Sittin' here

After all of the wait and after all of the debate, Beanie Sigel's album made it to my ears this morning! I'm going to give it a couple more listens before writing up the review! But I'm telling you like Ian (http://differentkitchen.blogspot.com) had to tell you, this is the best thing that B-Mac has ever put his name to! This L.P so far, after hearing it twice in the earphones, is dare I say 'Classic'? I'm talking about, only one album has ever had me waiting and feending like this album and succeed to deliver on its' promise, and that was the Blueprint album! The B.Coming, was better then I'd expected/ hoped for/ wanted! This is really some original, soulful s***!

The album has reportedly sold 150,000 copies in the last 5 days, hopefuly the word will get out, that this is already could be 'Album of the year'! It's better then 'The Massacre' and that is actually saying quite a bit! Considering the fact that Bean's is on lock at the moment and has no high profile fueds, Beanie has done very well for himself.

Buy it if you don't have it!

Tego

I'm told (by Sky Sports) that we're approaching that 'Wrestlemania' time of the year. And who loves WWF? WCW? WWP? or whatever it's called, more then a southern male? Maybe T.I (Atlanta) and Lil Flip (Texas) like the wrestling a little too much? It's being reported that the rubber band man and the underground legend were involved in what sounds like a girly cowboy fight in Texas last Thursday. T.I appeared later that same day on Georgia radio station 97.9 to tell his side of the story. “He was walking behind the car and I’m walking up to him trying to beg him to come out from behind the car, so we can get a square deal going,” TI stated. “He sent somebody from behind and they hit me in the back of the head, that did happen.”..... Okaayyyyy. Now, I'm a huge T.I fan and a relatively big Flip fan, but that situation sounds, straight up and down "Poofy" and I said it!

The "Beef" Between the 2 seems to generally be nothing more then a disagreement. While doing a photo-shoot for the Source together and with Young Gunz, J-Kwon and Cassidy. T.I asked Flip if he could put a verse on the remix of Flip's huge summer smash 'Game Over', Flip went on to tell T.I that the remix was already arranged, and that T.I would not be on it. Now, I'm sure that there's more to it then that, but that's basically all I know. I also know some talk of prison and the king of the south crown. But the Source shoot is where it all began. King of the south? Errrrr, I have a problem with these 2 fighting for the 'King-of-the-south' crown (Flip concedes that Scarface is the king, which is wrong. But a lot more humble the T.I), T.I definitely has the potential to be a big rapper on any coast. But if we're talking about "The King" Then we all know that it's Ludacris! We all know that! The Prince is Lil Wayne, so I guess T.I's just a contender! Unless Ludacris falls off like he's smoking crack, I can't honestly see T.I taking that crown. Honestly.

It's also being reported that T.I has video footage of the altercation “I don’t say things, I do things. If I say things, I do things,” TI stated on the air. “I came to show my face and my tape. I showed them the tape, I showed them what happened and they’ve seen it.”. I'm beginning a campaign to have the fight broadcast on the video-tron at Wrestlemania and have Bobby The Brain call it.

That's Hip-Hop people.

Tego

Damn Homie! This Rocafella split's really, a lot deeper then I thought man. Sheeeit, I was reading about 10 months ago that Dame Dash had moved Peedi Crakk into his house after being released from serving. Dame had moved Peedi into his apartment to keep him focussed on his career and keep out of trouble, so that he didn't violate his parole. Even then, there were rumblings of discontent on the part of the young rapper, he eluded to the fact that Dame lacked the ability to relate to the streets and youth market after so many years of good-living. It seems that Peedi Crakk still feels a similar way about his former landlord "I don't fuck with Dame Dash at all," Young Peedi told MTV. "I f*** with Beans and Biggs. I can't be around [Dash]. I can't be on that side of the fence. I hollered at Jay; Jay said he got my contract, and I can go with him. I left it at that. I was happy being with Jay." Crakk didn't finish there, e went on to justify his selection "But he's a dickhead. He didn't want to go in my [musical] direction. He don't know the new wave of hip-hop. I'm the future of rap - me plus a couple of cats that are the future of hip-hop. He's just an investor; he don't know how to dance, rap or sing. His talent is using other people's talent. His gift is to use your gift." Although, in principal I disagree with Peedi (about that use of "your gift"), I know first hand that what Dame did for his Rocafella artists is a talent, it takes an ability that is very rare, especially in artists. But it would appear that Damon Dash's involvement in the musical side of his label was minimal. With Memphis Bleek announcing over the last couple of days, that Jay's the guy who'll be selecting his beats for '5,3,4' and that Damon Dash was very hit and miss with his promotional campaigns.

