"You there when it's bright, better be there when it's dark
You wasn't there for the ride, don't be there when I park"
When @JoeBudden is depressed and/or going through some trials and tribulations personally, that can only means good things for his music. Similar artists like @ducidni, @eminem and @drake have emotional expression embedded in their musical DNA, which results in inspirational, deeply personal verses that have always struck a chord with me. This may come off as wrong, but I'd much rather hear an artist wax poetic about why some chick broke your heart or how they were personally abused than hear about all the money, cash, clothes, and bottle poppin' they do on a daily basis. It takes balls to share your deepest inner personal thoughts, which is why artists that have the confidence to do it deserve more respect in my opinion than those who don't.
(gets down off high horse)...so the above preface leads nicely into Joey's new inner monologue Castles off his recent album No Love Lost. You can't teach the type of creative symbolism, metaphors and overall storytelling ability that he puts on display in his own melancholy way. Lord only knows if his life is as drama filled as he makes it seem, but the way he delivers it, I'd buy it. Y'all may not enjoy the depressing tone like I do, but ever since Whatever It Takes, I've been hooked. Check the visuals if you are so inclined...#MoodMuzik
"What's supposed to happen when I'm not hot anymore?
Your job rely on me being crazy, but what if I'm not anymore?"
It's no secret, @JoeBudden frequents many a strip club. It's also not a secret that the group he's a member of (@slaughterhouse) just released a really solid album last month. Keeping those two things in mind, I can think of no better combination of striking while the iron is hot by creating a single that you can listen to in your own habitat.
I'm not one to frequent strip clubs, but I've always had a strange affinity for Hip Hop tracks that encourage females to jiggle their hindquarters. In this case, @ProducerTminus did his part in making the beat as a strip club friendly as possible. Top of the cap to @liltunchi for bringing some A+ wordplay on his verse. Really solid start overall for Joey's new album No Love Lost, which is slated for a December release. I'd be remiss if it didn't note that @Eminem is listed as the executive producer for the album. Should be an interesting creation when all is said and done. For now cop the track below if you so choose...
Joe Budden feat Lil Wayne & Tank - She Don't Put it Down (prod by T-Minus)
Sticking with the New Years theme since the @ZooeyDeschanel and @hitrecordjoe video below went viral. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly makes Zooey Deschanel so incredibly unique as an actress. All I know it helps that she's multi-talented (singing/acting), she's got those irresistibly wide eyes and a quirky, but witty sense of humor. Put her in a movie or show and I'll immediately be interested...#JustSayin
Other than that, a whole lot of @tip and incognito @drake and @kanyewest videos to report on. Pretty pumped to hear that @rihanna song that Kanye was hinting at while DJ-ing in England. Can't wait for that new Slaughterhouse album too, lots to look forward to in 2012...#LastDayOfTheYear
Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt Sing What Are You Doing New Years Eve?
Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz Talk New Slaughterhouse Album
Drake Sings Karaoke with a Fan at the Saddle Ranch on Sunset Blvd
Kanye DJs in London Debuts Rihanna G.O.O.D. Music Unreleased Track
It took a few months, but the ripples of the odd craze were eventually felt in the US when all the sudden everyone was posting plank photos on Twitter. It's all cause and effect and the cause of it becoming a craze in the US was hugely in part to Twitter and the opinion leaders on Twitter (celebrities), taking part in the trend. Like anything else odd and potentially dangerous, when planking or the laying down game is done in safe surroundings, it can be entertaining to see people rigidly balancing between or on top of two objects in creative ways. This week Hip Hop had their run with planking as it adopted it's own index-able way to segment the fad with the hash-tag #PlankLife. Below are a couple of my favorites, along with a photo album of the highlights...
@BigSean Planking
@joebudden Planking
@thegame Planking in Studio
@bigboi Planking
@DIPLO Planking on Elephant
@djafrojack Planking
Check the photo album below for more planking highlights...
For starters, I woulda paid a pretty penny to be at spectator at the Highline Ballroom last night in NYC, where @DaRealSlaughter struck a match and lit the house on fire. Plenty of media like the pic above from this source, as well as this one. Hearing reactions like the one below from @JoeBudden didn't make me feel any better...
