Hip Hop and situated movie songs. It's not everyday you see a James Brown/2pac mash up that's put together by 2pac's former engineer Claudio Cueni. The track samples Pac's track Untouchable and James's Brown's song The Payback. Mixed together it's about as random as you'd expect, but perfectly fitting for a Tarentino flick. Makes you wonder what it would have been like had they collaborated in their prime...#RIP

2pac feat James Brown - Unchained (The Payback/Untouchable)

Videos of the Week June 22nd

Whole lot of Hip Hop this week with some of my favorite rappers on set for videos and trailers. As a casual observer, it sounds like the Detox talk is heating up in the Hip Hop community with seemingly everyone from 50 cent to @kendricklamar (below) commenting on the mythical album. Feel free to fast forward to the 3:20 mark on the @justinbieber video to hear him getting after a few classics from Pac and Biggie. Everyone hates on Biebs rapping, but dude can handle his own. I mean he's not gonna battle rap @eminem anytime soon, but for a kid from the burbs, he isn't bad.

Anybody interested in seeing Wiz and Snoops new movie? (crickets?) We'll see, but I'll always favor them on the mic. Catch me at the @DonaldGlover show tonight in Philly if you're in attendance...#HollerAtchaBoy

Slaughterhouse feat Cee-Lo - My Life (Video)

Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa – Mac & Devin Go To High School (Trailer)

Justin Bieber Rapping 2pac and Biggie on the Angie Martinez Show

Donnis - Hello Kitty (Video)

Kendrick Lamar speaks on Detox and his debut album

Videos of the Week April 20th

I'm still not sure what to think about the 2Pac hologram performance with @snoopdogg and @drdre at Coachella this week. Was it really cool hearing a vignette of 2Pac rap again onstage? Yea, I'd say it was probably a pretty awesome, albeit chilling experience. I really hope the powers that be treat it with kid gloves like it's another form of human cloning. I say that because I might get sick to my stomach if some record exec forks over the money to choreograph a whole hologram show, so that he can rake in millions on the likeness of a legend. I slightly doubt it will come to that, but still, money talks and this week it was yelling.

As a quick sidebar, it was cool seeing @rihanna belt out Bob Marley's Redemption Song in concert. She's got the island accent and the high octane vocals to pull it off man. Sort of fitting I threw a @RITAORA video in there too this week. Maybe they really are twins? #Twins!!

2Pac Hologram Perfoms at Coachella with Dr. Dre & Snoop

Rita Ora - How We Do (Party) (Video)

Kevin Cossom - Overflow (Video)

Rihanna Sings Bob Marley's Redemption Song (Live)

Slaughterhouse - Hammer Dance MTV Preview

Throwback Thurs R.I.P. 2pac Edition...I Ain't Mad At Cha

Kinda crazy that this past Monday was the 14th Anniversary of 2pac's death in 1996. On the real, kinda makes me feel old and that I didn't really appreciate the depth of inspiration he provided Hip Hop (and me) until years after he passed away. I'm not gonna lie man, I got a little choked up watching the various reactions to 2pac's death on the 30 for 30 titled One Night in Vegas, centering around the Tyson fight the night he died. It's not the well-funded documentary, but the emotions were real no matter how low budget it looked. In case you missed it, here's the preview of the documentary...

It's unfortunate Hip Hop didn't know what it had when he was running the game back in the mid-1990s. He gave off a prophetic aura, always living life like a playboy but remaining grounded and entrenched in his beliefs that always came off so bold and with so much conviction you couldn't help be inspired. As a tribute, it's only right to dedicate Throwback Thursday to one of my favorite songs of his that touches on how he dealt with the death of a close friend of his.

To any true Hip Hop fan who grew up being inspired by your words, I could think of no better song to commemorate the anniversary of your death...

"I kiss my Mama goodbye, and wipe the tears from her lonely eyes
Said I'll return, but I gotta fight the fate's arrived
Don't shed a tear, cause Mama I ain't happy here
I'm through trial, no more smiles, for a couple years
They got me goin mad, I'm knockin busters on they backs
in my cell, thinkin, "Hell, I know one day I'll be back"

2pac - I Ain't Mad at Cha
| Download