Crakk further echoed his sentiments "He don't listen. He's so smart, he's dumb. He's got so much money, he thinks he's the sh**. A cloud just hovers over his head so much, it f***s with his common sense. That's why he's losing. He don't know how to pick music, what song to do a video for, how to shoot a video. If you tell him this, he feels disrespected because he's got so many people kissing his ass. When you talk to him on a man-to-man level, on a regular level, he feels disrespected. He's got three, four, five assistants holding his two-way, holding his money, holding his phone. All this super Hollywood sh**". Dash has already retorted Crakk's claims "I think that's corny. I would look at other situations and be like, 'That could never happen over here.' It appears that it did. That's embarrassing to me. It wasn't anything that me, Beanie or anybody under this umbrella bought into. The Roc is about friendship - or at least it was. It wasn't about the money. We do whatever we do to help each other. ... When we signed people, they were signing into a certain kind of unity where this could never have happened. We were snobby, like 'We're the thorough dudes. We would never do no clown stuff like that." I get where Dame's coming from, the ROC certainly gave the impression that they were down to ride, those dudes were all about each other. But I can't imagine that an outburst like this has come from nowhere! This has to have a foundation, one that doesn't look good for Dame's artist management on future projects.

According to Memphis Bleek, the new Roc-A-Fella is home to Oschino and Sparks, Peedi Crakk, Freeway and the Young Gunz while Beans sticks with Dame Dash's new imprint, as well as newcomers Joe Budden, N.O.R.E and the whole of ROC Music.

Tego

p.s. Jay, can we get a new Freeway L.P?

On what has been quite a sad day for me today (see. A good Neighbour). It's been good to read something in hip-Hop that made me smile (lets face it, we rarely smile in Hip-Hop do we?). Through MTV.com I read some comments from Jay-Z about his tenure at the top of Def Jam that genuinely amused me, when explaining how well he's fitting in behind a desk Jay went on to explain that his relationship with the artists below him is what he feels that he prevails with "Ludacris calls me all the time for what he says is his 'monthly Shawn Carter call,' ". That concept, the idea of Ludacris (A funny and supremely talented man) would be phoning from the office in his house, the one that he showed us in his 'MTV Cribs'. He'd hit the speed dial button that reads 'President Carter' and runs through his plans for the next 31 days. It's a funny image! I associate the 2 as artists anyway, being that despite claims from T.I, Ludacris is the 'King-of-the-south' and Jay's the king of the east (no question!) and would expect the relationship to be a fruitful one!


When Jay was appointed president of Def Jam, there were rumours of the legend LL Cool J not being particularly happy. Rumours that obviously didn't escape Jigga's attention. "[Me and LL Cool J] had a great meeting. The first time we sat down to chat, we chopped it up. I was a little worried about the meeting, I didn't know how he was gonna take [my new position] because that's the pillar. But he was real cool about it. I'm anxious to work on that project.". Jay went on to hint that he may record vocals for LL's upcoming L.P.