Anecdotal video evidence would suggest there was some truth to what Joe said, especially with the other cameos from @realdjpremier, @bunbtrillog, @lloydbanks and @pharoahemonch...
S/O to Dallas Penn on the footage, that's a good look. To put things in perspective, Slaughterhouse to me represents a futuristic version of what Hip Hop started out as. Relatively simple, but high energy beats that are nothing more than an empty canvas to spit equally high energy lyrics that make you think and hang on to each line in an attempt to catch up to each lyricists train of thought.
Truth be told Slaughterhouse has been a ticking time bomb of lyrical talent that hardly needs a catalyst for the group to achieve Hip Hip supremacy. When I say catalyst, I mean a big break...like for example getting signed by Shady Records. Getting that type of break is like someone saying a wealthy man winning the lottery and becoming a billionaire. Dude already had stacks, boutVerne Troyer high, without winning the lottery, but now he's ungodly rich, kinda like Slaughterhouse right now. They just got the keys to the castle with Eminem and Dre now being able to give their two cents in helping their already ascending career that has been more about blazing their own new trail rather than signing their lives over to a record company and taking the path most traveled. @techn9ne has proven over time that Indie Hip Hop has a dedicated following and the more the Indie-ness is being pushed into the limelight of pop culture with stuff like thisto go along with Shady investing in Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf, the less different it sounds and the more it will end up shaping the genre of Hip Hop.
Yea I guess you could say I'm excited...and you should be too when you hear tracks like the one below produced by @mrporter2012. Y'all should now know that "You get more for your money when you f*** with Mr. Porter"....#ClassicSlaughter
With Joey's Mood Muzik 4 hitting stores in a little over two weeks, it's becoming pretty clear he's not about to put out some half assed compilation. By now y'all know I tend to favor his emotionally transparent lyrical style that sheds light on every single dark thought that pervades his cranium. Call it emotional Hip Hop if you want, but I liken it to the crazy shit that Eminem writes about, they have a similar skill or lack of a filter when they start emptying their thoughts on a notepad in their own abrasive, artistic way. Yea it can rub people the wrong way, but it's real and there's an allure to it that is more relatable to the listener, and as a result, it ends up being more respectable than a lot of the processed, label produced music.
With all that being said, this one takes three of the most under-appreciated writers in the game right now with @mousebudden teaming up with @MYFABOLOUSLIFE & @therealroyce59 and splatters their high octane verses over a simple, but appropriate @jcardim beat. The verses seem to gradually grow in intensity as each rapper seemingly tries to do their own thing on the track by adding a little bit more intensity and vigor to their verse than the previous. Put it this way, when it's a track without a hook, the focus better be on the bars and delivery, which is the case here and a big reason why the track is great for what it is. Call a spade a spade and this group of titans GOES IN on some memorable verses, with plenty of quotables...(Fab -"Jeff Goldblum couldn't be more fly to me"). Sidebar: My vote for the Brian Wilson award goes to Royce for closin' down the track with an unmatched delivery of his characteristically creative wordplay. Wrap your mind around this quoteable by Royce -"Hennessey, kennedy, king, mixed with a kill or be killed, killer regime".
"At times I hate my reflection and others I’m conceited
Half the time I’m arrogant other times I’m vengeful
At times it’s to convince me, at times it’s to convince you"
Wow...that was my first reaction after hearing this track. My second reaction, immediately following the second consecutive play was, Hooooooly SH**! This is top notch @mousebudden, from the storytelling to the wordplay to the crazy chemistry he's got with @jcardim. Y'all remember those tracks he did at the start of the year, Money's on Me and Keep On? I still can't press next when I anticipate and then hear how the beat flips after a minute on Money's on Me...one of the more disgusting mid-track flips of tempo I have ever heard.
Even better Joe recruits Slaughterhouse member Crooked I to donate a verse on the track, which takes the lyrical credibility of the track up at least three notches. The best part of the track is by far on the hook when Joe summons his inner 2pac and puts to work that baritone on the "Tell me if you wanna ride or die, La La La La La La La La". Shouts out to Cardim on the beat too, the way he manipulates it around the verses, letting the spotlight be shone on the lyrics before he takes it up a notch on the hook, injecting energy into an already cocaine addictive hook.