It's becoming obvious that Shawn is growing into his new roll in the music industry but will be tested with his first Rocafella release. His former protege Memphis Bleek's '5,3,4' is his primary focus right now. "I just seen the guy grow his whole life," Jay said about the man with whom he used to eat syrup sandwiches, sardines and grits, and peanut butter on a spoon. "I took him from his apartment — he grew up two floors under me — to this point right here. I'm letting him go now. He's on his own. He's come into his own, he made the album of his life, and he's in his zone." Bleek is similarly focussed "This is [album] number four," Bleek said at the 40/40. "It feels good to say that. Not too many people make it to number four. This album I tried a bunch of new stuff I never done before. M.A.D.E. was the album for me to vent. It let out my frustration, my anger. This album is fresh energy. It's not like your average rap where I'm talking about watches, bracelets, cars. The album is totally different. We got real subjects on this album that mean something."

Lets just see how he does.

Tego

I know!

The Firin' Squad General Laze just sent a little press mailout that might interest the real heads in the world! To me, M.O.P are the best, the greatest and my most anticipated group of 2001/2/3/4/5/6. There's some good news and some bad news!

M.O.P. Update

Yea yea ... We back.. aight!! Two things, ok more than two things but lets not get to that right now. This is your boy Laze” ratified general of the Firing Squad and First Family overboss. It’s been a while since my last update. So you know its gonna be chock full of the crazy shit, big shout out to my swedish contingent they always hold me dowm. Puss puss. Welcome to america Hanna and the rest of the Swedish crew.

Anyway on the M.O.P front here is the play by play. Dame and Jay split, yall know that part. Rocafella Records was re- aquired by Hov. (we luv hov, but initialy that didnt sit right with us.) never the less Def Jam gave Hov the Roc, and the R.O.C. seeing the upcoming mound of bullshit that we were headed for we then secured our release. Better to be free than to nigg - otiate from a position of weakness. (feel me) Hov offered us a situation but we felt it would be better if Dame was involved as well. We feel that those two are a great team. Sort of getting “the best of both worlds” (feel me). Any way lawyer/lyer months past and we got tired of waiting. We put together another sick Marxmen Cd and are set to put it out through koch. That will hold us down till the new deals close, (fuck around koch get us a plaq we might stay right there, that indie money is great ask Jim Jones, Alchemist, Suge Night, and Master P. )

Anyway 50 cent, I mean, Fiddy cent, called us. He wants to talk about doing something. I was very impressed by that, didnt know that we were on the G-UNIT radar. Hmm M.O.P PP UNIT ah could be...

Also, Beyonces ( Beyoouunce’s )father, Matthew Knowles, offered us a deal through Sanctuary, I dont’ think Jay Z was cool with that. I mean do you you think he want us wild ass pack of wolves around his beautiful B.? I mean really... (hmm imagine that Fame having thanksgiving dinner with the Knowles family) and will Foxx be the newest member of Destiny Child? I just wanna know... Give it that real hardcore edge Jack’. Just kidding (fuck around Jay may do a diss record . niggaz cant even joke no more in Hip Hop.)

Anyway, Wyclef did a great version of M.O.P’s “Hip Hop Cops” with us. Ya’ll gotta get up on it. Wanted me to let yall The new Fugees record is coming 06, (I personally think that they should drop the Fugees release Before any of their solo releases, the world needs The Fugees)

Big shout out to Busta Rhymes! His new album, it’s crazy. Its coming out on Aftermath. I was talking to Q tip the other day, he said he is back to making beats. I gotta get some of those.

Well, I was in a writing mood until Frida started asking mad questions about bullshit... By the way, I just met Fridas new friend Hanna today, she’s hot... im gonna teach her how to box so her Frida and Lotta can mud wrestle...yall could come i’m selling tickets
Opuch ouch they beating my ass. Anyway, I think all the deals are closing this month ... more M.O.P. get that S.T. Marxmen Album, its fucking sick! To all yall fake ass niggaz gets these nutz. First Family 4 Life, to my European crew, see you in Spain in may.

Pps. On a serious note salute to ODB RIP, blessings to his family, and to the hundreds of thousands of people that lost their lives in that global hiccup. Called a tsunami.( i hope it wasnt cause of any nuclear testing...

Salute’

Laze
---------------------------

50 Cent? Koch? A new Marxmen mixtape? Yeah! M.O.P what!

I got a slightly negative response to including Memphis Bleek in my 'Potential Chart Toppers of 2005' Post last week. Now, I'll be the first to admit that Bleek has never been very high on my list of relevance as far as New-York rappers go. But I'm so sure that 2005 is going to be the year that he puts all of that potential and pressure to good use. You may have heard the best tracks from his last album 'Murda Marcy' With Jay and Beans, 'Round here' With T.I and Trick Daddy, 'Everything's a go' With Jay. Then you'll know that with the right production and direction Bleek can really do big things. Listen to 'Yes' and the Swizz Beats produced 'Like That' and know that Bleek is holding tracks on his own these days. I'm going to put my kneck on the line and say that Bleek's new album is gonna shock people this summer!

I've just read a feature on allhiphop.com about Bleek and his new album that impressed me, his awareness and humbleness make me respect him a lot “This is four times [albums], man. How many chances is the label gonna give me? Jay my man, but at the end of the day, its business,” Bleek told AllHipHop.com. “I put my all into it.” Memph sounds focussed, I'm liking the attitude he's taking on this new L.P. Rocafella/ Def Jam's staple engineer Young Guru echoes my sentiments “I think it’s his best work so far. You have to check the subject matter that he deals with,” he stated “He’s saying now is my time to step up now that Jay-Z is retired.”. Right down to the fact that Bleek will only feature appearences from Jay, Foxy Brown and M.O.P show that Bleek's not playing the game that people will be expecting. I think that with the Just Blaze, Bink!, 9th Wonder and Swizz Beats, 5,3,4 is going for that Number 1 spot!

Tego

For crying out loud! Okay, Nas' gig in my home town (Brixton) yesterday descended into dangerous chaos. But why is the focus always switched to the artist who performed at the gig and not the area that the offense took place in? Without sounding like I did it myself, I'm fairly certain that I could relay the facts of the incident to great aplomb having not heard much about it! (I am absolutely certain that I'll know everything there is to know by the end of the week. It's Brixton, that's how we do!). So why don't the police know? Why didn't the police see it coming? What has the oppression and mistreatment of a community such as Brixton have to do with Nas or hip-hop in general? I personally think that Nas is milking it, with press conferences saying things along the lines of 'People died in front of me growing up in Queens, I'm used to it!' Alright Nas, Lake exposed you the other day, we know how long ago you were in the hood! Don't try and come over to London and exploit our struggle to boost your failing street-credibility! That's really, really not cool.

I'm saying this as my position of reference for all future incidents of this nature. You can't create a monster and blame the monster's mouth for stepping on a few people! The mouth is the only way you'll be able to communicate with the monster and understand it's struggles and the only way you'll ever solve it's problems. The rappers that represent the struggling communities only try to be that person who says what we're thinking, what we're going through. If you can't see that as a good thing, and a thing that brings you closer to helping us out of our perils then you're obviously not willing. Although I don't condone the incident, it did do one thing, it re-shone the light on the urban ghettos of London that have been shunned for so long. It will go away, the attention is shallow and fleeting. They'll destroy a couple of careers, put a few boys in prison and then it's back to business.

Wether that person is frustrated or flourishing in the environment that they've (they = New Labour) created, it's a powerful, representational image of our struggle. That guy knew that he'd get away with it! What does that say about our community?

Don't ignore us, or we'll act out! It's simple psychology, don't act stupid!