For all of you at home, that's two top notch cuts off Mood Muzik 4 already and if that hasn't gotten you excited enough, check out his four part series of promo videos for his new album...due out on Nov 9th... Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Crazy hot track below...might be in contention with all these Kanye tracks floating around this month for top track...give it a few listens and share in the excitement of MM4, it's gonna be better than you anticipate...
Joe Budden feat Crooked I - Sober Up (prod by J. Cardim)
| Download
Everyone storm is different so this forecast is only mine"
Back and seemingly moodier, depressed, introspective and transparent as ever, Joey hits the ground runnin' on the first leak from his Mood Muzik 4: A Turn 4 the Worst album due out on Nov 9th. Rhyming over the slow, steady, ominous knock of a bass-heavy beat that caters to someone spewing their inner thoughts in an emotional tirade, he puts his life on full blast once again, putting a thermometer directly in the heart of his emotional temperature. Like all of his great tracks, you can tell he's ridding himself of demons in a therapeutic way, at points yelling out the lyrics like the words are poisonous and need to be released.
Tracks like this are what make @mousebudden unique. Forget a traditional 16, he goes in until it's all out, no bar scheme needed, he continues to come off brash and unapologetic, but he's still extremely sensitive, observant and creative with his word choices. The tracks that come from his raw emotion are too deep for most Hip Hop fans, which is probably why he takes pride in never being that pop act by conforming to a traditional style of Hip Hop. For me though, lyrics are the lifeblood of why I enjoy Hip Hop music and my fandom has done nothing but increase over the years as Hip Hop artists have continued to raise the bar creativity and intellect wise through lyrics. As an example, take part of his second verse on Black Cloud, where he tears apart his own character delving into his own personal flaws...
"Normally it’s just me and my lonely mind
Everyone storm is different so this forecast is only mine
Fans recognize my misery uplifted me
Shifted me to my epitome, guess the curse is a gift to me
Maybe its serendipity, maybe it’s weighing on me physically
Maybe I should man up and tell God not to solicit me
Been medicated, meditated
Sedated, hated
Character assassinated, all theses years I masqueraded
Hard headed, if it was on my mind I had to say it
Tongue on the devil’s pitchfork to see how disaster tasted
Rap is fabricated, rappers are so exaggerated
Wouldn’t be scared of the truth if they weren’t castrated
Grab a mag, spray it, surrounded by people to shoot it before me
Better unconditionally love my beautiful ugly"
You'll either hate it and be bored with it or really appreciate it for it's transparency, it's that polarizing. If you're like me you'll dissect the lyrics and wish other rappers would be this honest with themselves and their fans...
Give it a listen, but keep in mind it's far from skin deep, so consider yourself warned...
And so it begins...the most highly anticipated Hip Hop album since The Carter III has finally started to take shape in the form of Drake's first single titled Over off his upcoming album Thank Me Later. Shortly after it hit the internet, Drake was spotted on Twitter referencing the release...
Before you listen to it, take a deep breath and think for a second how awesome you thought Successful or Best I Ever Had...if you thought about it honestly, you realized that both tracks didn't jump out at you initially, they were just alright. Give it about 10 more listens throughout a week and somehow they became your favorite track.
Now I'm not sayin' this song is comparable or will be as well liked as either of the aforementioned tracks and to be completely honest as I write this sentence I'm feeling like this whole comparison to past tracks is counter intuitive because his upcoming album has been hyped so incredibly much he's been given no room for error. Keep looking forward folks, maintain an open mind because although we've deemed him the new "Lebron James of this rap game", you can't forget it took Lebron a couple years to develop a jump shot.
I was guilty too of having a first listen of Over and feeling slightly underwhelmed. You'll probably feel the same way, I just hope you wait to reserve judgment until you give it a few listens unlike some people because it's real easy to hate at first and love it when everyone else starts to feel it. Mikey Rocks of the Cool Kids put it best...
Shoot even Joe Budden was openly expressing his love for one Aubrey Drake Graham...
After a few headphone listens, I gave the track it's due and gave it a test drive on some bigger speakers with a subwoofer. Instantly liked it more and really gained a respect for the beat, which does not sound anything like any other producer. To that I give mad daps & lbs to Boi-1da for the 70s style strings mixed with really distinct bells over a beat that goes HARD. The chorus goes pop to start with, giving it that sing-songy appeal, but drifts into a more of an up beat Hip Hop clap when the beat kicks.
I've definitely heard better verses out of Drake, but in my eyes he pulled off a high intensity, mass appeal first single, which will undoubtedly get plenty of spins and start the onslaught of hype that will ensue leading up to his album. Enough of my opinion (that's sure to change anyways after a few more listens), give a listen... Drake - Over (prod by Boi-1da)FIRST SINGLE OFF TML!!!!!!!
Thought this was a fitting combo post with snow being the main theme of the week since it's being measured in feet rather than inches. Above is ya boy Joey standin' proud next to his "thugged out snowman" Bernard Jr.. Is it me or does Bernard Jr look like he's up to sumthin'?? haha.
Anyways, the track being highlighted in this post was my second favorite joint this past month behind the Nappy Roots track I just raved about. The why part is easy, the two verses Royce Nickel 9 and Joe spit have so many intelligent, pop culture relevant lines throughout the track that it's deserving of mention and praise. Let's examine a few notable quotable from Royce:
“My momma got fangs, my daddy got ducks feet
I was genetically predisposed to f*** freaks”
“Get it right, my sh** is knocking like our words be doors
We can fight — that’s right, put your dukes up
And let you fist pump like you on the Jersey Shore”
“I claimed the town before I give you lames the crown
You’ll get it soon as Snoop gains a pound”
Alright how about a few from Jersey's finest Budden:
“What part of the game is this, bunch of dicks in the studio
So I take mine elsewhere, I'm Rick Rubio”
“Rap for hire, call me if help is needed
I got this whole sh** covered, Darrelle Revis”
“I'm interrupting with no pardon, I ain't Mike Wilbon
From day one, he just speak his mind
Cause loose leafs don't come with subtitles, can't read between the lines”
Wait a second, was that last line a PTI shout out? Damn right it was and it was rewarded by Wilbon on show when he gave a shout out to Joe Budden. Check it...
Now what I wanna know is who alerted Wilbon that he was given a shout out on the track? Let's just say I'd be very surprised to hear he was scouring his favorite hip hop blogs or even following him on twitter to even find the song. Given this track has been circulating for a couple weeks now and I know I'm late on donating my two pennies about it, but I woulda been breakin' some law by not giving credit where credit is due...and credit is and continually will be due to 1/2 of what makes up the most talented Hip Hop group in the industry right now. Please don't act like you don't know, that act is getting moldy its so old...
Royce, Joel...cool as a cucumber...Crook throwin' up a Dub reppin' LBC....and Joey FOCUSED! Kinda like this track, give it a listen and admire the way the duo weave through verses like like Javier Arenas...
Having accumulated much respect for Joey through his years of continually unappreciated albums, freestlyes and tracks that didn't reach the mainstream, it's pretty exciting when he releases new material like Money's On Me and Keep On, both produced by J. Cardim.
The first, Money's On Me was my number one rated Hip Hop track this past month on the Song List I send out. It's simply put, Budden at his best. There aren't many tracks that truly reward you from giving it a full listen like this track. If you're wondering what I mean, have a little patience through the first minute of the track and wait for the beat to change as Joey simultaneously puts his effort into four wheel drive, absolutely trucking anything in his path. A testament to how a true Hip Hop veteran has the ability to match the intensity of the beat by stepping his game up lyrically. J. Cardim, daps & lbs on the beat with that horrific, Halloween style synthesizer on the beat, shit is crazy!
As far as Keep On is concerned, @Mousebudden again turns a glorified freestyle into a forceful, head nod worthy effort. Just in case you thought his verses were lacking new pop culture references, he touches on the Haitian earthquake, the Pants on the Ground viral phenomenon, Teddy Pendergrass's passing this week, the Leno/Conan drama, Lane Kiffin's hiring this week, even beating me to the punch on my next post with the "Ushering in the New Year screaming Daddy's Home" shedding light on the ridiculous amount of great new Usher material this past month. I've always had an appreciation for artists that in a very smooth, subtle, not-over-the-top way can bookmark their freestyles in time with notable US/World events that people will remember through the years.