Tego

Okay, I haven't really digested this completely. But hip-hop's best friend Reverend Al Sharpton (who is currently on an anti hip-hop crusade) has announced that he'll be buying stocks in some of the major labels so that he can have an impact on what hip-hop gets released "I don't think too many CEOs want to see me come into his stockholders' meeting to say they're not doing enough to stop the violence," he said. Now, Mr Sharpton has never had much respect from me. He's always just been an opportunist. But this latest scheme seems to be a bit convenient doesn't it? He's been on this crusade for a few weeks, I'd say that one of his minions was doing some research so that he could quote some figures in his speeches and the minion goes 'Hey Rev. These guys are getting paid! They're got black people in the top tax bracket right here!' Mr Sharpton allows his financial-idea bulb to flick on and.......

Now, I am a skeptical person. So none of this is probably as I'm reporting it! But the good Reverend has always been an opportunist, so I wouldn't put anything past him! A christian Farakahn? (don't get me started!) Political games and manoevers that place Al in a very good position for the 2008 Election. "We're going from 'Fight the Power' to fighting each other," Indeed we are Al, indeed we are!

Tego

Joe Budden:

He's been on the scene for a couple of years now, but his debut, self-titled album did not have the freedom and inevitably the impact that perhaps it should have. Joey's a supremely talented rapper and lyricist though. He's been hitting the mixtape scene as all New York rappers do, it's believed that he's aligned himself with Damon Dash in the Rocafella split. Joey's relatively low-profile beef with The Game helped to display the true talents of the young spitter.

Bubba Sparxxx:

Bubba has released 2 albums in his short career. After being picked up by Timbaland, Bubba recorded his acclaimed 'Dark Days, Bright nights' featuring the hit singles 'Ugly' and 'Lovely'. Bubba wasn't satisfied with the L.P though, claiming that he played to much to the stereotypes of the 'Bible Belt-White south' and didn't adequately tell the story of his local community. His second effort 'Deliverance' was again, a quality L.P but did not receive the push or praise that it deserved. He's now signed with Big Boi's new 'Purple Label'. Expect the best.

Saigon:

Obvious. Anybody with an interest in trends of new music, and anybody pays any attention to hip-hop already knows about Saigon! He could be the most important rapper in the world right now, maybe the only guy in New York to bring the credibility back? After playing the mixtape game for near 2 years Saigon hooked up with the most important producer in the world right now Just Blaze. The 2 took a new label proposal to Lyor Cohen at Atlantic Records. Saigon's full length debut L.P tentatively titled 'Dear Black America' will be released through Fort Knox/ Atlantic later this year.

Peedi Crakk:

Peedi's a love him or hate him artist. He's been making his mac go Vrrrrriiiinnngg for a couple of years now, with high profile collaborations with Philly bretheren Freeway and Beanie Sigel's 'Flipside' and 'Flatline' respectively as well as a recent mixtape banger 'Niggarican' with N.O.R.E. The Puerto Rican rapper is believed to have aligned himself with Jay-Z in the Rocafella split. Peedi's definitely got hits in him. There are no details as to the release of his debut as yet.
Lil Scrappy:

To a lot of people, Lil Scrappy's recent fame comes as no surprise. He's been heating up the south for a couple of years with his pimp/crunk. Recent rumours suggest that he will be scooped-up for his next album though, by platinum breeder 50 Cent. With the hype, production and promotion that goes along with G-Unit Records, expect Scrappy in the charts before long.

Memphis Bleek:

Coming of age. Take Memphis aka. M-Easy's career thus far and hit the delete button. While living in his mentor Jay-Z's shadow, Bleek was never really expected to make much noise. The comparison would always lead to pressure on a young artist, but with the boss in place and Memph man heating up the mixtape scene with 'Yes' it really could be the year that he steps out of the shadows and becomes his own man! His 3rd album 534 will be released by Def Jam in May 2005.

Tego

When it's not bright colours, when you're kicking it off, when it's new, when it's original, when it's young, when it's about to change the world. It's black and white, right?