Solid effort Joe, keep doin' your thing on the internet. Most artists pay people to rep them and do the same sort of promo work you do by yourself all over the internet because they either don't see it as important enough to spend time on it or don't have the knowledge you do in utilizing technology to get ahead. Check out Move On...
In my humble opinion, this new album from Slaughterhouse had the chance to be one of the best collections of lyricists assembled since maybe NWA. I use NWA as a comparison because lyrically they share the same energy and rawness in their delivery. With true "gangster rap" fading out in the 90s and being largely looked down upon at the time by pop culture...but still at the same time being recognized by true Hip Hop heads as a neccesary element that helped shape the future of Hip Hop, this release by Slaughterhouse had a chance to be that album that did what NWA couldn't do during their era...make an in your face Hip Hop album that was characterized by strong lyrics (both explicitly and creatively), but still appealed to more than just dedicated Hip Hop fans.
Let me first say, if you’ve read any previous reviews or even noticed my banner on the blog you would have noticed how big of a fan I am of Crooked I. Lyrically none in the game now can match his wit and incredible off the brain creativity. While Crook has always been a favorite, Joell Ortiz has really impressed me since the inception of Slaughterhouse as a group. He’s the second best to Crook at freestyling lyrics on the spot and when you really listen to what he's saying. He's sort of got that same one step ahead flow that always comes off like he's got every lined planned out but he's still spitting words wildly that make sense.
Now the other two members, I’ve always has a lot of respect for. First, Joe Budden with songs like Whatever it Takes and The Unforgiven, he's always released tracks that should be given the respect they deserve just because of how real they are. Joe B definitely has a lot of skeletons in his closet, but he is not afraid to let them out of the closet through his verses and there’s a lot to respect about that,it shows his interest in getting things off his chest and trying to improve as a person by venting to complete strangers...which takes a lot to do. Last, but definitely not least, Royce Da 5’9....clearly he’s always had talent, why else would Eminem have signed him? But he’s still never really gotten his break despite always putting together extremely well lyrically conceived tracks. I can respect him taking a leadership role in this eclectic foursome because despite being a genuinely under appreciated artist, he still plays the role of veteran well.
As far as the album goes, it was pretty strong. I can't say it was very strong or a classic by any stretch of the imagination because after song 7, Cuckoo, there were only terrible interludes and filler tracks in my opinion.
Now that doesn't take away from the beginning of the album that brings nothing but high energy and on point lyrics. I really like the way they set up the album with the personification of every Slaughterhouse member as a body part on the track Sound Off. Every verse on the track gives a little quick intro of each member's style with a quick intro, then they all show their versatility by absolutely waxing the end of all their verses when they speed up their rhymes.
The heat continues on the next track, Lyrical Murders, which is my favorite track on the album. it has the perfect sort of West Coast organ gangster rap sound that fits what they bring as a group. Microphone continues the freestyle beat sound that really augments the strong lyrics of all four artists on their verses. Honestly, I would have liked the next track Not Tonight better if Joe Budden hadn't already used the beat because Alchemist kills the keys in the background. The next two tracks are my other two favorites, The One and Cuckoo. Both tracks have gotten a lot of love on the 'net and provided the hype needed for this album to potentially be successful. Of course they are both produced by one of my favorite producers in the game, DJ Khalil, who brings more of a party beat on The One. The track has pop culture infused lyrics that were probably intentionally placed to gain some radio love as a single. Can't hate on that especially when they follow it up with such a lyrically sick (literally) track that Khalil laces with a "horror rap" sounding beat. Really lends credence to their group name Slaughterhouse, not for the faint of heart, just in your face vulgar Rap. With lines like:
"killin every feature like I'm a drunk plastic surgeon, certainly dirty past detergent" and "If you cross me, here is how your life story will begin...Once upon a time...THE END!"
All in all a very solid first effort for Slaughterhouse. I'll reluctantly give their album 4 headphones as it was well on the way to a solid 4, but filler tracks and interludes cost them a shot at a borderline modern day Hip Hop classic.
